技术资料

Long-lived plasma cells are critical to humoral immunity as a lifelong source of protective antibodies. Antigen-activated B cells-with T-cell help-undergo affinity maturation within germinal centres and persist as long-lived IgG plasma cells in the bone marrow. Here we show that antigen-specific,induced IgM plasma cells also persist for a lifetime. Unlike long-lived IgG plasma cells,which develop in germinal centres and then home to the bone marrow,IgM plasma cells are primarily retained within the spleen and can develop even in the absence of germinal centres. Interestingly,their expressed IgV loci exhibit somatic mutations introduced by the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). However,these IgM plasma cells are probably not antigen-selected,as replacement mutations are spread through the variable segment and not enriched within the CDRs. Finally,antibodies from long-lived IgM plasma cells provide protective host immunity against a lethal virus challenge. View Publication

In functional cytometric studies,cultured cells are exposed to effectors (e.g. drugs),and the heterogeneity of cell responses are studied using cytometry techniques (e.g. image cytometry). Such studies are difficult to perform on 3D cell cultures. A solution is to disperse 3D clusters and transfer the cells to the 2D state before applying effectors and using cytometry. This approach requires that the lifetime of the 3D phenotype be longer than the duration of the experiment. Here we studied the dynamics of phenotype transformation from 3D to 2D and searched for means of slowing this transformation down in dispersed spheroids of MCF7 cells. We found three functional biomarkers of the 3D phenotype in MCF7 cell spheroids that are absent in the 2D cell culture: (i) the presence of a subpopulation with an elevated drug-expelling capacity,(ii) the presence of a subpopulation with an elevated cytoprotective capacity and (iii) the accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Monitoring these biomarkers in cells transferred from the 3D state to the 2D state revealed their gradual extinction. We found that the combined application of an elevated cell density and thiol-containing medium supplements increased the lifetime of the 3D phenotype by several fold to as long as 96 h. Our results suggest that extending the lifetime of the 3D phenotype in the cells transferred from the 3D state to the 2D state can facilitate detailed functional cytometric studies,such as measurements of population heterogeneity of cytotoxicity,chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View Publication

The persistence of latent HIV proviruses in long-lived CD4(+) T cells despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a major obstacle to viral eradication. Because current candidate latency-reversing agents (LRAs) induce HIV transcription,but fail to clear these cellular reservoirs,new approaches for killing these reactivated latent HIV reservoir cells are urgently needed. HIV latency depends upon the transcriptional quiescence of the integrated provirus and the circumvention of immune defense mechanisms. These defenses include cell-intrinsic innate responses that use pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect viral pathogens,and that subsequently induce apoptosis of the infected cell. Retinoic acid (RA)-inducible gene I (RIG-I,encoded by DDX58) forms one class of PRRs that mediates apoptosis and the elimination of infected cells after recognition of viral RNA. Here we show that acitretin,an RA derivative approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),enhances RIG-I signaling ex vivo,increases HIV transcription,and induces preferential apoptosis of HIV-infected cells. These effects are abrogated by DDX58 knockdown. Acitretin also decreases proviral DNA levels in CD4(+) T cells from HIV-positive subjects on suppressive ART,an effect that is amplified when combined with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA),a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Pharmacological enhancement of an innate cellular-defense network could provide a means by which to eliminate reactivated cells in the latent HIV reservoir. View Publication

It has become increasingly clear that proper cellular control of pluripotency and differentiation is related to the regulation of rRNA synthesis. To further our understanding of the role that the regulation of rRNA synthesis has in pluripotency we monitored rRNA synthesis during the directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We discovered that the rRNA synthesis rate is reduced ˜50% within 6 hours of ACTIVIN A treatment. This precedes reductions in expression of specific stem cell markers and increases in expression of specific germ layer markers. The reduction in rRNA synthesis is concomitant with dissociation of the Pol I transcription factor,UBTF,from the rRNA gene promoter and precedes any increase to heterochromatin throughout the rRNA gene. To directly investigate the role of rRNA synthesis in pluripotency,hESCs were treated with the Pol I inhibitor,CX-5461. The direct reduction of rRNA synthesis by CX-5461 induces the expression of markers for all three germ layers,reduces the expression of pluripotency markers,and is overall similar to the ACTIVIN A induced changes. This work indicates that the dissociation of UBTF from the rRNA gene,and corresponding reduction in transcription,represent early regulatory events during the directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. View Publication

In most human somatic cells,the lack of telomerase activity results in progressive telomere shortening during each cell division. Eventually,DNA damage responses triggered by critically short telomeres induce an irreversible cell cycle arrest termed replicative senescence. However,the cellular responses of human pluripotent stem cells to telomere uncapping remain unknown. We generated telomerase knockout human embryonic stem (ES) cells through gene targeting. Telomerase inactivation in ES cells results in progressive telomere shortening. Telomere DNA damage in ES cells and neural progenitor cells induces rapid apoptosis when telomeres are uncapped,in contrast to fibroblast cells that enter a state of replicative senescence. Significantly,telomerase inactivation limits the proliferation capacity of human ES cells without affecting their pluripotency. By targeting telomerase activity,we can functionally separate the two unique properties of human pluripotent stem cells,namely unlimited self-renewal and pluripotency. We show that the potential of ES cells to form teratomas in vivo is dictated by their telomere length. By controlling telomere length of ES cells through telomerase inactivation,we can inhibit teratoma formation and potentially improve the safety of cell therapies involving terminally differentiated cells as well as specific progenitor cells that do not require sustained cellular proliferation in vivo,and thus sustained telomerase activity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View Publication

Human somatic stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into mesenchymal tissue lineages and to alter immune regulatory functions. As such,they hold promise for use in stem cell-based therapies. However,no method is currently available to evaluate the actual differentiation capacity of hMSCs prior to cell transplantation. Previously,we performed a comprehensive glycan profiling of adipose-derived hMSCs using high-density lectin microarray and demonstrated that $$2-6-sialylation is a marker of the differentiation potential of these cells. Nevertheless,no information was available about the structural details of these of $$2-6-sialylated glycans. Here we used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis combined with mass spectrometry (MS) to perform a structural and quantitative glycome analysis targeting both N- and O-glycans derived from early (with differentiation ability) and late (without differentiation ability) passages of adipose tissue-derived hMSCs. Findings in these cells were compared with those from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs),human dermal fibroblasts (hFibs) and cartilage tissue-derived chondrocytes. A higher percentage of $$2-6-sialylated N-glycans was detected in early passage cells (24-28 % of sialylated N-glycans) compared with late passage cells (13-15 %). A major $$2-6-sialylated N-glycan structure detected in adipose-derived hMSCs was that of mono-sialylated biantennary N-glycan. Similar results were obtained for the cartilage tissue-derived chondrocytes,Yub621c (28 % for passage 7 and 5 % for passage 28). In contrast,no significant differences were observed between early and late passage hMSCs with respect to $$2-6-sialylated O-glycan percentages. These results demonstrate that levels of $$2-6-sialylated N-glycans,but not O-glycans,could be used as markers of the differential potential of hMSCs. View Publication

Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAd) that express certain transgene products are impossible to produce because the transgene product is toxic to the producer cells,especially when made in large amounts during vector production. Downregulating transgene expression from the HDAd during vector production is a way to solve this problem. In this report,we show that this can be accomplished by inserting the target sequence for the adenoviral VA RNAI into the 3' untranslated region of the expression cassette in the HDAd. Thus during vector production,when the producer cells are coinfected with both the helper virus (HV) and the HDAd,the VA RNAI produced by the HV will target the transgene mRNA from the HDAd via the endogenous cellular RNAi pathway. Once the HDAd is produced and purified,transduction of the target cells results in unimpeded transgene expression because of the absence of HV. This simple and universal strategy permits for the robust production of otherwise recalcitrant HDAds. View Publication

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by an expansion of the CAG-repeat in ATXN3. In this study,induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from SCA3 patient dermal fibroblasts by electroporation with episomal plasmids encoding L-MYC,LIN28,SOX2,KLF4,OCT4 and short hairpin RNA targeting P53. The resulting iPSCs had normal karyotype,were free of integrated episomal plasmids,expressed pluripotency markers,could differentiate into the three germ layers in vitro and retained the disease-causing ATXN3 mutation. Potentially,this iPSC line could be a useful tool for the investigation of SCA3 disease mechanisms. View Publication

Bat immunity has received increasing attention because some bat species are being decimated by the fungal disease,White Nose Syndrome,while other species are potential reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. Identifying specific immune processes requires new specific tools and reagents. In this study,we describe a new mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) reactive with Eptesicus fuscus immunoglobulins. The epitope recognized by mAb BT1-4F10 was localized to immunoglobulin light (lambda) chains; hence,the mAb recognized serum immunoglobulins and B lymphocytes. The BT1-4F10 epitope appeared to be restricted to Microchiropteran immunoglobulins and absent from Megachiropteran immunoglobulins. Analyses of sera and other E. fuscus fluids showed that most,if not all,secreted immunoglobulins utilized lambda light chains. Finally,mAb BT1-4F10 permitted the identification of B cell follicles in splenic white pulp. This Microchiropteran-specific mAb has potential utility in seroassays; hence,this reagent may have both basic and practical applications for studying immune process. View Publication

Netrin-1 is a neuronal guidance cue that regulates cellular activation,migration,and cytoskeleton rearrangement in multiple cell types. It is a chemotropic protein that is expressed within tissues and elicits both attractive and repulsive migratory responses. Netrin-1 has recently been found to modulate the immune response via the inhibition of neutrophil and macrophage migration. However,the ability of Netrin-1 to interact with lymphocytes and its in-depth effects on leukocyte migration are poorly understood. In this study,we profiled the mRNA and protein expression of known Netrin-1 receptors on human CD4(+) T cells. Neogenin,uncoordinated-5 (UNC5)A,and UNC5B were expressed at low levels in unstimulated cells,but they increased following mitogen-dependent activation. By immunofluorescence,we observed a cytoplasmic staining pattern of neogenin and UNC5A/B that also increased following activation. Using a novel microfluidic assay,we found that Netrin-1 stimulated bidirectional migration and enhanced the size of migratory subpopulations of mitogen-activated CD4(+) T cells,but it had no demonstrable effects on the migration of purified CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim) T regulatory cells. Furthermore,using a short hairpin RNA knockdown approach,we observed that the promigratory effects of Netrin-1 on T effectors is dependent on its interactions with neogenin. In the humanized SCID mouse,local injection of Netrin-1 into skin enhanced inflammation and the number of neogenin-expressing CD3(+) T cell infiltrates. Neogenin was also observed on CD3(+) T cell infiltrates within human cardiac allograft biopsies with evidence of rejection. Collectively,our findings demonstrate that Netrin-1/neogenin interactions augment CD4(+) T cell chemokinesis and promote cellular infiltration in association with acute inflammation in vivo. View Publication

Binding of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) to the β2-integrin LFA-1 (leukocyte function associated antigen-1) is known to induce crosstalk to the α4β1 integrin. Using different LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies we have been able to study the requirement and mechanism of action for the crosstalk in considerable detail. LFA-1 activating antibodies and those inhibitory antibodies that signal to α4β1 induce phosphorylation of Thr-758 on the β2-chain,which is followed by binding of 14-3-3 proteins and signaling through the G protein exchange factor Tiam1. This results in dephosphorylation of Thr-788/789 on the β1-chain of α4β1 and loss of binding to its ligand VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1). The results show that with LFA-1 antibodies,we can either 1) activate LFA-1 and inhibit α4β1,2) inhibit both LFA-1 and α4β1,3) inhibit LFA-1 but not α4β1 or 4) not affect LFA-1 or α4β1 These findings are important for the understanding of integrin regulation and for the interpretation of the effect of integrin antibodies and their use in clinical applications. View Publication

SHIP is an important regulator of immune cell signaling that functions to dephosphorylate the phosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate at the plasma membrane and mediate protein-protein interactions. One established paradigm for SHIP activation involves its recruitment to the phospho-ITIM motif of the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB. Although SHIP is essential for the inhibitory function of FcγRIIB,it also has critical modulating functions in signaling initiated from activating immunoreceptors such as B cell Ag receptor. In this study,we found that SHIP is indistinguishably recruited to the plasma membrane after BCR stimulation with or without FcγRIIB coligation in human cell lines and primary cells. Interestingly,fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis reveals differential mobility of SHIP-enhanced GFP depending on the mode of stimulation,suggesting that although BCR and FcγRIIB can both recruit SHIP,this occurs via distinct molecular complexes. Mutagenesis of a SHIP-enhanced GFP fusion protein reveals that the SHIP-Src homology 2 domain is essential in both cases whereas the C terminus is required for recruitment via BCR stimulation,but is less important with FcγRIIB coligation. Experiments with pharmacological inhibitors reveal that Syk activity is required for optimal stimulation-induced membrane localization of SHIP,whereas neither PI3K or Src kinase activity is essential. BCR-induced association of SHIP with binding partner Shc1 is dependent on Syk,as is tyrosine phosphorylation of both partners. Our results indicate that FcγRIIB is not uniquely able to promote membrane recruitment of SHIP,but rather modulates its function via formation of distinct signaling complexes. Membrane recruitment of SHIP via Syk-dependent mechanisms may be an important factor modulating immunoreceptor signaling. View Publication