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Biomedical subjects

C Clayberger

Publications and source records attributed to C Clayberger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The induction of tolerance to alloantigens using HLA-based synthetic peptides.

The identification of immunomodulatory approaches that allow the induction of antigen-specific unresponsiveness is required for long-term graft survival without the complications of chronic immunosuppression. Recent novel strategies based upon treatment with synthetic peptides corresponding to linear sequences of MHC class I and II molecules reproducibly induce tolerance to alloantigens. Although the mechanisms involved are still not completely understood, the phenomenology reported makes these approaches promising for evaluation in clinical trials.

Animals↗

Cytokine gene expression in human cardiac allograft recipients.

The long-term success of heart transplantation for end-stage heart disease has been hindered by the problems associated with acute and chronic graft rejection, opportunistic infections and potentially fatal complications of intensive immunosuppression. A more complete understanding of the biology of transplant rejection should provide the basis for the development of improved methods for controlling and monitoring rejection. Cytokines, the soluble factors which regulate the immune response, are central to the rejection process. The objective of this study was to analyse cytokine mRNA transcripts in 99 biopsy samples and 89 blood samples from 65 and 35 Stanford Medical Center cardiac transplant recipients, respectively, gathered between January 1990 and January 1992. Following RNA extraction and conversion to cDNA, samples were amplified with cytokine-specific primers for interleukins (IL) 1 to 8, TNF-beta (tumour necrosis factor-beta) and IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma) and were analysed by gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization. Our results demonstrate that despite chronic immunosuppressive therapy, the peripheral blood of transplant recipients expressed a higher combined percentage of different cytokine transcripts than did peripheral blood obtained from normal volunteers. In transplant patients, detection of cytokine transcripts for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-2 increased with time after transplantation. Intragraft IL-7 gene expression was significantly increased in biopsies diagnosed with mild (grade 1) rejection when compared to those with no evidence of rejection or with moderate to severe rejection. Implications of these results in light of possible mechanisms of rejection and of new approaches to immunotherapy are discussed.

Blotting, Southern↗

Transplantation immunology.

A major function of the immune response is the discrimination of self from nonself. It is this response that must be overcome in transplant rejection. Progress in understanding these basic immune mechanisms has helped to improve clinical outcome and lays the foundation for a new generation of therapies.

Graft Rejection↗

The CD8 coreceptor interaction with the alpha 3 domain of HLA class I is critical to the differentiation of human cytotoxic T-lymphocytes specific for HLA-A2 and HLA-Cw4.

The CD8 coreceptor interacts with MHC class I molecules through an acidic loop in the MHC alpha 3 domain. Mutations in this region reduced binding between cells expressing mutant HLA molecules and CHO cells transfected with CD8 alpha chain, with mutations at residue 227 having the greatest effects. This study was undertaken to examine the role of the CD8-HLA interaction in the generation of primary and long-term CTLs. HLA-A*0201 genes (wild type or mutated at residue 227) were transfected into a cell line that lacked expression of HLA-A or B molecules but expressed HLA-Cw4. These cells were used as stimulators for PBLs from a normal donor. Cultures were tested for cytotoxicity at various times thereafter. Transfectants expressing the HLA-A*0201 mutant gene were poor stimulators of primary HLA-A2-specific CTLs. In long-term culture, HLA-Cw4-specific CTLs predominated, indicating that continuous expansion of allogeneic CTLs depends upon an efficient CD8-MHC class I interaction.

CD8 Antigens↗

Cellular mechanisms underlying differential rejection of sequential heart and lung allografts in rats.

As the simultaneous transplantation of two or more organs into a single recipient has become increasingly common, asynchronous allograft rejection has become an important clinical problem. To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying differential organ rejection, we developed a rat model in which heart and lung allografts were transplanted sequentially. Heterotopic heart allografts transplanted into DA recipients from PVG donors survived indefinitely if the recipients were given a short course of rabbit antirat thymocyte globulin or cyclosporine at the time of transplantation. In contrast, orthotopic left lungs transplanted under the same conditions were rejected in ATG-treated recipients and accepted in most CsA-treated recipients. These animals were then given a second organ allograft from the same strain or a third party to assess whether they exhibited donor specific tolerance and whether the acceptance or rejection of the first allograft would influence the survival of the second transplant. Animals tolerized to a heart allograft with ATG rejected an orthotopic lung transplant from the same strain as the original allograft, whereas recipients treated with CsA at the time of their heart transplant accepted a subsequent lung graft. Surprisingly, animals treated with either ATG or CsA that had rejected a lung allograft accepted a subsequent heart transplant. Using limiting dilution analysis and adoptive transfer studies, we found that some recipients had developed suppressor cells while others demonstrated anergy. We conclude that major histocompatibility complex antigens as well as other antigens are involved in the differential rejection of heart and lung allografts.

Animals↗

Cytokine gene expression in human lung transplant recipients.

The polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate cytokine gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and peripheral blood leukocytes in 31 human lung transplant recipients. All patients were maintained on a triple immunosuppression regimen consisting of CsA, AZA, and prednisone. Posttransplant survival ranged from 0.5 to 100.5 months (mean = 16.3 months). Cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, TNF-beta, and IFN-gamma were studied. In BAL, transcripts for IL-1 alpha, IL-7, IL-8, and TNF-beta were found in over 60% of samples and those for IL-5, IL-6, and IFN-gamma in 40-50%, while IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA were rarely found (< 20%). Considerable variation in the frequency of cytokine gene expression between BAL and peripheral blood was observed. When analyzed for the presence of acute pulmonary allograft rejection (without infection), transcripts for IL-4 and IL-6 in BAL demonstrated the greatest increase in frequency compared with nil rejection (P = 0.07 and P = 0.17, respectively). Pulmonary infection (without rejection) was associated with a modest increase in the expression of genes for IL-1 alpha and IFN-gamma (> 10%). Transcripts for IL-4 were not found in association with pulmonary infection, suggesting that this cytokine may be useful as a discriminatory rejection marker.

Adolescent↗

Induction of tolerance to heart allografts in rats using posttransplant total lymphoid irradiation and anti-T cell antibodies.

This study examined whether posttransplant anti-T cell monoclonal or polyclonal antibody therapy could provide a window of treatment to allow posttransplant total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) to induce tolerance. These experiments were conducted in a high responder strain combination of an ACI cardiac allograft into a Lewis rat. In this situation, treatment with antibody or posttransplant TLI alone is insufficient to induce tolerance, while similar treatments alone have been shown to induce tolerance in low responder strains. The affects of three anti-T cell therapies were compared: anti-CD4 mAb therapy, anti-CD3 mAb, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG). None of these antibody therapies alone prolonged graft survival indefinitely. Combining anti-CD4 therapy with posttransplant TLI markedly delayed rejection but failed to induce long-term graft survival. Tolerance could be induced by a combination of anti-pan T cell antibody (anti-CD3) and TLI, and, all grafts survived beyond 100 days. RATG failed to prevent graft rejection when used alone or in combination with TLI. However, posttransplant therapy with a combination of RATG, TLI, and single-donor blood transfusion resulted in graft survival beyond 100 days. Recipients bearing long-term donor grafts rejected third-party (PVG) grafts within 2 weeks. Low density donor bone marrow cells used instead of a blood transfusion did not facilitate tolerance. The results indicate that monoclonal or polyclonal anti-pan T cell antibodies, TLI, and a donor blood cell infusion function synergistically in facilitating tolerance to allografts in the posttransplant period.

Animals↗

The nature of allorecognition.

Understanding the nature of allorecognition is fundamental to the design of antigen-specific therapies for transplantation. As recently as 10 years ago it was generally believed that recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules by T lymphocytes was direct and represented the "simplest" kind of T-lymphocyte interaction. It is now clear that the nature of allorecognition is complex, involving a variety of different forms of MHC antigens with or without peptides contained in their antigen-binding groove. In addition, there is renewed interest in alternative forms of allorecognition, including so-called indirect allorecognition, in which donor alloantigens are recognized as peptides in the context of recipient self. Lastly, it appears that cells other than T lymphocytes, eg, natural killer cells, are capable of antigen-specific recognition and may be responsible for heretofore underappreciated mechanisms of transplant rejection.

Histocompatibility Antigens Class I↗

Human cytotoxic T-lymphocytes specific for autologous follicular lymphoma recognize immunoglobulin in a major histocompatibility complex restricted fashion.

BACKGROUND: Previously, autologous Burkitt lymphoma-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) were found to express the gamma and delta T-cell receptor and recognize tumor idiotype in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) unrestricted fashion. METHODS: In this study, the authors established autologous CTL lines and clones specific for a B-cell follicular lymphoma. RESULTS: These CTL are tumor specific and inhibited by antiimmunoglobulin monoclonal antibodies, but unlike the Burkitt lymphoma-specific CTL, they are MHC restricted and express the alpha and beta T-cell receptor. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that different B-cell lymphomas can induce CTL of different phenotypes and MHC restriction.

Adult↗

Identification and molecular cloning of tactile. A novel human T cell activation antigen that is a member of the Ig gene superfamily.

We have identified and cloned cDNA for a novel cell-surface protein that we have named Tactile for T cell activation, increased late expression. It is expressed on normal T cell lines and clones, and some transformed T cells, but no other cultured cell lines tested. It is expressed at low levels on peripheral T cells and is strongly up-regulated after activation, peaking 6 to 9 days after the activating stimulus. It is also up-regulated on NK cells activated in allogeneic cultures. It is not found on peripheral B cells but is expressed at very low levels on activated B cells. Tactile-specific mAb immunoprecipitates a band of 160 kDa when reduced and bands of 240, 180, and 160 kDa nonreduced. Using an antiserum produced with affinity-purified Tactile protein to screen a lambda gt11 library, we have identified Tactile cDNA. Northern blot analysis shows an expression pattern similar to that of the protein and transfection of COS cells with the full-length 5.2-kb cDNA results in cell-surface expression. Comparison with the sequence databanks show that Tactile is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, with similarity to Drosophila amalgam, the melanoma Ag MUC-18, members of the carcinoembryonic Ag family, the poliovirus receptor, and the neural cell adhesion molecule. The deduced primary sequence encodes a protein with three Ig domains, a long serine/threonine/proline-rich region typical of an extensively O-glycosylated domain, a transmembrane domain, and a 45 residue cytoplasmic domain. These data suggest that Tactile may be involved in adhesive interactions of activated T and NK cells during the late phase of the immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anchoring pockets in human histocompatibility complex leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules: analysis of the conserved B ("45") pocket of HLA-B27.

Dissection of the peptide binding grooves of seven subtypes of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 into the six specificity pockets defined by the 2.6-A structure of HLA-A*0201 revealed just one pocket, the B ("45") pocket, that is conserved among all the HLA-B27 subtypes. Functional studies of mutant HLA-B*2705 molecules with point substitutions in residues of the B pocket show that this structure, and the glutamine residue at position 45 in particular, plays a critical role in cell surface expression, peptide binding, and in the presentation of both exogenous and endogenous peptides by HLA-B*2705. We predict that the B pocket of HLA-B*2705 interacts with an amino acid side chain that anchors peptides in the binding groove, and that this peptide motif is present in most endogenously processed peptides that bind to all seven subtypes of HLA-B27.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interleukin 3 is a growth factor for human follicular B cell lymphoma.

More than one-half of adults with non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas present with low-grade follicular lymphomas. These tumor cells are found in close association with follicular T lymphocytes and dendritic cells, suggesting that the surrounding cells may play a role in the support of follicular tumors. Supernatants from activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to promote the in vitro proliferation of follicular tumor cells. This effect was entirely due to interleukin 3 (IL-3), a factor generally thought to cause the growth and differentiation of immature hematopoietic cells. IL-3 receptors were detected on fresh isolates of all primary follicular cell tumors examined. These findings suggest that follicular cell tumors may be dependent in vivo on IL-3 and that therapies directed against IL-3, its receptor, or the T cells that produce it may be effective treatment for follicular lymphoma.

Cell Division↗

Cytokine gene expression in rejecting cardiac allografts.

Heart transplantation is now a viable therapeutic option for patients with certain end-stage cardiac diseases. However, episodes of rejection, opportunistic infection, and life-threatening side effects of generalized immunosuppression remain very real problems for these patients. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying rejection may provide the basis for the development of more specific, less toxic immunosuppressive therapies. While cytokines have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of rejection, the precise role of each cytokine in this process has yet to be defined. We report here the application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to the detection of cytokine mRNA in biopsies obtained from heterotopic abdominal cardiac allografts in cynomolgus monkeys. With the exception of IL-6 and IL-8, cytokine transcripts were undetectable in samples obtained from the donor heart pretransplant. In contrast, IFN-gamma transcripts were detected in all transplants two days after surgery before evidence of rejection was demonstrable by histopathologic analysis. IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6 transcripts were detected when minimal rejection was noted. At later times, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-beta, and IFN-gamma transcripts were detectable. Further characterization of the spectrum of cytokines expressed at various stages of rejection may lead to insights into the biology of transplant rejection and to the development of more specific and potent reagents to diagnose and/or treat rejection.

Animals↗

Differing lymphokine profiles of functional subsets of human CD4 and CD8 T cell clones.

Functional subsets of human T cells were delineated by analyzing patterns of lymphokines produced by clones from individuals with leprosy and by T cell clones of known function. CD4 clones from individuals with strong cell-mediated immunity produced predominantly interferon-gamma, whereas those clones that enhanced antibody formation produced interleukin-4. CD8 cytotoxic T cells secreted interferon-gamma. Interleukin-4 was produced by CD8 T suppressor clones from immunologically unresponsive individuals with leprosy and was found to be necessary for suppression in vitro. Both the classic reciprocal relation between antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity and resistance or susceptibility to certain infections may be explained by T cell subsets differing in patterns of lymphokine production.

Antibody Formation↗