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Background We investigated whether graft produced anti-human CD2, mediated by adenovirus (Adv) transduction of pig neonatal islet cell clusters ( pNICC), would protect xenografts in a humanized mouse model from immune attack and whether such immunosuppression would remain local. Methods A mouse anti-human CD2 Ab (CD2hb11) previously generated by us was genetically engineered to produce chimeric and humanized versions. The three forms of CD2hb11 were named dilimomab (mouse), diliximab (chimeric) and dilizumab (humanized). All 3 forms of CD2hb11 Ab were tested for their ability to bind CD3+ human T cells and to inhibit a human anti-pig xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). They were administered systemically in a humanized mouse model in order to test their ability to deplete human CD3+ T cells and whether they induced a cytokine storm. An adenoviral vector expressing diliximab was generated for transduction of p NICC. Humanized mice were transplanted with either control-transduced p NICC or diliximab-transduced p NICC and human T cells within grafts and spleens were enumerated by flow cytometry. Results Dilimomab and diliximab inhibited a human anti-pig xenogeneic response but dilizumab did not. All 3 forms of CD2hb11 Ab bound human T cells in vitro though dilimomab and diliximab exhibited 300-fold higher avidity than dilizumab. All 3 anti-CD2 Abs could deplete human CD3+ T cells in vivo in a humanized mouse model without inducing upregulation of activation markers or significant release of cytokines. Humanized mice transplanted with diliximab-transduced p NICC afforded depletion of CD3+ T cells at the graft site leaving the peripheral immune system intact. Conclusions Local production of a single Ab against T cells can reduce graft infiltration at the xenograft site and may reduce the need for conventional, systemic immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Having shown a decrease in serotonin2A receptors in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from schizophrenic subjects, we have now determined if this change was reflective of widespread changes in neurochemical markers in DLPFC in schizophrenia. In Brodmann’s area (BA) 9 from 19 schizophrenic and 19 control subjects, we confirmed a decrease in the density of [3H]ketanserin binding to serotonin2A receptors in tissue from the schizophrenic subjects [39 ± 3.3 vs. 60 ± 3.6 fmol/mg estimated tissue equivalents (ETE); p < 0.005]. In addition, the density of [3H]muscimol binding to GABAA receptors was increased in the schizophrenic subjects (526 ± 19 vs. 444 ± 28 fmol/mg ETE; p < 0.02). [3H]YM-09151-2, N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-3,4-[3H]piperidine, [3H]SCH 23390, [3H]mazindol, and NG-nitro-L-[3H]arginine binding to BA 9 did not differ between groups, and there was no specific binding of [3H]raclopride or 7-hydroxy-2-(di-n-[3H]propylamino)tetralin to BA 9 from either cohort of subjects. This suggests the density of dopamine D1-like and NMDA receptors, the dopamine transporter, and nitric oxide synthase activity are not altered in BA 9 from schizophrenic subjects. The selective nature of the changes in serotonin2A and GABAA receptors in DLPFC could indicate that these changes are involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three surface molecules of mouse CD8+ dendritic cells (DCs), also found on the equivalent human DC subpopulation, were compared as targets for Ab-mediated delivery of Ags, a developing strategy for vaccination. For the production of cytotoxic T cells, DEC-205 and Clec9A, but not Clec12A, were effective targets, although only in the presence of adjuvants. For Ab production, however, Clec9A excelled as a target, even in the absence of adjuvant. Potent humoral immunity was a result of the highly specific expression of Clec9A on DCs, which allowed longer residence of targeting Abs in the bloodstream, prolonged DC Ag presentation, and extended CD4 T cell proliferation, all of which drove highly efficient development of follicular helper T cells. Because Clec9A shows a similar expression pattern on human DCs, it has particular promise as a target for vaccines of human application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have cloned the mouse and human C-type lectin Clec12A, expressed both, and produced mAb recognizing both. Mouse Clec12A is highly expressed on splenic CD8(+) dendritic cells (DC) and plasmacytoid DC. A proportion of CD8(-)DC also expresses lower levels of Clec12A, as do monocytes, macrophages, and B cells. Human CLEC12A, like the mouse counterpart, is expressed on blood monocytes and DC, including pDC and BDCA-3(+)DC, the proposed equivalent of mouse CD8(+)DC. To determine whether Ag targeted to Clec12A could induce immune responses, mice were injected with a rat mAb recognizing Clec12A, or a control rat mAb, then production of anti-rat Ig was measured. Anti-Clec12A mAb alone produced only moderate responses, but these were amplified by coinjecting only small amounts of LPS as a DC activation agent. Furthermore, when OVA was conjugated to anti-Clec12A mAb, OVA-specific T cells were induced to proliferate. This Ag presentation to naive T cells was due to targeting conventional DC, because their ablation eliminated T cell activation. The potent Ab responses induced using microgram amounts of anti-Clec12A and minimal amounts of adjuvant demonstrate that this molecule can be used as an Ag-delivery target to enhance Ab responses to vaccines.

A normalized subtracted gene expression library was generated from freshly isolated mouse dendritic cells (DC) of all subtypes, then used to construct cDNA microarrays. The gene expression profiles of the three splenic conventional DC (cDC) subsets were compared by microarray hybridization and two genes encoding signal regulatory protein beta (Sirpbeta1 and Sirpbeta4) molecules were identified as differentially expressed in CD8(-) cDC. Genomic sequence analysis revealed a third Sirpbeta member localized in the same gene cluster. These Sirpbeta genes encode cell surface molecules containing extracellular Ig domains and short intracytoplasmic domains that have a charged amino acid in the transmembrane region which can potentially interact with ITAM-bearing molecules to mediate signaling. Indeed, we demonstrated interactions between Sirpbeta1 and beta2 with the ITAM-bearing signaling molecule Dap12. Real-time PCR analysis showed that all three Sirpbeta genes were expressed by CD8(-) cDC, but not by CD8(+) cDC or plasmacytoid pre-DC. The related Sirpalpha gene showed a similar expression profile on cDC subtypes but was also expressed by plasmacytoid pre-DC. The differential expression of Sirpalpha and Sirpbeta1 molecules on DC was confirmed by staining with mAbs, including a new mAb recognizing Sirpbeta1. Cross-linking of Sirpbeta1 on DC resulted in a reduction in phagocytosis of Leishmania major parasites, but did not affect phagocytosis of latex beads, perhaps indicating that the regulation of phagocytosis by Sirpbeta1 is a ligand-dependent interaction. Thus, we postulate that the differential expression of these molecules may confer the ability to regulate the phagocytosis of particular ligands to CD8(-) cDC.