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APCs deployed within iris/ciliary body are responsible for promoting anterior chamber-associated immune deviation following injection of Ag into the eye. TGFbeta-2, a constituent of the ocular microenvironment, converts conventional APCs that are pulsed with Ag into cells that induce immune deviation when injected into naive mice. TGFbeta-2-treated APCs under-express IL-12 and CD40, and over-express active TGFbeta. We have examined transcriptional changes within macrophage hybridoma no. 59, which promotes Th1 cell differentiation, and TGFbeta-2-treated no. 59 as well as macrophage hybridoma no. 63, both of which induce immune deviation similar to anterior chamber-associated immune deviation. Immune deviation-inducing hybridomas up-regulated expression of thrombospondin, TGFbeta, IFN-alpha and beta, murine macrophage elastase, and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 genes, while down-regulating expression of the genes for NF-kappaB and CD40. Based on the known properties of these gene products, a model is proposed in which these gene products, alone and through interacting signaling pathways, confer upon conventional APCs the capacity to create and surround themselves with an immunomodulatory microenvironment. The model proposes that the pleiotropic effects of thrombospondin are primarily responsible for creating this microenvironment that is stabile, rich in active TGFbeta and IFN-alpha and beta, deficient in IL-12, and chemoattractant via macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 for NK T cells. It is further proposed that presentation of Ag to T cells in this microenvironment leads to their differentiation into regulatory cells that suppress Th1 cell-dependent immunogenic inflammation.

We investigated the allelic distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TNFA, TNFB and IKBL genes, 3 microsatellites within the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) region of HLA locus, and the HLA phenotypes as well as the TLR4 gene in Chromosome 9 in 26 healthy Caucasian volunteers. These individuals were also assessed as ultraviolet B (UVB)-susceptible (S) or UVB-resistant (R). Our results identified 12 UVB-S and 14 UVB-R individuals. Attempts to correlate particular HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR antigens with the UVB phenotypes failed. Similarly, attempts to correlate SNP at the NcoI-RFLP within intron 1 of the TNFB, IKBL and TLR4 gene with UVB phenotypes also failed. However, microsatellite analyses of TNFa, TNFc, and TNFd markers revealed a significant increase in the frequencies of TNFa2 in UVB-S individuals (P=0.00032) and of TNFd3 in UVB-R individuals (P=0.012). Moreover, DNA sequencing analyses of 5 SNPs of the TNFA promoter region revealed a significant increase in the frequency of the allele B of the TNFA gene (TNFApB) representing the nucleotide A at position -863 and C at position -1031 (P=0.015). Since it is known that TNFa2 and TNFApB is a high TNF-alpha responder, whereas TNFd3 is a TNF-alpha low responder, we propose that the TNF region of HLA contains polymorphic genes that confer susceptibility and resistance to the deleterious effects of UVB radiation on the induction of contact hypersensitivity. This proposal is consistent with previous reports that a unique microsatellite region of the Tnfa gene in mice contains alleles that dictate the UVB-dependent phenotypes in mice, and implicate TNF-alpha as the primary mediator of the immune-damaging effects of UVB radiation.

Ion-pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP RP HPLC) is presented as a new, superior method for the analysis of RNA. IP RP HPLC provides a fast and reliable alternative to classical methods of RNA analysis, including separation of different RNA species, quantification and purification. RNA is stable under the analysis conditions used; degradation of RNA during the analyses was not observed. The versatility of IP RP HPLC for RNA analysis is demonstrated. Components of an RNA ladder, ranging in size from 155 to 1770 nt, were resolved. RNA transcripts of up to 5219 nt were analyzed, their integrity determined and they were quantified and purified. Purification of mRNA from total RNA is described, separating mouse rRNA from poly(A)(+) mRNA. IP RP HPLC is also suitable for the separation and purification of DIG-labeled from unlabeled RNA. RNA purified by IP RP HPLC exhibits improved stability.

Sizing of DNA fragments is a routine analysis traditionally performed on agarose or polyacrylamide gels. Electrophoretic analysis is labor-intensive with only limited potential for automation. Recovery of DNA fragments from gels is cumbersome. We present data on automated, size-based separation of DNA fragments by ion-pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP RP HPLC) - DNA chromatography - on the WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System with the DNASep cartridge. This system is suitable for accurate and rapid sizing of double-stranded (ds) DNA fragments from 50 to ca. 2000 base pairs (bp). Fluorescently labeled DNA fragments are compatible with the technology. Length-dependent separation of dsDNA fragments is sequence independent and retention times are highly reproducible. The resolving capabilities of DNA chromatography are illustrated by the analysis of multiple DNA size markers. Resolved dsDNA fragments are easily collected and are suitable for downstream applications such as sequencing and cloning. DNA chromatography under denaturing conditions with fluorescently labeled DNA fragments offers a means for the separation and purification of individual strands of dsDNA. Analysis of DNA fragments on the WAVE System is highly automated and requires minimal manual intervention. DNA chromatography offers a reliable and automated alternative to gel electrophoresis for the analysis of DNA fragments.

Variances, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), in the genomic sequence of individuals are the primary key to understanding gene function as it relates to differences in the susceptibility to disease, environmental influences, and therapy. In this report, the HSP70B' gene is the target sequence for mutation detection in biopsy samples from human prostate cancer patients undergoing combined hyperthermia and radiation therapy at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, using temperature-modulated heteroduplex analysis (TMHA). The underlying principles of TMHA for mutation detection using DHPLC technology are discussed. The procedures involved in amplicon design for mutation analysis by DHPLC are detailed. The melting behavior of the complete coding sequence of the target gene is characterized using WAVEMAKER software. Four overlapping amplicons, which span the complete coding region of the HSP70B' gene, amenable to mutation detection by DHPLC were identified based on the software-predicted melting profile of the target sequence. TMHA was performed on PCR products of individual amplicons of the HSP70B' gene on the WAVE Nucleic Acid Fragment Analysis System. The criteria for mutation calling by comparing wild-type and mutant chromatographic patterns are discussed.

A specialized form of ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is gaining widespread application in mutation detection for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The technique relies on temperature-modulated heteroduplex analysis (TMHA) by chromatographic separation of partially denatured DNA heteroduplexes from homoduplexes. Here, we demonstrate that fluorescent labeling is compatible with mutation analysis by this form of DNA chromatography and offers advantages over the use of unlabeled DNA fragments. Uniform labeling of wild-type and mutant alleles for TMHA yields peak patterns identical to unlabeled fragments. However, fluorescent labels increase retention times but do not influence resolution of heteroduplexes from homoduplexes. They increase sensitivity and decrease the amount of DNA required for analysis; e.g., in the case presented here, one allele can be detected in the presence of a 500-fold excess of another allele. Furthermore, allele-specific wild-type probes, fluorescently labeled on one strand only, make it possible to selectively monitor specific homoduplexes and wild-type/mutant heteroduplexes. This, in combination with an internal homoduplex standard, greatly reduces the complexity of fluorescence chromatograms compared with chromatograms recorded in the UV. These simplified chromatograms, in which only the internal homoduplex standard and the labeled heteroduplex are detected in the presence of a mutation, greatly facilitate the detection and identification of mutant alleles., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The ability to rapidly and reliably genotype mice is an important concern. Traditional methods employ labour intensive and time consuming techniques such as test crossing, gel electrophoresis or nucleic acid hybridization. Here we show that a new molecular biology workstation, the WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System, can easily resolve polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products that have small differences in their lengths. Analysis is fully automated and takes less than 7 min per sample. Approximately 200 samples can be analysed per day with only minutes of hands-on time after completion of the PCR. Genotyping with the WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System is a fast and efficient method with minimal manual intervention., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The role of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the induction of antigen-specific unresponsiveness was examined, using two functionally distinct murine macrophage hybridomas, #59 and #63 cells. Derivatized with the hapten (dinitrofluorobenzene; DNFB), #59 cells induced contact hypersensitivity (CH) in mice. Hapten-derivatized #63 cells failed to induce CH. Instead, they prevented recipients from acquiring CH when exposed subsequently to a sensitizing dose of the hapten. Similarly, hapten-derivatized #59 cells, pretreated in vitro with transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) lost their capacity to evoke CH, and induced tolerance. Hapten-derivatized #63 cells and TGF-beta2-treated #59 cells eliminated CH in mice sensitized to hapten. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNAs for various accessory molecules important in T-cell activation revealed that #63 and TGF-beta2-treated #59 cells differed only in their expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA. The latter expressed higher levels of TNF-alpha mRNA than did untreated #59 cells. As a consequence, #63 and TGF-beta2-treated #59 cells, both of which induce tolerance, secrete TNF-alpha protein unlike untreated #59 cells, which do not induce tolerance to hapten. Since neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha antibodies abrogated the tolerogenic potential of #63 cells in vivo, we conclude that TGF-beta2 equips hapten-bearing APC with the capacity to evoke systemic immune deviation in which CH is selectively silenced. We speculate that one effect of TGF-beta2 is to cause APC to up-regulate TNF-alpha production. In turn, this cytokine biases the functional property of responding hapten-specific T cells in a direction that not only interferes with acquisition, but suppresses induction of CH.

Two single-stranded polynucleotide constructs, 123 and 126 nucleotides in length, were chemically synthesized using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. Clonable, double-stranded DNA fragments about 100-bp long were prepared from the polynucleotides by primer extension with a DNA polymerase and end-trimming with two restriction endonucleases, then the fragments were ligated into separate plasmids. Errors in individual insert copies were determined by dideoxy sequencing after in vivo amplification of plasmids. Five of the ten inserts sequenced contained errors, including seven single-base-pair deletions, one four-base-pair deletion and one G-->C transversion. The origins of the latter two errors are unclear, but single-base deletions are inconsistent with errors of polymerases; thus, the most common sequence errors of chemical synthesis are deletion mutations. Deletions are most likely to result from incomplete capping or de-tritylation. The observed error rate can became a significant limiting factor in applications that depend on the correctness of a polynucleotide sequence in individual insert clones.

A synthetic polynucleotide sequence was developed and cloned to serve as a target in footprinting and other assays designed to characterize the sequence-selective binding of drugs and other small molecules to various forms of nucleic acids. The target sequence comprehensively represents all base quartet recognition sites in a minimal length sequence. Minimal length target sequences were found to be 144 nt long. One such target sequence was divided into two parts. One strand of each part was chemically synthesized and the complementary strands were generated using a DNA polymerase. Double-stranded sequences were then cloned into pGEM-3Zf(+/-) vectors (Promega, Inc.). The cloned target sequence can be used directly in double-stranded DNA form. Alternatively, features of the plasmid vector allow expression of the target sequences as single-stranded DNA or RNA or as RNA/DNA or RNA/RNA duplexes. These cloned target sequences designed for high information content overcome limitations to the use of natural DNA sequences for footprinting and related experiments arising from the unequal representation of base quartets and the potential for secondary structure formation in single-stranded forms.

Alkylamine-substituted naphthalene imides and diimides bind DNA by intercalation and have applications as anticancer agents. The unique structures of these imides in which two adjacent carbonyl groups lie coplanar to an extended aromatic ring system allow the possibility of sequence-selective interactions between the intercalated chromophore and guanine amino groups situated in the DNA minor groove. The binding affinities of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl amine]-1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylic imide (N-DMPrNI) and N,N'-bis [3,3'-(dimethylamino)propylamine]-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic diimide (N-BDMPrNDI) for natural DNAs of differing base composition were determined spectroscopically and by equilibrium dialysis. In agreement with the above proposition, binding studies indicated that both the naphthalene imide and diimide strongly prefer to intercalate into steps containing at least one G:C base pair. The dependencies of association constants on DNA base composition are consistent with a requirement for one G:C pair in the binding site of the monomide, and two G:C pairs in binding sites of the diimide. These selectivities are comparable to or exceed that of actinomycin D, a classic G:C-selective drug. Protection footprinting with DNase I confirmed that the naphthalene monoiimide (N-DMPrNI) prefers to bind adjacent to G:C base pairs, with a most consistent preference for "mixed" steps containing both a G:C and an A:T pair, excepting GA:TC. Several 5'-CG-3' steps were also good binding sites as indicated by nuclease protection, but few GC:GC or GG:CC steps were protected. The naphthalene diimide inhibited DNase I digestion, but did not yield a footprint. The base recognition ability and versatile chemistry make naphthalene imides and diimides attractive building blocks for design of highly sequence-specific, DNA-directed drug candidates including conjugated oligonucleotides or oligopeptides.

Primer extension assays using recombinant templates constructed to contain all 256 possible base quartets in a minimum length sequence were used to examine binding of the anticancer drug actinomycin D to single-stranded DNA. Single-stranded templates were generated by digestion of linearized plasmid with the double-strand-specific T7 gene 6 exonuclease. Actinomycin D formed high-affinity, kinetically stable complexes that paused primer elongation at specific sites by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, Sequenase (modified T4 DNA polymerase), the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase, and Vent (exo-) DNA polymerase. Pauses occurred most commonly near G+C-rich nucleotide clusters, including GpC steps, the preferred sites of double-stranded DNA binding. Complexes were stable for several minutes at temperatures over 50 degrees C as determined by their abilities to pause Vent polymerase at elevated temperatures. Significant variations were noted in pause patterns of different polymerases, demonstrating differential responses of polymerases to a bound actinomycin. Covalent adducts formed on template DNA by a photoaffinity analog of actinomycin D completely stopped primer extension. These results support the possibility that actinomycin D inhibits transcription elongation by complexing single-stranded DNA in the open transcription complex. Single-stranded DNA binding by actinomycin D or analogs may also provide routes for combating HIV or other viruses which replicate through single-stranded intermediates.

Touchdown (TD) PCR represents a versatile one-step procedure for optimizing PCRs even if the degree of primer-template complementarity is not fully known. The protocol relies on incremental annealing temperature decreases in progressive cycles designed to bracket the melting temperature (Tm) of the reaction. Here we investigate the characteristics of TD PCR that serve to minimize the need to optimize annealing temperature or buffer conditions and yet produce single strong target amplicons. We demonstrate that priming initiates above the optimum annealing temperature; this helps to ensure a competitive advantage for the target amplicon. On the other hand, as the cycling program progresses, annealing temperatures well below the Tm can serve to significantly increase yields in reactions that would otherwise be marginal due to suboptimal buffer composition and yet do not promote spurious amplification. Modified forms of TD PCR, termed stepdown PCR, consisting of fewer but steeper incremental declines in annealing temperature, are also shown to be effective and can simplify thermal cycler programming.