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Fozza C, Barraqueddu F, Corda G, Contini S, Virdis P, Dore F, Bonfigli S, Longinotti M. Study of the T-cell receptor repertoire by CDR3 spectratyping. J Immunol Methods 2016; 440:1-11. [PMID: 27823906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The T-cell receptor (TCR) is the key player within the so called immunological synapse and the analysis of its repertoire offers a picture of both versatility and wideness of the whole immune T-cell compartment. Among the different approaches applied to its study the so-called spectratyping identifies the pattern of the third complementarity determining region (CDR3) length distribution in each one of the beta variable (TRBV) subfamilies encoded by the corresponding genes. This technique consists in a CDR3 fragment analysis through capillary electrophoresis, performed after cell separation, RNA extraction and reverse transcriptase PCR. This review will run through the most relevant studies which have tried to dissect the TCR repertoire usage in patients with different immune-mediated and infective diseases as well as solid or haematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Fozza
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Francesca Barraqueddu
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Corda
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Contini
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Virdis
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fausto Dore
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvana Bonfigli
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maurizio Longinotti
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Maruoka R, Aoki N, Kido M, Iwamoto S, Nishiura H, Ikeda A, Chiba T, Watanabe N. Splenectomy prolongs the effects of corticosteroids in mouse models of autoimmune hepatitis. Gastroenterology 2013; 145:209-220.e9. [PMID: 23523671 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Most patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) initially respond to treatment with corticosteroids but often experience a relapse after treatment is withdrawn. BALB/c mice with disruption of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1(-/-) mice) that undergo thymectomy 3 days after birth develop a deregulated immune system, have reduced numbers of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells, and develop fulminant hepatic failure that resembles acute-onset AIH in humans. We examined whether splenectomy overcomes corticosteroid insufficiency and reduces the severity of AIH in these mice. We also developed a mouse model of chronic AIH to investigate the effects of splenectomy. METHODS After thymectomy, BALB/c PD-1(-/-) mice were treated with dexamethasone before or after induction of AIH; splenectomy was performed in mice that had and had not been treated with dexamethasone. Neonatal C57BL/6 PD-1(-/-) mice underwent thymectomy to create a model of chronic AIH. RESULTS Injection of dexamethasone before or after induction of AIH prevented development of fatal AIH in BALB/c PD-1(-/-) mice. However, injection of dexamethasone after induction of AIH did not suppress splenic production of follicular helper T cells, and discontinuation of dexamethasone led to a relapse of AIH. Splenectomy (even without administration of dexamethasone) prevented AIH. Neonatal C57BL/6 PD-1(-/-) mice that underwent thymectomy developed chronic hepatitis with fibrosis and hypergammaglobulinemia and produced antinuclear antibodies; AIH was found to be induced in the spleen. Splenectomy reduced liver inflammation in these mice and in BALB/c PD-1(-/-) mice with AIH. CONCLUSIONS AIH can be induced in mice via disruption of PD-1 and thymectomy; these cause the same disruptions in immune regulation in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice but produce different phenotypes. Splenectomy overcomes corticosteroid insufficiency in mice and prolongs the effects of dexamethasone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryutaro Maruoka
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Aoki
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kido
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Iwamoto
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hisayo Nishiura
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Aki Ikeda
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Norihiko Watanabe
- Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Xenobiotic exposure and autoimmune hepatitis. HEPATITIS RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2010; 2010:248157. [PMID: 21253536 PMCID: PMC3021850 DOI: 10.1155/2010/248157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Although genetics contributes to the development of autoimmune diseases, it is clear that "environmental" factors are also required. These factors are thought to encompass exposure to certain drugs and environmental pollutants. This paper examines the mechanisms that normally maintain immune unresponsiveness in the liver and discusses how exposure to certain xenobiotics such as trichloroethylene may disrupt those mechanisms and promote autoimmune hepatitis.
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Root-Bernstein R. Autoreactive T-cell receptor (Vbeta/D/Jbeta) sequences in diabetes are homologous to insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and the glucagon receptor. J Mol Recognit 2009; 22:177-87. [PMID: 19051206 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The hypervariable (Vbeta/D/Jbeta) regions of T-cell receptors (TCR) have been sequenced in a variety of autoimmune diseases by various investigators. An analysis of some of these sequences shows that TCR from both human diabetics and NOD mice mimic insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and the glucagon receptor. Such similarities are not found in the TCR produced in other human autoimmune diseases. These data may explain how insulin, glucagon, and their receptors are targets of autoimmunity in diabetes and also suggest that TCR mimicking insulin and its receptor may be targets of anti-insulin autoantibodies. Such intra-systemic mimicry of self-proteins also raises complex questions about how "self" and "nonself" are regulated during TCR production, especially in light of the complementarity of insulin for its receptor and glucagon for its receptor. The data presented here suggest that some TCR may be complementary to other TCR in autoimmune diseases, a possibility that is experimentally testable. Such complementarity, if it exists, could either serve to down-regulate the clones bearing such TCR or, alternatively, trigger an intra-immune system civil war between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Root-Bernstein
- Department of Physiology, 2174 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Eysteinsdottir JH, Freysdottir J, Skaftadottir I, Helgason H, Haraldsson A, Ogmundsdottir HM. Vbeta usage and T regulatory cells in children following partial or total thymectomy after open heart surgery in infancy. Scand J Immunol 2008; 69:162-8. [PMID: 19144077 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02203.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
During open heart surgery in infants the thymus was usually removed, partly or completely. Our previous studies on 16 such children indicated reduced T-cell output later in life with signs of extrathymic maturation of the T cells, but no reduction in T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+). The diversity of the T-cell repertoire in these children was examined to test if the extrathymic microenvironment could alter Vbeta usage. The expression of Foxp3 and CD127 in CD4+CD25(high) T cells was measured in order to determine whether the T regulatory cells had the phenotype of natural T regulatory cells. There was a wide distribution of Vbeta usage in both study and control groups. Significant variability was found in Vbeta usage for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells when the distribution of the percentage of T cells expressing each Vbeta family was analysed between individuals within each group (P < 0.001; Kruskal-Wallis). Significant difference was also found in average usage of Vbeta2, Vbeta5.1 and Vbeta14 chains within CD4+ T cells and Vbeta2, Vbeta8 and Vbeta21.3 chains within CD8+ cells between the groups (P < 0.05; Student's t-test). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to the proportion of CD4+CD25(high) T cells and no difference in the average expression of Foxp3 or CD127 within the CD4+CD25(high) population. Our data provide evidence that cardiothoracic surgery in infants and total or partial thymectomy alters Vbeta usage, suggesting more limited selection in such children than in the control group. The frequency of natural T regulatory cells seems to be unimpaired.
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Goldberg AC, Bittencourt PL, Oliveira LC, Ramasawmy R, Marin MLC, Palacios SA, Kalil J, Porta G. Autoimmune hepatitis in Brazil: an overview. Scand J Immunol 2007; 66:208-16. [PMID: 17635798 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.01967.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is an immune cell-mediated chronic liver disease of unknown cause that leads, when untreated, to cirrhosis and liver failure. Importantly, this disease affects not only adults but children as well. Genetic susceptibility is clearly important and the major susceptibility factor identified up to now is the HLA-DRB1 locus, but other genes may play a role as well. HLA-DRB1 alleles present in South American patients differ from those found in patients in other parts of the world. In addition, we have recently identified two chromosomal regions where additional susceptibility factors may be found in Brazilian patients, namely, the class III MHC region and the 5q31 region where the IL-4 and IL-13 genes are located. This review discusses the current knowledge of the pathogenesis of this autoimmune disease occurring in the setting of an immune-privileged organ, the liver, and compares the data on gene polymorphisms studied in Brazil and in other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Goldberg
- Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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MACK CARAL, FALTA MICHAELT, SULLIVAN ANDREWK, KARRER FREDERICK, SOKOL RONALDJ, FREED BRIANM, FONTENOT ANDREWP. Oligoclonal expansions of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the target organ of patients with biliary atresia. Gastroenterology 2007; 133:278-87. [PMID: 17631149 PMCID: PMC1949019 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2006] [Accepted: 04/02/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Biliary atresia is an inflammatory, fibrosclerosing neonatal cholangiopathy, characterized by a periductal infiltrate composed of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. The pathogenesis of this disease has been proposed to involve a virus-induced, subsequent autoreactive T cell-mediated bile duct injury. Antigen-specific T-cell immunity involves clonal expansion of T cells expressing similar T-cell receptor (TCR) variable regions of the beta-chain (Vbeta). We hypothesized that the T cells in biliary atresia tissue expressed related TCRs, suggesting that the expansion was in direct response to antigenic stimulation. METHODS The TCR Vbeta repertoire of T cells from the liver, extrahepatic bile duct remnants, and peripheral blood of biliary atresia and other cholestatic disease controls were characterized by fluorescent-activated cell sorter analysis, and TCR junctional region nucleotide sequencing was performed on expanded TCR Vbeta regions to confirm oligoclonality. RESULTS FACS analysis revealed Vbeta subset expansions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from the liver or bile duct remnant in all patients with biliary atresia and only 1 control. The CD4(+) TCR expansions were limited to Vbeta3, -5, -9, and -12 T-cell subsets and the CD8(+) TCR Vbeta expansions were predominantly Vbeta20. Each Vbeta subset expansion was composed of oligoclonal populations of T cells. CONCLUSIONS Biliary atresia is associated with oligoclonal expansions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells within liver and extrahepatic bile duct remnant tissues, indicating the presence of activated T cells reacting to specific antigenic stimulation. Future studies entail identifying the specific antigen(s) responsible for T-cell activation and bile duct injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- CARA L. MACK
- Sections of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado,Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - MICHAEL T. FALTA
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - ANDREW K. SULLIVAN
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - FREDERICK KARRER
- Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
| | - RONALD J. SOKOL
- Sections of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
| | - BRIAN M. FREED
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - ANDREW P. FONTENOT
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
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Kleihauer A, Gregory CR, Borie DC, Kyles AE, Shulkin I, Patanwala I, Zahorsky-Reeves J, Starnes VA, Mullen Y, Todorov IT, Kearns-Jonker M. Identification of the V genes encoding xenoantibodies in non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys. Immunology 2005; 116:89-102. [PMID: 16108821 PMCID: PMC1802413 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2005.02204.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The major immunological barrier that prevents the use of wild-type pig xenografts as an alternative source of organs for human xenotransplantation is antibody-mediated rejection. In this study, we identify the immunoglobulin variable region heavy (IgV(H)) chain genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine heart and fetal porcine islet xenografts in non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys. We sought to compare the IgV(H) genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine islets and solid organ xenografts. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG xenoantibody response was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cDNA libraries from peripheral blood lymphocytes were prepared and sequenced. The relative frequency of IgV(H) gene usage was established by colony filter hybridization. Induced xenoantibodies were encoded by the IGHV3-11 germline progenitor, the same germline gene that encodes xenoantibodies in humans mounting active xenoantibody responses. The immune response to pig xenografts presented as solid organs or isolated cells is mediated by identical IgV(H) genes in rhesus monkeys. These animals represent a clinically relevant model to identify the immunological basis of pig-to-human xenograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Kleihauer
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
| | - Clare R Gregory
- Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, California National Primate Research CenterDavis, CA, USA
| | - Dominic C Borie
- Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew E Kyles
- Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, California National Primate Research CenterDavis, CA, USA
| | - Irina Shulkin
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
| | - Insiyyah Patanwala
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
| | - Joanne Zahorsky-Reeves
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
| | - Vaughn A Starnes
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
| | - Yoko Mullen
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, City of HopeDuarte, CA, USA
| | - Ivan T Todorov
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, City of HopeDuarte, CA, USA
| | - Mary Kearns-Jonker
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, The Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaCA, USA
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Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an intermittently progressive liver disease characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies, predominately periportal hepatitis, and a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy in most cases. There are no pathognomonic markers of autoimmune liver disease; rather, the diagnosis must be based on the presence of a constellation of characteristic clinical, laboratory, and histologic features in patients without other causes of such liver pathology. Although prednisone or prednisolone are the mainstays in initial therapy of AIH, azathioprine or other drugs with similar immunosuppressive mechanisms are of benefit for steroid-sparing effects or for use as monotherapy to maintain long-term remission. A fraction of patients meeting diagnostic criteria for AIH remains in long-term remission following withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapies, but in most patients, this disease represents a chronic condition requiring life-long monitoring and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwain L Thiele
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9151, USA.
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Ichiki Y, Aoki CA, Bowlus CL, Shimoda S, Ishibashi H, Gershwin ME. T cell immunity in autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmun Rev 2005; 4:315-21. [PMID: 15990080 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2005.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2004] [Accepted: 01/11/2005] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
T cells play a central role in the immunopathogenesis of AIH. Until recently CD4+ T cells were thought to be critical for disease development, increasing evidence has shown that CD8+ T and gammadelta T cells also play a significant role. The predisposition of certain HLA genotypes to AIH as well as the clonal expansion of a limited number of T cell receptors suggests that the presentation of a self-antigen or a molecular mimic may be responsible for the initiation of the immune response. Given the association of AIH with viral hepatitis, it is thought that the loss of tolerance begins with an infection of hepatocytes and subsequent cytolysis by CD8+ T cells. The presentation of self-antigens or molecular mimics leads to activation and clonal expansion of T cells; this process may be increased by impaired regulatory T cells and a defect in apoptosis. Ultimately T cells initiate B cell production of autoantibodies, proinflammatory cytokines and finally hepatocyte cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Ichiki
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, TB192, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Lu J, Basu A, Melenhorst JJ, Young NS, Brown KE. Analysis of T-cell repertoire in hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia. Blood 2004; 103:4588-93. [PMID: 14988156 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-11-3959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAA) is a syndrome of bone marrow failure following an acute attack of seronegative hepatitis. Clinical features and liver histology suggest a central role for an immune-mediated mechanism. To characterize the immune response, we investigated the T-cell repertoire (T-cell receptor [TCR] Vβ chain subfamily) of intrahepatic lymphocytes in HAA patients by TCR spectratyping. In 6 of 7 HAA liver samples, a broad skewing pattern in the 21 Vβ subfamilies tested was observed. In total, 62% ± 18% of HAA spectratypes showed a skewed pattern, similar to 68% ± 18% skewed spectratype patterns in 3 of 4 patients with confirmed viral hepatitis. Additionally, the T-cell repertoire had similarly low levels of complexity. In the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of a separate group of HAA patients prior to treatment, 60% ± 15% skewed spectratypes were detected, compared with only 18% ± 8% skewed spectratypes in healthy controls. After successful immunosuppressive treatment, an apparent reversion to a normal T-cell repertoire with a corresponding significant increase in T-cell repertoire complexity was observed in the HAA samples. In conclusion, our data suggest an antigen-driven T-cell expansion in HAA and achievement of a normal T-cell repertoire during recovery from HAA. (Blood. 2004;103:4588-4593)
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Lu
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg 10, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-1652, USA
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