The C-type lectin CD209b is expressed on microglia and it mediates the uptake of capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Modified recombinant human IgG1-Fc is superior to natural intravenous immunoglobulin at inhibiting immune-mediated demyelination

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an established treatment for numerous autoimmune conditions. Although Fc fragments derived from IVIG have shown efficacy in controlling immune thrombocytopenia in children, the mechanisms of action are unclear and controversial. The aim of this study was to dissect IVIG effector mechanisms using further adapted Fc fragments on demyelination in an ex vivo model of the central nervous system-immune interface. Using organotypic cerebellar slice cultures (OSCs) from transgenic mice, we induced extensive immune-mediated demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss with an antibody specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and complement. Protective effects of adapted Fc fragments were assessed by live imaging of green fluorescent protein expression, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Cysteine- and glycan-adapted Fc fragments protected OSC from demyelination in a dose-dependent manner where equimolar concentrations of either IVIG or control Fc were ineffective. The protective effects of the adapted Fc fragments are partly attributed to interference with complement-mediated oligodendroglia damage. Transcriptome analysis ruled out signatures associated with inflammatory or innate immune responses. Taken together, our findings show that recombinant biomimetics can be made that are at least two hundred-fold more effective than IVIG in controlling demyelination by anti-MOG antibodies.

Capsular polysaccharide switching in Streptococcus suis modulates host cell interactions and virulence

The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Streptococcus suis defines various serotypes based on its composition and structure. Though serotype switching has been suggested to occur between S. suis strains, its impact on pathogenicity and virulence remains unknown. Herein, we experimentally generated S. suis serotype-switched mutants from a serotype 2 strain that express the serotype 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, or 14 CPS. The effects of serotype switching were then investigated with regards to classical properties conferred by presence of the serotype 2 CPS, including adhesion to/invasion of epithelial cells, resistance to phagocytosis by macrophages, killing by whole blood, dendritic cell-derived pro-inflammatory mediator production and virulence using mouse and porcine infection models. Results demonstrated that these properties on host cell interactions were differentially modulated depending on the switched serotypes, although some different mutations other than loci of CPS-related genes were found in each the serotype-switched mutant. Among the serotype-switched mutants, the mutant expressing the serotype 8 CPS was hyper-virulent, whereas mutants expressing the serotype 3 or 4 CPSs had reduced virulence. By contrast, switching to serotype 7, 9, or 14 CPSs had little to no effect. These findings suggest that serotype switching can drastically alter S. suis virulence and host cell interactions.

Dose-dependent inhibition of demyelination and microglia activation by IVIG

Objective

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an established treatment for numerous autoimmune conditions. Clinical trials of IVIG for multiple sclerosis, using diverse dose regimens, yielded controversial results. The aim of this study is to dissect IVIG effector mechanisms on demyelination in an ex vivo model of the central nervous system (CNS)‐immune interface.

Methods

Using organotypic cerebellar slice cultures (OSC) from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in oligodendrocytes/myelin, we induced extensive immune‐mediated demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss with an antibody specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and complement. Protective IVIG effects were assessed by live imaging of GFP expression, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, gene expression analysis and flow cytometry.

Results

IVIG protected OSC from demyelination in a dose‐dependent manner, which was at least partly attributed to interference with complement‐mediated oligodendroglia damage, while binding of the anti‐MOG antibody was not prevented. Staining with anti‐CD68 antibodies and flow cytometry confirmed that IVIG prevented microglia activation and oligodendrocyte death, respectively. Equimolar IVIG‐derived Fab fragments or monoclonal IgG did not protect OSC, while Fc fragments derived from a polyclonal mixture of human IgG were at least as potent as intact IVIG.

Interpretation

Both intact IVIG and Fc fragments exert a dose‐dependent protective effect on antibody‐mediated CNS demyelination and microglia activation by interfering with the complement cascade and, presumably, interacting with local immune cells. Although this experimental model lacks blood–brain barrier and peripheral immune components, our findings warrant further studies on optimal dose finding and alternative modes of application to enhance local IVIG concentrations at the site of tissue damage.

IVIg protects the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease from memory deficit and Aβ pathology

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is currently in clinical study for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, preclinical investigations are required to better understand AD-relevant outcomes of IVIg treatment and develop replacement therapies in case of unsustainable supply.

Methods

We investigated the effects of IVIg in the 3xTg-AD mouse model, which reproduces both Aβ and tau pathologies. Mice were injected twice weekly with 1.5 g/kg IVIg for 1 or 3 months.

Results

IVIg induced a modest but significant improvement in memory in the novel object recognition test and attenuated anxiety-like behavior in 3xTg-AD mice. We observed a correction of immunologic defects present in 3xTg-AD mice (−22% CD4/CD8 blood ratio; −17% IL-5/IL-10 ratio in the cortex) and a modulation of CX3CR1⁺ cell population (−13% in the bone marrow). IVIg treatment led to limited effects on tau pathology but resulted in a 22% reduction of the soluble Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and a 60% decrease in concentrations of 56 kDa Aβ oligomers (Aβ*56).

Conclusion

The memory-enhancing effect of IVIg reported here suggests that Aβ oligomers, effector T cells and the fractalkine pathway are potential pharmacological targets of IVIg in AD.

Microglia development and function

Proper development and function of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) depend critically on the activity of parenchymal sentinels referred to as microglia. Although microglia were first described as ramified brain-resident phagocytes, research conducted over the past century has expanded considerably upon this narrow view and ascribed many functions to these dynamic CNS inhabitants. Microglia are now considered among the most versatile cells in the body, possessing the capacity to morphologically and functionally adapt to their ever-changing surroundings. Even in a resting state, the processes of microglia are highly dynamic and perpetually scan the CNS. Microglia are in fact vital participants in CNS homeostasis, and dysregulation of these sentinels can give rise to neurological disease. In this review, we discuss the exciting developments in our understanding of microglial biology, from their developmental origin to their participation in CNS homeostasis and pathophysiological states such as neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegeneration, sterile injury responses, and infectious diseases. We also delve into the world of microglial dynamics recently uncovered using real-time imaging techniques.

Inherited variation in pattern recognition receptors and cancer: dangerous liaisons?

The group of pattern recognition receptors includes families of Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and RIG-I-like receptors. They are key sensors for a number of infectious agents, some of which are carcinogenic, and they launch an immune response against them. Inherited structural variation in genes encoding these receptors and proteins of their signaling pathways may affect their function, modulating cancer risk and features of cancer progression. Relevant malignancies, valuable gene polymorphisms, prime questions about future directions, and answers to these questions are analyzed in this review. It is possible to suggest that polymorphisms of genes encoding pattern recognition receptors and proteins of their signaling pathways may be associated with almost all cancer types, particularly with those in which carcinogenic infectious agents are responsible for the substantial share of cases (namely gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma). The concept of selection of polymorphisms for further oncogenomic investigation, based on a combination of results from basic and epidemiological studies, is proposed.

DC-SIGN Family of Receptors

In the immune system, C-type lectins and CTLDs have been shown to act both as adhesion and as pathogen recognition receptors. The Dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) and its homologs in human and mouse represent an important C-type lectin family. DC-SIGN contains a lectin domain that recognizes in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner carbohydrates such as mannose-containing structures present on glycoproteins such as ICAM-2 and ICAM-3. DC-SIGN is a prototype C-type lectin organized in microdomains, which have their role as pathogen recognition receptors in sensing microbes. Although the integrin LFA-1 is a counter-receptor for both ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 on DC, DC-SIGN is the high affinity adhesion receptor for ICAM-2/-3. While cell–cell contact is a primary function of selectins, collectins are specialized in recognition of pathogens. Interestingly, DC-SIGN is a cell adhesion receptor as well as a pathogen recognition receptor. As adhesion receptor, DC-SIGN mediates the contact between dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes, by binding to ICAM-3, and mediates rolling of DCs on endothelium, by interacting with ICAM-2. As pathogen receptor, DC-SIGN recognizes a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and several parasites (Cambi et al. 2005). The natural ligands of DC-SIGN consist of mannose oligosaccharides or fucose-containing Lewis-type determinants. In this chapter, we shall focus on the structure and functions of DC-SIGN and related CTLDs in the recognition of pathogens, the molecular and structural determinants that regulate the interaction with pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The heterogeneity of carbohydrate residues exposed on cellular proteins and pathogens regulates specific binding of DC-expressed C-type lectins that contribute to the diversity of immune responses created by DCs (van Kooyk et al. 2003a; Cambi et al. 2005).

Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis continues to be associated with high rates of mortality and long-term neurological sequelae. The most common route of infection starts by nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which must avoid mucosal entrapment and evade the host immune system after local activation. During invasive disease, pneumococcal epithelial adhesion is followed by bloodstream invasion and activation of the complement and coagulation systems. The release of inflammatory mediators facilitates pneumococcal crossing of the blood-brain barrier into the brain, where the bacteria multiply freely and trigger activation of circulating antigen-presenting cells and resident microglial cells. The resulting massive inflammation leads to further neutrophil recruitment and inflammation, resulting in the well-known features of bacterial meningitis, including cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, cochlear damage, cerebral edema, hydrocephalus, and cerebrovascular complications. Experimental animal models continue to further our understanding of the pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis and provide the platform for the development of new adjuvant treatments and antimicrobial therapy. This review discusses the most recent views on the pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis, as well as potential targets for (adjunctive) therapy.

The spectrum of invasive pneumococcal disease at an adult tertiary care hospital in the early 21st century

Despite widespread pneumococcal vaccination of children and adults, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains prominent. Using our database of all Streptococcus pneumoniae infections at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, since 2000, we reviewed cases of IPD, defined as the isolation of pneumococci from any normally sterile body site. In 136 cases, the mean age of patients was 63 years; 43% were African American, a higher proportion than the 30% served by our hospital. One hundred sixteen patients (85%) had pneumonia, of whom 3 also had empyema. Seven had bacteremia with no apparent source, 5 meningitis, 5 spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, 3 septic arthritis, 2 endocarditis, and individual patients had osteomyelitis and/or localized abscesses. One hundred twenty-one patients (89%) had > or =1 underlying condition associated with susceptibility to pneumococcal infection, and another 8 (6%) were aged >65 years old. Thus only 5% of patients lacked a condition for which 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is recommended. Fifty-five percent had been vaccinated; similar proportions of vaccine serotypes infected previously vaccinated and nonvaccinated patients. All but 2 isolates were fully susceptible to penicillin and cefotaxime as currently defined. Consistent with substantial replacement of infecting serotypes since the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), none of the predominant infecting serotypes was included in PCV7, although all except for 6A were contained in PPV23. The overall mortality at 30 days was 16% and was similar in vaccinated and nonvaccinated subjects. IPD causes a wide spectrum of disease. Mortality is substantial. PPV23 is clearly not fully protective.

The encapsulated strain TIGR4 of Streptococcus pneumoniae is phagocytosed but is resistant to intracellular killing by mouse microglia

The polysaccharide capsule is a major virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae as it confers resistance to phagocytosis. The encapsulated serotype 4 TIGR4 strain was shown to be efficiently phagocytosed by the mouse microglial cell line BV2, whereas the type 3 HB565 strain resisted phagocytosis. Comparing survival after uptake of TIGR4 or its unencapsulated derivative FP23 in gentamicin protection and phagolysosome maturation assays, it was shown that TIGR4 was protected from intracellular killing. Pneumococcal capsular genes were up-regulated in intracellular TIGR4 bacteria recovered from microglial cells. Actual presence of bacteria inside BV2 cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for both TIGR4 and FP23 strains, but typical phagosomes/phagolysosomes were detected only in cells infected with the unencapsulated strain. In a mouse model of meningitis based on intracranic inoculation of pneumococci, TIGR4 caused lethal meningitis with an LD(50) of 2 × 10² CFU, whereas the LD(50) for the unencapsulated FP23 was greater than 10⁷ CFU. Phagocytosis of TIGR4 by microglia was also demonstrated by TEM and immunohistochemistry on brain samples from infected mice. The results indicate that encapsulation does not protect the TIGR4 strain from phagocytosis by microglia, while it affords resistance to intracellular killing.

Microglia: biology and pathology

The past 20 years have seen a gain in knowledge on microglia biology and microglia functions in disease that exceeds the expectations formulated when the microglia "immune network" was introduced. More than 10,000 articles have been published during this time. Important new research avenues of clinical importance have opened up such as the role of microglia in pain and in brain tumors. New controversies have also emerged such as the question of whether microglia are active or reactive players in neurodegenerative disease conditions, or whether they may be victims themselves. Premature commercial interests may be responsible for some of the confusion that currently surrounds microglia in both the Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease research fields. A critical review of the literature shows that the concept of "(micro)glial inflammation" is still open to interpretation, despite a prevailing slant towards a negative meaning. Perhaps the most exciting foreseeable development concerns research on the role of microglia in synaptic plasticity, which is expected to yield an answer to the question whether microglia are the brain's electricians. This review provides an analysis of the latest developments in the microglia field.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the carbohydrate-recognition domain of SIGN-R1, a receptor for microbial polysaccharides and sialylated antibody on splenic marginal zone macrophages

SIGN-R1, or CD209b, is a mouse C-type lectin receptor that is expressed at high levels on macrophages in lymphoid tissues, especially within the marginal zone of the spleen. SIGN-R1 can bind and mediate the uptake of various microbial polysaccharides, including dextrans, lipopolysaccharides and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides. It has been shown that SIGN-R1 mediates the clearance of encapsulated pneumococcus, complement fixation via binding C1q independent of antibody and innate resistance to pneumococcal infection. Recently, SIGN-R1 has also been demonstrated to bind sialylated antibody and mediate its activity to suppress autoimmunity. The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of SIGN-R1 has been cloned and overexpressed in a soluble secretory form in mammalian Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The CRD protein of SIGN-R1 was purified from CHO cell-culture supernatant and concentrated for crystallization using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 291 K. Crystals grew from a mixture of 2 M ammonium sulfate in 0.1 M bis-tris pH 5.5. Single crystals, which belonged to the monoclinic space group C2 with unit-cell parameters a = 146.72, b = 92.77, c = 77.06 A, beta = 121.66 degrees , allowed the collection of a full X-ray data set to a maximum resolution of 1.87 A.