Human HLA-DR transgenes protect mice from fatal virus-induced encephalomyelitis and chronic demyelination

Differential expression of multiple kallikreins in a viral model of multiple sclerosis points to unique roles in the innate and adaptive immune response

Recent studies provide a functional link between kallikrein 6 (Klk6) and the development and progression of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in its murine models. To evaluate the involvement of additional kallikrein family members, we compared Klk6 expression with four other kallikreins (Klk1, Klk7, Klk8, and Klk10) in the brain and spinal cord of mice infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, an experimental model of progressive MS. The robust upregulation of Klk6 and Klk8 in the brain during the acute phase of viral encephalitis and in the spinal cord during disease development and progression points to their participation in inflammation, demyelination, and progressive axon degeneration. More limited changes in Klk1, Klk7, and Klk10 were also observed. In addition, Klk1, Klk6, and Klk10 were dynamically regulated in T cells in vitro as a recall response to viral antigen and in activated monocytes, pointing to their activities in the development of adaptive and innate immune function. Together, these results point to overlapping and unique roles for multiple kallikreins in the development and progression of virus-mediated central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease, including activities in the development of the adaptive and innate immune response, in demyelination, and in progressive axon degeneration.

Kallikrein 6 regulates early CNS demyelination in a viral model of multiple sclerosis

Kallikrein 6 (Klk6) is a secreted serine protease that is elevated in active multiple sclerosis lesions and patient sera. To further evaluate the involvement of Klk6 in chronic progressive demyelinating disease, we determined its expression in the brain and spinal cord of SJL mice infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and assessed the effects of Klk6-neutralizing antibodies on disease progression. Klk6 RNA expression was elevated in the brain and spinal cord by 7 days postinfection (dpi). Thereafter, Klk6 expression persisted primarily in the spinal cord reaching a peak of fivefold over controls at mid-chronic stages (60 dpi-120 dpi). Significant elevations in Klk6 RNA were also induced in splenocytes stimulated with viral capsid proteins in vitro and in activated human acute monocytic leukemia cells. Klk6-neutralizing antibodies reduced TMEV-driven brain and spinal cord pathology and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses when examined at early chronic time points (40 dpi). Reductions in spinal cord pathology included a decrease in activated monocytes/microglia and reductions in the loss of myelin basic protein (MBP). By 180 dpi, pathology scores no longer differed between groups. These findings point to regulatory activities for Klk6 in the development and progression of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination that can be effectively targeted through the early chronic stages with neutralizing antibody.

WITHDRAWN: A brief autobiography

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2011.05.017 The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.

Chella David: a lifetime contribution in translational immunology

Immunology, like most scientific disciplines, is filled with buzz words. One such buzz word or term has been coined "translational immunology". Indeed, translational research is amongst the most popular expressions used to justify the use of basic research in the hopes that such research will lead to solutions to clinical problems. In fact, no such justification is needed and some of the most important observations in clinical medicine have been derived from basic science; basic science that had no idea at its time of its usefulness in clinical medicine. This special issue is devoted to Chella David. Chella's contributions in immunology have been legion. Before inbred mice became popular, long before multi-million dollar companies were developed to develop such models, Chella David was hard at the bench studying the genetics of the murine immune system and the importance of such mouse models in autoimmune diseases. Importantly, Dr. David provided animals without strings, without the burdens of MTAs, that now impede research. Chella has been generous with his time, with his reagents, and has been a caring and devoted mentor to generations of students. This issue is part of our series to recognize autoimmunologists and dedicated themes that include papers in multiple disciplines of immunology, but especially are focused on cutting-edge applications that will improve clinical therapeutics. Chella David, at age 75, is an athlete in immunology and still keeps going with the same enthusiasm as manifest as a young post-doc.