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Molecular evolution of the vertebrate immune system.

Adaptive immunity is unique to the vertebrates, and the molecules involved (including immunoglobulins, T cell receptors and the major histocompatibility complex molecules) seem to have diversified very rapidly early in vertebrate history. Reconstruction of gene phylogenies has yielded insights into the evolutionary origin of a number of molecular systems, including the complement system and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). These analyses have indicated that the C5 component of complement arose by gene duplication prior to the divergence of C3 and C4, which suggests that the alternative complement pathway was the first to evolve. In the case of the MHC, phylogenetic analysis supports the hypothesis that MHC class II molecules evolved before class I molecules. The fact that the MHC-linked proteasome components that specifically produce peptides for presentation by class I MHC appear to have originated before the separation of jawed and jawless vertebrates suggests that the MHC itself may have been present at this time. Immune system gene families have evolved by gene duplication, interlocus recombination and (in some cases) positive Darwinian selection favoring diversity at the amino acid level.

Animals↗

Virus complement evasion strategies.

The immune system has a variety of tools at its disposal to combat virus infections. These can be subdivided roughly into two categories: 'first line defence', consisting of the non-specific, innate immune system, and 'adaptive immune response', acquired over time following virus infection or vaccination. During evolution, viruses have developed numerous, and often very ingenious, strategies to counteract efficient recognition of virions or virus-infected cells by both innate and adaptive immunity. This review will focus on the different strategies that viruses use to avoid recognition by one of the components of the immune system: the complement system. Complement evasion is of particular importance for viruses, since complement activation is a crucial component of innate immunity (alternative and mannan-binding lectin activation pathway) as well as of adaptive immunity (classical, antibody-dependent complement activation).

Animals↗

How specific should immunological memory be?

Protection against infection hinges on a close interplay between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. Depending on the type and context of a pathogen, the innate system instructs the adaptive immune system to induce an appropriate immune response. Here, we hypothesize that the adaptive immune system stores these instructions by changing from a naive to an appropriate memory phenotype. In a secondary immune reaction, memory lymphocytes adhere to their instructed phenotype. Because cross-reactions with unrelated Ags can be detrimental, such a qualitative form of memory requires a sufficient degree of specificity of the adaptive immune system. For example, lymphocytes instructed to clear a particular pathogen may cause autoimmunity when cross-reacting with ignored self molecules. Alternatively, memory cells may induce an immune response of the wrong mode when cross-reacting with subsequent pathogens. To maximize the likelihood of responding to a wide variety of pathogens, it is also required that the immune system be sufficiently cross-reactive. By means of a probabilistic model, we show that these conflicting requirements are met optimally by a highly specific memory lymphocyte repertoire. This explains why the lymphocyte system that was built on a preserved functional innate immune system has such a high degree of specificity. Our analysis suggests that 1) memory lymphocytes should be more specific than naive lymphocytes and 2) species with small lymphocyte repertoires should be more vulnerable to both infection and autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗

A role for innate immunity in type 1 diabetes?

Two arms of the immune system, innate and adaptive immunity, differ in their mode of immune recognition. The innate immune system recognizes a few highly conserved structures on a broad range of microorganisms. On the other hand, recognition of self or autoreactivity is generally confined to the adaptive immune response. Whilst autoimmune features are relatively common, they should be distinguished from autoimmune disease that is infrequent. Type 1 diabetes is an immune-mediated disease due to the destruction of insulin secreting cells mediated by aggressive immune responses, including activation of the adaptive immune system following genetic and environmental interaction. Hypotheses for the cause of the immune dysfunction leading to type 1 diabetes include self-reactive T-cell clones that (1) escape deletion in the thymus, (2) escape from peripheral tolerance or (3) escape from homeostatic control with an alteration in the immune balance leading to autoimmunity. Evidence, outlined in this review, raises the possibility that changes in the innate immune system could lead to autoimmunity, by either priming or promoting aggressive adaptive immune responses. Hostile microorganisms are identified by genetically determined surface receptors on innate effector cells, thereby promoting clearance of these invaders. These innate effectors include a few relatively inflexible cell populations such as monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), natural killer (NK) cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells and gammadelta T cells. Recent studies have identified abnormalities in some of these cells both in patients with type 1 diabetes and in those at risk of the disease. However, it remains unclear whether these abnormalities in innate effector cells predispose to autoimmune disease. If they were to do so, then modulation of the innate immune system could be of therapeutic value in preventing immune-mediated diseases such as type 1 diabetes.

Animals↗

Multiple infections with Nematospiroides dubius in mice selected for liability to a single infection.

The faecal egg counts and worm burdens of mice selected over 7 generations as refractory (R), random (Rd) or liable (L) to primary infection with Nematospiroides dubius were significantly different, but the antibody titres (generation 8 mice) after 21 days infection were similar, demonstrating that selection had separated populations of mice which differed in their innate immunity. Variations in adaptive immunity were also shown between the three colonies in terms of protection after challenge infections, self-cure reactions, humoral antibody titres and ability of immune serum from R, Rd and L donors to passively protect recipient Quackenbush (Q) strain mice. R mice were more refractory to primary infection and more proficient in acquiring protective levels of adaptive immunity than L colony mice. Correlation of the faecal parasite egg count after primary with that after secondary infection supported the conclusion that the genetic control of liability to primary infection and of the adaptive immune response following challenge infections were at least partially linked.

Animals↗

Molecular biology and immunology for clinicians 21: The innate immune system: an introduction.

The human (mammalian) immune response includes two interrelated but separable components: the innate immune system and an adaptive immune response. The former constitutes the sole immune defense strategy of invertebrates. It is only with vertebrate evolution that an adaptive immune response, first cellular, then later humoral, develops. Recent studies and a reconsideration of the innate system allow a fuller appreciation of its complexities, unique qualities, and irreplaceable value. In the early days of an infection, long before an effective adaptive immune response can be mounted, the innate system puts up an effective defense. Innate systems provide the costimulatory signal needed to unleash the adaptive immune response. Future contributions to this series will provide details about some of the specific innate immune systems. This article serves as an introduction to this underappreciated (until recently) aspect of human immune defenses.

Journal Article↗

Cationic lipid:bacterial DNA complexes elicit adaptive cellular immunity in murine intraperitoneal tumor models.

Previous studies with a mycobacterial heat shock protein (hsp-65) have demonstrated some efficacy using cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer in murine i.p. sarcoma models. To further analyze the efficacy of hsp-65 immunotherapy in clinically relevant models of localized cancer, immunocompetent mice bearing i.p. murine mesothelioma were treated with four i.p. doses of a cationic lipid complexed with plasmid DNA (pDNA) containing hsp65, LacZ, or a null plasmid. We observed >90% long-term survival (median survival, 150 days versus approximately 25 days, treated versus saline control, respectively) in a syngeneic, i.p. murine mesothelioma model (AC29). Long-term survivors were observed in all groups treated with lipid complexed with any pDNA. Lipid alone or DNA alone provided no demonstrable survival advantage. In a more aggressive i.p. model of mesothelioma (AB12), we observed >40% long-term survival in groups treated with lipid:pDNA complexes, again irrespective of the transgene. To ask whether these antitumor effects had led to an adaptive immune response against the tumor cell, we rechallenged long-term survivors in both murine models s.c. with the parental tumor cell line. Specific, long-lasting systemic immunity against the tumor was readily demonstrated in both models (AB12 and AC29). Consistent with these results, splenocytes from long-term survivors specifically lysed the parental tumor cell lines. Depleting the CD8+ T-cells from the splenocyte pool eliminated this lytic activity. Lipid:pDNA treatment of athymic, SCID, and SCID/Beige mice bearing a murine i.p. mesothelioma (AC29) resulted in only a slight survival advantage, but there were no long-term survivors. Treatment of immunocompetent mice depleted of specific immune effector cells demonstrated roles for CD8+ and natural killer cells. Although the exact mechanism(s) responsible for these antitumor effects is unclear, the results are consistent with roles for both innate and adaptive immune responses. An initial tumor cell killing stimulated by cationic lipid:pDNA complexes appears to be translated into long-term, systemic immunity against the tumor cell. These results are the first to demonstrate that adaptive immunity against a tumor cell can be induced by the administration of lipid:pDNA complexes. Multiple administrations of cationic lipid complexed with pDNA lacking an expressed transgene could provide a promising generalized immune-mediated modality for treating cancer.

Animals↗

Human dendritic cell subsets for vaccination.

Protective immunity results from the interplay of antigen (Ag)-nonspecific innate immunity and Ag-specific adaptive immunity. The cells and molecules of the innate system employ non-clonal recognition pathways such as lectins and TLRs. B and T lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system employ clonal receptors recognizing Ag or peptides in a highly specific manner. An essential link between innate and adaptive immunity is provided by dendritic cells (DCs). As a component of the innate immune system, DC organize and transfer information from the outside world to the cells of the adaptive immune system. DC can induce such contrasting states as active immune responsiveness or immunological tolerance. Recent years have brought a wealth of information regarding DC biology and pathophysiology that shows the complexity of this cell system. Thus, presentation of antigen by immature (non-activated) DCs leads to tolerance, whereas mature, antigen-loaded DCs are geared towards the launching of antigen-specific immunity. Furthermore, DCs are composed of multiple subsets with distinct functions at the interface of the innate and adaptive immunity. Our increased understanding of DC pathophysiology will permit their rational manipulation for therapy such as vaccination to improve immunity.

Antigen Presentation↗

Therapeutic manipulation of the immune system: enhancement of innate and adaptive mucosal immunity.

The mucosal immune system has evolved alongside, but separate, from the general systemic immune system. As a major consequence of this dichotomy, only immune responses initiated in mucosal inductive sites can result in effective immunity in mucosal tissues themselves. Oral tolerance, as usually assessed as orally-induced systemic unresponsiveness, contributes to mucosal homoeostasis by preventing unwanted immune reactions to food or environmental antigens. It is now established that tolerance can also be induced by the nasal route and mucosally-induced tolerance is being actively investigated for immune therapy against a number of diseases. Nontoxic derivatives of cholera toxin and the heat labile toxin of Escherichia coli as well as chimeric enterotoxins have been developed. These molecules retain the mucosal adjuvant activity of native enterotoxins and are effective at inducing targeted Th1 or Th2- type immune responses. Mucosal delivery of cytokines as adjuvants represents a safer alternative to parenteral cytokine injection. Nasally administered cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-12 or chemokines including RANTES, lymphotactin, MIP-1 beta, all act as mucosal adjuvants for co-administered antigens. Each of these cytokines promote specific pattern of CD4(+) T helper cell cytokine responses that could be exploited for targeted immune therapy. Although GALT and NALT are both parts of the Common Mucosal Immune System, there are major differences between orally and nasally induced immune responses. Nasal vaccines more effectively promote protective immunity in the genitourinary tract than do oral vaccines. In addition, aging affects mucosal tolerance or immunity in GALT more than is seen in NALT. Therapeutic manipulation of mucosal immunity involves regulation of CD4(+) T cell cytokine responses and thus, should require a careful examination of the host status, including the occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Immunity to cancer through immune recognition of altered self: studies with melanoma.

The adaptive immune system is capable of recognizing cancer through T- and B-cell receptors. However, priming adaptive immunity against self antigens is potentially a difficult task. Presentation of altered self to the immune system is a strategy to elicit immunity against poorly immunogenic antigens. We have shown that immunization with conserved paralogues of tumor antigens can induce adaptive immunity against self antigens expressed by cancer. Remarkably, cancer immunity elicited by closely related paralogues can generate distinct adaptive immune responses, either antibody or T-cell dependent. Cancer immunity induced by xenogeneic immunization follows multiple and alternative pathways. The effector phase of tumor immunity can be mediated by cytotoxic T cells or macrophages and perhaps natural killer cells for antibody-dependent immunity. Helper CD4+ T cells are typically, but not always, required to generate immunity. Autoimmunity is frequently observed following immunization. Cancer immunity and autoimmunity use overlapping mechanisms, and therefore they are difficult to uncouple, but distinct pathways can be discerned that open the eventual possibility of uncoupling tumor immunity from autoimmunity. Studies examining the molecular basis for immunogenicity of conserved paralogues are facilitating the development of new strategies to rationally design vaccines that trigger adaptive immune responses to cancer.

Animals↗

Delayed and reduced adaptive humoral immune responses in children with shigellosis compared with in adults.

We hypothesized that increased susceptibility to Shigella infection, increased severity of disease and high mortality in children compared with adults were consequences of insufficient adaptive immune responses. Antigen-specific immune responses were studied in paediatric patients (n = 38, 2-10 years) with shigellosis and compared with those of adult patients (n = 30, 18-45 years). Peak frequencies of antigen (invasion plasmid coded antigen B, Ipa-B; lipopolysaccharide, LPS)-specific immunoglobulin (IgM)-antibody secreting cells (ASC) were seen within 3-5 days after the onset of diarrhoea in children, while peak IgA- and IgG-ASCs were obtained 8-10 days later in line with adults. Antigen-specific ASC responses in children ranged between 2 and 4% of the total ASC responses, in contrast to 8-15% in adults. The kinetics of LPS-specific IgG subclass titres was different in younger children (2.5-5 years) (IgG1 > IgG2 > IgG4 > IgG3) compared with in older children (6-8 years) (IgG2 > IgG1 >IgG3 > IgG4) and adults. Secretory IgA levels in stool peaked 8-10 days after onset in both adults and children. However, a rapid induction of stool LPS-specific IgA, IgA1 and IgA2 occurred in adult patients within 3-5 days of onset, while in children, this was delayed by 8-10 days. Similarly, higher number of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma expressing cells in vitro were seen in adult patients in response to antigens (LPS and Ipa-B) in the acute stage in contrast to paediatric patients. Thus, paediatric patients with shigellosis have reduced and delayed adaptive immune responses compared with adult patients.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Helper-dependent adenovirus vectors elicit intact innate but attenuated adaptive host immune responses in vivo.

Helper-dependent adenovirus (HD-Ad) vectors with all adenoviral genes deleted mediate very long-term expression of therapeutic transgenes in a variety of animal models of disease. These vectors are associated with reduced toxicity and improved safety relative to traditional early region 1 deletion first-generation Ad (FG-Ad) vectors. Many studies have clearly demonstrated that FG-Ad vectors induce innate and adaptive immune responses in vivo; however, a comprehensive analysis of host immune responses to HD-Ad vectors has not yet been performed. In DBA/2 mice, intravenous injection of HD-Ad vectors encoding LacZ (HD-AdLacZ) or a murine secreted alkaline phosphatase (HD-AdSEAP) induced an early expression of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes in the liver, including interferon-inducible protein 10, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and were expressed in a pattern similar to that induced by FG-Ad vectors encoding AdSEAP. Like AdSEAP, and consistent with the pattern of cellular gene expression, HD-AdLacZ and HD-AdSEAP induced the recruitment of CD11b-positive leukocytes to the transduced liver within hours of administration. AdSEAP also induced a second phase of liver inflammation, consisting of inflammatory gene expression and CD3-positive lymphocytic infiltrates 7 days posttransduction. In contrast, beyond 24 h no infiltrates or expression of inflammatory genes was detected in the livers of mice receiving HD-AdSEAP. Despite the lack of liver inflammation at 7 days, Ad-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes could be detected in mice receiving HD-AdSEAP. This lack of liver inflammation was not due to reduced transduction since levels of transgene expression and the amounts of vector DNA in the liver were equivalent in mice receiving HD-AdSEAP and AdSEAP. These results demonstrate that HD-Ad vectors induce intact innate but attenuated adaptive immune responses in vivo.

Adenoviridae↗

Neuroregulatory events follow adaptive immune-mediated elimination of HIV-1-infected macrophages: studies in a murine model of viral encephalitis.

HIV-1-specific cellular immunity serves to eliminate infected cells and disease. However, how this process specifically affects the CNS is poorly understood. To mirror the regulatory events that occur in human brain after HIV-1 infection, a murine model of viral encephalitis was used to study relationships, over time, among lymphocyte-mediated infected cell elimination, innate immune responses, and neuropathology. Nonobese diabetic SCID mice were reconstituted with human PBL and a focal encephalitis induced by intracranial injection of autologous HIV-1-infected, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). On days 7, 14, and 21 after MDM injection into the basal ganglia, the numbers of human lymphocytes and mouse monocytes, virus-infected MDM, glial (astrocyte and microglial) responses, cytokines, inducible NO (iNOS), neurotrophic factors, and neuronal Ags were determined in brain by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and Western blot assays. Microglia activation, astrocytosis, proinflammatory cytokines, and iNOS expression accompanied the loss of neuronal Ags. This followed entry of human lymphocytes and mouse monocytes into the brain on days 7 and 14. Elimination of virus-infected human MDM, expression of IL-10, neurotropins, and a down-regulation of iNOS coincided with brain tissue restoration. Our results demonstrate that the degree of tissue damage and repair parallels the presence of infected macrophages and effectors of innate and adaptive immunity. This murine model of HIV-1 encephalitis can be useful in elucidating the role played by innate and adaptive immunity in disease progression and resolution.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Dysregulation of expression of immunoregulatory and cytokine genes and its association with the immaturity in neonatal phagocytic and cellular immunity.

BACKGROUND: Innate and adaptive immunity is comprised of cellular and humoral factors that provide rapid protection against microbial invasion. However, immaturity of innate and adaptive immune responses in the perinatal period predisposes the neonate to increased infectious morbidity and mortality from a variety of organisms. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate dysregulation of expression of various immunoregulatory and cytokine genes and its association with the immaturity in neonatal phagocytic cellular immunity. METHODS: Comparison of protein production and mRNA of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15 and IL-18 in adult peripheral blood (APB) mononuclear cells (MNC) and cord blood (CB) MNC was studied. Effects of hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs, GM-CSF, M-CSF, G-CSF, IL-11) were studied in vivo in rats as well as randomized controlled studies conducted in neonates. Oligonucleotide microarrays were used to study gene expression patterns of activated CB and APB monocytes and dendritic cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated dysregulation of various immunoregulatory and cytokine genes in CB MNC. This dysregulation may in part explain the immaturity of neonatal cell-mediated immunity. There are probably various dysregulated cytokines yet to be discovered. Biological agents such as IL-2, IL-12, IL-11 and/or IL-18 alone or in combination with HGFs should be considered for future studies to identify new approaches to enhance neonatal host defense, and thereby decrease the incidence of neonatal sepsis and the consequent high risk of morbidity and mortality.

Animals↗

EVOLUTION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE. I. THE PHYLOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF ADAPTIVE IMMUNOLOGIC RESPONSIVENESS IN VERTEBRATES.

1. The California hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii, seems to be completely lacking in adaptive immunity: it forms no detectable circulating antibody despite intensive stimulation with a range of antigens; it does not show reactivity to old tuberculin following sensitization with BCG; and gives no evidence of homograft immunity. 2. Studies on the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, have been limited to the response to bacteriophage T(2) and hemocyanin in small groups of spawning animals. They suggest that the lamprey may have a low degree of immunologic reactivity. 3. One holostean, the bowfin (Amia calva) and the guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), an elasmobranch, showed a low level of primary response to phage and hemocyanin. The response is slow and antibody levels low. Both the bowfin and the guitarfish showed a vigorous secondary response to phage, but neither showed much enhancement of reactivity to hemocyanin in the secondary response. The bowfin formed precipitating antibody to hemocyanin, but the guitarfish did not. Both hemagglutinating and precipitating antibody to hemocyanin were also observed in the primary response of the black bass. 4. The bowfin was successfully sensitized to Ascaris antigen, and lesions of the delayed type developed after challenge at varying intervals following sensitization. 5. The horned shark (Heterodontus franciscii) regularly cleared hemocyanin from the circulation after both primary and secondary antigenic stimulation, and regularly formed hemagglutinating antibody, but not precipitating antibody, after both primary and secondary stimulation with this antigen. These animals regularly cleared bacteriophage from the circulation after both the primary and secondary stimulation with bacteriophage T(2). Significant but small amounts of antibody were produced in a few animals in the primary response, and larger amounts in the responding animals after secondary antigenic stimulation. 6. Studies by starch gel and immunoelectrophoresis show that the hagfish has no bands with mobilities of mammalian gamma globulins; that the lamprey has a single, relatively faint band of this type; and that multiple gamma bands are characteristic of the holostean, elasmobranchs, and teleosts studied. By this method of study, the bowfin appeared to have substantial amounts of gamma(2) globulin. 7. We conclude that adaptive immunity and its cellular and humoral correlates developed in the lowest vertebrates, and that a rising level of immunologic reactivity and an increasingly differentiated and complex immunologic mechanism are observed going up the phylogenetic scale from the hagfish, to the lamprey, to the elasmobranchs, to the holosteans, and finally the teleosts.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Viral macrophage-inflammatory protein-II: a viral chemokine that differentially affects adaptive mucosal immunity compared with its mammalian counterparts.

Chemokines play a profound role in leukocyte trafficking and the development of adaptive immune responses. Perhaps due to their importance in host defense, viruses have adopted many of the hallmarks displayed by chemokines. In particular, viral MIP-II (vMIP-II) is a human chemokine homologue that is encoded by human herpes virus 8. vMIP-II is angiogenic, selectively chemotactic for Th2 lymphocytes, and a homologue of human I-309 and mouse TCA-3, which also differentially attracts Th2 cells. To better understand the effect of viral chemokines on mucosal immunity, we compared the affects of vMIP-II, I-309, and TCA-3 on cellular and humoral immune responses after nasal immunization with OVA. These CCR8 ligands significantly enhanced Ag-specific serum and mucosal Abs through increasing Th2 cytokine secretion by CD4+ T cells. These alterations in adaptive humoral and cellular responses were preceded (12 h after immunization) by an increase in CD4+ T and B cells in nasal tracts with decreases of these leukocyte populations in the lung. Interestingly, vMIP-II increased neutrophil infiltration in the lung and Ag-specific IL-10-secreting CD4+ T cells after immunization. Although I-309 increased the number of CD28-, CD40L-, and CD30-positive, Ag-stimulated naive CD4+ T cells, vMIP-II and TCA-3 decreased the number of CD28-, CD40L-, and CD30-positive, resting naive CD4+ T cells. Taken together, these studies suggest that CCR8 ligands direct host Th2 responses, and vMIP-II up-regulates IL-10 responses and limits costimulatory molecule expression to mitigate host immunity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Role of eosinophils and neutrophils in innate and adaptive protective immunity to larval strongyloides stercoralis in mice.

The goal of this study was to determine the roles of eosinophils and neutrophils in innate and adaptive protective immunity to larval Strongyloides stercoralis in mice. The experimental approach used was to treat mice with an anti-CCR3 monoclonal antibody to eliminate eosinophils or to use CXCR2-/- mice, which have a severe neutrophil recruitment defect, and then determine the effect of the reduction or elimination of the particular cell type on larval killing. It was determined that eosinophils killed the S. stercoralis larvae in naïve mice, whereas these cells were not required for the accelerated killing of larvae in immunized mice. Experiments using CXCR2-/- mice demonstrated that the reduction in recruitment of neutrophils resulted in significantly reduced innate and adaptive protective immunity. Protective antibody developed in the immunized CXCR2-/- mice, thereby demonstrating that neutrophils were not required for the induction of the adaptive protective immune response. Moreover, transfer of neutrophil-enriched cell populations recovered from either wild-type or CXCR2-/- mice into diffusion chambers containing larvae demonstrated that larval killing occurred with both cell populations when the diffusion chambers were implanted in immunized wild-type mice. Thus, the defect in the CXCR2-/- mice was a defect in the recruitment of the neutrophils and not a defect in the ability of these cells to kill larvae. This study therefore demonstrated that both eosinophils and neutrophils are required in the protective innate immune response, whereas only neutrophils are necessary for the protective adaptive immune response to larval S. stercoralis in mice.

Animals↗

Alterations in lung collectins in an adaptive allergic immune response.

Although surfactant apoproteins are known to be mediators of innate responses, their relationship to adaptive responses has not been examined extensively. We investigated possible links between surfactant apoproteins and responses to allergens by studying alterations in surfactant apoproteins A, B, and D in a murine model of allergic pulmonary inflammation. Three murine strains (BALB/c, C57BL/6, and 129J) demonstrated increased immunostaining of surfactant apoproteins A and D in nonciliated epithelial cells of noncartilaginous airways after aerosolized challenge. In contrast, surfactant apoprotein B immunostaining was unchanged. Immunoblotting demonstrated increased surfactant A in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after allergen sensitization and challenge. Surfactant apoprotein A and D induction required T and/or B lymphocyte responses to allergen, since the induction was absent in recombinase-activating gene-deficient mice, which lack functional lymphocytes. We conclude that increased immunoreactivity of two collectins, surfactant apoproteins A and D, occurs within the response to allergen. Our findings support a model in which surfactant apoproteins A and D are important to both innate immunity and adaptive immune responses to allergens.

Adaptation, Physiological↗