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We have characterized transgenic mice carrying a functional T cell receptor (TCR) Cγ4 (Vγ1.1Jγ4Cγ4) gene. Results indicate that active transcription of the Cγ4 transgene can influence expression of the endogenous Cγ4, Cγ1 (Vγ3-, Vγ4-, Vγ2-, or Vγ5Jγ1Cγ1) and Cγ2 (Vγ1.2Jγ2Cγ2) genes, while the ultimate expression of other TCR δ, α, and β chain genes, as well as the adult T cell response, are relatively unaltered. Cells expressing transgenic Cγ4 and endogenous δ TCR transcripts can migrate to the skin as dendritic epithelial cells (DEC) even though Cγ4 cells are rarely, if at all, found in the skin. Transgenic and control mice were compared at 2 weeks, 6–7 weeks, and older. At 2 weeks, the thymus of transgenic mice, particularly the medulla, was much larger than control. Moreover, peripheral lymphoid tissues of younger mice were markedly (as much as 100-fold) more immunoreactive (both Con A response and alloreactivity). These differences, although persistent, became smaller in older mice. The data suggest that transgene expression has a major effect on T cell development and reactivity.

In order to compare the polypeptide composition of the CML mature granulocytes with that of the normal whole cell lysates, mature granulocytes from four healthy volunteers and six CML patients were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In the normal subjects, 60 major spots were commonly and reproducibly identified. In the CML, there were constant alterations in some of these major spots. Four spots were totally absent in all the CML samples, and another four spots were absent in five of the six samples. In addition, one spot was larger in CML than in normal cells, and another spot, which was only faintly visible or not detectable in the normal samples, was massively present in all the CML samples. Our data suggest specific changes in the polypeptide compositions of CML granulocytes. This method could be clinically applied for the analysis of granulocytic disorders.

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have analyzed the polypeptide alteration of the human myeloid leukemia cell line HL60 during differentiation induced by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Three polypeptides increased in synthesis after DMSO treatment, while 5 polypeptides increased after TPA treatment. Most other polypeptides were synthesized at a reduced rate though their net amounts remained unchanged, indicating that myeloid differentiation was associated not only with an increased synthesis of a few specific polypeptides but also with overall depression of most other polypeptides. One of the early differentiation marker proteins (mol. wt approx. 20,000, pl approx. 6.0) of granulopoietic cells was increased specifically after DMSO treatment, while one of the monocyte specific marker proteins (mol. wt approx. 46,000, pl approx. 4.8) was detected after TPA treatment. But, the pattern of HL60 cells did not necessarily become similar to that of normal mature granulocytes after DMSO treatment, indicating that HL60 cell differentiation might be partial or incomplete.

SUMMARY Adoptive immunotherapy with functional T cells is potentially an effective therapeutic strategy for combating many types of cancer and viral infection. However, exhaustion of antigen-specific T cells represents a major challenge to this type of approach. In an effort to overcome this problem, we reprogrammed clonally expanded antigen-specific CD8 + T cells from an HIV-1-infected patient to pluripotency. The T cell-derived induced pluripotent stem cells were then redifferentiated into CD8 + T cells that had a high proliferative capacity and elongated telomeres. These ‘‘rejuvenated’’ cells possessed antigen-specific killing activity and exhibited T cell receptor gene-rearrangement patterns identical to those of the original T cell clone from the patient. We also found that this method can be effective for generating specific T cells for other pathology-associated antigens. Thus, this type of approach may have broad applications in the field of adoptive immunotherapy.

Summary The recently reported Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is phylogenetically closely related to the bat coronaviruses (BatCoVs) HKU4 and HKU5. However, the evolutionary pathway of MERS-CoV is still unclear. A receptor binding domain (RBD) in the MERS-CoV envelope-embedded spike protein specifically engages human CD26 (hCD26) to initiate viral entry. The high sequence identity in the viral spike protein prompted us to investigate if HKU4 and HKU5 can recognize hCD26 for cell entry. We found that HKU4-RBD, but not HKU5-RBD, binds to hCD26, and pseudotyped viruses embedding HKU4 spike can infect cells via hCD26 recognition. The structure of the HKU4-RBD/hCD26 complex revealed a hCD26-binding mode similar overall to that observed for MERS-RBD. HKU4-RBD, however, is less adapted to hCD26 than MERS-RBD, explaining its lower affinity for receptor binding. Our findings support a bat origin for MERS-CoV and indicate the need for surveillance of HKU4-related viruses in bats., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • The bat coronavirus HKU4 is phylogenetically closely related to MERS-CoV • The BatCoV HKU4, but not HUK5, spike protein binds to the MERS-CoV human receptor hCD26 • Virus particles pseudotyped with BatCoV HKU4 spike infect cells by engaging hCD26 • HKU4-RBD/hCD26 structure delineates the recognition basis and interaction details, Bat origin has been suggested for the recently identified MERS coronavirus (CoV). Wang et al. provide structural and functional evidence that bat coronavirus HKU4 can utilize the MERS-CoV human receptor CD26 for cell entry. These studies support the possible adaptation of HKU4 coronavirus to infect humans and the need for continued surveillance.

The Japanese surveillance committee conducted the first nationwide surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of uropathogens responsible for female acute uncomplicated cystitis at 43 hospitals throughout Japan from April 2009 to November 2010. In this study, the causative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus) and their susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents were investigated by isolation and culturing of bacteria from urine samples. In total, 387 strains were isolated from 461 patients, including E. coli (n = 301, 77.8 %), S. saprophyticus (n = 20, 5.2 %), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 13, 3.4 %), and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 11, 2.8 %). S. saprophyticus was significantly more common in premenopausal women (P = 0.00095). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 19 antibacterial agents used for these strains were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute manual. At least 87 % of E. coli isolates showed susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, and 100 % of S. saprophyticus isolates showed susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The proportions of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli strains were 13.3 % and 4.7 %, respectively. It is important to confirm the susceptibility of causative bacteria for optimal antimicrobial therapy, and empiric antimicrobial agents should be selected by considering patient characteristics and other factors. However, the number of isolates of fluoroquinolone-resistant or ESBL-producing strains in gram-negative bacilli may be increasing in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Japan. Therefore, these data present important information for the proper treatment of UTIs and will serve as a useful reference for future surveillance studies.

Cellular mutants defective in the expression of viral polypeptides were isolated from the Friend erythroleukemia cell line 745a by immunoselection with anti-ecotropic murine leukaemia virus serum in the presence of complement. The mode of appearance of the antiserum-resistant cells showed an interesting pattern which is discussed in the text. One of the mutants obtained contained no detectable gp70 or p15(E) while retaining gPr90env; defects appeared to reside in the processing of the gPr90env to gp70 and p15(E). In another type of mutant, gPr90env was not detected. All these mutants retained spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV)-specific gp55 and gag precursor Pr68gag. The mutants superinfected with the helper virus produced the helper and SFFV also, indicating that these mutations did not affect the replication of the exogenously infecting virus.

We have identified a CCAAT box element that is required for the efficient transcription of the human beta-actin gene. Both in vivo transient transfection assays in cultured HeLa cells and in vitro run-off transcription assays in HeLa whole cell extracts demonstrated the requirement of this element for efficient promoter activity. A gel mobility shift assay revealed a Hela nuclear factor that specifically interacted with the beta-actin CCAAT element in vitro; mutation of the first three base pairs of the CCAAT pentanucleotide abolished binding of this factor. Competition gel shift experiments revealed that three sequence elements located within the beta-actin promoter, each containing a CC(A/T)6GG motif similar to that contained within the c-fos serum response element, were able to bind a different nuclear factor, serum response factor (SRF). One of these CC(A/T)6GG motifs is contained within a first intron fragment that enhanced transcription from a heterologous promoter in vivo.

During B cell development, the surface expression of CD79 alpha/CD79 beta heterodimers had been thought to begin in the pre-B cell stage where the heterodimers constitute pre-B cell receptors together with mu heavy and surrogate light chains. Thereafter, in mature B cells, CD79 alpha/CD79 beta associates with surface Ig to form B cell antigen receptors. In this study, we revealed by using newly established mAb that CD79 beta was expressed on the surface of pro-B cells which had not undergone the productive Ig gene rearrangement. Biochemical analysis showed that CD79 beta on pro-B cells existed either as monomers or as disulfide-linked heterodimers with CD79 alpha, non-covalently associated with four unidentified membrane molecules. Our finding that CD79 beta is expressed on earlier B-lineage cells than previously expected coincides with the recent study in which CD79 beta-deficient mice exhibit a blockade of B cell differentiation at the pro-B cell stage. Thus, it is speculated that the CD79 beta-containing complexes on pro-B cell surfaces may function to induce early B cell differentiation.

Object Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE), primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) are major central nervous system (CNS) diseases in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We assessed the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of DNAs of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and JC virus (JCV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods We compared the PCR results with those of pathological findings at autopsy. Patients or Materials The present study included 23 autopsies representing those in whom CSF samples were obtained before death while the patient was hospitalized or at autopsy. Results The threshold levels for PCR detection were 4 tachyzoites of T. gondii, 5-15 genomes of EBV and 10 genomes of JCV. We identified T. gondii DNA in 4 out of 5 autopsy-defined cases of TE, EBV DNA in 5 out of 5 cases with PCNSL, and JCV DNA in 2 out of 2 cases with PML. The specificity of PCR was 100% in TE, 78 % in PCNSL, and 100 % in PML. Conclusion Although the number of cases was relatively small in this study, PCR correctly identified T. gondii DNA in those cases in which PML or PCNSL was the sole clinical diagnosis. Our results indicate that PCR examination of CSF is a clinically useful tool for the diagnosis of focal brain lesions in patients with AIDS.(Internal Medicine 38: 556-562, 1999)

According to the rate of depletion of CD4 cell counts, we grouped 12 cases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection as 6 rapid (21.0 to 33.8 cells per microl per month) and 6 slow (0.9 to 7.9 cells per microl per month) progressors and determined the individual viral quasispecies patterns by sequencing the genome region encoding the V1, V2, and V3 loops of envelope protein. Although the quasispecies structures varied widely from one individual to another, a strong correlation was observed between a low rate of disease progression and a high degree of genetic diversity of HIV-1. Furthermore, the V2 loop extension was observed specifically in individuals with slow or no disease progression, whereas basic amino acid substitutions in V3 characteristic of a viral phenotype shift from non-syncytium inducing to syncytium inducing were observed in patients with advanced stages of disease regardless of their rate of disease progression. Studies with recombinant viruses suggested that elongation of V2 potentially restricts the capacity of HIV-1 to replicate in macrophages. Thus, our results suggest the association of distinct sequence features of both V3 and V2 with particular patterns of disease progression. Elongation of the V2 loop may be a good predictor of slow disease progression, while basic substitutions of V3 without elongation of V2 are characteristic of rapid progression.

Background HIV-1 infected patients frequently have osteolytic bone disease, which is caused by the dysregulation of the bone remodeling system that involves the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but the relationship between osteolytic disease and HIV-1 infection remains unclear. In this study we tested whether HIV-1 infection of osteoclasts affects their differentiation. Results We prepared human osteoclasts from CD14+ monocytes and examined them for their susceptibility to HIV-1. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of HIV-1 infection on osteoclast differentiation. CD14-derived osteoclasts were shown to express CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4 each at the similar level to that shown with macrophages. R5-tropic HIV-1 and X4-tropic HIV-1 were found to infect CD14-derived osteoclasts and replicate in them. Furthermore, HIV-1 infection induced formation of larger osteoclastst, enhanced the expression of mRNAs for three osteoclast specific marker molecules (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, and the calcitonin receptor), and up-regulated osteoclast bone resorption activity. Conclusions Our results suggest that osteoclasts serve as a novel target for HIV-1 infection, which may enhance the osteoclast differentiation contributing to the development of osteolytic disease in HIV-1-infected patients.