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D Charron

Publications and source records attributed to D Charron.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Further evidence for a human B cell activating factor distinct from IL-4.

Supernatants from activated human T cell clones were previously shown to contain B cell-activating factor (BCAF), an activity which results in polyclonal resting B cell stimulation. In the present study, we investigate the relationship between this activity and human interleukin-4 which was also shown to act on resting B cells. The supernatant of the T cell clone TT9 contains IL-4 but anti-IL-4 antiserum does not affect the response of B cells as measured by thymidine uptake or cell volume increase. Furthermore, IL-4 induces Fc epsilon-receptor (CD23) expression on 30% of unstimulated human B cells, whereas BCAF-containing supernatants from clone P2, that do not contain detectable amounts of IL-4, promote B cell proliferation without inducing CD23 expression. Our results therefore establish that IL-4 and BCAF are distinct activities and suggest that they trigger different activation pathways in human B cells. In addition, culture of B cells with T cell supernatants for 72 hr induces a three- to fourfold increase in the expression of HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ antigens in 50% of B cells. The addition of inhibiting concentrations of anti-IFN-gamma, LT, or IL-4 antisera to the cultures does not change these results. Finally, 30% of B cells cultured with T cell supernatants leave the G1 phase of the cell cycle and 20% reach mitosis. Taken together, our findings further support the existence of a B cell-activating factor responsible for the activation of resting human B cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

Role of HLA class II molecules expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells.

The fixation of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to the molecule HLA-DR induced an augmentation of thymidine uptake by bone marrow cells, an increased formation of granulo-monocytic colonies and the activation of membrane phospholipase C (PLC) in hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) population. The molecule DR expressed on HPC is therefore implicated in signal transduction leading to hematopoietic differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Lymphocyte activation via MHC class II antigens.

Class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have a clear role in restricting cellular interactions and presenting processed antigen to T cells. In addition, a fundamental role for class II antigens in cellular activation has been suggested, following studies which demonstrated that class II antigen binding altered signal transduction in various cell types. We have investigated the role of HLA class II antigens in signal transduction of human B lymphocytes. Resting B lymphocytes proliferate in response to immobilized anti-class II antibodies and intracellular free calcium is increased following cross-linking of anti-class II antibodies. The two dimensional PAGE pattern of resting B lymphocytes was examined and differences were noted after stimulation with either anti-class II antibodies, anti-IgM or PMA. The 2D PAGE pattern following stimulation with anti-class II antibodies was not identical to that observed following stimulation with either anti-IgM or PMA. These data suggest that the activation of B-Go via the class II antigens shares part of the pathway of anti-IgM induced activation but does not follow an identical pathway.

B-Lymphocytes↗

[The HLA system in rheumatic practice: from structure to typing].

The HLA system regulates specific immune responses by presenting a processed foreign antigen (likely a peptide) to T lymphocytes. The peptide is associated with an HLA class I molecule (HLA A, B, C) when CD8 + T lymphocytes are activated to become cytotoxic. Alternatively when a peptide is associated with an HLA class II (HLA DR, DQ, DP) molecule CD4 + T cells are activated (helper T cells) which in turn stimulate B cells to produce specific antibodies. Recent studies have unravelled the three-dimensional structure of one HLA class I molecule and provided a framework for the 3D structure of class II molecules. This allow an understanding of the complex structure-function relationship of the HLA molecule with the antigen and the T cell receptors. Apart from transplantation the importance of the HLA system in medicine is due to its central role in auto-immunity. The HLA system is involved both at the genetic level (various disease susceptibilities are associated with particular alleles of HLA class I or class II) and at the phenotypic level (hyperexpression of HLA class I molecules and aberrant expression of class II molecules are observed on diseased tissues). Recently several molecular techniques have been developed for HLA typing including isoelectrofocalisation (IEF), two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) RFLP or oligonucleotide probing (ASO). They provide an accurate and precise way of typing and thus are very valuable in studying HLA and disease associations by defining the molecules and epitopes responsible for high genetic susceptibility or resistance to the relevant disease.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Modulation of HLA class II antigen expression by transfection of sense and antisense DR alpha cDNA.

In the human there are three isotypic forms of MHC class II gene products (HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP). The isotype-matched alpha-beta dimers are predominant but isotype-mismatched dimers can also be expressed (DR alpha-DQ beta). Here it is shown that the expression of the DR alpha-DQ beta dimer can be correlated to a high ratio of DR alpha/DR beta mRNA. The DR alpha chain expression was modulated by transfection of a sense and antisense DR alpha cDNA. Overexpression of DR alpha promoted the appearance of the DR alpha-DQ beta dimer. On the other hand, pre-existing DR alpha-DQ beta dimer expression was suppressed after antisense DR alpha cDNA transfection. Therefore, imbalanced expression of the alpha and beta chain from a given isotype could lead to the modification of HLA class II phenotype.

B-Lymphocytes↗

A role for MHC class II antigens in B-cell activation.

Class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have a well-defined role in restricting cellular interactions and presenting processed antigen to T cells. In addition, a fundamental role for Class II antigens in cellular activation has been suggested, following studies demonstrating that Class II antigen binding alters the proliferation of various cell types. This is further supported by biochemical evidence of signal transduction by second messengers after ligation of the Class II antigens. We have investigated the role of HLA Class II antigens in the activation of B cells. Both activated and resting B cells proliferate in the presence of Sepharose--conjugated anti-Class II antibodies. This proliferation was not epitope-restricted and was unaffected by low m.w. BCGF. Intracellular free calcium elevation was also examined as a marker of cellular activation. (Ca2+)i was increased after the binding and cross-linking of an anti-DR antibody. The above results further support the role of Class II antigens as signal-transducing molecules.

Antibodies↗

HLA-DR and DQ antigens in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: dissociation of expression revealed by cell surface, protein, and mRNA studies.

We studied peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of eight B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients for the expression of the human leucocyte antigens, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ. Cell surface expression of HLA class II epitopes was analyzed by fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) using three monomorphic anti-HLA class II monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for DR (D1.12) and DQ (TU22, L2) and a polymorphic anti-DQ (G2A5). The DR and DQ molecules were characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) of the specific immunoprecipitates from biosynthetically labeled cells. DR, DQ specific probes were used to characterize the class II transcripts of the corresponding genes. The data obtained with immunofluorescence disclosed two distinct patterns of HLA class II expression leading to two cell surface phenotypes: (DR+DQ+) and (DR+DQ-). In all cases the cells expressed normal amounts of HLA-DR gene products in terms of mRNA. DR cell surface determinants were present in more than 80% of cells in every sample. By 2-D gel analysis DR proteins disclosed the normal classical pattern associating the alpha, beta, and invariant chain gamma with normal level of biosynthesis for alpha and gamma but decreased biosynthesis for one of the beta gene products. Moreover, the three chains demonstrated defect in glycosylation process. In half of the cases studied the cells lacked DQ molecules at the cell surface. DQ alpha and DQ beta transcripts were detected in all cases, although the amount was extremely low in one case. DQ proteins were variable in the DQ+ phenotype and absent in the DQ- one. Interestingly, TPA and rIFN gamma treatment could restore normal glycosylation process of the DR isotype and increase biosynthesis of DQ alpha and beta chains. Those combined results support the view that transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and posttranslational mechanisms underlie the heterogeneity of class II expression observed in CLL. Moreover, 2-D gel analysis may be an invaluable tool for the analysis of the biosynthetic process of class II molecules.

Antigens, Surface↗

Interleukin-1 alpha and beta induce interleukin-1 beta gene expression in human dermal fibroblasts.

The ability of the two forms of interleukin-1, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, to induce IL-1 beta gene expression in human skin fibroblasts was studied in vitro, using Northern blot hybridization. Both recombinant IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta caused a dramatic increase in IL-1 beta mRNA levels, IL-1 alpha being more efficient than IL-1 beta. Blockage of the prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin reduced the basal level of IL-1 beta mRNA in control cultures and decreased also the stimulatory effect exerted by both IL-1s on IL-1 beta gene expression. These data suggest that IL-1 and prostaglandin (mainly PGE2) may act synergistically to stimulate IL-1 gene expression in dermal fibroblasts, contributing as a local amplifier system to the alterations of connective tissue in inflammatory processes.

Cells, Cultured↗

Immunosuppressive properties of synthetic peptides derived from CD4 and HLA-DR antigens.

Synthetic peptides derived from the beta 1 domain of HLA-DR antigens containing RFDS and a peptide derived from the immunoglobulin-like amino-terminal domain of CD4 and containing RADS were shown to exhibit specific dose-dependent inhibitory effects on antigen-induced HLA class II-restricted T-cell proliferation and in vitro antibody synthesis. These inhibitory activities are similar to those exhibited by anti-CD4 and HLA-DR antibodies, respectively. The peptides derived from HLA-DR or CD4 and anti-CD4 or anti-HLA-DR antibodies acted together in synergy to inhibit these responses when the relevant cell populations were incubated with infrainhibitory concentrations of the reagents. In contrast, these peptides were shown to exert no inhibitory activity on nonspecific T-cell activation mediated by ionomycin, phorbol myristate acetate, and interleukin-2.

Antibody Formation↗

Double-blind, placebo-controlled lithium treatment in chemotherapy induced aplasia for AML: reduced antibiotic requirement.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study on lithium (Li) therapy after chemotherapy-induced bone marrow aplasia was undertaken in 53 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). No difference was observed between the two groups for the duration of aplasia, the number of units of platelets or RBC transfused, the complete remission rate or the disease free survival. However, a statistically significant reduction in the number of days of antibiotic therapy required was found in the treated group (10.55 +/- 2.72 vs 12.73 +/- 3.60, P less than 0.05).

Adolescent↗

Xenogeneic recognition of soluble and cell surface HLA class II antigens by proliferative murine T cells.

In order to characterize the murine anti-human xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), we studied T cell proliferative responses against various human lymphoid cells by immunization of mice either with cellular or purified HLA-DR antigens. Data presented here indicated that small amounts of soluble HLA-DR antigen were able to prime mice, and that the xenogeneic MLR depends on the expression of HLA class II antigens on the stimulating cells. Experiments using a mutant cell line clearly showed that HLA-DP molecules were also sufficient in eliciting a primary or a secondary xenogeneic MLR while no secondary proliferative response was obtained with cells expressing only HLA class I molecules. Using a large panel of human cells with various haplotypes, our results also showed that (a) nonpolymorphic determinants of HLA class II antigens trigger dominantly the murine T cells and (b) the xenogeneic response required I-E and L3T4 accessory molecules and was not inhibited with anti I-A and monomorphic anti-HLA class II antigen monoclonal antibodies. Altogether these results suggest that HLA class II antigens act as nominal antigens in triggering a murine anti-human proliferative response.

Animals↗

Construction of chain- and locus-specific HLA class II DNA probes. Study of HLA-class II transcripts in leukemias.

In addition to their role in the immune response, MHC class II antigens may be considered as differentiation markers on hemopoietic cells. To study expression of class II genes at the mRNA level in leukemias representing various stages of lymphoid and myeloid differentiation, we constructed chain- and locus-specific HLA class II DNA probes. As the genes encoding the DR, DQ, and DP beta-chains display a strong sequence homology in the second extracellular and transmembrane domains, we used probes derived from the less conserved 3' untranslated regions. For the more divergent alpha-chain genes, DNA fragments derived from the coding portion were obtained from cDNA clones. All probes were designed to minimize background due to AT- or GC-rich segments and subcloned into pUC plasmids. Their lack of cross-hybridization was demonstrated in Southern blot experiments under moderately stringent conditions. Northern blot analysis of RNA from 15 patients with acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemias, chronic lymphoid and hairy cell leukemias showed that most patients expressed variable amounts of class II transcripts, some lacked all class II mRNA, and only two patients had a dissociated expression of class II genes, with lack of DQ and presence of DR and DP mRNA. This study reveals a vast heterogeneity of MHC class II gene expression in leukemias, as previously demonstrated at the protein level. The availability of these highly specific DNA probes should prove useful in extensive studies directed at better defining HLA class II gene expression during hemopoietic differentiation in physiologic and pathologic states.

Actins↗