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Modulation of multiple experimental arthritis models by collagen-induced arthritis quantitative trait loci isolated in congenic rat lines: different effects of non-major histocompatibility complex quantitative trait loci in males and females.

OBJECTIVE: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a model of inflammatory arthritis with many similarities to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously mapped in F(2) offspring of CIA-susceptible DA and CIA-resistant F344 rats, 5 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for which F344 alleles were associated with reduced CIA severity. In the present study, we sought to characterize the independent arthritis-modulating effects of these 5 QTLs. METHODS: CIA-regulatory regions were transferred from the F344 genome to the DA background or vice versa by repeated backcrossing. The arthritis-modulating effects of the transferred alleles were determined by comparing the severity of experimentally induced arthritis in congenic rats with that in DA rats. RESULTS: Congenic lines with either the F344 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the DA background or the DA MHC on the F344 background were resistant to CIA, confirming both MHC and non-MHC contributions to the genetic regulation of CIA. F344 alleles at the Cia3 and Cia5 regions of chromosomes 4 and 10 reduced CIA severity relative to that observed in DA rats. F344 Cia4 and Cia6 regions of chromosomes 7 and 8 failed to significantly alter CIA severity. Arthritis-modifying effects of Cia4 and Cia6 were, however, detected in pristane-induced and/or Freund's incomplete adjuvant oil-induced arthritis. The arthritis-modifying effects of the non-MHC CIA-regulatory loci differed in males and females. CONCLUSION: These congenic lines confirmed the existence and location of genes that regulate the severity of experimental arthritis in rats. Mechanisms responsible for the sex-specificity of individual arthritis-regulatory loci may explain some of the sex differences observed in RA and other autoimmune diseases in humans.

Animals↗

Characterization of T-cell-soluble factors modulating the expression of Ia and H-2 antigens on BALB/c B lymphoma cell lines.

The effect of supernatants of concanavalin A-activated spleen cells (CAS) on the expression of various antigens, especially Ia antigens, on BALB/c B lymphoid cells, was examined. This study demonstrates the following: (i) CAS enhanced the expression of Ia antigens on four out of five BALB/c lymphoid cell lines. (ii) CAS selectively modulates the expression of Ia and H-2D, but not sIgM or viral gp70 expression, on X16C 8.5 tumor cells. The enhanced levels of Ia expression on B lymphoid tumor cells were also detected by using anti-Ia monoclonal antibodies. (iii) The molecular weight of soluble factor(s) affecting Ia and H-2 was approximately 40,000 estimated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column. (iv) Type 1 interferon but not interleukin 1, interleukin 2, or T-cell-replacing factor enhanced the expressions of Ia and H-2D antigens. (v) The activity of CAS-modulating Ia and H-2 antigens was eliminated by acidic treatment. It was concluded from this study that at least one of the factor(s) in CAS, modulating the antigenic expression of B-lymphoid cells, was interferon-like in nature. From our findings, a possible immunoregulatory mechanism by interferon was suggested: T cells, after stimulation of mitogens or antigens, secrete interferons which modulate the expression of Ia and H-2 on B cells. Then B cells, whose Ia and H-2 were modulated selectively by T-soluble factors(s), might interact with T cells much more efficiently.

Animals↗

Differentiation between the complement modulating effects of an arabinogalactan-protein from Echinacea purpurea and heparin.

Due to the important physiological role of the complement system, complement modulation, either inhibition or stimulation, is an interesting target for drug development. Several plant polysaccharides are known to exhibit complement modulating activities. Sometimes these effects are described as complement inhibition, although the basic mechanism is a stimulation of the complement activation. This misinterpretation is due to the observed reduced haemolysis in the widely used haemolytic complement assay, which does not allow to differentiate between complement activators and inhibitors, when it is performed in the classical manner. The aim of the presented study was to demonstrate that by simple modifications of the classical procedure this assay becomes an efficient tool to distinguish between real complement inhibitors and complement activating compounds without performing expensive, molecular mechanistic investigations. As practical examples heparin with proven complement inhibiting activity and AGP, a new arabinogalacatan-protein type II isolated from pressed juice of the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea, as a potential complement activating compound were included in the study. By means of varying the preincubation time of the test compound with complement, AGP was clearly identified as a stimulator of both the classical and alternative pathway of complement activation. These findings correspond to the results of molecular mechanistic investigations. Selective removal of the arabinose side chains of AGP resulted in considerably reduced activity. Therefore, the three-dimensional structure of the polysaccharide, i. e., a backbone branched by side chains, is supposed to be important for the interactions with the complement system. The complement activating effects of AGP may contribute to the well-established immunostimulating effects of the pressed juice from Echinacea purpurea. Abbreviations. AGP:arabinogalactan-protein AGP-hydr.:hydrolysed arabinogalactan-protein AP-CA:haemolytic complement assay for the alternative pathway CP-CA:haemolytic complement assay for the classical pathway EGTA-VB:veronal buffered saline containing EGTA and Mg 2+HPS:human pooled serum RT:room temperature LPS:lipopolysaccharide RaE:rabbit erythrocytes RT:room temperature ShE(A):(sensitised) sheep erythrocytes VB:veronal buffered saline containing Ca 2+ and Mg 2+

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Modulation of gingival Langerhans cell T6 antigen expression in vitro by interleukin 1 and an interleukin 1 inhibitor.

A human gingival organ culture system was used to test the hypothesis that interleukin 1 (IL-1) modulates the expression of the cortical thymocyte antigen T6 on Langerhans cells (LC). In cultures enriched with E. coli lipopolysaccharide, T6 expression peaked concurrently with supernatant IL-1 activity. Addition of exogenous IL-1 produced a dose dependent increase in LC T6 expression while not affecting the expression of the Class II antigens DR and DQ by LC. An IL-1 suppressor factor (ILS) was associated with the loss of T6 antigens which occurred in conventional organ cultures. ILS inhibited the thymocyte response to IL-1 and neutralized the effects of IL-1 on both thymocytes and LC. In isolation ILS depressed T6 expression by eliminating resting DR negative LC. This factor may act to regulative negatively, the action of IL-1 as has been suggested for IL-1 inhibitors of similar molecular weight.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Comparative studies on the interaction of proteins with a polydimethylsiloxane elastomer. II. The comparative antigenicity of primary and secondarily adsorbed IgG1 and IgG2a and their non-adsorbed counterparts.

The antigenicity of bovine IgG1 and IgG2a adsorbed on a polydimethysiloxane (PEP) elastomer, on a widely used polystyrene (Imm 2, Dynatech) or immobilized as biotinylated proteins to streptavidin covalently bound to polystyrene (SA-PS) was compared using various monoclonal (mAbs) and polyclonal antibodies (pAb) to bovine IgG. The IgGs were either adsorbed as native proteins or pre-denatured with 6M Guanidine-HCl (Gu-HCl) or 6 M Gu-HCl/0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol. In special situations, bovine and human IgG was immobilized by secondary adsorption to an albumin monolayer adsorbed on either PEP or Imm 2. Results indicate that pre-denaturation of IgGs with 6 M Gu-HCl/2-mercaptoethanol destroys all antigenicity whereas those IgGs pretreated with 6 M-GuHCl are indistinguishable in their antigenicity from the IgGs adsorbed to either PEP or Imm 2 without such treatment. When immobilized on SA-PS, Gu-HCl-treated IgGs were significantly less detectable, especially when tested using mAbs. In general, IgGs adsorbed on PEP or Imm 2 were less antigenic than when immobilized on SA-PS. However, two monoclonals specific for the IgG2a(A2) allotypic variant, favored the adsorbed protein and one polyclonal best recognized the IgG2a(A1) variant adsorbed on Imm 2 rather than when adsorbed on PEP or immobilized on SA-PS. Both IgG1 and IgG2a, bound by apparent protein-protein interactions to an albumin monolayer, were significantly more detectable than when directly adsorbed on either Imm 2 or PEP. Using 125I-antibody or its Fab fragment to reduce steric hindrance in detection, we observed the same differences in detectability as when measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Failure to identify a steric hindrance effect and the preference of some antibodies for adsorbed allotypic variants, support the concept of adsorption-induced conformational change (AICC). We conclude that proteins adsorbed as a monolayer on the PEP elastomer used to form the envelope of silicone breast implants are conformationally altered, but not necessarily to the same extent or the same manner as when adsorbed on polystyrene. The significantly great antigenicity of secondarily adsorbed IgG suggests that it may be present in near native conformation.

Adsorption↗

Alteration of a model antigen by Au(III) leads to T cell sensitization to cryptic peptides.

Certain metal ions are known to be potent sensitizers, but the self proteins modified by metal ions and the self peptides recognized by 'metal-specific' T cells are unknown. In humans and mice treatment with gold anti-rheumatic drugs, containing Au(I), may lead to allergic and autoimmune side effects. Human and murine T cells do not react to Au(I), however, but to the reactive metabolite Au(III). Here we show that alteration by Au(III) of a model antigen, bovine ribonuclease (RNase)A, results in T cell sensitization to cryptic peptides of this protein. Upon immunization of mice with Au(III)-pretreated RNase [RNase/Au(III)], CD4+ T cell hybridomas specific for RNase/Au(III) were obtained in addition to those recognizing the immunodominant peptide RNase 74-88; the latter also were obtained after immunization with native RNase. RNase/Au(III)-specific T cell hybridomas reacted against RNase/Au(III) and RNase denatured by S-sulfonation of cysteine residues, but not against native RNase, or RNase pretreated with Au(I), A1(III), Cu(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Mn(II), or Zn(II). Using a panel of overlapping, synthetic RNase peptides which were devoid of gold or gold-induced modifications, epitope mapping revealed that RNase/Au(III)-specific T cell hybridomas recognized the cryptic peptides 7-21 and 94-108, respectively. Comparison of the proliferative response of bulk CD4+ T cells, prepared from splenocytes after immunization with either RNase/Au(III) or native RNase, revealed that Au(III) pretreatment of RNase led to a markedly enhanced response to the two cryptic peptides while it did not influence the response to the immunodominant peptide. The cryptic peptides were also presented after preincubation of bone marrow-derived macrophages with RNase and Au(I), but not with RNase alone, suggesting that oxidation of Au(I) to Au(III) and subsequent protein alteration by Au(III) can happen in mononuclear phagocytes. We conclude that Au(III) alteration of proteins alters antigen processing and, thus leads to presentation of cryptic peptides. This mechanism may shed light on the development of allergic and autoimmune side effects of Au(I) anti-rheumatic drugs. In addition, it might provide a general mechanism of how metal ions act as T cell sensitizers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Beta chemokines costimulate lymphocyte cytolysis, proliferation, and lymphokine production.

We report here the ability of the beta chemokines MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, RANTES, and MCP-1 to enhance some lymphocyte effector functions. Initial studies focused on the effects of chemokines on human and mouse cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)- and natural killer (NK) cell-specific cytolytic responses. The results demonstrate that beta chemokines are capable of augmenting mouse and human CTL and human NK- but not lymphokine-activated killer cell- or antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity-specific cytolytic responses. Neutralization analysis utilizing integrin-specific antibodies revealed that CTL/NK tumor cell conjugate formation is required for chemokine-induced killing. In addition, both CTLs and NK cells incubated with various beta chemokines were induced to degranulate and release granule-derived serine esterases, suggesting that chemokines may be important costimulators of CTL and NK cell degranulation and may thus augment local target cell destruction. Chemokines also modulate antigen-driven T cell proliferative responses as well as effects on lymphokine production. Many of the beta chemokines were found to potentiate human and mouse antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 clone activation promoting cellular proliferation and the release of various lymphokines. This chemokine-mediated T cell proliferation was chemokine and antigen dose dependent as well as clone dependent. Chemokine pretreatment analyses with T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) revealed that chemokines up-regulate both T cells and antigen- presenting cells (APCs) revealed that chemokines up-regulate both T cell and APC functions. Costimulation assays using immobilized antiCD3 monoclonal antibody-coated plates and purified human and mouse T cells and T cell clones in the presence of various chemokines also exhibited enhanced proliferation and lymphokine secretion. This costimulation was interleukin-2 dependent and required the presence of free extracellular calcium. Examination of chemokine-treated APCs revealed that the T cell costimulatory molecule B7-1 was induced by various beta chemokines. Neutralization of endogenously produced chemokines, with specific antibodies during an antigen-specific T cell response blocked cellular proliferation, suggesting that the chemokines have an autocrine role in antigen-induced T cell proliferative responses. Together, these results suggest that chemokines play a significant role in the activation of polyclonal as well as antigen-specific helper and cytotoxic T cells during the genesis of an immune response.

Animals↗

Improvement of RNA aptamer activity against myasthenic autoantibodies by extended sequence selection.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mainly engendered by autoantibodies directed against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) located in the postsynaptic muscle cell membrane. Previously, we isolated an RNA aptamer with 2'-amino pyrimidines using in vitro selection techniques that acted as a decoy against both a rat monoclonal antibody called mAb198, which recognizes the main immunogenic region on the AChR, and patient autoantibodies with MG (1). However, low affinity of this RNA to mAb198 relative to that of AChR might limit potential of the RNA as an inhibitor of the autoantibodies. To improve decoy activity of the RNA aptamer against autoantibodies, here we employed in vitro selection methods with RNA libraries containing extra random nucleotides extended to the 3' end of previously selected RNA sequences. RNAs isolated in this study showed significant increases in the binding affinities to mAb198 as well as bioactivities protecting AChRs on human cells from both mAb198 and patient autoantibodies, compared with the previous RNA aptamers. These results have important implications for the development of antigen-specific modulation of autoimmune diseases including MG.

Animals↗

The effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha on mediator release from human lung.

Although tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) may be involved in the pathology of asthma, little is known about its role in mediator release from inflammatory cells in human lung. We investigated whether TNF alpha induced histamine release from mast cells in human chopped lung tissue and whether it modulated antigen-induced release of histamine and leukotrienes C4/D4/E4 from passively sensitized lung tissue. Spontaneous histamine release in the presence of 1 nM TNF alpha for up to 4 h at 37 degrees C was not significantly different from spontaneous histamine release alone (6.1 +/- 1.3% and 6.1 +/- 1.5% of total tissue histamine at 4h respectively; n = 3). Lung tissue was passively sensitized to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by incubating it in serum from an atopic volunteer donor for 3 h at 37 degrees C. Treatment of the sensitized lung tissue with 1 nM TNF alpha for 60 min prior to challenge with a low concentration (1.8 AU) of D. pteronyssinus caused a significant increase in the amount of histamine release induced by the antigen from 0.2 +/- 0.6% to 1.9 +/- 1.0% of total tissue histamine (P = 0.045, n = 6). The release of leukotriene C4/D4/E4 induced by the same concentration of antigen was not significantly changed by the TNF alpha treatment (39.5 +/- 9.1 and 55.6 +/- 17.7 pg/100 microliters supernatant sample respectively; n = 6). These results suggest that TNF alpha may be involved in potentiation of histamine release in allergic asthma, particularly in the presence of low antigen concentrations.

Adult↗

Is cyclophosphamide self-defeating as an antitumor agents?

The study shows inhibition of the antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide (CPA) on mammary carcinomas growing in mice prior-immunized by intragastric inoculations of the tumor. Immunization with tumor cells through this route produces under certain conditions factors able to modulate the antigenic determinants on tumor cells. The possibility that the antigenicity of tumor cells might be an important factor in obtaining successful therapy with CPA is proposed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Severe malaria in a splenectomised Gabonese woman.

BACKGROUND: The intact splenic function is of utmost importance for the host's defence capacity against Plasmodium spp. not only by limiting the acute infection through the removal of parasites from the blood stream, but also by modulating parasite antigen expression on the surface of infected red blood cells as well as cellular and humoral immune response. Splenectomised individuals are at high risk to develop a more severe and prolonged disease, even if they had acquired semi-immunity prior to their loss of splenic tissue. CASE REPORT: We report on a 37 year old splenectomised Gabonese woman who developed severe falciparum malaria with hyperparasitaemia, profound anaemia, and an overwhelming gametocytaemia, recovering very slowly following quinine therapy. Whereas the clinical course is not at odds with previous descriptions, the massive occurrence of mature gametocytes as documented here has not been reported before. Whether the high gametocyte count observed in our patient was primarily due to the impaired clearance of asexual forms or to the induction of gametocytogenesis remains unclear. Regarding the optimal drug regimen for treating malaria in splenectomized patients, a combination of an aminoquinoline with an artemisinin derivative might be the optimal choice.

Adult↗

Heat shock proteins (HSP) for immunotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that primarily involves the joints and has a worldwide prevalence of about one percent, with a female to male ratio of 3:1. This chapter summarizes some of the recent progress in molecular immunology, and discusses the application of this new knowledge for therapeutic purposes. We focus on our recent experiences and that of others in modulation of antigen specific responses as a tool for manipulating autoimmune inflammation. Particular emphasis is given to the concept of exploiting for therapeutic purposes a natural mechanism of immune regulation. This mechanism is based on sequential cross recognition of bacterial and human derived heat shock protein peptides.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Clinical trials and projected future of liver xenotransplantation.

The trial and error of the pioneering xenotransplant trials over the past three decades has defined the limitation of the species used. Success was tantalizingly close with the chimpanzee, baboon, and other primates. The use of more disparate species has been frustrated by the xenoantibody barrier. Future attempts at clinical xenotransplantation will be hampered by the consideration of the species of animals and the nature of the organs to be transplanted. On one hand, primate donors have the advantage of genetic similarity (and therefore potential compatibility) and less risk of immunologic loss. On the other hand, pig donors are more easily raised, are not sentient animals, and may be less likely to harbor transmissible disease. It is recognized that the success of xenotransplantation may very with different organs. Because it is relatively resistant to antibody-mediated rejection, the liver is the organ for which there is the greatest chance of long-term success. Consideration of using xenotransplants on a temporary basis, or as a "bridge" to permanent human transplantation, may allow clinical trials utilizing hearts or kidney xenografts. Issues on metabolic compatibility and infection risks cannot be accurately determined until routine success in clinical xenotransplantation occurs. Based on a limited experience, the conventional approaches to allotransplantation are unlikely to be successful in xenotransplantation. The avoidance of immediate xenograft destruction by hyperacute rejection, achieved using transgenic animals bearing human complement regulatory proteins or modulating the antigenic target on the donor organ, is the first step to successful xenotransplantation. The ability to achieve tolerance by establishing a state of bone marrow chimerism is the key to overcoming the long-term immunologic insults and avoiding the necessarily high doses of nonspecific immunosuppression that would otherwise be required and associated with a high risk of infections complications. Xenotransplantation faces criticism that is strongly reminiscent of that leveled against human-to-human transplantation during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Yet with persistence, the field of human-to-human transplantation has proved highly successful. This success was the result of a stepwise increase in our understanding of the biology of rejection, improvements in drug management, and experience. It is possible that xenotransplantation may not be universally successful until further technologic advances occur; yet cautions exploration of xenotransplantation appears warranted to identify those areas that require further study.

Animals↗

Priming of cytokine release and increased levels of bactericidal permeability-increasing protein in the blood of animal facility workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cellular immune responses in laboratory animal workers who are exposed to high levels of animal allergens but also to other biologically active substances containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), i.e., endotoxins. METHODS: A survey among 20 animal facility workers and 20 matched (gender, smoking) controls was conducted using exposure measurements (endotoxin, colony-forming units of bacteria and fungi) and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Blood samples were taken to determine the ex vivo whole-blood release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as well as plasma levels of LPS-binding protein (LBP), bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI), the 75-kDa soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR75), and total/specific IgE. RESULTS: Although exposure to endotoxin was low (range 0.05-2.8 ng/m(3)), a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma BPI (4-fold) and srTNF75 (1.2-fold) was found, suggesting a response to inhalation of LPS. Also, the capacity of blood leukocytes to release TNF and IL-8 in response to ex vivo exposure to workplace dust was increased. Data were not confounded by specific allergies, levels of IgE, smoking, or respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A profound effect on the cellular immune response was seen in animal workers with low endotoxin exposure and a high antigenic load. It remains to be determined which other biologically active substance(s) are involved in this effect.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Immunological hiding of herpesvirus-infected cells.

Over the past years, numerous research groups have discovered various strategies that herpesviruses use to hide themselves from recognition by the immune system of their hosts. The current review gives a summary of this research, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which herpesvirus-infected cells escape from elimination by complement, phagocytes, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and/or natural killer cells.

Animals↗

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate enhances IgG and Interferon-gamma production during immunization to tuberculosis in young but not aged mice.

Ageing of the endocrine system (endocrinosenescence) has been closely related to immunosenescence. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), a steroid hormone produced by the adrenals with reported enhancing immunomodulatory properties, consistently decline during ageing in parallel to detrimental increase in peripheral glucocorticoids. We investigated here the adjuvant effects of DHEAS during intraperitoneal immunization to Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (mycHSP70) in old (24 months) as well as young (3 months) BALB/c mice. Both young and old mice had significantly higher Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels following immunization. Young mice co-immunized with mycHSP70-DHEAS presented an early increase in specific IgG levels and showed increased Interferon-gamma production compared to old mice. Also, T cells of immunized young animals were consistently more resistant to the immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids and to DHEAS. DHEAS was not effective in modulating antigen-specific T-cell proliferation, Interleukin-2 production or percentage of recent activated T-cell subsets (CD4 + CD69 + and CD8 + CD69 +). Our data further indicate mycHSP70 as a putative good antigen in vaccine to tuberculosis. Our data also suggest that DHEAS produced adjuvant effects upon humoral and some cellular immune responses of young, but not old mice and indicate that immunization with DHEAS is capable of changing T-cell responses to steroids.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗