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T-cell dysregulation caused by chronic antigenic stress: the role of CMV in immunosenescence?

Dysfunctional T-cell immunity contributes to susceptibility to infectious disease in the elderly. A characteristic feature of this "immunosenescence" is the predominance of clonal expansions of CD8 cells and decreased diversity of the T-cell antigen receptor repertoire. Lifelong chronic antigenic stress commonly caused by infection with persistent activating herpes viruses causes the accumulation of anergic, apoptosis-resistant CD8 T cells. These dysfunctional cells are indirectly immunosuppressive by tasking up the "immunological space" as well as directly suppressive via blockade of antigen presenting cells or cytokine secretion. They are associated with an emerging "immunological risk profile" predicting mortality in longitudinal studies of very old people. It is therefore hypothesized that for that majority of elderly people infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), which seems to act as the dominant chronic stressor, anti-viral strategies would be of benefit in abrogating some of the detrimental clinical manifestations of immunosenescence.

Aged↗

Phorbol ester-induced changes in human leukemic pre-B lines.

The genomic analysis of four non-T-leukemic lines NALM-1, KM-3, NALL-1, and NALM-16 shows a rearranged configuration of the immunoglobulin mu chain genes, indicating that they represent early B stages of differentiation. The differentiative potential of these pre-B cell lines was tested using the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Phenotypic changes in the immunological marker profile (induction of BA-1 and BA-2 antigens) are observed, presumably reflecting events occurring in precursor B cells. However, no maturation to immunoglobulin mu chain production could be obtained. The limited maturation can be explained on the basis of possible aberrant mu chain gene rearrangements, or other mechanisms of a regulatory nature, preventing the transcription and/or the translation of rearranged mu chain genes.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Intrathecal synthesis of anti-HIV antibodies in AIDS patients.

We studied the production within the CNS of anti-HIV antibodies, of non-specific IgG, and the presence of HIV antigens in the serum and CSF of 28 HIV infected patients belonging to group IV in the Center for Disease Control classification. CSF and serum were diluted under optimal conditions to equalize their IgG content, to enable us to better interpret serum and CSF reactivity by means of Western blot and ELISA. Under these conditions, no patient displayed a limited immunological response profile in CSF as compared to serum. On the contrary, there was intrathecal synthesis (ITS) of anti HIV-antibodies in Western blot test in 21 patients for gp160 and ITS was demonstrable for env, gag, and pol products. ITS of anti-HIV antibodies occurred in 17 patients when measured by ELISA. ITS of non specific IgG and HIV-antigens in CSF were less frequent. A marked anti-HIV response is evident in the CSF-CNS compartment in the later phases of the HIV infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 in serum: comparison of normal, cord, homosexual and AIDS serum.

Thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 were first isolated from thymosin fr. 5 and have demonstrated biological activities on the immune system. They are chemically distinct and differ in their immunological activity profiles. The levels of thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 were assessed by radioimmunoassay in the same serum samples. Normal thymosin alpha 1 levels were 670 +/- 163 pg/ml for males and 652 +/- 162 pg/ml for females. Normal thymosin beta 4 levels were 974 +/- 400 ng/ml for males and 889 +/- 345 ng/ml for females. No correlation between the levels of the peptides in serum from normal donors was observed. Although many samples of serum from neonates (cord blood), homosexuals and AIDS patients had elevated levels of one or both peptides, no correlation between the two peptides was found. Of potential significance is the observation that while thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 are elevated in many individuals with AIDS (57 and 48% respectively), the individuals with AIDS related immune dysfunctions had predominantly elevated thymosin alpha 1 (54 vs 15%). These studies suggest that serum levels of the two peptides are modulated separately and that both are of potential value in defining the risk of individuals for developing AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

FACS analysis-a new and accurate tool in the diagnosis of lymphoma in the cerebrospinal fluid.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence activated cell scanning (FACS) is a useful tool for identifying malignant cell clones of lymphoma cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by immunological phenotype. METHODS: We used FACS analysis for demonstrating it to be a quick and reliable technology that is available in most hematological laboratories. In this study, we demonstrate the clinical application of FACS analysis within a series of 15 lymphoma patients with suspected CSF involvement. CSF from three patients with another diagnosis than lymphoma serves as negative control. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A malignant cell clone cannot only be identified in CSF phenotypically, but also classified according to the immunological surface profile. As this method improves the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, it should be implemented into routine diagnosis.

Adult↗

Abnormalities of Th1 function in non-IgE food allergy, celiac disease, and ileal lymphonodular hyperplasia: a new relationship?

BACKGROUND: Non-IgE mechanisms may also be involved food allergy (FA). Our group has been studying the immunopathogenesis clinical entities in children with gastro-intestinal symptoms and in whom biopsies of the terminal ileum show lymphoid tissue masses referred to as ileal lymphonodular hyperplasia. Our more recent studies have demonstrated Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles associated with non-IgE FA and other clinical entities. OBJECTIVE: We investigated 12 subjects with non-IgE FA (group 1) and 4 subjects with celiac disease (group 2). Cytokine profiles and immunologic studies of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and from gastro-intestinal biopsy tissues from patients in groups 1 and 2 were also evaluated. METHODS: Group 1 consisted of 12 children with clinical symptoms of anorexia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The diagnosis of non-IgE FA was established by positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge and reduced or negative immediate-type skin testing and negative IgE radioallergosorbent tests. Group 2 consisted of four patients with celiac disease and three adult females with biopsy-proven clinical symptoms of celiac disease. RESULTS: In group 1, peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte distributions were normal, with a predominance of CD4+ cells with a decreased intracellular Th1 cytokine pattern and a normal Th2 intracellular cytokine pattern. In contrast, all four patients in group 2 not only displayed abnormal CD4 and CD8 peripheral blood lymphocyte distributions (CD8 > CD4), but also an abnormal predominance of CD4+ cells with an increased Th1 and a normal Th2 cytokine pattern. A similar abnormal pattern of CD4 > CD8 ratio was observed in intestinal biopsies. All 12 patients in group 1 showed lymphonodular hyperplasia in each of the biopsies and by ileoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that abnormalities in Th1 function may not only play a role in some patients with non--IgE-mediated FA in whom decreased Th1 function is seen, but also in patients with celiac disease in whom an increased Th1 function is seen. The studies also suggest that lymphonodular hyperplasia may be a hallmark histologic lesion in patients with non--IgE-mediated FA.

Biopsy↗

Recent advances and novel strategies in vaccine development.

This review is intended to cover some recent advances in identification of vaccine candidates and in methods of delivery of vaccine antigens. Sequencing of bacterial genomes has led to rapid utilization of the predicted open reading frames to identify potential candidates for evaluation and, with improvements in proteomics combined with microanalytical sequencing techniques, to identify expressed proteins. Expression of vaccine antigens in human food sources has been greatly improved, opening the possibility of orally delivered subunit vaccines, as has the ability to modify the immune response with cytokines and chemokines. These techniques are slowly making their way to human studies and show great promise for future human use.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Immunophenotyping and T-cell proliferative capacity in a healthy aged population.

The age-related decline of immunological functions is well established but it remains largely unknown which specific changes are related to disease. We analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes of 42 healthy elderly as well as 24 healthy young subjects from southern Brazil. No differences in phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferation and CD4:CD8 ratio were found between the subjects. However, CD4 expression (considering mean fluorescence intensity) was found upregulated in elderly subjects. No changes in activation molecules CD25, CD28, CD69 and CD95 were observed. A reduced proportion of naive (CD45RA+) T cells was found in the elderly compared to young subjects. No changes in adhesion molecule expression (CD11c and CD31) were observed. However, the frequencies of CD49d-positive cells, as well as expression of CD62L, were increased in the eldery subjects. We further described two subgroups of eldery subjects with an immunological risk profile defined by lower CD4:CD8 ratio and reduced proliferative response to mitogens. These data suggest that healthy aging is associated with intact T-cell proliferation and some compensatory immunophenotypical changes.

Adult↗

The brown algal kelp Laminaria digitata features distinct bromoperoxidase and iodoperoxidase activities.

Different haloperoxidases, one specific for the oxidation of iodide and another that can oxidize both iodide and bromide, were separated from the sporophytes of the brown alga Laminaria digitata and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The iodoperoxidase activity was approximately seven times more efficient than the bromoperoxidase fraction in the oxidation of iodide. The two enzymes were markedly different in their molecular masses, trypsin digestion profiles, and immunological characteristics. Also, in contrast to the iodoperoxidase, bromoperoxidases were present in the form of multimeric aggregates of near-identical proteins. Two full-length haloperoxidase cDNAs were isolated from L. digitata, using haloperoxidase partial cDNAs that had been identified previously in an Expressed Sequence Tag analysis of the life cycle of this species (1). Sequence comparisons, mass spectrometry, and immunological analyses of the purified bromoperoxidase, as well as the activity of the protein expressed in Escherichia coli, all indicate that these almost identical cDNAs encode bromoperoxidases. Haloperoxidases form a large multigenic family in L. digitata, and the potential functions of haloperoxidases in this kelp are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunorejuvenation in the elderly.

Dysregulated T-cell-mediated immunity contributes materially to the increased susceptibility to infectious disease, and possibly cancer, in the elderly. One hallmark of this state of "immunosenescence" in humans is the predominance of large clones of peripheral T cells with limited antigen receptor heterogeneity and a corresponding contraction of diversity in the T-cell antigen recognition repertoire. Surprisingly, a major driving force for these clonal expansions in humans is cytomegalovirus. The lifelong chronic antigenic stress caused by infection with this persistent activating virus results in clonal exhaustion of specific CD8 T cells, and their acquisition of a state of anergy and apoptosis resistance similar in many respects, and, the authors believe for similar reasons, to that commonly seen in the tumor-specific T cells of cancer patients. This excess of dysfunctional cells is indirectly immunosuppressive by filling the "immunologic space" and shrinking the T-cell repertoire for new antigens, as well as directly suppressive via cytokine secretion. It is associated with the "immunologic risk profile" predicting 2- and 4-year mortality in longitudinal studies of very old people. Therefore, it is hypothesized that deletion of such accumulations of dysfunctional cells would be beneficial to the individual. It may be possible to distinguish functional CMV-specific cells (which are essential to maintain immunosurveillance) from dysfunctional ones by their expression of certain surface molecules. This, coupled with methods directed at reinvigorating the thymus (e.g., use of interleukin 7), and targeting CMV by pharmacologic and immunotherapeutic interventions might result in a degree of "immunorejuvenation" sufficient to take elderly individuals out of the risk category and thereby extend healthy longevity.

Aged↗

A case of TdT-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The phenotypic marker profile of a patient with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is described. The blast cells showed typical FAB L3 morphology, had the characteristic t(8;14) chromosomal abnormality, and were monoclonal in the expression of surface immunoglobulins. The clinical course of this patient is consistent with the poor prognosis described for B-ALL cases. Surface marker analysis identified cells positive for surface immunoglobulins, Ia-like antigen, common ALL-antigen, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. This marker profile shows immunologic characteristics of the two B-cell leukemia subtypes, pre-B-ALL and B-ALL. This "intermediate" immunologic phenotype might either be the result of an uncoupling of the sequential immunologic maturation processes or of an arrest of the cells at an intermediate stage between the two otherwise clearly defined leukemia subtypes, but closer to the typical B-ALL stage. This latter observation is supported by isoenzyme marker analysis, as the cells were negative for the hexosaminidase I isoenzyme, which is positive in pre-B-ALL but negative in B-ALL.

Acute Disease↗

Bovine haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for patients undergoing haemodilution before liver resection.

We have studied the use of ultrapurified polymerized bovine haemoglobin (HBOC-201) in patients undergoing preoperative haemodilution before liver resection. After autologous blood donation of 1 litre, 12 patients (six males, six females, mean age 59 (35-69) yr) received Ringer's lactate solution 2 litre and, in a random design, 6% hydroxyethyl starch 70,000/0.5 (HES) 3 ml kg-1 or HBOC-201 0.4 g kg-1 within 30 min. Blood samples were obtained for blood chemistry, co-oximetry, haematology, coagulation profiles and immunology examinations before operation, on the day of surgery, on days 2-4 and 7 after operation, on the discharge day and 3 months after operation. There were no differences in patient characteristics, blood loss, amount of solutions infused, transfused allogeneic blood or duration of hospital stay. There were no local or systemic allergic reactions with infusion of HES or HBOC-201. Patients receiving HBOC-201 developed more pronounced leucocytosis and reticulocytosis during the early postoperative days compared with HES-treated patients. The mean maximum plasma haemoglobin concentration was 1.0 (SD 0.2) g dl-1 at the end of infusion of HBOC-201 was 8.5 h. Patients in both groups experienced temporary changes in liver enzymes and coagulation variables which returned to normal before discharge. Urinalysis revealed no difference between groups and no free haemoglobin was detected in urine. Patients receiving HBOC-201 showed no IgE and only a slight increase in IgG titres to HBOC-201 on the day of discharge; these were not detectable at 3 months. Single-dose administration of HBOC-201 was well tolerated by patients undergoing elective liver resection surgery and appears to be safe as a substitute during preoperative haemodilution.

Adult↗

Vaccinia virus semaphorin A39R is a 50-55 kDa secreted glycoprotein that affects the outcome of infection in a murine intradermal model.

Vaccinia virus (VV) protein A39R has amino acid similarity to the extracellular domain of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface semaphorin (SEMA7A/CDw108) that has an immunological expression profile and binding properties, thereby implicating A39R as an immunomodulator. Previously, a closely related A39R protein expressed by ectromelia virus was shown to induce cytokine production and up-regulate ICAM-1 expression in mouse monocytes in vitro. In this study, we show that the A39R gene of VV strain Copenhagen (COP) encodes a 50-55 kDa secreted glycoprotein and is expressed late during infection. The A39R protein was secreted by eight of 15 strains of VV, but not by strain Western Reserve (WR). To analyse the VV A39R function, several recombinant viruses were made, including an A39R deletion mutant of VV COP and a WR mutant containing the A39R sequence from COP. Loss of the gene from COP did not affect virus growth in vitro, or VV virulence in a mouse intranasal model, and had only a slight effect on lesion size in an intradermal model. In contrast, expression of COP A39R by VV WR was associated with an increase in the severity and persistence of skin lesions after intradermal infection of mice. Finally, a histological examination of mouse skin infected with recombinant viruses suggested that A39R has direct or indirect pro-inflammatory properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on blood pressure in HIV-infected patients. A prospective study in a cohort of naive patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the blood pressure (BP) of naive patients after 1 year of treatment. METHODS: A prospective, observational study of 95 HIV-positive patients in our Unit starting HAART between January 2001 and October 2002 and maintaining the same regimen for 48 weeks of follow-up was carried out. Data on blood pressure (BP) and demographic, epidemiological, clinical, immunovirological and therapeutic characteristics related to HIV infection were collected prior to HAART and at week 48. High blood pressure (HBP) [systolic BP (SBP) > or =140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) > or =90 mm Hg] was defined according to international criteria. RESULTS: Of the 95 patients, 78 were men, 44% had AIDS and 68% were smokers, and their mean age was 40 years. At week 48 the prevalence of HBP was 26% and SBP, DBP and pulse pressure (PP) increased (121.8 versus 116.6 mm Hg, P=0.0001; 76.3 versus 69.7 mm Hg, P=0.004; 46.9 versus 43.8 mm Hg, P=0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that HBP was associated with older age, higher body mass index (BMI), higher baseline lipids, and higher baseline BP. A linear regression model adjusting for age and sex suggested a significant impact of older age, higher baseline SBP, higher baseline hypercholesterolaemia and lower baseline CD4-cell count on SBP increase. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure increased after 48 weeks of HAART, leading to an important prevalence of hypertension. The increase in SBP depended on age and baseline lipid profile and immunological status. BP should be periodically measured and treated when necessary in HIV-infected patients on HAART.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Plasmid-mediated aminoglycoside phosphotransferases in Haemophilus ducreyi.

Three clinical isolates of Haemophilus ducreyi, representing at least two subtypes, were shown to be resistant to streptomycin and kanamycin. They also produced a beta-lactamase and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and were resistant to tetracycline. In the three strains the resistance to both aminoglycoside antibiotics was encoded by a plasmid of ca. 4.7 kilobases which apparently did not carry ampicillin, chloramphenicol, or tetracycline resistance genes, as determined after transfer to Escherichia coli by transformation. Resistance to streptomycin and kanamycin was due to the presence of two aminoglycoside phosphotransferases (APH). The enzyme modifying kanamycin was a 3',5"-APH of type I [APH(3',5")-I], as inferred from its substrate profile and immunological cross-reactivity with the APH(3',5")-I encoded by the transposable element Tn903. However, the APH(3',5")-I gene in H. ducreyi did not appear to be carried by Tn903.

Aminoglycosides↗

Production and Use of Monoclonal Antibodies for Identification of Strains of Rhizobium trifolii.

We produced a monoclonal antibody against Rhizobium trifolii 162x95. This antibody in cell culture supernatant was used in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to differentiate strain 162x95 from naturalized strains in the Appalachian region. Nodules crushed in 0.1 to 0.2 ml of phosphate-buffered saline and used to charge enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates gave strong absorbance readings. Heat-inactivated and noninactivated portions of 162x95 cultures were strongly reactive, indicating that the antigen is probably a carbohydrate. Of 10 strains from California, where 162x95 was isolated, 6 strongly cross-reacted with the antibody. The cellular protein patterns in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel of cross-reactive strains were essentially identical. A Western blot analysis indicated that the antibody was against a 19.8-kilodalton band. The Western blot analysis also revealed that the polyvalent antiserum contained other strongly reacting antibodies with molecular weights of approximately 20,000, indicating the possibility that other monoclonal antibodies to detect strain 162x95 may be produced. However, the available antibody has been shown to be useful for short-term experiments. Based upon protein profiles and immunological reactions, there are 4 or 5 California strains rather than 10.

Journal Article↗

Proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine mRNA time course profiles in hamsters infected with a virulent variant of Leptospira interrogans.

In order to quantify in vivo the mRNAs of cytokines which play important roles in leptospirosis, we have developed quantitative real-time PCR assays for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor beta, and two housekeeping genes (encoding beta-actin and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase). We used a lethal hamster model reflecting severe leptospirosis in humans. The LightCycler system was used to quantify the gene expression levels with the SYBR green I detection format using external standard curves for each target. We compared the expression levels of cytokine mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of both control (uninfected) hamsters and Leptospira interrogans-inoculated hamsters from 1 to 24 h and then 1 to 4 days postinfection. In this kinetic study, there was pronounced expression of Th1 cytokine mRNA (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-12), with transcripts being detected as early as 1 h postinfection. Expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-10, was prominent in delayed samples from 1 to 4 days postinfection in response to infection with Leptospira interrogans. Our data are the first to establish that pathogenic leptospires can stimulate in vivo the production of type 1 cytokines involved in cellular immunity by using this informative animal model. Measuring and assessing cytokine profiles may provide a useful method for accurate study of the mechanisms of anti-Leptospira immunity, indications of prognosis factors, and prospective evaluation of leptospirosis vaccine efficacy in humans.

Animals↗

Development and evaluation of a phage typing scheme for Vibrio cholerae O139.

The scenario of cholera that existed previously changed in 1992 and 1993 with the emergence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O139 in India. The genesis of the new serogroup formed the impetus to search for O139 phages in and around the country. A total of five newly isolated phages lytic to V. cholerae O139 strains were used for the development of this phage typing scheme. These phages differed from each other and also differed from the existing O1 phages in their lytic patterns, morphologies, restriction endonuclease digestion profiles, and immunological criteria. With this scheme, 500 V. cholerae O139 strains were evaluated for their phage types, and almost all strains were found to be typeable. The strains clustered into 10 different phage types, of which type 1 (38.2%) was the dominant type, followed by type 2 (22.4%) and type 3 (18%). Additionally, a comparative study of phage types in 1993 and 1994 versus those from 1996 to 1998 for O139 strains showed a higher percentage of phage type 1 (40.5%), followed by type 3 (18.8%) during the period between 1993 and 1994, whereas phage type 2 (32. 1%) was the next major type during the period from 1996 to 1998. This scheme comprising five newly isolated phages would be another useful tool in the study of the epidemiology of cholera caused by V. cholerae O139.

Bacteriophage Typing↗