Lymphocyte Function-associated Molecule Research Articles

Association of Ribonuclease T2 Gene Polymorphisms With Decreased Expression and Clinical Characteristics of Severity in Crohn’s Disease

Variants in the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 gene (TNFSF15, also called TL1A) have been associated with risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). TL1A affects expression of multiple cytokines to promote mucosal inflammation. Little is known about the TL1A-response pathways that regulate cytokine expression. We investigated T-cell gene expression patterns to determine the mechanisms by which TL1A regulates cytokine production, and whether these associate with outcomes of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Peripheral T cells isolated from normal donors were cultured with TL1A. We performed gene expression profile analysis by RNA sequencing of subsets of interferon gamma (IFNG)-producing and non-producing cells purified by flow cytometry. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was used to identify gene expression differences between these subsets. Ribonuclease T2 gene (RNASET2) expression and methylation were assessed by quantitative trait loci analyses. Clinical characteristics of patients (complications, resistance to therapy, and recurrence time) were associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in RNASET2. We performed motif screening to identify polymorphisms that disrupt transcription factor binding sites. Levels of RNASET2 were knocked down with small interfering RNA in CD4+ T cells and the effect on protein expression was determined by proteomic analysis and cytokine production. Cell aggregation was measured by flow cytometry. We identified 764 genes with at least a 2-fold difference in TL1A-mediated expression between IFNG-secreting and non-secreting T cells (P < 1× 10-5). Many of these genes were located near IBD susceptibility variants. RNASET2 was the only IBD risk-associated gene with >5-fold down-regulation in the IFNG-secreting subset. RNASET2 disease risk variants were associated with decreased expression in peripheral and mucosal tissues and DNA hypermethylation in CD patients requiring surgical intervention. RNASET2 disease risk variants were associated in CD patients with more complicated disease or resistance to therapy, defined in part by failed response to treatment, increased length of intestinal resection, shorter time to repeat surgery, and high Rutgeerts score (>2) in postoperative endoscopy. The RNASET2 variant rs2149092 was predicted to disrupt a consensus binding site for the transcription factor ETS within an enhancer region. Expression of RNASET2 correlated with expression of ETS. RNASET2 knockdown in T cells increased expression of IFNG and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and induced T-cell aggregation. A blocking antibody against (ILFA1), disrupting the lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1-intercellular adhesion molecule 1 interaction, reduced T-cell production of IFNG. We identified decreased expression of RNASET2 as a component of TL1A-mediated increase in production of IFNG and as a potential biomarker for patients with severe CD. Further study of the role of RNASET2 in regulating mucosal inflammation may lead to development of novel therapeutic targets.

Lung ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 support spontaneous intravascular effector lymphocyte entrapment but are not required for neutrophil entrapment or emigration inside endotoxin-inflamed lungs.

The pulmonary vasculature constitutively expresses the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 ligands intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and -2. In this study, effector T cells were temporarily entrapped by the lung vasculature on their way to inflamed lymph nodes, and this entrapment was strongly reduced in ICAM-1 and -2 double-deficient mice (79 and 86% reduction for CD8(+) and CD4(+) effectors, respectively, compared with wild-type mice). Although the pulmonary vasculature has been suggested to be masked by the heparan sulfate-containing glycocalyx, which is susceptible to heparanase-mediated shedding, lung and lymphocyte heparanase have been found to be unnecessary for this entrapment. Systemic LPS induced rapid neutrophil entrapment in the lung vasculature, but in contrast to T-cell entrapment, this sequestration was ICAM-1, ICAM-2, and heparanase independent. Furthermore, neutrophil migration into the bronchoalveolar space induced by LPS inhalation and LPS-induced leakage of red blood cells into this space were not dependent on lung ICAMs or heparanase activity. Nevertheless, heparanase was critical for neutrophil accumulation in smoke-exposed lungs. Our results indicate that, whereas T cells use ICAM-1 and -2 for temporary pulmonary entrapment, neutrophils get sequestered and extravasate into inflamed lungs independent of ICAMs. This is the first demonstration that the pulmonary vasculature is differentially recognized by T cells and neutrophils.-Petrovich, E., Feigelson, S. W., Stoler-Barak, L., Hatzav, M., Solomon, A., Bar-Shai, A., Ilan, N., Li, J.-P., Engelhardt, B., Vlodavsky, I., Alon, R. Lung ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 support spontaneous intravascular effector lymphocyte entrapment but are not required for neutrophil entrapment or emigration inside endotoxin-inflamed lungs.

Neutrophil-derived resistin release induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Resistin is an adipokine that induces insulin resistance in mice. In humans, resistin is not produced in adipocytes, but in various leukocytes instead, and it acts as a proinflammatory molecule. The present investigation demonstrated high levels of resistin in culture supernatants of neutrophils that are stimulated by a highly leukotoxic strain of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. In contrast, the level of resistin was remarkably low when neutrophils were exposed to two other strains that produce minimal levels of leukotoxin and a further isogenic mutant strain incapable of producing leukotoxin. Pretreatment of neutrophils with a monoclonal antibody to CD18, β chain of lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1 (LFA-1), or an Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor before incubation with the highly leukotoxic strain inhibited the release of resistin. These results show that A. actinomycetemcomitans-expressed leukotoxin induces extracellular release of human neutrophil-derived resistin by interacting with LFA-1 on the surface of neutrophils and, consequently, activating Src family tyrosine kinases.

Analysis of dynamic tyrosine phosphoproteome in LFA‐1 triggered migrating t‐cells

The ordered, directional migration of T-lymphocytes is a key process during immune surveillance and response. This requires cell adhesion to the high endothelial venules or to the extracellular matrix by a series of surface receptor/ligand interactions involving adhesion molecules of the integrin family including lymphocyte function associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs). Reversible protein phosphorylation is emerging as a key player in the regulation of biological functions with tyrosine phosphorylation playing a crucial role in signal transduction. Thus, the study of this type of post-translational modification at the proteomic level has great biological significance. In this work, phospho-enriched cell lysates from LFA-1-triggered migrating human T-cells were subjected to immunoaffinity purification of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, mass spectrometric, and bioinformatic analysis. In addition to the identification of several well-documented proteins, the analysis suggested involvement of a number of new and novel proteins in LFA-1 induced T-cell migration. This dataset expands the list of the signaling components of the LFA-1 induced phosphotyrosine protein complexes in migrating T-cells that will be extremely useful in the study of their specific roles within LFA-1 associated signaling pathways. Identification of proteins previously not reported in the context of LFA-1 stimulated signal transduction might provide new insights into understanding the LFA-1 signaling networks and aid in the search for new potential therapeutic targets.

Suppression by methylprednisolone of the expression of LFA-1 by alveolar macrophages in irradiated rat lungs

A common side effect of radiotherapy is the development of fibrosis in the irradiated tissue. To study the effects of methylprednisolone on acute radiation-induced lung injury, we counted neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages, and measured the expression on alveolar macrophages of lymphocyte function associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid recovered from irradiated rat lungs. Twenty 10-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each: (1) a radiation group (R), which received 20 Gy of radiation from 60Co to the left hemithorax in one fraction; (/) a methylprednisolone treatment group (RS), which received the same dose of radiation as the R group, along with 2.0 mg x kg-1 of methylprednisolone (6 alpha methylprednisolone 21-acetate) by intramuscular injection 6 hours before and every 48 hours after irradiation; (3) an untreated control group (C); and (4) a methylprednisolone control group (S), which received the same dosage of methylprednisolone as the RS group. Rats were kept under specific-pathogen-free conditions. Bronchoalveolar lavage of the left lung was done in all 4 groups 2 week after irradiation. The number of neutrophils in the recovered fluid was significantly higher in the R and RS groups than in the C and S groups. The expression of LFA-1 on alveolar macrophages was significantly higher in the R group than in the RS, C, and S groups. The number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the expression of LFA-1 on alveolar macrophages were significantly higher in the R group than in the RS groups. These results suggest that the increase in the expression of LFA-1 on alveolar macrophages and the increase in the number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are related to acute radiation-induced lung injury. Methylprednisolone suppressed the expression of LFA-1 on alveolar macrophages and the increase in the number of neutrophils measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 2 weeks after irradiation.

Induction of homotypic aggregation in the rainbow trout macrophage-like cell line, RTS11

The rainbow trout monocyte/macrophage-like cell line, RTS11, has been used to study homotypic aggregation (HA), which is a well-studied feature of leucocytes in mammals but less understood in fish. HA is the aggregation of cells of the same cell type. RTS11 underwent HA in response to polyinosinic:cytidylic acid (poly IC), polyadenylic acid (poly A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), zymosan, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Poly IC was the best inducer of HA and did so in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The induction of RTS11 aggregation by poly IC required divalent cations but was not blocked by either an inhibitor of lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) or the tripeptide integrin adhesion recognition sequence, RGD. Poly IC-induced HA was inhibited by colchicine and latrunculin B, which act on microtubules and microfilaments, respectively, implying the necessity for an intact cytoskeleton. HA induction by poly IC did not occur at 4 °C and was blocked by the transcriptional and translational inhibitors, actinomycin D and cycloheximide, respectively, suggesting the requirement for de novo protein synthesis. Poly IC-induced RTS11 aggregation was blocked by two inhibitors of dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). This is the first indication that PKR could have a role in the HA of leucocytes.

Distinct role of hydrodynamic shear in leukocyte-facilitated tumor cell extravasation

Previously, we found polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) increased melanoma cell extravasation under flow conditions (Intl J Cancer 106: 713-722, 2003). In this study, we characterized the effect of hydrodynamic shear on PMN-facilitated melanoma extravasation using a novel flow-migration assay. The effect of shear stress and shear rate on PMN-facilitated melanoma extravasation was studied by increasing the medium viscosity with dextran to increase shear stress independently of shear rate. Under fixed shear rate conditions, melanoma cell extravasation did not change significantly. In contrast, the extravasation level increased at a fixed shear stress but with a decreasing shear rate. PMN-melanoma aggregation and adhesion to the endothelium via beta(2)-integrin/intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) interactions were also studied. Lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) influenced the capture phase of PMN binding to both melanoma cells and the endothelium, whereas Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) affected prolonged PMN-melanoma aggregation. Blockage of E-selectin or ICAM-1 on the endothelium or ICAM-1 on the melanoma surface reduced PMN-facilitated melanoma extravasation. We have found PMN-melanoma adhesion is correlated with the inverse of shear rate, whereas the PMN-endothelial adhesion correlated with shear stress. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) also influenced PMN-melanoma cell adhesion. Functional blocking of the PMN IL-8 receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, decreased the level of Mac-1 upregulation on PMNs while in contact with melanoma cells and reduced melanoma extravasation. We have found PMN-facilitated melanoma adhesion to be a complex multistep process that is regulated by both microfluid mechanics and biology.

Secondary metabolites from marine cyanobacteria and algae inhibit LFA-1/ICAM-1 mediated cell adhesion.

An assay for inhibitors of LFA-1/ICAM-1 mediated cell-cell adhesion has been employed to identify new pharmacologically active compounds from marine cyanobacteria and algae. From a panel of sixty unusual marine natural products, seventeen compounds inhibited LFA-1/ICAM-1-based cell aggregation without showing significant cytotoxicity in the primary assay. Six compounds inhibited the cell-cell adhesion of HL-60 cells to CHO-ICAM-1 cells. The unusual oxylipin Cymathere aldehyde methyl ester (IC (50) 3.5 microM), cyanobacterial lipopeptides microcolins B (IC (50) 0.15 microM) and D (IC (50) 0.9 microM), bromophenol avrainvilleol (IC (50) 2.2 microM), sesquiterpene cymopol (IC (50) 2.7 microM), and cryptophyte derived compound styrylchromone hormothamnione diacetate (IC (50) 1.5 microM) significantly inhibited LFA-1/ICAM-1 mediated cell adhesion. The pharmacological activity and structure-activity relationships of selected marine algal metabolites are described. Abbreviations. LFA-1:Lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 ICAM-1:Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 PMA:Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate HL-60:Promyelocytic human leukemia-60 CHO:Chinese hamster ovary

Caspase 1 involvement in human monocyte lysis induced by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, an oral bacterium implicated in the etiology of periodontal diseases, produces a leukotoxin that selectively lyses primate neutrophils and monocytes, the major populations of defense cells in the periodontium. Though lysis requires expression of the receptor lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1 (LFA-1) on the cell surface, not all LFA-1-expressing leukocyte populations are equally susceptible to the toxin. In this study, the susceptibility of human leukocytes to leukotoxin-induced lysis is compared to their expression of LFA-1 and the activity of caspase 1. Cytolysis was determined by the activity of lactate dehydrogenase released from peripheral human leukocytes after 1-h exposure to leukotoxin. Monocytes were lysed at leukotoxin concentrations of > or = 5 ng/ml, while the corresponding values for neutrophils and lymphocytes were approximately 10 times greater. Similar LFA-1 expression was found in all susceptible cell populations irrespective of their degree of sensitivity to the toxin. Exposure of monocytes to leukotoxin increased their caspase 1 activity about fivefold within 10 to 20 min. Presence of the caspase 1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK significantly blocked the leukotoxin-induced lysis of monocytes only. At sublytic concentrations, leukotoxin induced no apoptotic activity in monocytes, as revealed by the lack of caspase 3 activation and DNA fragmentation. Monocytes are the most lysis-sensitive leukocytes for A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin. Their lysis by this toxin depends on caspase 1 activation and proceeds through a process that differs from classical apoptosis.

Cag+ Helicobacter pylori induces homotypic aggregation of macrophage-like cells by up-regulation and recruitment of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 to the cell surface.

Infection with cag+ but not cag-negative Helicobacter pylori leads to the formation of large homotypic aggregates of macrophage-like cells. Intracellular adhesion molecule 1 is up-regulated and recruited to the cell surface of infected cells and mediates the aggregation via lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1. This signaling may regulate cell-cell interactions and inflammatory responses.

Enhanced HIV type 1 neutralization by human anti-glycoprotein 120 monoclonal antibodies in the presence of monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1.

Cellular adhesion receptor LFA-1 and its ICAM ligands are known to play a role in HIV infection. The presence of these molecules on virions and target cells promotes virus infectivity and has previously been shown to hinder virus neutralization by anti-HIV antibodies. To delineate the effect of these molecules on neutralization of HIV-1, human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to V3 and the CD4-binding domain (CD4bd) of gp120 were examined in the presence of anti-LFA-1 MAbs. When either of two anti-LFA-1 MAbs was present, higher levels of virus neutralization were achieved by both anti-V3 and anti-CD4bd MAbs. This effect was observed with primary HIV-1 isolates as well as with a laboratory-adapted strain. However, this activity was seen only when an anti-LFA-1 MAb was combined with anti-gp120 MAbs that exhibited virus-specific neutralizing activities, demonstrating the specificity of both the anti-LFA-1 and anti-gp120 MAbs. Enhanced neutralization by anti-gp120 MAbs was observed if the anti-LFA-1 MAb was present during the initial 24 hr only, if added 24 hr after infection, or if present throughout the culture period. These data suggest that the anti-LFA-1 MAbs could act at different stages of HIV-1 infection, including the initial virus-cell interaction as well as during the amplification and spread of virus from cell to cell. These findings demonstrate the significant role of LFA-1 in HIV-1 infection and have important implications for evaluating the neutralizing activity of anti-HIV antibodies.

Dual role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating cell adhesion mediated by the integrin lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1.

Intracellular signals are required to activate the leukocyte-specific adhesion receptor lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) to bind its ligand, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). In this study, we investigated the role of the cytoskeleton in LFA-1 activation and demonstrate that filamentous actin (F-actin) can both enhance and inhibit LFA-1-mediated adhesion, depending on the distribution of LFA-1 on the cell surface. We observed that LFA-1 is already clustered on the cell surface of interleukin-2/phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes. These cells bind strongly ICAM-1 and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton inhibits adhesion. In contrast to interleukin-2/phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, resting lymphocytes, which display a homogenous cell surface distribution of LFA-1, respond poorly to intracellular signals to bind ICAM-1, unless the actin cytoskeleton is disrupted. On resting peripheral blood lymphocytes, uncoupling of LFA-1 from the actin cytoskeleton induces clustering of LFA-1 and this, along with induction of a high-affinity form of LFA-1, via "inside-out" signaling, results in enhanced binding to ICAM-1, which is dependent on intact intermediate filaments, microtubules, and metabolic energy. We hypothesize that linkage of LFA-1 to cytoskeletal elements prevents movement of LFA-1 over the cell surface, thus inhibiting clustering and strong ligand binding. Release from these cytoskeletal elements allows lateral movement and activation of LFA-1, resulting in ligand binding and "outside-in" signaling, that subsequently stimulates actin polymerization and stabilizes cell adhesion.

CD81 expressed on human thymocytes mediates integrin activation and interleukin 2-dependent proliferation.

Lymphocyte recognition of antigen by the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and coreceptor complexes rapidly alters the cell's adhesive properties facilitating high avidity cell-ligand interactions necessary for lymphocyte development and function. Here, we report the expression of CD81 (target of antiproliferative antigen [TAPA]-1) on human thymocytes and the physical association of CD81 with CD4 and CD8 T cell coreceptors. Antibody ligation of CD81 on thymocytes promotes the rapid induction of integrin-mediated cell-cell adhesion via lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1). Cross-linking CD81 is also shown to be costimulatory with signaling through the TCR/CD3 complex inducing interleukin 2-dependent thymocyte proliferation. These data suggest that a CD81-mediated pathway in thymocytes is involved in the regulation of both cell adhesion and activation.

Cell surface ADP-ribosyltransferase regulates lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) function in T cells.

Post-translational modifications are important in regulating the functions of signal proteins. This is well established for intracellular proteins, but little is known in the case of extracellular domains of cell surface molecules. We recently described a cell surface protein, mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT), on cytotoxic T cells and showed that it mediates attachment of ADP-ribose to cell surface proteins. Concomitantly, cytolytic activity and cell proliferation are inhibited. Here we report that one of the principal proteins modified by this enzyme is lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1). While both chains are ADP-ribosylated on the extracellular domain of the molecule, persistence of the modification differs between the chains. Label is released from the beta-chain by 1 h, yet remains for at least 6 h on the alpha-chain. Loss of label is suppressed by phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as ADP-ribose and p-nitrophenylthymidine 5'-monophosphate, pointing to the involvement of this class of enzyme. Modification of LFA-1 requires expression of the cell surface ADPRT and causes the loss of epitopes recognized by alpha- and beta-chain-specific Abs. Concomitantly, the generation of inositol phosphates induced by Ab cross-linking of LFA-1 is significantly inhibited. Consistent with this effect, anti-LFA-1-induced homotypic cell adhesion is also inhibited. These effects are not seen in cells from which the ADPRT was removed by phospholipase C. Moreover, cells lacking the cell surface ADPRT are not inhibited by NAD in the cell adhesion assay, but gain this property upon transfection with the ADPRT gene. It is concluded that the cell surface protein mono-ADPRT regulates LFA-1 functions.

Characterization of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ectodomain (sICAM-1) as an inhibitor of lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 interaction with ICAM-1.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a member of the Ig superfamily, contains five Ig-like domains comprising the extracellular portion of the molecule, and interacts with lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1), a member of the beta 2-integrin family. LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction is important in a variety of cellular events including Ag-specific T cell activation and leukocyte transendothelial migration. Recently, a soluble circulating form of ICAM-1 has been detected in human serum that appears to result from the proteolytic cleavage of membrane ICAM-1. Native and recombinant soluble forms of ICAM-1 have been reported to inhibit LFA-1/ICAM-mediated adhesion in vitro, and it is conceivable that circulating forms of soluble ICAM-1 are regulators of LFA-1/ICAM-1-mediated cell-cell interaction in vivo. We have investigated the properties of the ICAM-1 ectodomain (sICAM453) as an inhibitor of LFA-1 interaction with ICAM-1 in cell- and molecule-based systems. The results show clearly that recombinant sICAM453 can inhibit LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction. Soluble ICAM-1 inhibited LFA-1-mediated cell adhesion to immobilized sICAM453 and homotypic T-cell aggregation with IC50 in the 20 to 40 microM range. Definitive evidence that sICAM-1 can inhibit LFA-1 interaction with ICAM-1 was obtained by showing that the sICAM-1 inhibited the interaction between LFA-1 protein micelles and ICAM-1 immobilized on plastic. These results clearly show that sICAM453 can bind to LFA-1 and competitively inhibit ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated cell-cell interaction, albeit at concentrations much greater than found in plasma. As a consequence, it is unlikely that sICAM-1 would antagonize ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated cellular events in vivo.

Angiopeptin, a somatostatin-14 analogue, decreases adhesiveness of rat Leukocytes to unstimulated and IL-1β-activated rat heart endothelial cells

We have previously demonstrated that somatostatin-14 and its octapeptide analogue, angiopeptin, decrease the ability of rat heart endothelial cells to bind leukocytes [Leszczynski, et al., Reg. Pept. 43 (1993) 131–140]. Here, we examined whether exposure of leukocytes to angiopeptin modifies their adhesiveness to the unstimulated and to IL-1β-activated endothelium. Monolayers of unstimulated endothelial cells bind 274 ± 12 leukocytes/mm 2. Exposure of leukocytes for 1, 4 and 24 hours to angiopeptin (1 μM) reduced significantly (p < 0.05) adhesion of leukocytes from 274 ± 12 to 188 ± 10, 185 ± 8 and 172 ± 3 cells/mm 2, respectively. Stimulation of endothelial cells with IL-1β (100U/ml) for 24 hours increased endothelial adhesiveness from 274 +- 12 to 381 ± 17 adhering leukocytes/mm 2. Exposure of leukocytes for 1, 4 and 24 hours to angiopeptin (1μM) reduced significantly (p < 0.05) binding of leukocytes to IL-1β-activated endothelium from 381 ± 17 to 237 ± 8, 254 ± 11 and 248 ± 13 cells/mm 2, respectively. Angiopeptin had no effect on the expression of lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1; CDlla/CD18) by leukocytes, as assessed by flow cytometry. This suggests that angiopeptin modulates adhesive properties of leukocytes by (1) altering the expression of other than LFA-1 adhesion molecule(s) and/or (2) modulating the affinity of adhesion molecule(s) expressed by leukocytes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that angiopeptin reduces leukocyte adhesiveness to unstimulated and to IL-1β-activated endothelium. It suggests that angiopeptin may suppress immune response via modulation of the leukocyte-endothelial interaction.

Activation of lymphocyte function-associated molecule-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) mimicked by an antibody directed against CD18.

The beta 2-integrin (CD18) family members bind to their ligands subsequent to activation of a number of well defined and diverse signal transduction pathways. The precise molecular changes associated with activation of the integrin family members have remained elusive. Here, we characterize a monoclonal, CBR LFA-1/2, that binds to the beta 2-subunit and is able to mimic activation induced upon stimulation by phorbol esters. The Ab induces binding of the LFA-1-expressing cell line, JY, to ICAM-1 (CD54) and ICAM-3 (CD50). Activation of binding by this Ab is independent of Fc interactions and does not occur through cross-linking at the cell surface, because the Fab fragment of the Ab is able to modulate the same effect. Stimulation of neutrophils with CBR LFA-1/2 induces binding to ICAM-1 through activation of both LFA-1 and Mac-1. Activation of Mac-1 by CBR LFA-1/2 was further confirmed by stimulation of neutrophil binding to fibrinogen, a ligand for Mac-1. CBR LFA-1/2 lowers by 10-fold the concentration of Mg2+ required to achieve maximal binding of LFA-1 to ICAM-1. It therefore appears that CBR LFA-1/2 induces a conformational change that directly increases the avidity of beta 2-integrins for ligands.

CD2 is involved in maintenance and reversal of human alloantigen-specific clonal anergy.

Induction and maintenance of a state of T cell unresponsiveness to specific alloantigen would have significant implications for human organ transplantation. Using human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DR7-specific helper T cell clones, we demonstrate that blockade of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules is sufficient to induce alloantigen-specific T cell clonal anergy. Anergized cells do not respond to alloantigen and a variety of costimulatory molecules, including B7-1, B7-2, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and lymphocyte function-associated molecule (LFA)-3. However, after culture in exogenous interleukin (IL)-2 for at least 7 d, anergized cells can respond to alloantigen in the presence of LFA-3. LFA-3 costimulation subsequently restores responsiveness to alloantigen in the presence of previously insufficient costimulatory signals. Expression of CD2R epitope is downregulated on anergic cells and is restored after 7 d of IL-2 culture. The loss of the CD2R is temporally associated with the inability of anergized cells to respond to LFA-3. These results suggest that in addition to blockade of B7 family members, inhibition of CD2 and, potentially, other costimulatory pathways that might reverse anergy will be necessary to maintain prolonged alloantigen-specific tolerance.

Intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM)-1 ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 function as counter-receptors for lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1 in human immunodeficiency virus-mediated syncytia formation.

It has been previously demonstrated that lymphocyte function-associated molecule 1 (LFA-1) plays a major role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-mediated syncytia formation. In the present study we investigated the involvement of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 in the process. The ability of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against ICAM-1, ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 to block syncytia was analyzed either in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated lymphocytes infected in vitro with primary or laboratory strains of HIV or by coculturing a T cell line stably expressing HIV envelope with PHA-activated lymphocytes. Complete inhibition of syncytia formation was observed only by the simultaneous addition to the cell cultures of all (i.e. anti-ICAM-1, anti-ICAM-2 and anti-ICAM-3) mAb. These results indicate that the interaction between LFA-1 and ICAM is a critical step in HIV-mediated syncytia formation, and that ICAM-1, ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 are the receptor molecules for the LFA-1-dependent syncytia formation.

Mechanism of lymphocyte function-associated molecule 3-Ig fusion proteins inhibition of T cell responses. Structure/function analysis in vitro and in human CD2 transgenic mice.

Soluble ligands specific for cell surface molecules involved in APC-T cell interactions can signal cells and modulate immune responses. Recently, we reported that LFA3TIP, a fusion protein comprised of the first LFA-3 extracellular domain fused to the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions of a human IgG1 inhibits proliferation of human T cells in vitro. We report herein the cell-based mechanism(s) of LFA3TIP in inhibition by studying the effects of structurally altered LFA3-Ig fusion proteins on proliferation of human PBL in vitro and on responses of mice transgenic for human CD2. We show that LFA3TIP inhibition requires expression of both the LFA-3 and CH2 domains of the fusion protein that bind CD2 and Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RIII, respectively. LFA3TIP forms an intracellular Fc gamma R/CD2 bridge and directs cytolysis of CD2+ cells by freshly drawn human PBL in vitro as well as the non-C-mediated depletion of peripheral T cells of human CD2 transgenic mice. The cell-based mechanism(s) of LFA3TIP inhibition are discussed.