Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Nancy Hogg

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy Hogg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reversal of the TCR stop signal by CTLA-4.

The coreceptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is pivotal in regulating the threshold of signals during T cell activation, although the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. Using in vitro migration assays and in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy, we showed that CTLA-4 increases T cell motility and overrides the T cell receptor (TCR)-induced stop signal required for stable conjugate formation between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. This event led to reduced contact periods between T cells and antigen-presenting cells that in turn decreased cytokine production and proliferation. These results suggest a fundamentally different model of reverse stop signaling, by which CTLA-4 modulates the threshold for T cell activation and protects against autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Shedding of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in a human inflammatory response.

Shedding of adhesion molecules has been described for members of the selectin and immunoglobulin superfamilies, but integrins are not known to be shed. Here, we describe shedding of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) from human leukocytes during the cutaneous inflammatory response to the blistering agent cantharidin. Expression of LFA-1 was significantly diminished on blister-infiltrated neutrophils (P < .001) and monocytes (P = .02) compared with cells in peripheral blood, but expression on lymphocytes remained unchanged. A capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that LFA-1 was shed into blister fluid as a heterodimer expressing an intact headpiece with I and I-like epitopes. However, a CD11a central region epitope, G25.2, was absent and this remained expressed as a "stub" on the cell surface of blister neutrophils. Western analysis of soluble LFA-1 revealed a truncated 110-kDa CD11a chain and a minimally truncated 86-kDa CD18 chain. However, LFA-1 was shed in a ligand-binding conformation, since it expressed KIM-127 and 24 activation epitopes and bound to solid-phase ICAM-1. Shed LFA-1 was also detected in a synovial effusion by ELISA and Western analysis. We hypothesize that LFA-1 shedding may play a role in leukocyte detachment after transendothelial migration and in regulating integrin-dependent outside-in signaling.

Blister↗

A talin-dependent LFA-1 focal zone is formed by rapidly migrating T lymphocytes.

Cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells migrate through the coordinated responses of discrete integrin-containing focal adhesions and complexes. In contrast, little is known about the organization of integrins on the highly motile T lymphocyte. We have investigated the distribution, activity, and cytoskeletal linkage of the integrin lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on human T lymphocytes migrating on endothelial cells and on ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The pattern of total LFA-1 varies from low expression in the lamellipodia to high expression in the uropod. However, high affinity, clustered LFA-1 is restricted to a mid-cell zone that remains stable over time and over a range of ICAM-1 densities. Talin is essential for the stability and formation of the LFA-1 zone. Disruption of the talin-integrin link leads to loss of zone integrity and a substantial decrease in speed of migration on ICAM-1. This adhesive structure, which differs from the previously described integrin-containing attachments displayed by many other cell types, we have termed the "focal zone."

Cell Adhesion↗

Importance of integrin LFA-1 deactivation for the generation of immune responses.

The dynamic regulation of ligand binding is considered crucial for integrin function. However, the importance of activity regulation for integrin function in vivo is largely unknown. Here, we have applied gene targeting to delete the GFFKR sequence of the lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) alpha(L) subunit cytoplasmic domain in mouse germline. Lymphocytes from Lfa-1(d/d) mutant mice showed constitutive activation of LFA-1-mediated cell adhesion and impaired de-adhesion from intercellular adhesion molecule-1 that resulted in defective cell migration. In contrast, signaling through LFA-1 was not affected in Lfa-1(d/d) cells. T cell activation by superantigen-loaded and allogeneic APCs, cytotoxic T cell activity, T-dependent humoral immune responses, and neutrophil recruitment during aseptic peritonitis were impaired in Lfa-1(d/d) mice. Thus, deactivation of LFA-1 and disassembly of LFA-1-mediated cell contacts seem to be vital for the generation of normal immune responses.

Animals↗

Early intrahepatic antigen-specific retention of naïve CD8+ T cells is predominantly ICAM-1/LFA-1 dependent in mice.

We have previously shown that naïve CD8+ T cells recognizing their cognate antigen within the liver are retained and undergo activation in situ, independent from lymphoid tissues. Intrahepatic primary T cell activation results in apoptosis and may play a crucial role in the ability of the liver to induce tolerance. Although adhesion molecules required for intrahepatic retention of T cells that have undergone previous extra-hepatic activation have been characterized, adhesive interactions involved in selective antigen-dependent intrahepatic retention of naïve CD8+ T cells have not been investigated. By adoptively transferring radiolabeled T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic CD8+ T cells into recipient animals ubiquitously expressing the relevant antigen, we show that 40% to 60 % of donor antigen-specific naïve CD8+ T cells were retained in the liver within 1 hour after transfer, despite ubiquitous expression of the antigen. Intravital microscopy showed that most donor naïve T cells slowed down and were irreversibly retained intrahepatically within the first few minutes after adoptive transfer, strongly suggesting that they were directly activated by liver cells in situ. This process was largely dependent on LFA-1 and ICAM-1, but was independent of blocking with antibodies against VCAM-1, alpha4 integrin, P-selectin, VAP-1, and beta1 integrin. ICAM-2 seemed to play only a minor role in this process. Interestingly, LFA-1 expressed by both donor T cells and liver cells was involved in retention of the antigen-reactive T cells. In conclusion, LFA-1-dependent intrahepatic T cell retention and activation are linked events that may play a crucial role in the establishment of liver-induced antigen-specific tolerance.

Animals↗

How T cells use LFA-1 to attach and migrate.

The T lymphocyte (or T cell) has classically been perceived to be a passive circular cell attaching to other cells or fibrils of the extracellular matrix when its integrins become activated. We now understand that the modus operandi of the T cell is migration. These cells are proving to be impressively fast migrators, clocking up basal speeds of approximately 10-15 microm/min which makes them amongst the fastest movers recorded to date. Therefore, migration is the business of the T cell and in this review we will discuss how its motility is regulated and what functions this activity makes possible.

Animals↗

T-cell integrins: more than just sticking points.

T cells use integrins in essentially all of their functions. They use integrins to migrate in and out of lymph nodes and, following infection, to migrate into other tissues. At the beginning of an immune response, integrins also participate in the immunological synapse formed between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Because the ligands for integrins are widely expressed, integrin activity on T cells must be tightly controlled. Integrins become active following signalling through other membrane receptors, which cause both affinity alteration and an increase in integrin clustering. Lipid raft localization may increase integrin activity. Signalling pathways involving ADAP, Vav-1 and SKAP-55, as well as Rap1 and RAPL, cause clustering of leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; integrin alphaLbeta2). T-cell integrins can also signal, and the pathways dedicated to the migratory activity of T cells have been the most investigated so far. Active LFA-1 causes T-cell attachment and lamellipodial movement induced by myosin light chain kinase at the leading edge, whereas RhoA and ROCK cause T-cell detachment at the trailing edge. Another important signalling pathway acts through CasL/Crk, which might regulate the activity of the GTPases Rac and Rap1 that have important roles in T-cell migration.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

LFA-1-induced T cell migration on ICAM-1 involves regulation of MLCK-mediated attachment and ROCK-dependent detachment.

This study analyzes signaling events initiated through binding of the leukocyte integrin LFA-1 to ICAM-1, which leads to T cell attachment, polarization and random migration. These events are critically dependent on dynamic changes in the acto-myosin cytoskeleton under the regulation of myosin light chain kinase and ROCK (Rho kinase). A key finding is that the activity of these two kinases is spatially segregated. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) must operate at the leading edge of the T cell because blocking its activity causes the polarized T cell to retract from the front of the cell. These activities are mirrored by inhibiting calmodulin, the activator of MLCK. In contrast inhibition of ROCK (and RhoA) has the effect of preventing detachment of the T cell trailing edge, showing that this kinase operates at the rear of the cell. This compartmentalized activity of the two kinases is reflected in their localization within the T cell. Myosin light chain kinase is concentrated at the leading edge, overlapping F-actin, whereas ROCK is more widely distributed in the trailing edge of the T cell. Thus these two kinases perform two different functions in the migrating T cell, with myosin light chain kinase activity important for attachment and movement at the leading edge and ROCK activity required for the detachment of the trailing edge. These two actomyosin-dependent processes operate coordinately to cause forward migration of a T cell.

Cell Adhesion↗

SKAP-55 regulates integrin adhesion and formation of T cell-APC conjugates.

Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein of 55 kDa (SKAP-55; encoded by SCAP1) is a T cell adaptor protein of unknown function that contains a pleckstrin homology and an SH3 domain. Here we show that SKAP-55 regulates integrin-mediated adhesion and conjugate formation between T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). SKAP-55 enhances adhesion to fibronectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), colocalizes with actin at the T cell-APC synapse and promotes the clustering of lymphocyte-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). Enhanced conjugation is comparable to that induced by adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein (ADAP), a binding partner of SKAP-55, and is abrogated by deletion of the SKAP-55 SH3 domain. Conjugate formation is accompanied by the translocation of SKAP-55 to membrane rafts, an event that is regulated by both LFA-1 and T cell receptor ligation. Our findings identify a mechanism by which SKAP-55 modulates T cell responses to antigen.

Animals↗

Rapid recruitment of inflammatory monocytes is independent of neutrophil migration.

Early neutrophil entry into an inflammatory site is thought to mediate a chemokine switch, inducing subsequent monocyte recruitment through the regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) release. As the murine monocyte is poorly characterized and difficult to identify, there has been little examination of either its early recruitment in inflammatory models or of the factors that influence its early migration. The phenotyping of rapidly recruited inflammatory leukocytes with 7/4 and Gr-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) identifies 2 distinct populations, which we characterize as murine monocytes and neutrophils. Monocytes migrate in the first 2 hours of inflammation making use of alpha4beta1 but not of Mac-1 or lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) integrins. Early migration is dependent on MCP-1, but neither MCP-1 release nor monocyte recruitment is affected by the reduced neutrophil migration seen in LFA-1-/- mice. Endogenous peritoneal macrophages and mesothelial cells lining the peritoneum contain MCP-1, which is released following thioglycollate stimulation. The murine monocyte therefore responds rapidly to chemokines produced in situ by tissue cells at the site of inflammation with no requirement for prior influx of neutrophils.

Animals↗

Vav1 transduces TCR signals required for LFA-1 function and cell polarization at the immunological synapse.

Activation of T lineage cells through the TCR by peptide-MHC complexes on APC is critically dependent on rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Vav1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for members of the Rho/Rac family of GTPases which is activated following TCR stimulation, suggesting that it may transduce TCR signals to the activation of some or all actin-controlled processes. We show that Vav1-deficient double-positive thymocytes are less efficient at forming conjugates with APC presenting agonist peptide than wild-type cells are. Furthermore we demonstrate that Vav1 is required for TCR-induced activation of the integrin LFA-1, which is likely to explain the defect in conjugate formation. However, once Vav1-deficient cells form a conjugate, the assembly of proteins into an immunological synapse at the conjugate interface is normal. In contrast, thymocyte polarization is defective in the absence of Vav1, as judged by the relocalization of the microtubule-organizing center. These data demonstrate that Vav1 transduces signals to only a subset of cytoskeleton-dependent events at the immunological synapse.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

Myeloid cell function in MRP-14 (S100A9) null mice.

Myeloid-related protein 14 (MRP-14) and its heterodimeric partner, MRP-8, are cytosolic calcium-binding proteins, highly expressed in neutrophils and monocytes. To understand the function of MRP-14, we performed targeted disruption of the MRP-14 gene in mice. MRP-14(-/-) mice showed no obvious phenotype and were fertile. MRP-8 mRNA but not protein is present in the myeloid cells of these mice, suggesting that the stability of MRP-8 protein is dependent on MRP-14 expression. A compensatory increase in other proteins was not detected in cells lacking MRP-8 and MRP-14. Although the morphology of MRP-14(-/-) myeloid cells was not altered, they were significantly less dense. When Ca(2+) responses were investigated, there was no change in the maximal response to the chemokine MIP-2. At lower concentrations, however, there was reduced responsiveness in MRP-14(-/-) compared with MRP-14(+/+) neutrophils. This alteration in the ability to flux Ca(2+) did not impair the ability of the MRP-14(-/-) neutrophils to respond chemotactically to MIP-2. In addition, the myeloid cell functions of phagocytosis, superoxide burst, and apoptosis were unaffected in MRP-14(-/-) cells. In an in vivo model of peritonitis, MRP-14(-/-) mice showed no difference from wild-type mice in induced inflammatory response. The data indicate that MRP-14 and MRP-8 are dispensable for many myeloid cell functions.

Animals↗

A novel form of integrin dysfunction involving beta1, beta2, and beta3 integrins.

The adhesion receptors known as integrins perform key functions for hematopoietic cells. The platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 is critical in hemostasis, and the beta1 and beta2 integrins on leukocytes have many roles in cell-mediated immunity. Mutations in the beta2 subunit lead to integrin nonexpression and to an immune deficiency, leukocyte adhesion deficiency-1. Mutations in either the alpha or beta subunit of alphaIIbbeta3 usually lead to integrin nonexpression and a bleeding tendency termed Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Here we describe a unique patient with clinical features of both Glanzmann thrombasthenia and leukocyte adhesion deficiency-1. The patient has normal expression of beta1, beta2, and beta3 integrins, but all are dysfunctional. The key findings are that "inside-out" signaling pathways leading to integrin activation are defective and that this is associated with abnormal integrin clustering. The integrins themselves are intact and capable of function following extracellular stimulation. T cell motility is normal, as are the expression levels and electrophoretic characteristics of all cytoskeletal and signaling proteins tested, except PKC-alpha, which has enhanced expression in the patient's cells. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a dysfunction affecting three classes of integrins. We propose that it is caused by a lesion in an intracellular factor or signaling pathway essential for integrin activation in hematopoietic cells and results in lack of regulation of clustering, an essential component of integrin-mediated adhesion.

Blood Platelets↗

Signaling through integrin LFA-1 leads to filamentous actin polymerization and remodeling, resulting in enhanced T cell adhesion.

The integrins can activate signaling pathways, but the final downstream outcome of these pathways is often unclear. This study analyzes the consequences of signaling events initiated by the interaction of the leukocyte integrin LFA-1 with its ligand, dimeric ICAM-1. We show that the active form of LFA-1 regulates its own function on primary human T cells by directing the remodeling of the F-actin cytoskeleton to strengthen T cell adhesion to ICAM-1. Confocal microscopy revealed that both F-actin bundling and overall levels of F-actin are increased in the ICAM-1-adhering T cells. This increase in F-actin levels and change in F-actin distribution was quantitated for large numbers of T cells using the technique of laser scanning cytometry and was found to be significant. The study went on to show that clustering of conformationally altered LFA-1 is essential for the changes in F-actin, and a model is proposed in which clustered, high-avidity T cell LFA-1, interacting with multivalent ICAM-1, causes LFA-1 signaling, which results in F-actin polymerization and higher-order F-actin bundling. The findings demonstrate that LFA-1 acts not only as an adhesion receptor but also as a signaling receptor by actively initiating the F-actin reorganization that is essential for many T cell-dependent processes.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

The involvement of lipid rafts in the regulation of integrin function.

Integrin activity on cells such as T lymphocytes is tightly controlled. Here we demonstrate a key role for lipid rafts in regulating integrin function. Without stimulation integrin LFA-1 is excluded from lipid rafts, but following activation LFA-1 is mobilised to the lipid raft compartment. An LFA-1 construct from which the I domain has been deleted mimics activated integrin and is constitutively found in lipid rafts. This correlation between integrin activation and raft localisation extends to a second integrin, alpha4beta1, and the clustering of alpha4beta1 is also raft dependent. Both LFA-1 and alpha4beta1-mediated adhesion is dependent upon intact lipid rafts providing proof of the functional relevance of the lipid raft localisation. Finally we find that non-raft integrins are excluded from the rafts by cytoskeletal constraints. The presence of integrin in lipid rafts under stimulating conditions that activate these receptors strongly indicates that the rafts have a key role in positively regulating integrin activity.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic↗

The role of the CPNKEKEC sequence in the beta(2) subunit I domain in regulation of integrin alpha(L)beta(2) (LFA-1).

The alpha(L) I (inserted or interactive) domain of integrin alpha(L)beta(2) undergoes conformational changes upon activation. Recent studies show that the isolated, activated alpha(L) I domain is sufficient for strong ligand binding, suggesting the beta(2) subunit to be only indirectly involved. It has been unclear whether the activity of the alpha(L) I domain is regulated by the beta(2) subunit. In this study, we demonstrate that swapping the disulfide-linked CPNKEKEC sequence (residues 169-176) in the beta(2) I domain with a corresponding beta(3) sequence, or mutating Lys(174) to Thr, constitutively activates alpha(L)beta(2) binding to ICAM-1. These mutants do not require Mn(2+) for ICAM-1 binding and are insensitive to the inhibitory effect of Ca(2+). We have also localized a component of the mAb 24 epitope (a reporter of beta(2) integrin activation) in the CPNKEKEC sequence. Glu(173) and Glu(175) of the beta(2) I domain are identified as critical for mAb 24 binding. Because the epitope is highly expressed upon beta(2) integrin activation, it is likely that the CPNKEKEC sequence is exposed or undergoes conformational changes upon activation. Deletion of the alpha(L) I domain did not eliminate the mAb 24 epitope. This confirms that the alpha(L) I domain is not critical for mAb 24 binding, and indicates that mAb 24 detects a change expressed in part in the beta(2) subunit I domain. These results suggest that the CPNKEKEC sequence of the beta(2) I domain is involved in regulating the alpha(L) I domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rap1A positively regulates T cells via integrin activation rather than inhibiting lymphocyte signaling.

T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation activates the small GTPase Rap1A, which is reported to antagonize Ras signaling and induces T cell anergy. To address its role in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that constitutively expressed active Rap1A within the T cell lineage. We found that active Rap1A did not interfere with the Ras signaling pathway or antagonize T cell activation. Instead of anergy, the T lymphocytes that constitutively expressed active Rap1A showed enhanced TCR-mediated responses, both in thymocytes and mature T cells. In addition, Rap1A activation was sufficient to induce strong activation of the beta1 and beta2 integrins via an avidity-modulation mechanism. This shows that, far from playing an inhibitory role during T cell activation, Rap1A positively influences T cells by augmenting lymphocyte responses and directing integrin activation.

Animals↗