In vitro functional properties of antithymocyte globulins: clues for new therapeutic applications?
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Publications and source records attributed to S Fournel.
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The interaction between Fas ligand and Fas, both expressed on activated T cells, is the major pathway in the regulation of activation-induced cell death. However, activated T cells that express membrane Fas are initially resistant to anti-Fas-induced apoptosis and become susceptible only after proliferation in vitro. Since IL-2 is known to regulate activation-induced cell death, we studied the effect of IL-2 on anti-Fas-mediated apoptosis. Interference with the IL-2 pathway was achieved by 1) inhibition of cytokine synthesis using cyclosporin A or FK506, 2) neutralization of IL-2 by anti-IL-2 Ab, 3) inhibition of binding to IL-2R by CD25 mAb, and 4) blocking of IL-2R signaling by rapamycin. We show that Fas expression is independent of the IL-2 pathway, whereas Fas-mediated apoptosis does not develop in the presence of inhibitors of IL-2 production or signaling. While the addition of rIL-2 reversed the inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A and FK506, the addition of rIL-4, rIL-7, or rIFN-gamma did not, although these cytokines induced progression into the S phase of the cell cycle. Aphidicolin-treated activated T cells that do not progress into the S phase were susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, Fas-mediated apoptosis is controlled by signals generated by IL-2 in agreement with the reported alteration of apoptosis in mice deficient in IL-2 or IL-2R.
Knowing that several CD4 mAbs may delay allograft rejection in the absence of circulating CD4+ lymphocyte depletion in vivo, we investigated the mechanisms whereby CD4 mAbs can interfere with the development of alloreactive T cells in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). In agreement with previous reports, CD4 mAbs of different species (mouse, rat, humanized), isotypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b) and different epitope specificities decreased 3H-TdR incorporation in MLR, using monocyte-depleted or CD4+ T lymphocyte-enriched blood mononuclear cells as responders. Those effects were achieved at nonsaturating mAb concentration and were still demonstrable upon delayed addition of CD4 mAbs. However, CD4 mAbs decreased neither the number of blast cells nor the expression of CD25 (the alpha chain of IL-2 receptor), indicating that initial activation events leading to blast transformation were not affected. Determination of cytokine gene expression by non competitive quantitative RT-PCR and measurement of protein concentration in supernatants demonstrated that CD4 mAbs did not decrease IFN-gamma induced by alloactivation. However IL-2 concentration was decreased in all supernatants whereas IL-2 mRNA expression, only slightly decreased at 24 hr, and dropped after 72 hr. IL-5 and IL-10 mRNAs, equally expressed by stimulated or nonstimulated responder cells, were not affected by CD4 mAbs. IL-4 mRNA was not detectable. Furthermore, addition of rIL-2, rIFN-gamma or rIL-4 did not overcome proliferation inhibition. The data provide a novel insight into the mechanisms of CD4 mAbs immunosuppresssion that associates a decrease of IL-2 expression with an IL-2 resistant blockade of the progression of activated CD4+ T cells from the G1 to the S phases of the cell cycle.
This report describes a very simple method that facilitates the analysis of the functional activity of essential genes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in cell culture. The method, which depends on the use of complementing plasmids containing a virus origin of replication (ori s) and a packaging signal (amplicon plasmids), was tested for its ability to detect complementation of the defective HSV-1 Cgal delta 42 virus, a UL42 null mutant, by amplicon plasmids carrying either wild-type (pA-UL42) or mutated alleles (pA-delta UL42) of the HSV-1 UL42 gene. In nonpermissive Vero cells transfected with amplicon plasmid pA-UL42 and superinfected with the defective Cgal delta 42 virus, both the plasmid and the helper genomes were amplified and packaged, giving rise to a self-complementing amplicon/helper virus population able to disseminate and to form lytic plaques in cell culture. These plaques were due to complementation and not to recombination between the defective virus and the amplicon plasmid as confirmed by Southern blot analysis of individual plaques. No complementation was observed by superinfection of cells transfected with the noncomplementing pA-delta UL42 amplicon plasmid. Instead, small foci were observed in cells transfected with plasmids which express wild-type UL42 but were unable to amplify or to become packaged, and the few true lytic plaques that were observed in these systems resulted from the spread of competent recombinant viruses. Results presented in this work indicate that (i) self-complementation between a defective virus and an amplicon plasmid provides a strong and very sensitive method to assess function activity of an HSV-1 essential gene in a one-step experiment and (ii) oris-carrying plasmids could be instrumental in the production and selection of recombinant HSV-1 vectors.
CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are potent immunosuppressive agents which have been shown to induce in vivo tolerance to antigens and alloantigens and are presently evaluated in humans in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In previous studies, we observed that clinical improvement of CD4 mAb-treated psoriasis patients was achieved without depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes and at nonsaturating CD4 mAb concentrations, suggesting a functional blockade of CD4+ lymphocyte responses. In this study, we demonstrate that priming of normal human CD4+ T cells by immobilized OKT3 (iOKT3) in the presence of CD4 mAbs in soluble phase induces a hyporesponsiveness following subsequent restimulation by iOKT3 in the absence of CD4 mAbs. This hyporesponsiveness was not associated with increased cell death during priming or restimulation cultures and could be reversed by the combination of phorbol ester + ionomycin, demonstrating a functional blockade of viable cells by CD4 mAbs. Following iOKT3 restimulation, hyporesponsive cells showed a lack of blast transformation and CD25 expression and were not able to respond to IL-2 since addition of high doses of exogenous IL-2 +/- CD28 mAbs did not reverse the hyporesponsiveness. However, costimulation with CD45RA mAb completely reversed the hyporesponsiveness, suggesting that CD45 controlled the CD4-mediated hyporesponsiveness.
Programmed cell death or apoptosis is characterized by typical morphological alterations. By transmission electron microscopy, apoptotic cells are identified by condensation of the chromatin in tight apposition to the nuclear envelope, alteration of the nuclear envelope and fragmentation of the nucleus, whereas integrity of the plasma membrane and organelles is preserved. Conversely cells undergoing necrosis display an early desintegration of cytoplasmic membrane and swelling of mitochondria. In this study we assessed by flow cytometry the sequential alterations of forward angle light scatter, 90 degrees light scatter, and fluorescence associated with fluorescein diacetate, rhodamine 123, and propidium iodide in two human B cell lines undergoing apoptosis induced by the topoisomerase II inhibitor VP-16. The kinetics of these modifications were compared to those of cells undergoing necrosis induced by sodium azide. At the same time intervals, cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy and by UV microscopy after staining with Hoechst 33342. We report that sequential changes in light scatters and fluorescein diacetate are similar in cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis, whereas apoptosis is characterized by a slightly delayed decrease of mitochondrial activity as assessed by rhodamine 123 staining. Surprisingly a part of cells undergoing apoptosis displayed an early uptake of propidium iodide followed by a condensation and then a fragmentation of their nuclei. It is concluded that uptake of propidium iodide is a very early marker of cell death which does not discriminate between necrosis and apoptosis. Along with biochemical criteria, nuclear morphology revealed by staining with Hoechst 33342 would seem to be of the most simple and most discriminative assay of apoptosis.
Apoptosis of human B cells and murine T and B cells was analyzed by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, clamped homogeneous electric field, measurement of cell DNA content by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and by UV microscopy. Apoptosis was induced by etoposide (an inhibitor of topoisomerase II), by the calcium ionophore ionomycin or by cross-linking of membrane immunoglobulins (Ig) with anti-Ig-antibodies. Two types of apoptosis could be defined. Apoptosis resulting in small DNA fragments (180-200 base pairs and multiples thereof) was associated with a typical 'ladder' in agarose gel electrophoresis and a decrease in cell DNA content assessed by flow cytometry. Conversely apoptosis with large DNA fragments (100-150 kilobase pairs) was only demonstrated by clamped homogeneous electric field but was not associated with decreased cell DNA content or the observation of DNA ladders. Nuclear condensation without fragmentation was more frequent when apoptosis generated large DNA fragments. The type of apoptosis appears to be an intrinsic property of each cell type.
We investigated whether exposure of naive and in vitro pre-activated T cells to CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) could induce specific hyporesponsiveness to a subsequent challenge in the absence of CD4 mAb. Unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with mitomycin-treated B cell lines as stimulator cells, in the presence or absence of CD4 mAb, then challenged with the same or unrelated stimulator cells. The kinetics of [3H] thymidine incorporation, blast transformation and CD25 expression were determined. Cells activated in primary or secondary culture in the presence of CD4 mAb demonstrated a markedly decreased response to subsequent challenge in the absence of antibody. This effect was reproduced with three different CD4 mAb of the IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses, which recognize two distinct epitopes of the CD4 molecule. Addition of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) during exposure to CD4 mAb failed to prevent the induction of specific hyporesponsiveness. Similarly, exogenous rIL-2, added together with stimulating cells, failed to restore the specific proliferative response, indicating that the mechanisms were different from those of classical anergy. The hyporesponsiveness was clonally restricted since CD4 mAb-pretreated cells developed a normal primary response to third-party stimulator cells. No increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells was observed in hyporesponsive cell populations, but selective clonal deletion cannot be excluded. The data demonstrate a delayed effect of CD4 ligation on T cell responses to a subsequent challenge.
HSV-1 amplicon vectors were used to express either a cytoplasmic (beta-galactosidase) or a membrane targeted protein (TIMP-Thy1) in primary neuronal cultures, and a human astrocytoma cell line. Whereas some cells became infected by vector particles alone others were simultaneously infected by both vector and helper particles. Our results show that IEHCMV and HSV-1 IE3 promoters are able to direct transgene expression in these cells in the absence of synthesis of helper virus transacting proteins, and stress the need of monitoring expression from both partners of an amplicon population, in order to differentiate transgene expression in cells singly infected with amplicon particles, from those infected by both amplicon and helper particles.
In addition to their inhibitory action on gastric acid secretion, prostaglandins may exert part of their protective effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa by specifically maintaining the cellular integrity of the intestinal epithelium. This in vitro study investigated the cytoprotective effect conferred on intestinal epithelial cell lines IRD 98 and IEC 17 against ethanol injury by the synthetic prostaglandin enprostil and compared effects with those of the histamine H2-receptor blocker cimetidine. Exposure to 3% ethanol (652 mM) reduced cell viability and increased the cAMP and membrane fluidity of both cell lines. Our results demonstrate that: (i) enprostil exerts a significant cytoprotective effect against damage by ethanol; (ii) cimetidine has no cytoprotective effect; (iii) IRD 98 cells are more sensitive to enprostil than IEC 17 cells.
The presence of the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis in the small intestine is associated with an increase in epithelial renewal. To assess the possible role of excretory/secretory products from the worm on cell proliferation, adult Trichostrongylus colubriformis were incubated in vitro in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium for 24 h and the conditioned medium was added to the culture medium of the transformed epithelial cell line HT29-D4. A stimulation of the HT29-D4 cell growth was ascertained at concentrations of 0.25-1.0 micrograms protein/ml using counts of cell numbers, the MTT method and incorporation of tritiated thymidine. An increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine was also observed with the excretory/secretory products from T. colubriformis fourth stage larvae at 1.0 microgram/ml. Dialysis of the medium conditioned by the worms indicated that the molecular weight of the factor is greater than 8000 Daltons in size. Heat treatment, acid hydrolysis and precipitation by trichloracetic acid of the conditioned medium resulted in the disappearance of the proliferative effect while treatment with trypsin partially depleted the stimulative activity. These results suggest that T. colubriformis produce some protein factor which could increase the epithelial regeneration in the host small intestine.
The excretory/secretory (ES) products of the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis have been found to increase the in vitro proliferation of the epithelial cell line HT29-D4. To assess the specificity of this effect, ES products from other trichostrongyle species were tested on colonic (HT29-D4) and gastric (HGT-1) tumour cell lines. Adult worms of six different nematode species, parasites of the stomach or the small intestine of ruminants, were incubated in vitro in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium for 24 h. The conditioned media were then added at different concentrations to the culture medium of the two cell lines. A stimulation of the HT29-D4 cell growth occurred with the ES products of two parasite species of the small intestine, at the concentrations of 0.1 microgram protein/ml (Trichostrongylus vitrinus) and 1.0-5.0 micrograms/ml (Cooperia curticei). Inversely, a decrease in cell number was observed with the ES products of another intestinal species, Nematodirus battus at concentrations of 1.0-5.0 micrograms/ml. With the ES products of the abomasal nematodes, a proliferation of HT29-D4 cells was obtained at 0.25-5.0 micrograms/ml with ES products of Teladorsagia circumcincta but no significant effect was observed for Haemonchus contortus. On the tumoral gastric cell line HGT-1, the ES products from the 6 nematode species gave a similar stimulative effect. These in vitro results suggest that nematode parasite species secrete or excrete component(s) which could affect the epithelial regeneration of the host digestive tract.
HSV-1 derived amplicons expressing cytoplasmic beta-galactosidase (pA-SF1), or plasma membrane targeted TIMP-Thy1 (pA-TT1), were used to transduce glial cells in vitro. By monitoring the expression of reporter genes from both amplicons and helper virus, we determined that many cells were infected by both particles. In glial cells infected only by pA-SF1 beta-galactosidase immunoreactivity was restricted to the cytoplasm; co-infection with helper HSV-1 (wild type), resulted in additional nuclear beta-galactosidase immunoreactivity. Co-infection of cells with amplicon pA-TT1 and helper virus did not affect the plasma membrane localization of TIMP/Thy1. Thus, co-infection with wild type helper virus altered the localization of an amplicon encoded cytoplasmic, but not plasma membrane protein.
In order to characterize protein targeting signals in polarized postmitotic cortical neurones in vitro, we have developed recombinant and amplicon type vectors derived from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) to transfer genes into these cells. We examined the targeting of both bacterial proteins, which lack specific targeting signals, as well as recombinant proteins containing mammalian targeting sequences, i.e. the sequence encoding for the addition of a glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) membrane anchor. Utilizing both HSV1 recombinant and amplicon vectors we demonstrate that while a GPI anchor is able to direct a foreign protein to the plasma membrane, the recombinant protein is targeted mainly to the dendritic, but also to the axonal plasma membrane; i.e. its distribution is not completely polarized. Thus, GPI anchors do not function as dominant polarized targeting signals in neurones, as they do in polarized epithelial cell lines.
The mechanisms whereby anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies can block human peripheral blood lymphocyte response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) were investigated. Preincubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with anti-CD4 mAbs resulted in a profound inhibition of SEB-induced DNA synthesis, while simultaneous addition of antibody and superantigen did not reproducibly decrease the proliferative response. Inhibition was achieved at a very low antibody concentration (0.1 microgram/ml). It was not increased by cross-linking of anti-CD4 mAb nor mediated by Fc-dependent signals as F(ab')2 antibody fragments were as effective as intact antibodies. Inhibition of proliferation was associated with a profound diminution of IL-2 and IFN-gamma secretion, CD25 (the alpha chain of IL-2 receptor) expression, and blast transformation. Stimulation by SEB after prior ligation of surface CD4 proteins by antibodies was associated with an increased percentage of lymphocytes with chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. It was concluded that stimulation of mature peripheral T cells by SEB through T cell receptors induces an apoptotic signal providing that a small proportion of surface CD4 molecules has interacted with antibodies or F(ab')2 fragments before stimulation by SEB, while simultaneous addition of SEB and anti-CD4 mAb does not prevent the development of a complete activation program in this system. Possible implications of these observations regarding selective clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells by administration of anti-CD4 mAbs in patients with auto-immune diseases are discussed.
UNLABELLED: Chronic malnutrition results in severe metabolic imbalance in man as the body modifies its modes of regulation of different nutrients, and in particular lipids. This study of the modifications in lipid metabolism induced by 15 days of enteral renutrition include: 12 malnourished patients (global nutritional deficit (GND) <20%) were given a cyclical enteral diet for 15 days under two conditions: ternary diet (Sondalis) or a similar diet whose lipid concentration was enriched by 5.3 g omega3 fatty acid per day. On Day 0 and Day 15, the serum lipid values were assayed and duodenal biopsies were taken to measure HMG-CoA reductase and (14)C acetate incorporation in the various classes of lipids. After 15 days of refeeding, the GND had been corrected by an average of 27% and HMG-CoA reductase activity had increased by 37% (60.2 +/- 7.46 vs 82.88 +/- 14.8 pmol/min/mg protein; p < 0.05). In 7 12 patients, the serum cholesterol values had increased (p < 0.01). No difference was observed in synthesis of FA, DG or cholesterol. Synthesis of phosphatidylcholines (PC) and phosphatidylglycerols (PG) was reduced by 12% and 23% respectively. Triglyceride synthesis (TG) increased by 20% (p < 0.05). The only difference between the two diets was in TG synthesis in organ-specific culture, which was increased only by the standard diet. IN CONCLUSION: (i) refeeding is accompanied by an increase in intestinal HMG-CoA reductase activity, a decrease in PC and PG synthesis, and an increase in TG synthesis; (ii) a diet enriched in omega3 FA increases TG synthesis less than the standard diet.
Several studies have demonstrated that certain essential fatty acids present a specific cytotoxicity for tumor cells. However, no investigation of this type has been performed on human colon cancer cells to date. This study investigated the effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and prostaglandin (PG) E1 on the proliferation and metabolism of three human colon cancer cell lines: HT 29, HRT 18, and CACO 2. GLA, EPA and PGE1 all inhibited the proliferation of the three cell lines, but with a decreasing gradient of sensitivity: HRT 18 > HT 29 > CACO 2, and with different IC50 values. PGE1 was markedly less effective than the other two. GLA and EPA increased lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of indomethacin did not modify the effects of GLA and EPA. In addition, PGE1 had little effect on membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation. The antitumoral effect thus does not appear to be mediated by PGE1. Addition of vitamin E decreased the effects of GLA and EPA, which supports the hypothesis of direct action by these fatty acids. In conclusion, while EPA and GLA have an antitumoral effect in vitro, their effect on primary cultures of normal human colon cells must be investigated to determine whether this effect is specific to tumoral cells, as has been observed for other cell types.
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