Biomedical subjects

Simon Y C Wong

Publications and source records attributed to Simon Y C Wong.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Preferential induction of CD4+ T cell responses through in vivo targeting of antigen to dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1.

Targeting of Ags and therapeutics to dendritic cells (DCs) has immense potential for immunotherapy and vaccination. Because DCs are heterogeneous, optimal targeting strategies will require knowledge about functional specialization among DC subpopulations and identification of molecules for targeting appropriate DCs. We characterized the expression of a fungal recognition receptor, DC-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1), on mouse DC subpopulations and investigated the ability of an anti-Dectin-1 Ab to deliver Ag for the stimulation of immune responses. Dectin-1 was shown to be expressed on CD8alpha-CD4-CD11b+ DCs found in spleen and lymph nodes and dermal DCs present in skin and s.c. lymph nodes. Injection of Ag-anti-Dectin-1 conjugates induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and Ab responses at low doses where free Ag failed to elicit a response. Notably, qualitatively different immune responses were generated by targeting Ag to Dectin-1 vs CD205, a molecule expressed on CD8alpha+CD4-CD11b- DCs, dermal DCs, and Langerhans cells. Unlike anti-Dectin-1, anti-CD205 conjugates failed to elicit an Ab response. Moreover, when conjugates were injected i.v., anti-Dectin-1 stimulated a much stronger CD4+ T cell response and a much weaker CD8+ T cell response than anti-CD205. The results reveal Dectin-1 as a potential targeting molecule for immunization and have implications for the specialization of DC subpopulations.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Induction of CD8+ T cell responses through targeting of antigen to Dectin-2.

Targeted delivery of antigens to dendritic cells (DC) can be used to optimise immunisation. We investigated whether the efficacy with which immune responses are induced can be improved by targeting Ags to a C-type lectin receptor, Dectin-2. When anti-Dectin-2 mAbs were injected s.c., mAb binding was detected on a low percentage of DC in the draining lymph node. Ag conjugated to anti-Dectin-2 mAbs was presented efficiently to CD8+ T cells in vivo and elicited CD8+ T cell responses at low doses where free Ag failed to induce a response. The results reveal Dectin-2 as a potential targeting molecule for immunisation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

IFN-alpha/beta-dependent cross-priming induced by specific toll-like receptor agonists.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are pattern recognition receptors that have been identified as crucial in the initiation of innate immune responses against pathogens. They are thought to be involved in shaping appropriate adaptive immune responses, although their precise contribution has not yet been fully characterised. Our aim was to investigate in vivo the effect of different TLR stimuli on cellular immune responses. We examined the ability of a range of TLR stimuli to induce CD8+ T cell responses against a model soluble protein antigen, ovalbumin (OVA). We found that TLR 3, TLR 4, and TLR 9 agonists induced functional cross-priming, and that this process was dependent on IFN-alpha/beta signalling pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The carbohydrate-recognition domain of Dectin-2 is a C-type lectin with specificity for high mannose.

We examined the carbohydrate-binding potential of the C-type lectin-like receptor Dectin-2 (Clecf4n). The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of Dectin-2 exhibited cation-dependent mannose/fucose-like lectin activity, with an IC(50) for mannose of approximately 20 mM compared to an IC(50) of 1.5 mM for the macrophage mannose receptor when assayed by similar methodology. The extracellular domain of Dectin-2 exhibited binding to live Candida albicans and the Saccharomyces-derived particle zymosan. This binding was completely abrogated by cation chelation and was competed by yeast mannans. We compared the lectin activity of Dectin-2 with that of two other C-type lectin receptors (mannose receptor and SIGNR1) known to bind fungal mannans. Both mannose receptor and SIGNR1 were able to bind bacterial capsular polysaccharides derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae, but interestingly they exhibited distinct binding profiles. The Dectin-2 CRD exhibited only weak interactions to some of these capsular polysaccharides, indicative of different structural or affinity requirements for binding, when compared with the other two lectins. Glycan array analysis of the carbohydrate recognition by Dectin-2 indicated specific recognition of high-mannose structures (Man(9)GlcNAc(2)). The differences in the specificity of these three mannose-specific lectins indicate that mannose recognition is mediated by distinct receptors, with unique specificity, that are expressed by discrete subpopulations of cells, and this further highlights the complex nature of carbohydrate recognition by immune cells.

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed2006

Intranasal immunisation with inactivated RSV and bacterial adjuvants induces mucosal protection and abrogates eosinophilia upon challenge.

We have previously shown that following intranasal exposure to influenza virus, specific plasma cells are generated in the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and maintained for the life of the animal. However, we also showed that following infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), specific plasma cells are generated in the NALT but wane quickly and are not maintained even after challenge, even though RSV-specific serum antibody responses remain robust. Only infection with influenza virus generated sterilising immunity, implying a role for these long-lived plasma cells in protection. We show here that the RSV-specific IgA NALT plasma cell population and lung antibody levels can be substantially boosted, both at acute and memory time points, by intranasal immunisation with inactivated RSV (iRSV) in combination with bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMV) compared to live RSV alone. Finally, challenge with live RSV showed that immunisation with iRSV and OMV protect against both virus replication in the lung and the eosinophil infiltrate generated by either live RSV or iRSV alone. These data show that immunisation with iRSV and OMV maintains a NALT RSV-specific plasma cell population and generates an efficient protective immune response following RSV infection.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2006

Human MICL (CLEC12A) is differentially glycosylated and is down-regulated following cellular activation.

C-type lectins are the most diverse and prevalent lectin family in immunity. Particular interest has recently been attracted by the C-type lectin-like receptors on NK cells, which appear to regulate the activation/inhibitory balance of these cells, controlling cytotoxicity and cytokine production. We previously identified a human C-type lectin-like receptor, closely related to both the beta-glucan receptor and the lectin-like receptor for oxidized-LDL, named MICL (myeloid inhibitory C-type lectin-like receptor), which we had shown using chimeric analysis to function as an inhibitory receptor. Using a novel MICL-specific monoclonal antibody, we show here that human MICL is expressed primarily on myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Although MICL was highly N-glycosylated in primary cells, the level of glycosylation was found to vary between cell types. MICL surface expression was down-regulated during inflammatory/activation conditions in vitro, as well as during an in vivo model of acute inflammation, which we characterize here. This suggests that human MICL may be involved in the control of myeloid cell activation during inflammation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The human beta-glucan receptor is widely expressed and functionally equivalent to murine Dectin-1 on primary cells.

We identified the C-type-lectin-like receptor, Dectin-1, as the major receptor for fungal beta-glucans on murine macrophages and have demonstrated that it plays a significant role in the cellular response to these carbohydrates. Using two novel, isoform-specific mAb, we show here that human Dectin-1, the beta-glucan receptor (betaGR), is widely expressed and present on all monocyte populations as well as macrophages, DC, neutrophils and eosinophils. This receptor is also expressed on B cells and a subpopulation of T cells, demonstrating that human Dectin-1 is not myeloid restricted. Both major functional betaGR isoforms - betaGR-A and betaGR-B - were expressed by these cell populations in peripheral blood; however, only betaGR-B was significantly expressed on mature monocyte-derived macrophages and immature DC, suggesting cell-specific control of isoform expression. Inflammatory cells, recruited in vivo using a new skin-window technique, demonstrated that Dectin-1 expression was not significantly modulated on macrophages during inflammation, but is decreased on recruited granulocytes. Despite previous reports detailing the involvement of other beta-glucan receptors on mature human macrophages, we have demonstrated that Dectin-1 acted as the major beta-glucan receptor on these cells and contributed to the inflammatory response to these carbohydrates.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Dectin-2 is predominantly myeloid restricted and exhibits unique activation-dependent expression on maturing inflammatory monocytes elicited in vivo.

Dectin-2 is a recently described dendritic-cell-associated receptor, suggested to be involved in the initiation and maintenance of UV-induced tolerance. To understand the physiological relevance of the proposed functions of this C-type lectin-like receptor, we have generated monoclonal antibodies against its extracellular domain and performed a detailed study of its expression. In naive mice, Dectin-2 has a novel distribution pattern compared with other myeloid markers, but is predominantly expressed by a wide variety of tissue macrophages. Its expression was limited on dendritic cells and notably absent from brain microglia and choroid plexus or meningeal macrophages. On peripheral blood monocytes, Dectin-2 expression was very low on the surface but was transiently and markedly up-regulated on induction of inflammation in vivo using a variety of stimuli. This change in Dectin-2 expression occurs on 'inflammatory' monocytes after arrival at the inflammatory lesion as demonstrated by adoptive cell-transfer studies, and is independent of whether the macrophages elicited by the stimuli ultimately expressed Dectin-2. These observations show Dectin-2 expression to be characteristic of monocyte activation/maturation at an inflammatory lesion and provide a new perspective on the interpretation of Dectin-2 function in vivo.

Adoptive Transfer↗

PubMed2004

Expression of the beta-glucan receptor, Dectin-1, on murine leukocytes in situ correlates with its function in pathogen recognition and reveals potential roles in leukocyte interactions.

Dectin-1 is a pathogen-recognition receptor on macrophages (MPhis), neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs). On MPhis and bone marrow-derived DCs, it has been shown to mediate the nonopsonic recognition of and response to soluble and particulate yeast beta-glucans. We have optimized the immunohistochemical detection of Dectin-1 and demonstrated its expression on neutrophils, subpopulations of MPhis in splenic red and white pulp, alveolar MPhis, Kupffer cells, and MPhis and DCs in the lamina propria of gut villi. This is consistent with its role in pathogen surveillance. A significant proportion of CD11c(+) splenic DCs expressed Dectin-1, but expression was not restricted to any one subset. Dectin-1 expression was low on resident MPhis and DCs of skin and was not detected on resident MPhis or DCs in kidney, heart, brain, or eye. The proposed, additional role of Dectin-1 as a coreceptor for T cell activation is supported by its expression on DCs in the T cell areas of the spleen and lymph nodes. Strong expression of Dectin-1 on subpopulations of MPhis and DCs in the medullary and corticomedullary regions of the thymus suggests a role distinct from pathogen recognition. Tissue localization thus revealed potential roles of Dectin-1 in leukocyte interactions during innate immune responses and T cell development.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Development of a specific system for targeting protein to metallophilic macrophages.

The cysteine-rich domain (CR) of the mannose receptor binds sulfated glycoprotein CR ligand (CRL) expressed by subpopulations of myeloid cells in secondary lymphoid organs (CRL(+) cells). In naïve mice, these CRL(+) cells, metallophilic macrophages (M) in spleen and subcapsular sinus M in lymph nodes, are located strategically for antigen capture and are adjacent to B cell follicles, but their role in the immune response is unknown. We have exploited the lectin activity of CR to develop a highly specific system for targeting protein to CRL(+) M. We demonstrate that the sulfated carbohydrates recognized by CR are exposed to the extracellular milieu and mediate highly specific targeting of CR-containing proteins. This model will allow the dissection of the role of metallophilic M in an immune response in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Human dendritic cell activation by Neisseria meningitidis: phagocytosis depends on expression of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) by the bacteria and is required for optimal cytokine production.

Group B Neisseria meningitidis is a human pathogen, for which a universally effective vaccine is still not available. Immune responses to bacteria are initiated by dendritic cells (DC), which internalize and process bacterial antigens for presentation to T cells. We show here that optimal IL-12 and TNF-alpha production by human monocyte derived DC in response to killed serogroup B N. meningitidis depends on physical contact and internalization of the bacteria by DC. The majority of DC producing cytokines had internalized N. meningitidis while inhibition of bacterial internalization markedly impaired IL-12 and TNF-alpha, but not IL-6 production. Internalization of N. meningitidis was shown to depend on lipooligosaccharide (LOS) expressed by the bacteria with poor internalization of LOS deficient bacteria compared to wild-type bacteria. Restoration of LOS biosynthesis in a LOS regulatory strain also restored both internalization and cytokine production and was enhanced in the presence of LPS binding protein (LBP). These results suggest that DC phagocytosis depends on expression of LOS within the bacteria and that optimal cytokine production, particularly IL-12, requires internalization of the bacteria. These findings have important implications for designing vaccines that will induce protective immune responses to group B N. meningitidis.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2004

Local and systemic antibody responses in mice immunized intranasally with native and detergent-extracted outer membrane vesicles from Neisseria meningitidis.

The mouse humoral immune response toward native or detergent-extracted outer membrane vesicles (NOMVs and DOMVs, respectively) from Neisseria meningitidis was determined after intranasal immunization. Both preparations elicited high frequencies of NOMV-specific antibody-forming cells (AFCs) locally in the nasal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) after three or four weekly doses. The diffuse NALT (D-NALT) contained ca. 10-fold more NOMV-specific AFCs than those observed in the mediastinal lymph node, spleen, and bone marrow. AFCs observed in the D-NALT were primarily immunoglobulin A positive (IgA(+)) and were maintained for at least 1 month. In contrast, the organized NALT (O-NALT) contained low numbers of AFCs, and the response was relatively short-lived. In other lymphoid tissues, AFCs producing various IgG subclasses and IgM were present with IgG2b-producing AFCs being dominant or codominant with IgA or IgG2a. In serum and in all of the tissues examined, with the exception of the NALT, NOMVs clearly induced a stronger antibody response and a broader range of antibody isotypes than DOMVs. The development of NOMV-specific AFCs in spleen and bone marrow after intranasal immunization was slow compared to intravenous immunization but, once established, the intranasally elicited responses increased steadily for at least 75 days. NOMV-specific antibodies induced via several routes of immunization had high bactericidal activities in serum. Our results indicated that intranasally administered OMVs induced strong local and systemic antibody responses in mice that were relatively long-lived.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed2003

Dectin-1 expression and function are enhanced on alternatively activated and GM-CSF-treated macrophages and are negatively regulated by IL-10, dexamethasone, and lipopolysaccharide.

Dectin-1 is the major macrophage receptor for beta-glucans and generates a proinflammatory response through the recognition of these carbohydrates on fungal pathogens. We have examined the effects of cytokines and other agents on the expression and functions of dectin-1 in both resident and elicited murine peritoneal macrophages (Mphi). Dectin-1 expression was found to be highly up-regulated by GM-CSF and by the cytokines that induce alternative macrophage activation, IL-4 and IL-13. In contrast, IL-10, LPS, and dexamethasone, but not IFN-gamma, down-regulated the expression of this receptor. Modulation of dectin-1 receptor levels correlated with the ability of these macrophages to bind zymosan and significantly affected the contribution of this receptor to the resultant proinflammatory response, as measured by the production of TNF-alpha, although some Mphi-specific differences were observed. These results correlate with the known effects of these cytokines and other agents on the ability of the immune system to recognize and respond to fungal pathogens.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2003

Analysis of mannose receptor regulation by IL-4, IL-10, and proteolytic processing using novel monoclonal antibodies.

The study of the murine macrophage mannose receptor (MR) has been hampered by the lack of specific reagents. We have generated and characterized novel anti-MR monoclonal antibodies and used them to analyze MR expression in primary mouse macrophages (M(phi)). In BioGel- and thioglycollate-elicited M(phi), interleukin (IL)-4 up-regulated total cell-associated MR (cMR), correlating with enhanced surface expression. We investigated the influence of IL-10, a well-characterized deactivator of M(phi) function, on MR levels and observed that it had a similar effect to IL-4. In both cases, enhanced cMR levels translated into increased production of the soluble form of the receptor (sMR). We have demonstrated the presence of sMR in cultures of stable non-M(phi) transductants expressing full-length MR, indicating that the proteolytic activity responsible for cMR cleavage is not M(phi)-restricted. These data support a role for the MR in T helper cell type 2 cytokine-driven, immune responses and suggest a non-M(phi) contribution to sMR production in vivo.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2002

The beta-glucan receptor, dectin-1, is predominantly expressed on the surface of cells of the monocyte/macrophage and neutrophil lineages.

We recently identified dectin-1 (betaGR) as a major beta-glucan receptor on leukocytes and demonstrated that it played a significant role in the non-opsonic recognition of soluble and particulate beta-glucans. Using a novel mAb (2A11) raised against betaGR, we show here that the receptor is not dendritic cell-restricted as first reported, but is broadly expressed, with highest surface expression on populations of myeloid cells (monocyte/macrophage (Mphi) and neutrophil lineages). Dendritic cells and a subpopulation of T cells also expressed the betaGR, but at lower levels. Alveolar Mphi, like inflammatory Mphi, exhibited the highest surface expression of betaGR, indicative of a role for this receptor in immune surveillance. In contrast, resident peritoneal Mphi expressed much lower levels of betaGR on the cell surface. Characterization of the nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by resident peritoneal Mphi suggested the existence of an additional beta-glucan-independent mechanism of zymosan binding that was not observed on elicited or bone marrow-derived Mphi. Although this recognition could be inhibited by mannan, we were able to exclude involvement of the Mphi mannose receptor and complement receptor 3 in this process. These observations imply the existence of an additional mannan-dependent receptor involved in the recognition of zymosan by resident peritoneal Mphi.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2002

Recognition of bacterial capsular polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides by the macrophage mannose receptor.

The in vitro binding of the macrophage mannose receptor to a range of different bacterial polysaccharides was investigated. The receptor was shown to bind to purified capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae and to the lipopolysaccharides, but not capsular polysaccharides, from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Binding was Ca(2+)-dependent and inhibitable with d-mannose. A fusion protein of the mannose receptor containing carbohydrate recognition domains 4-7 and a full-length soluble form of the mannose receptor containing all domains external to the transmembrane region both displayed very similar binding specificities toward bacterial polysaccharides, suggesting that domains 4-7 are sufficient for recognition of these structures. Surprisingly, no direct correlation could be made between polysaccharide structure and binding to the mannose receptor, suggesting that polysaccharide conformation may play an important role in recognition. The full-length soluble form of the mannose receptor was able to bind simultaneously both polysaccharide via the carbohydrate recognition domains and sulfated oligosaccharide via the cysteine-rich domain. The possible involvement of the mannose receptor, either cell surface or soluble, in the innate and adaptive immune responses to bacterial polysaccharides is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Dectin-1 is a major beta-glucan receptor on macrophages.

Zymosan is a beta-glucan- and mannan-rich particle that is widely used as a cellular activator for examining the numerous responses effected by phagocytes. The macrophage mannose receptor (MR) and complement receptor 3 (CR3) have historically been considered the major macrophage lectins involved in the nonopsonic recognition of these yeast-derived particles. Using specific carbohydrate inhibitors, we show that a beta-glucan receptor, but not the MR, is a predominant receptor involved in this process. Furthermore, nonopsonic zymosan binding was unaffected by genetic CD11b deficiency or a blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CR3, demonstrating that CR3 was not the beta-glucan receptor mediating this activity. To address the role of the recently described beta-glucan receptor, Dectin-1, we generated a novel anti-Dectin-1 mAb, 2A11. Using this mAb, we show here that Dectin-1 was almost exclusively responsible for the beta-glucan-dependent, nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by primary macro-phages. These findings define Dectin-1 as the leukocyte beta-glucan receptor, first described over 50 years ago, and resolves the long-standing controversy regarding the identity of this important molecule. Furthermore, these results identify Dectin-1 as a new target for examining the immunomodulatory properties of beta-glucans for therapeutic drug design.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cross-reactive polyclonal antibodies to the inner core of lipopolysaccharide from Neisseria meningitidis.

Sera from mice immunized with native or detergent-extracted outer membrane vesicles derived from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant 44/76(Mu-4) of Neisseria meningitidis were analyzed for antibodies to LPS. The carbohydrate portion of 44/76(Mu-4) LPS consists of the complete inner core, Glc beta 1-->4[GlcNAc alpha 1-->2Hep alpha 1-->3]Hep alpha 1-->5KDO[4-->2 alpha KDO]. Immunoblot analysis revealed that some sera contained antibodies to wild-type LPS which has a fully extended carbohydrate chain of immunotype L3,7, as well as to the homologous LPS. Sera reacted only weakly to LPS from 44/76(Mu-3), which lacks the terminal glucose of the inner core. No binding to more truncated LPS was observed. Consequently, the cross-reactive epitopes are expressed mainly by the complete inner core. Dephosphorylation of wild-type LPS abolished antibody binding to LPS in all but one serum. Thus, at least two specificities of cross-reactive antibodies exist: one is dependent on phosphoethanolamine groups in LPS, and one is not. Detection of these cross-reactive antibodies strongly supports the notion that epitopes expressed by meningococcal LPS inner core are also accessible to antibodies when the carbohydrate chain is fully extended. Also, these inner core epitopes are sufficiently immunogenic to induce antibody levels detectable in polyclonal antibody responses. Meningococci can escape being killed by antibodies to LPS that bind only to a specific LPS variant, by altering the carbohydrate chain length. Cross-reactive antibodies may prevent such escape. Therefore, inner core LPS structures may be important antigens in future vaccines against meningococcal disease.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗