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Selective Expansion (selective + expansion)
Selected AbstractsSelective expansion of CD16highCCR2, subpopulation of circulating monocytes with preferential production of haem oxygenase (HO)-1 in response to acute inflammationCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2005K. Mizuno Summary Monocytes are composed of two distinct subpopulations in the peripheral blood as determined by their surface antigen expressions, profiles of cytokine production and functional roles played in vivo. We attempted to delineate the unique functional roles played by a minor CD16highCCR2, subpopulation of circulating monocytes. They produced significant levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-,, but very low levels of IL-10 upon in vitro stimulation. Characteristic profiles of cytokine production were confirmed by stimulating purified subpopulations of monocytes after cell sorting. It was noteworthy that freshly isolated CD16highCCR2, monocyte subpopulations produced significant levels of haem oxygenase (HO)-1, whereas the major CD16lowCCR2+ subpopulation produced little. These results were contrary to the generally accepted notion that the CD16highCCR2, monocyte subpopulation plays a predominantly proinflammatory role in vivo. The CD16highCCR2, subpopulation increased in Kawasaki disease and influenza virus infection. In accord with this, HO-1 mRNA expression by mononuclear cells was significantly increased in these illnesses. These results indicate that CD16highCCR2, subpopulations are of a distinct lineage from CD16lowCCR2+ monocytes. More importantly, they may represent a monocyte subpopulation with a unique functional role to regulate inflammation by producing HO-1 in steady state in vivo. [source] Constitutive activation of Bruton's tyrosine kinase induces the formation of autoreactive IgM plasma cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2010Rogier Kersseboom Abstract B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated signals provide the basis for B-cell differentiation in the BM and subsequently into follicular, marginal zone, or B-1 B-cell subsets. We have previously shown that B-cell-specific expression of the constitutive active E41K mutant of the BCR-associated molecule Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) leads to an almost complete deletion of immature B cells in the BM. Here, we report that low-level expression of the E41K or E41K-Y223F Btk mutants was associated with reduced follicular B-cell numbers and significantly increased proportions of B-1 cells in the spleen. Crosses with 3-83,, and VH81X BCR Tg mice showed that constitutive active Btk expression did not change follicular, marginal zone, or B-1 B-cell fate choice, but resulted in selective expansion or survival of B-1 cells. Residual B cells were hyperresponsive and manifested sustained Ca2+ mobilization. They were spontaneously driven into germinal center-independent plasma cell differentiation, as evidenced by increased numbers of IgM+ plasma cells in spleen and BM and significantly elevated serum IgM. Because anti-nucleosome autoantibodies and glomerular IgM deposition were present, we conclude that constitutive Btk activation causes defective B-cell tolerance, emphasizing that Btk signals are essential for appropriate regulation of B-cell activation. [source] Characterisation of a P140K mutant O6 -methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT)-expressing transgenic mouse line with drug-selectable bone marrowTHE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 9 2006Belinda A. Kramer Abstract Background Gene transfer of the P140K mutant of O6 -methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT(P140K)) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) provides a mechanism for drug resistance and the selective expansion of gene-modified cells in vivo. Possible clinical applications for this strategy include chemoprotection to allow dose escalation of alkylating chemotherapy, or combining MGMT(P140K) expression with a therapeutic gene in the treatment of genetic diseases. Our aim is to use MGMT(P140K)-driven in vivo selection to develop allogeneic micro-transplantation protocols that rely on post-engraftment selection to overcome the requirement for highly toxic pre-transplant conditioning, and to establish and maintain predictable levels of donor/recipient chimerism. Methods Using stably transfected murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, we have generated a C57BL/6 transgenic mouse line with expression of MGMT(P140K) within the hematopoietic compartment for use as a standard source of donor HSC in such models. Functional characterisation of transgene expression was carried out in chemotherapy-treated transgenic mice and in allogeneic recipients of transgenic HSC. Results Expression of the transgene provided chemoprotection and allowed in vivo selection of MGMT(P140K)-expressing cells in transgenic mice after exposure to O6 -benzylguanine (BG) and N,N,-bis(2-chloroethyl)- N -nitrosourea (BCNU). In an allogeneic transplant experiment in which transgenic HSC were engrafted into 129 strain recipients following low intensity conditioning (Busulfan, anti-CD8, anti-CD40Ligand), MGMT(P140K)-expressing cells could be selected using chemotherapy. Conclusions This MGMT(P140K) transgenic mouse line provides a useful source of drug-selectable donor cells for the development of non-myeloablative allogeneic transplant models in which variation in transplant conditioning elements can be investigated independently of gene transfer efficiency. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Vaccination with selected synovial T cells in rheumatoid arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 2 2007Guangjie Chen Objective This pilot clinical study was undertaken to investigate the role of T cell vaccination in the induction of regulatory immune responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Autologous synovial T cells were selected for pathologic relevance, rendered inactive by irradiation, and used for vaccination. Fifteen patients received T cell vaccination via 6 subcutaneous inoculations over a period of 12 months. Results T cell vaccination led to induction of CD4+ Tregs and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells specific for T cell vaccine. There was selective expansion of CD4+,V,2+ Tregs that produced interleukin-10 (IL-10) and expressed a high level of transcription factor Foxp3, which coincided with depletion of overexpressed BV14+ T cells in treated patients. CD4+ IL-10,secreting Tregs induced by T cell vaccination were found to react specifically with peptides derived from IL-2 receptor ,-chain. The expression level of Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells and increased inhibitory activity of CD4+,CD25+ Tregs were significantly elevated following T cell vaccination. The observed regulatory immune responses collectively correlated with clinical improvement in treated patients. In an intent-to-treat analysis, a substantial response, defined as meeting the American College of Rheumatology 50% improvement criteria, was shown in 10 of the 15 patients (66.7%) and was accompanied by a marked improvement in RA-related laboratory parameters. Conclusion These findings suggest that T cell vaccination induces regulatory immune responses that are associated with improved clinical and laboratory variables in RA patients. [source] Selection and growth regulation of genetically modified cells with hapten-specific antibody/receptor tyrosine kinase chimeraBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2009Kento Tanaka Abstract Although receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play a pivotal role in the development and maintaining the homeostasis of the body, overexpression or mutation of RTKs often induces tumorigenesis or metastasis. To mimic the function of RTKs, we developed two fusion receptors consisting of anti-fluorescein antibody single-chain Fv, extracellular D2 domain of erythropoietin receptor and transmembrane/intracellular domains of epidermal growth factor receptor or c-fms based on previously constructed antibody/cytokine receptor chimeras. The expression of these chimeric receptors in the hematopoietic cell line Ba/F3 and non-hematopoietic cell line NIH/3T3 resulted in the activation of receptors themselves, downstream signaling molecules and cell proliferation in response to fluorescein-conjugated BSA, leading to selective expansion of transduced cells up to almost 100%. These results indicate that the cognate antigen could activate the chimeric receptors even though the wild-type extracellular domains were switched to the antibody fragment. This is the first study to show that our antigen-mediated genetically modified cell amplification (AMEGA) system could be applied to non-hematopoietic cells by utilizing antibody/RTK chimeras. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] |