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A Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to A Weiss.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Requirements for triggering of lysis by cytolytic T lymphocyte clones.

Cloned murine cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) having defined specificity were triggered by the phorbol ester together with a calcium ionophore (either A23187 or Ionomycin) to lyse syngeneic or third party target cells efficiently. Neither phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) nor calcium ionophore alone induced efficient lysis. The characteristics of the lytic process induced by these signals are similar to those of antigen-specific or lectin-facilitated lysis by CTL. Lysis is calcium and temperature dependent and shows kinetics which are not grossly different from lysis mediated via the antigen receptor. Two helper T lymphocyte clones were not induced to lyse efficiently EL-4 target cells by concanavalin A or PMA + ionophore. Triggering of lysis induced with PMA plus ionophore by the CTL clone L3 differed from antigen-mediated lysis in specificity and in the susceptibility to inhibition by cytochalasin B. Properties of the target cell determine which cell surface associative recognition structures are important in the efficient lysis of these cells. Anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies inhibited efficiently both antigen-mediated and PMA + ionophore-induced lysis of P-815 or EL-4 target cells which are of hematopoietic origin. However, anti-LFA-1 antibodies do not inhibit antigen-mediated, lectin-facilitated, or PMA + Ionomycin-induced CTL cytolysis of target cells derived from the L cell fibroblast line. We conclude that two intracellular signals, which can be provided by the combination of PMA + ionophore, are required for efficient lysis by antigen-specific murine CTL clones. When the T cell receptor for antigen is bypassed using PMA + ionophore to trigger lysis, we show that Lyt-2 and LFA-1 molecules may be required for efficient lysis. These associative recognition structures appear to play an important role in postactivation steps leading to efficient delivery of the lethal hit to the target cell.

Animals↗

The T cell antigen receptor complex expressed on normal peripheral blood CD4-, CD8- T lymphocytes. A CD3-associated disulfide-linked gamma chain heterodimer.

IL-2-dependent cell lines were established from normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes that express neither CD4 nor CD8 differentiation antigens. CD3+,4-,8- cell lines from 15 different donors failed to react with WT31, an mAb directed against the T cell antigen receptor alpha/beta heterodimer. Anti-Leu-4 mAb was used to isolate the CD3/T cell antigen receptor complex from 125I-labeled CD3+,4-,8- (WT31-) T cells. Using detergent conditions that preserved the CD3/T cell antigen receptor complex, an approximately 90 kD disulfide-linked heterodimer, composed of approximately 45- and approximately 40- (or approximately 37-) kD subunits, was coimmunoprecipitated with the invariant 20-29-kD CD3 complex. Analysis of these components by nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis indicated that the approximately 40-kD and approximately 37-kD subunits were similar, and quite distinct from the more basic approximately 45-kD subunit. None of these three subunits reacted with an antibody directed against a beta chain framework epitope. Heteroantiserum against a T cell receptor gamma chain peptide specifically reacted with both the approximately 37- and approximately 40-kD CD3-associated proteins, but not with the approximately 45-kD subunit. CD3+,4-,8- cells failed to transcribe substantial amounts of functional 1.3-kb beta or 1.6-kb alpha mRNA, but produced abundant 1.6-kb gamma mRNA. Southern blot analysis revealed that these CD3+,4-,8- cell lines rearranged both gamma and beta genes, and indicated that the populations were polyclonal. The expression of a CD3-associated disulfide-linked heterodimer on CD3+,4-,8- T cell lines established from normal, adult peripheral blood contrasts with prior reports describing a CD3-associated non-disulfide-linked heterodimer on CD3+/WT31- cell lines established from thymus and peripheral blood obtained from patients with immunodeficiency diseases. We propose that this discrepancy may be explained by preferential usage of the two C gamma genes in T lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Ligand-receptor interactions required for commitment to the activation of the interleukin 2 gene.

Concanavalin A (Con A), which together with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) can activate the human T cell line Jurkat to produce interleukin 2 (IL 2), is shown to depend on the expression of the T3/T cell antigen receptor heterodimer (T3/Ti) complex to induce activation. alpha-methyl mannoside was able to reverse all of the observed effects of Con A on intracellular biochemical events. Therefore, ligand-receptor occupancy appears to be required for sustaining biochemical events associated with triggering the T3/Ti complex. Studies of the time-dependent requirements for the two stimuli required for activation revealed that simultaneous stimulation with both Con A and PMA is required for 2 to 4 hr for the cell to commit itself to activation, as measured by the appearance of secreted IL 2. This 2- to 4-hr requirement correlated precisely with the appearance of IL 2 mRNA, and the appearance of IL 2 transcripts depended on protein synthesis during this critical time period.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Biliary ascariasis. A case report.

The presenting features, diagnosis and management of biliary ascariasis in an adult woman are described and the literature is reviewed.

Ascariasis↗

A 275 basepair fragment at the 5' end of the interleukin 2 gene enhances expression from a heterologous promoter in response to signals from the T cell antigen receptor.

Using a transient transfection assay, we have defined the sequences required for the activation of the IL-2 gene in response to signals from the T cell antigen receptor. To do so we have transfected the human T cell line Jurkat with hybrid DNA constructs in which fragments from the IL-2 gene are linked to an indicator gene. The indicator gene product, as well as IL-2 production from the endogenous IL-2 gene were assayed after activation of the transfected Jurkat cells by various stimuli. We have demonstrated that a 275 bp fragment stretching from 52 to 326 bp upstream of the IL-2 gene transcription initiation site is required for expression of the linked indicator gene. This IL-2 gene fragment has several of the characteristics of a transcriptional enhancer element, in that it functions in both orientations and will enhance the expression from the promoter of an unrelated gene. Such enhancement occurred only after activation of Jurkat cells through the T cell antigen receptor. More specifically, this 275 bp fragment activated the expression of a linked gene after binding of a monoclonal antibody to the Jurkat T cell antigen receptor in the presence of PMA. In addition, calcium ionophore, which circumvents antigen receptor binding in T cell activation, induced the expression of the linked gene through this 275 bp sequence, in the presence of PMA. Finally, in a mutant Jurkat cell line lacking T3/antigen receptor complexes at the cell surface, no expression due to the IL-2 5' flanking region was seen after exposure to antibody to the T cell antigen receptor plus PMA or to PHA plus PMA. In contrast, calcium ionophore plus PMA did induce the expression of a linked gene through the IL-2 5' flanking region in the mutant Jurkat cell line. The responsiveness of the transfected hybrid genes containing the IL-2 regulatory region paralleled the expression of the endogenous IL-2 gene, as determined by IL-2 bioassays. We conclude that the 275 bp IL-2 sequence (-326 to -52 bp) is a target for the signal pathway originating at the T cell antigen receptor. Definition of this 275 bp target sequence should now permit the isolation of the molecules that bind to and activate the IL-2 gene.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Complex chromosome rearrangements and congenital anomalies.

Congenital complex chromosome rearrangements (CCR) compatible with life are rare in man. Thus patients with CCR usually present considerable diagnostic difficulties both clinically and cytogenetically. We studied a 12-year-old mentally retarded male with minor congenital anomalies as described below and his first-degree relatives. The propositus had an unbalanced karyotype with eight break points and seven derivative chromosomes; two deletions, del(6) (q25----qter) and del(14) (q31----qter), and four translocations, t(2;11), t(5;15), t(6;11), t(6;20) were present. Parental chromosomes were normal; however, the mother had a few metaphases with abnormal chromosomes suggestive of chromosome instability. These findings and a review of reported patients with CCR are presented with regard to speculations about etiology, pathogenesis, phenotypic expression, and prognosis. Physicians should be aware of CCR and broader indications for cytogenetic studies appear warranted in view of these data.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The gamma T-cell antigen receptor.

The gamma-TCR is encoded by genes composed of V, J, and C elements that demonstrate a limited potential for recombinational diversity. These genes are rearranged, transcribed, and translated into proteins early during thymic ontogeny. Lymphocytes express gamma-TCR proteins on the plasma membrane only in association with the CD3 complex. gamma-TCR glycoproteins usually associate with another non-gamma glycoprotein, designated delta-TCR, to form a heterodimer receptor. Both non-disulfide-bonded and disulfide-bonded gamma/delta-TCR heterodimers have been identified on the plasma membrane of human T lymphocytes. On certain gamma-TCR-bearing T cell lines, a delta-TCR protein cannot be visualized by autoradiography. It is possible that delta-TCR proteins are associated with gamma-TCR glycoproteins on these cell lines but are not efficiently radiolabeled. Alternatively, it has been suggested that homodimers of gamma-TCR proteins can assemble with CD3 and be expressed on the plasma membrane of these cells. In adult lymphoid tissues, the majority of T lymphocytes expresses a CD3, alpha/beta antigen receptor, whereas only a minor subset (less than 5% of peripheral blood lymphocytes, lymph node, spleen, and thymocytes) express a CD3, gamma/delta antigen receptor. IL-2-dependent cell lines of both murine and human CD3, gamma/delta T cells have been established. Most CD3, gamma/delta T cell lines mediate cytotoxicity against a broad spectrum of tumor-cell targets, although the functional significance of this observation remains unclear. Cytotoxicity is apparently not restricted by or directed against MHC antigens. Antibodies against CD3 or gamma-TCR can induce proliferation and IL-2 secretion and can either augment or inhibit cytotoxicity, demonstrating that the gamma/delta-TCR is a functional receptor. The ligand recognized by this receptor has not been identified. The physiological role of T lymphocytes expressing gamma/delta-TCR, the molecular and structural properties of delta-TCR, and the relationship between CD3, alpha/beta T lymphocytes and CD3, gamma/delta T lymphocytes are the major unresolved questions that will be the primary focus of further experimentation.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Recovery of Bordetella pertussis from four kinds of swabs.

Calcium alginate, dacron, rayon and cotton wool tipped swabs, in combination with charcoal horse blood transport medium with cephalexin, were compared with regard to their ability to maintain viability of Bordetella pertussis. Calcium alginate proved to be the most suitable swab material. A field trial confirmed the results of the laboratory study.

Alginates↗

Effect of morphine and naloxone on shock avoidance learning in headless cockroaches (Periplaneta americana L.).

Systemic administration of high doses of morphine (56 micrograms morphine/g body weight) or of naloxone (54 micrograms naloxone/g body weight) results in a significant improvement of shock avoidance behavior in headless cockroaches. In both cases the learning parameter stimulation time (time during which an animal receives shocks) is significantly decreased. The behavioral parameters, stimulation rate (activity) and mean stimulation duration (shock responsiveness), as the two factors of the stimulation time considered individually, do not significantly change with morphine. Only the responses of both parameters together give the significant decrease of stimulation time (improvement of shock avoidance behavior) as mentioned above. However, the administration of naloxone causes a significant shortening of the mean stimulation duration indicating that these animals avoid the shocks by learning to lift their legs more quickly out of electrified saline in order to terminate the shocks (escape learning). Combined administration of both drugs together also causes a significant improvement of the leg-lifting response even at lower doses (morphine: 0.56 microgram plus naloxone: 0.54 microgram/g; morphine: 0.0056 microgram/g plus naloxone: 0.0054 microgram/g). Although the various effective doses of these drugs administered in combination have similar effects on the stimulation time, they affect the behavioral parameters in different ways. These different actions on activity and shock responsiveness as well as the efficacy of doses smaller than those known from vertebrates are discussed as behavioral evidence of opiate receptors in the cockroach.

Animals↗

Cell surface molecules and early events involved in human T lymphocyte activation.

The physiologic activation of human T cells by antigen involves events that occur between ligands and receptors at the interface of the T cell and antigen-presenting cell (or target cell). These events have been examined by identifying the cell surface receptors involved in such interactions using mAb. Whereas the T3/T cell antigen receptor plays a central role in such interactions, other T cell receptors have been identified which may also contribute to T cell activation in providing primary activation signals or by functioning as accessory molecules. Although the ligands of these other receptors are currently unknown or ill defined, it is likely that this will provide a fruitful area of investigation. The use of mAb as probes to mimic these putative ligands has facilitated the study of the requirements for activation and the biochemical events initiated by the receptors involved. The T cell receptor, a multisubunit complex, has been most intensively studied. Ligands that bind to T3/Ti cannot initiate activation by themselves and require the participation of accessory molecules. Stimulation of T3/Ti results in the formation of at least two potent intracellular second messengers, IP3 and DG, through the hydrolysis of PIP2. These second messengers, in turn, induce an increase in [Ca2+]i and the activation of pkC. These two events appear to be essential in the transcriptional activation of certain targeted genes through ill-defined pathways leading to the manifestations of T cell activation.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Isolation and characterization of a T-lymphocyte somatic mutant with altered signal transduction by the antigen receptor.

We have developed an approach for deriving and characterizing antigen-receptor (CD3/Ti) signal-transduction mutants. This strategy combines receptor-mediated growth inhibition and fluorescence-activated cell sorting with the Ca2+-indicator indo-1. Despite the expression of structurally normal CD3/Ti complexes, one such mutant (J.CaM1) fails to exhibit inositolphospholipid metabolism or Ca2+ mobilization in response to anti-CD3 or anti-Ti monoclonal antibodies and fails to produce lymphokines in response to these antibodies. Surprisingly, anti-Ti antibody retains its effectiveness as a stimulus for the down-regulation of CD3/Ti surface expression. These cells remain responsive to AIF-4, at least one anti-CD3 antibody, and some combinations of nonagonist anti-Ti and anti-CD3 antibodies. The mutation in J.CaM1 appears to lie in a proximal component of the signal-transduction apparatus.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

The activation of T lymphocytes.

The events involved in T cell activation are initiated at the cell surface by the interaction of ligands with specific cell surface receptors on the T cell. Central to antigen-induced activation is the CD3/Ti complex, a complex multi-chain receptor responsible for antigen/MHC recognition and signal transduction. Triggering the CD3/Ti complex results in the generation of intracellular second messengers, IP3 and DG, which are derived from PI metabolism. The second messengers lead to increases in [Ca2+]i and activation of pkC, events causally linked to various cellular responses, including the production of IL-2 through as yet poorly defined pathways. Little is known about how other cell surface molecules that may provide an accessory function participate in such events. However, future genetic and biochemical studies are likely to shed light upon the mechanisms of signal transduction by the CD3/Ti complex and accessory molecules and the details of the intracellular events involved in the activation of a host of cellular genes associated with activation.

Animals↗

Age-related trend for osteopenia in femurs of female C57BL/6 mice.

Age-related changes in femoral cortical bone were quantified in female C57BL/6 mice. Variables included in this study were cortical thickness; number of osteocytes and periosteal preosteoblasts; bone DNA, protein, calcium, and phosphorus content; and uptake of 3H-thymidine, 3H-proline, and 45CaCl2. Also, the activity of bone alkaline and acid phosphatase was measured as well as the hydroxyproline content of the tissue. Femurs of old mice 28 months old, compared to those of young mice 7 months old, showed significant decreases in cortical thickness, number of bone cells, bone mineral content, and enzyme activity. The latter were accompanied by a marked reduction in ability to incorporate radiolabeled precursors of DNA and collagen synthesis as well as of the mineralization process. Hence, aging female C57BL/6 mice reveal structural and biochemical features indicative of developing osteopenia.

Aging↗

Distinct epitopes on the T cell antigen receptor of HPB-ALL tumor cells identified by monoclonal antibodies.

The T cell antigen receptor is a approximately 90,000 dalton disulfide linked heterodimer that is non-covalently associated with the CD3 complex. Prior studies have demonstrated that anti-CD3 or -Ti antibodies can mimic antigen and induce cellular proliferation and the secretion of lymphokines. An early event in activation via CD3/Ti is a rapid increase in concentration of intracellular Ca2+ levels. In the present studies, we have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against the Ti expressed on HPB-ALL tumor cells. All MAb immunoprecipitate a approximately 90,000 dalton disulfide linked heterodimer and induced co-modulation of Ti and CD3. On the basis of competitive binding studies, four distinct epitopes on the Ti of HPB-ALL were identified with MAb L38, L39, L41, and L42. These epitopes were additionally discriminated on the basis of reactivity with normal polyclonal T cell populations and functional effects on HPB-ALL. L39 reacted with a monomorphic epitope present on approximately 2 to 5% of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from all donors examined and was specifically mitogenic for peripheral blood T cells expressing this epitope. L39+ T cells in blood included both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. In contrast, L38, L41, and L42 failed to react with peripheral blood T cells and were not mitogenic for peripheral blood lymphocytes. Anti-Leu-4, L38, L39, and L41 MAb all induced a rapid increase in (Ca2+)i in HPB-ALL tumor cells, similar to previous findings with anti-CD3 and anti-Ti MAb against various tumor cells and peripheral blood T cells. In contrast, L42 MAb did not induce a substantial increase in (Ca2+)i. Failure of L42 to induce a substantial increased (Ca2+)i could not be attributed to the apparent titer, avidity, or isotype of the antibody. These findings suggest that induction of increased (Ca2+)i upon binding of Ti is epitope dependent. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that several distinct public and private epitopes can be identified on the T cell antigen receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗