Probiotic Mixture Containing Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Affects Brain Responses Toward an Emotional Task in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that probiotics affect brain function via the microbiome-gut-brain axis, but evidence in humans remains limited.

Objective

The present proof-of-concept study investigated if a probiotic product containing a mixture of Bifidobacterium longum R0175, Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum R1012 (in total 3 × 10⁹ CFU/day) affected functional brain responses in healthy subjects during an emotional attention task.

Design

In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03615651), 22 healthy subjects (24.2 ± 3.4 years, 6 males/16 females) were exposed to a probiotic intervention and a placebo for 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout period. Subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing an emotional attention task after each intervention period. Differential brain activity and functional connectivity were assessed.

Results

Altered brain responses were observed in brain regions implicated in emotional, cognitive and face processing. Increased activation in the orbitofrontal cortex, a region that receives extensive sensory input and in turn projects to regions implicated in emotional processing, was found after probiotic intervention compared to placebo using a cluster-based analysis of functionally defined areas. Significantly reduced task-related functional connectivity was observed after the probiotic intervention compared to placebo. Fecal microbiota composition was not majorly affected by probiotic intervention.

Conclusion

The probiotic intervention resulted in subtly altered brain activity and functional connectivity in healthy subjects performing an emotional task without major effects on the fecal microbiota composition. This indicates that the probiotic effects occurred via microbe-host interactions on other levels. Further analysis of signaling molecules could give possible insights into the modes of action of the probiotic intervention on the gut-brain axis in general and brain function specifically. The presented findings further support the growing consensus that probiotic supplementation influences brain function and emotional regulation, even in healthy subjects. Future studies including patients with altered emotional processing, such as anxiety or depression symptoms are of great interest.

Clinical Trial Registration

[http://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [NCT03615651].

A study of 28 Elymus species using repetitive DNA sequences

Four repetitive DNA sequences cloned from the barley (Hordeum vulgare) genome and common for different Triticeae species were used for a molecular study of phylogenetic relationships among 28 Elymus species. Two wild Hordeum species (H genome), two Pseudoroegneria species (S genome), Agropyron cristatum (P genome), and Australopyrum velutinum (W genome) were included as genomic representatives for the genomes that supposedly were involved in the evolution of the genus Elymus. Our results are essentially congruent with the genomic classification system. This study demonstrates that Elymus is not a monophyletic genus. Based on an analysis of Southern blot hybridization we could discriminate between SY and SH species owing to the strong specific hybridization pattern of the H genome. Hexaploid SYH species gave a hybridization pattern similar to SH species for the same reason. The results support the genomic composition of Elymus batalinii as SYP and also indicated the presence of at least one H genome in Elymus enysii with a hitherto unknown genomic constitution. Elymus erianthus had a hybridization pattern distinctly different from all other species in the investigation. Key words : Elymus, RFLP, phylogeny, repetitive DNA.

Analysis of tetraploid Elymus species using wheat microsatellite markers and RAPD markers

An analysis of Amplification fragment polymorphism of DNA from 27 accessions of 19 tetraploid Elymus species was carried out using 18 wheat microsatellite (WMS) primer pairs and 10 decamer primers. Ten WMS primer pairs produced multiple polymorphism on all accessions tested. Two independent phenograms, one based on WMS-PCR and one on RAPDs, separated the 19 tetraploid species into two main groups, viz., the SH genome species group and the SY genome species group. The results coincide with the genomic classification of these species and hence support previous studies showing that Elymus is not a monophyletic genus. The assays indicated that accessions within a species cluster together, which concurs with the morphological classification. Interspecific and intraspecific polymorphisms were detected by the WMS-PCR and RAPD analyses. Variation was observed among accessions of Elymus caninus. The WMS-PCR detected a much higher level of polymorphism than the RAPD analysis. WMSs seem to be more efficient markers than RAPD markers for studying the population diversity of Elymus species. The potential of cross-species amplification of microsatellite markers as an additional source for genetic analysis and applications in Elymus is discussed in the context of these results.

Interspecific hybridizations in the Elymus semicostatus group (Poaceae)

Meiotic pairing in 16 interspecific hybrids in the genus Elymus is reported. The hybrids were made among seven species in the Elymus semicostatus group, viz., E. semicostatus, E. validus (subgroup I), E. abolinii (subgroup II), E. fedtschenkoi, E. nevskii, E. praeruptus (subgroup III), and E. panormitanus (subgroup IV). All species are tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) and possess the SY genomes. Meiotic pairing was distinctly higher in hybrids made within subgroups than between subgroups, but the genomes in E. panormitanus have differentiated from those in the other species. These results generally support the subdivision of the E. semicostatus group based on morphological data but also indicate that the subgroups are more distantly related than previously believed, and that the group may be nonmonophyletic.

[Neoretinal antigen expression: a comparison of anatomical and clinical features of a murine uveoretinitis model]

PURPOSE

Uveitis is an inflammation involving the retina. The antigens targeted by the experimental models are located in the pigmentary epithelium-photoreceptor complex. To gain insights into the variations in topographic expression of the antigen in the retina, we studied a new mouse model.

MATERIAL

and methods: Stable retinal expression of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) was obtained after intravitreal or subretinal injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying HA (AAV-HA). One month later, we transferred HA-specific T cells, followed by a subcutaneous immunization of the cognate antigen emulsified in CFA. The animals were clinically examined with a slit lamp biomicroscope. Infiltration of donor cells was detected by immunostaining on retina flatmounts with anti-Thy-1.1 antibody, and infiltrating cells were studied using FACS analysis.

RESULTS

Whatever the location of the HA expression, intraocular inflammation was clinically and histologically detected in all animals, between 10 and 15 days after immunization with HA. Lesions were identified with histopathological analysis. The ocular infiltrate was mostly composed of macrophages and HA-specific T cells in different proportions.

CONCLUSIONS

The topographic variations of targeted ocular antigens do not seem to modify the development of inflammatory reactions in our model. By targeting different antigen-presenting cells, ocular infiltrating cells are different.

Structural and distributional variation of mitochondrial rps2 genes in the tribe Triticeae (Poaceae)

The mitochondrial rps2 gene from barley, like that of rice, wheat, and maize, has an extended open reading frame (ORF) at the 3'-region when compared to that from lower plants. However, the extended portions are variable among these cereals. Since barley and wheat belong to the same tribe (Triticeae), it would be interesting to know when and where the two types of rps2 were generated during evolution. To determine this, we utilized the mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequence to examine variations of the rps2 genes in the tribe Triticeae. By means of the variable 3'-region, the distribution of barley (B)-type and wheat (W)-type rps2 sequences was studied in 19 genera of the tribe. The B-type sequence was identified in 10 of the 19 genera, whereas the W-type sequence was present in all 19 genera. Thus, ten of the examined genera have both types of rps2 sequences due to the presence of two copies of the gene. The W-type sequence was also present in the tribe Bromeae and the B-type sequence was also found in Aveneae and Poeae. Phylogenetic trees based on the B-type and W-type sequences were different from those based on other molecular data. This suggests that the mitochondrial genome in Triticeae has a unique evolutionary history.

Division rate and phenotypic differences discriminate alloreactive and nonalloreactive T cells transferred in lethally irradiated mice

After non-T-cell-depleted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), both alloreactive and homeostatic signals drive proliferation of donor T cells. Host-reactive donor T cells, which proliferate on alloantigen stimulation, are responsible for the life-threatening graft-versus-host disease. Non-host-reactive donor T cells, which proliferate in response to homeostatic signals, contribute to the beneficial peripheral T-cell reconstitution. The elimination of alloreactive T cells is a major therapeutic challenge for HSCT and would greatly benefit from their specific identification. After T-cell transfer in lymphopenic recipients, the present results show that alloreactive T cells rapidly divided; up-regulated CD69, CD25, and CD4 molecules; and down-regulated CD62L. In contrast, nonalloreactive T cells started to divide later and did not up-regulate CD69, CD25, and CD4. Thus, these 2 cell populations can be effectively discriminated. This should facilitate the specific depletion of alloreactive T cells in allogeneic HSCT.

Trigenomic origin of the hexaploid Psammopyrum athericum (Triticeae: Poaceae) revealed by in-situ hybridization

The genomic constitution of the hexaploid Psammopyrum athericum was studied with in-situ DNA hybridization using both genomic DNA and isolated cloned sequences as probes. A genomic probe from Thinopyrum bessarabicum (E genome) hybridized successfully to 14 chromosomes of Ps. athericum and a probe from Festucopsis serpentinii (L genome) hybridized to another 14 chromosomes. The remaining chromosomes did not hybridize, apart from in the centromeric region, to any of the genomic probes used. It is thus proposed that Ps. athericum contains the genomes E, L and X where X stands for a so-far unknown genome. Psammopyrum athericum has three pairs of pTa71 sites and approximately 30 pSc119:2 sites. The origin of the third genome will be a matter for further research using genomic and genome-specific probes.

Complexities of CD28/B7: CTLA-4 costimulatory pathways in autoimmunity and transplantation

Recent advances in the understanding of T cell activation have led to new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of immunological disorders. One attractive target of intervention has been the blockade of T cell costimulatory pathways, which result in more selective effects on only those T cells that have encountered specific antigen. In fact, in some instances, costimulatory pathway antagonists can induce antigen-specific tolerance that prevents the progression of autoimmune diseases and organ graft rejection. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of these complex costimulatory pathways including the individual roles of the CD28, CTLA-4, B7-1 (CD80), and B7-2 (CD86) molecules. We present evidence that suggests that multiple mechanisms contribute to CD28/B7-mediated T cell costimulation in disease settings that include expansion of activated pathogenic T cells, differentiation of Th1/Th2 cells, and the migration of T cells into target tissues. Additionally, the negative regulatory role of CTLA-4 in autoimmune diseases and graft rejection supports a dynamic but complex process of immune regulation that is prominent in the control of self-reactivity. This is most apparent in regulation of the CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) immunoregulatory T cells that control multiple autoimmune diseases. The implications of these complexities and the potential for use of these therapies in clinical immune intervention are discussed.

Suppressor T cells--they're back and critical for regulation of autoimmunity!

Regulation of the immune response to self-antigens is a complex process that depends on maintaining self-tolerance while retaining the capacity to mount a robust immune response to foreign antigens. Autoreactive T cells specific for these autoantigens are present in most normal individuals but are kept under control by multiple diverse peripheral tolerance mechanisms. In the last few years, there has been a re-emergence of suppressor cells as among the most central of these regulatory mechanisms. These cells, which express CD4, CD25, and CD62L, develop in the thymus and survive in a CD28-dependent manner in the periphery to maintain the homeostatic equilibrium of immunity and tolerance. In this review, we will summarize studies of these regulatory cells as they relate to autoimmune diseases and more specifically to type 1 diabetes and attempt to address some of the many outstanding questions. Finally, evidence is provided to support the ability of anti-CD3 mAbs to stimulate the regulatory T cells and reset the rheostat of immune tolerance in an animal model of autoimmune diabetes, the NOD mouse.

Patterns and levels of genetic differentiation in North American populations of the Alaskan wheatgrass complex

Levels and distribution of genetic variation were assessed using six allozymes in 27 populations of Alaskan wheatgrass (Elymus alaskanus) from different locations in Canada, USA, Greenland and Russia to obtain information on the genetic structure of these populations. The enzyme systems were ACO, DIA, GPI, MDH, PGM and SKD. Allozyme variation at the species level was high, with 64.3% (Ps) of the loci being polymorphic, an average number of alleles per locus of 1.9 (As), and an average genetic diversity of 0.17 (Hes). Differentiation was found in the populations studied, with the following findings: (1) statistically significant differences were found in allele frequencies among populations for every polymorphic locus (P < 0.001); (2) 63% of the total allozyme variation at polymorphic loci was partitioned among populations (GST = 0.63); (3) relatively low mean genetic distances between the populations were obtained (mean D = 0.029); (4) the genetic structure of Russian populations are clearly distinct from the other populations, the cluster and principal component analyses revealed the same genetic patterns of relationships among populations. This study also indicates that E. alaskanus contains different levels of allozyme variation in its populations. Furthermore, some banding patterns at the loci Aco-1, Aco-2, Gpi-2, Mdh-1, Skd-1, Skd-2 can be used as markers to identify individual populations.

In memoriam

So here's the case: a 41-year-old respiratory therapist comes in with a history of a bad headache, now much better. She looks like a rose in the emergency department. Goes for a head computed tomographic (CT) scan, which shows a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Returns to the department and promptly crashes, needs intubation, and starts posturing. She dies about 1 week later.

B7/CD28 costimulation is essential for the homeostasis of the CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory T cells that control autoimmune diabetes

CD28/B7 costimulation has been implicated in the induction and progression of autoimmune diseases. Experimentally induced models of autoimmunity have been shown to be prevented or reduced in intensity in mice rendered deficient for CD28 costimulation. In sharp contrast, spontaneous diabetes is exacerbated in both B7-1/B7-2-deficient and CD28-deficient NOD mice. These mice present a profound decrease of the immunoregulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells, which control diabetes in prediabetic NOD mice. These cells are absent from both CD28KO and B7-1/B7-2KO mice, and the transfer of this regulatory T cell subset from control NOD animals into CD28-deficient animals can delay/prevent diabetes. The results suggest that the CD28/ B7 costimulatory pathway is essential for the development and homeostasis of regulatory T cells that control spontaneous autoimmune diseases.

A critical role for B7/CD28 costimulation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: a comparative study using costimulatory molecule-deficient mice and monoclonal antibody blockade

The B7/CD28 pathway provides critical costimulatory signals required for complete T cell activation and has served as a potential target for immunotherapeutic strategies designed to regulate autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to examine the roles of CD28 and its individual ligands, B7-1 and B7-2, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a Th1-mediated inflammatory disease of the CNS. EAE induction in CD28- or B7-deficient nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice was compared with the effects of B7/CD28 blockade using Abs in wild-type NOD mice. Disease severity was significantly reduced in CD28-deficient as well as anti-B7-1/B7-2-treated NOD mice. B7-2 appeared to play the more dominant role as there was a moderate decrease in disease incidence and severity in B7-2-deficient animals. EAE resistance was not due to the lack of effective priming of the myelin peptide-specific T cells in vivo. T cells isolated from CD28-deficient animals produced equivalent amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in response to the immunogen, proteolipid protein 56-70. In fact, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production by Ag-specific T cells was enhanced in both the B7-1 and B7-2-deficient NOD mice. In contrast, peptide-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in these animals were significantly decreased, suggesting a critical role for CD28 costimulation in in vivo trafficking and systemic immunity. Collectively, these results support a critical role for CD28 costimulation in EAE induction.

Phylogeny in the genus Hordeum based on nucleotide sequences closely linked to the vrs1 locus (row number of spikelets)

The phylogenetic relationship between four basic genomes designated H, I, Xa, and Xu in the genus Hordeum was studied using a nuclear DNA sequence. The sequence, cMWG699, is single copy in the H. vulgare genome, and tightly linked to the vrs1 locus which controls two- and six-rowed spikes. DNA fragments homologous to cMWG699 were amplified from diploid Hordeum species and the nucleotide sequences were determined. A phylogeny based on both base substitutions and an insertion-deletion event showed that the H- and Xa-genome groups are positioned in one monophyletic group indicating that the Xa-genome taxa should be included in the H-genome group. The large H-genome group is highly homogeneous. The I and Xu genomes are distinctly separated from H and Xa, and form sister groups. Another phylogeny pattern based on data excluding the insertion-deletion gave a result that the Xa genome forms a sister group to the H-genome group. The difference between the H and Xa genomes was affected only by a single base insertion-deletion event, thus the H and Xa genomes are likely to be closely related. The I and Xu genomes were again distinctly separated from the H and Xa genomes.

Genetic diversity in Elymus caninus as revealed by isozyme, RAPD, and microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity of 33 Elymus caninus accessions was investigated using isozyme, RAPD, and microsatellite markers. The three assays differed in the amount of polymorphism detected. Microsatellites detected the highest polymorphism. Six microsatellite primer pairs generated a total of 74 polymorphic bands (alleles), with an average of 15.7 bands per primer pair. Three genetic similarity matrices were estimated based on band presence or absence. Genetic diversity trees (dendrograms) were derived from each marker technique, and compared using Mantel's test. The correlation coefficients were 0.204, 0.267, and 0.164 between isozyme and RAPD distance matrices, RAPD and microsatellite distance matrices, and between isozyme and microsatellite distance matrices, respectively. The three methodologies gave differing views of the amount of variation present but all showed a high level of genetic variation in E. caninus. The following points may be drawn from this study whether based on RAPD, microsatellite, or isozyme data: (i) The Icelandic populations are consistently revealed by the three dendrograms. The congruence of the discrimination of this accession group by RAPD, microsatellite, and isozyme markers suggests that geographic isolation strongly influenced the evolution of the populations; (ii) The degree of genetic variation within accessions was notably great; and (iii) The DNA-based markers will be the more useful ones in detecting genetic diversity in closely related accessions. In addition, a dendrogram, which took into account all fragments produced by isozymes, RAPDs, and microsatellites, reflected better the relationships than did dendrograms based on only one type of marker.

LFA-1 interaction with ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 regulates Th2 cytokine production

The role of CD28/B7 and LFA-1/ICAM costimulation in proliferation and Th1/Th2 differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells was addressed using T cells from DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice stimulated by dendritic cells. The blockade of either CD28/B7 or LFA-1/ICAM interactions partially inhibited T cell proliferation. By comparison, blocking CD28/B7 costimulation inhibited IL-4 and IL-5 (Th2 cytokine) production, whereas blocking LFA-1/ICAM-1 or LFA-1/ICAM-2 led to a significant increase (15- to 40-fold) of Th2 cytokines. The combination of anti-ICAM-1 and anti-ICAM-2 mAbs had a synergistic effect with a 100- to 1000-fold increase of Th2 cytokine production. Thus, these two costimulatory pathways have opposing roles in the regulation of Th2 development.

Dendritic cells route human immunodeficiency virus to lymph nodes after vaginal or intravenous administration to mice

We have developed a murine model to study the involvement of dendritic cells (DC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) routing from an inoculation site to the lymph nodes (LN). Murine bone marrow-derived DC migrate to the draining LN within 24 h after subcutaneous injection. After incubation of these cells with heat-inactivated (Hi) HIV type 1 (HIV-1), HIV RNA sequences were detected in the draining LN only. Upon injection of DC pulsed with infectious HIV, the virus recovered in the draining LN was still able to productively infect human T cells. After a vaginal challenge with Hi HIV-1, the virus could be detected in the iliac and sacral draining LN at 24 h after injection. After an intravenous challenge, the virus could be detected in peripheral LN as soon as 30 min after injection. The specific depletion of a myeloid-related LN DC population, previously shown to take up blood macromolecules and to translocate them into the LN, prevented HIV transport to LN. Together, our data demonstrate the critical role of DC for HIV routing to LN after either a vaginal or an intravenous challenge, which does not require their infection. Therefore, despite the fact that the mouse is not infectable by HIV, this small animal model might be useful to test preventive strategies against HIV.

Fertile homozygous transgenic mice expressing a functional truncated herpes simplex thymidine kinase delta TK gene

Dividing cells expressing the Herpes simplex type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) can be killed upon ganciclovir treatment. Likewise, conditional cell knock-out can be obtained in transgenic mice expressing a TK gene placed under the control of tissue-specific regulatory sequences. Such animals provide powerful experimental systems for assessing the functional role of specific cell populations through their time-controlled ablation. However, whatever the regulatory sequences used, a leaky toxic overexpression of TK in testis renders male TK-transgenic mice sterile and prevents the generation of homozygous TK-expressing animals. To solve this problem, we designed a truncated TK variant (delta TK) not expressed in the testis. We generated transgenic mice expressing delta TK under the control of lymphocyte-specific regulatory sequences derived from the CD4 gene. The delta TK protein expressed in T-lymphocytes allowed the conditional ablation of activated T-cells in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, for one transgenic line we could generate fertile homozygous mice harboring a functional delta TK transgene. delta TK should thus dramatically facilitate the development of transgenic mice expressing a conditional suicide gene.

Characterization of microsatellite loci from Elymus alaskanus and length polymorphism in several Elymus species (Triticeae: Poaceae)

A size-selected genomic library from Elymus alaskanus was screened for the presence of (GA)n, (GT)n, (CAC)n, and (TCT)n microsatellite sequences. A total of 28 positive clones were found for the two dinucleotide repeats, whereas no positive clones were found for the trinucleotide repeats. Positive clones were sequenced to validate the presence of microsatellites and to generate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, based on the sequences flanking the microsatellite. Primer pairs were designed and evaluated for 18 selected microsatellites. The resulting loci were analysed by PCR for their usefulness as molecular markers in an array of 18 accessions representing E. alaskanus and 10 other Elymus species. PCR amplification revealed alleles for the 18 loci, which varied in having 1-10 alleles in these accessions. In the 18 accessions tested, 7 of the 18 loci were polymorphic, with gene diversity values ranging from 0.54 to 0.80 among all species. Within E. alaskanus, gene diversity values ranged from 0.20 to 0.72, with a mean of 0.48. Polymorphism was also detected within accessions. No clear relationship between total repeat length and the degree of polymorphism was observed in this study. Primer pairs designed to amplify microsatellites in E. alaskanus can be used to generate polymorphism products in other species within the genus. Hence, microsatellites are useful markers for studying both inter- and intra-specific genetic variability within Elymus.

Dendritic cells are required for the development of chronic eosinophilic airway inflammation in response to inhaled antigen in sensitized mice

Asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammation of the airways, and allergen-specific Th2 lymphocytes are thought to play a major role in the development and maintenance of this type of inflammation in allergic asthma. It is generally accepted that airway dendritic cells (DC) are essential for stimulating naive T cells in a primary immune response to inhaled Ag and for the development of allergic sensitization. We have examined the role of airway DC in stimulating memory T cells in a secondary response to inhaled Ag and the subsequent development of chronic airway inflammation. In our mouse model of asthma, OVA aerosol challenge in OVA-sensitized mice leads to CD4-dependent peribronchial and perivascular eosinophilic inflammation, lung Th2 cytokine production, and systemic IgE production. We have used conditional depletion of airway DC by treatment of thymidine kinase-transgenic mice with the antiviral drug ganciclovir to deplete DC during the secondary exposure to OVA. In sensitized thymidine kinase-transgenic mice, a significant decrease in the number of bronchoalveolar CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes was seen after ganciclovir treatment. In addition, Th2 cytokine-associated eosinophilic airway inflammation was almost completely suppressed. These studies demonstrate for the first time that the DC is essential for presenting inhaled Ag to previously primed Th2 cells in the lung, leading to chronic eosinophilic airway inflammation. Altering the function of airway DC may therefore be an important target for new anti-asthma therapy.

Heterogeneity of mouse spleen dendritic cells: in vivo phagocytic activity, expression of macrophage markers, and subpopulation turnover

In the normal mouse spleen, two distinct populations of dendritic cells (DC) are present that differ in microanatomical location. The major population of marginal DC is found in the "marginal zone bridging channels" and extends into the red pulp. The interdigitating cells (IDC) are localized in the T cell areas in the white pulp. The aim of the present study was to characterize these two splenic DC populations with regard to their phenotype, in vivo phagocytic function, and turnover. Both marginal DC and IDC are CD11c+ and CD13+, but only IDC are NLDC-145+ and CD8alpha+. Notably, both populations, when freshly isolated, express the macrophage markers F4/80, BM8, and Mac-1. To study the phagocytic capacity of these cells, we employed the macrophage "suicide" technique by injecting liposomes loaded with clodronate i.v. Marginal DC, but not IDC, were eliminated by this treatment. Phagocytosis of DiI-labeled liposomes by DC confirmed this finding. The two DC populations differed significantly with regard to their turnover rates, as studied in a transgenic mouse model of conditional depletion of DC populations with high turnover. In these mice, marginal DC were completely eliminated, but the IDC population remained virtually intact. From these data we conclude that the marginal DC population has a high turnover, in contrast to the IDC population. Taken together, the present results indicate that marginal DC and IDC represent two essentially distinct populations of DC in the mouse spleen. They differ not only in location, but also in phenotype, phagocytic ability, and turnover.

Three populations of mouse lymph node dendritic cells with different origins and dynamics

We have identified three distinct populations of mouse lymph node dendritic cells (DC) that differ in their capacity to uptake Ag delivered by different routes, and in their dynamics. The "I-DCs" are large cells that resemble the interdigitating cells and have a mature phenotype and a slow turnover. They derive from the regional tissues. The "sm-DCs" and "sI-DCs" are smaller (hence s-DC), have a more immature phenotype and a rapid turnover. The sI-DC phenotype, including CD8alpha expression suggests a lymphoid-related origin. The sI-DC population is expanded 100-fold after an in vivo flt3 ligand treatment. The sm-DC phenotype suggests a myeloid-related origin. Interestingly, sm-DCs can acquire i.v. injected macromolecules in less than 30 min after injection. They may, therefore, play an important role in the immune response against blood Ags.

A population of interstitial cells in the anterior pituitary with a hematopoietic origin and a rapid turnover: a relationship with folliculo-stellate cells?

The non-hormone secreting folliculo-stellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary (AP) appear heterogeneous. Some of these cells have been described as having a neuroectodermal origin and being glial, while some others have been suggested to be monocytic or dendritic cells (DC). We have analyzed here the hematopoietic origin of interstitial cell populations in the AP. In the rat AP, the relative densities of S100+ FS cells and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-expressing DC-like cells show a parallel increase in the postnatal period between the age of 3 weeks to 2 months. We first looked for the presence of donor derived cells in the AP of lethally irradiated bone marrow (BM)-transplanted rats. Donor derived myeloid cells carrying the n haplotype of the MHC class I antigen (RT1.An) reacting with the OX27 moAb, could not be detected in the AP three months after transplantation. It appeared, however, that OX27+ DC-like cells a-priori were virtually absent from the rat AP. Therefore this transplantation model was not suitable for our studies. We then turned to a model of transgenic mice expressing a suicide gene in subpopulations of dendritic cells. Mice were lethally irradiated and received a BM transplant from the transgenic animals, with or without a treatment with ganciclovir (GCV) that specifically kills the dividing cells expressing the suicide gene. This model has already been used to identify and delete mainly dendritic cell populations, viz N418+ and ER-BMDM1+ dendritic cells in the marginal zones of the spleen and in the thymic medulla. We observed in the AP a 30% reduction of the ER-BMDM1+ FS-like cells and a 50-100% reduction of interstitial cells expressing the F4/80, Mac-1 and MOMA-1 markers in the mice receiving the transgenic BM and treated with GCV, compared to control mice that were not treated with GCV or that received non-transgenic BM. When a treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was initiated during the GCV treatment, we observed an even stronger reduction of the above-mentioned interstitial cell populations. These data indicate that in the mouse AP a population of stellate cells exists with a hematopoietic origin, that expresses markers of myeloid cells, and that has a rapid turnover.

Prevention of graft-versus-host disease in mice using a suicide gene expressed in T lymphocytes

Alloreactive T cells present in a bone marrow transplant are responsible for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but their depletion is associated with impaired engraftment, immunosuppression, and loss of the graft-versus-leukemia effect. We developed a therapeutic strategy against GVHD based on the selective destruction of these alloreactive T cells, while preserving a competent T-cell pool of donor origin. We generated transgenic mice expressing in their T lymphocytes the Herpes simplex type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) suicide gene that allows the destruction of dividing T cells by a ganciclovir treatment. T cells expressing the TK transgene were used to generate GVHD in irradiated bone marrow grafted mice. We show that a short 7-day ganciclovir treatment, initiated at the time of bone marrow transplantation, efficiently prevented GVHD in mice receiving TK-expressing T cells. These mice were healthy and had a normal survival. They maintained a T-cell pool of donor origin that responded normally to in vitro stimulation with mitogens or third party alloantigens, but were tolerant to recipient alloantigens. Our experimental system provides the proof of concept for a therapeutic strategy of GVHD prevention using genetically engineered T cells.

Development of a V79 cell line expressing human cytochrome P450 2D6 and its application as a metabolic screening tool

Expression of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) in heterologous cells is a means of specifically studying the role of these enzymes in drug metabolism. The complete cDNA encoding CYP2D6-VAL(374) was inserted into an expression vector containing the strong mycloproliferative sarcoma virus promotor in combination with the enhancer of the cytomegalovirus and stably expressed in V79 Chinese hamster cells. The presence of genomically integrated CYP2D6 cDNA was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The protein expression was shown by Western blotting. Functional expression could be demonstrated by O-demethylation of dextromethorphan to dextrorphan in live cells. The enzymatic activity of 154 ± 16 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein was comparable with dextromethorphan-O-demethylation activities of human liver. The metabolism of two dopaminergic ergoline derivatives was investigated in whole recombinant V19 cells. Both lisuride and terguride were monodeethylated; in case of lisuride a correlation to the in vivo situation was demonstrated comparing poor and extensive metabolizers.

Utility of the creatinine prior to intravenous contrast studies in the emergency department

The purpose of this study was to determine if it is possible to identify patients who have underlying renal insufficiency by evaluating their risk factors prior to receiving intravenous contrast in the emergency department (ED). This would allow selective ordering of a creatinine, resulting in a cost and time savings. This prospective study involved 640 consecutive adult patients presenting to the ED with a clinical indication for an intravenous contrast study. Physicians completed a study form evaluating a patient's risk factors for renal insufficiency. A serum creatinine was then obtained on all patients with a level of 1.6 mg/dl or greater considered abnormal. Thirty-five (5.5%) had an abnormal creatinine. Of these 35 patients, 27 (4.2%) had identifiable risk factors for renal insufficiency. Eight (1.3%) had no identifiable risk factors for renal insufficiency. In conclusion, it is possible to identify approximately 99% of ED patients at risk for contrast induced nephropathy by evaluation of risk factors.

[Dendritic cells and tumor cell therapy]

Antigen presentation to T lymphocytes appears to be one of the deficient step in the induction of anti-tumoral immune responses. To overcome this deficit, it should be possible to use the professional antigen presenting dendritic cells. The principle of this strategy would be to purify dendritic cells, to prime them ex vivo with tumoral antigen, and to re-inject them to patient. The purification of dendritic cells can be achieved from the spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral or cord blood. Their sensitization to tumoral antigen could be obtained using various antigeneic preparation such as crude tumoral extract, or purified antigen, that will lead to an MHC class II restricted antigenic presentation to CD4+ T cells. Gene transfer can be used in the case of a cloned antigen and would lead to the restricted MHC class I priming of CD8+ T cells. The mode of administration, the nature of the dendritic cells used, the number of sensitized cells to inject, might depend on the nature and the location of the tumour. In vitro, it has been shown that dendritic cells sensitized with tumoral antigen are capable of triggering proliferative immune responses as well as cytotoxic T cells. In vivo, injection of dendritic cells primed with tumour cell lysate leads to protection of mice against a tumour challenge. Finally, gene transfer to dendritic cells is shown hereby to be possible, although the efficacy of transduction is still very low, and must be improved. Altogether, it should soon be feasible to use ex vivo primed dendritic cells for triggering otherwise inefficient immune responses in pathologies such as cancer or HIV infection.

Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 3A4 in V79 cells and its application for metabolic profiling of ergot derivatives

Expression of human cytochrome (CYP) in heterologous cells is a means of specifically studying the role of these enzymes in drug metabolism. The complete cDNA encoding CYP3A4 (PCN1) was inserted into an expression vector containing the strong myeloproliferative sarcoma virus promoter in combination with the enhancer of the cytomegalovirus and stably expressed in V79 Chinese hamster cells. The presence of genomically integrated CYP3A4 cDNA cell clones was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Transcription was detected by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis. Functional expression could be demonstrated by conversion of testosterone to the specific 6beta-hydroxylated product. In recombinant V79 cells expressing CYP3A4 about 6% of the substrate was converted to 6beta-hydroxytestosterone. The metabolism of two dopaminergic ergot derivatives was investigated in live recombinant V79 cells. Both lisuride and terguride were monodeethylated.

A truncated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase phosphorylates thymidine and nucleoside analogs and does not cause sterility in transgenic mice

Dividing eukaryotic cells expressing the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene are sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of nucleoside analogs such as acyclovir or ganciclovir (GCV). Transgenic mice with cell-targeted expression of this conditional toxin have been used to create animals with temporally controlled cell-specific ablation. In these animal models, which allow the study of the physiological importance of a cell type, males are sterile. In this study, we showed that this phenomenon is due to testis-specific high-level expression of short TK transcripts initiated mainly upstream of the second internal ATG of the TK gene. This expression is DNA methylation independent. To obtain a suicide gene that does not cause male infertility, we generated and analyzed the properties of a truncated TK (delta TK) lacking the sequences upstream of the second ATG. We showed that when expressed at sufficient levels, the functional properties of delta TK are similar to those of TK in terms of thymidine or GCV phosphorylation. This translated into a similar GCV-dependent toxicity for delta TK- or TK-expressing cells, both in vitro and in transgenic mice. However, delta TK behaved differently from TK in two ways. First, it did not cause sterility in delta TK transgenic males. Second, low-level delta TK RNA expression did not confer sensitivity to GCV. The uses of delta TK in cell-specific ablation in transgenic mice and in gene therapy are discussed.