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Biomedical subjects

N Oyaizu

Publications and source records attributed to N Oyaizu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Nef protein of HIV-1 has B-cell stimulatory activity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the B-cell stimulatory properties of the regulatory Nef protein of HIV-1. METHODS: The effect of the HIV-1 regulatory proteins Nef, Tat and Vif, were analyzed for their ability to induce differentiation of normal B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin secreting cells (ISC). RESULTS: A recombinant Nef protein, but neither Tat or Vif, was able to induce ISC in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) cultures of HIV-1-seronegative donors. Another recombinant Nef protein, d-Nef, with a truncated amino terminal (deletion of 34 amino acids) failed to induce B-cell differentiation. Pretreatment of the Nef protein with a polyclonal anti-Nef-antibody abrogated its B-cell stimulatory activity. The Nef-induced B-cell differentiation was dependent on cell-to-cell contact. Cell surface molecules leukocyte function-associated molecule (LFA)-1, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, human lymphocyte antigen-DR and B7 were involved in the T-B-cell interaction because monoclonal antibodies to these molecules abrogated the Nef-induced B-cell differentiation response. The Nef protein was able to induce interleukin (IL)-6 messenger (m)RNA and IL-6 protein secretion in PBL, with monocytes as the primary source. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that regulatory (Nef) proteins of HIV-1 contribute to the intense B-cell activation that occurs in association with HIV-1 infection. T-B-cell contact-dependent interaction and induction of IL-6 by these proteins appear to play major roles in this process.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Autoimmune diseases as stem cell disorders.

Using an animal model for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), the NOD mouse, we have demonstrated that allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has a preventative effect on IDDM, and that a combined transplantation of pancreas and bone marrow can be used to treat IDDM. We have also shown that BMT has a curative effect on systemic autoimmune disease in (NZB x NZW) F1, BXSB, and (NZW x BXSB) F1 mice but not in MRL/lpr mice. Since MRL/lpr mice possess abnormal radioresistant hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs), they suffer a relapse 5 months after BMT. Recently, we have found that major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched stromal cells in the bone marrow are essential to the support of HSCs in the Go phase. We therefore attempted to treat autoimmune diseases in MRL/lpr mice by the transplantation of stromal cells with HSCs. Transplantation of HSCs with bone to recruit stromal cells was indeed found to have a curative effect on autoimmune diseases in the mice. These results indicate that BMT with bone graft will become a valuable strategy for the treatment of patients with both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. To prove that autoimmune diseases originate from defects in HSCs, we transferred the HSCs of autoimmune-prone mice to normal mice. BMT or transplantation of stem-cell concentrates induced organ-specific and/or systemic autoimmune diseases in [NOD-->C3H/HeN] and [(NZW x BXSB)F1-->C3H/HeN or C57BL/6J] chimeric mice. These results provide direct evidence that the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including both organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases, is attributable to defects in the HSCs themselves. We further provide that various intractable diseases such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and chronic nephritis (focal glomerulosclerosis) are also organ-specific autoimmune diseases, and that BMT can be used to treat them.

Animals↗

Accelerated apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human immunodeficiency virus type-1 infected patients and in CD4 cross-linked PBMCs from normal individuals.

This study investigates apoptosis as a mechanism for CD4+ T-cell depletion in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection. Although several recent studies have shown that T cells of HIV-infected individuals show enhanced susceptibility to cell death by apoptosis, the mechanisms responsible for apoptosis are largely unknown. By using a flow cytometric technique and by morphology, we have quantitated the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV-seronegative donors and from HIV-infected asymptomatic patients. The PBMCs were cultured without any stimulus or with staphylococcus enterotoxin B, anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta monoclonal antibody WT-31, or phytohemagglutinin for periods up to 6 days. In addition, we sought to determine whether cross-linking of CD4 followed by various modes of TCR stimulation in vitro could induce apoptosis in normal PBMCs. Here we show that (1) patient PMBCs undergo marked spontaneous apoptosis; (2) stimulation of T cells of patients as well as normal donors results in increased apoptosis; and (3) cross-linking of CD4 molecules is sufficient to induce apoptosis in CD4+ T cells if cross-linking is performed in unfractioned PBMCs, but not if CD4 molecules are cross-linked in purified T-cell preparations. These observations strongly suggest that accelerated cell death through apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. At the same time, our observations implicate cross-linking of CD4 in vivo as a major contributor to this mechanism of accelerated cell death in HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

HIV-gp 160-induced T cell-dependent B cell differentiation. Role of T cell-B cell activation molecule and IL-6.

The HIV envelope glycoprotein gp160 has been previously demonstrated to induce differentiation of normal B lymphocytes into Ig-secreting cells; the response is T cell-dependent, and T cells pretreated with gp160 can support B cell differentiation. This study investigates the cell surface molecules and cytokines that play a role in the gp160-induced T-B cell interaction. Utilizing CD4+CD45RO+ cloned T cells as the source of helper cells, we observed that physical contact with B cells is essential for the gp160-induced B cell response; no IgG-secretion occurred if T cells were separated from the B cells by culturing them in Transwell chambers. The expression of T cell-B cell activation molecule, a novel surface molecule associated with T cell activation, was moderately increased by gp160, and antibody to T cell-B cell activation molecule abrogated the gp160-mediated Th cell function. Cell surface molecules LFA-1, ICAM-1, HLA-DR, CD28, and B7 were also involved in the T-B cell interaction since mAb to any of these molecules inhibited the gp160-induced B cell differentiation response. gp160 also induced IL-6R and CD23 molecule expression on B cells when added to cultures of T plus B cells; there was CD23 expression only in cells that formed conjugates with T cells. Paraforamaldehyde-fixed, gp160-pretreated T cells failed to elicit IgG responses in B cells, but did induce CD23 and IL-6R up-regulation on B cells. Addition of exogenous IL-6, but not IL-2 or IL-4, restored the IgG secretion. These findings indicate that the T cell dependence for gp160-induced B cell differentiation responses involves two steps: one requires contact-dependent interaction of several cell surface molecules, and the second requires IL-6 secretion.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation of guanosine triphosphatase activating protein by activation via surface IgG in human B cells.

In this study, we analyzed tyrosine phosphorylation of guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activating protein in human B cells stimulated through surface IgG, using Western blot and immunoprecipitation. Stimulation through surface IgG induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and two associated proteins, a 190-Kd protein and a 62-Kd protein, within 1 minute and in a dose-dependent manner. This tyrosine phosphorylation was blocked by Genistein (Extrasynthese, Genay, France). These data suggest that GTPase-activating protein is involved in a signal transduction pathway initiated from surface IgG in human B cells.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA detection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by polymerase chain reaction: enhanced sensitivity after mitogenic stimulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether stimulus-induced up-regulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PBMC derived from 11 HIV-1-infected asymptomatic adults were cultured with a stimulus of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 36 h prior to lysing the cells for PCR. In all 11 patients studied, the intensity of PCR-assisted HIV RNA amplification (RNA-PCR) performed on stimulated cells was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that obtained on unstimulated cells. A comparison of conventional PCR-assisted DNA amplification (DNA-PCR) with that of RNA-PCR was made on seven patients. The sensitivity of DNA-PCR was also increased by prior stimulation of cells, although not to the same extent as was observed for RNA-PCR. The results of our study indicate that the sensitivity of PCR can be significantly enhanced by prior activation of cells with PHA and PMA.

Adult↗

Effect of human immunodeficiency virus-1 envelope glycoprotein on in vitro hematopoiesis of umbilical cord blood.

Although hypercellularity is a common bone marrow finding in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, the effect of HIV-1 on the hematopoietic system, which has been investigated in in vitro studies, is still controversial. In this study, we have investigated the effects of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp160, on the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from cord blood. Culture of cord blood mononuclear cells with gp160 resulted in enhancement of the in vitro growth of myeloid hematopoietic progenitors. To investigate the mechanism of the enhancement, adherent cells, T cells, or CD34-bearing hematopoietic progenitors were isolated and cultivated with gp160 in a variety of culture conditions. We have shown that gp160 had no direct effect on highly purified hematopoietic progenitors but exerted its enhancing effect indirectly via T cells, by induction of a humoral colony-stimulating factor(s). The activity of gp160 on T cells was abrogated by preincubation of gp160 with recombinant CD4 molecule and goat anti-gp120 antibody. These data provide evidence for a novel biological activity of HIV envelope glycoprotein, that of T-cell-mediated stimulation of myelopoiesis. Binding of gp160 with the cell surface CD4 molecule appears to be necessary for secretion of the colony-stimulating factor(s).

Antibodies↗

Superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced T-helper cell activation is independent of CD4 molecules and phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis.

The role of the CD4 molecule in activation of T-helper cells was examined by investigating the effect of an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (Leu3a) in conventional peptide antigen-specific cloned T-helper cells that are also reactive to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). These T-helper cell clones are CD4+/CD45RO+/T-cell antigen receptor beta-chain variable region 12-positive and can respond to nominal peptide antigens and SEB by proliferation in the presence of class II major histocompatibility complex-expressing accessory cells. Although antigen and SEB were comparable in their ability to induce proliferative responses, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, and IL-2 receptor alpha-chain expression, stimulation with SEB failed to trigger phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis or a rise in the intracellular free calcium ion concentration. Leu3a treatment inhibited antigen-induced proliferative responses of T cells with concomitant suppression of IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor expression. In contrast, SEB-induced responses were unaffected by Leu3a. These findings indicate that the functional consequences of binding (ligation) of conventional antigen and of superantigen with the T-cell receptor are distinct in the context of both signal transduction pathways and participation of CD4 molecules.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inhibition of normal B-cell function by human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein, gp120.

Despite the occurrence of hypergammaglobulinemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, specific antibody production and in vitro B-cell differentiation responses are frequently impaired. In this study, we have examined the effects of HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 on T-helper cell function for B cells. In the culture system used, B-cell functional responses were dependent on T-B-cell contact, since separation of T and B cells in double chambers by Transwell membranes rendered the B cells unresponsive in assays of antigen-induced B-cell proliferation and differentiation. Cytokines secreted by T cells were also essential, since anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-activated, paraformaldehyde-fixed T-cell clones failed to induce B-cell proliferation and differentiation. Pretreatment of the CD4+ antigen-specific T cells with gp120 was found to impair their ability to help autologous B cells, as determined by B-cell proliferation, polyclonal IgG secretion, and antigen-specific IgG secretion. The gp120-induced inhibition was specific in that it was blocked by soluble CD4. Furthermore, only fractionated small B cells (which are T-cell-dependent in their function) manifested impaired responses when cultured with gp120-treated T cells. Antigen-induced interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4, but not IL-6, secretion were markedly reduced in gp120-treated T-cell clones. Addition of exogenous cytokines failed to compensate for defective helper function of gp120-treated T cells. The findings in this study indicate that gp120 impairs helper functions of CD4+ T cells by interfering with T-B-cell contact-dependent interaction; the inhibitory effects of soluble envelope proteins of HIV may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of the HIV-associated disease manifestations.

Antigens↗

Functional analyses of lpr gene in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice. Role of lymph node stromal cells in lpr-lymphadenopathy.

To clarify the mechanism by which the lpr gene causes lymphadenopathy, we established an experimental system to induce lymph node (LN) swelling in unaffected mice. In MRL-(+)/+ mice that had been 5 Gy-irradiated and grafted with bone marrow cells (BMCs) plus LN from MRL-lpr/lpr mice, a remarkable enlargement of the LN grafts was seen. The enlarged grafts lacked normal LN structure and were indistinguishable from LNs of MRL-lpr/lpr mice. The induction of LN swelling by this method was achieved not only in [MRL-lpr/lpr-->MRL-(+)/+] but also in [MRL-lpr/lpr-->BALB/c], [MRL-lpr/lpr-->C3H], [B6-lpr/lpr-->B10.Thy1.1], and [B6-lpr/lpr-->BALB/c] combinations. Furthermore, the lpr/lpr LN grafts developed lymph node swelling even without the transplantation of BMCs. Most cells in the grafted LNs disappeared within a few days, and large clear fibroblast-like cells then became dominant for 1 to 4 weeks. Thereafter, lymphoid cells increased and had filled the graft by the 8th week. The LN grafts obtained from MRL-lpr/lpr (but not MRL-(+)/+) mice showed the ability to transfer LN node swelling into the secondary MRL-(+)/+ hosts two weeks after the primary transplantation. These results strongly suggest that the fibroblast-like LN stromal cells play a crucial role in lpr-associated lymphadenopathy.

Animals↗

Role of CD4 molecule in the induction of interleukin 2 and interleukin 2 receptor in class II major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen-specific T helper clones. T cell receptor/CD3 complex transmits CD4-dependent and CD4-independent signals.

The CD4 molecule plays an essential role in antigen-induced activation of T helper (Th) cells, but its contribution to signal transduction events resulting in physiologic T cell function is ill defined. By utilizing anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize distinct epitopes of CD4, we have investigated the role of CD4 molecule in antigen-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha chain expression in class II major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen-specific human Th clones. Pretreatment of the Th clones with Leu3a resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of antigen-induced proliferative responses, inositol phosphate accumulation, increase in free cytoplasmic calcium ions ([Ca2+]i), IL-2 mRNA accumulation, IL-2 secretion, and membrane IL-2R expression. IL-2R mRNA accumulation, however, was unaffected even at highest Leu3a concentrations. Leu3a treatment did not affect bypass activation of T cells with PMA plus ionomycin or activation via CD2 molecule. The MAb OKT4, which binds another domain of CD4, was not inhibitory. These results suggest that after T cell antigen receptor-CD3 activation, IL-2 gene induction, IL-2 secretion, and membrane IL-2R expression are absolutely dependent upon participation of CD4 molecules, phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, and increase in [Ca2+]i. The requirement for IL-2R gene induction, however, occurs independently of CD4 molecule participation and PI hydrolysis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp160 induce interleukin-6 production in CD4+ T-cell clones.

Polyclonal B-cell activation is a characteristic feature of AIDS and of the AIDS-related complex. Since the immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a major role in inducing B-cell differentiation, we examined the effects of native human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp160 on IL-6 induction. In this study, we have demonstrated that both gp120 and gp160 have the ability to induce IL-6 mRNA and biologically active IL-6 protein secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. The envelope protein preparations had no detectable endotoxin as tested by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and hence we can rule out the effect of contaminating endotoxin, which is a potent inducer of IL-6 in monocyte/macrophage cell cultures. In addition, we have shown that the envelope glycoproteins act directly on CD4(+)-cloned T cells to induce IL-6 production in the absence of monocytes. These findings indicate that monocytes and T cells both contribute to the secretion of IL-6, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of B-cell activation in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Blotting, Northern↗

Inhibition of functional properties of tetanus antigen-specific T-cell clones by envelope glycoprotein GP120 of human immunodeficiency virus.

We investigated mechanisms by which the soluble native envelope glycoprotein gp120 of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) suppresses antigen-driven T cell responses. For this study, exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2)-independent, antigen-specific, CD4 positive, human T-cell clones were developed by cyclic restimulation with soluble tetanus toxoid antigen. In the presence of soluble antigen and antigen-presenting cells (APC), T-cell clones proliferated and secreted IL-2. Purified gp120 suppressed the proliferative responses of the T-cell clones with concomitant suppression of IL-2 secretion; proliferative responses of CD8+ T cells preincubated with gp120 were not inhibited. A short pulse of 20 minutes with gp120 was sufficient to inhibit the proliferative response of the T-cell clones. Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-driven proliferation of the T-cell clones was also suppressed by gp120, but responses elicited by mitogens, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore, ionomycin, anti-CD2 MoAbs, and a combination of anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 MoAb driven responses remained unaffected. Investigation of signal transduction events showed that antigen-driven early activation signals via translocation of protein kinase C (PKC), increase in intracellular inositol phosphates, and increase in intracellular calcium were suppressed in gp120 pretreated, tetanus toxoid antigen-stimulated T-cell clones. One mechanism of immune suppression by gp120 may involve interference with the initiation of signal transduction through the T-cell receptor complex.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Primary combined immunodeficiency resulting from defective transcription of multiple T-cell lymphokine genes.

The circulating T lymphocytes of a female child with recurrent opportunistic infections were normal in number and phenotype but exhibited poor proliferation and decreased synthesis of the T-cell growth factor interleukin (IL) 2 in response to mitogens. Recombinant IL-2 fully restored the proliferative responses of her T cells, suggesting that her poor immune function was related to IL-2 deficiency. Northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA from the patient's T cells revealed markedly decreased levels of IL-2 mRNA of normal size. In addition, mRNA levels of other lymphokines selectively expressed by T cells, which include IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5, were either severely depressed or absent. The levels of interferon gamma mRNA were moderately decreased, while those of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, a lymphokine the production of which is not restricted to T cells, were unaffected. The decreased level of lymphokine mRNA in the patient's T lymphocytes was not from enhanced catabolism but resulted from a diminution in the transcription rate of the affected lymphokine genes. Normal transduction via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex of biochemical signals necessary for the initiation of lymphokine gene transcription indicated that the defect was distal to the membrane signal-transducing apparatus. The defect is hypothesized to involve a T-cell-specific trans-acting regulatory factor required for transcription of the affected lymphokine genes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 produces immune defects in CD4+ T lymphocytes by inhibiting interleukin 2 mRNA.

Envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is known to inhibit T-cell function, but little is known about the mechanisms of this immunosuppression. Pretreatment of a CD4+ tetanus toxoid-specific T-cell clone with soluble gp120 was found to exert a dose-dependent inhibition of soluble antigen-driven or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-driven proliferative response, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, and surface IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha-chain expression, all of which were reversed by the addition of exogenous IL-2. mRNA for the gene encoding IL-2 was suppressed by treatment with gp120, but IL-2R gene transcription was not inhibited. Bypass activation of the T-cell clone with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin was unaffected by gp120 pretreatment. Thus, gp120-CD4 interaction interferes with an essential role of the CD4 molecule in signal transduction through the CD3-antigen receptor (Ti) complex. Such a mechanism of gp120-induced immunosuppression, if operative in vivo, could contribute to the depressed specific immune responses associated with HIV infection.

Antigens, CD↗

Analyses of development of insulitogenic T lymphocytes in NOD mice by transplantation of bone marrow, thymus, and pancreas.

To estimate the functional participation of the insulitogenic genes in the development of insulitogenic lymphocytes, we attempted to induce insulitis in normal allogeneic BALB/c hosts by bone marrow transplantation from NOD mice. The development of the insulitogenic lymphocytes was histologically examined using the host's pancreas and pancreatic tissue from NOD mice which had been grafted under the renal capsules 2 weeks before sacrifice. Adult-thymectomized NOD mice that had been reconstituted with the thymus and bone marrow from NOD mice showed insulitis in both the host's pancreas and grafted pancreatic tissue from newborn NOD mice. When BALB/c mice were lethally irradiated and then reconstituted with NOD bone marrow cells, no insulitis developed in the pancreatic grafts from NOD and BALB/c mice or in the host's pancreas. Since the specificities and functions of T lymphocytes are controlled by the thymic microenvironment during the differentiation within the thymus, the thymus of BALB/c genotype may be responsible for the failure to induce the insulitogenic lymphocytes. Therefore, athymic BALB/c mice were reconstructed with bone marrow cells and thymus of NOD genotype. No insulitis developed, however, in either the host's pancreas or grafted pancreatic tissue. These results suggest that the bone marrow cells and thymus of NOD genotype are not sufficient to induce insulitogenic lymphocytes in the allogeneic BALB/c environment.

Animals↗