Gerald Grütz

The LIM‐only protein Lmo2 is a bridging molecule assembling an erythroid, DNA‐binding complex which includes the TAL1, E47, GATA‐1 and Ldb1/NLI proteins

The LIM‐only protein Lmo2, activated by chromosomal translocations in T‐cell leukaemias, is normally expressed in haematopoiesis. It interacts with TAL1 and GATA‐1 proteins, but the function of the interaction is unexplained. We now show that in erythroid cells Lmo2 forms a novel DNA‐binding complex, with GATA‐1, TAL1 and E2A, and the recently identified LIM‐binding protein Ldb1/NLI. This oligomeric complex binds to a unique, bipartite DNA motif comprising an E‐box, CAGGTG, followed ∼9 bp downstream by a GATA site. In vivo assembly of the DNA‐binding complex requires interaction of all five proteins and establishes a transcriptional transactivating complex. These data demonstrate one function for the LIM‐binding protein Ldb1 and establish a function for the LIM‐only protein Lmo2 as an obligatory component of an oligomeric, DNA‐binding complex which may play a role in haematopoiesis.

Biology of interleukin-10

Interleukin (IL)-10 is the most important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties besides TGF-β and IL-35. It is produced by activated immune cells, in particular monocytes/macrophages and T cell subsets including Tr1, Treg, and Th1 cells. IL-10 acts through a transmembrane receptor complex, which is composed of IL-10R1 and IL-10R2, and regulates the functions of many different immune cells. In monocytes/macrophages, IL-10 diminishes the production of inflammatory mediators and inhibits antigen presentation, although it enhances their uptake of antigens. Additionally, IL-10 plays an important role in the biology of B cells and T cells. The special physiological relevance of this cytokine lies in the prevention and limitation of over-whelming specific and unspecific immune reactions and, in consequence, of tissue damage. At the same time, IL-10 strengthens the scavenger-function and contributes to induced tolerance. This review provides an overview about the cellular sources, molecular mechanisms, effects, and biological role of IL-10.

New insights into the molecular mechanism of interleukin-10-mediated immunosuppression

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is an important immunomodulatory cytokine, which has attracted much attention because of its anti‐inflammatory properties. It reduces antigen presentation and inhibits T cell activation. IL‐10‐treated myeloid cells lose their ability to respond toward the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with the production of several proinflammatory mediators. Thereby, IL‐10 limits excessive inflammatory reactions in response to endotoxin as it occurs in colitis or endotoxin shock. Mice can be tolerized toward endotoxin shock when pretreated with a sublethal dose of LPS. This can be mimicked in vitro as LPS desensitization, resulting in a similar LPS hyporesponsiveness as observed with IL‐10 pretreatment. However, an early block in LPS signaling characterizes LPS desensitization, whereas IL‐10 seems to target late events. Controversial reports have been published where IL‐10 would interfere with the induction of proinflammatory mediators, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind the anti‐inflammatory activities of IL‐10. Some recent publications have tried to gain more insight into the molecular mechanism of IL‐10 by gene‐expression profiling and functional studies in myeloid‐derived cells. These results are reviewed here and compared with the progress that has been made to understand the induction of endotoxin tolerance by LPS itself.

The oncogenic T cell LIM‐protein Lmo2 forms part of a DNA‐binding complex specifically in immature T cells

The LIM‐only protein LMO2 is expressed aberrantly in acute T‐cell leukaemias as a result of the chromosomal translocations t(11;14) (p13;q11) or t(7;11) (q35;p13). In a transgenic model of tumorigenesis by Lmo2, T‐cell acute leukaemias arise after an asymptomatic phase in which an accumulation of immature CD4− CD8− double negative thymocytes occurs. Possible molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have been investigated in T cells from Lmo2 transgenic mice. Isolation of DNA‐binding sites by CASTing and band shift assays demonstrates the presence of an oligomeric complex involving Lmo2 which can bind to a bipartite DNA motif comprising two E‐box sequences ∼10 bp apart, which is distinct from that found in erythroid cells. This complex occurs in T‐cell tumours and it is restricted to the immature CD4− CD8− thymocyte subset in asymptomatic transgenic mice. Thus, ectopic expression of Lmo2 by transgenesis, or by chromosomal translocations in humans, may result in the aberrant protein interactions causing abnormal regulation of gene expression, resulting in a blockage of T‐cell differentiation and providing precursor cells for overt tumour formation.

Deletion of the RNA-binding proteins ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 leads to perturbed thymic development and T lymphoblastic leukemia.

ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 are RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that interact with AU-rich elements in the 3′ untranslated region of mRNA, which leads to mRNA degradation and translational repression. Here we show that mice that lacked ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 during thymopoiesis developed a T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) dependent on the oncogenic transcription factor Notch1. Before the onset of T-ALL, thymic development was perturbed, with accumulation of cells that had passed through the β-selection checkpoint without first expressing the T cell antigen receptor β-chain (TCRβ). Notch1 expression was higher in untransformed thymocytes in the absence of ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2. Both RBPs interacted with evolutionarily conserved AU-rich elements in the 3′ untranslated region of Notch1 and suppressed its expression. Our data establish a role for ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 during thymocyte development and in the prevention of malignant transformation.

Null Mutation of the Lmo4 Gene or a Combined Null Mutation of the Lmo1/Lmo3 Genes Causes Perinatal Lethality, and Lmo4 Controls Neural Tube Development in Mice

ABSTRACT The LIM-only family of proteins comprises four members; two of these (LMO1 and LMO2) are involved in human T-cell leukemia via chromosomal translocations, and LMO2 is a master regulator of hematopoiesis. We have carried out gene targeting of the other members of the LIM-only family, viz., genes Lmo1, Lmo3 and Lmo4, to investigate their role in mouse development. None of these genes has an obligatory role in lymphopoiesis. In addition, while null mutations of Lmo1 or Lmo3 have no discernible phenotype, null mutation of Lmo4 alone causes perinatal lethality due to a severe neural tube defect which occurs in the form of anencephaly or exencephaly. Since the Lmo1 and Lmo3 gene sequences are highly related and have partly overlapping expression domains, we assessed the effect of compound Lmo1/Lmo3 null mutations. Although no anatomical defects were apparent in compound null pups, these animals also die within 24 h of birth, suggesting that a compensation between the related Lmo1 and 3 proteins can occur during embryogenesis to negate the individual loss of these genes. Our results complete the gene targeting of the LIM-only family in mice and suggest that all four members of this family are important in regulators of distinct developmental pathways.

Sustained BK viruria as an early marker for the development of BKV-associated nephropathy: analysis of 4128 urine and serum samples.

Background. BKV reactivation plays the causative role in the development of BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). Because of the lack of effective therapy, early diagnosis of BKV reactivation is paramount for the prevention of BKVAN. Resting in uroepithelial cells, BKV is excreted first in urine before it can be detected in plasma. The present study analyzed predictive value of BK viruria for the development of BK viremia and its possible advantage for the early BKVAN prediction. Methods. Total of 4128 urine and serum samples obtained from renal transplant patients were analyzed for BKV positivity by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 433 patients in cross-sectional and in 233 patients in longitudinal manner, respectively. The prospective longitudinal analysis included seven measurements during the first posttransplant year. Results. A total of 7% and 19% patients were positive for BKV in serum and urine, respectively. Sustained BK viruria showed sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 94% for BK viremia and was associated with significantly higher level of BK load than the patients with transient viruria (P<0.01). Interestingly, BK viremia was preceded by BK viruria: the peak of viral load and number of positive patients appeared during the third and fifth posttransplant month for urine and serum, respectively. BKVAN diagnosed in 21.4% of patient with persistent BK viruria appeared 5 and 11 weeks after BKV reactivation in serum and urine, respectively, was detected. Conclusion. Sustained BK viruria is a reliable marker allowing an early identification of patients at high risk of BKVAN development and therefore assure precocious therapeutic interventions.

Expression profiling of IL-10-regulated genes in human monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from psoriatic patients during IL-10 therapy.

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), originally identified as an inhibitor of pro‐inflammatory cytokine production, exerts multiple immunomodulatory functions. Its ability to inhibit a Th1 response has been used in clinical trials for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including psoriasis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of IL‐10 functions. We aimed at identifying possiblemediators of in vitro IL‐10 treatment in monocytes by gene chip technology using Hu95a Affymetrix mRNA arrays withu200412,000 genes. To prove relevance of the identified genes for the clinicalsituation we compared these in vitro results with genes being regulated by IL‐10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from psoriatic patients undergoing IL‐10 therapy. A high proportion of the 1,600u2004genes up‐regulated and 1,300 genes down‐regulated in vitro was found to be similarly regulated in vivo. Some genes, which were previously unknown to be regulated by IL‐10, can be assigned to known IL‐10 functions like e.g. the increase of pathogen clearance. Other new potentially immunomodulating genes have been identified to be regulated by IL‐10, but their impact needs to be experimentally evaluated. We could confirm a recently reported up‐regulation of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). However, we demonstrate that the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of IL‐10 remain functional even when HO‐1 is irreversibly inhibited.

Identification of the LMO4 gene encoding an interaction partner of the LIM-binding protein LDB1/NLI1: a candidate for displacement by LMO proteins in T cell acute leukaemia

The T cell oncogenes LMO1 and LMO2 are activated by distinct chromosomal translocations in childhood T cell acute leukaemias. Transgenic mouse models of this disease demonstrate that enforced expression of Lmo1 and Lmo2 cause T cell leukaemias with long latency and that Lmo2 expression leads to an inhibition of the T cell differentiation programme, prior to overt disease. These functions appear to be partly mediated by interaction of LMO1 or LMO2 with the LIM-binding protein LDB1/NLI1. We have now identified a new member of the Lmo family, designated Lmo4, via its interaction with Ldb1. Lmo4 is widely expressed in mouse tissues, including adult thymus (mainly CD4, CD8-double positive T cells) and embryonic thymus (mainly CD4, CD8-double negative T cells). These characteristics imply that Ldb1-Lmo4 interaction may function in the T cell developmental programme and that enforced expression of LMO1 or LMO2 by chromosomal translocations or transgenesis may displace Lmo4 from this complex and thereby influence T cell differentiation prior to T cell tumour occurrence.

Identification and characterization of a TNFα antagonist derived from a monoclonal antibody

Abstract Peptides derived from the CDRs of the anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody Di62 were tested for inhibition of binding of Di62 to TNFα as well as of TNFα to its 55 and 75 kDa receptor. A peptide derived from the CDR1 of the light chain was shown to specifically inhibit Di62 binding to TNFα with markedly higher activity (Ki = 4βM) than all other CDR-derived peptides. This peptide also significantly inhibited binding of TNFα to its 55 and 75 kDa receptor and protected L929 cells from the cytotoxic effect of TNFα (IC50 = 6 μM). The C-terminal region of this peptide, which is homologous to the 55 and 75 kDa TNF receptor, was found to be essential for activity.