PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Klaus Ley

Publications and source records attributed to Klaus Ley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The protective role of γδ T cells in endometrial cancer.

Γδ T cells are non-conventional T cells that are not MHC restricted and have T cell receptors (TCRs) that are stimulated by phosphoantigens, stress-induced proteins, lipids, and other antigens. These cells are prognostic across cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) but have not been well studied in endometrial cancer, which has a rising incidence and mortality rate. Endometrial cancer patients have variable responses to checkpoint inhibitors which are related to the molecular subtype of their cancer. As such, there is a pressing need to understand the immune microenvironment in endometrial cancer. This study addresses this gap in knowledge by investigating γδ T cell repertoires and transcriptomes in this disease site. γδ T cell repertoires were obtained for 543 endometrial cancer patients within the TCGA and from 5 endometrial cancer patients in the single cell dataset SRP349751 using TRUST4. GLIPH2 was used to identify TCRs predicted to bind the same antigen. Transcriptomes were investigated in the single cell dataset. DNA Polymerase Epsilon Exonuclease (POLE) and Microsatellite Instability High (MSI-H) endometrial cancer subtypes had the most γδ T cell infiltration. Vδ1 and Vδ3 γδ T cell infiltration was prognostic independent of stage and molecular subtype. GLIPH2 analysis revealed TCRδ motifs for TDK, YTD, and GEL were public across all four molecular subtypes and were present in the single cell data set. Vδ1 γδ T cell transcriptomes were associated with cytotoxicity and recent TCR stimulation. These data support further investigation of immunotherapies targeting γδ T cells in endometrial cancer.

Humans↗

Proteomic discovery of 21 proteins expressed in human plasma-derived but not platelet-derived microparticles.

Microparticles (MPs) are small membrane vesicles generated by essentially all cell types. In the plasma, most MPs are derived from platelets, but those from other sources, particularly leukocytes (macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils), endothelial cells, and even smooth muscle cells can be detected and appear to play an important role in normal physiology and various diseases. In previous work we analyzed the proteome of MPs generated from isolated platelets (platelet MPs). Here, we report on a comparative analysis of microparticles isolated from plasma (plasma MPs) versus platelet MP using two complementary methods of comparative analysis. The first method, spectral count analysis, yielded 21 proteins detected in plasma MPs (with a total spectral count of 10 or greater) that were essentially absent in platelet MPs (with a total spectral count of 1 or 0). An additional two proteins (von Willebrand Factor, albumin) were present in both types of MPs but enriched in the plasma MPs. The second method, isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) labeling of proteins, supported the spectral count results for the more abundant proteins and provided better relative quantitation of differentially expressed proteins. Proteins present only in the plasma MPs include several associated with apoptosis (CD5-like antigen, galectin 3 binding protein, several complement components), iron transport (transferrin, transferrin receptor, haptoglobin), immune response (complement components, immunoglobulin J and kappa chains), and the coagulation process (protein S, coagulation factor VIII).

Apoptosis↗

Leukocyte phosphoinositide-3 kinase {gamma} is required for chemokine-induced, sustained adhesion under flow in vivo.

During inflammation, leukocytes roll along the wall of postcapillary venules scanning the surface for immobilized CXCL1, a chemokine that triggers firm adhesion by activating CXCR2 on the neutrophil. PI-3K are signaling molecules important in cellular processes, ranging from cellular differentiation to leukocyte migration. PI-3Kgamma can be activated directly by the betagamma dimer of heterotrimeric G proteins coupled to CXCR2. Here, we used in vivo and ex vivo intravital microscopy models to test the role of PI-3Kgamma in leukocyte arrest. PI-3Kgamma null mice showed an 80% decrease in CXCL1-induced leukocyte adhesion in venules of the exteriorized mouse cremaster muscle. In wild-type mice, rolling leukocytes showed rapid and sustained adhesion, but in PI-3Kgamma(-/-) mice, adhesion was not triggered at all or was transient, suggesting that absence of PI-3Kgamma interferes with integrin bond strengthening. Wild-type mice reconstituted with PI-3Kgamma null bone marrow showed a 50% decrease in CXCL1-induced leukocyte adhesion. In a blood-perfused micro-flow chamber, leukocytes from PI-3Kgamma(-/-) mice showed a defect in adhesion on a P-selectin/ICAM-1/CXCL1 substrate, indicating that leukocyte PI-3Kgamma was required for adhesion. The adhesion defect in PI-3Kgamma(-/-) mice was as severe as that in mice lacking LFA-1, the major integrin responsible for neutrophil adhesion. We conclude that the gamma isoform of PI-3K must be functional in leukocytes to allow efficient adhesion from rolling in response to chemokine stimulation.

Animals↗

Platelet-neutrophil-interactions: linking hemostasis and inflammation.

Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis, but they also play an important pro-inflammatory role. Platelets normally circulate in a quiescent state. Upon activation, platelets can secrete and present various molecules, change their shape as well as the expression pattern of adhesion molecules. These changes are associated with the adhesion of platelets to leukocytes and the vessel wall. The interaction of platelets with neutrophils promotes the recruitment of neutrophils into inflammatory tissue and thus participates in host defense. This interaction of neutrophils with platelets is mainly mediated through P-selectin and beta(2) and beta(3) integrins (CD11b/CD18, CD41/CD61). Platelets can also interact with endothelial cells and monocytes. Adherent platelets promote the 'secondary capture' of neutrophils and other leukocytes. In addition, platelets secrete neutrophil and endothelial activators inducing production of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, platelets are important amplifiers of acute inflammation.

Blood Platelets↗

Sphingosine-1 phosphate prevents monocyte/endothelial interactions in type 1 diabetic NOD mice through activation of the S1P1 receptor.

Monocyte recruitment and adhesion to vascular endothelium are key early events in atherosclerosis. We examined the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on modulating monocyte/endothelial interactions in the NOD/LtJ (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Aortas from nondiabetic and diabetic NOD mice were incubated in the absence or presence of 100 nmol/L S1P. Fluorescently labeled monocytes were incubated with the aortas. Aortas from NOD diabetic mice bound 7-fold more monocytes than nondiabetic littermates (10+/-1 monocytes bound/field for nondiabetic mice vs 74+/-12 monocytes bound/field for diabetic mice, P<0.0001). Incubation of diabetic aortas with 100 nmol/L S1P reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelium by 90%. We found expression of S1P1, S1P2, and S1P3 receptors on NOD aortic endothelial cells. The S1P1 receptor-specific agonist SEW2871 inhibited monocyte adhesion to diabetic aortas. Studies in diabetic S1P3-deficient mice revealed that the S1P3 receptor did not play a pivotal role in this process. S1P reduced endothelial VCAM-1 induction in type 1 diabetic NOD mice, most likely through inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB translocation to the nucleus. Thus, S1P activation of the S1P1 receptor functions in an antiinflammatory manner in type 1 diabetic vascular endothelium to prevent monocyte/endothelial interactions. S1P may play an important role in the prevention of vascular complications of type 1 diabetes.

Animals↗

Antibody blockade of CCL25/CCR9 ameliorates early but not late chronic murine ileitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: CCL25 mediates the homeostatic recruitment of CCR9-expressing lymphocytes to the small intestine, but the function of this chemokine/receptor pair during chronic small intestinal inflammation has yet to be determined. Furthermore, although clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of targeting the CCL25/CCR9 axis for the treatment of Crohn's disease are being conducted, preclinical data in animal models of IBD are lacking. METHODS: In the current studies, we investigated the expression of CCL25 and CCR9 as a function of disease progression in a spontaneous murine model of chronic ileitis (SAMP1/YitFc) using flow cytometry, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we assessed the functional role of the axis in the overall disease process through therapeutic studies that target the chemokine or the receptor during early and late disease. RESULTS: The percentage of CCR9-expressing lymphocytes increased during early disease, accompanied by the appearance of a population of CCR9(high) lymphocytes, predominantly within CD8(+) T cells. Yet different from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, the expression of CCL25 remained restricted to the small intestine, even in mice with inflammation of the biliary tree. Neutralization of the receptor or the chemokine attenuated early disease but showed no therapeutic efficacy during the later stages, when overall CCR9 expression decreased and the CCR9(high) population was absent. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies show that the role of this chemokine axis is not limited to homeostatic recruitment, as previously believed. However, these molecules appear to play their most crucial role during the early stages of chronic murine ileitis.

Animals↗

Deformable gas-filled microbubbles targeted to P-selectin.

Ultrasound contrast microbubbles have been successfully targeted to a number of intravascular disease markers. We hypothesized that targeted delivery could be improved further, by making the microbubbles deformable, leading to increased microbubble-endothelium adhesion contact area and stabilized adhesion. Activated leukocytes utilize such strategy; they deform after binding to inflamed endothelium in the vasculature. Lipid-shell microbubbles were targeted to the endothelial inflammatory protein P-selectin with a monoclonal anti-P-selectin antibody attached to the microbubble shell. Deformable microbubbles were created by controlled pressurization with partial gas loss, which generated an average excess shell surface area of approximately 30% and the formation of outward-projected wrinkles and folds. Targeted microbubble adhesion and deformability were assessed in the parallel plate flow chamber under shear flow. Sustained adhesion of deformable microbubbles at wall shear stresses between 0.4 and 1.35 dyn/cm(2) was consistently better than adhesion of wrinkle-free microbubbles. Over this shear range, targeted wrinkled microbubbles were deformed by shear flow, unlike wrinkle-free microbubbles. In a murine cremaster inflammation model, a significant improvement of deformable microbubble targeting was observed by intravital microscopy. Overall, the mechanical aspects of adhesion, such as particle shape, deformability and surface microstructure, are important in engineering efficient site-targeted particle-based agents for medical imaging and therapy.

Animals↗

Lymphocyte recruitment into the aortic wall before and during development of atherosclerosis is partially L-selectin dependent.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of large arteries. Flow cytometry of aortic cell suspensions showed that B and T lymphocytes and some macrophages and dendritic cells are already present in the adventitia of normal/noninflamed mouse aortas. Adoptively transferred lymphocytes constitutively homed to the aorta and resided within the adventitia up to 7 d after transfer. Lymphocyte trafficking into normal/noninflamed or atherosclerosis-prone aortas was partially L-selectin dependent. Antigen-activated dendritic cells induced increased T lymphocyte proliferation within the aorta 72 h after adoptive transfer. During progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice, the total number of macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells, but not B cells, increased significantly. This alteration in immune cell composition was accompanied by the formation of tertiary lymphoid tissue in the adventitia of atherosclerotic aortas. These results demonstrate that lymphocytes already reside within the normal/noninflamed aorta before the onset atherosclerosis as a consequence of constitutive trafficking. Atherosclerosis induces the recruitment of macrophages and dendritic cells that support antigen presentation.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Critical role of endothelial P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 in chronic murine ileitis.

L-selectin ligands might be relevant for inflammatory cell trafficking into the small intestine in a spontaneous model of chronic ileitis (i.e., SAMP1/YitFc mice). Immunoblockade of peripheral node addressin or mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 failed to ameliorate ileitis, whereas P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) neutralization attenuated both the adoptively transferred and spontaneous disease. PSGL-1 was detected in venules of mesenteric lymph node and small intestine by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. In addition, reconstitution of wild-type mice with PSGL-1(-/-) bone marrow demonstrated that PSGL-1 messenger RNA and PSGL-1 protein expression remained on endothelium, localized within mesenteric lymph node and small intestine. Endothelial PSGL-1 bound P-selectin-IgG and its blockade or genetic deletion altered the recruitment of lymphocytes to the small intestine, as revealed by intravital microscopy and homing studies. Endothelial expression of PSGL-1 adds a new dimension to the various cellular interactions involved in small intestinal recruitment. Thus, the multiple roles of PSGL-1 may explain why targeting this single adhesion molecule results in attenuation of chronic murine ileitis, a disease previously resistant to antiadhesion molecule strategies.

Animals↗

The primary defect in experimental ileitis originates from a nonhematopoietic source.

The initiating etiologic factor in Crohn's disease (CD) remains unclear. SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice develop chronic ileitis similar to human CD. We used bone marrow chimeras to determine if SAMP ileitis results from a primary immunological defect or from dysregulated mucosal immunity secondary to intrinsic, nonhematopoietic (e.g., epithelial) dysfunction. SAMP mice receiving wild-type (AKR) BM developed severe ileitis, whereas SAMP BM did not confer ileitis to WT recipients. WT lymphocytes from reconstituted SAMP mice resembled native SAMP populations in regard to surface phenotype and cytokine production. Ilea from native SAMP mice and SAMP recipients of wild-type BM displayed decreased epithelial barrier resistance ex vivo and increased epithelial permeability in vivo compared to native WT mice and AKR recipients of SAMP BM. This permeability defect preceded the development of ileal inflammation, was present in the absence of commensal bacteria, and was accompanied by altered ileal mRNA expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-2 and occludin. Our results provide evidence that the primary defect conferring ileitis in SAMP mice originates from a nonhematopoietic source. Generation of pathogenic lymphocytes is a consequence of this defect and does not reflect intrinsic proinflammatory leukocyte properties. Decreased barrier function suggests that defects in the epithelium may represent the primary source of SAMP ileitis susceptibility.

Animals↗

Critical role of endothelial CXCR2 in LPS-induced neutrophil migration into the lung.

In models of acute lung injury, CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) mediates migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the lung. Since CXCR2 ligands, including CXCL1 and CXCL2/3, are chemotactic for PMNs, CXCR2 is thought to recruit PMNs by inducing chemotactic migration. In a model of PMN recruitment to the lung, aerosolized bacterial LPS inhalation induced PMN recruitment to the lung in wild-type mice, but not in littermate CXCR2-/- mice. Surprisingly, lethally irradiated wild-type mice reconstituted with CXCR2-/- BM still showed about 50% PMN recruitment into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and into lung interstitium, but CXCR2-/- mice reconstituted with CXCR2-/- BM showed no PMN recruitment. Conversely, CXCR2-/- mice reconstituted with wild-type BM showed a surprisingly large defect in PMN recruitment, inconsistent with a role of CXCR2 on PMNs alone. Cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and real-time RT-PCR were used to show expression of CXCR2 on pulmonary endothelial and bronchial epithelial cells. The LPS-induced increase in lung microvascular permeability as measured by Evans blue extravasation required CXCR2 on nonhematopoietic cells. Our data revealed what we believe to be a previously unrecognized role of endothelial and epithelial CXCR2 in LPS-induced PMN recruitment and lung injury.

Animals↗

ICAM-1 and LFA-1 play critical roles in LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment into the alveolar space.

Neutrophil recruitment into lung constitutes a major response to airborne endotoxins. In many tissues endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) interacts with lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on neutrophils, and this interaction plays a critical role in neutrophil recruitment. There are conflicting reports about the role of ICAM-1 in neutrophil recruitment into lungs. We studied neutrophil recruitment into alveolar space in a murine model of aerosolized LPS-induced lung inflammation. LPS induces at least a 100-fold increase in neutrophil numbers in alveolar space, as determined by flow cytometry of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Neutrophil recruitment was reduced by 54% in ICAM-1 null mice and by 45% in LFA-1 null mice. In wild-type mice treated with anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1 antibodies, there was 51 and 58% reduction in the neutrophil recruitment, respectively. In chimeric mice, generated by the transplantation of mixtures of bone marrows from LFA-1 null and wild-type mice, the normalized recruitment of LFA-1 null neutrophils was reduced by 60% compared with wild-type neutrophils. Neither the treatment of ICAM-1 null mice with a function-blocking antibody to LFA-1 nor the treatment of LFA-1 null mice with anti-ICAM-1 antibody resulted in further reduction in the recruitment compared with untreated ICAM-1 null and LFA-1 null mice. We conclude that ICAM-1 and LFA-1 play critical roles in the recruitment of neutrophils into the alveolar space in aerosolized LPS-induced lung inflammation, and LFA-1 serves as a ligand of ICAM-1 in the lung.

Aerosols↗

Leukocyte recruitment and vascular injury in diabetic nephropathy.

Different types of activated leukocytes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of most kidney diseases from acute to chronic stages; however, diabetic nephropathy was not considered an inflammatory disease in the past. This view is changing now because there is a growing body of evidence implicating inflammatory cells at every stage of diabetic nephropathy. Renal tissue macrophages, T cells, and neutrophils produce various reactive oxygen species, proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteinases, and growth factors, which modulate the local response and increase inflammation within the diabetic kidney. Although the precise mechanisms that direct leukocyte homing into renal tissues are not fully identified, it has been reported that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the chemokines CCL2 and CX3CL1 probably are involved in leukocyte migration in diabetic nephropathy. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment into the diabetic kidney and the involvement of immigrated immune cells in the damage to renal tissues.

Cell Adhesion↗

Alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase-IV is essential for L-selectin ligand function in inflammation.

L-selectin belongs to the C-type lectin family of glycoproteins and is constitutively expressed on most leukocytes. L-selectin mediates leukocyte rolling in inflamed microvessels and high endothelial venules (HEV) via binding to specific carbohydrate structures on selectin ligands. Previous studies using sialidase treatment suggested a role of sialic acid residues in L-selectin-dependent rolling. To investigate the role of the alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal)-IV on L-selectin ligand activity in vivo, we studied leukocyte rolling in inflamed venules of the cremaster muscle and in Peyer's patch HEV of ST3Gal-IV-deficient mice and littermate control mice. In cremaster muscle venules with or without TNF-alpha treatment, L-selectin-dependent rolling was almost completely abolished in ST3Gal-IV(-/-) mice. In both models, L-selectin interacts with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) presented by adherent leukocytes and leukocyte fragments, but not with endothelial L-selectin ligands. In contrast, L-selectin-dependent rolling in Peyer's patch HEV, which is mediated by unknown endothelial L-selectin ligands, was not impaired in the absence of ST3Gal-IV. Our in vivo data show that PSGL-1, the molecule responsible for L-selectin-mediated leukocyte interactions in inflammation, is dependent on ST3Gal-IV, while alpha2,3-sialylation by ST3Gal-IV is not necessary for L-selectin ligand activity on high endothelial cells of Peyer's patch HEV.

Animals↗

Analysis of leukocyte rolling in vivo and in vitro.

Leukocyte rolling is an important step for the successful recruitment of leukocytes from blood to tissues mediated by a specialized group of glycoproteins termed selectins. Because of the dynamic process of leukocyte rolling, binding of selectins to their respective counter-receptors (selectin ligands) needs to fulfill three major requirements: (1) rapid bond formation, (2) high tensile strength, and (3) fast dissociation rates. These criteria are perfectly met by selectins, which interact with specific carbohydrate determinants on selectin ligands. This chapter describes the theoretical background, technical requirements, and analytical tools needed to quantitatively assess leukocyte rolling in vivo and in vitro. For the in vivo setting, intravital microscopy allows the observation and recording of leukocyte rolling under different physiological and pathological conditions in almost every organ. Real-time and off-line analysis tools help to assess geometric, hemodynamic, and rolling parameters. Under in vitro conditions, flow chamber assays such as parallel plate flow chamber systems have been the mainstay to study interactions between leukocytes and adhesion molecules under flow. In this setting, adhesion molecules are immobilized on plastic, in a lipid monolayer, or presented on cultured endothelial cells on the chamber surface. Microflow chambers are available for studying leukocyte adhesion in the context of whole blood and without blood cell isolation. The microscopic observation of leukocyte rolling in different in vivo and in vitro settings has significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the stepwise extravasation of leukocytes into inflamed tissues.

Cell Adhesion↗

Induction of LFA-1-dependent neutrophil rolling on ICAM-1 by engagement of E-selectin.

OBJECTIVE: To study rolling of mouse neutrophils on E-selectin and ICAM-1 in an ex vivo flow chamber system. METHODS: The authors developed a small autoperfused flow chamber (20 x 200-microm cross section) that allows direct visualization of cells with and without fluorescent labeling and does not require recirculation of blood. RESULTS: Neutrophils rolled on E-selectin alone, but were unable to interact with immobilized ICAM-1. When ICAM-1 was co-immobilized with E-selectin, the number of cells that rolled was doubled, but no significant firm adhesion was observed. This phenomenon was specific for E-selectin, and no enhancement of rolling was observed when P-selectin was immobilized with ICAM-1. The increased neutrophil rolling seen on E-selectin and ICAM-1 substrates required beta2 integrins. Treating mice with antibodies to the beta2 integrins LFA-1 and Mac-1 showed that LFA-1 was primarily responsible for mediating rolling on ICAM-1 in this model. Increased rolling on E-selectin and ICAM-1 was significantly reduced following administration of a specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor. CONCLUSION: The data show that neutrophil rolling on E-selectin leads to partial activation of LFA-1, enabling LFA-1-dependent rolling on ICAM-1. This mechanism is likely to amplify and accelerate neutrophil recruitment in inflammation.

Animals↗