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In models of acute lung injury, CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) mediates migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the lung. Since CXCR2 ligands, including CXCL1 and CXCL2/3, are chemotactic for PMNs, CXCR2 is thought to recruit PMNs by inducing chemotactic migration. In a model of PMN recruitment to the lung, aerosolized bacterial LPS inhalation induced PMN recruitment to the lung in wild-type mice, but not in littermate CXCR2-/- mice. Surprisingly, lethally irradiated wild-type mice reconstituted with CXCR2-/- BM still showed about 50% PMN recruitment into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and into lung interstitium, but CXCR2-/- mice reconstituted with CXCR2-/- BM showed no PMN recruitment. Conversely, CXCR2-/- mice reconstituted with wild-type BM showed a surprisingly large defect in PMN recruitment, inconsistent with a role of CXCR2 on PMNs alone. Cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and real-time RT-PCR were used to show expression of CXCR2 on pulmonary endothelial and bronchial epithelial cells. The LPS-induced increase in lung microvascular permeability as measured by Evans blue extravasation required CXCR2 on nonhematopoietic cells. Our data revealed what we believe to be a previously unrecognized role of endothelial and epithelial CXCR2 in LPS-induced PMN recruitment and lung injury.

G(q/11) protein-coupled muscarinic receptors are known to regulate the release of soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPPalpha) produced by alpha-secretase processing; however, their signaling mechanisms remain to be elucidated. It has been reported that a muscarinic agonist activates nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, a transcription factor that has been shown to play an important role in the Alzheimer disease brain, and that NF-kappaB activation is regulated by intracellular Ca2+ level. In the present study, we investigated whether NF-kappaB activation plays a role in muscarinic receptor-mediated sAPPalpha release enhancement and contributes to a changed capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE), which was suggested to be involved in the muscarinic receptor-mediated stimulation of sAPPalpha release. Muscarinic receptor-mediated NF-kappaB activation was confirmed by observing the translocation of the active subunit (p65) of NF-kappaB to the nucleus by the muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine M (oxoM), in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells expressing muscarinic receptors that are predominantly of the M3 subtype. NF-kappaB activation and sAPPalpha release enhancement induced by oxoM were inhibited by NF-kappaB inhibitors, such as an NF-kappaB peptide inhibitor (SN50), an IkappaB alpha kinase inhibitor (BAY11-7085), a proteasome inhibitor (MG132), the inhibitor of proteasome activity and IkappaB phosphorylation, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, the novel NF-kappaB activation inhibitor (6-amino-4-(4-phenoxyphenylethylamino) quinazoline), and by an intracellular Ca2+ chelator (TMB-8). Furthermore, both oxoM-induced NF-kappaB activation and sAPPalpha release were antagonized by CCE inhibitors (gadolinium or SKF96365) but not by voltage-gated Ca2+-channel blockers. On the other hand, treatment of cells with NF-kappaB inhibitors (SN50, BAY11-7085, MG132, or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) did not inhibit muscarinic receptor-mediated CCE. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of NF-kappaB regulated by CCE in muscarinic receptor-mediated sAPPalpha release enhancement.

Mice lacking CD137L (4-1BBL) show normal primary expansion and contraction of the CD8+ T cell response to influenza virus, but exhibit a defect in Ag-specific CD8+ T cell numbers at 3-6 wk postinfection. Previous results showed that the decrease in CD8+ T cell numbers in this model is not due to a programming defect during primary expansion. Thus, it appears that 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions control the number of surviving CD8+ effector memory cells, late in the primary response. In this report, we asked how 4-1BB on T cells could play a role after Ag has apparently been cleared from the host. We show that IL-15, a cytokine involved in regulation of CD8+ memory T cell survival, induces the expression of 4-1BB on CD8+CD44(high) memory phenotype T cells, but not on CD4+ T cells. The Ag-independent induction of 4-1BB by IL-15 was dependent on MAPK p38 and ERK activation. Transfer of in vitro-generated OT-I CD8+ memory T cells into unimmunized wild-type or 4-1BBL-deficient hosts revealed a 2- to 3-fold survival advantage when 4-1BBL was present, recapitulating the effect seen in the endogenous response to influenza in mice. Decreases in the overall number of memory CD8+ T cells were also observed in the bone marrow of unmanipulated 4-1BBL-deficient mice. These data suggest a model whereby 4-1BB expression on memory CD8+ T cells, perhaps due to encounter with IL-15 in the bone marrow, allows 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions to maintain memory CD8 T cell survival in the absence of Ag.

We have established a system for directed differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). As a first step, we induced hemopoietic differentiation by coculture of hES cells with OP9 stromal cells, and then, expanded myeloid cells with GM-CSF using a feeder-free culture system. Myeloid cells had a CD4+CD11b+CD11c+CD16+CD123(low)HLA-DR- phenotype, expressed myeloperoxidase, and included a population of M-CSFR+ monocyte-lineage committed cells. Further culture of myeloid cells in serum-free medium with GM-CSF and IL-4 generated cells that had typical dendritic morphology; expressed high levels of MHC class I and II molecules, CD1a, CD11c, CD80, CD86, DC-SIGN, and CD40; and were capable of Ag processing, triggering naive T cells in MLR, and presenting Ags to specific T cell clones through the MHC class I pathway. Incubation of DCs with A23187 calcium ionophore for 48 h induced an expression of mature DC markers CD83 and fascin. The combination of GM-CSF with IL-4 provided the best conditions for DC differentiation. DCs obtained with GM-CSF and TNF-alpha coexpressed a high level of CD14, and had low stimulatory capacity in MLR. These data clearly demonstrate that hES cells can be used as a novel and unique source of hemopoietic and DC precursors as well as DCs at different stages of maturation to address essential questions of DC development and biology. In addition, because ES cells can be expanded without limit, they can be seen as a potential scalable source of cells for DC vaccines or DC-mediated induction of immune tolerance.

Although structurally unrelated, the human killer cell Ig-like (KIR) genes and the rodent lectin-like Ly49 genes serve similar functional roles in NK cells. Moreover, both gene families display variegated, monoallelic expression patterns established at the transcriptional level. DNA methylation has been shown to play an important role in maintenance of expression patterns of KIR genes, which have CpG island promoters. The potential role of DNA methylation in expression of Ly49 genes, which have CpG-poor promoters, is unknown. In this study, we show that hypomethylation of the region encompassing the Pro-2 promoter of Ly49a and Ly49c in primary C57BL/6 NK cells correlates with expression of the gene. Using C57BL/6 x BALB/c F1 hybrid mice, we demonstrate that the expressed allele of Ly49a is hypomethylated while the nonexpressed allele is heavily methylated, indicating a role for epigenetics in maintaining monoallelic Ly49 gene expression. Furthermore, the Ly49a Pro-2 region is heavily methylated in fetal NK cells but variably methylated in nonlymphoid tissues. Finally, in apparent contrast to the KIR genes, we show that DNA methylation and the histone acetylation state of the Pro-2 region are strictly linked with Ly49a expression status.

Human and mouse studies indicate that TLRs are important in mycobacterial infections. We investigated TLR gene expression in fresh unstimulated blood and bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis using a well-validated, real-time PCR. A human splice variant of TLR1, designated hsTLR1, was found in all donors tested. hsTLR1 mRNA lacks exon 2, which is a 77-bp region of the 5'-untranslated region, but contains the same coding sequence as TLR1. Compared with the matched controls, whole blood from patients had increased levels of mRNA encoding TLR2 (p = 0.0006), TLR1 (p = 0.004), hsTLR1 (p = 0.0003), TLR6 (p textless 0.0001), and TLR4 (p = 0.0002). By contrast, expression of these TLRs was not increased in bronchoalveolar lavage. An increased level of hsTLR1 mRNA was found in both CD3- (p = 0.0078) and CD4+ cells (p = 0.028), resulting in an increased ratio of hsTLR1 mRNA to TLR1 and to TLR6 mRNA. An in vitro study in THP1 cells suggested that this relative increase in hsTLR1 might be attributable to a direct effect of mycobacterial components because it could be mimicked by mycobacterial preparations in the absence of IFN-gamma or T cells and by the TLR1/2 agonist Pam3CysK4. Half-life studies using blood from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and THP1 cells exposed to Myobacterium tuberculosis in vitro showed p38 MAPK-independent stabilization of mRNAs encoding hsTLR1 and TLR1. We conclude that M. tuberculosis exerts direct effects on patterns of TLR expression, partly via changes in mRNA half-life. The significance of these changes in the pathogenesis of disease deserves further investigation.

B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a relatively recently recognized member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand family (TNF), is a potent cell-survival factor expressed in many hematopoietic cells. BLyS binds to 3 TNF-R receptors, TACI, BCMA, BAFF-R, to regulate B-cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. The mechanisms involved in BLYS gene expression and regulation are still incompletely understood. In this study, we examined BLYS gene expression, function, and regulation in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL-B) cells. Our studies indicate that BLyS is constitutively expressed in aggressive NHL-B cells, including large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), playing an important role in the survival and proliferation of malignant B cells. We found that 2 important transcription factors, NF-kappaB and NFAT, are involved in regulating BLyS expression through at least one NF-kappaB and 2 NFAT binding sites in the BLYS promoter. We also provide evidence suggesting that the constitutive activation of NF-kappaB and BLyS in NHL-B cells forms a positive feedback loop associated with lymphoma cell survival and proliferation. Our findings indicate that constitutive NF-kappaB and NFAT activations are crucial transcriptional regulators of the BLyS survival pathway in malignant B cells that could be therapeutic targets in aggressive NHL-B.

PURPOSE This study analyzes additional mechanisms behind the ocular hypotensive effect of prostaglandin F (PGF) receptor (FP receptor) agonists PGF2alpha and fluprostenol (fluprostenol-isopropyl ester [travoprost]), which reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma probably by enhancing uveoscleral flow. The trabecular meshwork (TM) is actively involved in IOP regulation through contractile mechanisms. Contractility of TM is induced by endothelin (ET)-1, a possible pathogenic factor in glaucoma. The involvement of FP receptor agonists in the ET-1 effects on TM function was studied. METHODS The effects of FP receptor agonists on contractility of bovine TM (BTM) were investigated using a force-length transducer. The effects of PGF2alpha on intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) mobilization in cultured cells were measured using fura-2AM. The expression of the FP receptor protein was examined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS The ET-1-induced (10(-8) M) contraction in isolated BTM was inhibited by PGF2alpha (10(-6) M) and fluprostenol (10(-6) M). This effect was blocked by FP receptor antagonists. Carbachol-induced contraction or baseline tension was not affected by PGF2alpha or fluprostenol. In cultured TM cells, ET-1 caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i that was reduced by PGF2alpha. No reduction occurred in the presence of the FP receptor antagonist Al-8810. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of the FP receptor in native and cultured TM. CONCLUSIONS FP receptor agonists operate by direct interaction with ET-1-induced contractility of TM. This effect is mediated by the FP receptor. Thus, FP receptor agonists may decrease IOP by enhancing aqueous humor outflow through the TM by inhibiting ET-1-dependent mechanisms.

Current strategies for the production of therapeutic mAbs include the use of mammalian cell systems to recombinantly produce Abs derived from mice bearing human Ig transgenes, humanization of rodent Abs, or phage libraries. Generation of hybridomas secreting human mAbs has been previously reported; however, this approach has not been fully exploited for immunotherapy development. We previously reported the use of transient regulation of cellular DNA mismatch repair processes to enhance traits (e.g., affinity and titers) of mAb-producing cell lines, including hybridomas. We reasoned that this process, named morphogenics, could be used to improve suboptimal hybridoma cells generated by means of ex vivo immunization and immortalization of antigen-specific human B cells for therapeutic Ab development. Here we present a platform process that combines hybridoma and morphogenics technologies for the generation of fully human mAbs specific for disease-associated human antigens. We were able to generate hybridoma lines secreting mAbs with high binding specificity and biological activity. One mAb with strong neutralizing activity against human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was identified that is now considered for preclinical development for autoimmune disease indications. Moreover, these hybridoma cells have proven suitable for genetic optimization using the morphogenics process and have shown potential for large-scale manufacturing.

Adaptor protein-3 (AP-3) is an ubiquitous cytoplasmic complex that shuttles cargo proteins from the trans-Golgi and a tubular-endosomal compartment to endosome-lysosome-related organelles. Lack of the beta3A subunit of this complex causes Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 2, an autosomal recessive disease characterized by partial albinism, prolonged bleeding tendency, and immunodeficiency. To investigate the pathogenesis of immunodeficiency, we studied natural killer (NK) cells and neutrophil functions in 2 previously unreported siblings affected by Hermansky-Pudlak type 2 syndrome. In both patients we observed a dramatic reduction of cytolytic activity of freshly isolated and of IL-2-activated NK cells. Levels of perforin were reduced in unstimulated NK cells, thereby accounting for the impairment of NK cytolitic activity. In addition, analysis of neutrophils in these patients demonstrated that intracellular elastase content was largely reduced while CD63 expression on plasma membrane was substantially increased. Taken together, these observations suggest that type 2 Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome is characterized by defects of innate immunity.

Circulating CD34+ cells are haemopoietic progenitors that may play a role in tissue repair. No data are available on circulating progenitors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating CD34+ cells were studied in 18 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (age: mean+/-sd 68+/-8 yrs; forced expiratory volume in one second: 48+/-12% predicted) and 12 controls, at rest and after endurance exercise. Plasma concentrations of haematopoietic growth factors (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) ligand, kit ligand), markers of hypoxia (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and stimulators of angiogenesis (VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)) and markers of systemic inflammation (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8) were measured. Compared with the controls, the COPD patients showed a three-fold reduction in CD34+ cell counts (3.3+/-2.5 versus 10.3+/-4.2 cells.microL-1), and a 50% decrease in AC133+ cells. In the COPD patients, progenitor-derived haemopoietic and endothelial cell colonies were reduced by 30-50%. However, four COPD patients showed progenitor counts in the normal range associated with lower TNF-alpha levels. In the entire sample, CD34+ cell counts correlated with exercise capacity and severity of airflow obstruction. After endurance exercise, progenitor counts were unchanged, while plasma Flt3 ligand and VEGF only increased in the COPD patients. Plasma HGF levels were higher in the COPD patients compared with the controls and correlated inversely with the number of progenitor-derived colonies. In conclusion, circulating CD34+ cells and endothelial progenitors were decreased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and could be correlated with disease severity.

DNA methyltransferase inhibitors represent promising new drugs for cancer therapies. The first of these compounds (5-azacytidine, Vidaza) has recently been approved as an antitumor agent, and others are presently in various stages of their preclinical or clinical development. Most of the archetypal inhibitors have been established and characterized in different experimental systems, which has thus far precluded their direct comparison. We have now established defined experimental conditions that allowed a comparative analysis of the six most widely known DNA methyltransferase inhibitors: 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR), 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR), zebularine, procaine, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and RG108. Of these, 5-aza-CR, 5-aza-CdR, zebularine, and EGCG were found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity in human cancer cell lines. 5-aza-CdR and EGCG were also found to be genotoxic, as evidenced by the induction of micronuclei. In addition, 5-aza-CR, 5-aza-CdR, zebularine, and RG108 caused concentration-dependent demethylation of genomic DNA, whereas procaine and EGCG failed to induce significant effects. Finally, the experiments in cancer cell lines were complemented by a cell-free in vitro assay with purified recombinant DNA methyltransferase, which indicated that RG108 is the only drug capable of direct enzyme inhibition. These results show a substantial diversity in the molecular activities of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and provide valuable insights into the developmental potential of individual drugs.