The intracellular traffic of immunologically active molecules

The role of interleukins in the ovary

A brief look at the history of cytokine research shows that the term ‘lymphokine’ was first described in 1969 as the product of sensitized lymphocytes exposed to specific antigens. To eliminate the incorrect notion that such proteins can be produced only by lymphocytes, Cohenet al.(1974) proposed the term ‘cytokines’ to indicate their production also by nonlymphoid cells.2After a long-persisting reluctance, it seems that ‘cytokine’ is becoming the prevalent term for these proteins. Meanwhile, a group of participants at the Second International Lymphokine Workshop held in 1979 proposed the term ‘interleukin’ in order to develop, ‘a system of nomenclature based on the protein's ability to act as communication signals between different populations of leukocytes’.3They introduced the names IL-I and IL-2 for two important cytokines. Since then the number of described interleukins reached 16 and this number may increase. Furthermore, notwithstanding this previous notion, interleukins are now known to be produced in a variety of tissues other than leucocytes and affect the functions of many and diverse somatic cell types (e.g. IL-1 or IL-6). Therefore, while many cytokines are now termed as interleukins, others continue to be known by their old names [e.g. tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)], suggesting that they had been recognized earlier, but all of them are included under the generic name of cytokines.

The interleukin-1 system and human implantation

PROBLEM

Cytokines and growth factors are increasingly implicated in embryonic implantation. In the present study, we focus on the interleukin-1 system as an example of local regulator in human implantation.

METHOD

Three different approaches are considered. First, we present evidence demonstrating its presence, regulation, and relevance on the human endometrium. Second, we demonstrate the presence of IL-1 system in the human embryo and the selective IL-1 release only when embryos were co-cultured with human endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) or EEC-conditioned media, indicating an obligate role of the endometrium in the regulation of the embryonic IL-1 system. Finally, we show data regarding the presence, hormonal regulation, and endometrial origin of IL-1 alpha, IL-beta, and IL-1ra levels in the endometrial fluid inside the endometrial cavity. Specifically, we present the IL-1 intracavitary microenvironment surrounding the human embryo at the apposition phase.

RESULTS

This work suggests that the IL-1 system seems to be relevant for human endometrial and embryonic physiology. Furthermore, this family of molecules must be considered as a relevant paracrine language displayed by both partners that may be important to endometrial and embryonic crosstalk during embryonic implantation.

Segregation of MHC class II molecules from MHC class I molecules in the Golgi complex for transport to lysosomal compartments

Traffic of MHC molecules dictates the source of peptides that are presented to T cells. The intracellular distribution of MHC class I and class II molecules reflects the dichotomy in presentation of antigen from endogenous and exogenous origin, respectively. In human B lymphoblastoid cells, class I molecules are present in compartments constituting the biosynthetic pathway, whereas class II molecules enter structures related to lysosomes during their biosynthesis.

Living with clathrin: its role in intracellular membrane traffic

Clathrin polymerization at the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane forms coated pits and vesicles that mediate uptake of cell surface receptors. Clathrin-coated vesicles have also been implicated in protein export but definition of their precise role has been controversial. Recent advances in characterization of the clathrin subunits and additional coated vesicle components have identified molecular interactions involved in clathrin polymerization and coated vesicle formation, and have provided new approaches to investigating its function. These studies suggest that clathrin's role, in both inward and outward membrane traffic, is to facilitate receptor transport by a concentration and sorting process that initiates targeting to specific intracellular compartments.

Degradation of thymopentin by human lymphocytes: evidence for aminopeptidase activity

Thymopentin (Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr) was shown to be degraded in vitro by human lymphocytes into two main fragments; the tetrapeptide Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr and the tripeptide Asp-Val-Tyr. Degradation products were identified by HPLC and amino-acid analysis. Analysis of the time-course of degradation revealed a 'stepwise' degradative event beginning at the N-terminal. The degradation of thymopentin after the first 10 min, as well as the formation of the tetrapeptide (5-30 min) were essentially curvilinear. Degradation of the tripeptide, was linear. Upon screening a panel of compounds that inhibit enzymatic activity, bestatin, amastatin and 1,10-phenanthroline were shown to be the most effective. Bestatin and amastatin caused an 85-90% inhibition of thymopentin degrading activity with IC50 values of 7.1 x 10(-6) M and 4.5 x 10(-9) M, respectively. 1,10-Phenanthroline completely inhibited the degradative process with an IC50 of 2 x 10(-4) M. When the tetrapeptide Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr was used as the starting substrate, similar IC50 values were seen for amastatin, bestatin and 1,10-phenanthroline. The importance of divalent metal ions in the degradative event was demonstrated not only by the effect of 1,10-phenanthroline, but also by the ability of Zn2+ and Co2+ to reverse the inhibition of 1,10-phenanthroline (at its IC50) to activities near control values (no inhibitor). These data strongly suggest that an aminopeptidase(s) is responsible for the degradative activity.

Effect of chloroquine on cellular immune responses of normal and P. knowlesi-infected rhesus monkeys

The immunopharmacokinetics of chloroquine were studied in Plasmodium knowlesi-infected and uninfected rhesus monkeys. In control monkeys, chloroquine depressed the percentage of lymphocyte subpopulation and their proliferative response after the third dose of drug administration. The effect was maximum during day 6 to 10 after initiation of treatment. During this period the plasma level of chloroquine was high. The drug was slowly excreted and recovery in immune functions was noticed by the 20th day of treatment. On the other hand, the drug caused an irreversible effect on the proliferative response of normal lymphocytes following in vitro exposure of cells. Interestingly, while the drug depressed the immune functions of normal animals, it reversed the immunosuppression caused by malarial parasites in infected animals. The probable mechanism of action of the drug has been discussed.

A unique epitope on the CD2 molecule defined by the monoclonal antibody 9-1: epitope-specific modulation of the E-rosette receptor and effects on T-cell functions

Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 9-1 shows unique binding properties to CD2 resulting in peculiar epitope specific changes. 9-1 shows competitive binding with MoAb to D66 epitope, and gives a similar staining pattern with T-cell populations, at a low density on resting T cells, and high density on thymocytes and activated T cells. However, 9-1 has the opposite effect on anti-D66 MoAbs on rosette formation, namely, 9-1 increases the stability of rosettes, but 9-1 plus anti-mouse Ig bound to T-cell surface blocks rosettes. 9-1 plus anti-mouse Ig, like anti-D66 MoAbs, induces further appearance of D66 and 9-1 epitopes but, contrary to anti-D66, induces appearance of T11(3) epitopes. Thus, binding 9-1 results in unique "epitope-specific modulation" events that are not solely artificial, but appear to mimic events naturally occurring during T-cell differentiation/activation. The effects of binding 9-1 on T-cell functions also display peculiarities. 9-1, like anti-D66 MoAbs, activates T cells when added in combination with anti-9.6/T11(1) MoAbs but not with anti-T11(3). To obtain full activation, monocytes are required; however, adding 9-1 alone do not inhibit specific T-cell cytotoxicity contrary to anti-D66 or anti-9.6/T11(1), although 9-1 inhibits NK activity of peripheral cells. Given the apparent complexities of the functions exerted by CD2, these data show that definite conformational changes or reorientation, which would be naturally produced by soluble and/or cell surface ligand(s), would be key events in determining how CD2 will influence T-cell functions.

Phagocytic function of monocytes of rhesus monkeys during Plasmodium knowlesi infection and the effect of treatment with chloroquine

The effect of chloroquine on the phagocytic function of monocytes was studied in normal and Plasmodium knowlesi-infected rhesus monkeys during a course of therapy. In normal animals, chloroquine inhibited phagocytic activity after three doses. The effect of the drug and concentration was greatest after six to eight days. Recovery in function of monocytes was noticed after the drug had been excreted. In P. knowlesi-infected monkeys, the degree of inhibition of phagocytosis depends on the level of parasitaemia. Chloroquine treatment reversed the trend of inhibition in the animals that received the drug when parasitaemia was less than 30%.