NK cells are not required for spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice.

NK cells have been shown to either promote or protect from autoimmune diseases. Several studies have examined the role of receptors preferentially expressed by NK cells in the spontaneous disease of NOD mice or the direct role of NK cells in acute induced disease models of diabetes. Yet, the role of NK cells in spontaneous diabetes has not been directly addressed. Here, we used the NOD.NK1.1 congenic mouse model to examine the role of NK cells in spontaneous diabetes. Significant numbers of NK cells were only seen in the pancreas of mice with disease. Pancreatic NK cells displayed an activated surface phenotype and proliferated more than NK cells from other tissues in the diseased mice. Nonetheless, depletion of NK cells had no effect on dendritic cell maturation or T cell proliferation. In spontaneous disease, the deletion of NK cells had no significant impact on disease onset. NK cells were also not required to promote disease induced by adoptively transferred pathogenic CD4(+) T cells. Thus, NK cells are not required for spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice.

Differential roles for RIG-I-like receptors and nucleic acid-sensing TLR pathways in controlling a chronic viral infection.

The necessity for pathogen recognition of viral infection by the innate immune system in initiating early innate and adaptive host defenses is well documented. However, little is known about the role these receptors play in the maintenance of adaptive immune responses and their contribution to resolution of persistent viral infections. In this study, we demonstrate a nonredundant functional requirement for both nucleic acid-sensing TLRs and RIG-I-like receptors in the control of a mouse model of chronic viral infection. Whereas the RIG-I-like receptor pathway was important for production of type I IFNs and optimal CD8(+) T cell responses, nucleic acid-sensing TLRs were largely dispensable. In contrast, optimal anti-viral Ab responses required intact signaling through nucleic acid-sensing TLRs, and the absence of this pathway correlated with less virus-specific Ab and deficient long-term virus control of a chronic infection. Surprisingly, absence of the TLR pathway had only modest effects on Ab production in an acute infection with a closely related virus strain, suggesting that persistent TLR stimulation may be necessary for optimal Ab responses in a chronic infection. These results indicate that innate virus recognition pathways may play critical roles in the outcome of chronic viral infections through distinct mechanisms.

Regulation of B- and T-cell mediated xenogeneic transplant rejection by interleukin 12.

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation may provide a solution to the increasing shortage of donor organs. Acute vascular rejection and cell-mediated rejection remain the primary barriers to successful xenotransplantation. In animal models where acute vascular rejection can be attenuated, xenografts succumb to cell-mediated rejection. The mechanisms of acute vascular rejection and cell-mediated rejection are poorly understood. METHODS: Using a heterotopic rat-to-mouse cardiac transplantation model, we demonstrate that IL-12p40 attenuates both allogeneic and xenogeneic acute vascular rejection pathology by suppressing B-cell activation and anti-rat isotype switching. To study the mechanism of xenogeneic cell-mediated rejection, we use B-cell deficient mice that only develop cell-mediated rejection pathology. To elucidate the role of IL-12 in cell-mediated rejection, we generated B cell/ IL-12p40 double knockout mice. RESULTS: We demonstrate that xenogeneic cell-mediated rejection is mediated by CD4+ T cells, and is accompanied by elevated FasL and granzyme mRNA expression. Strikingly, by generating B cell/IL-12p40 double knockout mice, we demonstrate that xenogeneic cell-mediated rejection is IL-12p40 dependent. In contrast, we demonstrate that allogeneic cellular rejection is IL-12p40 independent. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that IL-12 plays a dual role in xenotransplantation by driving xenogeneic CD4+ T cell responses but suppressing both allogeneic and xenogeneic B cell responses. Therefore, the mechanism of allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantation rejection is differentially regulated by IL-12.

CD80/CD86 costimulation regulates acute vascular rejection.

Xenotransplantation may provide the only solution to the shortage of human donor organs. Although hyperacute rejection associated with xenotransplantation can now be overcome, acute vascular rejection (AVR) remains a primary barrier to xenotransplantation. To date, standard immunosuppressive agents fail to block AVR or prolong xenograft survival. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of CD80/CD86 costimulatory molecules in regulating AVR. Lewis rat hearts were transplanted heterotopically into wild-type or IL-12, CD80- or CD86-deficient C57BL/6 mice. Wild-type recipients were treated with CD80 or CD86 neutralizing Ab with and without daily cyclosporin A (CsA, 15 mg/kg). Transplanted hearts in untreated wild-type recipients were rejected on postoperative days (POD) 17-21 and showed cell-mediated rejection (CMR) and AVR pathologies. In contrast, transplanted hearts in IL-12 and CD80 recipients or wild-type recipients treated with CD80 neutralizing Ab were rapidly rejected on POD 5 and 6 with AVR pathology. Interestingly, hearts transplanted into CD86 knockout recipients or wild-type recipients treated with CD86 neutralizing Ab underwent CMR on POD 17. Finally, blockade of CD86 but not CD80 rendered xenograft recipients sensitive to daily CsA therapy, leading to indefinite xenograft survival. To conclude, we demonstrate that AVR can be overcome by blocking the CD86 costimulatory pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CD80 and CD86 have opposing roles in regulation of xenotransplantation rejection, where CD80 drives CMR and attenuates AVR while CD86 drives AVR. Most strikingly, indefinite xenograft survival can be achieved by suppressing AVR with CD86 neutralization in combination of CsA therapy, which inhibits CMR.

The expression and the regulatory role of OX40 and 4-1BB heterodimer in activated human T cells.

OX40 and 4-1BB are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of costimulatory receptors whose signaling is important for differential immune responses mediated by CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Although activated T cells may acquire OX40/4-1BB double-positive phenotype and signaling from each receptor is expected to influence cell functions, the relevance between OX40 and 4-1BB has never been investigated before. While we were investigating the expression of OX40 and 4-1BB on activated human T cells, we found that they colocalize. The study of receptor gene-transfected cells showed that both receptors coendocytose and the complex of OX40 and 4-1BB was detected by specific ligands or antibodies (Abs). The heterodimer of OX40 and 4-1BB was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreduced conditions and was associated with the tumor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family proteins in a unique manner. Furthermore, the stimulation of OX40/4-1BB rendered cells sensitive to apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha that accompanied reduced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Finally, the OX40/4-1BB stimulation repressed the mitogen response in activated CD25+CD4+ T cells and preactivated CD8+ T cells. Thus, the OX40/4-1BB heterodimer appears to represent a unique regulatory receptor in activated T cells.

Gene expression profiling of host response in models of acute HIV infection.

HIV infection is characterized by a host response composed of adaptive and innate immunity that partially limits viral replication; however, it ultimately fails in eradicating the virus. To model host gene expression during acute HIV infection, we infected cynomolgus macaques with the SIV/HIV-1 chimeric virus, SHIV89.6P, and profiled gene expression in peripheral blood over a 5-wk period using a high density cDNA microarray. We demonstrate that viral challenge induced a widespread suppression of genes regulating innate immunity, including the LPS receptors, CD14 and TLR4. An overexpression of 16 IFN-stimulated genes was also observed in response to infection; however, it did not correlate with control over viral titers. A statistical analysis of the dataset identified 10 genes regulating apoptosis with differential expression during the first 2 wk of infection (p < 0.004). Quantitative real-time PCR verified transcriptional increases in IFN-alpha-inducible genes and decreases in genes regulating innate immunity. Therefore, the persistence of high viral loads despite an extensive IFN response suggests that HIV can resist in vivo IFN treatment despite published reports of in vitro efficacy. The transcriptional suppression of genes regulating innate immunity may allow HIV to evade acute host responses and establish a chronic infection and may reduce innate host defense against opportunistic infections.

Cytokines regulate the pattern of rejection and susceptibility to cyclosporine therapy in different mouse recipient strains after cardiac allografting.

We determined the role of cytokines in regulating the pattern of rejection and recipient susceptibility to cyclosporine (CsA) in a mouse cardiac allograft model. Hearts from C3H mice transplanted into untreated BALB/c (Th2-dominant) and C57BL/6 (Th1-dominant) mice showed different patterns of rejection. C3H allografts in BALB/c mice showed typical acute vascular rejection (AVR) with strong intragraft deposition and high serum levels of anti-donor IgG with predominant IgG1, while C3H allografts in C57BL/6 mice showed typical acute cellular rejection (ACR) with massive intragraft infiltration of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and low serum levels of anti-donor IgG with predominant IgG2a. Elevated intragraft mRNA expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 mRNA was present in C57BL/6 recipients, whereas allografts in BALB/c mice displayed increased IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA levels. CsA therapy completely inhibited ACR and induced indefinite allograft survival in C57BL/6 recipients, while the same therapy failed to prevent AVR, and only marginally prolonged graft survival in BALB/c recipients. In contrast, rapamycin blocked AVR, achieving indefinite survival in BALB/c recipients, but was less effective at preventing ACR in C57BL/6 recipients. The disruption of the IL-12 or IFN-gamma genes in C57BL/6 mice shifted ACR to AVR, and resulted in concomitant recipient resistance to CsA therapy. Conversely, disruption of IL-4 gene in BALB/c mice markedly attenuated AVR and significantly prolonged allograft survival. These data suggest that the distinct cytokine profiles expressed by different mouse strains play an essential role in regulating the pattern of rejection and outcome of CsA/rapamycin therapy.

Treatment with a short course of LF 15-0195 and continuous cyclosporin A attenuates acute xenograft rejection in a rat-to-mouse cardiac transplantation model.

Searching for a novel immunosuppressive agent to effectively prevent acute vascular rejection (AVR) is essential for success in clinical xenotransplantation. We previously reported that Lewis rat hearts transplanted into BALB/c mice developed typical AVR in 6 days. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of LF 15-0195, a new immunosuppressive analog of 15-deoxyspergualin in the prevention of AVR in a rat-to-mouse cardiac xenograft model. We transplanted 2-week old Lewis rat hearts into BALB/c mice. Four groups were included in this study: untreated recipients and cyclosporin A (CsA) treated recipients were controls; LF 15-0195 treated recipients or LF 15-0195 combined with CsA treated recipients were experimental groups. Mouse recipients received either LF 15-0195 2 mg/kg subcutaneously from day-1 to post-operative day 14, or CsA 15 mg/kg subcutaneously daily, from day 0 to endpoint rejection, or the two drugs in combination. We observed that high dose CsA did not inhibit AVR and the graft was rejected in 11.3 +/- 1.9 days. Graft histology and immunohistology showed typical AVR, characterized by interstitial hemorrhage, intravascular fibrin deposition, thrombosis, and massive deposition of anti-rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Serum xenoreactive antibodies (xAbs) were markedly elevated in these animals as well. In contrast, we observed that treatment with LF 15-0195 alone significantly prolonged graft survival to 19.3 +/- 0.7 days. Notably, xAbs were significantly decreased and the rejection pattern of these grafts was cell-mediated rejection (CMR), instead of AVR. When CsA was combined with LF 15-0195, the graft mean survival time was further increased to 58.5 +/- 17.3 days. Antibody production and T-cell infiltration were significantly inhibited at the terminal stages of graft survival and pathology showed striking attenuation of both AVR and CMR. Sequential studies on days 6 and 14 demonstrated that LF 15-0195 either alone or combined with CsA completely inhibited antibody production. However, intragraft infiltration by Mac-1 positive cells including natural killer cells, macrophages and granulocytes in LF 15-0195 treated recipients was similar to that of untreated recipients. We conclude that LF 15-0195 effectively prevented AVR by markedly inhibiting the production of anti-donor IgG xAbs. Also, treatment with short course LF 15-0195 and continuous CsA significantly reduced T-cell infiltration. Studies to test this therapy in inhibiting AVR in a pig-to-non-human primate xenotransplantation model are underway.

Attenuation of acute xenograft rejection by short-term treatment with LF15-0195 and monoclonal antibody against CD45RB in a rat-to-mouse cardiac transplantation model.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that Lewis rat hearts transplanted into BALB/c mice developed typical acute vascular rejection (AVR). The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of LF15-0195, a new analogue of 15-deoxyspergualin, in the prevention of AVR and to determine whether a combination of LF15-0195 and CD45RB monoclonal antibody (mAb) would have a synergistic effect in prolonging xenograft survival. METHODS: We transplanted 2-week-old Lewis rat hearts into BALB/c mice, followed by experimental immunosuppressive regimens. Control groups were either untreated or treated with mAb monotherapy (100 microg/mouse, days -1 to 7, intravenously). Experimental groups were either treated with LF15-0195 (2 mg/kg, days -1 to 14, subcutaneously) or with LF15-0195 combined with mAb at monotherapeutic doses. RESULTS: Heart xenografts in both untreated and mAb-treated BALB/c recipients were rejected at 6.0+/-0.7 days and 8.5+/-1.3 days, respectively, with typical features of AVR, characterized by hemorrhage, fibrin deposition, thrombosis, and massive accumulations of anti-rat IgG and IgM. Serum xenoreactive antibodies (xAbs) were also markedly elevated in these animals. In contrast, LF15-0195 monotherapy significantly prolonged graft survival to 19.3+/-0.7 days. Notably, xAbs were significantly decreased and graft rejection was of a cell-mediated nature instead of AVR. When mAb was combined with LF15-0195, graft survival was further increased to 65.2+/-9.1 days. Antibody production and T-cell infiltration were significantly inhibited at terminal stages of graft survival. Sequential studies on days 6 and 14 demonstrated that LF15-0195, either alone or combined with mAb, completely inhibited antibody production. However, intragraft infiltration by Mac-1+ cells in LF15-0195-treated recipients was similar to that of untreated recipients. CONCLUSIONS: LF15-0195 effectively attenuated AVR by markedly inhibiting antidonor xAb production. Treatment with a combination of LF15-0195 and CD45RB mAb also significantly reduced T-cell infiltration and should be studied further to evaluate its efficacy in nonhuman primate subjects.

The role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in alloantigen-independent and alloantigen-dependent transplantation injury.

Transplantation injury and rejection involves the interplay of innate and acquired immune responses. Immune-related injury manifests itself in three temporal phases: early innate immune driven alloantigen-independent injury, acquired immune driven alloantigen-dependent injury, and chronic injury. Sequential waves of chemokine expression play a central role in regulating graft injury through the recruitment of phagocytes shortly after transplantation and activated lymphocytes and phagocytes in the weeks and years following transplantation. This review focuses on recent studies demonstrating the role of chemokines in transplantation.