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The Child Welfare Inequalities Project (CWIP), 2014-19, aimed to establish child welfare inequalities as a core concept in policy making, practice and research in the UK and internationally.\ud \ud Key research tasks were to identify the scale of inequalities in social welfare intervention rates as they affect children in different places, of different ages and identities, and their families, and to begin to understand how different factors in family lives and service responses interact to produce inequalities. A longer term intention was that remedies could subsequently be developed by policy makers and service providers and their impact tested.\ud \ud CWIP was the main project in a programme of research conducted over the period 2013-2019. It was designed to provide the foundations for the development of an inequalities perspective on child welfare, not the last word. By developing and testing a set of concepts, theory and methods and by securing a range of evidence, we hoped to set the baseline for subsequent reflection, research and action, in the UK and internationally (Bywaters, 2015).\ud \ud A social welfare system reflects the society in which it operates: its assumptions, priorities and attitudes to children, parents and family life. It also reflects the role of the state: how policy is made, the values that underpin policy, the power it exercises over its citizens, how it manages and polices that power and what it counts as success. All of these themes are explicit or implicit in our work.\ud \ud In summary, this project reports on a system which treats its citizens – parents and children – remarkably unequally but which focuses more attention on policy aspirations and implementation processes than on either the causes of family difficulties or the consequences of state responses.

Replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) vectors are effective to specifically target the respiratory epithelium for either corrective gene therapy such as cystic fibrosis or for mucosal immunization. As a consequence of transducing the lower respiratory tract with an E1/E3 deleted Ad5 vector, host responses have been characterized by the duration of transgene expression and by the induction of CTL responses. However, limited emphasis has been devoted to understanding the contribution of CD4+ T cell responses to the Ad vector. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells migrate into the lung following sequential intratracheal Ad5 transgene instillations. Isolated CD3+ T lymphocytes from the lungs were predominantly of the Th2 type, and after cell sorting, the IL-4-producing T cells were largely CD4+, while IFN-gamma expression was associated with both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Ab responses to the Ad5 vector and to the expressed transgene beta-galactosidase (beta gal) revealed elevated bronchial and serum IgA and IgG Abs with low neutralization titers. Analysis of serum IgG subclass responses showed IgG1 and IgG2b with lower IgG2a Abs to Ad5 and IgG2a and IgG2b Ab responses to beta gal. Ad5-specifc CD4+ T cells produced both Th1 (IFN-gamma and IL-2)- and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6)-type cytokines, while beta gal-specific CD4+ T cells secreted IFN-gamma and IL-6. This study provides direct evidence for the concomitant induction of Th2- with Th1-type responses in both the pulmonary systemic and mucosal immune compartments to the Ad5 vector as well as a Th1-dominant response to the transgene.

The present study has elucidated two distinct mechanisms that may explain how a mutant of cholera toxin (mCT), E112K, retains adjuvant effects though it lacks ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and associated toxicity. In the first mechanism, we show that mCT E112K, like native cholera toxin (nCT), enhances B7-2 expression, but, to some extent, also enhances B7-1 on Peyer’s patch B cells and macrophages. Cocultivation of CD4+ T cells with E112K- or nCT-treated B cells and macrophages in the presence of anti-CD3 stimulation resulted in the induction of T cell-proliferative responses. Further, the responses were blocked by mAbs to B7-1 and/or B7-2; however, the effect of anti-B7-1 was minimal. In the second mechanism, addition of mCT E112K or nCT to anti-CD3 mAb-stimulated Peyer’s patch CD4+ T cells inhibited proliferative responses, while recombinant CT-B subunit (rCT-B) did not. Analysis of cytokine responses showed that both mCT E112K and nCT preferentially inhibited IFN-γ production. Interestingly, however, nCT, but not mCT E112K, induced apoptosis in CD4+ T cells activated via the TCR-CD3 complex. These results indicate that CT uses at least two pathways for inhibition of Th1 responses and that, while nCT induces cAMP accumulation that in turn leads to apoptosis in Th1-type cells, mCT E112K, which lacks ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, inhibits IFN-γ synthesis by a separate mechanism. Thus, mCT E112K, like nCT, induces adjuvant responses via up-regulation of mainly B7-2 on APCs and through preferential inhibition of Th1-type CD4+ T cell responses in the absence of ADP-ribosyltransferase activity.

Inflamed gingival tissues are enriched in macrophages (MOs) and CD4-positive T cells; however, T helper-type cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 are absent. Therefore, we investigated whether a relationship exists between IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) expression and MO persistence in the absence of exogenous IL-4. Gingival MOs, when compared with monocyte(MN)/MOs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, expressed high levels of IL-4R mRNA. Furthermore, in vitro cultures of gingival MOs remained viable whereas identically treated peripheral blood MN/MOs rapidly lost viability. However, when gingival MOs were incubated with recombinant IL-4 (rIL-4), the cell viability was dramatically reduced. When the frequency of apoptotic cells was assessed in rIL-4-treated gingival MO cultures, higher numbers of apoptotic cells were noted in rIL-4-treated versus control cultures. Furthermore, rIL-4-treated MOs from inflamed gingiva showed DNA fragmentation as assessed by electrophoresis. These findings clearly show that addition of exogenous rIL-4 to gingival MO cultures leads to cell death by apoptosis. This finding would suggest that topical application of rIL-4 may inhibit the persistence of MOs in adult periodontitis, which could then lead to decreased inflammation.

The Peyer's patches (PP) of X-linked immunodeficient (xid) CBA/N and hemizygous (CBA/N X DBA/2)F1 (CDF1) male mice contain a B cell subpopulation that expresses the Lyb-5 maturational marker and is responsive to type 2 and T cell-dependent antigens in vitro, a B cell phenotype which is absent from the spleens of xid mice. Experiments reported here show that xid spleen B cells co-cultured with B cell-depleted PP cells from xid mice differentiated into specific plaque-forming cells in response to trinitrophenyl-Ficoll (type 2) and sheep erythrocytes (T cell-dependent). Two cell types were involved in this normalization of xid B cell responses. An accessory cell activity present in the PP, but not the spleens, of both CDF1 male (xid) and CDF1 female (normal) mice was required for the response to either the type 2 or T cell-dependent antigens. In the presence of this PP accessory cell, T cells from the PP of either xid or normal mice supported responses to both classes of antigens. In contrast, T cells from the spleens of xid mice did not support the response to trinitrophenyl-Ficoll, although the splenic T cells from normal mice did synergize with PP accessory cells in allowing plaque-forming cell development by xid B cells to this type 2 antigen. The xid PP T cell activity required for the type 2 response by xid B cells was present in the Ly-1+, Lyt-2- subpopulation, and the xid PP accessory cell activity was provided by an enriched population of dendritic accessory cells. These results demonstrate the the lymphoreticular cells comprising the PP microenvironment provide effective support for the differentiation of xid B cells in response to type 2 and T cell-dependent antigens.

Our studies reported here, fully characterize two unique type 2 antigens trinitrophenol (TNP)-M1 serotype carbohydrates (TNP-M1 g and TNP-M1 c) derived from streptococci, which fail to induce antibody responses in xid or neonatal mouse splenic cultures. These antigens generate brisk responses in normal spleen and Peyer's patch cell cultures of xid mice, all of which suggest that responses are elicited in the Lyb-3+, 5+ B subpopulation. The antibody responses to TNP-M1 g (and TNP-M1 c) are not dependent upon T cells. Furthermore, TNP-M1 carbohydrates induce anti-TNP plaque-forming (PFC) responses in cultures of small, resting splenic B cell populations without an added T cell requirement. Thus two categories of type 2 antigens are distinguished, one which requires T cells or derived factors, e.g., TNP-Ficoll, and a second TNP-carbohydrate antigen TNP-M1 that does not. Studies of the mitogenic and polyclonal B cell activation properties of M1 carbohydrates indicated that B cell proliferation is induced in both xid (Lyb-3-, 5-) and normal (Lyb-3-, 5- and Lyb-3+, 5+) splenic B cell subpopulations, but that differentiation to IgM synthesis fails to occur in the Lyb-3-, 5- B cell subpopulation. Thus M1 carbohydrates are unique probes that allow the selective induction of proliferation and differentiation of mature B cells that are presumably Lyb-3+, 5+. Because the M1 serotype carbohydrates induce polyclonal IgM synthesis and antigen-specific responses in only the mature B cell population in the absence of T cells, whereas TNP-Ficoll and other type 2 antigens require T cells or their derived factors, the Lyb-3+, 5+ B cell subpopulation may consist of a T cell-dependent and a T cell-independent compartment for responses to different carbohydrate type 2 antigens.

Udgivelsesdato: 1980-Dec

Analyses of the cells present in human colostrum obtained from fifty-four healthy donors during the first four days of lactation revealed that there were 3.3 x 10(6) (range 1.1 x 10(5)--1.2 x 10(7)) cells per ml of colostrum. Based on histochemical examinations, it was found that this population consisted of 30--47% macrophages, 40--60% polymorphonuclear leucocytes, 5.2--8.9% lymphocytes, and 1.3--2.8% colostral corpuscles; epithelial cells were rarely encountered. The identity of various cell types was confirmed by Wright's stain and by a series of histochemical techniques which disclosed the presence of non-specific esterase, peroxidase, and lipids. For further characterization, the different types of cells were separated by various methods, such as Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation, isokinetic centrifugation on a linear Ficoll gradient, adherence to glass or plastic, and phagocytosis of carbonyl iron. Immunohistochemical staining with FITC- and/or TRITC-labelled reagents to IgA, IgM, IgG, K- and lambda-chains, secretory component, lactoferrin, and alpha-lactalbumin were applied to unseparated as well as separated colostral cells. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (staining for peroxidase) as well as macrophages and colostral corpuscles (staining for non-specific esterase) exhibited numerous intracellular vesicles that contained lipids as well as various combinations of milk proteins. Lymphoid cells did not stain with any of these reagents and plasma cells were not detected among the colostral cells. Individual phagocytic cells contained immunoglobulins of the IgA and IgM classes, both K and lambda light chains, secretory component, lactoferrin, and alpha-lactalbumin. The coincidental appearance of these proteins in single, phagocytic cells but not in lymphoid cells indicate that the cells acquired these proteins by ingestion from the environment. Markers commonly used for the identification of B lymphocytes (surface immunoglobulins) and T lymphocytes (receptors for sheep red blood cells) were unreliable for the analysis of colostral cells (unless accompanied by subsequent morphological characterization) because strong fluorescence was observed on the surface of many non-lymphoid cells and because numerous macrophages and colostral corpuscles formed rosettes with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Lymphocytes, often found in association with colostral macrophages or corpuscles, were classified as T cells.

The emergence of cells that produce IgG and IgA subclass antibodies to Bacteroides gingivalis (Porphyromonas gingivalis) fimbriae and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens was examined in mononuclear cells isolated from inflamed gingiva of different stages (slight, moderate or advanced) of adult periodontitis (AP). Antigen-specific IgM, IgG (including IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) and IgA (including IgA1 and IgA2) producing cells were enumerated by the ELISPOT assay and were compared with total Ig-producing cells of each isotype or subclass. In advanced AP, the B. gingivalis fimbriae-specific IgG- and IgA-secreting cells represented 5% of total IgG- or IgA-secreting cells, while those from the moderate stage comprised approximately 1% of these two isotypes. Cells producing antibody specific for B. gingivalis LPS were observed at frequencies of 0.1% and 0.4% for IgG and IgA cells, respectively in the advanced stage. When IgG subclasses were analysed in moderate AP, the anti-fimbriae subclass responses were largely IgG1 (60%), followed by IgG2 (20%), IgG3 (10%) and IgG4 (10%). Fimbriae-specific IgG subclass responses were elevated in the advanced stage of AP, and IgG4 (40%) and IgG1 (30%) were dominant, followed by IgG3 (20%) and IgG2 (10%). IgA1 cells predominated in both the moderate and advanced stages, however a relative increase in IgA2 cells occurred in advanced AP. Mononuclear cells isolated from gingiva of AP patients did not contain cells producing antibody to antigens such as Escherichia coli K235 LPS, cholera toxin or the hapten dinitrophenyl coupled to bovine serum albumin. These results show that local IgG and IgA subclass responses occur to a protein antigen of a major periodontal disease (PD)-associated pathogen, B. gingivalis, and the increase in IgG4 and IgA2 responses may be associated with host protection.

Over the past years many reports have emphasized that either Gram positive or Gram negative bacteria possess the ability to bind spontaneously to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Here, bacterial binding to human PBL has been studied by using a smooth (S) Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 and two rough (R) mutants of Salmonella minnesota R 345 (Rb) and R 595 (Re), which possess specific deletions in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. Our results provide evidence that all three bacterial strains spontaneously bind to PBL, even though Re and mostly Rb cells display the highest degree of adherence. The three major regions of LPS (O-polysaccharide chain, R core and lipid A) seem to be involved in the binding since adherence is specifically inhibited by pretreating PBL with S- or R-LPS extracted from homologous bacteria. Furthermore, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens, S- and R-Salmonella bacteria bind to T lymphocytes (preferentially T8+ cells), while few B cells are coated by bacteria. Additionally, bacterial binding is significantly reduced by trypsin pretreatment of PBL, this suggesting that proteins (or glycoproteins) of the PBL membrane are involved in the binding.

Spontaneous adherence of bacteria to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) represents a useful tool for analysis of lymphocyte subsets with different functions. We have recently shown that PBMC can be divided into 2 populations based on their ability to bind Salmonella minnesota R345 (Rb) bacteria. By using these procedures, here, we provide evidence that Rb-bound and Rb-unbound PBMC populations give similar proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), while the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced proliferative and differentiative responses are higher in the Rb-unbound than in the Rb-bound PBMC fraction. Moreover, enhanced PWM-induced responses are obtained in Rb-unbound cell cultures enriched for T4+ cells. When B (non-E rosetting) cells are cultured with purified T lymphocytes from the Rb-bound (T-Rb+) and Rb-unbound (T-Rb-) fractions, comparable PWM-induced mitogenic responses are observed. The T-Rb- population contains a higher percentage of cells expressing T4+ phenotype, and when added to B cell cultures a more elevated PWM-induced IgA, IgG and IgM synthesis is observed than in B cell cultures containing T-Rb+ cells. These results suggest that the T-Rb- fraction is enriched for T cells which help IgA, IgG and IgM responses.

Villus and crypt cells were removed from rabbit ileum by a modification of a method previously described. Villus cells were isolated by vibration of everted bowel segments in citrate buffer, and crypt cells were removed by the expansion of these segments with air and simultaneous vibration in citrate buffer. Several culture media were tested for the maintenance and/or culture of these cells. Two defined media, Eagle's minimum and medium 199, were unsatisfactory and led to rapid cell death. The presence of whole serum was beneficial and both cell types could be maintained for several hours when homologous rabbit serum was employed. Initially 70-80% of villus and crypt cells were viable in homologous serum, and the effect of cholera toxin on cell viability was studied by incubating the cells with peptone dialysate supernatant (PSUP) toxin from Vibrio cholerae for 4 h. PSUP toxin reduced the viability of both villus and crypt cells compared with control preparations, as measured by the uptake of trypan blue; cell death was accelerated with time. A purified, diarrhoea-inducing cholera toxin also reduced the viability of these cells and the results were comparable to those with PSUP toxin. The effect was usually immediate, and a significant reduction in viability occurred within 1 hour of the incubation of cells with toxin. The toxin was heat-labile (60 degrees C/30 min) and nondialysable, and its cytotoxic activity could be completely neutralized with cholera antitoxin. Dose-response studies indicated that as little as 0.0275 equivalent units of ligated ileal loop toxin were active in this system.

In the present study, we have isolated and characterized the Lyt-1+, -2- T contrasuppressor (Tcs) cells from mice systemically primed with SRBC. Adoptive transfer of splenic Tcs cells from these mice abrogates oral tolerance and supports IgM and IgG anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses; however, unlike the responses seen after transfer of Tcs cells derived from orally primed mice, low IgA responses were seen. Mice systemically primed with lower SRBC doses (0.01 to 1%) exhibited contrasuppression only within the L3T4- T cell subset, whereas mice primed with a high dose of SRBC (10%), harbored Lyt-1+, -2- Tcs cells in both the L3T4+ and L3T4- subsets. Both the L3T4- and L3T4+ Tcs cell subsets supported IgM and IgG responses when adoptively transferred to orally tolerized mice, and when added to tolerized spleen cell cultures. Splenic Tcs cells from systemically primed mice supported mainly IgG1 and IgG2b subclass anti-SRBC PFC responses, a pattern also seen with Tcs cells derived from orally primed mice. Both L3T4+ and L3T4- Tcs cells from systemically primed mice exhibited well established characteristics of contrasuppressor cells including binding to Vicia villosa lectin and expression of I-J. The splenic effector Tcs cells which support IgM, IgG1 and IgG2b anti-SRBC PFC responses are antigen-specific, since both L3T4- and L3T4+ Tcs cells from spleens of mice primed with 10% SRBC reverse tolerance to SRBC, but not to horse erythrocytes (HRBC). Further, both L3T4- and L3T4+ Tcs cells from HRBC-primed mice reverse tolerance to IgM and IgG anti-HRBC, but not to anti-SRBC responses. Isolation of T3-positive Lyt-1+, -2- and L3T4- Tcs cell subsets by flow cytometry followed by adoptive transfer, showed that effector Tcs cells express T3 and presumably contain an Ag-R (TCR-T3 complex). These studies show that systemic priming with heterologous RBC induces splenic Ag specific Tcs cells in a dose-dependent manner, which support IgM and IgG subclass responses, but not IgA responses.

Recent studies have shown that purified IL-5 from T cell lines and clones enhances IgA synthesis in LPS-triggered splenic B cell cultures, and that this effect is augmented by IL-4. In this study we have examined the ability of rIL-5 and rIL-4 to support spontaneous Ig synthesis in normal Peyer's patch (PP) B cell cultures. The rIL-4 supported proliferation of the HT-2 and in vivo adapted BCL-1 cell lines, increased Ia expression on normal spleen B cells, co-stimulated splenic B cell proliferation in the presence of anti-mu and enhanced IgG1 synthesis in LPS triggered splenic B cell cultures. The rIL-5 supported BCL-1 proliferation, co-stimulated splenic B cell proliferation in the presence of dextran sulfate, and increased IgA synthesis in LPS-stimulated splenic B cell cultures. Markedly enhanced IgA responses occurred in PP B cell, but not splenic B cell cultures supplemented with rIL-5 in the absence of an added B cell trigger. However, rIL-4 alone did not enhance IgA synthesis or increase the IgA synthesis of PP B cell cultures stimulated with rIL-5. The rIL-5 receptive PP B cells were present in the blast cell subpopulation, inasmuch as a low density fraction isolated on Percoll gradients accounted for the enhanced IgA synthesis. Further, cell cycle analysis of whole PP B cells using propidium iodide in conjunction with staining for surface B220, demonstrated that approximately 12 to 16% of the B cells were in the S and G2/M stages of cell cycle, the remainder being in Go + G1. The surface IgM+ B cells were predominantly in Go + G1, whereas the sIgA+ B cell subpopulation was enriched for cells in the S and G2/M compartments. The PP B cell subset responsible for enhanced IgA synthesis in the presence of rIL-5 was sIgA-positive because FACS-depletion of the sIgA+ B cells resulted in the total loss of rIL-5 enhanced IgA synthesis. Further, when PP B cells were enriched for sIgA+ B cells by cell sorting, these cells responded to rIL-5 with increased IgA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. When the actual numbers of IgA secreting cells were assessed in PP B cell cultures with supplemental rIL-5, no significant increase in total IgA-producing cells was noted when compared with B cells cultured without rIL-5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

It is well established that increased numbers of plasma cells occur in the localized tissues of chronic inflammatory diseases such as adult periodontitis, and enzymatic isolation has shown that most B lineage cells produce IgG-subclass with some IgA-subclass responses. It would be of importance to determine if excess production of cytokines in the localized lesion account for these responses and in the present study we have assessed gingival mononuclear cell (GMC) supernatants for cytokines that activate B cells including IL-6R expression and for levels of IL-6 present. Inasmuch as limited numbers (approximately 1 to 3 x 10(6) cells) of GMC were obtained from surgically removed tissues (approximately 400 mg), we have focused on the analysis of IL-6 production by GMC in this study. Further, initial evidence of additional cytokines that are produced by GMC and induce expression of IL-6R on resting B cells has been obtained. The GMC and PBMC from individual patients were cultured in the presence (or absence) of Con A. Higher levels of IL-6 were produced spontaneously by GMC when compared with Con A-stimulated PBMC. When PBMC cultures were supplemented with GMC supernatants obtained from the same patient, high numbers of spot-forming cells (SFC), mainly of IgG followed by IgA isotype, were seen. The induction of SFC by GMC supernatants was inhibited by incubation with a goat anti-human IL-6 antibody. When the effect of GMC supernatants on subclasses of PBMC SFC was determined, the response was IgG1 greater than IgG2 greater than IgG3 = IgG4 and IgA1 greater than IgA2, a pattern remarkably similar to the distribution of plasma cells in the GMC itself. To assess for cytokines in GMC supernatants that mediated B cell activation, supernatants containing anti-IL-6 were cultured with PBMC or purified B cells for 72 h. This treatment induced small proliferative B cell responses and elevated expression of IL-6R on B cells, but did not induce SFC responses. Further, incubation of B cells with GMC supernatants induced resting B cells (G0/G1) to enter the cell cycle (S and G2/M). Addition of human rIL-6 to these cultures on day 3 restored IgG- and IgA-subclass SFC responses by day 7. Cytokine-induced IL-6R expression also occurred in vivo because freshly isolated GMC expressed high levels of this receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

We have assessed regulatory Th cell and cytokine responses in mice after oral immunization with recombinant Salmonella (BRD 847) expressing fragment C of tetanus toxoid, since little information is available to explain how these vectors induce mucosal IgA responses. A single dose of BRD 847 elicited serum IgG2a and mucosal IgA anti-tetanus toxoid Ab responses. To assess Th1-and Th2-type responses, CD4+ T cells from Peyer's patches and spleen were restimulated in vitro, and cytokine-specific ELISPOT, ELISA, and reverse transcriptase-PCR assays were used to assess cytokine patterns. CD4+ T cells produced IFN-gamma and IL-2 as well as IL-10, but not IL-4 or IL-5. Although IL-6 was elevated, further purification of cells from in vitro cultures into CD4+ Mac-1- T cells and Mac-1+ CD4- cells revealed that only the latter cell population had consistently elevated IL-6 gene expression, whereas both sorted populations exhibited increased IFN-gamma and IL-10 gene expression. Thus, orally administered recombinant Salmonella expressing fragment C of tetanus toxoid elicited dominant Ag-specific Th1-type responses together with Th2-type cells producing IL-10 in both mucosal and systemic tissues. Macrophages producing IL-6 were also evident. Our results are consistent with the suggestion that Ag-specific Th1 cells and their derived cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-2, and Th2-derived IL-10 together with IL-6 produced by macrophages provide important signals for the development of mucosal IgA and serum IgG subclass responses in the absence of preferential expression of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5.

Despite pathophysiologic effects including diarrhea, cholera toxin (CT) is a potent mucosal immunogen and adjuvant. We investigated the influence of CT on T helper (Th)-type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell-regulated Ag-specific B cell isotype and IgG subclass Ab responses elicited when the toxin was co-administered orally with different protein Ags. When mice were orally immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) and CT as adjuvant, this regimen induced TT-specific secretory IgA responses in the gastrointestinal tract as well as serum IgG, including IgG1 and IgG2b subclasses, and IgA responses. This oral regimen also induced TT- and CT-B-specific IgE responses. In addition, CT also elicited adjuvant effects for Ag-specific IgG1, IgE, and IgA responses when two other protein Ags, OVA and hen egg white lysozyme, were given by the oral route. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR was performed to assess levels of mRNA for Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokine expression in TT-stimulated CD4+ T cell cultures. Both Peyer's patches and splenic CD4+ T cells expressed markedly increased levels of IL-4-specific message, but did not result in changes in IFN-gamma mRNA expression. To determine whether the route of immunization influenced IgE responses, mice were immunized s.c. with TT and CT as adjuvant. Significant increases in total and TT-specific IgE Abs were induced when CT was co-administered. Taken together, these results show that CT acts as a mucosal adjuvant to enhance Th2-type responses and in particular, the IL-4 produced results in a characteristic Ab isotype pattern associated with this cytokine.

The murine intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) population is enriched in T cells that express the gamma delta-TCR, however, the biologic function served by these T cells remains obscure. IEL are considered to be major effector cells in mucosal immunity, and we have investigated whether IEL subsets could reverse orally induced systemic unresponsiveness (oral tolerance; OT) and support secondary type responses when adoptively transferred to mice orally tolerized with SRBC. When purified CD3+ IEL from mice orally primed with SRBC were transferred to adoptive hosts and challenged with SRBC, splenic IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgA anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell responses were observed. However, CD3+ IEL from HRBC orally primed mice did not abrogate SRBC induced OT. Further, HRBC-primed CD3+, IEL converted HRBC-specific OT but not SRBC-specific OT. CD3+ IEL could be separated into four subsets based on expression of CD4 and CD8. CD3+, CD4-, 8+ T cells were the major subset (74.5%), with smaller numbers of CD4- and CD8- (double negatives, DN) (7.8%), CD4+, 8- (7.6%) and CD4+, CD8+ (double positives) (10.1%) T cells. Interestingly, both the CD3+, CD8+, and the CD3+, DN IEL subsets abrogated OT, resulting in significant IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgA anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell responses when adoptively transferred to mice with OT. However, neither CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, nor double positive T cells affected OT when studied in this system. The CD3+, CD8+ IEL subset could be further separated into Thy-1+ (16.6%) and Thy-1- (83.4%) cells; adoptive transfer of Thy-1- cells abrogated oral tolerance whereas the Thy-1+ subset was without effect. When the expression of TCR on IEL with this biologic function was determined by use of monoclonal anti-alpha beta TCR (H57.597), TCR2-, CD3+ IEL possessed immunoregulatory function whereas the alpha beta-TCR+ (TCR2+) fraction did not abrogate OT. Immunoprecipitation of membrane fractions obtained from purified CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, Thy-1- IEL with polyclonal anti-delta peptide (Tyr-Ala-Asn-Ser-Phe-Asn-Asn-Glu-Lys-Leu) antibody revealed bands of 45 and 35 kDa, corresponding to the delta- and gamma-chains, respectively. These results suggest that gamma delta-TCR+ IEL possess a regulatory function, namely the restoration of immune responses in a state of oral tolerance. Further, both CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, Thy-1-, and CD3+, DN IEL T cells exhibit this effector contrasuppressor function.

Spontaneous binding of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to bacteria represents a promising approach for the characterization of lymphocyte subsets mediating different functions. In the light of previous findings on the high degree of spontaneous adherence of S. minnesota Rb cells to PBL, we have evaluated the natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity of PBL subpopulations that fail to bind to Rb bacteria. The S. minnesota Rb-unbound cell fraction exhibits higher levels of cytotoxic capacity, which is related to a more elevated frequency of active NK cells, as determined in an agarose-single cell cytotoxic assay. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of the unbound fraction is additionally boosted by interferon-alpha pretreatment. The effector cells bear Fc gamma receptors that are involved in NK cell lysis, because a decrease of NK activity is observed after immune complex modulation of the receptors. Finally, these cells, which display a high percentage (approximately 70%) of typical large granular lymphocyte morphology, express HNK-1, T10, T8, and M1 antigens, and to a lesser extent T3 and T4 antigens. These data indicate a selective enrichment of NK cells in the S. minnesota Rb-unbound fraction.

Although the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unknown, a major working hypothesis is that it represents a dysregulated immune response to common enteric bacterial antigens. Until recently there has been a relative dearth of experimental models to study this hypothesis. However, exciting developments in experimental models of colitis, including spontaneous, transgenic and knockout mice, now allow this and other hypotheses to be tested. The regulation of mucosal immune responses is not well understood in the normal animal, much less in those with chronic intestinal inflammation. Clearly the CD4 Th1 and Th2 pathways are important in the host response to microbial pathogens, and recent data indicate that the intestinal mucosa seems to be a site of preferential Th2 responses toward exogenous antigens. Deletion of certain cytokine genes involved in maintaining this Th1/Th2 balance (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-10) resulted in colitis, although deletion of others (IL-4, interferon-gamma) that are also involved did not. Whether these cytokine gene deletions cause a dysregulation of the mucosal immune response has yet to be shown. However, the importance of regulation can be demonstrated in a model in which a normal CD4+T cell subset (CD45Rbhigh) is transferred into syngeneic severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome recipients. This results in a striking colitis over the ensuing weeks with chronic diarrhea and wasting of the animals. If the reciprocal CD4+subset (CD45Rblow) is co-transferred or if whole CD4+T cells are transferred no colitis ensues. Therefore, T cells capable of causing colitis are present in normal animals but are prevented from doing so by immunoregulatory mechanisms. The antigens that drive the colitis in several of these models (IL-2 knockout mouse, human leukocyte antigen B27/β2M transgenic rat) appear to be those of the normal enteric bacterial flora because germ-free animals do not get the disease. Spontaneously colitic C3H/HeJBir mice also show prominent reactivity to enteric bacterial antigens. There are major differences among inbred mouse strains in susceptibility to colitis. The genes involved are not yet identified, but newly available technologies should allow that. In summary, these new models provide an experimental foundation to one of the major hypotheses on the cause of IBD, and will allow dissection of the genetic, environmental and immune components contributing to chronic colitis.

A unique characteristic of the localized inflammatory tissue in the periodontium (e.g., adult periodontitis [AP]) is the accumulation of IgG (IgG1 > IgG2 > IgG3 > or = IgG4) followed by IgA plasma cells (IgA1 > IgA2). However, the exact molecular mechanisms contributing to these elevated B-cell responses at the local disease site are still unknown. Thus, this study has examined the production of cytokines of importance in B-cell responses, e.g., interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 by gingival mononuclear cells (GMC) isolated from patients in severe stages of AP. These cytokines were assessed at the protein and messenger (m)RNA levels to understand their importance for the observed increased B-cell responses present in these tissues. Among the four cytokines tested by respective cytokine-specific, polymerase chain reaction and dot-blot hybridization, high levels of IL-5- and IL-6-specific mRNA were noted in GMC freshly isolated from AP patients. On the other hand, specific message for IL-2 and IL-4 were not present. Further, the analysis of culture supernatants of GMC also revealed that cells from AP patients spontaneously produced IL-5 and IL-6 but not IL-2 and IL-4. In contrast, when peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from the same patients were examined for these cytokines, no detectable levels of mRNA or secreted cytokines were noted. These results showed that GMC from localized inflammatory tissues in severe stages of AP possess a distinct cytokine profile represented by high levels of IL-5 and IL-6 mRNA expression and protein synthesis, whereas IL-2 and IL-4 were not detected. Further, this study supports the concept that AP is a localized inflammatory disease, because GMC from the inflamed tissue actively produce IL-5 and IL-6, whereas peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the same patients do not.