Laminins affect T cell trafficking and allograft fate

Lymph nodes (LNs) are integral sites for the generation of immune tolerance, migration of CD4⁺ T cells, and induction of Tregs. Despite the importance of LNs in regulation of inflammatory responses, the LN-specific factors that regulate T cell migration and the precise LN structural domains in which differentiation occurs remain undefined. Using intravital and fluorescent microscopy, we found that alloreactive T cells traffic distinctly into the tolerant LN and colocalize in exclusive regions with alloantigen-presenting cells, a process required for Treg induction. Extracellular matrix proteins, including those of the laminin family, formed regions within the LN that were permissive for colocalization of alloantigen-presenting cells, alloreactive T cells, and Tregs. We identified unique expression patterns of laminin proteins in high endothelial venule basement membranes and the cortical ridge that correlated with alloantigen-specific immunity or immune tolerance. The ratio of laminin α4 to laminin α5 was greater in domains within tolerant LNs, compared with immune LNs, and blocking laminin α4 function or inducing laminin α5 overexpression disrupted T cell and DC localization and transmigration through tolerant LNs. Furthermore, reducing α4 laminin circumvented tolerance induction and induced cardiac allograft inflammation and rejection in murine models. This work identifies laminins as potential targets for immune modulation.

Allogeneic T cell responses are regulated by a specific miRNA-mRNA network

Donor T cells that respond to host alloantigens following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) induce graft-versus-host (GVH) responses, but their molecular landscape is not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene (mRNA) expression and fine-tune the molecular responses of T cells. We stimulated naive T cells with either allogeneic or nonspecific stimuli and used argonaute cross-linked immunoprecipitation (CLIP) with subsequent ChIP microarray analyses to profile miR responses and their direct mRNA targets. We identified a unique expression pattern of miRs and mRNAs following the allostimulation of T cells and a high correlation between the expression of the identified miRs and a reduction of their mRNA targets. miRs and mRNAs that were predicted to be differentially regulated in allogeneic T cells compared with nonspecifically stimulated T cells were validated in vitro. These analyses identified wings apart-like homolog (Wapal) and synaptojanin 1 (Synj1) as potential regulators of allogeneic T cell responses. The expression of these molecular targets in vivo was confirmed in MHC-mismatched experimental BMT. Targeted silencing of either Wapal or Synj1 prevented the development of GVH response, confirming a role for these regulators in allogeneic T cell responses. Thus, this genome-wide analysis of miRNA-mRNA interactions identifies previously unrecognized molecular regulators of T cell responses.

Induction of transplantation tolerance converts potential effector T cells into graft-protective regulatory T cells

Naturally occurring FOXP3(+) CD4(+) Treg have a crucial role in self-tolerance. The ability to generate similar populations against alloantigens offers the possibility of preventing transplant rejection without indefinite global immunosuppression. Exposure of mice to donor alloantigens combined with anti-CD4 antibody induces operational tolerance to cardiac allografts, and generates Treg that prevent skin and islet allograft rejection in adoptive transfer models. If protocols that generate Treg in vivo are to be developed in the clinical setting it will be important to know the origin of the Treg population and the mechanisms responsible for their generation. In this study, we demonstrate that graft-protective Treg arise in vivo both from naturally occurring FOXP3(+) CD4(+) Treg and from non-regulatory FOXP3(-) CD4(+) cells. Importantly, tolerance induction also inhibits CD4(+) effector cell priming and T cells from tolerant mice have impaired effector function in vitro. Thus, adaptive tolerance induction shapes the immune response to alloantigen by converting potential effector cells into graft-protective Treg and by expanding alloreactive naturally occurring Treg. In relation to clinical tolerance induction, the data indicate that while the generation of alloreactive Treg may be critical for long-term allograft survival without chronic immunosuppression, successful protocols will also require strategies that target potential effector cells.

[Immune regulation effect of rat dendritic cells phagocytosing photochemotherapy-treated allogeneic cells on syngeneic T cells]

The aim of this study was to investigate the immune regulatory effect of dendritic cells phagocytosing photochemotherapy-treated allogeneic spleen lymphocytes on syngeneic T cells. DA rat spleen lymphocytes were treated with 8-methoxypsoralen plus UVA irradiation (PUVA). LEW rat bone marrow-derived DCs were co-cultured with PUVA-treated DA spleen lymphocytes (PUVA-SP), and the surface markers (MHC-II, CD86 and CD40) of treated DC were detected by flow cytometry. CFSE-labeled PUVA SP were incubated with LEW DCs and the phagocytosis of DCs on PUVA-SP was observed by using fluorescent microscope. The ability of DC phagocytosing allogeneic PUVA-SP (PUVA-SP DC) to stimulate the proliferation of LEW T cells was analyzed by mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR). The production of IL-4, IL-10, IL-2, IFN-gamma in MLR culture supernatant was determined by luminex method. The results indicated that the PUVA treatment effectively induced early apoptosis of DA rat spleen lymphocytes. After co-culture, DC efficiently phagocytosed allogeneic PUVA-SP and still maintained an immature phenotype with low levels of MHC II, CD40 and CD86. PUVA-SP DC induced LEW T cell hyporesponsiveness to DA rat antigen, and led to skewing of T cell cytokine expression toward Th2 (IL-10 and IL-4). It is concluded that the PUVA-SP DC effectively down-regulate T cell response to alloantigen and induce Th2 immune deviation in vitro.

Comparative Analysis of Polymer and Linker Chemistries on the Efficacy of Immunocamouflage of Murine Leukocytes

Membrane grafting of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) [mPEG] to allogeneic leukocytes attenuates allorecognition and significantly reduces the risk of graft-versus-host disease in mice. To optimize the immunological efficacy of polymer grafting, murine splenocytes were modified using three differing linker chemistries: CmPEG (5 kDa), BTCmPEG (5 and 20 kDa) and TmPEG (5 kDa). In vitro immunocamouflage efficacy was examined by flow cytometic analysis of leukocyte markers and mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). In contrast to CmPEG and BTCmPEG, TmPEG exerted significant cellular toxicity. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that both CmPEG and BTCmPEG were highly effective at camouflaging cell surface markers while TmPEG was ineffective. Furthermore, CmPEG and BTCmPEG dramatically blocked MLR allorecognition and cellular proliferation. Polymer length was the most critical factor in the immunocamouflage of cells with the BTCmPEG 20 kDa being the most effective. In contrast to other immunomodulatory approaches, immunocamouflage of leukocytes yields a multivalent effect globally interfering with attachment, allorecognition, presentation and costimulation pathways.

Joint report of the Third International Workshop on Lymphocyte Alloantigens of the Horse, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 25-27 April 1984

The Third International Workshop on Lymphocyte Alloantigens of the Horse was held on 25-27 April 1984 in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Twelve laboratories from five countries participated. The principal purpose of this Workshop was to determine the phenotypic and gene frequencies of the 10 equine lymphocyte antigens (ELA) and a non-ELA lymphocyte antigen, ELY-2.1, in several breeds of horse. A total of 86 alloantisera characterized in previous workshops were tested against lymphocytes from 1179 horses. In addition, several experimental antisera were also tested against the same panel of lymphocytes. As a result of analysis of these data, the Workshop recognized two new equine lymphocyte alloantigens: W11 of the ELA system, and ELY-1.1, an antigen not linked to the ELA system.

Canine blood groups. 2. Description of a new allele in the Tr blood group system

A previously unrecognized canine red cell antigen, tentatively named O, was found after absorption analysis of an alloimmune antiserum and absorption of several immune or naturally occurring cross-reacting heteroantibodies from man, cattle and swine. The serological results and genetic analysis of a limited number of complete dog families indicated that the new factor probably belongs to the Tr blood group system. No individual possessed both factors Tr and O, and a large proportion of animals was negative for both factors. The serological pattern for the new Tr system obtained was consistent with similar systems observed in sheep (A-O), pig (R-O) and man (Bombay) in which the gene for one factor was dominant over and masked the gene for the second factor in the system. The negative phenotype was accounted for by the actions of an epistatic gene.

Presence of horse blood group antigens in the major glycoprotein fraction of the erythrocyte membrane

The aqueous phase of the chloroform/methanol extract of the horse erythrocyte membrane contained the blood group activities Ad, Dc or Dd. The factors Ad and Dc could be separated by gel filtration.

Isoimmunization in haemophiliacs

Serum samples from 134 Greek haemophiliacs multitransfused with fresh frozen plasma and factor--VIII or factor--IX concentrates were investigated for the presence of blood group antibodies. All samples were tested against a panel of selected cells of known but differing genotype. The incidence of blood group antibodies was 12.7%. Anti-D was found in 6 out of the 17 immunized patients, i.e., 35.3% of D-negative haemophiliacs were sensitized. It is concluded that the high incidence of immunization is a serious complication of repeated plasma transfusions.

The blood group factor Kf and allele Kae in the pig

By means of alloimmune reagents used in the indirect Coombs test and the dextran test a new factor Kf in the K bloodgroup system of pigs was found, controlled by alleles Kacf, Kacef and Kbf. A new allele Kae was also detected. The K system with 6 alleles, 11 phenotypes and 21 combinations of genotypes remains (from the genetic point of view) an open system.

rs660 polymorphism in Ro52 (SSA1; TRIM21) is a marker for age-dependent tolerance induction and efficiency of alloimmunization in sickle cell disease

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions have a higher rate of anti-RBC (allo and auto) antibody development than other transfused subjects. We hypothesized that an incidence and/or kinetics of RBC-specific antibody formation in SCD patients is influenced by a linked inheritance of the hemoglobin beta S (HbbetaS) allele and a polymorphism rs660C/T in the neighboring Ro52 gene. We found that 75% of C/T heterozygous and only 30.8% of T/T homozygous patients that developed antibodies were first transfused before the age of five. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between time of exposure to antigen or number of transfusions received and the age when T/T patients received first transfusion, indicating progressive development of competence of their immune system. In contrast, this correlation was not observed in patients with C/T genotype. Finally, increased expression of Ro52 was associated with the presence of the T/T genotype. These results suggest that rs660 polymorphism is a marker of efficiency of tolerance induction in early childhood and immune competence development to RBC antigens in SCD patients of pre-teen/teen age.

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against Ly alloantigen

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for immune alloantigens controlled by alleles of the Ly system have been induced in vivo. These results were obtained either in a secondary type of response or by treating mice before immunization with a single dose of cyclophosphamide (80 mg/kg).

Cross-reaction of a minor variant of the a1 allotypic specificity with anti-a2 antibodies

Certain samples of hare IgG can combine with cross-linked anti-a2 antisera prepared in the a3/a3 rabbit. This cross-reaction permitted the isolation, on hare IgG immunoadsorbent, of anti-a2 cross-reacting antibodies (anti-a2(Lv) antibodies). The binding of labeled rabbit a2 IgG to insolubilized anti-a2(Lv) antibodies is inhibited by a1 IgG, demonstrating a cross-reactivity with a2. The percentage of a1 IgG cross-reacting with anti-a2 antiserum (a1(2) IgG) is about 0.5% of total a1 IgG. The a1(2) molecules represent another variant (or set of variants) of the a1 specificity. Demonstration of this variant of a1 IgG brings to seven the minimum number of described a1 variants, and its low concentration among a1 IgG (0.5%) is in favor of a larger number of variants of allotypic specificities. Arguments in favor of common ancestor genes for allotypy in lagomorphs are given.

In vivo responses of alloreactive lymphocytes stimulated in vitro. Helper-cell activity of MLR-primed lymphocytes

Populations of mouse lymphocytes enriched in specific alloreactive cells by priming in a mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) include cells which, when injected into congenic nude mice, enable them to make alloantibody after immunization. Helper cells for the priming H-2 alloantigens (H-2b or H-2k) were enriched relative to helper cells for the other H-2 type. Furthermore, the alloantibody responses of nude mice reconstituted with lymphocytes primed twice in vitro were virtually monospecific for the priming alloantigens. These studies suggest that lymphocytes that proliferate in MLR include lymphocytes capable of giving specific help for H-2 antigens in vivo. Nude mice reconstituted with MLR-primed lymphocytes made less antibody to bacteriophage T4 and phix than mice reconstituted with unprimed cells, and fewer mice responded. Priming of cells a second time in MLR further depleted the population of phage helper cells. Similar results were sometimes, but not always, obtained when testing reconstituted nude mice for their ability to make anti-sheep erythrocyte (SRBC) responses. These results suggest that lymphocytes primed against H-2b or H-2k alloantigens do not have specificity for antigens of T4 or phix. These alloreactive cells may also lack specificity for SRBC. However, the results do not allow a definitive conclusion to be drawn.