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Biomedical subjects

B Ryffel

Publications and source records attributed to B Ryffel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of interferon-gamma in contact hypersensitivity assessed in interferon-gamma receptor-deficient mice.

The role of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) in contact hypersensitivity induced by the haptens, oxazolone and 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB), was investigated in mice with a targeted disruption of the IFN gamma receptor (IFN gamma-R-/-). The 24-h ear-swelling response to oxazolone or TNCB in sensitized animals was not significantly reduced by the disruption of IFN gamma signalling. Dermal mononuclear infiltrates (MN) and epidermal microabscesses, however, were clearly diminished in the mutant mice. The hapten-induced upregulation of intercellular-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in IFN gamma-R-/- mice was smaller when compared to wild-type mice. It is concluded that oxazolone- and TNCB-induced contact hypersensitivity is partially dependent on a functional IFN gamma system. While the cutaneous oedema is IFN gamma-independent, the mononuclear cell infiltration and epidermal microabscess formation are at least partly IFN gamma-dependent. Therefore, reduced cellular infiltrates are likely due to a reduced upregulation of ICAM-1 and class I antigen expression in IFN gamma-R-/- mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic

Distribution and activity of calcineurin in rat tissues. Evidence for post-transcriptional regulation of testis-specific calcineurin B.

Calcineurin (CN), a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated phosphatase 2B, plays an important role in many biological processes including T-cell signal transduction. In the present study, the distribution and activity of CN were investigated in rat tissues. CN has a wide tissue distribution, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CN concentrations are 0.2-0.6 micrograms/mg protein in most tissues, while the brain contains 3-10-fold higher concentrations. Immunohistochemical analyses using a monoclonal antibody to CN B subunit reveals that CN is not evenly distributed but concentrated in specific cells, especially in the brain, kidneys and testis. The specific enzymic activity of CN in tissues is around 10 pmol.min.mg protein-1, except in brain and liver (60 pmol.min-1.mg protein-1 compared to 3.6 pmol.min-1.mg protein-1). The immunosuppressants cyclosporin A and tacrolimus, but not rapamycin, inhibit the phosphatase activity of CN derived from most tissues tested, while CN activity from liver was resistant to cyclosporin A. Furthermore, transcripts and protein of the common CN B subunit and of the testis-specific form of CN B subunit were analyzed. The common CN B subunit transcripts and protein are detected in all tissues. Transcripts for the 'testis-specific' CN B subunit are also found in brain, lung, thymus and heart, while the protein is only detected in testis. This indicates that the testis-specific CN B subunit gene expression is regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. The findings demonstrate that CN is a widely distributed protein phosphatase and that its activity is regulated in a tissue-specific manner.

Amino Acid Sequence

The stimulatory effects of interleukin (IL)-12 on hematopoiesis are antagonized by IL-12-induced interferon gamma in vivo.

Interleukin (IL)-12 synergizes with other cytokines to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of early hematopoietic progenitors in vitro. However, in vivo administration of IL-12 decreases peripheral blood counts and bone marrow hematopoiesis. Here, we used interferon (IFN) gamma receptor-deficient (IFN gamma R-/-) mice to investigate whether the in vivo inhibition of hematopoiesis by IL-12 is indirectly mediated by IL-12-induced IFN-gamma. IL-12 administered for 4 d (1 microgram/mouse per day) resulted in lower peripheral blood counts and a 2-fold decrease in bone marrow cellularity in wild-type mice, but not in IFN gamma R-/- mice. Bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors were decreased after IL-12 treatment in wild-type mice, but rather increased in IFN gamma R-/- mice. Splenic cellularity was 2.3-fold higher after IL-12 administration in wild-type mice, largely due to natural killer (NK) cell and macrophage infiltration together with some extramedullary hematopoiesis. In IFN gamma R-/- mice, spleen cellularity was less increased, there were fewer infiltrating NK cells, but a strong extramedullary hematopoiesis. Thus, alterations mediated by IL-12-induced IFN-gamma include reduction in bone marrow cellularity and hematopoietic progenitors, as well as pronounced splenomegaly, largely caused by NK cell infiltration. In the absence of IFN-gamma signaling, IL-12 promotes hematopoiesis, consistent with its in vitro activities.

Animals

Experimental therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus: the treatment of NZB/W mice with mouse soluble interferon-gamma receptor inhibits the onset of glomerulonephritis.

Female NZB/W F1 mice develop an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and ultimately die of glomerulonephritis. Starting at the age of 16 weeks NZB/W F1 mice were treated for a period of 19 weeks with soluble interferon-gamma receptor (sIFN-gamma R), anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (mAb) or IFN-gamma. All mice treated with sIFN-gamma R or anti-IFN-gamma mAb were alive 4 weeks after the treatment was discontinued, whereas 50% of mice died in the placebo groups and 78% of the mice died in the IFN-gamma-treated group. Histologically, there was severe membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis in IFN-gamma- and placebo-treated mice, and minimal or no mesangioproliferative disease in mice receiving sIFN-gamma R or anti-IFN-gamma mAb. The renal mononuclear infiltrate (T lymphocytes and monocytes), expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen and glomerular immunoglobulin and complement deposition were reduced in those mice. These data suggest that an IFN-gamma inhibitor, such as the soluble IFN-gamma R, can be used for SLE therapy in the early stages of the disease.

Animals

In situ detection of cyclosporin A: evidence for nuclear localization of cyclosporine and cyclophilins.

BACKGROUND: The immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) forms a trimolecular complex with cyclophilin (CPH) and calcineurins (CN) and inhibits CN phosphatase activity. Inhibition of CN phosphatase by CsA prevents the dephosphorylation of a nuclear factor in the cytosol and its nuclear translocation to the nucleus. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The intracellular distribution of CPH and CN was investigated in permeabilized Jurkat T lymphocytes and MRC fibroblasts using biochemical techniques and confocal microscopy. The site of CsA binding was identified in situ using a photoaffinity label derivative of CsA followed by immunodetection. RESULTS: Cyclophilin A (CPH-A) and CN display essentially a cytosolic localization by immunofluorescence, and additional nuclear CPH-A and CN are evidenced by Western blot analysis of purified nuclei and immunofluorescence. By contrast, cyclophilin B (CPH-B) has a punctuate and reticular distribution pattern in cytoplasm, indicating an association with the endoplasmatic reticulum, but its main location is in the nuclear matrix, sparing the nucleolar region. For the in situ detection of CsA binding sites, a photolabile cyclosporine derivative (PL-CS) was used that allowed the detection of covalently bound CsA by Ab. Using the biologically active PL-CS, a punctate cytoplasmatic and nuclear immunoreactivity was obtained, which was specific and competed only with active cyclosporine derivatives. Nuclear CPH-A and -B were labeled by PL-CS, and trimolecular complexes of labeled CPH and CN were obtained by chemically cross-linking nuclear extracts. CONCLUSIONS: We describe herein the accessibility of CsA to the nucleus, the presence and labeling in situ of nuclear CPH and CN. The current models of CsA action predict that CsA-CPH complexes inhibit CN activity in the cytosol. However, our present findings invite the hypothesis that CPH may capture the drug into the nucleus and target regulatory proteins or transcriptional control elements.

Amino Acid Isomerases

Role of interferon-gamma in interleukin 12-induced pathology in mice.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) activates natural killer (NK) and T cells with the secondary synthesis and release of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and other cytokines. IL-12-induced organ alterations are reported for mice and the pathogenetic role of IFN-gamma is investigated by the use of mice deficient in the IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R-/-). IL-12 caused a rapid infiltration of liver and splenic red pulp with activated macrophages; this and increased NK cells resulted in a fivefold increase of splenic weight in wild-type mice. Splenomegaly was associated with myelosuppression and decreasing peripheral leukocyte counts. IL-12-induced changes in wild-type mice were associated with markedly increased IFN-gamma serum levels and up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II expression in various epithelia. IL-12 induced a qualitatively similar macrophage infiltration in IFN-gamma R-/- mice, less marked splenomegaly (to 2 x normal), and no MHC upregulation. Strikingly increased vascular endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was apparent in both IFN-gamma R-/- and IFN-gamma R+/+ mice. Restricted to mutant mice was a severe, invariably lethal, interstitial, and perivascular pulmonary macrophage infiltration with diffuse pulmonary edema. Extensive quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed an increase of only IL-6 and IL-10 pulmonary gene transcripts in IFN-gamma R-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. IL-12-induced myelosuppression is due to IFN-gamma-release from NK cells and T cells, and is associated with macrophage activation and distinct MHC class I and II antigen upregulation. The pulmonary pathology in IFN-gamma R-/- mice, however, reveals a toxic potential for IL-12 and suggests that endogenous IFN-gamma plays a protective role in preventing fatal pulmonary disease in these mice.

Animals

Growth inhibition of human colorectal-carcinoma cells by interleukin-4 and expression of functional interleukin-4 receptors.

The growth-inhibitory effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4) was investigated in a panel of 7 human colorectal-carcinoma cell lines. In 5 cell lines (HT29, WiDr, LS411N, LS513, LS1034) a dose-dependent reduction of proliferation was documented. At 100 U/ml, IL-4 inhibited thymidine incorporation between 45 and 75% and MTT conversion (26 to 41%). The ability of LS513 and WiDr cells to form colonies after IL-4 treatment was reduced by 85 and 62% respectively. LS513 was the most sensitive cell line, with IL-4 inducing half-maximal inhibition at 5 to 6 U/ml. The inhibitory effect of IL-4 was completely neutralized by anti-IL-4 antibodies. Northern-blot analysis revealed the presence of IL-4-receptor (IL-4R) mRNA in all cell lines. The membrane expression of the 130-kDa IL-4R was assessed by FACS, utilizing an anti-IL-4R monoclonal antibody and was confirmed by biotinylated IL-4 binding. Our results attribute an important role for IL-4 as a negative regulator of colorectal-carcinoma cell growth, thus indicating a possible avenue for intervention in this disease.

Blotting, Northern

Interferon gamma receptor deficient mice are resistant to endotoxic shock.

Antibody neutralization studies have established interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) as a critical mediator of endotoxic shock. The advent of IFN-gamma receptor negative (IFN gamma R-/-) mutant mice has enabled a more direct assessment of the role of IFN-gamma in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-induced shock. We report that IFN gamma R-/- mice have an increased resistance to LPS-induced toxicity, this resistance manifesting well before the synthesis and release of LPS-induced IFN-gamma. LPS-induced lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and weight loss seen in wild-type mice were attenuated in IFN gamma R-/- mice. IFN gamma R-/- mice tolerated 100-1,000 times more LPS than the minimum lethal dose for wild-type mice in a D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/LPS model. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were 10-fold reduced in mutant mice given LPS or LPS/D-GalN. Bone marrow and splenic macrophages from IFN gamma R-/- mice had a four- to sixfold decreased LPS-binding capacity which correlated with similar reduction in CD14. Serum from mutant mice reduced macrophage LPS binding by a further 50%, although LPS binding protein was only 10% reduced. The expression of TNF receptor I (p55) and II (p75) was identical between wild-type and mutant mice. Thus, depressed TNF synthesis, diminished expression of CD14, and low plasma LPS-binding capacity, in addition to blocked IFN-gamma signaling in the mutant mice, likely to combine to manifest in the resistant phenotype of IFN gamma R-/- mice to endotoxin.

Animals

Demonstration of ternary immunophilin-calcineurin complexes with the immunosuppressants cyclosporin and macrolide FK506.

The specificity of cyclosporin A (CsA) binding to the major intracellular receptor proteins, cyclophilin A and B, as well as the interaction of CsA with the phosphatase calcineurin were investigated. Binding of photoaffinity-labeled CsA (PL-CS), a photoaffinity probe of CsA, to recombinant human cyclophilin A and B is saturable and specific. Non-specific PL-CS binding to calcineurin is observed in the absence of cyclophilin and calmodulin. In the presence of cyclophilin, cyclosporin-calcineurin binding becomes specific. Ternary complexes containing an equimolar ratio of cyclophilin A or B, PL-CS and calcineurin are resolved using the chemical-crosslinking technique. The formation of these complexes is specific, calcium- but not calmodulin-dependent, and is only inhibitable by cyclosporins, which bind cyclophilin. The drug-immunophilin complex binds to the calcineurin A subunit. The proteolytic 43 kDa product of calcineurin A retains binding properties, suggesting that the C-terminal domains are not necessary for complex formation. A trimeric complex of FKBP-calcineurin is also formed with FK506, but not with rapamycin. As expected, these complexes are only competed with by homologous derivatives. Chemical crosslinking of photolabeled Jurkat T-cells strongly suggests that drug-calcineurin complexes are of biological relevance.

Affinity Labels

Long-term interleukin-6 administration stimulates sustained thrombopoiesis and acute-phase protein synthesis in a small primate--the marmoset.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been ascribed significant roles in both hematopoiesis and the immune response, although its contribution to host defence as a whole is poorly understood. Because short-term IL-6 treatment was previously shown to stimulate megakaryocytopoiesis, we investigated the effect of long-term administration of IL-6 on megakaryocytopoiesis and other systemic parameters in nonhuman primates. We chose a small primate, the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), which enabled long-term administration at high doses. Recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) administered at doses of up to 1,000 micrograms/kg/d over 4 and 9 weeks caused a sustained twofold to threefold increase of thrombocyte counts, peaking at 4 weeks. Thrombocyte counts declined thereafter, despite continuing IL-6 administration. The number of bone marrow megakaryocytes at 4 and 9 weeks was not increased compared with controls, but the ploidy grade was augmented, suggesting that IL-6 effects are restricted to mature megakaryocytes in vivo. An acute-phase protein response was observed within 24 hours after the first IL-6 administration and reached a maximum after 1 week of IL-6 administration at 25 micrograms/kg. Serum C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin were increased, whereas albumin and transferrin levels declined. The acute-phase protein response was not associated with any morphologic evidence of hepatocellular damage. The increased levels of Ig and soluble IL-2 receptor in the serum levels reflected systemic immunostimulation. There was no evidence of renal mesangioproliferative pathology. Antibodies against rhIL-6 developed within 2 weeks, continuously increasing during the course of the study. High titers of neutralizing antibodies appeared concomitantly with the decrease in platelet counts and decline in acute-phase proteins. Therefore, despite the pleiotropic effects of IL-6 observed in vitro, long-term administration of IL-6 caused a selective and sustained stimulation of thrombopoiesis in marmosets that was only ablated by the appearance of neutralizing antibodies, and high doses were well tolerated in marmosets. A long-term targeting of IL-6 to cells of the megakaryocytic lineage, without evoking general toxicity, confirms the potential therapeutic usefulness of rhIL-6 for the chronic treatment of thrombocytopenic patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins

The viable motheaten (mev) mouse--a new model for arthritis.

Homozygous mev mice are first identified at the age of 3-4 days by focal depigmentation of the skin, followed by patchy absence of hair and by necrotic lesions on paws, tail and ears. Of particular interest are the inflammatory reactions in the paws of these animals which consist mainly of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltration in the subcutaneous tissue extending to the periosteum and joint, resulting in focal destructive arthritis and osteomylitis. These lesions are to some extent reminiscent of an acute form of rheumatoid-like arthritis. Since mev mice are sterile, a limited number of symptomatic offspring can be obtained by cross-breeding their heterozygous siblings which are phenotypically not distinguishable from mice lacking this mutation. In order to produce a sufficient number of diseased animals for performing pharmacological studies, we have established a model by transferring this disease in lethally irradiated, 8- to 10-week-old syngeneic mice which were grafted with mev spleen cells. Such reconstituted recipients develop first inflammatory symptoms of the paws 2 to 3 weeks after cell transfer. The arthritic inflammation finally affects all paws and toes by 30 to 50 days. This procedure increased the number of mev-like mice expressing arthritis, allowing assessment of the effects of standard reference drugs used in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The immunosuppressants cyclosporin and rapamycin and the steroid dexamethasone at therapeutic concentrations exert a strong inhibitory effect on the development of arthritis in this novel model. In contrast, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone shows only a moderate effect. These results indicate the particular sensitivity of this model for efficacy of potentially new therapeutic but non-cytostatic compounds for clinical use.

Animals

Effects of recombinant human interleukin 6 (rhIL-6) in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). 1. General toxicity and hematological changes.

The physiological and toxicological properties of recombinant human interleukin 6 (rhIL-6) were assessed in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). Two experimental series were performed with daily subcutaneous administration: (a) 5 or 1000 micrograms rhIL-6/kg per day for three weeks and (b) 25, 100 or 500 micrograms rhIL-6/kg per day for 3 months. RhIL-6 was well tolerated and did not induce fever or any other non-specific signs of toxicity. The main findings were: (1) A two- to threefold increase in platelet counts at 2-4 weeks, which decreased following further continuous rhIL-6 administration; (2) increase in total white blood cells between 1 and 4 weeks of administration, including an absolute increase in granulocytes (including band forms) and basophils. A change in the number of monocytes was not detected; (3) an increase in total red blood cells, which peaked at 4 weeks, sustained elevation of red cell distribution width and a slight decrease in hemoglobin between week 1 and 4, concurrent with a distinct decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin at 4 weeks. This effect persisted for 9 weeks in the 100 micrograms/kg and 500 micrograms/kg groups; (4) decrease in plasma AST activity and increase in plasma protein concentration after 2 weeks of treatment; (5) no clinical or biochemical signs of renal glomerular dysfunction; (6) RhIL-6 after s.c. administration was detectable in the plasma, peak levels (mean values +/- SD) of 9.4 +/- 6.3 and 72.4 +/- 7.7 ng/ml were measured after a single dose of 100 or 1000 micrograms/kg; (7) antibodies against rhIL-6 developed within 2 weeks, increased during administration and neutralized the biological effect of rhIL-6 progressively from 4 to 9 weeks. In conclusion, aside from a mild anemia, rhIL-6 was well tolerated in marmosets and had a profound and sustained effect on thrombopoiesis. Due to the formation of neutralizing antibodies, the chronic biological effect of rhIL-6 is lost in marmosets and studies beyond 4 weeks are rendered less meaningful. The analyses of antibody formation, induction of acute phase proteins, histological changes and alterations on lymphocyte receptors will be reported in two following publications.

Analysis of Variance

Interleukin-6 exacerbates glomerulonephritis in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

The ability of interleukin-6 (IL-6) to modulate immune parameters and mesangial cell function suggests a role for this cytokine in the development of autoimmune glomerulonephritis. This hypothesis was tested in 6-month-old female (NZB x NZW)F1 mice that were administered recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) (50 and 250 micrograms/kg s.c.) for 12 weeks, resulting in an accelerated and severe form of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with marked upregulation of mesangial major histocompatibility complex class II antigen and glomerular ICAM-1 expression. To distinguish direct effects of rhIL-6 on the renal mesangium from those mediated through the immune system, (NZB x NZW)F1 mice were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin. Immunosuppression by cyclosporin inhibited the development of glomerulonephritis, decreased class II antigen expression, and abrogated IL-6-mediated effects. Administration of neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody had no effect on the spontaneous development of glomerulonephritis in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. This finding, together with undetectable IL-6 serum levels, makes a pathogenetic role of endogenously produced IL-6 in this disease model unlikely. In contrast to (NZB x NZW)F1 mice, parental NZW or BALB/c mice given high doses of rhIL-6 (500 micrograms/kg) or recombinant murine IL-6 (100 micrograms/kg) daily for 4 weeks failed to develop morphological or biochemical evidence of glomerulonephritis. Induction of acute phase proteins, anemia, thrombocytosis, and induction of renal class II antigen confirmed the biological activity of IL-6 in these mice. In conclusion, while non-nephritogenic in normal mice, IL-6 accelerates the development of the genetically determined glomerulonephritis of (NZB x NZW)F1 mice through effects mediated by a modulated immune system. Since neutralizing IL-6 antibody treatment did not prevent the development of glomerulonephritis, it is unlikely that increased IL-6 production plays a role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

Animals

Inhibition of activation-induced changes in the structure of the T cell interleukin-7 receptor by cyclosporin A and FK506.

We have recently shown that activation of T cells causes structural changes in the interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) (Foxwell et al. Int. Immunol. 1992, 4: 277). Unactivated cells expressed a receptor characterized as a cross-linked protein of 107-kDa whereas activated cells had reduced levels of this 107-kDa complex and now express a major cross-linked product of 93 kDa. These changes in receptor expression were concomitant with the acquisition of IL-7 growth responsiveness by activated T cells. In this study, the effect of the potent immunosuppressive agents cyclosporin A and FK506 on the activation-induced responsiveness to IL-7-driven proliferation and the concomitant changes in receptor structure have been investigated. Cyclosporin A and FK506 suppressed the expression of the 93-kDa complex and the loss of the 107-kDa complex on activated cells. The presence of exogenous IL-7 inhibited the effects of the drugs on IL-7R structure, allowing expression of the 93-kDa complex. Expression of the 93-kDa complex could also be induced either by ionomycin or phorbol esters. As observed for other T cell activation parameters, only those which induced a calcium signal (ionomycin) but not protein kinase C (phorbol esters) were sensitive to the drugs. In all studies, the expression of the 93-kDa complex correlated with the ability of cells to proliferate to IL-7, and thus these results further support the hypothesis that the 93-kDa form of the IL-7R is required to transmit the cytokine's growth signal. Moreover, these data suggest that activation-induced transcriptional events are required for the expression of the 93-kDa complex and the down-regulation of the 107-kDa complex. As reported for IL-2R and IL-4R, our data also show that the expression of another T cell growth factor receptor is sensitive to the effects of cyclosporin A and FK506. These observations also have important implications for reported cyclosporin A effects on the thymus where IL-7 can act as a growth factor for thymocytes.

Cells, Cultured

Cross-linking of human neutrophil surface proteins to iodinated interleukin 8 or neutrophil activating peptide-2 results in at least four separable proteins.

The human neutrophil activating peptides-1 and -2 (NAP-1/IL-8, NAP-2) are two structurally and functionally related members of the chemokine cytokine family. They are chemoattractants and activators of neutrophils and exert their effects by binding to specific receptors which are expressed on responsive cells. Two closely related IL-8 receptors of neutrophils have been characterized recently by molecular cloning. We show here that NAP-1/IL-8 and NAP-2 can be cross-linked to at least four protein bands from human neutrophil surfaces with apparent molecular masses of 55, 65, 71 and 81 kDa. The two cross-linked proteins with lower masses were associated with high, the two with the higher masses with low affinity binding of NAP-2, NAP-1/IL-8 was bound to all bands with high affinity. NAP-1/IL-8 and NAP-2 could also be cross-linked to form dimers when bound to cells and in solution. Our results show that more than two NAP-1/IL-8 receptors, or more than two forms of the known receptors exist. Alternatively, the four protein bands can be explained by cross-linking of ligand monomers and dimers, respectively, to the known receptors of neutrophils.

Cross-Linking Reagents