Functionality, growth and accelerated aging of tissue engineered living autologous vascular grafts.

Living autologous tissue engineered vascular-grafts (TEVGs) with growth-capacity may overcome the limitations of contemporary artificial-prostheses. However, the multi-step in vitro production of TEVGs requires extensive ex vivo cell-manipulations with unknown effects on functionality and quality of TEVGs due to an accelerated biological age of the cells. Here, the impact of biological cell-age and tissue-remodeling capacity of TEVGs in relation to their clinical long-term functionality are investigated. TEVGs were implanted as pulmonary-artery (PA) replacements in juvenile sheep and followed for up to 240 weeks (∼4.5years). Telomere length and telomerase activity were compared amongst TEVGs and adjacent native tissue. Telomerase-activity of in vitro expanded autologous vascular-cells prior to seeding was <5% as compared to a leukemic cell line, indicating biological-aging associated with decreasing telomere-length with each cellular-doubling. Up to 100 weeks, the cells in the TEVGs had consistently shorter telomeres compared to the native counterpart, whereas no significant differences were detectable at 240 weeks. Computed tomography (CT) analysis demonstrated physiological wall-pressures, shear-stresses, and flow-pattern comparable to the native PA. There were no signs of degeneration detectable and continuous native-analogous growth was confirmed by vessel-volumetry. TEVGs exhibit a higher biological age compared to their native counterparts. However, despite of this tissue engineering technology related accelerated biological-aging, growth-capacity and long-term functionality was not compromised. To the contrary, extensive in-vivo remodeling processes with substantial endogenous cellular turnover appears to result in "TEVG rejuvenation" and excellent clinical performance. As these large-animal results can be extrapolated to approximately 20 human years, this study suggests long-term clinical-safety of cardiovascular in vitro tissue engineering and may contribute to safety-criteria as to first-in-man clinical-trials.

3D microtissue formation of undifferentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells leads to elevated apoptosis.

Current implantation formats to deliver bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the site of myocardial injury resulted only in limited cell retention and integration. As an alternative concept to single cell transplantation, we investigated the fate of cell tracker-labeled syngenic rat MSC microtissue implants, injected into the scar area in a chronic rat myocardial infarction model. Analysis of the explants after 2 and 7 days revealed substantial amounts of the cell tracker within the infarct region. However, the signal was associated with the extracellular matrix rather than with viable implanted cells. Following these results, we systematically evaluated the behavior of MSCs derived from mouse, rat, and human origin in the microtissue format in vitro. We found that MSC-composed microtissues of all three species displayed highly elevated levels of apoptotic activity and cell death. This effect could be attenuated by initiating osteogenic differentiation during the tissue formation process. We conclude that MSCs used for tissue regeneration undergo apoptosis in their new environment unless they get appropriate signals for differentiation that permit sustained survival. These findings may explain the limited cellular regeneration potential in current MSC-based clinical trials and may change therapeutic strategies away from pure, unmodulated cell delivery concepts.

Clemastine causes immune suppression through inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent proinflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Antihistamines are considered safe and used worldwide against allergy, pruritus, nausea, and cough and as sleeping aids. Nonetheless, a growing number of reports suggest that antihistamines also have immunoregulatory functions. OBJECTIVE: We examined the extent and by what potential mechanisms histamine-1-receptor (H1R) antagonists exert immune suppressive effects. METHODS: Immune suppression by antihistamines and immunosuppressants was tested in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. Potential modes of action were studied in vitro by using murine and human cells. We also tested whether injection of clemastine in healthy volunteers affected the activation of peripheral macrophages and monocytes. Finally, therapeutic application of clemastine-mediated immune suppression was tested in a murine model of sepsis. RESULTS: Clemastine and desloratadine strongly reduced innate responses to Listeria monocytogenes in mice as did dexamethasone. The immune suppression was MyD88 independent and characterized by inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway, leading to overall impaired innate immunity with reduced TNF-α and IL-6 production. Surprisingly, the observed effects were H1R independent as demonstrated in H1R-deficient mice. Moreover, in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 1 intravenous administration of clemastine reduced the TNF-α secretion potential of peripheral blood macrophages and monocytes. This inhibition could be exploited to treat sepsis in mice. CONCLUSIONS: The safety profile of antihistamines may need to be revisited. However, antihistamine-mediated immune suppression may also be exploited and find applications in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Persistence of recipient-type endothelium after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The possibility that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation performed across the ABO blood group-barrier is associated with an increase of graft-versus-host disease, in particular endothelial damage, has not been elucidated so far. For this reason, we investigated the level of endothelial cell chimerism after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in order to delineate the role of hematopoietic stem cells in endothelial replacement. DESIGN AND METHODS: The frequency of donor-derived endothelial cells was analyzed in 52 hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, in 22 normal skin biopsies, in 12 skin samples affected by graft-versus-host disease, various tissues from five autopsies and four secondary solid tumors by ABH immunohistochemistry, XY fluorescence in situ hybridization and short tandem repeat analysis of laser captured endothelial cells. RESULTS: Skin biopsies from two patients transplanted with minor ABO-incompatible grafts (i.e. O in A) showed 3.3% and 0.9% H antigen-positive donor-derived endothelial cells by ABH immunohistochemistry. Tumor biopsies from two recipients showed 1.2% and 2.5% donor-derived endothelial cells by combined immunohistochemistry/ fluorescence in situ hybridization. All other skin samples, heart, liver, bone-marrow, and tumor tissues failed to reveal donor-type endothelial cells up to several years after ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial cell replacement by bone marrow-derived donor cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a rare event. It does not seem to represent a major mechanism of physiological in vivo blood vessel formation, tumor neoangiogenesis, vascular repair after graft-versus-host disease episodes or acceptance of ABO-incompatible grafts.

Minimally-invasive implantation of living tissue engineered heart valves: a comprehensive approach from autologous vascular cells to stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of combining the novel heart valve replacement technologies of: 1) tissue engineering; and 2) minimally-invasive implantation based on autologous cells and composite self-expandable biodegradable biomaterials. BACKGROUND: Minimally-invasive valve replacement procedures are rapidly evolving as alternative treatment option for patients with valvular heart disease. However, currently used valve substitutes are bioprosthetic and as such have limited durability. To overcome this limitation, tissue engineering technologies provide living autologous valve replacements with regeneration and growth potential. METHODS: Trileaflet heart valves fabricated from biodegradable synthetic scaffolds, integrated in self-expanding stents and seeded with autologous vascular or stem cells (bone marrow and peripheral blood), were generated in vitro using dynamic bioreactors. Subsequently, the tissue engineered heart valves (TEHV) were minimally-invasively implanted as pulmonary valve replacements in sheep. In vivo functionality was assessed by echocardiography and angiography up to 8 weeks. The tissue composition of explanted TEHV and corresponding control valves was analyzed. RESULTS: The transapical implantations were successful in all animals. The TEHV demonstrated in vivo functionality with mobile but thickened leaflets. Histology revealed layered neotissues with endothelialized surfaces. Quantitative extracellular matrix analysis at 8 weeks showed higher values for deoxyribonucleic acid, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans compared to native valves. Mechanical profiles demonstrated sufficient tissue strength, but less pliability independent of the cell source. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the principal feasibility of merging tissue engineering and minimally-invasive valve replacement technologies. Using adult stem cells is successful, enabling minimally-invasive cell harvest. Thus, this new technology may enable a valid alternative to current bioprosthetic devices.

A novel concept for scaffold-free vessel tissue engineering: self-assembly of microtissue building blocks.

Current scientific attempts to generate in vitro tissue-engineered living blood vessels (TEBVs) show substantial limitations, thereby preventing routine clinical use. In the present report, we describe a novel biotechnology concept to create living small diameter TEBV based exclusively on microtissue self-assembly (living cellular re-aggregates). A novel bioreactor was designed to assemble microtissues in a vascular shape and apply pulsatile flow and circumferential mechanical stimulation. Microtissues composed of human artery-derived fibroblasts (HAFs) and endothelial cells (HUVECs) were accumulated and cultured for 7 and 14 days under pulsatile flow/mechanical stimulation or static culture conditions with a diameter of 3mm and a wall thickness of 1mm. The resulting vessels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell phenotype (von Willebrand factor, alpha-SMA, Ki67, VEGF). Self-assembled microtissues composed of fibroblasts displayed significantly accelerated ECM formation compared to monolayer cell sheets. Accumulation of vessel-like tissue occurred within 14 days under both, static and flow/mechanical stimulation conditions. A layered tissue formation was observed only in the dynamic group, as indicated by luminal aligned alpha-SMA positive fibroblasts. We could demonstrate that self-assembled cell-based microtissues can be used to generate small diameter TEBV. The significant enhancement of ECM expression and maturation, together with the pre-vascularization capacity makes this approach highly attractive in terms of generating functional small diameter TEBV devoid of any foreign material.

Cooperative phagocytes: resident microglia and bone marrow immigrants remove dead photoreceptors in retinal lesions.

Phagocytosis is essential for the removal of photoreceptor debris following retinal injury. We used two mouse models, mice injected with green fluorescent protein-labeled bone marrow cells or green fluorescent protein-labeled microglia, to study the origin and activation patterns of phagocytic cells after acute blue light-induced retinal lesions. We show that following injury, blood-borne macrophages enter the eye via the optic nerve and ciliary body and soon migrate into the injured retinal area. Resident microglia are also activated rapidly throughout the entire retina and adopt macrophage characteristics only in the injured region. Both blood-borne- and microglia-derived macrophages were involved in the phagocytosis of dead photoreceptors. No obvious breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier was observed. Ccl4, Ccl12, Tgfb1, Csf1, and Tnf were differentially expressed in both the isolated retina and the eyecup of wild-type mice. Debris-laden macrophages appeared to leave the retina into the general circulation, suggesting their potential to become antigen-presenting cells. These experiments provide evidence that both local and immigrant macrophages remove apoptotic photoreceptors and cell debris in the injured retina.

Impaired antibody response causes persistence of prototypic T cell-contained virus.

CD8 T cells are recognized key players in control of persistent virus infections, but increasing evidence suggests that assistance from other immune mediators is also needed. Here, we investigated whether specific antibody responses contribute to control of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a prototypic mouse model of systemic persistent infection. Mice expressing transgenic B cell receptors of LCMV-unrelated specificity, and mice unable to produce soluble immunoglobulin M (IgM) exhibited protracted viremia or failed to resolve LCMV. Virus control depended on immunoglobulin class switch, but neither on complement cascades nor on Fc receptor gamma chain or Fc gamma receptor IIB. Cessation of viremia concurred with the emergence of viral envelope-specific antibodies, rather than with neutralizing serum activity, and even early nonneutralizing IgM impeded viral persistence. This important role for virus-specific antibodies may be similarly underappreciated in other primarily T cell-controlled infections such as HIV and hepatitis C virus, and we suggest this contribution of antibodies be given consideration in future strategies for vaccination and immunotherapy.

Innate immune-induced depletion of bone marrow neutrophils aggravates systemic bacterial infections.

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in circulation and provide a primary innate immune defense function against bacterial pathogens before development of a specific immune response. These specialized phagocytes are short lived (12-24 hours) and continuously replenished from bone marrow. We found that if the host is overwhelmed by a high inoculum of Listeria monocytogenes, neutrophils are depleted despite high granulocyte-colony stimulating factor induction. In contrast to a low-dose innocuous L. monocytogenes infection, high-dose Listeria challenge blocks neutrophil recruitment to infectious abscesses and bacterial proliferation is not controlled, resulting in lethal outcomes. Administering synthetic TLR2-ligand or heat-killed bacteria during the innocuous L. monocytogenes infection reproduced these effects, once again leading to overwhelming bacterial propagation. The same stimuli also severely aggravated Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes systemic infection. These data implicate systemic innate immune stimulation as a mechanism of bone marrow neutrophil exhaustion which negatively influences the outcome of bacterial infections.

Polyclonal and specific antibodies mediate protective immunity against enteric helminth infection.

Anti-helminth immunity involves CD4+ T cells, yet the precise effector mechanisms responsible for parasite killing or expulsion remain elusive. We now report an essential role for antibodies in mediating immunity against the enteric helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hp), a natural murine parasite that establishes chronic infection. Polyclonal IgG antibodies, present in naive mice and produced following Hp infection, functioned to limit egg production by adult parasites. Comparatively, affinity-matured parasite-specific IgG and IgA antibodies that developed only after multiple infections were required to prevent adult worm development. These data reveal complementary roles for polyclonal and affinity-matured parasite-specific antibodies in preventing enteric helminth infection by limiting parasite fecundity and providing immune protection against reinfection, respectively. We propose that parasite-induced polyclonal antibodies play a dual role, whereby the parasite is allowed to establish chronicity, while parasite load and spread are limited, likely reflecting the long coevolution of helminth parasites with their hosts.

Cryopreserved amniotic fluid-derived cells: a lifelong autologous fetal stem cell source for heart valve tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Fetal stem cells represent a promising cell source for heart valve tissue engineering. In particular, amniotic fluid-derived cells (AFDC) have been shown to lead to autologous fetal-like heart valve tissues in vitro for pediatric application. In order to expand the versatility of these cells also for adult application, cryopreserved AFDC were investigated as a potential life-long available cell source for heart valve tissue engineering. METHODS: Human AFDC were isolated using CD133 magnetic beads, and then differentiated and analyzed. After expansion of CD133- as well as CD133+ cells up to passage 7, a part of the cells was cryopreserved. After four months, the cells were re-cultured and phenotyped by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, including expression of CD44, CD105, CD90, CD34, CD31, CD141, eNOS and vWF, and compared to their non-cryopreserved counterparts. The stem cell potential was investigated in differentiation assays. The viability of cryopreserved AFDC for heart valve tissue engineering was assessed by creating heart valve leaflets in vitro. RESULTS: After cryopreservation, amniotic fluid-derived CD133- and CD133+ cells retained their stem cell-like phenotype, expressing mainly CD44, CD90 and CD105. This staining pattern was comparable to that of their non-cryopreserved counterparts. Moreover, CD133- cells demonstrated differentiation potential into osteoblast-like and adipocyte-like cells. CD133+ cells showed characteristics of endothelial-like cells by eNOS, CD141 and beginning vWF expression. When used for the fabrication of heart valve leaflets, cryopreserved CD133- cells produced extracellular matrix elements comparable to their non-cryopreserved counterparts. Moreover, the resulting tissues showed a cellular layered tissue formation covered by functional endothelia. The mechanical properties were similar to those of tissues fabricated from non-cryopreserved cells. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that the use of cell bank technology fetal amniotic fluid-derived stem cells might represent a life-long available autologous cell source for heart valve tissue engineering, and also for adult application.

Aggravation of viral hepatitis by platelet-derived serotonin.

More than 500 million people worldwide are persistently infected with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus. Although both viruses are poorly cytopathic, persistence of either virus carries a risk of chronic liver inflammation, potentially resulting in liver steatosis, liver cirrhosis, end-stage liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. Virus-specific T cells are a major determinant of the outcome of hepatitis, as they contribute to the early control of chronic hepatitis viruses, but they also mediate immunopathology during persistent virus infection. We have analyzed the role of platelet-derived vasoactive serotonin during virus-induced CD8(+) T cell-dependent immunopathological hepatitis in mice infected with the noncytopathic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. After virus infection, platelets were recruited to the liver, and their activation correlated with severely reduced sinusoidal microcirculation, delayed virus elimination and increased immunopathological liver cell damage. Lack of platelet-derived serotonin in serotonin-deficient mice normalized hepatic microcirculatory dysfunction, accelerated virus clearance in the liver and reduced CD8(+) T cell-dependent liver cell damage. In keeping with these observations, serotonin treatment of infected mice delayed entry of activated CD8(+) T cells into the liver, delayed virus control and aggravated immunopathological hepatitis. Thus, vasoactive serotonin supports virus persistence in the liver and aggravates virus-induced immunopathology.

Differentiation of human follicular thyroid adenomas from carcinomas by gene expression profiling.

It is difficult to distinguish benign from malignant follicular thyroid tumors by histological or cytological examination. The goal of this study was to reveal gene expression variations between benign and malignant follicular lesions of the thyroid gland. We investigated gene expression profiles from 24 follicular thyroid tumors (12 carcinomas and 12 adenomas) and 13 normal thyroid tissues using high-density human cDNA arrays. The identification of gene expression changes was based on signal intensity ratios of tumor versus normal thyroid parenchyma. Expression patterns of a set of known genes were found to be significantly different between follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas. Our results demonstrate a potential use of gene expression profiling for differentiating benign from malignant follicular thyroid tumors. A detailed investigation of the differentially expressed genes could give new insights into molecular pathways of malignant transformation of thyroid follicular neoplasm and may help to develop a molecular tool for the preoperative differential diagnosis.

PARP1 is required for adhesion molecule expression in atherogenesis.

AIMS: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in Western societies and a chronic inflammatory disease. However, the key mediators linking recruitment of inflammatory cells to atherogenesis remain poorly defined. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a nuclear enzyme, which plays a role in acute inflammatory diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to test the role of PARP in atherogenesis, we applied chronic pharmacological PARP inhibition or genetic PARP1 deletion in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and measured plaque formation, adhesion molecules, and features of plaque vulnerability. After 12 weeks of high-cholesterol diet, plaque formation in male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice was decreased by chronic inhibition of enzymatic PARP activity or genetic deletion of PARP1 by 46 or 51%, respectively (P < 0.05, n >or= 9). PARP inhibition or PARP1 deletion reduced PARP activity and diminished expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and P- and E-selectin. Furthermore, chronic PARP inhibition reduced plaque macrophage (CD68) and T-cell infiltration (CD3), increased fibrous cap thickness, and decreased necrotic core size and cell death (P < 0.05, n >or= 6). CONCLUSION: Our data provide pharmacological and genetic evidence that endogenous PARP1 is required for atherogenesis in vivo by increasing adhesion molecules with endothelial activation, enhancing inflammation, and inducing features of plaque vulnerability. Thus, inhibition of PARP1 may represent a promising therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Extralymphatic virus sanctuaries as a consequence of potent T-cell activation.

T helper cells can support the functions of CD8(+) T cells against persistently infecting viruses such as murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), cytomegalovirus, hepatitis C virus and HIV. These viruses often resist complete elimination and remain detectable at sanctuary sites, such as the kidneys and other extralymphatic organs. The mechanisms underlying this persistence are not well understood. Here we show that mice with potent virus-specific T-cell responses have reduced levels and delayed formation of neutralizing antibodies, and these mice fail to clear LCMV from extralymphatic epithelia. Transfer of virus-specific B cells but not virus-specific T cells augmented virus clearance from persistent sites. Virus elimination from the kidneys was associated with the formation of IgG deposits in the interstitial space, presumably from kidney-infiltrating B cells. CD8(+) T cells in the kidneys of mice that did not clear virus from this site were activated but showed evidence of exhaustion. Thus, we conclude that in this model of infection, site-specific virus persistence develops as a consequence of potent immune activation coupled with reductions in virus-specific neutralizing antibodies. Our results suggest that sanctuary-site formation depends both on organ anatomy and on the induction of different adaptive immune effector mechanisms. Boosting T-cell responses alone may not reduce virus persistence.

Prenatally fabricated autologous human living heart valves based on amniotic fluid derived progenitor cells as single cell source.

BACKGROUND: A novel concept providing prenatally tissue engineered human autologous heart valves based on routinely obtained fetal amniotic fluid progenitors as single cell source is introduced. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fetal human amniotic progenitors were isolated from routinely sampled amniotic fluid and sorted using CD133 magnetic beads. After expansion and differentiation, cell phenotypes of CD133- and CD133+ cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flowcytometry. After characterization, CD133- derived cells were seeded onto heart valve leaflet scaffolds (n=18) fabricated from rapidly biodegradable polymers, conditioned in a pulse duplicator system, and subsequently coated with CD133+ derived cells. After in vitro maturation, opening and closing behavior of leaflets was investigated. Neo-tissues were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extracellular matrix (ECM) elements and cell numbers were quantified biochemically. Mechanical properties were assessed by tensile testing. CD133- derived cells demonstrated characteristics of mesenchymal progenitors expressing CD44 and CD105. Differentiated CD133+ cells showed features of functional endothelial cells by eNOS and CD141 expression. Engineered heart valve leaflets demonstrated endothelialized tissue formation with production of ECM elements (GAG 80%, HYP 5%, cell number 100% of native values). SEM showed intact endothelial surfaces. Opening and closing behavior was sufficient under half of systemic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of amniotic fluid as single cell source is a promising low-risk approach enabling the prenatal fabrication of heart valves ready to use at birth. These living replacements with the potential of growth, remodeling, and regeneration may realize the early repair of congenital malformations.

MyD88 protects from lethal encephalitis during infection with vesicular stomatitis virus.

MyD88 is a key adaptor molecule in innate resistance, engaged in most Toll-like receptor, as well as IL-1 and IL-18, signalling. Here, we analyzed the role of MyD88 in innate resistance during infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) using myd88(-/-) mice. We found an increased susceptibility to VSV in myd88(-/-) mice, which was not explained by reduced type I IFN or neutralizing antibody responses. Susceptibility of myd88(-/-) mice correlated with impaired recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection. In the absence of MyD88 signalling, VSV rapidly spread to the spinal cord and brain causing lethal encephalitis.

Is EGFR a moving target during radiotherapy of carcinoma of the uterine cervix?

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in uterine cervix carcinoma. The role of the pre-treatment EGFR expression levels and the changes of expression induced by ionizing radiation (IR) have not been conclusively defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The staining intensity (SI) and labeling index (LI) of EGFR were determined in 38 patients by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Biopsies were taken before after 1 week of RT. EGFR expression was correlated with cell cycle, apoptosis and angiogenesis. RESULTS: Before RT, 87% and after 1 week of RT, 95% of samples were positive for EGFR (p=0.2). Two patterns were observed, either increasing or decreasing expression after initiating RT. An increase of the EGFR SI was seen in 63% of patients from a mean of 57 SI (SD+/-60) before RT to 142 SI (SD+/-80.8) (p=0.001) during RT. In 32% of cases, EGFR decreased from 165 SI before (SD+/-83.0) to 75 SI (SD+/-73.0) (p< or =0.001) during RT. Two of five (5%) patients negative for EGFR before RT remained negative. An increase of the RT-induced EGFR LI was associated with reduced microvessel density (MVD) (p=0.02). Changes of the EGFR LI did neither correlate with cell cycle arrest nor apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR expression changes unpredictably during RT. The implications of changing EGFR during RT remain to defined. Repeated biopsies and EGFR reassessment during RT may help to better define EGFR-targeted treatment.

Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein displaying retrovirus-like particles induce a type I IFN receptor-dependent switch to neutralizing IgG antibodies.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection rapidly induces IFN-alphabeta that confers initial survival, whereas long-term protection is mediated by neutralizing IgG responses. Because coadministration of IFN-alphabeta can enhance Ab responses against soluble Ags, we addressed whether virus-induced IFN-alphabeta also had an impact on the induction of neutralizing Ab responses. To this end, we generated apathogenic retrovirus-like particles (VLP) displaying the VSV gp (VLP-VSV). Reminiscent of live VSV, VLP-VSV induced VSV-neutralizing IgM responses that switched to IgG in a T help-dependent manner. In type I IFN receptor-deficient (IFNAR(-/-)) mice, VLP-VSV injection elicited neutralizing IgM, whereas the IgG switch was absent. The lack of subclass switch was associated with a reduced germinal center reaction. Conditional knockout mice with a lymphocyte-specific IFNAR ablation showed normal Ab responses against VLP-VSV, as well as against live VSV. Thus, IFNAR triggering critically promoted the T help-dependent subclass switch of virus-neutralizing Ab responses against VLP-VSV. Interestingly, in the context of VLP-VSV as well as VSV immunization, IFNAR triggering of B lymphocytes did not play a critical role.

Local recurrence model of malignant pleural mesothelioma for investigation of intrapleural treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Local recurrence remains a major problem in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The aim of the underlying study was to establish a standardised local recurrence model in rats which enables to study different intrapleural therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty microlitre containing 1 x 10(6) cells of a syngeneic rat malignant mesothelioma cell line (II-45), established from mesothelioma in Fischer 344 rats exposed to asbestos, were inoculated subpleurally via a left-sided thoracotomy. Tumour size was assessed 6 days later and the tumour nodule completely resected. Evaluation of recurrence at the resection site was performed after 10 days (n=6) and 6 days (n=6). The recurrent nodule was histopathologically confirmed. In a second experiment, this new recurrence model was evaluated for the effect of intrapleural therapy with different agents: 4 ml of cisplatin-solution (100mg(2)/kg BW), cisplatin combined with the fibrin-based sealant Vivostat, 4 ml taurolidine 2%, repeated injection of 1 microg of the chemokine CCL-19 at the tumour site and 4 ml povidone-iodine in a dilution 1:10. In a control group, the chest cavity was filled with 4 ml 0.9% NaCl. The primary endpoint was the extent of tumour recurrence. RESULTS: Six days after inoculation, all animals presented a standardised tumour nodule at the injection site of a mean diameter of 5.1 (+/-0.8)mm. Evaluation of the recurrence after 10 days showed a relapse directly at the resection site, but additional tumour nodules on the ipsi- and contralateral chest wall were found and histologically confirmed. The animals that were sacrificed 6 days after resection of the tumour nodule showed a recurrence only at the resection site with no macroscopic or microscopic evidence of other tumour. Resection of the tumour nodule combined with intrapleural application of the different agents lead to clear reduction of recurrence. The strongest effect was observed after intrapleural application of cisplatin-Vivostat with significant decrease of the longest, widest and thickest diameter of the recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: With this new recurrence model for investigation of malignant pleural mesothelioma in rats, we were able to investigate new intrapleural therapies after pneumonectomy. The intrapleural application of cisplatin-Vivostat significantly reduced the extent of local recurrence.