Superagonistic anti-CD28 antibodies: potent activators of regulatory T cells for the therapy of autoimmune diseases

This paper reviews the existing evidence regarding the use of superagonistic anti-CD28 antibodies (CD28 superagonists) for therapeutic manipulation of regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells). The molecular properties of superagonistic anti-CD28 antibodies allow the generation of a strong activating signal in mature T cells, including T(reg) cells, without additional stimulation of the T cell receptor complex. CD28 superagonist administration in vivo leads to the preferential expansion and strong activation of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+CTLA-4+FoxP3+ T(reg) cells over conventional T cells. In animal models, both prophylactic and therapeutic administration of a CD28 superagonist prevented or at least greatly mitigated clinical symptoms and induced remission. Adoptive transfer experiments have further shown that CD28 superagonists mediate protection by expansion and activation of CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells. Therefore, superagonistic anti-CD28 antibodies offer a promising novel treatment option for human autoimmune diseases and the first clinical trials are eagerly awaited.

HIV type 1 abrogates TAP-mediated transport of antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I. Transporter associated with antigen presentation

Downregulation of MHC class I expression following human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection is thought to play an important role in viral escape from immune recognition by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Since exogenous addition of HIV-1-derived peptides restores susceptibility of HIV-1-infected cells to CTL-mediated lysis, we tested whether endogenous peptide loading is impaired in these cells. Our results show that in HIV-1-infected cells the ability of the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP) to translocate antigenic peptides from the cytosol to the lumen of the ER for presentation on MHC class I molecules is abolished. These data suggest that interference with the supply of antigenic peptides to the MHC class I pathway provides an additional mechanism by which HIV-1 evades the CTL-mediated immune response.

Total numbers of lymphocyte subsets in different lymph node regions of uninfected and SIV-infected macaques

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to a decline of CD4+ T-cells in blood. Because blood represents only a small proportion of the total lymphocyte pool, it is important to investigate other lymphoid organs. So far, only relative proportions of lymphocyte subsets in single peripheral lymph node (LN) regions of HIV-infected patients and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques have been documented. We have therefore quantified the absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets in blood and six different LN regions of 10 uninfected and 26 SIV-infected macaques. In addition, we have determined the expression of markers of activation and differentiation. Already, in uninfected monkeys, there were significant differences in the cellular composition of different LN regions. Infection with SIV resulted in drastic changes in the proportion as well as absolute numbers of different lymphocyte subsets. Moreover, the relative contribution of the single LN regions to the total lymphocyte pool was also altered.

Impaired thymopoietic potential of immature CD3(-)CD4(+)CD8(-) T cell precursors from SIV-infected rhesus monkeys

Immature thymocyte subpopulations were examined for their capacity to differentiate in a newly developed xenogeneic monkey-mouse fetal thymus organ culture (FTOC) system. We provide evidence for impaired precursor function of CD3(-)CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes after in vivo infection with SIVmac251 as indicated by a reduced cell number per FTOC and a lower percentage of thymocytes with more mature phenotypes. Addition of recombinant SIV glycoprotein 120 (rgp120) also resulted in a dose-dependent impairment of T cell maturation in FTOC. The data suggest that in patients infected with HIV, T cell maturation and thus replenishment of peripheral pools may be compromised as a result of intrathymic infection or circulating viral gp120.

A novel monospecific IgG2/lambda-autoantibody with specificity for a mitochondrial antigen: evidence for an antigen-driven pathogenetic B-cell response in rheumatoid synovial tissue, induced by tissue alteration

To elucidate the pathogenic role of synovial B cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), nine human IgG/lambda-secreting B-cell hybridomas from rheumatoid synovial tissue of a patient with definite RA were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence on tissue cryosections for detection of antibodies against autoantigens. One IgG2/lambda monoclonal antibody (mAb) from the B-cell hybridoma ELG211/15/63 (= hybr63) exhibited intense immunofluorescence reactivity in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes and epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in parietal cells of gastric mucosa (human and mouse tissue), representing a mitochondrial pattern. This result was confirmed by morphometric analysis of immunoelectron microscopy data, exhibiting a significantly higher labeling density in mitochondria (p < or = 0.001) than in the cytoplasmic background, with predominant staining in the inner mitochondrial membrane and mitochondrial matrix (p < or = 0.05). Immunoblotting experiments carried out with gastric mucosa, and a mitochondrial protein preparation revealed two major proteins of 38 and 50 kd under reducing conditions. The analysis of the IgV(H) genes from this B-cell hybridoma showed highest homology to the human germline gene DP53 (96%). The IgV(L) region gave highest homology to the human germline gene DP5 (93%). In the complementarity-determining regions, residues of the H- and L-chain variable regions replacement mutations only indicated that this B-cell clone had been antigen-selected for its affinity (ratio of replacement to silent mutations: > or = 7). To analyze the in vivo expansion of the B-cell clone, primers specific for the V(H) to D to J(H) rearrangement of this B-cell hybridoma were used. Specific amplifications could be detected within part of the synovial tissue but not within the cells of the synovial fluid and peripheral blood of the patient. The ability of the IgG2/lambda mAb to induce an inflammatory reaction was tested by intraperitoneal application in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, which resulted in an inflammatory, predominantly granulocytic infiltration of the peritoneum. Consequently, intrasynovial cell death or cartilage destruction seems to be a possible source of liberation of mitochondrial antigens, inducing a local, antigen-driven IgG2/lambda B-cell response with the ability to induce an inflammatory reaction. These data suggest that tissue destruction may serve as a source of arthritogenic antigens that perpetuate and amplify the local pernicious inflammatory process in RA synovialitis.

Antigastric autoantibodies in Helicobacter pylori infection: implications of histological and clinical parameters of gastritis

BACKGROUND

It has recently been shown that humoral antigastric autoreactivities occur in a substantial number of Helicobacter pylori infected patients.

AIMS

To analyse the relevance of such antigastric autoantibodies for histological and serological parameters of the infection as well as for the clinical course.

METHODS

Gastric biopsy samples and sera from 126 patients with upper abdominal complaints were investigated for evidence of H pylori infection using histology and serology. Autoantibodies against epitopes in human gastric mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. Histological and clinical findings of all patients were then correlated with the detection of antigastric autoantibodies.

RESULTS

H pylori infection was significantly associated with antigastric autoantibodies reactive with the luminal membrane of the foveolar epithelium and with canalicular structures within parietal cells. The presence of the latter autoantibodies was significantly correlated with the severity of body gastritis, gastric mucosa atrophy, elevated fasting gastrin concentrations, and a decreased ratio of serum pepsinogen I:II. Furthermore the presence of anticanalicular autoantibodies was associated with a greater than twofold reduced prevalence for duodenal ulcer.

CONCLUSION

The data indicate that antigastric autoantibodies play a role in the pathogenesis and outcome of H pylori gastritis, in particular in the development of gastric mucosal atrophy.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu protein interferes with an early step in the biosynthesis of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vpu gene encodes a small integral membrane phosphoprotein with two established functions: degradation of the viral coreceptor CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and augmentation of virus particle release from the plasma membrane of HIV-1-infected cells. We show here that Vpu is also largely responsible for the previously observed decrease in the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the surface of HIV-1-infected cells. Cells infected with HIV-1 isolates that fail to express Vpu, or that express genetically modified forms of Vpu that no longer induce CD4 degradation, exhibit little downregulation of MHC class I molecules. The effect of Vpu on class I biogenesis was analyzed in more detail using a Vpu-expressing recombinant vaccinia virus (VV). VV-expressed Vpu induces the rapid loss of newly synthesized endogenous or VV-expressed class I heavy chains in the ER, detectable either biochemically or by reduced cell surface expression. This effect is of similar rapidity and magnitude as the VV-expressed Vpu-induced degradation of CD4. Vpu had no discernible effects on cell surface expression of VV-expressed mouse CD54, demonstrating the selectivity of its effects on CD4 and class I heavy chains. VV-expressed Vpu does not detectably affect class I molecules that have been exported from the ER. The detrimental effects of Vpu on class I molecules could be distinguished from those caused by VV-expressed herpes virus protein ICP47, which acts by decreasing the supply of cytosolic peptides to class I molecules, indicating that Vpu functions in a distinct manner from ICP47. Based on these findings, we propose that Vpu-induced downregulation of class I molecules may be an important factor in the evolutionary selection of the HIV-1-specific vpu gene by contributing to the inability of CD8+ T cells to eradicate HIV-1 from infected individuals.

Alterations of thymus cortical epithelium and interdigitating dendritic cells but no increase of thymocyte cell death in the early course of simian immunodeficiency virus infection

The role of the thymus in the pathogenesis of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was investigated in 18 juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The thymus was infected from the first week post-SIVmac inoculation, but the amount of virus-positive cells was very low (< 1 in 10(4) T cells) as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. First morphological alteration was a narrowing of the cortex at 12 and 24 wpi. Morphometry revealed no increase of pyknotic T cells but a decrease of the proliferation rate and flow cytometry showed a reduction of the immature CD4+/CD8+ double-positive T cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed vacuolization, shrinkage, and finally cytolysis of the cortical epithelial cells and the interdigitating dendritic cells. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited a widespread loss of cortical epithelial cells. This damage to the thymic microenvironment could explain the breakdown of the intrathymic T cell proliferation. It preceded fully developed simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and is therefore considered to play a major role in its pathogenesis.

Early phenotypic and functional alterations in lymphocytes from simian immunodeficiency virus infected macaques

Phenotypic and functional changes in lymphocytes from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were investigated during the first 6 months after infection with SIV mac 32H. Animals preimmunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were sacrificed 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks post infection. Subset composition and function of lymphocytes from blood, spleen, lymph node and thymus were analysed. In addition to a rapid decline in CD4/CD8 ratios, a massive reduction in CD29+ CD4+ cells was seen in the periphery. Although depletion of this subset was observed throughout the course of this experiment, the loss of proliferative T cell responses was most pronounced very early after infection and partially recovered after Month 3. Polyclonal cytotoxic responses were only slightly affected. In the thymus, a gradual, but moderate loss of CD4+CD8+ immature thymocytes, and a relative increase in both CD4+ and CD8+ mature subsets was observed. Infectious virus was readily recovered from homogenates of lymph node and spleen, but not of thymus tissue. Interestingly, however, virus was detected in thymocytes from all infected animals by cocultivation with a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) susceptible cell line.

Mechanism of MHC class I downregulation in HIV infected cells

HIV infection of CD4+ peripheral blood lymphocytes leads to a loss of MHC class I molecules on the surface of the infected cells as detectable by monoclonal antibody staining and flow cytometry. Incubation of the infected cells at 26 degrees C or treatment at 37 degrees C with peptides leads to upregulation of MHC class I to levels equal to those found on uninfected cells cultured under the same conditions. The data suggest that, after HIV infection, the mechanisms responsible for peptide generation, peptide transport and thus stable association between peptides and MHC class I molecules are severely affected.

Downregulation of HLA class I antigens in HIV-1-infected cells

By means of indirect immunofluorescence analysis we investigated the effect of HIV-1 infection on HLA class I surface antigens. We report here that in CD4+ HeLa cells, in H9 cells, and in peripheral T lymphocytes HLA class I antigens are downregulated following infection with HIV-1. The downregulation is effected at a posttranscriptional level since the amounts of HLA class I specific mRNA are similar in infected and uninfected cells. This phenomenon is not only correlated with the state of infection, that is, the presence of P24 of HIV-1 in the cells, but also depends on the time of infection. Upon HLA class I downregulation by HIV infection, the specific lysis of peripheral blood cells by allogeneic CTL is reduced.