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Results for “Adaptive Immunity”

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Regulated MIP-3alpha/CCL20 production by human intestinal epithelium: mechanism for modulating mucosal immunity.

Human intestinal epithelial cells secrete an array of chemokines known to signal the trafficking of neutrophils and monocytes important in innate mucosal immunity. We hypothesized that intestinal epithelium may also have the capacity to play a role in signaling host adaptive immunity. The CC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3alpha/CCL20 is chemotactic for immature dendritic cells and CD45RO(+) T cells that are important components of the host adaptive immune system. In these studies, we demonstrate the widespread production and regulated expression of MIP-3alpha by human intestinal epithelium. Several intestinal epithelial cell lines were shown to constitutively express MIP-3alpha mRNA. Moreover, MIP-3alpha mRNA expression and protein production were upregulated by stimulation of intestinal epithelial cells with the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1alpha or in response to infection with the enteric bacterial pathogens Salmonella or enteroinvasive Escherichia coli. In addition, MIP-3alpha was shown to function as a nuclear factor-kappaB target gene. In vitro findings were paralleled in vivo by increased expression of MIP-3alpha in the epithelium of cytokine-stimulated or bacteria-infected human intestinal xenografts and in the epithelium of inflamed human colon. Mucosal T cells, other mucosal mononuclear cells, and intestinal epithelial cells expressed CCR6, the cognate receptor for MIP-3alpha. The constitutive and regulated expression of MIP-3alpha by human intestinal epithelium is consistent with a role for epithelial cell-produced MIP-3alpha in modulating mucosal adaptive immune responses.

Adenoviridae↗

Cutting edge: impaired Toll-like receptor expression and function in aging.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are pattern recognition receptors that recognize conserved molecular patterns on microbes and link innate and adaptive immune systems. We investigated whether the enhanced susceptibility to bacterial, yeast, and viral infections and poor adaptive immune responses in aging are a result of diminished expression and function of TLRs. We examined the expression and function of all murine TLRs on macrophages from young and aged mice. Both splenic and activated peritoneal macrophages from aged mice expressed significantly lower levels of all TLRs. Furthermore, macrophages from aged mice secreted significantly lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha when stimulated with known ligands for TLR1 and 2, 2 and 6,TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9 when compared with those from young mice. These results support the concept that increased susceptibility to infections and poor adaptive immune responses in aging may be due to the decline in TLR expression and function.

Aging↗

Invertebrates versus vertebrates innate immunity: In the light of evolution.

Invertebrates use a nonadaptive, innate immunity, the expression of germline encoded receptors, to identify the allogeneic and xenogeneic attributes. Vertebrates also have the capacity to express ontogenically related adaptive immunity which is a somatically selected gene rearrangement process. Several commonly accepted generalizations are utilized to explain the enigmatic lack of the adaptive immunity in invertebrates. All point to the primitive nature of the innate immunity and the primitive organization of the body plan and the life history patterns of invertebrates. Seven of the most common generalizations are reviewed and confuted by virtue of a biased literature presentation. Subsequently, three evolutionary puzzles are raised and the accepted paradigm that the vertebrate immunity is pathogenically directed is further challenged. This leads to an alternative idea suggesting that preserving the individuality against the threat of invading conspecific cells might have been the original function of the immune system. This ancient system has been co-opted later on to serve as a defence mechanism against pathogens. The secondary role arose in the form of a multiplicity of newly developed phenomena, one of them being the vertebrate adaptive immunity. This proposal is supported by the fact that vertebrates still exhibit two distinct but common types of naturally occurring transplantation events (natural chimerism) and by a variety of recent studies, providing evidence for the crucial role of the vertebrate's innate immunity in signalling and triggering the acquired effector mechanisms.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Dendritic cell surface calreticulin is a receptor for NY-ESO-1: direct interactions between tumor-associated antigen and the innate immune system.

How the immune system recognizes endogenously arising tumors and elicits adaptive immune responses against nonmutated tumor-associated Ags is poorly understood. In search of intrinsic factors contributing to the immunogenicity of the tumor-associated Ag NY-ESO-1, we found that the NY-ESO-1 protein binds to the surface of immature dendritic cells (DC), macrophages, and monocytes, but not to that of B cells or T cells. Using immunoprecipitation coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, we isolated DC surface calreticulin as the receptor for NY-ESO-1. Calreticulin Abs blocked NY-ESO-1 binding on immature DC and its cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells in vitro. Calreticulin/NY-ESO-1 interactions provide a direct link between NY-ESO-1, the innate immune system, and, potentially, the adaptive immune response against NY-ESO-1.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Engineering novel binding proteins from nonimmunoglobulin domains.

Not all adaptive immune systems use the immunoglobulin fold as the basis for specific recognition molecules: sea lampreys, for example, have evolved an adaptive immune system that is based on leucine-rich repeat proteins. Additionally, many other proteins, not necessarily involved in adaptive immunity, mediate specific high-affinity interactions. Such alternatives to immunoglobulins represent attractive starting points for the design of novel binding molecules for research and clinical applications. Indeed, through progress and increased experience in library design and selection technologies, gained not least from working with synthetic antibody libraries, researchers have now exploited many of these novel scaffolds as tailor-made affinity reagents. Significant progress has been made not only in the basic science of generating specific binding molecules, but also in applications of the selected binders in laboratory procedures, proteomics, diagnostics and therapy. Challenges ahead include identifying applications where these novel proteins can not only be an alternative, but can enable approaches so far deemed technically impossible, and delineate those therapeutic applications commensurate with the molecular properties of the respective proteins.

Binding Sites↗

Virulence criteria for Brucella abortus strains as determined by interferon regulatory factor 1-deficient mice.

Interferon regulatory factor 1-deficient (IRF-1(-/-)) mice infected with virulent Brucella abortus 2308 at 5 x 10(5) CFU developed acute hepatitis similar to many natural hosts but, unlike natural hosts, IRF-1(-/-) mice were unable to resolve infection and died. In contrast, IRF-1(-/-) mice survived when infected at 5 x 10(5) CFU with several attenuated Brucella strains (S19, RB51, cbp, and cyd). The survival of infected IRF-1(-/-) mice is likely a function of the level of virulence of each Brucella strain and the extent of retained immunity. Further, these findings suggest that adaptive immunity may be important to the survival of IRF-1(-/-) mice since attenuated Brucella strains can protect IRF-1(-/-) mice against lethal challenge with virulent Brucella: Using the IRF-1(-/-) mouse model, the following set of criteria were identified to define Brucella virulence: (i) the day of death for 50% of mice infected with 5 x 10(5)CFU of Brucella, (ii) the extent of liver toxicity, and (iii) the minimum immunizing dose of Brucella to protect against challenge with virulent S2308. Thus, IRF-1(-/-) mice are important to determining the level of Brucella virulence, to evaluating Brucella mutants for attenuation, and to investigating adaptive immunity in brucellosis.

Animals↗

Changes in immune responses to oxidized LDL epitopes during aging in hypercholesterolemic apoE(-/-) mice.

Atherosclerosis is a disease associated with aging and is subject to modulation by both the innate and adaptive immune system. The time course of age-dependent changes in immune regulation in the context of atherosclerosis has not been characterized. This study aims to describe alteration of the immune responses to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) during aging that is associated with changes in plaque size and phenotype in apoE(-/-) mice. Mice fed a Western diet were euthanized at 15-17, 36, or >52 wk of age. The descending aortas were stained for assessment of extent of atherosclerosis. Plaque lipid, macrophage, and collagen content were evaluated in aortic sinus lesions. The adaptive immune response to oxLDL was assessed using anti-malondialdehyde-oxidized LDL (MDA-LDL) and copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-oxLDL) IgG, and the innate immune response was assessed using anti-Cu-oxLDL and phosphorylcholine (PC) IgM. Aging was associated with a significant increase in plaque area and collagen content and a decrease in plaque macrophage and lipid content. MDA-LDL IgG significantly increased at 36 wk but was reduced in mice >52 wk. Cu-oxLDL IgG increased with age and IgG-apoB immune complexes were increased in the >52 wk group. Cu-oxLDL and PC IgM significantly increased with age. The expression of splenic cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 increased with age. Our study shows a generalized increase in innate immune responses associated with progression of atherosclerosis and a less inflammatory and less lipid-containing plaque phenotype during aging. The adaptive immune response appeared to be less generalized, with a specific reduction in MDA-LDL IgG.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The immune gene repertoire encoded in the purple sea urchin genome.

Echinoderms occupy a critical and largely unexplored phylogenetic vantage point from which to infer both the early evolution of bilaterian immunity and the underpinnings of the vertebrate adaptive immune system. Here we present an initial survey of the purple sea urchin genome for genes associated with immunity. An elaborate repertoire of potential immune receptors, regulators and effectors is present, including unprecedented expansions of innate pathogen recognition genes. These include a diverse array of 222 Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes and a coordinate expansion of directly associated signaling adaptors. Notably, a subset of sea urchin TLR genes encodes receptors with structural characteristics previously identified only in protostomes. A similarly expanded set of 203 NOD/NALP-like cytoplasmic recognition proteins is present. These genes have previously been identified only in vertebrates where they are represented in much lower numbers. Genes that mediate the alternative and lectin complement pathways are described, while gene homologues of the terminal pathway are not present. We have also identified several homologues of genes that function in jawed vertebrate adaptive immunity. The most striking of these is a gene cluster with similarity to the jawed vertebrate Recombination Activating Genes 1 and 2 (RAG1/2). Sea urchins are long-lived, complex organisms and these findings reveal an innate immune system of unprecedented complexity. Whether the presumably intense selective processes that molded these gene families also gave rise to novel immune mechanisms akin to adaptive systems remains to be seen. The genome sequence provides immediate opportunities to apply the advantages of the sea urchin model toward problems in developmental and evolutionary immunobiology.

Animals↗

Enhancement of infectious disease vaccines through TLR9-dependent recognition of CpG DNA.

The adaptive immune system-with its remarkable ability to generate antigen-specific antibodies and T lymphocytes against pathogens never before "seen" by an organism-is one of the marvels of evolution. However, to generate these responses, the adaptive immune system requires activation by the innate immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are perhaps the best-understood family of innate immune receptors for detecting infections and stimulating adaptive immune responses. TLR9 appears to have evolved to recognize infections by a subtle structural difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic/viral DNA; only the former frequently methylates CpG dinucleotides. Used as vaccine adjuvants, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) ligands for TLR9--CpG ODN--greatly enhance the speed and strength of the immune responses to vaccination.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

CCL20 is an inducible product of human airway epithelia with innate immune properties.

Chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) and human beta-defensins (HBDs) share structural and functional properties, including antiparallel beta-pleated sheet core structures, charge distribution, and signaling to adaptive immune cells via the highly selective CCR6 receptor. Because of their similarities, we hypothesized that in addition to its known adaptive immune signaling functions, CCL20 has antimicrobial properties and participates in pulmonary innate immunity. We found that primary cultures of human airway epithelial and cultured fetal lung explants expressed CCL20 mRNA. Expression of CCL20 transcripts were significantly induced by interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and inhibited by dexamethasone. Primary cultures of airway epithelia secreted CCL20 both apically and basolaterally, and CCL20 abundance was increased over 30-fold with IL-1beta stimulation, achieving an estimated concentration of 167 ng/ml in airway surface liquid. CCL20 abundance in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with cystic fibrosis was nearly 90-fold higher compared with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from healthy volunteers. Interestingly, CCL20 exhibited salt-sensitive antimicrobial activity, mainly against Gram-negative bacteria in low mug/ml concentrations. Additionally, apical washings from IL-1beta-stimulated primary cultures of human airway epithelia had significantly more antimicrobial activity than unstimulated controls. CCL20 rapidly permeabilized bacterial membranes with a time course intermediate to HBD-2 and HBD-3. Thus, CCL20 is a bi-functional peptide with both innate and adaptive immune properties that is regulated by inflammatory mediators, expressed by airway epithelia, and increased in cystic fibrosis airway secretions.

Bacteria↗

Development of the neonatal B and T cell repertoire in swine: implications for comparative and veterinary immunology.

Birth in all higher vertebrates is at the center of the critical window of development in which newborns transition from dependence on innate immunity to dependence on their own adaptive immunity, with passive maternal immunity bridging this transition. Therefore we have studied immunological development through fetal and early neonatal life. In swine, B cells appear earlier in fetal development than T cells. B cell development begins in the yolk sac at the 20th day of gestation (DG20), progresses to fetal liver at DG30 and after DG45 continues in bone marrow. The first wave of developing T cells is gammadelta cells expressing a monomorphic Vdelta rearrangement. Thereafter, alphabeta T cells predominate and at birth, at least 19 TRBV subgroups are expressed, 17 of which appear highly homologous with those in humans. In contrast to the T cell repertoire and unlike humans and mice, the porcine pre-immune VH (IGHV-D-J) repertoire is highly restricted, depending primarily on CDR3 for diversity. The V-KAPPA (IGKV-J) repertoire and apparently also the V-LAMBDA (IGLV-J) repertoire, are also restricted. Diversification of the pre-immune B cell repertoire of swine and the ability to respond to both T-dependent and T-independent antigen depends on colonization of the gut after birth in which colonizing bacteria stimulate with Toll-like receptor ligands, especially bacterial DNA. This may explain the link between repertoire diversification and the anatomical location of primary lymphoid tissue like the ileal Peyers patches. Improper development of adaptive immunity can be caused by infectious agents like the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus that causes immune dysregulation resulting in immunological injury and autoimmunity.

Allergy and Immunology↗

[Defense mechanism against respiratory infection].

Most of acute respiratory diseases are caused by infection with various viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms; a mixed infection with these pathogens often results in exacerbation of the disease. In addition to nonspecific protective mechanisms that constantly function in the respiratory tracts, innate and adaptive immunities play important roles in the protection of these pathogens. Secretory IgA and/or cytotoxic T cells in the mucus may be the most effective protection machineries of the adaptive immune systems. Recently, it has been proven that Toll-like receptors, each of which recognizes a conserved structure of pathogens, are the key molecules of the innate immune systems; this recognition step is considered a prerequisite for the adaptive immunity to function in the respiratory tracts.

Humans↗

Regulation of mammalian defensin expression by Toll-like receptor-dependent and independent signalling pathways.

The immune system consists of innate and adaptive immune responses. The innate immune system confers non-specific protection against a large number of pathogens, hence, serving as the first line of defence. The innate immune system utilizes Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to recognize and bind pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Binding of PAMPs leads to TLR activation, which, in turn, initiates MAPK- or NF-kappaB-dependent cascades that culminate in a proinflammatory response. This response involves the secretion of cytokines, chemokines and broad-spectrum antibacterial substances, such as defensins. Increased defensin synthesis is also mediated by the activation of receptors other than TLRs, such as NOD2, IL-17R and PAR-2. This review summarizes the recently characterized signalling pathways leading to increased defensin synthesis as well as the pathway by which defensins activate TLRs on immature dendritic and memory T cells. Thus, not only do defensins eliminate pathogens, but they also recruit the adaptive immune system in instances of infection and/or inflammation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Susceptibility of prostate epithelial cells to Chlamydia muridarum infection and their role in innate immunity by recruitment of intracellular Toll-like receptors 4 and 2 and MyD88 to the inclusion.

Although Chlamydia infections are widespread throughout the world, data about immunopathogenesis of genitourinary tract infections in males are very limited. In the present work we present an in vitro model of male genital tract-derived epithelial cells, more precisely prostate epithelial cells (PEC), to analyze if they are susceptible and able to respond to Chlamydia muridarum infection. Our results demonstrate that rat PEC are susceptible to C. muridarum infection and respond to this pathogen by up-regulating different proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes that could participate in the recruitment and local activation of immune cells, therefore influencing innate and adaptive immune responses during Chlamydia infection. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, and related molecules on PEC and the effect of C. muridarum infection on their expression. Our results demonstrate that PEC express significant levels of TLR4, CD14, TLR2, and the adaptor molecule MyD88 and up-regulate these proteins in response to C. muridarum infection. Indeed, TLR4, CD14, TLR2, and the adaptor MyD88 are specifically recruited to the vicinity of the bacterial inclusion, suggesting that these TLRs are actively engaged in signaling from this intracellular location in these cells. This is, to our knowledge, the first time that an in vitro model of infection with Chlamydia of male tract-derived epithelial cells has been achieved, and it provides the opportunity to determine how these cells respond and participate in modulating innate and adaptive immune response during Chlamydia infections.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Oligodendrocyte/myelin injury and repair as a function of the central nervous system environment.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurologic disorder considered to result from relatively selective immune mediated injury of central nervous system (CNS) myelin and/or its cell of origin, the oligodendrocyte (OGC). Constituents of both the innate and adaptive immune systems are potential contributors to this process. Endogenous (microglia) and infiltrating (macrophages, dendritic cells) constituents of the innate immune system serve as sensors of events occurring within the CNS; their response to such events underlies the extent of their interaction (chemoattraction, antigen presentation) with the components of the adaptive immune system (alphabeta T cells, B cells) and ultimately the extent of the resultant inflammatory response. Constituents of both the innate and adaptive immune system can serve as effectors of tissue injury. The susceptibility of specific types of neural cells to injury further reflects the extent to which immune mediators modulate expression of crucial molecules (adhesion molecules, receptors) involved in effector-target interactions. Ongoing interactions between the constituents of the immune system themselves and between these constituents and neural cells are important determinants of disease recurrence and/or progression. Conversely, these interactions also impact on the mechanisms involved in target protection and repair.

Central Nervous System↗

The HTLV-I p30 interferes with TLR4 signaling and modulates the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines from human macrophages.

Whereas adaptive immunity has been extensively studied, very little is known about the innate immunity of the host to HTLV-I infection. HTLV-I-infected ATL patients have pronounced immunodeficiency associated with frequent opportunistic infections, and in these patients, concurrent infections with bacteria and/or parasites are known to increase risks of progression to ATL. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) activation in response to bacterial infection is essential for dendritic cell maturation and links the innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent reports indicate that TLR4 is targeted by viruses such as RSV, HCV, and MMTV. Here we report that HTLV-I has also evolved a protein that interferes with TLR4 signaling; p30 interacts with and inhibits the DNA binding and transcription activity of PU.1 resulting in the down-regulation of the TLR4 expression from the cell surface. Expression of p30 hampers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 and stimulates release of anti-inflammatory IL-10 following stimulation of TLR4 in human macrophage. Finally, we found that p30 increases phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3-beta a key step for IL-10 production. Our study suggests a novel function of p30, which may instigate immune tolerance by reducing activation of adaptive immunity in ATL patients.

Animals↗

Innate (over)immunity and adaptive autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune disease is characterized by clinical symptoms mediated by adaptive (T cell and B cell) immune reactions towards autoantigen-expressing tissue. Here we discuss that autoimmune disease is often preceded by autoreactivity, meaning the priming of autoantigen-specific immune cells without relevant tissue damage. Recent experimental evidence has demonstrated that both the induction of autoreactivity and the conversion into autoimmune disease is controlled by the activation of the nonspecific innate immune system. Also, the "inflammatory status" of the target organ critically influences the onset of overt autoimmune disease.

Animals↗

Imiquimod and the imidazoquinolones: mechanism of action and therapeutic potential.

A central development of the past decade has been in our understanding of the interactions between, and interdependence of, the innate and adaptive immune responses. Innate immunity recognizes 'danger' signals and activates adaptive immunity in a targeted, appropriate and effective response. Dendritic cells and macrophages have a central role in this process, and pharmacological agents that modulate the functions of these cells could have therapeutic value. The imidazoquinolone compounds, of which imiquimod, formulated as Aldara trade mark, is the best characterized to date, are such molecules. Imiquimod and its homologues act by activating macrophages and other cells via binding to cell surface receptors, such as Toll receptor 7, thereby inducing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, predominantly interferon (IFN)-alpha, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12. This locally generated cytokine milieu biases towards a Th1 cell mediated immune response with the generation of cytotoxic effectors, and this has been exploited clinically in the treatment of viral infections (human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, molluscum contagiosum) and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Imiquimod has been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in clearing genital warts, and mechanism of action studies indicate that this is related to the ability to generate proinflammatory cytokines and a Th1 response. Intra-epithelial neoplasms of cutaneous and mucosal surfaces are associated with human papillomavirus infection and there is some evidence that immune response modifiers may have therapeutic value for these lesions. Topical immunotherapy with immunomodulators shows potential for effective and patient-friendly treatment of cutaneous viral infections. These compounds also have adjuvant properties that could significantly enhance conventional vaccine strategies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗