Roland Greimers

Reactive oxygen intermediate-dependent NF-kappaB activation by interleukin-1beta requires 5-lipoxygenase or NADPH oxidase activity.

ABSTRACT We previously reported that the role of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) in NF-κB activation by proinflammatory cytokines was cell specific. However, the sources for ROIs in various cell types are yet to be determined and might include 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and NADPH oxidase. 5-LOX and 5-LOX activating protein (FLAP) are coexpressed in lymphoid cells but not in monocytic or epithelial cells. Stimulation of lymphoid cells with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) led to ROI production and NF-κB activation, which could both be blocked by antioxidants or FLAP inhibitors, confirming that 5-LOX was the source of ROIs and was required for NF-κB activation in these cells. IL-1β stimulation of epithelial cells did not generate any ROIs and NF-κB induction was not influenced by 5-LOX inhibitors. However, reintroduction of a functional 5-LOX system in these cells allowed ROI production and 5-LOX-dependent NF-κB activation. In monocytic cells, IL-1β treatment led to a production of ROIs which is independent of the 5-LOX enzyme but requires the NADPH oxidase activity. This pathway involves the Rac1 and Cdc42 GTPases, two enzymes which are not required for NF-κB activation by IL-1β in epithelial cells. In conclusion, three different cell-specific pathways lead to NF-κB activation by IL-1β: a pathway dependent on ROI production by 5-LOX in lymphoid cells, an ROI- and 5-LOX-independent pathway in epithelial cells, and a pathway requiring ROI production by NADPH oxidase in monocytic cells.

Mechanisms involved in exogenous C2- and C6-ceramide-induced cancer cell toxicity

Ceramides are important intracellular second messengers that play a role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and programmed cell death. To determine whether ceramides can mediate the apoptosis of HCT116 and OVCAR-3 cancer cells, exogenous C2-, C6-, and C16-ceramides were used to mimic the endogenous lipid increase that follows a large variety of stresses. C2- and C6-ceramides (cell-permeable ceramide analogs), but not C16-ceramide, induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA-binding, caspase-3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase degradation, and mitochondrial cytochrome c release, indicating that apoptosis occurs through the caspase cascade and the mitochondrial pathway. No difference in survival was observed between control cells and cells expressing mutated IkappaBalpha and treated with the permeable ceramides. This suggests that, at least in these cell lines, stable NF-kappaB inhibition did not modify the ceramide-induced cytotoxicity pathway. C6-ceramide also induced a double block in G1 and G2, thus emptying the S phase.

Improved Four-Color Flow Cytometry Method Using Fluo-3 and Triple Immunofluorescence for Analysis of Intracellular Calcium Ion ([Ca2+]I) Fluxes among Mouse Lymph Node B- and T-Lymphocyte Subsets

A visible-light, dual-laser, flow cytometric method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of intracellular ionized calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and three cell-surface markers (CD4, CD8, and Thy-1.2 antigens) by using the calcium probe fluo-3 and using R-phycoerythrin (PE), peridinin chlorophyll-alpha protein (PerCP), and allophycocyanin (APC) conjugated monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). This improved method was used in the analysis of [Ca2+]i mobilization upon in vitro stimulation with mitogenic lectins [phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (ConA)], anti-CD3 MoAbs, or A23187 calcium ionophore in the heterogeneous lymph node cell populations from healthy C57BL/Ka mice. The present results show that the calcium responses were heterogeneous and dependent on the cellular immunophenotype, not only on lectins or anti-CD3 MoAbs stimulation, but also on the receptor-independent A23187 ionophore stimulation. An in situ fluo-3 calibration method (using A23187 and metabolic poisons in Ca2+ /EGTA buffers with known free calcium concentrations) indicated a resting [Ca2+]i in lymphocytes of 103 +/- 23 nM (mean +/- S.D.) but with significant differences between the [Ca2+]i in B cells and in all of the T-cell subsets (CD4+Thy-1+, CD4+Thy-1-, and CD8+T cells). Both the B cells and the T-cell subsets showed an increase of fluo-3 fluorescence upon in vitro stimulation with ConA or PHA, but the calcium mobilization following lectin stimulation was time delayed in all T-cell subsets. Only the T cells, including the CD4+Thy-1- subset, responded to anti-CD3 MoAbs. The percentage of responding cells upon stimulation with ConA was higher in T cells than in B cells. By contrast, PHA gave a higher response in B cells. After stimulation with different mitogens, [Ca2+]i increased in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. However, the percentage of responding cells was far higher in the CD4+Thy-1+ subset than in the CD4+Thy-1- or the CD8+T-cell subsets. The stimulation with A23187 ionophore induced a higher calcium response in B cells than in T cells. Interestingly, it also induced greater Ca2+ mobilization in CD4+ than in CD8+T cells. These results demonstrate the potential use of fluo-3 simultaneously with three fluorescein (FITC)-compatible fluorochromes. This technique may be useful for investigating the role of the CD4+Thy-1-T cells, a rare subset that is abnormally expanded in a murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (murine AIDS).

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation with CD8-depleted or CD34-selected peripheral blood stem cells.

To decrease the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) observed after nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NMSCT), we studied the feasibility of CD8-depleted or CD34-selected NMSCT followed by CD8-depleted preemptive donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) given in incremental doses on days 40 and 80. Fourteen patients with high-risk malignancies and an HLA-identical sibling (n = 8) or alternative donor (n = 6) but ineligible for a conventional transplant were included. Nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisted in 2 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) alone, 2 Gy TBI and fludarabine (previously untreated patients) or cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (patients who had previously received > or =12 Gy TBI). Patients 1-4 (controls) received unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and DLI and patients 5-14 CD8-depleted or CD34-selected PBSC followed by CD8-depleted DLI. Post-transplant immunosuppression was carried out with cyclosporine A (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Initial engraftment was seen in all patients, but 1 patient (7%) later rejected her graft. The actuarial 180-day incidence of grades II-IV acute GVHD was 75% for patients 1-4 versus 0% for patients 5-14 (p = 0.0019). Five of 14 patients were in complete remission (CR) 180 days after the transplant and 6/14 had partial responses. The 1-year survival rate was 69%, and nonrelapse and relapse mortality rates were 16 and 18%, respectively. We conclude that CD8-depleted or CD34-selected NMSCT followed by CD8-depleted DLI is feasible and considerably decreases the incidence of acute GVHD while preserving engraftment and apparently also the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Further studies are needed to confirm this encouraging preliminary report.

Regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I expression by NF-κB-related proteins in breast cancer cells

Downregulation of MHC Class I antigens has been observed in many cancers and usually results from a decreased gene transcription. A reporter CAT gene dependent on the MHC Class I κB site or on a longer promoter is transactivated by NF-κB complexes containing p65 or RelB. p100 as well as IκB-α are potent inhibitors of this transcription and p100 sequesters RelB and p65 complexes in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. However, although p100 is highly expressed in a number of breast cancer cell lines, MHC Class I antigen expression was observed on all the cell lines we analysed and could be further induced by stimulation with the cytokines IFN-γ or TNF-α. Stable transfection of a unresponsive mutated IκB-α Ser 32-36 expression vector showed that TNF-α induced MHC Cl I expression in an NF-κB-dependent way while IFN-γ did it independently of any NF-κB activation.

In vitro propagated dendritic cells from patients with human-papilloma virus-associated preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix: use of Flt3 ligand

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells. The clinical use of DC as vectors for antitumor and anti-infectious disease immunotherapy has been limited by their low level and accessibility in normal tissue. Substantial numbers of DC can be generated from peripheral blood cultured in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We showed in this study that substantial numbers of DC can be obtained from the peripheral blood of patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. The procedure required relatively small blood samples (10 ml) and the presence of 100 U/ml IL-4 and 800 U/ml GM-CSF in the culture medium. There was no significant difference in the morphology, yield, phenotype and function of generated DC between patients with cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions and healthy individuals. When the hematopoietic factor Flt3 ligand (Flt3L, 40 ng/ml) was added, there was an average increase in the DC population of 26% compared to cultures with GM-CSF and IL-4 alone. Approximately 1.2 × 106 cells with the characteristics of dendritic cells could be obtained when Flt3L was included in the medium. The addition of Flt3L did not modify the phenotypic profile of DC (HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD4+, CD54+, CD80+, CD86+, CD40+, CD3− and CD14−). In addition, Flt3L generated functional DC capable of stimulating the proliferation of alloreactive T cells. These results suggest that Flt3L, in association with GM-CSF and IL-4, provides an advantageous tool for the large-scale generation of DC and that an immunotherapy based on the use of DC generated in vitro is possible in patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix.

Cellular aspects of radiation leukemogenesis in C57 BL/Ka mice: Alterations to thymic microenvironment and lymphopoiesis

After a leukemogenic split dose course of irradiation, thymic nurse cells (TNCs) disappear. We have correlated this with the loss of an epithelial cell surface antigen (recognized by monoclonal antibody ER-TR3 and tentatively identified as Ia). In addition, epithelial cells have lost their capacity to interact with fetal thymocytes in vitro. Marrow grafting early after irradiation, that prevents the development of lymphomas, restores thymic nurse cells and thymocyte population. Such reconstitution and lymphoma prevention were not observed when marrow grafting was performed later (1 month after irradiation) during the preleukemic period.

Cyclo-oxygenase type 2-dependent prostaglandin E2 secretion is involved in retrovirus-induced T-cell dysfunction in mice.

MAIDS (murine AIDS) is caused by infection with the murine leukaemia retrovirus RadLV-Rs and is characterized by a severe immunodeficiency and T-cell anergy combined with a lymphoproliferative disease affecting both B- and T-cells. Hyperactivation of the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway is involved in the T-cell dysfunction of MAIDS and HIV by inhibiting T-cell activation through the T-cell receptor. In the present study, we show that MAIDS involves a strong and selective up-regulation of cyclo-oxygenase type 2 in the CD11b+ subpopulation of T- and B-cells of the lymph nodes, leading to increased levels of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2). PGE2 activates the cAMP pathway through G-protein-coupled receptors. Treatment with cyclo-oxygenase type 2 inhibitors reduces the level of PGE2 and thereby reverses the T-cell anergy, restores the T-cell immune function and ameliorates the lymphoproliferative disease.

Dendritic Cell Differentiation and Immune Tolerance to Insulin-Related Peptides in Igf2-Deficient Mice

There is some evidence that insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) may intervene in the control of T cell differentiation. To further study the immunoregulatory function of this growth factor, we analyzed the immune system of Igf2−/− mice. Phenotypically, some immunological parameters such as lymphoid organ morphology and cellularity were unaltered in Igf2−/− mice, but an increase of CD8+ cells and a decrease of B220+ cells were observed in spleen. In vitro, the development of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells was affected by the absence of Igf2 expression. After maturation, a higher percentage of immature dendritic cells was observed in Igf2−/− population, together with a secondary decrease in allogenic T cell proliferation. Activation of T cells was also affected by the lack of expression of this growth factor. The profile of B cell response in mutant mice immunized with IGF-2 evidenced a T-dependent profile of anti-IGF-2 Abs that was absent in Igf2+/+ mice. The influence of IGF-2 upon tolerance to insulin was also assessed in this model, and this showed that IGF-2 also intervenes in tolerance to insulin. The presence of a T-dependent response in Igf2-deficient mice should allow cloning of specific “forbidden” T CD4+ lymphocytes directed against IGF-2, as well as further investigation of their possible pathogenic properties against insulin family.

Despite Inhibition of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Growth In Vitro, the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Imatinib Does Not Impair Engraftment of Human CD133+ Cells into NOD/SCIDβ2mNull Mice

There is potential interest for combining allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and particularly allogeneic HCT with a nonmyeloablative regimen, to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (Glivec; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland, http://www.novartis.com) in order to maximize anti‐leukemic activity against Philadelphia chromosome‐positive leukemias. However, because imatinib inhibits c‐kit, the stem cell factor receptor, it could interfere with bone marrow engraftment. In this study, we examined the impact of imatinib on normal progenitor cell function. Imatinib decreased the colony‐forming capacity of mobilized peripheral blood human CD133+ cells but not that of long‐term culture‐initiating cells. Imatinib also decreased the proliferation of cytokine‐stimulated CD133+ cells but did not induce apoptosis of these cells. Expression of very late antigen (VLA)‐4, VLA‐5, and CXCR4 of CD133+ cells was not modified by imatinib, but imatinib decreased the ability of CD133+ cells to migrate. Finally, imatinib did not decrease engraftment of CD133+ cells into irradiated nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient/β2mnull mice conditioned with 3 or 1 Gy total body irradiation. In summary, our results suggest that, despite inhibition of hematopoietic progenitor cell growth in vitro, imatinib does not interfere with hematopoietic stem cell engraftment.