L-Selectin-deficient SJL and C57BL/6 mice are not resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

L-selectin has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Here we demonstrate that L-selectin(-/-) SJL mice are susceptible to proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced EAE because the compromised antigen-specific T cell proliferation in peripheral lymph nodes is fully compensated by the T cell response raised in their spleen. Transfer of PLP-specific T cells into syngeneic recipients induced EAE independent of the presence or absence of L-selectin on PLP-specific T cells or in the recipient. Leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system parenchyma was detectable independent of the mode of disease induction and the presence or absence of L-selectin. In addition, we found L-selectin(-/-) C57BL/6 mice to be susceptible to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced EAE. Taken together, we demonstrate that in SJL and C57BL/6 mice L-selectin is not required for EAE pathogenesis. The apparent discrepancy of our present observation to previous findings, demonstrating a role of L-selectin in EAE pathogenesis in C57BL/6 mice or myelin-basic protein (MBP)-specific TCR-transgenic B10.PL mice, may be attributed to background genes rather than L-selectin and to a unique role of L-selectin in EAE pathogenesis in MBP-TCR-transgenic mice.

Polymorphisms, mutations, and amplification of the EGFR gene in non-small cell lung cancers.

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is the prototype member of the type I receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) family and plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation and differentiation. There are three well described polymorphisms that are associated with increased protein production in experimental systems: a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat (CA simple sequence repeat 1 [CA-SSR1]) in intron one (lower number of repeats) and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region, -216 (G/T or T/T) and -191 (C/A or A/A). The objective of this study was to examine distributions of these three polymorphisms and their relationships to each other and to EGFR gene mutations and allelic imbalance (AI) in non-small cell lung cancers. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We examined the frequencies of the three polymorphisms of EGFR in 556 resected lung cancers and corresponding non-malignant lung tissues from 336 East Asians, 213 individuals of Northern European descent, and seven of other ethnicities. We also studied the EGFR gene in 93 corresponding non-malignant lung tissue samples from European-descent patients from Italy and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 250 normal healthy US individuals enrolled in epidemiological studies including individuals of European descent, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans. We sequenced the four exons (18-21) of the TK domain known to harbor activating mutations in tumors and examined the status of the CA-SSR1 alleles (presence of heterozygosity, repeat number of the alleles, and relative amplification of one allele) and allele-specific amplification of mutant tumors as determined by a standardized semiautomated method of microsatellite analysis. Variant forms of SNP -216 (G/T or T/T) and SNP -191 (C/A or A/A) (associated with higher protein production in experimental systems) were less frequent in East Asians than in individuals of other ethnicities (p < 0.001). Both alleles of CA-SSR1 were significantly longer in East Asians than in individuals of other ethnicities (p < 0.001). Expression studies using bronchial epithelial cultures demonstrated a trend towards increased mRNA expression in cultures having the variant SNP -216 G/T or T/T genotypes. Monoallelic amplification of the CA-SSR1 locus was present in 30.6% of the informative cases and occurred more often in individuals of East Asian ethnicity. AI was present in 44.4% (95% confidence interval: 34.1%-54.7%) of mutant tumors compared with 25.9% (20.6%-31.2%) of wild-type tumors (p = 0.002). The shorter allele in tumors with AI in East Asian individuals was selectively amplified (shorter allele dominant) more often in mutant tumors (75.0%, 61.6%-88.4%) than in wild-type tumors (43.5%, 31.8%-55.2%, p = 0.003). In addition, there was a strong positive association between AI ratios of CA-SSR1 alleles and AI of mutant alleles. CONCLUSIONS: The three polymorphisms associated with increased EGFR protein production (shorter CA-SSR1 length and variant forms of SNPs -216 and -191) were found to be rare in East Asians as compared to other ethnicities, suggesting that the cells of East Asians may make relatively less intrinsic EGFR protein. Interestingly, especially in tumors from patients of East Asian ethnicity, EGFR mutations were found to favor the shorter allele of CA-SSR1, and selective amplification of the shorter allele of CA-SSR1 occurred frequently in tumors harboring a mutation. These distinct molecular events targeting the same allele would both be predicted to result in greater EGFR protein production and/or activity. Our findings may help explain to some of the ethnic differences observed in mutational frequencies and responses to TK inhibitors.

Suppressor activity and potency among regulatory T cells is discriminated by functionally active CD44.

CD4CD25(+) regulatory T cells are fundamental to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance and have great therapeutic potential. However, efforts in this regard have been hampered by limiting cell numbers in vivo, an anergic phenotype in vitro, and a rudimentary understanding of the molecular basis for the functional state of CD4CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Here we show heterogeneity of suppressor activity among activated CD4CD25(+) Treg cells and that, within this population, the functionally active, hyaluronan-binding form of CD44 (CD44(act)) is strikingly correlated with superior suppressor activity. Within 16 hours after in vitro activation, CD44(act) can discriminate enhanced suppressive function in in vitro proliferation assays and in an in vivo bone marrow engraftment model. The expression of other surface markers and that of Foxp3 are similar irrespective of hyaluronan binding and associated degree of suppressor potency. Furthermore, CD44(act) is induced on resting CD4CD25(+) cells in vivo by allogeneic stimulation, with similar functional consequences. These results reveal a cell-surface marker that delineates functional activity within a population of activated CD4CD25(+) regulatory T cells, thereby providing a potential tool for identifying regulatory activity and enriching for maximal suppressor potency.

Bimolecular complex between rolling and firm adhesion receptors required for cell arrest; CD44 association with VLA-4 in T cell extravasation.

CD44 on activated T cells can initiate contact and mediate rolling on hyaluronan on endothelial cells. We have shown that the integrin VLA-4 is used preferentially over LFA-1 in conjunction with this rolling interaction for firm adhesion. Here, we show by coimmunoprecipitation and transfection studies that CD44 associates with VLA-4 but not LFA-1 on the plasma membrane of immune cells. Absence of the cytoplasmic portion of CD44 abrogates this coassociation and attendant firm adhesion. Moreover, in an in vivo model of lymphocyte homing, cells expressing only the truncated form of CD44 together with VLA-4 fail to traffic to an inflamed site, thereby defining a discrete biological role for the cytoplasmic domain. These studies demonstrate a molecular mechanism whereby coanchoring within a single bimolecular complex between a primary and secondary adhesion molecule regulates a cell's ability to firmly adhere, providing a fundamental alteration to the paradigm of leukocyte extravasation.