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C C Winter

Publications and source records attributed to C C Winter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The Ig-related killer cell inhibitory receptor binds zinc and requires zinc for recognition of HLA-C on target cells.

Members of the Ig superfamily are predominantly receptors that mediate interactions between cells or provide signals to cells when binding specific ligands. Here we describe an Ig-related receptor that requires zinc for its function. Killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR) belonging to the Ig superfamily mediate inhibition of NK cells upon recognition of HLA-C molecules on target cells. An abundance of histidine residues in the first extracellular domain of KIR, including the signature zinc binding motif HEXXH, suggested that this receptor may bind zinc. Two distinct KIR molecules that mediate recognition of HLA-Cw4 and -Cw8, respectively, bound specifically to zinc affinity columns. Furthermore, addition of the zinc chelator 1,10-phenanthroline during chromium release assays reversed the inhibition of killing by NK clones specific for HLA-Cw4 or HLA-Cw8, demonstrating that zinc is necessary for the inhibitory function of KIR. Such functionally relevant zinc binding has not been described for other members of the Ig superfamily and may represent a novel regulatory mechanism for Ag receptor-ligand interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence

The 45 pocket of HLA-A2.1 plays a role in presentation of influenza virus matrix peptide and alloantigens.

Amino acid substitutions were introduced into the 45 pocket of HLA-A2.1 to determine the potential role of this structurally defined feature of class I molecules in viral peptide and alloantigen presentation. The 45 pocket lies below the alpha 1-domain alpha-helix and is composed of five amino acids, three of which differ between HLA-A2.1 and HLA-B37. These two class I molecules have previously been shown to have largely non-overlapping peptide-binding specificities. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to replace the hydrophobic residues at positions 24, 45, and 67 in the 45 pocket of HLA-A2.1 with the hydrophilic amino acids found in these positions in HLA-B37. Thus, three single amino acid mutants were produced: 24A----S, 45 M----T, and 67V----S. These mutants were transfected into HMy2.C1R cells and assessed for their ability to present influenza virus matrix M1 57-68 peptide and HTLV-I Tax-1 2-25 peptide to HLA-A2.1-restricted, peptide-specific CTL and to present alloantigens to HLA-A2-allospecific CTL lines. Each of these substitutions in the 45 pocket produced a molecule that failed to present the M1 peptide to most M1 peptide-specific CTL lines. In contrast, none of these mutations affected presentation of the Tax-1 peptide to Tax-1-specific CTL lines, which indicates that these mutant HLA-A2 molecules can function in viral peptide presentation. Two of the three substitutions in the 45 pocket resulted in lack of recognition by a subset of HLA-A2 allospecific CTL lines. These results demonstrate that the amino acid side chains in the 45 pocket can strongly influence peptide presentation and suggest that the 45 pocket may play a role in determining peptide-binding specificity.

Base Sequence

Naturally occurring human parainfluenza type 3 viruses exhibit divergence in amino acid sequence of their fusion protein neutralization epitopes and cleavage sites.

Many human parainfluenza type 3 virus (PIV3) strains isolated from children with respiratory illness are resistant to neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which recognize epitopes in antigenic site A or B of the fusion (F) protein of the prototype 1957 PIV3 strain. The F protein genes of seven PIV3 clinical isolates were sequenced to determine whether their neutralization-resistant phenotypes were associated with specific differences in amino acids which are recognized by neutralizing MAbs. Several clinical strains which were resistant to neutralization by site A or B MAbs had amino acid differences at residues 398 or 73, respectively. These specific changes undoubtedly account for the neutralization-resistant phenotype of these isolates, since identical substitutions at residues 398 or 73 in MAb-selected escape mutants confer resistance to neutralization by site A or B MAbs. The existence of identical changes in naturally occurring and MAb-selected neutralization-resistant PIV3 strains raises the possibility that antigenically different strains may arise by immune selection during replication in partially immune children. Three of the seven clinical strains examined had differences in their F protein cleavage site sequence. Whereas the prototype PIV3 strain has the cleavage site sequence Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg, one clinical isolate had the sequence Arg-Thr-Arg-Arg and two isolates had the sequence Arg-Thr-Glu-Arg. The different cleavage site sequences of these viruses did not affect their level of replication in either continuous simian or bovine kidney cell monolayers (in the presence or absence of exogenous trypsin or plasmin) or in the upper or lower respiratory tract of rhesus monkeys. We conclude that two nonconsecutive basic residues within the F protein cleavage site are sufficient for efficient replication of human PIV3 in primates.

Amino Acid Sequence

Antibody responses of humans and nonhuman primates to individual antigenic sites of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and fusion glycoproteins after primary infection or reinfection with parainfluenza type 3 virus.

An unusual feature of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) is ita ability to cause reinfection with high efficiency. The antibody responses of 45 humans and 9 rhesus monkeys to primary infection or subsequent reinfection with PIV3 were examined to identify deficiencies in host immunologic responses that might contribute to the ability of the virus to cause reinfection with high frequency. Antibody responses in serum were tested by using neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays and a monoclonal antibody blocking immunoassay able to detect antibodies to epitopes within six antigenic sites on the PIV3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein and eight antigenic sites on the fusion (F) protein. Primary infection of seronegative infants or children with PIV3 stimulated strong and rather uniform HI and neutralizing antibody responses. More than 90% of the individuals developed antibodies to four of the six HN antigenic sites (including three of the four neutralization sites), but the responses to F antigenic sites were of lesser magnitude and varied considerably from person to person. Young infants who possessed maternally derived antibodies in their sera developed lower levels and less frequent HI, neutralizing, and antigenic site-specific responses to the HN and F glycoproteins than did seronegative infants and children. In contrast, children reinfected with PIV3 developed even higher HI and neutralizing antibody responses than those observed during primary infection. Reinfection broadened the HN and F antigenic site-specific responses, but the latter remained relatively restricted. Adults possessed lower levels of HI, neutralizing, and antigenic site-specific antibodies in their sera than did children who had been reinfected, suggesting that these antibodies decay with time. Rhesus monkeys developed more vigorous primary and secondary antibody responses than did humans, but even in these highly responsive animals, response to the F glycoprotein was relatively restricted following primary infection. Bovine PIV3 induced a broader response to human PIV3 in monkeys than was anticipated on the basis of their known relatedness as defined by using monoclonal antibodies to human PIV3. These observations suggest that the restricted antibody responses to multiple antigenic sites on the F glycoprotein in young seronegative infants and children and the decreased responses to both the F and HN glycoproteins in young infants and children with maternally derived antibodies may play a role in the susceptibility of human infants and young children to reinfection with PIV3.

Adult

Effect of vitamin D deficiency on macrophage and lymphocyte function in the rat.

Vitamin D deficiency has pronounced growth retardation effects on the skeletal system. Because the immune system has been implicated in the regulation of bone metabolism, we examined the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the functional development of immune function in a rachitic rat model. Rats deprived of vitamin D3 both in utero and in postnatal life (-/-) had significantly reduced thymocyte or splenocyte [3H]-thymidine incorporation to mitogens and decreased macrophage chemotaxis when compared with vitamin D3-sufficient rats (+/+). Rats that were deficient in vitamin D3 only during in utero development (-/+) or during postnatal life (+/-) tended to have [3H]thymidine incorporation levels that were intermediate to those of the -/- and +/+ group. Similarly, the chemotactic response of macrophages from the +/- and -/+ groups was intermediate to that of the -/- and +/+ group, except at high concentrations of C5a in which there was an overlap with the +/+ group. Interestingly, secretion of soluble mediators, including interleukin 2 by lymphocytes and interleukin 1 and PGE2 by macrophages, was unaffected by vitamin D deficiency. These results suggest that vitamin D3 is essential for the normal development of certain biological responses of lymphocytes and macrophages. Moreover, this rachitic rat model system will enable further evaluation of the role of vitamin D in the functional development of the cells of the immune system and their relationship to skeletal growth.

Animals

Rare solitary metastasis to subcutaneous tissue from choriocarcinoma of testis.

A rare case of solitary metastasis to subcutaneous tissue from choriocarcinoma of the testis which was predominantly seminoma is reported. The propensity for vascular route of metastasis of this tumor type producing the patient's clinical picture is presented. The human beta chorionic gonadotropin tumor marker elevation to 4,200 units preoperatively fell to normal two weeks postoperatively, suggesting a solitary metastatic site with total tumor extirpation. Nevertheless, it seemed prudent to give chemotherapy because the nature of the metastatic route suggested other microscopic sites of metastasis. The prognosis of this highly malignant neoplasm, while poorest of the array of testis tumors, has improved dramatically with the advent of effective chemotherapy.

Adult

Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase genes of human type 3 parainfluenza viruses isolated from 1957 to 1983.

We have sequenced the coding and noncoding regions of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes of six clinical strains of human type 3 parainfluenza virus (PIV3) isolated between 1973 and 1983, and compared them to the prototype 1957 strain. Sequence variability does not result from the accumulation of mutations over time, but represents genetic heterogeneity in HN genes within the PIV3 population. Most of the nucleotide diversity occurs in the 5' noncoding sequences, exclusive of regions supplying transcriptional and translational control elements. Although the overall amino acid homology among HN proteins is very high, most variability is concentrated in domains at the carboxyl and amino terminus. This uneven distribution of amino acid diversity may reflect both functional and structural constraints on different HN domains and the epidemiologic features of PIV3 infection.

Amino Acid Sequence

Experience with 105 patients with priapism: update review of all aspects.

A 26-year experience with all aspects of priapism is reviewed in 105 children and adults. The etiology of the priapism was idiopathic or drug-induced, or owing to sickle cell disease, trauma, neoplasia, leukemia, papaverine-phentolamine injections and total parenteral alimentation. The pathophysiology of prolonged erection is discussed. Treatment is reviewed in respect to initial studies before the type of shunting procedure required is selected. Various shunt techniques are presented with outcome. Complications and their possible causes are discussed, and the importance of medicolegal risk is emphasized. Impotence is a common sequela of priapism.

Adolescent

Attenuation of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 in nonhuman primates and its ability to confer immunity to human parainfluenza virus type 3 challenge.

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) was evaluated as a candidate live-virus vaccine to protect against infection with human PIV-3. The level of replication of bovine and human PIV-3 and the efficacy of immunization with bovine PIV-3 in protecting against subsequent challenge with human PIV-3 was evaluated in nonhuman primates. The duration and magnitude of replication of human and bovine PIV-3 in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of New World monkeys was similar, and animals infected with bovine PIV-3 developed resistance to challenge with human PIV-3. The replication of two bovine strains of PIV-3 was restricted 100- to 1000-fold in Old World primates but was sufficient to induce high levels of neutralizing antibody to human PIV-3. The combined properties of restricted replication and induction of a protective immune response to human PIV-3 in nonhuman primates make bovine PIV-3 a promising candidate for a live-virus vaccine to protect humans against disease caused by PIV-3.

Animals

Antigenic and structural properties of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein of human parainfluenza virus type 3: sequence analysis of variants selected with monoclonal antibodies which inhibit infectivity, hemagglutination, and neuraminidase activities.

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene sequence was determined for 16 antigenic variants of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3). The variants were selected by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the HN protein which inhibit neuraminidase, hemagglutination, or both activities. Each variant had a single-point mutation in the HN gene, coding for a single amino acid substitution in the HN protein. Operational and topographic maps of the HN protein correlated well with the relative positions of the substitutions. There was little correlation between the cross-reactivity of a MAb with the bovine PIV3 HN and the amount of amino acid homology between the human and bovine PIV3 HN proteins in the regions of the epitopes, suggesting that many of the epitopes are conformational in nature. Computer-assisted analysis of the HN protein predicted a secondary structure composed primarily of hydrophobic beta sheets interconnected by random hydrophilic coil structures. The HN epitopes were located in predicted coil regions. Epitopes recognized by MAbs which inhibit neuraminidase activity of the virus were located in a region which appears to be structurally conserved among several paramyxovirus HN proteins and which may represent the sialic cid-binding site of the HN molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence

Conserved epitopes on the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase proteins of human and bovine parainfluenza type 3 viruses: nucleotide sequence analysis of variants selected with monoclonal antibodies.

We have previously identified 11 epitopes located in two topologically nonoverlapping antigenic sites (A and B) and a third bridging site (C) on the human type 3 parainfluenza virus (PIV3) hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which inhibit hemagglutination and virus infectivity (K. L. Coelingh, C. C. Winter, and B. R. Murphy, Virology 143:569-582, 1985). We have identified three additional antigenic sites (D, E, and F) on the HN molecule by competitive-binding assays of anti-HN MAbs which have no known biological activity. Epitopes in sites A, D, and F are conserved on the bovine PIV3 HN glycoprotein and also among a wide range of human isolates. The dideoxy method was used to identify nucleotide substitutions in the HN genes of antigenic variants selected with neutralizing MAbs representing epitopes in site A which are shared by human and bovine PIV3. The deduced amino acid substitutions in the variants were located in separate hydrophilic stretches of HN residues which are conserved in the primary structures of the HN proteins of both human and bovine PIV3 strains.

Animals

Regulation of guinea pig macrophage collagenase production by dexamethasone and colchicine.

Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure of guinea pig macrophages to a primary signal, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stimulates the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which, in turn, elevates cAMP levels resulting in the production of the enzyme, collagenase. The potential of regulating the biochemical events in this activation sequence was examined with the anti-inflammatory agents dexamethasone and colchicine, which suppress the destructive sequelae in chronic inflammatory lesions associated with the degradation of connective tissue. The addition of dexamethasone with LPS to macrophage cultures resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of PGE2 and collagenase production, which was reversed by the exogenous addition of phospholipase A2. Collagenase production was also restored in dexamethasone-treated cultures by the addition of products normally produced as a result of phospholipase action, such as arachidonic acid, PGE2 or dibutyryl-cAMP. Since the effect of dexamethasone was thus linked to phospholipase A2 inhibition, mepacrine, a phospholipase inhibitor, was also tested. Mepacrine, like dexamethasone, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of PGE2 and collagenase. In addition to corticosteroid inhibition, colchicine was also found to block collagenase production. However, this anti-inflammatory agent had no effect on PGE2 synthesis. Colchicine was effective only when added at the onset of culture and not 24 h later, implicating a role for microtubules in the transmission of the activation signal rather than enzyme secretion. The failure of lumicolchicine to inhibit collagenase activity provided additional evidence that microtubules are involved in the activation of macrophages. These findings demonstrate that dexamethasone and colchicine act at specific steps in the activation sequence of guinea pig macrophages to regulate collagenase production.

Animals

Isolation of human mononuclear cell subsets by counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE). I. Characterization of B-lymphocyte-, T-lymphocyte-, and monocyte-enriched fractions by flow cytometric analysis.

Rapid separation of large numbers of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells into fractions enriched for B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, or monocytes was accomplished by counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE). The first fraction contained 98% of the platelets. Ten additional fractions containing subpopulations of mononuclear cells were collected by sequential increases in the flow rate while maintaining a constant centrifuge speed. Analysis of the fractions using monoclonal antibodies revealed that fraction 2, which was free of esterase-positive monocytes, was highly enriched for B cells. T lymphocytes (OKT3+) were the predominant cell type found in fraction 4. No enrichment for T-lymphocyte-helper (OKT4+) or -suppressor (OKT8+) subpopulations was observed in the lymphocyte containing fractions. Three fractions (7-9), highly enriched for esterase-positive cells, were predominantly OKM1+ monocytes with no evidence of selective separation of monocyte subpopulations. Thus, cell fractions enriched for B cells, T cells, and monocytes could be obtained, by utilizing CCE, in large enough quantities to enable analysis of their functional properties. Of particular interest was the ability to separate small, resting B lymphocytes from monocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Changes in tissue concentration of prostaglandins during endochondral bone differentiation.

Prostaglandins are known to be involved in bone metabolism as evidenced by the ability of PGE2 to induce bone resorption. It was, therefore, of interest to determine if there was an association of specific prostaglandin metabolites with the various stages of developing bone by utilizing the matrix-induced endochondral bone formation system. During mesenchymal cell proliferation a peak of endogenous thromboxane B2 was detected. In the subsequent stages of chondrogenesis and chondrolysis PGF2 alpha was in high concentration, whereas during bone formation PGE2, 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were elevated. These changes in the peak levels of the various prostaglandin metabolites may reflect differences in the cell populations and function associated with various stages of endochondral bone formation.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

Peripubic urethropexy for urinary stress incontinence in women.

A technique for urinary stress incontinence is described that suspends the bladder neck and urethra by placing two vertical sutures along each posterior-lateral side of the entire urethra and tying them completely around the public bones. Six cases are reported and results given.

Aged

Papillary carcinoma of rete testis.

A case of a rare papillary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis (epididymis) with a solitary metastasis to a periaortic lymph node is reported. The favorable outcome over a three and one-third-year period after radical orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy has been observed. We believe this is the first report of such a tumor being treated with lymphadenectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary