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Mechanisms of tumour cell escape encountered in treating lymphocytic leukaemia with anti-idiotypic antibody.

Four patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were treated by one or more infusions of polyclonal antibody specific for the immunoglobulin idiotype expressed on their leukaemic cells. The antibody was in the form of IgG from sheep antiserum. Three of the 4 cases showed a significant fall in blood lymphocyte count. On one occasion most of the residual circulating lymphocytes were apparently dead. However on all occasions the cell counts rebounded to near pre-infusion levels within one week. Viable lymphocytes recovered from the blood after infusion always showed evidence of antigenic modulation: a diminished level of surface idiotype in a patched distribution, with an accompanying refractoriness to lysis by anti-idiotype plus complement. When cultured in vitro blood lymphocytes from three of the four patients revealed an appreciable export of idiotypic Ig. These 3 patients showed plasma levels of idiotypic Ig up to 400 micrograms ml-1, reduced by plasma exchange prior to infusion. The fourth patient had a level of less than 4 micrograms ml-1, and was the only one in whom free antibody could be found in the plasma after infusion. These cases demonstrate two major factors which thwart antibody attack on leukaemic cells--extracellular antigen and antigenic modulation--as well as problems relating to sparseness of surface antigen, recruitment of effectors, and exhaustion of effectors.

Aged↗

Use of Torpedo-mouse hybrid acetylcholine receptors reveals immunodominance of the alpha subunit in myasthenia gravis antisera.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), a pentameric complex of alpha 2 beta gamma delta subunits, is the autoantigen in the human autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis (MG). Anti-AChR antibodies are found in approximately 90% of MG patients and using indirect methods (competitive binding to solubilized AChR), peptides, or synthetic peptides, the majority of these antibodies have been shown to bind to the AChR alpha subunit. In order to determine directly the AChR subunit specificities of MG antibodies, we employed as antigens a novel set of hybrid AChR composed of species cross-reacting and non-cross-reacting subunits stably expressed in fibroblasts. Sequence similarities of homologous subunits among species can vary widely, with mammalian subunits having 87%-96% identity and Torpedo-mammalian subunits having 54%-80% identity. These findings are reflected in antigenic specificities, with human anti-AChR antisera frequently recognizing mouse AChR but rarely recognizing Torpedo. By establishing separate cell lines stably expressing all-Torpedo, all-mouse, and different combinations of Torpedo and mouse subunits, we were able to provide the first direct evidence of a predominant anti-alpha subunit specificity in MG antisera. Functional hybrid AChR stably expressed in an intact cell membrane provide us with a system that best mimics the in vivo environment of the MG antibody in a binding assay. Such a system allows us to investigate a perplexing observation in the field: a poor correlation between the patient's clinical status and antibody titer. Those antibodies which can interfere with AChR function, such as ones with the ability to cross-link AChR and induce their accelerated internalization and degradation (antigenic modulation) might represent a subpopulation of MG antibodies important in disease induction or maintenance. In this report, we demonstrate that wild-type and hybrid AChR expressed in fibroblasts can be antigenically modulated by intermolecular cross-linking antibodies as AChR are in native muscle cells. Because we can monitor dynamic interactions between AChR and MG antibodies, this system may allow us to define crucial pathogenic epitopes in MG by expressing hybrid, chimeric, and mutant AChR.

Animals↗

Fos-related antigen 1 modulates malignant features of glioma cells.

Malignant gliomas, and high-grade gliomas (HGG) in particular, are nonmetastasizing but locally infiltrating, hypervascularized brain tumors of poor prognosis. We found previously that a c-fos-inducible vascular endothelial growth factor D is ubiquitously up-regulated in HGG grade IV, glioblastoma multiforme, and that glioblastoma multiforme overexpress Fos-related antigen 1 (Fra-1) rather than the c-Fos. We have thus become interested in the role Fra-1 may play in malignant glioma progression/maintenance, because Fra-1 has the capacity to modulate transcription of a variety of target genes. In this work, we have analyzed the biological effects of ectopic Fra-1 expression or Fra-1 knockdown in malignant glioma cells. Ectopic Fra-1 induced prominent phenotypic changes in all three malignant glioma cell lines examined: H4, U-87 MG, and A-172 MG. These changes were reflected in cells becoming more elongated with larger number of cellular processes. Furthermore, Fra-1 transgene caused H4 cells, which do not form tumor xenografts, to regain tumorigenic capacity. The genotype of these cells changed too, because 50 of 1,056 genes examined became either up-regulated or down-regulated. Conversely, Fra-1 knockdown altered prominently the morphology, anchorage-independent growth, tumorigenic potential, and Fra-1 effector expression, such as vascular endothelial growth factor D, in HGG cells. For example, cells transfected with antisense fra-1 showed shorter cellular processes than the control cells that did not grow in agar, and their tumorigenic potential was significantly diminished. Thus, Fra-1 may likely play an important role in the maintenance/progression of malignant gliomas and potentially represents a new target for therapeutic interventions.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Induction of "antigen silencing" in melanomas by oncostatin M: down-modulation of melanocyte antigen expression.

We previously reported that antigen expression in melanoma cell lines is down-regulated by proteins secreted by antigen-negative melanoma cells. Here we report the purification and characterization of one of these down-regulatory factors, the cytokine, oncostatin M (OSM), which transmits its signal via the gp130 cell surface receptor, resulting in the selective down-modulation of the melanocyte lineage antigens: Melan-A/MART-1, gp100, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and the M isoform of microphthalmia transcription factor. Furthermore, we have found that some melanoma cell lines produce as yet uncharacterized factors distinct from OSM which also down-modulate antigen expression via signaling pathways different from that employed by OSM. These data indicate that there may be several regulatory pathways and molecules involved in the antigen-silencing process which may be related to the state of differentiation of the tumor cell and may affect the outcome of antitumor vaccine immunotherapies.

Antigens, CD↗

Cell-envelope proteins of Bordetella pertussis.

Cell-envelope polypeptides of eight phase-I and five phase-IV strains of Bordetella pertussis were compared by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All phase-I strains gave a strikingly similar but complex pattern of protein bands, which did not appear to vary with known differences in heat-labile agglutinogens. Phase-IV strains gave the same pattern as phase-I strains, except that one band was missing and another was either much reduced or absent. Envelopes from phase-I strains grown in Hornibrook medium rich in Mg-2+ ions to produce "antigenically-modulated" C-mode cells gave a pattern of bands indistinguishable from phase-IV strains. A phase-IV strain grown in the high-Mg-2+ medium gave the same pattern of bands as when grown in unmodified Hornibrook medium. We suggest that the two polypeptide bands that show changes may be responsible for one or more of the immunological or physiopathological activities that are lost during phase variation and antigenic modulation in B. pertussis.

Allergens↗

Monoclonal antibody T101 in T cell malignancies: a clinical, pharmacokinetic, and immunologic correlation.

Eight patients with cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) and five with various other T cell malignancies were treated with mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb) T101. Doses of 1 to 500 mg were administered weekly over a two-hour period and resulted in one complete remission (convoluted T cell lymphoma) and one partial remission (CTCL). Remission duration was 6 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Frequent toxicities were pruritus, hives, flushing, and shortness of breath. Supraventricular arrhythmias and blood pressure instability were also observed. Complete targeting of peripheral blood T cells was achieved with 1 mg of MoAb in the nonleukemic patients (WBC less than 10,000/microL), and free, bioavailable antibody was present at the next (10-mg) dose level. Even higher doses resulted in substantial antibody excess that persisted for as long as 6 weeks. Serum concentrations of MoAb decreased with increasing number of peripheral blood T cells, and 25 to 35 mg of T101 were required for induction of antibody excess in leukemic patients. Excess antibody induced antigenic modulation, which was of consequence only if MoAb excess persisted to the next treatment. In the original treatment, the rapidly administered MoAb was able to target and remove peripheral blood T cells before the development of antigenic modulation. Antimouse antibodies developed in three patients. Their presence rendered further therapy ineffective and was associated with an anaphylactic reaction in one patient. Development of these antibodies could not be predicted by lymphoproliferative assays. In these assays, however, the T101 protein strongly stimulated the mononuclear cells of the patient who reached the only complete remission of this trial. Immunologic stimulation by the MoAb thus might have played a role in this patient's antitumor response. In summary, therapy with MoAb T101 was specific but only modestly efficacious. Rapid infusion of nonmodulating doses of antibody provided excellent targeting and removal of peripheral blood T cells and might be a valid approach in future trials with immunoconjugated T101.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Antigen-specific modulation of graft-versus-host reactions by two distinct placental factors.

We have previously shown that two distinct mouse placental fractions (PF) are potent immunomodulators in vivo. A 40 kDa PF induces a marked decrease of plaque forming cell (PFC) responses, while a 60 kDa PF increases them. Both effects are specific for the priming antigen. In the present study, these two PF are assayed on a cell-mediated response to allogeneic cells, i.e. in a local graft-versus-host reaction (LGVHR). Mice were primed with allogeneic cells in the presence of various amounts of the 40 kDa or 60 kDa PF, or liver extract (LE) as control. Six days later, their spleen cells were injected into the footpads of F1 recipients. Precise dose-response curves were established and the kinetics of the GVH response were carefully followed. Parallel with the modulation of PFC responses, the 40 kDa PF caused a potent inhibition of the LGVHR, while the 60 kDa PF greatly enhanced it. Both effects were specific for the alloantigens injected with the PF. Furthermore, we showed that these modulations were observed whatever the intensity of the GVH reaction, which varied according to the number of primed spleen cells transferred. This report also demonstrates that these PF can be greatly enriched by passage over affinity columns made of insolubilized lectins. The 40 kDa PF is retained on and can be eluted from columns of insolubilized concanavalin A (Con A) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which indicates that it is a glycoprotein. Conversely, the 60 kDa PF does not bind to any of the above lectins and is probably not a glycoprotein. This biochemical purification step is also a good procedure for obtaining an even cleaner separation of the two fractions from each other. Thus, this paper demonstrates that both PF have important regulatory properties on specific cellular immune responses.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Anti-acetylcholine receptor Fab fragments isolated from thymus-derived phage display libraries from myasthenia gravis patients reflect predominant specificities in serum and block the action of pathogenic serum antibodies.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototype antibody-mediated autoimmune disease in which antibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) induce loss of functional receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Germinal centers present in MG hyperplastic thymus contain activated B-cells spontaneously producing anti-human AChR (huAChR) Ab in vitro. In order to access the anti-huAChR repertoire phage display Fab libraries of thymic lymphocytes were constructed from two MG patients. A total of four Fabs highly specific for huAChR were isolated that bind to determinants in or near the main immunogenic region (MIR). These anti-huAChR Fabs showed evidence of significant somatic mutations supporting the notion that the anti-huAChR Ab response in MG patients is driven by antigen. A total of two Fabs were able to inhibit up to 90% of donor serum anti-huAChR antibodies. Competition with serum anti-huAChR Ab was also observed in unrelated MG patients and indicate that anti-huAChR Fabs bind to epitopes on huAChR recognized by the majority of MG patients. In vitro antigenic modulation studies demonstrated that anti-huAChR Fabs were able to induce AChR loss when cross-linked by an anti-Fab antibody but not as monovalent Fab. Moreover, anti-huAChR Fabs were able to protect against AChR loss by antigenic modulation induced by MG serum antibodies suggesting a potential therapeutic role for these recombinant Fabs in patients with a myasthenic crisis.

Antibody Specificity↗

Antigenic differences associated with genetically distinct Pneumocystis carinii from rats.

Pneumocystis carinii is a family of organisms found in a wide variety of mammalian lungs. In immunocompromised hosts, the organisms are able to produce an oftentimes fatal pneumonia. The existence of distinct types of Pneumocystis populations is strongly supported by antigenic and genetic evidence. In the present study, we assessed the antigenic profiles of two genetically distinct Pneumocystis carinii populations, P. carinii f. sp. carinii and P. carinii f. sp. ratti, as well as two types of P. carinii f. sp. carinii defined by electrophoretic karyotyping (forms 1 and 2). The separated and blotted proteins of the organism preparations were probed with four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated to the major surface glycoproteins of rat-derived P. carinii, one anti-human P. carinii MAb, and two polyclonal antisera made with rat-derived P. carinii as the immunogen. Differences in reactivities between the P. carinii f. sp. carinii and P. carinii f. sp. ratti preparations were detected with two of the MAbs, and both of the rat P. carinii polyclonal antisera in the 45- to 55-kDa molecular mass range, but not with the human P. carinii MAb. The reactivities of the 16 P. carinii f. sp. carinii preparations were the same with two exceptions. Two preparations of form 1 showed strong reactivity with the anti-MSG MAb RA-C11. The ratios of cyst forms to trophic forms evaluated by microscopy were not associated with any of the differences observed in the antigenic profiles. The antigenic differences between P. carinii f. sp. carinii and P. carinii f. sp. ratti are consistent with the distinction of these two populations made by molecular genetic techniques, while the two differences detected among the P. carinii f. sp. carinii preparations suggest the organism may be able to modulate antigenic epitopes. The use of immunoblotting to differentiate infecting organism populations and assess antigenic modulation holds promise for future epidemiologic studies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Roxithromycin down-modulates antigen-presenting and interleukin-1 beta-producing abilities of murine Langerhans cells.

The immunomodulatory effect of the macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin (RXM) on Langerhans cells (LC) was studied in mice. RXM inhibited the ability of LC to present superantigen and hapten to T cells at 100 microM. The superantigen-presenting activity of LC was more profoundly abrogated by RXM than the hapten-presenting activity. This functional reduction was partly attributed to an RXM-induced decrease in promotion of the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on LC. On the other hand, RXM down-modulated the production of interleukin-1 beta by LC at a lower concentration of 10 microM than concentrations that inhibited antigen presentation. These results imply that RXM exerts therapeutic effectiveness via not only bacteriocidal action but also inhibitory effect on the LC ability in T-cell-mediated cutaneous diseases that can be exacerbated by skin-colonized Staphylococcus aureus.

Animals↗

The main immunogenic region of the acetylcholine receptor. Structure and role in myasthenia gravis.

Auto-antibodies to the nicotine acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cause the disease myasthenia gravis (MG). Animals immunized with AChR or receiving anti-AChR antibodies acquire MG symptoms. The majority of the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised in rats against intact AChR bind to a region on the extracellular side of the AChR's alpha-subunit, the main immunogenic region (MIR). The major loop of the overlapping epitopes for several anti-MIR mAbs has been localised between residues 67-76 of the alpha-subunit. Anti-MIR mAbs are very potent in accelerating AChR degradation (antigenic modulation) in muscle cell cultures and transferring experimental MG in animals. Fab fragments of single anti-MIR mAbs when bound to the AChR inhibit two-thirds of the MG patients' antibodies from binding and from inducing antigenic modulation of the AChR. This suggest that the majority of the human MG antibodies are also directed against the MIR. It has however to be verified by direct experiments.

Animals↗

Antigen-induced modulation of autonomic and sensory neurons in vitro.

We have addressed the hypothesis that the excitability of peripheral neurons is affected during immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Guinea pigs were actively sensitized to ovalbumin. The electrical membrane properties of neurons within the superior cervical ganglion, bronchial parasympathetic ganglion and nodose ganglion were evaluated before, during and after antigen challenge. In all preparations, antigen stimulation induced the release of histamine and arachidonic acid metabolites. Our results support the hypothesis that the excitability of sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory C-type neurons may be increased during immediate hypersensitivity reactions.

Action Potentials↗

Modulation of the antigenic phenotype of human melanoma cells by differentiation-inducing and growth-suppressing agents.

Tumor cells often display alterations in their normal program of cellular differentiation. A promising approach for the treatment of cancer involves the induction of terminal differentiation and a loss of proliferative capacity in cancer cells. In human melanoma cells, the combination of mezerein (MEZ) and fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta), results in a rapid and irreversible suppression of cell growth with a concomitant increase in the synthesis of melanin. The induction of terminal differentiation is associated with alterations in the expression of several cellular genes, including fibronectin, ISG-15 and ISG-54, and changes in the expression of specific cell surface antigens, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and HLA Class I antigens. In the HO-1 human melanoma cell line, induction of terminal differentiation by MEZ plus IFN-beta results in an induction and/or increased expression of ICAM-1, HLA Class I antigens and HLA Class II antigens. IFN-beta and MEZ alone can modulate expression of these antigens to a lower extent than does the combination of compounds. Induction of terminal differentiation and the irreversible suppression of cell growth is not a prerequisite for antigenic modulation in HO-1 cells. This is indicated by the inability of immune interferon (IFN-gamma), a strong inducer of ICAM-1, HLA Class I antigens and HLA Class II antigens synthesis, or the combination of IFN-beta plus IFN-gamma which synergistically but reversibly suppresses HO-1 growth, to induce melanin synthesis or terminal differentiation in HO-1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Human anti-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor recombinant Fab fragments isolated from thymus-derived phage display libraries from myasthenia gravis patients reflect predominant specificities in serum and block the action of pathogenic serum antibodies.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototype Ab-mediated autoimmune disease in which Abs against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) induce loss of functional receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Germinal centers present in MG hyperplastic thymus contain activated B cells spontaneously producing anti-human AChR (anti-huAChR) Ab in vitro. To access the anti-huAChR repertoire, phage display Fab libraries of thymic lymphocytes were constructed from two MG patients. Four Fabs highly specific for huAChR were isolated that bind to determinants in or near the main immunogenic region. These anti-huAChR Fabs showed evidence of significant somatic mutations, supporting the idea that the anti-huAChR Ab response in MG patients is driven by Ag. Two Fabs were able to inhibit up to 90% of donor serum anti-huAChR Abs. Competition with serum anti-huAChR Ab was also observed in unrelated MG patients and indicate that anti-huAChR Fabs bind to epitopes on huAChR recognized by the majority of MG patients. In vitro antigenic modulation studies demonstrated that anti-huAChR Fabs were able to induce AChR loss when cross-linked by an anti-Fab Ab but not as monovalent Fab. Moreover, anti-huAChR Fabs were able to protect against AChR loss by antigenic modulation induced by MG serum Abs, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for these recombinant Fabs in patients with a myasthenic crisis.

Adult↗

Cellular and humoral immunity to acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis.

At the same time in 21 myasthenic patients we measured a. the cellular immune response against acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of peripheral lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and non rosette forming lymphocytes (50% B lymphocytes); b. the antibodies to AChR and c. the antigenic modulation activity of their sera on rat myotube AChR. At least one of these parameters was positive in each patient and this further supports the relevance of the immune response to acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis. Strict correlations between the response of lymphocytes, antigenic modulation, antibody titer and disease severity were not evident.

Adolescent↗

Physiologic human T-cell responses to OKT3 in the human peripheral blood lymphocyte-severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to study physiologic responses of human T lymphocytes to OKT3 in the human peripheral blood lymphocyte-severe combined immunodeficiency (hu-PBL-SCID) mouse model. METHODS: SCID mice were pretreated with anti-asialo-GM1 (alpha-ASGM1) and radiation, then engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Seven to 14 days after engraftment, when most human T cells in the spleen of these mice are CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+, mice were treated with OKT3 or control antibody. Mice were killed for histopathologic examination, for flow cytometric assessment of the engrafted human lymphocytes, and for analysis of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum levels. RESULTS: Intravenous injection of 5 microg of OKT3 resulted in early antigenic modulation of engrafted human T lymphocytes, with the emergence of CD3-/CD4+ and CD3-/CD8+ cells in the spleen of hu-PBL-SCID mice. There was an increase in the serum concentration of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha within 4 hr after OKT3 injection, suggesting early T-cell activation. Antigenic modulation and activation of the human lymphocytes in the spleen was followed by their depletion within 24 hr. This human T-cell response to OKT3 in hu-PBL-SCID mice is analogous to the response in humans treated with OKT3 and in BALB/c mice injected with an anti-murine CD3 monoclonal antibody. Graft-versus-host disease in the mice was abrogated by OKT3 treatment, and OKT3-treated mice lived longer than controls. Histopathologic studies showed clearance of lymphocytic infiltration in the liver and lungs of OKT3-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further evidence of functional human immune T cells in the hu-PBL-SCID mouse. This model may have useful applications in the study of transplantation immunology.

Animals↗

The HTLV-I tax protein transcriptionally modulates OX40 antigen expression.

OX40 is a member of the TNF receptor family, expressed on activated T cells. It is the only costimulatory T cell molecule known to be specifically up-regulated in human T cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I)-producing cells. In a T cell line, OX40 surface expression was shown to be induced by HTLV-I Tax alone. To understand molecular mechanisms of OX40 gene regulation and modulation by HTLV-I Tax, we have cloned the human OX40 gene and analyzed its 5'-flanking region. By reporter gene analysis with progressive 5' deletions from nucleotides -1259 to -64, we have defined a 157-bp DNA fragment as a minimal promoter for constitutive expression. In addition, we show that in the OX40+ cell line, Co, Tax is able to further increase OX40 surface expression. Up-regulation of OX40 promoter activity by Tax requires two upstream NF-kappaB sites, which are not active in the constitutive OX40 expression. Their deletion abrogates Tax responsiveness in reporter gene analysis. The site-directed mutagenesis of each NF-kappaB site demonstrates that cooperative NF-kappaB binding is a prerequisite for Tax-directed activity as neither site alone is sufficient for a full Tax responsiveness of the OX40 promoter. Upon Tax expression, both sites bind p65 and c-Rel. These data provide new insight into the direct regulation of OX40 by Tax and add to our understanding of the possible role of the OX40/OX40 ligand system in the proliferation of HTLV-I+ T cells.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Macrophages induce antibody-dependent cytostasis but not lysis in guinea pig leukaemic cells.

Guinea pig and mouse peritoneal macrophages formed antibody-dependent rosettes with guinea pig L2C leukaemic cells, but were unable either to phagocytose the cells or to kill them extracellularly as judged by the retention of 51Cr. Macrophages previously activated by BCG in vivo also failed to exhibit phagocytosis or cytoxicity towards the antibody-coated cells. These failures could not be attributed to deficient function of the macrophages nor to antigenic modulation of the L2C cells. The antibodies involved were capable of mediating lysis by complement, and ADCC by human leukocytes. However macrophages were cytostatic to antibody-coated L2C cells in that uptake of 3H-thymidine or 3H-deoxycytidine was abruptly and in some cases completely inhibited upon cell contact being established. Antigenic modulation which had proceeded sufficiently to protect against lysis by complement did not protect against cytostasis. Syngeneic macrophages had greater cytostatic activity than did allogeneic or xenogeneic. Macrophage activation by BCG did not result in significantly increased cytostasis. A univalent antibody derivative Fab/c was also capable of mediating cytostatis by the macrophages.

Animals↗