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Optimizations are expected in the development of immunotherapy for the treatment of Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). We studied the expression of galectin‐9 (Gal‐9) after irradiation and assessed the differential impacts of its targeting with or without radiotherapy. Tumor resections from TNBC patients who received neoadjuvant radiotherapy revealed higher levels of Gal‐9 in comparison to their baseline level, only in non‐responder patients. Gal‐9 expression was also found to be increased in TNBC tumor biopsies and cell lines after irradiation. We investigated the therapeutic advantage of targeting Gal‐9 after radiotherapy in mice. Irradiated 4T1 cells or control non‐irradiated 4T1 cells were injected into BALB/c mice. Anti‐Gal‐9 antibody treatment decreased tumor progression only in mice injected with irradiated 4T1 cells. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that Gal‐9 could be considered as a dynamic biomarker after radiotherapy for TNBC and suggests that Gal‐9 induced‐overexpression could represent an opportunity to develop new therapeutic strategies for TNBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The critical importance of the immunoregulatory mechanisms, which prevent adverse responses to dietary proteins is demonstrated by the consequences of their failure in two common but distinct human pathological conditions, food allergy and celiac disease. The mechanisms of tolerance to dietary proteins have been extensively studied in mouse models but the extent to which the results in mice can be extrapolated to humans remains unclear. Here, after summarizing the mechanisms known to control oral tolerance in mouse models, we discuss how the monogenic immune disorders associated with food allergy on the one hand, and celiac disease, on the other hand, represent model diseases to gain insight into the key immunoregulatory pathways that control immune responses to food antigens in humans. The spectrum of monogenic disorders, in which the dysfunction of a single gene, is strongly associated with TH2‐mediated food allergy suggests an important overlap between the mechanisms that regulate TH2 and IgE responses to food antigens in humans and mice. In contrast, celiac disease provides a unique example of the link between autoimmunity and loss of tolerance to a food antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) are at greater risk of contracting and developing severe disease compared with people with higher SES. Age, sex, host genetics, smoking and cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus are known to have a major impact on human immune responses and thus susceptibility to infection. However, the impact of SES on immune variability is not well understood or explored. Here, we used data from the Milieu Intérieur project, a study of 1000 healthy volunteers with extensive demographic and biological data, to examine the effect of SES on immune variability. We developed an Elo‐rating system using socioeconomic features such as education, income and home ownership status to objectively rank SES in the 1000 donors. We observed sex‐specific SES associations, such as females with a low SES having a significantly higher frequency of CMV seropositivity compared with females with high SES, and males with a low SES having a significantly higher frequency of active smoking compared with males with a high SES. Using random forest models, we identified specific immune genes which were significantly associated with SES in both baseline and immune challenge conditions. Interestingly, many of the SES associations were sex stimuli specific, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. Our study provides a new way of computing SES in human populations that can help identify novel SES associations and reinforces biological evidence for SES‐dependent susceptibility to infection. This should serve as a basis for further understanding the molecular mechanisms behind SES effects on immune responses and ultimately disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healing of complex wounds requires dressings that must, at least, not hinder and should ideally promote the activity of key healing cells, in particular fibroblasts. This in vitro study assessed the effects of three wound‐dressings (a pure Ca2+ alginate: Algostéril®, a Ca2+ alginate + carboxymethylcellulose: Biatain alginate® and a polyacrylate impregnated with lipido‐colloid matrix: UrgoClean®) on dermal fibroblast activity. The results showed the pure calcium alginate to be non‐cytotoxic, whereas the other wound‐dressings showed moderate to strong cytotoxicity. The two alginates stimulated fibroblast migration and proliferation, whereas the polyacrylate altered migration and had no effect on proliferation. The pure Ca2+ alginate significantly increased the TGF‐β‐induced fibroblast activation, which is essential to healing. This activation was confirmed by a significant increase in Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and a higher collagen production. The other dressings reduced these fibroblast activities. The pure Ca2+ alginate was also able to counteract the inhibitory effect of NK cell supernatants on fibroblast migration. These in vitro results demonstrate that tested wound‐dressings are not equivalent for fibroblast activation. Only Algostéril was found to promote all the fibroblast activities tested, which could contribute to its healing efficacy demonstrated in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin wounds and compromised wound healing are major concerns for the public. Although skin wound healing has been studied for decades, the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind the process are still not completely clear. The systemic responses to trauma involve the body's inflammatory and immunomodulatory cellular and humoral networks. Studies over the years provided essential insights into a complex and dynamic immunity during the cutaneous wound healing process. This review will focus on innate cell populations involved in the initial phase of this orchestrated process, including innate cells from both the skin and the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PTPN2 is an important protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) that plays a key role in cell signaling. Deletions or inactivating mutations of PTPN2 have been described in different pathologies and underline its critical role in hematopoiesis, autoimmunity, and inflammation. Surprisingly, despite the major pathophysiological implications of PTPN2, the structural analysis of this PTP and notably of its pathogenic mutants remains poorly documented. Contrary to other human PTP enzymes, to date, only one structure of PTPN2 (wild‐type form) has been reported. Here, we report the first crystal structure of a pathogenic mutant of PTPN2 (Cys216Gly) that causes an autoimmune enteropathy. We show in particular that this mutant adopts a classical PTP fold. More importantly, albeit inactive, the mutant retains its ability to bind substrates and to adopt the characteristic catalytically competent closed form of PTP enzymes. This novel PTPN2 structure may serve as a new tool to better understand PTP structures and the structural impacts of pathogenic mutations. Moreover, the C216G PTPN2 structure could also be helpful to design specific ligands/inhibitors. PDB Code(s): 6ZZ4; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal ageing is associated with an impaired systemic immune response contributing to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the lymphocyte phenotype in human skin from old and young healthy subjects. Skin samples from donors were used for explant cultures before flow cytometric analysis. Our results depicted a higher proportion of CD4+ and a lower proportion of CD8+ among CD3+ T cells, a decreased proportion of CD45RA+ naive T cells (3.5 ± 1.9% vs 22.9 ± 11.1%, P ≤ 0.007) and an upregulation of the expression of CD39 and PD1 on CD3+CD4+ T cells (25.1 ± 8.5% vs 12.5 ± 8.5%, P ≤ 0.003, 68.8 ± 11.6% vs 50.0 ± 11.3%, P ≤ 0.01, respectively) in the skin of old subjects. These findings could explain a reduced generation of long‐lived memory T cells and an impaired antitumoral response in the skin of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented discussing adipose tissues and the regeneration of adult tissues as well as their self-renewal and differentiation potential.

Labeled problem Embryo implantation remains the main limiting factor in assisted reproductive medicine (20% success rate). Methods of study An endometrial immune profiling was performed among 394 women with the previous history of repeated embryo implantation failures (RIF). The endometrial immune profile documented the ratio of IL-15/Fn-14 mRNA as a biomarker of uNK cell activation/maturation (together with the uNK cell count) and the IL-18/TWEAK mRNA ratio as a biomarker of both angiogenesis and the Th1/Th2 balance. According to their profile, we recommended personalized care to counteract the documented dysregulation and assessed its effects by the live birth rate (LBR) for the next embryo transfer. Results Endometrial immune profiles appeared to be dysregulated in 81.7% of the RIF patients compared to control. Overactivation was diagnosed in 56.6% and low activation in 25%. The LBR among these dysregulated/treated patients at the first subsequent embryo transfer was 39.8%. Conclusion Endometrial immune profiling may improve our understanding of RIF and subsequent LBR if treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermal fibroblasts play a key role in maintaining skin homoeostasis by synthesizing and degrading extracellular matrix components. During ageing, they are subjected to changes, such as the loss of type I collagen expression and an increased synthesis of metalloproteinase I, leading to fragmentation of collagen fibrils with consequent reduction of the mechanical tension and defects of skin wound healing. Most information about fibroblast ageing was obtained from experiments performed on replicative-senescent dermal fibroblasts in vitro. However, the senescence status of fibroblasts isolated from intrinsically aged skins and its consequences on functionality need to be deeper investigated. Herein, we studied age-related phenotypic and functional alteration of fibroblasts from 'young' (<35 years) and 'old' (>50 years) donors. Our results brought evidence of the senescent status of 'old' fibroblasts by senescence associated β-galactosidase ( SA- βgal) positive staining and p16 expression. A PCR array focusing on senescence highlighted a subset of downregulated genes including cell cycle progression and ECM genes in 'old' fibroblasts as well as a subset of upregulated genes involved in senescence features. In 'old' fibroblasts, we measured a downregulation of proliferative and contractile capacities of migratory potential under PDGF stimulation and activation into myofibroblasts under TGF β. Old fibroblasts were also more sensitive to oxidative stress than 'young' ones. Of interest, downregulation of p16 expression partially reversed the senescent phenotype of 'old' fibroblasts but failed to restore their functional properties. In conclusion, our data brought evidence of phenotypic and functional differences between fibroblasts from young and intrinsically aged skin that may contribute to the alterations observed with ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antinuclear antibodies are a hallmark feature of generalized autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. However, the processes underlying the loss of tolerance against nuclear self-constituents remain largely unresolved. Using mice deficient in lymphotoxin and Hox11, we report that approximately 25% of mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs spontaneously develop specific antinuclear antibodies. Interestingly, we find this phenotype is not caused by a defect in central tolerance. Rather, cell-specific deletion and in vivo lymphotoxin blockade link these systemic autoimmune responses to the formation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the neonatal period of life. We further demonstrate antinuclear antibody production is influenced by the presence of commensal gut flora, in particular increased colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria, and IL-17 receptor signaling. Together, these data indicate that neonatal colonization of gut microbiota influences generalized autoimmunity in adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD160 is a GPI-anchored Ig-like receptor identified by the BY55 mAb on human circulating CD56dim+ NK cells and TCRγδ lymphocytes. In addition, while most intestinal T lymphocytes express it, only a minor circulating CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocyte subset is CD160+. Here we describe a population of CD4+CD160+ human blood T lymphocytes of circulating cutaneous T cells. These rare T lymphocytes represent 2.1 ± 1.9% of the circulating CD3+CD4+ T cells, coexpress CD8αα, CD244, and perforin but lack CD28 expression, a phenotype corresponding to effector memory cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Functional studies further confirmed their cytotoxic potential. These cells lack αEβ7 integrin and CCR7 expression but do express skin-addressing molecules CLA, and CCR4. In normal human skin, CD4+CD160+ cells represent 34.6 ± 14.7% of the CD4+ T lymphocytes extracted by collagenase treatment. These T cells coexpress CLA (81 ± 13.6%), CCR4 (62.3 ± 15.9%), and some CD8αα (19.6 ± 13%) or CCR7 (24.4 ± 11.7%) expression. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells express the natural killer receptor KIR3DL2 (CD158k) used as a tumor marker. Not only we confirmed the expression of this marker in the blood and/or skin of mycosis fungoides patients but we also show for the first time CD158k expression (often associated with CD160) on cutaneous CD4+ T cells from healthy individuals (25.3 ± 15%). Therefore, CD4+CD160+ T cells expressing CD158k might represent specialized cutaneous lymphocytes devoted to immune surveillance, from which could originate cutaneous T-cell lymphomas such as mycosis fungoides. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the result of a study which examined the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) subpopulations in the development of an immunosuppressive environment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The researchers suggest that these Tregs have the capacity to move into tissues based on the detection of CCR4, CCRS CCR7 and CD49d expressions of homing receptors specific for skin, intestine, lymph nodes and inflamed tissues. They also suggested that Tregs would prevent anti-tumor response.

Background. The MC1R gene implicated in melanogenesis and skin pigmentation is highly polymorphic. Several alleles are associated with red hair and fair skin phenotypes and contribute to melanoma risk. Objective. This work aims to assess the effect of different classes of MC1R variants, notably rare variants, on melanoma risk. Methods. MC1R coding region was sequenced in 1131 melanoma patients and 869 healthy controls. MC1R variants were classified as RHC (R) and non-RHC (r). Rare variants (frequency < 1%) were subdivided into two subgroups, predicted to be damaging (D) or not (nD). Results. Both R and r alleles were associated with melanoma (OR = 2.66 [2.20-3.23] and 1.51 [1.32-1.73]) and had similar population attributable risks (15.8% and 16.6%).We also identified 69 rare variants, of which 25 were novel. D variants were strongly associated with melanoma (OR = 2.38 [1.38-4.15]) and clustered in the same MC1R domains as R alleles (intracellular 2, transmembrane 2 and 7). Conclusion. This work confirms the role of R and r alleles in melanoma risk in the French population and proposes a novel class of rare D variants as important melanoma risk factors. These findings may improve the definition of high-risk subjects that could be targeted for melanoma prevention and screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As loss of KIT frequently occurs in melanoma progression, we hypothesized that KIT is implicated in predisposition to melanoma ( MM). Thus, we sequenced the KIT coding region in 112 familial MM cases and 143 matched controls and genotyped tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in two cohorts of melanoma patients and matched controls. Five rare KIT substitutions, all predicted possibly or probably deleterious, were identified in five patients, but none in controls [ RR = 2.26 (1.26-2.26)]. Expressed in melanocyte lines, three substitutions inhibited KIT signaling. Comparison with exomes database (7020 alleles) confirmed a significant excess of rare deleterious KIT substitutions in patients. Additionally, a common SNP, rs2237028, was associated with MM risk, and 6 KIT variants were associated with nevus count. Our data strongly suggest that rare KIT substitutions predispose to melanoma and that common variants at KIT locus may also impact nevus count and melanoma risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Prior use of 'lymphocyte transformation test' ( LTT) in Stevens- Johnson syndrome ( SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis ( TEN) provided conflicting results, possibly dependent on sampling dates (acute vs. late). Objective Evaluation of LTT in patients with SJS or TEN who reacted to lamotrigine ( LTG). In a small subgroup we explored the possible role of regulatory T cells (T-reg). Methods Acute phase samples (9) and post-recovery samples (14) from cases of SJS or TEN to LTG were provided by the Regi SCAR-study group. Controls were persons never exposed to LTG (12), patients exposed without reaction (6), and patients who developed a mild eruption to LTG (6). LTT was performed by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation after 3 days of incubation with phytohemmaglutinin, LTG (10 μg/mL) or medium. Stimulation index ≥ 2 was considered positive. In 16 cases LTT was redone after depletion of T-reg by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Results Positive LTT was observed in 3/6 cases of mild eruptions, 1/9 SJS/ TEN-cases tested during the acute phase and 3/14 SJS/ TEN-cases tested after recovery. We noted a very mild and nonsignificant trend for an increased response after depletion of T-reg in late samples from SJS or TEN patients. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance With the largest number of LTT performed in patients with SJS or TEN to a single drug, we confirmed that reactive cells are rarely detected in these reactions. Poor reactivity did not seem related to T-reg. Other in vitro assays than those testing proliferation should be evaluated, before raising the hypothesis that specific cells disappeared by undergoing apoptosis during the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by an acute detachment and destruction of keratinocytes, affecting large areas of the skin. It is often related to adverse drug reactions. Previous studies have shown that effector CD8+ T cells, which accumulate in the blister fluid, are functionally cytotoxic and act through a classical perforin/granzyme B pathway. It has recently been shown that these cytotoxic T cells also secrete granulysin peptide, which is lethal to keratinocytes. These cytotoxic T cells exert their killer activity against autologous keratinocytes in the presence of the drug. However, they are unlikely to be the only effectors of TEN. We therefore searched for soluble death factors in the blister fluids that might kill keratinocytes. We found that the amounts of interferon-γ, TRAIL and TNF-α proteins were significantly greater in TEN blister fluids than in all controls (normal sera, TEN sera, burns and Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis blister fluids) and TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) amounts are also greater in all controls except burns. We showed that these proteins acted in synergy to induce the death of keratinocytes in vitro. We also found that TRAIL and TWEAK were secreted by CD1a+ and CD14+ cells present in the blister fluids. Thus, in addition to MHC class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which lyse keratinocytes, ligands secreted by non-lymphoid cells capable of inducing keratinocyte death in an MHC class I-independent manner, also seem to be present in the blister fluids of patients with TEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type (NKTCL) is a malignant disorder of cytotoxic lymphocytes of NK or more rarely T cells associated with clonal Epstein-Barr virus infection. Extranodal NKTCL is rare in Western countries, but in Asia and Central and South America it can account for up to 10% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It is an aggressive neoplasm with very poor prognosis. Although the pathogenesis of extranodal NKTCL remains poorly understood, some insights have been gained in the recent years, especially from genome-wide studies. Based on our own experience and knowledge of the literature, we here review some of the genomic and functional pathway alterations observed in NKTCL that could provide a rationale for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IL-10-producing regulatory B cells have been identified in mice and shown to downregulate inflammation, making them potentially important for maintenance of tolerance. In this study, we isolated B cells from human blood and spleen, and showed that after a short period of ex vivo stimulation a number of these cells produced IL-10. The IL-10-producing B cells did not fall within a single clearly defined subpopulation, but were enriched in both the memory (CD27 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that determined triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (Trem)-1 genetic invalidation's clinical and immunological effects in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced model of psoriasis. Topics discussed include no significant clinical effect of Trem-1 invalidation found in psoriasiform IMQ-induced skin inflammation in mice, potential role of Trem-1 in regulating IMQ-induced inflammation, and possible testing of Trem-1 as potential target in psoriasis in humans.

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Eradication of tumor cells requires an effective interaction between melanoma cells and different players of the immune system. As the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in mounting a specific immune response where their intratumoral and peritumoral density as well as their functional status are correlated with clinical staging of the disease and with patients’ survival. Under steady-state conditions, internalization of apoptotic cells by immature DCs designates a state of tolerance to self-antigens. Nevertheless, pathogens and necrotic cells interacting with pattern recognition receptors trigger downstream signaling pathways that evoke maturation of DCs, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These mature DCs are essential for T-cell priming and subsequent development of a specific immune response. Altered functions of DCs have an impact on the development of various disorders including autoimmune diseases and cancers. Herein, we focus on the checkpoints created throughout DCs antigen capturing and presentation to T cells, with subsequent development of either tolerance or immune response, with an emphasis on the role played by DCs in melanoma tumorigenesis and their therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the discovery of CARD15 as susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease (CD) a first link to a potential defect in the innate immune system was made. In this work we aimed to analyze enterocyte NOD2/CARD15 expression and regulation in response to bacterial motifs and the consequences of the most common CD-specific CARD15 mutation on antibacterial responses of normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Under normal conditions, IEC lines and ileal enterocytes did not express NOD2/CARD15 mRNA or protein, contrary to IEC derived from inflammatory CD sections. In vitro analyses revealed that the simple contact with non-pathogenic commensal E. Coli K12 was sufficient to induced NOD2/CARD15 mRNA and protein in human IEC (HIEC). We identified bacterial flagellin interacting with TLR5 as major motif in this regulation of NOD2/CARD15. E. Coli mutants not expressing flagellin (ΔFliC) failed to induce CARD15. Similarly, in HIEC transfected with a plasmid encoding dominant negative TLR5, no CARD15 induction was observed after K12 contact. Isolated TLR2 or TLR4 stimulation had no or only a marginal effect on NOD2/CARD15 expression. NOD2/CARD15 negative HIEC were unresponsive to muramyl dipeptide (MDP), but once NOD2/CARD15 was induced, HIEC and Caco2 cells responded to intra or extracellular MDP presentation with the activation of the NFkB pathway. IEC transfected with the Crohn-specific CARD15 mutant (F3020insC, FS) failed to activate NFkB after MDP-challenge, in contrast to CARD15WT IEC. In response to MDP, IEC induced a massive antibacterial peptide (ABP) response, seen in the apical release of CCL20. This was completely abolished in IEC carrying CARD15FS. These data suggest a critical role of NOD2/CARD15 in the bacterial clearance of the intestinal epithelium while CD-specific mutated NOD2/CARD15 causes an impaired epithelial barrier. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 241–252, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within human CD8 T lymphocytes, the CD27CD45RA or CD56 phenotypes contribute to precisely define the cells with CTL effector function. Novel markers were demonstrated to correlate with CTL properties, such as the 2B4 (CD244) receptor, a member of the CD2 subset of the immunoglobulin superfamily or the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored CD160 receptor. We performed a study of these markers to further define the population of effectors with CTL functions. Here we show that cytotoxic subpopulations defined by surface markers CD160, CD56 and CD57 are mostly contained in the 2B4CD8 T cell population. Expression of CD160 identifies two populations in the 2B4 population. The 2B4CD160 subset expresses a bona fide CTL phenotype. The co-expression of 2B4 and CD160 defines T cells containing high amounts of perforin and granzyme B. During CTL ontogeny, an up-regulation of 2B4 and CD160 is observed from a naive to a terminally differentiated phenotype. Finally, we demonstrated that CD160 triggering failed to induce cytotoxicity per se, but costimulated CD3-redirected killing. We conclude that the co-expression of 2B4 and CD160 defines a CD8 T lymphocyte subpopulation with high CTL activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most recent Human Leucocyte Differentiation Antigen Workshop (“HLDA7”) took place in 2000 in Harrogate, UK and the proceedings are about to be published (Leucocyte Typing VII ). New Sections were introduced in this Workship (Dendritic cells, Stem/progenitor cells, Erythroid cells and Carbohydrate Structures) and monoclonal antibodies were selected for which at least some molecular data were already available (to avoid “blind” screening of reagents against known specificities). A total of more than 80 new CD specificities were established (previously the average was less than 30 new CD specificities per Workshop) and these are listed in this article. There is already evidence for the existence of many new leucocyte surface molecules for study at the next HLDA Workshop (in Adelaide in 2004), and we have listed in this article a number of such potential CD candidates (identified following the production of monoclonal antibodies or via gene cloning). There are also today an increasing number of lineage- and/or stage-restricted leucocyte-associated molecules localised within the cell cytoplasm (or nucleus): they will certainly prove of intense in the future for many laboratories studying human haematopoietic cells (regardless of whether a new “intracellular CD” categorisation scheme is devised for such molecules). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We tested the immunosuppressive effect of cord blood (CB) natural killer (NK) cells using highly purified CB NK cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) containing autologous CB T cells as responders. Control cultures were done without NK cells. Our findings revealed that CB NK cells induced a dose-dependent inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation as evidenced by decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation in MLC. The T cell alloproliferation was significantly decreased in the presence of an NK cell to responder cell ratio of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 compared with control cultures done without NK cells (p=0.02, 0.003 and 0.0002, respectively). T lymphocyte inhibition was also achieved using irradiated CB NK cells and still demonstrable on addition of disparate CB NK and T cells to the MLC. In agreement with previous reports, adult blood NK cells inhibited the alloreactive T cells in the MLC using adult T lymphocytes as responders. Compared to control cultures done without NK cells, statistically significant inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation in MLC was observed at a ratio of NK cells to responder cells ratio of 0.2 or 0.4 (p=0.02). To investigate the mechanism whereby CB NK cells can interfere with the development of alloreactive T cells in MLC, we measured the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in MLC supernatants using NK cell-depleted or unseparated CB mononuclear cells (MNC) as responders. The results revealed significantly high levels of TNF-α in the absence of NK cells (p=0.007). We conclude that CB NK cells suppress alloreactive T lymphocytes as do their counterparts in adult blood. However, the high NK to T cell ratio in CB could contribute to a more marked suppressive potential compared to that in adult blood. The mechanism of NK-mediated inhibition is likely related to disruption of the TNF-α pathway of T-lymphocyte activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonclassical HLA-G class I gene is expressed by extravillous cytotrophoblast that invades decidua in uterine pregnancy, suggesting that it may contribute to the immunological mechanisms that protect the fetus against maternal alloimmune response and/or pathogen infections. We first addressed the question of whether HLA-G expression was dependent on maternal tissue environment by comparing uterine and ectopic tubal pregnancies. Using HLA-G-specific mAb on placental cryosections, we found by immunohistochemistry that all subtypes of extravillous cytotrophoblast similarly expressed HLA-G in pregnant tubes, demonstrating that its expression was independent of the site of implantation. We next compared by immunohistochemistry the phenotype of maternal leukocytes recruited in both pregnant tissues. In contrast to decidua, pregnant tubes were characterized firstly, by the lack of natural killer (NK) cells and of cells expressing CD94 receptor specific for HLA-E, secondly, by a prominent increase of CD8¹ T cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, the latter co-expressing the LIR1/ILT2 killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR), and finally, by the presence of cells expressing LIR2/ILT4 KIR or BY55 NK receptors, known to bind to HLA-G. Such cell types may favor a unique innate defense in pregnant tubes. These observations also suggest that trophoblast HLA-G expression does not influence the recruitment of particular maternal leukocytes in pregnant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We recently showed that refractory sprue is distinct from coeliac disease, the former being characterized by abnormal intraepithelial T-lymphocytes expressing a cytoplasmic CD3 chain (CD3c), lacking CD3 and CD8 surface expression, and showing TCRγ gene rearrangements. To take advantage of the abnormal phenotype of CD3c + CD8 - intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in refractory sprue we developed a simple method to distinguish coeliac disease from refractory sprue. Methods and results Comparative immunohistochemical studies using anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 antibodies were applied on paraffin-embedded and frozen biopsy specimens in refractory sprue (n = 6), coeliac disease (n = 10), healthy controls (n = 5) and suspected refractory sprue (n = 6). Comparable results were obtained on fixed and frozen biopsy specimens. In four of the six patients with suspected refractory sprue, abnormal CD3c + CD8 - IEL and TCRγ gene rearrangements were found, as in refractory sprue; the remaining two patients had normal (CD3 + CD8 +) IEL and no TCRγ gene rearrangements. Both patients had coeliac disease, as one failed to comply with a gluten-free diet, while the other was a slow responder. Conclusion This simplified immunostaining method using anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 antibodies on paraffin sections can distinguish active coeliac disease from refractory sprue and should prove useful in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different HLA-G monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were first evaluated for their capability to identify soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in ELISA. Three of them, namely 87G, BFL.1 and MEM-G/9, when used as coating mAbs together with W6/32 capture mAb, identified β2-microglobulin (β2m)-associated-sHLA-G but not soluble HLA-B7 (sHLA-B7) in cell culture supernatants from transfected cells. By comparison, the anti-HLA class I mAb 90 did recognize both sHLA-G and sHLA-B7. By using these HLA-G mAbs, sHLA-G was identified in amniotic fluids as well as in culture supernatants of first trimester and term placental explants but not in cord blood. Intron 4-retaining sHLA-G isoforms were identified in some amniotic fluids by the use of an intron 4-specific mAb (16G1). Reactivity of these different HLA-G mAbs was then compared to determine their respective binding sites on soluble and membrane-bound HLA-G. Using both ELISA and flow cytometry analysis, we showed that they did not compete with each other, which suggested that they did not recognize the same determinants. Finally, we report that two mAbs directed against the α1 domain of HLA class I heavy chain (mAb 90 and YTH 862) did compete with 87G, therefore demonstrating that this latter mAb recognized an epitope localized on this external domain of HLA-G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Our objective was to study the expression of a recently identified cell surface molecule, CD101 and in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) patients as CD101 has been shown to be present on dendritic cells. We wanted to determine if CD101 expression could be helpful for the diagnosis of LCH in conjunction with other markers (CD1a, S100 protein), and could be predictive of the evolution and dissemination of the disease. Methods and results The expression of CD101 was studied by immunohistochemical technique in 11 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on frozen sections. The expression of CD101 was positive in nine cases, high in six cases and low in three cases. There was no expression in the other two cases. No correlation with the evolution, the localization or the dissemination of the disease could be evidenced. Conclusions CD101 is a new phenotypic marker that might be useful in combination with other markers for the diagnosis of LCH. However, as the anti-CD101 antibody works only in frozen sections, its value is limited compared to anti-CD1a antibody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. Positive selection of CD34[sup +] cells in autologous grafts, designed to deplete tumour cells, also results in T-cell depletion. To assess the reconstitution of the different lymphocyte subsets and of the T-cell repertoire diversity following autologous transplantation of selected CD34[sup +] peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), we analysed sequential blood samples in eight patients autografted for advanced B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a phase I-II pilot study. Although natural killer cell recovery was rapid, T- and B-cell recovery was delayed with a median of 110/micro l CD4[sup +], 175/ml CD8[sup +] T cells and 45/micro l B cells at 12 months post-transplant. The naive CD45RA[sup +] T-cell compartment was profoundly deficient up to 12 months for both CD4[sup +] and CD8[sup +] subsets. A transient expansion of memory CD8[sup +]CD45RO[sup +] T cells consisting of an increased percentage of CD57[sup +]CD28[sup -] cells occurred within the first 3 months post-transplant, but the memory CD4[sup +]CD45RO[sup +] T cells remained far below the normal value. The CD8[sup +]CD28[sup +] T-cell subset did not recover. Using multiplex PCR analysis of the T-cell receptor g locus, we found that the repertoire diversity improved at 12 months after being poor and oligoclonal during the first 3 months post-transplant. As shown by monoplex PCRg analysis of every VJ combination, despite T-cell depletion of the graft, mature T-cells were carried over with the selected CD34[sup +] PBSC and contributed to the T-cell recovery after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G10.3, a unique monoclonal antibody (mAb), was produced to better characterize lymphocyte subsets. In the present study, we show that this mAb identifies 118, 83 and 51 kDa cell surface sialylated glycoproteins on the immunizing cell line YTindi. The reactivity of G10.3 mAb is restricted in normal cells to B lymphocytes, whereas within tumoral cell lines various lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells were found positive. Interestingly, functional studies revealed that triggering G10.3 mAb reactive molecules with soluble antibody led to an inhibition of growth and to an induction of programmed cell death in tumor cell lines expressing high levels of reactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The now classical major histocompalibility complex (MHC)-restricted receptor for antigen on human T lymphocytes has been identified as a 90 kDa disulphide-linked heterodimer composed of two glycoproteins termed α and β. More recently, another type of T cell receptor for antigen has been described, which seems to mediate killing of target cells without any obvious requirement for MHC recognition. This T cell receptor for antigen is also a heterodimer composed of γ, δ chains non-covalently associated with the three mon morphic CD3 subunits. Another disulphide-linked dimer capable of triggering T lymphocytes has been defined recently by a monoclonal antibody: the anti-human 9.3 antigen. In order to generate monoclonal or polyclonal reagents against variable and constant regions of the T cell receptor chains and against new epitopes of the 9.3 antigen, we have developed a biochemical method of purification of T lymphocyte disulphide-linked dimers. Our method relies on two biochemical properties of the 9.3 surface molecule and the T cell receptor for antigen. (1) They are disulphide-linked dimers and thus can be separated from the vast majority of the cell surface molecules by two dimensional (non-reduced versus reduced) sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), (2) T cell receptor chains are less hydrophobic than the 9.3 antigen, and thus can be isolated from it on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a lower concentration of acetonitrile. Microsomal preparations from T cell clones and leukaemia lines were prepared by nitrocavitation and lysed in sodium deoxycholate. After concentration, this lysate was electrophoresed on SDS-PAGE in non-reducing conditions. The gel slice corresponding to the molecular weight of the T cell receptor was cut out and run in reducing conditions in the second dimension. The T cell receptor spots were easily located on the gel by autoradiography as the microsomal lysate had been mixed with iodinated glycoproteins. The T cell receptor was eluted from the gel with about 85% yield. At this stage, the T cell receptor preparations also contained the 9.3 antigen, another disulphide-linked dimer. The separation of this antigen from the T cell receptor chains had been achieved on reverse-phase HPLC. This procedure allows the purification and separation of two disulphide-linked dimers which are both involved in T cell activation. The obtention of antibodies against new epitopes of these important molecules would be extremely useful for analysing their role in T cell function and ontogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we describe one CD2+CD3+ clone termed DS6 which expressed neither CD4 nor CD8 differentiation antigens and failed to react with WT31, a monoclonal antibody directed against the T cell antigen receptor α/β heterodimer. This clone was isolated from peripheral blood T lymphocytes of a patient with a prolonged immunodeficiency after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Normal-sized T cell γ gene transcripts were detected in DS6 by northern analysis, whereas no mature β or a chain mRNA were found. The rearrangement of TCRβ chain genes and T cell y genes was analysed. While in DS6, TCRβ chain genes remain in germinal configuration, and a unique pattern of monoallelic T cell γ gene rearrangement was observed. The rearrangement involves the recently described Vγ5 segment and the Jγ1 joining segment, which is located upstream of the Cγ1 constant region. To determine the molecular structure present on DS6, an immunoprecipitation was performed with monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody and a rabbit antiserum raised against γ protein. We have observed, in association with the CD3 complex, a 90 kDa structure which under reducing conditions resolves into three subunits of 45, 40 and 37 kDa. We demonstrated that the rabbit anti-γ serum only immunoprecipitates the two lower bands. The upper band corresponds to a presently undefined T cell receptor chain. Next, we showed the non major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytolytic activity exhibited by these CD3+CD4-CD8- cloned T cells and inhibition of the natural killer (NK)-like activity by the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. The triggering of CD2 or CD3 molecules increased IL-2 receptor expression on DS6 but failed to induce cell proliferation. This contrasts with recent results obtained with γ-expressing T cell clones, and illustrates the functional heterogeneity of the cells bearing the second T cell receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]