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Biomedical subjects

H Waldmann

Publications and source records attributed to H Waldmann.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

A humanised therapeutic CD4 mAb inhibits TCR-induced IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 secretion and expression of CD25, CD40L, and CD69.

The actions of a humanised therapeutic CD4 mAb YHB.46 on T cell activation were investigated in vitro. Soluble YHB.46 IgG or YHB.46-derived F(ab')2 fragments caused inhibitions of up to 100% of the proliferation of purified CD4+ T cells activated with immobilised CD3 mAb. The inhibitory effects of the CD4 mAb were equally potent in both CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ T cell subset proliferation assays. Inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis were nto explicable by increased T cell apoptosis. YHB.46 was inhibitory even when added 70 h after exposure of cells to immobilised CD3 mAb, but it had little effect on IL-2 receptor-driven proliferation signals. The CD4 mAb inhibited the CD3-induced expression of the CD25 and CD69 activation markers on the T cell surface and suppressed CD40 ligand expression, but not that of CD25 and CD69, when their expression was induced by phorbol ester plus ionomycin. YHB.46 also exerted a profound inhibitory effect on the production of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10, irrespective of whether T cells were activated with CD3 mAb or with phorbol ester plus ionomycin. The inhibitory effects of YHB.46 on CD4+ T cell proliferation were partially prevented by the addition of exogenous IL-2 or autologous monocytes and were completely prevented by activating T cells with a novel CD3-CD28 bivalent F(ab')2 reagent. However, the inhibitory effects of YHB.46 on T cell proliferation were equipotent in the presence or the absence of CTLA-4Ig, showing that the CD4 mAb was not acting on CD28-induced activation signals per se. Our results show that the inhibitory effects of YHB.46 on T cell activation do not involve CD28 or IL-2 receptor signalling, but are directed at the TCR-mediated G0-G1 transition. These findings in vitro predict that YHB.46 may act as a potent immunosuppressant in the clinical context.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A noncomitogenic CD2R monoclonal antibody induces apoptosis of activated T cells by a CD95/CD95-L-dependent pathway.

Clonal expansion of activated T and B cells is controlled by homeostatic mechanisms resulting in apoptosis of a large proportion of activated cells, mostly through interaction between CD95 (Fas or Apo-1) receptor and its ligand CD95-L. CD2, which is considered as a CD3/TCR alternative pathway of T cell activation, may trigger activation-induced cell death, but the role of CD95/CD95-L interaction in CD2-mediated apoptosis remains controversial. We show here that the CD2R mAb YTH 655.5, which does not induce comitogenic signals when associated with another CD2 mAb, triggers CD95-L expression by preactivated but not resting T cells, resulting in CD95/CD95-L-mediated apoptosis. The critical role of CD95/CD95-L interaction was supported by complete inhibition in the presence of the antagonist CD95 mAb ZB4 and by blocking CD95-L synthesis and surface expression by cycloheximide, cyclosporin A, EGTA, or cytochalasin B. YTH 655.5 was shown to stimulate p56lck phosphorylation and enzymatic activity. However, p56lck activation is not sufficient to trigger apoptosis, because other CD2R and CD4 mAbs that activate p56lck do not induce apoptosis. In conclusion, CD2 can mediate nonmitogenic signals, resulting in CD95-L expression and apoptosis of CD95+ cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Risks of developing Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoproliferative disorders after T-cell-depleted marrow transplants. CAMPATH Users.

T-cell depletion of bone marrow for allogeneic transplantation is known to increase the risks of Epstein-Barr virus-driven lymphoproliferative disorders that may result in fatal lymphoma, especially with transplants from unrelated or mismatched donors. Over the past 15 years, we have monitored the outcome of 2,582 transplants using CAMPATH-1 (CD52) antibodies to deplete lymphocytes from donor and/or recipient to prevent graft-versus-host disease or rejection. Unlike many other methods of T-cell depletion, CAMPATH-1 antibodies also deplete B lymphocytes. The actuarial risk of lymphoproliferative disease using CAMPATH-1 for depletion of donor lymphocytes was up to 1.3%, hardly different from reported figures for conventional nondepleted transplants. In contrast, the risk in a small group of patients transplanted from unrelated donors using E-rosette depletion was as high as 29%, comparable to other reports of specific T-cell depletion. We conclude that the additional depletion of B cells is beneficial, possibly because it reduces either the virus load or the virus target until the time when T cells begin to regenerate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Bone marrow transplantation induces either clonal deletion or infectious tolerance depending on the dose.

The concept of immunologic tolerance arose from bone marrow transplantation in neonatal or irradiated mice, in which the predominant mechanism is clonal deletion of donor-specific T cells by donor hemopoietic cells in the recipient thymus. A short term treatment with nonlytic CD4 and CD8 mAbs can induce tolerance to tissue allografts or reversal of spontaneous autoimmunity. Such tolerance to skin or heart allografts is dependent on "infectious" tolerance mediated by regulatory CD4+ T cells. We show here, for multiple minor Ag differences, that while a large inoculum of donor marrow produces significant deletion of Ag-reactive cells as expected, a low marrow dose generates tolerance with little evidence of clonal deletion. Only this low dose tolerance can be transferred to unmanipulated recipients via CD4+ T cells, can be passed onto naive T cells as if infectious, and can act to suppress rejection of third party Ags when "linked" on F1 grafts.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Tolerance induction with CD4 monoclonal antibodies.

One of the major goals of therapeutic immunosuppression is to be able to use short-term therapy to achieve long-term tolerance. Short courses of CD4 antibodies are able to create peripheral tolerance in a mature immune system. The resulting tolerant state shows evidence of being dominant in that one can observe the features of linked suppression, transferable suppression and infectious tolerance in a variety of model systems. Only in the situation of administration of high doses of marrow could one find evidence of central and peripheral tolerance which had all the features of being deletional rather than regulatory. These findings suggest that attaining dominant tolerance and linked suppression may be the least invasive of all tolerance-inducing strategies for clinical application.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Neutralizing TNF-alpha activity modulates T-cell phenotype and function in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Inhibiting TNF-alpha activity prevents tissue destruction without inhibiting retinal T cell infiltration in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in Lewis rats. To further determine the role of TNF-alpha in autoimmune uveitis we characterized T cells isolated from retinae after treatment with a TNF-alpha antagonist. TNF-alpha activity was neutralized in vivo with a p55 TNF-alpha receptor-Ig fusion protein (sTNFr-Ig), administered 8 and 10 days after induction of EAU with heterologous retinal antigens. Retinal T-cell phenotype expression was examined by flow cytometry with respect to OX22 status (CD45RBlow or CD45RBhigh), activation (OX40 and CD25 expression) and rate of T-cell apoptosis (Annexin V+PI- expression). Lymphocyte reactivity was assessed by proliferation responses and cytokine production to retinal antigens. Despite greater than 40% of CD4+ T cells being activated at the height of disease, the proportion of OX22low expression was reduced and T cells exhibited reduced IFN-gamma and elevated IL-4 production. Retinal T cells maintained antigen-specific proliferation and demonstrated a low apoptotic rate. Although in both animal groups, comparable numbers of T cells were isolated, neutralizing TNF activity suppressed Th1 effector mechanisms protecting against target organ damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Infectious tolerance.

Infectious tolerance can be induced in many ways, does not require a thymus or clonal deletion and can spread to third-party antigens linked on the same antigen-presenting cell-the process being variously described as linked-, bystanderor epitope-suppression. We here review the evidence concerning the mechanisms involved and attempt to make a consistent hypothesis, that during tolerance induction in the Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases and transplantation systems there would seem to be a phase of immune deviation towards Th2 cytokines, like IL-4 and IL-10; however, this may lead to an IL-10-induced form of anergy or nonresponsiveness and generation of the recently characterized Th3/T-regulatory-1 CD4+ T cell subset which is thought to downregulate the antigen-presenting cell, possibly via transforming growth factor beta.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Synthesis and biological evaluation of aeroplysinin analogues: a new class of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), are critically involved in the transduction of mitogenic signals across the plasma membrane and therefore in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation. Enhanced RTK activity is associated with proliferative diseases such as cancer, psoriasis and atherosclerosis, while decreased function may be associated for instance with diabetes. EGFR and PDGFR are selectively inhibited by analogues of the marine natural product aeroplysinin. The synthetic inhibitors display IC50 values in the low micromolar range and in contrast to the natural product show pronounced inhibitory activity in cultured cells in vivo. The mechanism of inhibition is likely based on a covalent modification of the target enzymes by reaction of epoxy ketone 8 with various nucleophiles.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed1998

Enzymes and protecting group chemistry.

Enzymatic protecting group techniques are increasingly finding their use in almost all areas of synthetic organic chemistry. Some of the recent papers have dealt with the use of such protecting groups in combination with classical methods. The modification of known protecting groups to increase the efficiency and selectivity of deprotection is on the rise. The methodology needs to be explored more intensively and systematically to realise its full potential.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed1998

Double T cell depletion of bone marrow using sequential positive and negative cell immunoaffinity or CD34+ cell selection followed by Campath-1M; effect on CD34+ cells and progenitor cell recoveries.

An advantage of CD34+ cell selection over antibody purging is that a component allograft is produced comprising a stem cell enriched and an unadsorbed fraction, the latter containing T cells which may be used for post-transplant immunotherapy. Initial reports with PBSC allografts suggested that T cell depletion (TCD) by CD34+ cell selection and post-graft cyclosporin A +/- methotrexate was insufficient prophylaxis against acute GVHD. We compared sequential TCD (of a CD34+ cell-selected fraction) using a second (CD2) immunoaffinity step or Campath-1M monoclonal antibody and complement. Since a high stem cell 'dose' enhances engraftment across HLA barriers and improves overall post-transplant outcome, the recovery of CD34+ cells and progenitors were assessed. Sequential positive (CD34+) and negative (CD2+) immunoaffinity selection resulted in a 3.4 log depletion of T cells as compared to a 4.05 log depletion when CD34+ cell selection was followed by Campath-1M treatment. Recoveries of CD34+ cells, CFU-GM and BFU-E following double depletion using CD34+ cell selection plus CD2+ cell depletion were 28, 25 and 17% as compared to 20, 18 and 16% when CD34+ cells were treated with Campath-1M. The unadsorbed fraction contained 85% of the original T cells, from which donor leukocyte infusions in the range of 10(5) to 10(7) CD3+ cells per kg body weight of the recipient were harvested. Despite the advantages of component allografts, the loss of stem/progenitor cells may restrict sequential TCD steps unless single BM harvests are supplemented and/or replaced with mobilised PBSCs.

Alemtuzumab↗
PubMed1998

How do monoclonal antibodies induce tolerance? A role for infectious tolerance?

One of the major goals in therapeutic immunosuppression has been to achieve long-term benefit from short-term therapy. The discovery in the mild-1980s that CD4 antibodies can induce immunological tolerance without depleting CD4+ T cells has reawakened interest in the use of nondepleting monoclonal antibodies for reprogramming the immune system in autoimmunity and in transplantation. Since that time, antibodies to CD11a, CD4OL, CD25, CD3, and CTLA4-Ig have all been shown capable of facilitating tolerance. In order to apply to principle of reprogramming in the clinic, we have sought to understand the mechanisms that are involved in its induction and its maintenance. In a number of allogeneic transplant models (heart, skin, bone marrow) anti-CD4 (+/- CD8) antibodies can be shown to block the rejection process while selectively promoting the development of CD4+ regulatory T cells responsible for a dominant tolerance that is reflected in findings of linked suppression and infectious tolerance. In these models, T cells that have never been exposed to CD4 antibodies become tolerant to grafted antigens by experiencing antigen in the microenvironment of regulatory T cells. Dominant tolerance is not the only mechanism that can be facilitated by CD4 Mab therapy. If allogeneic marrow is given at high cell doses under the umbrella of CD4 and CD8 antibodies, then tolerance can be achieved through clonal deletion. The mechanism by which regulatory CD4+ T cell suppress is not yet defined but could be active or passive. We have proposed the "civil service model" to explain how tolerant T cells might interfere with the responses of competent T cells in such a way as to render them tolerant.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Semi-specific immuno-absorption and monoclonal antibody therapy in ANCA positive vasculitis: experience in four cases.

The treatment of renal limited systemic vasculitis usually involves a combination of cytotoxic drugs and steroids. As shown by randomised prospective controlled trial, plasmapheresis may be of additional benefit for the management of patients with renal involvement severe enough to require dialysis support. Recently, growing evidence has suggested that autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasm (ANCA) may play a role in the pathogenesis of the primary vasculitides by promoting neutrophil mediated endothelial cell cytotoxicity. This has led to new strategies for treatment based on firstly, the use of semi-specific immunoabsorption (IA) devices to remove circulating autoantibodies, and secondly, the use of 'Humanised' monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with specificity for lymphocytes, particularly T lymphocytes. We have treated four patients, two with ANCA specificity for proteinase 3 (PR3), and two with specificity for myeloperoxidase (MPO). Semi-specific IA was carried out by plasmapheresis through extracorporeal online devices, using L tryptophan as the immobilised immunoabsorbant. Of the four patients who received IA, three showed substantial depletion in ANCA titres and resolution of clinical symptoms. The MAbs were subsequently used to attempt to obtain long-term control of ANCA synthesis. These results suggest that an optimal strategy for treatment of systemic vasculitis might consist of specific IA, using immobilised ANCA antigens to deplete circulating vasculotoxic antibodies, combined with MAb therapy to restore immune homeostasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Regulation of IL-18 (IFN-gamma-inducing factor) gene expression.

IL-18 (also known as IFN-gamma-inducing factor), although structurally unrelated to IL-12, shares with it the role of activating NK cells and polarizing T cells toward Th1 cell function. To understand how the IL-18 gene (and consequently Th1 function) is regulated, we have determined the gene structure and investigated the mechanisms of transcriptional control and cell type expression. The mouse IL-18 gene comprises seven exons distributed over 26 kb. Exons 1 and 2 of this gene are 5'-noncoding exons. Promoter activity was detected upstream of these noncoding exons in two distinct regions. Both promoters are TATA-less and not G+C rich. The promoter activity located upstream of exon 2 was shown to act constitutively, while the activity located upstream of exon 1 was up-regulated in activated macrophage and T cell lines. IL-18 gene expression may be regulated in a wide range of cell types by the activities of these two distinct promoters. IL-18 is known to be synthesized as a precursor, pro-IL-18, and its maturation is controlled by IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE). We observed concordant expression of IL-18 and ICE mRNAs in a wide range of cell types, unlike the more restricted expression of IL-12 p40 mRNA. The widespread IL-18 mRNA distribution and the special relationship with ICE lead us to the hypothesis that IL-18 expression may be coupled with apoptotic processes involving activation of ICE or ICE-like proteinase.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Fas-independent apoptosis of activated T cells induced by antibodies to the HLA class I alpha1 domain.

In addition to their major function in antigen presentation and natural killer cell activity regulation, HLA class I molecules may modulate T-cell activation and proliferation. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that recognize distinct epitopes of HLA class I molecules were reported to interfere with T-cell proliferation. We show here that two MoAbs (mouse MoAb90 and rat YTH862) that bind to an epitope of the alpha1 domain of HLA class I heavy chain induce apoptotic cell death of activated, but not resting, peripheral T lymphocytes. Other reference anti-HLA class I antibodies specific for distinct epitopes of the alpha1 (B9.12.1), alpha2 (W6/32), or alpha3 (TP25.99) domains of the heavy chain decreased T-cell proliferation but had little or no apoptotic effect. Apoptosis shown by DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine externalization, and decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential was observed whatever the type of T-cell activator. Apoptosis did not result from Fas/Fas-L interaction and distinct though partly overlapping populations of activated T cells were susceptible to Fas- and HLA class I-mediated apoptosis, respectively. Induction of apoptosis did not require HLA class I cross-linking inasmuch as it could be observed with monovalent Fab' fragments. The data indicate that MoAb90 and YTH862 directed against the alpha1 domain of HLA class I trigger apoptosis of activated T lymphocytes by a pathway which does not involve Fas-ligand.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

S-Acylation and plasma membrane targeting of the farnesylated carboxyl-terminal peptide of N-ras in mammalian fibroblasts.

We have used a series of fluorescent lipid-modified peptides, based on the farnesylated C-terminal sequence of mature N-ras [-GCMGLPC(farnesyl)-OCH3], to investigate the membrane-anchoring properties of this region of the protein and its reversible modification by S-acylation in cultured mammalian fibroblasts. The farnesylated peptide associates with lipid bilayers (large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles) with high affinity but in a rapidly reversible manner. Additional S-palmitoylation of the peptide suppresses its ability to desorb from, and hence to diffuse between, lipid bilayers on physiologically significant time scales. NBD-labeled derivatives of the farnesylated N-ras C-terminal heptapeptide, when incubated with CV-1 cells in culture, are taken up by the cells and reversibly S-acylated in a manner similar to that observed previously for the parent protein. The S-acylation process is highly specific for modification of a cysteine rather than a serine residue but tolerates replacement of the peptide-linked farnesyl moiety by other hydrophobic groups. Fluorescence microscopy reveals that in CV-1 cells the S-acylated form of the peptide is localized preferentially to the plasma membrane, as has been observed for N-ras itself. This plasma membrane localization is unaffected by either reduced temperature (15 degrees C) or exposure to brefeldin A, treatments which inhibit various trafficking steps within the secretory pathway. These results suggest that in mammalian cells the plasma membrane localization of mature N-ras is maintained by a 'kinetic trapping' mechanism based on S-acylation of the protein at the level of the plasma membrane itself.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan↗
PubMed1997

Strain variation in susceptibility to monoclonal antibody-induced transplantation tolerance.

BACKGROUND: We have reproducibly induced specific tolerance to multiple minor histocompatibility antigens with nondepleting anti-CD4 and -CD8 monoclonal antibodies. The tolerance induced is effective for the lifetime of the host. We have tested this therapy in a number of mouse strain combinations to further understand the mechanisms. METHODS: Various mouse strains were grafted with allogeneic tail skin with and without nondepleting CD4- and CD8-specific monoclonal antibody therapy. The grafts were monitored daily for signs of rejection. RESULTS: Whereas the CBA/Ca (H2k) strain can be made tolerant to skin grafts that are mismatched at multiple minor histocompatibility antigens indefinitely, using the same protocol, long-term survival of similarly mismatched grafts on the HW80 (B6 congenic for BALB H1) mouse strain is limited to around 8 weeks. Interestingly, the B10.BR strain, which is also of the H2k haplotype, is also not readily tolerized. In addition, an F1 between the CBA/Ca and the resistant B10.BR strains is B10.BR-like in its susceptibility to tolerance induction. Susceptibility to such antibody-dependent tolerance induction is not related to immunogenicity because grafts mismatched at only a single minor antigen also do not reproducibly survive beyond 8 weeks when grafted onto HW80 mice in the presence of the antibody therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The data strongly suggest that the B6/B10 genetic background confers a level of resistance to CD4- and CD8-specific monoclonal antibody-dependent tolerance induction.

Animals↗