A true singles list-mode data acquisition system for a small animal PET scanner with independent crystal readout

We present a unique data acquisition system designed to read out signals from the MADPET-II small animal LSO-APD PET tomograph. The scanner consists of 36 independent detector modules arranged in a dual-radial layer ring (phi 71 mm). Each module contains a 4 x 8 array of optically isolated, 2 x 2 mm LSO crystals, coupled one-to-one to a 32 channel APD. To take full advantage of the detector geometry, signals from each crystal are individually processed without any data reduction. This is realized using custom designed mixed-signal ASICs for analogue signal processing, and FPGAs to control the digitization of analogue signals and subsequent multiplexing. Analogue to digital converters (ADCs) digitize the signal peak height, time to digital converters (TDCs) time stamp each event relative to a system clock and two 32 bit words containing the energy, time and position information for each singles event are multiplexed through three FIFO stages before being written to disk via gigabit Ethernet. Every singles event is processed and stored in list-mode format, and coincidences are sorted post-acquisition in software. The 1152 channel data acquisition system was designed to be able to handle sustained data rates of up to 11 520 000 cps without loss (10 000 cps/channel). The timing resolution of the TDC was measured to be 1 ns FWHM. In addition to describing the data acquisition system, performance measurements made using a 128-channel detector prototype will be presented.

Molecular interactions of the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus transregulatory protein Tat with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits

We investigated the effect of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) regulatory protein Tat on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes by voltage-clamp recording and its role in NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity using cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Tat (0.01-1muM) potentiated NMDA-induced currents of recombinant NMDA receptors. However, in the presence of Zn(2+), the potentiating effect of Tat was much more pronounced, indicating an additional Zn(2+)-related effect on NMDA receptors. Consistently, Tat potentiated currents of the particularly Zn(2+)-sensitive NR1/NR2A NMDA receptor with a higher efficacy, whereas currents from a Zn(2+)-insensitive mutant were only marginally augmented. In addition, chemical-modified Tat, deficient for metal binding, did not reverse Zn(2+)-mediated inhibition of NMDA responses, demonstrating that Tat disinhibits NMDA receptors from Zn(2+)-mediated antagonism by complexing the cation. We therefore investigated the interplay of Tat and Zn(2+) in NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity using cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. Zn(2+) exhibited a prominent rescuing effect when added together with the excitotoxicant NMDA, which could be reverted by the Zn(2+)-chelator tricine. Similar to tricine, Tat enhanced NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity in the presence of neuroprotective Zn(2+) concentrations. Double-staining with antibodies against Tat and the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor revealed partial colocalization of the immunoreactivities in membrane patches of hippocampal neurons, supporting the idea of a direct interplay between Tat and glutamatergic transmission. We therefore propose that release of Zn(2+)-mediated inhibition of NMDA receptors by HIV-1 Tat contributes to the neurotoxic effect of glutamate and may participate in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated dementia.

Generation of tumor-associated cytotoxic T lymphocytes requires interleukin 4 from CD8(+) T cells

Activation of tumor-associated CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) often requires antigen representation, e.g., by dendritic cells (DCs), and CD4(+) T cell help. Previously, we showed that CTL-mediated tumor immunity required interleukin 4 (IL-4) during the immunization but not effector phase. To determine the source and target cells of IL-4, we performed adoptive T cell transfers using CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from IL-4(-/-) and IL-4R(-/-) mice and analyzed CTL generation. Even though necessary for CTL generation, CD4(+) T cells did not need to express IL-4 or IL-4R. Surprisingly, CTL generation required IL-4 but not IL-4R expression by CD8(+) T cells. As IL-4 (a) was expressed by naive CD8(+) T cells within 24 h after antigen encounter, (b) IL-4 induced DC maturation, and (c) CTL development was impaired in T cell-reconstituted IL-4R(-/-) mice, CD8(+) T cell-derived IL-4 appears to act on DCs. We conclude that CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells provide different signals for DC activation during CTL generation.

Tumor rejection by disturbing tumor stroma cell interactions

The stroma of solid tumors is a complex network of different cell types. We analyzed stroma cell interactions in two tumor models during cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced tumor rejection. In growing tumors, tumor infiltrating macrophages (TIMs) produced interleukin (IL)-10. Beginning 6 h after Cy-treatment T cells in the tumor were inactivated and TIMs switched to interferon (IFN)-gamma production. Both, IL-10 production before and IFN-gamma production after Cy-treatment by TIMs required T cells. With the same kinetics as TIMs started to produce IFN-gamma the tumor vasculature was destroyed which required IFN-gamma receptor expression on host but not tumor cells. These events preceded hemorrhagic necrosis and residual tumor cell elimination by T cells. Together, T cells regulate the function of TIMs and tumor rejection can be induced by disturbing the stroma network.

Mice overexpressing genes from the 22q11 region deleted in velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome have middle and inner ear defects

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome (VCFS/DGS) is a congenital anomaly disorder associated with hemizygous 22q11 deletions. We previously showed that bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice overexpressing four transgenes, PNUTL1, (CDCrel-1), GP1B beta, TBX1 and WDR14, had reduced viability, cardiovascular malformations and thymus gland hypoplasia. Since these are hallmark features of VCFS/DGS, we analyzed the mice for additional anomalies. We found that the mice have important defects in the middle and inner ear that are directly relevant to the disorder. The most striking defect was the presence of chronic otitis media, a common finding in VCFS/DGS patients. In addition, the mice had a hyperactive circling behavior and sensorineural hearing loss. This was associated with middle and inner ear malformations, analogous to Mondini dysplasia in humans reported to occur in VCFS/DGS patients. We propose that overexpression of one or more of the transgenes is responsible for the etiology of the ear defects in the mice. Based upon its pattern of expression in the ear and functional studies of the gene, TbX1 likely plays a central role. Haploinsufficiency of TBX1 may be responsible for ear disorders in VCFS/DGS patients.

Adoptive tumor therapy with T lymphocytes enriched through an IFN-gamma capture assay

Successful adoptive T-cell therapy has been demonstrated in viral disease and selected forms of cancer. However, it is limited by the difficulty to efficiently isolate and amplify autologous tumor-reactive T-cell clones. Tetramers of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and peptide have facilitated the characterization of CD8+ T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens. However, for adoptive T-cell therapy, MHC-tetramers have limitations: they require knowledge of tumor antigens, which is often not available; they select T cells with a single specificity, thereby posing risk for selection of tumor escape variants; they do not select for function, so that T cells may be anergic when isolated from cancer patients; and they do not allow the isolation of CD4+ T cells that can be essential for tumor rejection. Because interferon (IFN)-gamma is essential for tumor rejection, we isolated live T cells based on their IFN-gamma production. IFN-gamma secreted by previously activated T cells is retained on the cell surface, allowing their specific isolation and expansion. We show here that IFN-gamma+ but not IFN-gamma- T cells from tumor-immunized mice are cytolytic and mediate tumor rejection upon adoptive transfer. Importantly, tumor-specific T cells can be enriched from lymphocytes infiltrating human renal cell carcinoma by the IFN-gamma capture assay.

Acute and long-term humoral immunity following active immunization of rabbits with inactivated spores of various Encephalitozoon species

Microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon are increasingly being reported as a cause of severe, often disseminated infections, mainly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Immunological identification of each of the three recognized species (E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis) requires the availability of specific immune sera. All sera available thus far have been generated by direct inoculation of rabbits with virulent microsporidian spores. This study demonstrates for the first time that subcutaneous immunization with inactivated spores of E. cuniculi, E. helleri, or E. intestinalis is capable of generating highly active rabbit hyperimmune sera to the homologous antigens, with maximal titers being 1:5,120, 1:1,280, and 1:2,560, respectively, as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIF). Broad cross-reactivity of the rabbit antisera with all heterologous Encephalitozoon antigens was determined by IIF and immunogold electron microscopy; however, only the E. hellem immune serum strongly cross-reacted with spores of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. During the 35-month follow-up period the antibody titers to the homologous antigens declined to 1:640, 1:160, and 1:320, respectively. The observed decay curves for antibody titers against E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis were fitted using mathematical modeling, resulting in a predicted duration for specific immune responses of about 7 years on average. Knowledge of the magnitude and duration of specific immune responses is a prerequisite for further evaluation of the concept of using inactivated microsporidian spores in the quest for vaccines against microsporidian infections.

Presentation by scanning electron microscopy of the life cycle of microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon

This paper presents, for the first time, documentation by detailed scanning electron microscopy of the life cycle of microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon. Phase 1 is represented by the extracellular phase with mature spores liberated by the rupture of host cells. To infect new cells the spores have to discharge their polar filament. Spores with everted tubes show that these are helically coiled. When the polar tubules have started to penetrate into a host cell they are incomplete in length. The infection of a host cell can also be initiated by a phagocytic process of the extruded polar filament into an invagination channel of the host cell membrane. After the penetration process, the tube length is completed by polar tube protein which passes through the tube in the shape of swellings. A completely discharged polar tube with its tip is also shown. The end of a polar tube is normally hidden in the cytoplasm of the host cell. After completion of the tube length the transfer of the sporoplasm occurs and phase 2 starts. Phase 2 is the proliferative phase, or merogony, with the intracellular development of the parasite that cannot be documented by scanning electron microscopy. The subsequent intracellular phase 3, or sporogony, starts when the meronts transform into sporonts, documented as chain-like structures which subdivide into sporoblasts. The sporoblasts finally transform directly into spores which can be seen in their host cell, forming bubble-like swellings in the cell surface.

Chitinolytic activity in viable spores of Encephalitozoon species

By employing 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-NN',N"-triacetylchitotriose substrate in a semi quantitative assay, chitinolytic activity in viable spores of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and E. intestinalis was detected and dependence on reaction time, spore concentration, concentration of substrate and temperature were demonstrated. It was possible to block the chitinolytic activity by chitin hydrolysate. By incubation at 80 degrees C for 10 min or at 55 degrees C for 20 min the spores were loosing the chitinolytic activity. Incubation of the spores in trypsin reduced the chitinolytic activity. Cellulase activity could not be detected.

Expression of Cdcrel-1 (Pnutl1), a gene frequently deleted in velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome

The murine Cdcrel-1 (Pnutl1) gene belongs to the family of septins, which are thought to be involved in cytokinesis in yeast, Drosophila and vertebrates. Recent studies implicate Cdcrel-1 in the regulation of vesicle transport in neurons of the adult brain. The human homologue, hCDCREL-1 maps to chromosome 22q11.2, a region commonly deleted in patients displaying velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) or DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). During development, Cdcrel-1 transcripts are expressed from E10.5 on in the nervous system such as the dorsal root ganglia and the cranial ganglia as well as the lateral layer of the neural tube, the area where terminally differentiated neurons are located. Low level expression is found in the mesenchyme of the frontonasal mass and the limb bud mesenchyme of E11.5 and E13.5 murine embryos. At E15.5, expression is detected in the nervous tissue and in the neural layer of the eye. Based on the expression pattern as well as clinical data, Cdcrel-1 may be involved in the etiology of VCFS/DGS.

T helper cell type 1-associated and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated tumor immunity is impaired in interleukin 4-deficient mice

It is widely accepted that cellular immune responses are induced by CD4(+) T helper 1 (Th1) cells secreting interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Tumor immunity is often mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) whose activation is supported by Th1 cytokines. Since IL-4 directs Th2 development and has been shown to inhibit Th1-dominated responses, we assumed that IL-4-deficient (IL-4(-/-)) mice would develop vigorous CTL-mediated tumor immunity compared with IL-4-competent (IL-4(+/+)) mice. Surprisingly, IL-4(-/-) mice were severely impaired to develop tumor immunity to both a mammary adenocarcinoma line and a colon carcinoma line. The lack of tumor immunity in IL-4(-/-) mice was associated with reduced IFN-gamma production, diminished levels of tumor-reactive serum IgG2a, and undetectable CTL activity, indicating a defective Th1 response in the absence of endogenous IL-4. Anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody blocked tumor immunity in IL-4(+/+) mice when administered at the time of immunization but not at the time of challenge. Additionally, tumor immunity could be induced in IL-4(-/-) mice, if IL-4 was provided by gene-modified cells together with immunizing tumor cells. These results demonstrate that tumor immunity requires IL-4 in the priming phase for the generation of effector cells rather than for their maintenance and exclude secondary, developmental defects in the "knockout" strain. Together, our results demonstrate a novel and previously unanticipated role of IL-4 for the generation of Th1-associated, CTL-mediated tumor immunity.

Interleukin 4 gene-defective mice reconstituted with wild-type bone marrow fail to produce normal immunoglobulin E levels

The ability to reconstitute interleukin (IL)-4-/- mice with bone marrow of IL-4+/+ mice was investigated. The absence of the IL-4-/- gene in donor or recipient cells did not impair the reconstitution. All immunoglobulin (Ig) subsets occurred at normal serum levels except for IgE and to some extent IgG1. IgE production did not recover in the reconstituted mice over prolonged time. However, these mice were competent for IgE production, because a single intrasplenic injection of IL-4 restored IgE levels, which then remained constant. Wild-type mice reconstituted with wild-type bone marrow constantly had IgE serum levels comparable to untreated animals. In wild-type mice reconstituted with IL-4-/- bone marrow, IgE levels dropped gradually and disappeared by week 12. We make three unrelated but nonetheless important conclusions: (a) (immunoregulation) the tightly regulated IL-4 gene should be expressed constantly in low amounts (and with apparent absence of antigen stimulation) to keep the normal threshold of IgE; (b) (ontogeny of the immune system) an early unidentified source of IL-4 must be postulated which is lost in adult mice; and (c) (bone marrow transfer/gene therapy) under certain circumstances, the genotype of the recipient influences the reconstitution.

B cells inhibit induction of T cell-dependent tumor immunity

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated tumor immunity against major histocompatibility antigen (MHC) class I-positive but class II-negative tumors often requires help from CD4+ T cells. These CD4 cells are activated by MHC class II-positive cells that present tumor derived antigens. Considering that different antigen presenting cells, such as B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells compete for antigen and influence the outcome of an immune response, we analyzed tumor immunity in B cell-deficient mice. These mice appear normal with regard to T cell immunity and tolerance to some pure foreign antigens. We show here that the low immunogenicity of tumors is caused by B cells whose presence in the priming phase results in disabled CD4+ T cell help for CTL mediated tumor immunity. Instead, in the presence of B cells, a non-protective humoral immune response is induced. Our results may explain the enigmatic observation that tumor-reactive antibodies occur frequently in cancer patients.