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M Croft

Publications and source records attributed to M Croft.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Generation of polarized antigen-specific CD8 effector populations: reciprocal action of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-12 in promoting type 2 versus type 1 cytokine profiles.

We have generated primary effector populations from naive CD8 T cells in response to antigen and determined their patterns of cytokine secretion upon restimulation. The effect of exogenous factors on the effector generation was examined and compared with responses of antigen-specific CD4 effectors generated under comparable conditions. CD8 cells from bm1 mice were stimulated with C57BL/6 (B6) antigen presenting cells (APCs) bearing allogeneic class I and CD8 cells from female severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) B6 mice, transgenic for a T cell receptor alpha/beta (TCR-alpha/beta) that recognizes H-Y on Db, were stimulated with APCs from male mice. In parallel, CD4 cells from bm12 mice were stimulated with alloantigen and CD4 cells from V beta 3/V alpha 11 TCR transgenics were stimulated with a peptide of pigeon cytochrome c on IEk. T cells from both transgenic mice were of naive phenotype whereas normal mice contained 10-20% memory cells. Effector CD8 populations generated were L-selectin low, CD45RB high, and CD44 high. Naive CD8 cells from SCID anti-H-Y mice made little or no cytokine immediately upon stimulation in contrast to naive CD4 which produced large amounts of interleukin 2 (IL-2). Both populations, however, generated primary effectors over 4-5 d that made substantial quantities of many cytokines upon restimulation. Both CD8 and CD4 effectors produced similar patterns of cytokines with alloantigen or specific antigen. Cytokines present during naive CD8 stimulation influenced the cytokine secretion profile of the effectors, as previously shown for CD4 cells, although secretion by CD8 effectors was generally lower than that of CD4 effectors. CD8 cells cultured with IL-2 alone made predominantly interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and no IL-4 or IL-5, similar to CD4 cells. Priming with IFN-gamma increased IFN-gamma secretion from CD4 effectors, but had little if any effect on CD8 cells. In contrast, priming with IL-12 generated CD8 effectors, as well as CD4 effectors, producing elevated quantities of IFN-gamma, with similar levels from both the CD4 and CD8 populations. The presence of IL-4 during effector cell generation promoted synthesis of IL-4 and IL-5 from both CD8 and CD4 cells while downregulating IFN-gamma secretion. CD8 cells made only small amounts of IL-4, more than 100-fold less than CD4 cells, whereas significant levels of IL-5 were induced, only 3-10-fold lower than from CD4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Naive versus memory CD4 T cell response to antigen. Memory cells are less dependent on accessory cell costimulation and can respond to many antigen-presenting cell types including resting B cells.

Secondary responses to Ag in vivo are characterized by more rapid kinetics and greatly enhanced magnitude compared with primary responses. For CD4+ T cells, this is in part due to a greater frequency of Ag-specific memory cells, and may also reflect differences in responsiveness of memory vs naive cells to stimulation. To compare activation requirements and the role of accessory cells, naive and memory cells were stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 in the presence or absence of APC. With anti-CD3 alone, naive cells proliferated slightly but produced no detectable IL-2, whereas memory cells proliferated well with significant IL-2 production. Increasing numbers of T-depleted APC greatly enhanced responses of naive cells to levels equivalent to those of memory cells, whereas for memory cells only IL-2 production increased slightly. The response of naive cells was equivalent in magnitude and kinetics to that of memory cells when low density APC, enriched in dendritic cells and depleted of resting B cells, were used with anti-CD3. To directly compare naive and memory responses in an Ag-specific model, we examined CD4+ cells specific for a peptide of pigeon cytochrome c fragment isolated from TCR-alpha beta transgenic mice. Naive cells were compared with 4-day activated blasts (effectors) and memory cells generated by adoptive transfer of effectors to adult thymectomized bone marrow reconstituted mice, in which the cells return to a resting state but still respond to recall Ag. Naive cells responded to Ag on dendritic cells and activated B cells but not on resting B cells or macrophages. In contrast, both memory cells and effectors were stimulated by all APCs, including resting B cells and macrophage to a limited extent. The ability of memory cells to respond to all APC types was confirmed using Ag-specific cells generated by in vivo priming with keyhole limpet hemocyanin. These results suggest that memory cells are considerably less dependent on accessory cell costimulation than naive cells, but that naive cells can respond equivalently in both magnitude and kinetics if Ag is presented on costimulatory APCs such as dendritic cells. In addition, these studies suggest that the enhanced secondary T cell response is due to a combination of the increased frequency of Ag-specific cells and their ability to react to Ag presented on a wider range of APC types, rather than an inherent capacity of memory T cells to respond better and faster.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Activation of naive, memory and effector T cells.

An increased understanding of the types of T-cell subsets that exist in vivo, their relationships to one another, and how to identify and isolate them or effect their generation, has led to a comprehensive view of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which may be active and regulatory during the course of an immune response. Recent studies show that naive T cells only respond efficiently to dendritic cells and activated B cells whereas memory and effector cells respond to all APC types to some extent, including resting B cells. High level co-stimulatory molecule expression largely explains why APCs such as dendritic cells are far more effective stimulators than resting B cells. The available data, therefore, suggest that the requirement for co-stimulation, and hence capacity to respond to various APCs, is largely a function of the differentiation state of the T cell, and that previous encounter with antigen fundamentally increases the ability of T cells to subsequently respond to antigen rechallenge.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

T-cell memory: new perspectives.

Immunological memory provides excellent protection against a wide variety of different pathogens. Compared to the primary encounter with antigen, the secondary response is more rapid and effective. So much so, that reexposure often goes unnoticed by the host. The specific nature of memory implies that it is especially dependent on T and B cells, the cells of the immune system which recognize antigen; it follows that the changes which occur in these cells during priming must account in large part for the memory response. Here, we will summarize what is and what is not known about memory in the CD4 T-cell population.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Absorption of pteroylpolyglutamates in mothers of infants with neural tube defects.

The ability to hydrolyse and absorb pteroylpolyglutamates (PteGlun) included in a standard meal in mothers who had given birth to an infant with a neural tube defect was tested by comparing them with mothers who had not had any infants with this defect. When compared with control mothers working in the research unit in which the study was performed, case mothers had significantly lower baseline serum and erythrocyte folate levels, and smaller increases in serum folate following the meal containing PteGlun. However, all estimates of folate were similar when case mothers were compared with a group of mothers who were friends of the case mothers. The results show that the higher the baseline levels of serum and erythrocyte folate the greater the increase in serum folate after the test meal. Fitting a model for the serum folate response curve resulted in coefficients which differed significantly between case mothers and all control mothers. We conclude that intestinal hydrolysis of PteGlun taken orally is not impaired in mothers who have had infants with neural tube defects when compared with control mothers with similar baseline folate levels, although the curves describing the response to the meal for the two groups do differ significantly. Further investigation is required to determine the mechanism underlying this difference.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of CD4+ T cells that provide contact-dependent bystander help to B cells.

Although cognate, MHC-restricted interaction of Th cells with Ag-presenting B cells provides effective help to a resting B cell, substantial B cell responses have also been seen with preactivated T cell clones that cannot recognize Ag on the B cell but apparently interact in a noncognate fashion (the bystander response). Here, we have investigated the ability of distinct Th cell subsets and T cells activated by different stimuli to support such bystander B cell responses. We have also determined which cytokines are involved. We generated distinct CD4+ T cell subsets specific for both alloantigen (using normal mice) and cytochrome c (using TCR transgenic mice). To compare cognate and bystander help, we analyzed the response of allogeneic (cognate) vs syngeneic (bystander) resting B cells in the former case, and the response of syngeneic B cells in the presence vs absence of Ag, in the latter case. Both approaches gave similar results. T cells stimulated with Ag for 24 h (naive and memory cells) or generated from naive cells over 4 days in the presence of exogenous IL-2 ("Th1-like" effectors) induced B cells to secrete minimal amounts of bystander Ig (20 to 700 ng/ml), less than 6% of the Ig induced under cognate conditions. In contrast, effectors generated in IL-4 or IL-6 ("Th2-like" and "Th0-like") induced significantly more bystander Ig (4 to 9 micrograms/ml), which was 18 to 30% of the amount produced during a cognate response. Restimulation of Th cell populations with anti-CD3, instead of Ag/APC, enhanced their ability to induce bystander Ig to levels 40 to 100% of those produced through cognate interaction. The addition of anti-cytokine Ab to bystander responses indicated that the cytokines utilized were similar to those mediating response after cognate interaction. Addition of exogenous cytokines did not specifically enhance the extent of the bystander response as a function of the cognate response. These results suggest that most Th cells can efficiently activate only those B cells that present relevant Ag on class II MHC, but that highly activated/differentiated Th effectors also have the ability to induce significant bystander B cell responses through noncognate interactions. We also conclude that the mode of Th cell activation and the cytokines encountered during Th differentiation play a major role in the capacity of helper cells to initiate a bystander response.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Response of naive antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in vitro: characteristics and antigen-presenting cell requirements.

Because of the low frequency of T cells for any particular soluble protein antigen in unprimed animals, the requirements for naive T cell responses in specific antigens have not been clearly delineated and they have been difficult to study in vitro. We have taken advantage of mice transgenic for the V beta 3/V alpha 11 T cell receptor (TCR), which can recognize a peptide of cytochrome c presented by IEk. 85-90% of CD4+ T cells in these mice express the transgenic TCR, and we show that almost all such V beta 3/V alpha 11 receptor-positive cells have a phenotype characteristic of naive T cells, including expression of high levels of CD45RB, high levels of L-selectin (Mel-14), low levels of CD44 (Pgp-1), and secretion of interleukin 2 (IL-2) as the major cytokine. Naive T cells, separated on the basis of CD45RB high expression, gave vigorous responses (proliferation and IL-2 secretion) to peptide antigen presented in vitro by a mixed antigen-presenting cell population. At least 50% of the T cell population appeared to respond, as assessed by blast transformation, entry into G1, and expression of increased levels of CD44 by 24 h. Significant contributions to the response by contaminating memory CD4+ cells were ruled out by demonstrating that the majority of the CD45RB low, L-selectin low, CD44 high cells did not express the V beta 3/V alpha 11 TCR and responded poorly to antigen. We find that proliferation and IL-2 secretion of the naive CD4 cells is minimal when resting B cells present peptide antigen, and that both splenic and bone marrow-derived macrophages are weak stimulators. Naive T cells did respond well to high numbers of activated B cells. However, dendritic cells were the most potent stimulators of proliferation and IL-2 secretion at low cell numbers, and were far superior inducers of IL-2 at higher numbers. These studies establish that naive CD4 T cells can respond vigorously to soluble antigen and indicate that maximal stimulation can be achieved by presentation of antigen on dendritic cells. This model should prove very useful in further investigations of activation requirements and functional characteristics of naive helper T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

B cell response to T helper cell subsets. II. Both the stage of T cell differentiation and the cytokines secreted determine the extent and nature of helper activity.

Helper activity of several murine CD4+ T cell subsets was examined. Effector Th, derived from naive cells after 4 days of in vitro stimulation with alloantigen, when generated in the presence of IL-4, secreted high levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, and low levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and induced the secretion of all Ig isotypes particularly IgM, IgG1, IgA, and IgE from resting allogeneic B cells. Effectors generated with IL-6 secreted IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, and induced similar levels of total Ig, 25 to 35 micrograms/ml, but with IgM, IgG3, IgG1, and IgG2a isotypes predominating. Helper activity of these Th was significantly greater than that of effectors generated with IL-2 (10-15 micrograms/ml Ig) and of 24-h-activated naive and memory cells (2-4 micrograms/ml), both of which induced mainly IgM. Unlike other isotypes, IgE was induced only by effector Th generated with IL-4. Blocking studies showed that secretion of all isotypes in response to IL-6-primed effectors was dependent on IL-2, IL-5, and IL-6. IL-4 was required for optimal IgM, IgG1, and IgA secretion, but limited secretion of IgG2a, whereas IFN-gamma was required for optimal IgG2a secretion, and limited IgM, IgG1, and IgA. In contrast, secretion of all isotypes in response to IL-4-primed effectors was dependent on IL-5, although IL-4 and IFN-gamma were also essential for IgE and IgG2a, respectively. Addition of exogenous IL-5 to B cell cultures driven by IL-6-primed effectors did not obviate the requirement for IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6, suggesting that interaction of IL-4-primed effectors with B cells was qualitatively different from that of IL-6-primed effectors, driving B cells to a stage requiring only IL-5 for differentiation. Addition of exogenous factors to IL-2-primed effector Th, particularly IL-4 in the presence of anti-IFN-gamma, resulted in levels of Ig, including IgE, comparable to those induced with other effectors. These results show that functionally distinct Th cell subsets can be generated rapidly in vitro, under the influence of distinct cytokines, which vary dramatically in their levels of help for resting B cells. The cytokines involved in responses to distinct Th cells differ depending on the quality of interaction with the B cell, and the extent of help is strongly determined by the quantity and nature of cytokines secreted by the T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

B cell response to fresh and effector T helper cells. Role of cognate T-B interaction and the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6.

The helper activity of resting T cells and in vitro generated effector T cells and the relative roles of cognate interaction, diffusible cytokines, and non-cognate T-B contact in B cell antibody responses were evaluated in a model in which normal murine CD4+ T cells (Th), activated with alloantigen-bearing APC, were used to support the growth and differentiation of unstimulated allogeneic B cells. Both "fresh" T cells, consisting of memory and naive cells, stimulated for 24 h, and "effector" T cells, derived from naive cells after 4 days of in vitro stimulation, induced the secretion of IgM, IgG3, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA. Effector T cells were significantly better helpers of the response of small dense B cells, inducing Ig at lower numbers and inducing at optimal numbers 2- to 3-fold more Ig production than fresh T cells. The predominant isotype secreted was IgM. Supernatants derived from fresh T cell cultures contained moderate levels of IL-2, whereas those from effector cultures contained significant levels of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in addition to IL-2. The involvement of soluble factors in the B cell response was demonstrated by the ability of antibodies to the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 to each block Ig secretion. Antibodies to IL-5 and IFN-gamma had no effect on the T cell-induced response. Kinetic studies suggested that IL-4 acted during the initial stages of the response, whereas the inability of anti-IL-6 to block B cell proliferation suggested that IL-6 was involved in part in promoting differentiation of the B cells. The relative contributions of cognate (MHC-restricted) and bystander (MHC-unrestricted) T-B cell contact vs cytokine (non-contact)-mediated responses were assessed in a transwell culture system. The majority of the IgM, IgG3, IgG1, and IgG2a response induced by both fresh and effector T cells was dependent on cognate interaction with small, high density B cells. In contrast, a small proportion of these isotypes and most of the IgA secreted resulted from the action of IL-6 on large, presumably preactivated, B cells. The IgA response did not require cell contact or vary when fresh and effector cells were the helpers. The contribution of bystander contact in the overall antibody response to both T cell populations was minimal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Helper T-cell subsets: phenotype, function and the role of lymphokines in regulating their development.

We have concentrated here on the lymphokines which might serve to regulate the different pathways of precursor development. We suggest that, as a result of antigenic stimulation, specific precursor cells both proliferate and become committed to develop into either an effector cell, a memory cell or an anergized cell. Anergy has not been dealt with in this review, but it is likely to be one of the options available. The development of an effector population takes 4-7 d (quite analogous to the time it takes for CTLp to become CTL and for resting B to become Ab-forming cells). The effector populations are large, generally IL-2R-positive cells. These cells have upregulated many adhesion molecule systems [e.g., Pgp-1, LFA-1 and ICAM-1 (Swain unpublished)], but downregulated the Mel-14 homing receptor. Effectors are ready to respond to APC such as specific B cells with a rapid synthesis and secretion of lymphokines. The effector population is then quickly downregulated, both by the turn off of lymphokine synthesis/secretion and possibly by its own suicide. This kind of pattern makes teleological sense since the cells making such high titers of lymphokines could have many potent pleitropic effects. It also seems to be the strategy employed in the generation of other terminally differentiated effectors (such as CTL and plasma cells). The requirement for restimulation and the requirement for direct and perhaps prolonged contact between the helper effector and the APC-B cell can be expected to help ensure that these lymphokines are localized (reviewed in Swain & Dutton 1987, Swain & Croft 1990) and effectively delivered to specific responding cells. We postulate that at the same time, or perhaps subsequent to this, another set of signals drives precursors to generate prememory cells. Our studies suggest these emerging memory cells may be phenotypically unique and we postulate that they are specialized to become a "long-lived" population of memory cells that will persist indefinitely as a protective population of increased frequency for the antigen encountered and which is also able to respond more rapidly and effectively. The greater effectiveness of the memory response would thus be due to dramatically increased frequency, to characteristic and stable changes in adhesion molecule expression and to the fact that, in addition to IL-2, resting memory cells also secrete at least low titers of IL-3, IL-4, IFN-gamma and other lymphokines upon initial restimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗