Erythema is a hallmark skin response to excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and is associated with cutaneous inflammation. Both are mediated by inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and chemoattractants such as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) leading to vasodilation and increased leukocyte infiltration. The erythematous response is more pronounced in individuals with low basal melanin levels or who fail to respond to UVR with a robust up-regulation of melanogenesis. While melanin production is a key function of melanocytes, these cells can also produce NO and PGE2, and are located in close proximity to the dermal vasculature. It has been hypothesized that melanocytes with poor melanogenic capacity may participate in the inflammatory response to UVR. The aim of this project was to investigate the inflammatory response in the skin of individuals with either skin phototype (SPT) 1 or 4 to UVR. Sixteen normal healthy individuals were selected for study (8 SPT-1 & 8 SPT-4). Buttock skin was investigated by immunohistochemistry for leukocyte subtypes, eicosanoid producing enzymes and NO synthases under basal and UVR-stimulated conditions. In addition primary cultures of epidermal melanocytes (EM) were established from 16 individuals (8 SPT-1 & 8 SPT-4) and assessed for the presence of eicosanoid-producing enzymes, melanogenic enzymes and NO synthases, by immunocytochemistry, Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western Blotting and for the production of the main pro-inflammatory eicosanoid PGE2 by ELISA and Mass Spectrometry. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of cultured melanocytes was assessed by Gas Chromatography. Results showed that individuals with SPT-1 had significantly greater neutrophil infiltration into the epidermis than those with SPT-4 at 24 hrs post-UVR. Moreover, CD3+ lymphocyte infiltration into the dermis was significantly greater in individuals with SPT-4 than those with SPT-1 at 24 and 72 hrs post-UVR. NOS-1, NOS-3, 12-LOX and COX-2 expression were significantly increased in SPT-1 skin, while NOS-2 and 15-LOX were significantly increased in SPT-4 skin. As 12-LOX and COX-2 products are chemoattractive (for neutrophils) and pro-inflammatory respectively these data could explain the greater observed neutrophil infiltration in SPT-1. The 15-LOX product (15-HETE) is anti-inflammatory and may suggest that 15-LOX up-regulation in SPT-4 skin may aid resolution of the sunburn response, which in part may be mediated by CD3+ lymphocytes and a class-switch in eicosanoid production from COX to LOX products. Melanocyte primary cultures surprisingly showed that SPT was not correlated with melanin content or melanogenic enzyme expression/activity suggesting that all melanocytes in vitro contained the necessary cellular machinery to produce melanin. This finding may reflect also their equal treatment under these enriched culture conditions, which may or may not be available to these cells in situ. Moreover, all melanocytes expressed the necessary machinery (PLA2, COX-1, cPGES) to produce PGE2. However, only some cultures did so at baseline and in response to UVR, and this was not correlated with SPT. A positive correlation was found however between expression level of dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and protection against PGE2 production in response to UVR, which may suggest a novel role for DCT unrelated to melanogenesis. In summary this research project has generated data that highlights differences between the skin of individuals with SPT-1 and those with SPT-4, and may provide evidence that the keratinocyte partner contributes significantly to the SPT-associated response. This research may also suggest DCT as a novel therapeutic target to protect EM from participation in the UVR-associated inflammatory response in skin. / Wellcome Trust

No description available.

Since late 1980s, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has emerged as the most economically important swine pathogen affecting pig industries worldwide. Vaccination is the principal means that have been used for prevention of PRRSV infection. However, the currently available vaccines for PRRSV are generally considered as not very effective. One of the major obstacles for developing an effective modified live-attenuated vaccine (MLV) with broad protection is the delayed and insufficient immune responses mounted by PRRSV, and the problem is further exacerbated by the antigenic variations of the constantly-evolving field strains of PRRSV. In order to boost the immune response induced by the MLV vaccine virus, we evaluated the immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy of recombinant PRRSV MLVs expressing porcine IL-15 or IL-18 as adjuvants. The cytokine genes were fused with a GPI modification signal so that they are anchored onto the cell surface upon infection with the recombinant MLV. Both cytokines are successfully expressed on the cell membrane of porcine alveolar macrophage (PAMs) after recombinant MLVs infection in vitro. Subsequently, pigs vaccinated with cytokine-expressing recombinant PRRSV MLVs had an improved antiviral response of cytotoxic lymphocytes including natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, characterized by increased IFN-γ secretion and/or enhanced CD107a expression. The results offer a novel strategy to incorporate cytokine genes into PRRSV genome as potent bio-active adjuvants expressed by the vaccine virus itself. Since we showed that PRRSV VR2385 down-regulated swine leukocyte antigen class I surface expression, naturally the next logical question is which viral protein is responsible for this down-regulation. To answer the question, we cloned and expressed all known PRRSV structural and non-structural proteins and examined which protein(s) is involved in SLA-I downregulation. Our results identified the newly-discovered nonstructural protein Nsp2TF of PRRSV as the main mediator in down-regulating SLA-I expression. We also demonstrated that the Nsp2TF-knockout mutant virus lost its function of negatively modulating SLA-I presentation compared to the wild-type virus. The results suggest that disruption of the Nsp2TF's ability to down-regulate SLA-I expression may improve the existing PRRSV vaccines towards a better CMI response against the virus. / PHD

But : La perte de l’intégrité de la barrière hémo-encéphalique (BHE) est l’une des caractéristiques principales de la sclérose en plaques. Cette augmentation de la perméabilité est associée à une désorganisation des molécules de jonction serrée et à une augmentation de l’expression de molécules d’adhérence essentielles à l’extravasation des cellules immunitaires. Identifier de nouvelles molécules impliquées dans ce processus est donc crucial pour le développement de nouvelles thérapies contre la sclérose en plaques visant à promouvoir l’intégrité de la BHE et à diminuer la migration des leucocytes dans le système nerveux central (SNC) au cours du processus neuro-inflammatoire. Dans cette étude, le rôle spécifique de la molécule d’adhérence ALCAM, qui est exprimé à la surface des cellules endothéliales de la BHE (CE-BHE) et de certains sous-types de leucocytes, a été évalué. Méthodologie : À l’aide d’une analyse protéomique exhaustive, notre laboratoire a identifié ALCAM comme étant une molécule d’adhérence surexprimée par les CE-BHE mises en culture dans un milieu pro-inflammatoire. Dans le but d’étudier le rôle spécifique d’ALCAM durant la diapédèse leucocytaire, nous avons induit chez des souris de type sauvages et des souris ALCAM déficientes l’encéphalite auto-immune expérimentale (EAE), le modèle animal de la sclérose en plaques. Le rôle d’ALCAM a aussi été étudié à l’aide d’un système d’adhérence sous flux laminaire. Cet appareil, qui imite un capillaire cérébral, permet de suivre en temps réel le mouvement des leucocytes, soumis à une pression physiologique, dans un tube couvert à sa base par des CE-BHE. Résultats : En utilisant ce système d’adhérence, j’ai pu démontrer que des anticorps dirigés contre ALCAM réduisent de façon significative le roulement et l’adhérence de monocytes CD14+ humains à la surface de CE-BHE. Par ailleurs, ces anticorps préviennent de façon marquée la diminution de la vitesse moyenne des cellules au cours de l’expérience. Par le fait même, j’ai aussi observé une réduction significative de l’extravasation des monocytes traités avec de l’anti-ALCAM au travers de CE-BHE dans un modèle statique de migration. Subséquemment, j’ai démontré que ces monocytes migrent plus rapidement et en plus grand nombre au travers d’une barrière constituée de cellules endothéliales méningées à comparer à des CE-BHE. Bien que des observations similaires ont été effectuées en utilisant des lymphocytes T CD4+ humains ex vivo, j’ai été incapable de reproduire ces résultats à l’aide de cellules Th1 et Th17 réactivées in vitro. Par opposition à nos données in vitro, j’ai découvert que les souris déficientes en ALCAM développent une EAE active plus sévère que celle observée chez des souris de type sauvages. Cette EAE est par ailleurs associée à une infiltration périvasculaire de lymphocytes T pro-inflammatoires et de monocytes/macrophages de type M1 plus marqué chez les souris ALCAM déficientes. L’induction d’une EAE par transfert adoptif, dans laquelle des cellules immunitaires de type sauvage réactivées par du MOG sont injectées à des souris déficientes en ALCAM, suggère que la pathophysiologie observée durant l’EAE active serait liée à l’absence d’ALCAM au niveau de la BHE. Une caractérisation de la barrière des souris ALCAM déficientes non immunisées a par la suite révélé une réduction de l’expression de certaines molécules de jonction serrée. Une analyse plus poussée a par ailleurs démontré qu’ALCAM est lié indirectement à des molécules de jonction serrée des CE-BHE, ce qui expliquerait l’augmentation de la perméabilité de celle-ci chez les souris déficientes en ALCAM. Une analyse de la perméabilité intercellulaire de la BHE effectuée in vitro a d’autre part corrélé ces résultats. Conclusion : Collectivement, nos données prouvent qu’ALCAM joue un rôle prépondérant dans la diapédèse des monocytes, mais pas des lymphocytes Th1 et Th17 au travers de la BHE. Par ailleurs, nos résultats suggèrent qu’ALCAM remplit une fonction biologique cruciale favorisant le maintien de l’intégrité de la BHE en agissant comme molécule adaptatrice intermédiaire entre les molécules de jonction serrées et le cytosquelette. De cette façon, l’absence d’ALCAM au niveau des CE-BHE promeut indirectement le recrutement de leucocytes pro-inflammatoires dans le SNC des souris atteintes de l’EAE en augmentant la perméabilité des vaisseaux sanguins de la BHE. / Aim: The loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis. It is associated with a disorganization of junctional molecules and an upregulation of cell adhesion molecules essential for immune cell transmigration. Identifying novel key players involved in this process is thus crucial for the development of MS therapies aimed at promoting BBB integrity and decreasing leukocytes trafficking into the central nervous system (CNS) during neuroinflammation. In this study, the specific role of the adhesion molecule ALCAM, found on BBB endothelial cells (BBB-ECs) and subsets of leukocytes, was assessed. Methods: We first identified ALCAM as an important molecule upregulated during inflammation in a proteomic screen of in vitro cultured primary human BBB-ECs. In order to study the effects of ALCAM on leukocyte transmigration, both active and passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in ALCAM KO and WT animals. The specific role of ALCAM during leukocyte transmigration was also assessed using a modified adhesion assay under sheer-stress, in which leukocytes flow across a capillary-like channel lined with a monolayer of BBB-ECs under physiological pressure. Results: Using the modified adhesion assay, we demonstrated that anti-ALCAM blocking antibodies significantly reduce the rolling and the adhesion of human CD14+ monocytes interacting with primary human BBB-ECs, as well as prevent their overall decrease in velocity. Concurrently, we also observed a significant reduction in the migration of ex vivo CD14+ monocytes, across a monolayer of human BBB-ECs. These monocytes also migrated more rapidly and in higher number across meningeal endothelial cells, as compared to BBB-ECs. While similar observations were made using ex vivo CD4+ T lymphocytes, we failed to reproduce these results using in vitro activated Th1 and Th17 cells. In opposition to our in vitro data, ALCAM KO mice developed a more severe active EAE associated with a significant increase in perivascular infiltration of pro-inflammatory lymphocytes (Th1/Th17) and M1 monocytes/macrophages, as compared to WT controls. In addition, EAE transfer experiments, in which ALCAM KO mice received WT MOG-reactivated splenocytes, suggested that the pathophysiology observed in active EAE was linked to the absence of ALCAM on BBB-ECs. Phenotypic characterization of un-immunized ALCAM KO mice revealed a reduced expression of BBB junctional proteins. Further analysis showed that ALCAM is indirectly associated with tight junction molecules of the BBB-ECs, which explains the increased CNS parenchymal blood vessel in vivo permeability in ALCAM KO animals. Correlating with these data, primary culture of mouse brain BBB-ECs was shown to possess a lower TEER and an increased permeability coefficient. Conclusion: Collectively, our data provide evidence of the implication of ALCAM in monocyte transmigration, but not Th1 or Th17 lymphocyte diapedesis across CNS endothelium. Our results also point to a biologically crucial function of ALCAM in maintaining BBB integrity by acting as an adaptor molecule between tight junctions and the cytoskeleton. As such, the absence of ALCAM at the level of BBB-ECs indirectly promotes the recruitment of pro-inflammatory leukocytes in the CNS of EAE animals by increasing the BBB vessels permeability.

No description available.

An individual's Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type is an essential immunogenetic parameter, influencing susceptibility to a variety of autoimmune and infectious diseases, to certain types of cancer and the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. I present and evaluate two models for the accurate statistical determination of HLA types for single-population and multi-population studies, based on SNP genotypes. Importantly, SNP genotypes are already available for many studies, so that the application of the statistical methods presented here does not incur any extra cost besides computing time. HLA*IMP:01 is based on a parallelized and modified version of LDMhc (Leslie et al., 2008), enabling the processing of large reference panels and improving call rates. In a homogeneous single-population imputation scenario on a mainly British dataset, it achieves accuracies (posterior predictive values) and call rates >=88% at all classical HLA loci (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRB1) at 4-digit HLA type resolution. HLA*IMP:02 is specifically designed to deal with multi-population heterogeneous reference panels and based on a new algorithm to construct haplotype graph models that takes into account haplotype estimate uncertainty, allows for missing data and enables the inclusion of prior knowledge on linkage disequilibrium. It works as well as HLA*IMP:01 on homogeneous panels and substantially outperforms it in more heterogeneous scenarios. In a cross-European validation experiment, even without setting a call threshold, HLA*IMP:02 achieves an average accuracy of 96% at 4-digit resolution (>=91% for all loci, which is achieved at HLA-DRB1). HLA*IMP:02 can accurately predict structural variation (DRB paralogs), can (to an extent) detect errors in the reference panel and is highly tolerant of missing data. I demonstrate that a good match between imputation and reference panels in terms of principal components and reference panel size are essential determinants of high imputation accuracy under HLA*IMP:02.

Objectifs: Chez les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques (SEP), des lymphocytes pro-inflammatoires utilisent des molécules d’adhérence afin de parvenir à traverser la barrière hémo-encéphalique (BHE) et former des lésions multifocales dans le système nerveux central (SNC). Dans le contexte de la SEP, les lymphocytes CD4 auto-agressifs polarisés en TH17 (sécrétant de l’IL-17) sont reconnus comme contribuant à la formation des lésions. Le rôle des lymphocytes CD8 TC17 est quant à lui encore mal défini. L’identification de marqueurs de surface spécifiquement exprimés par les lymphocytes TH17 et TC17 faciliterait la caractérisation de ces sous-populations pathogéniques et fournirait de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques pour traiter la SEP. Méthodologie: Nous avons identifié MCAM lors d’analyses protéomiques de cellules endothéliales de la BHE humaine et de lymphocytes T humains. Nous avons caractérisé le phénotype et la fonction de ces cellules exprimant MCAM ex vivo, in vitro, in situ et in vivo, à partir de matériel obtenu de témoins (contrôles), de patients atteints de SEP et d’animaux atteints d’encéphalomyélite auto-immune expérimentale (EAE). Résultats: MCAM est exprimé à la fois par les cellules endothéliales de la BHE humaine et par une sous-population de lymphocytes T effecteurs mémoire CD161+ et CCR6+. Les lymphocytes CD4 et CD8 MCAM+ expriment plus d’IL-17, IL-22, GM-CSF et granzyme B (Gz B) que les lymphocytes MCAMneg. De plus, l’expression de MCAM est fortement augmentée à la surface des lymphocytes T CD4+ et CD8+ lors des poussées de SEP, alors que les traitements immunomodulateurs en diminuent l’expression. In situ, l’expression de MCAM par les cellules endothéliales de la BHE est plus marquée au site des lésions de SEP et d’EAE, et on retrouve des lymphocytes CD4 et CD8 MCAM+ au sein de ces infiltrats périvasculaires du SNC. In vitro, les lymphocytes CD8 MCAM+ causent plus de mort oligodendrocytaire et bloquer MCAM diminue la transmigration des CD8 TC17 et des CD4 TH17 à travers les cellules endothéliales de la BHE humaine. In vivo, dépléter les lymphocytes CD4 ou CD8 MCAM+ améliore les signes cliniques de l’EAE par transfert. Par ailleurs, l’expression de MCAM est régulée à la hausse à la surface des lymphocytes CD4 et CD8 de la souris transgénique TCR1640, un modèle animal d’EAE spontanée. Finalement, bloquer MCAM atténue les déficits neurologiques chroniques aussi bien du modèle d’EAE induite avec le MOG35-55 que du modèle d’EAE spontanée. Conclusion: Nos données démontrent que les lymphocytes encéphalitogéniques produisant de l’IL-17 et présentant une capacité effectrice et migratoire marquée expriment MCAM. MCAM pourrait servir de biomarqueur en SEP et constituer une cible thérapeutique valable pour traiter les conditions neuroinflammatoires. / Objective: In multiple sclerosis (MS), pro-inflammatory lymphocytes use adhesion molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and accumulate in central nervous system (CNS) lesions. CD4 T lymphocytes polarized into auto-aggressive encephalitogenic TH17 (IL-17 secreting) are known to partake in MS lesion formation. Much less is known about the role of CD8 TC17. Identification of specific surface markers and adhesion molecules expressed by TH17 and TC17 lymphocytes would allow further characterization of these pathogenic subsets and would provide new therapeutic targets in MS. Methodology: We identified MCAM in a proteomic screen of human BBB endothelial cells (ECs) and on a subset of T lymphocytes. We characterized the phenotype and function of MCAM-expressing cells ex vivo, in vitro and in situ using human and mouse material obtained from controls, MS subjects and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) animals. Results: MCAM is expressed by human BBB-ECs and by human effector memory CD161+ and CCR6+ T lymphocytes. Both CD4 and CD8 MCAM+ lymphocytes express more IL-17, IL-22, GM-CSF and Gz B than MCAMneg lymphocytes. Moreover, MCAM is strikingly up-regulated in human on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes during MS relapses, while treatment decreases MCAM expression. In situ, MCAM+ CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes are present in perivascular infiltrates of MS and EAE CNS specimens, while MCAM expression is up-regulated on BBB-ECs within lesions. In vitro, MCAM+ CD8 T lymphocytes display higher killing capacity of oligodendrocytes, and MCAM blockade reduces CD8 TC17 and CD4 TH17 transmigration across human BBB-ECs. In vivo, depletion of MCAM+ cells from reactivated CD4 T lymphocytes and from CD8 T lymphocytes decreases clinical symptoms in adoptive transfer EAE. Furthermore, expression of MCAM is up-regulated on CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in the TCR1640 transgenic mice, a model of spontaneous EAE. Finally, blocking MCAM in both MOG35-55-induced and spontaneous primary progressive EAE attenuates chronic neurological deficits. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that encephalitogenic IL-17-producing lymphocytes with high effector and migratory capacity express MCAM, and that MCAM could serve as a biomarker for MS and a valuable target for the treatment neuroinflammatory conditions.

Increasing evidence implicates the presence of bacteria in intrauterine tissues as an important risk factor for spontaneous preterm labor. Epigenetic alterations of innate immunity genes may increase the mother’s sensitivity to subclinical levels of bacteria. This study examined the presence of TET2, TLR-2, and TLR-9 in intrauterine tissue, and evaluated whether epigenetic alterations of these genes, as well as IL-8, changed their expression in human decidual tissue and a macrophage cell culture. Immunohistochemicalstaining was used to detect the presence of these proteins in intrauterine tissue. Gene expression changes were evaluated in stimulated monocytes and macrophages. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to track translocation of TET2 in stimulated monocytes and macrophages. Secreted IL-8 concentration was detected with ELISA. Decidual expression of TET2, TLR-2, and TLR-9 increased in the order TNL < TL < sPTL < iPTL. This study found that TET2, TLR-2, TLR-9, and IL-8 are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. This study was the first to report activation of TET2 involves its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus in macrophages.

The anatomy of the cranial peripheral nervous system has been studied for over a century, yet surprisingly little is known about how the nerves are guided to their targets. The study of the development of these nerves has important implications for our understanding of craniofacial anomalies and possible treatments for both injury and genetic disorders of nerve development such as Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. We have discovered that retinoic acid (RA) may play a role in the development of the trigeminal nerve. Inhibition of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) results in trigeminal nerves that become unbundled or defasciculated in the eye region. To further understand how RA is affecting trigeminal development we searched for genes downregulated in response to RAR inhibition by the inhibitor BMS-453 and have identified neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and Semaphorin 4B (Sema4B). We have analyzed the expression patterns of Sema4B and NT-3 by in situ hybridization and have found NT-3 expression in the eye and Sema4B in the embryonic target of the trigeminal nerve, lens of the eye and in the pharyngeal arches. ALCAM has been analyzed via qRT-PCR and its transcription is downregulated just prior to the observed defasciculation phenotype. The pattern of expression of these genes combined with known expression of NT-3 receptors allows us to suggest a model whereby RA signaling regulates Sema4B, ALCAM and NT-3, which support the survival, guidance and fasciculation of the trigeminal nerve. This work has the potential to better understanding of the complex nature of cranial nervous system development.

A doação de plaquetas por aférese é um procedimento automatizado que permite a obtenção deste hemocomponente em grande quantidade e com ato grau de pureza; deste processo obtém-se um subproduto chamado Câmara de Leucorredução (CLR) que é descartado ao final da doação. São permitidas até 24 doações/ano; porém as possíveis consequências de doações frequentes para esses doadores são pouco investigadas. Assim, foram identificados e quantificados os leucócitos de doadores de plaquetas frequentes e de 1ª vez. Também foi avaliada a viabilidade do uso das células mononucleares da CLR para pesquisas. Observou-se mais células na CLR que no sangue e que a frequência das populações é similar. O estado de ativação e a capacidade funcional (proliferação e produção de citocinas) foram similares entre CLR e sangue, assim como a taxa de apoptose espontânea. Entre doadores frequentes e de primeira vez não houve diferença no número de leucócitos, sugerindo que doações recorrentes não alteraram as populações leucocitárias. / Plateletpheresis is an automatized procedure to obtain high purity platelet for transfusions. From this procedure its possible to obtain a byproduct: The Leukoreduction system chamber (LRSC), which is discarded at the end of donation process. This type of donation allows 24 donation/year, but the consequences of frequent donations are poorly investigated. Therefore, we identified and quantified leukocytes of frequent and first time platelet donor. Also, was evaluated the viability, for research, of mononuclear cells recovery from LRSC. The total number of mononuclear cells was higher in LRSC than in peripheral blood samples, but the frequencies were similar in all the samples. Activation state and functional capacity (measured by cell proliferation and cytokine production) were similar in both, blood and LRSC mononuclear cells, as well as spontaneous apoptosis. Among frequent (6 or more donations in 1 year) and first time donor, there was no difference in the leukocyte total number, suggesting that frequent donation do not modify these cells.