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Biomedical subjects

E Claassen

Publications and source records attributed to E Claassen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Evaluation of several adjuvants as alternatives to the use of Freund's adjuvant in rabbits.

In three experiments we evaluated several types of adjuvants as an alternative to Freund's adjuvant (FA). In the first experiment three adjuvant preparations (a water-in-oil emulsion (Specol), a combination preparation of monophosphoryl lipid A + trehalose dimycolate + cell wall skeleton and a non-ionic block polymer surfactant (TiterMax)) were evaluated. The adjuvants were combined with three different types of weak immunogenic antigens (synthetic peptide, glycolipid and particulate antigen) and administered following the intramuscular and subcutaneous route. The evaluation was based on clinical, pathological and immunological parameters. The animals did not appear to be severely or chronically impaired by the experiment. After injection of the RIBI adjuvant, side effects of the same severity as with FA were induced, while low antibody titers were produced. TiterMax caused few side effects, while antibody responses were very low. In comparing Specol and FA, Specol had far fewer adverse effects than FA. However, Specol had immunostimulating properties of the same level as FA. In the second experiment, the effect of injected volume of FA on side effects and antibody titer was studied. Immunization of rabbits with a total of 0.5 ml FA at different sites does not seem to increase the immune response when compared with the immune response seen after injection of 0.5 ml FA at one site. However side effects were seen in all the animals. In the third experiment, the side effects following intradermal (i.d.) injection of the adjuvants were studied. After i.d. injection of FA or RIBI, undesirable effects were found. No side effects occurred after i.d. injection of Specol or TiterMax. From the studies it is concluded that Specol is an alternative to FA for hyperactivation of the immune response in rabbits.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

The involvement of specific anti myelin basic protein antibody-forming cells in multiple sclerosis immunopathology.

Irrespective of the large body of literature on the putative role of antibodies in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), the detection of specific antibody-forming B cells (AFCs) in the central nervous system (CNS) tissues has not been described. In this study we show that autoantigen-specific AFCs can be found in CSN tissue sections of MS patients. Applying a newly developed myelin basic protein (MBP)-enzyme conjugate technique, we have detected MBP-specific AFCs in autopsy periventricular white matter and cerebellum tissue sections of MS patients. We demonstrated the presence of MBP-specific AFCs in CNS tissue sections in five out of 12 MS patients. No MBP-specific AFCs were detected in CNS tissue sections of 11 patients with other neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, or in brain tissue sections of eight deceased persons without neurological diseases. In MS patients, anti-MBP AFCs were present in brain tissue sections both with and without plaques. The proportion of MBP-specific AFCs in some of the MS patient brain tissues reached over 50% of all AFCs. The high relative frequency of the anti-MBP AFCs and their localization in periventricular white matter and cerebellum of MS patients only, suggests that anti-MBP AFCs represent a cell population, which could play an important role in MS immunopathology.

Adult↗

Immunodeficiency due to a faulty interaction between T cells and B cells.

The identification of the ligand for CD40, gp39, which is expressed on the membrane of activated CD4+ T-helper cells, has sparked intense investigation into the roles of this molecule in physiological B-cell activation. Recently, it has become clear that some human immunodeficiencies, such as X-linked hyper IgM syndrome and common variable immunodeficiency are linked to mutations in the gp39 gene or are a result of defective expression of gp39, leading to suboptimal, or a lack of, B-cell activation by T-helper cells.

Animals↗

Epitope mapping and topology of baculovirus-expressed HIV-1 gp160 determined with a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies.

To define protein folding patterns of HIV-1 Env subunit vaccines, we have isolated a set of 30 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from BALB/c mice immunized with a recombinant gp160 vaccine (rgp160) expressed in a baculovirus system. This article describes epitope mapping for the MAb panel and topology of the epitopes for rgp160 and a recombinant gp120 (rgp120) also expressed in a baculovirus system. The following results are reported: (1) rgp160 harbors a minimum of 4 antigenic domains, 3 mapping to the C1, C2, and C3/V4 regions of gp120 and 1 mapping to the cytoplasmic tail of gp41; (2) there are at least 3 adjacent or overlapping epitopes in each antigenic domain; (3) a minimum of 14 independent epitopes were mapped, all of which are continuous sites; (4) each of the epitopes is exposed on rgp160 without prior manipulation of the protein; and (5) by contrast, 6 of the 8 epitopes mapping to the C1, C2, and C3/V4 regions are not exposed on rgp120, but become exposed when the protein is denatured. Taken together, these results show that rgp160 and rgp120 are folded differently, illustrating the use of this MAb panel to compare epitope topographies of recombination HIV-1 Env proteins. This MAb panel may aid in the refinement of HIV-1 Env subunit vaccines.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha production during cytomegalovirus infection in immunosuppressed rats.

The production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6, all proinflammatory cytokines, was investigated in radiation-immunosuppressed rats infected with rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV). At day 7 post-infection, when the animals showed disease signs, high TNF-alpha levels were detected in the serum and in homogenates of various organ tissues. In contrast, IL-1 and IL-6 levels were not significantly elevated. Moreover, replication of RCMV induced TNF-alpha expression in different types of cells grown in vitro. When frozen tissue sections were examined by immunohistology, TNF-alpha-producing cells were found in areas with extensive pathology in the lungs, spleen and liver. Both lymphocytes and RCMV-infected cells were identified as the sources of TNF-alpha. Its abundance in RCMV-infected rats suggests an important role for TNF-alpha in CMV pathogenesis.

Animals↗

Suppression of rat cytomegalovirus replication by antibodies against gamma interferon.

The role of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in the resolution of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection was investigated. In the spleen, IFN-gamma-producing cells reached maximum numbers on day 7 after infection. Prophylactic treatment with high doses of recombinant rat IFN-gamma exerted antiviral activity in fibroblasts and protected immunosuppressed rats against a lethal RCMV challenge. Remarkably, in immunocompetent rats, neutralization of endogenous IFN-gamma activity significantly reduced the numbers of RCMV antigen-expressing cells in the spleen, the predominant site of viral replication. Moreover, protection of radiation-immunosuppressed infected rats by transferred immune T cells was enhanced by coinjection of IFN-gamma neutralizing antibodies. The observations were paralleled by in vitro findings: low concentrations of IFN-gamma enhanced viral replication in both macrophages and fibroblasts. These data suggest that IFN-gamma can play different and even opposite roles in the regulation of RCMV replication in vivo; T lymphocytes may contribute to the progression of RCMV infection by secreting IFN-gamma.

Animals↗

Cloning of mouse Ox40: a T cell activation marker that may mediate T-B cell interactions.

A cDNA library was prepared from the murine Th cell line Th2 D.10 and used to clone the murine homologue of Ox40 by polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of the mouse sequence with the rat revealed greater than 90% homology between the two sequences at both the DNA and protein level. Northern blot analysis found that, as in the rat, Ox40 expression appears to be restricted to activated T cells. A chimeric receptor globulin was prepared to include the mouse Ox40 extracellular domain coupled to the hinge-CH2-CH3 domains of human IgG1 (Ox40-Ig). This soluble form of the molecular was then used to identify cells bearing a ligand for Ox40. FACS analysis revealed that Ox40-Ig bound to a subset of peritoneal B cells as well as to a fraction of LPS-activated splenic B cells. Immunostaining of spleen sections using an Ag-specific conjugate and Ox40-Ig found a significant proportion of antibody-forming cells co-stained with Ox40-Ig. Immunoprecipitation of cell-surface radiolabeled peritoneal B cells suggests a specific interaction with a protein of 70 kDa.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo CD40-gp39 interactions are essential for thymus-dependent humoral immunity. I. In vivo expression of CD40 ligand, cytokines, and antibody production delineates sites of cognate T-B cell interactions.

T-B cell interactions have a central role in the development of antibody responses. Upon activation, T helper (Th) cells express the ligand for CD40, gp39, which is essential for Th cell-dependent B cell activation. The cytokines produced by activated Th cells have a regulatory role in B cell differentiation. In this study, we investigated, using immunohistochemical techniques, the in vivo time course and localization of gp39 expression and cytokine production in relation to the specific antibody production. Both the immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a thymus-dependent (TD) antigen, and trinitrophenyl (TNP)-Ficoll, a thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigen, induced Th cells to express gp39. The expression of gp39 was restricted to Th cells in the outer periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths (outer-PALS) and around the terminal arterioles (TA). Incidentally, gp39+ Th cells were found in the corona of follicles, whereas gp39+ cells were never found in the germinal centers or marginal zones of the spleen. Maximum frequencies of gp39+ cells were observed 3 and 4 d after primary and secondary immunization with KLH. After injection of TNP-Ficoll, a marked increase in gp39+ cells was observed, confirming previous observations that activated T cells are involved in TI-2 antibody responses. Analysis of the in vivo cytokine production revealed that interleukin 2 (IL-2)-, IL-4- and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing cells (IFN-gamma-PC) developed according to similar kinetics as observed for gp39+ cells. IL-2-PC and IL-4-PC were present in higher frequencies as were IFN-gamma-PC in the immune response against TNP-KLH. Double staining experiments revealed gp39+ Th cells producing IL-2, IL-4, or IFN-gamma, suggesting that these cells were involved in both the initial activation as well as the differentiation process of B cells into antibody-forming cells. Dual immunohistochemical analysis revealed gp39+ T cells and cytokine-PC in close proximity to antigen-specific, antibody-forming B cells. In conclusion, this study shows that in vivo gp39 is expressed on activated Th cells after immunization with TD and TI-2 antigens. Furthermore, the time course and compartmentalization of gp39+ expression, cytokine production and antibody formation after immunization suggest that cognate T-B cell interactions and T cell-regulated B cell differentiation occur in the outer-PALS and around the TA of the spleen.

Animals↗

In vivo detection of fluorescent tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell clones.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can be very effective mediators of tumor-specific immunity in vivo. Since little is known about the in vivo behaviour of cultured tumor-specific CTL, a fast and simple method has been developed utilizing a lipophilic carbocyanine, 1,1'-dioctadecyl 3,3,3',3'-tetramethylin-docarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI), for the in vivo detection of tumor-specific CTL clones in (tumor-bearing) mice. The two CTL clones used in this study are directed against human papillomavirus type 16- or human adenovirus type 5 early region 1 (Ad5E1)-transformed mouse embryo cells. Growth ability, cytotoxic capacity and tumor-eradicating potential remained unaltered when the CTL were labeled with this dye. Thus, in neither in vitro nor in vivo testing was the biological function of the CTL clones affected. The in vivo localization in the spleen of an adoptively transferred DiI-labeled Ad5E1-specific CTL clone is described. This adoptively transferred CTL clone was also detectable at the site of a subcutaneously growing human Ad5E1-induced tumor within 1 day after intravenous injection.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗

Migration of alveolar macrophages from alveolar space to paracortical T cell area of the draining lymph node.

In this report we studied the translocation of fluorescent particulate antigens to the draining lymph node, and the migration of fluorescent labeled alveolar macrophages (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) in mice. The results show that intratracheally (IT) instilled particulate antigens translocate to the paracortical T cell area of the draining lymph node. When labeled AM were injected IT, they were found to migrate from the alveolar space into the paracortical T cell area of the draining lymph node. An identical localisation was found after IT injection of labeled PM. When either labeled AM, or PM were injected into the peritoneal cavity, a different migration pattern was observed. Via this route the labeled macrophages migrated to the subcapsular sinus and medulla of the draining lymph nodes. It is shown that the migrated cells are not dendritic cells (DC) present in the cell preparations. A possible role for the micro-environment of the injection site, and the significance of the specific migration pattern of AM is discussed.

Animals↗

In vivo distribution of particulate antigens and liposomes in murine spleen. A possible role in the humoral immune response.

Several particulate antigens and liposomes were intravenously injected in mice in order to study their localization patterns in spleen and liver. Liposomes have been proposed as promising carriers for haptens and antigens. It was studied whether the phospholipid composition, cholesterol content and charge of the liposomes played a role in their distribution within the spleen. Different thymus-independent type 1 and type 2 and thymus-dependent particulate antigens as well as liposomes were labeled with the lipophilic fluorochrome Di-I. After labeling they were intravenously injected and spleens and livers were removed at different time intervals and prepared for light- and fluorescence-microscopy. We have observed that all particulate antigens and liposomes administered to the mice localized according to the same distribution pattern in the spleen. After 2 and 4 h particles were located in macrophages of the marginal zone and after 24 h white pulp macrophages had also ingested particulate antigens and liposomes. So we conclude that the distribution of the particulate antigens and liposomes in the spleen is independent of the immunological nature of the particles. Results are discussed with respect to the question whether or not the distribution of particulate antigens and liposome associated antigens or haptens, may be a crucial factor in determining the type of immune response to be elicited.

Animals↗

A hidden region in the third variable domain of HIV-1 IIIB gp120 identified by a monoclonal antibody.

The third variable domain (V3 domain) of HIV-1 gp120 is involved in virus neutralization by antibody, in determination of cell tropism, and in syncytium-inducing/non-syncytium-inducing capacity. Antibodies are highly specific tools to delineate the role of different V3 amino acid sequences in these processes, and to dissect events occurring during synthesis of gp120/160, gp120-CD4 interaction, cellular infection, and syncytium formation. We describe here an IgG1 murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), coded IIIB-V3-01, that was raised with a synthetic peptide (FVTIGKIGNMRQAHC) derived from the carboxy-terminal flank of the HIV-1 IIIB V3 domain. The binding site of this antibody was mapped to the sequence IGKIGNMRQ, using Pepscan analysis. In ELISA, this antibody binds to E. coli-derived gp120 from HIV-1 IIIB, which is denatured and not glycosylated. The antibody showed no neutralizing activity against HIV-1 IIIB, MN, SF2, or RF in a virus neutralization assay and in a syncytium formation inhibition assay. In addition, this antibody did not react with gp120 expressed on the surface of IIIB-infected MOLT-3 cells in FACS analysis. To assess whether the epitope defined by MAb IIIB-V3-01 is hidden on native gp120, reactivity of the antibody with SDS-DTT-denatured or DTT-denatured glycosylated gp120 (CHO cell produced) was tested. Both these treatments exposed the epitope for binding. From these data we conclude that the epitope defined by MAB IIIB-V3-01 is hidden on glycosylated recombinant gp120, and is not accessible on gp120 expressed on the membrane of HIV-1, IIIB-infected cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunohistochemical detection of co-localizing cytokine and antibody producing cells in the extrafollicular area of human palatine tonsils.

In vitro experiments have documented the role of cytokines in the regulation of the human humoral immune response. Which cytokines are operative in vivo and in which lymphoid compartment interactions between cytokine-producing T cells and antibody-forming B cells occur is still unclear. For that reason we studied human tonsils using immunohistochemical techniques. In tissue sections from tonsils in a resting stage after recurrent tonsillitis we observed cells producing IL-1 alpha and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) which were exclusively localized in the mantle zone of the follicle and in the extrafollicular area. Furthermore, a high frequency of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing cells was detected in the extrafollicular area, but not inside the follicles. Occasional IL-2- and IL-4-producing cells were found in the extrafollicular area. Immunohistochemical detection of antibody isotypes revealed that B cells, IgM-membrane-positive, were localized inside the follicles and mantle zones, whereas IgD-membrane-positive cells were mainly found in the mantle zones of secondary follicles. In contrast, plasma cells producing IgG1-4 and IgA1-2 were found in the extrafollicular area. No IgD and IgE antibody-forming cells were detected in tonsils, whereas IgM antibody-forming cells were detected in the extrafollicular area. The co-localization of cytokine-producing cells and antibody-forming cells in human tonsil suggests that T-B cell interactions, required for B cell differentiation and isotype switching, take place in the extrafollicular area.

Antibody-Producing Cells↗

Monoclonal antibody mediated targeting of enzymes. A comparative study using the mouse spleen as a model system.

The aim of this study was to target enzymes specifically to cells in the murine spleen. Monomeric and polymeric conjugates of the enzymes horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase and monoclonal antibodies against cell surface determinants were prepared. Highly specific in vivo targeting of enzymes to macrophages was obtained only when monomeric MAb-enzyme conjugates were used.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗