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Olga V Naidenko

Publications and source records attributed to Olga V Naidenko.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Costimulation through NKG2D enhances murine CD8+ CTL function: similarities and differences between NKG2D and CD28 costimulation.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that the NK cell activating receptor NKG2D can function as a costimulatory receptor for both mouse and human CD8+ T cells. However, it has recently been suggested that stimulation through NKG2D is insufficient for costimulation of CD8+ T cells. To aid in the delineation of NKG2D function in CTL responses, we investigated whether stimulation of NKG2D by the natural ligand RAE1epsilon was able to costimulate effector functions of a murine CTL line generated from DUC18 TCR transgenic mice. We found that NKG2D was able to costimulate DUC CTL responses and did so in a manner similar to CD28 costimulation. The T cells exhibited increased proliferation, IFN-gamma release, and cytotoxicity when presented antigenic peptide by P815 cells expressing RAE1epsilon or B7-1 compared with untransfected P815. In addition, both RAE1epsilon and B7-1 enhanced Ag-independent IFN-gamma secretion in response to IL-12 and IL-18 by DUC CTL. However, only costimulation through CD28 allowed for DUC CTL survival upon secondary stimulation, whereas ligation of NKG2D, but not CD28, induced DUC CTL to form an immune synapse with target cells in the absence of TCR stimulation. Understanding the outcomes of these differences may allow for a better understanding of T cell costimulation in general.

Animals↗

Genetic control of NKT cell numbers maps to major diabetes and lupus loci.

Natural killer T cells are an immunoregulatory population of lymphocytes that plays a critical role in controlling the adaptive immune system and contributes to the regulation of autoimmune responses. We have previously reported deficiencies in the numbers and function of NKT cells in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse strain, a well-validated model of type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we report the results of a genetic linkage analysis of the genes controlling NKT cell numbers in a first backcross (BC1) from C57BL/6 to NOD.Nkrp1(b) mice. The numbers of thymic NKT cells of 320 BC1 mice were determined by fluorescence-activated cell analysis using anti-TCR Ab and CD1/alpha-galactosylceramide tetramer. Tail DNA of 138 female BC1 mice was analyzed for PCR product length polymorphisms at 181 simple sequence repeats, providing greater than 90% coverage of the autosomal genome with an average marker separation of 8 cM. Two loci exhibiting significant linkage to NKT cell numbers were identified; the most significant (Nkt1) was on distal chromosome 1, in the same region as the NOD mouse lupus susceptibility gene Babs2/Bana3. The second most significant locus (Nkt2) mapped to the same region as Idd13, a NOD-derived diabetes susceptibility gene on chromosome 2.

Alleles↗

Genetically linked C-type lectin-related ligands for the NKRP1 family of natural killer cell receptors.

The natural killer (NK) gene complex (NKC) encodes orphan lectin-like NK cell receptors that may explain uncharacterized NK cell specificities. Unlike other NKC-encoded receptors that recognize molecules with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I folds, here we show that mouse Nkrp1d and Nkrp1f bind specific C-type lectin-related (Clr) molecules. Nkrp1d mediated inhibition when recognizing Clrb, a molecule expressed in dendritic cells and macrophages. Nkrp1 (official gene name, Klrb1) and Clr are intertwined in a genetically conserved NKC region showing recombination suppression, reminiscent of plant self-incompatibility loci. Thus, these findings broaden the 'missing-self' hypothesis from solely involving MHC class I to including related NK cell receptors for lectin-like ligands, and reflect genetic strategies for biological self-recognition processes in other species.

Animals↗

Human invariant V alpha 24-J alpha Q TCR supports the development of CD1d-dependent NK1.1+ and NK1.1- T cells in transgenic mice.

A sizable fraction of T cells expressing the NK cell marker NK1.1 (NKT cells) bear a very conserved TCR, characterized by homologous invariant (inv.) TCR V alpha 24-J alpha Q and V alpha 14-J alpha 18 rearrangements in humans and mice, respectively, and are thus defined as inv. NKT cells. Because human inv. NKT cells recognize mouse CD1d in vitro, we wondered whether a human inv. V alpha 24 TCR could be selected in vivo by mouse ligands presented by CD1d, thereby supporting the development of inv. NKT cells in mice. Therefore, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the human inv. V alpha 24-J alpha Q TCR chain in all T cells. The expression of the human inv. V alpha 24 TCR in TCR C alpha(-/-) mice indeed rescues the development of inv. NKT cells, which home preferentially to the liver and respond to the CD1d-restricted ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer). However, unlike inv. NKT cells from non-Tg mice, the majority of NKT cells in V alpha 24 Tg mice display a double-negative phenotype, as well as a significant increase in TCR V beta 7 and a corresponding decrease in TCR V beta 8.2 use. Despite the forced expression of the human CD1d-restricted TCR in C alpha(-/-) mice, staining with mCD1d-alpha-GalCer tetramers reveals that the absolute numbers of peripheral CD1d-dependent T lymphocytes increase at most by 2-fold. This increase is accounted for mainly by an increased fraction of NK1.1(-) T cells that bind CD1d-alpha-GalCer tetramers. These findings indicate that human inv. V alpha 24 TCR supports the development of CD1d-dependent lymphocytes in mice, and argue for a tight homeostatic control on the total number of inv. NKT cells. Thus, human inv. V alpha 24 TCR-expressing mice are a valuable model to study different aspects of the inv. NKT cell subset.

Animals↗

Natural killer cell-mediated lysis of dorsal root ganglia neurons via RAE1/NKG2D interactions.

Natural killer cells have been reported to be able to kill various transformed and virus-infected target cells. It was recently observed that NK cells also could kill syngeneic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons by a perforin-dependent mechanism. We demonstrate here that this phenomenon does not reflect a general ability of NK cells to kill neurons in culture. While DRG neurons of the peripheral nervous system were readily killed, ventral spinal cord neurons and hippocampal neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) were resistant to lysis. The resistance to NK cell-mediated lysis of the latter neurons was not related to protection by MHC class I molecules, since similar beta(2)-microglobulin(-/-) neurons were equally resistant to lysis. While exploring other possible molecular mechanisms for the selective triggering of lysis of DRG neurons, we observed that the retinoic acid early inducible gene-1 (RAE-1), the product of which is a ligand for the NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D, was expressed at high levels in the DRG neurons. In contrast, RAE-1 was expressed only at very low levels in the resistant CNS-derived neurons. Blocking NK cells withanti-NKG2D antibodies inhibited NK cell-mediated killing of the DRG neurons. Thus, we demonstrate that NK cell-mediated lysis of DRG neurons correlates with the expression of RAE-1 and that this lysis is dependent on activation of NK cells via NKG2D. This observation demonstrates that NK cells can kill non-pathogen-infected or non-transformed syngeneic cells through activation of the NKG2D receptor.

Animals↗

The crystal structure of a TL/CD8alphaalpha complex at 2.1 A resolution: implications for modulation of T cell activation and memory.

TL is a nonclassical MHC class I molecule that modulates T cell activation through relatively high-affinity interaction with CD8alphaalpha. To investigate how the TL/CD8alphaalpha interaction influences TCR signaling, we characterized the structure of the TL/CD8alphaalpha complex using X-ray crystallography. Unlike antigen-presenting molecules, the TL antigen-binding groove is occluded by specific conformational changes. This feature eliminates antigen presentation, severely hampers direct TCR recognition, and prevents TL from participating in the TCR activation complex. At the same time, the TL/CD8alphaalpha interaction is strengthened through subtle structure changes in the TL alpha3 domain. Thus, TL functions to sequester and redirect CD8alphaalpha away from the TCR, modifying lck-dependent signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cutting edge: murine UL16-binding protein-like transcript 1: a newly described transcript encoding a high-affinity ligand for murine NKG2D.

Murine NKG2D is known to recognize H60 and five RAE1 variants. The human homologue recognizes both inducible MHC class I chain-related gene and constitutive (UL16-binding protein (ULBP)) ligands. Widely expressed, the latter are thought to mark transformed or infected cells for destruction by NK cells in the context of down-regulated cell surface class I (i.e., the "missing self"-response). Unlike MIC and ULBP however, mRNA for the murine ligands appears only in very limited contexts in the mature animal. In this study, we describe a NKG2D ligand termed "murine ULBP-like transcript 1 (MULT1) whose mRNA appears to be widely expressed in adult parenchyma. This molecule possesses MHC class I-like alpha1 and alpha2 domains as well as a large cytoplasmic domain. Recombinant MULT1 binds NKG2D with relatively high affinity (K(D) approximately 6 nM) and low k(off) (approximately 0.006s(-1)). Expression of MULT1 by normally resistant RMA cells results in their susceptibility to lysis by C57BL/6 splenocytes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The V alpha 14 NKT cell TCR exhibits high-affinity binding to a glycolipid/CD1d complex.

Most CD1d-dependent NKT cells in mice have a canonical V alpha 14J alpha 18 TCR rearrangement. However, relatively little is known concerning the molecular basis for their reactivity to glycolipid Ags presented by CD1d. Using glycolipid Ags, soluble forms of a V alpha 14 NKT cell-derived TCR, and mutant and wild-type CD1d molecules, we probed the TCR/CD1d interaction by surface plasmon resonance, tetramer equilibrium staining, and tetramer staining decay experiments. By these methods, several CD1d alpha-helical amino acids could be defined that do not greatly alter lipid binding, but that affect the interaction with the TCR. Binding of the V alpha 14(+) TCR to CD1d requires the agonist alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), as opposed to the nonantigenic beta-galactosylceramide, although both Ags bind to CD1d, indicating that the carbohydrate moiety of the CD1d-bound Ag plays a major role in the TCR interaction. The TCR has a relatively high-affinity binding to the alpha-GalCer/CD1d complex, with a particularly slow off rate. These unique properties are consistent with the coreceptor-independent action of the V alpha 14 TCR and may be related to the intense response to alpha-GalCer by NKT cells in vivo.

Antigen Presentation↗

Recognition of a virus-encoded ligand by a natural killer cell activation receptor.

Natural killer (NK) cells express inhibitory and activation receptors that recognize MHC class I-like molecules on target cells. These receptors may be involved in the critical role of NK cells in controlling initial phases of certain viral infections. Indeed, the Ly49H NK cell activation receptor confers in vivo genetic resistance to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infections, but its ligand was previously unknown. Herein, we use heterologous reporter cells to demonstrate that Ly49H recognizes MCMV-infected cells and a ligand encoded by MCMV itself. Exploiting a bioinformatics approach to the MCMV genome, we find at least 11 ORFs for molecules with previously unrecognized features of predicted MHC-like folds and limited MHC sequence homology. We identify one of these, m157, as the ligand for Ly49H. m157 triggers Ly49H-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine and chemokine production by freshly isolated NK cells. We hypothesize that the other ORFs with predicted MHC-like folds may be involved in immune evasion or interactions with other NK cell receptors.

Animals↗

The complementarity-determining region-like loops of CD8 alpha interact differently with beta 2-microglobulin of the class I molecules H-2Kb and thymic leukemia antigen, while similarly with their alpha 3 domains.

The murine CD8 glycoprotein interacts with both classical MHC class I molecules and some nonclassical molecules, including the thymic leukemia Ag (TL). TL binds preferentially to CD8alphaalpha homodimers with a 10-fold higher affinity than H-2K(b) class I molecules. To understand the molecular basis for this difference, we created a panel of CD8alpha mutants and tested the ability of the CD8alphaalpha homodimers to bind to H-2K(b) tetramers and TL tetramers. Mutations in three CD8 residues located on the complementarity-determining region-like loops contacting the negatively charged loop in the alpha3 domain of MHC class I greatly reduced binding to both tetramers. Because TL and H-2K(b) class I sequences are highly conserved in the alpha3 domain of MHC class I, this suggests that CD8 contacts the alpha3 domain of TL and H-2K(b) in a similar manner. In contrast, mutations in residues on the A and B beta strands of CD8 that are involved in contact with beta(2)-microglobulin affected interaction with the H-2K(b) tetramer, but not the TL tetramer. Therefore, the orientation of interaction of TL with CD8 appears to be different from that of H-2K(b). The unique high affinity binding of TL with CD8alphaalpha is most likely a result of amino acid differences in the alpha3 domain between TL and H-2K(b), particularly at positions 198 (K to D) and 228 (M to T), which are contact residues in the CD8alphaalpha-H-2K(b) cocrystal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ligands for murine NKG2D display heterogeneous binding behavior.

NKG2D transmits stimulatory signals to natural killer cells and other hematopoietic cells, leading to enhanced proliferation, cytokine secretion and target killing. Murine and human NKG2D each recognize five known class I-related molecules with distinct primary structures. Here, we used surface plasmon resonance to examine the binding of murine NKG2D to its cognate ligands: RAE-1B6 (a newly described C57BL/6J variant of RAE-1), RAE-1 delta (common to BALB and C57BL6/J), and H60 (expressed in BALB, but not C57BL/6J). While RAE-1B6 and H60 display relatively high affinities for NKG2D with K(D) in the 20-30 nM range and k(off )in the 0.03s(-1) to 0.06s(-1) range (t(1/2) approximately 10-20s); the RAE-1 delta variant binds with a lower affinity: K(D) of approximately 750 nM. Furthermore, RAE-1 delta displays biphasic kinetics with dominant k(off) of approximately 0.2s(-1) (t(1/2) approximately 3s), partially explaining the lower affinity. Thus, H60 and RAE-1B6 bind NKG2D with almost identical kinetics while sharing only 20% amino acid sequence identity; whereas other RAE-1 molecules demonstrate faster dissociation and lower affinities than RAE-1B6 despite sharing 90% sequence identity. C57BL/6J mice, although not expressing the H60 gene product, retain a high-affinity ligand for NKG2D in the form of RAE-1B6.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitation and phenotypic analysis of natural killer T cells in primary biliary cirrhosis using a human CD1d tetramer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of lymphocytes incriminated in playing an important role in the modulation of the innate immune response and the development of autoimmunity. However, there have been only limited studies attempting to quantitate the number of NKT cells in autoimmune disease, particularly because of difficulties associated with definition of this subpopulation. METHODS: We used a human CD1d (hCD1d) tetramer produced by a baculovirus expressing recombinant CD1d protein complexed with alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) and quantitated hCD1d tetramer reactive cells in blood and liver from controls and patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). RESULTS: The majority of CD1d-alphaGalCer-restricted NKT cells were positive for TCR Valpha24 and Vbeta11. There was a distinct CD4- CD8+ population within the CD1d-alphaGalCer-restricted NKT cells in addition to the CD4- CD8- and CD4+ CD8- population. The frequency of CD1d-alphaGalCer-restricted NKT cells was similar between blood and liver in healthy individuals. In contrast, the frequency of CD1d-alphaGalCer-restricted NKT cells in the liver was significantly higher than in the blood of PBC patients. The frequency of CD1d-alpha-GalCer-restricted NKT cells in the liver was also significantly higher in PBC patients than in healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and function of such cells should be studied not only in blood but also in the target organ of the autoimmune disease. Selective enrichment of CD1d-alphaGalCer-restricted NKT cells at the site of inflammation is observed in PBC, suggesting a role of these cells in the development of PBC.

Antigens, CD1↗