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Polyomavirus reactivation in native kidneys of pancreas alone allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND: Polyomavirus infection is common in childhood, with a seroprevalence of 60% to 100%. These viruses remain latent mostly in the kidney. Impairment in cellular immunity can allow reactivation of the virus. Reactivation can occur in 10% to 45% of renal allografts. A higher intensity of immunosuppression and the allogeneic microenvironment of the graft have been suggested to predispose to reactivation. There are limited data on the status of viral activity in the native kidneys of non-renal solid organ recipients. METHODS: Thirty-eight recipients of pancreas transplant alone were evaluated for evidence of polyomavirus reactivation by urine cytology. All had received induction therapy and were maintained on tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. The renal function and degree of exposure to immunosuppressive agents of patients shedding polyomavirus-infected renal tubular cells were compared with those of patients with negative urine cytology. RESULTS: Screening cytology was performed 16 months (mean) after transplantation. Four subjects (11%) had polyomaviruria. The renal function at baseline and time of screening was comparable between the two groups. The 12-hour trough levels of tacrolimus were significantly higher in patients with positive cytology compared with those without viruria. The doses of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that polyomavirus reactivation in native kidneys and urinary tract of pancreas transplant alone patients is not uncommon. In these recipients, viral reactivation was not associated with significant renal functional impairment. The results also suggest that patients who are exposed to higher blood levels of tacrolimus are at higher risk of viral reactivation.

Adult↗

Dynamic control of extracellular environment in in vitro neural recording systems.

A technique is presented for rapid fabrication of microfluidic channels on top of multichannel in vitro neural recording electrode arrays. The channels allow dynamic control of both stable and transient flow patterns over localized areas of the array, over biologically relevant timescales. A cellular model consisting of thermally sensitive dorsal root ganglion neurons was integrated into the devices. The device was used to demonstrate precise control of the extracellular microenvironment of individual cells on the array. Since the methods presented here are not specific to a particular cell type or neural recording system, the technique is amenable to a wide range of applications within the neuroscience field.

Animals↗

Segregation of CD4 and CXCR4 into distinct lipid microdomains in T lymphocytes suggests a mechanism for membrane destabilization by human immunodeficiency virus.

Recent evidence has suggested that plasma membrane sphingolipids and cholesterol spontaneously coalesce into raft-like microdomains and that specific proteins, including CD4 and some other T-cell signaling molecules, sequester into these rafts. In agreement with these results, we found that CD4 and the associated Lck tyrosine kinase of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and H9 leukemic T cells were selectively and highly enriched in a low-density lipid fraction that was resistant at 0 degrees C to the neutral detergent Triton X-100 but was disrupted by extraction of cholesterol with filipin or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. In contrast, the CXCR4 chemokine receptor, a coreceptor for X4 strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), was almost completely excluded from the detergent-resistant raft fraction. Accordingly, as determined by immunofluorescence with confocal microscopy, CD4 and CXCR4 did not coaggregate into antibody-induced cell surface patches or into patches of CXCR4 that formed naturally at the ruffled edges of adherent cells. The CXCR4 fluorescent patches were extracted with cold 1% Triton X-100, whereas the CD4 patches were resistant. In stringent support of these data, CD4 colocalized with patches of cholera toxin bound to the raft-associated sphingoglycolipid GM1, whereas CXCR4 did not. Addition of the CXCR4-activating chemokine SDF-1 alpha did not induce CXCR4 movement into rafts. Moreover, binding of purified monomeric gp120 envelope glycoproteins from strains of HIV-1 that use this coreceptor did not stimulate detectable redistributions of CD4 or CXCR4 between their separate membrane domains. However, adsorption of multivalent gp120-containing HIV-1 virion particles appeared to destabilize the local CD4-containing rafts. Indeed, adsorbed HIV-1 virions were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy and were almost all situated in nonraft regions of the cell surface. We conclude that HIV-1 initially binds to CD4 in a raft domain and that its secondary associations with CXCR4 require shifts of proteins and associated lipids away from their preferred lipid microenvironments. Our evidence suggests that these changes in protein-lipid interactions destabilize the plasma membrane microenvironment underlying the virus by at least several kilocalories per mole, and we propose that this makes an important contribution to fusion of the viral and cellular membranes during infection. Thus, binding of HIV-1 may be favored by the presence of CD4 in rafts, but the rafts may then disperse prior to the membrane fusion reaction.

CD4 Antigens↗

[Remarks on contact eczemas--etiopathogenetic considerations based on immunohistochemical studies].

Functionally defined inflammatory cells can be selectively labeled in tissue sections by immunohistochemical methods. We investigated the cellular infiltrate in acute toxic contact dermatitis and various forms of contact eczema and other inflammatory dermatoses. In all cases, the so-called "superficial T-cell pattern" was evident, which comprised T-lymphocytes, predominantly helper/inducer cells, as well as Langerhans cells/indeterminate cells. The numerical density of these cell types, which represent the cellular prerequisites for delayed hypersensitivity reactions, turned out to be markedly increased in affected skin. Compared with normal skin, therefore, lesional skin provides a different immunological microenvironment. We conclude that a negative patch test reaction in normal skin does not exclude the possibility that the same allergen may provoke and enhance immunological reactions in eczematous skin. Eczema is regarded as an abnormal reaction of the organism towards exogenous factors; the abnormal reaction may be confined to sites with a considerable infiltrate. This might explain the pronounced chronicity of contact eczemas, even after withdrawal of the presumed cause, and the existence of chronic allergic contact eczemas without positive patch test results. The inflammatory infiltrate may be interpreted as a major predisposing factor for further immunological reactions at the same site.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Nm23/nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase expression in human malignant melanomas: significance and implications in tumor biology.

The nm23/NDP kinase gene located on chromosome 17q has been proposed as metastasis suppressor gene in a variety of tumor types. Nm23 was initially isolated from the highly metastatic murine K-1735 melanoma cell line and levels of nm23 have been found to correlate inversely with metastatic potential in some tumors, but not in others. In the present immunocytochemical study, we investigated nm23 protein expression in 30 primary cutaneous malignant melanomas (CMs) and 10 metastases of malignant cutaneous melanomas (MMCMs) which had already metastasized to a distant site. We employed a sensitive, indirect, four to six step alkaline phosphatase conjugated biotin-streptavidin based immunocytochemical technique using the anti-nm23 affinity purified rabbit anti-human polyclonal antibody on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections of the malignant melanomas. We found nm23 expression in 24 out of 30 CMs with between 10% and 50% of the melanoma cells exhibiting immunoreactivity with the employed antibody. None of the ten MCMMs expressed nm23. As we described in a previous article (48), malignant melanoma is characterized by a high degree of cellular immunophenotype heterogeneity. In further support of this observation, we observed a diverse level of nm23, staining intensity in the cell subpopulations which comprises the tumor microenvironment. Nm23/NDP kinase has a diverse array of biological functions including roles in signal transduction and microtubule assembly. In our opinion, the many roles of nm23/NDP kinase are mainly involved in cell division and this may be the underlying reason that levels of this protein do not truly correlate with metastatic potential. Therefore, nm23 protein levels may correlate well with proliferative rate and degree of tumor specific dedifferentiation which are important parameters to be established in the early diagnosis, monitoring of neoplasma progression and efficacy of employed clinical trials, and the determination of prognosis of every neoplastic disease.

Animals↗

In vitro maintenance of highly purified, transplantable hematopoietic stem cells.

The cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell are not well understood. We have undertaken a systematic dissection of the complex hematopoietic microenvironment to define some of these mechanisms. An extensive panel of immortalized stromal cell lines from murine fetal liver were established and characterized. Collectively, these cell lines display extensive heterogeneity in their in vitro hematopoietic supportive capacity. In the current studies, we describe a long-term in vitro culture system using a single stromal cell clone (AFT024) that qualitatively and quantitatively supports transplantable stem cell activity present in highly purified populations. We show multilineage reconstitution in mice that received the equivalent of as few as 100 purified bone marrow and fetal liver stem cells cultured for 4 to 7 weeks on AFT024. The cultured stem cells meet all functional criteria currently ascribed to the most primitive stem cell population. The levels of stem cell activity present after 5 weeks of coculture with AFT024 far exceed those present in short-term cytokine-supported cultures. In addition, maintenance of input levels of transplantable stem cell activity is accompanied by expansion of other classes of stem/progenitor cells. This suggests that the stem/progenitor cell population is actively proliferating in culture and that the AFT024 cell line provides a milieu that stimulates progenitor cell proliferation while maintaining in vivo repopulating activity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Possible role of membrane gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in the facilitation of transferrin-dependent and -independent iron uptake by cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms by which iron is physiologically transported trough the cellular membranes are still only partially understood. Several studies indicate that a reduction step of ferric iron to ferrous is necessary, both in the case of transferrin-mediated and transferrin-independent iron uptake. Recent studies from our laboratory described gamma-glutamyltransferase activity (GGT) as a factor capable to effect iron reduction in the cell microenvironment. GGT is located on the outer aspect of plasma membrane of most cell types, and is often expressed at high levels in malignant tumors and their metastases. The present study was aimed at verifying the possibility that GGT-mediated iron reduction may participate in the process of cellular iron uptake. RESULTS: Four distinct human tumor cell lines, exhibiting different levels of GGT activity, were studied. The uptake of transferrin-bound iron was investigated by using 55Fe-loaded transferrin, as well as by monitoring fluorimetrically the intracellular iron levels in calcein-preloaded cells. Transferrin-independent iron uptake was investigated using 55Fe complexed by nitrilotriacetic acid (55Fe-NTA complex).The stimulation of GGT activity, by administration to cells of the substrates glutathione and glycyl-glycine, was generally reflected in a facilitation of transferrin-bound iron uptake. The extent of such facilitation was correlated with the intrinsic levels of the enzyme present in each cell line. Accordingly, inhibition of GGT activity by means of two independent inhibitors, acivicin and serine/boric acid complex, resulted in a decreased uptake of transferrin-bound iron. With Fe-NTA complex, the inhibitory effect - but not the stimulatory one - was also observed. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that membrane GGT can represent a facilitating factor in iron uptake by GGT-expressing cancer cells, thus providing them with a selective growth advantage over clones that do not possess the enzyme.

Journal Article↗

Extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructural composition regulates local cell-ECM biomechanics and fundamental fibroblast behavior: a multidimensional perspective.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides the principal means by which mechanical information is communicated between tissue and cellular levels of function. These mechanical signals play a central role in controlling cell fate and establishing tissue structure and function. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms by which specific structural and mechanical properties of the ECM influence its interaction with cells, especially within a tissuelike context. This lack of knowledge precludes formulation of biomimetic microenvironments for effective tissue repair and replacement. The present study determined the role of collagen fibril density in regulating local cell-ECM biomechanics and fundamental fibroblast behavior. The model system consisted of fibroblasts seeded within collagen ECMs with controlled microstructure. Confocal microscopy was used to collect multidimensional images of both ECM microstructure and specific cellular characteristics. From these images temporal changes in three-dimensional cell morphology, time- and space-dependent changes in the three-dimensional local strain state of a cell and its ECM, and spatial distribution of beta1-integrin were quantified. Results showed that fibroblasts grown within high-fibril-density ECMs had decreased length-to-height ratios, increased surface areas, and a greater number of projections. Furthermore, fibroblasts within low-fibril-density ECMs reorganized their ECM to a greater extent, and it appeared that beta1-integrin localization was related to local strain and ECM remodeling events. Finally, fibroblast proliferation was enhanced in low-fibril-density ECMs. Collectively, these results are significant because they provide new insight into how specific physical properties of a cell's ECM microenvironment contribute to tissue remodeling events in vivo and to the design and engineering of functional tissue replacements.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Autoimmune processes resulting from perturbations of self-nonself recognition.

The cellular events involved in the induction, maintenance and termination of experimentally induced immunologic tolerance have been used to better define the cellular and subcellular mechanisms of autoimmunity. Based on these cellular events a model of self-nonself discrimination is presented which assumes that 1) the degree of tolerance to self constituents is determined by the concentration of self antigens in the microenvironment of potential self reactive cells; 2) the induction and maintenance of tolerance to self in B cells require much higher concentrations of self antigens in this microenvironment than in T cells; and 3) self tolerance is a central unresponsive state resulting from clonal deletion. Using these basic assumptions, polyclonal activation of competent B cells, bypassing the requirement for direct activation of specific T cells was discussed as a possible mechanism for the circumvention of self tolerance. Several models of experimental autoimmunity were presented to support these putative mechanisms, and the possible role of regulatory cells in the initiation and progression of autoimmunity was discussed.

Animals↗

Interplay between activator-inhibitor coupling and cell-matrix adhesion in a cellular automaton model for chondrogenic patterning.

We present a stochastic cellular automaton model for the behavior of limb bud precartilage mesenchymal cells undergoing chondrogenic patterning. This "agent-oriented" model represents cells by points on a lattice that obey rules motivated by experimental findings. The "cells" follow these rules as autonomous agents, interacting with other cells and with the microenvironments cell activities produce. The rules include random cell motion, production and lateral deposition of a substrate adhesion molecule (SAM, corresponding to fibronectin), production and release of a diffusible growth factor ("activator," corresponding to TGF-beta) that stimulates production of the SAM, and another diffusible factor ("inhibitor") that suppresses the activity of the activator. We implemented the cellular automaton on a two-dimensional (2D) square lattice to emulate the quasi-2D micromass culture extensively used to study patterning in avian limb bud precartilage cells. We identified parameters that produce nodular patterns that resemble, in size and distribution, cell condensations in leg-cell cultures, thus establishing a correspondence between in vitro and in silico results. We then studied the in vitro and in silico micromass cultures experimentally. We altered the standard in vitro micromass culture by diluting the initial cell density, transiently exposing it to exogenous activator, suppressing the inhibitor, and constitutively activating fibronectin production. We altered the standard in silico micromass culture in each case by changing the corresponding parameter. In vitro and in silico experiments agreed well. We also used the model to test hypotheses for differences in the in vitro patterns of cells derived from chick embryo forelimb and hindlimb. We discuss the applicability of this model to limb development in vivo and to other organ development.

Algorithms↗

CD44 interaction with Na+-H+ exchanger (NHE1) creates acidic microenvironments leading to hyaluronidase-2 and cathepsin B activation and breast tumor cell invasion.

We have explored CD44 (a hyaluronan (HA) receptor) interaction with a Na(+)-H(+) exchanger (NHE1) and hyaluronidase-2 (Hyal-2) during HA-induced cellular signaling in human breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231 cell line). Immunological analyses demonstrate that CD44s (standard form) and two signaling molecules (NHE1 and Hyal-2) are closely associated in a complex in MDA-MB-231 cells. These three proteins are also significantly enriched in cholesterol and ganglioside-containing lipid rafts, characterized as caveolin and flotillin-rich plasma membrane microdomains. The binding of HA to CD44 activates Na(+)-H(+) exchange activity which, in turn, promotes intracellular acidification and creates an acidic extracellular matrix environment. This leads to Hyal-2-mediated HA catabolism, HA modification, and cysteine proteinase (cathepsin B) activation resulting in breast tumor cell invasion. In addition, we have observed the following: (i) HA/CD44-activated Rho kinase (ROK) mediates NHE1 phosphorylation and activity, and (ii) inhibition of ROK or NHE1 activity (by treating cells with a ROK inhibitor, Y27632, or NHE1 blocker, S-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride, respectively) blocks NHE1 phosphorylation/Na(+)-H(+) exchange activity, reduces intracellular acidification, eliminates the acidic environment in the extracellular matrix, and suppresses breast tumor-specific behaviors (e.g. Hyal-2-mediated HA modification, cathepsin B activation, and tumor cell invasion). Finally, down-regulation of CD44 or Hyal-2 expression (by treating cells with CD44 or Hyal-2-specific small interfering RNAs) not only inhibits HA-mediated CD44 signaling (e.g. ROK-mediated Na(+)-H(+) exchanger reaction and cellular pH changes) but also impairs oncogenic events (e.g. Hyal-2 activity, hyaluronan modification, cathepsin B activation, and tumor cell invasion). Taken together, our results suggest that CD44 interaction with a ROK-activated NHE1 (a Na(+)-H(+) exchanger) in cholesterol/ganglioside-containing lipid rafts plays a pivotal role in promoting intracellular/extracellular acidification required for Hyal-2 and cysteine proteinase-mediated matrix degradation and breast cancer progression.

Amides↗

Engineering controllable CAR T-cell therapies: from binary safety switches to programmable immunity.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionised cancer gene therapy, yet its expansion into solid tumours is hindered by a critical vulnerability: the autonomous, "always-on" nature of conventional CAR constructs. This unregulated activity drives severe toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and on-target/off-tumour damage, while constitutive signalling in hostile tumour microenvironments (TMEs) accelerates T-cell exhaustion. Early safety strategies relied on irreversible genetic "kill switches," which sacrifice the therapeutic cell population entirely. This review traces the conceptual evolution of CAR T-cell controllability from binary elimination towards platforms enabling graded, reversible, and spatiotemporally precise regulation. We examine the transition from calibrated signalling architectures and small-molecule-regulated split-CARs to advanced optogenetic and sonogenetic controllers, detailing the biophysics of photoreceptor pairs and their preclinical efficacy. Furthermore, we explore complementary architectures, including autonomous logic-gated receptors. Finally, we propose that the optimal next-generation CAR T product will integrate calibrated signalling, external control, and context-dependent armouring to achieve truly programmable, safe, and durable cellular immunotherapy.

Humans↗

CXCR4: a key receptor in the crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment.

Signals from the microenvironment have a profound influence on the maintenance and/or progression of hematopoietic and epithelial cancers. Mesenchymal or marrow-derived stromal cells, which constitute a large proportion of the non-neoplastic cells within the tumor microenvironment, constitutively secrete the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12). CXCL12 secretion by stromal cells attracts cancer cells, acting through its cognate receptor, CXCR4, which is expressed by both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic tumor cells. CXCR4 promotes tumor progression by direct and indirect mechanisms. First, CXCR4 is essential for metastatic spread to organs where CXCL12 is expressed, and thereby allows tumor cells to access cellular niches, such as the marrow, that favor tumor-cell survival and growth. Second, stromal-derived CXCL12 itself can stimulate survival and growth of neoplastic cells in a paracrine fashion. Third, CXCL12 can promote tumor angiogenesis by attracting endothelial cells to the tumor microenvironment. CXCR4 expression is a prognostic marker in various types of cancer, such as acute myelogenous leukemia or breast carcinoma. Promising results in preclinical tumor models indicate that CXCR4 antagonists may have antitumor activity in patients with various malignancies. Collectively, these observations reveal that CXCR4 is an important molecule involved in the spread and progression of a variety of different tumors. As such, CXCR4 antagonists, although initially developed for treatment of AIDS, actually may become effective agents for the treatment of neoplastic disease.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of and mitigating strategies for cellular immune responses to CRISPR-associated nucleases in genome editing therapy.

Immunogenicity of CRISPR-associated nucleases (Cas) is a critical barrier to the development of safe and effective genome editing therapies. These proteins inherently pose a risk of immune recognition due to their prokaryotic origins. A multitude of factors, such as the delivery vehicle, the route of administration, components of the therapeutics, tissue microenvironment, and pre-existing immunity, also contribute to the complexity of the host immune response to Cas proteins. As CRISPR-based therapies advance into clinical settings, it is imperative to elucidate and address the immunogenicity of Cas proteins. Here, using Cas9 as an example, we review the current understanding of Cas protein immunogenicity, the challenges it poses for therapeutic application, and strategies to mitigate cellular immune responses to Cas proteins.

AAV↗

Intestinal CD8 alpha alpha and CD8 alpha beta intraepithelial lymphocytes are thymus derived and exhibit subtle differences in TCR beta repertoires.

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) of the small intestine are anatomically positioned to be in the first line of cellular defense against enteric pathogens. Therefore, determining the origin of these cells has important implications for the mechanisms of T cell maturation and repertoire selection. Recent evidence suggests that murine CD8 alpha alpha intestinal IELs (iIELs) can mature and undergo selection in the absence of a thymus. We analyzed IEL origin by cell transfer, using two congenic chicken strains. Embryonic day 14 and adult thymocytes did not contain any detectable CD8 alpha alpha T cells. However, when TCR(+) thymocytes were injected into congenic animals, they migrated to the gut and developed into CD8alphaalpha iIELs, while TCR(-) T cell progenitors did not. The TCR V beta 1 repertoire of CD8 alpha alpha(+) TCR V beta 1(+) iIELs contained only part of the TCR V beta 1 repertoire of total iIELs, and it exhibited no new members compared with CD8(+) T cells in the thymus. This indicated that these T cells emigrated from the thymus at an early stage in their developmental process. In conclusion, we show that while CD8 alpha alpha iIELs originate in the thymus, T cells acquire the expression of CD8 alpha alpha homodimers in the gut microenvironment.

Animals↗

Extracellular matrix moieties, cytokines, and enzymes: dynamic effects on immune cell behavior and inflammation.

Tissue injury caused by infection or physical damage evokes inflammatory reactions and events that are necessary for regaining homeostasis. Central to these events is the translocation of leukocytes, including monocytes, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes, from the vascular system, through endothelium, and into the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the injured tissue. This transition from the vasculature into the site of inflammation elicits remarkable changes in leukocyte behavior as cells adhere to and migrate across ECM before carrying out their effector functions. Growing evidence suggests that, through its interactions with cytokines and degradative enzymes, the ECM microenvironment has a specialized role in providing intrinsic signals for coordinating leukocyte actions. Recent advances also reveal that enzymatic modifications to ECM moieties and cytokines induce distinctive cellular responses, and are likely part of the mechanism regulating the perpetuation or arrest of inflammation. This article reviews the findings that have elucidated the dynamic relationships among these factors and how they communicate with immune cells during inflammation.

Animals↗

Development of the blood-brain barrier.

The microenvironment of the CNS is important for neuronal function, and the blood-brain barrier is involved in its maintenance. The barrier is present in a complex cellular system at the level of the tight junctions between endothelial cells. The unique properties of the endothelial cells in the CNS compared with those present in other organs are not predetermined by brain-specific endothelial precursors but are induced by the neural environment during the development of the vascular system. Astrocytes that tightly appose endfeet onto the abluminal side of brain capillaries seem to be important for the induction and maintenance of the endothelial barrier.

Animals↗

Cellular determination in the Xenopus retina is independent of lineage and birth date.

Xenopus embryos injected with tritiated thymidine throughout the stages of embryonic retinal neurogenesis showed that more than 95% of the embryonic retinal cells are born within a 25 hr period. While there are shallow central to peripheral, dorsal to ventral, and interlaminar gradients of neurogenesis in these eyes, throughout most of this 25 hr period, postmitotic cells are being added to all sectors and layers. Small clones of differentiated retinal neurons and glia derived from single neuroepithelial cells injected with HRP. These clones were elongated radially. They were also composed of many different combinations of cell types, suggesting a mechanism whereby determination is arbitrarily and independently assigned to postmitotic cells. Such a model, when tested statistically, fits our data very well. We present a scheme for cellular determination in the Xenopus retina in which a coherent group of clonally related cells stretch out radially as lamination begins. This brings different cells into different microenvironments. Local interactions in these microenvironments then lead the cells toward specific fates.

Animals↗