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Background: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an illness that caused by a tick-borne virus, which belongs to family Bunyaviridae, genus Nairovirus. It is carried on migratory birds. CCHF disease has been appeared in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Then, the disease spread in other cities in Turkey such as Yozgat, Eskisehir, Kelkit, and Corum. RNA recombination is mixing of genetic material strains from different countries into new combinations that cause RNA virus diversity. The aim of this study is the recombination analysis of complete S-segment genome among CCHFV strains in Turkey and strains from different countries. Materials and Methods: S-segment has the strongest geographical subdivision, and the investigation S-segment genome of CCHFV explained that there are differences in nucleotide sequences between strains. Turkey is a center for distribution of migratory birds. In this study, we compared strains whit complete sequence from Russia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, Iran, Nigeria, Mauritania, Sudan, South Africa, and Mali, where have migratory birds’ flyways. The GenBank information is downloaded from www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov in FASTA format and investigated with phylogenetic tree. Evidence of recombination is analyzed by using SimPlot and MEGA X software. Results: The strains in Corum, Kelkit, Eskisehir, Yozgat are mainly recombinant of the strains in Iran, Russia, Bulgaria, and Nigeria in orderly. Conclusion: This research revealed that African-Eurasian migratory bird flyways provide the way for intercontinental migration of the CCHFV that causes recombination of CCHFV in Turkey. Thus, the vaccine design should be updated as concerned of recombination of CCHFV.

Altuntas CZ, Daneshgari F, Izgi K, Bicer F, Ozer A, Sakalar C, Grimberg KO, Sayin I, Tuohy VK. Connective tissue and its growth factor CTGF distinguish the morphometric and molecular remodeling of the bladder in a model of neurogenic bladder. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 303: F1363-F1369, 2012. First published September 19, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00273.2012.-We previously reported that mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis (MS), develop profound urinary bladder dysfunction. Because neurogenic bladder in MS patients causes marked bladder remodeling, we next examined morphometric and molecular alterations of the bladder in EAE mice. EAE was created in female SJL/J mice by immunization with the p139-151 encephalitogenic peptide of myelin proteolipid protein in complete Freund's adjuvant, along with intraperitoneal injections of Bordetella pertussis toxin. Seventy days after immunization, mice were scored for the level of neurological impairment and then killed. Spinal cord sections were assessed for demyelination, inflammation, and T cell infiltration; the composition of the bladder tissue was measured quantitatively; and gene expression of markers of tissue remodeling and fibrosis was assessed. A significant increase in the bladder weight-to-body weight ratio was observed with increasing neurological impairment, and morphometric analysis showed marked bladder remodeling with increased luminal area and tissue hypertrophy. Despite increased amounts of all tissue components (urothelium, smooth muscle, and connective tissue), the ratio of connective tissue to muscle increased significantly in EAE mice compared with control mice. Marked increases in mRNA expression of collagen type I alpha(2), tropoelastin, transforming growth factor-beta 3, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were observed in EAE mice, as were decreased levels of mRNAs for smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, nerve growth factors, and muscarinic and purinergic receptors. Our results suggest that bladder remodeling corresponding to EAE severity may be due to enhanced expression of CTGF and increased growth of connective tissue.

Mastitis is a substantial clinical problem in lactating women that may result in severe pain and abrupt termination of breastfeeding, thereby predisposing infants to long-term health risks. Many cases of mastitis involve no known infectious agent and may fundamentally be due to autoimmune-mediated inflammation of the breast. Herein, we develop a murine model of autoimmune mastitis and provide a detailed characterization of its resulting phenotype of breast failure and lactation insufficiency. To generate breast-specific autoimmunity, we immunized SWXJ mice with recombinant mouse α-lactalbumin, a lactation-dependent, breast-specific differentiation protein critical for production of lactose. Mice immunized with α-lactalbumin showed extensive T-cell–mediated inflammation in lactating normal breast parenchyma but none in nonlactating normal breast parenchyma. This targeted autoimmune attack resulted in breast failure characterized by lactation insufficiency and decreased ability to nurture offspring. Although immunization with α-lactalbumin had no effect on fertility and birth numbers, pups nursed by α-lactalbumin–immunized mice showed significantly disrupted growth often accompanied by kwashiorkor-like nutritional abnormalities, including alopecia, liver toxicity, and runting. This experimental model of autoimmune breast failure has useful applications for prophylactic breast cancer vaccination and for addressing inflammatory complications during breastfeeding. In addition, this model is suited for investigating nutritionally based “failure-to-thrive” issues, particularly regarding the long-term implications of postnatal nutritional deprivation.

The pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis (IC) is unknown. Deficits in urothelial cell layers and autoimmune mechanisms may play a role.To examine whether immunization of mice with recombinant mouse uroplakin II (rmUPK2), a bladder-specific protein, would provoke an autoimmune response sufficient to create an IC phenotype.RmUPK2 complementary DNA was generated, transferred into a bacterial expression vector, and the generated protein was purified. Eight-week-old SWXJ female mice were immunized with rmUPK2 protein via subcutaneous injection of 200μg of rmUPK2 protein in 200μl of an emulsion.Mice were euthanized 5 wk after immunization. Axillary and inguinal lymph node cells were tested for antigen-specific responsiveness and cytokine production, serum isotype antibody titers against rmUPK2 were determined, and gene expression of inflammatory mediators was measured in the bladder and other organs. For functional analysis, mice were placed in urodynamic chambers for 24-h micturition frequency and total voided urine measurements.Immunization with rmUPK2 resulted in T-cell infiltration of the bladder urothelium and increased rmUPK2-specific serum antibody responses in the experimental autoimmune cystitis (EAC) mice models compared with controls. The ratio of bladder to body weight was increased in EAC mice. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis showed elevated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ, interleukin (IL)-17A, and IL-1β in bladder urothelium but not in other organs. Evaluation of 24-h micturition habits of EAC mice showed significantly increased urinary frequency (p0.02) and significantly decreased urine output per void (p0.021) when compared with control mice.Our study showed that a bladder-specific autoimmune response sufficient to induce inflammation and EAC occurs in mice following immunization with rmUPK2. EAC mice displayed significant evidence of urinary frequency and decreased urine output per void. Further phenotype characterization of EAC mice should include evidence for pain and/or afferent hypersensitivity, and evidence of urothelial cell layer damage.

SummaryInterleukin-1 (IL-1)-mediated signaling in T cells is essential for T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation. We showed here that SIGIRR, a negative regulator of IL-1 receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling, was induced during Th17 cell lineage commitment and governed Th17 cell differentiation and expansion through its inhibitory effects on IL-1 signaling. The absence of SIGIRR in T cells resulted in increased Th17 cell polarization in vivo upon myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55) peptide immunization. Recombinant IL-1 promoted a marked increase in the proliferation of SIGIRR-deficient T cells under an in vitro Th17 cell-polarization condition. Importantly, we detected increased IL-1-induced phosphorylation of JNK and mTOR kinase in SIGIRR-deficient Th17 cells compared to wild-type Th17 cells. IL-1-induced proliferation was abolished in mTOR-deficient Th17 cells, indicating the essential role of mTOR activation. Our results demonstrate an important mechanism by which SIGIRR controls Th17 cell expansion and effector function through the IL-1-induced mTOR signaling pathway.

Both IL-23- and IL-1-mediated signaling pathways play important roles in Th17 cell differentiation, cytokine production, and autoimmune diseases. The IL-1R-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is critical for IL-1/TLR signaling. We show here that inactivation of IRAK4 kinase in mice (IRAK4 KI) results in significant resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis due to a reduction in infiltrating inflammatory cells into the CNS and reduced Ag-specific CD4+ T cell-mediated IL-17 production. Adoptive transfer of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35–55-specific IRAK4 KI Th17 cells failed to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in either wild-type or IRAK4 KI recipient mice, indicating the lack of autoantigen-specific Th17 cell activities in the absence of IRAK4 kinase activity. Furthermore, the absence of IRAK4 kinase activity blocked induction of IL-23R expression, STAT3 activation by IL-23, and Th17 cytokine expression in differentiated Th17 cells. Importantly, blockade of IL-1 signaling by IL-1RA inhibited Th17 differentiation and IL-23-induced cytokine expression in differentiated Th17 cells. The results of these studies demonstrate that IL-1-mediated IRAK4 kinase activity in T cells is essential for induction of IL-23R expression, Th17 differentiation, and autoimmune disease.

Diabetic individuals have increased susceptibility to urinary tract infection (UTI), a common, painful condition. During diabetes mellitus, non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and protein amine groups result in excessive production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that accumulate in tissues. Since bacteria adhere to cell surfaces by binding to carbohydrates, we hypothesized that adherence of bacteria to the bladder in diabetics may be enhanced by accumulation of AGEs on urothelial surface proteins. Using a murine model of UTI, we observed increased adherence of type 1 fimbriated uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) to the bladder in streptozotocin-induced diabetic female mice compared with age-matched controls, along with increased concentrations of two common AGEs in superficial urothelial cells from diabetic bladders. Several lectins with different specificities exhibited increased binding to urothelial homogenates from diabetic mice compared with controls, and two of those lectins also bound to AGEs. Furthermore, mannose-binding type 1 fimbriae isolated from UPEC bound to different AGEs, and UPEC adherence to the bladder in diabetic mice, were inhibited by pretreatment of mice with the AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine. These results strongly suggest a role for urothelial AGE accumulation in increased bacterial adherence during UTI in diabetes.

Diabetic patients have increased susceptibility to infections, and urinary tract infections ( UTI) are the most common type in women with diabetes mellitus. Knowledge of bacterial clearance effectiveness following UTI in diabetics is sparse. In this study, the effects of diabetes on bacterial clearance efficiency and components of the innate immune system in response to UTI in a murine model were investigated. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control female C57BL/6J mice were infected with uropathogenic Escherichia coli, and bacterial load, expression of chemokines, and neutrophil infiltration in the bladder over time were investigated. Expression levels of histone deacetylases were also measured to address a potential mechanism underlying the phenotype. Bacterial clearance during UTI was significantly prolonged in diabetic mice relative to controls. Neutrophil infiltration in bladder tissue and urine, and both mRNA and protein expression of chemokines MIP-2, KC, MCP-1 and IL-6 in bladder tissue were diminished at early time points after infection in diabetic mice relative to controls. In addition, mRNA levels of histone deacetylases 1-5 were increased in diabetic mice. This is the first study to show an association of impaired bacterial clearance in diabetic mice with suppression of UTI-induced chemokine expression and neutrophil infiltration in the bladder.

Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL) is the most common cause of sudden hearing loss in adults. Although autoimmune etiopathogenic events have long been suspected in ASNHL, inner ear-specific Ags capable of targeting T cell autoreactivity have not been identified in ASNHL. In this study, we show by ELISPOT analysis that compared with normal hearing age- and sex-matched control subjects, ASNHL patients have significantly higher frequencies of circulating T cells producing either IFN-γ (p = 0.0001) or IL-5 (p = 0.03) in response to recombinant human cochlin, the most abundant inner ear protein. In some patients, cochlin responsiveness involved both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells whereas other patients showed cochlin responsiveness confined to CD8+ T cells. ASNHL patients also showed significantly elevated cochlin-specific serum Ab titers compared with both normal hearing age- and sex-matched control subjects and patients with noise- and/or age-related hearing loss (p < 0.05 at all dilutions tested through 1/2048). Our study is the first to show T cell responsiveness to an inner ear-specific protein in ASNHL patients, and implicates cochlin as a prominent target Ag for mediating autoimmune inner ear inflammation and hearing loss.

IL-2 therapy results in 10–20% response rates in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) via activating immune cells, in which the protein tyrosine phosphatase Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) is a key negative regulator. Based on finding that sodium stibogluconate (SSG) inhibited SHP-1, the anti-RCC potential and action mechanism of SSG and SSG/IL-2 in combination were investigated in a murine renal cancer model (Renca). Despite its failure to inhibit Renca cell proliferation in cultures, SSG induced 61% growth inhibition of Renca tumors in BALB/c mice coincident with an increase (2-fold) in tumor-infiltrating macrophages (Mφ). A combination of SSG and IL-2 was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth (91%) and inducing tumor-infiltrating Mφ (4-fold), whereas IL-2 alone had little effect. Mφ increases were also detected in the spleens of mice treated with SSG (3-fold) or SSG/IL-2 in combination (6-fold), suggesting a systemic Mφ expansion similar to those in SHP-deficient mice. T cell involvement in the anti-Renca tumor action of the combination was suggested by the observations that the treatment induced spleen IFN-γ T cells in BALB/c mice, but failed to inhibit Renca tumor growth in athymic nude mice and that SSG treatment of T cells in vitro increased production of IFN-γ capable of activating tumoricidal Mφ. The SSG and SSG/IL-2 combination treatments were tolerated in the mice. These results together demonstrate an anti-Renca tumor activity of SSG that was enhanced in combination with IL-2 and functions via a T cell-dependent mechanism with increased IFN-γ production and expansion/activation of Mφ. Our findings suggest that SSG might improve anti-RCC efficacy of IL-2 therapy by enhancing antitumor immunity.

The cause of chronic pelvic pain in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) remains unclear; autoimmunity is a possible etiology. We have recently shown that injection of a single immunogenic peptide of uroplakin 3A (UPK3A 65-84) induces experimental autoimmune cystitis (EAC) in female BALB/cJ mice that is unique among experimental models in accurately reflecting both the urinary symptoms and pelvic pain of IC/PBS. The aim of this project was to identify the roles of mast cells and mast cell chemoattractant/activator monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)] in the allodynia in this model. We immunized 6- to 8-wk-old female BALB/cJ mice with UPK3A 65-84 peptide and, 5–40 days later, observed increased responses to stimulation of the suprapubic abdominal and hindpaw surfaces with von Frey monofilaments compared with mice injected with adjuvant alone. Suprapubic and hindpaw tactile allodynia responses by EAC mice were blocked by instillation of lidocaine into the bladder but not by lidocaine in the uterus, confirming the bladder as the source of the hypersensitivity. Markedly increased numbers of activated mast cells and expression of CCL2 were found in the bladder after immunization with UPK3A 65-84. Hypersensitive responses were inhibited by mast cell stabilizer cromolyn sodium and antagonists of histamine receptors 1 and 2. Furthermore, BALB/cJ mice with deletion of the Ccl2 or chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 gene exhibited markedly reduced allodynia and accumulation of mast cells after UPK3A 65-84 immunization. These results show that UPK3A 65-84 immunization causes chronic visceral allodynia and suggest that it is mediated by CCL2-driven mast cell accumulation in the bladder.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne bunyavirus causing outbreaks of severe disease in humans, with a fatality rate approaching 30%. There are no widely accepted therapeutics available to prevent or treat the disease. CCHFV enters host cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and is subsequently transported to an acidified compartment where the fusion of virus envelope with cellular membranes takes place. To better understand the uptake pathway, we sought to identify host factors controlling CCHFV transport through the cell. We demonstrate that after passing through early endosomes in a Rab5-dependent manner, CCHFV is delivered to multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Virus particles localized to MVBs approximately 1 hour after infection and affected the distribution of the organelle within cells. Interestingly, blocking Rab7 activity had no effect on association of the virus with MVBs. Productive virus infection depended on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, which meditates the formation of functional MVBs. Silencing Tsg101, Vps24, Vps4B, or Alix/Aip1, components of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) pathway controlling MVB biogenesis, inhibited infection of wild-type virus as well as a novel pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) bearing CCHFV glycoprotein, supporting a role for the MVB pathway in CCHFV entry. We further demonstrate that blocking transport out of MVBs still allowed virus entry while preventing vesicular acidification, required for membrane fusion, trapped virions in the MVBs. These findings suggest that MVBs are necessary for infection and are the sites of virus-endosome membrane fusion., Author Summary Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the cause of a severe, often fatal disease in humans. While it has been demonstrated that CCHFV cell entry depends on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, low pH, and early endosomes, the identity of the endosomes where virus penetrates into cell cytoplasm to initiate genome replication is unknown. Here, we showed that CCHFV was transported through early endosomes to multivesicular bodies (MVBs). We also showed that MVBs were likely the last organelle virus encountered before escaping into the cytoplasm. Our work has identified new cellular factors essential for CCHFV entry and potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention against this pathogen.

The pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is enigmatic. Autoimmunity and impaired urothelium might lead the underlying pathology. A major shortcoming in IC/PBS research has been the lack of an appropriate animal model. In this study, we show that the bladder specific uroplakin 3A-derived immunogenic peptide UPK3A 65-84, which contains the binding motif for IA(d) MHC class II molecules expressed in BALB/c mice, is capable of inducing experimental autoimmune cystitis in female mice of that strain. A highly antigen-specific recall proliferative response of lymph node cells to UPK3A 65-84 was observed, characterized by selectively activated CD4+ T cells with a proinflammatory Th1-like phenotype, including enhanced production of interferon gamma and interleukin-2. T cell infiltration of the bladder and bladder-specific increased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines were observed. Either active immunization with UPK3A 65-84 or adoptive transfer of peptide-activated CD4+ T cells induced all of the predominant IC/PBS phenotypic characteristics, including increased micturition frequency, decreased urine output per micturition, and increased pelvic pain responses to stimulation with von Frey filaments. Our study demonstrates the creation of a more specific experimental autoimmune cystitis model that is the first inducible model for IC/PBS that manifests all of the major symptoms of this debilitating condition.

International audience; OBJECTIVES: An immune response sufficient to induce organ failure may provide protection and therapy against tumors derived from the targeted organ particularly when removal or ablation of the organ is part of the standard therapy and does not threaten survival. We have previously shown that a targeted immune response directed against the ovarian-specific protein, inhibin-α, causes ovarian failure. Here we determined whether inhibin-α autoimmunity is effective in both prevention and treatment of ovarian tumors. METHODS: A transgene consisting of the SV40 large tumor transformation antigen under the regulation of an anti-Mullerian hormone promoter (AMH-SV40Tag) was transferred by backcrossing for 12 generations to SJL/J mice producing SJL.AMH-SV40Tag (H-2(s)) females that develop a high incidence of autochthonous granulosa cell tumors. We determined whether immunization of SJL.AMH-SV40Tag female mice with the IA(s)-restricted p215-234 peptide of mouse inhibin-α was capable of preventing and treating these ovarian tumors. RESULTS: The growth of autochthonous ovarian granulosa cell tumors in SJL.AMH-SV40Tag transgenic mice was significantly inhibited in mice immunized with Inα 215-234. In addition, significant inhibition of tumor growth occurred when mice with established ovarian granulosa cell tumors were therapeutically vaccinated with Inα 215-234. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that induction of ovarian-specific autoimmunity may serve as an effective way to prevent the emergence of autochthonous ovarian tumors and control the growth of established ovarian malignancies.

SummaryInterleukin-17 (IL-17) secreted by T helper 17 (Th17) cells is essential in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it remains unclear how IL-17-mediated signaling in different cellular compartments participates in the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory process. We examined CNS inflammation in mice with specific deletion of Act1, a critical component required for IL-17 signaling, in endothelial cells, macrophages and microglia, and neuroectoderm (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes). In Act1-deficient mice, Th17 cells showed normal infiltration into the CNS but failed to recruit lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. Act1 deficiency in endothelial cells or in macrophages and microglia did not substantially impact the development of EAE. However, targeted Act1 deficiency in neuroectoderm-derived CNS-resident cells resulted in markedly reduced severity in EAE. Specifically, Act1-deficient astrocytes showed impaired IL-17-mediated inflammatory gene induction. Thus, astroctyes are critical in IL-17-Act1-mediated leukocyte recruitment during autoimmune-induced inflammation of the CNS.

Although vaccination is most effective when used to prevent disease, cancer vaccine development has focused predominantly on providing therapy against established growing tumors. The difficulty in developing prophylactic cancer vaccines is primarily due to the fact that tumor antigens are variations of self proteins and would probably mediate profound autoimmune complications if used in a preventive vaccine setting. Here we use several mouse breast cancer models to define a prototypic strategy for prophylactic cancer vaccination. We selected alpha-lactalbumin as our target vaccine autoantigen because it is a breast-specific differentiation protein expressed in high amounts in the majority of human breast carcinomas and in mammary epithelial cells only during lactation. We found that immunoreactivity against alpha-lactalbumin provides substantial protection and therapy against growth of autochthonous tumors in transgenic mouse models of breast cancer and against 4T1 transplantable breast tumors in BALB/c mice. Because alpha-lactalbumin is conditionally expressed only during lactation, vaccination-induced prophylaxis occurs without any detectable inflammation in normal nonlactating breast tissue. Thus, alpha-lactalbumin vaccination may provide safe and effective protection against the development of breast cancer for women in their post-child-bearing, premenopausal years, when lactation is readily avoidable and risk for developing breast cancer is high.

The vast majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop bladder control problems including urgency to urinate, urinary incontinence, frequency of urination, and retention of urine. Over 60% of MS patients show detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, an abnormality characterized by obstruction of urinary outflow as a result of discoordinated contraction of the urethral sphincter muscle and the bladder detrusor muscle. In the current study we examined bladder function in female SWXJ mice with different defined levels of neurological impairment following induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of central nervous system inflammation widely used in MS research. We found that EAE mice develop profound bladder dysfunction characterized by significantly increased micturition frequencies and significantly decreased urine output per micturition. Moreover, we found that the severity of bladder abnormalities in EAE mice was directly related to the severity of clinical EAE and neurologic disability. Our study is the first to show and characterize micturition abnormalities in EAE mice thereby providing a most useful model system for understanding and treating neurogenic bladder.

IFN-γ- and IL-17-producing T cells autoreactive across myelin components are central to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Using direct in vivo, adoptive transfer, and in vitro systems, we show in this study that the generation of these effectors in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis depends on interactions of locally produced C3a/C5a with APC and T cell C3aR/C5aR. In the absence of the cell surface C3/C5 convertase inhibitor decay-accelerating factor (DAF), but not the combined absence of DAF and C5aR and/or C3aR on APC and T cells, a heightened local autoimmune response occurs in which myelin destruction is markedly augmented in concert with markedly more IFN-γ+ and IL-17+ T cell generation. The augmented T cell response is due to increased IL-12 and IL-23 elaboration by APCs together with increased T cell expression of the receptors for each cytokine. The results apply to initial generation of the IL-17 phenotype because naive CD62Lhigh Daf1−/− T cells produce 3-fold more IL-17 in response to TGF-β and IL-6, whereas CD62Lhigh Daf1−/−C5aR−/−C3aR−/− T cells produce 4-fold less.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of putative autoimmune origin that kills males at a twofold to threefold greater frequency than females. The reasons underlying these differential outcomes may be related to sex-divergent self-recognition. Here we examined sex-specific autoimmune responses to cardiac self and their impact on DCM development. We found that males immunized to the p406-425 peptide derived from mouse cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain preferentially develop a predominant Th17 lineage response that provides sustained T-cell memory and a high DCM incidence whereas females preferentially develop a predominant Th1 lineage response that becomes anergized to cardiac self resulting in compensatory protection against DCM. The distinct sex-defined disease phenotypes are interchangeable after in vivo manipulation of Th1 (interleukin-2) and Th17 (interleukin-17) cytokines. Our study shows that male and female SWXJ mice differentially respond to cardiac self in ways that lead to distinct autoimmune outcomes and implies that optimized therapy for autoimmunity may require consideration of the qualitatively different ways that males and females engage self.

Background— Antibodies to the β 1 -adrenergic receptor (β 1 AR) are detected in a substantial number of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The mechanism whereby these autoantibodies exert their pathogenic effect is unknown. Here, we define a causal mechanism whereby β 1 AR-specific autoantibodies mediate noninflammatory cardiomyocyte cell death during murine DCM. Methods and Results— We used the β 1 AR protein as an immunogen in SWXJ mice and generated a polyclonal battery of autoantibodies that showed selective binding to the β 1 AR. After transfer into naive male hosts, β 1 AR antibodies elicited fulminant DCM at high frequency. DCM was attenuated after immunoadsorption of β 1 AR IgG before transfer and by selective pharmacological antagonism of host β 1 AR but not β 2 AR. We found that β 1 AR autoantibodies shifted the β 1 AR into the agonist-coupled high-affinity state and activated the canonical cAMP-dependent protein kinase A signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes. These events led to functional alterations in intracellular calcium handling and contractile function. Sustained agonism by β 1 AR autoantibodies elicited caspase-3 activation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and DCM in vivo, and these processes were prevented by in vivo treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Conclusions— Our data show how β 1 AR-specific autoantibodies elicit DCM by agonistically inducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

In contrast to serial injections of recombinant interferon-beta (IFN-beta) for long-term therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS), prolonged systemic delivery of proteins derived through in vivo gene transfer may provide a more clinically relevant alternative. Here we compare the therapeutic efficacies of electroporation (EP)-mediated intramuscular IFN-beta gene transfer with repeated alternate-day injections of recombinant IFN-beta after the onset of relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model widely used in MS research. We show for the first time that a single EP-mediated intramuscular administration of 20 microg of an IFN-beta-expressing plasmid provides long-term expression of interferon-inducible genes and is therapeutic in ongoing established EAE. The achieved therapeutic effects of IFN-beta gene delivery were comparable to an 8-week regimen of 10,000 IU rIFN-beta injected every other day and involved a significant inhibition of disease progression and a significant reduction of EAE relapses compared to untreated or null-vector-treated mice. Our results indicate the viability of a convenient and effective gene-based alternative for long-term IFN-beta protein therapy in MS.

In contrast to serial injections of recombinant protein, prolonged systemic delivery of proteins derived through in vivo gene transfer may ultimately provide a favorable alternative for long-term therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases such as the predominant use of interferon-beta (IFN|[beta]|) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the current study we compared the therapeutic efficacies of electroporation (EP) mediated intramuscular IFN|[beta]| gene transfer with repeated alternate day injections of recombinant IFN|[beta]| after onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model widely used in MS research. Here we show for the first time that a single EP-mediated intramuscular administration of 20 |[mu]|g of an IFN|[beta]| expressing plasmid provides a therapeutic effect in established EAE comparable to an eight week regimen of 10,000 IU rIFN|[beta]| injected every other day. The achieved therapeutic effects involved a significant inhibition of disease progression and a significant reduction of EAE relapses compared to untreated mice or null vector treated mice. Gene delivery was achieved using a proprietary EP technology that controls plasmid injection and electric field application, thereby ensuring effective and reproducible administration to each subject. Our results indicate the viability of a convenient and effective gene-based alternative for long-term IFN|[beta]| protein therapy in MS and other chronic inflammatory disorders.

Summary Despite constant contact with the large population of commensal bacteria, the colonic mucosa is normally hyporesponsive to these potentially proinflammatory signals. Here we report that the single immunoglobulin IL-1 receptor-related molecule (SIGIRR), a negative regulator for Toll-IL-1R signaling, plays a critical role in gut homeostasis, intestinal inflammation, and colitis-associated tumorigenesis by maintaining the microbial tolerance of the colonic epithelium. SIGIRR-deficient ( Sigirr −/− ) colonic epithelial cells displayed commensal bacteria-dependent homeostatic defects, as shown by constitutive upregulation of inflammatory genes, increased inflammatory responses to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) challenge, and increased Azoxymethane (AOM)+DSS-induced colitis-associated tumorigenesis. Gut epithelium-specific expression of the SIGIRR transgene in the SIGIRR-deficient background reduced the cell survival of the SIGIRR-deficient colon epithelium, abrogated the hypersensitivity of the Sigirr −/− mice to DSS-induced colitis, and reduced AOM+DSS-induced tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results indicate that epithelium-derived SIGIRR is critical in controlling the homeostasis and innate immune responses of the colon to enteric microflora.