Electrophilic nitro-fatty acids suppress allergic contact dermatitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Reactions between nitric oxide (NO), nitrite (NO2-), and unsaturated fatty acids give rise to electrophilic nitro-fatty acids (NO₂ -FAs), such as nitro oleic acid (OA-NO₂ ) and nitro linoleic acid (LNO₂ ). Endogenous electrophilic fatty acids (EFAs) mediate anti-inflammatory responses by modulating metabolic and inflammatory signal transduction reactions. Hence, there is considerable interest in employing NO₂ -FAs and other EFAs for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders. Thus, we sought to determine whether OA-NO₂ , an exemplary nitro-fatty acid, has the capacity to inhibit cutaneous inflammation.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of OA-NO₂ on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) using an established model of contact hypersensitivity in C57Bl/6 mice utilizing 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene as the hapten.

RESULTS

We found that subcutaneous (SC) OA-NO₂ injections administered 18 h prior to sensitization and elicitation suppresses ACD in both preventative and therapeutic models. In vivo SC OA-NO₂ significantly inhibits pathways that lead to inflammatory cell infiltration and the production of inflammatory cytokines in the skin. Moreover, OA-NO₂ is capable of enhancing regulatory T-cell activity. Thus, OA-NO₂ treatment results in anti-inflammatory effects capable of inhibiting ACD by inducing immunosuppressive responses.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results support the development of OA-NO₂ as a promising therapeutic for ACD and provides new insights into the role of electrophilic fatty acids in the control of cutaneous immune responses potentially relevant to a broad range of allergic and inflammatory skin diseases.

In silico programming of degradable microparticles to hide and then reveal immunogenic payloads in vivo

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microparticles, mathematically designed for delayed release in vitro, hide and then reveal ovalbumin-alum in vivo without altering its immunogenicity.

Novel approach to gene expression profiling in Sézary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Microarray hybridization studies in Sézary syndrome (SS) have compared T lymphocytes from patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with those of normal controls; a major limitation of this design is that significant inherent genetic variability of lymphocyte populations between individuals may produce differences in gene expression unrelated to disease state.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to minimize the heterogeneity of information derived from whole-genome expression analysis and to identify specific genetic differences between highly purified malignant and nonmalignant (control) T cells from the same patient with SS.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from a patient with SS, stained with anti-T-cell receptor Vb (TCR-Vb) antibodies, and sorted by multiparameter flow cytometry. Malignant cells expressed the dominant TCR-Vb; control T cells lacked the dominant TCR-Vb but were otherwise phenotypically identical (CD3+CD4+CD45RO+). These cell populations were compared using the Illumina Inc. Sentrix Human-6 expression BeadChip system.

RESULTS

Transcriptome analysis using the J5 test, which was selected for data analysis based on an efficiency analysis of competing statistical methods, showed differential expression of 44 genes between the malignant and nonmalignant cell subsets. Promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger protein (ZBTB16) was the most profoundly upregulated gene in the malignant cell population, while interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and interferon-induced protein 35 (IFI35), which are important elements of the cellular response to viral infection, were significantly downregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest the feasibility of this novel comparative approach to genomic profiling in SS. Using this method, we identified several differentially expressed genes and pathways not previously described in SS. While these findings require validation in larger studies, they may be important in SS pathogenesis.

‘Survival gene’ Bcl-xl potentiates DNA-raised antitumor immunity

T-cell priming is strongly affected by the longevity of antigen-bearing dendritic cells (DCs), which are typically short-lived in lymphoid tissues. 'Survival gene' Bcl-xl is critical for the lifespan of DCs in vivo. Here, we showed that in vivo coadministration of Bcl-xl under control of the DC-specific promoter (CD11c-Bcl-xl) and TRP2hsp70 DNA prolonged T-cell stimulation by DCs and augmented TRP2-specific-IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T-cell responses. Consistent with these findings, enhanced protection and significant therapeutic immunity to B16 melanoma was generated by this coimmunization strategy, which also augmented therapeutic immunity to GL-26 tumor. In this B16 melanoma model, results from animal experiments with depletion of immune cells indicate that CD8+ T cells and NK cells are important in the antitumor immunity induced by this coimmunization strategy. These observations suggest that 'survival gene' Bcl-xl potentiates the magnitude of antigen-specific-CD8+ T-cell responses and the efficacy of antitumor immunity induced by DNA vaccine, and is relevant for the design of in vivo targeted DC-based vaccine strategies to improve immunity against cancer.

Dermal-resident CD14+ cells differentiate into Langerhans cells

Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) show extraordinary immunostimulatory capacity and play a key role in the initiation and regulation of immune responses. Studies of LC biology are currently the focus of efforts to engineer immune responses and to better understand the immunopathology of cutaneous diseases. Here we identified and characterized a population of LC precursors that were resident in human skin. These immediate precursors expressed CD14, langerin and functional CCR6. When cultured with transforming growth factor-beta1 alone, they had the potential to differentiate into epidermal LCs; when cultured in the presence of granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 4 they differentiated into functionally mature dendritic cells. Identification and characterization of these LC precursors provided insight into LC biology and the mechanism(s) through which LCs repopulate the epidermis.

Cytokine production by mouse myeloid dendritic cells in relation to differentiation and terminal maturation induced by lipopolysaccharide or CD40 ligation

Although it is known that dendritic cells (DCs) produce cytokines, there is little information about how cytokine synthesis is regulated during DC development. A range of cytokine mRNA/proteins was analyzed in immature (CD86-) or mature (CD86+) murine bone marrow (BM)- derived DCs. Highly purified, flow-sorted, immature DCs exhibited higher amounts of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA/protein than mature DCs. After differentiation, DC up-regulated the levels of IL-6 and IL-15 mRNA/protein and synthesized de novo mRNA/protein for IL-12p35, IL-12p40, and IL-18. Although immature BM-derived DCs did not stimulate naive allogeneic T cells, mature DCs elicited a mixed population of T helper (Th) 1 (mainly) and Th2 cells in 3d-mixed leukocyte reactions. CD86+ BM DCs switched to different cytokine patterns according to whether they were terminally differentiated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or CD40 ligation. Although both stimuli increased IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-15, and TNF-alpha mRNA/protein levels, only LPS up-regulated transcription of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-12p35, and MIF genes. Although LPS and CD40 cross-linking increased the T-cell allostimulatory function of BM DCs, only LPS stimulation shifted the balance of naive Th differentiation to Th1 cells, a mechanism dependent on the up-regulation of IL-12p35 and not of IL-23. These results demonstrate that, depending on the stimuli used to terminally mature BM DCs, DCs synthesize a different pattern of cytokines and exhibit distinct Th cell-driving potential.

Systemic production of IL-12 by naked DNA mediated gene transfer: toxicity and attenuation of transgene expression in vivo

BACKGROUND

IL-12 is a potent antitumor cytokine for cancer gene therapy. Previously, we demonstrated that single systemic administration of naked DNA (encoding IL-12) could serve as a good model for in vivo evaluation of the antitumor effect of a candidate gene (unpublished data). In the present study, we propose that this gene delivery method could be a very useful model for in vivo evaluation of the toxicity of a given therapeutic gene (using IL-12 as an example). By comparing the toxicities and the effects of initial IL-12 administration on subsequent transgene expression, both IL-12 gene delivery and recombinant murine IL-12 protein (rmIL-12) administration showed similar toxicity profiles.

METHODS

Naked DNA encoding murine IL-12 (mIL-12) was delivered into mice by systemic administration. Toxicity profiles of mice treated with DNA or rmIL-12 were compared.

RESULTS

Systemic administration of naked DNA encoding mIL-12 resulted in very similar toxicity as rmIL-12 with respect to liver enzyme, hematological and immunological profiles. Repeated injection of mIL-12 gene did not recover a high level of mIL-12 production as the first injection. Moreover, initial mIL-12 administration resulted in inhibition of subsequent reporter gene expression with both viral and non-viral promoters (CMV, human alpha-antitrypsin or chicken beta-actin promoter). This transgene inhibition effect was entirely mediated by IFN-gamma as the transgene expression was fully recovered in IFN-gamma knockout mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic IL-12 therapy, with either a protein or gene therapy approach, resulted in comparable liver and systemic toxicities. Refractoriness of mIL-12 production by subsequent administration of mIL-12 gene was observed. The transgene attenuation effect of IL-12 pre-dosing (either by IL-12 or rmIL-12), mediated by IFN-gamma, provided important insights for the design of IL-12 combination gene therapy and the improvement of gene vectors for IL-12 therapy. The present results show that simple injection of naked DNA could serve as a good model for in vivo evaluation of the toxicity of a candidate therapeutic gene.

Aspirin inhibits in vitro maturation and in vivo immunostimulatory function of murine myeloid dendritic cells

Aspirin is the most commonly used analgesic and antiinflammatory agent. In this study, at physiological concentrations, it profoundly inhibited CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class II expression on murine, GM-CSF + IL-4 stimulated, bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (DC). CD11c and MHC class I expression were unaffected. The inhibitory action was dose dependent and was evident at concentrations higher than those necessary to inhibit PG synthesis. Experiments with indomethacin revealed that the effects of aspirin on DC maturation were cyclooxygenase independent. Nuclear extracts of purified, aspirin-treated DC revealed a decreased NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, whereas Ab supershift analysis indicated that aspirin targeted primarily NF-kappaB p50. Unexpectedly, aspirin promoted the generation of CD11c+ DC, due to apparent suppression of granulocyte development. The morphological and ultrastructural appearance of aspirin-treated cells was consistent with immaturity. Aspirin-treated DC were highly efficient at Ag capture, via both mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. By contrast, they were poor stimulators of naive allogeneic T cell proliferation and induced lower levels of IL-2 in responding T cells. They also exhibited impaired IL-12 expression and did not produce IL-10 after LPS stimulation. Assessment of the in vivo function of aspirin-treated DC, pulsed with the hapten trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, revealed an inability to induce normal cell-mediated contact hypersensitivity, despite the ability of the cells to migrate to T cell areas of draining lymphoid tissue. These data provide new insight into the immunopharmacology of aspirin and suggest a novel approach to the manipulation of DC for therapeutic application.

Direct transfection and activation of human cutaneous dendritic cells

Gene therapy techniques can be important tools for the induction and control of immune responses. Antigen delivery is a critical challenge in vaccine design, and DNA-based immunization offers an attractive method to deliver encoded transgenic protein antigens. In the present study, we used a gene gun to transfect human skin organ cultures with a particular goal of expressing transgenic antigens in resident cutaneous dendritic cells. Our studies demonstrate that when delivered to human skin, gold particles are observed primarily in the epidermis, even when high helium delivery pressures are used. We demonstrate that Langerhans cells resident in the basal epidermis can be transfected, and that biolistic gene delivery is sufficient to stimulate the activation and migration of skin dendritic cells. RT-PCR analysis of dendritic cells, which have migrated from transfected skin, demonstrates the presence of transgenic mRNA, indicating direct transfection of cutaneous dendritic cells. Importantly, transfected epidermal Langerhans cells can efficiently present a peptide derived from the transgenic melanoma antigen MART-1 to a MART-1-specific CTL. Taken together, our results demonstrate direct transfection, activation, and antigen-specific stimulatory function of in situ transduced human Langerhans cells.

Regression of human mammary adenocarcinoma by systemic administration of a recombinant gene encoding the hFlex-TRAIL fusion protein

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, TRAIL, is a new member of the TNF family. It can specifically induce apoptosis in a variety of human tumors. To investigate the possibility of employing the TRAIL gene for systemic cancer therapy, we constructed a recombinant gene encoding the soluble form of the human Flt3L gene (hFlex) at the 5' end and the human TRAIL gene at the 3' end. Such design allows the TRAIL gene product to be secreted into the body circulation. We have also demonstrated that the addition of an isoleucine zipper to the N-terminal of TRAIL greatly enhanced the trimerization of the fusion protein and dramatically increased its anti-tumor activity. The fusion protein reached the level of 16-38 microg/ml in the serum after a single administration of the recombinant gene by hydrodynamic-based gene delivery in mice. A high level of the fusion protein correlated with the regression of a human breast tumor established in SCID mice. No apparent toxicity was observed in the SCID mouse model. In addition, the fusion protein caused an expansion of the dendritic cell population in the C57BL/6 recipient mice, indicating that the hFlex component of the fusion protein was functional. Thus, the hFlex-TRAIL fusion protein may provide a novel approach, with the possible involvement of dendritic cell-mediated anti-cancer immunity, for the treatment of TRAIL-sensitive tumors.

Generating and regulating immune responses through cutaneous gene delivery

The combination of immunization strategies with gene therapy methods constitutes a powerful tool for the purpose of genetic immunization. The cutaneous microenvironment, rich in professional antigen-presenting cells and accessory cells capable of initiating and controlling the intensity of specific immune responses, makes the skin a unique target for the expression of transgenic antigens. The fact that epidermal and dermal dendritic cells can be directly transfected using genetically engineered vectors allows in vivo manipulation of immune responses by modifying the function of these distinctive antigen-presenting cell populations. Importantly, coexpression of antigenic proteins together with immunostimulatory molecules, and/or adjuvant or leader sequences, makes possible the engineering of antigen-specific immune responses. Even though most of the mechanisms related to DNA immunization remain to be explored, the skin has emerged as an ideal target for evolving genetic vaccination techniques.

Recombinant adenovirus induces maturation of dendritic cells via an NF-kappaB-dependent pathway

Recombinant adenovirus (rAd) infection is one of the most effective and frequently employed methods to transduce dendritic cells (DC). Contradictory results have been reported recently concerning the influence of rAd on the differentiation and activation of DC. In this report, we show that, as a result of rAd infection, mouse bone marrow-derived immature DC upregulate expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and II antigens, costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, and CD86), and the adhesion molecule CD54 (ICAM-1). rAd-transduced DC exhibited increased allostimulatory capacity and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12p40, IL-15, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNAs, without effects on other immunoregulatory cytokine transcripts such as IL-10 or IL-12p35. These effects were not related to specific transgenic sequences or to rAd genome transcription. The rAd effect correlated with a rapid increase (1 h) in the NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. rAd-induced DC maturation was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) or by infection with rAd-IkappaB, an rAd-encoding the dominant-negative form of IkappaB. In vivo studies showed that after intravenous administration, rAds were rapidly entrapped in the spleen by marginal zone DC that mobilized to T-cell areas, a phenomenon suggesting that rAd also induced DC differentiation in vivo. These findings may explain the immunogenicity of rAd and the difficulties in inducing long-term antigen-specific T-cell hyporesponsiveness with rAd-transduced DC.

Intravenous injection of naked DNA encoding secreted flt3 ligand dramatically increases the number of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in vivo

The trace number of dendritic cells (DCs) present in tissues has limited the study of DC biology and development of clinical applications utilizing DCs. Here we show that hydrodynamics-based gene delivery of naked DNA encoding secreted human flt3 ligand (hFLex) can dramatically increase the number of functional DCs and natural killer (NK) cells. After a single injection of the hFLex gene, hFLex levels in mouse serum reached approximately 40 microg/ml and remained above 1 microg/ml for 5-6 days. Sustained levels of serum hFLex correlated with significant increases in the size of the lymphoid organs and in the proportion of dendritic cells and NK cells in both lymph nodes and spleen. The increase in DC and NK cell numbers started from day 5, and reached peak levels between day 8 and day 12. The levels then returned to normal on day 20. These DCs and NK cells were functional as evidenced by mixed leukocyte reactions and lysis of YAC-1 cells, respectively. These results suggest that delivery of the hFLex gene provides a simple, efficient, and inexpensive way of increasing DC and NK cell populations in vivo, and may have broad applications in the further study of DC and NK cell biology and in the development of immunotherapy strategies.

Maturation and trafficking of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in monkeys: implications for dendritic cell-based vaccines

Human dendritic cells (DC) have polarized responses to chemokines as a function of maturation state, but the effect of maturation on DC trafficking in vivo is not known. We have addressed this question in a highly relevant rhesus macaque model. We demonstrate that immature and CD40 ligand-matured monocyte-derived DC have characteristic phenotypic and functional differences in vitro. In particular, immature DC express CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and migrate in response to macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), whereas mature DC switch expression to CCR7 and respond exclusively to MIP-3beta and 6Ckine. Mature DC transduced to express a marker gene localized to lymph nodes after intradermal injection, constituting 1.5% of lymph node DC. In contrast, cutaneous DC transfected in situ via gene gun were detected in the draining lymph node at a 20-fold lower frequency. Unexpectedly, the state of maturation at the time of injection had no influence on the proportion of DC that localized to draining lymph nodes, as labeled immature and mature DC were detected in equal numbers. Immature DC that trafficked to lymph nodes underwent a significant up-regulation of CD86 expression indicative of spontaneous maturation. Moreover, immature DC exited completely from the dermis within 36 h of injection, whereas mature DC persisted in large numbers associated with a marked inflammatory infiltrate. We conclude that in vitro maturation is not a requirement for effective migration of DC in vivo and suggest that administration of Ag-loaded immature DC that undergo natural maturation following injection may be preferred for DC-based immunotherapy.

The immunology of DNA vaccines

The surprising observation that direct inoculation of an expression plasmid encoding a foreign protein into the skin of mice resulted in the induction of antibody responses, demonstrated that injection of "naked" DNA could result in antigen expression in an immunogenic form (1). This observation and the subsequent demonstration that intramuscular injections of plasmid DNA encoding influenza nucleoprotein could protect mice against a challenge with live influenza virus have opened up new avenues for vaccine development (2-3). Immunization with plasmid DNA has been shown to activate both humoral and cellular immune responses, including the generation of antigen-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells as well as CD4(+) T helper cells (4). An increasing number of studies using experimental animal models have demonstrated that plasmid DNA immunization can promote effective immune responses against numerous viruses, including influenza, rabies, HIV, HBV, HCV, and HSV; several bacteria, including: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycoplasma pulmonis, and Borrelia burgdorferi; as well as parasites, such as malaria and leishmania (4). Phase I clinical vaccine trials are currently being performed for HIV, HBV, and influenza virus. With the molecular identification of tumor antigens (5), there has also been increasing interest in the development of DNA-based immunization for cancer. Preclinical studies demonstrate that DNA-based immunizations targeting model tumor antigens such as chicken ovalbumin (6), β-galactosidase (7), or CEA (8) induce protective immune responses leading to rejection of a subsequent, normally lethal challenge with antigen-expressing tumor cells.

Targeting the skin for genetic immunization

One of the most promising applications of recent advances in gene therapy is the development of immunization strategies based on the delivery of antigen-encoding DNA. DNA-based vaccination, also referred to as genetic vaccination or polynucleotide vaccination, offers considerable promise for improvement over existing immunization strategies, and the skin offers unique potential as a target tissue for genetic vaccines. The expression of genetically introduced antigens in a cutaneous microenvironment rich in both professional antigen-presenting cells and accessory cells, which are capable of producing immunostimulatory cytokines, has the potential to overcome the historical limitations of vaccinology and immunotherapy. Though the precise molecular mechanisms of genetic immunization remain unclear, a general working model of the events through which antigen-encoding plasmids introduced into the skin initiate an immune response can be constructed. The finding that Langerhans cells can be transfected in vivo raises the exciting possibility that these migrating professional antigen-presenting cells can be genetically engineered in vivo. By designing strategies to codeliver genes encoding antigens with genes encoding immunoregulatory molecules to the same antigen-presenting cell, it may be possible to either induce or suppress antigen-specific immune responses in the host. Though many aspects of the biology of cutaneous DNA immunization remain unknown, the skin appears to offer unique potential for the application of advances in gene therapy to vaccination and genetic engineering of the immune response.

A particulate viral protein vaccine reduces viral load and delays progression to disease in immunized ponies challenged with equine infectious anemia virus

Immunization regimens that induce a broadly reactive cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response specific for lentiviral antigens have emerged as the leading candidates in efficacy trials conducted in both animal modelshumans. To date, lentivirus vaccination strategies have overlooked one such immunization strategy, namely the use of particulate antigens. To evaluate the efficacy of targeting antigen into the phagocytic pathway to elicit a cell-mediated immune response to lentiviral antigens, we initiated the first study of a particulate-based vaccination protocol using a large animal model system. Gradient-purified equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) was covalently coupled to glutaraldehyde-activated iron oxide beads. In vitro studies demonstrated the effectiveness of the inactivated whole virus particulate to prime antigen presenting cells for the activationexpansion of virus-specific CD8(+) CTL. The in vivo effectiveness of the particulate antigen was evaluated by experimental immunization of ponies. Ponies receiving the viral particulate vaccinechallenged with infectious EIAV had a delayed progression to diseasea reduced viral load compared with infected ponies that had not been vaccinated. Interestingly, in vitro virus-specific CTL activity was detected in only one of four immunized animals at the day of challenge. The beneficial effects of the particulate vaccine regimen were not clearly associated with any in vitro measurable parameters of the virus-specific cellular or humoral immune responses elicited by the vaccine at the day of challenge. However, within 3 weeks after virus challenge, anamnestic humoral responses characterized by a rapid emergence of neutralizing activity in the seruma predominance of conformationally dependent epitopes recognized by virus-specific antibodies were observed in the vaccinates. Taken together, further studies are clearly warranted in large animal model systems using a particulate-based vaccine regimen considering the beneficial effects of this regimen in our studythe protective effects of particulate antigen delivery in the murine model.

DNA immunization targeting the skin: molecular control of adaptive immunity

DNA-based immunization represents a novel approach for vaccine development. Recombinant DNA techniques are used to clone DNA sequences encoding antigens of choice into eukaryotic expression plasmids, which are readily and economically amplified in bacteria and recovered with a high degree of purity. For immunization, plasmid DNA is either coated onto microscopic gold particles and bombarded into skin using a gene gun or injected into skin or muscle. Expression of administered genes results in the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against the encoded antigen. DNA immunization is capable of inducing protective immunity in a number of animal models of infectious disease and cancer. Recent studies suggest that antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte induction occurs through the presentation of appropriate peptides in the context of major histocompatibility complex molecules on bone marrow-derived professional antigen presenting cells. Following DNA inoculation into the skin, Langerhans cells and/or dermal dendritic cells are believed to acquire the newly synthesized antigen, either through direct transfection or via antigen uptake from transfected keratinocytes, and migrate to regional lymph nodes where they stimulate primary T cell responses. The nature of the immune response depends on the route, method, and timing of DNA delivery and can also be influenced by co-delivery of plasmids encoding immunomodulating cytokines like IFN-alpha, IL-2, or IL-12 and costimulatory molecules like B7-1. While many aspects of the biology of cutaneous DNA immunization remain unknown, the skin appears to offer unique potential as a target for DNA-based immunization.

Cytotoxic T cells in basal cell carcinomas of skin

Previous studies have suggested the importance of CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells of hosts against neoplasms. Earlier studies and our previous investigation showed that a majority of tumor infiltrating T-cells in human basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) belonged to CD4+ T-cells. CD8+ cells were also present in the peritumor areas of human BCCs, but in smaller numbers. Published evidence indicates the importance of cytotoxic T-cells in antitumor immunity. Cytotoxic T-cells have been identified by using monoclonal antibodies against various cytotoxic T-cell components. In this study, we used monoclonal antibodies to perforin to evaluate the role of cytotoxic T-cells in the host response against basal cell carcinomas. Perforin-expressing T-cells could be identified in the infiltrate of BCCs in frozen tissue sections, and also in antigen-retrieved paraffin-embedded sections of BCCs, and the presence of perforin-expressing T-cells correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T-cells. These results suggest that cytotoxic T-cells play a role in host defense against human BCCs.

Physical interaction between dendritic cells and tumor cells results in an immunogen that induces protective and therapeutic tumor rejection

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent professional APCs capable of presenting Ag in the context of costimulatory signals necessary for T cell activation. Although tumor cells express target Ags, they are generally incapable of stimulating an immune response. We show that the short term physical interaction of DCs and tumor cells, with or without cell fusion, results in rapid, efficient, and stable DC-tumor cell association. Immunization of naive mice with unselected, irradiated DC-tumor cell conjugates induces tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and protection from lethal tumor challenge. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of this cellular vaccine is dependent on the physical interaction of DCs and tumor cells before injection. Immunization with DCs and tumor cells after physical interaction can result in the regression of established tumors and persistent antitumor immunity. These results suggest that immunization with DC-tumor cell vaccines may be a simple, rapid, and potent strategy for tumor immunotherapy.

Epidermal dendritic cells induce potent antigen-specific CTL-mediated immunity

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are required for the initiation of an immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent APCs identified thus far and can present antigen in the context of co-stimulatory signals required for the stimulation of both primed and naïve T cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are critical to the immune response against tumors or virally infected cells. Optimal stimulation of antigen-specific CTLs is the goal of evolving immunization strategies for the prevention or therapy of viral infections and tumors. Epidermal dendritic cells (eDCs), or Langerhans cells, can present antigens for the stimulation of CD4+ T cell dependent anti-tumor immunity and may play a role in tumor surveillance. The capacity of eDCs to induce tumor-specific CD8+ CTL immunity has not been determined. We have previously shown that DCs derived from bone marrow precursors (BmDCs) under the influence of cytokines can induce protective, antigen-specific CTL-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Here we show that subcutaneous immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) peptide (SIINFEKL(257-264))-pulsed eDCs induced OVA-specific, CD8+ CTLs that lyse the OVA-expressing target. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with OVA peptide-pulsed eDCs were completely protected from subsequent challenge by the OVA-expressing melanoma MO5. The capacity of peptide-pulsed eDCs to induce CTL-mediated immunity is directly dependent on the dose of eDCs administered. Importantly, the APC capacity of eDCs is comparable to that of BmDCs, as mice immunized with eDC populations containing at least as many class II+/B7.2+ cells as populations of BmDCs were equally protected against challenge with MO5. These results demonstrate that eDCs can be potent inducers of antigen-specific CD8+ CTL-mediated immunity. They suggest that eDCs may be important targets for antigen delivery strategies aimed at inducing antiviral or anti-tumor immunity.

DNA-based immunization by in vivo transfection of dendritic cells

Delivery of antigen in a manner that induces effective, antigen-specific immunity is a critical challenge in vaccine design. Optimal antigen presentation is mediated by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) capable of taking up, processing and presenting antigen to T cells in the context of costimulatory signals required for T-cell activation. Developing immunization strategies to optimize antigen presentation by dendritic cells, the most potent APCs, is a rational approach to vaccine design. Here we show that cutaneous genetic immunization with naked DNA results in potent, antigen-specific, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated protective tumor immunity. This method of immunization results in the transfection of skin-derived dendritic cells, which localize in the draining lymph nodes. These observations provide a basis for further development of DNA-based vaccines and demonstrate the feasibility of genetically engineering dendritic cells in vivo.

Treatment of pyogenic granulomas with the 585 nm pulsed dye laser

BACKGROUND

Current therapeutic alternatives for pyogenic granulomas include surgical excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, and ablation with CO2 or continuous-wave vascular lasers.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to investigate the use of the 585 nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (585 nm PDL) for the treatment of pyogenic granulomas in terms of efficacy, advantages in technique, and side effects.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with symptomatic pyogenic granulomas in a variety of locations were treated with the 585 nm PDL and examined.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 18 treated patients demonstrated both symptomatic and clinical clearing of the lesions with excellent cosmetic results after treatment. The two patients who dropped out after one to two 585 nm PDL treatments were eventually treated successfully with electrodesiccation and curettage. No postoperative complications and no persistent pigmentary changes or scarring were observed. The procedure required no anesthesia, and postoperative care was limited to the application of a topical antibiotic ointment.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that treatment of pyogenic granulomas with the 585 nm PDL is a safe, effective, and reasonable alternative to conventional therapy.

Peptide-pulsed dendritic cells induce antigen-specific CTL-mediated protective tumor immunity

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are a critical component of the immune response to tumors. Tumor-derived peptide antigens targeted by CTLs are being defined for several human tumors and are potential immunogens for the induction of specific antitumor immunity. Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) capable of priming CTL responses in vivo. Here we show that major histocompatibility complex class I-presented peptide antigen pulsed onto dendritic APCs induces protective immunity to lethal challenge by a tumor transfected with the antigen gene. The immunity is antigen specific, requiring expression of the antigen gene by the tumor target, and is eliminated by in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, mice that have rejected the transfected tumor are protected from subsequent challenge with the untransfected parent tumor. These results suggest that immunization strategies using antigen-pulsed DC may be useful for inducing tumor-specific immune responses.

Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with synthetic tumour peptides elicit protective and therapeutic antitumour immunity

Dendritic cells, the most potent 'professional' antigen-presenting cells, hold promise for improving the immunotherapy of cancer. In three different well-characterized tumour models, naive mice injected with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells prepulsed with tumour-associated peptides previously characterized as being recognized by class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes, developed a specific T-lymphocyte response and were protected against a subsequent lethal tumour challenge. Moreover, in the C3 sarcoma and the 3LL lung carcinoma murine models, treatment of animals bearing established macroscopic tumours (up to 1 cm2 in size) with tumour peptide-pulsed dendritic cells resulted in sustained tumour regression and tumour-free status in more than 80% of cases. These results support the clinical use of tumour peptide-pulsed dendritic cells as components in developing effective cancer vaccines and therapies.

Targeting antigen into the phagocytic pathway in vivo induces protective tumour immunity

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) kill neoplastic or virally infected cells after recognizing on their surface antigenic peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. These peptides are derived from antigens that are degraded in the cytosol of the affected cell. Because exogenous proteins cannot enter the cytosol, immunizations with killed pathogens or their proteins do not generally elicit CTLs. However, antigens that are internalized into phagocytic cells can enter the cytosol and be processed for class I presentation. Here we show that immunization with a purified antigen on an avidly phagocytized particle primes CTLs, which in turn protect animals from subsequent challenge with tumours transfected with the antigen gene. Interestingly, these animals also become immune to other antigens expressed by the tumour. This approach could be exploited to develop tumour and viral vaccines.

Expression and function of the costimulatory molecule B7 on murine Langerhans cells: evidence for an alternative CTLA-4 ligand

We have previously shown, through transfection experiments, that the murine B7 (mB7) molecule, a ligand for the CD28 and CTLA-4 receptors, is a sufficient costimulatory signal for the antigen-specific and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted activation of murine CD4+ T lymphocytes. In addition to mB7, another ligand with affinity for CTLA-4 has been described on spleen cells. Here we report our studies on the expression and function of these molecules on murine Langerhans cells (LC). Both anti-mB7 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 16-10A1 and human CTLA4Ig (hCTLA4Ig), a chimeric fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of human CLTA-4 and the constant domain of human IgG1, detected antigen(s) on cultured but not freshly isolated LC. Preincubation of cultured LC with anti-mB7 mAb did not significantly affect binding of hCTLA4Ig to these cells. This result demonstrate the existence of at least one other ligand for the CLTA-4 receptor on cultured LC. Functional studies revealed that the costimulatory activity of LC was inhibited better by hCTLA4Ig than by the anti-mB7 mAb. This differential effect was seen in the case of both alloreactive and antigen-specific, syngeneic T cell responses. These findings suggest that the non-mB7-ligand for CTLA-4 is functional and participates in the induction of immune responses by LC. Importantly, even synergistic combinations of anti-mB7 mAb and hCTLA4Ig did not inhibit completely the activity of LC. These findings therefore raise the possibility that LC express other costimulatory ligands besides mB7 and related family members.

Evolution of a naevus spilus

The evolution of a naevus spilus is documented with serial photographs over a 12-year period. The lesion was remarkable for increasing numbers of macules and papules within the background of the café-au-lait macule. Biopsy of a new papule showed lentiginous melanocytic hyperplasia without atypia. We advise photography and periodic follow-up of large, clinically atypical or changing naevi spili. Indications for considering biopsy of naevi spili, irrespective of size, include atypical clinical features or change in one of the hyperpigmented macules or papules, eventuating in an atypical clinical appearance.

Serum proteases alter the antigenicity of peptides presented by class I major histocompatibility complex molecules

Any effect of serum on the antigenicity of peptides is potentially relevant to their use as immunogens in vivo. Here we demonstrate that serum contains distinct proteases that can increase or decrease the antigenicity of peptides. By using a functional assay, we show that a serum component other than beta 2-microglobulin enhances the presentation of ovalbumin peptides produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage. Three features of this serum activity implicate proteolysis: it is temperature dependent, it results in increased antigenicity in a low molecular weight peptide fraction, and it is inhibited by the protease inhibitor leupeptin. Conversely, presentation of the synthetic peptide OVA-(257-264) is inhibited by serum. This inhibition is unaffected by leupeptin but is blocked by bestatin, a protease inhibitor with distinct substrate specificities. Implications for peptide-based vaccine design and immunotherapy are discussed.

Effects of in vivo monoclonal anti-I-A antibody treatment in neonatal mice on intrathymic and peripheral class II antigen expression

Intrathymic, Ia-bearing antigen-presenting cells (APC) are believed to play an important role in the development of a mature, functional T-cell repertoire. We used chronic in vivo treatment of neonatal mice with anti-I-A monoclonal Ab (MAb) to examine the expression of I-A and I-E antigens on intrathymic and peripheral APC. Three weeks after continuous treatment with anti-I-A MAb, FACS analysis of unfractionated spleen cells revealed a 75-90% reduction in the number of I-A bearing cells. Splenic antigen-presenting capacity measured by the ability of unseparated or density gradient-enriched APC to stimulate I-A- or I-E-reactive T-cell hybridomas was also greatly reduced. In contrast to the expression of I-A and I-E molecules in the splenic APC, anti-I-A MAb treatment resulted in decreased thymic APC I-A expression without significant changes in I-E as measured by FACS analysis. This was confirmed in functional studies in which allo-I-A- or auto-I-A-reactive T-cell hybridomas could not be stimulated by treated thymic APC. Unlike splenic APC, anti-I-A-treated thymic APC did not differ significantly from normals in their ability to stimulate allo-I-E-reactive T hybridomas. This lack of linkage or comodulation of I-A and I-E expression on thymic but not splenic APC may allow us to study the role of I-A molecules and I-E molecules on the development and expansion of functional, mature T-cell repertoires.

Cerulenin is a potent inhibitor of antigen processing by antigen-presenting cells

Cerulenin is an antibiotic that inhibits eukaryotic lipid and sterol synthesis and blocks lipid modification of proteins. The effect of cerulenin on the ability of accessory cells to present antigen to T cells was investigated. This antibiotic strongly inhibits the ability of accessory cells to present antigen to murine T-T hybrids. This effect is observed for multiple distinct antigens including L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10, bovine insulin, L-glutamic acid56-L-lysine35-L-phenylalanine9, and ovalbumen. Presentation by both macrophage and B lymphoblastoid cell lines is inhibited. The ability to effectively pulse these cells with antigen is inhibited but not the ability of these same cells to present antigen that they have previously processed. Furthermore, this inhibition is selective as it can occur without significant inhibition of the antigen-presenting cell protein or DNA synthesis. Cerulenin does not inhibit antigen uptake or catabolism as assessed with labeled antigen. By these criteria this drug is shown to interfere with an antigen-processing step. The ability of cerulenin to block processing was compared with other known inhibitors. Although cerulenin was effective with all antigens tested, at least one inhibitor was not. Taken together, these results suggest that the effect of cerulenin may define a distinct step in antigen processing and provides evidence that some other processing events are not universally required. The ability of cerulenin to interfere with antigen processing is discussed in the context of the known actions of this antibiotic and events of antigen processing and presentation.

Cerulenin is a potent inhibitor of antigen processing by antigen-presenting cells

Cerulenin is an antibiotic that inhibits eukaryotic lipid and sterol synthesis and blocks lipid modification of proteins. The effect of cerulenin on the ability of accessory cells to present antigen to T cells was investigated. This antibiotic strongly inhibits the ability of accessory cells to present antigen to murine T-T hybrids. This effect is observed for multiple distinct antigens including L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10, bovine insulin, L-glutamic acid56-L-lysine35-L-phenylalanine9, and ovalbumen. Presentation by both macrophage and B lymphoblastoid cell lines is inhibited. The ability to effectively pulse these cells with antigen is inhibited but not the ability of these same cells to present antigen that they have previously processed. Furthermore, this inhibition is selective as it can occur without significant inhibition of the antigen-presenting cell protein or DNA synthesis. Cerulenin does not inhibit antigen uptake or catabolism as assessed with labeled antigen. By these criteria this drug is shown to interfere with an antigen-processing step. The ability of cerulenin to block processing was compared with other known inhibitors. Although cerulenin was effective with all antigens tested, at least one inhibitor was not. Taken together, these results suggest that the effect of cerulenin may define a distinct step in antigen processing and provides evidence that some other processing events are not universally required. The ability of cerulenin to interfere with antigen processing is discussed in the context of the known actions of this antibiotic and events of antigen processing and presentation.

Characterization of antigen association with accessory cells: specific removal of processed antigens from the cell surface by phospholipases

To characterize the basis for the cell surface association of processed antigen with the antigen-presenting cell (APC) we analyzed its sensitivity to enzymatic digestion. Antigen-exposed APC that are treated with phospholipase and then immediately fixed lose their ability to stimulate antigen-plus-Ia-specific T-T hybridomas. This effect is seen with highly purified phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C. In addition it is observed with three distinct antigens--ovalbumin, bovine insulin, and poly(LGlu56LLys35LPhe9) [(GluLysPhe)n]. The effect of phospholipases is highly specific. Identically treated APC are equivalent to controls in their ability to stimulate alloreactive hybridomas specific for precisely the same Ia molecule that is corecognized by antigen-plus-Ia-specific hybrids. Furthermore, the antigen-presenting function of enzyme-treated, fixed APC can be reconstituted by the addition of exogenous in vitro processed or "processing independent" antigens. In parallel studies 125I-labeled avidin was shown to specifically bind to APC that were previously exposed and allowed to process biotin-insulin. Biotin-insulin-exposed APC that are pretreated with phospholipase bind significantly less 125I-labeled avidin than do untreated, exposed APC. Identical enzyme treatment does not reduce the binding of avidin to a biotinylated antibody already bound to class II major histocompatibility complex molecules of APC. At least some of the biotin-insulin surface sites are immunologically relevant, because the presentation of processed biotin-insulin by fixed APC is blocked by avidin. This effect is specific. Avidin binding to biotin-insulin-exposed APC does not inhibit allospecific stimulation nor the presentation of unconjugated insulin. These studies demonstrate that phospholipase effectively removes processed cell surface antigen.

Phospholipase treatment of accessory cells that have been exposed to antigen selectively inhibits antigen-specific Ia-restricted, but not allospecific, stimulation of T lymphocytes

The corecognition of antigen and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (Ia molecules) by the T-cell receptor is a cell surface event. Before antigen is recognized, it must be taken up, processed, and displayed on the surface of an Ia-bearing accessory cell (antigen-presenting cell, APC). The exact nature of antigen processing and the subsequent associations of antigen with the APC plasma membrane, Ia molecules, and/or the T-cell receptor are not well defined. To further analyze these events, we have characterized the processing and presentation of the soluble polypeptide antigen bovine insulin. We found that this antigen requires APC-dependent processing, as evidenced by the inability of metabolically inactivated APCs to present native antigen to antigen plus Ia-specific T-T hybridomas. The ability of the same APCs to present antigen after uptake and processing showed that this antigen subsequently becomes stably associated with the APC plasma membrane. To characterize the basis for this association, we analyzed its sensitivity to enzymatic digestion. APCs exposed to antigen, treated with phospholipase A2, and then immediately fixed lost the ability to stimulate bovine insulin plus I-Ad-specific hybridomas. In contrast, the ability of these same APCs to stimulate I-Ad allospecific hybridomas was unaffected. This effect of phospholipase is not mimicked by the broadly active protease Pronase, nor is there evidence for contaminating proteases in the phospholipase preparation. These results suggest that one consequence of antigen processing may be an antigen-lipid association that contributes to the anchoring of antigen to the APC membrane. The implications of this model are discussed.