Genetic regulation of airway colonization by Bordetella species

Bordetella species are respiratory pathogens that infect humans and other animals. A majority of the virulence factors expressed by these bacteria are regulated by a master control locus, BvgAS, a member of the two-component family of signal transduction systems. BvgAS senses environmental signals and mediates signal transduction by a phosphorylation cascade that leads to a biphasic transition between the Bvg+ and Bvg- phases. From natural host studies using Bordetella bronchiseptica, we have found that expression of Bvg+ phase factors, which include adhesins and toxins, is required for successful colonization of the mammalian respiratory tract. Suppression of the Bvg- phase motility phenotype is necessary for a successful interaction with the host. Although the Bvg- phase does not appear to be required in vivo, it does confer the ability to survive under conditions of severe nutrient deprivation. We hypothesize that the Bvg+ phase is necessary and sufficient for respiratory tract colonization and the Bvg- phase is adapted for survival in environments encountered during transmission between hosts.

Constitutive class I-restricted exogenous presentation of self antigens in vivo

Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells from the T cell receptor-transgenic line OT-I (OT-I cells) were injected into unirradiated transgenic RIP-mOVA mice, which express a membrane-bound form of OVA (mOVA) in the pancreatic islet beta cells and the renal proximal tubular cells. OT-I cells accumulated in the draining lymph nodes (LN) of the kidneys and pancreas and in no other LN. They displayed an activated phenotype and a proportion entered cell cycle. Unilateral nephrectomy 7-13 d before inoculation of OT-I cells into RIP-mOVA mice allowed the injected T cells to home only to the regional LN of the remaining kidney (and pancreas), but when the operation was performed 4 h before injecting the T cells, homing to the LN of the excised kidney was evident. When the bone marrow of RIP-mOVA mice was replaced with one of a major histocompatibility haplotype incapable of presenting OVA to OT-I cells, no homing or activation was detectable. Therefore, OT-I cells were activated by OVA presented by short-lived antigen-presenting cells of bone marrow origin present in the draining LN of OVA-expressing tissue. These results provide the first evidence that tissue-associated "self" antigens can be presented in the context of class I via an exogenous processing pathway. This offers a constitutive mechanism whereby T cells can be primed to antigens that are present in nonlymphoid tissues, which are not normally surveyed by recirculating naive T cells.

The nu gene acts cell-autonomously and is required for differentiation of thymic epithelial progenitors

The nude mutation (nu) causes athymia and hairlessness, but the molecular mechanisms by which it acts have not been determined. To address the role of nu in thymogenesis, we investigated whether all or part of the nude thymic epithelium could be rescued by the presence of wild-type cells in nude <--> wild-type chimeric mice. Detailed immunohistochemical analyses revealed that nude-derived cells could persist in the chimeric thymus but could not contribute to cortical or medullary epithelial networks. Nude-derived cells, present in few clusters in the medulla, expressed markers of a rare subpopulation of adult medullary epithelium. The thymic epithelial rudiment of nude mice strongly expressed these same markers, which may therefore define committed immature thymic epithelial precursor cells. To our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence that the nu gene product acts cell-autonomously and is necessary for the development of all major subpopulations of mature thymic epithelium. We propose that nu acts to regulate growth and/or differentiation, but not determination, of thymic epithelial progenitors.

Antiviral cytotoxic T-cell memory by vaccination with recombinant Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular bacterium that is able to escape phagocytic vesicles and replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells. As with viral vectors, this intracytoplasmic life cycle provides a means for introducing foreign proteins into the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway of antigen presentation. Using recombinant L. monocytogenes (rLM) strains expressing the full-length nucleoprotein (NP) or a single cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), we analyzed antiviral CTL responses induced by rLM vaccination. After vaccination, rLM was cleared from the host within 7 days while inducing an LCMV-specific ex vivo CD8+ effector CTL response. Virus-specific CTL memory was maintained for 6 months postvaccination, as demonstrated by vigorous secondary CTL responses after in vitro stimulation. A single immunization with rLM that expressed either the full-length NP gene or the CTL epitope alone resulted in LCMV NP-specific CTL precursor frequencies of approximately 1/10(4) CD8+ T cells. A second rLM vaccination resulted in enhanced virus-specific CTL activity and in vitro proliferation. rLM-vaccinated mice were protected against chronic viral infection by an accelerated virus-specific memory CTL response. These mice cleared infectious virus as well as viral antigen, suggesting that sterilizing immunity was achieved. In contrast to mice that received wild-type LM, rLM-vaccinated mice were protected from virally induced immunosuppression and splenic atrophy associated with chronic LCMV infection. The ability to elicit long-term cell-mediated immunity is fundamental in designing vaccines against intracellular pathogens, and these results demonstrate the efficacy of recombinant LM vaccination for inducing protective antiviral CTL memory.

Influence and fate of T lymphocytes in autoimmunity

Many T cells with autoaggressive potential are deleted in the thymus but some escape to the general circulation. They do not damage organs such as the insulin-producing tissue of the pancreas, unless some or all of the following conditions are met: high affinity of the antigen receptor on T cells (TCR) for the target self antigen, priming by environmental antigens which mimic the target antigen, and some inflammatory reaction in the target site. When the liver expresses the antigen, any circulating T cells specific for this are deleted in the liver. This suggests that the liver may play a role in preventing autoimmune aggression by T cells specific for antigens expressed on liver cells. Recent experimental models have been set up to test the possibility that an immunoregulatory T cell may exist and exert some type of preventive influence on the autoaggressive potential of self-reactive T cells.

Understanding signal transduction during bacterial infection

Many known or suspected bacterial virulence factors require environmentally responsive control factors for expression. In Bordetella species, the BvgAS system represses and activates sets of genes, and mediates a biphasic phenotypic transition. Studies using mutants with altered signaling pathways and reversed regulatory connections have provided insights into the role of BvgAS and this phenotypic transition during the Bordetella-host interaction.

Integration of multiple domains in a two-component sensor protein: the Bordetella pertussis BvgAS phosphorelay

BvgS and BvgA, a two-component system, regulate virulence gene expression in Bordetella pertussis. BvgS is a transmembrane sensor protein that can autophosphorylate and phosphorylate BvgA. Phosphorylated BvgA activates transcription of virulence genes. The cytoplasmic region of BvgS contains three domains separated by alanine/proline-rich sequences--the transmitter, receiver and C-terminus. We report that the C-terminal domain, like the transmitter and receiver, is an essential part of the phosphorelay from BvgS to BvgA. The BvgS C-terminal domain is phosphorylated in trans via a phosphotransfer mechanism by the cytoplasmic portion of BvgS, and trans-phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain requires both the transmitter and receiver. We also demonstrate that phosphorylated, purified C-terminal domain alone is sufficient for phosphotransfer to BvgA. A point mutation in the C-terminal domain (His1172-->Gln) abolishes BvgS activity in vivo and eliminates detectable phosphorylation of BvgA in vitro. Activity of BvgS His 1172-->Gln could be restored by providing the wild-type C-terminal domain in trans. Our results indicate an obligatory role for an alternate phosphodonor module in the BvgAS phosphorelay.

Restoration of extensor excitability in the acute spinal cat by the 5-HT2 agonist DOI

1. The decerebrate cat preparation with an intact spinal cord is characterized by a high degree of excitability in extensor motoneuron pools, which is eliminated by acute spinalization. Subtype-specific agonists for serotonin (5-HT) were investigated in terms of their effectiveness in restoring the extensor excitability following spinalization. 2. Our hypothesis was that 5-HT2 receptors have the primary role in enhancement of extensor reflex excitability, whereas 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B/D receptors are relatively unimportant. Reflex excitability was assessed from the tonic levels of force and electromyographic (EMG) output from the ankle extensors medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL), and from the reflex forces in both these muscles generated by ramp-and-hold stretches of MG. 3. Before spinal transection, MG and SOL usually exhibited a small amount of tonic background EMG activity and force output. Ramp-and-hold stretch of MG generated a large-amplitude reflex response. Spinal transection at the level of T10 virtually abolished tonic background activity in both extensors and greatly attenuated the MG stretch reflex. Ventral topical application of the selective 5-HT2A/2C agonist (+-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-amino-propane hydrochloride (DOI) restored the amplitude of the MG stretch reflex in a dose-dependent fashion. However, a considerable portion of the DOI-mediated restoration of MG stretch reflex force was due to elevation of tonic background force levels above previous intact cord levels. 4. The DOI-induced increase in extensor tonic background excitability and facilitation of MG stretch reflex were reversed by ventral topical administration of the selective 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin. No increase in extensor excitability was observed in spinalized preparations after administration of either the 5-HT1A agonist (+-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide or the 5-HT1B/1D agonist 7-trifluoromethyl-4-(4 methyl-1-piperazinyl)-pyrrolo[1,2- a]quinoxaline maleate. These data strongly suggest that the DOI-induced facilitation of extensor stretch reflex and tonic activity in spinalized preparations is mediated through an action on spinal 5-HT2 receptors. 5. One important difference between the actions of DOI in spinalized versus intact states was that the DOI-induced tonic and reflex forces in the spinalized state were subject to irregular oscillations. In contrast, DOI did not noticeably affect the smoothness of reflex force generation in the intact state. This discrepancy was probably due to the effects of clasp knife inhibition from muscular free nerve endings, which have potent reflex actions in the spinalized but not intact states. Thus DOI elevated excitability levels but did not alter the effects of spinalization on stretch reflex patterns.

Influence of T lymphocytes and major histocompatibility complex class II genes on diabetes susceptibility in the NOD mouse

Central to the autoimmune pathogenesis of IDDM in NOD mice is the MHC class II region. In all models studied to date, expression of NOD MHC class II genes is essential for disease development suggesting a crucial role for I-ANOD-restricted presentation of autoantigen. Protection has been afforded by transgene incorporation of other non-NOD class II genes and many models have been proposed to account for this effect. It is now clear that protection is not achieved by deletion or permanent silencing of all autoreactive T cell clones. It also appears that expression of these genes is required both intra- and extrathymically. It still remains to be determined what role these genes may have in the various compartments and how the autoreactive cells are held in check in protected NOD transgenic mice. Currently, the most likely explanation is that intrathymic expression of non-NOD class II genes is required for the positive selection of class II-restricted immunoregulatory T cells, while peripheral expression is necessary to bring about the interaction of these cells in a tricellular complex with NOD autoantigen-specific T cells and APCs, so that the response can be deviated to a nonpathogenetic one. Whether this process is active or passive is not known.

Effect of reversible dorsal cold block on the persistence of inhibition generated by spinal reflexes

The effects of bilateral focal cooling of dorsolateral thoracic spinal cord on segmental reflex pathways to the triceps surae muscles were assessed in decerebrate cats from the reflex forces produced by single shocks or trains of electrical stimuli applied to the ipsilateral caudal cutaneous sural and the contralateral tibial nerves. The validity of the dorsal cold block technique as a substitute for acute surgical dorsal hemisection was established by showing that focal cooling reliably reproduced the stretch-induced "clasp knife" inhibition of triceps surae reflexive force seen following dorsal hemisection. Under control (warm) conditions, the inhibitory components of electrically evoked ipsilateral sural and contralateral tibial reflexes faded rapidly during sustained trains, with a resultant production of large-amplitude reflex force as measured from either the entire triceps surae or from the medial gastrocnemius muscle alone. Dorsal cold block greatly reduced the amplitude of reflexive force evoked by sustained electrical stimulation of either nerve. Indeed, the cold block completely reversed the sign of train-evoked reflexes to a net inhibition of reflex force output in one-half of the sural and one-half of the contralateral tibial stimulation experiments. Peak transient forces evoked by single shocks to the sural or contralateral tibial nerves were also sometimes reduced, but this result was more variable than for prolonged nerve stimulation. The persistence of activity in segmental inhibitory pathways during dorsal cold block, as indicated by instances of reflex sign reversal, suggests that descending bulbospinal pathways traversing the dorsolateral funiculi may be responsible for "fading" of segmental inhibitory reflex components in decerebrate cats with intact spinal cords during sustained afferent input. The possibility that the enhanced magnitude and duration of segmental inhibition during cold block will increase the likelihood of disruption of the size principle for motoneuron recruitment is also discussed.

bvg Repression of alcaligin synthesis in Bordetella bronchiseptica is associated with phylogenetic lineage

Recent studies have shown that Bordetella bronchiseptica utilizes a siderophore-mediated transport system for acquisition of iron from the host iron-binding proteins lactoferrin and transferrin. We recently identified the B. bronchiseptica siderophore as alcaligin, which is also produced by B. pertussis. Alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica is repressed by exogenous iron, a phenotype of other microbes that produce siderophores. In this study, we report that alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica RB50 and GP1SN was repressed by the Bordetella global virulence regulator, bvg, in addition to being Fe repressed. Modulation of bvg locus expression with 50 mM MgSO4 or inactivation of bvg by deletion allowed strain RB50 to produce alcaligin. In modulated organisms, siderophore production remained Fe repressed. These observations contrasted with our previous data indicating that alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica MBORD846 and B. pertussis was repressed by Fe but bvg independent. Despite bvg repression of alcaligin production, strain RB50 was still able to acquire Fe from purified alcaligin, suggesting that expression of the bacterial alcaligin receptor was not repressed by bvg. We tested 114 B. bronchiseptica strains and found that bvg repression of alcaligin production was strongly associated with Bordetella phylogenetic lineage and with host species from which the organisms were isolated.

BvgAS is sufficient for activation of the Bordetella pertussis ptx locus in Escherichia coli

BvgA and BvgS, which regulate virulence gene expression in Bordetella pertussis, are members of the two-component signal transduction family. The effects of growth conditions on the ability of BvgAS to activate transcription of fhaB (encoding filamentous hemagglutinin) and ptxA (encoding the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin) were assessed in Escherichia coli by using chromosomal fhaB-lacZYA and ptxA-lacZYA fusions. Although it had previously been reported that a ptxA-lacZYA transcriptional fusion was not activated by bvgAS in E. coli (J. F. Miller, C. R. Roy, and S. Falkow, J. Bacteriol. 171:6345-6348, 1989), we now present evidence that ptxA is activated by bvgAS in E. coli in a manner that is highly dependent on the growth conditions. Higher levels of beta-galactosidase were produced by ptxA-lacZYA in the presence of bvgAS during growth in Stainer-Scholte medium or M9 minimal salts medium with glucose than in Luria-Bertani medium. In contrast, the level of fhaB-lacZYA expression was high during growth in all media. Addition of modulating stimuli which inhibit BvgAS function eliminated expression of ptxA-lacZYA. Levels of beta-galactosidase expressed from the ptx-lacZYA fusion correlated with growth rate and with the final optical density at 600 nm, suggesting that the lower growth rate in M9-glucose and Stainer-Scholte media was responsible for greater accumulation of beta-galactosidase than was seen in Luria-Bertani medium. Overproduction of BvgA was not sufficient for activation of ptxA expression but was sufficient for fhaB expression. However, overproduction of a constitutive BvgA allele (bvgA-Cl) or overproduction of BvgA in the presence of BvgS was able to activate ptxA. Our results demonstrate Bvg-dependent activation of a ptxA-lacZYA fusion in E. coli and indicate that bvg is the only Bordetella locus required for ptxA activation in this heterologous system.

Deletion of high-avidity T cells by thymic epithelium

Tolerance induction by thymic epithelium induces a state of so-called "split tolerance," characterized in vivo by tolerance and in vitro by reactivity to a given thymically expressed antigen. Using a model major histocompatibility complex class I antigen, H-2Kb (Kb), three mechanisms of thymic epithelium-induced tolerance were tested: induction of tolerance of tissue-specific antigens exclusively, selective inactivation of T helper cell-independent cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and deletion of high-avidity T cells. To this end, thymic anlagen from Kb-transgenic embryonic day 10 mouse embryos, taken before colonization by cells of hemopoietic origin, were grafted to nude mice. Tolerance by thymic epithelium was not tissue-specific, since Kb-bearing skin and spleen grafts were maintained indefinitely. Only strong priming in vivo could partially overcome the tolerant state and induce rejection of some skin grafts overexpressing transgenic Kb. Furthermore, the hypothesis that thymic epithelium selectively inactivates those T cells that reject skin grafts in a T helper-independent fashion could not be supported. Thus, when T-cell help was provided by a second skin graft bearing an additional major histocompatibility complex class II disparity, tolerance to the Kb skin graft was not broken. Finally, direct evidence could be obtained for the avidity model of thymic epithelium-induced negative selection, using Kb-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice. Thymic epithelium-grafted TCR transgenic mice showed a selective deletion of those CD8+ T cells with the highest density of the clonotypic TCR. These cells presumably represent the T cells with the highest avidity for Kb. We conclude that split tolerance induced by thymic epithelium was mediated by the deletion of those CD8+ T lymphocytes that have the highest avidity for antigen.

Validity of parent report measures of vocabulary development for children with Down syndrome

This study investigated the validity of a parent report measure of vocabulary development, the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences (CDI), in children with and without developmental disabilities. Concurrent validity was examined by comparing results from the CDI and laboratory measures of vocabulary in 44 children with Down syndrome and 46 typically developing children with mental ages from 12 to 27 months. Significant correlations between .70 and .82 were obtained. Predictive validity was examined by measuring the vocabulary of 20 children with Down syndrome and 23 typically developing children first at approximately 20 months mental age and later at a mental age of approximately 28 months. Significant correlations were obtained between the CDI at Time A and all but one of the vocabulary measures at Time B (r = .46 to .66). These results establish the validity of parent measures of vocabulary development for children with Down syndrome and confirm their validity for typically developing children.

Autoimmunity caused by ignorant CD8+ T cells is transient and depends on avidity

RIP-Kb mice, which express H-2Kb (Kb) molecules on their pancreatic beta cells, were used to examine the requirements for induction of autoimmune diabetes caused by CD8+ T cells. Previous studies showed that when these mice were crossed to mice expressing a Kb-specific TCR transgene, those CD8+ cells expressing the highest density of the transgenic TCR (presumably the highest avidity cells) were deleted intrathymically due to aberrant expression of Kb at this site. The remaining low avidity cells ignored Kb-bearing beta cells, even after priming, but were able to cause autoimmune diabetes when supplied with Il-2. To examine the properties of high avidity autoreactive CD8+ T cells, the thymic compartment of RIP-Kb mice was replaced with normal tissue to enable the maturation of CD8+ cells expressing the highest density of the transgenic TCR. These high avidity cells generally ignored Kb-expressing beta cells, but became autoaggressive after priming. Importantly, analysis of islet infiltration by CD8+ T cells revealed the presence of infiltrating cells in all mice examined within 3 wk of priming, but such infiltration was not usually apparent at later time points. In some cases, multiple primings were necessary for full development of autoimmunity. This implied that beta cells could act as transient targets for CD8+ T cell attack but could not sustain the stimulation of primed CD8+ cells. These studies indicate that the duration of priming stimulus and the avidity of the autoreactive CD8+ cells profoundly influence the severity of autoimmune disease.

Autoimmunity caused by ignorant CD8+ T cells is transient and depends on avidity

RIP-Kb mice, which express H-2Kb (Kb) molecules on their pancreatic beta cells, were used to examine the requirements for induction of autoimmune diabetes caused by CD8+ T cells. Previous studies showed that when these mice were crossed to mice expressing a Kb-specific TCR transgene, those CD8+ cells expressing the highest density of the transgenic TCR (presumably the highest avidity cells) were deleted intrathymically due to aberrant expression of Kb at this site. The remaining low avidity cells ignored Kb-bearing beta cells, even after priming, but were able to cause autoimmune diabetes when supplied with Il-2. To examine the properties of high avidity autoreactive CD8+ T cells, the thymic compartment of RIP-Kb mice was replaced with normal tissue to enable the maturation of CD8+ cells expressing the highest density of the transgenic TCR. These high avidity cells generally ignored Kb-expressing beta cells, but became autoaggressive after priming. Importantly, analysis of islet infiltration by CD8+ T cells revealed the presence of infiltrating cells in all mice examined within 3 wk of priming, but such infiltration was not usually apparent at later time points. In some cases, multiple primings were necessary for full development of autoimmunity. This implied that beta cells could act as transient targets for CD8+ T cell attack but could not sustain the stimulation of primed CD8+ cells. These studies indicate that the duration of priming stimulus and the avidity of the autoreactive CD8+ cells profoundly influence the severity of autoimmune disease.

Peripheral deletion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells in transgenic mice expressing H-2Kb in the liver

The response of T cells specific for liver antigens was examined in transgenic mice expressing the allogeneic major histocompatibility complex class I molecule H-2Kb (Kb) under the control of the sheep metallothionein promoter (Met-Kb mice). To follow the fate of Kb-specific T cells, and to prevent any aberrant thymic expression of the Kb transgene, the mice were thymectomized, lethally irradiated, protected with bone marrow cells from transgenic mice expressing in their T cells a Kb-specific T cell receptor identifiable by a clonotypic antibody, and given syngeneic non-transgenic thymus grafts. Although Kb-specific CD8+ T cells were produced in the thymus grafts of these manipulated Met-Kb mice, only small numbers of such cells could be detected in the spleen and lymph nodes. The livers, however, showed signs of damage and were heavily infiltrated by actively dividing CD8+ T cells. We provide strong evidence that the hepatocytes, not generally regarded as antigen-presenting cells, activated the Kb-specific CD8+ T cells and that these disappeared after a vigorous autoimmune response that resulted in deletion.

5-HT1B/1D agonist CGS-12066B attenuates clasp knife reflex in the cat

1. The effect of intrathecal injection of the selective serotonin (5-HT)1B/1D receptor agonist CGS-12066B maleate (825 nmol) was assessed on stretch-evoked clasp knife inhibition of hindlimb ankle extensor muscle reflex force in precollicular decerebrate cats in which neural transmission in dorsolateral spinal pathways was blocked bilaterally by focal cooling. 2. During cold block, ramp and hold stretches of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) evoked only a brief reflex excitation that was followed by powerful, long-lasting inhibition (the clasp knife reflex). Both the amplitudes of peak force evoked by the ramp and sustained force output during the last 500 ms of the hold phase of the stretch were depressed by > 50%. 3. Reflex force output during the hold portion of stretch was significantly improved on postdrug cold block trials, although peak force remained depressed. CGS-12066B did not significantly alter stretch-evoked force output in decerebrate cats when spinal cord neural transmission was unimpaired. 4. These data suggest that selective 5-HT1B/1D agonists may be of therapeutic usefulness in the treatment of reflex disorders arising from partial spinal cord injury.

Expression of two T cell receptor alpha chains on the surface of normal murine T cells

We have previously reported that a subset of T cells in T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic mice may express two different alpha chains on their surface. The expression of two functional alpha chains has also been demonstrated for human peripheral blood T cells. In this report, we show that a proportion of normal murine lymph node T cells express two functional alpha chains on their surface. The extrapolated frequency of these cells present in the normal repertoire ranges from 7-21%, with an average of 15%. Our analysis of a small number of antigen-specific T cell clones suggests that the frequency of antigen-responsive cells expressing two surface alpha chains is relatively low. This raises the possibility that dual alpha chain T cells may have a selective disadvantage in responding to specific antigen.

Recombinant Listeria monocytogenes as a live vaccine vehicle for the induction of protective anti-viral cell-mediated immunity

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a Gram-positive bacterium that is able to enter host cells, escape from the endocytic vesicle, multiply within the cytoplasm, and spread directly from cell to cell without encountering the extracellular milieu. The ability of LM to gain access to the host cell cytosol allows proteins secreted by the bacterium to efficiently enter the pathway for major histocompatibility complex class I antigen processing and presentation. We have established a genetic system for expression and secretion of foreign antigens by recombinant strains, based on stable site-specific integration of expression cassettes into the LM genome. The ability of LM recombinants to induce protective immunity against a heterologous pathogen was demonstrated with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). LM strains expressing the entire LCMV nucleoprotein or an H-2Ld-restricted nucleoprotein epitope (aa 118-126) were constructed. Immunization of mice with LM vaccine strains conferred protection against challenge with virulent strains of LCMV that otherwise establish chronic infection in naive adult mice. In vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells from vaccinated mice abrogated their ability to clear viral infection, showing that protective anti-viral immunity was due to CD8+ T cells.

Ectopic expression of the flagellar regulon alters development of the Bordetella-host interaction

Signal transduction molecules within the two-component family represent a conserved adaptation for the control of genes involved in pathogenesis. The Bordetella virulence control locus, bvgAS, activates and represses gene expression in response to environmental signals. While infection requires virulence gene activation, the role of gene repression during infection is not understood. By altering regulatory genes and reversing regulatory connections, we found evidence that the BvgAS-repressed genes responsible for motility are neither required nor expressed during colonization of the host. Expression of this Bvg- phase-specific phenotype in the Bvg+ growth phase resulted in a defect in tracheal colonization. Therefore, BvgAS promotes virulence both by activating genes required for colonization and by repressing genes that inhibit the development of infection.

Focal expression of interleukin-2 does not break unresponsiveness to "self" (viral) antigen expressed in beta cells but enhances development of autoimmune disease (diabetes) after initiation of an anti-self immune response

The participation of IL-2 in insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes (IDDM) was analyzed in transgenic (tg) mice expressing the nucleoprotein (NP) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and IL-2 under control of the rat insulin promoter focally in beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. Insertion and expression of the viral (self) gene or of the IL-2 gene alone did not lead to IDDM. Infiltration primarily of CD4 and B lymphocytes and increased expression of MHC class I and II molecules occurred in islets where IL-2 was expressed. By contrast, neither cellular infiltrates nor expression of MHC class I or II glycoproteins above base levels was noted in tgs expressing the viral protein alone. Double tg mice expressing both the viral protein and IL-2 in their islets displayed a modest increase in incidence of spontaneous diabetes compared with that of single transgenic mice expressing IL-2 alone. Breaking of immunological unresponsiveness or sensitization to self antigens did not occur. Neither cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) nor antibodies directed against the viral tg (NP) were generated. However, after challenge with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, double tg mice developed anti-self (viral) CTL and IDDM (incidence > 95%) within 2 mo. The generation of virus ("self")-specific MHC-restricted CTL was dependent on CD4+ help. In contrast, viral inoculum to single tg mice expressing either the viral protein or IL-2 failed to enhance the incidence of IDDM over 30% for viral protein or 10% for IL-2 after an 8-mo observation period. Hence, in this autoimmune model in situ expression of IL-2 did not break unresponsiveness but markedly enhanced ongoing disease.

Autoantigen-induced deletion of peripheral self-reactive T cells

There are now numerous reports documenting the deletion of mature peripheral specific T cells following massive antigenic stimulation. Such a phenomenon can be regarded as a homeostatic mechanism to prevent unrestricted growth of antigen-activated clones and to safeguard against autoimmunity. Some of the reports examining this issue are summarized in this review and the role of the liver in tolerance and autoimmunity is discussed based on recent work performed with transgenic mice.