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L Adorini

Publications and source records attributed to L Adorini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Pancreas-infiltrating Th1 cells and diabetes develop in IL-12-deficient nonobese diabetic mice.

IL-12 and IL-12 antagonist administration to nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice accelerates and prevents insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), respectively. To further define the role of endogenous IL-12 in the development of diabetogenic Th1 cells, IL-12-deficient NOD mice were generated and analyzed. Th1 responses to exogenous Ags were reduced by approximately 80% in draining lymph nodes of these mice, and addition of IL-12, but not IL-18, restored Th1 development in vitro, indicating a nonredundant role of IL-12. Moreover, spontaneous Th1 responses to a self Ag, the tyrosine phosphatase-like IA-2, were undetectable in lymphoid organs from IL-12-deficient, in contrast to wild-type, NOD mice. Nevertheless, wild-type and IL-12-deficient NOD mice developed similar insulitis and IDDM. Both in wild-type and IL-12-deficient NOD mice, approximately 20% of pancreas-infiltrating CD4+ T cells produced IFN-gamma, whereas very few produced IL-10 or IL-4, indicating that IDDM was associated with a type 1 T cell infiltrate in the target organ. T cell recruitment in the pancreas seemed favored in IL-12-deficient NOD mice, as revealed by increased P-selectin ligand expression on pancreas-infiltrating T cells, and this could, at least in part, compensate for the defective Th1 cell pool recruitable from peripheral lymphoid organs. Residual Th1 cells could also accumulate in the pancreas of IL-12-deficient NOD mice because Th2 cells were not induced, in contrast to wild-type NOD mice treated with an IL-12 antagonist. Thus, a regulatory pathway seems necessary to counteract the pathogenic Th1 cells that develop in the absence of IL-12 in a spontaneous chronic progressive autoimmune disease under polygenic control, such as IDDM.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A peptide binding motif for I-Eg7, the MHC class II molecule that protects E alpha-transgenic nonobese diabetic mice from autoimmune diabetes.

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, a model of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), fails to express surface MHC class II I-Eg7 molecules due to a deletion in the E alpha gene promoter. E alpha-transgenic NOD mice express the E alpha E beta g7 dimer and fail to develop either insulitis or IDDM. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms of protection, most of which require peptide binding to I-Eg7. To define the requirements for peptide binding to I-Eg7, we first identified an I-Eg7-restricted T cell epitope corresponding to the sequence 4-13 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 65-kDa heat shock protein (hsp). Single amino acid substitutions at individual positions revealed a motif for peptide binding to I-Eg7 characterized by two primary anchors at relative position (p) 1 and 4, and two secondary anchors at p6 and p9. This motif is present in eight of nine hsp peptides that bind to I-Eg7 with high affinity. The I-Eg7 binding motif displays a unique p4 anchor compared with the other known I-E motifs, and major differences are found between I-Eg7 and I-Ag7 binding motifs. Analysis of peptide binding to I-Eg7 and I-Ag7 molecules as well as proliferative responses of draining lymph node cells from hsp-primed NOD and E alpha-transgenic NOD mice to overlapping hsp peptides revealed that the two MHC molecules bind different peptides. Of 80 hsp peptides tested, none bind with high affinity to both MHC molecules, arguing against some of the mechanisms hypothesized to explain protection from IDDM in E alpha-transgenic NOD mice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

CD40-CD154 interaction and IFN-gamma are required for IL-12 but not prostaglandin E2 secretion by microglia during antigen presentation to Th1 cells.

IL-12 and PGE2 promote and inhibit, respectively, the development of Th1 responses. Production of these mediators by APC residing in the central nervous system (CNS) may be involved in the local regulation of the T cell phenotype during infectious and autoimmune CNS diseases. In the present study we have examined IL-12 and PGE2 secretion by cultured microglia and astrocytes from the mouse brain upon Ag-dependent interaction with I-Ad-restricted, OVA323-339 specific TCR transgenic Th1 and Th2 cell lines. We show that microglia, which restimulate efficiently both Th1 and Th2 cells, secrete IL-12 upon Ag-dependent interaction with Th1, but not with Th2 cells. Th1-driven IL-12 production depends on TCR ligation by MHC class II/peptide complexes, CD40 engagement on microglia, and IFN-gamma secretion by activated Th1 cells. Th1 and, to a lesser extent, Th2 cells also stimulate the production of PGE2 by microglia. T cell-mediated induction of PGE2 requires MHC class II/peptide/TCR interactions but does not depend on CD40 engagement or on the presence of IFN-gamma. Astrocytes, which preferentially activate Th2 cells, fail to produce IL-12 and secrete negligible amounts of PGE2 upon interaction with either Th1 or Th2 cells. These results suggest that during CNS infection or immunopathology, IL-12 produced by microglia upon Ag-specific interaction with Th1 cells may further skew the immune response to Th1, whereas the T cell-dependent production of PGE2 by microglia may represent a negative feedback mechanism, limiting the propagation of Th1 responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The involvement of IL-12 in murine experimentally induced autoimmune thyroid disease.

Experimental autoimmune thyroid disease (EAT) can be induced experimentally in mice following immunization with mouse thyroglobulin (mTg) and the adjuvants lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). EAT can also be transferred to naive recipients by CD4+ T cells from mTg-primed mice. Here we demonstrate a role for IL-12 in the development of EAT by the ability of neutralizing antibody to IL-12 to reduce disease severity and by the lack of significant levels of thyroid infiltration in IL-12p40-deficient mice following immunization with mTg and CFA. A single injection of 300 ng IL-12 at the time of initial immunization with mTg and LPS was able to increase the degree of thyroid infiltration. These data are all consistent with EAT being a Th1-mediated disease. Conversely, however, administration of IL-12 over a prolonged period markedly inhibited the induction of EAT by mTg and CFA and, if given to recipients, inhibited the transfer of EAT by mTg-primed lymph node cells. The development of an autoantibody response to mTg was also inhibited when IL-12 was administered throughout the experimental period, suggesting that sustained exposure to IL-12 can be immunosuppressive.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMed1999

Relative efficiency of microglia, astrocytes, dendritic cells and B cells in naive CD4+ T cell priming and Th1/Th2 cell restimulation.

We have compared the efficiency of central nervous system and peripheral antigen-presenting cells (APC) in T cell priming and restimulation. OVA peptide 323 - 339-dependent activation of DO11.10 TCR-transgenic naive CD4+ and polarized Th1 or Th2 cells was assessed in the presence of microglia and astrocytes from the neonatal mouse brain as well as dendritic cells (DC) and B cells purified from adult mouse lymph nodes. DC were the most efficient in inducing naive T cell proliferation, IL-2 secretion and differentiation into Th1 cells, followed by IFN-gamma-preactivated microglia, large and small B cells. Astrocytes failed to activate naive T cells. IFN-gamma-pretreated microglia were as efficient as DC in the restimulation of Th1 cells, whereas IFN-gamma-pretreated astrocytes, large and small B cells were much less efficient. Conversely, Th2 cells were efficiently restimulated by all the APC types examined. During T cell priming, DC secreted more IL-12 than microglia but similar amounts of IL-12 were secreted by the two cell types upon interaction with Th1 cells. The hierarchy of APC established in this study indicates that DC and microglia are the most efficient in the stimulation of naive CD4(+) T cells and in the restimulation of Th1 cells, suggesting that activated microglia may effectively contribute to Th1 responses leading to central nervous system inflammation and tissue damage. These potentially pathogenic responses could be counteracted by the high efficiency of astrocytes as well as microglia in restimulating Th2 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Interleukin-12, a key cytokine in Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine produced primarily by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which plays a key role in promoting type 1 T helper cell (Th1) responses. The powerful activity of IL-12 requires tight control, which is exerted at various levels. Primary control is exerted on IL-12 production by APCs, a major factor driving the response towards the Th1 or Th2 phenotype. Another level of control regulates expression of the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R), which is composed of two subunits, beta 1 and beta 2. The IL-12R beta 2 subunit has signal-transducing capacity and modulation of its expression is central to the regulation of IL-12 responsiveness. Endogenous IL-12 plays an important role in host defense against infection by a variety of intracellular pathogens. Its Th1-promoting activity, however, also favors Th1-mediated immunopathology and, in particular, the induction of Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed1998

The role of Stat4 in species-specific regulation of Th cell development by type I IFNs.

Type I IFNs (IFN-alpha/beta), in addition to IL-12, have been shown to play an important role in the differentiation of human, but not mouse, Th cells. We show here that IFN-alpha/beta act directly on human T cells to drive Th1 development, bypassing the need for IL-12-induced signaling, whereas IFN-alpha cannot substitute IL-12 for mouse Th1 development. The molecular basis for this species specificity is that IFN-alpha/beta activate Stat4 in differentiating human, but not mouse, Th cells. Unlike IL-12, which acts only on Th1 cells, IFN-alpha/beta can activate Stat4 not only in human Th1, but also in Th2 cells. However, restimulation of human Th2 lines and clones in the presence of IFN-alpha does not induce the production of IFN-gamma. These results suggest that activation of Stat4, which is necessary for the differentiation of naive T cells into polarized Th1 cells, is not sufficient to induce phenotype reversal of human Th2 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

IL-10 is required for development of protective Th1 responses in IL-12-deficient mice upon Candida albicans infection.

IL-12 is both required and prognostic for Th1 development in mice with Candida albicans infection. To delineate further the physiologic role of IL-12 in antifungal immunity, mice deficient for this cytokine were assessed for susceptibility to C. albicans infections, and for parameters of innate and adaptive immunity. IL-12-deficient mice were highly susceptible to gastrointestinal infection or to reinfection and showed elevated production of Candida-specific IgE and IL-4 and defective production of IFN-gamma. The failure to mount protective Th1 responses occurred despite the presence of an unimpaired innate antifungal immune response, which correlated with unaltered IFN-gamma production, but defective production of, and responsiveness to, inhibitory IL-10. IL-10 or IL-12 neutralization increased the innate antifungal resistance in wild-type mice. However, in IL-12-deficient mice, treatment with exogenous IL-12 or IL-10 impaired IL-4 production and increased resistance to infection, through a negative effect on the CTLA-4/B7-2 costimulatory pathway. These results confirm the obligatory role of IL-12 in the induction of anticandidal Th1 responses, and indicate the existence of a positive regulatory loop between IL-12 and IL-10 that may adversely affect the innate antifungal response, but is required for optimal costimulation of IL-12-dependent CD4+ Th1 cells.

Abatacept↗
PubMed1998

Central nervous system delivery of interleukin 4 by a nonreplicative herpes simplex type 1 viral vector ameliorates autoimmune demyelination.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a T cell-mediated organ-specific inflammatory disease leading to central nervous system (CNS) demyelination. On the basis of results obtained in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models, MS treatment by administration of antiinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 4 (IL-4) is promising but is hampered by the limited access of the cytokines to the CNS and by the pleiotropic effects of systemically administered cytokines. We established a cytokine delivery system within the CNS using non-replicative herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) viral vectors engineered with cytokine genes. These vectors injected into the cisterna magna (i.c.) of mice diffuse in all ventricular and subarachnoid spaces and infect with high efficiency the ependymal and leptomeningeal cell layers surrounding these areas, without obvious toxic effects. Heterologous genes contained in the vectors are efficiently transcribed in infected ependymal cells, leading to the production of high amounts of the coded proteins. For example, 4.5 ng of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) per milliliter is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) up to day 28 postinjection (p.i.) and reaches the CNS parenchyma in bioactive form, as demonstrated by upregulation of MHC class I expression on CNS-resident cells. We then exploited the therapeutic potential of the vectors in EAE mice. An HSV-1-derived vector containing the IL-4 gene was injected i.c. in Biozzi AB/H mice at the time of EAE induction. We found the following in treated mice: (1) delayed EAE onset, (2) a significant decrease in clinical score, (3) a significant decrease in perivascular inflammatory infiltrates and in the number of macrophages infiltrating the CNS parenchyma and the submeningeal spaces, and (4) a reduction in demyelinated areas and axonal loss. Peripheral T cells from IL-4-treated mice were not affected either in their antigen-specific proliferative response or in cytokine secretion pattern. Our results indicate that CNS cytokine delivery with HSV-1 vectors is feasible and might represent an approach for the treatment of demyelinating diseases. Advantages of this approach over systemic cytokine administration are the high cytokine level reached in the CNS, the absence of effects on the peripheral immune system, and the long-lasting cytokine production in the CNS after a single vector administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Microglia are more efficient than astrocytes in antigen processing and in Th1 but not Th2 cell activation.

Microglia and astrocytes, two glial cell populations of the central nervous system, present Ag and stimulate T cell proliferation, but it is unclear whether they preferentially activate Th1 or Th2 responses. We have investigated the efficiency of microglia and astrocytes in the presentation of OVA peptide 323-339 or native OVA to Th1 and Th2 cell lines from DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice. Upon stimulation with IFN-gamma, microglia express MHC class II molecules, CD40, and ICAM-1 and efficiently present OVA 323-339, leading to T cell proliferation and production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by Th1 and of IL-4 by Th2 cells. IFN-gamma-treated astrocytes, which express MHC class II and ICAM-1, present OVA 323-339 less efficiently to Th1 cells but are as efficient as microglia in inducing IL-4 secretion by Th2 cells. However, astrocytes are much less potent than microglia in presenting naturally processed OVA peptide to either T cell subset, indicating inefficient Ag processing. The capacity of astrocytes and microglia to stimulate Th1 and Th2 cells depends on their MHC class II expression and does not involve ICAM-1, B7-1, or B7-2 molecules. However, CD40-CD40L interactions contribute to Th1 activation by microglia. These data suggest that microglia may play a role in the activation of Th1 and Th2 cells, whereas astrocytes would restimulate mainly Th2 responses in the presence of appropriate peptides. This differential capacity of brain APC to restimulate Th1 and Th2 responses may contribute to the reactivation and regulation of local inflammatory processes during infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Regulation of the IL-12 receptor beta2 subunit by soluble antigen and IL-12 in vivo.

Continuous administration of soluble protein antigen to BALB/c mice inhibits the development of Th1 and induces selective differentiation of Th2 cells. Here we show that interleukin (IL)-12, administered together with soluble protein through a mini-osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously, not only prevents the inhibition of Th1 cell development, but stimulates higher interferon (IFN)-gamma production than in mice receiving IL-12 alone. In parallel to co-stimulation of Th1 cell development, co-administration of IL-12 blocks the Th2 response induced by soluble protein. IL-12 administered in adjuvant with antigen or intraperitoneally 2 days after the immunization does not break the inhibition of Th1 but can still decrease the Th2 response induced by pretreatment with soluble protein antigen. In contrast to IL-12, co-administration of IL-2 or IFN-gamma does not affect the diversion to Th2 induced by soluble antigen. Thus IL-12, but not IL-2 nor IFN-gamma, converts in vivo the inhibitory signal for Th1 cell development delivered by soluble antigen into an immunogenic one, while blocking a positive signal for Th2 cell differentiation. A molecular basis for the co-stimulation of Th1 priming and the prevention of Th2 differentiation by IL-12 in vivo is provided by the observation that transcripts encoding the IL-12 receptor beta2 chain, which is required for IL-12 signaling and Th1 cell development, are selectively inhibited by soluble antigen but are enhanced by IL-12 co-administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Th1 cells induce and Th2 inhibit antigen-dependent IL-12 secretion by dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells are the most relevant antigen-presenting cells (APC) for presentation of antigens administered in adjuvant to CD4+ T cells. Upon interaction with antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cells (DC) expressing appropriate peptide-MHC class II complexes secrete IL-12, a cytokine that drives Th1 cell development. To analyze the T cell-mediated regulation of IL-12 secretion by DC, we have examined their capacity to secrete IL-12 in response to stimulation by antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 DO11.10 TCR-transgenic cells. These cells do not differ either in TCR clonotype or CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression. Interaction with antigen-specific Th1, but not Th2 cells, induces IL-12 p40 and p75 secretion by DC. The induction of IL-12 production by Th1 cells does not depend on their IFN-gamma secretion, but requires direct cell-cell contact mediated by peptide/MHC class II-TCR and CD40-CD40L interactions. Th2 cells not only fail to induce IL-12 secretion, but they inhibit its induction by Th1 cells. Unlike stimulation by Th1, inhibition of IL-12 production by Th2 cells is mediated by soluble molecules, as demonstrated by transwell cultures. Among Th2-derived cytokines, IL-10, but not IL-4 inhibit Th1-driven IL-12 secretion. IL-10 produced by Th2 cells appears to be solely responsible for the inhibition of Th1 -induced IL-12 secretion, but it does not account for the failure of Th2 cells to induce IL-12 production by DC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Th1 cells up-regulate IL-12 production by DC via IFN-gamma-independent cognate interaction, whereas this is inhibited by Th2-derived IL-10. The inhibition of Th1 -induced IL-12 production by Th2 cells with the same antigen specificity represents a novel mechanism driving the polarization of CD4+ T cell responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

IL-12 is involved in the induction of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, an antibody-mediated disease.

IL-12 has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases, but its role in antibody-mediated autoimmune pathologies is still unclear. We investigated the effects of exogenous and endogenous IL-12 in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). EAMG is an animal model for myasthenia gravis, a T cell-dependent, autoantibody-mediated disorder of neuromuscular transmission caused by antibodies to the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Administration of IL-12 with Torpedo AChR (ToAChR) to C57BL/6 (B6) mice resulted in increased ToAChR-specific IFN-gamma production and increased anti-ToAChR IgG2a serum antibodies compared with B6 mice primed with ToAChR alone. These changes were associated with earlier and greater neurophysiological evidence of EAMG in the IL-12-treated mice, and reduced numbers of AChR. By contrast, when IL-12-deficient mice were immunized with ToAChR, ToAChR-specific Th1 cells and anti-ToAChR IgG2a serum antibodies were reduced compared to ToAChR-primed normal B6 mice, and the IL-12-deficient mice showed almost no neurophysiological evidence of EAMG and less reduction in AChR. These results indicate an important role of IL-12 in the induction of an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease, suggest that Th1-dependent complement-fixing IgG2a anti-AChR antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of EAMG, and help to account for the lack of correlation between anti-AChR levels and clinical disease seen in many earlier studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The interleukin-12/interleukin-12-receptor system: role in normal and pathologic immune responses.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine that plays a central role in promoting type 1 T helper cell (Th1) responses and, hence, cell-mediated immunity. Its activities are mediated through a high-affinity receptor composed of two subunits, designated beta 1 and beta 2. Of these two subunits, beta 2 is more restricted in its distribution, and regulation of its expression is likely a central mechanism by which IL-12 responsiveness is controlled. Studies with neutralizing anti-IL-12 antibodies and IL-12-deficient mice have suggested that endogenous IL-12 plays an important role in the normal host defense against infection by a variety of intracellular pathogens. However, IL-12 appears also to play a central role in the genesis of some forms of immunopathology. Inhibition of IL-12 synthesis or activity may be beneficial in diseases associated with pathologic Th1 responses, such as multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease. On the other hand, administration of recombinant IL-12 may have utility in the treatment of diseases associated with pathologic Th2 responses such as allergic disorders and asthma.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A gene therapy approach to treat demyelinating diseases using non-replicative herpetic vectors engineered to produce cytokines.

A successful gene therapy approach in organ-specific autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), encompasses the inhibition of the autoreactive T cells or the modification of the target organ cells by the introduction of exogenous 'protective' genes. In MS, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), the inciting autoantigen is still unknown and therefore the isolation of autoreactive T cells may only be inferential. At present, gene therapy approaches in MS should therefore aim to the modification of the target organ. Possible candidate genes to be transferred within the CNS of MS patients are those coding for anti-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. interleukin-4, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor beta) which have been shown to ameliorate demyelinating diseases at least in experimental models. However, a limiting factor for this therapy is the difficulty to reach the CNS. A gene therapy approach using viral vectors able to infect post-mitotic cells, such as those present within the CNS, without inducing toxic reactions, may overcome this limitation. We propose to use non-replicative herpetic vectors, which represent a viable gene-transfer alternative to the classical retroviral and adenoviral vectors. Key advantages are their size, able to accommodate multiple foreign genes, and their ability to infect post-mitotic cells such as those present within the CNS. We first transferred a gene coding for interleukin-4 within the CNS of mice undergoing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an animal model for MS, using non-replicative Herpes Simplex Virus type 1-derived vectors. We found that this approach ameliorates the disease course and delays the disease onset. The establishment of this technique to deliver anti-inflammatory cytokines within the CNS using herpetic vectors should clarify the role of individual cytokines in the demyelinating process and allow assessment of whether gene therapy using herpetic vectors is a feasible and safe approach to treat human demyelinating disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Non-MHC-linked Th2 cell development induced by soluble protein administration predicts susceptibility to Leishmania major infection.

Continuous administration of soluble protein Ag followed by immunization with the same Ag in adjuvant results in the selective development of Ag-specific CD4+ Th2 cells in both normal and beta2-microglobulin-deficient BALB/c mice. In addition to chronic administration by mini-osmotic pump, single bolus i.p., but not i.v., injection of protein Ag induces Th2 cell expansion. Strong Th2 cell priming depends on a non-MHC-linked genetic polymorphism. It is observed in all congenic strains on BALB background tested, BALB/c, BALB/b, and BALB/k, but not in MHC-matched strains on disparate genetic background, B10.D2, C57BL/6, and C3H. DBA/2 mice appear to have an intermediate phenotype, as shown by their weaker capacity to mount Th2 responses as compared with BALB/c mice after soluble Ag administered by either mini-osmotic pumps or single bolus i.p. Conversely, induction of Th1 cell unresponsiveness by soluble protein is observed in any mouse strain tested, following any mode of Ag administration. These data demonstrate that non-MHC-linked genetic polymorphism controls the priming of Th2 but not the inhibition of Th1 cells induced by administration of soluble protein. The pattern of Th2 responses in these different strains is predictive of disease outcome following Leishmania major infection and supports the hypothesis that systemic Ag presentation in the absence of strong inflammatory signals may represent an important stimulus leading to selective Th2 cell development in susceptible mouse strains.

Animals↗