The interaction of GSSG modified magnetic nanoparticles with SPC-A1 cells in vitro

Magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs) are promising materials for various biomedical applications,including magnetic resonance imaging,stem cell tracking,gene/drug delivery,and cancer treatment.To increase the effectiveness of MNPs,high capture efficiency and controlled uptake of the particles by cells is required.In this paper we report the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake into SPC-A1 cells of oxidized glutathione(GSSG)-modified MNPs(GSSG@Fe3O4).Experimental findings indicated that GSSG@Fe3O4 were biocompatible,and could be efficiently taken up by SPC-A1 cells(up to 160 pg iron per cell).The internalized GSSG@Fe3O4 was retained in the cell cytoplasm for 6 generations.The uptake of GSSG@Fe3O4 into SPC-A1 cells was energy-,concentration-and time-dependent.Pinocytosis may be involved in the internalization process of GSSG@Fe3O4 into SPC-A1 cells,but this mechanism remains to be elucidated.The controlled and efficient localization of GSSG@Fe3O4 into the cytosol and long intracellular retention provides theoretical and experimental insight into the biomedical applications for these molecules.     

GM-CSF and TNF-alpha cooperate in the generation of dendritic Langerhans cells.

Dendritic cells comprise a system of highly efficient antigen-presenting cells which initiate immune responses such as the sensitization of T cells restricted by major histocompatibility complex molecules, the rejection of organ transplants and the formation of T-cell-dependent antibodies. Dendritic cells are found in many non-lymphoid tissues, such as skin (Langerhans cells) and mucosa, and they migrate after antigen capture through the afferent lymph or the bloodstream to lymphoid organs, where they efficiently present antigen to T cells. Dendritic cells are difficult to isolate and, although they originate from bone marrow their site of maturation and the conditions that direct their growth and differentiation are still poorly characterized. Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) favours the outgrowth of dendritic cells from mouse peripheral blood. Here we extend this finding to man and demonstrate that cooperation between GM-CSF and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is crucial for the generation of human dendritic/Langerhans cells from CD34+ haematopoietic progenitors. The availability of large numbers of these cells should now facilitate the understanding of their role in immunological regulation and disorder.     

The generation of mature T cells requires interaction of the alpha beta T-cell receptor with major histocompatibility antigens

THE T-cell repertoire within an individual is biased to recognize antigen in the context of self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. This is thought to depend on a process of positive selection during development. Support for this notion has recently been obtained in experiments using transgenic mice bearing genes for T-cell receptors (TCR) of defined specificity: T cells expressing the introduced genes form the main part of the mature T-cell population only in mice that express the appropriate MHC product. We have now extended these observations using TCR transgenic mice homozygous for the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mutation which are defective in the rearrangement of both TCR and immunoglobulin genes. In this case mature thymocytes develop only in transgenic mice that express the MHC product which restricts the specificity of the transgenic TCR. This shows that the interaction of the alpha beta TCR with thymic MHC antigen is essential for the development of mature T cells. Furthermore, the peripheral lymph nodes of such mice are underdeveloped, suggesting that the peripheral expansion of mature T cells may require interactions with other lymphocytes expressing a range of receptors.     

Receptor-directed focusing of lymphokine release by helper T cells

The interaction between helper T cells and B cells, leading to the production of antibody to thymus-dependent antigens, was the first cell interaction clearly defined in the immune system; it remains both paradigmatic and controversial. Two requirements of this interaction, that the helper cell (TH) and the B cell must recognize antigenic determinants that are physically linked, and that the TH and the B cell must share genes encoding major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, led to the concept that TH-B interaction required an intimate physical association of the two cell types. But in vitro studies have shown that TH can be replaced by soluble, antigen-nonspecific factors, capable of activating any B cell to secrete antibody. We have previously proposed that the requirements for TH-B contact might result from TH cells releasing their lymphokines in a polar fashion directed at that portion of the cell membrane where T-cell receptor cross-linking is actually occurring. Using an artificial monolayer of a cloned helper T-cell line, we show that lymphokines are released preferentially over the area of receptor cross-linking under conditions of limited TH-cell activation. Thus, it appears that one important aspect of the specificity of TH-B cell interactions is the receptor-directed polar release of helper lymphokines.     

Induction of cytotoxic T-cell responses in vivo in the absence of CD4 helper cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) seem to provide the major line of defence against many viruses. CTL effector functions are mediated primarily by cells carrying the CD8 (Ly-2) antigen (CD8+ cells) and are triggered by interactions of the T-cell receptor with an antigenic complex, often termed 'self plus X', composed of viral determinants in association with class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The mechanism(s) of induction of virus-specific CTL in vivo is poorly understood, but data from in vitro experiments suggest that their generation is strictly dependent on functions provided by CD4+ helper T cells (also referred to as L3T4+; or TH) that respond to antigens in the context of class II (Ia) MHC determinants. The prevailing opinion that induction of most functions of CD8+ cells requires help provided by CD4+ cells has recently been challenged by the observation that CD8+ cells alone can mediate a variety of responses to alloantigens in vitro and in vivo; however, the possibility that CTL to self plus X could be generated in vivo in the absence of TH cells has not been evaluated. We report here that C57BL/6J (B6) and AKR/J mice, when functionally depleted of CD4+ cells by in vivo treatment with the CD4+-specific rat monoclonal antibody GK1.5 (refs 8-14) responded to ectromelia virus infection by developing an optimal in vivo virus-specific CTL response, and subsequently recovered from the disease (mousepox) that was lethal for similarly infected nude mice (CD4-, CD8-).     

The in vitro interaction of CmeA with CmeC

The membrane fusion protein CmeA and the outer membrane channel CmeC,two important components of CmeABC system in Campylobacter jejuni,were expressed in Escherichia coli.After Ni-NTA and ion exchange columns purification,size exclusion chromatography showed that CmeA primarily existed as trimer and CmeC existed as monomer.Then the interaction between CmeA and CmeC was analyzed by dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate)(DSP)chemical crosslinking,pull-down assay on a Ni-NTA column,and isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC)measurement.The results clearly showed the CmeA–CmeC complex band,which confirmed the interaction in vitro and this interaction is independent of substrate and CmeB.It suggests that the mechanism underlying CmeABC function in C.jejuni is similar to that of AcrABTolC in E.coli.     

A late-differentiation antigen associated with the helper inducer function of human T cells

T lymphocytes possessing helper function produce soluble factors that greatly augment B-cell proliferation and differentiation into antibody-secreting cells. In humans the subset of T lymphocytes bearing the T4 surface antigen comprises most of the cells that display helper activity and recognize class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), while the subset bearing the T8 antigen comprises T cells recognizing class I MHC antigens and exhibiting cytotoxic or suppressor function. Monoclonal antibodies to T4 or T8 greatly inhibit the cognitive and effector function of cells with the corresponding phenotype. This function/phenotype correlation is not absolute, however, for there are many examples of T8-positive clones that recognize MHC class II antigens and have helper activity, as well as of T4-positive clones with suppressor or cytotoxic function. Recently a family of cell-surface neoantigens, which might be relevant to T-cell function and which are present on activated but not on resting T lymphocytes, has been identified in mouse and humans using monoclonal antibodies. Some of these antibodies block the cytolytic activity of alloreactive T-cell clones, suggesting the possible involvement of such molecules in the activation of cytotoxic T-cell clones or in the lytic process itself. We now describe a similar late-differentiation antigen (LDA1) that is expressed by human T lymphocytes only following activation and is recognized by a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the antibody-inducing helper function of T lymphocytes.     

Bcl-6对滤泡辅助性T细胞的调控作用及机制进展

Bcl-6是滤泡辅助性T细胞(Tfh)的亚群决定转录因子,在Tfh细胞分化和功能调节过程中发挥关键作用.Bcl-6调控Tfh细胞的分子机制及其受到的精密分子调控受到广泛研究,近年来已取得了一定的进展.该文回顾了Bcl-6被鉴定为Tfh细胞亚群转录决定因子的研究历程,总结Bcl-6在Tfh细胞中的功能,综述Tfh细胞调控Bcl-6表达机制的研究进展,并对Bcl-6研究中的潜在问题和未来研究方向进行了展望.