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N L Letvin

Publications and source records attributed to N L Letvin.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Studies of cloned simian immunodeficiency virus-specific T lymphocytes. gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes exhibit a restricted epitope specificity.

CD8+ CTL inhibit the replication of HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac) in PBL and, therefore, are likely to play an important role in containing the spread of the AIDS virus in infected individuals. We have generated a series of gag-specific lytic T lymphocyte clones from PBL: of an SIVmac-infected rhesus monkey. These T cell clones are CD3+CD8+ and are MHC class I-restricted in their target specificity. They are, therefore, CTL. Interestingly, all gag-specific CTL clones, as well as the gag-specific lytic activity of PBL of this monkey, demonstrated specificity for a single 25 amino acid fragment of the SIVmac gag protein. Moreover, they were restricted in their lytic function by a single MHC class I allele. These findings illustrate a powerful method for cloning AIDS virus-specific T lymphocytes and demonstrate a remarkably restricted epitope specificity of this AIDS virus-specific CTL response.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning of cDNA that encode MHC class I molecules from a New World primate (Saguinus oedipus). Natural selection acts at positions that may affect peptide presentation to T cells.

To investigate the evolutionary pressures that drive the generation of polymorphism in primate MHC class I molecules, three cDNA that encode MHC class I alleles from a New World monkey, the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), were cloned and sequenced. These tamarin MHC class I alleles contained amino acid substitutions not found in any of the previously sequenced human MHC class I alleles. Moreover, the majority of these unique amino acid substitutions was located in the Ag recognition site at positions that have been shown to be critical in the presentation of viral peptides to T cells in mice and humans. These data suggest that selective pressures on MHC class I molecules preferentially act on the Ag recognition site and that the peptide binding or presenting functions of these molecules may drive the generation of MHC class I polymorphism. The novel Ag recognition sites of the tamarin MHC class I molecules, in addition to their restricted polymorphism, might account for the unusual susceptibility of the cotton-top tamarin to human pathogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in rhesus monkeys infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques.

The simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac) is a lentivirus which induces an AIDS-like disease in rhesus monkeys. We have explored the virus-specific cellular immune response in SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys. Con A-activated, IL-2 expanded PBL of some SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys lyse autologous B lymphoblastoid cell lines infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus that carries the SIVmac gag gene. This lysis is mediated by CD8+ lymphocytes and is MHC class I restricted. Moreover, these effector lymphocytes do not express the NK cell-associated molecules NKH1 or CD16. These cells are, therefore, CTL. In a limited prospective study of SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys, the presence of the SIVmac gag-specific CTL activity in PBL correlated with both a reduced efficiency in isolating SIVmac from PBL of these monkeys and their extended survival. This method for assessing SIVmac gag-specific cellular immunity in rhesus monkeys will be important not only in investigating the immunopathogenesis of SIVmac-induced disease, but also in evaluating the capacity of candidate AIDS vaccines to elicit a cell-mediated immune response in this animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Animal models for AIDS.

Animal models will play a central role in AIDS research in the coming years. Important models for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced disease in humans include HIV-infected great apes, simian immunodeficiency virus-infected Asian monkeys and infections of ungulates and cats with HIV-related lentiviruses. The nature of the diseases induced by these viruses are described here by Norman Letvin, emphasizing aspects with particular relevance to human HIV infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Simian immunodeficiency virus inhibits bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cell growth.

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying the depressed hematopoietic functions seen in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals were explored in rhesus monkeys infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac). Bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cell colony formation, both granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and erythrocyte (BFU-E), was shown to be decreased in number in SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys. SIVmac was readily isolated from bone marrow cells of infected monkeys and was shown to be harbored in macrophages rather than T lymphocytes. The in vitro infection of normal bone marrow cells by SIVmac inhibited colony formation. A striking in vivo correlation between increased SIVmac load in bone marrow cells and decreased hematopoietic progenitor cell colony growth was also shown. Finally, inhibition of SIVmac replication in bone marrow macrophages resulted in increased progenitor cell colony growth from bone marrow cells. These results suggest that the infection of bone marrow macrophages by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus may contribute to depressed bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cell growth. Moreover, inhibition of AIDS virus replication in these macrophages might induce significant improvement in hematopoietic function.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

CD4-Pseudomonas exotoxin conjugates delay but do not fully inhibit human immunodeficiency virus replication in lymphocytes in vitro.

The CD4 molecule is a high affinity receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein (gp160 or gp120). This glycoprotein is expressed on the surface membrane of cells infected with HIV. It has, therefore, been suggested that a soluble form of CD4 might be used as a targeting agent to deliver toxins selectively to cells infected with HIV. We demonstrate that CD4-Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) conjugates inhibit the proliferation of gp160-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells and block HIV replication in virus-infected H9 cells. However, this inhibition of HIV replication appears to be incomplete since virus replication occurs following removal of the toxin conjugates from these cultures. Moreover, CD4-PE conjugates delay but do not inhibit HIV replication in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These studies suggest that such conjugates should be assessed only as potential adjunctive therapies in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed1990

Comparative biology of natural and experimental SIVmac infection in macaque monkeys: a review.

Epidemiologic and clinicopathologic data from 11 macaques with naturally acquired SIV infection--10 of which have died--were compared with those from 34 rhesus monkeys that have died of experimental SIVmac infection. Several differences, including gender affected, age at time of death, and the occurrence of certain opportunistic infections, could be explained by the experimental design; others remained unexplained. The most striking difference was the 41% incidence of meningoencephalomyelitis in the experimental group and its absence in naturally SIV-infected animals.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Lymphatic tissue changes in AIDS and other retrovirus infections: tools and insights.

Based on immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy, lymphatic tissue changes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other retroviral infections represent different stages of a dynamic process progressing from hyperplasia to atrophy. The germinal centers (GC) function early as a virus reservoir in both HIV and feline leukemia virus infection, which also produces lymphadenopathy, severe immune impairment, and death from opportunistic infections. Core proteins of HIV can be detected on the surface of follicular dendritic cells, electron microscopy reveals cell-free HIV and virus replication in the same location, and in situ hybridization shows that the majority of cells with mRNA of HIV can be found in germinal centers (GC). Double immunohistochemical labeling of lymphocyte populations suggests that one of the most important events in HIV lymphadenitis with explosive follicular hyperplasia is the accumulation of CD8+CD45R0+ lymphocytes in the lymph nodes. Their clustering in the vicinity of the FDC network could play a key role in disintegration of GC and lymphocyte depletion as the disease progresses.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Immunologic and pathologic manifestations of the infection of rhesus monkeys with simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques.

The striking similarities between simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-induced disease in macaque monkeys and HIV-induced disease in humans make the SIV-induced macaque monkey an extraordinarily important model for the study of AIDS. The most significant difference between these lentivirus-induced syndromes is the more rapid progression of disease in SIV-infected monkeys. The immunologic and pathologic manifestations of SIV infections in rhesus monkeys are described.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

1F7, a novel cell surface molecule, involved in helper function of CD4 cells.

We have developed a monoclonal antibody, anti-1F7, that inhibits soluble Ag-driven T cell proliferation as well as PWM-driven IgG synthesis. Anti-1F7 antibody reacts with approximately 57% of unfractionated T cells, 62% of CD4+ cells, and 54% of CD8+ cells. Although the 1F7 Ag is widely distributed among lymphoid cells, this Ag on CD4+ cells is preferentially expressed on the CDw29(4B4+) helper population. Moreover, anti-1F7 antibody further subdivides the CD4+CDw29+ cell subset into CDw29+1F7+ and CDw29+1F7- populations. The CD4+CDw29+1F7+ population of cells maximally proliferates to recall Ag such as tetanus toxoid, whereas helper function for PWM-driven IgG synthesis by B cells belongs to both the CD4+CDw29+1F7+ and CD4+CDw29+1F7- population of cells. The most prominent structure defined by this antibody is a 110-kDa molecule that is different from the 135-kDa, 160-kDa, and 185-kDa glycoproteins identified by anti-CDw29 antibody and the 180-kDa glycoprotein identified by UCHL-1 antibody. It is, however, related to the molecule recognized by anti-Ta1, an activation Ag on T cells. Furthermore, although the Ta1 molecule is recognized by anti-1F7 mAb, the 1F7 family of structures also includes molecules distinct from Ta1.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

CD8+CD4- lymphocyte lines can harbor the AIDS virus in vitro.

A detailed definition of AIDS virus-specific T lymphocytes will require the generation and characterization of HIV-1-specific, cloned T cell populations. In our studies, we show that CD8+CD4- lymphocyte lines, derived from PBL of rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques and humans infected with HIV-1, can harbor AIDS viruses. CD8+CD4- lymphocyte lines derived from infected individuals are shown to express AIDS virus-encoded proteins and generate reverse transcriptase activity. Infection of these CD8+CD4- lymphocytes is confirmed at the single cell level by the techniques of immunoelectronmicroscopy and two-color immunohistochemistry. This observation suggests that it may prove problematic to generate cloned, functional T lymphocyte populations from AIDS virus-infected individuals and raises the possibility that CD8+CD4- cells may serve as reservoirs for the AIDS viruses.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

A cytotoxic T lymphocyte inhibits acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus replication in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytes block replication of HIV-1 or the simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac) in PBL of infected individuals. We now show that these CD8+ lymphocytes undergo clonal expansion in vivo after AIDS virus infection of the individual, suggesting they may be antigen-specific T cells. These CD8+ cells block replication of virus in autologous but not MHC class I-mismatched PBL. The inhibitory lymphocytes express the integrin family molecule 4B4 and the CTL-associated S6F1 epitope of LFA-1. Finally, physical contact is required for the CD8+ lymphocyte-mediated inhibition of AIDS virus replication, since this inhibitory function is blocked by anti-LFA-1 and anti-CD8 mAbs. These studies suggest that the cell that inhibits AIDS virus replication in PBL of infected individuals is a CTL.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of recombinant soluble CD4 in rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques.

The CD4 molecule is a high-affinity cell-surface receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and a soluble truncated form of CD4 produced by recombinant DNA technology is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication and HIV-1-induced cell fusion in vitro. Rhesus monkeys infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVMAC), a virus closely related to HIV-1, develop an AIDS-like syndrome, and so provide an important model for the evaluation of potential AIDS therapies. We have assessed the therapeutic effect of recombinant soluble CD4 in SIVMAC-infected rhesus monkeys. Virus was readily isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and bone marrow cells of these animals before starting treatment with soluble CD4, but became difficult to isolate soon after treatment had begun. Moreover the diminished growth of both granulocyte-macrophage and erythrocyte progenitor colonies from the bone marrow of these monkeys rose to normal levels during treatment. These findings indicate that soluble CD4 could prove valuable in the treatment of AIDS.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Isoelectric focusing of bovine major histocompatibility complex class II molecules.

Serological approaches have been relatively unsuccessful in defining the allelic products of the bovine major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci. We demonstrate that bovine class II allelic products can be characterized by precipitation with a polyclonal antiserum and separation using one-dimensional isoelectric focusing. Polymorphic beta chains were present in immunoprecipitates from both biosynthetically and surface-labeled lectin-stimulated bovine T cells. Precipitates from biosynthetically labeled but not surface-labeled T cells contained a basic invariant chain and a non-polymorphic structure. The non-polymorphic structure appears to be a beta chain. The polymorphic class II beta chain co-segregated with bovine MHC class I allelic products in a half-sibling family, providing evidence for linkage between bovine class I and class II loci. This approach to the biochemical analysis of the bovine class II structures should facilitate the investigation of the association between the bovine products and disease susceptibility.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Vaccine protection against simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

Rhesus monkeys were immunized by multiple inoculations with purified, disrupted, noninfectious simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in adjuvant. Immunized monkeys developed anti-SIV antibodies detectable by whole-virus ELISA and by immunoblot reactivity; these antibodies had weak neutralizing activity. One week after the last immunization, monkeys were challenged with 200-1000 animal infectious doses of uncloned, live SIV. The same strain of SIV that was used for vaccination was also used for challenge. Anamnestic antibody responses and SIV recovery from peripheral blood were used to evaluate infection following the live virus challenge; two of six vaccinated monkeys showed no evidence of infection following the live virus challenge. Transfusion of 10 ml of whole blood from these two into uninfected, naive rhesus monkeys did not result infection of the recipients, providing further support for the lack of infection in the two previously vaccinated animals. Four of four unvaccinated control monkeys inoculated with these doses of live SIV became infected and three of these died with AIDS 118-258 days after infection. Only one of the six vaccinated monkeys has died to date. In situ hybridization with lymph node biopsy specimens suggested that the virus load was much higher in control macaques than in vaccinated macaques. These results indicate that vaccination with inactivated whole virus can protect macaques against challenge with live SIV. Furthermore, they provide hope that vaccine protection against human AIDS virus infection may be possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Prolongation of primate renal allograft survival by anti-Tac, an anti-human IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody.

In an effort to produce specific immunosuppression through the targeting of those lymphocytes expressing cell surface interleukin 2 receptors in response to an allograft, the anti-human IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody anti-Tac was administered to cynomolgus monkeys receiving renal transplants. The data demonstrate that anti-Tac produces a significant delay in renal allograft rejection and prolongs host survival in cynomolgus monkeys. Though higher doses of anti-Tac produce modest delays in rejection, there was a surprising finding of greatly prolonged survival in three of five monkeys treated with much lower doses of anti-Tac. Anti-Tac was not shown to be synergistic with cyclosporine in this model. Animals treated with anti-Tac developed high titers of antibodies against the murine monoclonal antibody after 6-8 days of treatment, associated with the disappearance of plasma anti-Tac staining of activated lymphocytes as measured by flow cytometry. The data confirm the utility of the IL-2 receptor as a target for immunosuppressive therapy, and suggest that investigations of dosage and of methods to reduce the immunogenicity of anti-IL-2 receptor agents may be beneficial.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

In vivo administration of lymphocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies in nonhuman primates. V. Evidence that humoral immune response to monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxin conjugates abrogates their cytotoxic activity.

Monoclonal antibodies, either alone or conjugated to toxins, hold promise as important therapeutic agents. However, the immune response to these foreign protein agents may markedly limit their therapeutic utility in vivo. We have administered both an interleukin-2 receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-2R) and a CD2-specific monoclonal antibody linked to the ribosome-inactivating protein gelonin to macaque monkeys. The monkeys developed high-titer antibody responses to mouse Ig and, when immunotoxin was administered, to the toxin gelonin. Their antimouse Ig antibody responses were broadly reactive with mouse Ig of differing idiotypes and isotypes. Furthermore, sera from these monkeys blocked the in vitro cytotoxic effect of anti-IL-2R or immunotoxin. This blocking was mediated by both the antimouse Ig and the antigelonin antibodies. Serum from a monkey infused with one CD2-specific monoclonal antibody blocked the in vitro cytotoxicity of two other isotypically different CD2-specific monoclonal antibody conjugates. In addition, this serum blocked the in vitro cytotoxicity of a gelonin-monoclonal antibody conjugate of an unrelated specificity. These data indicate that the immune response to some monoclonal antibodies and toxins might preclude the later use of this class of substances in an individual. Therefore, strategies for the parental therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins must take into consideration the possible limiting effects of the humoral immune response to these agents.

Animals↗