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The correct and timely delivery of immune cells is critical for protection against foreign antigen. In order for cells to access most organs, there are requirements that must be met to facilitate exit from the blood into extravasculature. The initial requirement is selectin-selectin ligand interactions that mediate tethering and rolling to allow shear resistance. For proper selectin-selectin ligand interaction, glycoproteins must be modified by fucosyltransferases –IV and –VII, which adds fucose to an acceptor substrate to form the sialyl-LewisX moiety. Using fucosyltransferase –IV and –VII double knockout (FtDKO) mice, we made several novel observations. Our first observation showed increased numbers of naïve T cells in non-lymphoid organs. To support this observation, we blocked chemokine-mediated entry into lymph nodes (LNs) with pertussis toxin and L-selectin mediated entry with anti-CD62L antibody in WT mice. We also treated WT mice with the S1P1 agonist, FTY720, to retain lymphocytes in LNs. Our results suggested that when access to LN is perturbed, lymphocytes accumulate in non-lymphoid organs. Our second observation showed an enrichment of effector/memory T cells in FtDKO LNs. To determine if effector/memory CD8 T cells were retained in LNs, we transferred naïve and memory CD8 T cells into WT mice then treated the recipient mice with anti-CD62L. We found that LN exit rates of naïve and memory CD8 T cells were similar, but slowed as T cell density decreased. To understand if memory CD8 T cells were using selectin ligand independent mechanisms, we transferred naïve and memory CD8 T cells into WT or FtDKO mice. We found reduced numbers of memory CD8 T cells in LNs, however, their frequency was increased. We explored this result by transferring CFSE labeled memory CD8 T cells. We found that memory CD8 T cells divide more in FtDKO mice compared to WT. These experiments suggested that selectin ligand deficiencies cause increased frequency of effector/memory T cells in LNs due to low density and increased emptiness induced proliferation. Taken together, these findings reveal how selectin ligand deficiencies contribute to T cell accumulation in non-lymphoid organs and elucidate mechanisms of retention in LNs.

Being among the most prevalent of persistent infectious agents in humans worldwide, Helicobacter pylori induces chronic inflammation (gastritis), which may progress to peptic ulceration and stomach cancer. The ability to adhere to the gastric mucosa is considered to be both a colonization and virulence property of H. pylori. For adherence, H. pylori expresses surface-located attachment proteins (adhesins) that bind to specific receptors in the gastric mucosa. The best characterized H. pylori adhesin-receptor interaction is that between the blood group antigen binding adhesin (BabA) and the fucosylated blood group antigens, which are glycans highly expressed in the gastric mucosa. Our recent results have changed the view of the blood group antigen-specific binding mode of H. pylori. We have tested clinical isolates of H. pylori from human populations worldwide for their ability to bind to ABO blood group antigens. The results revealed that more than 95% of isolates from Sweden, Germany, Spain, Japan and Alaska that bind fucosylated blood group antigens, bind both the Lewis b antigen (Leb) (of blood group O) and the blood group A-related antigen A-Lewis b, i.e. they exhibit a generalist type of binding mode. In contrast, the majority of strains (62%) from South American Amerindians bound best to Leb, i.e. they exhibit a specialist blood group “O antigen” binding mode. This specialization in binding coincides with the unique predominance of blood group O in the South American Amerindian populations. Furthermore, we also showed that H. pylori could switch from specialist to generalist binding modes by chromosomal integration of foreign babA gene fragments. A mutant strain lacking the babA gene turned out to adhere to inflamed gastric epithelium, despite the fact that it did not bind Leb. We identified the receptor to which the mutant binds to as the sialyl-dimeric-Lewis x antigen (sdiLex) and found its expression to be associated with persistent H. pylori infection and chronic inflammation, both in humans and Rhesus monkeys. The cognate sialic acid binding adhesin (SabA) was identified by our ReTagging technique. Deletion of sabA caused loss of H. pylori binding to sialylated glycans, and screening of single colony isolates revealed a high frequency of spontaneous on⇒off phase variation in sLex binding. Using erythrocytes as a model for sialyl dependent cell adhesion, we could show that SabA is the sought-after H. pylori sialyl-dependent hemagglutinin. Swedish clinical H. pylori isolates were analyzed for sialyl-dependent hemagglutination (sia-HA), and the sia-HA titers were found to be highly correlated to the levels of sLex binding. Clinical isolates were shown to exhibit several distinct binding modes for sialylated glycans, which suggest that SabA exhibit polymorphism in binding. We also found that SabA binds to sialylated glycans on neutrophil surfaces by mechanisms involving “selectin mimicry”, and that SabA plays an important role in nonopsonic activation of neutrophils. In the human stomach, H. pylori is exposed to selective pressures such as immune and inflammatory responses, and this is reflected by changes in mucosal glycosylation patterns. The high mutation and recombination rates of H. pylori in combination with bio selection will continuously generate clones that are adapted to changes in individual gastric mucosa. Such adaptive selection contributes to the remarkable diversity in binding modes and to the extraordinary chronicity of H. pylori infections worldwide.

Although platelets are anucleate, they do inherit 1500-3000 mRNA transcripts from their megakaryocyte progenitors, in addition to all the machinery essential for protein synthesis; however, there is little understanding why platelets initiate de novo synthesis of these transcripts. Our group demonstrated that fibrinogen (Fg), a ligand of platelet Glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3 integrin), is required for platelet P-selectin expression and that engagement of Fg with GPIIb-IIIa is essential for this process. The present study shows that murine platelets incubated with Fg synthesize P-selectin de novo, and this synthesis is blocked by puromycin. A similar effect is also observed when platelets are incubated with fibronectin, another ligand of GPIIb-IIIa. Furthermore, platelets from both ligand- (Fg−/−, von Willebrand factor−/−, apolipoprotein A-IV−/−) and GPIIb-IIIa-deficient mice have altered proteomes. These data suggest an intricate mechanism by which engagement of platelets with their environment triggers signal-dependent translation of the platelet transcriptome, consequently altering the platelet proteome.

Although platelets are anucleate, they do inherit 1500-3000 mRNA transcripts from their megakaryocyte progenitors, in addition to all the machinery essential for protein synthesis; however, there is little understanding why platelets initiate de novo synthesis of these transcripts. Our group demonstrated that fibrinogen (Fg), a ligand of platelet Glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3 integrin), is required for platelet P-selectin expression and that engagement of Fg with GPIIb-IIIa is essential for this process. The present study shows that murine platelets incubated with Fg synthesize P-selectin de novo, and this synthesis is blocked by puromycin. A similar effect is also observed when platelets are incubated with fibronectin, another ligand of GPIIb-IIIa. Furthermore, platelets from both ligand- (Fg−/−, von Willebrand factor−/−, apolipoprotein A-IV−/−) and GPIIb-IIIa-deficient mice have altered proteomes. These data suggest an intricate mechanism by which engagement of platelets with their environment triggers signal-dependent translation of the platelet transcriptome, consequently altering the platelet proteome.

The correct and timely delivery of immune cells is critical for protection against foreign antigen. In order for cells to access most organs, there are requirements that must be met to facilitate exit from the blood into extravasculature. The initial requirement is selectin-selectin ligand interactions that mediate tethering and rolling to allow shear resistance. For proper selectin-selectin ligand interaction, glycoproteins must be modified by fucosyltransferases –IV and –VII, which adds fucose to an acceptor substrate to form the sialyl-LewisX moiety. Using fucosyltransferase –IV and –VII double knockout (FtDKO) mice, we made several novel observations. Our first observation showed increased numbers of naïve T cells in non-lymphoid organs. To support this observation, we blocked chemokine-mediated entry into lymph nodes (LNs) with pertussis toxin and L-selectin mediated entry with anti-CD62L antibody in WT mice. We also treated WT mice with the S1P1 agonist, FTY720, to retain lymphocytes in LNs. Our results suggested that when access to LN is perturbed, lymphocytes accumulate in non-lymphoid organs. Our second observation showed an enrichment of effector/memory T cells in FtDKO LNs. To determine if effector/memory CD8 T cells were retained in LNs, we transferred naïve and memory CD8 T cells into WT mice then treated the recipient mice with anti-CD62L. We found that LN exit rates of naïve and memory CD8 T cells were similar, but slowed as T cell density decreased. To understand if memory CD8 T cells were using selectin ligand independent mechanisms, we transferred naïve and memory CD8 T cells into WT or FtDKO mice. We found reduced numbers of memory CD8 T cells in LNs, however, their frequency was increased. We explored this result by transferring CFSE labeled memory CD8 T cells. We found that memory CD8 T cells divide more in FtDKO mice compared to WT. These experiments suggested that selectin ligand deficiencies cause increased frequency of effector/memory T cells in LNs due to low density and increased emptiness induced proliferation. Taken together, these findings reveal how selectin ligand deficiencies contribute to T cell accumulation in non-lymphoid organs and elucidate mechanisms of retention in LNs.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-166).

IntroduÃÃo â AlteraÃÃes na expressÃo ou funÃÃo das molÃculas de adesÃo (MA) nas cÃlulas leucÃmicas podem contribuir para a evoluÃÃo e no comportamento biolÃgico das leucemias agudas. A expressÃo aumentada nas LLAs parece relacionar-se aos mecanismos de disseminaÃÃo extramedular dos linfoblastos, infiltraÃÃo do SNC e formaÃÃo de massas tumorais. Objetivos â Analisar a expressÃo da L-selectina e do CD44 nas LLAs em crianÃas e adolescentes. Avaliar os fatores prognÃsticos (idade, sexo, leucometria ao diagnÃstico, imunofenÃtipo, classificaÃÃo FAB, EGIL, Ãndice de DNA e resposta ao tratamento de induÃÃo) e as apresentaÃÃes extramedulares das LLAs e correlacionÃ-los com essas MA. Pacientes e MÃtodos â Foram avaliados 76 pacientes com LLA, tratados com o Protocolo GBTLI-LLA. O diagnÃstico foi baseado em critÃrios FAB, imunofenotÃpicos (EGIL) e citogenÃticos. A expressÃo das MA foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo, utilizando tripla marcaÃÃo. O anticorpo monoclonal CD45-PerCP (ImmunotechÂ) foi utlizado como marcador dos linfoblastos. O CD44-PE (Clone HP2/9 - ImmunostepÂ) e o CD62L-FITC (Clone HI62L - ImmunostepÂ) foram utilizados para a marcaÃÃo das MA. Para a anÃlise das amostras e o cÃlculo da intensidade mÃdia de fluorescÃncia foi utilizado o programa Cell Quest. Na anÃlise estatÃstica utilizou-se o software SPSS 16.0. A associaÃÃo entre as variÃveis, os fatores prognÃsticos e resposta foi realizada com os testes de Qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher e Mann-Whitney. Sobrevida global foi determinada por curvas Kaplan-Meier e teste log-rank. AnÃlise multivariada por modelo proporcional de Cox foi utilizada para assegurar a independÃncia dos fatores prognÃsticos. Resultados â A mÃdia de idade foi 6,3Â0,5 anos (5m -17a) e predominou o sexo masculino (65%). Ao diagnÃstico os achados clÃnicos foram: hepatomegalia (63%), esplenomegalia (58%) e linfadenomegalia (44%). A infiltraÃÃo SNC ocorreu em 6,6% dos casos e o alargamento de mediastino em 11,8%. Quanto ao risco, 54% eram baixo risco e 46% alto risco. A classificaÃÃo FAB determinou 83% como L1 e 17% L2. DiagnÃstico de LLA-B foi mais frequente (89,5%) e o da LLA-T em 10,5% dos pacientes. O subtipo EGIL mais prevalente foi B II e B III, 51,5% e 45% respectivamente. O IDNA &#8805; 1.16 foi encontrado em 19% dos pacientes e associou-se a bom prognÃstico. Na avaliaÃÃo do D8, 95% dos pacientes apresentaram contagem de blastos <1000/mm3 e leucÃcitos < 5.000/mm3. A taxa de remissÃo de induÃÃo foi de 95% e ocorreram 2,6% de Ãbitos na induÃÃo. Observou-se uma maior expressÃo do CD44 na LLA-T (87,5%/ IMF=150,44Â20,29), porÃm sem significÃncia estatÃstica. LLAs com massa tumoral apresentaram 84% de expressÃo do CD44, quando comparada a 52% das LLAs sem massa tumoral (p=0.01; OR=4,8). ExpressÃo aumentada da L-selectina na LLA-T (87,5%/IMF=272,33Â52,72) foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,004), comparado a LLA-B (54,5%/ IMF= 115,90Â12,75). NÃo houve correlaÃÃo entre os outros fatores prognÃsticos e essas MA. Na anÃlise multivariada as variÃveis de maior impacto para a sobrevida foram: a leucometria ao diagnÃstico, sexo, imunofenÃtipo T e a L-selectina. ConclusÃo â A expressÃo da L-selectina e do CD44 estÃo aumentadas nas LLAs estudadas, principalmente na LLA-T. O CD44 correlacionou-se com LLAs com massas tumorais e parece estar relacionado aos mecanismos de disseminaÃÃo extramedular dos linfoblastos / Introduction â Altered expression or function of adhesion molecules on leukemic blasts may contribute to the evolution of acute leukemia and its biological behavior. The elevated expression of adhesion molecules in ALL might be correlated with the extramedullary dissemination of blast cells, CNS involvement and leukemia tumor burden. Purpose â To analyze the expression of L-selectin and CD44 in ALL in children and adolescents. As well as to evaluate the prognostic factors (age, gender, initial leukocyte count, immunophenotype, FAB and EGIL classification, DNA index and early response to treatment) and the extramedullary presentation of ALL, to finally correlate the prognostic factors with these adhesion molecules. Patients and Methods â From November 2007 to November 2008, 76 patients with newly diagnosed ALL started on Brazilian GBTLI-ALL Protocol. The diagnosis was based on cytological, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic methods. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the percentage of the adhesion molecules blasts cells was measured by flow cytometry using triple staining with McAb directly conjugated. CD45-PerCP positive cells were gated for blasts analysis. Anti-CD44-PE (Clone HP2/9 - ImmunostepÂ) and CD62L-FITC (Clone HI62L - ImmunostepÂ) were used to mark the adhesion molecules. The Cell Quest program was used for data acquisition and analysis. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 16.0 Software. The association of features, prognosis and response to treatment was assessed by Chi-square, Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Overall survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed independent prognostic factors. Results â The mean age at diagnosis was 6.3Â0.5 years (range 9mo to 17yr) and 65% of them were boys. Clinical findings were hepatomegaly (63%), splenomegaly (58%), lymphadenopathy (44%). CNS involvement was detected in 6.6% of cases and mediastinal mass appeared in 11.8% of them. Patients were classified into low risk (54%) and high risk (46%). FAB classification identified 83% as L1 and 17% as L2. Immunophenotypically, 89.5% of patients were classified as B-lineage ALL and 10.5% as T-lineage ALL. The most frequent EGIL subtype was B common and pre-B-ALL (51.5% and 45.5%, respectively). DNA index greater than 1.16 was found in 19% of the patients and was associated with favorable prognosis. On the D8 evaluation, 95% of the patients had blast count lower than 1.000/mm3 and leukocyte count lower than 5.000/mm3. The remission induction rate was 95% and there was a rate of 2.6% of death during induction therapy. CD44 had greater expression to the rate of 87.5% in T-cell ALL (MFI=150.44Â20.29) with no statistical correlation. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between 84% of CD44 expression and Leukemia burden tumor cases (p=0.01; OR=4.8). There was statistical correlation between L-selectin expression (87.5%/MFI=272.33Â52.72) and T-cell ALL (p=0,004). No significant correlation was detected between L-selectin and CD44 expression and other prognostic factors. Multivariate statistical analysis (adjusted for overall survival) indicated that initial leukocyte count, gender, T immunophenotype and L-selectin were independent factors. Conclusion â L-selectin and CD44 expressions were elevated in ALL studied, mainly in T-cell ALL. The research demonstrated that there is an association between CD44 expression and leukemia tumor burden, which might be involved in the dissemination of leukemic cells and the progression of the disease.