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Biomedical subjects

B Schnyder

Publications and source records attributed to B Schnyder.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against keratinocytes in sulfamethoxazol-induced skin reaction.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin rashes or erythema multiforme to sulfamethoxazole in exposed patients is about 3%. Among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome the risk is approximately 10 times higher. The pathogenesis of these reactions and the reason for the increased frequency in HIV infections are not understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate drug specific T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in sulfamethoxazole- induced skin reactions. METHODS: Specific T-cell lines and T-cell clones generated from a donor who developed a skin rash to sulfamethoxazole were assessed with a standard 4 h 51Cr cytotoxicity assay in the presence or absence of soluble sulfamethoxazole. B lymphoblasts and keratinocytes with and without interferon gamma pretreatment were used as target cells. Selective blockers of FasL/Fas and perforin-mediated killing and immunostaining for perforin were used to evaluate the involvement of the different cytolytic pathways. RESULTS: CD4+ and CD8+ sulfamethoxazole specific T-cell clones showed a drug-specific and MHC-restricted cytotoxicity against autologous B lymphoblasts in the presence of soluble sulfamethoxazole. Keratinocytes, if pretreated with interferon gamma, were specifically killed predominantly by CD4+ T-cell clones. Specific T-cell clones of both CD4+ and CD8+ phenotype showed a strong immunoreactivity for perforin and the cytotoxicity was blocked by concanamycin A which suggests a perforin-mediated killing. CONCLUSION: Perforin-mediated killing of autologous keratinocytes in the presence of soluble sulfamethoxazole by drug-specific CD4+ lymphocytes may be a pathway for generalized drug-induced delayed skin reactions. The requirement of interferon gamma pretreatment of keratinocytes for efficient specific killing might explain the increased frequency of drug allergies in generalized viral infections like HIV, when interferon gamma levels are elevated.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Allele-unrestricted presentation of lidocaine by HLA-DR molecules to specific alphabeta+ T cell clones.

T cells recognize peptide and non-peptide antigens. Drugs represent typical examples of non-peptide antigens. The majority of drug-specific T cells are alphabeta+ TCR T cells and are MHC class I or II restricted. Here we show the existence of drug (lidocaine)-specific T cell clones which proliferate in the presence of antigen-presenting cells (APC) with different HLA alleles. Two clones (SFT24 and E20) were analyzed in detail. They show a narrow dose-dependent proliferation to lidocaine, but not to procaine. With the use of a panel of HLA-typed allogeneic APC, we observed that certain allogeneic APC plus lidocaine lead to a similar, others to partial and some to no proliferation of the lidocaine-specific T cell clones. An APC-independent proliferation could be excluded since both clones proliferated only marginally without APC and increasing the number of APC resulted in a higher proliferation. Blocking experiments with anti-DP, -DQ and -DR antibodies showed that lidocaine is presented in a HLA-DR-restricted way both with autologous or allogeneic APC. Mouse fibroblasts transfected with an allogeneic HLA-DRB1*01 but not HLA-DR-negative mouse fibroblasts could serve as presenting cells. Fixation of APC did not hamper drug presentation, but pulsing of APC with the drug was not possible, indicating that processing is not required and that lidocaine binds in an unstable way to the MHC-peptide complex. This degenerate drug recognition has certain features of superantigen recognition, such as the ability of drugs to bind from the outside to multiple HLA-DR alleles. Such features of drug recognition may open new therapeutic possibilities to intervene with TCR-MHC interactions in a selective way.

Adult↗

The interleukin-4/interleukin-13 receptor of human synovial fibroblasts: overexpression of the nonsignaling interleukin-13 receptor alpha2.

Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are known to bind to shared heteromultimeric receptor complexes of variable composition. Given the many regulatory effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on synovial cells, we aimed to characterize their IL-4/IL-13 receptor (R). Cultivated synovial fibroblasts expressed transcripts for IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1, the human homolog of the recently cloned mouse IL-13R, but not the common gamma-chain of the IL-2R. In particular, IL-13Ralpha2 mRNA, encoding a different IL-13R recently cloned from human renal carcinoma cells, was expressed at a strikingly high level. Correspondingly, a predominant protein migrating at 65 to 75 kd was cross-linked by iodinated IL-13 and was not cross-competed by an excess of unlabeled IL-4. However, by flow cytofluorometry, IL-13Ralpha1 (detected by the anti-lL-13Ralpha1 mAb 65) and IL-4Ralpha (detected by the mAb S697) were expressed at similar low density. Radioligand binding studies revealed for both cytokines approximately 300 receptors/cell with similar high affinity. An additional class of IL-13Rs was identified after occupation of the shared high-affinity receptors by the nonsignaling, double-mutant IL-4121R-->D, 124Y-->D (RY-IL-4). In these experiments, 1251-IL-13 bound to a single receptor population with a Kd of approximately 300 pM and approximately 5000 sites/cell, matching the published affinity of monomeric IL-13Ralpha2 when expressed in COS7 cells. RY-IL-4 blocked the IL-4- and IL-13-mediated vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression and Stat6 activation, suggesting that the large number of high-affinity IL-13Ralpha2 monomers are silent receptors, likely representing a decoy target for IL-13.

Carrier Proteins↗

Presentation of non-peptide antigens, in particular drugs, to specific T cells.

Drugs are non-peptide antigens that can be recognized by specific T cells. It has been thought for many years that small molecular compounds can only be stimulating for T cells after covalent binding to MHC-embedded peptides. As most drug-specific T cell clones can react to glutaraldehyde fixed antigen presenting cells (APC), recognition of drugs by specific T cells does not require prior uptake and processing of haptenated proteins by APC. In fact, activated T cell clones can recognize drugs associated with the MHC-peptide complex in a non-covalent way. Such a binding is reminiscent of superantigen stimulations of T cells.

Antigen Presentation↗

Distribution pattern of tenascin-C in normal and neoplastic mesenchymal tissues.

Descriptions for tenascin-C distribution are largely restricted to epithelial tumours. The present study utilized newly developed and characterized monoclonal (hT191) and polyclonal antibodies to investigate the distribution pattern of tenascin-C in a panel of mesenchymal tumours, which was contrasted with normal tissue. The specific antibodies recognized the distinctive star-like hexabrachion protein isolated from transformed cell-culture medium and serum from normal individuals. In normal tissues, a strong tenascin-C expression in the extracellular matrix was largely restricted to basement-membrane regions of epithelium and tonsilar sinusoids, pericellularly within smooth-muscle bundles, associated with perimysial, -chondrial, -neurial and -tendon surfaces, and diffusely within vascular adventitia. It was found in the corresponding tumours of the neural sheath (schwannoma) and smooth muscle (leiomyosarcoma), and was abundantly present around certain blood vessels of mesenchymal tumours. Although not detected in normal muscle, or in adipose or fibrous connective tissue, neo-expression of tenascin-C was shown in more than half of the rhabdomyosarcomas, fibromas and liposarcomas, with an increased positive percentage in variably malignant myxoid liposarcomas compared with lipoma-like sarcomas. Tenascin-C was typically found in the extracellular matrix of soft-tissue tumours, but was notably absent from the epithelial-cell components of mixed epithelial/mesenchymal tumours. Its apparently enhanced expression in soft-tissue tumours differs from that of most other large extracellular-matrix proteins, suggesting possible functional involvement of the cell-adhesion molecule, tenascin-C, in the neoplastic phenotype.

Antibodies↗

Direct, MHC-dependent presentation of the drug sulfamethoxazole to human alphabeta T cell clones.

T cells can recognize small molecular compounds like drugs. It is thought that covalent binding to MHC bound peptides is required for such a hapten stimulation. Sulfamethoxazole, like most drugs, is not chemically reactive per se, but is thought to gain the ability to covalently bind to proteins after intracellular drug metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate how sulfamethoxazole is presented in an immunogenic form to sulfamethoxazole-specific T cell clones. The stimulation of four CD4(+) and two CD8(+) sulfamethoxazole-specific T cell clones by different antigen-presenting cells (APC) was measured both by proliferation and cytolytic assays. The MHC restriction was evaluated, first, by inhibition using anti-class I and anti-class II mAb, and second, by the degree of sulfamethoxazole-induced stimulation by partially matched APC. Fixation of APC was performed with glutaraldehyde 0.05%. The clones were specific for sulfamethoxazole without cross-reaction to other sulfonamides. The continuous presence of sulfamethoxazole was required during the assay period since pulsing of the APC was not sufficient to induce proliferation or cytotoxicity. Stimulation of clones required the addition of MHC compatible APC. The APC could be fixed without impairing their ability to present sulfamethoxazole. Sulfamethoxazole can be presented in an unstable, but MHC-restricted fashion, which is independent of processing. These features are best explained by a direct, noncovalent binding of sulfamethoxazole to the MHC-peptide complex.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

[Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. A review and presentation of 2 personal cases].

Hypersensitivity syndromes are severe drug induced side effects with skin rashes, fever and/or multiorgan-system abnormalities which are not pharmacologically related. They are well known in relation to allopurinol, anticonvulsants and sulfonamides, but only rarely described with other drugs. These reactions are considered to be immune-mediated but the precise mechanisms are not completely understood. Clinical features, which resemble an EBV infection, and some immunological studies suggest that T-cell mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of this rare disease. In the literature, allopurinol and anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndromes are clinically well characterized entities, while the definition of hypersensitivity syndrome elicited by other drugs is rather confusing. We present two patients, one with sulfamethoxazole- and one with allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. In both cases a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) was performed and we analyzed the T-cell activation parameters CD25 and HLA-DR on CD4- and CD8- T-cells to demonstrate in vivo activation of T-cells during the active disease. Both patients show increased activation of T-cells with elevated levels of HLA-DR on CD8+ cells. The T-cell activation correlated with the clinical course. Our data support an immunological pathogenesis for hypersensitivity syndromes and the concept that drug specific T-cells are involved in hypersensitivity syndromes.

Adult↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha enhances the expression of the interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha-chain on endothelial cells increasing IL-4 or IL-13-induced Stat6 activation.

Functional receptors for interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 on endothelial cells consist of the 130-kDa IL-4 receptor alpha-chain (IL-4Ralpha) and a 65-75-kDa IL-13 binding subunit that are expressed in a ratio of about 1:3, respectively. The restricted number of IL-4Ralpha limits subunit heterodimerization and in turn receptor-mediated signaling. We report here, the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on the expression of the receptor subunits for IL-4 and IL-13. By flow cytofluorometry and receptor-binding analysis of iodinated IL-4 and IL-13, stimulation with TNF-alpha-induced a 2-3-fold increase of the IL-4Ralpha expression. The up-regulation was also confirmed at the transcriptional level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Radioligand cross-linking experiments revealed no change in the subunit composition of the TNF-alpha-induced receptor complex. Nevertheless, TNF-alpha stimulation led to increased activation of the IL-4-specific signal transducers and activators of transcription protein (Stat6) by IL-4 and IL-13. Thus, TNF-alpha corrects the subunit imbalance of the endothelial IL-4.IL-13 receptor complex thereby increasing receptor heterodimerization and in turn the signaling capability by IL-4 and IL-13.

Animals↗

Characterization of lidocaine-specific T cells.

To investigate the cellular immune response to the drug lidocaine, we generated T cell lines and clones from the peripheral blood of four patients with proven allergy to lidocaine. The patients had contact dermatitis after topical application of lidocaine, and local swelling or generalized erythema exudativum multiforme after submucosal/subcutaneous injection of lidocaine. Two of three lidocaine-specific T cell lines were oligoclonal and one even became monoclonal, while the simultaneously analyzed immune response to tetanus toxoid was polyclonal. The lidocaine-specific T cell lines cross-reacted to mepivacaine, but not to other local anesthetics (bupivacaine, procaine, oxybuprocaine, and tetracaine). The majority of reactive T cells belonged to the CD4 cell lineage and were MHC class II restricted, but cloning also revealed some MHC class I-restricted CD8+ clones. A total of 2 of 56 lidocaine-specific T cell clones were CD4-CD8- and expressed TCR-gammadelta. The majority of 13 analyzed CD4 clones produced a rather polarized cytokine pattern, with a dominance of Th2-like cytokines showing a high IL-5 production. In addition, three CD4+ and all CD8+ (n = 7) clones secreted high IFN-gamma and low levels of IL-5/IL-4 (Th1-like). The data illustrate that a drug that sensitizes via the skin elicits a heterogeneous T cell response. The high IL-5 production and the participation of specific CD4+CD8+ and even gammadelta+ T cells appear to be distinguishing features of this hapten-specific immune response.

Adult↗

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 bind to a shared heterodimeric complex on endothelial cells mediating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 induction in the absence of the common gamma chain.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 exert similar, nonadditive effects on endothelial cells, inducing vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression and subsequent transmigration of eosinophils. The receptor for IL-4 and IL-13 was described as a shared heteromultimeric complex in which the common gamma-chain (gamma c) subunit was essential for activity. Endothelial cell bound both cytokines with high affinity; by flow cytofluorometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), they expressed IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4R alpha) but did not express the gamma c of the IL-2R. Radioligand cross-linking experiments followed by immunoprecipitation with the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) S697 to the IL-4R alpha showed IL-4-specific binding at 130 kD, the IL-4R alpha, and to a minor extent to a double band coimmunoprecipitated at 65 to 75 kD. [125 I]IL-13 bound predominantly to the 65- to 75- kD band and with a trace amount of binding at 130 kD. However, no ligand-cross-linked receptor was precipitated by the MoAb S697, indicating a cognate novel IL-13-binding subunit. Excess unlabeled IL-4 completely displaced IL-13 binding. Similarly, nonsignaling IL-4 (Y124D)-mutant abolished IL-4- and IL-13-mediated signal transduction. Unlabeled IL-13 competed successfully for IL-4 binding at 65 to 75 kD but was unable to completely displace Il-4 from its binding to the IL-4R alpha. The MoAb TUGh4, specific for the gamma c, failed to precipitate ligand-cross-linked IL-4R and IL-13R. Therefore, the subunit structure of the functional receptors for IL-4 and IL-13 on human endothelial cells does not use or require the common gamma c of the IL-2R.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Growth inhibition signalled through the interleukin-4/interleukin-13 receptor complex is associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1.

Induction of growth inhibition in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 was associated with the neophosphorylation of a 170 kDa cellular protein, identified as insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) by immunoprecipitation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-I was also induced by insulin and insulin-like growth factor I. Sublines of colorectal carcinoma cells unresponsive to growth modulation by IL-4, IL-13 or insulin-like growth factor I-induced growth did not phosphorylate IRS-1. A functional, multimeric IL-4 receptor complex was present on all carcinoma cell lines with a subunit composition of 65 kDa, 75 kDa and the previously characterized 130 kDa band as demonstrated by affinity cross-link with 126I labelled IL-4. The 65 kDa subunit is novel whereas the 75 kDa band represents the common IL-2 receptor gama-chain the novel 65 kDa receptor was present as a double band and bound primarily 125I-labelled IL-13. The present study demonstrates the involvement of a novel chain other than the gama-chain in the receptor complexes of IL-4 and IL-13 and and post-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. The association of IRS-1 with growth inhibitory signals in carcinoma cells suggests a novel mechanism of tumour growth control.

Antigens, CD↗

Multiple immune abnormalities in tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin-alpha double-deficient mice.

To investigate the roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT)-alpha in the development and function of the immune system, the Tnf and Ltalpha genes were simultaneously inactivated in mice by homologous recombination. These mutant mice are highly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes infection and resistant to endotoxic shock induced by the combined administration of D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Their splenic microarchitecture is disorganized, characterized by the loss of the clearly defined marginal zone, ill defined T and B cell areas, and absence of MAdCAM-1 and reduced ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Mac-1 expression. They are devoid of peripheral lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, and show a strong reduction of IgA+ plasma cells in the intestinal lamina propria. The alymphoplasia is accompanied by a marked B lymphocytosis and reduced basal lg levels. Ig depositions in the renal glomerulus and a strong up-regulation of MHC class I antigen expression on endothelial cells of different tissues are observed. The primary humoral immune response towards sheep red blood cells reveals a defective IgG isotype switch, while that against vesicular stomatitis virus is normal. The cytotoxic T cell responses are attenuated, although still effective, against vaccinia, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-ARM) and LCMV-WE. In conclusion, the combined inactivation of Tnf and Ltalpha confirms their essential role in the normal development and function of the immune system.

Animals↗

Biochemical and morphological characterization of vascular and lymphocytic interleukin-4 receptors.

The distribution of the interleukin (IL)-4 receptor in normal human and common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) tissues was examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies specific for the human IL-4 receptor to gain further insight into IL-4-mediated inflammatory and immunological events. IL-4 receptor positivity was unequivocally demonstrated on lymphocytes, predominantly T cells, and on blood vessels in many tissues. Vascular IL-4 receptor immunofluorescence consisted of a strong smooth muscle cell positivity and weaker positive staining of capillary and venular endothelial cells. Subnanomolar concentrations of IL-4 induced a genistein-sensitive up-regulation of VCAM-1 in vascular cell cultures. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced a genistein-resistant up-regulation of VCAM-1. IL-4 strongly induced expression of the IL-4 receptor on splenocytes (T lymphocytes) but not on vascular smooth muscle or endothelial cell cultures. Receptor cross-linking to [125I]IL-4 revealed a 65- to 75-kDa accessory receptor subunit consistent with a recently cloned IL-13 receptor associated with the IL-4 receptor on both vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The demonstration of a vascular distribution pattern for the IL-4 receptor in addition to expression on lymphocytes suggests that vascular functional alterations, transduced through a unique IL-4 receptor complex (the type II IL-4 receptor), may be of importance during immunological and allergic inflammatory events.

Animals↗

T cell reactions in patients showing adverse immune reactions to drugs.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To better understand how T cells react to small compounds, we investigated the in vitro T cell reactivity to drugs from drug allergic patients. MATERIAL AND SUBJECTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of three drug allergic individuals were stimulated in vitro by different drugs. METHODS: Proliferation was assayed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Upregulation of activation parameter on T cells was done by immunofluorescence and cytokine release determined via standard ELISA. RESULTS: Drugs can stimulate both CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets. PenG-stimulated PBMC showed a heterogenous cytokine pattern and clones secreted high amounts of INF gamma. In contrast, sulfamethoxazole and lidocaine-stimulated PBMC secreted high levels of IL-5 and lidocaine-specific clones can be Th1 or Th2-like. CONCLUSION: Drug specific T cells play a pivotal role in drug hypersensitivity reactions, both by regulating the immune response and probably also as specific effector cells with different patterns of cytokine release.

Adult↗

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↗