Regulation and functional involvement of distinct determinants of leucocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in T-cell activation in vitro

Soluble ICAM-1 secretion and its functional role as an autocrine growth factor in nasal NK/T cell lymphoma cells

Nasal natural killer-T cell lymphoma (NNKTL) is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus and has distinct histologic features, such as angiocentric and polymorphous lymphoreticular infiltrates that contain too many cell types, including tumor and inflammatory cells. We have shown previously that intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 is expressed in NNKTL cells, and that soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) is significantly increased in patients' sera. However, the functional role of sICAM-1 remains unknown. In this study, we found that Epstein-Barr virus-positive NNKTL cell line SNK6 secreted sICAM-1 in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, exogenous sICAM-1 enhanced the growth of SNK6 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In comparison, neutralizing ICAM-1 and LFA-1 antibodies, as well as the LFA-1 blocker simvastatin, caused a dose-dependent reduction in the number of viable SNK6 cells. Double immunohistologic staining of NNKTL tissues confirmed that CD56 positive lymphoma cells coexpressed LFA-1. Moreover, serum sICAM-1 levels in NNKTL patients decreased after treatment, suggesting that the levels reflected disease progression. We conclude that NNKTL cells secrete sICAM-1 that acts as an autocrine factor for lymphoma progression, and suggest that simvastatin could be a potential candidate to treat NNKTL.

Identification and characterization of a human monoclonal antagonistic antibody AL-57 that preferentially binds the high-affinity form of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1

LFA-1 (alpha(L)beta(2)) mediates cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesions essential for immune and inflammatory responses. One critical mechanism regulating LFA-1 activity is the conformational change of the ligand-binding alpha(L) I domain from low-affinity (LA), closed form, to the high-affinity (HA), open form. Most known integrin antagonists bind both forms. Antagonists specific for the HA alpha(L) I domain have not been described. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a human antibody AL-57, which binds to the alpha(L) I domain in a HA but not LA conformation. AL-57 was discovered by selection from a human Fab-displaying library using a locked-open HA I domain as target. AL-57 Fab-phage bound HA I domain-expressing K562 cells (HA cells) in a Mg(2+)-dependent manner. AL-57 IgG also bound HA cells and PBMCs, activated by Mg(2+)/EGTA, PMA, or DTT. The binding profile of AL-57 IgG on PBMCs was the same as that of ICAM-1, the main ligand of LFA-1. In contrast, an anti-alpha(L) murine mAb MHM24 did not distinguish between the HA and LA forms. Moreover, AL-57 IgG blocked ICAM-1 binding to HA cells with a potency greater than MHM24. It also inhibited ICAM-1 binding to PBMCs, blocked adhesion of HA cells to keratinocytes, and inhibited PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation with potencies comparable with MHM24. These results indicate that specifically targeting the HA I domain is sufficient to inhibit LFA-1-mediated, adhesive functions. AL-57 represents a therapeutic candidate for treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Spermine, a natural polyamine, suppresses LFA-1 expression on human lymphocyte

Natural polyamines, spermine, spermidine, and putrescine, play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression; therefore, the age-dependent decreases and the disease-dependent increases in polyamine synthesis suggest a possible contribution of polyamines to the age-related and disease-associated changes in cellular function. In this study, we examined the effects of polyamines on the cellular function and the expression of adhesion molecules on human PBMCs from healthy volunteers. Flow cytometry revealed that PBMCs cultured with spermine decreased mean fluorescent intensities (MFIs) of CD11a and CD18 in the lymphocyte light-scattered region, but not in the monocyte region. This suppression was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner and found nonspecifically on all cell subsets we tested (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD19(+), CD45RA(+), CD45RO(+), CD4(+)CD45RA(+), CD4(+)CD45RO(+), CD8(+)CD45RA(+), CD8(+)CD45RO(+)). The decreases of CD11a and CD18 MFIs were accompanied by the decrease in adherent capacity of PBMCs to HUVECs. Spermine did not hinder cell activities or cell viability. Among 42 healthy volunteers (mean, 49.5 years old; from 26 to 69), blood spermine levels inversely correlated with the CD11a MFIs of cells in the lymphocyte region (r = -0.48; p = 0.001), but not with those in the monocyte region. The effects of spermidine seemed weaker than those of spermine, and blood spermidine levels had no correlation with CD11a MFIs of the lymphocyte region. Putrescine had no effect on the expressions of membrane molecules. Polyamines, especially spermine, decrease LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) expression on human lymphocyte and adhesion capacity of PBMCs to HUVECs.

Cell surface expression of the 300 kDa mannose-6-phosphate receptor by activated T lymphocytes

Phosphosugars, such as mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), have been shown previously to display anti-inflammatory properties, notably inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. It has been proposed that M6P exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by displacing lysosomal enzymes, which are involved in T-cell extravasation into inflammatory sites, from the 300 kDa mannose-6- phosphate receptor (MPR-300) on the surface of T cells. If this model is correct MPR-300 should be selectively expressed on the surface of activated T cells, as T cell entry into the central nervous system in EAE depends on the T cells being in an activated state. Thus, the present study examines whether cell surface expression of MPR-300 by T lymphocytes correlates with their state of activation and whether T cells in inflammatory sites express the receptor. Flow cytometric studies showed MPR-300 to be absent from the surface of unstimulated rat T cells isolated from peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues, and T cells resident within the peritoneal cavity. In contrast, MPR-300 was expressed on activated T cells derived from an inflammatory peritoneal exudate. In vitro studies demonstrated transient expression of MPR-300 on the surface of splenic T cells following stimulation with Con A. MPR-300 was also induced on T-cell lines by antigen stimulation. These data demonstrate that T cells in inflammatory sites express MPR-300 on their surface and activation of T lymphocytes induces cell surface expression of MPR-300. Such findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cell surface MPR-300 is required for the entry of T cells into inflammatory sites.

The equine homologue of LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18): cellular distribution and differential determinants

The equine homologue of the leucocyte integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) has been characterized using a panel of four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The antibodies labelled almost all leukocytes, thymocytes and lymph node cells from normal horses, and immunoprecipitated two noncovalently associated polypeptides with molecular weights of 180 kDa and 100 kDa, respectively. The antigen recognized by one mAb could be precipitated by another in this cluster in a sequential immunoprecipitation assay. The mAbs, however, did not block the activities on lymphocyte function of one another. A mAb to the beta subunit of human LFA-1 cross-reacted with equine LFA-1, but an antibody to its alpha subunit did not, suggesting that the beta subunit of the leukocyte integrin may be more highly-conserved. Functionally, H20A and a human CD18 antibody (MHM23) inhibited phorbol ester-mediated homotypic lymphocyte aggregation, whereas mAb CZ3.2 induced rather than inhibited the homotypic cell aggregation. The formation of lymphocyte aggregates induced by CZ3.2 was not blocked by the inhibitory antibodies H20A or MHM23. CZ3.1 seemed to have little inducible or inhibitory effects on homotypic cell aggregation. The mAb CZ3.1 defined a unique LFA-1 determinant present on granulocytes, but absent on lymphocytes in members of an extended horse family, in contrast to the other antibodies which labelled both granulocytes and lymphocytes from these animals. In all other horses tested, no differences in reactivity of CZ3.1 and the other LFA-1 antibodies were observed when the antibodies were tested on lymphocytes or granulocytes. Our results indicate that common epitopes are shared' between human and equine LFA-1, and that the described panel of monoclonal antibodies identifies distinct determinants present on the equine LFA-1 molecule. The following monoclonal antibodies used in this study were given official workshop designations at the Second International Workshop on Equine Leukocyte Antigens (Lunn et al., 1998) CZ3.1 (Cor) = W45; CZ3.2 (Cor) = W77.

Molecular regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression in renal cell carcinoma

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mediates two important functional aspects of tumor biology, namely enhancement of tumor metastasis and mediation of host defense mechanisms such as lymphocyte-mediated tumor cytotoxicity. Since ICAM-1 is expressed by most renal cell carcinomas (RCC), the regulation of ICAM-1 expression is important in understanding the biological behavior of RCC. We report an investigation on ICAM-1 expression and molecular regulation by cytokines and protein kinase C activator on RCC cell lines. Of the various cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) strongly upregulated ICAM-1 protein expression on RCC. The kinetics of ICAM-1 message induction was studied by Northern analysis of total RNA extracted from RCC and normal kidney proximal tubular (NKPT) cells. Time course studies showed that ICAM-1 mRNA was upregulated by INF gamma, TNF alpha, and PMA, plateaued after 2 h, and remained increased for up to 24 h. Although ICAM-1 mRNA in NKPT cells was upregulated by these cytokines, their messages returned to basal levels after 24 h. ICAM-1 mRNA stability assays showed that both unstimulated and stimulated RCC cells had very stable ICAM-1 mRNA up to 24 h. In order to investigate whether increased gene transcription contributes to ICAM-1 upregulation, RCC cells were treated with TNF alpha, IFN gamma, or PMA with or without simultaneous addition of actinomycin D. ICAM-1 message induction-blocking studies suggested that primary upregulation of ICAM-1 mRNA may be caused by transcriptional upregulation. These results suggest that long-lasting ICAM-1 message upregulation in response to cytokines or PMA may be due to transcriptional upregulation in the early phase and stabilization of ICAM-1 message in the later phase (after 4 h). These observations suggest that RCC may lack the normal downregulatory mechanisms which control ICAM-1 expression and may explain the high frequency of ICAM-1 expression observed on primary human RCC.

LFA-1 subunit expression in ulcerative colitis patients

The adhesion molecule, lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA-1) consisting of two subunits, CD11a and CD18, mediates lymphocyte migration into tissue and cell effector functions. Previous observations showed no differences in LFA-1 expression by circulating lymphocytes between inflammatory bowel disease patients and controls. The aim of the present work was to study subsets of circulating LFA-1+ lymphocytes in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients versus healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 16 UC patients and 10 healthy volunteers. The percentages of CD11alo, CD11ahi, CD18lo, CD18hi T and B cells, as well as Cd25 expression on these cells were studied using double staining with monoclonal antibodies and panning procedures. The percentage of CD11hi and CD18hi T cells was significantly decreased in quiescent UC patients as compared to active disease patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The majority of CD25+ T cells were expressing CD11a and CD18 with low density. A detectable percentage, 2% (range 1-6%), of CD11ahiCD25+ (but not CD18hiCD25+) was found in UC patients with moderate to severe disease, but not in those with inactive UC to healthy controls. In conclusion, the percentage of CD11ahi+ and CD18hi+ T cells is decreased in peripheral blood of quiescent UC patients, which is probably associated with the effect of specific treatment. The percentage of CD11ahi+IL-2R alpha+ T cells is increased in peripheral blood of patients with active (moderate and severe) UC, which most likely reflects a sustained T-cell activation due to a persistent inflammatory process.

ICAM-1-expressing pocket epithelium, LFA-1-expressing T cells in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid as features characterizing inflammatory cell invasion and exudation in adult periodontitis

Activated T lymphocytes constitute a major component of inflammatory cells in the early periodontal lesion, and also appear in the gingival crevicular fluid. In an attempt to clarify the relationship between the ICAM-1 (CD54) expression of pocket epithelium in gingiva and the infiltrating lymphocyte population, we carried out an analysis of CD11a+(LFA-1 alpha), CD25+(IL-2R alpha) and CD4+(Th) cells subjacent to ICAM-1-expressing pocket epithelia and CD11a+CD25+CD4+ cells in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). GCF was collected by crevicular washing from 16 patients with periodontitis (P group) and 3 subjects with healthy gingiva (H group). Peripheral blood (PB) was collected at the same time. Mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-paque gradient centrifugation from GCF and PB. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CD11a, CD25, and CD4 were used for three-color flow cytometry. Gingival biopsies were obtained from 7 patients in P group and 3 subjects in H group. Serial cryostat sections (6 microns in thickness) were prepared from each biopsy, on which a double staining was performed. The number of CD11a+CD25+CD4+ cells and the fluorescence intensity of FITC conjugated anti-CD11a were significantly higher in GCF than in PB (p < 0.001 to p < 0.01). CD11a+CD25+CD4+ cells were not detected in GCF in H group. The pocket epithelia expressed CD54 in P group, but not in H group. The number of CD11a+, CD25+ and CD4+ cells infiltrating the connective tissue subjacent to the upper, middle and lower parts of the CD54 positive pocket epithelium (n = 16) was 141 +/- 26, 38 +/- 13, 144 +/- 29 (cells/0.04 mm2), respectively, whereas in the CD54 negative pocket epithelium, it was (n = 5) 9 +/- 2, 3 +/- 1, 8 +/- 3. In P group, the CD11a+CD25+CD4+ cell number in GCF correlated with CD25+, CD11a+ cells in the connective tissue subjacent to the CD54+ pocket epithelium. These results indicate that expression of ICAM-1 in pocket epithelium is relevant to the migration of CD11a, CD25, CD4 positive cells in connective tissue subjacent to the pocket epithelium into the periodontal pocket. Assessing the relationship of our findings and other adhesion molecules would offer important clues to the understanding of T cell migration in affected gingiva.

Distinct splicing of CD45 mRNA in activated rat gamma delta cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Previous studies have demonstrated tumor- and allo-specific cytotoxic gamma delta T lymphocytes in rats. In this report we define the surface phenotype of these T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta+ T cells and demonstrate distinct CD45 mRNA splicing in activated gamma delta cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). gamma delta T lymphocytes in the blood and the peritoneal cavity were TCR alpha beta-CD3+CD8 alpha+CD45RC+ but expressed variable levels of LFA-1 molecules. Normal peritoneal gamma delta T lymphocytes, peritoneal gamma delta T cells from rats injected with the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) as well as gamma delta T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were all LFA-1low. Peritoneal gamma delta T cells from tumor-, and allo-sensitized rats were either LFA-1low or LFA-1high and specific cytotoxicity was highly enriched in the LFA-1high subset. No cytolytic activity against SEA-presenting cells was recorded in gamma delta T cells from SEA-injected rats. Different isoforms of CD45 in T cells are generated by alternative mRNA splicing of exons 4, 5, 6 (or A, B and C, respectively) and the recently described alternate exon 7. CD45 splicing in sorted gamma delta T cells was evaluated utilizing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Normal peritoneal gamma delta T cells expressed exon(578), exon(678), exon(78) and the extensively spliced exon(8) variant. Peritoneal gamma delta T cells from rats sensitized with irradiated syngeneic tumor cells, allogeneic cells or bacterial superantigen SEA as well as gamma delta T lymphocytes in peripheral blood contained the full-length exon(45678), as well as the exon(5678), exon(578), exon(678) and exon(78) splicing products. Notably, the exon(8) variant was also seen in peritoneal gamma delta T cells of SEA-sensitized rats. Sorted tumor-specific LFA-1high gamma delta CTL expressed exon(45678), exon(5678), exon(578), exon(678) and exon(78) CD45 splicing products whereas the non-cytolytic LFA-1low gamma delta T cell subset also contained exon(8) variant. In summary, it is concluded that antigen-specific TCR gamma delta+ CTL express high levels of LFA-1 and that the splicing machinery in these cytolytic cells favors expression of the exon(45678) and exon(5678) CD45 splicing products whereas the exon(8) variant is lost. TCR alpha beta+ CTL express high levels of LFA-1 but are devoid of the full-length exon(45678) splicing product. The different CD45 splicing patterns found in alpha beta CTL and gamma delta CTL indicate different molecular requirements in respect to CD45 during activation and differentiation of these T lymphocyte subsets.

Adhesion molecules and transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Accessory adhesion molecules are thought to influence the first interaction between host leukocytes and graft vascular endothelial cells. Their role in transplantation is reviewed.

SUMMARY

Adhesion molecules have been divided into three major families: the selectins, the integrins, and the immunoglobulin superfamily. Selectins are small proteins that mediate the first contact between stimulated endothelial cells and leukocytes. Integrins interact with cytoskeletal components of cells, presumably coordinating extracellular stimuli with cytoskeleton dependent actions, such as motility, shape change, and phagocytic responses. Members of the immunoglobulin superfamily are structurally homologous, although they do not necessarily share similar functions. They are involved in T-cell proliferation and intracellular events.

METHODS

Various groups of investigators have studied the influence and expression of adhesion molecules following transplantation. The authors of this article have reviewed and summarized the available literature.

RESULTS

Many different adhesion molecules are up-regulated during the rejection event. Treatment of transplant recipients with monoclonal antibodies against accessory molecules, such as leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), has resulted in either a prolongation of transplant survival or the induction of tolerance in some models. Other interventions are under study.

CONCLUSION

By mediating the initial leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions, adhesion molecules may play an important role in graft rejection, mediation of infiltration into the graft, and dissemination of the antigenic message to the lymphoid tissues of the host. Future studies will have to deal not only with conceptualizing their function and mechanisms of action, but also with manipulating their interrelationships to the benefit of the graft recipient.

Role of adhesion molecules in cutaneous inflammation and neoplasia

There is accumulating evidence that the expression of certain adhesion molecules has important consequences for understanding patterns of cell movement in normal and pathologically altered skin. This paper reviews recent work regarding the role of integrins and other adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, LECAM-1, and ELAM-1) in cutaneous inflammation and neoplasia, and presents a unifying hypothesis which outlines how sequential expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in evolving inflammation may alter the nature of the cellular response.

Immunosuppressive property of a very high purity antihaemophilic preparation: a low molecular weight component inhibits an early step of PHA induced cell activation

Immune deficiency has been reported in haemophiliac patients receiving antihaemophilic factor VIII preparations, but the mechanisms involved in the immunosuppression are not fully understood. By using the proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) as a test system, we investigated the inhibitory influence of a very high purity antihaemophilic factor (AHF) preparation on T cell proliferation and on T lymphocyte activation molecules. We observed that this preparation reduced significantly the PHA-induced mononuclear cell proliferation, independently of the monocyte concentration. The AHF preparation did not act through a cytotoxic mechanism or a steric hindrance of PHA. The AHF preparation had no effect on the immediate expression of T lymphocyte activation molecules such as CD54 (ICAM-1). In contrast, the very high purity AHF reduced the induced expression of two early T cell activation molecules: CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor) and CD71 (transferrin receptor). The very high purity AHF also had the capacity to inhibit the up-regulation of two late activation antigens, CD38 and CD11a/CD18, and to inhibit the induced expression of HLA-DR molecule, defined also as a late T cell activation molecule. The CD45R expression level, used as a control marker, was not changed after AHF exposure. The very high purity AHF therefore influenced an early step of cell proliferation. We have also shown that the immunoregulatory properties of the preparation were not restricted to the factor VIII itself, but resulted from the presence of dialysable and low molecular weight components in the preparation.