The regulatory role of macrophages in antigenic stimulation

Biological activity of algal derived carrageenan: A comprehensive review in light of human health and disease

Carrageenans are a family of natural linear sulfated polysaccharides derived from red seaweeds and used as a common food additive. Carrageenan's properties, impact on health, and aesthetic benefits have all been studied for a long time; however, the mechanisms are still unclear. In pharmaceutical aspects, carrageenan displayed potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties in both in vivo and in vitro action. It also contributes to potential disease-preventive activities through dynamic modulation of important intracellular signaling pathways, regulation of ROS buildup, and preservation of major cell survival and death processes which leads to potential drug development. Furthermore, the chemical synthesis of the current bioactive medicine with confirmational rearrangement may increase availability and bioactivity needs diligent examination. In this review, we give an up-to-date overview of recent research on Carrageenan with reference to health and therapeutic advantages. In addition, we have focused on structural conformation and its primary strategic deployment in disease prevention, as well as the mechanistic investigation of how it functions to combat various disease-preventive employed for future therapeutic interventions. This review may get new insights into the possible novel role of carrageenan and open up a novel disease-preventive mechanism and enhance human health.

Monocytes and macrophages in COVID-19: Friends and foes

The COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and is known as a pandemic emergency that has led to a high rate of mortality throughout the world. Evidence has indicated that hyperinflammatory responses triggered by SARS-CoV-2 are the main cause of pathogenicity in the severe cases of patients who have died during the current viral disease. Monocytes and macrophages as the most important cells of the innate arm of the immune system play a substantial part in the body's defense against viral infections. They mainly respond to the microbial antigens by producing inflammatory mediators to remove pathogens and repair tissue injury. Nevertheless, aberrant alterations in their function such as cytokine storm can be so harmful to the host in the acute respiratory distress syndrome cases caused by SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, inflammatory responses stimulated by SARS-CoV-2 have affected the other vital organs of the body including the heart. As cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients have been reported in several studies. During the infection, monocytes and macrophages may be involved in the hypersensitive and exacerbated reactions that contribute to the tissue damage, especially lung injury resulted in its dysfunction and respiratory disorder. In this review, we discuss both advantageous and disadvantageous about the pathological potential of monocytes and macrophages during the infection of SARS-CoV-2 to clarify their mutual effects on immune processing as a fist line defender in the current disease.

Genetic and pharmacological validation of TAK1 inhibition in macrophages as a therapeutic strategy to effectively inhibit TNF secretion

Immune challenge of invading macrophages at sites of infection is associated with release of TNF, which triggers a local cytokine storm as part of the normal inflammatory response. Whereas this response maybe beneficial in fighting off infections, similar responses triggered in autoimmune diseases contribute significantly to the underlying damaging pathology associated with these diseases. Here we show that Takinib, a highly discriminatory inhibitor of transforming growth factor Beta- activated kinase 1 (TAK1), selectively and potently reduces TNF production in pro-inflammatory THP-1 macrophages. A complete survey of 110 cytokines, showed robust loss of proinflammatory cytokine responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) challenge in response to Takinib. The mechanisms of action of Takinib was recapitulated in TAK1 KO macrophages. TAK1 KO cells showed significant loss of TNF production as well as release of IL-6 in response to LPS challenge. Furthermore, Takinib blocked the ability of exogenously added LPS to promote phosphorylation of, c-Jun, p38 protein kinases as well as downstream transcription factors regulated by nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). In a mouse LPS challenge model, Takinib significantly reduced TNF serum levels. Our findings demonstrate that Takinib has utility in the treatment inflammatory disease by locally suppressing TNF production from invading macrophages.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number and variety of electronic devices that emit electromagnetic waves. Because people live and work in close proximity to these pieces of electrical equipment, there is growing concern surrounding the destruction of homeostasis by electromagnetic field exposure. In the present study, the effects of 60 Hz 0.8 mT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) were examined. Under defined ELF-EMF exposure conditions, the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were increased in RAW 264.7 cells and the expression of those genes was also upregulated. However, cell proliferation was not altered. Translocation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), molecules that act downstream of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, were increased to the nucleus under ELF-EMF exposure conditions. In addition, we found that ELF-EMF exposure elevated activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) 2, as well as positively affected the influx of calcium. Furthermore, with both the presence of a potent antioxidant (Resveratrol) and downregulation of the antioxidant-related gene Prx-1 (Peroxiredoxin-1), ELF-EMF was associated with higher inflammatory responses of macrophages. These results suggest that an ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:374-385, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anti-CD47 antibody-mediated phagocytosis of cancer by macrophages primes an effective antitumor T-cell response

Mobilization of the T-cell response against cancer has the potential to achieve long-lasting cures. However, it is not known how to harness antigen-presenting cells optimally to achieve an effective antitumor T-cell response. In this study, we show that anti-CD47 antibody-mediated phagocytosis of cancer by macrophages can initiate an antitumor T-cell immune response. Using the ovalbumin model antigen system, anti-CD47 antibody-mediated phagocytosis of cancer cells by macrophages resulted in increased priming of OT-I T cells [cluster of differentiation 8-positive (CD8(+))] but decreased priming of OT-II T cells (CD4(+)). The CD4(+) T-cell response was characterized by a reduction in forkhead box P3-positive (Foxp3(+)) regulatory T cells. Macrophages following anti-CD47-mediated phagocytosis primed CD8(+) T cells to exhibit cytotoxic function in vivo. This response protected animals from tumor challenge. We conclude that anti-CD47 antibody treatment not only enables macrophage phagocytosis of cancer but also can initiate an antitumor cytotoxic T-cell immune response.

The effect of zinc and vitamin C supplementation on the immune status of patients with Crohn's disease

The immune status of 29 patients with Crohn's disease given oral supplements of Vitamin C, zinc or placebo for three-week periods was studied. Collectively, the patients showed T-cell hyporesponsiveness, as assessed by phytohaemagglutinin stimulation, which was significantly improved by Vitamin C. Both monocyte function, as assessed by latex phagocytosis, and pan T-Cell number were significantly reduced and were not influenced by supplementation. Humoral immunity, assessed by pokeweed mitogen-induced immunoglobulin synthesis, was normal and remained unchanged. Vitamin C supplements improved T-cell function in Crohn's disease, whereas neither Vitamin C nor zinc had a measurable effect on humoral immunity.

Treating activated CD4+ T cells with either of two distinct DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, 5-azacytidine or procainamide, is sufficient to cause a lupus-like disease in syngeneic mice

Human antigen-specific CD4+ T cells become autoreactive after treatment with various DNA methylation inhibitors, including 5-azacytidine, procainamide, and hydralazine. This suggests a mechanism that could contribute to the development of some forms of autoimmunity. In this report we have asked whether T cells treated with DNA methylation inhibitors can induce autoimmunity. Murine CD4+ T cells were treated with 5-azacytidine or procainamide and were shown to respond to syngeneic antigen-presenting cells, similar to CD4+ human T cell clones treated with these drugs. Functional characterization demonstrated that cells treated with either drug spontaneously lysed syngeneic macrophages and secreted IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-gamma. Adoptive transfer of 5-azacytidine- or procainamide-treated cells into unirradiated syngeneic recipients induced an immune complex glomerulonephritis and IgG anti-DNA and antihistone antibodies. These experiments demonstrate that T cells treated with either of two distinct DNA methyltransferase inhibitors are sufficient to induce a lupus-like disease. It is possible that the lysis of macrophages, together with the release of cytokines promoting B cell differentiation, contributes to the autoantibody production and immune complex deposition. These results suggest that environmental agents that inhibit DNA methylation could interact with T cells in vivo to produce a lupus-like illness, a mechanism that could have relevance to drug-induced and idiopathic lupus.

Small B cells as antigen-presenting cells in the induction of tolerance to soluble protein antigens

We have investigated the ability of resting B cells, acting as antigen-presenting cells, to induce tolerance to soluble protein antigens in mice, using an antigen targeted specifically to B cells. We inject mice intravenously with ultracentrifuged Fab fragments of rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin D (IgD) (Fab anti-delta). Treatment with Fab anti-delta results in profound tolerance to challenge with 100 micrograms Fab nonimmune rabbit Ig (Fab NRG), precipitated in alum, as measured by antibody production. Tolerance to rabbit Fab is antigen specific, since the treated mice make normal antibody responses to a control antigen, chicken Ig. Tolerance is dependent on antigen presentation by B cells, since intravenous injection of soluble Fab NRG, which is not targeted to B cells, results in a much lower frequency and degree of tolerance, especially at lower doses. T cell help in this system is affected, since T cells from Fab anti-delta-treated mice fail to provide help for an adoptive primary antibody response to Fab NRG when transferred together with normal B cells into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. The antigen-specific B cell compartment is also affected during tolerance induction, since B cells from treated animals make less antibody than normal B cells when transferred into SCID mice with normal T cells. Although the mechanism of nonresponsiveness in the helper T cell compartment remains to be determined, we think it is likely that the precursors of helper T cells are inactivated or deleted by encountering antigen presented by small, resting B cells, which lack accessory signals necessary to induce helper T cell proliferation and differentiation to effector function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The immunosuppressive effects of bilirubin

The strong effects of bilirubin on various levels of the immune system are multifactorial. Concerning the mechanisms of these effects, we hypothesize that the primary causes of the described actions of bilirubin are the direct interaction of bilirubin molecules with cell membranes.

Effect of saikosaponin on the immune responses in mice

The in vivo effects of saikosaponin, isolated from Bupleurum radix, on the immune responses are still poorly understood. We have already shown that saikosaponin-d increases phagocytic activities of murine peritoneal macrophages such as spreading activity, phagocytosis, lysosomal enzyme activity and intracellular killing activity of living yeast. This work extends these observations by showing that treatment with saikosaponin also increased the antibody response in plaque-forming cell numbers after in vivo immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and an augmentation of spleen cell proliferation responses to stimulation with T- or B-cell mitogens both before and after immunization. Furthermore, after SRBC immunization, the macrophages from mice treated with saikosaponin-d revealed significant increases in spreading activity and lysosomal enzyme activity. The chemiluminescences of the macrophages from mice treated with saikosaponin-d stimulated by opsonized zymosan and PMA were enhanced and interleukin-1 production by the cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that saikosaponin-d may stimulate in vivo immunological lymphocyte functions, partly by activating some macrophage functions.

Regulatory role of microfilaments in the induction of T4 cell proliferation and interleukin 2 production

The role of microfilaments in human T4 cell proliferation and lymphokine production triggered via various pathways of activation was examined by investigating the effects of cytochalasins on these responses. The data demonstrate that the effects of cytochalasins vary depending on the nature of the stimulus and on the concentration of the cytochalasin. Concentrations of cytochalasin that would be expected to bind both the low and high affinity binding sites (5-20 microM), that represent cytosolic and surface actin filaments, respectively inhibited T4 cell proliferation regardless of the stimulus. T4 cell proliferation stimulated by antigen-bearing APC or anti-CD3 was inhibited much more markedly than responses stimulated by ionomycin and PMA. In contrast, concentrations of cytochalasin expected to bind only high affinity binding sites (0.125-1 microM), represented by surface actin filaments, enhanced T4 cell proliferation and interleukin 2 production stimulated by mAb to CD2, CD3, or class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, but not those induced by mAb to the T cell receptor, paraformaldehyde fixed, or viable antigen-bearing APC, allogeneic APC, or ionomycin and PMA. The enhancing effect of cytochalasins on responses stimulated by cross-linking class I MHC molecules was studied in detail. Enhancement of T4 cell proliferation induced in this manner required that cytochalasin B was present between 4 and 18 hr of culture, but not before or after. The data demonstrate that T cell microfilaments play a number of roles in determining the magnitude of T cell responses induced by engaging specific cell surface receptors and imply that different components of the microfilament system exert opposing intrinsic regulatory effects on T cell function.

Interference with the humoral immune response in diverse genetic lines of chickens. II. The effect of colloidal carbon

Two experiments were conducted to study the difference in humoral immune responses between lines of chickens selected for high (H) or low (L) antibody production to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Prior to i.v. immunization with SRBC or Brucella abortus (BA), chicks of both lines were injected with either 2, 3 or 4 ml carbon suspension (59 mg carbon/ml) per kg body weight; controls were not injected. In both the H and L line, a higher dose of carbon showed a more progressive depression of the total antibody titer to SRBC during the initial stage of the primary response. The 2ME-resistant antibody titers to SRBC showed the same tendency during the latter phase of the primary response. However, chicks treated with 3 ml carbon had lower 2ME-resistant antibody titers than any other group. Following i.m. reimmunization with SRBC, the previous treatment with carbon doses enhanced total antibody titers throughout the secondary response, when compared to the controls. The 3 ml carbon-treated chicks had the highest total anti-SRBC titers in the secondary response. The secondary 2ME-resistant anti-SRBC titers were not affected by the carbon doses. Carbon treatment did not affect the antibody titers to BA. No differences between the H and L line were found in the effects of carbon on the humoral immune responses to SRBC or BA.

Donor Igh-linked genetic control of allotype-specific antibody response

Immunogenicity of allogeneic immunoglobulins in mice were studied, measuring the allotype-specific antibody activity by agglutination of allogeneic antibody-coated red blood cells. It was found that the serum from C.B-20 mice (Ighb, BALB/c-congenic) was uniquely immunogenic in BALB/c mice for allotype antibody response. Whereas the C57BL/6 (Ighb) serum was immunogenic only when heat aggregated and/or combined with adjuvant, the ultracentrifugation-deaggregated C.B-20 serum was definitely immunogenic when administered in a moderate dose (100 microliters/mouse). Even more surprising was the fast that very low doses (0.01-0.1 microliter) of soluble C.B-20 serum, but not C57BL/6 serum, down regulated the allotype-specific response effectively. Genetic analysis on congenic mice suggested that the immunogenicity is controlled by donor Igh or Igh-V (Id-C.B) inasmuch as the serum from BALB/c-congenic C.B-20 (Igh-VbCb), but not BALB/c-congenic BAB/14 (Igh-VaCb), mice was active in BALB/c mice in soluble form. Further studies showed that the Id-C.B was dominantly expressed on the immunoglobulins of (BALB/c x C.B-20)F1 and (C56BL/6 X C.B-20)F1 strains, and was originally derived from the C57BL/Ka strain. The major determinant for the antibody production was encoded in Igh-C, but not in Igh-V. It is suggested that Id-C.B controls the allotype-specific antibody response in an unusual manner, possibly acting as a unique determinant activating helper T cells.

The processing and presentation of mycobacterial antigens by human monocytes

The processing and presentation of whole irradiated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb gamma) and its purified protein derivative (PPD) by the peripheral blood monocytes from healthy Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated individuals was investigated. To study processing and presentation as events distinct from T cell recognition and proliferation, monocytes were pulsed with antigens for varying time intervals and fixed. The kinetics of presentation indicate that up to 2 h was required for effective presentation of PPD and 2-4 h for Mtb gamma, and that the ability to activate T cells declined as the time interval for which pulsing occurred was increased, so that responses were abolished by 8-10 h. Prefixed monocytes could not present Mtb gamma and PPD to T cells indicating that processing was an essential requisite. Lysosomotropic agents chloroquine, monensin, and leupeptin inhibited the presentation of these antigens suggesting the role of lysosomes/endosomes in processing. Furthermore, monocytes incubated with optimal concentration of antigens for different lengths of time released determinants which were still antigenic but circumvented the need for any further processing. Addition of nonprimed syngeneic monocytes, both untreated or paraformaldehyde fixed to cells which had been pulsed and fixed, restored the responses even at the later time periods when responses were not detected. This second interaction of the monocyte with T cells was not major histocompatibility complex restricted in that the addition of monocytes from another donor was equally effective.

Expression of Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis by airway intra-luminal macrophages

Macrophages in the conducting airways of the lower respiratory tract constitute an anatomically defineable subpopulation of pulmonary macrophages. Little information regarding the functional characteristics of the airway intra-luminal macrophages (AI-LM) is currently available. In this study, the AI-LM resident in the trachea and mainstem bronchi of the rat were harvested by an airway lavage technique and the ability of the AI-LM to phagocytize by Fc gamma-receptors was evaluated relative to the phagocytic activities of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. More than 60% of the AI-LM phagocytized sheep erythrocytes opsonized with IgG (SRBC-IgG) and the distributions of the engulfed SRBC-IgG in the phagocytic AI-LM were virtually identical to those in AM. The AI-LM may represent AM that have been translocated from the alveolar space compartment to the conducting airways; it remains possible, however, that at least some of the AI-LM may have an airway origin. Regardless, the results of our phagocytic studies suggest AI-LM may functionally provide a protective phagocytic role in the conducting airways.

Macrophages and dendritic cells in antigen-induced arthritis. An immunohistochemical study using cryostat sections of the whole knee joint of rat

Two non-lymphoid cell types play an important role in the pathogenesis of arthritis, i.e. the 'classical' macrophage and the antigen-presenting dendritic cell. In the present study, the roles of both cell types are studied in antigen-induced arthritis of the rat knee joint. Cryostat sections of whole, unfixed, undecalcified knee joints were used for immunohistochemical staining of non-lymphoid cells and lymphocyte subsets. For the demonstration of the different types of non-lymphoid cells, monoclonal antibodies against rat macrophages (ED1, ED2, and ED3) and against Ia antigen were used with an immunoperoxidase method. The results show in an overall view of the arthritic joint the different sites of action of the classical macrophages on the one hand and the Ia-positive dendritic cells on the other. Classical macrophages were mainly found in the superficial layers of the synovium bordering joint space and articular cartilage. Dendritic cells and T cells of the helper phenotype were mainly found in clusters surrounding small blood vessels within the synovium. These clusters express the immunological background of the antigen-induced arthritis and may well be responsible for the continuation of the arthritic process.

Functional defects of culture-grown bone marrow-derived macrophages from autoimmune MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr mice

To investigate the primary defects and development of macrophages in MRL/MpJ-/pr/lpr (MRL/l) mice, we used a pure population of macrophages derived from bone marrow precursor cells cultured in the presence of L-cell conditioned medium (LCM) as a source of colony stimulating factor. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM phi) from MRL/l mice had lower antigen presenting activity as detected by the induction of antigen-specific T cell proliferation, than age- and sex-matched control mice (CBA/J). Cell surface antigens (Ia and Mac-1) were determined quantitatively by a cell sorter as markers of macrophage differentiation. The BMM phi from MRL/l contained a much smaller number of Ia antigen-positive macrophages than those from normal mice. Treatment of BMM phi with an Ia-inducing of factor (IFN-gamma) markedly increased the expression of Ia antigens. This increase was significantly greater in BMM phi from MRL/l mice than in BMM phi from control mice. Expression of Mac-1 antigen was not different in BMM phi from the two strains. The Fc-mediated phagocytosis of IgG-coated sheep red blood cells was decreased in BMM phi from MRL/l mice compared with those from control mice. The function of nonspecific phagocytosis as measured by latex-bead incorporation was also impaired in MRL/l mice. The functional defects of MRL/l BMM phi found in these experiments are not secondary defects acquired under the influence of environmental signals during development, but are derived from the primary abnormalities which already exist in myeloid stem cells.

Induction of in vivo helper activity for murine antibody responses by macrophages pulsed with ovalbumin-monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (OA-mPEG) conjugates

Conjugates of protein antigens with an optimal number of monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) chains of an appropriate molecular weight had been shown to suppress murine IgE responses to the unmodified antigen. To investigate the possibility that the tolerogenic capacity of these mPEG conjugates is attributable to a defect in macrophage (M phi) presentation of their antigenic determinants, the activity of ovalbumin (OA)-mPEG conjugates when pulsed onto mouse peritoneal adherent cells (M phi) was compared in this study with their activity in solution. Surprisingly, in contrast to the suppressogenic capacity of mPEG conjugates in solution, the OA-mPEG pulsed M phi appeared to exert a helper effect when injected intraperitoneally (ip), i.e., after subsequent immunization with dinitrophenylated OA (DNP3-OA) in Al(OH)3, the mice showed accelerated IgE and IgG1 antibody responses to OA and DNP. However, when M phi were exposed to limiting concentrations of OA or OA-mPEG, markedly higher concentrations of OA-mPEG were required to yield pulsed M phi, exerting a significant helper effect. It was concluded that although M phi were capable of presenting the OA determinants of OA-mPEG conjugates to helper T (Th) cells, the preparations of modified antigen were presented less effectively than native OA.

Antagonistic regulatory properties of the Fc region of immunoglobulin

Coculture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with Fc fragments of human IgG, or the synthetic Fc region-derived peptide, p23, results in the release of oxidative products of arachidonic acid. Prostaglandin E was the major arachidonic acid metabolite found in the culture supernatants. Induction of polyclonal antibody production by Fc fragments and p23 is influenced by the concomitant production of prostaglandin E in culture. Addition of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, indomethacin and aspirin, to human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures resulted in a significant increase in the amount of polyclonal antibody produced. Moreover, addition of exogenous prostaglandin E to these cultures abrogated the ability of indomethacin to enhance Fc fragment-induced polyclonal antibody production. These results suggest that Fc fragments possess bifunctional immunoregulatory properties.

Shedding of plasma membrane fragments. Neoplastic and developmental importance

The phenomenon of shedding of cell surface macromolecules and their importance in the cancer process has been reviewed with particular emphasis on tumor membrane fragments. With cell activation (during growth or stimulation of normal cells), there is an increase in synthesis, processing, insertion, and eventual, intact release of certain membrane proteins, some of which are proteases. In cancer, these events occur spontaneously and without the temporal, physiological, or hormonal control apparent in normal cells. In a previous review (Black, 1980), many of the consequences of shedding tumor products were described, but the nature of the shed material was not clear. It now seems likely that some proteolytic, procoagulant, and immunosuppressive activities of shed material are contained within membrane particulate material (vesicles). Under normal conditions, shed membrane material (particularly proteolytic activity) may be necessary for cell movement and tissue remodeling which occur during embryogenesis. In cancer, shedding of plasma membrane fragments may be responsible for the key features of the malignant phenotype by the presence and release of proteolytic activity producing the separation of tumor cells from the primary site, invasion of the surrounding tissues by tumor cells, and formation of distinct metastases. Shed plasma membrane fragments may play a central role in tumor progression by enhancing the steps of the metastatic cascade, in particular by increasing tumor embolus formation (by enhanced fibrin deposition and platelet aggregation) and vascular permeability, as well as increasing basement membrane degradation. Shed membrane fragments (containing tumor antigens) either alone or complexed with antibody, may be responsible for blocking the cell-mediated immune reaction by the formation of "blocking factors" or by suppressing the formation of cytotoxic immune pathways. The suppression of immune response formation may be due to blocking of antigen presentation by macrophages (due to inhibition of Ia) or by the induction of Ts1 cells.

Investigations into the mechanism of immunosuppression caused by acute treatment with O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate. II. Effect on the ability of murine macrophages to present antigen

Acute administration of 10 mg/kg O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS-TMP) for 24 h has been shown to suppress the in vitro generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and antibody-secreting cells to sheep red blood cells and to increase interleukin-2 production. Macrophages were shown to be the splenic cell population most affected by OOS-TMP pretreatment. In this report, the ability of macrophages from OOS-TMP-treated animals to function in antigen presentation was shown to be significantly decreased. In addition, macrophages from treated animals had increased phagocytic capability and interleukin-l production. However, the percentage of Ia-positive macrophages present in splenic populations was decreased following OOS-TMP treatment. A decrease in antigen presenting ability and the number of Ia-positive macrophages may explain the reversible suppression in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antibody responses reported previously.

Possible involvement of transglutaminase in endocytosis and antigen presentation

Experiments were carried out to determine as to whether or not internalization of antigen is necessary for subsequent antigen presentation by accessory cells using monoamines which are known as transglutaminase (TGase) inhibitors. It was found that endocytosis for immune complexes via Fc receptors such as sheep erythrocytes coated with IgG class antibody (EA) was different from receptor-independent endocytosis for soluble protein such as horse radish peroxidase (HRP) in the sensitivity to monoamines; methylamine inhibited the receptor-dependent endocytosis of immune complexes at a concentration of over 20 mM and the receptor-independent endocytosis of HRP at 2 mM, while dansylcadaverine (DC) inhibited both at a concentration of 100 microM. It was noteworthy that antigen-specific T cell proliferation to splenic adherent cells pulsed with DNP9.6-ovalbumin (DNP9.6-OVA) was blocked strongly by DC as well, but weakly by methylamine. These results suggest the possibility that antigen presentation requires internalization of antigen by a mechanism such as receptor-dependent endocytosis for the subsequent reexpression of antigen on membranes. Furthermore, it was confirmed that TGase activity is high in peritoneal exudate and spleen adherent cells, both of which have accessory cell activities for lymphocytes, suggesting the possibility that TGase might be involved intimately in receptor-dependent endocytosis and subsequent antigen presentation.

Expression of I-region-associated antigen (Ia) and interleukin 1 by subcultured human endothelial cells

Activation of T cells requires three signals from an antigen-presenting cell: antigen, Ia determinants (HLA-D region determinants in man), and interleukin 1 (IL-1). Recent evidence has suggested that macrophages, dendritic cells, epidermal Langerhan's cells, and endothelial cells can each function as antigen-presenting cells (APC). If these cell types can independently function as APC, they should synthesize Ia determinants and secrete IL-1. To determine if endothelial cells fulfill these requirements, we have propagated human umbilical vein endothelial cells by serial subculture for extended periods of time and assessed Ia expression and IL-1 secretion. The endothelial cells were subcultured for 8 months (approximately 20 subcultures) and were found to display classic morphology and immunofluorescent staining for the endothelial cell-specific marker Factor VIII-related antigen. In a separate paper we have shown that these subcultured endothelial cells can present antigen to T cells in a HLA-D region-restricted fashion (C. R. Wagner, R. M. Vetto, and D. R. Burger, Subcultured human endothelial cells can independently function as fully competent antigen-presenting cells, accepted for publication, Hum. Immunol.). In this paper we present evidence demonstrating that extensively subcultured endothelial cells biosynthesize both HLA-DR and HLA-DS molecules after exposure to T cells and antigen or to a supernatant from antigen-activated T cells. Evidence is also presented that when endothelial cells are cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide they secrete a molecule(s) with IL-1 activity as assayed by LBRM-33-IA5 cell line production of interleukin 2.

Subcultured human endothelial cells can function independently as fully competent antigen-presenting cells

Recent evidence has suggested that dendritic cells, epidermal Langerhan's cells and endothelial cells (EC) as well as macrophages, fulfill the requirements of antigen-presenting cells. Despite a variety of controls, one weakness in the evidence that these latter cell types can independently serve as antigen-presenting cells is that the cell preparations may contain small numbers of contaminating macrophages or other cell types. The experiments described in this paper are directed towards providing firm evidence that human EC are independently capable of presenting antigen to T cells. EC were isolated from human umbilical veins and maintained continuously by serial subculture for periods of up to 8 months. The subcultured EC displayed classic EC morphology and uniform immunofluorescent staining for Factor VIII-related antigen. The subcultured EC (tested to the 18th subculture) presented both particulate and soluble antigens to macrophage-depleted T cells with an efficiency equivalent to freshly isolated cells. Monoclonal antibodies to HLA-DR and HLA-DS determinants inhibited antigen presentation by either autologous macrophages or EC. In addition, antigen presentation by the subcultured EC was not affected by the macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody Mac-120, which inhibited antigen presentation by autologous macrophages in the same experiments. These results are consistent with human EC being able to independently function as fully competent antigen-presenting cells.

Rational design of vaccines against enveloped RNA viruses

The enveloped RNA viruses are responsible for many important infectious diseases both in the UK and worldwide. The most familiar of these would probably be influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, dengue and yellow fever. Conventional vaccines against all of the most widespread diseases have been available for several years, although with widely varying degrees of safety and efficacy. Although vaccines against diseases such as measles, rubella, and yellow fever have been fairly successful, all vaccines against diseases caused by this group of viruses still have several drawbacks and are in need of improvement for a variety of reasons. During the past decade our knowledge in several diverse areas of the biological sciences has expanded to the extent that it can now be combined and serious attempts made to design and engineer biological molecules with immunogenic potential. First, significant advances have been made in elucidating the mechanisms operating in the immune defence network and in determining the structure of both immunogenic molecules and the components of the immune system with which they interact. Second, the development of recombinant DNA technology has enabled biological molecules to be synthesized under conditions not restricted by the characteristics of their parent organism. Such molecules can then be altered in such a way as to improve their efficiency and their level of production. It is the purpose of this paper to outline the problems associated with the production of vaccines against enveloped RNA viruses and to discuss how recent advances in knowledge and techniques can help to overcome these problems.

Vascular endothelial cells in cell-mediated immunity: adoptive transfer with in vitro conditioned cells is genetically restricted at the endothelial cell barrier

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is a cell-mediated immune response that can be adoptively transferred in rats when greater than 2 X 10(8) cells from peritoneal exudate, lymph nodes, or spleen are used. We have shown that by using an in vitro conditioning step with antigen, transfer can be subsequently carried out with as few as 2 X 10(7) spleen cells. The magnitude of DTH was reflected in ear swelling after intradermal injection of antigen [tuberculin or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)] and confirmed histologically. The transfer was antigen specific, requiring the sensitizing antigen in both the in vitro conditioning step and in the ear test challenge. Adoptive transfer with conditioned cells was genetically restricted by alleles of the RT-1 region [major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat]. Brown Norway strain (n haplotype) immune cells would not transfer DTH to Lewis (1 haplotype), ACI (a haplotype), or Buffalo (b haplotype) rats, whereas each strain would transfer DTH to syngeneic recipients. Moreover, this pattern of restriction held for all strains when tested in reciprocal fashion. In additional experiments, F1 to parental bone marrow chimeras were constructed so that bone-marrow-derived cells and non-bone-marrow-derived cells were of different RT-1 haplotypes. When these chimeras were used as recipients, transfer of DTH was only observed when immune donor cells and recipient non-bone-marrow-derived cells were syngeneic. These results point to the critical role of non-bone-marrow-derived cells (endothelial cells) in the DTH reaction.

Abrogation of macrophage-mediated suppression of T-lymphocyte proliferation with hemoglobin and hemin is a function of iron content

Hemoglobin, hemin, and ferric ion (Fe) were shown to reverse peritoneal exudate cell (PEC)-mediated suppression of concanavalin A-elicited murine spleen cell activation. Titration of hemoglobin and hemin relative to Fe showed a direct relationship between Fe content and reversal of PEC suppression. Indomethacin enhanced the capacity of all three compounds to abrogate PEC suppression on the order of five- to eight-fold. The capacity of endogenous Fe-containing substances as hemoglobin and its catabolites, e.g., hemin, to modulate macrophage expression may be of special significance at sites of inflammation.

Histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the endometrial connective tissue stroma from mice continuously fed diethylstilbestrol

Histochemical and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to examine the endometrial connective tissue stroma of mice continuously fed diethylstilbestrol (DES). Virgin female mice were continuously fed diets containing 0, 320, or 640 ppb DES from 4 weeks of age until moribund. All animals reported on in this study were between 622 to 762 days of age when sacrificed. Light microscopy revealed irregular deposits of homogeneous acidophilic material throughout the connective tissue stroma with frequent accumulations seen immediately beneath the surface epithelial layer and surrounding blood vessels. Histochemical results indicated the presence of collagen and fibrin as components of the acidophilic material. Ultrastructural results revealed a homogeneous stroma consisting of short segments of collagen fibrils enmeshed in an amorphous component. Numerous plasma cells were seen in close approximation to macrophages and lymphocytes. Fibroblast cell membranes exhibited micropinocytotic vesicles. Eosinophils were numerous in the stroma and often seen in close approximation to fibroblast projections. Vascular endothelial layers contained numerous micropinocytotic vesicles and marginal flaps. The accumulation of homogeneous material within the connective tissue stroma may represent products from collagen degradation and a subsequent localized immune response as well as plasma components.

Inflammatory cell infiltrate in labial salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with special emphasis on tissue mast cells

The labial salivary glands of 81 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those of 45 control (CO) patients were biopsied. Mast cell counts were compared with the number of other inflammatory cells (B- and T-lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, stained with acid-alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase technique (ANAE) and to fatty change and fibrosis. Mast cells were directly related to the amount of fibrosis and fatty change in both series, supporting the recent theory that these changes are age-related phenomena and not caused by RA per se. Mast cell counts increased slightly with increasing inflammatory cell infiltration, but no correlation could be found between mast cell counts and B or T cells. Mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) cells were fewer in the RA group than in CO patients, possibly suggesting an impaired phagocytizing capacity in their salivary glands. In many respects the results are consistent with the known functions of tissue mast cells. Their role in the labial salivary glands is discussed in the light of current immunopathologic concepts of RA and lesions associated with it, i.e. Sjögren's syndrome.

Modification of humoral immune response in chickens following treatment with carrageenan

Carrageenan treatment of chickens resulted in splenomegaly and enlargement of bursa but had no effect on the thymus. The dose and route of administration had a profound effect on humoral immune response to Brucella abortus and sheep red blood cells. Antibody response to B. abortus was either unaffected or significantly enhanced, whereas response to red blood cells was severely suppressed. Furthermore, delineation of the class of antibody response affected by the treatment, using 2-mercaptoethanol, suggested that there was a selective inhibition of IgG response to the T dependent antigen.

Chloroquine inhibits accessory cell presentation of soluble natural and synthetic protein antigens

We have studied the in vitro effect of the lysosomotrophic agent, chloroquine, on the presentation of soluble protein antigens by guinea pig accessory cells. Chloroquine inhibited the capacity of antigen-pulsed accessory cells to stimulate proliferation in appropriately primed T cells. The effect was time- and dose-dependent. A brief treatment solely of the accessory cells with the drug compromised their ability to stimulate primed T cells in a subsequent culture provided the accessory cells were treated with chloroquine before their exposure to the antigen. These results suggest that chloroquine acts on an early event in the antigen handling by accessory cells. Chloroquine is a well known inhibitor of lysosomal proteolysis, and it is likely that its effect on antigen presentation is caused by an inhibition of antigen degradation.

Effects of anti-macrophage serum on immunological reactivity and on the T cell area of the cloacal bursa in the chicken

The effects of rabbit anti-chicken macrophage serum (RACMS) on the immune response in chickens stimulated locally with sheep red-blood cells (SRBC; T cell-dependent antigen) were studied, and the morphological alterations in the diffusely infiltrated area (DIA; T cell region of the bursa) were measured morphometrically. The response to SRBC was very significantly impaired in locally immunized chickens treated systemically with RACMS. In the DIA, systemic treatment with RACMS dramatically decreased the relative number of MPS cells (p less than 0.001). Local administration of RACMS, in turn, caused pronounced morphological changes in the PCVs of the DIA: decrease in the diameter of the PCV and its lumen, due to the flattening of the endothelial cells. A highly significant decline in the migration index was observed as well. This study confirms the important function of MPS cells in a T-dependent immune response and further suggests that circulating MPS cells, like T and B lymphocytes, may use the PCVs as route of migration from blood to lymphatic tissue.

Enumeration of T cell subsets with monoclonal antibodies in minor salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Labial salivary glands of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and those of 25 control patients were examined by the ANAE (acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase) technique to determine the percentages of B- and T-lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes (MPS cells). Using monoclonal antibodies (OKT3 for all T cells, OKT4 for helper/inducer T cells, OKT6 for thymocytes, and OKT8 for suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) T cell subsets were enumerated. B-lymphocytes predominated in both series of salivary glands, and the percentages of B and T cells were equal in both series. The absolute cell counts in the salivary glands of rheumatics were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than in those of healthy controls. The number of OKT4+ cells was increased in rheumatics, leading to an elevated OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio when compared with that in controls (P less than 0.01). The results suggest that the basic phenomenon behind the B cell hyperactivity noticed in rheumatics might be due to increased activity of T helper cells rather than reduced number of T suppressor cells, which were shown to remain almost unaffected in the salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Antigen processing and presentation by macrophages

The classical macrophage is one of the most important cells involved in presenting antigen to helper T cells, because of its ability to regulate its expression of Ia molecules and to encounter and process particulate and soluble antigens. We have summarized in this report studies examining the handling by macrophages of two different antigens, the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and the protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEL). The purpose was to identify potential sources of immunogenic peptides. Presentation of Listeria required an intracellular processing stage sensitive to lysosomotropic drugs. The Listeria required internalization and processing, after which immunogenic molecules were recognized by T cells on the macrophage surface. Metabolic studies showed that Listeria-derived peptides were released by macrophages that had phagocytosized the bacteria. The release of these peptides was a temperature-dependent process, unaffected by inhibiting lysosomal catabolism by treatment with chloroquine. Listeria-derived peptides were also detected on the surface of the macrophage. These peptides behaved like integral membrane proteins, some of which persisted for at least 24 hr at the macrophage surface. When tested for immunogenicity, the released peptides were very weakly immunogenic. The membrane-associated peptides alone could not stimulate Listeria-specific T cells, but could be reprocessed by additional macrophages and subsequently stimulate the T cells. A defined antigen system using HEL-specific T-cell hybridomas was used to examine the processing of HEL. Presentation of HEL required a chloroquine-sensitive intracellular processing stage. In examining two T-cell hybridomas, a differential requirement for antigen processing was determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Restoration of allograft responsiveness in B rats. IV. The divergent migratory behavior of lymphocyte populations mediating cardiac allograft rejection

The T lymphocyte-deprived (B) rat, produced by X-radiation and bone marrow reconstitution of adolescent thymectomized animals, exhibits a true immunological deficit and are unable to reject histoincompatible heterotopic cardiac allografts. A comprehensive survey of lymphocyte traffic in B recipients was performed to correlate the differential potency of specifically sensitized lymphocyte populations mediating re-establishment of immune responsiveness toward the graft, with their migratory and recirculatory behavior. 111In-oxine-labeled thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) were retained in the peripheral blood and migrated from nonlymphoid organs to lymph nodes of B recipients in higher proportion than any other lymphoid population, particularly splenic lymphocytes (SL). Although all cell groups but TDL were sequestered in the spleen in equal and relatively large numbers, no differences were found between the lymphocyte populations tested in their capacity to accumulate in the grafts. In contrast, an increased avidity in the allograft of 125IUdR-labeled TDL and lymph node (LNL) lymphoblasts, as compared to 125IUdR-labeled SL, resembles closely the results of functional studies of the differential potency of adoptively transferred cells. We assume that specific cellular interactions induced by the accumulated 125IUdR-labeled cells invoke nonspecific mechanisms for the recruitment of other uncommitted 111In-labeled lymphocytes which recirculate between blood and lymph and localize indiscriminately in the allograft amplifying its rejection. The latter lymphocytes can be "armed" by adherent cells residing in the lymphoid organs of graft recipients, particularly spleen, and subsequently increase the penetration of the foreign tissue. When radiolabeled lymphocytes were traced in B recipients experiencing rejection of their allografts following transfer of sensitized cells plus lymphokine, their migration patterns as well as blastogenic response in B hosts were similar to those observed during acute rejection of cardiac allografts in unmodified hosts. Thus the similarities between the rejection network brought by alloimmune cells into otherwise unresponsive animals and immunocompetent animals able to reject their grafts are stressed.

Precise localization of antigens on follicular dendritic cells

Horse-spleen ferritin or bovine serum albumin conjugated to colloidal gold (BSA-gold) were injected subcutaneously in preimmunized mice. In draining lymph nodes both antigens were located in macrophages or between the cytoplasmic processes of follicular dendritic cells (FDC). Some of the antigens remained trapped on FDC until day 31 after injection. Simultaneous injection of both antigens showed that they were located between the infoldings of the same FDC. These cells are thus able to retain at least two different antigens on their surface. The peculiar arrangement of ferritin between the cytoplasmic infoldings suggests that this antigen is fixed on both cell membranes by specific antibodies. The trapped immune complexes could thus stabilize the FDC membrane system. The antigen retention requires the presence of specific antibodies since BSA-gold or ferritin injected without preimmunization were not found between FDC processes. Nonantigenic materials, such as colloidal gold or carbon particles, are not trapped by FDC, except when injected in large amounts. The antigens were trapped on the surface of FDC, however unfrequently in close contact with lymphocytes. FDC might protect lymphocytes against an excess of immune complexes and act as regulators of contacts between lymphocytes and immune complexes.