Involvement of NO in contact hypersensitivity

The NO synthases (NOS) generate NO from L-arginine. High concentrations of NO have been shown to be responsible for tissue injury and cell death, while low concentrations of NO induce vasodilatation and other signaling effects. We have investigated the involvement of NO in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions. CHS induced by treatment of BALB/c mice with the contact allergen 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was significantly reduced by the NOS inhibitor N-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA), but not by the stereoisomer D-NMA, as shown by reduced ear swelling responses and evaluation of ear tissue sections. The CHS response was also reduced by aminoguanidine, which is known to preferentially inhibit the inducible isoform of the enzyme (iNOS), suggesting that iNOS contributed to the inflammatory response. We therefore investigated whether iNOS was expressed by epidermal cells. Epidermal Langerhans cells produced low but significant amounts of iNOS mRNA at the single-cell level as indicated by RT-PCR. Likewise, keratinocytes expressed basic iNOS mRNA levels. Elicitation of a CHS response by DNFB in vivo resulted in enhanced iNOS mRNA expression in Langerhans cells and keratinocytes, with higher levels of expression in Langerhans cells. The enhanced mRNA expression in Langerhans cells correlated with iNOS protein production as shown by immunofluorescence staining of epidermal sheets performing double staining with anti-iNOS and anti-MHC class II antibodies. Our data suggest that epidermal cell-derived NO contributes to the ear swelling reaction in CHS.

Diminished contact hypersensitivity response in IL-4 deficient mice at a late phase of the elicitation reaction

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is thought to depend on the activation of T cells of Th1 and/or Tc1 type. The role of Th2/Tc2 cells in the contact allergic reaction is not clear. The aim of this study was to analyse the functional contribution of Th2/Tc2 cells in CHS using the interleukin-4 (IL-4) deficient mouse model. Interleukin-4 deficient (IL4T) and control (wt) mice were sensitized by epicutaneous application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. The ear swelling response measured 24 h after challenge was similar in IL4T and control mice. However, from 48 h onwards, ear swelling values were significantly reduced in IL4T mice. The stimulatory capacity of freshly isolated as well as 3-day cultured epidermal cells, prepared from IL4T and wt mice, for allogeneic T cells in a primary and secondary response, was comparable. The reduced number of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta+ cells observed in epidermal sheets prepared from IL4T mice was not responsible for the decreased ear swelling response in IL4T mice, because the use of TCR delta deficient mice lacking TCR gamma delta+ cells revealed a down-regulatory role of this cell population in the CHS response. The data indicate that the effector stage of the CHS response can be subdivided into two phases. The first phase proceeds efficiently in IL-4 deficient mice indicating the dependence on Th1/Tc1 cells, while the second phase does not develop in mice lacking IL-4, suggesting the possibility that Th2/Tc2 cells intensify the reaction.

Mouse langerhans cells differentially express an activated T cell-attracting CC chemokine

Epidermal Langerhans cells represent an immature population of dendritic cells, not yet able to prime naïve T cells. Following in vitro culture Langerhans cells mature into potent immunostimulatory cells. We constructed a representative cDNA library of in vitro matured murine Langerhans cells. Applying a differential screening procedure 112 differentially expressed cDNA clones were isolated. Thirty-six clones represented cDNA fragments of the same gene, identifying it to be the most actively expressed gene induced in maturing Langerhans cells. A full-length cDNA was sequenced completely. The open reading frame codes for a protein of 92 amino acids containing a leader peptide of 24 amino acids, yielding a mature protein of 7.8 kDa molecular weight. Database searches revealed 99.4% sequence identity on the nucleotide level to the recently described mouse CC chemokine ABCD-1, as well as 74% sequence identity to the human CC chemokine, the macrophage-derived chemokine/stimulated T cell chemotactic protein. Expression was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on a large panel of cell types. Unlike the macrophage-derived chemokine, expression was not detected in macrophages stimulated by various cytokines. Expression is restricted to cultured Langerhans cells, in vitro cultured dendritic cells, and lipopolysaccharide-activated B cells. Recombinant protein was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and purified to homogeneity. Whereas no chemotactic activity was observed in chemotaxis assays for naïve T cells, B cells, cultured dendritic cells, and Langerhans cells, a strong chemoattractant activity was exerted on activated T cells. Thus, production of this chemokine by dendritic cells may be essential for the establishment and amplification of T cell responses.

Modulation of proliferation and lymphokine secretion of murine CD4+ T cells and cloned Th1 cells by proteins of the extracellular matrix

In this study we investigated the co-stimulatory signaling capacity of diverse proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) for murine resting CD4+ T cells and Th1 clone cells, activated by immobilized anti-CD3 mAb. ECM proteins used in various concentrations had no effect on IL-2 production or proliferation of highly purified CD4+ T cell populations. When the preparation of CD4+ T cells contained contaminating accessory cells, IL-2 secretion and proliferation was enhanced in the presence of co-immobilized collagens or fibronectin. However, the level of proliferation attainable by added irradiated splenocytes was not reached. Using Th1 cell clone M4, enhanced production of IL-2 in the presence of immobilized ECM proteins was observed. At a submitogenic anti-CD3 mAb dose, proliferation of M4 T cells was augmented by the ECM proteins in a concentration range that optimally induced IL-2 production. IL-2R p55 was up-regulated on M4 T cells by collagen type IV and fibronectin to the same level that was induced by exogenously added IL-2, whereas added accessory cells induced a higher level of IL-2R p55 expression. Likewise, in dot-blot analysis a comparable quantity of IL-2R p55- and p75-specific transcripts was induced by collagen type IV or fibronectin and by IL-2, which was lower than that induced by antigen-presenting cells. Our data suggest that the enhanced proliferation of M4 T cells induced by ECM proteins is not the consequence of direct up-regulation of IL-2R, but appears to be due indirectly to elevated secretion of IL-2. At an optimal anti-CD3 mAb dose the collagens inhibited M4 T cell proliferation. Diminished cell surface expression of IL-2R p55 following stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb plus collagen type IV compared with anti-CD3 mAb alone was observed and may be responsible for growth inhibition.

Evaluation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria against group B Streptococcus colonization in pregnant women: a nested analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine versus mefloquine

OBJECTIVES

Streptococcus agalactiae constitutes an important cause of neonatal infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine-the current intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp)-has proven in vitro activity against group B Streptococcus (GBS). Because of specific drug resistance to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, mefloquine-an antimalarial without in vitro activity against GBS-was evaluated as a potential alternative. This study assessed the potential of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine-IPTp to reduce the prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women in Gabon when compared with the inactive control mefloquine-IPTp.

METHODS

Pregnant women participating in a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating mefloquine-IPTp versus sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine-IPTp were invited to participate and recto-vaginal swabs were collected at delivery for detection of GBS colonization. Prevalence of recto-vaginal GBS colonization was compared between IPTp regimens and risk factor and birth outcome analyses were computed.

RESULTS

Among 549 participants, 106 were positive for GBS colonization at delivery (19%; 95% CI = 16%-23%). Prevalence of maternal GBS colonization showed no significant difference between the two IPTp regimens (mefloquine-IPTp: 67 of 366 women = 18%; 95% CI = 14%-22%; sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine-IPTp: 39 of 183 women = 21%; 95% CI = 15%-27%). Risk factor analysis for GBS colonization demonstrated a significant association with illiteracy (adjusted OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.25-3.30). GBS colonization had no impact on birth outcome, anaemia at delivery, gestational age and birth weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine did not reduce colonization rates when used as the IPTp drug during pregnancy. Illiteracy was associated with GBS colonization.

Maturation of epidermal Langerhans cells in vitro is accompanied by downregulation of 4F2 (CD98) as determined by differential display

Following short-term culture, Langerhans cells mature morphologically and functionally into potent immunostimulatory cells. As regulation of gene expression accompanies this maturation process, it is likely that differentially expressed genes are involved in the maturation events. Using the recently described method of differential display, we generated cDNA expression patterns starting with mRNA of murine epidermal Langerhans cells isolated either directly (fLC) or following 3 d cultivation (cLC). Five hundred putative differentially expressed cDNA fragments were recovered from the gel. For a part of the fragments differential expression was confirmed by dot blot and Southern hybridization procedures. These cDNA fragments were subcloned and sequenced following the verification step. Database searches revealed that unknown genes as well as already characterized genes were identified. A cDNA fragment preferentially hybridizing with fLC was identified as the murine surface marker 4F2 (CD98). Downregulation of the activation marker 4F2/CD98 was confirmed by additional analysis at the mRNA and protein level. The downregulation of 4F2 surface expression on cLC is compatible with the notion that the committed, terminally differentiated cLC downregulate proteins involved in proliferation and cell survival.

Costimulatory signalling potential of murine MHC class II-positive T-clone cells

Activated human and rat T cells as well as mouse T-cell clones have been reported to synthesize and express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. However, the capacity of class II+ antigen (Ag) presenting T cells to induce proliferation of Ag-specific cloned T cells has been controversial. We analysed whether the failure of some T-cell clones to proliferate in response to Ag presented by class II+ T cells is because of a lack of costimulatory cytokine production by the antigen-presenting cells (APC). As a model system the mouse class II+ cloned BI/O4.1 T cells were used as APC in order to activate the T cell clone KIII5. This T-helper 1 (Th1) type, GAT (synthetic copolymer of L-glutamic acid, L-alanine and L-tyrosine)-specific clone is characterized by an efficient downregulation of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) with time following antigenic stimulation. KIII5 cells respond to GAT-presenting splenic antigen-presenting cells (APC) by IL-2 production, IL-2R upregulation and proliferation. When BI/O4.1 T cells were used as APC, KIII5 cells produced IL-2, but did not proliferate. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a lack of IL-12 production by BI/O4.1 cells. Addition of IL-12 to a coculture of Ag-presenting BI/O4.1 cells and KIII5 cells fully reconstituted a proliferative response. IL-12 in synergy with IL-2 upregulated IL-2R alpha chain expression and enhanced proliferation of KIII5 cells. Our data suggest, that class II+ T cells are not functional in inducing Ag-mediated expansion of resting Th1 cells owing to their failure to produce IL-12, but rather that they play a role in amplification loops during an ongoing immune response.

The actin-bundling protein fascin is involved in the formation of dendritic processes in maturing epidermal Langerhans cells

Dendritic cells (DC) are characterized by their unique potential to prime naive T cells. Epidermal Langerhans cells (LC), the DC resident in the epidermis, gain this immunostimulatory capacity following Ag contact in vivo or during in vitro culture of epidermal cell suspensions. To analyze differential gene expression in maturing LC, we constructed a highly representative cDNA library of cultivated LC (cLC) in lambda ZAP II containing 18 x 10(6) independent clones. This library was screened with freshly isolated Langerhans cell (fLC)- and cLC-derived probes for cLC-specific cDNAs. The cDNAs identified were sequenced and analyzed by database searches. Two cDNA fragments were identified as fragments of fascin, indicating that fascin is differentially expressed in LC. By competitive RT-PCR, we confirmed that fascin is highly expressed in cLC cultivated for 1, 2, and 3 days, while no signals were obtained with fLC. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis revealed cLC-specific expression of fascin on the protein level as well. Fascin is known to be involved in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in cytoplasmatic extensions of nerve growth cones. Its differential expression in maturing LC coincides with the formation of numerous dendritic projections in LC. Their formation was inhibited by incubation of LC with fascin antisense oligonucleotides during cultivation. Therefore, we conclude that fascin is necessary for the formation of the dendritic processes of maturing Langerhans cells and may thus influence T cell-LC interaction.

Urinary and plasma urodilatin measured by a direct RIA using a highly specific antiserum

Urodilatin (95-126) (URO) appears to play a major physiologic role in fluid homeostasis and produces major changes when administered intravenously. Here we describe a monospecific, high-affinity antiserum against URO with no cross-reactivity (<0.01%) against the structural highly homologous atrial natriuretic peptide 99-126 (ANP-99-126), ANP analogs, and related peptides such as brain natriuretic peptide. A competitive RIA was developed, based on this antiserum. Urine samples with or without ethanol extraction and plasma samples without pretreatment were analyzed by the RIA, which had a detection limit of 10.5 ng/L, a linear measuring range between 10.5 and 1000 ng/L, and recoveries of 93-102% in urine and 90-104% in plasma. The intraassay CVs were 8.2% and 8.1% for urine samples with 269 and 669 ng/L URO; the interassay CV was 9.7% at 839 ng/L. Using this assay, we present URO data for urine from healthy volunteers receiving low and routine sodium diets and from clinical urine specimens; we also present pharmacokinetic data for URO in plasma from patients suffering from bronchial asthma and treated by URO infusion.