Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L M Bradley

Publications and source records attributed to L M Bradley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A critical role for B cells in the development of memory CD4 cells.

Activated B cells express high levels of class II MHC and costimulatory molecules and are nearly as effective as dendritic cells in their APC ability. Yet, their importance as APC in vivo is controversial and their role, if any, in the development of CD4 memory is unknown. We compared responses of CD4 cells from normal and B cell-deficient mice to keyhole limpet hemocyanin over 6 mo and observed diminished IL-2 production by cells primed in the absence of B cells. This was due to lower frequencies of Ag-responsive cells and not to decreased levels of IL-2 secretion per cell. The absence of B cells did not affect the survival of memory CD4 cells since frequencies remained stable. Despite normal dendritic cell function, multiple immunizations of B cell-deficient mice did not restore frequencies of memory cells. However, the transfer of B cells restored memory cell development. Ag presentation was not essential since B cells activated in vitro with irrelevant Ag also restored frequencies of memory cells. The results provide unequivocal evidence that B cells play a critical role in regulating clonal expansion of CD4 cells and, as such, are requisite for the optimal priming of memory in the CD4 population.

Animals↗

Regulation of development and function of memory CD4 subsets.

Immunologic memory refers to the dramatic response to previously encountered antigen (Ag) that is largely controlled by CD4 T cells. Understanding how CD4 memory is regulated is essential for exploiting the immune system to protect against disease and to dampen immunopathology in allergic responses and autoimmunity. Using defined adoptive-transfer models, we are studying parameters that affect differentiation of memory CD4 cells in vivo and have found that a complex interplay of T cell receptor signaling, costimulation, and cytokines can determine the extent of memory development and the balance of Th1 and Th2 memory subsets. On challenge, memory CD4 cells localize in sites of Ag exposure and develop into effectors that regulate memory responses. We are investigating the roles of adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokines in the selective recruitment of CD4 memory subsets to address mechanisms by which memory T cells provide long-lasting immunity and, in our recent studies, to determine how memory CD4 cells contribute to the development of autoimmune diabetes.

Animals↗

Islet-specific Th1, but not Th2, cells secrete multiple chemokines and promote rapid induction of autoimmune diabetes.

Migration of CD4 cells into the pancreas represents a hallmark event in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Th1, but not Th2, cells are associated with pathogenesis leading to destruction of islet beta-cells and disease onset. Lymphocyte extravasation from blood into tissue is regulated by multiple adhesion receptor/counter-receptor pairs and chemokines. To identify events that regulate entry of CD4 cells into the pancreas, we transferred Th1 or Th2 cells induced in vitro from islet-specific TCR transgenic CD4 cells into immunodeficient (NOD.scid) recipients. Although both subsets infiltrated the pancreas and elicited multiple adhesion receptors (peripheral lymph node addressin, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1, LFA-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1) on vascular endothelium, entry/accumulation of Th1 cells was more rapid than that of Th2 cells, and only Th1 cells induced diabetes. In vitro, Th1 cells were also distinguished from Th2 cells by the capacity to synthesize several chemokines that included lymphotactin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, whereas both subsets produced macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta. Some of these chemokines as well as RANTES, MCP-3, MCP-5, and cytokine-response gene-2 (CRG-2)/IFN-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) were associated with Th1, but not Th2, pancreatic infiltrates. The data demonstrate polarization of chemokine expression by Th1 vs Th2 cells, which, within the microenvironment of the pancreas, accounts for distinctive inflammatory infiltrates that determine whether insulin-producing beta-cells are protected or destroyed.

Animals↗

Memory CD4 cells do not migrate into peripheral lymphnodes in the absence of antigen.

Memory T cells are thought to protect against previously encountered pathogens in part by preferentially recirculating through the lymphoid tissues where they were primed and where challenge with antigen (Ag) is likely to occur. In this study, we examined the distribution of memory CD4 cells after priming, and analyzed their capacity to localize in lymph nodes after transfer to normal and Ag-primed recipients. Immunization induced a high frequency of Ag-specific CD4 cells in the primary response in draining lymph nodes and spleen. Thereafter, the numbers in lymph nodes declined dramatically whereas frequencies in the spleen were unchanged, suggesting that memory CD4 cells primarily reside in or recirculate through the spleen. Indeed, memory CD4 cells, unlike naive CD4 cells, failed to home to lymph nodes after adoptive transfer to normal recipients and were detected predominantly in the spleen for extended periods, suggesting that recirculation through lymph nodes was limited. Memory cells also did not home to lymph nodes recipients in response to specific Ag, but subsequently, recruitment that could be blocked with monoclonal antibodies to CD44 and LFA-1 and was independent of naive cells did occur. The data indicate that memory and naive CD4 cells can be distinguished on the basis of their patterns of circulation.

Animals↗

Diabetes induced by Coxsackie virus: initiation by bystander damage and not molecular mimicry.

Viral induction of autoimmunity is thought to occur by either bystander T-cell activation or molecular mimicry. Coxsackie B4 virus is strongly associated with the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in humans and shares sequence similarity with the islet autoantigen glutamic acid decarboxylase. We infected different strains of mice with Coxsackie B4 virus to discriminate between the two possible induction mechanisms, and found that mice with susceptible MHC alleles had no viral acceleration of diabetes, but mice with a T cell receptor transgene specific for a different islet autoantigen rapidly developed diabetes. These results show that diabetes induced by Coxsackie virus infection is a direct result of local infection leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and the release of sequestered islet antigen resulting in the re-stimulation of resting autoreactive T cells, further indicating that the islet antigen sensitization is an indirect consequence of the viral infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Blockade of both L-selectin and alpha4 integrins abrogates naive CD4 cell trafficking and responses in gut-associated lymphoid organs.

The recirculation of naive lymphocytes from blood to lymph that is initiated in high endothelial venules (HEV) of secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (PP) is regulated by multiple interactions of adhesion receptor/counter-receptor pairs involving both selectins and integrins. We showed previously that blocking of only L-selectin is sufficient to ablate trafficking of naive CD4 cells and the development of their responses in peripheral lymph nodes but not in PP where alpha4beta7 integrins are thought to primarily regulate entry. However, although antibody to alpha4 integrins partially inhibited homing of naive CD4 cells to PP and not to lymph nodes, there was no effect on the development primary responses in these tissues or spleens. Since previous studies indicate that both alpha4beta7 integrins and L-selectin regulate adhesion of naive cells to PP HEV, we examined the effect a blockade of both adhesion pathways on the recirculation of naive CD4 cells. There was no detectable homing of naive CD4 cells to PP or lymph nodes when interactions with both receptors were inhibited, resulting in a profound depletion of naive CD4 cells and loss of antigen responses in these sites. In contrast, increased numbers of naive CD4 cells and responses of higher magnitude were found in the spleen. The results demonstrate recirculation of naive CD4 cells through tissues where entry is controlled through HEV is essential for the local generation of primary responses.

Animals↗

T cell memory.

Immunological memory can be defined as the faster and stronger response of an animal that follows reexposure to the same antigen. By this definition, it is an operational property of the whole animal or the immune system. Memory cells express a different pattern of cell surface markers, and they respond in several ways that are functionally different from those of naive cells. Murine memory cells are CD44 high and low in the expression of activation markers such as CD25 (IL-2R), whereas human memory cells are CD45RA-, CD45RO+. In contrast to naive cells, memory cells secrete a full range of T cell cytokines and can be polarized to secrete particular restricted patterns of secretion for both CD4 and CD8 T cells. The requirements for the activation of memory cells for proliferation and cytokine production are not quite as strict as those of naive cells, but costimulation in the broad sense is required for optimum responses and for responses to suboptimum antigen concentrations. It would appear that memory cells can persist in the absence of antigenic stimulation and persist as nondividing cells. Reencounter with the same antigen can expand the population to a new, stable, higher level and generate a separate population of CD44 high effectors that may be required for protection, while competition from other antigens can drive it down to a lower stable level. It is unclear how or where memory cells arise, but once generated they have different pathways of recirculation and homing.

Animals↗

The recirculation of naive and memory lymphocytes.

It has been clearly shown that continuous recirculation of lymphocytes is crucial for the development of primary immune responses and that naive CD4 cells are distinguished from memory CD4 cells by differences in expression of several adhesion molecules. These findings suggest that changes in migratory behavior accompany the naive to memory cell transition. This area is first reviewed and then to evaluate this hypothesis, we compare the tissue distributions of highly purified naive and memory CD4 cells after transfer to syngeneic recipients. Naive cells which express high levels of L-selectin, and low levels of alpha 4 and beta 2 integrins, and CD44 localized in secondary lymphoid organs and were detectable in these tissues and in the blood for several weeks after transfer. Memory cells, which have a reciprocal phenotype, showed a markedly different distribution, particularly with respect to tissues where entry is controlled through high endothelial venules.

Animals↗

Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is necessary for the genesis of acetylcholine receptor-induced clinical experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in mice.

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) is an animal model of human myasthenia gravis (MG). In mice, EAMG is induced by immunization with Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). However, the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of EAMG is not clear. Because EAMG is an antibody-mediated disease, it is of the prevailing notion that Th2 but not Th1 cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. To test the hypothesis that the Th1 cytokine, interferon (IFN)-gamma, plays a role in the development of EAMG, we immunized IFN-gamma knockout (IFN-gko) (-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) (+/+) mice of H-2(b) haplotype with AChR in CFA. We observed that AChR-primed lymph node cells from IFN-gko mice proliferated normally to AChR and to its dominant pathogenic alpha146-162 sequence when compared with these cells from the WT mice. However, the IFN-gko mice had no signs of muscle weakness and remained resistant to clinical EAMG at a time when the WT mice exhibited severe muscle weakness and some died. The resistance of IFN-gko mice was associated with greatly reduced levels of circulating anti-AChR antibody levels compared with those in the WT mice. Comparatively, immune sera from IFN-gko mice showed a dramatic reduction in mouse AChR-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies. However, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-priming of IFN-gko mice readily elicited both T cell and antibody responses, suggesting that IFN-gamma regulates the humoral immune response distinctly to self (AChR) versus foreign (KLH) antigens. We conclude that IFN-gamma is required for the generation of a pathogenic anti-AChR humoral immune response and for conferring susceptibility of mice to clinical EAMG.

Animals↗

L-selectin is not essential for naive CD4 cell trafficking or development of primary responses in Peyer's patches.

We showed previously that L-selectin-dependent recirculation of naive CD4 cells is essential for development of primary responses in peripheral lymph nodes. Recent studies suggest that L-selectin is also required for lymphocyte entry into gut mucosal lymphoid tissues that include Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes. Here we show that anti-L-selectin antibody, MEL-14, inhibited homing of a rigorously purified, homogenous population of naive CD4 cells into both of these tissues as well as peripheral lymph nodes, directly demonstrating a role for this receptor in regulating entry into gut-associated sites. However, in intact animals, treatment with MEL-14 resulted in the loss of naive CD4 cells (CD45RBhi, CD44lo from peripheral lymph nodes but not Peyer's patches, whereas mesenteric lymph nodes were intermediate in this regard. In mice primed by parenteral immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), primary CD4 responses were readily detected in both. Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, and were not affected by exposure to MEL-14. Indeed, similar frequencies of KLH-specific CD4 cells were recovered from both of these tissues irrespective of MEL-14 treatment. The results indicate that interactions with L-selectin can be circumvented to allow entry of naive CD4 cells into Peyer's patches but not peripheral lymph nodes.

Animals↗

Problems with rigid seed strand lodging during prostate implantation: a proposed mechanism and solution.

Since the introduction of rigid strands of radioactive seeds embedded in absorbable suture material, many brachytherapists have experienced problems with the strands lodging inside the implant needle during the deposition process. By using a scanning electron microscope, we examined some potential factors which could lead to this problem. It seems plausible that the lodging is due to two factors: prostate tissue hindering the motion of the strand initially, and friction between the strand braids and the inner surface of the needle. Both result in an "accordion effect" as the stylet applies pressure on the strand. Based on this assumption, a solution was found. A combination of using needles with a polished inner surface, and repeated clockwise and counterclockwise 360 degrees twisting of the needle about the stylet during the deposition process allows for smooth deposition of the strand at the intended location. By using this technique, one is able to exploit the potential dosimetric advantages of rigid seed strand implants without additional problems.

Brachytherapy↗

Mechanism underlying counterregulation of autoimmune diabetes by IL-4.

Diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. We have previously reported that transgenic expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) counterregulates the disease process, completely protecting NOD mice from insulitis and diabetes. Here we demonstrate the presence of autoreactivity but lack of pathogenicity of the IL-4-regulated lymphocytes. The importance of T cell diversity for the protective effect of IL-4 is demonstrated through breeding with transgenic BDC2.5 mice, which have an almost exclusively monoclonal T cell repertoire. Limitation of T cell diversity abrogated the protection by IL-4. We suggest that "immune deviation" in NOD-IL-4 mice is mediated by the pancreatic tissue itself, which causes activation of distinct, nonpathogenic T cell specificities.

Animals↗

A direct role for IFN-gamma in regulation of Th1 cell development.

IL-12 has been identified as a major cytokine influencing the differentiation of CD4 cells to a Th1 phenotype, whereas a role for IFN-gamma is controversial. We investigated the interrelationship between IL-12 and IFN-gamma in promoting Th1 responses using naive CD4 cells reactive with pigeon cytochrome c from TCR transgenics and memory CD4 cells derived by in vivo priming with KLH. Without exogenous rIL-12 or rIFN-gamma, primary and memory effectors induced by Ag or anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 secreted variable levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. The level of IFN-gamma secreted by effectors correlated with endogenous IFN-gamma produced in primary cultures, and anti-IFN-gamma largely inhibited the development of effectors producing IFN-gamma. With optimal TCR stimulation and costimulation, endogenous IFN-gamma, without IL-12, was sufficient to elicit Th1 cells via an autocrine mechanism, whereas with suboptimal stimulation, exogenous rIFN-gamma or rIL-12 was required for Th1 development. However, rIL-12 was more effective than rIFN-gamma, partially because rIL-12 greatly enhanced autocrine production of IFN-gamma, and optimal development of the Th1 phenotype was mediated by the synergistic actions of both cytokines. Thus, both IFN-gamma and IL-12 can independently regulate Th1 development, but because of IFN-gamma-mediated feedback, their relative contributions are determined by the conditions of T cell stimulation. The extent of differentiation to a Th1 phenotype may, therefore, depend on the availability of both APC-derived IL-12 and autocrine IFN-gamma consequent to the overall strength of T cell stimulation.

Animals↗

Enhanced development of Th2-like primary CD4 effectors in response to sustained exposure to limited rIL-4 in vivo.

Previous studies have established that cytokines regulate development of Th cell subsets from naive CD4 cells, suggesting promising therapeutic potential for cytokines that has not been fully realized, in part due to high dose toxicity. Here we examined effects of sustained delivery of low doses of rIL-4 on development of cytokine-secreting primary CD4 cells in vivo. Diffusion chambers injected with X63.Ag-653 plasmacytoma transfectants that constitutively produce rIL-4 were implanted s.c. in mice 24 to 48 h before immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Five days later at the peak of the response, KLH-specific CD4 cells from controls, which received chambers containing untransfected plasmacytoma cells, secreted primarily IL-2 and IL-4, with low levels of IFN-gamma and no IL-5 following Ag restimulation. Administration of rIL-4 enhanced IL-2 and IL-4 production by two- to fivefold, with a corresponding decrease in IFN-gamma. As frequencies of KLH-specific precursors that secreted IL-4 were unaltered, exogenous cytokine apparently affected the magnitude of IL-4 secretion by primed CD4 cells. Although IL-4 was undetectable in sera of mice carrying chambers, titers of KLH-specific IgG1 and IgG3 Ab were increased by rIL-4, whereas IgM, IgG2a, and IgG2b levels were unaltered. The results indicate that sustained delivery of low doses of cytokines at sites distant from Ag exposure can selectively potentiate development of CD4 subsets.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Lymphocyte migration into tissue: the paradigm derived from CD4 subsets.

The appropriate recirculation and migration of naive, effector and memory T cells into inflamed tissue are precisely controlled by adhesive interactions with vascular endothelium. Analyses of CD4 lymphocytes have indicated that naive and antigen-experienced cells exhibit distinctive patterns of homing and recirculation, and that subsets of cells preferentially localize in different anatomical locations as a consequence of previous antigen exposure and differences in adhesion receptor usage.

Animals↗

The cytokines IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 regulate the development of subsets of memory effector helper T cells in vitro.

We analyzed the development of cytokine-producing effector T cells from resting CD4 memory cells. Previously we showed that such memory effectors are induced in vivo upon re-exposure to Ag. Here we demonstrate that effectors arise in vitro when memory CD4 cells are restimulated with Ag in the presence cytokines. Resting splenic CD4 cells from KLH-primed mice that were depleted of naive cells by adult thymectomy and were exclusively of memory phenotype initially secreted high titers of IL-2 and low levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in response to Ag. When memory CD4 cells were restimulated for 3 to 4 days in cultures containing rIL-2 and Ab to block endogenous IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion, Th0-like effectors that produced greatly increased levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma developed. rIL-4 together with rIL-2 and anti-IFN-gamma induced Th2-like cells that secreted primarily IL-4. In contrast, Th1-like effectors that produced IL-2 and IFN-gamma developed in the presence of rIL-2 and anti-IL-4. Addition of rIFN-gamma further enhanced priming for IFN-gamma secretion. rIL-12 also induced effectors that produced high levels of IFN-gamma, but little IL-2. Thus, cytokines direct the development of effector subsets from memory CD4 cells. Our results suggest that memory and naive CD4 cells undergo parallel development following Ag stimulation, initially secreting predominantly IL-2 and differentiating in response to IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 into polarized effector subsets.

Animals↗