IL-4 suppresses dendritic cell response to type I interferons

Cytokines play an important role in modulating the development and function of dendritic cells (DCs). Type I IFNs activate DCs and drive anti-viral responses, whereas IL-4 is the prototype of a Th2 cytokine. Evidence suggests that type I IFNs and IL-4 influence each other to modulate DC functions. We found that two type I IFNs, IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, stimulated a similar costimulatory profile in myeloid resting DCs. IL-4 suppressed the response of myeloid DCs to both type I IFNs in vitro and in vivo by impairing the up-regulation of MHC and costimulatory molecules and the production of cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-15, and anti-viral genes, such as Mx-1, upon type I IFN stimulation. In dissecting the mechanism underlying this inhibition, we characterized the positive feedback loop that is triggered by IFN-alpha in primary DCs and found that IL-4 inhibited the initial phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 (the transducers of signaling downstream of IFN-alpha and -beta receptors (IFNARs)) and reduced the up-regulation of genes involved in the amplification of the IFN response such as IRF-7, STAT1, STAT2, IFN-beta, and the IFNARs in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, IL-4 renders myeloid DCs less responsive to paracrine type I IFNs and less potent in sustaining the autocrine positive loop that normally amplifies the effects of type I IFNs. This inhibition could explain the increased susceptibility to viral infections observed during Th2-inducing parasitoses.     

Oral beta-glucan adjuvant therapy converts nonprotective Th2 response to protective Th1 cell-mediated immune response in mammary tumor-bearing mice

Beta (1-3)-D-glucans were identified almost 40 years ago as biological response modifiers that stimulated tumor rejection. In vitro studies have shown that beta-glucans bind to a lectin domain within complement receptor type 3 (CR3), or to, more recently described dectin-1 a beta-glucan specific receptor, acting mainly on phagocytic cells. In this study, we assessed the intracellular cytokine profiles of peripheral blood lymphocytes from mice bearing mammary tumors receiving i.v. anti-tumor mAbs combined or not with whole glucan particle suspension given orally (WGP, 400 microg every 24 hours). The proportions of T cells producing IL-4 and IFNgamma were determined by flow cytometry. The proportion of T cells producing IL-4 was significantly higher in tumor-bearing mice not receiving beta-glucan-enhanced therapy. Conversely, T cells from mice undergoing beta-glucan-enhanced therapy showed increased production of the Th1 cytokine IFNgamma. The switch from a Th2 to a Th1 response after WGP therapy was possibly mediated by intestinal mucosal macrophages releasing IL-12.     

Immune response to phosphorylcholine. I.V. Comparison of homologous and isologous anti-idiotypic antibody.

Homologous and isologous anti-idiotypic antibodies against the PC-binding BALB/c myeloma protein HOPC-8 were raised in A/He and BALB/c mice, respectively. Isologous and homologous anti-HOPC-8 serum suppressed the response to PC in vitro specifically. The antibodies were purified by using HOPC-8 immunoabsorbent. Purified isologous and homologous anti-idiotypic antibody were labeled with 125I and compared for Ig class composition and idiotype-binding specificity. Both kinds of anti-idiotypic antibodies were predominantly IgG1, were highly specific for the HOPC-8 idiotype, and had a smiliar affinities for the PC-binding site. These findings demonstrate that anti-HOPC-8 antibodies raised in A/He and BALB/c mice are very similar in their biologic and immunochemical poperties.     

Immune response to Escherichia coli antigens entrapped in liposomes. I. Immunopathological studies

In this study, we have searched for an effective mucosal delivery system for a purified E. coli antigen which elicits anticolonization and anti-toxic immunity. E. coli colonization factor antigen (CFA/I) and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) were encapsulated in liposomes. To determine the efficacies of soluble and liposome-encapsulated E. coli antigens young rabbits were mucosally treated with three oral doses of E. coli antigens given 7 days apart. Ten days after the last booster, rabbits were orally challenged with 5 x 10(9) bacterial cells (O78:H11 serotype). The experimental results allow of making some remarks which can be correlated with the protection obtained in vaccinated animals: (a) immunization with E. coli antigens entrapped in liposomes ensured protection against ETEC strains; (b) lower protection against homologous and heterologous CFA/I +(LT- ST+) strains were noticed; (c) adhesion of labelled -3H-leucine-bacteria to the intestinal mucosa revealed a maximum distribution in duodenum-jejunum and minimum in the colonic mucosa; (d) it contributed to the release of inoculated virulent bacteria from intestinal tract; (e) humoral, cellular and histopathological findings confirm the afore mentioned observation. Summing up, these results suggest that liposomes are very good carriers for E. coli antigens and these findings highlight the potential use of LT and CFA/I antigens entrapped in liposomes as mucosal and humoral induction of immune response and make them a candidate for future use in prophylaxis of diarrhoea in man.     

Type I interferons trigger systemic, partial lymphocyte activation in response to viral infection

The vast majority of both T and B cells in mice were found to up-regulate cell surface expression of the early activation markers CD69 and CD86, but not CD25, within 24 h of infection with Semliki Forest virus. Kinetics and magnitude of activation marker expression was dependent on live virus, dose, and correlated with strain virulence. Activation marker expression declined to baseline levels over the next 96 h. This very early "activation" of such a high percentage of lymphocytes required the presence of type I IFN receptor genes, was inducible with poly(I:C), and correlated with IFN-I levels in serum. We conclude that virus-induced IFN-I release systemically affects most of the hosts T and B cells by triggering them rapidly and independently of Ag-reactivity into a semiactivated state.     

Dendritic cells in the induction of protective and nonprotective anticryptococcal cell-mediated immune responses

Dendritic cells (DC) can be divided into three subsets, Langerhans cells, myeloid DC (MDC), and lymphoid DC (LDC), based upon phenotypic and functional differences. We hypothesized that different DC subsets are associated with the development of protective vs nonprotective cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses against the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. To test this, mice were immunized with protective and/or nonprotective immunogens, and DC subsets in draining lymph nodes were assessed by flow cytometry. The protective immunogen (cryptococcal culture filtrate Ag-CFA), in contrast to the nonprotective immunogen (heat-killed cryptococci-CFA), the nonprotective immunogen mixed with the protective immunogen (cryptococcal culture filtrate Ag + heat-killed cryptococci-CFA), or controls, stimulated significant increases in total leukocytes, Langerhans cells, MDC, LDC, and activated CD4+ T cells in draining lymph nodes. The protective immune response resulted in significantly increased levels of anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity reactivity and activated CD4+ T cells at the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction site. Draining lymph node LDC:MDC ratios induced by the protective immunogen were significantly lower than the ratios induced by either immunization in which the nonprotective immunogen was present. In contrast, mice given the nonprotective immunogen had LDC:MDC ratios similar to those of naive mice. Our data indicate that lymph node Langerhans cells and MDC are APC needed for induction of the protective response. The predominance of LDC in mice undergoing nonprotective responses suggests that lymph node LDC, like splenic LDC, are negative regulators of CMI responses. In addition to showing DC subsets associated with functional differences, our data suggest that the LDC:MDC balance, which can be modulated by the Ag, determines whether protective or nonprotective anticryptococcal CMI responses develop.     

Integrated duodenal protective response to acid.

The proximal duodenum is unique in that it is the only leaky epithelium regularly exposed to concentrated gastric acid. To prevent injury from occurring, numerous duodenal defense mechanisms have evolved. The most studied is bicarbonate secretion, which is presumed to neutralize luminal acid. Less well studied in their protective roles are the mucus gel layer and blood flow. Measuring duodenal epithelial intracellular pH [pHi], blood flow and mucus gel thickness (MGT), we studied duodenal defense mechanisms in vivo so as to more fully understand the mucosal response to luminal acid. Exposure of the mucosa to physiologic acid solutions promptly lowered pHi, followed by recovery after acid was removed, indicating that acid at physiologic concentrations readily diffuses into, but does not damage duodenal epithelial cells. Cellular acid then exits the cell via an amiloride-inhibitable process, presumably sodium-proton exchange (NHE). MGT and blood flow increase promptly during acid perfusion; both decrease after acid challenge and are inhibited by vanilloid receptor antagonists or by sensory afferent denervation. Bicarbonate secretion is not affected by acid superfusion but increases after challenge. Inhibition of cellular base loading lowers pHi, whereas inhibition of apical base extrusion alkalinizes pHi. These observations support the following hypothesis: luminal acid diffuses into the epithelial cells, lowering pHi. Acidic pHi increases the activity of a basolateral NHE, acidifying the submucosal space and increasing cellular base loading. The acidic submucosal space activates capsaicin receptors on afferent nerves, increasing MGT and blood flow. With concontinued acid exposure, a new steady state with thickened mucus gel, increased blood flow, and a higher cellular buffering power protects against acid injury. After acid challenge, mucus secretion decreases, blood flow slows, and pHi returns to normal, the latter occurring via apical bicarbonate extrusion, increasing bicarbonate secretion. Through these integrated mechanisms, the epithelial cells are protected from damage due to repeated pulses of concentrated gastric acid.     

Structure-activity of type I interferons

Type I IFNs constitute a family of proteins exhibiting high homology in primary, secondary, and tertiary structures. They interact with the same receptor and transmit signals to cellular nucleus through a similar mechanism, eliciting roughly homogeneous biological activity. Nevertheless, the members of that family, IFNα species, IFNβ and IFNω, due to local differences in the structure sometime show distinct properties. From the reported data it results that even minute changes or differences in the primary sequences could be responsible for a significant variety of biological actions, thus inducing to the hypothesis that Type I IFNs, rather than to be the result of a redundant replication during the evolution, play definite roles in the defense of living organisms to foreign agents.     

Vaccination against cutaneous leishmaniasis in a murine model. II. Immunologic properties of protective and nonprotective subfractions of soluble promastigote extract

We have previously demonstrated that BALB/c mice can be protected against a fatal infection with Leishmania major by i.p. immunization with a soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) preparation in conjunction with the adjuvant, Corynebacterium parvum (CP). In this study, SLA was separated into nine distinct fractions by anion exchange liquid chromatography, and the fractions were analyzed for their ability to stimulate T cells obtained from immunized mice, to be recognized by vaccine-induced antibodies, and to induce protective immunity. While all but one of the fractions were recognized by antibodies from SLA + CP immunized mice, only two fractions (fractions 1 and 9) stimulated lymphocytes to produce macrophage-activating factor and elicited significant delayed-type hypersensitivity in vivo. When mice were immunized with the fractions, only fraction 9 stimulated significant immunity (76% protection in seven experiments). Proteins (accounting for 1.3% of the total in SLA) appear to be responsible for the protection elicited with fraction 9, since protease treatment of this fraction destroyed its immunogenicity. Thus, a partially purified protective protein antigen fraction has been obtained and protection with this fraction correlated with cell-mediated immune responses. However, these results also demonstrate that the ability of leishmanial antigens to be recognized by T cells and produce macrophage-activating factor does not in itself predict whether such molecules will induce immunity, suggesting that protective leishmanial antigens may have additional unique properties.     

Toll-like receptors and Type I interferons

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key molecules of the innate immune systems, which detect conserved structures found in a broad range of pathogens and trigger innate immune responses. A subset of TLRs recognizes viral components and induces antiviral responses. Whereas TLR4 recognizes viral components at the cell surface, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 recognize viral nucleic acids on endosomal membrane. After ligand recognition, these members activate their intrinsic signaling pathways and induce type I interferon. In this review, we discuss the recent findings of the viral recognition by TLRs and their signaling pathways.     

猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒的免疫学和免疫逃避研究进展

猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒(Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,PRRSV)严重危害着养猪业的健康发展,给养猪业造成了巨大的经济损失。由于该病毒介导的复杂的免疫逃避机制以及抗原性基因的异质性等特征,目前疫苗产品不能提供十分有效的保护。对于基因变异较大的流行毒株,疫苗提供的免疫保护更为有限。本文就PRRSV免疫学和免疫逃避的最新研究进展进行归纳总结,以期为PRSSV防控,新型疫苗设计等提供参考。     

Tumor idiotype vaccines. VII. Analysis and correlation of structural, idiotypic, and biologic properties of protective and nonprotective Ab2

We have previously generated and used anti-Id mAb (Ab2) to induce protective immunity against the L1210 DBA/2 tumor and for immunotherapy of established tumors. Among various anti-Id that were typed serologically as internal image Ab2 of the mouse mammary tumor virus tumor-associated Ag gp52, only one induced protective immunity and was effective in immunotherapy. In this study we compared the structural, idiotypic, and network properties of the protective and nonprotective antiidiotypic antibodies. The DNA sequence of the variable regions of six anti-Id was determined. The VH sequence of four Ab2, including the protective Ab2, are highly homologous, whereas the VL sequences differ and were assigned to different Vk families. In addition, the DH sequence region of the same four Ab2 are identical, whereas one is highly homologous and another one without homology. Search for amino acid sequence homologies between the Ab2 and gp52 showed the strongest similarities in the CDR2 of the L chain from the protective Ab2. In addition, the CDR2 region also had homology with a T cell epitope on gp52. The biologic basis of effective idiotypic mimicry was studied at the level of Ab3 induced by the Ab2. Id inhibition analysis using Ab3 induced by either protective or nonprotective Ab2, revealed differences. Thus, there is evidence for differences among the Ab1-Ab2-Ab3 cascade induced by protective and nonprotective anti-Id.     

Repeating covalent structure and protective immunogenicity of native and synthetic polypeptide fragments of type 24 streptococcal M protein. Mapping of protective and nonprotective epitopes with monoclonal antibodies

The complete amino acid sequences of three cyanogen bromide peptide fragments (CB3, CB4, and CB50 of type 24 M protein extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes by limited pepsin digestion were determined by automated Edman degradation of the uncleaved peptides and their tryptic peptides. CB3 and CB4 each contain 35 amino acid residues, whereas CB5 contains 37. The sequence of CB3 was found to be: (formula: see text) (where Hse represents homoserine). The sequence of CB4 was identical except for amino acid substitutions of arginine and glutamine at positions 23 and 24, respectively. The sequence of CB5 also was identical with that of CB3 except for substitutions of aspartic acids at positions 28 and 29; leucine, glutamic acid, and glycine at positions 33, 34, and 35, respectively; and an additional two amino acids, alanine and homoserine, at positions 36 and 37, respectively. A comparison of the structures of these three peptide fragments with those previously reported for CB6 and CB7 revealed as few as one to six amino acid substitutions among the five repeating peptides; CB4 and CB6 differed only by a single Asp/Glu substitution at position 26. When covalently linked to polylysine and injected as an emulsion in complete Freund's adjuvant, CB3, CB4, and CB5 each evoked high titers of type-specific opsonic and bactericidal antibodies in rabbits. A chemically synthesized peptide identical with native CB3 except that it contained methionine instead of homoserine at its COOH terminus was similarly immunogenic. None of the conjugated native or synthetic peptides raised antibodies at reacted in immunofluorescence tests with sarcolemmal membranes of human heart tissue. Mapping studies with monoclonal antibodies revealed a number of distinct protective and nonprotective epitopes. The single Asp/Glu substitution between CB4 and CB4 rendered the 35-residue peptide unrecognizable by protective monoclonal antibodies but recognizable by a nonprotective one. Our studies demonstrate that the repeating covalent structures of native and chemically synthesized polypeptide fragments of streptococcal M protein possess several unique as well as repeating epitopes that evoke opsonic and presumably protective, but not heart cross-reactive, antibodies against a rheumatogenic strain of S. pyogenes.