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Biomedical subjects

D Olive

Publications and source records attributed to D Olive.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

HIV-2 and SIV nef proteins target different Src family SH3 domains than does HIV-1 Nef because of a triple amino acid substitution.

The nef gene is required for optimal viral spread of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of the Nef proteins may not be identical for all viral families. Here we investigate the interaction between the Nef protein of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses and SH3 domains from Src family kinases. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and immunoblotting we show that, in contrast to HIV-1 Nef, SIV and HIV-2 Nef poorly interact with Hck SH3 but bind to Src and Fyn SH3 domains. The molecular basis of these differences in SH3 targeting was revealed by sequence analysis and homology modeling of the putative SH3-Nef structures. Three amino acids (Trp-113, Thr-117, and Gln-118) that localize in a "hydrophobic pocket" implicated in SH3 binding of HIV-1 Nef, are systematically substituted in SIV/HIV-2 alleles (by Tyr, Glu, and Glu, respectively). We demonstrate that site-directed mutagenesis of these residues in SIV(mac239) Nef suffices to restore Hck SH3 binding and co-immunoprecipitation with full-length Hck from transfected cells. Our findings identify fundamental mechanistic differences in targeting of Src family kinases by HIV and SIV Nef. The herein described mechanism of SH3 selection by Nef via a "pocket" proximal to the canonical proline-rich motif may be a common feature for SH3 recognition by their natural ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Parameters involved in the recognition of fresh human leukemic blasts by tumor-specific cytolytic T cell clones: a model study.

Although clinical experience and in vitro data provide evidence of an anti-leukemic activity of T cells, there are few examples of recognition of leukemic cells by tumor-specific T cells in vitro. Tumor antigens encoded by the MAGE genes are useful tools to study this recognition. We tested the sensitivity to recognition and lysis by anti-MAGE CTL clones of MAGE-A1 positive cell lines HL60 and K562, after transfection with an HLA-A1 construct, and of fresh leukemic blasts from 10 HLA-A2 patients, after incubation with a peptide encoded by gene MAGE-A3. The presentation of MAGE antigens by leukemic cell lines and fresh leukemic blasts induced TNF secretion and cytotoxicity by MAGE-specific CD8(+) CTL clones. The amount of peptide presented by the leukemic blasts, more than the level of expression of HLA class I, adhesion or costimulatory molecules, was the major limiting factor for recognition. These data indicate that leukemic cells may be targeted by T cells showing specificity for a leukemia antigen.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

1H-13C nuclear magnetic resonance assignment and structural characterization of HIV-1 Tat protein.

Tat is a viral protein essential for activation of the HIV genes and plays an important role in the HIV-induced immunodeficiency. We chemically synthesized a Tat protein (86 residues) with its six glycines C alpha labelled with 13C. This synthetic protein has the full Tat activity. Heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and NOE back-calculation made possible the sequential assignment of the 86 spin systems. Consequently, 915 NMR restraints were identified and 272 of them turned out to be long range ([i-j] > 4), providing structural information on the whole Tat protein. The poor spectral dispersion of Tat NMR spectra does not allow an accurate structure to be determined as for other proteins studied by 2D NMR. Nevertheless, we were able to determine the folding for Tat protein at a 1-mM protein concentration in a 100 mM, pH 4.5 phosphate buffer. The two main Tat functional regions, the basic region and the cysteine-rich region, are well exposed to solvent while a part of the N-terminal region and the C-terminal region constitute the core of Tat Bru. The basic region adopts an extended structure while the cysteine-rich region is made up of two loops. Resolution of this structure was determinant to develop a drug design approach against Tat. The chemical synthesis of the drugs allowed the specific binding and the inhibition of Tat to be verified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acute myeloid leukaemia triggering via CD40 induces leukocyte chemoattraction and cytotoxicity against allogenic or autologous leukemic targets.

The CD40 antigen is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily which interacts with its ligand and regulates the immune response via a dialogue between T-lymphocytes and antigen-presenting or tumor cells. Tumor triggering via CD40 exerts direct effects on cancer cells, which have mainly been investigated in terminally differentiated hematological malignancies such as low-grade lymphoma. We focused our attention on minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0), an aggressive hematological malignancy in which severe prognosis suggests the requirement for innovative therapeutic strategies. Here we demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, a CD40-triggered IL-8, RANTES and IL-12 secretion by leukemic cells. Supernatants from CD40-stimulated leukemia cells had chemoattractant effects on T-lymphocytes, natural killer cells and monocytes. Moreover, these supernatants, when complemented with low-dose IL-2, induced significant lymphokine-activated and natural killer cytotoxicity, leading to leukemia lysis both in allogenic HLA-matched and autologous settings. Stimulation of leukemia cells via CD40 could participate significantly to the anti-leukemia immune response by contributing to the development of an inflammatory response and to in situ cytotoxicity. Leukemia(2000) 14, 123-128.

Acute Disease↗

Empty follicle syndrome: evidence for recurrence.

The empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a frustrating condition in which no oocytes are retrieved in an IVF cycle. Although this is an infrequent event in IVF patients, the economic consequences as well as the emotional frustration of a cancelled cycle due to the inability to obtain oocytes are enormous. The mechanisms responsible for EFS remain obscure, though many hypotheses have been put forward ranging from dysfunctional folliculogenesis to a drug-related problem. We found that the EFS is a rare event (1.8% of oocyte retrievals) but with profound implications for counselling the couple about their future reproductive performance. The chances of recurrence of EFS increase with the age of the patient (24% recurrence rate for the 35-39 year age group, and 57% for those over 40 years). We postulate that ovarian ageing, through altered folliculogenesis, may be implicated in the aetiology of EFS and its recurrence.

Adult↗

Role of Tec kinase in nuclear factor of activated T cells signaling.

The Tec protein kinase family includes Btk, Itk, Tec, Rlk and Bmx, which are critically involved in signals mediated by various cytokines and antigen receptors. Btk mutations cause severe immunodeficiencies, with defective B cell function. In T cells, Tec regulates cytokine production. However, the downstream targets of these Tec kinases are poorly defined. Here we report that overexpression of Tec in T cells can regulate gene transcription through the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT). Using different reporter gene constructs, we establish that Tec in transfected T cells dramatically induced NF-AT-dependent gene transcription, which was prevented by a dominant-negative mutant of NF-AT or by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. Tec appears to regulate NF-AT nuclear import. In addition, Tec influences cytoplasmic free calcium increase. Taken together, our results identify NF-AT as a major downstream target of Tec kinases that is critically involved in transcriptional gene regulation. These observations highlight signaling pathways regulated by Tec kinases and provide new pharmacological targets to regulate immune functions.

Biological Transport↗

The primate lentivirus-encoded Nef protein can regulate several steps of the viral replication cycle.

The primate lentiviruses encode a protein, Nef, which is required for efficient viral replication in their host. Several biological activities of nef identified in vitro may contribute to this requirement in vivo, including receptor modulation and interference with cellular signaling pathways. We show that HIV- and SIV-encoded Nef can enhance virus production within a single viral replication cycle, not only by increasing viral infectivity, as previously reported, but also by acting through the efficiency of viral transcription and of viral release.

Animals↗

Full peptide synthesis, purification, and characterization of six Tat variants. Differences observed between HIV-1 isolates from Africa and other continents.

AIDS in Africa is characterized by the equal distribution of mortality between the two genders because of highly virulent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains. The viral protein Tat trans-activates viral gene expression and is essential for HIV-1 replication. We chemically synthesized six different Tat proteins, with sizes ranging from 86 to 101 residues, from HIV-1 isolates located in different parts of the world including highly virulent African strains. Protein purification, mass spectroscopy, and amino acid analysis showed that the synthesis was successful in each case but with different yields. We show that all have the ability to bind the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) RNA trans-activation response element (TAR) region, involved in Tat-mediated trans-activation, but structural heterogeneities are revealed by circular dichroism. These Tat synthetic proteins cross membranes but differ in their ability to trans-activate an HIV LTR-reporter gene in stably transfected HeLa cells. Two Tat proteins from virulent African HIV-1 strains were much more active than those from Europe and the United States. The interferon-induced kinase (PKR), involved in cell antiviral defense, phosphorylates only Tat variants corresponding to less or nonvirulent HIV-1 isolates. Our results indicate that the high virulence of some African HIV-1 strains could be related to Tat activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein sensitizes CD4(+) T lymphoid cells to apoptosis via functional upregulation of the CD95/CD95 ligand pathway.

Many viruses have evolved genes encoding proteins that regulate cell death by apoptosis. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef protein alters T-cell development and signaling and is required for optimal viral replication and pathogenicity in vivo. To analyze the interference of Nef with cell survival, we used both regulated and constitutively expressed nef alleles in stably transfected T-cell lines. Nef-expressing cells were sensitized to cell death by apoptosis, which was specifically exacerbated by an anti-CD95 IgM monoclonal antibody (MoAb). Flow cytometric analysis showed that the surface expression of both CD95 and CD95 ligand (CD95L) was upregulated by endogenous Nef expression. Nef-mediated apoptosis was almost completely suppressed by the addition in culture of an anti-CD95 Fab' IgG MoAb, which specifically blocks CD95/CD95L interactions. Lastly, mutation of a proline motif in the core region of the nef gene, which disrupts its ability to interact with cellular kinases and reduces HIV-1 replication in vitro, completely abrogated the Nef-mediated induction of apoptosis as well as its ability to upregulate surface CD95 and CD95L. These findings may provide molecular insight into the role of endogenous Nef in the T-cell depletion observed in vivo, particularly HIV-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells.

Apoptosis↗

The role of Tec protein-tyrosine kinase in T cell signaling.

The Tec protein-tyrosine kinase family includes Btk, Itk/Tsk/Emt, Tec, Rlk/Txk, and Bmx which are involved in signals mediated by various cytokines or antigen receptors. Itk is expressed primarily in T cells and activated by TCR/CD3, CD28, and CD2. However, the defect in T cell signaling in itk-deficient mice is very modest. Thus, we looked for other Tec family kinases that could be expressed in lymphoid cells and involved in T cell signal transduction. Here, we demonstrate that Tec, expressed in T cells, is activated following TCR/CD3 or CD28 ligation and interacts with CD28 receptor in an activation-dependent manner. This interaction involves the Tec SH3 domain and the proline-rich motifs in CD28. We also show that Tec can phosphorylate p62(dok), one CD28-specific substrate, whereas Itk cannot. Overexpression of Tec but not Itk can enhance the interleukin-2 promoter activity mediated by TCR/CD3 or CD28 stimulation and introduction of a kinase-dead Tec but not Itk can suppress interleukin-2 expression, indicating that Tec is directly involved in T cell activation. Altogether, these data demonstrate that Tec kinase is an integral component of T cell signaling and that the two Tec family kinases, Tec and Itk, have distinct roles in T cell activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tec kinase is involved in transcriptional regulation of IL-2 and IL-4 in the CD28 pathway.

The Tec protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) family includes Btk, Itk/Tsk/Emt, Tec, Rlk/Txk and Bmx, which are involved in signals mediated by various surface receptors. We have previously found (W.-C. Yang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1999. 274: 607) that Tec is involved in T cell signaling in a way distinct from Itk. However, little is known about the role of Tec in regulation of cytokine expression in the CD28 pathway. Here, we show in heterologous COS-7 cells that co-expression of Src family kinases such as Lck increases Tec activation or CD28-mediated Tec activation, whereas co-expression of kinase-dead Lck blocks Tec activation or CD28-mediated Tec activation. These data suggest that CD28 activates Tec via Src family PTK. As is the case for the IL-2 promoter, transcription of the IL-4 promoter is enhanced by overexpression of wild-type Tec but inhibited by overexpression of a kinase-dead version of Tec following CD28 activation. These results imply that Tec can modulate transcription of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in a kinase-dependent manner. Consistent with the hypothesis postulated above that Lck can regulate Tec activation, overexpression of kinase-dead Lck can block Tec-induced cytokine expression following CD28 ligation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CD28 co-stimulation results in down-regulation of lymphotactin expression in human CD4(+) but not CD8(+) T cells via an IL-2-dependent mechanism.

Chemokines are key molecules in promoting leukocyte migration and, for some of them, T cell adhesion and activation. Lymphotactin, which is the unique known member of the C class of chemokines, is produced by and acts on T lymphocytes, but the requirement of co-stimulatory pathways such as CD28 for its expression is largely unknown. CD28 plays a dominant role in the amplification of T cell proliferation, survival and cytokine production. In this report, we demonstrate that human lymphotactin expression, at both the mRNA and protein levels, is optimally induced by CD3/TCR activation alone, whereas CD28 co-stimulation turns off this expression. This down-regulation is not attributable to secondary activation via CTLA-4, the alternative counter-receptor of B7 ligands. Only the CD4(+) and not the CD8(+) subset is directly affected by this negative regulation. Transcript destabilization can be ruled out as a mechanism by which CD28 down-regulates lymphotactin expression. However, such down-regulation can be partly induced by IL-2 and abrogated by blocking IL-2/IL-2 receptor interaction. This particular profile of lymphotactin expression is not in line with the prevailing dogma of up-regulation of cytokine gene expression by CD28 co-stimulation, and represents a new CD28-mediated regulatory mechanism for lymphotactin expression.

Abatacept↗

Human acute myeloblastic leukemia cells differentiate in vitro into mature dendritic cells and induce the differentiation of cytotoxic T cells against autologous leukemias.

An immune response is involved in the control of leukemias as demonstrated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, by the eradication of residual leukemic cells by cytotoxic T cells and finally by the identification of tumor antigens which are recognized by effector T cells. Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) able to present antigens in the context of co-stimulatory signals necessary for T cell activation. Although tumor cells may express tumor antigens, they are usually unable to elicit an immune response since they are devoid of co-stimulatory capacities. To overcome this problem, engineering tumors to provide APC function could potentially result in polyvalent immunization to multiple tumor antigens. We have tested the differentiation of AML-5 (monoblastic, promonocytic and monocytic) leukemia cells and demonstrated that eight out of the ten fresh human acute myeloid leukemia populations tested can differentiate in vitro into bona fide APC. Leukemic cells acquire in vitro DC morphology, mature DC markers such as CD83, the up-regulation of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules and the ability to produce IL-12 upon maturation, while retaining their characteristic caryotypic abnormalities. However, we could not obtain an immature DC phenotype. They also acquire the ability to induce the differentiation of allogeneic naive cord blood CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as resting autologous cytotoxic T cells. These results demonstrate that some tumor cells acquire APC phenotype and functions and can thereby induce a potent autologous immune response that will be a valuable tool for detection of new tumor antigens and for in vivo immunization.

Adolescent↗

[Mechanisms of tumor escape from immunologic response].

INTRODUCTION: The rationale for immune control of cancer is now better defined via the immunovirology of transforming viruses, definition of human tumor antigens recognized by T-lymphocytes, and cellular and humoral components of the anticancer response. Nonetheless tumors can escape from immune surveillance. To better define immunomodulation strategies, we describe some of the various strategies developed by transformed cells to evade the immune response. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Both the lack of specific tumor antigen and down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule expression hamper recognition of neoplastic cells by T-lymphocytes. In presence of defective expression of ligands for the T-cell co-stimulatory receptors, tumor recognition may lead to the development of tolerance instead of specific cytotoxic activity. Tumor cell counter-attack against effector T-cells has also been described, using either inhibitory cytokines (IL-10), apoptosis induction (via Fas signalling), functional inactivation (disruption of normal CD40/CD40 ligand interactions), or induction of anergy. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Despite the many different mechanisms of tumor escape, the immune system has developed efficient counter-attacks. For instance, natural killer cells may detect and destroy tumor cells that lack class 1 MHC molecules and thus escape from specific T-lymphocyte cytolysis. Moreover, immunogenicity can be restored, at least in vitro, by different means such as tumor cell stimulation by cytokines or CD40, suggesting that therapeutic strategies will soon be developed in order to stimulate an efficient antitumoral immune response.

Antibody Formation↗

The immunophenotype of minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0): reduced immunogenicity and high frequency of CD34+/CD38- leukemic progenitors.

Minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0) is a rare FAB subtype (2-3% of AMLs) of poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to characterize AML-M0 expression and regulation of adhesion/costimulatory molecule involved in immune recognition, to test blast in vitro immunogenicity, and to determine the percentage of leukemia progenitor cells. Here, we demonstrate that alloimmune recognition of AML-M0 in primary mixed lymphocyte reaction, as evaluated by IL-2 secretion of responding T cells, is reduced in comparison with more differentiated subtypes (128 +/- 95 pg/ml vs304 +/- 159 pg/ml, P < 0.05). These data are in line with low blast cell expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DR molecules, and of the CD28 ligand B7-2, which plays an important role in AML immune recognition. Adhesion/costimulatory molecules were up-regulated by leukemic cell stimulation via CD40, and, although less efficiently, by gamma-IFN; both stimuli improved blast cell immunogenicity. We also demonstrate that AML-M0 have a very high percentage (40% +/- 30) of CD34+/CD38- leukemic clonogenic precursors in comparison with more differentiated AMLs (2.5% +/- 2) or non-leukemic CD34+hematopoietic precursors (1.8% +/- 0.8). Since the presence of a leukemic cell population at an early differentiation stage has been identified as a poor prognostic factor, we conclude that the high frequency of CD34+/CD38- blasts in AML-M0 may converge with already identified poor prognosis factors such as chemotherapy resistance and cytogenetic abnormalities. The clinical implications of AML-M0 impaired in vitroimmunogenicity and a high percentage of CD34+/CD38- blasts will require comparative analysis of additional patients. The increased immunogenicity of blast cells after CD40 triggering provide interesting clues for AML-M0 immunotherapy, that have to be confirmed with an in vivo leukemia model in mice.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Differential MUC 1 expression in normal and neoplastic human pancreatic tissue. An immunohistochemical study of 60 samples.

Neoplastic transformation of epithelial cell sis commonly associated with altered synthesis of mucin glycoproteins. Few studies have been performed on the correlation between MUC 1 expression and pancreatic carcinoma using immunohistochemical methods. We compared the patterns of MUC 1 expression in normal pancreatic tissue, in pancreatic carcinoma, and in chronic pancreatitis. Immunohistochemical studies were performed using 3 monoclonal anti-MUC 1 antibodies (12C10, 1G5, and H23) on surgical specimens and on fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens. In the neoplastic cells from adenocarcinomas, high levels of cytoplasmic MUC 1 expression were observed, with some membrane staining. No such cytoplasmic expression was observed in normal tissue, tissue from chronic pancreatitis, or benign neoplastic tissue. These data show conspicuous quantitative and qualitative differences between the patterns of MUC 1 expression observed in nonmalignant vs malignant pancreatic tissue and may be useful in the histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in biopsy samples.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗