No description available.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds are well-recognized for their immunosuppressive activity, which is mediated through an intracellular receptor and transcription factor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Laboratory animals exposed to TCDD are less resistant to infection and have severely impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. This dissertation addressed the hypothesis that exposure to TCDD disrupts early events during the activation of CD4⁺ T cells, leading to their premature loss from the spleen. Initially, ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4⁺ T cells from transgenic DO11.10 mice were used to monitor the effects of TCDD on activated antigen-specific T cells. A graft-versus-host (GVH) model, in which T cells from C57B1/6 (B6) mice are injected into C57B1/6 x DBA/2 Fl (Fl) mice, was used to study the role of AhR specifically in the T cells in response to TCDD. B6 donor T cells (from AhR[superscript +/+] or AhR[superscript -/-] mice) respond to DBA/2 antigens in Fl mice and a CD4-dependent CTL response is generated. In both models, exposure to TCDD significantly decreased the number of responding CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen beginning on day 4 after initiation of the response. Exposure to TCDD altered the phenotype of OVA-specific CD4⁺ T cells beginning on day 2 after immunization with OVA. These studies also suggested that apoptosis was not the primary mechanism responsible for the loss of CD4⁺ T cells from the spleen in TCDD-treated mice. Exposure to TCDD induced AhR-dependent changes in the phenotype of B6 donor CD4⁺ T cells such that a subpopulation of CD25⁺ cells was increased in TCDD-treated Fl mice, and these cells had in vitro functional characteristics consistent with regulatory T (Treg) cells. Exposure to TCDD increased the frequency of donor CD4⁺ T cells producing interleukin (IL)-2. In addition, increased expression of CD25 in TCDD-treated mice was correlated with increased signaling through the IL-2 receptor. However, IL-2 alone was not sufficient to mimic the potent immunosuppressive effects of TCDD. These results suggest that TCDD suppresses T cell immunity in part by inducing and/or expanding a subpopulation of Treg cells by a mechanism that may involve IL-2. / Graduation date: 2006

No description available.

Trichuris trichiura is a gastrointestinal dwelling nematode that infects almost 500 million people worldwide. T. muris occurs naturally in mice and is very closely related the human whipworm, making it a suitable model to dissect the immune response against the parasite. Studies using the Trichuris muris system have identified CD4+ T cells as dictators of the outcome of infection. In wild type mice, infection with a high dose of T. muris eggs leads to resistance and worm expulsion, which are dependent on a Th2 response and the secretion of type 2 cytokines especially interleukin (IL) 13. Chronicity is dependent on a Th1 response and occurs when mice are infected with a low dose of T. muris eggs. It is well established that metabolic changes are essential to promoting T cell activation and effector function. Moreover, during chronic infection the host immune system is continuously exposed to parasite antigen, which represents a metabolic challenge. This thesis has investigated the importance of T cell metabolism during response against T. muris. Data presented here show that low and high dose T. muris infections promote upregulation of the glycolytic pathway in CD4+ T cells. During later stages of chronic infection, CD4+ T cells displayed supressed glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, and may be due to metabolic modulation imposed by the parasite. Leucine uptake via the amino acid transporter Slc7a5 was previously shown to be required for mTORC1 activation and for T cell effector function. Data presented here show that in early stages following a high dose T. muris infection, mice that lack Slc7a5 in T cells have delayed worm expulsion, impaired production of antibodies, and lower levels of IL-13. Their CD4+ T cells present reduced glycolytic rates when compared to cells from cohoused infected wild type mice. However, at later stages of infection, antibody, IL-13 and glycolytic levels were restored together with worm expulsion. CD4+ T cells from the early stage of infection showed reduced phosphorylation of mTOR, which suggested that impairment of function was mTOR dependent. Indeed, mice lacking mTOR in T cells fail to expel a high dose of parasites. They showed abrogation of IL-13 production, impairment in antibody class switching and their CD4+ T cells failed to upregulate glycolysis. Thus, this thesis shows that mTOR is essential for the proper functioning of T cells during T. muris infection and efficient amino acid transport plays a significant role. Taken together, these data show that metabolic orchestration of T cell function influences the capacity to effectively control helminth infection and that even subtle changes in T cell metabolic control can have a major effect on response phenotype.

CD4+-T-Helferzellen sind in großer Zahl in der entzündeten Synovialmembran bei rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) sowie in Arthritismodellen vorhanden und spielen mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit eine bedeutende Rolle in der Pathogenese von Arthritiden. Bei der präventiven Behandlung mit drei verschiedenen Anti-CD4 monoklonalen Antikörpern (mAk) im Modell der Adjuvansarthritis der Ratte (AA) wurden abhängig von dem jeweils eingesetzten mAk unterschiedliche klinische Verbesserungen beobachtet. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchungen stand deshalb die Suche nach Parallelen zwischen der unterschiedlichen klinischen Effizienz der Anti-CD4 mAk W3/25, OX35 (klinisch effizient) und RIB5/2 (klinisch ineffizient) bei der präventiven Therapie der AA und ihren in vitro Effekten auf TZell-Funktionen als Erklärung für die unterschiedlichen Therapieeffekte. Keine klaren Parallelen zur differentiellen klinischen Effizienz ergaben sich bei den folgenden Untersuchungen: 1.) Bestimmung der Affinitäten der mAk zum CD4-Molekül. 2.) Inhibition der Proliferation in der primären gemischten Lymphozytenkultur (1° MLC) mit CD4+-T-Zellen und CD8+-T-Zellen durch die drei mAk 3.) Beeinflussung der Produktion der Zytokine IL-2, IFNg, IL-10 und IL-4 in verschiedenen experimentellen Ansätzen (sekundäre MLC nach Anwesenheit der mAk in der 1° MLC, Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels der mAk nach bzw. vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR). 4.) Einfluss der drei Anti-CD4 mAk auf die TZR-vermittelte Apoptose. 5.) Mobilisierung von intrazellulärem Kalzium durch CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der mAk. 6.) Aktivität der Tyrosinkinasen p56lck und p59fyn nach CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der mAk. 7) Phosphorylierung des Shc-Adaptermoleküls durch CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der drei mAk. 8.) Effekte der drei mAk auf die Aktivität der Transkriptionsfaktoren NF-AT und AP-1. Dagegen ergaben sich bei den Untersuchungen zur Produktion von TNFa und zur Aktivität des Transkriptionsfaktors NF-kB eindeutige Parallelen zur differentiellen klinischen Effizienz: 1.) Die Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels des mAk RIB5/2 nach bzw. vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR induzierte eine signifikant höhere Sekretion von TNFa als mit den mAk W3/25 und OX35. 2.) Die Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels des mAk RIB5/2 vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR führte zu einer signifikant stärkeren Erhöhung der Aktivität von NF-kB als mit den mAk W3/25 und OX35. Beide differentiellen Effekte könnten daher die Erklärung für die unterschiedliche klinische Effizienz der drei Anti-CD4 mAk darstellen.

CD4+-T-Helferzellen sind in großer Zahl in der entzündeten Synovialmembran bei rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) sowie in Arthritismodellen vorhanden und spielen mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit eine bedeutende Rolle in der Pathogenese von Arthritiden. Bei der präventiven Behandlung mit drei verschiedenen Anti-CD4 monoklonalen Antikörpern (mAk) im Modell der Adjuvansarthritis der Ratte (AA) wurden abhängig von dem jeweils eingesetzten mAk unterschiedliche klinische Verbesserungen beobachtet. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchungen stand deshalb die Suche nach Parallelen zwischen der unterschiedlichen klinischen Effizienz der Anti-CD4 mAk W3/25, OX35 (klinisch effizient) und RIB5/2 (klinisch ineffizient) bei der präventiven Therapie der AA und ihren in vitro Effekten auf TZell-Funktionen als Erklärung für die unterschiedlichen Therapieeffekte. Keine klaren Parallelen zur differentiellen klinischen Effizienz ergaben sich bei den folgenden Untersuchungen: 1.) Bestimmung der Affinitäten der mAk zum CD4-Molekül. 2.) Inhibition der Proliferation in der primären gemischten Lymphozytenkultur (1° MLC) mit CD4+-T-Zellen und CD8+-T-Zellen durch die drei mAk 3.) Beeinflussung der Produktion der Zytokine IL-2, IFNg, IL-10 und IL-4 in verschiedenen experimentellen Ansätzen (sekundäre MLC nach Anwesenheit der mAk in der 1° MLC, Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels der mAk nach bzw. vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR). 4.) Einfluss der drei Anti-CD4 mAk auf die TZR-vermittelte Apoptose. 5.) Mobilisierung von intrazellulärem Kalzium durch CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der mAk. 6.) Aktivität der Tyrosinkinasen p56lck und p59fyn nach CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der mAk. 7) Phosphorylierung des Shc-Adaptermoleküls durch CD4-Kreuzvernetzung mittels der drei mAk. 8.) Effekte der drei mAk auf die Aktivität der Transkriptionsfaktoren NF-AT und AP-1. Dagegen ergaben sich bei den Untersuchungen zur Produktion von TNFa und zur Aktivität des Transkriptionsfaktors NF-kB eindeutige Parallelen zur differentiellen klinischen Effizienz: 1.) Die Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels des mAk RIB5/2 nach bzw. vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR induzierte eine signifikant höhere Sekretion von TNFa als mit den mAk W3/25 und OX35. 2.) Die Kreuzvernetzung des CD4-Moleküls mittels des mAk RIB5/2 vor einer Stimulation von CD4+-T-Zellen über den TZR führte zu einer signifikant stärkeren Erhöhung der Aktivität von NF-kB als mit den mAk W3/25 und OX35. Beide differentiellen Effekte könnten daher die Erklärung für die unterschiedliche klinische Effizienz der drei Anti-CD4 mAk darstellen.

Background. Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, also known as amylin) is a 37-amino acid peptide principally co-secreted with insulin from the beta-cells of the pancreatic islets. Some of the physiological actions of human amylin (hIAPP) include glucose regulation, suppression of appetite and stimulation of renal sodium and water reabsorption. Amylin deficiency and diminished post-prandial amylin response have been reported in advanced stages of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In autopsy specimens of type 2 diabetes, amyloid is found in 40--90% of cases. During the characterization of islet morphology of aged hIAPP transgenic mice, I observed pathological features suggestive of immune dysregulation. Review of literature also suggested possible immuno-modulating functions of human amylin in in vitro experiments. Since autoimmunity and innate immunity are implicated in aging and diabetes, I explored the immunological role of amylin with particular focus on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells and toll-like receptors (TLR) which are known mediators of autoimmunity and innate immunity respectively. / Conclusions. Human amylin may play an important role in modulating immunity mainly through stimulating CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, decreasing PLN and altering expression of TLR-4 and cytokines. If these findings are confirmed in in vivo model, human amylin has the potential to become a novel and promising therapy to prevent and reverse autoimmune disease such as autoimmune type 1 diabetes. / Hypothesis. Human amylin may have immunomodulating effects which may have implications on pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes. / Materials and methods. Male hemizygous hIAPP transgenic mice (n=32) and their nontransgenic littermates (n=20) were fed with normal chow and studied longitudinally up to 18 months of age with measurement of plasma insulin, glucose and amylin at regular intervals. Detailed oral glucose tolerance test, intra-peritoneal insulin tolerance test, insulin and amylin protein expression were examined at 3, 7, 12 and 18 months of age. Histological changes of pancreas and spleen including changes in CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells and cytokines were examined at 12 and 18 months. / Objectives. (1) I systemically characterized the morphological, functional and immune regulatory role of human amylin in aged hIAPP transgenic mice which include metabolic profiles, plasma levels of amylin and insulin as well as morphological changes of pancreatic lymph nodes (PLN). (2) I then examined splenic expression of TLR-4 associated changes in cytokines (TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, and IL-6). (3) I also examined the expression level of receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) in pancreas and spleen. (4) I finished by investigating the role of human amylin on stimulating CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cells in hIAPP transgenic mice and peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) from healthy subjects. / Results. (1) With aging, the hIAPP transgenic mice demonstrated increased plasma amylin, decreased plasma insulin, reduced insulin to amylin ratio and improved insulin sensitivity (p<0.05). (2) The aged hIAPP transgenic mice showed changes in immune function as indicated by: (a) Reduced number and size of PLN (p<0.05). (b) Decreased expression level of TLR-4 in splenocytes (p<0.05). (c) Increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) protein but decreased level of IL-6 in splenocytes (p<0.05). (3) The changes in the levels of immune cytokines such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, interferon-gamma and GM-CSF were similar between hIAPP transgenic and nontransgenic mice (p>0.05). (4) The levels of RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 were higher in the spleen of hIAPP transgenic mice than nontransgenic mice (p<0.05). (5) The hIAPP transgenic mice showed higher percentage of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells compared with nontransgenic littermates. Treatment with human amylin, but not rat amylin, increased the percentage of FoxP3+CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in both splenic T lymphocytes of hIAPP transgenic mice and PBMCs of healthy subjects ex vivo (p<0.05). / He, Lan / Adviser: Juliana C.N. Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-199). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / IL-17-producing T cells are critical to the development of pathogen and tumor immunity, but also contribute to the pathology of autoimmune diseases and allergic inflammation. CD8+ (Tc17) and CD4+ (Th17) IL-17-secreting T cells develop in response to a cytokine environment that activates Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins, though the mechanisms underlying Tc17/Th17 development and stability are still unclear. In vivo, Tc17 cells clear vaccinia virus infection and acquire cytotoxic potential, that is independent of IL-17 production and the acquisition of IFN-γ-secreting potential, but partially dependent on Fas ligand, suggesting that Tc17-mediated vaccinia virus clearance is through cell killing independent of an acquired Tc1 phenotype. In contrast, memory Th cells and NKT cells display STAT4-dependent IL-23-induced IL-17 production that correlates with Il23r expression. IL-23 does not activate STAT4 nor do other STAT4-activating cytokines induce Il23r expression in these populations, suggesting a T cell-extrinsic role for STAT4 in mediating IL-23 responsiveness. Although IL-23 is important for the maintenance of IL-17-secreting T cells, it also promotes their instability, often resulting in a pathogenic Th1-like phenotype in vitro and in vivo. In vitro-derived Th17 cells are also flexible when cultured under polarizing conditions that promote Th2 or Th9 differentiation, adopting the respective effector programs, and decreasing IL-17 production. However, in models of allergic airway disease, Th17 cells do not secrete alternative cytokines nor adopt other effector programs, and remain stable IL-17-secretors. In contrast to Th1-biased pro-inflammatory environments that induce Th17 instability in vivo, during allergic inflammatory disease, Th17 cells are comparatively stable, and retain the potential to produce IL-17. Together these data document that the inflammatory environment has distinct effects on the stability of IL-17-secreting T cells in vivo.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Vaccinia virus (VV) is the prototypical member of the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, and is currently being evaluated as a vector for vaccine development and cancer cell-targeting therapy. Despite the importance of studying poxvirus effects on the human immune system, reports of the direct interactions between poxviruses and primary human leukocytes (PHLs) are limited. We studied the specific molecular events that determine the VV tropism for major PHL subsets including monocytes, B cells, neutrophils, NK cells, and T cells. We found that VV exhibited an extremely strong bias towards binding and infecting monocytes among PHLs. VV binding strongly co-localized with lipid rafts on the surface of these cell types, even when lipid rafts were relocated to the cell uropods upon cell polarization. In humans, monocytic and professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) have so far only been reported to exhibit abortive infections with VV. We found that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), including granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-polarized M1 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-polarized M2, were permissive to VV replication. The majority of virions produced in MDMs were extracellular enveloped virions (EEV). Visualization of infected MDMs revealed the formation of VV factories, actin tails, virion-associated branching structures and cell linkages, indicating that infected MDMs are able to initiate de novo synthesis of viral DNA and promote virus release. Classical activation of MDMs by LPS plus IFN-γ stimulation caused no effect on VV replication, whereas alternative activation of MDMs by IL-10 or LPS plus IL-1β treatment significantly decreased VV production. The IL-10-mediated suppression of VV replication was largely due to STAT3 activation, as a STAT3 inhibitor restored virus production to levels observed without IL-10 stimulation. In conclusion, our data indicate that PHL subsets express and share VV protein receptors enriched in lipid rafts. We also demonstrate that primary human macrophages are permissive to VV replication. After infection, MDMs produced EEV for long-range dissemination and also form structures associated with virions which may contribute to cell-cell spread.