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Biomedical subjects

Thomas F Tedder

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas F Tedder.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A new twist to the leukocyte adhesion cascade: intimate cooperation is key.

Leukocyte migration from blood into lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues requires a highly orchestrated series of adhesive and signaling events. A network of adhesion molecules with overlapping functions mediate the capture, rolling and firm adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium. A new study adds a novel twist to this paradigm by demonstrating that two adhesion molecules, CD44 and VLA-4, must be physically associated with each other on activated T cells to mediate efficient rolling and firm adhesion.

Animals↗

CD22: a multifunctional receptor that regulates B lymphocyte survival and signal transduction.

Recent advances in the study of CD22 indicate a complex role for this transmembrane glycoprotein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily in the regulation of B lymphocyte survival and proliferation. CD22 has been previously recognized as a potential lectin-like adhesion molecule that binds alpha2,6-linked sialic acid-bearing ligands and as an important regulator of B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling. However, genetic studies in mice reveal that some CD22 functions are regulated by ligand binding, whereas other functions are ligand-independent and may only require expression of an intact CD22 cytoplasmic domain at the B-cell surface. Until recently, most of the functional activity of CD22 has been widely attributed to CD22's ability to recruit potent intracellular phosphatases and limit the intensity of BCR-generated signals. However, a more complex role for CD22 has recently emerged, including a central role in a novel regulatory loop controlling the CD19/CD21-Src-family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) amplification pathway that regulates basal signaling thresholds and intensifies Src-family kinase activation after BCR ligation. CD22 is also central to the regulation of peripheral B-cell homeostasis and survival, the promotion of BCR-induced cell cycle progression, and is a potent regulator of CD40 signaling. Herein we discuss our current understanding of how CD22 governs these complex and overlapping processes, how alterations in these tightly controlled regulatory activities may influence autoimmune disease, and the current and future applications of CD22-directed therapies in oncology and autoimmunity.

Animals↗

The CD19-CD21 signal transduction complex of B lymphocytes regulates the balance between health and autoimmune disease: systemic sclerosis as a model system.

Cell-surface CD19 functions as a general rheostat for defining intrinsic and antigen receptor-induced signaling thresholds critical for clonal expansion of the B cell pool and humoral immunity. CD19 also governs B cell responses initiated through the CD21 receptor, where complement C3d binding to CD21 links humoral immune responses with the innate immune system. Alterations in this signaling pathway can predispose mice and humans to autoantibody production and systemic autoimmunity. Transgenic mice that overexpress CD19 by 20-170% lose tolerance and generate autoantibodies. Likewise, B cells from CD21-deficient mice overexpress CD19 by approximately 50%, which leads to autoantibody production. Autoimmune patients with systemic sclerosis also overexpress CD19 by approximately 20%, which may contribute to their intrinsic B cell abnormalities and autoantibody production. Thus, chronic B cell activation resulting from augmented CD19 expression or signaling through the CD19 pathway may reveal a prototype autoimmune disease susceptibility pathway in mice and humans.

Animals↗

CD22 regulates B lymphocyte function in vivo through both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent mechanisms.

The interaction of CD22 with alpha2,6-linked sialic acid ligands has been widely proposed to regulate B lymphocyte function and migration. Here, we generated gene-targeted mice that express mutant CD22 molecules that do not interact with these ligands. CD22 ligand binding regulated the expression of cell surface CD22, immunoglobulin M and major histocompatibility complex class II on mature B cells, maintenance of the marginal zone B cell population, optimal B cell antigen receptor-induced proliferation, and B cell turnover rates. However, CD22 negative regulation of calcium mobilization after B cell antigen receptor ligation, CD22 phosphorylation, recruitment of SHP-1 to CD22 and B cell migration did not require CD22 ligand engagement. These observations resolve longstanding questions regarding the physiological importance of CD22 ligand binding in the regulation of B cell function in vivo.

Animals↗

The innate mononuclear phagocyte network depletes B lymphocytes through Fc receptor-dependent mechanisms during anti-CD20 antibody immunotherapy.

Anti-CD20 antibody immunotherapy effectively treats non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and autoimmune disease. However, the cellular and molecular pathways for B cell depletion remain undefined because human mechanistic studies are limited. Proposed mechanisms include antibody-, effector cell-, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity, the disruption of CD20 signaling pathways, and the induction of apoptosis. To identify the mechanisms for B cell depletion in vivo, a new mouse model for anti-CD20 immunotherapy was developed using a panel of twelve mouse anti-mouse CD20 monoclonal antibodies representing all four immunoglobulin G isotypes. Anti-CD20 antibodies rapidly depleted the vast majority of circulating and tissue B cells in an isotype-restricted manner that was completely dependent on effector cell Fc receptor expression. B cell depletion used both FcgammaRI- and FcgammaRIII-dependent pathways, whereas B cells were not eliminated in FcR common gamma chain-deficient mice. Monocytes were the dominant effector cells for B cell depletion, with no demonstrable role for T or natural killer cells. Although most anti-CD20 antibodies activated complement in vitro, B cell depletion was completely effective in mice with genetic deficiencies in C3, C4, or C1q complement components. That the innate monocyte network depletes B cells through FcgammaR-dependent pathways during anti-CD20 immunotherapy has important clinical implications for anti-CD20 and other antibody-based therapies.

Animals↗

Cutting edge: C3d functions as a molecular adjuvant in the absence of CD21/35 expression.

Complement component C3 covalently attaches to Ags following activation, where the C3d cleavage fragment can function as a molecular adjuvant to augment humoral immune responses. C3d is proposed to exert its adjuvant-like activities by targeting Ags to the C3d receptor (CD21/35) expressed by B cells and follicular dendritic cells. To directly assess the importance of CD21/35 in mediating the immunostimulatory effects of C3d, CD21/35-deficient (CD21/35(-/-)) mice were immunized with streptavidin (SA), SA-C3dg tetramers, recombinant HIV gp120 (gp120), or gp120 fused with linear multimers of C3d. Remarkably, SA- and gp120-specific Ab responses were significantly augmented in CD21/35(-/-) mice when these Ags were complexed with C3d in comparison to Ag alone. In fact, primary and secondary Ab responses and Ab-forming cell responses of CD21/35(-/-) mice approached those of wild-type mice immunized with SA-C3dg and gp120-C3d. Thus, C3d can function as a molecular adjuvant in the absence of CD21/35 expression.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Severely impaired B lymphocyte proliferation, survival, and induction of the c-Myc:Cullin 1 ubiquitin ligase pathway resulting from CD22 deficiency on the C57BL/6 genetic background.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms through which CD22 regulates B lymphocyte homeostasis, signal transduction, and tolerance is critical to defining normal B cell function and understanding the role of CD22 in autoimmunity. Therefore, CD22 function was examined in vivo and in vitro using B cells from CD22-deficient (CD22(-/-)) mice. Backcrossing of founder CD22(-/-) mice onto the C57BL/6 (B6) genetic background from a B6/129 mixed background resulted in a dramatically reduced B cell proliferative response following IgM ligation, characterized by a paucity of lymphoblasts and augmented apoptosis. Also, the phenotype of splenic B6 CD22(-/-) B cells was uniquely HSA(high) and IgD(low)/CD21(low) with intermediate levels of CD5 expression, although the percentages of mature and transitional B cells were normal. That B6 CD22(-/-) B cells predominantly underwent apoptosis following IgM ligation correlated with this unique tolerant phenotype, as well as defective induction of the c-Myc:Cullin 1 (CUL1) ubiquitin ligase pathway that is necessary for progression to the S phase of cell cycle. CD40 ligation compensated for CD22 deficiency by restoring lymphoblast development, proliferation, c-Myc and CUL1 expression, and protein ubiquitination/degradation in IgM-stimulated B6 CD22(-/-) B cell cultures. Thereby, this study expands our current understanding of the complex role of CD22 during B cell homeostasis and Ag responsiveness, and reveals that the impact of CD22 deficiency is dictated by the genetic background on which it is rendered. Moreover, this study defines CD22 and CD40 as the first examples of lymphocyte coreceptors that influence induction of the c-Myc:CUL1 ubiquitin ligase pathway.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Activation of arterial wall dendritic cells and breakdown of self-tolerance in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a granulomatous and occlusive vasculitis that causes blindness, stroke, and aortic aneurysm. CD4(+) T cells are selectively activated in the adventitia of affected arteries. In human GCA artery-severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse chimeras, depletion of CD83(+) dendritic cells (DCs) abrogated vasculitis, suggesting that DCs are critical antigen-presenting cells in GCA. Healthy medium-size arteries possessed an indigenous population of DCs at the adventitia-media border. Adoptive T cell transfer into temporal artery-SCID mouse chimeras demonstrated that DCs in healthy arteries were functionally immature, but gained T cell stimulatory capacity after injection of lipopolysaccharide. In patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), a subclinical variant of GCA, adventitial DCs were mature and produced the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21, but vasculitic infiltrates were lacking. Human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class II-matched healthy arteries, PMR arteries, and GCA arteries were coimplanted into SCID mice. Immature DCs in healthy arteries failed to stimulate T cells, but DCs in PMR arteries could attract, retain, and activate T cells that originated from the GCA lesions. We propose that in situ maturation of DCs in the adventitia is an early event in the pathogenesis of GCA. Activation of adventitial DCs initiates and maintains T cell responses in the artery and breaks tissue tolerance in the perivascular space.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Association of a functional CD19 polymorphism with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: CD19 is overexpressed in B cells from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and plays a crucial role not only for autoantibody production, but also for skin fibrosis in mouse models. We previously reported the association of a GT repeat polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of CD19 with human systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we examined whether CD19 polymorphisms are associated with genetic susceptibility to SSc. METHODS: A case-control association study was performed for CD19 polymorphisms, -499G>T in the promoter region and a GT repeat polymorphism in the 3'-UTR, in 134 patients with SSc and 96 healthy individuals recruited at Kanazawa University. CD19 expression levels in the peripheral blood naive and memory B cells from SSc patients were examined by 2-color flow cytometry. RESULTS: Carrier frequencies of the -499T allele in the promoter (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.31-3.86, P = 0.003) and of the (GT)(14) allele in the 3'-UTR (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.05-3.28, P = 0.03) were significantly increased in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. Association was particularly evident in patients with limited cutaneous SSc with anticentromere antibodies. These alleles were in linkage disequilibrium, but the -499T allele seemed to play a primary role. CD19 expression levels in peripheral blood B cells were significantly elevated in both naive (P = 0.0029) and memory (P = 0.0022) B cells from patients with SSc who had the -499T allele as compared with those without the -499T allele. CONCLUSION: The CD19 -499G>T polymorphism is associated with higher CD19 expression in B cells, and with susceptibility to SSc.

Adult↗

Altered B lymphocyte function induces systemic autoimmunity in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition in the skin and visceral organs. SSc is associated with immune activation characterized by autoantibody production, lymphocyte activation, and release of various cytokines. The presence of autoantibodies is a central feature of immune activation in SSc. Although autoantibodies are thought to be closely linked to the pathogenesis of SSc, the pathogenic relationship between systemic autoimmunity and the clinical manifestations of SSc, including skin fibrosis, remains unknown. Recent studies have revealed that B cells play a critical role in systemic autoimmunity and disease expression through various functions, including cytokine production in addition to autoantibody production. The B cell signaling thresholds are regulated by response regulators that augment or diminish B cell signals during responses to self and foreign antigens. Abnormal regulation of the response regulator function and expression may result in autoantibody production. Among these response regulators, CD19, which is a critical cell-surface signal transduction molecule of B cells, is the most potent positive regulator. Transgenic mice that overexpress CD19 by approximately 3-fold lose tolerance and generate autoantibodies spontaneously. B cells from SSc patients exhibit a 20%-increase in CD19 expression that induces SSc-specific autoantibody production in transgenic mice. Furthermore, SSc patients have intrinsic B cell abnormalities characterized by expanded naive B cells, activated but diminished memory B cells, and chronic hyper-reactivity of memory B cells, possibly due to CD19 overexpression. Similarly, B cells from a tight-skin mouse, a model of SSc, show augmented CD19 signaling and chronic hyper-reactivity. Remarkably, CD19 loss results in inhibition of chronic B cell hyper-reactivity and elimination of autoantibody production, which is associated with improvement in skin fibrosis and a parallel decrease in IL-6 production by B cells. Thus, chronic B cell activation resulting from augmented CD19 signaling leads to skin fibrosis possibly through IL-6 overproduction, as well as autoantibody production, in tight-skin mice and SSc patients.

Animals↗

B Lymphocyte signaling established by the CD19/CD22 loop regulates autoimmunity in the tight-skin mouse.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis and autoimmmunity. Peripheral blood B cells from SSc patients specifically overexpress CD19, a critical cell-surface signal transduction molecule in B cells. CD19 deficiency in B cells also attenuates skin fibrosis in the tight-skin (TSK/+) mouse, a genetic model for SSc. Herein we analyzed two transgenic mouse lines that overexpress CD19. Remarkably, 20% increase of CD19 expression in mice spontaneously induced SSc-specific anti-DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) antibody (Ab) production, which was further augmented by 200% overexpression. In TSK/+ mice overexpressing CD19, skin thickness did not increase, although anti-topo I Ab levels were significantly augmented, indicating that abnormal CD19 signaling influences autoimmunity in TSK/+ mice and also that anti-topo I Ab does not have a pathogenic role. The molecular mechanisms for abnormal CD19 signaling were further assessed. B-cell antigen receptor crosslinking induced exaggerated calcium responses and augmented activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in TSK/+ B cells. CD22 function was specifically impaired in TSK/+ B cells. Consistently, CD19, a major target of CD22-negative regulation, was hyperphosphorylated in TSK/+ B cells. These findings indicate that reduced inhibitory signal provided by CD22 results in abnormal activation of signaling pathways including CD19 in TSK/+ mice and also suggest that this disrupted B cell signaling contribute to specific autoantibody production.

Animals↗

Mouse CD20 expression and function.

CD20 plays a role in human B cell proliferation and is an effective target for immunotherapy. In this study, mouse CD20 expression and biochemistry were assessed for the first time using a new panel of CD20-specific mAb, with CD20 function assessed using CD20-deficient (CD20(-/-)) mice. CD20 expression was B cell restricted and was initiated during late pre-B cell development. The frequency and density of CD20 expression increased during B cell maturation in the bone marrow, with a subpopulation of transitional IgM(hi) B cells expressing higher CD20 levels than the majority of mature recirculating B cells. Transitional T1 B cells in the spleen also expressed high CD20 levels, providing a useful new marker for this B cell subset. In CD20(-/-) mice, immature and mature B cell IgM expression was approximately 20-30% lower relative to B cells from wild-type littermates. In addition, CD19-induced intracellular calcium responses were significantly reduced in CD20(-/-) B cells, with a less dramatic effect on IgM-induced responses. These results reveal a role for CD20 in transmembrane Ca(2+) movement in mouse primary B cells that complements previous results obtained using human CD20 cDNA-transfected cell lines. Otherwise, B cell development, tissue localization, signal transduction, proliferation, T cell-dependent antibody responses and affinity maturation were normal in CD20(-/-) mice. Thus, mouse and human CD20 share similar patterns of expression and function. These studies thereby provide an animal model for studying CD20 function in vivo and the molecular mechanisms that influence anti-CD20 immunotherapy.

Animals↗

L-selectin shedding does not regulate constitutive T cell trafficking but controls the migration pathways of antigen-activated T lymphocytes.

L-selectin mediates rolling of lymphocytes in high endothelial venules (HEVs) of peripheral lymph nodes (PLNs). Cross-linking of L-selectin causes proteolytic shedding of its ectodomain, the physiological significance of which is unknown. To determine whether L-selectin shedding regulates lymphocyte migration, a mutant form that resists shedding (LdDeltaP-selectin) was engineered. Transgenic mice expressing either LDeltaP or wild-type (WT) L-selectin on T cells were crossed with L-selectin knockout (KO) mice. The cellularity and subset composition of secondary lymphoid organs did not differ between LDeltaP and WT mice, however, they were different from C57BL/6. Plasma levels of soluble L-selectin in LDeltaP mice were reduced to <5% of WT and C57BL/6 mice. The rolling properties of T lymphocytes from LDeltaP and WT mice on immobilized L-selectin ligands were similar. Furthermore, similar numbers of LDeltaP and WT T lymphocytes were recruited from the bloodstream into PLNs in mice, although LDeltaP T cells transmigrated HEVs more slowly. WT, but not LDeltaP-selectin, underwent rapid, metalloproteinase-dependent shedding after TCR engagement, and LDeltaP T cells retained the capacity to enter PLNs from the bloodstream. These results suggest that the ability to shed L-selectin is not required for T cell recirculation and homing to PLNs. However, L-selectin shedding from antigen-activated T cells prevents reentry into PLNs.

Animals↗

Cerebroside sulfotransferase deficiency ameliorates L-selectin-dependent monocyte infiltration in the kidney after ureteral obstruction.

Mononuclear cells infiltrating the interstitium are involved in renal tubulointerstitial injury. The unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is an established experimental model of renal interstitial inflammation. In our previous study, we postulated that L-selectin on monocytes is involved in their infiltration into the interstitium by UUO and that a sulfated glycolipid, sulfatide, is the physiological L-selectin ligand in the kidney. Here we tested the above hypothesis using sulfatide- and L-selectin-deficient mice. Sulfatide-deficient mice were generated by gene targeting of the cerebroside sulfotransferase (Cst) gene. Although the L-selectin-IgG chimera protein specifically bound to sulfatide fraction in acidic lipids from wild-type kidney, it did not show such binding in fractions of Cst(-/-) mice kidney, indicating that sulfatide is the major L-selectin-binding glycolipid in the kidney. The distribution of L-selectin ligand in wild-type mice changed after UUO; sulfatide was relocated from the distal tubules to the peritubular capillaries where monocytes infiltrate, suggesting that sulfatide relocated to the endothelium after UUO interacted with L-selectin on monocytes. In contrast, L-selectin ligand was not detected in Cst(-/-) mice irrespective of UUO treatment. Compared with wild-type mice, Cst(-/-) mice showed a considerable reduction in the number of monocytes/macrophages that infiltrated the interstitium after UUO. The number of monocytes/macrophages was also reduced to a similar extent in L-selectin(-/-) mice. Our results suggest that sulfatide is a major L-selectin-binding molecule in the kidney and that the interaction between L-selectin and sulfatide plays a critical role in monocyte infiltration into the kidney interstitium.

Animals↗

The tetraspanin CD81 regulates the expression of CD19 during B cell development in a postendoplasmic reticulum compartment.

CD81 is a widely expressed tetraspanin that associates in B cells with CD19 in the CD19-CD21-CD81 signaling complex. CD81 is necessary for normal CD19 expression; cd81(-/-) B cells express lower levels of CD19, especially cd81(-/-) small pre-BII cells, which are almost devoid of surface CD19. The dependence of CD19 expression on CD81 is specific to this particular tetraspanin since cd9(-/-) B cells express normal levels of CD19. Furthermore, expression of human CD81 in mouse cd81(-/-) B cells restored surface CD19 to normal levels. Quantitative analysis of CD19 mRNA demonstrated normal levels, even in cd81(-/-) pre-BII cells. Analysis of CD19 at the protein level identified two CD19 glycoforms in both wild-type and cd81(-/-) B cells. The higher M(r) glycoform is significantly reduced in cd81(-/-) B cells and is endoglycosidase H (endo-H) resistant. In contrast, the low M(r) glycoform is comparably expressed in cd81(-/-) and in wild-type B cells and is endo-H sensitive. Because endo-H sensitivity is tightly correlated with endoplasmic reticulum localization, we suggest that the dependency of CD19 expression on CD81 occurs in a postendoplasmic reticulum compartment where CD81 is necessary for normal trafficking or for surface membrane stability of CD19.

Animals↗

Ultraviolet light exposure suppresses contact hypersensitivity by abrogating endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 up-regulation at the elicitation site.

Hapten sensitization through UV-exposed skin induces systemic immune suppression, which is experimentally demonstrated by inhibition of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Although this UV-induced effect has been shown to be mediated by inhibition of the afferent phase of the CHS, the UV effects on the efferent (elicitation) phase remain unknown. In this study, UV effects on endothelial ICAM-1 expression at elicitation sites were first examined. Mice were sensitized by hapten application onto UV-exposed back skin, and ears were challenged 5 days later. ICAM-1 up-regulation at nonirradiated elicitation sites following hapten challenge was eliminated by UV exposure on sensitization sites distant from elicitation sites. To assess whether loss of the ICAM-1 up-regulation at elicitation sites contributed to UV-induced immunosuppression, we examined CHS responses in UV-exposed ICAM-1-deficient (ICAM-1(-/-)) mice that genetically lacked the ICAM-1 up-regulation. ICAM-1(-/-) mice exhibited reduced CHS responses without UV exposure, but UV exposure did not further reduce CHS responses in ICAM-1(-/-) mice. Furthermore, ICAM-1 deficiency did not affect the afferent limb, because ICAM-1(-/-) mice had normal generation of hapten-specific suppressor and effector T cells. This UV-induced immunosuppression was associated with a lack of TNF-alpha production after Ag challenge at elicitation sites. Local TNF-alpha injection before elicitation abrogated the UV-induced CHS inhibition with increased endothelial ICAM-1 expression. TNF-alpha production at elicitation sites was down-regulated by IL-10, a possible mediator produced by hapten-specific suppressor T cells that are generated by UV exposure. These results indicate that UV exposure inhibits CHS by abrogating up-regulation of endothelial ICAM-1 expression after Ag challenge at elicitation sites.

Animals↗

CD19 regulates innate immunity by the toll-like receptor RP105 signaling in B lymphocytes.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major gram-negative bacterial component that stimulates innate immune response and also induces B-lymphocyte activation. Recent studies have revealed that common molecular patterns of microorganisms such as LPS are recognized by toll-like receptors (TLRs). B cells have 2 known TLRs that mediate LPS signaling, TLR4 and RP105 (CD180). While TLR4 is expressed on immune cells of various types, RP105 is preferentially expressed on mature B cells. Here we demonstrate that CD19 plays a major role in regulating signal transduction through RP105. Anti-RP105 ligation induced normal proliferation of B cells from mice deficient for MyD88, an adaptor protein that mediates most TLR pathways. By contrast, the loss of CD19 resulted in modest B-cell proliferation against anti-RP105 stimulation as well as LPS stimulation. LPS induced tyrosine phosphorylation of CD19, which was RP105-dependent but TLR4-independent. CD19 formed a complex with Lyn and Vav following RP105 ligation, and CD19 expression was required for optimal Lyn activation and Vav phosphorylation. Consistently, B cells deficient for CD19 exhibited specific defect in the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases following RP105 ligation and LPS stimulation. In contrast, CD19 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase independently regulated intracellular calcium mobilization induced by anti-RP105 stimulation. Thus, signaling through the B-cell-specific LPS receptor RP105 is uniquely regulated by the B-cell-specific signaling component, Lyn/CD19/Vav complex.

Animals↗