技术资料

We recently reported the development of three monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to biologically active human erythropoietin (Ep). In the present study,we investigated the epitope specificity of these three antibodies,as well as their reactivity with Eps derived from species other than man. All three antibodies reacted with the Ep polypeptide itself,rather than with its carbohydrate moieties. Moreover,all three antibodies recognized separate nonoverlapping epitopes. Further studies with reduced/alkylated Ep and with sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured Ep suggested that two of the MoAbs,anti-Ep-2 and anti-Ep-16,were specific for conformational,nonlinear determinants on the Ep molecule,whereas the third MoAb,anti-Ep-26,appeared to recognize a linear epitope. However,anti-Ep-26 did not react with synthetic peptides representing the 26 amino-,the 99-129 mid-region,or the 10 carboxy-terminal residues of Ep,nor with trypsin-,chymotrypsin-,or V8 protease-digested fragments of Ep. When tested with Ep from different species,the neutralizing capabilities of the three MoAbs were clearly different. Comparing their effectiveness against baboon,ovine and murine Ep,antibody 2 was most effective at neutralizing baboon Ep,antibody 16 was most effective against murine Ep,and antibody 26 showed little reactivity with any of these nonhuman Eps. Because these various Eps readily stimulate across species barriers,it is likely that the receptor binding domain on Ep has remained relatively conserved during evolution. Our results therefore suggest that the neutralizing capacity of our three anti-Ep MoAbs is caused not by binding directly to the Ep receptor binding domain on Ep,but by binding to distant regions,causing conformational changes in Ep,or by binding to regions close to the binding site,steric hindrance. View Publication

Tryptophan (Trp) catabolism mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a central role in the regulation of T-cell-mediated immune responses. In this study,we also demonstrate that natural killer (NK)-cell function can be influenced by IDO. Indeed,l-kynurenine,a Trp-derived catabolite resulting from IDO activity,was found to prevent the cytokine-mediated up-regulation of the expression and function of specific triggering receptors responsible for the induction of NK-cell-mediated killing. The effect of l-kynurenine appears to be restricted to NKp46 and NKG2D,while it does not affect other surface receptors such as NKp30 or CD16. As a consequence,l-kynurenine-treated NK cells display impaired ability to kill target cells recognized via NKp46 and NKG2D. Instead,they maintain the ability to kill targets,such as dendritic cells (DCs),that are mainly recognized via the NKp30 receptor. The effect of l-kynurenine,which is effective at both the transcriptional and the protein level,can be reverted,since NK cells were found to recover their functional competence after washing. View Publication

Many studies have demonstrated a role for netrin-1-deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) interactions in both axon guidance and neuronal migration. Neogenin,a member of the DCC receptor family,has recently been shown to be a chemorepulsive axon guidance receptor for the repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family of guidance cues [Rajagopalan S,Deitinghoff L,Davis D,Conrad S,Skutella T,Chedotal A,Mueller B,Strittmatter S (2004) Neogenin mediates the action of repulsive guidance molecule. Nat Cell Biol 6:755-762]. Here we show that neogenin is present on neural progenitors,including neurogenic radial glia,in the embryonic mouse forebrain suggesting that neogenin expression is a hallmark of neural progenitor populations. Neogenin-positive progenitors were isolated from embryonic day 14.5 forebrain using flow cytometry and cultured as neurospheres. Neogenin-positive progenitors gave rise to neurospheres displaying a high proliferative and neurogenic potential. In contrast,neogenin-negative forebrain cells did not produce long-term neurosphere cultures and did not possess a significant neurogenic potential. These observations argue strongly for a role for neogenin in neural progenitor biology. In addition,we also observed neogenin on parvalbumin- and calbindin-positive interneuron neuroblasts that were migrating through the medial and lateral ganglionic eminences,suggesting a role for neogenin in tangential migration. Therefore,neogenin may be a multi-functional receptor regulating both progenitor activity and neuroblast migration in the embryonic forebrain. View Publication

The considerable therapeutic potential of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) has generated markedly increasing interest in a wide variety of biomedical disciplines. However,investigators report studies of MSC using different methods of isolation and expansion,and different approaches to characterizing the cells. Thus it is increasingly difficult to compare and contrast study outcomes,which hinders progress in the field. To begin to address this issue,the Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy proposes minimal criteria to define human MSC. First,MSC must be plastic-adherent when maintained in standard culture conditions. Second,MSC must express CD105,CD73 and CD90,and lack expression of CD45,CD34,CD14 or CD11b,CD79alpha or CD19 and HLA-DR surface molecules. Third,MSC must differentiate to osteoblasts,adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro. While these criteria will probably require modification as new knowledge unfolds,we believe this minimal set of standard criteria will foster a more uniform characterization of MSC and facilitate the exchange of data among investigators. View Publication

Neurotrophins are a family of closely related proteins that were identified initially as survival factors for sensory and sympathetic neurons,and have since been shown to control many aspects of survival,development and function of neurons in both the peripheral and the central nervous systems. Each of the four mammalian neurotrophins has been shown to activate one or more of the three members of the tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (TrkA,TrkB and TrkC). In addition,each neurotrophin activates p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR),a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Through Trk receptors,neurotrophins activate Ras,phosphatidyl inositol-3 (PI3)-kinase,phospholipase C-gamma1 and signalling pathways controlled through these proteins,such as the MAP kinases. Activation of p75NTR results in activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and Jun kinase as well as other signalling pathways. Limiting quantities of neurotrophins during development control the number of surviving neurons to ensure a match between neurons and the requirement for a suitable density of target innervation. The neurotrophins also regulate cell fate decisions,axon growth,dendrite growth and pruning and the expression of proteins,such as ion channels,transmitter biosynthetic enzymes and neuropeptide transmitters that are essential for normal neuronal function. Continued presence of the neurotrophins is required in the adult nervous system,where they control synaptic function and plasticity,and sustain neuronal survival,morphology and differentiation. They also have additional,subtler roles outside the nervous system. In recent years,three rare human genetic disorders,which result in deleterious effects on sensory perception,cognition and a variety of behaviours,have been shown to be attributable to mutations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and two of the Trk receptors. View Publication

The signals that control the regenerative ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in response to damage are unknown. Here,we demonstrate that downstream activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway induces cycling and expansion of primitive bone marrow hematopoietic cells under homeostatic conditions and during acute regeneration. However,this effect is at the expense of HSC function,because continued Hh activation during regeneration represses expression of specific cell cycle regulators,leading to HSC exhaustion. In vivo treatment with an inhibitor of the Hh pathway rescues these transcriptional and functional defects in HSCs. Our study establishes Hh signaling as a regulator of the HSC cell cycle machinery that balances hematopoietic homeostasis and regeneration in vivo. View Publication

Expansion of hematopoietic stem cells could be used clinically to shorten the prolonged aplastic phase after umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation. In this report,we investigated rapid severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) repopulating activity (rSRA) 2 weeks after transplantation of CD34(+) UCB cells cultured with serum on MS5 stromal cells and in serum- and stroma-free cultures. Various subpopulations obtained after culture were studied for rSRA. CD34(+) expansion cultures resulted in vast expansion of CD45(+) and CD34(+) cells. Independent of the culture method,only the CD34(+)33(+)38(-) fraction of the cultured cells contained rSRA. Subsequently,we subfractionated the CD34(+)38(-) fraction using stem cell markers CD45RA and CD90. In vitro differentiation cultures showed CD34(+) expansion in both CD45RA(-) and CD90(+) cultures,whereas little increase in CD34(+) cells was observed in both CD45RA(+) and CD90(-) cultures. By four-color flow cytometry,we could demonstrate that CD34(+)38(-)45RA(-) and CD34(+)38(-)90(+) cell populations were largely overlapping. Both populations were able to reconstitute SCID/nonobese diabetic mice at 2 weeks,indicating that these cells contained rSRA activity. In contrast,CD34(+)38(-)45RA(+) or CD34(+)38(-)90(-) cells contributed only marginally to rSRA. Similar results were obtained when cells were injected intrafemorally,suggesting that the lack of reconstitution was not due to homing defects. In conclusion,we show that after in vitro expansion,rSRA is mediated by CD34(+)38(-)90(+)45RA(-) cells. All other cell fractions have limited reconstitutive potential,mainly because the cells have lost stem cell activity rather than because of homing defects. These findings can be used clinically to assess the rSRA of cultured stem cells. View Publication

Human rhinovirus (HRV)-induced respiratory infections are associated with elevated levels of IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10),which is an enhancer of T lymphocyte chemotaxis and correlates with symptom severity and T lymphocyte number. Increased IP-10 expression is exhibited by airway epithelial cells following ex vivo HRV challenge and requires intracellular viral replication; however,there are conflicting reports regarding the necessity of type I IFN receptor ligation for IP-10 expression. Furthermore,the involvement of resident airway immune cells,predominantly bronchoalveolar macrophages,in contributing to HRV-stimulated IP-10 elaboration remains unclear. In this regard,our findings demonstrate that ex vivo exposure of human peripheral blood monocytes and bronchoalveolar macrophages (monocytic cells) to native or replication-defective HRV serotype 16 (HRV16) resulted in similarly robust levels of IP-10 release,which occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore,HRV16 induced a significant increase in type I IFN (IFN-alpha) release and STAT1 phosphorylation in monocytes. Neutralization of the type I IFN receptor and inhibition of JAK or p38 kinase activity strongly attenuated HRV16-stimulated STAT1 phosphorylation and IP-10 release. Thus,this work supports a model,wherein HRV16-induced IP-10 release by monocytic cells is modulated via autocrine/paracrine action of type I IFNs and subsequent JAK/STAT pathway activity. Our findings demonstrating robust activation of monocytic cells in response to native and/or replication-defective HRV16 challenge represent the first evidence indicating a mechanistic disparity in the activation of macrophages when compared with epithelial cells and suggest that macrophages likely contribute to cytokine elaboration following HRV challenge in vivo. View Publication

Combined deletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q is associated with improved prognosis and responsiveness to therapy in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma. The deletions usually involve whole chromosome arms,suggesting a t(1;19)(q10;p10). Using stem cell medium,we cultured a few tumors. Paraffin-embedded tissue was obtained from 21 Mayo Clinic patients and 98 patients enrolled in 2 North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) low-grade glioma trials. Interphase fusion of CEP1 and 19p12 probes detected the t(1;19). 1p/19q deletions were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Upon culture,one oligodendroglioma contained an unbalanced 45,XX,t(1;19)(q10;p10). CEP1/19p12 fusion was observed in all metaphases and 74% of interphase nuclei. Among Mayo Clinic oligodendrogliomas,the prevalence of fusion was 81%. Among NCCTG patients,CEP1/19p12 fusion prevalence was 55%,47%,and 0% among the oligodendrogliomas,mixed oligoastrocytomas,and astrocytomas,respectively. Ninety-one percent of NCCTG gliomas with 1p/19q deletion and 12% without 1p/19q deletion had CEP1/19p12 fusion (P textless 0.001,chi(2) test). The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 8.1 years without fusion and 11.9 years with fusion (P = 0.003). The median OS for patients with low-grade oligodendroglioma was 9.1 years without fusion and 13.0 years with fusion (P = 0.01). Similar significant median OS differences were observed for patients with combined 1p/19q deletions. The absence of alterations was associated with a significantly shorter OS for patients who received higher doses of radiotherapy. Our results strongly suggest that a t(1;19)(q10;p10) mediates the combined 1p/19q deletion in human gliomas. Like combined 1p/19q deletion,the 1;19 translocation is associated with superior OS and progression-free survival in low-grade glioma patients. View Publication

Drug resistance resulting from emergence of imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL point mutations is a significant problem in advanced-stage chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The BCR-ABL inhibitor,nilotinib (AMN107),is significantly more potent against BCR-ABL than imatinib,and is active against many imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL mutants. Phase 1/2 clinical trials show that nilotinib can induce remissions in patients who have previously failed imatinib,indicating that sequential therapy with these 2 agents has clinical value. However,simultaneous,rather than sequential,administration of 2 BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors is attractive for many reasons,including the theoretical possibility that this could reduce emergence of drug-resistant clones. Here,we show that exposure of a variety of BCR-ABL+ cell lines to imatinib and nilotinib results in additive or synergistic cytotoxicity,including testing of a large panel of cells expressing BCR-ABL point mutations causing resistance to imatinib in patients. Further,using a highly quantifiable bioluminescent in vivo model,drug combinations were at least additive in antileukemic activity,compared with each drug alone. These results suggest that despite binding to the same site in the same target kinase,the combination of imatinib and nilotinib is highly efficacious in these models,indicating that clinical testing of combinations of BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors is warranted. View Publication

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a demyelinating lysosomal storage disorder for which new treatments are urgently needed. We previously showed that transplantation of gene-corrected hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) in presymptomatic myeloablated MLD mice prevented disease manifestations. Here we show that HSC gene therapy can reverse neurological deficits and neuropathological damage in affected mice,thus correcting an overt neurological disease. The efficacy of gene therapy was dependent on and proportional to arylsulfatase A (ARSA) overexpression in the microglia progeny of transplanted HSPCs. We demonstrate a widespread enzyme distribution from these cells through the CNS and a robust cross-correction of neurons and glia in vivo. Conversely,a peripheral source of enzyme,established by transplanting ARSA-overexpressing hepatocytes from transgenic donors,failed to effectively deliver the enzyme to the CNS. These results indicate that the recruitment of gene-modified,enzyme-overexpressing microglia makes the enzyme bioavailable to the brain and makes therapeutic efficacy and disease correction attainable. Overall,our data provide a strong rationale for implementing HSPC gene therapy in MLD patients. View Publication

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1 has been linked to fatty acid metabolism via suppression of peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) and to inflammatory processes by deacetylating the transcription factor NF-kappaB. First,modulation of SIRT1 activity affects lipid accumulation in adipocytes,which has an impact on the etiology of a variety of human metabolic diseases such as obesity and insulin-resistant diabetes. Second,activation of SIRT1 suppresses inflammation via regulation of cytokine expression. Using high-throughput screening,the authors identified compounds with SIRT1 activating and inhibiting potential. The biological activity of these SIRT1-modulating compounds was confirmed in cell-based assays using mouse adipocytes,as well as human THP-1 monocytes. SIRT1 activators were found to be potent lipolytic agents,reducing the overall lipid content of fully differentiated NIH L1 adipocytes. In addition,the same compounds have anti-inflammatory properties,as became evident by the reduction of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In contrast,a SIRT1 inhibitory compound showed a stimulatory activity on the differentiation of adipocytes,a feature often linked to insulin sensitization. View Publication