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M Carretero

Publications and source records attributed to M Carretero.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The CD94/NKG2 C-type lectin receptor complex: involvement in NK cell-mediated recognition of HLA class I molecules.

A multigene family to human Ig-SF receptors and members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family are involved in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated recognition of MHC class I molecules. The human CD94 glycoprotein covalently assembles with different C-type lectins of the NKG2 family. By functional criteria, the CD94/NKG2-A (kp43) receptor complex appears also involved in NK cell-mediated recognition of different HLA class I allotypes. Similarly to the other NK inhibitory receptors, NKG2-A contains cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMS). By contrast, NK clones bearing different receptor complex (CD94/p39) are triggered upon ligation by CD94-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); the p39 subunit is likely encoded by other member(s) of the NKG2 family. Expression of different CD94/NKG2 complexes is warranted to precisely assess their specific interaction with HLA class I molecules, and the molecular basis for their divergent functional properties.

Animals↗

The human natural killer gene complex is located on chromosome 12p12-p13.

Natural killer (NK) cells preferentially express several type II glycoproteins of the calcium-dependent lectin superfamily. The genes coding for these molecules are clustered on the distal mouse chromosome 6 and on the rat chromosome 4 in a region designated the NK gene complex. To date, no definite evidence of the presence of a NK gene complex has been found in humans. Here we report the assignment by fluorescence in situ hybridization of the CD94 gene to human chromosome 12p12-p13, in the same region where the CD69 and NKG2A genes had been previously mapped. In addition, using a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning this region we determined that the human CD94, NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2E, and NKR-P1A (NKR) genes map to the short arm of chromosome 12. The distal to proximal position of these loci are: NKR- CD69 - CD94/NKG2A/NKG2C/NKG2E. These data demonstrate the existence of a human NK gene complex located within a 5.6 cM interval flanked by the genetic markers D12S397 and D12S89. The physical distance spanned by the NK gene complex in humans ranges between 0.7 and 2.4 megabases.

Animals↗

Structure and function of the CD94 C-type lectin receptor complex involved in recognition of HLA class I molecules.

A multigene family of immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF) killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) specifically recognize HLA class I molecules, while the interaction with H-2 products is mediated by members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family. A common structural feature of these receptors with inhibitory function is the presence of cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) that couple them to SHP phosphatases. Strong support for the involvement of the CD94 C-type lectin receptor complex in NK cell-mediated recognition of Bw6+ HLA-B, HLA-A and HLA-C alleles has been obtained. The cloned CD94 molecule covalently assembles with at least two different glycoproteins (43 kDa and 39 kDa) to form functional receptors. NK cells inhibited upon HLA recognition express the CD94/p43 dimer, whose specificity for HLA molecules partially overlaps the Ig-SF receptor system. By contrast, NK clones bearing the homologous CD94/p39 receptor are triggered upon its ligation by CD94-specific mAbs. Remarkably, a set of Ig-SF receptors (p50) homologous to p58 KIRs also display an activating function. CD94-associated molecules belong to the NKG2 family of C-type lectins; the NKG2-A gene encodes for the p43 subunit, which contains cytoplasmic ITIMS. Expression of the different CD94 heterodimeric receptors will enable precise analysis of their putative interaction with HLA class I molecules.

Antigens, CD↗

Biochemical and serologic evidence for the existence of functionally distinct forms of the CD94 NK cell receptor.

The CD94 NK cell receptor is assembled as a disulfide-linked dimer and appears to be encoded by a single-copy gene of the C-type lectin superfamily. In reverse Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays, CD94-specific mAbs may either trigger or inhibit cytotoxicity in distinct subsets of NK clones, termed groups A and B, respectively. The molecular basis for this functional ambivalence of CD94 has been addressed. CD94 molecules immunoprecipitated with the HP-3B1 mAb from the two different subsets of NK clones were comparatively analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Under reducing conditions, the stimulating form of CD94 from group A clones displayed a significantly lower Mr (39 kDa) than the inhibitory form of group B clones (Mr = 43 kDa). Analyses of N-glycanase and V8 protease-digested samples indicated that the two CD94 forms are homologous. A CD94-specific mAb (Z199) that did not recognize cells transfected with a CD94 cDNA (LL288) was characterized. Z199 did not bind to group A clones, whereas its reactivity with group B NK cells was indistinguishable from that of other CD94-specific mAbs. Different from the HP-3B1 mAb, the Z199 mAb displayed only inhibitory effects in reverse Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays. Immunoprecipitation studies confirmed that Z199 selectively identified the 43-kDa CD94. Our study proves the existence of at least two biochemically and serologically distinct CD94 molecules, whose selective/predominant expression at the clonal level correlates with the pattern of response (i.e., inhibition vs activation) of NK cells to ligation by CD94-specific mAbs.

Antigens, CD↗

Antibodies to CD36 (GPIV) inhibit platelet adhesion to subendothelial surfaces under flow conditions.

The membrane glycoprotein CD36 (glycoprotein [GP] IV) has previously been shown to accelerate the initial interaction of platelets with purified type I collagen in both static and flow systems. In the present study, the role of CD36 on platelet interaction with physiologically relevant collagenous surfaces was addressed. Using arterial subendothelium (SE) and endothelial cell extracellular matrix (ECM), studies were performed under flow conditions with annular and parallel-plate perfusion chambers, respectively, at a shear rate of 800 s-1 for 2, 5, and 10 minutes. Perfusates consisted of citrated normal blood samples incubated with Fab fragments of a monospecific polyclonal anti-CD36 antibody or with each of three new anti-CD36 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that inhibit platelet adhesion to purified type I collagen in a static system (131.4, 131.5, and 131.7). Perfusions over SE were also carried out using citrated blood samples from a Naka-negative donor, whose platelets lack CD36. Morphometric evaluation of the perfused samples showed that polyclonal anti-CD36 Fab and the three monoclonal anti-CD36 antibodies inhibited platelet adhesion to the two substrates by 40% after 2 minutes of perfusion and by 30% after 5 minutes (P < .005 on SE and P < .01 on ECM), but at 10 minutes, significant inhibition was seen only on SE with polyclonal anti-CD36 Fab. Similar inhibitions were seen with Naka-negative platelets on SE. These studies demonstrate that CD36 plays a role in the early stages of platelet adhesion to physiologically relevant subendothelial surfaces.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Beyond belief bias: reasoning from conceptual structures by mental models manipulation.

Mental models constitute an alternative to the rule-based systems in the explanation of human reasoning (Johnson-Laird, 1983). In this paper, we claim that the concept of believability generally used to categorize content and context effects is of little use within a semantic theory. Thus, we propose the use of categories that are directly extracted from subjective relations among concepts within the reasoning problem. We demonstrate that manipulations based on this kind of categorization produce predictable patterns of responses in reasoning problems. We present two experiments to test our predictions, using conditional and syllogistic reasoning problems, and in both cases, we demonstrate the influence of conceptual knowledge not only in natural contexts, but also in experimentally created artificial contexts.

Adult↗

Functional ambivalence of the Kp43 (CD94) NK cell-associated surface antigen.

We originally characterized the Kp43 (CD94) surface Ag, whose expression is restricted to human NK cells and a minor T lymphocyte subset. As shown in the present study, anti-Kp43 mAbs but not their F(ab')2 fragments markedly inhibited the cytolytic activity of polyclonal-activated NK cells in a redirected lysis assay against the murine P815 cell line. Furthermore, anti-Kp43 mAbs also down-regulated the CD16-dependent redirected killing and PHA-induced lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. However, the intensity of the inhibitory effect was variable and no significant down-regulation of cytotoxicity was substantiated in NK cell populations from some individuals. A similar variability in the responsiveness to anti-Kp43 mAb was noticed when fresh CD3- lymphocyte populations were tested: in some donors we observed the induction of redirected lysis, whereas in other samples the Kp43-specific mAb inhibited cytotoxicity. The analysis of single cell-derived microcultures provided a clue to interpret the variable responsiveness of polyclonal cell populations; remarkably, the cytolytic activity of some NK clones was inhibited, whereas that of others was either stimulated or unaffected. The pattern of responsiveness in the cytolytic assay correlated with TNF production upon stimulation with solid phase-bound anti-Kp43 mAbs. The different types of clones could be derived from the same individual, although their relative proportions varied from donor to donor. Moreover, Kp43 appeared to be coupled differently to signal transduction pathways, because (Ca2+)i mobilization in the presence of the Kp43-specific mAbs was substantiated only in clones that were activated in the redirected lysis assay.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Molecular characterization of human CD94: a type II membrane glycoprotein related to the C-type lectin superfamily.

Natural killer (NK) cells preferentially express several genes of the C-type lectin superfamily which have been implicated in the regulation of NK cell function. We demonstrate that CD94 is a type II membrane protein encoded by a unique gene of the C-type lectin superfamily. While homology of CD94 with the NK cell-associated NKR-P1 and NKG2 C-type lectin genes is limited to the structural motifs conserved in the carbohydrate recognition domain, all of these genes are on human chromosome 12, the syntenic of mouse chromosome 6, where genes of the NK complex (NKR-P1 and Ly-49) are located. An unexpected feature of CD94 is the essential absence of a cytoplasmic domain, implying that association with other receptors may be necessary for the function of this molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Interaction of platelets with an artificial polystyrene surface under flow conditions: comparative study versus collagen].

PURPOSE: Platelets are known to interact with artificial surfaces, which leads to thrombosis that in turn may hamper repairing surgery. In order to evaluate such interaction, platelet adhesiveness on a polystyrene surface (Thermanox) was studied in an in vitro perfusion model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anticoagulated human blood was recirculated through a plain perfusion chamber containing fragments of the material under study, uncovered and covered with collagen. The studies were performed at a shearing coefficiente of 800 s-1 and with different timing. Additional blood samples were incubated with an anti- GPIIb-IIIa antibody. Platelet deposition on the perfused material was morphometrically evaluated with a computerized system of image analysis. RESULTS: The values attained, expressed as percent surface covered by platelets over the uncovered polystyrene surface, at 2, 5, 10 and 20 minutes, were, respectively, as follows: 10.4% +/- 1.83%, 27.04% +/- 2.32%, 36.04% +/- 3.09% and 61.48% +/- 8.86%; for the collagen-covered material these figures were: 35.2% +/- 1.3%, 47.8% +/- 4.2%, 71.7% +/- 2.4% and 73% +/- 3.2%, for similar timing (n = 7 for each group). CONCLUSIONS: The perfusion method proved useful for evaluating the interaction of platelets with artificial surfaces. These data show their polystyrene surfaces have high reactivity toward platelets and confirm that GPIIb-IIIa plays an important role in this reactivity.

Blood Platelets↗

Platelets lacking functional CD36 (glycoprotein IV) show reduced adhesion to collagen in flowing whole blood.

A parallel-plate perfusion chamber has been used to evaluate the contribution of the adhesive membrane glycoprotein CD36 (GPIV) to platelet adhesion on type I collagen in flowing whole blood at a shear rate of 800 s-1. In one series of experiments, reconstituted normal blood (hematocrit 0.4; platelet count 1.5 x 10(5)/microL) was prepared from washed red blood cells, plasma, and washed platelets that had been incubated with Fab fragments of a monospecific polyclonal anti-CD36 antibody (50 micrograms/mL, 30 minutes, 37 degrees C). Percent surface coverage of collagen-coated coverslips using reconstituted blood with antibody-blocked platelets, as compared with paired reconstituted controls (100%), was 50% at 2 minutes, 87% at 5 minutes, and 90% at 10 minutes. Further studies were performed by perfusion of whole blood from a healthy donor of the Naka-negative phenotype, whose platelets constitutively lack CD36, over collagen-coated coverslips. In this case, percent surface coverage was 55% of normal controls at 2 minutes, 76% of controls at 5 minutes, and 72% of controls at 10 minutes. In both preparations, platelets lacking functional CD36 had a statistically significant decrease (P < .005) in adhesion after 2 minutes and 10 minutes perfusion but not at 5 minutes. These results show that functional CD36 facilitates the rapid adhesion of platelets to collagen and that this effect is seen at the earliest time points of their interaction.

Antibodies↗

Digital image analysis of platelet-extracellular matrix interactions: studies in von Willebrand disease patients and aspirin-treated donors.

We have developed an automated image analysis method which provides en face morphometric evaluation of platelet interactions with coverslips coated with extracellular matrices. This procedure gives also additional information on the intensity of platelet-surface interactions in the same specimens. To standardize the method, anticoagulated human blood was flowed at 800 s-1 during 10 min at 37 degrees C through a parallel perfusion chamber in which extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated coverslips were placed. The sensitivity of the new method was tested in similar studies performed in patients with von Willebrand disease or treated with aspirin (500 mg/day). The extent of platelet deposition on the ECMs was evaluated by both standard and new morphometric procedures. Coverslips were successively embedded in resin and processed for cross-sectional analysis and results were compared with those provided by the new automated procedure. A good correlation was found between results of covered surface obtained by both methods (r = 0.86; p < 0.005). Results from perfusions performed with blood from patients with platelet defects confirmed the correspondence of grey levels in the digitized images with the heights of groups of interacting platelets calculated from cross sections. The new automated method, in only one stage, allows a reliable evaluation of the global interaction of platelets with the ECM and effectively detected qualitative modifications in platelet-platelet interactions in patients with known platelet defects. The method described could be applied to the evaluation of the interactions of platelets with purified components of the subendothelium.

Aspirin↗