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L Matis

Publications and source records attributed to L Matis.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

STESYS2: extended STESYS software for MS Windows.

The STESYS2 software is a new version of the IBM PC software supporting interactive stereological measurements. In comparison with the previous STESYS, it is enhanced by a number of useful options, e.g. on-line image input via a TV camera coupled with a microscope operating under MS Windows OS. The main advantage, when compared with other such software packages, is the design of the STESYS2 as a module of the freeware image processing system Image Tool which provides a user-friendly environment including a number of image processing and preprocessing routines. Capabilities of the STESYS2 are illustrated by a practical example: estimation of the surface area of capillaries in the terminal villi of human placenta by the Sandau spatial grid method.

Capillaries↗

Functional expression and recognition of nonclassical MHC class I T10b is not peptide-dependent.

Studies of classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules have shown that unique peptides are associated and functionally recognized by alloreactive T cells. We have recently shown that an alloreactive TCR-gamma delta cell recognizes a nonclassical MHC molecule, T10b. However, T cell recognition of this glycoprotein did not appear to require typical peptide recognition based on studies using transporter-defective mutant cell lines. In the current study, we have analyzed in detail, the role of peptide in T10b expression and recognition. The findings reveal that the recognition of the nonclassical MHC molecule by TCR-gamma delta cells is independent of species, tissue type, both the class I and class II Ag processing and presentation pathways, or the presence of peptides. In fact, biochemical analysis of the T10b chimeric molecule, T10b/Ld, transfected into CHO cells using radiolabeled [3H]leucine, HPLC, and mass spectrometry suggest that peptides are not associated with this nonclassical class I molecule. Therefore, some class I molecules, e.g., T10b, do not associate with polymorphic peptides typical of classical MHC class I molecules and can be expressed in the absence of peptides on the cell surface in a functionally active form.

Animals↗

The nature of major histocompatibility complex recognition by gamma delta T cells.

Despite intensive efforts, the general rules for gamma delta T cell recognition remain undefined. Here, we take advantage of the detailed knowledge of the molecular structure and biosynthetic pathways of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to analyze the recognition properties of the gamma delta T cell clones LBK5 (specific for the class II MHC, IEk) and G8 (specific for the nonclassical class I MHC, TL10b). We find that the activation of these clones requires neither class I nor class II antigen-processing and that peptides do not confer specificity. Epitope mapping also shows that the topology of gamma delta T cell receptor interaction with the MHC is distinct from that of alpha beta T cells. These results suggest that the molecular nature of gamma delta T cell recognition is fundamentally different than that of alpha beta T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Development of T cell receptor-gamma delta cells. Phenotypic and functional correlations of T cell receptor-gamma delta thymocyte maturation.

The development of TCR-gamma delta cells during thymic ontogeny has been studied using fetal thymic organ cultures of normal and transgenic (Tg) mice. The expression of the cell-surface markers--heat stable Ag (HSA), MEL-14, CD5, CD25 (IL-2R), and CD44 (Pgp-1)--correlated with TCR-gamma delta maturation. As the fetal thymus developed, there was an increase in HSA-, CD5dull, and CD44+ cells for each TCR-gamma delta cell subset. Moreover, the expression of recombination activating genes-1 and -2 (RAG-1 and RAG-2) also correlated with TCR-gamma delta maturation as only HSA+ TCR-gamma delta cells transcribed these genes. Cyclosporin A inhibited the development of the TCR-gamma delta thymocytes if it was introduced early during thymic ontogeny by arresting the differentiation of TCR-gamma delta thymocytes at the HSA+ stage. Immature HSA+ TCR-gamma delta thymocytes isolated from both TCR-gamma delta Tg and normal mice did not respond to nominal Ag or anti-TCR mAb unless exogenous IL-2 was added to the cultures. In contrast, HSA- TCR-gamma delta cells from Tg and normal mice responded to TCR/ligand interactions in the absence of additional IL-2. Finally, the development of functionally mature TCR-gamma delta cells could be induced in vitro. Interaction of the HSA+ Tg+ TCR-gamma delta cells with anti-TCR-gamma delta mAb or Ag-bearing thymic stromal cells resulted in RAG-1 and RAG-2 down-regulation. These data strongly suggest that TCR-gamma delta HSA+, RAG+ thymocytes differentiate into a more mature stage under the pressure of positive selection and that TCR-gamma delta cell development is regulated in a manner similar to TCR-alpha beta cells. In addition, the ability of Cyclosporin A to inhibit TCR-gamma delta cell development combined with the findings that Ag-bearing stromal cells can induce Tg TCR-gamma delta cell development suggests that maturation and selection of TCR-gamma delta cells depends on receptor-mediated physiologic stimuli delivered during thymic development.

Animals↗

Ethanol: an enhancer of major histocompatibility complex antigen expression.

Ethanol enhances expression of cell surface class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in a variety of cell lines; up to an eightfold increase is observed in an embryonic cell line. In ethanol-treated L cells, increased cell surface expression of MHC antigens occurs with a concomitant increase in steady-state RNA levels. This effect is promoter dependent and restricted, because not all gene products are elevated. The effective ethanol concentration (1%) is physiologically attainable, leading to speculations about the role of elevated MHC antigens in alcohol-related diseases.

Animals↗

Interleukin 2 induces antigen-reactive T cell lines to secrete BCGF-I.

Antigen-activated T lymphocytes produce within 24 h of stimulation a factor that is indistinguishable biochemically and functionally from the B cell co-stimulating growth factor, BCGF-I, originally identified in induced EL4 supernatants: Supernatants from antigen-stimulated T cell lines are not directly mitogenic for resting B cells, but synergize in an H-2-unrestricted manner with anti-Ig activated B cells to produce polyclonal proliferation but not antibody-forming-cell development; biochemical studies reveal the B cell co-stimulating factor present in antigen-stimulated T cell line supernatants is identical by phenyl Sepharose chromatography and isoelectric focusing (IEF) to EL4 supernatant BCGF-I. We thus conclude that normal T cells produce BCGF-I in response to antigenic stimulation. Analysis of the mechanism of BCGF-I production by antigen-stimulated T cells showed that optimum amounts of BCGF-I were obtained as quickly as 24 h post-stimulation, and that the factor producing cells in the T cell line investigated bore the Lyt-1+2- phenotype. As few as 10(4) T cells produced sufficient BCGF-I to support the proliferation of 5 X 10(4) purified anti-Ig activated B cells. Finally, the activation of normal T cell lines to produce BCGF-I required either antigen presented in the context of syngeneic antigen-presenting cells (APC) or interleukin 2 (IL-2).

Animals↗

Pharmacology and biological efficacy of a recombinant, humanized, single-chain antibody C5 complement inhibitor in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory response that causes substantial clinical morbidity. Activation of complement during CPB contributes significantly to this inflammatory process. We examined the capability of a novel therapeutic complement inhibitor to prevent pathological complement activation and tissue injury in patients undergoing CPB. METHODS AND RESULTS: A humanized, recombinant, single-chain antibody specific for human C5, h5G1.1-scFv, was intravenously administered in 1 of 4 doses ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mg/kg before CPB. h5G1.1-scFv was found to be safe and well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a sustained half-life from 7.0 to 14.5 hours. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated significant dose-dependent inhibition of complement hemolytic activity for up to 14 hours at 2 mg/kg. The generation of proinflammatory complement byproducts (sC5b-9) was effectively inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. Leukocyte activation, as measured by surface expression of CD11b, was reduced (P<0.05) in patients who received 1 and 2 mg/kg. There was a 40% reduction in myocardial injury (creatine kinase-MB release, P=0.05) in patients who received 2 mg/kg. Sequential Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSE) demonstrated an 80% reduction in new cognitive deficits (P<0.05) in patients treated with 2 mg/kg. Finally, there was a 1-U reduction in postoperative blood loss (P<0. 05) in patients who received 1 or 2 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: A single-chain antibody specific for human C5 is a safe and effective inhibitor of pathological complement activation in patients undergoing CPB. In addition to significantly reducing sC5b-9 formation and leukocyte CD11b expression, C5 inhibition significantly attenuates postoperative myocardial injury, cognitive deficits, and blood loss. These data suggest that C5 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing complement-mediated inflammation and tissue injury.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗