Monia Draghi

MHC class I–specific inhibitory receptors and their ligands structure diverse human NK-cell repertoires toward a balance of missing self-response

Variegated expression of 6 inhibitory HLA class I-specific receptors on primary NK cells was studied using high-dimension flow cytometry in 58 humans to understand the structure and function of NK-cell repertoires. Sixty-four subsets expressing all possible receptor com-binations were present in each repertoire, and the frequency of receptor-null cells varied among the donors. Enhancement in missing-self response between NK subsets varied substantially where subset responses were defined by donor KIR/HLA allotypes, reflecting the differences in interaction between inhibitory receptors and their ligands. This contrasted to the enhancement conferred by NKG2A, which was constant and of intermediate strength. We infer a mechanism that modulates frequencies of the NK subsets displaying diverse levels of missing-self response, a system that reduces the presence of KIR-expressing subsets that display either too strong or too weak a response and effectively replaces them with NKG2A-expressing cells in the repertoire. Through this high-resolution analysis of inhibitory receptor expression, 5 types of NK-cell repertoire were defined by their content of NKG2A(+)/NKG2A(-) cells, frequency of receptor-null cells, and degree of KIR receptor coexpression. The analyses provide new perspective on how personalized human NK-cell repertoires are structured.

Previously unrecognized vaccine candidates against group B meningococcus identified by DNA microarrays

We have used DNA microarrays to follow Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) gene regulation during interaction with human epithelial cells. Host-cell contact induced changes in the expression of 347 genes, more than 30% of which encode proteins with unknown function. The upregulated genes included transporters of iron, chloride, amino acids, and sulfate, many virulence factors, and the entire pathway of sulfur-containing amino acids. Approximately 40% of the 189 upregulated genes coded for peripherally located proteins, suggesting that cell contact promoted a substantial reorganization of the cell membrane. This was confirmed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis on adhering bacteria using mouse sera against twelve adhesion-induced proteins. Of the 12 adhesion-induced surface antigens, 5 were able to induce bactericidal antibodies in mice, demonstrating that microarray technology is a valid approach for identifying new vaccine candidates and nicely complements other genome mining strategies used for vaccine discovery.

Identification of iron-activated and -repressed Fur-dependent genes by transcriptome analysis of Neisseria meningitidis group B

Iron is limiting in the human host, and bacterial pathogens respond to this environment by activating genes required for bacterial virulence. Transcriptional regulation in response to iron in Gram-negative bacteria is largely mediated by the ferric uptake regulator protein Fur, which in the presence of iron binds to a specific sequence in the promoter regions of genes under its control and acts as a repressor. Here we describe DNA microarray, computational and in vitro studies to define the Fur regulon in the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis group B (strain MC58). After iron addition to an iron-depleted bacterial culture, 153 genes were up-regulated and 80 were down-regulated. Only 50% of the iron-regulated genes were found to contain Fur-binding consensus sequences in their promoter regions. Forty-two promoter regions were amplified and 32 of these were shown to bind Fur by gel-shift analysis. Among these genes, many of which had never been described before to be Fur-regulated, 10 were up-regulated on iron addition, demonstrating that Fur can also act as a transcriptional activator. Sequence alignment of the Fur-binding regions revealed that the N. meningitidis Fur-box encompasses the highly conserved (NATWAT)3 motif. Cluster analysis was effective in predicting Fur-regulated genes even if computer prediction failed to identify Fur-box-like sequences in their promoter regions. Microarray-generated gene expression profiling appears to be a very effective approach to define new regulons and regulatory pathways in pathogenic bacteria.

NKp46 and NKG2D Recognition of Infected Dendritic Cells Is Necessary for NK Cell Activation in the Human Response to Influenza Infection

At an early phase of viral infection, contact and cooperation between dendritic cells (DCs) and NK cells activates innate immunity, and also influences recruitment, when needed, of adaptive immunity. Influenza, an adaptable fast-evolving virus, annually causes acute, widespread infections that challenge the innate and adaptive immunity of humanity. In this study, we dissect and define the molecular mechanisms by which influenza-infected, human DCs activate resting, autologous NK cells. Three events in NK cell activation showed different requirements for soluble mediators made by infected DCs and for signals arising from contact with infected DCs. IFN-α was mainly responsible for enhanced NK cytolysis and also important for CD69 up-regulation, whereas IL-12 was necessary for enhancing IFN-γ production. Increased CD69 expression and IFN-γ production, but not increased cytolysis, required recognition of influenza-infected DCs by two NK cell receptors: NKG2D and NKp46. Abs specific for these receptors or their known ligands (UL16-binding proteins 1–3 class I-like molecules for NKG2D and influenza hemagglutinin for NKp46) inhibited CD69 expression and IFN-γ production. Activation of NK cells by influenza-infected DCs and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-treated DCs was distinguished. Poly(I:C)-treated DCs did not express the UL16-binding protein 3 ligand for NKG2D, and in the absence of the influenza hemagglutinin there was no involvement of NKp46.

T cell-dependent production of IFN-γ by NK cells in response to influenza A virus

The role of human NK cells in viral infections is poorly understood. We used a cytokine flow-cytometry assay to simultaneously investigate the IFN-γ response of NK and T lymphocytes to influenza A virus (fluA). When PBMCs from fluA-immune adult donors were incubated with fluA, IFN-γ was produced by both CD56dim and CD56bright subsets of NK cells, as well as by fluA-specific T cells. Purified NK cells did not produce IFN-γ in response to fluA, while depletion of T lymphocytes reduced to background levels the fluA-induced IFN-γ production by NK cells, which indicates that T cells are required for the IFN-γ response of NK cells. The fluA-induced IFN-γ production of NK cells was suppressed by anti–IL-2 Ab, while recombinant IL-2 replaced the helper function of T cells for IFN-γ production by NK cells. This indicates that IL-2 produced by fluA-specific T cells is involved in the T cell–dependent IFN-γ response of NK cells to fluA. Taken together, these results suggest that at an early stage of recurrent viral infection, NK-mediated innate immunity to the virus is enhanced by preexisting virus-specific T cells.

Gene Expression Profile in Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica upon Host-Cell Contact

Abstract: Differential gene regulation in the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis group B (MenB) and in Neisseria lactamica, a human commensal species, was studied by whole genome microarray after bacterial interaction with epithelial cells. Host‐cell contact induced changes in the expression of 347 and 285 genes in MenB and N. lactamica, respectively. Of these, only 167 were common to MenB and N. lactamica, suggesting that a different subset of genes is activated by pathogens and commensals. Change in gene expression was stable over time in N. lactamica, but short‐lived in MenB. A large part (greater than 30%) of the regulated genes encoded proteins with unknown function. Among the known genes, those coding for pili, capsule, protein synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, cell wall metabolism, ATP synthesis, and protein folding were down‐regulated in MenB. Transporters for iron, chloride and sulfate, some known virulence factors, GAPDH and the entire pathway of selenocysteine biosynthesis were upregulated. Gene expression profiling indicates that approximately 40% of the regulated genes encode putative surface‐associated proteins, suggesting that upon cell contact Neisseria undergoes substantial surface remodeling. This was confirmed by FACS analysis of adhering bacteria using mouse sera against a subset of recombinant proteins. Finally, a few surface‐located, adhesion‐activated antigens were capable of inducing bactericidal antibodies, indicating that microarray technology can be exploited for the identification of new vaccine candidates.

Multi-plasmid DNA vaccination avoids antigenic competition and enhances immunogenicity of a poorly immunogenic plasmid

DNA immunization is a very promising approach to the formulation of multivalent vaccines. However, little information is currently available on the immunogenicity of multi‐plasmid formulations. To address this issue, we immunized mice with a combination of four plasmids encoding malarial antigens and we compared antibody responses with those obtained with single‐plasmid injections. We found that when four plasmids encoding Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, thrombospondin‐related anonymous protein, major merozoite surface protein (MSP)1 and Pfs25 are co‐injected into mice, Ab responses against each antigen are elicited at levels at least as high as the level obtained with single‐plasmid injection. The quality of antibody production, as determined by isotype analysis, was similar when single‐and multi‐plasmid administrations were compared, indicating the priming of the same cytokine profile for CD4+ T helper cells. The sera from mice immunized with the four‐plasmid formulation specifically recognized sporozoites, blood stage schizonts and gametes, indicating that DNA immunization induced antibody responses relevant to the native conformation. Finally and of particular interest, in the case of MSP1, the antibody response appears to be strongly potentiated by the presence of additional plasmids, indicating an adjuvant effect of DNA.

Polymorphic Sites Away From the Bw4 Epitope that Affect Interaction of Bw4+ HLA-B with KIR3DL1

KIR3DL1 is a polymorphic, inhibitory NK cell receptor specific for the Bw4 epitope carried by subsets of HLA-A and HLA-B allotypes. The Bw4 epitope of HLA-B*5101 and HLA-B*1513 is determined by the NIALR sequence motif at positions 77, 80, 81, 82, and 83 in the α1 helix. Mutation of these positions to the residues present in the alternative and nonfunctional Bw6 motif showed that the functional activity of the Bw4 epitopes of B*5101 and B*1513 is retained after substitution at positions 77, 80, and 81, but lost after substitution of position 83. Mutation of leucine to arginine at position 82 led to loss of function for B*5101 but not for B*1513. Further mutagenesis, in which B*1513 residues were replaced by their B*5101 counterparts, showed that polymorphisms in all three extracellular domains contribute to this functional difference. Prominent were positions 67 in the α1 domain, 116 in the α2 domain, and 194 in the α3 domain. Lesser contributions were made by additional positions in the α2 domain. These positions are not part of the Bw4 epitope and include residues shaping the B and F pockets that determine the sequence and conformation of the peptides bound by HLA class I molecules. This analysis shows how polymorphism at sites throughout the HLA class I molecule can influence the interaction of the Bw4 epitope with KIR3DL1. This influence is likely mediated by changes in the peptides bound, which alter the conformation of the Bw4 epitope.

Although Divergent in Residues of the Peptide Binding Site, Conserved Chimpanzee Patr-AL and Polymorphic Human HLA-A*02 Have Overlapping Peptide-Binding Repertoires

Patr-AL is an expressed, non-polymorphic MHC class I gene carried by ∼50% of chimpanzee MHC haplotypes. Comparing Patr-AL+ and Patr-AL− haplotypes showed Patr-AL defines a unique 125-kb genomic block flanked by blocks containing classical Patr-A and pseudogene Patr-H. Orthologous to Patr-AL are polymorphic orangutan Popy-A and the 5′ part of human pseudogene HLA-Y, carried by ∼10% of HLA haplotypes. Thus, the AL gene alternatively evolved in these closely related species to become classical, nonclassical, and nonfunctional. Although differing by 30 aa substitutions in the peptide-binding α1 and α2 domains, Patr-AL and HLA-A*0201 bind overlapping repertoires of peptides; the overlap being comparable with that between the A*0201 and A*0207 subtypes differing by one substitution. Patr-AL thus has the A02 supertypic peptide-binding specificity. Patr-AL and HLA-A*0201 have similar three-dimensional structures, binding peptides in similar conformation. Although comparable in size and shape, the B and F specificity pockets of Patr-AL and HLA-A*0201 differ in both their constituent residues and contacts with peptide anchors. Uniquely shared by Patr-AL, HLA-A*0201, and other members of the A02 supertype are the absence of serine at position 9 in the B pocket and the presence of tyrosine at position 116 in the F pocket. Distinguishing Patr-AL from HLA-A*02 is an unusually electropositive upper face on the α2 helix. Stimulating PBMCs from Patr-AL− chimpanzees with B cells expressing Patr-AL produced potent alloreactive CD8 T cells with specificity for Patr-AL and no cross-reactivity toward other MHC class I molecules, including HLA-A*02. In contrast, PBMCs from Patr-AL+ chimpanzees are tolerant of Patr-AL.

Different profile of CD8+ effector T cells induced in Der p 1‐allergic and naïve mice by DNA vaccination

DNA vaccination holds great promise in both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. Recent evidence suggests that DNA vaccines could be powerful therapies countering Th2‐mediated disorders suchas allergies. Here, we studied the allergen‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations induced following immunization of allergic and non‐allergic mice with DNA vaccine vectors encoding discrete epitopes of the house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus group I (Der p 1) allergen. Specifically, mice were sensitized to Der p 1 and exhibited a strong Th2/allergic response. Sensitized and non‐allergic mice were then compared for their responses to DNA immunization. Using Elispot analysis, we demonstrate that allergic/vaccinated mice generate a mixed Th1/Th2 response against the allergen with high numbers of allergen‐specific CD4+ T cells secreting IFN‐γ or IL‐4, whereas in non‐allergic/vaccinated mice a polarized Th1 response was dominant. Allergen‐specific CD8+ T cells secreting IFN‐γ were induced at equal frequencies in both allergic and non‐allergic mice. However, the CD8+ T cells from allergic mice were markedly deficient in their cytotoxic potential when compared to their counterparts in non‐allergic mice. These results indicate that during an ongoing Th2 response, DNA vaccination leads to the generation of a distinct population of non‐cytotoxic/regulatory CD8+ T cells.