COP1D, an alternatively spliced constitutive photomorphogenic-1 (COP1) product, stabilizes UV stress-induced c-Jun through inhibition of full-length COP1.

COP1 is an evolutionarily conserved RING-finger ubiquitin ligase acting within a Cullin-RING ligase (CRL) complex that promotes polyubiquitination of c-Jun and p53. Stability of the above substrates is affected by post-translational changes priming the proteins for polyubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. However, degradation of both substrates is controlled indirectly by signaling pathways affecting the E3 ligases involved in their polyubiquitination. Here, we report the identification of COP1D, a ubiquitously expressed splice variant of COP1 lacking a portion of a coiled-coil region involved in intermolecular associations. While being unable to associate with other components of the CRL complex, COP1D exerts a dominant-negative function over the full-length protein, due to its ability to heterodimerize with COP1 and sequester it from the enzymatically active complex. Ectopic expression of COP1D antagonizes the function of COP1, while its selective downregulation by RNA interference promotes more efficient degradation of c-Jun and p53 by the full-length protein. The COP1/COP1D mRNA ratio is modulated by UV stress and a decreased COP1/COP1D ratio correlates with elevated c-Jun, but not p53 protein levels in invasive ductal breast cancer. Thus, dynamic changes of the COP1/COP1D ratio provide an additional level of regulation of the half-life of the substrates of this E3 ligase under homeostatic or pathological conditions.

Inhibition of interferon-gamma-mediated microvascular endothelial cell major histocompatibility complex class II gene activation by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Graft vascular disease, a major cause of late graft failure in cardiac transplant patients, is associated with the presence of class II major histocompatibility complex molecules on the endothelium. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors, e.g., simvastatin, have been shown to reduce the incidence of graft vascular disease. We studied the effect of simvastatin on interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression in human microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Simvastatin pretreatment inhibited MVEC HILA-DR induction by IFN-gamma, as detected by flow cytometry. Simvastatin's inhibitory effect was reversed by the cholesterol synthesis pathway intermediates mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate but not squalene, indicating the involvement of protein prenylation in this process. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that induction of class II transactivator (CIITA), and consequently, HLA-DRalpha mRNA, is abrogated by simvastatin. Although signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 is a critical CIITA gene transactivator, immunofluorescence studies, Western blotting, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that IFN-gamma-induced STAT-1 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding are not affected by simvastatin. However, simvastatin inhibited IFN-gamma-induced transactivation of a CIITA promoter IV reporter construct, indicating the involvement of this promoter in the inhibitory effect of simvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin pretreatment inhibits CIITA and consequent HLA-DR induction by IFN-gamma in MVECs through interference with protein prenylation. This inhibitory effect occurs at the level of transcription and is directed, at least in part, at the CIITA promoter IV. These results explain some of the beneficial effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in cardiac transplantation.

The localization of human cyclins B1 and B2 determines CDK1 substrate specificity and neither enzyme requires MEK to disassemble the Golgi apparatus.

In this paper, we show that substrate specificity is primarily conferred on human mitotic cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) by their subcellular localization. The difference in localization of the B-type cyclin-CDKs underlies the ability of cyclin B1-CDK1 to cause chromosome condensation, reorganization of the microtubules, and disassembly of the nuclear lamina and of the Golgi apparatus, while it restricts cyclin B2-CDK1 to disassembly of the Golgi apparatus. We identify the region of cyclin B2 responsible for its localization and show that this will direct cyclin B1 to the Golgi apparatus and confer upon it the more limited properties of cyclin B2. Equally, directing cyclin B2 to the cytoplasm with the NH(2) terminus of cyclin B1 confers the broader properties of cyclin B1. Furthermore, we show that the disassembly of the Golgi apparatus initiated by either mitotic cyclin-CDK complex does not require mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) activity.

Simvastatin modulates cytokine-mediated endothelial cell adhesion molecule induction: involvement of an inhibitory G protein.

Endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 play variably important roles in immune-mediated processes. They are induced by the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha, and NF-kappaB is required for the regulated expression of all three genes. Regulators of this pathway could potentially be potent immune modulators. We studied the effect of a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, on cytokine-induced expression of CAMs in HUVEC. Unexpectedly, pretreatment with simvastatin potentiated the induction of all three endothelial CAMs by IL-1 and TNF, but not LPS or PMA, as detected by flow cytometry. Northern blot analysis demonstrated an increase in steady state IL-1-induced E-selectin mRNA levels in cells pretreated with simvastatin. This was associated with an increase in nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, as detected by EMSA. The effect of simvastatin was reversed by mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate but not squalene, indicating that an inhibitory prenylated protein is involved in endothelial responses to proinflammatory cytokines. Pertussis toxin mimicked the effect of simvastatin, and the G protein activator NaF inhibited the cytokine-induced expression of endothelial CAMs, indicating that a Gialpha protein is involved. These results demonstrate that cytokine-mediated activation of the endothelium, and specifically CAM induction, can be modulated by a heterotrimeric G protein-coupled pathway. This may represent a "basal tone" of endothelial inactivation, which can either be disinhibited or amplified, depending on the stimulus.

Integrin LFA-1 interacts with the transcriptional co-activator JAB1 to modulate AP-1 activity.

Integrin adhesion receptors transduce signals that control complex cell functions which require the regulation of gene expression, such as proliferation, differentiation and survival. Their intracellular domain has no catalytic function, indicating that interaction with other transducing molecules is crucial for integrin-mediated signalling. Here we have identified a protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of the beta2 subunit of the alphaL/beta2 integrin LFA-1. This protein is JAB1 (Jun activation domain-binding protein 1), a coactivator of the c-Jun transcription factor. We found that JAB1 is present both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of cells and that a fraction of JAB1 colocalizes with LFA-1 at the cell membrane. LFA-1 engagement is followed by an increase of the nuclear pool of JAB1, paralleled by enhanced binding of c-Jun-containing AP-1 complexes to their DNA consensus site and increased transactivation of an AP-1-dependent promoter. We suggest that signalling through the LFA-1 integrin may affect c-Jun-driven transcription by regulating JAB1 nuclear localization. This represents a new pathway for integrin-dependent modulation of gene expression.

CD28 and LFA-1 contribute to cyclosporin A-resistant T cell growth by stabilizing the IL-2 mRNA through distinct signaling pathways.

In clinical transplantation, the occurrence of cyclosporin A (CsA)-resistant production of IL-2 in vitro correlates with graft rejection in vivo. In this study we investigated the role of the costimulatory molecules CD28 and LFA-1 in this process in the setting of TCR-induced proliferation of primary T lymphocytes in vitro. Co-stimulation with ICAM-1 and B7.2 led to strong and CsA-resistant proliferation, which was found to be largely IL-2 dependent. All of the known calcineurin-dependent events, such as induction of NF-AT and NF-kappaB or stress-activated protein kinase activation, were markedly modulated by CsA independently of costimulation. In contrast, both ICAM-1 and B7.2 enhanced the half-life of the inducible IL-2 transcript in a CsA-resistant manner. LFA-1- but not CD28-induced IL-2 mRNA stabilization required the integrity of the actin-based cytoskeleton, suggesting that the two costimulatory molecules impact on qualitatively different signaling pathways. This is further suggested by the demonstration that LFA-1 and CD28 acted synergistically to confer CsA resistance in a model of co-stimulation using superantigen-pulsed dendritic cells. We propose that IL-2 transcript accumulation and subsequent T cell proliferation at the low transcriptional rate imposed by CsA are the result of co-stimulation-dependent stabilization of IL-2 mRNA.

Chemokines fail to up-regulate beta 1 integrin-dependent adhesion in human Th2 T lymphocytes.

Th1 and Th2 cells are functionally distinct subsets of CD4+ T lymphocytes whose tissue-specific homing to sites of inflammation is regulated in part by the differential expression of P- and E-selectin ligands and selected chemokine receptors. Here we investigated the expression and function of beta 1 integrins in Th1 and Th2 cells polarized in vitro. Th1 lymphocytes adhere transiently to the extracellular matrix ligands laminin 1 and fibronectin in response to chemokines such as RANTES and stromal cell-derived factor-1, and this process is paralleled by the activation of the Rac1 GTPase and by a rapid burst of actin polymerization. Selective inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3 kinase prevent efficiently all of the above processes, whereas the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide prevents chemokine-induced adhesion without affecting Rac1 activation and actin polymerization. Notably, chemokine-induced adhesion to beta 1 integrin ligands is markedly reduced in Th2 cells. Such a defect cannot be explained by a reduced sensitivity to chemokine stimulation in this T cell subset, nor by a defective activation of the signaling cascade involving phosphoinositide-3 kinase, Rac1, and actin turnover, as all these processes are activated at comparable levels by chemokines in the two subsets. We propose that reduced beta 1 integrin-mediated adhesion in Th2 cells may restrain their ability to invade and/or reside in sites of chronic inflammation, which are characterized by thickening of basement membranes and extensive fibrosis, requiring efficient interaction with organized extracellular matrices.

Circulating, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific lymphocytes from PPD skin test-negative patients with tuberculosis do not secrete interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and lack the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen skin-selective homing receptor.

Individuals with a negative intradermal reaction to tuberculin PPD have long been described in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposed, immune-competent population. Here, we studied PPD-specific blood T lymphocytes from these subjects for phenotypic markers relevant to skin migration, including the expression of the skin-selective homing receptor, the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA). Out of 82 patients with active tuberculosis we identified four subjects who were repeatedly PPD skin test-negative. CD4 T lymphocytes specific to mycobacterial antigens were derived from these individuals, which (i) proliferated in vitro to M. tuberculosis antigens comparably to those from PPD+ patients; (ii) secreted comparable amounts of IL-2 but lower amounts of IFN-gamma; (iii) were confined within the CLA-negative T cell subset. We conclude that the negative tuberculin reaction in a small subset of patients exposed to mycobacteria is associated with impaired production of IFN-gamma by circulating PPD-specific T cells that are lacking CLA expression. On this basis in vitro proliferation to PPD can discriminate bona fide non-responders from infected patients with a deficit in the margination of M. tuberculosis-specific T lymphocytes.

Upregulation of integrin alpha6/beta1 and chemokine receptor CCR1 by interleukin-12 promotes the migration of human type 1 helper T cells.

CD4(+) T helper 1 (Th1) cells and Th2 cells are distinguished based on the pattern of cytokines they are able to produce. Selectin ligands and chemokine receptors are differentially expressed in Th1 and Th2 cells, providing a basis for tissue-specific recruitment of helper T-cell subsets. However, the modes and mechanisms regulating tissue-specific localization of Th1 and Th2 cells are still largely unknown. Here, we show the preferential expression on Th1 cells of the integrin alpha6/beta1, which is distinctly regulated by the Th1-inducing cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-alfa (IFN-alpha). The pattern of integrin alpha6/beta1 regulation closely mirrors that of the chemokine receptor CCR1. Analysis of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4) activation by IL-12 and IFN-alpha shows distinct signaling kinetics by these cytokines, correlating with the pattern of CCR1 and integrin alpha6/beta1 expression. Unlike IFN-alpha, the ability of IL-12 to generate prolonged intracellular signals appears to be critical for inducing integrin alpha6/beta1 upregulation in Th1 cells. The expression and upregulation of CCR1 and alpha6/beta1 integrin promotes the migration of Th1 cells. These findings suggest that the exquisite regulation of integrin alpha6/beta1 and CCR1 may play an important role in tissue-specific localization of Th1 cells.

A tyrosine-based sorting signal in the beta2 integrin cytoplasmic domain mediates its recycling to the plasma membrane and is required for ligand-supported migration.

Integrins play pivotal roles in supporting shear- and mechanical-stress-resistant cell adhesion and migration. These functions require the integrity of the short beta subunit cytoplasmic domains, which contain multiple, highly conserved tyrosine-based endocytic signals, typically found in receptors undergoing regulated, clathrin-dependent endocytosis. We hypothesized that these sequences may control surface integrin dynamics in statically adherent and/or locomoting cells via regulated internalization and polarized recycling of the receptors. By using site-directed mutagenesis and ectopic expression of the alphaL/beta2 integrin in Chinese hamster ovary cells, we found that Y735 in the membrane-proximal YRRF sequence is selectively required for recycling of spontaneously internalized receptors to the cell surface and to growth factor-induced membrane ruffles. Disruption of this motif by non-conservative substitutions has no effect on the receptor's adhesive function, but diverts internalized integrins from a recycling compartment into a degradative pathway. Conversely, the non-conservative F754A substitution in the membrane-proximal NPLF sequence abrogates ligand-dependent adhesion and spreading without affecting receptor recycling. Both of these mutants display a severe impairment in ligand-supported migration, suggesting the existence in integrin cytoplasmic domains of independent signals regulating apparently unrelated functions that are required to sustain cell migration over specific ligands.

Regulation of lymphocyte traffic by adhesion molecules.

Lymphocytes are antigen specific cells whose effector function is acquired through complex differentiation pathways. This implies, firstly, antigen encounter and recognition at specific sites, and, subsequently, the transition from a naive to a memory/effector phenotype. Clonotypically expanded cells must then be capable of recirculating to the tissue where their effector function is needed. To this aim, defined receptor-counter receptor pairs are expressed on lymphocytes versus endothelial cells. Extravasation is therefore a key-process in this scenario. Indeed, different lymphocyte subsets display distinct recirculation patterns and capability to migrate into lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. As a general rule, naive lymphocytes preferentially migrate into secondary lymphoid organs, where all the requirements for effective antigen presentation and differentiation are available; in contrast, memory/effector lymphocytes preferentially migrate to peripheral tissues, such as skin and mucosa. We review here the molecular events that regulate leukocyte extravasation and the specific migration properties acquired by both naive and memory/effector lymphocytes under physiological and pathological conditions.

Anchorage dependence of mitogen-induced G1 to S transition in primary T lymphocytes.

Anchorage dependence defines the cellular requirement for integrin-mediated adhesion to substrate to initiate DNA replication in response to growth factors. In this study we investigated whether normal T cells, which spend extended periods in a nonadherent state, show similar requirements for cell cycle progression in response to TCR stimulation. Resting primary T lymphocytes were induced to enter the cell cycle by TCR triggering, and leukocyte integrins were either engaged using purified ICAM-1 or inhibited with function-blocking mAbs. Our data indicate that leukocyte integrins complement TCR-driven mitogenic signals not as a result of their direct clustering but, rather, via integrin-dependent organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Leukocyte integrin-dependent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton cooperates with the TCR to effect mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, but also represents a required late (4-8 h poststimulation) component in the mitogenic response of normal T cells. Prolonged leukocyte integrin-dependent spreading, in the context of intercellular contact, is a requisite for the production of the mitogenic cytokine IL-2, which, in turn, is involved in the induction of D3 cyclin and is primarily responsible for the decrease in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip, resulting in retinoblastoma protein inactivation and S phase entry. Thus, T lymphocytes represent a peculiar case of anchorage dependence, in which signals conveyed by integrins act sequentially with the activating stimulus to effect a sustained production of the essential mitogenic cytokine.

Class II transactivator-independent endothelial cell MHC class II gene activation induced by lymphocyte adhesion.

NK cells induce MHC class II molecules on the surface of allogeneic endothelial cells in an adhesion-dependent, IFN-gamma-independent manner. Here, we demonstrate that NK cells induce HLA-DR on the surface of a mutant cell line that is defective in IFN-gamma-induced MHC class II expression. RNA analysis in these cells and in a cell line that is defective in class II transactivator (CIITA) demonstrates that NK cell-induced HLA-DR alpha mRNA expression is also CIITA-independent. The Janus kinase-1-deficient cell line U4A expresses HLA-DR alpha mRNA in response to NK cell activation, and HLA-DR alpha promoter constructs transfected into these cells are induced by NK cells but not IFN-gamma. These data indicate that the IFN-gamma-independent component of the target cell HLA-DR expression induced by lymphocyte adhesion uses a signaling pathway that is distinct from the IFN-gamma-dependent mechanism and also suggest that CIITA is not required.

In vitro generation of human cytomegalovirus pp65 antigenemia, viremia, and leukoDNAemia.

Immunocompromised patients with disseminated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection have circulating PMN carrying HCMV pp65 (antigenemia), infectious virus (viremia), and viral DNA (leukoDNAemia). Because HCMV does not fully replicate in PMN, it is generally hypothesized that virions and viral materials are taken up by phagocytosis from fully permissive HCMV-infected endothelial cells. However, no experimental evidence has ever been provided for these PMN-endothelium interactions. PMN from 11 donors were cocultured with endothelial cells infected with an endothelium-adapted HCMV strain and with human fibroblasts infected with low-passaged clinical and laboratory-adapted HCMV strains. pp65-positive PMN were detected after coculture with both HCMV-infected endothelial and fibroblast cells, provided that wild and not laboratory-adapted strains were used. In addition, cocultured PMN carried infectious virus as demonstrated by virus isolation and presence of complete virus particles by electron microscopy. Moreover, high levels of viral DNA were consistently detected by quantitative PCR in cocultured PMN. Thus, we have generated in vitro the three most important viral parameters detected in patients with disseminated HCMV infection (antigenemia, viremia, and leukoDNAemia). The failure of laboratory-adapted HCMV strain to induce this phenomenon demonstrates that important modifications have occurred in attenuated viral strains affecting basic biological functions.

Posttranscriptional regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor messenger RNA levels by leukocyte integrin engagement.

As an adhesion receptor, the beta2 integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) contributes a strong adhesive force to promote T lymphocyte recirculation and interaction with antigen-presenting cells. As a signaling molecule, LFA-1-mediates transmembrane signaling, which leads to the generation of second messengers and costimulation resulting in T cell activation. We recently have demonstrated that, in costimulatory fashion, LFA-1 activation promotes the induction of T cell membrane urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and that this induced uPAR is functional. To investigate the mechanism(s) of this induction, we used the RNA polymerase II inhibitor 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribobenzimidazole and determined that uPAR mRNA degradation is delayed by LFA-1 activation. Cloning of the wild-type, deleted and mutated 3'-untranslated region of the uPAR cDNA into a serum-inducible rabbit beta-globin cDNA reporter construct revealed that the AU-rich elements and, in particular the nonameric UUAUUUAUU sequence, are crucial cis-acting elements in uPAR mRNA degradation. Experiments in which Jurkat T cells were transfected with reporter constructs demonstrated that LFA-1 engagement was able to stabilize the unstable reporter mRNA containing the uPAR 3'-untranslated region. Our study reveals a consequence of adhesion receptor-mediated signaling in T cells, which is potentially important in the regulation of T cell activation, including production of cytokines and expression of proto-oncogenes, many of which are controlled through 3' AU-rich elements.

Induction of transporter associated with antigen processing by interferon gamma confers endothelial cell cytoprotection against natural killer-mediated lysis.

T lymphocytes react minimally with nonactivated endothelial cells (ECs). However, natural killer (NK) lymphocyte interactions with resting ECs are rapid, avid, and result in endothelial activation and/or cytotoxicity. The molecular basis for these interactions and EC sensitivity to NK-mediated lysis is unclear. To address the EC-specific nature of NK sensitivity, we used syngeneic human umbilical vein ECs, dermal microvascular ECs, dermal fibroblasts, and B lymphoblastoid cell lines in calcein-AM retention NK assays with allogeneic NK effector cells and found the EC lines consistently more NK-sensitive. Because NK inhibitory receptors are engaged by membrane major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I molecules and MHC I-deficient targets are NK-sensitive, we investigated the quantitative levels of membrane MHC I on the panel of syngeneic lines. Highly sensitive ECs expressed similar (or higher) levels of membrane MHC I than their syngeneic NK-resistant counterparts. Pretreatment of ECs with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) conferred protection against NK-mediated lysis, with much more rapid kinetics (2-6 hr) than those required for membrane MHC I hyperinduction (>8 hr). These kinetics are consistent with induction of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) expression and function. As opposed to NK-resistant cell lines, TAP-1 was undetectable in resting ECs. Recombinant expression of the TAP inactivator ICP47 by adenoviral-mediated transduction was used to selectively inhibit IFN-gamma-mediated EC TAP function. ICP47 expression abrogated EC cytoprotection conferred by IFN-gamma. We demonstrate a relationship between both basal and induced TAP-1 expression/function and EC sensitivity to NK-mediated cytotoxicity. We discuss the influence of an induced MHC I-associated peptide repertoire on vascular vulnerability to cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Cytoskeletal rearrangement mediates human microvascular endothelial tight junction modulation by cytokines.

The tight junction (TJ) is a specialized intercellular structure responsible for the regulation of ionic and macromolecular flux across cell monolayers. Because plasma leakage is believed to occur mainly across the microvasculature, we hypothesized that microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) may form more intact, regulatable TJ than other endothelial cell (EC) types, allowing further insight into the control of EC permeability. Primary cultures of MVEC monolayers produced transmonolayer electrical resistances (TER) of 120-155 omega.cm2, approximately 10 times that of large-vessel EC. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor and interferon-gamma caused a 50% decrease in the TER and a striking fragmentation of the basal, continuous interendothelial cell zonula occludens-1 protein (ZO-1) distribution determined by immunofluorescence. Fragmentation was inhibited by cytochalasin D, and confocal microscopy demonstrated a colocalization between F actin and ZO-1. These findings suggest that the F actin cytoskeleton plays a central role in endothelial TJ barrier regulation and that dynamic cytoskeletal alterations may primarily control vascular permeability.

Human natural killer lymphocytes directly recognize evolutionarily conserved oligosaccharide ligands expressed by xenogeneic tissues.

BACKGROUND: In discordant xenogeneic species combinations, vascularized transplants are hyperacutely rejected, due to binding of xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNA) to selected tissues of the graft, followed by activation of the complement and coagulation cascades. A major epitope recognized by human XNA is the terminal disaccharide Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. Poorly defined, early cell-mediated events also contribute to recognition and rejection of discordant xenografts, and we have suggested a role of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes in this process. METHODS: Human NK cells were used as effectors in functional assays of adhesion to and lysis of xenogeneic discordant endothelial cells in vitro. Adhesion and lysis inhibition experiments were performed using a large panel of carbohydrates, as well as F(ab')2 fragments of human XNA. COS cells transduced with the porcine alpha-galactosyltransferase were also used as targets for NK cell adhesion. RESULTS: We demonstrate that XNA-reactive carbohydrate epitopes expressed by xenogeneic cells, including Gal alpha(1,3)Gal, are also directly recognized by human NK cells. First, selected carbohydrates in solution displace with comparable efficiency both XNA and NK cell binding to xenogeneic endothelium; second, XNA F(ab')2 fragments selectively inhibit human NK cell adhesion to porcine endothelium, but not to human endothelium; third, unstimulated NK lymphocytes adhere selectively to COS-7 cells expressing the porcine glycosyltransferase that encodes the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal epitope. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings suggest that humoral and cellular components of the natural immune response against heterologous species independently evolved recognition patterns directed against overlapping carbohydrate determinants.