Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Paul Schwarzenberger

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Schwarzenberger.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

IL-17 receptor knockout mice have enhanced myelotoxicity and impaired hemopoietic recovery following gamma irradiation.

IL-17A is a T cell-derived proinflammatory cytokine required for microbial host defense. In vivo expression profoundly stimulates granulopoiesis. At baseline, the hemopoietic system of IL-17R knockout mice (IL-17Ra(-/-)) is, with the exception of increased splenic progenitor numbers, indistinguishable from normal control mice. However, when challenged with gamma irradiation, hemopoietic toxicity is significantly more pronounced in IL-17Ra(-/-) animals, with the gamma irradiation-associated LD(50) being reduced by 150 rad. In spleen-derived T cells, gamma irradiation induces significant murine IL-17A expression in vivo but not in vitro. After sublethal radiation injury (500 rad), the infusion of purified CD4(+) T cells enhances hemopoietic recovery. This recovery is significantly impaired in IL-17Ra(-/-) animals or after in vivo blockade of IL-17Ra in normal mice, resulting in a reduction of hemopoietic precursors by 50% and of neutrophils by 43%. Following sublethal radiation-induced myelosuppression, in vivo overexpression of murine IL-17A in normal mice substantially enhanced granulopoietic restoration in mice with a 4-fold increase in neutrophils and splenic precursors on day 8 (CFU-granulocyte-macrophage/granulocyte-erythrocyte-megakaryocyte-monocyte, CFU-high proliferative potential), as well as 2- and 3-fold increases of bone marrow precursors, respectively. This establishes IL-17A as a hemopoietic response cytokine to radiation injury in mice and an inducible mechanism that is required for recovery of granulopoiesis after radiation injury.

Animals↗

Interleukin-17A: a T-cell-derived growth factor for murine and human mesenchymal stem cells.

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed in activated T-cells. It is required for microbial host defense and is a potent stimulator of granulopoiesis. In a dose-dependent fashion, IL-17A expanded human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced the proliferation of mature stroma cells in bone marrow-derived stroma cultures. Recombinant human interleukin-17A (rhIL-17A) nearly doubled colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-f) frequency and almost tripled the surface area covered by stroma. In a murine transplant model, in vivo murine (m)IL-17A expression enhanced CFU-f by 2.5-fold. Enrichment of the graft with CD4(+) T-cell resulted in a 7.5-fold increase in CFU-f in normal C57BL/6, but only threefold in IL-17Ra(-/-) mice on day 14 post-transplant. In this transplant model, in vivo blockade of IL-17A in C57BL/6 mice resembled the phenotype of IL-17Ra(-/-) mice. Approximately half of the T-cell-mediated effect on MSC recovery following radiation-conditioned transplantation was attributed to the IL-17A/IL-17Ra pathway. Pluripotent MSCs have the potential of regenerating various tissues, and mature stroma cells are critical elements of the hematopoietic microenvironment (HME). The HME is pivotal for formation and maintenance of functional blood cells. As a newly identified stroma cell growth factor, IL-17A might have potential applications for novel treatment approaches involving MSCs, such as tissue graft engineering.

Animals↗

Critical role of IL-17 receptor signaling in acute TNBS-induced colitis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by recurrent inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Infiltration of CD4 lymphocytes and neutrophils is one of the predominant features of IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recently, interleukin (IL)-23 and the downstream T cell-derived cytokine IL-17 have been found to be elevated in intestinal tissue and serum of IBD patients. However, the role of IL-17 and IL-17R signaling in gut inflammation is unknown. To examine this role, we investigated gut inflammation in wild-type or IL-17R knockout mice. RESULTS: Using a model of acute trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, we found that IL-17 was produced in colon tissue at 24 and 48 hours and that IL-17R knockout mice were significantly protected against TNBS-induced weight loss, IL-6 production, colonic inflammation, and local macrophage inflammatory protein-2 induction. This protection occurred in the presence of equivalent induction of local IL-23 and higher levels of IL-12p70 and interferon-gamma in IL-17R knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, IL-17R knockout mice showed reduced tissue myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, overexpression of an IL-17R IgG1 fusion protein significantly attenuated colonic inflammation after acute TNBS. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that IL-17R signaling plays a critical role in the development of TNBS-induced colitis and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention for IBD.

Animals↗

CD4+ T cell-independent DNA vaccination against opportunistic infections.

Depletion or dysfunction of CD4+ T lymphocytes profoundly perturbs host defenses and impairs immunogenicity of vaccines. Here, we show that plasmid DNA vaccination with a cassette encoding antigen (OVA) and a second cassette encoding full-length CD40 ligand (CD40L), a molecule expressed on activated CD4+ T lymphocytes and critical for T cell helper function, can elicit significant titers of antigen-specific immunoglobulins in serum and Tc1 CD8+ T cell responses in CD4-deficient mice. To investigate whether this approach leads to CD4+ T cell-independent vaccine protection against a prototypic AIDS-defining infection, Pneumocystis (PC) pneumonia, we used serum from mice vaccinated with PC-pulsed, CD40L-modified DCs to immunoprecipitate PC antigens. Kexin, a PC antigen identified by this approach, was used in a similar DNA vaccine strategy with or without CD40L. CD4-deficient mice receiving DNA vaccines encoding Kexin and CD40L showed significantly higher anti-PC IgG titers as well as opsonic killing of PC compared with those vaccinated with Kexin alone. Moreover, CD4-depleted, Kexin-vaccinated mice showed a 3-log greater protection in a PC challenge model. Adoptive transfer of CD19+ cells or IgG to SCID mice conferred protection against PC challenge, indicating a role of humoral immunity in the protection. The results of these studies show promise for CD4-independent vaccination against HIV-related or other opportunistic pathogens.

Adenoviridae↗

Requirement of IL-17 receptor signaling in radiation-resistant cells in the joint for full progression of destructive synovitis.

IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine suspected to be involved in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we report that IL-17R signaling is required in radiation-resistant cells in the joint for full progression of chronic synovitis and bone erosion. Repeated injections of Gram-positive bacterial cell wall fragments (streptococcal cell wall) directly into the knee joint of naive IL-17R-deficient (IL-17R-/-) mice had no effect on the acute phase of arthritis but prevented progression to chronic destructive synovitis as was noted in wild-type (wt) mice. Microarray analysis revealed significant down-regulation of leukocyte-specific chemokines, selectins, cytokines, and collagenase-3 in the synovium of IL-17R-/- mice. Bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice revealed the need for IL-17R expression on radiation-resistant joint cells for destructive inflammation. Chimeric mice of host wt and donor IL-17R-/- BM cells developed destructive synovitis in this chronic reactivated streptococcal cell wall arthritis model similar to wt-->wt chimeras. In contrast, chimeric mice of host IL-17R-/- and donor wt BM cells were protected from chronic destructive arthritis similar as IL-17R-/- -->IL-17R-/- chimeras. These data strongly indicate that IL-17R signaling in radiation-resistant cells in the joint is required for turning an acute macrophage-mediated inflammation into a chronic destructive synovitis.

Animals↗

Interleukin-17 receptor deficiency results in impaired synovial expression of interleukin-1 and matrix metalloproteinases 3, 9, and 13 and prevents cartilage destruction during chronic reactivated streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) signaling in cartilage destruction and its interrelationship with synovial IL-1 expression during chronic reactivated streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis. METHODS: SCW arthritis was repeatedly induced in wild-type (WT) and IL-17R-deficient (IL-17R-/-) mice. At different time points, joint inflammation was assessed by using calipers to measure joint swelling. On day 42, mice were killed, and knee joints were removed for histologic analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for different proinflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were performed on inflamed synovium from WT and IL-17R-/- mice after 5 repeated injections of SCW fragments. RESULTS: IL-17R signaling did not play a significant role in acute joint swelling induced by a single injection of SCW fragments directly into the joint. However, repeated local injections of SCW fragments into the knee joints of IL-17R-/- mice resulted in fewer infiltrating cells in the joint compared with WT mice. Moreover, histologic analysis on day 42 revealed a significant suppression of the degree of chondrocyte death and an absence of cartilage surface erosion in IL-17R-/- mice. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed impaired synovial expression of IL-1, IL-6, cyclooxygenase 2, stromelysin (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9), and collagenase 3 (MMP-13) in IL-17R-/- mice. CONCLUSION: These data show a critical role of IL-17R signaling in driving the synovial expression of proinflammatory and catabolic mediators, such as IL-1 and different MMPs, during progression from an acute, macrophage-driven joint inflammation to a chronic, cartilage-destructive, T cell-mediated synovitis. Prevention of IL-17R signaling warrants consideration as a therapeutic target in chronic destructive arthritis.

Animals↗

Development of a gene therapy based bone marrow purging system for leukemias.

Although viable gene therapy based methods have been reported for the selective removal or purging of contaminating epithelial derived cancer cells from stem cell grafts, similar strategies for the purging of leukemia cells have been significantly less efficient. Hematopoietic cells are difficult targets for transduction with currently available vectors. Polylysine based molecular conjugate vectors (MCV) were previously found to effectively transduce both normal and malignant hematopoietic cells. A panel of human leukemia cell lines as well as CD34+ selected primary human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) were tested for differential gene expression utilizing different promoters. Reporter gene expression under the control of RSV and SV40 promoters showed a 6-log fold increase in leukemia cells when compared to primary HPC. Using a polylysine based recombinant molecular conglomerate vector (recMCV) encoding the HSV-tk suicide gene under control of RSV, we demonstrated effective and specific cell killing in all leukemia cell lines as well as in primary human leukemia cells derived from chemotherapy refractory patients, while HPC survived under the same conditions at approximately 20% viability. These proof of principle experiments demonstrate that gene therapy technology could be utilized to successfully purge leukemia cells from HPC.

Antigens, CD34↗

Interleukin-17/interleukin-17 receptor-mediated signaling is important for generation of an optimal polymorphonuclear response against Toxoplasma gondii infection.

We investigated the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17)/IL-17 receptor (IL-17R)-mediated signaling in the protective immunity against Toxoplasma gondii. IL-17R(-/-) mice developed a normal adaptive immunity against the parasite. However, increased mortality in the knockout animals can be attributed to a defect in the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to infected sites during early infection.

Animals↗

Requirement of interleukin-17A for systemic anti-Candida albicans host defense in mice.

T cells are required for normal host defense against fungal infection, and individuals with T cell-deficiency syndromes are highly susceptible to fungal pathogens. Interleukin (IL)-17A is a proinflammatory cytokine that interconnects myeloid and lymphoid host defense. The role of murine (m) IL-17A/mIL-17A receptor (R) interactions was evaluated in a murine model of systemic candidiasis. In response to systemic challenge with Candida albicans, expression of mIL-17A was induced, and IL-17AR knockout (IL-17AR(-/-)) mice had dose-dependent, substantially reduced survival. Fungal burden in the kidneys of IL-17AR(-/-) mice was dramatically increased (25-fold at 96 h). In IL-17AR(-/-) mice, both mobilization of peripheral neutrophils and their influx to infected organs were significantly impaired and delayed. In vivo expression of mIL-17A protected normal mice from a lethal dose of C. albicans (100% at day 7 and 65% at day 42). The data suggest that the mIL-17A/mIL-17AR system is required for normal fungal host defense in vivo. IL-17A could have potential as a therapeutic cytokine for systemic C. albicans infections in immunocompromised patients with cancer or advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Animals↗

Dose escalation of docetaxel concomitant with hypofractionated, once weekly chest radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase I study.

Hypofractionated chest radiotherapy has been used as an alternative when standard fractionated schedules are neither practical nor feasible. To explore docetaxel as radiosensitizer in a hypofractionated chest irradiation schedule, a docetaxel dose escalation study was conducted in which 26 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (stages III and IV) were enrolled. Docetaxel was administered 24 hours prior to irradiation (starting dose 10mg/m2; escalating in 5mg/m2 increments). Radiation was administered at 500 cGy (one fraction) once/wk for 10 consecutive weeks (5000 cGy total). The docetaxel dose was escalated up to 45 mg/m2/wk. The treatment was well tolerated over 10 consecutive weeks without requiring dose reductions or interruptions. Toxicities were mainly docetaxel related. One of 19 evaluable patients had a complete radiographic response within the radiation treatment port, 13 had a partial response, and 5 had stable disease. No patient recurred within the radiation field. Three patients who underwent surgical resection following treatment were pathologically down staged to stage I. This trial of a small group of patients supports, in selected patients, synchronous administration of effective hypofractionated, radiosensitized radiation therapy and optimized systemic chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Replication of an adenoviral vector controlled by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter causes tumor-selective tumor lysis.

Telomerase reactivation is a critical step for tumorigenesis, allowing cancer cells to proliferate indefinitely. Taking advantage of this property, we generated an adenovirus vector in which E1 gene expression, and therefore viral replication, is under control of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter. This vector, referred to as Ad5-hTERT-E1, replicated in cancer cells and demonstrated efficient cancer-selective cytolysis in a variety of tumor cell lines, including HT-1080 (fibrosarcoma cells); HeLa (cervical carcinoma cells); A549 (lung carcinoma cells); Hep G2 (hepatocellular carcinoma cells); SCC-4, SCC-25, and SCCLSU-1 (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells); T24 (bladder carcinoma); and DU 145 (prostate carcinoma). In contrast, the identical multiplicities of infection of Ad5-hTERT-E1 had no effect on primary cultures of normal human fibroblasts, airway epithelial cells, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, a single injection of Ad5-hTERT-E1 into preexisting HT-1080 solid tumors, established s.c. in nu/nu mice, efficiently suppressed tumor growth. Interestingly, this conditionally replicating vector transactivated the replication of an E1-deleted antitumor adenoviral vector, Ad5-RSV-hsvTK, in tumor cells, demonstrating a synergistic antitumor effect in vivo. Combinational injection of a single dose of Ad5-hTERT-E1 and Ad5-RSV-hsvTK vector resulted in significant tumor suppression and regression after ganciclovir treatment. These results suggest that the Ad5-hTERT-E1 vector has potential as a broad-spectrum antitumor agent.

Adenovirus E1 Proteins↗

IL-17 promotes bone erosion in murine collagen-induced arthritis through loss of the receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin balance.

IL-17 is a T cell-derived proinflammatory cytokine in experimental arthritis and is a stimulator of osteoclastogenesis in vitro. In this study, we report the effects of IL-17 overexpression (AdIL-17) in the knee joint of type II collagen-immunized mice on bone erosion and synovial receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of NF-kappa B/osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression. Local IL-17 promoted osteoclastic bone destruction, which was accompanied with marked tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity at sites of bone erosion in cortical, subchondral, and trabecular bone. Accelerated expression of RANKL and its receptor, receptor activator of NF-kappa B, was found in the synovial infiltrate and at sites of focal bone erosion, using specific immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, AdIL-17 not only enhanced RANKL expression but also strongly up-regulated the RANKL/OPG ratio in the synovium. Comparison of arthritic mice from the AdIL-17 collagen-induced arthritis group with full-blown collagen-arthritic mice having similar clinical scores for joint inflammation revealed lower RANKL/OPG ratio and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in the latter group. Interestingly, systemic OPG treatment prevented joint damage induced by local AdIL-17 gene transfer in type II collagen-immunized mice. These findings suggest T cell IL-17 to be an important inducer of RANKL expression leading to loss of the RANKL/OPG balance, stimulating osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion in arthritis.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Interleukin 17: an example for gene therapy as a tool to study cytokine mediated regulation of hematopoiesis.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is an essential proinflammatory T-cell derived cytokine with various biological actions. IL-17 was found to have a pivotal role in microbial host defense by interconnecting lymphoid and myeloid host defense. It also acts as a stimulatory hematopoietic cytokine by expanding myeloid progenitors and initiating proliferation of mature neutrophils. This article summarizes results to date on IL-17 research and discusses gene therapy based strategies that were employed to determine its biological functions and significance. A comprehensive working model for IL-17 is introduced.

Animals↗

Lentiviral vectors for sustained transgene expression in human bone marrow-derived stromal cells.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have attracted attention as potential platforms for the systemic delivery of therapeutic proteins in vivo following gene transfer using oncogenic retroviruses. However, the major limitations of this strategy include low levels of gene transfer and a general lack of long-term transgene expression. We have investigated the expression of several transgenes in MSCs following HIV-1 lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer. Vectors containing a variety of strong promoters driving enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and coral (Discosoma sp.)-derived red fluorescent protein (DsRed) reporter genes pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus-G (VSV-G) glycoprotein were able to transduce cultured MSCs with high efficiency. Transduction efficiencies and transgene expression levels in MSCs were found to be higher with lentiviral vectors than with a vector based on the murine stem cell virus pseudotyped with VSV-G. Transgene expression was maintained in culture for at least 5 months. HIV-1-based lentiviral vectors were able to transduce clonogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells, which were capable of maintaining transgene expression by their MSC progeny, over several cell divisions and during differentiation into adipocytes, indicating that terminal adipocyte cell differentiation was unaffected by lentivirus-mediated reporter gene transfer. Collectively these results suggest that lentivirus-mediated gene transfer strategies provide an efficient tool for ex vivo modification of MSCs that does not interfere with differentiation.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Acute alcohol intoxication suppresses the CXC chemokine response during endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND: CXC chemokines play an important role in host defense against infections. Alcohol is a frequently abused drug that inhibits numerous immune functions of the host. This study investigated the effects of alcohol on CXC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) responses in rats challenged with intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Acute ethanol intoxication was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 20% alcohol (5.5 g/kg). Thirty minutes thereafter, LPS (500 microg/kg) was administered intravenously. In another set of experiments, rats were intravenously administered an anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) neutralizing antibody (10 mg per rat) 2 hr before the LPS challenge. RESULTS: At 1 and 2 hr after the LPS challenge, MIP-2, CINC, and TNFalpha concentrations in the plasma were significantly increased. Alcohol intoxication suppressed the MIP-2, CINC, and TNFalpha responses in the bloodstream during endotoxemia. Alcohol also suppressed the increase in plasma chemotactic activity and polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in rats with endotoxemia. MIP-2 and CINC messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was significantly increased 1 hr after endotoxemia in the lung, liver, and spleen. Alcohol suppressed the up-regulation of MIP-2 mRNA expression in all of these organs and CINC mRNA expression in the lungs of rats with endotoxemia. TNFalpha neutralization minimally inhibited plasma CINC and MIP-2 responses during endotoxemia and did not suppress the increase in plasma chemotactic activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that alcohol suppresses the systemic CXC chemokine response to LPS, which is not primarily mediated by ethanol-induced suppression of TNFalpha. This disruption of host-defense function may serve as one mechanism underlying the increased risk of infectious diseases in hosts who abuse alcohol.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗