Martha M. Eibl

Impaired primary immune response in type-1 diabetes. Functional impairment at the level of APCs and T-cells.

We have recently described an impaired proliferative response of CD4(+) T-cells to primary antigens in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) [Clin. Immunol. 103 (2002) 249]. In order to further investigate possible mechanisms underlying this impairment, several factors known to be involved in the down-regulation of the immune response both at the level of APCs and CD4(+) T-cells were investigated: Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) from IDDM patients were shown to express elevated amounts of CD86 (B7.2) (p=0.003) and reduced amounts of the adhesion molecule CD54 (ICAM-1) (p=0.03) on their cell surface compared to age-matched healthy controls and patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) as well as decreased SDS-PAGE stability of HLA-DQ and -DR peptide complexes directly isolated from the IDDM patients peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Expression of CTLA-4 (CD152), known to be involved in the down-regulation of the immune response, was shown to be increased on CD4(+) T-cells from IDDM patients after exposure to the primary antigen KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) presented by MDDC (p=0.0047). Likewise, purified CD4(+) T-cells from IDDM patients produced elevated levels of the cytokine TGF-beta1 after stimulation with immobilized monoclonal antibodies directed against CD3 and CD28 (p=0.014). When monocytes from IDDM patients were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an increased tendency to produce the inhibitory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 (p=0.007) and the acute phase cytokine IL-6 (p=0.044) was observed, whereas the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-12 were comparable to controls. Taken together, our data suggest that a deviation in the expression of certain molecules known to be involved in the peripheral control of the immune response is present in IDDM patients and is underlying the observed impairment of the primary immune response.

Regulation of TCR-mediated T cell activation by TNF-RII

In the present study, we investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF‐RII) in human T cell activation induced via the T cell receptor (TCR) in an antigen‐presenting cell‐independent system. Our results confirm that interaction of TNF‐α with TNF‐RII but not TNF‐RI is directly costimulatory to TCR‐mediated T cell activation, thereby augmenting T cell proliferation, expression of T cell activation markers (CD25, human leukocyte antigen‐DR, TNF‐RII), and secretion of cytokines such as interferon‐γ and TNF‐α. In contrast to the well‐defined costimulatory molecule CD28, costimulation via TNF‐RII showed significant differences in kinetics, requirement for cross‐linking, redundancy of intracellular signaling pathways involved, and the capacity to induce interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐10, and IL‐13 secretion. In addition, cross‐linking TNF‐RII had the capacity to down‐regulate TCR/CD28‐induced Ca++ mobilization, IL‐2 mRNA expression, and IL‐2 and IL‐10 secretion. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that TNF‐RII plays a unique role among the T cell costimulatory molecules, as TNF‐RII ligation can have positive and negative effects on TCR‐dependent signaling. TNF‐RII cross‐linking has an inhibitory effect on early TCR signaling events proximal to induction of Ca++ flux, which ultimately leads to modulation of the T cell cytokine pattern expressed.

Defective interleukin-2 and interferon-γ gene expression in response to antigen in a subgroup of patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) are heterogeneous in the clinical manifestations of the disease and in the underlying mechanisms leading to the immunodeficiency. The impairment of B-cell function can be due to an intrinsic defect of the B cells, a deficiency in the function of the antigen-presenting cell, or a dysfunction in the course of T-cell activation. In the present report we have focused our attention on T-lymphocyte activation in three patients with CVID. Numbers of T and B cells, as well as CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets, were within the normal range. The patients B cells secreted IgM but did not secrete IgG and IgA in response to B-cell stimuli in vitro. Addition of allogeneic T cells was followed by an increase in IgM production but had no effect on the other immunoglobulin isotypes. Examination of T-cell function revealed impaired proliferative response, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma gene expression and IL-2 release after antigenic stimulation, whereas T-cell proliferation, as well as IL-2 gene expression and release in response to stimulation via anti-CD3, were comparable to those of healthy control subjects. Anti-CD3-induced IFN-gamma gene activation in T cells from two patients was comparable to that of control subjects, whereas T cells from the third patient showed reduced expression of IFN-gamma mRNA. In contrast to the decreased IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA levels, IL-2R transcripts examined in parallel were normal in CVID T cells on stimulation with antigen. The defect in IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression after stimulation with antigen, but not with anti-CD3, suggests an abnormality confined to T-cell activation by the T-cell receptor.

Inhibition of Receptor-Dependent and Receptor-Independent Generation of the Respiratory Burst in Human Neutrophils and Monocytes by Human Serum IgA

ABSTRACT: An important feature of the role of IgA in protection against infection and disease at the level of the mucosal surfaces might be the elimination of pathogens without induction of a strong inflammatory reaction. In the present study we addressed the question whether IgA has a regulatory effect on the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates in human neutrophils and monocytes (i.e. the respiratory burst). Cells were stimulated with heat-inactivated Haemophilus influenzae type b or phorbol myristate acetate, stimuli known to use different recognition structures or signal transduction pathways. Concentrations of IgA as low as 10 mg/L significantly inhibited the receptor-dependent Haemophilus influenzae-induced respiratory burst in granulocytes, as assessed by measuring luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Furthermore, IgA had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the receptor-independent induction of the respiratory burst, as examined by flow cytometry in monocytes and granulocytes activated with phorbol myristate acetate. Our results therefore indicate that inhibition of receptor-ligand interaction is not a sufficient explanation for the IgA-mediated modulation of the respiratory burst in human phagocytic cells. In addition, IgA might directly regulate the activation of the respiratory burst at the level or downstream of protein kinase C activation. By modulating the release of mediators of inflammation such as reactive oxygen intermediates, the inflammatory response could be down-regulated at the level of the mucosal surfaces, thereby preventing the development of sequelae of an exaggerated inflammatory response potentially leading to local or systemic pathology.

Double mutant and formaldehyde inactivated TSST-1 as vaccine candidates for TSST-1-induced toxic shock syndrome

Up to now there is no treatment for staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, a disease mainly induced by toxic shock syndrome toxin-1(TSST-1). There is great demand in finding means to control the disease, one of them is the development of an effective and safe vaccine against TSST-1. In this study we constructed a series of vaccine candidates and investigated their biological activity, toxicity, and potential to invoke an immune response. TSST-1 was isolated from Stahylococcus aureus supernatants and recombinantly expressed as a N-terminal 6x histidine-tagged protein in Escherichia coli. In order to obtain molecules with minimal toxicity we constructed single mutants (G31R and H135A) and one double mutant (G31R/H135A) with both residues exchanged. We also detoxified native TSST-1 isolated from S. aureus, and recombinantly expressed TSST-1 by treatment with formaldehyde. Functional activity of native and recombinant TSST-1 and grade of inocuity of mutants and toxoids was determined by investigating mitogenity, T-cell activation, and cytokine release upon stimulation of human mononuclear cells with the vaccine candidates. All substances were tested in a rabbit immunization study. After primary immunization and three additional boosts all vaccinated animals developed antibody titers against TSST-1 and were protected against challenge with a lethal doses of superantigen potentiated with lipopolysaccharide.

Twin boys with major histocompatibility complex class II deficiency but inducible immune responses

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are composed of two polypeptide chains (α and β). In humans the three distinct isotypes are designated HLA-DR, DP, and DQ. The different isotypes serve similar functions, and their expression on cells is regulated in coordinated fashion.1 MHC class II molecules are expressed on the surface of certain cells of the immune system, such as monocytes and macrophages, B cells, and dendritic cells, where they play an important part in the immune response.2 MHC class II deficiency is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by cellular and humoral immunodeficiency.3 Family studies show that .xa0.xa0.

HIV-1MN Recombinant Glycoprotein 160 Vaccine-Induced Cellular and Humoral Immunity Boosted by HIV-1MN Recombinant Glycoprotein 120 Vaccine

We evaluated prime-boost immunization with two recombinant envelope glycoprotein subunit vaccines (HIV-1MN recombinant gp160 vaccine in alum adjuvant [MN rgp160] and HIV-1MN recombinant gp120 vaccine in alum adjuvant [MN rgp120]) for safety and immunogenicity in healthy, HIV-1-uninfected adults. The rationale was to combine the helper T cell memory and binding antibody responses typically induced by rgp160 vaccines with the superior neutralizing antibody responses induced by rgp120 vaccines. In a double-blinded, controlled trial, volunteers were randomly assigned to receive MN rgp160 or adjuvant placebo, and a subset later received MN rgp120. The two vaccines were safe, but reactions to MN rgp160 and its adjuvant placebo exceeded those to MN rgp120. MN rgp160 induced IgG binding antibodies, including all IgG subclasses, to MN rgp160 in all vaccine recipients. HIV-1MN-neutralizing and anti-V3 MN peptide-binding antibodies were observed in a majority of volunteers after the fourth MN rgp160 immunization, but at lower levels compared with immunization with MN rgp120 in historical controls. HIV-1-binding, neutralizing, and fusion inhibition antibodies were boosted to the highest levels among MN rgp160 recipients after MN rgp120 booster injections. MN rgp120 boosting appeared to alter the distribution of MN rgp160 vaccine-induced, anti-MN rgp160 IgG subclass antibodies. MN rgp160 induced helper T cell memory, measured by lymphocyte proliferation, Thl and Th2 cytokine production, and skin testing. Strategies including both subunit vaccines may help maximize antibody and helper T cell memory responses to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein.

Mutation in a winged-helix DNA-binding motif causes atypical bare lymphocyte syndrome

Bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS) is an autosomal recessive severe-combined immunodeficiency that can result from mutations in four different transcription factors that regulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes. We have identified here the defective gene that is responsible for the phenotype of the putative fifth BLS complementation group. The mutation was found in the regulatory factor that binds X-box 5 (RFX5) and was mapped to one of the arginines in a DNA-binding surface of this protein. Its wild-type counterpart restored binding of the RFX complex to DNA, transcription of all MHC class II genes and the appearance of these determinants on the surface of BLS cells.

Herpes Simplex Virus Immediate Early Protein ICP0 is Targeted by SIAH-1 for Proteasomal Degradation

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus (HSV) immediate-early protein ICP0 is a transcriptional activator with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that induces the degradation of ND10 proteins, including the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and Sp100. Moreover, ICP0 has a role in the derepression of viral genomes and in the modulation of the host interferon response to virus infection. Here, we report that ICP0 interacts with SIAH-1, a cellular E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in multiple cellular pathways and is itself capable of mediating PML degradation. This novel virus-host interaction profoundly stabilized SIAH-1 and recruited this cellular E3 ligase into ICP0-containing nuclear bodies. Moreover, SIAH-1 mediated the polyubiquitination of HSV ICP0 in vitro and in vivo. After infection of SIAH-1 knockdown cells with HSV, higher levels of ICP0 were produced, ICP0 was less ubiquitinated, and the half-life of this multifunctional viral regulatory protein was increased. These results indicate an inhibitory role of SIAH-1 during lytic infection by targeting ICP0 for proteasomal degradation.

Leaky RAG Deficiency in Adult Patients with Impaired Antibody Production against Bacterial Polysaccharide Antigens.

Loss of function mutations in the recombination activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 have been reported to cause a T-B-NK+ type of severe combined immunodeficiency. In addition identification of hypomorphic mutations in RAG1 and RAG2 has led to an expansion of the spectrum of disease to include Omenn syndrome, early onset autoimmunity, granuloma, chronic cytomegalovirus- or EBV-infection with expansion of gamma/delta T-cells, idiophatic CD4 lymphopenia and a phenotype resembling common variable immunodeficiency. Herein we describe a novel presentation of leaky RAG1 and RAG2 deficiency in two unrelated adult patients with impaired antibody production against bacterial polysaccharide antigens. Clinical manifestation included recurrent pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media and in one patient recurrent cutaneous vasculitis. Both patients harbored a combination of a null mutation on one allele with a novel hypomorphic RAG1/2 mutation on the other allele. One of these novel mutations affected the start codon of RAG1 and resulted in an aberrant gene and protein expression. The second novel RAG2 mutation leads to a truncated RAG2 protein, lacking the C-terminus with intact core RAG2 and reduced VDJ recombination capacity as previously described in a mouse model. Both patients presented with severely decreased numbers of naïve CD4+ T cells and defective T independent IgG responses to bacterial polysaccharide antigens, while T cell-dependent IgG antibody formation e.g. after tetanus or TBEV vaccination was intact. In conclusion, hypomorphic mutations in genes responsible for SCID should be considered in adults with predominantly antibody deficiency.