An anti-CD45RO/RB monoclonal antibody modulates T cell responses via induction of apoptosis and generation of regulatory T cells.

The effects of a chimeric monoclonal antibody (chA6 mAb) that recognizes both the RO and RB isoforms of the transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 on human T cells were investigated. Chimeric A6 (chA6) mAb potently inhibited antigen-specific and polyclonal T cell responses. ChA6 mAb induced activation-independent apoptosis in CD4(+)CD45RO/RB(high) T cells but not in CD8(+) T cells. In addition, CD4(+) T cell lines specific for tetanus toxoid (TT) generated in the presence of chA6 mAb were anergic and suppressed the proliferation and interferon (IFN)-gamma production by TT-specific effector T cells by an interleukin-10-dependent mechanism, indicating that these cells were equivalent to type 1 regulatory T cells. Similarly, CD8(+) T cell lines specific for the influenza A matrix protein-derived peptide (MP.58-66) generated in the presence of chA6 mAb were anergic and suppressed IFN-gamma production by MP.58-66-specific effector CD8(+) T cells. Furthermore, chA6 mAb significantly prolonged human pancreatic islet allograft survival in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice injected with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL-NOD/SCID). Together, these results demonstrate that the chA6 mAb is a new immunomodulatory agent with multiple modes of action, including deletion of preexisting memory and recently activated T cells and induction of anergic CD4(+) and CD8(+) regulatory T cells.

Selective inhibition of cotranslational translocation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.

Increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) is associated with a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions, making its expression and function a target for therapeutic intervention. We have recently identified CAM741, a derivative of a fungus-derived cyclopeptolide that acts as a selective inhibitor of VCAM1 synthesis in endothelial cells. Here we show that the compound represses the biosynthesis of VCAM1 in cells by blocking the process of cotranslational translocation, which is dependent on the signal peptide of VCAM1. CAM741 does not inhibit targeting of the VCAM1 nascent chains to the translocon channel but prevents translocation to the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), through a process that involves the translocon component Sec61beta. Consequently, the VCAM1 precursor protein is synthesized towards the cytosolic compartment of the cells, where it is degraded. Our results indicate that the inhibition of cotranslational translocation with low-molecular-mass compounds, using specificity conferred by signal peptides, can modulate the biosynthesis of certain secreted and/or membrane proteins. In addition, they highlight cotranslational translocation at the ER membrane as a potential target for drug discovery.

The SCID-hu Skin mouse as a model to investigate selective chemokine mediated homing of human T-lymphocytes to the skin in vivo.

Here we report the establishment of an in vivo mouse model that allows monitoring of human T cell migration into human skin. This model is based on the use of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice transplanted with human skin (SCID-hu Skin mice). Adoptively transferred human T helper (Th)2 cells obtained from atopic dermatitis skin lesions or peripheral blood T cells selectively migrate to the human skin grafts of these SCID mice in response to defined chemokines locally injected in the human skin grafts. Homing of human T cells into the human skin on SCID-hu Skin mice is a specific process since it only occurs in response to chemokine ligands that are specific for the chemokine receptors expressed on the migrating T cells. This mechanistic model allows analysis of the relevant steps involved in human T-lymphocyte migration into inflamed skin. In addition, it is successfully used for preclinical testing of drug candidates that are highly selective for human target molecules associated with the different steps of T cell migration in an environment that resembles the physiologic or pathologic conditions occurring in man.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor cotranslational translocation by the cyclopeptolide CAM741.

The cyclopeptolide CAM741 inhibits cotranslational translocation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), which is dependent on its signal peptide. We now describe the identification of the signal peptide of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the second target of CAM741. The mechanism by which the compound inhibits translocation of VEGF is very similar or identical to that of VCAM1, although the signal peptides share no obvious sequence similarities. By mutagenesis of the VEGF signal peptide, two important regions, located in the N-terminal and hydrophobic segments, were identified as critical for compound sensitivity. CAM741 alters positioning of the VEGF signal peptide at the translocon, and increasing hydrophobicity in the h-region reduces compound sensitivity and causes a different, possibly more efficient, interaction with the translocon. Although CAM741 is effective against translocation of both VEGF and VCAM1, the derivative NFI028 is able to inhibit only VCAM1, suggesting that chemical derivatization can alter not only potency, but also the specificity of the compounds.

The translocation inhibitor CAM741 interferes with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 signal peptide insertion at the translocon.

The cyclopeptolide CAM741 selectively inhibits cotranslational translocation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), a process that is dependent on its signal peptide. In this study we identified the C-terminal (C-) region upstream of the cleavage site of the VCAM1 signal peptide as most critical for inhibition of translocation by CAM741, but full sensitivity to the compound also requires residues of the hydrophobic (h-) region and the first amino acid of the VCAM1 mature domain. The murine VCAM1 signal peptide, which is less susceptible to translocation inhibition by CAM741, can be converted into a fully sensitive signal peptide by two amino acid substitutions identified as critical for compound sensitivity of the human VCAM1 signal peptide. Using cysteine substitutions of non-critical residues in the human VCAM1 signal peptide and chemical cross-linking of targeted short nascent chains we show that, in the presence of CAM741, the N- and C-terminal segments of the VCAM1 signal peptide could be cross-linked to the cytoplasmic tail of Sec61beta, indicating altered positioning of the VCAM1 signal peptide relative to this translocon component. Moreover, translocation of a tag fused N-terminal to the VCAM1 signal peptide is selectively inhibited by CAM741. Our data indicate that the compound inhibits translocation of VCAM1 by interfering with correct insertion of its signal peptide into the translocon.

IL-10 alters DC function via modulation of cell surface molecules resulting in impaired T-cell responses.

IL-10 is a potent inhibitor of T-cell activation and has tolerizing effects on these cells. These effects are primarily mediated via modulation of antigen presenting cell function. Here, it is demonstrated that IL-10 completely inhibits LPS-induced DC maturation, resulting in altered DC-T-cell interactions and reduced T-cell responses. IL-10 inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of costimulatory molecules, MHC Class II, and the secretion of IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta by DCs, although it upregulated the SLAM (CD150) expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. IL-10 pre-treated DC did not respond to subsequent LPS activation and its stimulatory ability for allogeneic and antigen-specific T-cells was severely impaired. Importantly, T-cells derived from co-cultures with Ag-pulsed, IL-10-treated DC were impaired in their responses to subsequent Ag-specific restimulation. Transwell and DC-derived plasma membrane experiments indicated that the capacity of IL-10-treated DC to induce T-cell unresponsiveness results from alterations in the cell surface molecules rather than modulation of cytokine secretion.

Interleukin 10 regulates cell surface and soluble LIR-2 (CD85d) expression on dendritic cells resulting in T cell hyporesponsiveness in vitro.

Dendritic cells (DC) are unique in their ability to stimulate naive T cells to proliferate and to differentiate into effector T cells. DC, however, can also inhibit T cell activation and play a role in central and peripheral tolerance. IL-10 has been shown to render DC tolerogenic by unknown mechanisms. Using a combined monoclonal antibody/retroviral expression cloning approach, we show here that the inhibitory receptor LIR-2 (leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor-2, CD85d) is specifically up-regulated by IL-10 on maturing human DC. LPS-stimulated, LIR-2-transfected DC inhibited the proliferation of T cells in autologous, as well as allogeneic culture systems in vitro. In addition, overexpression of LIR-2 on resting T cells, which lack LIR-2 expression, inhibited T cell proliferation induced by TCR activation. A novel soluble form of LIR-2 was detected in culture supernatants of maturing DC. IL-10 treatment of DC potently inhibited the production of soluble LIR-2. Recombinant soluble LIR-2 was able to completely restore the proliferation of T cells activated with LPS-plus IL-10-treated DC. Thus, IL-10 renders DC hypostimulatory by up-regulating cell surface LIR-2 and by inhibiting soluble LIR-2 in vitro.

Targeting CLA/E-selectin interactions prevents CCR4-mediated recruitment of human Th2 memory cells to human skin in vivo.

Naive Th cells, bearing receptors for cutaneous antigens, become activated in skin-draining lymph nodes and express cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA), which confers to these cells the capacity to migrate into the skin to exert their normal effector functions. In the case of atopic dermatitis (AD), allergen-specific Th2 cells generate exacerbated responses and induce skin inflammation. In such a situation, interfering with the specific mechanism of skin homing would provide a therapeutic benefit. Here we report that CLA+ Th2 memory cells, derived from skin lesions of AD patients, selectively migrate to human skin grafts transplanted onto SCID mice in response to CCR4 but not CCR3, CCR8 or CXCR3 ligands. Skin homing of human CCR4+ Th2 memory cells was Pertussis toxin sensitive and restricted to the CLA+ subset. Furthermore, treatment of these mice with anti-E-selectin monoclonal antibody was sufficient to prevent CCL22-mediated Th2 cell migration to human skin, which both, validates the model and highlights the importance of CLA/E-selectin interactions in the homing process of Th2 cells to the skin. Using this mechanistic model we demonstrate that skin homing of human Th2 memory cells can be efficiently suppressed using a low molecular weight E-selectin antagonist, which is of clinical relevance for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, including AD.