Potentiation of antigen-stimulated V gamma 9V delta 2 T cell cytokine production by immature dendritic cells (DC) and reciprocal effect on DC maturation

Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, a major gammadelta PBL subset in human adults, have been previously implicated in dendritic cell (DC) licensing, owing to their high frequency in peripheral tissues and their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines upon recognition of a broad array of conserved Ags. Although these observations implied efficient recognition of Ag-expressing immature DC (iDC) by Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, the role played by DC subsets in activation of these lymphocytes has not been carefully studied so far. We show that iDC, and to a lesser extent mature DC, potentiated Th1 and Th2 cytokine, but not cytolytic or proliferative responses, of established Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell clones and ex vivo memory Vgamma9Vdelta2 PBL stimulated by synthetic agonists. The ability of iDC to potentiate Vgamma9Vdelta2 production of inflammatory cytokines required for their own maturation suggested that Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, despite their strong lytic activity, could promote efficient iDC licensing without killing at suboptimal Ag doses. Accordingly Vgamma9Vdelta2 cells induced accelerated maturation of Ag-expressing iDC but not "bystander" DC, even within mixed cell populations comprising both Ag-expressing and nonexpressing iDC. Furthermore Vgamma9Vdelta2 cells induced full differentiation into IL-12-producing cells of iDC infected by Vgamma9Vdelta2-stimulating mycobacteria that were otherwise unable to induce complete DC maturation. In conclusion the ability of iDC to selectively potentiate cytokine response of memory Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells could underlie the adjuvant effect of these lymphocytes, and possibly other natural memory T cells, on conventional T cell responses.

Tumor recognition following Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell receptor interactions with a surface F1-ATPase-related structure and apolipoprotein A-I

Vgamma9Vdelta2 T lymphocytes, a major gammadelta T lymphocyte subset in humans, display cytolytic activity against various tumor cells upon recognition of yet uncharacterized structures. Here, we show that an entity related to the mitochondrial F1-ATPase is expressed on tumor cell surface and promotes tumor recognition by Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells. When immobilized, purified F1-ATPase induces selective activation of this lymphocyte subset. The Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell receptors (TCR) and the F1-ATPase also bind a delipidated form of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), as demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, the presence of apo A-I in the culture medium is required for optimal activation of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells by tumors expressing F1-ATPase. This study thus describes an unanticipated tumor recognition mechanism by Vgamma9Vdelta2 lymphocytes and a possible link between gammadelta T cell immunity and lipid metabolism.

Mycobacterial phosphatidylinositol mannoside is a natural antigen for CD1d-restricted T cells

A group of T cells recognizes glycolipids presented by molecules of the CD1 family. The CD1d-restricted natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are primarily considered to be self-reactive. By employing CD1d-binding and T cell assays, the following structural parameters for presentation by CD1d were defined for a number of mycobacterial and mammalian lipids: two acyl chains facilitated binding, and a polar head group was essential for T cell recognition. Of the mycobacterial lipids tested, only a phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM) fulfilled the requirements for CD1d binding and NKT cell stimulation. This PIM activated human and murine NKT cells via CD1d, thereby triggering antigen-specific IFN-gamma production and cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and PIM-loaded CD1d tetramers identified a subpopulation of murine and human NKT cells. This phospholipid, therefore, represents a mycobacterial antigen recognized by T cells in the context of CD1d.

Experimental protocol for clinical analysis of cerebrospinal fluid by high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

High resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a non-destructive analytical method which allows rapid and simultaneous detection of molecules involved in intermediary and oxidative metabolic pathways. We developed a protocol suitable for routine MRS analysis of lyophilized CSF samples. This procedure guarantees sample integrity, from CSF collection to spectrum acquisition. MRS analysis of blood serum was included in our protocol as a complementary method to CSF analysis. This protocol can contribute to establish MRS of CSF as a new analytical tool to better understand the metabolic processes involved in neurological diseases.

Further assignment of resonances in 1H NMR spectra of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A number of previously unidentified 1H NMR signals detected in CSF spectra of patients with various neurological and metabolic diseases are assigned to metabolites, drugs and drug excipients. Two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy (COSY and J-resolved) is employed to resolve resonances which are hidden by superimposed peaks in one-dimensional spectra. Assignments obtained by making use of 2-D techniques, and of a 1-D 1H NMR data base created for ca. 150 authentic compounds, enable us to clarify the nature of complex signal patterns found in crowded spectral regions of CSF such as the aliphatic methyl region at ca. 1.0 ppm.

Unexpected citrate toxicity and severe hypocalcemia during apheresis

BACKGROUND

The citrate anticoagulant used during apheresis procedures is considered a safe medication because it is rapidly metabolized by the donor. However, acute, life-threatening hypocalcemia is possible if the infusion rate of citrate is increased.

CASE REPORT

A 54-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer, but otherwise in good health, had just begun a fifth collection of hematopoietic peripheral blood progenitor cells by leukapheresis. The instrument's self-loading apheresis kit was primed uneventfully. Seven minutes into the procedure, the patient developed signs and symptoms suggesting severe hypocalcemia, including muscle spasms, chest pain, and hypotension. The citrate bag was discovered to have emptied, and a section of the anticoagulant tubing was protruding outside of the rotary pump. The patient's ionized calcium level was 0.64 mmol per L (normal range, 1.18-1.38 mmol/L). In subsequent experiments where the anticoagulant tubing was either improperly loaded at the outset or partially pulled out of the rotary pump, no instrument alarms sounded.

CONCLUSION

Citrate toxicity and life-threatening hypocalcemia can occur if the anticoagulant line of an apheresis instrument is not properly housed in its rotary pump or becomes disengaged during the procedure. Instrument manufacturers are encouraged to consider designs that allow the direct measurement of the volume of citrate delivered. In the interim, periodic visual and tactile confirmation of tubing placement during apheresis procedures is prudent.

Cerebrospinal fluid metabolic profiles in multiple sclerosis and degenerative dementias obtained by high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We have analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 19 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), 12 patients with degenerative dementia and 17 control patients using in vitro high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 400 MHz. The CSF metabolic profile is slightly modified in MS patients (increased lactate and fructose concentrations, decreased creatinine and phenylalanine concentrations) and is not correlated with the intensity of the intrathecal inflammation. Proton MRS of CSF does not differentiate relapsing-remitting MS and primary progressive MS. We have not detected any specific abnormal resonance in native or lyophilized CSF. The CSF metabolic profile of demented patients is much more altered (increased concentration of lactate, pyruvate, alanine, lysine, valine, leucine-isoleucine, tyrosine, glutamine) and is in agreement with a brain oxidative metabolism impairment as already described in Alzheimer's disease. Unassigned abnormal but non specific or constant resonances have been detected on MR spectra of demented patients. CSF inositol concentration is also increased in the CSF of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In vitro high resolution proton MRS of the CSF constitutes a new and original way to explore CSF for the differential and/or early diagnosis of dementias, as a complement to in vivo proton cerebral MRS.

Improved microplate immunoenzymatic assay of PCR products for rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

We developed a microtitre hybridization assay for the detection of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified sequences. For this, cloned Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA containing a sequence complementary to the PCR products is first covalently bound to microtitre wells. These coated microplates can be stored for several months. Then, an aliquot of the PCR product, labelled with digoxigenin-dUTP during its synthesis is hybridized to the immobilized DNA. The use of a rapid hybridization buffer makes this step very short (5 min). Finally, the hybridization signal is detected by an anti-digoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. Compared to Southern or other microplate hybridization techniques, this method is cheaper, involved fewer steps and allows easy handling of a large number of samples. This method was used for detection of M. pneumoniae in a series of clinical specimens.

Antipeptide polyclonal antibodies that recognize a substance P-binding site in mammalian tissues: a biochemical and immunocytochemical study

We used complementary peptide methodology to obtain antibodies against the receptor for the neuropeptide substance P, specifically directed at the ligand-binding domain. Rabbits were immunized with two distinct peptides derived from the sequence of the RNA complementary to the mRNA for substance P. Binding experiments revealed that antipeptide polyclonal antibodies were able to recognize, through their paratope, a specific binding site on the rat parotid cell membranes. Substance P and antibodies competed for this binding site, because preincubation of membranes in the presence of substance P significantly reduced antibody binding, and conversely, preincubation of membranes in the presence of antibodies partly inhibited the binding of radioiodinated substance P. Immunocytochemical experiments performed on the rat cervical spinal cord show that the distribution of labeling by antibodies is similar to that observed by conventional autoradiography using 125I-substance P. Here again, control experiments demonstrated that antibodies and substance P were competing for the same binding site on the spinal cord. These biochemical and immunocytochemical data indicate that antipeptide antibodies recognize a substance P membrane binding site in nervous and nonnervous mammalian tissues. This site is likely to correspond to the NK1 specific receptor for substance P.

Pastoral care and bereavement

Ministering to the bereaved is a demanding task. Pastoral caregivers have to learn to forget about themselves, to enter into the center of others' concerns. They have to be willing to deny themselves, stop concentrating on their problems to create the space where God can work. Their faith and insight into life must form the core of their pastoral work.

Enzyme immunoassay for tachykinin-like immunoreactivity in the guinea pig spinal cord

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for quantitation of tachykinin-like immunoreactivity (TK-LI) is presented. Because the antiserum K-12 recognizes various tachykinins, such as neurokinin A (100%), kassinin (103%), eledoisin (51%), neurokinin B (18%), physalaemin (0.7%), and substance P (0.7%), the immunoreactivity detected in this enzyme immunoassay has been termed TK-LI. The assay was performed on 96-well microtiter plates coated with a mouse monoclonal second antibody. After preincubation of soluble neurokinin A or samples and K-12 antiserum for 3 h at room temperature, acetylcholinesterase-labelled neurokinin A was allowed to react overnight at 4 degrees C. Samples were finally incubated with Ellman's reagent for 2 h and the absorbance was measured at 414 nm. The threshold for detection of TK-LI was 2 fmol/well. TK-LI release from guinea pig dorsal spinal cord slices was evoked by capsaicin or high K+ medium. The capsaicin-evoked TK-LI release was increased in the presence of thiorphan, but not in that of captopril.

Anti-substance P anti-idiotypic antibodies modulate the secretory process in the rat parotid gland in vitro

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) obtained in rabbits in response to immunization with polyclonal anti-substance P antibodies (anti-SP) were shown to bind specifically and with high affinity to membranes from rat parotid gland cells. Whereas substance P (SP) was unable to displace anti-Id from membrane binding sites, anti-Id partly inhibited the binding of radiolabelled substance P. Like substance P, anti-Id were able to trigger protein secretion by parotid cells i.e. to behave as physiological agonists of the neuropeptide. Under our experimental conditions, the biological effects of both ligands appear to be additive. Unlike substance P, however, anti-Id did not potentiate the secretory response induced by a beta-adrenoceptor agonist. Taken together, the present results might indicate that anti-Id interact with epitope(s) at or/and near the peptide-combining site on the substance P receptor. These data demonstrate further the possibility of raising pharmacologically active anti-receptor antibodies through the immunological anti-idiotypic approach.

Use of anti-idiotypic antibodies as probes for in vitro and in vivo identification of substance P receptor

In order to develop immunological tools for studying the receptor of the neuropeptide substance P (SP), anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id abs) were produced by immunization with anti-SP antibodies whose specificity was close to that of the SP receptor. Immunological studies revealed structural similarity between some anti-Id abs and SP itself. As a consequence, these anti-Id abs were able to bind to mammalian SP receptors. These antibodies were used in immunocytochemistry to label SP receptors both in the rat spinal cord and in rat and guinea pig peripheral tissues (parotid gland and trachea, respectively). Like SP, anti-Id abs were able to trigger protein secretion by isolated rat parotid gland cells. Finally, it was shown that anti-Id abs in vivo modulated reactivity to chemical stimuli. These antibodies therefore appear to be promising tools for further biochemical, cytochemical, and pharmacological characterization of SP receptors.

Increased reactivity to chemical but not to heat noxious stimuli in mice producing anti-idiotypic antibodies for substance P

Mice immunized against anti-substance P (anti-SP) monoclonal antibodies produced anti-SP anti-idiotypic antibodies (SPAb2). In a previous report. SPAb2 antibodies were found to have in vitro biological activity i.e. to behave either as agonists or as antagonists for substance P (SP) depending on the biological test. In this study, the involvement of SPAb2 in in vivo biological activity has been tested. Because of the possible implication of SP in the generation and transmission of nociceptive information, we have tested the responsiveness of SPAb2 responding mice in behavioral nociceptive tests. SPAb2 mice showed very small behavioral variations in the hot plate test as compared with a control group of mice immunized against an unrelated monoclonal antibody. In the formalin test, however, SPAb2 mice displayed a significant increase in paw licking time, which was significantly correlated with SPAb2 serum concentration. These results are discussed in terms of the use of SPAb2 as pharmacological tools for studying the biological properties of SP receptors and more generally of auto anti-idiotypic antibodies in modulating behavioral responses.