T cell response to myelin basic protein before and after treatment with interferon beta in multiple sclerosis

Studies on the in vivo effects of interferon-beta (IFNbeta) therapy on autoreactive T cells have never been carried out in multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the T cell response to myelin basic protein (MBP), before and after IFN-beta therapy, raising MBP-specific T cell lines (TCL) from the peripheral blood of six MS patients with a satisfactory response to the treatment. IFNbeta did not affect the relative frequency and epitope specificity of the TCL. After IFNbeta therapy, the production of interleukin-4 was decreased in MBP-stimulated TCL while the secretion of interferon-gamma was increased in unstimulated TCL. Interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha did not show significant variations. This finding supports recent suggestions about the complexity of the T helper 1/T helper 2 paradigm in MS and other organ-specific autoimmune diseases. In fact, the beneficial effects of IFNbeta do not exclude an immunostimulatory action that may involve potentially autoreactive T cells. This has implications for future treatment options, including combination therapies.

IL-12-Mediated NKRP1A Up-Regulation and Consequent Enhancement of Endothelial Transmigration of Vδ2+ TCRγδ+ T Lymphocytes from Healthy Donors and Multiple Sclerosis Patients

γδ T lymphocytes are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) contributing to demyelinization and fibrosis in the central nervous system. In this study, we show that, in MS patients with active disease, the percentage of circulating Vδ2+ γδ T cells coexpressing NKRP1A is significantly increased compared with healthy donors. Vδ2+ and Vδ1+ T cells were sorted from MS patients and healthy volunteers and cloned. At variance with Vδ1+ clones, all Vδ2+ clones expressed NKRP1A, which was strongly up-regulated upon culture with IL-12; this effect was neutralized by specific anti-IL-12 Abs. No up-regulation of NKRP1A by IL-12 was noted on Vδ1+ clones. RNase protection assay showed that IL-12R β2 subunit transcript was significantly less represented in Vδ1+ than Vδ2+ clones. This finding may explain the different effect exerted by IL-12 on these clones. In transendothelial migration assays, Vδ2+ NKRP1A+ clones migrated more effectively than Vδ1+ clones, and this migratory potential was enhanced following culture with IL-12. Migration was strongly inhibited by the F(ab′)2 of an anti-NKRP1A Ab, suggesting that this lectin is involved in the migration process. We also show that, in freshly isolated PBMC from MS patients, the migrated population was enriched for Vδ2+ NKRP1A+ cells. We conclude that the expression of NKRP1A on Vδ2+ cells is associated with increased ability to migrate across the vascular endothelium and that this phenomenon may be regulated by IL-12 present in the microenvironment.

IL-12-mediated NKRP1A up-regulation and consequent enhancement of endothelial transmigration of V delta 2+ TCR gamma delta+ T lymphocytes from healthy donors and multiple sclerosis patients

Gamma delta T lymphocytes are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) contributing to demyelinization and fibrosis in the central nervous system. In this study, we show that, in MS patients with active disease, the percentage of circulating V delta 2+ gamma delta T cells coexpressing NKRP1A is significantly increased compared with healthy donors. V delta 2+ and V delta 1+ T cells were sorted from MS patients and healthy volunteers and cloned. At variance with V delta 1+ clones, all V delta 2+ clones expressed NKRP1A, which was strongly up-regulated upon culture with IL-12; this effect was neutralized by specific anti-IL-12 Abs. No up-regulation of NKRP1A by IL-12 was noted on V delta 1+ clones. RNase protection assay showed that IL-12R beta 2 subunit transcript was significantly less represented in V delta 1+ than V delta 2+ clones. This finding may explain the different effect exerted by IL-12 on these clones. In transendothelial migration assays, V delta 2+ NKRP1A+ clones migrated more effectively than V delta 1+ clones, and this migratory potential was enhanced following culture with IL-12. Migration was strongly inhibited by the F(ab')2 of an anti-NKRP1A Ab, suggesting that this lectin is involved in the migration process. We also show that, in freshly isolated PBMC from MS patients, the migrated population was enriched for V delta 2+ NKRP1A+ cells. We conclude that the expression of NKRP1A on V delta 2+ cells is associated with increased ability to migrate across the vascular endothelium and that this phenomenon may be regulated by IL-12 present in the microenvironment.

Binding of feline immunodeficiency viral gag-p24 polypeptide to nonimmune Igs

Available data on the existence of lentivirus proteins with properties of unconventional Ag for B cells, have been so far restricted to human immunodeficiency virus (i.e. gp-120 of HIV-I). By using biotinylated-MAbs-anti-biotin IgG as readout system, we now report that gag-p24 antigen, either assembled in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) particles or expressed as recombinant polypeptide (rec.p24) may bind to nonimmune IgGs purified from mouse or cat sera. Moreover, FACS scanning experiments are consistent with the possibility that rec.p24 interacts with surface-Ig in a sub-population (5-6%) of rodent B cells. We hypothesize that gag-p24 peptide encoded regions may bind to unconventional Ig sites or, alternatively, that they may represent 'public' epitopes for natural polyreactive antibody.

CD94/NKG2 inhibitory receptor complex modulates both anti-viral and anti-tumoral responses of polyclonal phosphoantigen-reactive V gamma 9V delta 2 T lymphocytes

Viral, bacterial, protozoal, and cancer-associated Ags elicit strong responses in human gammadelta T lymphocytes. The majority of these cells in the peripheral blood express the Vgamma9Vdelta2-encoded TCR and recognize nonpeptidic phosphoantigens without an apparent MHC restriction. We have shown that Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells express the inhibitory CD94/NKG2 receptor for HLA class I molecules. The anti-CD94 mAb inhibits 1) the Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell proliferation in response mycobacterial phosphoantigens and 2) the HIV-induced Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell expansion. Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells stimulated with nonpeptidic mycobacterial antigens produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Signaling through the CD94/NKG2 receptor interferes with the synthesis of these cytokines. The CD94/HLA class I interaction is also involved in the cytotoxic activity of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells. The Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell regulation through the CD94 receptor may be important for the potentially dual function in innate immunity, i.e., 1) NK-like and 2) TCR ligand-induced cytolytic activities.

CD94/NKG2 inhibitory receptor complex modulates both anti-viral and anti-tumoral responses of polyclonal phosphoantigen-reactive V gamma 9V delta 2 T lymphocytes

Viral, bacterial, protozoal, and cancer-associated Ags elicit strong responses in human gammadelta T lymphocytes. The majority of these cells in the peripheral blood express the Vgamma9Vdelta2-encoded TCR and recognize nonpeptidic phosphoantigens without an apparent MHC restriction. We have shown that Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells express the inhibitory CD94/NKG2 receptor for HLA class I molecules. The anti-CD94 mAb inhibits 1) the Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell proliferation in response mycobacterial phosphoantigens and 2) the HIV-induced Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell expansion. Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells stimulated with nonpeptidic mycobacterial antigens produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Signaling through the CD94/NKG2 receptor interferes with the synthesis of these cytokines. The CD94/HLA class I interaction is also involved in the cytotoxic activity of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells. The Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell regulation through the CD94 receptor may be important for the potentially dual function in innate immunity, i.e., 1) NK-like and 2) TCR ligand-induced cytolytic activities.

Phenotypic and cytokine analysis of human peripheral blood gamma delta T cells expressing NK cell receptors

The presence of NK receptors (NKR) on populations of T cells has been proposed to play a regulatory role in T cell function, fine tuning the response to Ag, and influencing the nature of the immune response through rapid secretion of large amounts of cytokines. In this study, we assessed the nature and distribution of NKR on human peripheral blood gamma delta T cells and established clones to study cytokine release. In circulating gamma delta T cells, approximately 80% expressed CD94, approximately 25% expressed NKR-P1A, and approximately 20% expressed p58, values substantially higher than those found on alpha beta T cells from the same donors. When cloned for specific NKR expression, most cells in culture were NKR-P1A+ whereas p58 expression was variable, suggesting that the NKR-P1A phenotype can be acquired in culture whereas expression of p58 is more stable. Some clones were triple positive for CD94, NKR-P1A, and p58. V delta 2+ cells generally expressed a wider range of NKR than V delta 1+ cells. Following activation through CD3, all gamma delta T cell clones released large amounts of IFN-gamma, commencing as early as 4 h postactivation. Some clones also released TNF-alpha and IL-4, but no correlation with specific NKR expression was noted. Activation through NKR-P1A induced moderate levels of IFN-gamma without inducing IL-4. The results suggest that activation of most gamma delta T cells is regulated by signaling events occurring via both the TCR and the NKR. They further show that peripheral blood gamma delta T cells may function as a source of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.

Phenotypic and cytokine analysis of human peripheral blood gamma delta T cells expressing NK cell receptors

The presence of NK receptors (NKR) on populations of T cells has been proposed to play a regulatory role in T cell function, fine tuning the response to Ag, and influencing the nature of the immune response through rapid secretion of large amounts of cytokines. In this study, we assessed the nature and distribution of NKR on human peripheral blood gamma delta T cells and established clones to study cytokine release. In circulating gamma delta T cells, approximately 80% expressed CD94, approximately 25% expressed NKR-P1A, and approximately 20% expressed p58, values substantially higher than those found on alpha beta T cells from the same donors. When cloned for specific NKR expression, most cells in culture were NKR-P1A+ whereas p58 expression was variable, suggesting that the NKR-P1A phenotype can be acquired in culture whereas expression of p58 is more stable. Some clones were triple positive for CD94, NKR-P1A, and p58. V delta 2+ cells generally expressed a wider range of NKR than V delta 1+ cells. Following activation through CD3, all gamma delta T cell clones released large amounts of IFN-gamma, commencing as early as 4 h postactivation. Some clones also released TNF-alpha and IL-4, but no correlation with specific NKR expression was noted. Activation through NKR-P1A induced moderate levels of IFN-gamma without inducing IL-4. The results suggest that activation of most gamma delta T cells is regulated by signaling events occurring via both the TCR and the NKR. They further show that peripheral blood gamma delta T cells may function as a source of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.

Expeditious syntheses of sugar-modified nucleosides and collections thereof exploiting furan-, pyrrole-, and thiophene-based siloxy dienes

A series of individual sugar-modified pyrimidine nucleosides including enantiomerically enriched 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides 14a-c (alpha and beta anomers of L- and D-series), 2',3'-dideoxy-4'-thionucleosides 21a-c (alpha and beta anomers of L- and D-series), and 2',3'-dideoxy-4'-azanucleosides 28a-c (beta anomers of L- and D-series) were synthesized, with uniform chemistry and high stereochemical efficiency, exploiting a triad of versatile heterocyclic siloxy dienes, namely, 2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)furan (TBSOF), 2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)thiophene (TBSOT), and N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)pyrrole (TBSOP). The synthetic procedure advantageously used both enantiomers of glyceraldehyde acetonide (D-1 and L-1) as sources of chirality and as synthetic equivalents of the formyl cation. The outlined chemistry also allowed for the rapid assemblage of a 30-member collection of racemic nucleosides (D,L-L) as well as one 15-member ensemble of chiral analogues (L-L), along with some related sublibraries.

CD1b is expressed in multiple sclerosis lesions

Recent observations have shown that CD1 molecules act as restriction elements in the presentation of antigens to specialized subsets of T cells. To examine the expression of CD1 molecules in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, frozen sections of central nervous system (CNS) tissues from nine MS and three other neurological disease (OND) patients, one patient with Wilson's disease, and one non-neurological control were stained by immunocytochemistry. In chronic-active MS lesions, CD1b immunoreactivity was prominent on perivascular inflammatory cells whereas macrophages within the lesion showed little reactivity. At the lesion edge, intense immunoreactivity for CD1b was found on hypertrophic astrocytes. High level expression of CD1b in MS lesions was found to colocalize with the presence of GM-CSF in astrocytes. In chronic-silent lesions, CD1b expression was found on only a few perivascular astrocytic foot processes and the occasional perivascular macrophage. CD1b was not found in the tissues studied for control purposes. In contrast, MHC class II expression was detected on microglia in all tissues examined. The relatively low level expression of CD1b in normal-appearing tissues, chronic-silent lesions and in the OND controls supports the conclusion that the expression of CD1b in active MS lesions is significantly upregulated and could contribute to lesion development.

Gamma delta T cell receptor analysis supports a role for HSP 70 selection of lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis lesions

BACKGROUND

Interactions between gamma delta T cells and heat shock proteins (HSP) have been proposed as contributing factors in a number of diseases of possible autoimmune etiology but definitive evidence to support this hypothesis has been lacking. In multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory neurologic disease, HSP and gamma delta T cells are known to colocalize in brain lesions. Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) gene usage in these lesions has detected evidence of clonality within both the V delta 2-J delta 1 and V delta 2-J delta 3 populations of gamma delta T cells. In our own studies, using direct sequence analysis, a dominant V delta 2-J delta 3 TCR sequence was found in 9 MS brain samples, suggesting a response to a common antigen. In this report, we have examined gamma delta T cell receptor gene usage in MS peripheral blood T cell lines selected for reactivity to HSP 70.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TCR rearrangement patterns for V delta 2-J delta 1 and V delta 2-J delta 3 were studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a direct sequencing technique in populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) purified protein derivative (PPD) and then selected for reactivity to a 70-kD heat shock protein (HSP70). Cells were obtained from health donors, patients with MS, and patients with tuberculosis (TB). PCR products were subjected to direct sequence analysis to look for evidence for clonality within these T cell lines and to define the sequence of the V-D-J (CDR3) region of the TCR.

RESULTS

In freshly isolated PBMC, both V delta 2-J delta 1 and V delta 2-J delta 3 gene rearrangement patterns were detected, whereas in HSP70+ T cell lines the predominant delta chain rearrangement pattern was V delta 2-J delta 3. Direct sequence analyses indicated that in cells reactive with HSP70 the V delta 2-J delta 3 sequences were usually oligoclonal and used D delta 3 exclusively. In four of four MS and two of three TB patients, the oligoclonal sequences in the HSP70+ T cell lines were identical to one another and to a dominant sequence previously detected in MS brain lesions. In two of three HSP70+ T cell lines from healthy controls, the oligoclonal sequences differed from those found in both groups of patients but were identical to one another except for a small region of heterogeneity in the second N region. In contrast, in freshly isolated PBMC or in PPD+HSP70- T cell lines, the V delta 2-J delta 3 gene rearrangement patterns were usually polyclonal and dominant sequences were rarely identified.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the conclusion that a subpopulation of gamma delta T cells in MS lesions are responding to HSP 70 and that non-CNS-specific antigens contribute to the pathogenesis of MS.

Cytokine localization in multiple sclerosis lesions: correlation with adhesion molecule expression and reactive nitrogen species

The relative levels and cellular distribution of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines have been examined by immunohistochemistry in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions of differing activity and compared with CNS tissue from other neurologic diseases with an inflammatory or noninflammatory component. Results show widespread distribution of cytokines in association with both perivascular inflammatory cells and glial cells in all types of inflammatory lesions. Although no obvious pattern of proinflammatory versus regulatory cytokines could be determined in MS lesions, proinflammatory cytokines were rarely noted in normal and noninflammatory conditions, whereas regulatory cytokines were readily detectable in the same diseases. The possible relevance of these cytokine patterns to adhesion molecule expression and the presence of reactive nitrogen species is also addressed.

Multiple sclerosis: limited diversity of the V delta 2-J delta 3 T-cell receptor in chronic active lesions

T lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor have been found in the central nervous system of patients with multiple sclerosis in association with demyelinated lesions. Although the biological function of these cells remains to be established, it has been proposed that they are involved in the response to highly conserved antigens, such as heat shock proteins (hsp), expressed during tissue damage and thus may contribute to the development of an autoimmune response. Using polymerase chain reaction, we probed for the presence of T-cell receptor gamma delta cells in fresh-frozen early autopsy brain tissue from patients with multiple sclerosis and patients with non-multiple sclerosis conditions. The results demonstrated the presence of two major V-J combinations of the T-cell receptor delta chain--V delta 2-J delta 3, V delta 2-J delta 1--and we used a direct sequencing technique to determine whether this gamma delta T-cell population was clonal or diverse. In chronic-active plaques from 9 patients with multiple sclerosis, we found a striking predominant gene rearrangement within the V delta 2-J delta 3 T-cell receptor population that was not present in central nervous system tissue from patients with other neurological diseases. In contrast, within the V delta 2-J delta 1 T-cell receptor population, a predominant rearrangement pattern was detected in only 1 of the multiple sclerosis patients. The sequence of the predominant V delta 2-J delta 3 gene rearrangement was confirmed by cloning and sequencing the gene products from 1 multiple sclerosis patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of a method for measuring cell number: application to CNS primary neuronal cultures

In the present work we further develop a method for counting cell number that is totally independent from the permeability or uptake conditions of the cells, from the state of activation of intracellular enzymes, and from cellular metabolism. We provide a visual characterization of the method and show that it is highly suitable for cells not growing as monolayers as well as for cultures containing numerous aggregates. We also extend the applicability of this method to CNS primary neuronal cultures and show its direct comparison with alternative means for cellular quantification. The technique is fast, does not require tedious procedures or long washes, and offers advantages such as a high sensitivity and no background.

Hepatitis C virus infection in thalassemia patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Ninety-eight patients with homozygous-beta thalassemia who had undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) between May 1990 and March 1992 were tested for hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) before and after BMT. Anti-HCV positivity was detected in 50 of the 98 patients (51%) before BMT. Seroconversion was demonstrated in seven of the 40 evaluable seronegative patients. In four cases it was probably due to the different sensitivity of first and second generation ELISA. Of the 46 evaluable seropositive patients 4 had transient and 5 persistent negativity for HCV antibodies after BMT. The high prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in thalassemic patients is related to the continuous requirement for blood transfusions. We found a strong correlation between biochemical and histological evidence of liver damage and anti-HCV positive status in multi-transfused patients. In our experience HCV hepatitis does not influence the outcome of BMT.

Reactive nitrogen intermediates in human neuropathology: an overview

Nitric oxide (NO) is a recently recognized messenger molecule that has been shown to possess pleiotropic properties, including vasodilation, neurotransmission, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity. Constitutive and inducible forms of NO synthase (NOS) have been identified. Activation of cNOS releases relatively low levels of NO for short periods of time whereas induction of iNOS releases high levels of NO for extended periods of time. In rodents, iNOS is predominantly found in cells of the monocyte/macrophage series, including microglia, where it is induced by a combination of bacterial products and cytokines. cNOS and iNOS have also been reported in rodent astrocytes. Activation of iNOS in the CNS could be toxic to many different cell types, including neurons and oligodendrocytes. iNOS, however, has been difficult to demonstrate in human peripheral blood cells, suggesting that the regulation of expression of this enzyme in humans is different from that found in rodents. In this overview, we show that in human glial cells cultured in vitro, astrocytes, but not microglia, can be induced by cytokines to express NO-like activity. Bacterial products are without effect, but a combination of IL-1 and TNF alpha or IFN gamma is a potent stimulus. NO production by astrocytes inhibits Cryptococcus neoformans growth in vitro. In vivo, we show in acute multiple sclerosis lesions, intense NADPH-diaphorase activity is present in hypertrophic astrocytes in the lesion center and at the lesion edge, whereas microglia are nonreactive. Increased NADPH-diaphorase activity colocalizes with immunoreactivity for IL-1 and TNF. These results suggests that the induction of reactive nitrogen intermediates in humans differs from that found in rodents, and supports the conclusion that hypertrophic astrocytes are the major source of NO-like activity in the inflamed CNS.

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I exerts a trophic action and confers glutamate sensitivity on glutamate-resistant cerebellar granule cells

Cerebellar granule cells grown in the presence of a serum complex differentiate but are resistant to the lethal action of excitatory amino acids. When these cells are grown also in the presence of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) they become fully susceptible to the toxic, lethal action of glutamate. The glutamate-sensitizing action of IGF-I is dependent on concentration (half-maximal effect at 2-4 ng/ml) and time (half-maximal effect at 2-4 days in vitro) and is paralleled by the appearance of functionally active, glutamate-activated, Ca2+ channels and of voltage-gated Na+ and late K+ channels. IGF-I-induced glutamate sensitivity is rapidly reversible (t1/2 = 30-60 min) after removal of this somatomedin. The action of IGF-I is not mimicked by IGF-II, nerve growth factor, basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, or tumor necrosis factor alpha. We postulate that the constitutive phenotype of cerebellar granule cells is glutamate-resistant and becomes responsive to excitatory amino acids under the action of epigenetic cues among which IGF-I may be one of those operative in vivo.

Cerebellar neurones: Differentiation and modulation of sensitivity to excitotoxic treatment

The neurite outgrowth and adhesion complex (NOAC), isolated from rabbit sera has been dissociated in its major components by reverse-phase chromatography in HPLC by using a C(18) column. SDS-PAGE analisys of the active fractions revealed the presence of three major bands of approximately 100, 70 and 50 kDa. Studies on the biological activity of NOAC were carried out on rat cerebellar granule cells. NOAC-cultured cells exhibit a marked resistance to excitotoxic stimuli carried by glutamate.