Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M L Toribio

Publications and source records attributed to M L Toribio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Alpha/beta heterodimeric T-cell receptor expression early in thymocyte differentiation.

The differentiation of T lymphocytes inside the thymus results in the acquisition of MHC-restricted specific functions mediated by clonally distributed alpha/beta heterodimeric T-cell receptors (TcR). Genes encoding the alpha and beta subunits of the clonotypic receptor (Ti) are rearranged during thymic ontogeny and expressed in association with the monomorphic CD3 complex. The regulation of the expression of functional TcR along T-cell development is thus crucial to establish the ontogenic events involved in the acquisition and selection of T-cell repertoires. Current views support that CD3-alpha/beta heterodimers are acquired late in ontogeny on developing thymocytes already expressing CD4 and/or CD8 surface molecules, whereas CD4- CD8- early precursors, representing the major population in the embryonic thymus, do not yet express the alpha/beta TcR. However, a novel CD3-associated gamma/delta heterodimer has been recently identified on the surface of this "double negative" subset both in thymocytes and in MHC-unrestricted peripheral T cells, suggesting that alpha/beta and gamma/delta heterodimeric receptors are independently expressed on the surface of distinct thymic subpopulations during T-cell development. In contrast to these results, we report here that a major proportion of CD3+1-4-8- adult human thymocytes, included within the early "double negative" subset, express alpha/beta heterodimeric receptors, as assessed by flow cytometric analysis using a frame-work monoclonal antibody (WT.31) against the alpha/beta TcR complex. These and previous data showing that CD3+1-4-8- "double negative" thymocytes constitute a functional intermediate ontogenic stage in the differentiation of CD3+1-4+8-/CD3+1-4-8+ mature T cells from CD3-1-4-8- early prothymocytes further support the relevance of the CD3+1-4-8- transitional subset as immediate intrathymic precursors of alpha/beta TcR-bearing mature T cells. Therefore, developmental regulation of alpha/beta TcR expression was analyzed at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels in those different thymic subpopulations, defined by both functional and phenotypic criteria. Our results demonstrate that multiple Ti beta gene rearrangements and beta RNA messages are already evident at the early prothymocyte stage. Moreover, expression of relative levels of both Ti alpha and Ti beta functional RNA transcripts, similar to those observed in mature thymic cells, were also present in CD3+1-4-8- thymocytes. According with these data, immunoprecipitation analysis using a specific anti-Ti alpha antisera revealed that both alpha and beta molecules are expressed on CD3+ "double negative" and mature thymocytes, but not in prothymocytes

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

Development of Ly-1+ B cells in immunodeficient CBA/N mice.

Spleen cells from CBA/N mice developing a systemic autoimmune disease after daily injection of CsA during an autologous bone marrow reconstitution were transferred into unmanipulated syngeneic recipients. Adoptive transfer allowed the development of Ly-1+ B cells, which shared Mac-1 differentiation antigen expression with the myelomonocytic lineage. Interestingly, expansion of formerly absent Ly-1+ B cells was paralleled by a severe reduction in common, Ly-1-, B cell development in the recipient. We conclude that precursors for Ly-1+ B lineage do exist in CBA/N mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Interleukin 2 pathway is autonomously activated in human T11+3-4-6-8- thymocytes.

Mitogenic membrane ligands have been shown to activate interleukin 2 (IL2) production only in mature T cells, IL2 constitutive secretion having not yet been demonstrated. Here we have isolated a population of T11+3-4-6-8- human thymocytes and CD7+/T11-3-4-6-8- prothymocytes which produce and consume IL2 upon phytohemagglutinin triggering. Interestingly, their proliferation in the absence of any exogenous stimulating agent was related to an autonomous use of the IL2 system (IL2 secretion and binding to its specific receptor, whose constitutive, functional expression in human early thymocytes was recently shown). The internal activation of this system before T cell receptor acquisition stresses the relevance of the understanding of the alternative activation pathway(s) in T cell development. These findings, together with the demonstration of IL2-promoted differentiation of human early thymocytes into mature T cells, suggest that IL2 may also be a growth and differentiation factor acting specifically early in T cell development.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

A functional idiotypic network of T helper cells and antibodies, limited to the compartment of "naturally" activated lymphocytes in normal mice.

As shown previously, idiotype (Id) sharing between anti-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl T helper (Th) cells and antibodies in BALB/c mice results from immunoglobulin (Ig)-dependent selection of the T cell repertoire. In contrast, a clonotype defined by the same F6(51) anti-Id antibody is expressed by C57BL/6 anti-(4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl Th cells independently of Ig influences. We have now used these systems to test the hypothesis that Ig-dependent Th cell repertoire selection occurs in the compartment of "naturally" activated lymphocytes. "Naturally" activated or resting splenic L3T4+ cells were separated from normal BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and tested, either directly or after in vitro priming, in hapten-specific helper assays for expression of the clonotope defined by the F6(51) anti-Id antibody. The results show the selective expression of the antibody-dependent T cell Id in the "naturally" activated helper cell compartment. In contrast, when the T cell Id is expressed in the absence of Ig-dependent selection, it is only detected in the resting helper cell repertoire. Furthermore, BALB/c "natural" IgM antibodies with anti-Id specificities similar to F6(51) show functionally relevant interactions with syngeneic "naturally" activated Th cells. These are also characterized by high paratopic/Id degeneracy, as compared to helper cells obtained by conventional immunization. These results demonstrate repertoire differences between the set of (resting) lymphocytes participating in immune responses, vs. those "internally" activated in normal individuals. They also suggest the importance of Id network interactions in the compartment of "naturally" activated T and B cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Selective expansion of a CD3+CD4-CD8- subpopulation in clinical groups associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

T lymphocytes (CD3+) without expression of CD4/CD8 surface antigens have recently been described in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of the literature, seeking quantitative variations in this T-cell subset in normal heterosexual controls, and in risk, pre-AIDS, and AIDS groups, by means of the subtraction [CD3-(CD4+CD8]) and the ratio 100 X [CD3-(CD4+CD8])/CD3. Dramatic T lymphocytopaenia in AIDS patients and the progressive decay of CD4+ lymphocytes and increase of CD8+ lymphocytes throughout the clinical spectrum of HIV infection have been confirmed. Furthermore, we hereby demonstrate the selective expansion of CD3+CD4-CD8- lymphocytes, directly related to the clinical state in different clinical groups of infected people when compared with controls (P less than 0.05). The inverse relationship between the CD3+CD4-CD8- cell subset and other mature T-cell subsets, mainly CD4+ (r = -0.49; P less than 0.01), suggests the existence of mutual regulatory interactions. These in vivo results, which are in agreement with those obtained in long-term infected cultures, cannot be explained by direct cytopathic effects of the virus on the very few infected cells. Thus, the implication of the expansion of these functional precursors on the prognosis for infected people, and the paradoxes of the immunodeficiency, such as lymphoproliferation and autoimmune features, are discussed.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1986

Differentiation of human mature thymocytes: existence of a T3+4-8- intermediate stage.

A T3 complex-bearing subpopulation was characterized within an in vivo cycling T4-8- early thymocyte compartment which contains cells constitutively expressing interleukin 2 and transferrin receptors. We show differentiation in vitro of both mature subsets of thymocytes (T3+4+8- and T3+4-8+) from the above T4-8- compartment, their appearance being preceded by cells in a T3+4-8- intermediate stage. Furthermore, those mature thymocytes generated in vitro contain functionally competent cells which use T3, T4 and T8 structures for their cytolytic activity. The finding of T3+4-8- thymocytes in vivo, together with the observation that T3 antigen expression precedes that of T4 or T8 molecules in vitro, shows that T3 (and presumably Ti) is present early in ontogeny, and suggests that T3+4-8- cells constitute an "intermediate" stage relevant to the connection between early precursors and mature thymocytes during T lymphocyte ontogeny.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1986

Maternal transmission of idiotypic network interactions selecting available T cell repertoires.

Up to 75% of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl (TNP)-self-specific helper T cells from normal BALB/c mice share a clonotypic determinant with the anti-TNP myeloma protein MOPC 460, recognized by the monoclonal antibody F6(51). Immunization of adult BALB/c mice with the MOPC 460 idiotype (Ab2 mice) leads to high titers of circulating anti-idiotypic antibodies but has no influence on the expression of the T cell clonotype. In contrast, TNP-self-specific helper cells prepared in progenies from Ab2 females, or in BALB/c mice treated as neonatals with anti-idiotypic antibodies, fail to express the corresponding T cell clonotype when immunized as adults. These results demonstrate the idiotype-dependent selection of T cell repertoires early in life and their stability in adults.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A role for T3+4-6-8- transitional thymocytes in the differentiation of mature and functional T cells from human prothymocytes.

In vivo, immunocompetent T lymphocytes are only detected late in ontogeny, among mature thymocytes expressing either T4 (L3T4 in mouse) or T8 (Lyt-2) surface glycoproteins. We have previously shown, however, that there are functional precursors among T3+4-6-8- human thymocytes in vivo. Here we report on the in vitro differentiation of prothymocytes into T3+4-6-8- and mature T cells. T11+3-4-6-8- prothymocytes (0.5% of total thymocytes, greater than 98% pure) were obtained after treatment of thymocytes with OKT3 (T3), OKT4A (T4), Na1/34 (T6), and B9.4 (T8) monoclonal antibodies plus complement. During culture, the prothymocyte precursors acquire first T3 and then either T4 or T8, but not T6. The largest subpopulation in the thymus, T4+6+8+ cells, are not detected among the in vitro T-cell precursors. During culture, the precursors acquire cytolytic activity as soon as they express either the T3+4-6-8- or the mature (T3+4+8- or T3+4-8+) phenotypes. We suggest that T3+4-6-8- cells are a productive, transitional stage in T-lymphocyte development.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1986

Functional and biochemical evidence for the recognition of T cell receptors by monoclonal antibodies to an immunoglobulin idiotype.

Sharing of "idiotypes" by T and B cells with similar nominal specificities has been extensively reported in functional assays. The recent molecular characterization of T cell receptors has led to the suggestion that such idiotypic mimicries could result from "network" selection of available T cell repertoires. Alternatively, the validity of the conclusions taken from those functional assays could be questioned. We have now used an experimental system where recurrent expression of antibody idiotypes by T helper cells requires "learning" from the B cell/antibody compartment, and show here that the idiotypic determinants in question are indeed associated with T cell receptor molecules. A monoclonal antibody (F6(51)) directed to an idiotope of the TNP-binding BALB/c myeloma protein MOPC460 specifically inhibits antigen-dependent proliferation and helper activity of BALB/c anti-TNP-BALB/c helper T cells. The anti-idiotypic antibodies also induce IL-2 production by these helper cells and precipitate a surface molecule with characteristics of T cell receptor. We conclude that, in this particular system, T cell receptors and antibodies of similar nominal specificities share idiotypic determinants.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Lymphokine induction of NK-like cytotoxicity in T cells from B-CLL.

T cells from patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) exhibit defective natural killer (NK) activity. In this study, we have analyzed the cytotoxic-inducer effects of gamma interferon (gamma-IFN) and supernatants containing interleukin 2 (IL 2 sup). T cells from patients with B-CLL were incubated with gamma-IFN or IL 2 sup. gamma-IFN did not modulate the very low or undetectable levels of NK activity present in the T cell population. However, the IL 2 sup induced a potent cellular cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive and NK-resistant tumoral target cells. This cytotoxic inducer effect (a) was present in lectin-free IL 2 sup and in a 15,000- to 20,000-dalton molecular weight fraction obtained by gel filtration chromatography of this supernatant; (b) was directed against NK-sensitive and NK-resistant target cells; (c) was not correlated with the basal levels of NK activity; and (d) was not associated with a development or augmentation of the proportion of lymphocytes with classic NK cell phenotype. Taken together, these results demonstrate that unstimulated T cells from B-CLL patients, incubated briefly (18 hours) with IL 2 sup but not gamma-IFN, have strong NK-like cytotoxicity, despite the lack of classic NK activity.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Interleukin 2 promotes growth and cytolytic activity in human T3+4-8- thymocytes.

Human thymocytes bearing T3 but neither T4 nor T8 antigens (T3+4-8- cells) were obtained after negative selection of thymocytes, either fresh or cultured in medium containing recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2), by treatment with Na1/34, OKT4A and B9.4 monoclonal antibodies (which recognize T6, T4, and T8 antigens, respectively) and complement. Quantitative flow cytometry showed a 98% pure population of T3+4-8- lymphocytes, which included proliferating cells. The growth and maturation requirements of these thymocytes were characterized and related to the T3-receptor complex and IL-2 pathways, thought to be used by mature lymphocytes. The results show that addition of recombinant IL-2 promotes, in a dose-dependent way, proliferation and acquisition of effector functions by cultured T3+4-8- thymocytes, the growth being inhibitable by monoclonal antibody 33B73 (anti-Tac). Furthermore, cytolytic activity of T3+4-8- cells induced by recombinant IL-2 is specifically blocked by monoclonal antibody OKT3, showing that it operates via the T3-receptor complex and does not require either T4 or T8 molecules. The finding of in vitro responsiveness to recombinant IL-2 in T3+4-8- thymocytes suggests a role of IL-2 in the growth and maturation of cells committed to the T-cell lineage, during intrathymic differentiation, prior to expression of T4 and T8 molecules.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Cell surface molecular changes on the activation of human thymocytes.

The changes in the expression of antigen molecules on the cell surface membranes of uncultured (nonactivated) and activated human thymocytes have been studied by flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation techniques. Nonactivated thymocytes do not have the phenotypic profile of a resting population because they express cell proliferation molecules such as the transferrin receptor and the 4F2 antigens (mainly the 100,000 dalton subunit). After activation with IL 2-containing supernatants, mature T3+, T6- thymocytes proliferate and are able to nonspecifically kill different target cells. The activated thymocytes are T3+, T11+, T6-, OKM1- and bear T4 or T8 antigens in mutually exclusive cell subpopulations. They also "de novo" express the IL 2 receptor, and the 210.000/130.000 molecular complex defined by the TS2/7 MAb. Activated human thymocytes express higher amounts of class I and class II MHC antigens, equal T3 and LFA-1, and lower quantities of T11 and T4 molecules than nonactivated thymocytes. Furthermore, activated thymocytes only express the T8 34,000 dalton polypeptide subunit, whereas the nonactivated thymocyte population expressed the T8 34,000 dalton associated with a 46,000 glycoprotein. We have demonstrated that this structural change in the T8 molecule from a complex of two polypeptide subunits of 46,000 and 32,000 does not indeed occur in the activation process but rather in the maturation from T6+ to T6- thymocytes.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1985

Modulation of cytolytic T cell function by lectins.

Human thymocytes cultured for 5 days in interleukin 2 containing supernatants (IL 2 Sup) virtually become a population of mature T cells (T3+, HTA-) that acquires strong cytotoxic activity against NK-sensitive and NK-resistant target cells. The addition of different lectins to the cultures abrogated the expression of the cytotoxic activity and enhanced thymocyte proliferation. The modulation of this cytotoxic activity by lectins has the following properties: a) inhibition of cytotoxicity is related to the concentration of lectins added, but does not correlate with their mitogenic properties, because either strong mitogens such as PHA or weak mitogens such as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) are both able to strongly decrease cytotoxicity; b) lectin presence is not required at the onset of the culture but is required during the last 24 hr of the 5-day incubation period; c) reversion of inhibition with full expression of cytotoxic activity can be obtained after removal of the lectin and subsequent culture in lectin-free conditions for at least an 18 to 24 hr period; d) lack of cytotoxicity is observed regardless of target cell specificities and cannot be overcome in a lectin-dependent cytotoxicity assay (LDCC); and e) abrogation of cytotoxicity is not restricted to thymocyte cultures because it can also be observed in peripheral lymphocytes. These results cannot be explained by a simple steric blockade, the overgrowth of a distinctive noncytotoxic lymphocyte population, autologous killing, or a failure in the recognition phase of the lytic event. Modulation by lectins of function-associated cell surface structures implicated in cytolysis is discussed as an alternative hypothesis that might account for the observed phenomenon.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1984

Interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma are not sufficient to induce natural killer-like activity in human T cell clones.

The role of interleukin 2 (IL 2) and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the maintenance of natural killer (NK)-like activity mediated by human cytolytic T cell clones was investigated. When cultured in standard supernatant (SN) obtained by phytohemagglutinin stimulation of human mononuclear cells (containing both IL2 and IFN activities), several mixed lymphocyte culture-derived clones displayed cytolytic activity directed against the K562 cell line; in addition, some of these clones also lysed specific target cells bearing the sensitizing alloantigens. When cultured in IL2-containing SN obtained from the Jurkat cell line, the NK-like activity was selectively abrogated within 4-5 days. However, by culturing cells again in standard SN the cytolytic activity was completely restored. The possibility that inhibitory molecules in Jurkat SN could be responsible for the loss of NK-like activity was ruled out by experiments showing that cytotoxicity could be induced by mixtures of Jurkat and standard SN. In addition, a source of affinity chromatography-purified IL2 also failed to maintain NK-like activity. Moreover, addition of recombinant IFN-gamma in combination with purified IL2 did not prevent the loss of NK-like activity. The present results indicate that neither IL2 nor IFN-gamma are sufficient to maintain NK-like activity and suggest that other molecule(s) are required.

Cells, Cultured↗