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P U Cameron

Publications and source records attributed to P U Cameron.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

CD4 and CD8 expression by human and mouse thymic dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) from human and mouse thymus were compared. DC from both sources were isolated by digestion with collagenase, disruption of cellular complexes with a chelating agent, selection of light density cells, immunomagnetic bead depletion of other cell types (without depletion with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8) and finally sorting for cells expressing high levels of class II MHC. Yields of DC from human and mouse thymus were comparable (around 1 DC/10(3) thymocytes), they displayed similar DC morphology, and both showed strong expression of CD11c. DC from the human thymus all expressed very high levels of CD4 but low levels of CD8. In contrast, DC from the mouse thymus expressed high levels of CD8 but only low levels of CD4. Human thymic DC were also substantially larger than mouse thymic DC. The biological significance of CD4 and CD8 expression by DC is discussed in view of this major species difference and the possibility that human thymic DC may be targets for HIV infection.

Animals↗

Infection and apoptotic cell death of CD4+ T cells during an immune response to HIV-1-pulsed dendritic cells.

Interacting dendritic cells and helper CD4+ lymphocytes form a microenvironment that is permissive for HIV-1 replication. The virus need only be pulsed initially onto the dendritic cells, which then transfer HIV-1 to the lymphocytes that are responding to presented antigens or superantigens. We have pursued underlying mechanisms in this system, because it provides a model for the infection of antigen-reactive, primary T cells. Pulsing the T cells with HIV-1 results in much less of a subsequent infection than does pulsing the dendritic cells. The latter pulse occurs effectively in the presence of AZT. Direct examination of the interacting dendritic cells and T cells reveals extensive production of p24 by many of the lymphocytes, including syncytia. The majority of the responding T cells die during the coculture. Apoptosis accounts for much of this death as revealed by in situ nick translation assays for DNA endonucleolysis, and hypodiploid profiles on staining with DNA-binding dyes. Therefore the microenvironment that is generated between antigen-presenting dendritic cells and T cells reveals the cytopathic potential of HIV-1, because there is such extensive and rapid death by apoptosis of antigen-reactive T cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Dendritic cells freshly isolated from human blood express CD4 and mature into typical immunostimulatory dendritic cells after culture in monocyte-conditioned medium.

A procedure has been developed to isolate dendritic cells to a high degree of purity from fresh blood. Prior enrichment methods have relied upon an initial 1-2-d culture period. Purified fresh isolates lack the characteristic morphology, phenotype, and immunostimulatory function of dendritic cells. The purified cells have the appearance of medium sized lymphocytes and express substantial levels of CD4, but lack the T cell molecules CD3, CD8, and T cell receptor. When placed in culture, the cells mature in a manner resembling the previously described, cytokine-dependent maturation of epidermal dendritic cells (Langerhans cells). The cells enlarge and exhibit many cell processes, express much higher levels of major histocompatibility complex class II and a panel of accessory molecules for T cell activation, and become potent stimulators of the mixed leukocyte reaction. Among the many changes during this maturation process are a fall in CD4 and the appearance of high levels of B7/BB1, the costimulator for enhanced interleukin 2 production in T cells. These changes are not associated with cell proliferation, but are dependent upon the addition of monocyte-conditioned medium. We suggest that the freshly isolated CD4-positive blood dendritic cells are recent migrants from the bone marrow, and that subsequent maturation of the lineage occurs in tissues in situ upon appropriate exposure to cytokines.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

Dendritic cells exposed to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 transmit a vigorous cytopathic infection to CD4+ T cells.

The paucity of virus-laden CD4+ cells in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) contrasts with the greatly reduced numbers and function of these lymphocytes. A pathway is described whereby dendritic cells carry HIV-1 to uninfected T cells, amplifying the cytopathic effects of small amounts of virus. After exposure to HIV-1, dendritic cells continue to present superantigens and antigens, forming clusters with T cells that are driven to replicate. Infection of the dendritic cells cannot be detected, but the clustered T cells form syncytia, release virions, and die. Carriage of HIV-1 by dendritic cells may facilitate the lysis and loss of antigen specific CD4+ T cells in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

During HIV-1 infection most blood dendritic cells are not productively infected and can induce allogeneic CD4+ T cells clonal expansion.

We have considered the possibility that antigen-presenting cells of the dendritic cell lineage may be infected in vivo and spread HIV-1 at the time dendritic cells initiate the clonal expansion of antigen-specific T cells. Dendritic cells were isolated from 25 HIV-1-infected subjects (CDC stages II-IV). Fewer dendritic cells were recovered from most infected subjects. Reduced numbers of total non-T cells were also found in these patients, so that preferential loss of dendritic cells did not occur. Dendritic cell function was assessed by stimulatory capacity for allogeneic CD4+ T cells in the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR). Potent MLR stimulator activity was retained in the dendritic cell-enriched populations from HIV-infected patients. Seven out of nine patients without AIDS (asymptomatic, lymphadenopathy or ARC) and three out of six patients with AIDS had proliferative responses equivalent to those induced by dendritic cells from controls. Dendritic cells from HIV+ subjects were able to initiate the expansion of allogeneic CD4+ T cell clones with cloning efficiency not different from controls and without evidence of cytopathic effect in the expanding CD4+ clones. In situ hybridization of the different mononuclear cell populations with a gag-specific riboprobe demonstrated positive cells in the T cell fractions of 12 of the 15 patients tested. None of the asymptomatic or ARC patients had riboprobe-positive cells in the dendritic cell-enriched populations. Four out of nine patients with AIDS had cells positive for HIV-1 expression in the dendritic cell-enriched fraction. However, the positive cells had the nuclear profile of lymphocytes, and by cytofluorography some residual low-density T cells were present. By limiting dilution and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), CD4+ lymphocytes carried HIV provirus in inocula of 500-5000 cells, while provirus could only be detected in 50,000 cells from the dendritic cell-enriched fraction. The latter signal may be due to the demonstrated levels of T cell contamination. Our data indicate that productive or latent HIV-1 infection of blood dendritic cells in vivo is rare, certainly no greater than in T lymphocytes, and that in vitro dendritic cell preparations from patients can expand CD4+ T cells efficiently and therefore may be able to expand T cells with immunotherapeutic activity.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Major histocompatibility complex ancestral haplotypes in the chimpanzee: identification using C4 allotyping.

In humans, certain major histocompatibility complex (MHC) supratypes mark unique DNA segments which have been conserved from a common but remote ancestor. In order to determine whether these ancestral haplotypes (AHs) exist in nonhuman primates, C4 allotyping was undertaken on 71 chimpanzees. Four large pedigrees were available. There are at least seven codominant C4 alleles at two loci. Null alleles are also present. It was possible to assign class I, class II, and C4 alleles to 37 unrelated haplotypes; several supratypes occurred two or more times. These putative AHs included some with alleles which resemble those carried by certain human AHs. These data provide evidence that similar MHC AHs are present in the chimpanzee and human. The present approach provides a basis for comparative studies examining the evolutionary and functional significance of the MHC.

Animals↗

Differences in gene copy number carried by different MHC ancestral haplotypes. Quantitation after physical separation of haplotypes by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

We have examined the hypothesis that MHC ancestral haplotypes have a specific content of genes regulating the extent of autoimmune reactions. Gene copy number was quantitated by objective densitometry after PFGE was used to separate heterozygous AHs of different lengths. Initially we analyzed examples of known gene copy number at the C4 and 21 hydroxylase loci and showed that the approach provides predictable results. We then studied heterozygotes containing one characterized and one uncharacterized AH with particular attention to the gene copy number at the C4, Cyp21, and DRB loci. Each AH studied has a characteristic gene copy number at each locus studied. The same may be true of TNF, but other possibilities must be considered. AHs are markers for extensive chromosomal segments including particular numbers of several functional genes. Since AHs mark susceptibility to autoimmune disease, differences in gene copy number may be implicated.

Blotting, Southern↗

Conservation of the central MHC genome: PFGE mapping and RFLP analysis of complement, HSP70, and TNF genes in the goat.

A degree of conservation of the genes located between class II and class I [central major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes] is apparent among mammalian species including primates and the mouse. Few others have been analyzed. The caprine MHC is of particular interest, since it has recently been observed that susceptibility to a lentivirus-induced polyarthritis (caprine arthritis) segregates with serologically defined MHC class I antigens. This arthritis resembles, in a number of respects, rheumatoid arthritis in man. Human cDNA probes were used to examine the caprine central MHC and class I and II genes by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in order to define the polymorphism and linkage of central MHC genes to class I and class II genes. An outbred population of dairy goats (Saanen, British Alpine, Anglo Nubian, and Toggenberg) was examined for class I and class II RFLPs. Both regions were found to be highly polymorphic. The number of fragments hybridizing to an HLA-B7 probe after Eco RI, Bam HI, Bgl II, or Hind III digestion suggests there may be 10-13 class I genes. The degree of polymorphism was comparable to that reported in the mouse. Limited polymorphism was found in the central MHC genes. The caprine C4 and CYP21 genes were duplicated and demonstrated RFLP with Bam HI, Hind III, Eco RV, and Taq I. An infrequent Taq I C2 polymorphism was found. PFGE revealed substantial conservation of both the order and linkage of the central MHC genes when compared with mouse and man. C4, C2, CYP21, HSP70, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes are all located within 800 kilobase (kb) of the class I loci. Distant from the class I region, the C4, C2, and CYP21 genes are linked on a short genomic segment (180 kb Not I and 190 kb Pvu I fragments). HSP70 cohybridizes with the complement genes on a 380 kb Mlu I fragment. Linkage of HSP70, TNF, and class I genes was found on a single Not I fragment (610 kb). TNF and class I cohybridize on Pvu I (730 kb) and Not I (610 kb) fragments. Conservation of a similar central MHC genomic structure across species argues for functional interaction between the central MHC genes. We postulate selection for these central MHC genes through their role as non antigen-specific regulators of immune response.

Animals↗

Correction of human immunodeficiency virus-associated depression of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) after zidovudine therapy: DTH, CD4+ T-cell numbers, and epidermal Langerhans cell density are independent variables.

Twenty-four patients with various degrees of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated immunodeficiency were treated with zidovudine for up to 6 months. Nineteen of these patients had persistent depression of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses prior to commencing therapy. In 11 of these 19 patients (58%) there was sustained improvement of DTH responses with the maximal effect occurring at approximately 3 months after therapy was started. DTH declined after 3 months but remained significantly higher than baseline at 6 months. Patients who did not have a sustained increase in DTH responses had more severe disease than those that did. Blood CD4+ T-cell counts increased in the majority of patients on zidovudine therapy, but varied independently of DTH responses. Epidermal Langerhans cell density was lower in HIV-infected patients than controls but also varied independently of DTH responses before and after zidovudine therapy. We suggest that sequential measurement of DTH responses is a valuable means of monitoring the restoration of cell-mediated immune responses by zidovudine in some HIV-infected patients. Our findings also demonstrate the need to define the processes involved in the restoration of DTH responses as this may lead to new approaches to the therapeutic manipulation of cell-mediated immune responses in HIV-infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Major histocompatibility complex genes influence the outcome of HIV infection. Ancestral haplotypes with C4 null alleles explain diverse HLA associations.

Several alleles at multiple HLA loci have been found to be associated with infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): HLA A1; B8, B35; Cw7, Cw4; DR1, DR3 and DQ1, are associated with particular disease manifestations and/or disease progression. Furthermore, in a pilot study we have shown an increase in the frequency of C4 null alleles and suggested that all the reported HLA alleles could reflect association with a limited number of ancestral haplotypes (AHs). On this occasion, we studied 122 Caucasoid patients classified according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. The control group consisted of 67 seronegative homosexual or bisexual males at risk of developing HIV infection. C4 null alleles were unequivocally present in 58% of patients in CDC IV compared with 33% of the seronegative subjects (chi 2 = 5.65, p less than 0.05). Furthermore, C4 null alleles could be excluded in only 8% and 16% of CDC III and IV, respectively, but in 30% of the seronegative subjects. An increased frequency of three AHs largely accounted for the increases in C4 null and HLA alleles. To examine the role of specific AHs we undertook a longitudinal analysis of a subgroup of 26 patients who seroconverted under observation. Seventeen of these patients were followed for 32 to 63 months. All seven patients with the 8.1 AH (A1, CW7, B8, BfS, C4AQ0, C4B1, DR3, DQ2) developed low CD4 lymphocyte counts (less than 450 x 10(6)/l) compared with only 2 of 10 patients without this haplotype (p less than 0.002). All three deaths occurred in patients with the 8.1 AH. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome developed in three further cases with either 8.1- or B35-bearing (35.x) haplotypes. Sequential CD4/8 ratios showed an early and progressive decline in individuals with 8.1 or 35.x. Since the 8.1 and 35.x AHs contain deletions of the central major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, we suggest that the genes affecting HIV infection and progression are within the central MHC region.

Alleles↗

Characterization of MHC ancestral haplotypes associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: evidence for involvement of non-HLA genes.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with several DR3- or DR4-containing ancestral haplotypes (AHs). Using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), long range maps of 35 haplotypes have been derived and classified. Two diabetogenic DR3-containing AHs (8.1 and 18.2) possess deletions in the central non-HLA region; these have not been found on non-diabetogenic AHs tested to date. In addition, 8.1 and 18.2 also carry other deletions not found on other AHs. Three DR4 containing AH lack a Not I site, which may imply excision of an unidentified gene. These and other data suggest that deletions may be relevant to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, possibly through causing quantitative differences in autoimmune responses involved in IDDM. The MHC contains several regions of potential interest in relation to susceptibility to IDDM; these may explain the association with only certain DR3- and DR4-carrying AH and DR3,4 heterozygosity in terms of cis and trans interactions. On the other hand, the class II region may be particularly important in protection.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Some disease-associated ancestral haplotypes carry a polymorphism of TNF.

We describe here an Nco I restriction fragment length polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor carried by the 8.1 (HLA-A1,B8,BfS,C4AQ0,C4B1,DR3) and the 44.1 (HLA-B44,BfS,C4A3,C4BQ0,DR4) ancestral haplotypes associated with complications of rheumatoid arthritis. By examining multiple examples of these and other ancestral haplotypes it was seen that 8.1 and 44.1 ancestral haplotypes yield fragments of approximately 5.5 kb while many other ancestral haplotypes carry fragments of approximately 10.5 kb. The polymorphism is associated with the ancestral haplotype rather than the HLA-B or -DR allele defined by conventional serology.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Influence of C4 null genes on infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

The hypothesis that complement is important in the host response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was tested. Complement C4 and Bf allotypes were determined in 26 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for persistent generalised lymphadenopathy due to HIV, 72 homosexuals who were negative for antibody to HIV, and 185 control subjects drawn from the local population. HLA-A, B, and DR were also typed and the phenotypes examined for the presence of supratypes and C4BQ0. Eleven patients (42%) had C4B null alleles compared with only 13 (18%) homosexuals who were negative for antibody and 28 (15%) controls. From estimates of gene frequencies the difference between the patients with lymphadenopathy and the controls was significant after conservative correction. In the patients only a minority (six) of the C4B null alleles were contained within ancestral haplotypes. Together with the fact that C4 null alleles result in partial deficiency of C4, this finding suggests that products of complement genes are important in infection with HIV or its consequences, or both. A role is proposed for complement and Fc receptors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Western blot profiles, lymph node ultrastructure and viral expression in HIV-infected patients: a correlative study.

Sequential immunoblotting was performed on 64 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antibody profiles were related to immune function, T subsets and clinical features. In 20 patients, lymph node biopsy revealed a relationship between progressive follicular destruction, low antibody titres and ultrastructural evidence of viral replication and accumulation. Retroviral particles, including budding profiles, were confined to labyrinths formed from hypertrophied follicular dendritic (FD) cells; in some cases, including those with AIDS, the labyrinths showed degenerative changes. The demonstration of high antibody levels in asymptomatic patients with an intact FD cell network and low virion load suggests that antibody may have a protective role in vivo. Analysis of lymph node ultrastructure allows assessment of viral load and FD cell morphology. When combined with immunoblotting, it may be possible to improve prognostic stratification of patients with HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

The uptake of horseradish peroxidase by cortical synapses in rat brain. An in vivo study.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was introduced directly into the cerebral cortex of adult rats, which were allowed to survive for 60 min before perfusion fixation. After the tissue had been incubated to demonstrate HRP at the LM and EM levels, blocks of cortical tissue were taken at varying distances from the injection site. These eight blocks of tissue constituted a time sequence for HRP diffusion. Qualitative examination of the presynaptic terminals showed that the most commonly encountered profiles are the plain synaptic vesicles, many of which accumulate tracer. In some terminals labelled vesicles are "lined-up" in tubular fashion. Other profiles commonly labelled are coated vesicles, tubular and vacuolar cisternae, and plain and coated pinocytotic vesicles. Quantitative analyses based on the number of terminals containing labelled profiles demonstrate an early rise in the rate of labelling of both plain synaptic vesicles and coated vesicles, after which synaptic vesicle labelling rises slowly towards a plateau. By contrast, there is a late parallel increase in the rate of labelling of coated vesicles and cisternae. A more detailed analysis, based on the actual numbers of labelled and total profiles within each presynaptic terminal, highlight early and late periods of rapid labelling for plain synaptic vesicles, coated vesicles and cisternae. A further aspect of HRP incorporation studied, concerns its uptake into four delineated regions of the presynaptic terminal. Our data indicate that membrane uptake into the presynaptic terminal is accomplished mainly via coated vesicles, although plain synaptic vesicles may also be involved. Coated vesicles, in turn, appear to give rise directly to plain synaptic vesicles, with some coalescing to produce vacuolar cisternae. The latter are involved in a two-way interchange of membrane with tubular cisternae, plain synaptic vesicles and coated vesicles. An additional source of plain synaptic vesicles are the tubular cisternae. Exocytosis of plain synaptic vesicles constitutes the mechanism by which transmitter is released from the presynaptic terminal.

Animals↗

The 1998 Lindberg Award. Comparison of glycerol preservation with cryopreservation methods on HIV-1 inactivation.

Cryopreservation and glycerol preservation are 2 successful methods for long-term preservation of human cadaver skin. Preservation is subjected to strict criteria to minimize the risk of disease transmission. This investigation compares the effects of glycerol preservation and cryopreservation on the inactivation of HIV-1. The effects of glycerol preservation and cryopreservation on inactivation of both extracellular and intracellular HIV-1Ba-L were investigated. After exposing HIV-1Ba-L-infected material to various concentrations of glycerol or to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide followed by cryopreservation, uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells were added to the treated material. At different time points during the culture, supernatants were taken to quantify HIV-1Ba-L and reverse transcriptase levels to determine HIV-1Ba-L infectivity. Cell-free HIV-1Ba-L was inactivated within 30 minutes in 70% and 85% glycerol. Also, intracellular HIV-1Ba-L in infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells or infected cadaver skin was completely inactivated by glycerol treatment in vitro. Cryopreservation did not show any extracellular or intracellular HIV-1Ba-L inactivation. Glycerol preservation--but not cryopreservation--of human cadaveric donor skin can inactivate both extracellular and intracellular HIV-1.

Burns↗