Ronald R. Nepomuceno

Rapamycin inhibits proliferation of Epstein-Barr virus-positive B-cell lymphomas through modulation of cell-cycle protein expression.

Background. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a serious complication of solid organ and bone marrow transplantation and is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We have previously shown that rapamycin (RAPA) directly inhibits the in vitro and in vivo proliferation of EBV-infected B lymphoblastoid cell lines (SLCL), derived from patients with PTLD, by arresting cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which RAPA causes cell cycle arrest in EBV+ B cells. Methods. SLCL were cultured without or with RAPA (10 ng/ml) and G1-associated cell cycle proteins were analyzed by immunoblot and densitometric analysis. CDK complexes were immunoprecipitated and incubated with retinoblastoma protein (Rb) substrate. Kinase activity of the complex was determined by Western blot with anti-phospho-Rb antibodies. Results. We show that RAPA decreased both Cyclin D2 and Cyclin D3 protein levels. Furthermore, RAPA decreased the protein levels of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and increased the expression of the CDK inhibitor p27. In contrast, expression of the CDK inhibitor p21 was markedly inhibited by RAPA in the SLCL. Finally, in vitro kinase assays revealed that downstream hyperphosphorylation of Rb by CDK complexes was also decreased by RAPA. Conclusion. The results presented here elucidate key targets of RAPA-induced cell cycle arrest, provide insight into the growth pathways of EBV+ B-cell lymphomas, and demonstrate the potential for RAPA as a therapeutic option in the treatment of PTLD and other EBV+ lymphomas.

Resistance to Fas-Mediated Apoptosis in EBV-Infected B Cell Lymphomas Is Due to Defects in the Proximal Fas Signaling Pathway

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is characterized by the outgrowth of EBV-infected B cell lymphomas in immunosuppressed transplant recipients. Using a panel of EBV-infected spontaneous lymphoblastoid cell lines (SLCL) derived from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder patients, we assessed the sensitivity of such lymphomas to Fas-mediated cell death. Treatment with either an agonist anti-Fas mAb or Fas ligand-expressing cells identifies two subsets of SLCL based on their sensitivity or resistance to Fas-driven apoptosis. Fas resistance in these cells cannot be attributed to reduced Fas expression or to mutations in the Fas molecule itself. In addition, all SLCL are sensitive to staurosporine-induced cell death, indicating that there is no global defect in apoptosis. Although all SLCL express comparable levels of Fas signaling molecules including Fas-associated death domain protein, caspase 8, and caspase 3, Fas-resistant SLCL exhibit a block in Fas-signaling before caspase 3 activation. In two SLCL, this block results in impaired assembly of the death-inducing signaling complex, resulting in reduced caspase 8 activation. In a third Fas-resistant SLCL, caspase 3 activation is hindered despite intact death-inducing signaling complex formation and caspase 8 activation. Whereas multiple mechanisms exist by which tumor cells can evade Fas-mediated apoptosis, these studies suggest that the proximal Fas-signaling pathway is impeded in Fas-resistant post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder-associated EBV+ B cell lymphomas.

Identification of Epstein-Barr virus-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in the circulation of pediatric transplant recipients.

Background. Pediatric transplant recipients are at increased risk for Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-related B cell lymphomas. In healthy individuals, the expansion of EBV-infected B cells is controlled by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. However, immunosuppressive therapy may compromise antiviral immunity. We identified and determined the frequency of EBV-specific T cells in the peripheral blood of pediatric transplant recipients. Methods. HLA-B*0801 and HLA-A*0201 tetramers folded with immunodominant EBV peptides were used to detect EBV-specific CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 24 pediatric liver and kidney transplant recipients. The expression of CD38 and CD45RO on EBV-specific, tetramer-binding cells was also examined in a subset of patients by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Results. Tetramer-binding CD8+ T cells were identified in 21 of 24 transplant recipients. EBV-specific CD8+ T cells were detected as early as 4 weeks after transplant in EBV seronegative patients receiving an organ from an EBV seropositive donor. The frequencies (expressed as a percentage of the CD8+ T cells) of the tetramer-binding cells were HLA-B8-RAKFKQLL (BZLF1 lytic antigen peptide) tetramer, range=0.96 to 3.94%; HLA-B8-FLRGRAYGL (EBNA3A latent antigen peptide) tetramer, range=0.03 to 0.59%; and HLA-A2-GLCTLVAML (BMLF1 lytic antigen peptide) tetramer, range=0.06 to 0.76%. The majority of tetramer reactive cells displayed an activated/memory phenotype. Conclusions. Pediatric transplant recipients receiving immunosuppression can generate EBV-specific CD8+ T cells. Phenotypic and functional analysis of tetramer+ cells may prove useful in defining and monitoring EBV infection in the posttransplant patient.

Constitutive activation of Jak/STAT proteins in Epstein-Barr virus-infected B-cell lines from patients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Background. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a major complication after bone marrow and solid organ transplantation. The disease encompasses a spectrum of abnormal, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell proliferations. We have previously shown that EBV-infected, spontaneous lymphoblastoid cell lines (SLCL) derived from PTLD patients require autocrine interleukin (IL)-10 to proliferate. To determine if cytokine signal transduction is involved in the autonomous growth of the SLCL, the activation states of the Jak/STAT signaling pathway proteins were analyzed in three different SLCL, termed JB7, MF4, and VB4. Methods. The tyrosine phosphorylation (P-tyr) states of the Janus kinases (Jaks) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins were examined by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot. Activated STAT dimer formation was determined by electromobility shift assays. Results. All three SLCL, but not the Daudi Burkitt’s lymphoma B-cell line, expressed the four known Jak kinases constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated, with particularly high levels of P-tyr Jak1 in the JB7 line. STAT1 and STAT3, but not STAT2 or STAT5, are also constitutively activated in all SLCL. The ability of the activated STAT proteins to form DNA-binding dimers was confirmed by electromobility shift assay. The SLCL, but not the Daudi line, express activated STAT complexes composed of STAT1 and STAT3. Another EBV-infected B-cell line, isolated from a lymph node biopsy after kidney transplantation, is phenotypically similar to the other SLCL in both surface antigen and activated STAT1 and STAT3 expression. Conclusion. These data support the presence of a constitutively active autocrine signaling pathway consistent with IL-10 in the SLCL.

Identification, cloning, and characterization of a novel rat natural killer receptor, RNKp30: A molecule expressed in liver allografts

Background. As a component of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells may play a significant role in the early events after solid-organ transplantation. Activated NK cells have been shown to infiltrate allografts in transplant models. To better understand NK cells and the role of NK cell receptors in transplantation, we have cloned and begun characterizing a novel rat molecule, rNKp30. Methods. RNKp30 cDNA was cloned by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR from mononuclear cells infiltrating a rejecting liver allograft. Southern blot analysis was used to determine the rNKp30 gene copy number. RT-PCR and Northern blotting were used to examine rNKp30 RNA expression in NK cells, multiple tissues, and liver grafts. Immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot analysis with two anti-rNKp30 polyclonal antibodies, CA680 and CA1071, were performed. Tunicamycin and endoglycosidase treatments determined the extent of rNKp30 glycosylation. Results. RNKp30 is homologous to human and macaque NKp30. It is a single copy gene with five identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms. RNKp30 is expressed by NK cells and is detectable as a single transcript by Northern blot in normal spleen, lymph node, and lung tissues. RNKp30 is a variably N-glycosylated cell surface molecule with a protein backbone of approximately 21 kDa. Elevated transcript expression of rNKp30 is detected in both rejected and spontaneously accepted liver allografts, but not in syngeneic or cyclosporine A-treated allografts. Conclusions. RNKp30 is a glycosylated surface NK cell receptor with limited polymorphism. This putative activation receptor is expressed in liver allografts and may participate in the innate immune response after transplantation.