A general obstacle for clinical cell preparations is limited purity, which causes variability in the quality and potency of cell products and might be responsible for negative side effects due to unwanted contaminants. Highly pure populations can be obtained best using positive selection techniques. However, in many cases target cell populations need to be segregated from other cells by combinations of multiple markers, which is still difficult to achieve--especially for clinical cell products. Therefore, we have generated low-affinity antibody-derived Fab-fragments, which stain like parental antibodies when multimerized via Strep-tag and Strep-Tactin, but can subsequently be removed entirely from the target cell population. Such reagents can be generated for virtually any antigen and can be used for sequential positive enrichment steps via paramagnetic beads. First protocols for multiparameter enrichment of two clinically relevant cell populations, CD4(high)/CD25(high)/CD45RA(high) 'regulatory T cells' and CD8(high)/CD62L(high)/CD45RA(neg) 'central memory T cells', have been established to determine quality and efficacy parameters of this novel technology, which should have broad applicability for clinical cell sorting as well as basic research.

BACKGROUND

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of T cells that help potentiate and regulate immune responses. Although human NKT cell subsets with distinct effector functions have been identified, it is unclear whether the effector functions of these subsets are imprinted during development or can be selectively reprogrammed in the periphery.

RESULTS

We found that neonatal NKT cells are predominantly CD4+ and express higher levels of CCR7 and CD62L and lower levels of CD94 and CD161 than adult CD4+ or CD4- NKT cell subsets. Accordingly, neonatal NKT cells were more flexible than adult CD4+ NKT cells in their capacity to acquire Th1- or Th2-like functions upon either cytokine-mediated polarization or ectopic expression of the Th1 or Th2 transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3, respectively. Consistent with their more differentiated phenotype, CD4- NKT cells were predominantly resistant to functional reprogramming and displayed higher cytotoxic function. In contrast to conventional T cells, neither the expression of CXCR3 nor the cytotoxic capacity of neonatal NKT cells could be reprogrammed.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these results suggest that neonatal CD4+, adult CD4+, and adult CD4- NKT may represent unique states of maturation and that some functions of human NKT cells may be developmentally imprinted, while others are acquired similar to conventional T cell subsets during peripheral maturation and differentiation. Given the potent immuno-regulatory functions of NKT cells, these findings have important implications for the development of novel NKT cell-based therapeutics and vaccines.

Cytokines secreted by macrophages play important roles in the immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi. Here, we report that a purified glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucin from the T. cruzi membrane, Ag C10, is able to bind to the macrophage cell surface and blocks the subsequent binding of mAb against CD62L/L-selectin, whereas binding of mAbs directed against other monocyte surface molecules is unaffected. In addition, Ag C10 binding to macrophages triggered a CD54/ICAM-1-mediated cell adhesion as well as an increase in intracellular Ca2+, which was further augmented by cross-linking the Ag C10-bound surface receptors by mAb against Ag C10. Interestingly, Ag C10-treated monocytes secreted IL-1beta, but not TNF-alpha or IL-12. Moreover, these cells could secrete IL-1beta, but not TNF-alpha or IL-12, after activation with LPS. T. cruzi-infected macrophages displayed similar alterations in cytokine secretion, with an impaired ability to secrete IL-12 and TNF-alpha, but not IL-1beta, upon LPS activation. These effects were substantially inhibited by neutralizing mAb against Ag C10. These effects appeared to take place at the transcriptional level, since mRNA for TNF-alpha, but not that for IL-1beta, was drastically reduced in LPS-stimulated infected cells treated with Ag C10. Conceivably, inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-12 by T. cruzi could be involved in the evasion of the immune response by this parasite.

G-protein subunit Galphai2-deficient mice spontaneously develop an inflammatory bowel disease that clinically and histopathologically resembles ulcerative colitis in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether immunological changes precede the development of colitis in Galphai2-deficient mice. Therefore, Galphai2-deficient mice with no clinical or histopathological signs of colitis were compared with Galphai2-deficient mice with established colitis and wild-type animals, concerning immunological parameters. Healthy Galphai2-deficient mice displayed an increased frequency of CD4+ T cells and a decreased frequency of CD19+ B lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa compared with control mice. The CD4+ population was characterized by a memory phenotype, i.e. increased expression of CD44 and decreased expression of CD45RB and CD62L, as well as increased expression of the mucosal homing receptors integrins alpha4beta7 and alphaEbeta7. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta and interferon (IFN)-gamma, were increased in Galphai2-deficient mice before clinical signs of disease were evident. In addition, total immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA levels in large intestinal secretions were increased significantly compared with wild-type mice, and antibodies specific for the normal intestinal flora in large intestinal secretions were present in Galphai2-deficient mice several weeks before the onset of colitis. In contrast, antibodies against tropomyosin, a putative autoantigen in human ulcerative colitis, were not found in Galphai2-deficient mice before the onset of colitis, although they were present in animals with established disease. In conclusion, activation of the intestinal immune system precedes histopathological and clinical signs of inflammation in Galphai2-deficient mice, suggesting that immune abnormalities play an important role in the induction of colitis.

Recent studies on Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) have indicated that patients with active disease display functional impairment of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells due to expansion of regulatory T cells at sites of disease and in the peripheral blood. Adoptive cellular immunotherapy based on EBV-specific CD8+ T cells has been explored with limited success to date. It has been proposed that improved targeting of these CD8+ T cells toward viral Ags that are expressed in HL may enhance future therapeutic vaccine strategies. In this study, we have developed a novel replication-deficient adenoviral Ag presentation system that is designed to encode glycine alanine repeat-deleted EBV nuclear Ag 1 covalently linked to multiple CD8+ T cell epitopes from latent membrane proteins 1 and 2. A single stimulation of CD8+ T cells from healthy virus carriers, and patients with HL with this adenoviral construct in combination with IL-2, was sufficient to reverse the functional T cell impairment and restored both IFN-gamma production and cytolytic function. More importantly, these activated CD8+ T cells responded to tumor cells expressing membrane proteins and recognized novel EBNA1 epitopes. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that a large proportion of T cells expanded from patients with HL were CD62L(high) and CD27(high), and CCR7(low), consistent with early to mid effector T cells. These findings provide an important platform for translation of Ag-specific adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies such as HL and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gα(i) family have been implicated in signaling pathways regulating cell migration in immune diseases. The Gα(i)-protein-coupled C5a receptor is a critical regulator of IgG FcR function in experimental models of immune complex (IC)-induced inflammation. By using mice deficient for Gα(i2) or Gα(i3), we show that Gα(i2) is necessary for neutrophil influx in skin and lung Arthus reactions and agonist-induced neutrophilia in the peritoneum, whereas Gα(i3) plays a less critical but variable role. Detailed analyses of the pulmonary IC-induced inflammatory response revealed several shared functions of Gα(i2) and Gα(i3), including mediating C5a anaphylatoxin receptor-induced activation of macrophages, involvement in alveolar production of chemokines, transition of neutrophils from bone marrow into blood, and modulation of CD11b and CD62L expression that account for neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. Interestingly, C5a-stimulated endothelial polymorphonuclear neutrophil transmigration, but not chemotaxis, is enhanced versus reduced in the absence of neutrophil Gα(i3) or Gα(i2), respectively, and knockdown of endothelial Gα(i2) caused decreased transmigration of wild-type neutrophils. These data demonstrate that Gα(i2) and Gα(i3) contribute to inflammation by redundant, overlapping, and Gα(i)-isoform-specific mechanisms, with Gα(i2) exhibiting unique functions in both neutrophils and endothelial cells that appear essential for polymorphonuclear neutrophil recruitment in IC disease.

Contact of T lymphocytes with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or ATP causes cell death that requires expression of purinergic receptor P2X(7) (P2X(7)R). T cell subsets differ in their responses to NAD and ATP, which awaits a mechanistic explanation. Here, we show that sensitivity to ATP correlates with P2X(7)R expression levels in CD4 cells, CD8 cells and CD4(+)CD25(+) cells from both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. But P2X(7)R ligands do not only induce cell death but also shedding of CD62L. It is shown here that in CD62L(high) T cells, CD62L shedding correlates with low expression of P2X(7)Rs and lower cell death, whereas in CD62L(low) cells P2X(7)R expression and death are higher. The possibility is therefore investigated that P2X(7)Rs induce T cell activation. Experiments show that spontaneous T cell proliferation is somewhat higher in cells expressing P2X(7)Rs, but this effect we suggest is caused by P2X(7)R expression on accessory cells.

OBJECTIVE

Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber (PMX) treatment has beneficial effects in patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome or acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This study was aimed to clarify the mechanism of PMX treatment for acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia (IP).

METHODS

Sixteen consecutive IP patients with acute exacerbation were included. The patients were treated with PMX once daily for 2 successive days at a flow rate of 80-100 ml/min for 6 h. Cells adsorbed by PMX were analyzed morphologically by electron microscopy. Surface markers of these cells were determined by flow cytometry. Serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was measured before and after PMX treatment.

RESULTS

Cells adsorbed by PMX were neutrophils and highly expressed HLA-DR, CD14, CD62L and CD114. Serum MMP-9 levels were significantly decreased after PMX treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated neutrophil adsorption by PMX and its possible clinical application for acute exacerbation of IP.

BACKGROUND

SAMP1/Yit mice develop spontaneous, segmental, transmural ileitis recapitulating many features of Crohn's disease (CD). The ileitic phenotype may have arisen during crosses of SAMP1 mice selected for the presence of skin lesions. We hereby describe that the original SAMP1 strain similarly develops ileitis. Our aim was to characterize the histopathological and immunological features of this model and assess its responsiveness to standard inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy.

METHODS

The time course of histopathological features of ileitis was assessed. Immune compartments were characterized by flow cytometry. Ileal cytokine profiles and transcription factors were determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Finally, response to corticosteroid therapy and its effect on immune compartments and cellularity was evaluated.

RESULTS

Histological features and time course of disease were conserved, compared to those reported in SAMP1/Yit strains, with similar expansion of CD19+, CD4+, and CD8+ effector (CD44(high) CD62L(low)), and central memory lymphocytes (CD44(high)CD62L(high)). However, different from SAMP1/YitFc mice, analysis of ileal cytokine profiles revealed initial T(H)1 polarization followed by T(H)2-polarized profile accompanied by prominent eosinophilia during late disease. Lastly, corticosteroids attenuated ileitis, resulting in decreased lymphocyte subsets and cellularity of compartments.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we report that the ileitic phenotype of SAMP1-related strains was already present in the original SAMP1 strain. By contrast, the cytokine profile within the terminal ilea of SAMP1 is distinct from the mixed T(H)1/T(H)2 profile of SAMP1/YitFc mice during late disease, as it shows predominant T(H)2 polarization. Dissemination of these strains may advance our understanding of CD pathogenesis, which in 60% of patients involves the terminal ileum.

Adoptive cell therapy utilizing ex vivo expanded polyclonal CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) is in use in clinical trials for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and prevention of graft vs host disease in bone marrow transplantation. Here we seek to evaluate this approach in the treatment of inherited protein deficiencies, i.e. hemophilia, which is often complicated by antibody formation against the therapeutic protein. Treg from mice that express GFP-marked FoxP3 were highly purified by two-step magnetic/flow sorting and ex vivo expanded 50- to 80-fold over a 2-week culture period upon stimulation with antibody-coated microbeads. FoxP3 expression was maintained in >80% of expanded Treg, which also expressed high levels of CD62L and CTLA-4. Transplanted Treg suppressed inhibitory antibody formation against coagulation factors VIII and IX in protein and gene therapies in strain-matched hemophilia A and B mice, including in mice with pre-existing antibodies. Although transplanted Treg became undetectable within two weeks, suppression persisted for >2 months. Additional studies suggested that antigen-specific suppression emerged due to induction of endogenous Treg. The outcomes of these studies support the concept that cell therapy with ex vivo expanded autologous Treg can be used successfully to minimize immune responses in gene and protein replacement therapies.

Using noninvasive in vivo imaging and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis as a model, we show for the first time that the mechanisms controlling blood monocyte recirculation through peripheral and lymphoid tissues alter during inflammation. The recirculation of monocytes in mice with ocular inflammation but not controls was found to depend on the selectin CD62-ligand (CD62L) and on CD44. Not only was rolling efficiency ablated or markedly reduced in antibody-treated mice, but most of the labeled monocytes also disappeared from the circulation within seconds, anti-CD44-treated monocytes homing to the lymph nodes and anti-CD62L-treated monocytes homing to the spleen. Our data indicate that, although PSGL-1 has a partial role in the transmigration of monocytes into the inflamed retina, CD62L has a key role in regulating recruitment of monocytes to lymphoid tissue from the blood during inflammation and that CD44 is required to maintain CD62L(+) inflammatory monocytes within the circulation during inflammation. This effect was systemic, because sequestered monocytes accumulated in mesenteric as well as draining cervical lymph nodes, and inflammation dependent, because depletion of circulating blood monocytes was much reduced or absent in normal mice and accumulations of adoptively transferred monocytes in the lymphoid tissues did not occur.

OBJECTIVE

Monocytosis is a unique cellular abnormality associated with the Yaa (Y-linked autoimmune acceleration) mutation. The present study was designed to define the cellular mechanism responsible for the development of monocytosis and to characterize the effect of the Yaa mutation on the development of monocyte subsets.

METHODS

We produced bone marrow chimeras reconstituted with a mixture of Yaa and non-Yaa bone marrow cells bearing distinct Ly-17 alloantigens, and determined whether monocytes of Yaa origin became dominant. Moreover, we defined the 2 major inflammatory (Gr-1+,CD62 ligand [CD62L]+) and resident (Gr-1-,CD62L-) subsets of blood monocytes in aged BXSB Yaa male mice, as compared with BXSB male mice lacking the Yaa mutation.

RESULTS

Analysis of the Ly17 allotype of blood monocytes in chimeric mice revealed that monocytes of both Yaa and non-Yaa origin were similarly involved in monocytosis. Significantly, the development of monocytosis paralleled a selective expansion of the resident monocyte subset compared with the inflammatory subset, and the former expressed CD11c, a marker of dendritic cells. Neither monocytosis nor the change in monocyte subpopulations, including CD11c expression, was observed in Yaa-bearing C57BL/6 mice, in which systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) fails to develop.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that Yaa-associated monocytosis is not attributable to an intrinsic abnormality in the growth potential of monocyte lineage cells bearing the Yaa mutation and that the Yaa mutation could lead to the expansion of dendritic cells, thereby contributing to the accelerated development of SLE.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is the causative agent of Johne's disease, a chronic granulomatous enteritis of wild and domestic ruminants. During a long subclinical period, the organism persists in the intestine despite systemic cellular and humoral immune responses. To explore the mucosal immune response in Johne's disease, we isolated mononuclear leukocytes from the ileum of cows naturally infected with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and from cows that were not infected. We evaluated the immunophenotype of these cells and the proliferative responses after the addition of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis sonicate or B-cell or T-cell mitogens. Although the percentage of T cells was increased in infected cows, these cells consisted mostly of memory (CD2+CD62L-) and regulatory (CD4+CD25+) T cells. Further evidence of immune hyporesponsiveness included a decrease in the percentage of T cells with an activated phenotype and a decrease in cells expressing major histocompatibility factor class II (MHC class II). Unlike the spleen, ileal lymphocytes from infected cows failed to proliferate in response to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis sonicate. Additionally, ileal lymphocytes from infected cows proliferated poorly in response to concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen, suggesting generalized T cell and B cell hyporesponsiveness. These results indicate that a state of tolerance may exist in the intestine of cows subclinically infected with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis organisms in subclinically infected cows. This effect may be induced, at least in part, by proliferation of regulatory T cells that nonspecifically suppress mucosal immune responsiveness.

The aims of the study are (1) assessment of cell surface expression of adhesion molecules CD11b and CD62L on peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with type 2 diabetes and microangiopathy; (2) analysis of serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules: E-selectin (sE-selectin), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) and; (3) evaluation of systemic inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6Rs), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes and microangiopathy were enrolled in the study. The study group was compared to 22 patients with type 2 diabetes without microangiopathic compliations. The control group included 20 healthy volunteers. Flow cytometry was used to analyse surface expression of adhesion molecules. Both inflammatory markers and soluble adhesion molecules were determined by immunoenzymatic assay. A significant increase in neutrophil surface CD11b expression (P < 0.01) as well as decrease in surface CD62L expression (P < 0.01) were observed in the group with diabetic microangiopathy in comparison with diabetic group without microangiopathic complications and healthy controls. Moreover, significantly higher concentrations of sICAM-1 (P < 0.05), sVCAM-1 (P < 0.05), sE-selectin (P < 0.05), vWF (P < 0.01), hsCRP (P < 0.01), IL-6 (P < 0.01) and fibrinogen (P < 0.001) were also found in patients with microangiopathy in comparison with the control group. IL-6Rs concentrations did not significantly vary between groups. We concluded (1) diabetic microangiopathy is accompanied by increase in CD11b expression and decrease in CD62L expression on peripheral blood neutrophils; (2) in diabetic microangiopathy rise in CD11b expression indicates neutrophil activation and intensified adhesion; (3) the development of diabetic microangiopathy is accompanied by an increase in soluble adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers concentrations in the blood.

Older adults who are at risk of developing influenza illness, have a low level of influenza virus-stimulated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity as measured by an assay of granzyme B (GrB). The purpose of this study was to determine whether aging affected memory CTL populations identified by GrB expression in influenza virus-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The expression and activity of GrB increased with virus stimulation over 5 days of culture. Virus-specific CD8 effector T cells with the phenotype, GrB+ CD62L(high) CD8 T(CM), were found to be the source of the early CTL response to influenza virus. Comparing the CD8 T cell response in 5-day PBMC cultures of 161 adult subjects, the response of GrB+ CD62L(high) CD8 T(CM) lymphocytes in older individuals was significantly lower than in younger adults after viral stimulation (p<0.001). The increase in the proportion of CD28(null) CD8 T cells in fresh PBMC negatively correlated with the proportion GrB+ CD62L(high) CD8 T(CM) lymphocytes in virus-stimulated PBMC. Thus, the increase in CD28(null) CD8 T cells with age may contribute to the limited CTL response to influenza vaccination and diminished protection in older adults.

The potential roles of TLRs in the cause and pathogenesis of autoimmune CNS inflammation remain contentious. In this study, we examined the effects of targeted deletions of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TLR9, and MyD88 on the induction of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG(35-55)) peptide/CFA/pertussis toxin-induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Although C57BL/6.Tlr1(-/-), C57BL/6.Tlr4(-/-) and C57BL/6.Tlr6(-/-) mice showed normal susceptibility to disease, signs were alleviated in female C57BL/6.Tlr2(-/-) and C57BL/6.Tlr9(-/-) mice and C57BL/6.Tlr2/9(-/-) mice of both sexes. C57BL/6.Myd88(-/-) mice were completely protected. Lower clinical scores were associated with reduced leukocyte infiltrates. These results were confirmed by passive adoptive transfer of disease into female C57BL/6.Tlr2(-/-) and C57BL/6.Tlr9(-/-) mice, where protection in the absence of TLR2 was associated with fewer infiltrating CD4(+) cells in the CNS, reduced prevalence of detectable circulating IL-6, and increased proportions of central (CD62L(+)) CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. These results provide a potential molecular mechanism for the observed effects of TLR signaling on the severity of autoimmune CNS inflammation.

We have previously described a unique system for identifying Ag-selected CD8 T cells during an in vivo response in normal mice. In this system, lymphocytes isolated from DBA/2 mice injected i.p. with HLA-CW3 transfected syngeneic (H-2d) P815 cells show a remarkable expansion of CD8 cells that utilize TCR expressing the V beta 10 gene segment and additional structural features characteristic of Kd-restricted CW3-specific CTL clones. We have now taken advantage of this system to characterize the surface phenotype of CD8 cells selected by Ag in vivo. We observed several distinct phenotypes at different stages of the response. At the peak of the response, Ag-selected cells were low in CD62L and CD45RB expression but displayed high levels of CD44. In addition, there was a partial down-regulation of CD8 and TCR. Cells of this phenotype were present in lymphoid tissues for several mo after immunization. Much later in the response, Ag-selected cells expressed higher levels of CD8 and TCR. Moreover, a distinct subset of these long-term immune cells emerged that now expressed CD62L and CD45RB. Analysis of CD8 cells from different tissues also revealed certain differences, particularly in TCR and co-receptor levels from liver-derived cells compared with circulating cells at the peak of the response. Our findings suggest that the function of Ag-selected CD8 cells may be regulated over time and according to location by subtle changes in cell-surface phenotype.

Priming of T cells is a key event in vaccination, since it bears a decisive influence on the type and magnitude of the immune response. T-cell priming after mucosal immunization via the nasal route was studied by investigating the distribution of antigen-loaded antigen presenting cells (APCs) and primed antigen-specific T cells. Nasal immunization studies were conducted using the model protein antigen ovalbumin (OVA) plus CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant. Trafficking of antigen-specific primed T cells was analyzed in vivo after adoptive transfer of OVA-specific transgenic T cells in the presence or absence of fingolimod, a drug that causes lymphocytes sequestration within lymph nodes. Antigen-loaded APCs were observed in mediastinal lymph nodes, draining the respiratory tract, but not in distal lymph nodes. Antigen-specific proliferating T cells were first observed within draining lymph nodes, and later in distal iliac and mesenteric lymph nodes and in the spleen. The presence at distal sites was due to migration of locally primed T cells as shown by fingolimod treatment that caused a drastic reduction of proliferated T cells in non-draining lymph nodes and an accumulation of extensively divided T cells within draining lymph nodes. Homing of nasally primed T cells in distal iliac lymph nodes was CD62L-dependent, while entry into mesenteric lymph nodes depended on both CD62L and α4β7, as shown by in vivo antibody-mediated inhibition of T-cell trafficking. These data, elucidating the trafficking of antigen-specific primed T cells to non-draining peripheral and mucosa-associated lymph nodes following nasal immunization, provide relevant insights for the design of vaccination strategies based on mucosal priming.

The vagus nerve is an important pathway signaling immune activation of the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Probiotics are live organisms that may engage signaling pathways of the brain-gut axis to modulate inflammation. The protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus [corrected] (LR) and Bifidobacterium infantis (BI) during intestinal inflammation were studied after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy in acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis in BALB/c mice and chronic colitis induced by transfer of CD4(+) CD62L(+) T lymphocytes from BALB/c into SCID mice. LR and BI (1 x 10(9)) were given daily. Clinical score, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and in vivo and in vitro secreted inflammatory cytokine levels were found to be more severe in mice that were vagotomized compared with sham-operated animals. LR in the acute DSS model was effective in decreasing the MPO and cytokine levels in the tissue in sham and vagotomized mice. BI had a strong downregulatory effect on secreted in vitro cytokine levels and had a greater anti-inflammatory effect in vagotomized- compared with sham-operated mice. Both LR and BI retained anti-inflammatory effects in vagotomized mice. In SCID mice, vagotomy did not enhance inflammation, but BI was more effective in vagotomized mice than shams. Taken together, the intact vagus has a protective role in acute DSS-induced colitis in mice but not in the chronic T cell transfer model of colitis. Furthermore, LR and BI do not seem to engage their protective effects via this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, but the results interestingly show that, in the T cell, transfer model vagotomy had a biological effect, since it increased the effectiveness of the BI in downregulation of colonic inflammation.

To examine the effects of gamma irradiation on Tregs, changes in phenotype and suppression function in Tregs treated with or without gamma ray were analyzed. Purified CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells were irradiated at different dosages with a (137)Cs source gamma ray at 4.8 Gy/min. After culture, the phenotype and function changes were determined by flow cytometry and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, respectively. A dose-dependent reduction of Tregs proliferation in response to gamma irradiation was noted, which paralleled the apoptosis induction of Tregs. Gamma irradiation downregulated the Tregs expression of CD45RO, CD62L, FOXP3, membrane TGF-beta, but upregulated Bax and GITR. High dose gamma irradiation (30 Gy) significantly abolished the suppression of Tregs on CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells proliferation. Thus Tregs not only influences the phenotype but also alters their suppressive capacities. Our findings suggest that radiotherapy may be an important strategy to alter the immunologic balance of Tregs and effector cells in cancer therapy.

Recent evidence suggests that even in treated infections, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication may continue in lymph nodes (LN), serving as a potential virus reservoir. Here we investigated the effects of lentivirus infection on natural killer (NK) cell frequencies, phenotypes, and functions in naive and acutely or chronically SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques. Compared to that in naive animals, we observed a 3-fold-greater frequency of cytotoxic CD16(+) CD56(-) NK cells in LN of chronically infected macaques. However, NK cells did not appear to be trafficking to LN, as homing markers CD62L and CCR7 did not increase on circulating NK cells during infection. LN NK cells demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity in acute infection, with 2-fold increases in perforin expression and 3-fold increases in CD107a expression following mitogen stimulation. Lysis of K562 cells by LN NK cells from acutely infected animals was greater than lysis by preinfection samples from the same animals. LN NK cells from chronically infected animals lysed K562 cells more efficiently than LN NK cells from uninfected animals, but importantly, surrogate markers of cytotoxicity in infected macaques were disproportionately greater than ex vivo killing. Furthermore, Tim-3, an indicator of activation and/or exhaustion, was upregulated 3-fold on LN NK cells in chronically infected animals. Collectively, these data suggest that LN NK cells are skewed toward a cytotoxic phenotype during SIV infection but may become dysfunctional and exhausted in chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE

The accumulation of CD16(+) CD56(-) NK cells in the SIV-infected lymph node without changes in NK homing to the LN could suggest that these cells are differentiating in situ. Surprisingly, this increase in frequency of the cytotoxic subset of NK cells is not accompanied by an increase of similar magnitude in the cytolytic function of LN lymphocytes. This functional modulation, together with the higher Tim-3 expression observed on LN NK cells isolated from chronically infected animals than on those from naive macaques, is indicative of an exhausted phenotype. This exhaustion could contribute to the robust replication of HIV and SIV in the LN during acute and chronic stages of infection, allowing the survival of infected cells and maintenance of a viral reservoir.

Immunotherapies aimed at enhancing natural or endogenous antitumor T-cell immunity in patients affected by advanced malignancies are currently being implemented in the clinic with promising results. In order to optimize therapeutic protocols and monitor the effectiveness of such therapies, reliable biomarkers are needed. We used CD11a, an integrin that is upregulated on the surface of effector and memory CD8+ T cells, and PD-1, an immunoregulatory receptor expressed by activated T cells, as biomarkers to identify, quantify and monitor endogenous tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in two mouse tumor models and in the peripheral blood of 12 patients affected by Stage IV melanoma. High expression levels of CD11a and PD-1 were detected among CD8+ T cells residing within primary and metastatic murine tumor sites, as well as in spontaneous murine breast cancer tissues. In the peripheral blood of melanoma patients, tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells were associated with a population of CD11ahigh CD8+ T cells that co-expressed high levels of PD-1. Healthy donors exhibited a comparatively much lower frequency of such PD-1+CD11ahighCD8+ T cells. Phenotypic analyses demonstrated that CD11ahighCD8+ T cells are proliferating (Ki67+) and activated (CD62L-CD69+). Increased CD11ahighCD8+ T cells and delayed tumor growth were observed in PD-1 deficient mice, suggesting that the antitumor effector functions of CD8+ T cells is compromised by an elevated expression of PD-1. The CD11ahighCD8+ T-cell population expresses high levels of PD-1 and presumably constitutes the cellular target of PD-1 blockade therapy. The expression level of CD11a and PD-1 by CD8+ T cells may therefore represent a novel biomarker to identify and monitor endogenous tumor-reactive CTLs. This may not only provide an immunological readout for evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy but also contribute to the selection of cancer patients who are likely to benefit from anti-PD-1 therapy.

HIV-1 hijacks and disrupts many processes in the cells it infects in order to suppress antiviral immunity and to facilitate its replication. Resting CD4 T cells are important early targets of HIV-1 infection in which HIV-1 must overcome intrinsic barriers to viral replication. Although resting CD4 T cells are refractory to infection in vitro, local environmental factors within lymphoid and mucosal tissues such as cytokines facilitate viral replication while maintaining the resting state. These factors can be utilized in vitro to study HIV-1 replication in resting CD4 T cells. In vivo, the migration of resting naïve and central memory T cells into lymphoid tissues is dependent upon expression of CD62L (L-selectin), a receptor that is subsequently down-modulated following T cell activation. CD62L gene transcription is maintained in resting T cells by Foxo1 and KLF2, transcription factors that maintain T cell quiescence and which regulate additional cellular processes including survival, migration, and differentiation. Here we report that HIV-1 down-modulates CD62L in productively infected naïve and memory resting CD4 T cells while suppressing Foxo1 activity and the expression of KLF2 mRNA. Partial T cell activation was further evident as an increase in CD69 expression. Several other Foxo1- and KLF2-regulated mRNA were increased or decreased in productively infected CD4 T cells, including IL-7rα, Myc, CCR5, Fam65b, S1P1 (EDG1), CD52, Cyclin D2 and p21CIP1, indicating a profound reprogramming of these cells. The Foxo1 inhibitor AS1842856 accelerated de novo viral gene expression and the sequella of infection, supporting the notion that HIV-1 suppression of Foxo1 activity may be a strategy to promote replication in resting CD4 T cells. As Foxo1 is an investigative cancer therapy target, the development of Foxo1 interventions may assist the quest to specifically suppress or activate HIV-1 replication in vivo.

To date, the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in humans is still not well understood. SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-specific CTL responses, in particular their magnitude and duration of postinfection immunity, have not been extensively studied. In this study, we found that heat-inactivated SARS-CoV elicited recall CTL responses to newly identified spike protein-derived epitopes (SSp-1, S978, and S1202) in peripheral blood of all HLA-A*0201(+) recovered SARS patients over 1 year postinfection. Intriguingly, heat-inactivated SARS-CoV elicited recall-like CTL responses to SSp-1 but not to S978, S1202, or dominant epitopes from several other human viruses in 5 of 36 (13.8%) HLA-A*0201(+) healthy donors without any contact history with SARS-CoV. SSp-1-specific CTLs expanded from memory T cells of both recovered SARS patients, and the five exceptional healthy donors shared a differentiated effector CTL phenotype, CD45RA(+)CCR7(-)CD62L(-), and expressed CCR5 and CD44. However, compared with the high avidity of SSp-1-specific CTLs derived from memory T cells of recovered SARS patients, SSp-1-specific CTLs from the five exceptional healthy donors were of low avidity, as determined by their rapid tetramer dissociation kinetics and reduced cytotoxic reactivity, IFN-gamma secretion, and intracellular production of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, perforin, and granzyme A. These results indicate that SARS-CoV infection induces strong and long-lasting CTL-mediated immunity in surviving SARS patients, and that cross-reactive memory T cells to SARS-CoV may exist in the T cell repertoire of a small subset of healthy individuals and can be reactivated by SARS-CoV infection.