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R Peach

Publications and source records attributed to R Peach.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Costimulatory function and expression of CD40 ligand, CD80, and CD86 in vascularized murine cardiac allograft rejection.

Recent data implicates a role for the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) pathway in graft rejection. One potential mechanism is direct costimulation of T cells through CD40L. Alternatively, the ability of CD40 stimulation to induce CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) expression on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) has led to the hypothesis that the role of CD40-CD40L interactions in transplant rejection might be indirect, i.e., to promote the costimulatory capacity of APCs. Here, we have used a murine vascularized cardiac allograft model to test this hypothesis. Treatment of the recipients with donor splenocytes and a single dose of anti-CD40L mAb induces long-term graft survival (> 100 days) in all animals. This is associated with marked inhibition of intragraft Th1 cytokine [interferon gamma and interleukin (IL) 2] and IL-12 expression with reciprocal up-regulation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In untreated allograft recipients, CD86 is strongly expressed on endothelial cells and infiltrating mononuclear cells of the graft within 24 hr. In contrast, CD80 expression is not seen until 72 hr after engraftment. Anti-CD40L mAb has no detectable effect on CD86 up-regulation, but almost completely abolishes induction of CD80. However, animals treated with anti-CD80 mAb or with a mutated form of CTLA4Ig (which does not bind to CD86) rejected their cardiac allografts, indicating that blockade of CD80 alone does not mediate the graft-prolonging effects of anti-CD40L mAb. These data support the notion that the role of CD40-CD40L in transplant rejection is not solely to promote CD80 or CD86 expression, but rather that this pathway can directly and independently costimulate T cells. These data also suggest that long-term graft survival can be achieved without blockade of either T cell receptor-mediated signals or CD28-CD86 engagement.

Animals↗

Covalent dimerization of CD28/CTLA-4 and oligomerization of CD80/CD86 regulate T cell costimulatory interactions.

T lymphocyte receptors CD28 and CTLA-4 bind costimulatory molecules CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) on antigen-presenting cells and regulate T cell activation. While distinct functional roles have been ascribed to each of these molecules, little is known about how they interact. To better characterize these interactions, we have used surface plasmon resonance to perform equilibrium and kinetic binding analyses of extracellular fragments of CD28/CTLA-4/CD80/CD86. We show that CTLA-4 and CD28 binding are both characterized by rapid kinetic on-rates and rapid dissociation rates. Native disulfide-linked homodimers of CD28 and CTLA-4 bound with two kinetically distinct binding sites, one of high avidity and slow dissociation and one of low avidity and more rapid dissociation. Monomeric CTLA-4 bound only with low affinity and rapid dissociation. Therefore, covalent dimerization of CTLA-4 is required for its high avidity binding. Oligomerization of CD80/CD86 is also required for high avidity CTLA-4 binding since CTLA-4 bound with low avidity to monomeric CD86. This contrasts with the ability of CD80/CD86 on antigen-presenting cells to bind CTLA4Ig with high avidity and predicts their organization as oligomers or clusters that permit multivalent binding. Thus, covalent receptor dimerization and ligand oligomerization are two key features of the CD28/CTLA-4/CD80/CD86 receptor system that control ligand binding and may regulate signal transduction by controlling the duration of receptor occupancy.

Abatacept↗

Ex vivo treatment of antigen-presenting cells with CTLA4Ig and encephalitogenic peptide prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat.

We used a novel approach to study the role of CD28-B7 T cell costimulatory blockade in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Lewis rat model. APCs were incubated in vitro with CTLA4Ig and the encephalitogenic peptide p71-90 of myelin basic protein. Systemic injection of APCs treated ex vivo with p71-90 and CTLA4Ig before immunization protected animals from clinical EAE. Systemic injection of APCs treated with CTLA4Ig alone, CTLA4Ig and control peptide, peptide alone, or peptide and control Ig was not protective. Injection of APCs treated ex vivo with CTLA4Ig and p71-90 on the day of immunization was also protective, but delaying the injection till day 7 after immunization impaired the protective effect. Immunohistologically, protected animals had decreased inflammatory responses, with inhibition of Th1 and sparing of Th2 cytokines in the brain. Preincubation of APCs with p71-90 and a mutant form of CTLA4Ig that binds only B7-1 also protected animals from developing EAE. These results suggest that ex vivo blockade of CD28-B7-1 leads to the generation of regulatory cells, presumably Th2, which inhibit the generation or priming of encephalitogenic T cells and suppress the autoimmune response to the specific Ag in vivo. These observations have therapeutic implications for autoimmune diseases and transplantation.

Abatacept↗

The murine homolog of human Ep-CAM, a homotypic adhesion molecule, is expressed by thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells.

In this report, we demonstrate that gp40, a molecule previously shown to be expressed by thymic epithelial cell lines in vitro and by thymic epithelial cells in vivo, is the murine homolog of human Ep-CAM, a calcium-independent homotypic adhesion molecule. gp40 is also expressed at low levels by thymocytes and peripheral T cells. In the adult thymus, gp40 expression was inversely related to the state of thymocyte maturation, with the highest levels associated with CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ thymocyte populations. Ultrastructural immunohistochemistry revealed gp40 localization to areas of thymocyte/epithelial contact and demonstrated that gp40 is also expressed by thymic dendritic cells. During fetal development, thymocytes at days 14-16 of gestation expressed high levels of gp40. At later stages, the observed decline in the frequency of gp40+ cells and levels of expression correlated with the emergence of alpha beta+ thymocytes by day 18 of gestation. In short-term cultures, stimulation of unfractionated adult thymocytes with concanavalin A increased gp40 expression, particularly among CD3hi and CD3int thymocyte populations. This demonstration that Ep-CAM, initially considered to be expressed primarily by epithelial cells, is also expressed by thymocytes, T cells and antigen-presenting cells, raises the possibility that Ep-CAM may contribute to adhesive interactions between thymocytes and epithelial cells or dendritic cells, either in the context of thymocyte development or peripheral T cell trafficking and function.

Animals↗

Intracellular trafficking of CTLA-4 and focal localization towards sites of TCR engagement.

T lymphocyte receptor CTLA-4 binds costimulatory molecules CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) with high avidity and negatively regulates T cell activation. CTLA-4 functions at the cell surface, yet is primarily localized in intracellular vesicles. Here, we demonstrate cycling of CTLA-4 between intracellular stores and the cell surface. Intracellular vesicles containing CTLA-4 overlapped with endocytic compartment(s) and with perforin-containing secretory granules. Cell surface expression of CTLA-4 was rapidly increased by raising intracellular calcium levels. During T cell activation, intracellular and cell surface CTLA-4 became focused towards sites of TCR activation. Cycling and directional control of CTLA-4 expression may regulate its functional interaction with APCs bearing peptide-MHC complexes of appropriate specificity and avidity.

Abatacept↗

Binding stoichiometry of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4). A disulfide-linked homodimer binds two CD86 molecules.

CD28 and CTLA-4 are homologous T cell receptors of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, which bind B7 molecules (CD80 and CD86) on antigen-presenting cells and transmit important costimulatory signals during T cell activation. Here we have investigated the subunit structure of CTLA-4 and the stoichiometry of its binding to B7 molecules. We demonstrate CTLA-4 is a homodimer interconnected by one disulfide bond in the extracellular domain at cysteine residue 120. Each monomeric polypeptide chain of CTLA-4 contains a high affinity binding site for B7 molecules; soluble CTLA-4 and CD86 form complexes containing equimolar amounts of monomeric CTLA-4 and CD86 (i.e. a 2:2 molecular complex). Thus, CTLA-4 and probably CD28 have a receptor structure consisting of preexisting covalent homodimers with two binding sites. Dimerization of CTLA-4 and CD28 is not required for B7 binding, nor is it sufficient to trigger signaling.

Abatacept↗

CD44 isoforms containing exon V3 are responsible for the presentation of heparin-binding growth factor.

Glycosaminoglycan-modified isoforms of CD44 have been implicated in growth factor presentation at sites of inflammation. In the present study we show that COS cell transfectants expressing CD44 isoforms containing the alternatively spliced exon V3 are modified with heparan sulfate (HS). Binding studies with three HS-binding growth factors, basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), and amphiregulin, showed that the HS-modified CD44 isoforms are able to bind to b-FGF and HB-EGF, but not AR. b-FGF and HB-EGF binding to HS-modified CD44 was eliminated by pretreating the protein with heparitinase or by blocking with free heparin. HS-modified CD44 immunoprecipitated from keratinocytes, which express a CD44 isoform containing V3, also bound to b-FGF. We examined whether HS-modified CD44 isoforms were expressed by activated endothelial cells where they might present HS-binding growth factors to leukocytes during an inflammatory response. PCR and antibody-binding studies showed that activated cultured endothelial cells only express the CD44H isoform which does not contain any of the variably spliced exons including V3. Immunohistological studies with antibodies directed to CD44 extracellular domains encoded by the variably spliced exons showed that vascular endothelial cells in inflamed skin tissue sections do not express CD44 spliced variants. Keratinocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells in the same specimens were found to express variably spliced CD44. 35SO4(-2)-labeling experiments demonstrated that activated cultured endothelial cells do not express detectable levels of chondroitin sulfate or HS-modified CD44. Our results suggest that one of the functions of CD44 isoforms expressing V3 is to bind and present a subset of HS-binding proteins. Furthermore, it is probable that HS-modified CD44 is involved in the presentation of HS-binding proteins by keratinocytes in inflamed skin. However, our data suggests that CD44 is not likely to be the proteoglycan principally involved in presenting HS-binding growth factors to leukocytes on the vascular cell wall.

Alternative Splicing↗

Regulation of CD44 binding to hyaluronan by glycosylation of variably spliced exons.

The hyaluronan (HA)-binding function (lectin function) of the leukocyte homing receptor, CD44, is tightly regulated. Herein we address possible mechanisms that regulate CD44 isoform-specific HA binding. Binding studies with melanoma transfectants expressing CD44H, CD44E, or with soluble immunoglobulin fusions of CD44H and CD44E (CD44H-Rg, CD44E-Rg) showed that although both CD44 isoforms can bind HA, CD44H binds HA more efficiently than CD44E. Using CD44-Rg fusion proteins we show that the variably spliced exons in CD44E, V8-V10, specifically reduce the lectin function of CD44, while replacement of V8-V10 by an ICAM-1 immunoglobulin domain restores binding to a level comparable to that of CD44H. Conversely, CD44 bound HA very weakly when exons V8-V10 were replaced with a CD34 mucin domain, which is heavily modified by O-linked glycans. Production of CD44E-Rg or incubation of CD44E-expressing transfectants in the presence of an O-linked glycosylation inhibitor restored HA binding to CD44H-Rg and to cell surface CD44H levels, respectively. We conclude that differential splicing provides a regulatory mechanism for CD44 lectin function and that this effect is due in part to O-linked carbohydrate moieties which are added to the Ser/Thr rich regions encoded by the variably spliced CD44 exons. Alternative splicing resulting in changes in protein glycosylation provide a novel mechanism for the regulation of lectin activity.

Alternative Splicing↗

Interaction between CD44 and hyaluronate is directly implicated in the regulation of tumor development.

CD44 is implicated in the regulation of tumor growth and metastasis but the mechanism by which expression of different CD44 isoforms determines the rate of primary and secondary tumor growth remains unclear. In the present study we use a human melanoma transfected with wild-type and mutant forms of CD44 to determine which functional property of the CD44 molecule is critical in influencing tumor behavior. We show that expression of a wild-type CD44 isoform that binds hyaluronic acid augments the rapidity of tumor formation by melanoma cells in vivo, whereas expression of a CD44 mutant, which does not mediate cell attachment to hyaluronate, fails to do so. The importance of CD44-hyaluronate interaction in tumor development is underscored by the differential inhibitory effect of soluble wild-type and mutant CD44-Ig fusion proteins on melanoma growth in vivo. Whereas local administration of a mutant, nonhyaluronate binding, CD44-Ig fusion protein has no effect on subcutaneous melanoma growth in mice, infusion of wild-type CD44-Ig is shown to block tumor development. Taken together, these observations suggest that the tumor growth promoting property of CD44 is largely dependent on its ability to mediate cell attachment to hyaluronate.

Animals↗

Extending the B7 (CD80) gene family.

B7-1 and B7-2 are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) and important regulators of T cell-mediated immune responses. Despite sharing only limited sequence identity, B7-1 and B7-2 bind common receptors, CD28 and CTLA-4, on T cells and have similar functional properties. We have found that the extracellular V (ariable)-like domains of B7-1 and B7-2 share significant sequence similarities with 3 major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded members of the IgSF: butyrophilin, myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and the chicken MHC molecule, B-G. This raises the question whether there is an evolutionary link between the MHC, which encodes molecules regulating the antigen specificity of T lymphocyte responses, and B7 molecules, which co-stimulate these responses in antigen-nonspecific fashion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) bind with similar avidities but distinct kinetics to CD28 and CTLA-4 receptors.

B7-0 or B7-2 (CD86) is a T cell costimulatory molecule that binds the same receptors (CD28 and CTLA-4) as B7-1 (CD80), but shares with it only approximately 25% sequence identity and is expressed earlier during an immune response. Here we show that human CD86 maintains similar (within approximately 2- to 3-fold) overall receptor binding and T cell costimulatory properties as CD80. However, CD80 and CD86 did not bind equivalently to CTLA-4: CD80 bound Y100A, a form of CTLA4lg with a mutation in the CDR3-like region, > 200-fold better than did CD86; inhibition of CD80-mediated cellular responses required approximately 100-fold lower CTLA4lg concentrations; and CD80-CTLA4lg complexes dissociated 5- to 8-fold more slowly, Thus, CD80 and CD86 utilize different binding determinants and have different kinetics of binding to CD28 and CTLA-4.

Abatacept↗

T-cell activation molecule 4-1BB binds to extracellular matrix proteins.

The recently isolated 4-1BB cDNA clone encodes a cell surface protein expressed by activated T cells. Its extracellular domain is homologous to members of the nerve growth factor receptor super family and its cytoplasmic domain contains a sequence homologous to the binding site for the T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck found in the cytoplasmic domains of CD4 and CD8 alpha. At present the function of 4-1BB is not known. We prepared a 4-1BB-immunoglobulin fusion protein (4-1BB Rg). This protein was used in immunohistochemical studies to identify tissues that express the 4-1BB ligand. 4-1BB Rg bound to virtually all tissues examined, suggesting that extracellular components might function as its ligands. To explore this possibility, 4-1BB was expressed in COS cells and found to mediate the binding of fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, and collagen VI but not of collagen I. The binding of extracellular matrix proteins to 4-1BB was not mediated by Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) or CS-1 amino acid sequences. Experiments with overlapping proteolytic fragments of fibronectin showed that 4-1BB interacts with multiple regions of fibronectin. The interaction between extracellular matrix proteins and 4-1BB was completely blocked by the anionic carbohydrate polymer fucoidan and was partially blocked by the anionic carbohydrate polymer dextran sulfate and the glycosaminoglycan heparin sulfate but was unaffected by desulfated heparin. These results suggest that carbohydrates may play a role in mediating the 4-1BB-extracellular matrix protein adhesion.

Animals↗

Hypermutability of CpG dinucleotides in the propeptide-encoding sequence of the human albumin gene.

An electrophoretically slow albumin variant was detected with a phenotype frequency of about 1:1000 in Sweden and was also found in a family of Scottish descent from Kaikoura, New Zealand, and in five families in Tradate, Italy. Structural study established that the major variant component was arginyl-albumin, in which arginine at the -1 position of the propeptide is still attached to the processed albumin. A minor component with the amino-terminal sequence of proalbumin was also present as 3-6% of the total albumin. After amplification of the gene segment encoding the prepro sequence of albumin, specific hybridization of DNA to an oligonucleotide probe encoding cysteine at position -2 indicated the mutation of arginine at the -2 position to cysteine (-2 Arg----Cys). This produced the propeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Val-Phe-Cys-Arg. This was confirmed by sequence analysis after pyridylethylation of the cysteine. This mutation produces an alternate signal peptidase cleavage site in the variant proalbumin precursor of arginyl-albumin giving rise to two possible products, arginyl-albumin and the variant proalbumin. Another plasma from Bremen had an alloalbumin with a previously described substitution (1 Asp----Val), which also affects propeptide cleavage. Hypermutability of two CpG dinucleotides in the codons for the diarginyl sequence may account for the frequency of mutations in the propeptide. Mutation at these two sites results in a series of recurrent proalbumin variants that have arisen independently in diverse populations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Renal calcification in suckling rats after high doses of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol).

Light and electron microscopic characteristics of renal calcification caused by high doses of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) were examined in suckling rats. Four daily doses of calcitriol caused greater hypercalcemia and kidney calcification in 2-week-old than in 3-week-old rats. Calcium deposits, as localized with glyoxal bis(2-hydroxyanil), von Kossa's, or alizarin red S stains, were found primarily in the renal cortex. Glomeruli and tubules were calcified in younger pups, whereas only tubules were affected in older pups. Electron-dense deposits were found primarily in proximal tubules and consisted of needlelike crystals, large mitochondrial granules, and lamellar deposits along basal laminae. The location and appearance of the deposits were similar to those described in vitamin D-treated adult rats. The deposits probably resulted from the hypercalcemia and not from a direct toxic effect of calcitriol on the kidney.

Age Factors↗

Tubules and filaments in satellite cells and axons of sensory neurons.

Satellite cells covering the axon hillock region and initial axon process of the neurons of rat and mouse trigeminal ganglia contained numerous parallel microtubules and microfilaments. These were oriented circumferentially to axonal neurofilaments and neurotubules. The latter were sometimes grouped in fascicles. The results suggest a specialized role for the supporting cell in this region and that fascicles of neurotubules are not related to action potential initiation.

Action Potentials↗