Stephen O. Mathew

Altered expression of signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors CS1 (CD319) and 2B4 (CD244) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

CS1 (CRACC, CD319) and 2B4 (CD244), members of the signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors, regulate various immune functions. Genes encoding SLAM family receptors are located at 1q23, implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we have investigated the expression and alternative splicing of CS1 and 2B4 in immune cells from SLE patients. The surface expression of CS1 and 2B4 on total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), T, B, natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes in 45 patients with SLE and 30 healthy individuals was analysed by flow cytometry. CS1‐positive B cell population was increased significantly in SLE patients. Because CS1 is a self‐ligand and homophilic interaction of CS1 induces B cell proliferation and autocrine cytokine secretion, this could account for autoreactive B cell proliferation in SLE. The proportion of NK cells and monocytes expressing 2B4 on their surface was significantly lower in patients with SLE compared to healthy controls. Our study demonstrated altered expression of splice variants of CS1 and 2B4 that mediate differential signalling in PBMC from patients with SLE.

CS1 (CRACC, CD319) Induces Proliferation and Autocrine Cytokine Expression on Human B Lymphocytes

CS1 (CRACC, CD319), a member of the CD2 family of cell surface receptors, is implicated in the activation of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Previous studies showed that CS1 is also expressed on activated B cells. However, the functional role of CS1 in human B-lymphocytes is not known. Two isoforms of CS1, CS1-L and CS1-S, are expressed in human NK cells that differentially regulate NK cell function. CS1-L contains immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs in its cytoplasmic domain whereas CS1-S lacks immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs. In this study, we show that human B lymphocytes express only the CS1-L isoform, and its expression is up-regulated upon B cell activation with various stimulators. Moreover, anti-CS1 mAb strongly enhanced proliferation of both freshly isolated as well as activated B cells. The enhanced proliferation effects of CS1 were most prominent on B cells activated by anti-CD40 mAbs and/or hrIL-4. The effects of CS1 on B cell proliferation were shown on both naive and memory B cells. Human cytokine microarray and quantitative real-time PCR results indicated that CS1 activation enhanced mRNA transcripts of flt3 ligand, lymphotoxin A, TNF, and IL-14. Neutralizing Abs against lymphotoxin A, TNF-α, and/or flt3 ligand abolished the ability of CS1 on the B cell proliferation. These results suggest that activation of B lymphocytes, through surface CS1, may be mediated through secretion of autocrine cytokines and CS1 may play a role in the regulation of B lymphocyte proliferation during immune responses.

Functional role of human NK cell receptor 2B4 (CD244) isoforms

2B4 (CD244), a member of the signaling lymphocyte‐activation molecule (SLAM/CD150), is expressed on all NK cells, a subpopulation of T cells, monocytes and basophils. Human NK cells express two isoforms of 2B4, h2B4‐A and h2B4‐B that differ in a small portion of the extracellular domain. In the present investigation, we have studied the functions of h2B4‐A and h2B4‐B. Our study demonstrated that these two isoforms differ in their binding affinity for CD48, which results in differential cytotoxic activity as well as intracellular calcium release by NK cells upon target cell recognition. Analysis of the predicted 3‐D structure of the two isoforms showed conformational differences that could account for their differences in binding affinity to CD48. h2B4‐A was able to mediate natural cytotoxicity against CD48‐expressing K562 target cells and induce intracellular calcium release, whereas h2B4‐B showed no effects. NK‐92MI, U937, THP‐1, KU812, primary monocytes, basophils and NK cells showed expression of both h2B4‐A and h2B4‐B whereas YT and IL‐2‐activated NK cells did not show any h2B4‐B expression. Stimulation of NK cells through 2B4 resulted in decreased mRNA levels of both h2B4‐A and h2B4‐B indicating that down‐regulation of 2B4 isoforms may be an important factor in controlling NK cell activation during immune responses.

Novel Interaction between Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen and HLA I on the Surface of Tumor Cells Inhibits NK Cell Function through NKp44

NK cell function is closely regulated by numerous inhibitory and activating receptors binding corresponding ligands on the surface of target cells, providing vital first line defenses against infections and cancer. NKp44, originally discovered as an activating NK cell receptor, was recently found to elicit inhibitory effects on NK cell effector function through recognition of cell surface PCNA. Other reports have pointed to potential associations between NKp44 and HLA I molecules, as well as HLA I and Damage Associated Molecular Pattern molecules (DAMPs) on the surface of tumor cells. In this report, we have identified novel interaction between HLA I and PCNA on the surface of human tumor cells by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation. In addition to previous reports, we show PCNA on the cell surface where novel association with HLA I does not require the presence of NKp44 expressing NK cells and occurs with endogenous PCNA. The association of HLA I and PCNA forms the inhibitory ligand for NKp44, resulting in inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity. We further postulate NCR ligands are composed of DAMP molecules localized to the cell surface, colocalizing with HLA I, and potentially heparin sulfate proteoglycans.

CS1 (SLAMF7) inhibits production of proinflammatory cytokines by activated monocytes

Objective and designCS1 (CRACC, CD319, SLAMF7) is a member of the Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule family expressed on immune cells mediating host defense. CS1 is a self-ligand and has both activating and inhibitory functions in Natural Killer cells. However, the function of CS1 in human monocytes is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the control of CS1 surface expression in activated monocytes and to assess the effect of CS1 triggering on proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes.Material, methods and treatmentHuman monocytes were isolated from PBMC of healthy volunteers by magnetic depletion method or FACS sorting. The monocytes were cultured with or without LPS (1 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of various pharmacological inhibitors to inhibit NF-кB and PI3K signaling pathways. The cells were stimulated with anti-CS1 antibody or isotype control. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers for CS1 and EAT-2. Cell supernatants were collected and cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-12p70) were determined by sandwich ELISA.ResultsOur study revealed that adherent or LPS-activated monocytes express CS1, and CS1 induction is via NF-кB and PI3K pathways. Importantly, cross-linking CS1 resulted in reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-12p70 by LPS-activated monocytes.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that CS1 plays an inhibitory role in human monocytes to control proinflammatory immune responses.

2B4+ CD8+ T cells play an inhibitory role against constrained HIV epitopes

Cytotoxic T cells play a critical role in the control of HIV and the progression of infected individuals to AIDS. 2B4 (CD244) is a member of the SLAM family of receptors that regulate lymphocyte development and function. The expression of 2B4 on CD8+ T cells was shown to increase during AIDS disease progression. However, the functional role of 2B4+ CD8+ T cells against HIV infection is not known. Here, we have examined the functional role of 2B4+ CD8+ T cells during and after stimulation with HLA B14 or B27 restricted HIV epitopes. Interestingly, IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxic activity of 2B4+ CD8+ T cells stimulated with HIV peptides were significantly decreased when compared to influenza peptide stimulated 2B4+ CD8+ T cells. The expression of the signaling adaptor molecule SAP was downregulated in 2B4+ CD8+ T cells upon HIV peptide stimulation. These results suggest that 2B4+ CD8+ T cells play an inhibitory role against constrained HIV epitopes underlying the inability to control the virus during disease progression.

LLT1‐mediated Activation of IFN‐γ Production in Human Natural Killer Cells Involves ERK Signalling Pathway

Natural killer (NK) cell functions are regulated by a delicate balance of signals received through activating and inhibitory receptors expressed on the cell surface. Lectin‐like transcript‐1 (LLT1), expressed on a subpopulation of NK cells and other immune cells is a ligand for the NK cell inhibitory receptor, NKR‐P1A (CD161). Previous studies showed that cross‐linking surface LLT1 with a monoclonal antibody stimulated NK cell IFN‐γ secretion but had no effect on cytotoxicity. Here, we have examined the signalling pathways associated with LLT1‐stimulated IFN‐γ secretion. We ligated LLT1 on NK92 cells with CD161 on target cells and analysed IFN‐γ production in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors specific for various signalling mechanisms. These results indicate that LLT1 employs Src‐PTK, p38 and ERK signalling pathways, but not PKC, PI3K or calcineurin. Phosphorylation studies of the signalling adaptor molecules confirmed that the ERK signalling pathway is associated with LLT1‐mediated IFN‐γ production. LLT1 ligation is not associated with any change in detectable IFN‐γ mRNA levels suggesting that LLT1‐stimulated IFN‐γ production in NK cells may involve post‐transcriptional or translational events.

Overexpression of LLT1 (OCIL, CLEC2D) on prostate cancer cells inhibits NK cell-mediated killing through LLT1-NKRP1A (CD161) interaction

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. Natural Killer (NK) cells are the first line of defense against cancer and infections. NK cell function is regulated by a delicate balance between signals received through activating and inhibitory receptors. Previously, we identified Lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT1/OCIL/CLEC2D) as a counter-receptor for the NK cell inhibitory receptor NKRP1A (CD161). Interaction of LLT1 expressed on target cells with NKRP1A inhibits NK cell activation. In this study, we have found that LLT1 was overexpressed on prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, LNCaP, 22Rv1 and PC3) and in primary prostate cancer tissues both at the mRNA and protein level. We further showed that LLT1 is retained intracellularly in normal prostate cells with minimal cell surface expression. Blocking LLT1 interaction with NKRP1A by anti-LLT1 mAb on prostate cancer cells increased the NK-mediated cytotoxicity of prostate cancer cells. The results indicate that prostate cancer cells may evade immune attack by NK cells by expressing LLT1 to inhibit NK cell-mediated cytolytic activity through LLT1-NKRP1A interaction. Blocking LLT1-NKRP1A interaction will make prostate cancer cells susceptible to killing by NK cells and therefore may be a new therapeutic option for treatment of prostate cancer.

YY1 and a unique DNA repeat element regulates the transcription of mouse CS1 (CD319, SLAMF7) gene

CS1 (CD319, CRACC, SLAMF7, novel Ly9) activates NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and proliferation of B lymphocytes during immune responses. The expression of CS1 is up regulated on B cells in multiple myeloma and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study we describe the transcriptional regulation of mouse CS1 (mCS1) gene. We show that mCS1 gene transcription is regulated by YY1 (Ying Yang 1) and a unique (AG)n=36 DNA repeat element. YY1 is known to play a significant role in B cell development by regulating the pro B cell to pre B cell transition. The consensus DNA binding site for YY1 was detected using TRANSFAQ on the mCS1 promoter region. Mutations in the YY1 site led to a significant increase in mCS1 promoter activity indicating that YY1 represses mCS1 transcription. YY1 binds to the mCS1 promoter at the expected site in vivo and in vitro as tested by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and super-shift EMSA assays respectively. Unique (CT)n=24 and (AG)n=36 DNA repeat elements are present on mCS1 promoter that are sensitive to S1 nuclease and engage in DNA triplex structure as confirmed by AFM (atomic force microscopy) imaging. Interestingly, the (AG)n=36 repeat element enhances mCS1 promoter activity.

Blimp-1/PRDM1 regulates the transcription of human CS1 (SLAMF7) gene in NK and B cells

CS1 (CRACC/CD319/SLAMF7) is a member of SLAM (Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule) family receptors and is expressed on NK cells, a subset of CD8(+) T lymphocytes, activated monocytes, mature dendritic cells and activated B cells. In NK cells, CS1 signaling induces cytolytic function of NK cells against targets whereas in B cells CS1 induces proliferation and autocrine cytokine production. CS1 is upregulated in multiple myeloma cells and contributes to clonogenic growth and tumorigenicity. However, the mechanism of CS1 upregulation is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation of human CS1 gene in NK and B cells. The promoter region of CS1 contains a Blimp-1/PRDM1 binding site and relative luciferase activities of successive deletion mutants of CS1 promoter were different between Blimp-1/PRDM1-positive and Blimp-1/PRDM1-negative cells. Proximal region of CS1 promoter contains a CAAT box and atypical TATA-box that might result in common transcription initiation at -29 nucleotides upstream of the ATG translation start codon. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed Blimp-1/PRDM1 binds to the CS1 promoter region. Mutating the Blimp-1/PRDM1 site at -750 to -746 decreased the transcriptional activity of CS1 promoter implicating a trans-activating function of Blimp-1/PRDM1 in human CS1 gene regulation. The finding that Blimp-1/PRDM1 enhances transcription of CS1 gene in multiple myeloma cells may help in developing novel strategies for therapeutic intervention in multiple myeloma.