Department of Microbiology and Immunology
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Item Impaired Host Defense, Hematopoiesis, Granulomatous Inflammation and Type 1–Type 2 Cytokine Balance in Mice Lacking CC Chemokine Receptor 1(Rockefeller University Press, 1997) Gao, Ji-Liang; Wynn, Thomas A.; Chang, Yun; Lee, Eric J.; Broxmeyer, Hal E.; Cooper, Scott; Tiffany, H. Lee; Westphal, Heiner; Kwon-Chung, June; Murphy, Philip M.; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineCC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) is expressed in neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, and binds the leukocyte chemoattractant and hematopoiesis regulator macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, as well as several related CC chemokines. Four other CCR subtypes are known; their leukocyte and chemokine specificities overlap with, but are not identical to, CCR1, suggesting that CCR1 has both redundant and specific biologic roles. To test this, we have developed CCR1-deficient mice (-/-) by targeted gene disruption. Although the distribution of mature leukocytes was normal, steady state and induced trafficking and proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells were disordered in -/- mice. Moreover, mature neutrophils from -/- mice failed to chemotax in vitro and failed to mobilize into peripheral blood in vivo in response to MIP-1alpha. Consistent with this, -/- mice had accelerated mortality when challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus controlled principally by neutrophils. To test the role of CCR1 in granuloma formation, we injected Schistosoma mansoni eggs intravenously, and observed a 40% reduction in the size of lung granulomas in -/- mice compared to +/+ littermates. This was associated with increased interferon-gamma and decreased interleukin-4 production in -/- versus +/+ lung lymph node cells stimulated with egg-specific antigen, suggesting that CCR1 influences the inflammatory response not only through direct effects on leukocyte chemotaxis, but also through effects on the type 1-type 2 cytokine balance. Thus CCR1 has nonredundant functions in hematopoiesis, host defense, and inflammation.Item Altered Hematopoiesis, Behavior, and Sexual Function in μ Opioid Receptor–deficient Mice(Rockefeller University Press, 1997) Tian, Mingting; Broxmeyer, Hal E.; Fan, Yi; Lai, Zhennan; Zhang, Shengwen; Aronica, Susan; Cooper, Scott; Bigsby, Robert M.; Steinmetz, Rosemary; Engle, Sandra J.; Mestek, Anton; Pollock, Jonathan D.; Lehman, Michael N.; Jansen, Heiko T.; Ying, Moyin; Stambrook, Peter J.; Tischfield, Jay A.; Yu, Lei; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineThe mu opioid receptor is thought to be the cellular target of opioid narcotics such as morphine and heroin, mediating their effects in both pain relief and euphoria. Its involvement is also implicated in a range of diverse biological processes. Using a mouse model in which the receptor gene was disrupted by targeted homologous recombination, we explored the involvement of this receptor in a number of physiological functions. Mice homozygous for the disrupted gene developed normally, but their motor function was altered. Drug-naive homozygotes displayed reduced locomotor activity, and morphine did not induce changes in locomotor activity observed in wild-type mice. Unexpectedly, lack of a functional receptor resulted in changes in both the host defense system and the reproductive system. We observed increased proliferation of granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid, and multipotential progenitor cells in both bone marrow and spleen, indicating a link between hematopoiesis and the opioid system, both of which are stress-responsive systems. Unexpected changes in sexual function in male homozygotes were also observed, as shown by reduced mating activity, a decrease in sperm count and motility, and smaller litter size. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role of the mu opioid receptor in hematopoiesis and reproductive physiology, in addition to its known involvement in pain relief.Item Introduction of human erythropoietin receptor complementary DNA by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into murine embryonic stem cells enhances erythropoiesis in developing embryoid bodies(Elsevier, 2000-07-01) Dai, Mu-Shui; Ge, Yue; Xia, Zhen-Biao; Broxmeyer, Hal E.; Lu, Li; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineTo evaluate the role of the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor (R) in erythropoiesis in more primitive stem cells, we assessed the influence of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of human (h) EpoR complementary DNA (cDNA) into murine embryonic stem (ES) cells on erythroid differentiation of these cells. The hEpoR cDNA was efficiently transduced into ES cells, forming hEpoR that stably expressed ES (ES-hEpoR) cells. Expression of hEpoR cDNA was confirmed in ES-hEpoR cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis. Colony assays demonstrated that definitive erythroid and primitive erythroid colonies were significantly increased from ES-hEpoR cells, when compared with mock virus-transduced ES (ES-Neo) cells, during the time course of differentiation induced by withdrawal of leukemia inhibitory factor, in either the presence or the absence of Epo. Multipotential colony-forming units (CFU-Mix) were also increased in ES-hEpoR cells at different stages of differentiation, but no changes were detected for CFU-granulocyte-macrophage colonies (CFU-GM). Time course studies by Northern blot analysis demonstrated elevated levels of expression of beta-H1 and beta-Major globin genes in embryoid bodies derived from ES-hEpoR cells stimulated with Epo, when compared with similar expression from ES-Neo cells. Expression of the GATA-1 gene was enhanced in ES-hEpoR cells, when compared with ES-Neo cells, beginning immediately after initiation of the cultures until 8 days of differentiation. These data indicate that primitive and definitive erythropoiesis in differentiating embryoid bodies can be enhanced by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of an hEpoR gene. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2000;6(4):395-407.Item Counterpoint: Cord blood stem cell therapy for acquired immune deficiency syndrome(Mary Ann Liebert, 2001-01) Alkhatib, Ghalib; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineComment on Cord blood stem cell therapy for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. [Stem Cells Dev. 2009]Item Adeno-associated Virus 2-Mediated Transduction and Erythroid Lineage-Restricted Long-Term Expression of the Human β-Globin Gene in Hematopoietic Cells from Homozygous β-Thalassemic Mice(Elsevier, 2001-06) Tan, Mengqun; Qing, Keyun; Zhou, Shangzhen; Yoder, Mervin C.; Srivastava, Arun; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineAdeno-associated virus 2 (AAV), a nonpathogenic human parvovirus, has gained attention as a potentially useful vector for human gene therapy. Here, we report successful AAV-mediated stable transduction and high-efficiency, long-term, erythroid lineage-restricted expression of a human β-globin gene in primary murine hematopoietic stem cells in vivo. Bone marrow-derived primitive Sca-1+, lin− hematopoietic stem cells from homozygous β-thalassemic mice were transduced ex vivo with a recombinant AAV vector containing a normal human β-globin gene followed by transplantation into low-dose-irradiated B6.c-kitW41/41 anemic recipient mice. Six months posttransplantation, tail-vein blood samples were analyzed by PCR amplification to document the presence of the transduced human β-globin gene sequences in the peripheral blood cells. Semiquantitative PCR analyses revealed that the transduced human β-globin gene sequences were present at ∼1 copy per cell. The efficiency of the human β-globin gene expression was determined to be up to 35% compared with the murine endogenous β-globin gene by semiquantitative RT-PCR analyses. Peripheral blood samples from several positive recipient mice obtained 10 months posttransplantation were fractionated to obtain enriched populations of granulocytes, lymphocytes, and erythroid cells. PCR analyses revealed the presence of the human β-globin gene sequences in granulocytes and lymphocytes, indicating multilineage reconstitution. However, only the erythroid population was positive following RT-PCR analyses, suggesting lineage-restricted expression of the transduced human β-globin gene. Southern blot analyses of total genomic DNA samples isolated from bone marrow cells from transplanted mice also documented proviral integration. These results provide further support for the potential use of recombinant AAV vectors in gene therapy of β-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease.Item Infection of Purified Nuclei by Adeno-associated Virus 2(Elsevier, 2001-10) Hansen, Jonathan; Qing, Keyun; Srivastava, Arun; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineAdeno-associated virus 2 (AAV), a nonpathogenic human parvovirus, requires co-infection with a helper virus for its optimal replication. Although AAV possesses a broad host range, certain cell types lack the machinery necessary for efficient entry into the cell and intracellular trafficking of AAV into the nucleus, where the viral second-strand DNA synthesis must occur before gene expression. We have demonstrated that in less-permissive mouse fibroblasts, the virus fails to transport to the nucleus due to altered endocytic processing. However, relatively little is known about the intracellular site of viral uncoating and transport of the virion across the nuclear envelope. Here, we provide evidence that AAV can efficiently enter intact nuclei purified from both permissive and less-permissive cell types. Furthermore, entry into the nucleus is time- and temperature-dependent, but is not saturable and seems to occur independently of the nuclear pore complex. We also demonstrate that purified nuclei contain all of the machinery necessary for uncoating and viral second-strand DNA synthesis even in the absence of a helper virus. These studies provide new insights into the basic biology of AAV and may also have implications for the optimal use of AAV vectors in human gene therapy.Item Current Status of Cord Blood Banking and Transplantation in the United States and Europe(Elsevier, 2001-12-01) Ballen, Karen; Broxmeyer, Hal E.; McCullough, Jeffrey; Piaciabello, Wanda; Rebulla, Paolo; Verfaillie, Catherine M.; Wagner, John E.; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineCord blood (CB) transplantation has expanded the ability of the transplantation community to meet the growing needs of their patients. Clinical data over the last decade show promising results in CB transplantation using blood from related as well as unrelated donors. Basic science continues to look for ways to expand the quality and quantity of CB. CB banks are now established around the world, with major efforts to standardize banking to facilitate regulation, collection, processing, and distribution as a way of providing the highest-quality CB for patient use. This review article discusses the current status of CB transplantation and banking in the United States and Europe.Item Recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan by the innate immune system(Springer, 2003) Dziarski, Roman; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineThe innate immune system recognizes microorganisms through a series of pattern recognition receptors that are highly conserved in evolution. Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a unique and essential component of the cell wall of virtually all bacteria and is not present in eukaryotes, and thus is an excellent target for the innate immune system. Indeed, higher eukaryotes, including mammals, have several PGN recognition molecules, including CD14, Toll-like receptor 2, a family of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, Nod1 and Nod2, and PGN-lytic enzymes (lysozyme and amidases). These molecules induce host responses to microorganisms or have direct antimicrobial effects.Item Certification assays for HIV-1-based vectors: frequent passage of gag sequences without evidence of replication-competent viruses(Elsevier, 2003-11-01) Sastry, Lakshmi; Xu, Yi; Johnson, Terry; Desai, Kunal; Rissing, David; Marsh, Jonathan; Cornetta, Kenneth; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineA principal concern regarding the safety of HIV-1-based vectors is replication-competent lentivirus (RCL). We have developed two PCR assays for detecting RCL; the first detects recombination between gag regions in the transfer vector and the packaging construct (sensitivity of detection ∼10–100 copies of target sequence). The second assay uses real-time PCR to detect vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG) envelope DNA (sensitivity ∼5–50 VSVG sequences). In an attempt to amplify any RCL, test vectors were used to transduce C8166 and 293 cells, which were then screened weekly for 3 weeks. Psi–gag recombinants were routinely detected (20 of 21 analyses) in four transductions using the RRL-CMV-GFP vector. In contrast, VSVG sequences were detected only once in 21 analyses. Interestingly, p24 levels (as measured by ELISA) were occasionally detectable after 3 weeks of culture. To determine if a true RCL was present, 21-day cell-free medium was used to transduce naïve cells. No evidence of psi–gag or VSVG transfer was detected, indicating that the recombination events were insufficient to reconstitute a true RCL. These findings have important implications for the design and safety of HIV-1-based vectors intended for clinical applications.Item High levels of soluble herpes virus entry mediator in sera of patients with allergic and autoimmune diseases(Springer Nature, 2003-12-01) Jun, Hyo Won; La, Su Jin; Kim, Ji Young; Heo, Suk Kyeung; Kim, Ju Yang; Wang, Sa; Kim, Kack Kyun; Lee, Ki Man; Cho, Hong Rae; Lee, Hyeon Woo; Kwon, Byungsuk; Kim, Byung Sam; Kwon, Byoung Se; Microbiology and Immunology, School of MedicineHerpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) is a newly discovered member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily that has a role in herpes simplex virus entry, in T cell activation and in tumor immunity. We generated mAb against HVEM and detected soluble HVEM (SHVEM) in the sera of patients with various autoimmune diseases. HVEM was constitutively expressed on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, CD14+ monocytes, neutrophils and dendritic cells. In three-way MLR, mAb 122 and 139 were agonists and mAb 108 had blocking activity. An ELISA was developed to detect sHVEM in patient sera. sHVEM levels were elevated in sera of patients with allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The mAbs discussed here may be useful for studies of the role of HVEM in immune responses. Detection of soluble HVEM might have diagnostic and prognostic value in certain immunological disorders.