Immunoglobulin-like Transcript Research Articles

Immunoglobulin-Like Transcript 5 Inhibits Macrophage-Mediated Bacterial Killing and Antigen Presentation During Sepsis.

Immunosuppression contributes to the mortality of sepsis. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of inhibitory receptor immunoglobulin-like transcript 5 (ILT5) in sepsis. We first screened the expression of ILT family members, and we found that ILT5 was dramatically up-regulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from sepsis patients versus healthy donors. Knockdown of ILT5 by small interfering ribonucleic acid increased bacterial killing and reactive oxygen species production in THP-1 and RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, ILT5-expressing monocytes/macrophages exhibited lower expression of antigen-presenting molecules including major histocompatibility complex-II and CD80. In the in vitro coculture system with monocytes/macrophages, blockage of ILT5 facilitated Th1 proliferation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that pretreatment with ILT5 blocking peptide improved the survival and pulmonary pathology of septic mice. Together, our study identified ILT5 as an immunosuppressive regulator during sepsis, which may provide potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis.

Association of HLA-G Polymorphisms in the 3‘UTR Region and Soluble HLA-G with Kidney Graft Outcome

ABSTRACTBackground: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) belongs to nonclassical HLA I molecule involving in the suppression of immune response. Besides its profound effect to induce fetal tolerance, HLA-G expression has been associated with allograft acceptance. For the regulation of HLA-G levels, polymorphic sites within the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) are of crucial importance. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between several HLA-G 3′UTR variants (+3003T/C, +3010C/G, +3027C/A, +3035C/T, +3142G/C, +3187A/G, and +3196C/G), soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) level, and kidney graft outcome in the Slovak Caucasian population.Methods: We investigated 69 kidney transplant recipients (45 males, 24 females) of age 27–65 years. Out of this group, 37 recipients developed acute rejection that was biopsy proven. Recipient’s plasma was obtained at 1 day before transplantation and analyzed by ELISA. The HLA-G 3′UTR polymorphisms were typed by direct sequencing.Results: In the recipients with stable allograft function, significantly higher values of sHLA-G were found in the homozygous +3010GG, +3142CC, +3187GG, and +3196CC carriers in comparison to the acute rejection recipients (P = 0.01-0.05).Conclusion: The study demonstrated genetic association between HLA-G 3′UTR variants and sHLA-G level in kidney recipients leading to graft acceptance. We suggest to monitor the pretransplantation sHLA-G level as additional marker to predict kidney graft outcome. Abbreviations: AMR: Antibody-mediated rejection; APC: antigen-presenting cell; CD: cluster of designation; del: deletion; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; ILT: immunoglobulin-like transcript; ins: insertion; KIR: killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor; NK: natural killer; sHLA-G: soluble HLA-G; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; TCMR: T cell-mediated rejection; URR: upstream regulatory region; UTR: untranslated region

Augmented ILT3/LILRB4 Expression of Peripheral Blood Antibody Secreting Cells in the Acute Phase of Kawasaki Disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, systemic vasculitis syndrome that occurs in children. The clinical symptoms and epidemiologic features of KD strongly suggest that KD is triggered by unidentified infectious agents in genetically predisposed patients. In addition, a number of studies have described the role of B cells in the development of KD. To obtain a mechanistic insight into the humoral immune response of B-lineage cells in KD patients, we examined peripheral blood antibody secreting cells (ASCs) and inhibitory immunoreceptors, immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)/leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILR), on each B cell subpopulation. Eighteen Japanese KD patients and thirteen healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined by flow cytometry for the number of CD19 B cells, the size of each B cell subset and the expression of the inhibitory isoforms of ILT/LILR on the B cell subset. The frequency of CD19CD27 ASCs was significantly increased in the acute phase of KD and reduced after high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Interestingly, while ILT2/LILRB1 expression was ubiquitously observed on every B cell/ASCs subset and the level was not significantly different after IVIG, ILT3/LILRB4 (B4) was uniquely expressed on only ASCs, and its expression was significantly decreased after IVIG. In the acute phase of KD, the frequency of ASCs is high with augmented B4 expression, whereas it is lower with decreased B4 expression after IVIG. Further studies of B4 expression on ASCs in autoimmune and infectious diseases will be needed to confirm the significance of our findings.

Immunoglobulin‑like transcript 4 and human leukocyte antigen‑G interaction promotes the progression of human colorectal cancer.

Immunoglobulin like transcript (ILT) 4, a negative regulator of immune response in allograft rejection, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, has recently been determined to serve important roles in tumor development. In the present study, the co expression of ILT4 and human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in tissues of human primary colorectal cancer (CRC) was revealed, and its association with older age, advanced stage, regional lymph node involvement and poor overall survival time was identified. In CRC cell lines, ILT4 and HLA-G co expression and their autocrine regulation was demonstrated. ILT4 interference affected HLA-G expression and regulated the cell proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC. HLA-G fusion protein treatment also increased ILT4 expression in a dose dependent manner, thereby activating protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, and facilitating the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Additionally, the AKT and ERK activation, and CRC cell malignant characteristics induced by HLA-G may be suppressed by blocking ILT4. The present results indicated that the interaction of ILT4 and its ligand HLA-G promotes CRC progression through AKT and ERK signal activation, providing a novel strategy of blocking ILT4/HLA-G for the treatment of CRC.

Der p 1-specific regulatory T-cell response during house dust mite allergen immunotherapy.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only available treatment for allergic diseases that can induce specific immune tolerance to allergens. The key mechanisms involved in this process include changes in allergen-specific regulatory T (Treg) cells. We studied 25 allergic rhinitis patients undergoing subcutaneous house dust mite-specific immunotherapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied before and after 10, 30weeks, and 3years of AIT. Der p 1-specific T regulatory cell responses were investigated by characterization of Der p 1-MHC class II tetramer-positive cells and correlated with nasal symptom score. Twelve of 25 AIT patients matched with their MHC class II expression to the Der p 1 peptide-MHC class II tetramers. A significant increase in the numbers of Der p 1-specific FOXP3+ Helios+ CD25+ CD127- Treg cells after 30weeks was observed, which slightly decreased after 3years of AIT. In contrast, Der p 1-specific immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT3)+ CD25+ Treg cells decreased substantially from baseline after 3years of AIT. ILT3+ Treg cells displayed compromised suppressive function and low FOXP3 expression. In addition, Der p 1-specific IL-10 and IL-22 responses have increased after 30weeks, but only IL-10+ Der p 1-specific Treg cells remained present at high frequency after 3years of AIT. Increased number of FOXP3+ Helios+ and IL-10+ and decreased ILT3+ Treg cell responses correlated with improved allergic symptoms. The results indicate that AIT involves upregulation of the activated allergen-specific Treg cells and downregulation of dysfunctional allergen-specific Treg cell subset. Correction of dysregulated Treg cells responses during AIT is associated with improved clinical response.

The role of Treg cell subsets in allergic disease.

Allergic diseases are caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to an external substance that is normally not harmful to the body. An imbalance between type 2 immune response and regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been found to be effective in immunopathology of allergic diseases. Tregs can inhibit type 2 immune cells such as T helper 2 (Th2), type 2 innate lymphoid cells and IgE-producing B cells; meanwhile, they induce tolerogenic dendritic cells, regulatory B cells and IgG4-producing B cells. Tregs play a critical role in maintaining immune tolerance to allergens that regulate the type 2 immune response in patients with allergic diseases. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal treatment modality to reduce allergic symptoms by altering the immune response to allergens. A key feature of AIT is to induce and maintain immune tolerance to allergens that enhances functionality, while inducing and maintaining Tregs in allergic patients. In this review, we discuss the six subsets of Tregs, natural (nTregs), inducible Treg (iTregs), inducible costimulatory (ICOS+ Tregs), Tr1, CD8+ Tregs and IL-17-producing Tregs, and their role in allergic disease and allergen immune tolerance. We also discuss specific markers of dysregulated Tregs in allergy such as, immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT) 3, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) and ST2. These novel molecules on Tregs provide an opportunity for novel treatment strategies aimed at changing the function of Tregs in allergic diseases.

Human Leukocyte Antigen-G Restores Immune Tolerance in Immune Thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune bleeding disorder in which loss of immune tolerance leads to platelet destruction. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex class I antigen including four membrane-bound (mHLA-G, HLA-G1 to -G4) and three soluble (sHLA-G, HLA-G5 to -G7) isoforms due to alternative splicing of the HLA-G primary transcript. HLA-G exerts immunosuppressive functions by interacting with its inhibitory receptors, immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs), expressing differentially on natural killer cells, T cells, and antigen presenting cells.Upon binding to ILTs, HLA-G suppressed lymphocyte proliferation, promoted apoptosis of cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells, inhibited antibody secretion from activated B cells, and induced expansion of suppressive T cells, tolerogenic dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. HLA-G supports immune escape, and high level of HLA-G is associated with unfavorable outcomes in cancer patients. Meanwhile, HLA-G-induced tolerance can benefit human allotransplantation and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, but the role of HLA-G in the treatment of ITP is still unclear.Here we observed significantly less soluble HLA-G in plasma from ITP patients positive for anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa and/or anti-GPIb/IX autoantibodies compared with autoantibody-negative patients or healthy controls. However, no significant difference was found in the sHLA-G levels between anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIbIIIa and anti-GPIb-IX autoantibodies groups. Interestingly, sHLA-G is positively correlated with platelet counts in ITP patients both with and without autoantibodies, suggesting that HLA-G can also protect platelets from destruction through other mechanisms. To elucidate this, we then analyzed both expression of membrane HLA-G and ILTs on PBMCs. Our data found less membrane-bound HLA-G and ILTs on CD4+T cells and CD14+cells in ITP patients. Moreover, recombinant human HLA-G (rhHLA-G) upregulated expression of ILT2 on CD4+and ILT4 on CD14+cells. The upregulation of ILT by rhHLA-G indicates that sHLA-G might also benefit ITP patients negative for anti-platelet autoantibodies.To determine whether rhHLA-G affects T cell differentiation, we tested 17 cytokines by ELISA to investigate the immune environment with or without rhHLA-G, and found that rhHLA-G upregulated Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, and downregulated tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-12, and IL-17 secreted by ITP patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), indicating a promotion of helper T(Th)2 and inhibition of Th1 and Th17 differentiation. However, our results indicated that rhHLA-G did not expand the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cells(Tregs). In addition, rhHLA-G exerted their immunosuppressive effects by upregulating IL-1β, IL-2, Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). By reprogramming the cytokine profile in ITP patients, HLA-G established an optimal environment for the impaired cell populations, such as dendritic cells (DCs), to regain their tolerogenic function. Our results showed that rhHLA-G inhibited monocyte-derived DCs maturation by downregulating CD80 and CD86 expression. To further assess whether the rhHLA-G modulated-DCs were functionally tolerogenic, PBMCs were then cocultured with rhHLA-G modulated-DCs. Our results showed that rhHLA-G-modulated DCs from ITP patients suppressed CD4+T cell proliferation by 38.8% compared to unmodulated cells. Besides, PBMCs exposed to rhHLA-G were less cytotoxic toward plateletsfrom ITP patients or healthy subjects. This study provides a potential strategy to protect exogenous platelets from destruction in ITP patients.In conclusion, our data demonstrated that impaired expression of HLA-G and/or ILT is involved in the pathogenesis of ITP, and recombinant human HLA-G can restore immune tolerance in ITP patients via upregulation of ILTs, which indicates that HLA-G can be a diagnostic marker and also a therapeutic option for ITP treatment. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Functionalization-dependent effects of cellulose nanofibrils on tolerogenic mechanisms of human dendritic cells

BackgroundCellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are attractive nanomaterials for various biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and biomimetic properties. However, their immunoregulatory properties are insufficiently investigated, especially in relation to their functionalization, which could cause problems during their clinical application.MethodsUsing a model of human dendritic cells (DC), which have a central role in the regulation of immune response, we investigated how differentially functionalized CNF, ie, native (n) CNF, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl radical-oxidized (c) CNF, and 3-aminopropylphosphoric acid-functionalized (APAc) CNF, affect DC properties, their viability, morphology, differentiation and maturation potential, and the capacity to regulate T cell-mediated immune response.ResultsNontoxic doses of APAcCNF displayed the strongest inhibitory effects on DC differentiation, maturation, and T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 polarization capacity, followed by cCNF and nCNF, respectively. These results correlated with a specific pattern of regulatory cytokines production by APAcCNF-DC and their increased capacity to induce suppressive CD8+CD25+IL-10+ regulatory T cells in immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-3- and ILT-4- dependent manner. In contrast, nCNF-DC induced predominantly suppressive CD4+CD25hiFoxP3hi regulatory T cells in indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1-dependent manner. Different tolerogenic properties of CNF correlated with their size and APA functionalization, as well as with different expression of CD209 and actin bundles at the place of contact with CNF.ConclusionThe capacity to induce different types of DC-mediated tolerogenic immune responses by functionalized CNF opens new perspectives for their application as well-tolerated nanomaterials in tissue engineering and novel platforms for the therapy of inflammatory T cell-mediated pathologies.

Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges.

Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.

Expression of ILT3 predicts poor prognosis and is inversely associated with infiltration of CD45RO+ T cells in patients with colorectal cancer

Immunoglobulin like transcript 3 (ILT3) was previously identified as an inhibitory receptor to induce T cell anergy in tranplantation, autoimmunity and allergy. Here we aimed to investigate the expression of ILT3 in colorectal cancer, analyze the association between ILT3 expression and clinicopathological variables and prognosis, and evaluate the correlation between the expression of ILT3 and CD45RO+ T cells density. Expression of ILT3 was identified on the cell membrane and/or in the cytoplasm. High expression ILT3 was identified in 55 of 85 (64.7%) tumor specimens, which was significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal tissues(5/30) (P < 0.001). High ILT3 expression was significantly associated with positive lymph node metastasis (N1-2; P = 0.03), advanced disease (stage III–IV; P = 0.03), and reduced OS in patients. The ILT3 expression level was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.004) and inversely correlated with the number of CD45RO+ T cells (P = 0.019). In the present study, high ILT3 expression was observed in colorectal cancer and inversely associated with CD45RO+ T cells density and prognosis, suggesting that ILT3 played an important role in tumor progression by possible influence on CD45RO+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Interleukin-6 is a key factor for immunoglobulin-like transcript-4-mediated immune injury in sepsis

BackgroundILT4+ monocytes seem to be associated with poor prognosis of sepsis in humans, but the exact mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to examine the biological behaviors and effects of immunoglobulin-like transcript-4 (ILT4) levels on monocytes during sepsis and on the prognosis of sepsis.MethodsILT4+/+ (WT) and ILT4-knockout (ILT4−/−) male BALB/c mice were used for sepsis modeling using cecal ligation puncture (CLP). Flow cytometry was used to measure the levels of ILT4 and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) on peripheral blood monocytes 24 h after CLP. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after CLP. Survival and prognosis were monitored over the course of 168 h.ResultsILT4 was highly expressed in peripheral blood monocytes of septic mice 24 h after CLP (1292.00 ± 143.70 vs. 193.50 ± 52.54, p < 0.05). MHC-II levels on peripheral blood monocytes in ILT4−/− mice were significantly higher than those in WT mice (49.38 ± 5.66% vs. 24.25 ± 6.76%, p < 0.05). Serum IL-6 was significantly elevated 24 h after CLP (470.75 ± 88.03 vs. 54.25 ± 20.04, p < 0.05). The serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in ILT4−/− mice compared with those in WT mice after CLP (241.25 ± 45.10 vs. 470.75 ± 88.03, p < 0.05), but TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12 were not changed. The survival of ILT4−/− mice was significantly better after CLP compared with that of WT mice.ConclusionsHigh levels of ILT4 on monocytes were observed in peripheral blood during sepsis and found to be associated with high serum IL-6 levels and low MHC-II levels on monocytes, possibly associated with higher mortality. ILT-4-IL-6-MHC-II could be a potential signaling pathway involved in sepsis.

Inflammatory biomarker profiling in classical orthostatic hypotension: Insights from the SYSTEMA cohort

ObjectiveTo investigate the inflammatory biomarker signature associated with classical orthostatic hypotension (OH). MethodsA cross-sectional study including 778 patients with unexplained syncope and/or orthostatic intolerance undergoing head-up tilt test (HUT) and supine blood sampling. Of these, 98 met diagnostic criteria of classical OH and 181 demonstrated normal haemodynamic response during HUT. Blood plasma samples were analysed by antibody-based Proximity Extension Assay technique simultaneously measuring 57 inflammatory and cancer-related human protein biomarkers. The discovery algorithm was a sequential two-step process of biomarker signature identification by multivariate principal component analysis (PCA), and verification by univariate ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. ResultsPatients with classical OH were older (68 vs. 60years; p<0.001) and more likely to be men (58 vs. 41%; p<0.001). PCA and Bonferroni-adjusted ANOVA identified midkine (MK), immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT-3), regenerating islet-derived protein 4 (REG-4), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type 5 (TR-AP) as the most robust targeted biomarker signature for OH. In multivariate regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, cardiovascular disease and risk factors, the results remained significant for ILT-3 (p=0.036), MK (p=0.008) and REG-4 (p=0.024), but not for TR-AP. ConclusionsTargeted protein profiling in classical orthostatic hypotension reveals a biomarker signature associated with immunoregulatory functions and vascular inflammation. Circulating levels of midkine, immunoglobulin-like transcript-3, regenerating islet-derived protein-4 are elevated in orthostatic hypotension, suggesting a complex interplay among inflammation, autonomic dysfunction and atherothrombosis.

Human Semaphorin-4A drives Th2 responses by binding to receptor ILT-4

Semaphorin-4A (Sema4A) has been implicated in the co-stimulation of T cells and drives Th1 immune responses by binding to the receptor T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 2 (Tim-2) in mice. Here we show that human, but not murine, Sema4A is preferentially expressed on antigen-presenting cells, and co-stimulates CD4+ T-cell proliferation and drives Th2 responses. By employing two independent cloning strategies, we demonstrate that Immunoglobulin-like transcript 4 (ILT-4) is a receptor for human SEMA4A (hSEMA4A) on activated CD4+ T cells. We also find hSEMA4A to be highly expressed in human asthmatic lung tissue, implying its potential function in disease pathogenesis. Our study defines a different biological function of hSEMA4A from its murine homolog through its binding to the receptor of ILT-4 to co-stimulate CD4+T cells and regulate Th2 cells differentiation.

Pediatric tolerogenic DCs expressing CD4 and immunoglobulin-like transcript receptor (ILT)-4 secrete IL-10 in response to Fc and adenosine.

We characterized a novel population of tolerogenic myeloid dendritic cells (tmDCs) defined as CD11c+ CD11b+ CD14+ CD4+ and immunoglobulin-like transcript receptor (ILT)-4+ that are significantly more abundant in the circulation of infants and young children than in adults. TmDCs secrete the immunosuppressive lymphokine interleukin (IL)-10 when stimulated with the heavy constant region of immunoglobulins (Fc) and express high levels of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2A R), which, when activated by adenosine, inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from most immune cells. Here we show that stimulation of the A2A R on tmDCs by regadenoson or N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) rapidly increases cyclic AMP accumulation and enhances IL-10 production under Fc stimulatory conditions. In co-culture experiments, tmDCs inhibit the differentiation of naïve Tcells to a pro-inflammatory phenotype. In conclusion, although DCs are classically viewed as antigen presenting cells that activate Tcells, we show an independent role of tmDCs in pediatric immune regulation that may be important for suppressing Tcell responses to neoantigens in infants and young children.

AB029. Physiological expression of HLA-G and pregnancy

: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule with immune-modulatory properties. Such molecule predominantly possesses tolerogenic and anti-inflammatory functions. Until now, it has been verified the existence of seven isoforms of HLA-G, being that four are membrane-bound isoforms and the other three are soluble isoforms. During physiological pregnancy, it should be noted that HLA-G is expressed in high levels by extravillous cytotrophoblasts. It has been proposed that in the course of pregnancy period HLA-G induces fetus immune tolerance through direct binding to the inhibitory receptors immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-2 present on lymphoid and myelomonocytic cells, and ILT-4 expressed by dendritic cells, macrophages and monocytes. In addition, in this context, the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor expressed by natural killer (NK) cells is also an HLA-G-specific receptor. Therefore, HLA-G induces the maintenance of maternal-fetal tolerance at different stages of the immune response, such as in differentiation, proliferation, cytolysis and cytokine secretion, given that it can directly interact with different immune cell subpopulations. Furthermore, by indirect mechanisms HLA-G can express the nonclassical HLA class I molecule HLA-E, which directly binds peptides derived from HLA-G. Consequently, HLA-E can interact with the inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A (present on NK cells and T lymphocytes) resulting in inhibition of cytolysis. However, despite this some controversies can be found in the literature about this subject. We expect that the original results of our ongoing research can provide new and relevant explanations concerning the role of HLA-G during pregnancy. We aim to publish them soon in a scientific journal.

Analysis of the regulatory function of natural killer cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Natural killer (NK) cells participate in the regulation of the immune response. However, the immunomodulatory function of NK cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regulatory function of NK cells in SLE patients and to identify the NK cells involved in the pathogenesis of this complex disease. We analysed the expression of NK receptors and co-stimulatory molecules in peripheral NK cells (CD3- CD56+ ) from SLE patients, as well as the numbers of human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR)/CD11c+ NK cells. In addition, NK cell regulatory function was assessed by the detection of NK cell-mediated dendritic cell (DC) lysis. We found that SLE patients showed increased numbers of immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 (ILT2)+ , CD86+ and CD134+ NK cells. Furthermore, NK cells from SLE patients induced higher levels of DC lysis. We were able to identify a new subset of NK cells co-expressing CD11c and HLA-DR. These atypical NK cells were increased in SLE patients when compared with controls. We have identified an expanded new subset of NK cells in SLE patients. This is the first study, to our knowledge, which demonstrates that NK cells in SLE patients have an altered phenotype with a high expression of receptors characteristic of dendritic cells. Our results suggest that the impairment in the regulatory function of NK cells, together with the increased number of DC-like NK cells, could play an important role in the development of SLE and highlight the importance of NK cells as a future therapeutic target.

Ectopic ILT3 controls BCR-dependent activation of Akt in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

AbstractThe high proportion of long-term nonprogressors among chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients suggests the existence of a regulatory network that restrains the proliferation of tumor B cells. The identification of molecular determinants composing such network is hence fundamental for our understanding of CLL pathogenesis. Based on our previous finding establishing a deficiency in the signaling adaptor p66Shc in CLL cells, we undertook to identify unique phenotypic traits caused by this defect. Here we show that a lack of p66Shc shapes the transcriptional profile of CLL cells and leads to an upregulation of the surface receptor ILT3, the immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 that is normally found on myeloid cells. The ectopic expression of ILT3 in CLL was a distinctive feature of neoplastic B cells and hematopoietic stem cells, thus identifying ILT3 as a selective marker of malignancy in CLL and the first example of phenotypic continuity between mature CLL cells and their progenitors in the bone marrow. ILT3 expression in CLL was found to be driven by Deltex1, a suppressor of antigen receptor signaling in lymphocytes. Triggering of ILT3 inhibited the activation of Akt kinase upon B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. This effect was achieved through the dynamic coalescence of ILT3, BCRs, and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase 1 into inhibitory clusters at the cell surface. Collectively, our findings identify ILT3 as a signature molecule of p66Shc deficiency in CLL and indicate that ILT3 may functionally contribute to a regulatory network controlling tumor progression by suppressing the Akt pathway.

Programmed death 1 is highly expressed on CD8+ CD57+ T cells in patients with stable multiple sclerosis and inhibits their cytotoxic response to Epstein-Barr virus.

Growing evidence points to a deregulated response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the central nervous system of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) as a possible cause of disease. We have investigated the response of a subpopulation of effector CD8+ T cells to EBV in 36 healthy donors and in 35 patients with MS in active and inactive disease. We have measured the expression of markers of degranulation, the release of cytokines, cytotoxicity and the regulation of effector functions by inhibitory receptors, such as programmed death 1 (PD-1) and human inhibitor receptor immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 (ILT2). We demonstrate that polyfunctional cytotoxic CD8+ CD57+ T cells are able to kill EBV-infected cells in healthy donors. In contrast, an anergic exhaustion-like phenotype of CD8+ CD57+ T cells with high expression of PD-1 was observed in inactive patients with MS compared with active patients with MS or healthy donors. Detection of CD8+ CD57+ T cells in meningeal inflammatory infiltrates from post-mortem MS tissue confirmed the association of this cell phenotype with the disease pathological process. The overall results suggest that ineffective immune control of EBV in patietns with MS during remission may be one factor preceding and enabling the reactivation of the virus in the central nervous system and may cause exacerbation of the disease.

Identification and verification of hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibody variable region sequences using recombinant DNA technology and mass spectrometry

Antibody engineering requires the identification of antigen binding domains or variable regions (VR) unique to each antibody. It is the VR that define the unique antigen binding properties and proper sequence identification is essential for functional evaluation and performance of recombinant antibodies (rAb). This determination can be achieved by sequence analysis of immunoglobulin (Ig) transcripts obtained from a monoclonal antibody (MAb) producing hybridoma and subsequent expression of a rAb. However the polyploidy nature of a hybridoma cell often results in the added expression of aberrant immunoglobulin-like transcripts or even production of anomalous antibodies which can confound production of rAb. An incorrect VR sequence will result in a non-functional rAb and de novo assembly of Ig primary structure without a sequence map is challenging. To address these problems, we have developed a methodology which combines: 1) selective PCR amplification of VR from both the heavy and light chain IgG from hybridoma, 2) molecular cloning and DNA sequence analysis and 3) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on enzyme digests obtained from the purified IgG. Peptide analysis proceeds by evaluating coverage of the predicted primary protein sequence provided by the initial DNA maps for the VR. This methodology serves to both identify and verify the primary structure of the MAb VR for production as rAb.

Highly-Exposed HIV-1 seronegative Female Commercial Sex Workers sustain in their genital mucosa increased frequencies of tolerogenic myeloid and regulatory T-cells

We and others have shown that HIV-1 highly-exposed seronegative (HESN) female commercial sex workers (CSWs) maintain low genital inflammatory conditions to prevent HIV infection. HIV-1 interacts with toll-like receptors (TLR)-7/8 to induce interferon (IFN)-α, an important antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokine, which act together with interleukin (IL)-10, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-4 to initiate a “tolerogenic/regulatory” anti-inflammatory loop. In view of further unravelling elements associated with natural immunity to HIV-1, we have characterised TLR-7, IFN-α, IL-10, HLA-G and ILT-4 expression profiles in the genital tract of female CSWs and HIV-1-uninfected non-CSWs from Benin. Endocervical myeloid HLA-DR+ cells from HESN CSWs expressed higher levels of IFN-α, TLR-7, IL-10 and HLA-G than those from both HIV-1-infected CSWs and HIV-1-uninfected non-CSWs. Further characterization of the endocervical myeloid HLA-DR+ cells in HESN CSWs revealed a population of “tolerogenic” CD103+ CD14+ CD11c+ myeloid cells expressing high levels of IFN-α and IL-10. Concomitantly, HESN CSWs had higher frequencies of endocervical regulatory CD4+ T-cells when compared to those from the two other groups of women. These novel findings provide strong evidence to support the implication of tolerogenic myeloid cells expressing high levels of antiviral molecules in shaping the genital mucosal immune response to prevent HIV infection.