Dominant-activating germline mutations in the gene encoding the PI(3)K catalytic subunit p110δ result in T cell senescence and human immunodeficiency.

The p110δ subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) is selectively expressed in leukocytes and is critical for lymphocyte biology. Here we report fourteen patients from seven families who were heterozygous for three different germline, gain-of-function mutations in PIK3CD (which encodes p110δ). These patients presented with sinopulmonary infections, lymphadenopathy, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia and viremia due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Strikingly, they had a substantial deficiency in naive T cells but an over-representation of senescent effector T cells. In vitro, T cells from patients exhibited increased phosphorylation of the kinase Akt and hyperactivation of the metabolic checkpoint kinase mTOR, enhanced glucose uptake and terminal effector differentiation. Notably, treatment with rapamycin to inhibit mTOR activity in vivo partially restored the abundance of naive T cells, largely 'rescued' the in vitro T cell defects and improved the clinical course.

Erk1/2 inactivation promotes a rapid redistribution of COP1 and degradation of COP1 substrates.

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a protease virulence factor produced by Bacillus anthracis that is required for its pathogenicity. LT treatment causes a rapid degradation of c-Jun protein that follows inactivation of the MEK1/2-Erk1/2 signaling pathway. Here we identify COP1 as the ubiquitin E3 ligase that is essential for LT-induced c-Jun degradation. COP1 knockdown using siRNA prevents degradation of c-Jun, ETV4, and ETV5 in cells treated with either LT or the MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126. Immunofluorescence staining reveals that COP1 preferentially localizes to the nuclear envelope, but it is released from the nuclear envelope into the nucleoplasm following Erk1/2 inactivation. At baseline, COP1 attaches to the nuclear envelope via interaction with translocated promoter region (TPR), a component of the nuclear pore complex. Disruption of this COP1-TPR interaction, through Erk1/2 inactivation or TPR knockdown, leads to rapid COP1 release from the nuclear envelope into the nucleoplasm where it degrades COP1 substrates. COP1-mediated degradation of c-Jun protein, combined with LT-mediated blockade of the JNK1/2 signaling pathway, inhibits cellular proliferation. This effect on proliferation is reversed by COP1 knockdown and ectopic expression of an LT-resistant MKK7-4 fusion protein. Taken together, this study reveals that the nuclear envelope acts as a reservoir, maintaining COP1 poised for action. Upon Erk1/2 inactivation, COP1 is rapidly released from the nuclear envelope, promoting the degradation of its nuclear substrates, including c-Jun, a critical transcription factor that promotes cellular proliferation. This regulation allows mammalian cells to respond rapidly to changes in extracellular cues and mediates pathogenic mechanisms in disease states.

Erk1/2 Inactivation-Induced c-Jun Degradation Is Regulated by Protein Phosphatases, UBE2d3, and the C-Terminus of c-Jun.

Constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) is the ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates degradation of c-Jun protein upon Erk1/2 inactivation. It remains unknown how this protein degradation pathway is regulated. In this study, we investigated the roles of protein phosphatases, ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzymes (UBE2), and an intrinsic motif of c-Jun in regulating this degradation pathway. By using pharmacological inhibitors and/or gene knockdown techniques, we identified protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PP2A as the phosphatases and UBE23d as the UBE2 promoting c-Jun degradation, triggered by Erk1/2 inactivation. In addition, we report that the C-terminus of c-Jun protein facilitates its degradation. The addition of a C-terminal tag or deletion of the last four amino acid residues from the C-terminus of c-Jun protects it from degradation under Erk1/2-inactivating conditions. Taken together, this study reveals that the Erk1/2 inactivation-triggered and COP1-mediated c-Jun degradation is extrinsically and intrinsically regulated, providing a new understanding of the mechanisms underlying this protein degradation pathway.

Variable Induction of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines by Commercial SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein Reagents: Potential Impacts of LPS on In Vitro Modeling and Pathogenic Mechanisms In Vivo.

Proinflammatory cytokine production following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Like SARS CoV-1, SARS CoV-2 enters host cells via its spike protein, which attaches to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As SARS CoV-1 spike protein is reported to induce cytokine production, we hypothesized that this pathway could be a shared mechanism underlying pathogenic immune responses. We herein compared the capabilities of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), SARS CoV-1 and SARS CoV-2 spike proteins to induce cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We observed that only specific commercial lots of SARS CoV-2 induce cytokine production. Surprisingly, recombinant SARS CoV-2 spike proteins from different vendors and batches exhibited different patterns of cytokine induction, and these activities were not inhibited by blockade of spike protein-ACE2 binding using either soluble ACE2 or neutralizing anti-S1 antibody. Moreover, commercial spike protein reagents contained varying levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which correlated directly with their abilities to induce cytokine production. The LPS inhibitor, polymyxin B, blocked this cytokine induction activity. In addition, SARS CoV-2 spike protein avidly bound soluble LPS in vitro, rendering it a cytokine inducer. These results not only suggest caution in monitoring the purity of SARS CoV-2 spike protein reagents, but they indicate the possibility that interactions of SARS CoV-2 spike protein with LPS from commensal bacteria in virally infected mucosal tissues could promote pathogenic inflammatory cytokine production.

Anthrax lethal toxin rapidly reduces c-Jun levels by inhibiting c-Jun gene transcription and promoting c-Jun protein degradation.

Anthrax is a life-threatening disease caused by infection with Bacillus anthracis, which expresses lethal factor and the receptor-binding protective antigen. These two proteins combine to form anthrax lethal toxin (LT), whose proximal targets are mitogen-activated kinase kinases (MKKs). However, the downstream mediators of LT toxicity remain elusive. Here we report that LT exposure rapidly reduces the levels of c-Jun, a key regulator of cell proliferation and survival. Blockade of proteasome-dependent protein degradation with the 26S proteasome inhibitor MG132 largely restored c-Jun protein levels, suggesting that LT promotes degradation of c-Jun protein. Using the MKK1/2 inhibitor U0126, we further show that MKK1/2-Erk1/2 pathway inactivation similarly reduces c-Jun protein, which was also restored by MG132 pre-exposure. Interestingly, c-Jun protein rebounded to normal levels 4 h following U0126 exposure but not after LT exposure. The restoration of c-Jun in U0126-exposed cells was associated with increased c-Jun mRNA levels and was blocked by inactivation of the JNK1/2 signaling pathway. These results indicate that LT reduces c-Jun both by promoting c-Jun protein degradation via inactivation of MKK1/2-Erk1/2 signaling and by blocking c-Jun gene transcription via inactivation of MKK4-JNK1/2 signaling. In line with the known functions of c-Jun, LT also inhibited cell proliferation. Ectopic expression of LT-resistant MKK2 and MKK4 variants partially restored Erk1/2 and JNK1/2 signaling in LT-exposed cells, enabling the cells to maintain relatively normal c-Jun protein levels and cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings indicate that LT reduces c-Jun protein levels via two distinct mechanisms, thereby inhibiting critical cell functions, including cellular proliferation.

Gastric pH and Toxin Factors Modulate Infectivity and Disease Progression After Gastrointestinal Exposure to Bacillus anthracis.

Gastrointestinal (GI) anthrax is the most prevalent form of naturally acquired Bacillus anthracis infection, which is associated with exposure to vegetative bacteria in infected meat (carnivores) or to fermented rumen contents (herbivores). We assessed whether key host and pathogen factors modulate infectivity and progression of infection using a mouse model of GI infection. Gastric acid neutralization increases infectivity, but 30%-40% of mice succumb to infection without neutralization. Mice either fed or fasted before exposure showed similar infectivity rates. Finally, the pathogen's anthrax lethal factor is required to establish lethal infection, whereas its edema factor modulates progression and dissemination of infection.

Anthrax lethal toxin inhibits translation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and causes decreased tolerance to hypoxic stress.

Hypoxia is considered to be a contributor to the pathology associated with administration of anthrax lethal toxin (LT). However, we report here that serum lactate levels in LT-treated mice are reduced, a finding inconsistent with the anaerobic metabolism expected to occur during hypoxia. Reduced lactate levels are also observed in the culture supernatants of LT-treated cells. LT inhibits the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, a subunit of HIF-1, the master regulator directing cellular responses to hypoxia. The toxin has no effect on the transcription or protein turnover of HIF-1α, but instead it acts to inhibit HIF-1α translation. LT treatment diminishes phosphorylation of eIF4B, eIF4E, and rpS6, critical components of the intracellular machinery required for HIF-1α translation. Moreover, blockade of MKK1/2-ERK1/2, but not p38 or JNK signaling, lowers HIF-1α protein levels in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, consistent with a role for MKK1 and MKK2 as the major targets of LT responsible for the inhibition of HIF-1α translation. The physiological importance of the LT-induced translation blockade is demonstrated by the finding that LT treatment decreases the survival of hepatocyte cell lines grown in hypoxic conditions, an effect that is overcome by preinduction of HIF-1α. Taken together, these data support a role for LT in dysregulating HIF-1α and thereby disrupting homeostatic responses to hypoxia, an environmental characteristic of certain tissues at baseline and/or during disseminated infection with Bacillus anthracis.

Correlating interleukin-12 stimulated interferon-γ production and the absence of ectodermal dysplasia and anhidrosis (EDA) in patients with mutations in NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO).

OBJECTIVE: Patients with hypomorphic mutations in Nuclear Factor-κB Essential Modulator (NEMO) are immunodeficient (ID) and most display ectodermal dysplasia and anhidrosis (EDA). We compared cytokine production by NEMO-ID patients with and without EDA. METHODS: PBMCs of NEMO-ID patients, four with EDA carrying E315A, C417R, D311N and Q403X, and three without EDA carrying E315A, E311_L333del and R254G, were cultured with PHA, PHA plus IL-12p70, LPS, LPS plus IFN-γ, TNF and IL-1ß. The production of various cytokines was measured in the supernatants. Fifty-nine healthy individuals served as controls. RESULTS: PBMCs of NEMO-ID patients without EDA produce subnormal amounts of IFN-γ after stimulation with PHA, but normal amounts of IFN-γ after PHA plus IL-12p70. In contrast, IFN-γ production by patients with EDA was low in both cases. Patients with EDA also generate lower PHA-stimulated IL-10 and IL-1ß than controls, whereas the production of these cytokines by patients without EDA was normal. CONCLUSION: Responses of PBMCs in NEMO-ID patients with EDA to PHA with and without IL-12p70 appear less robust than in NEMO-ID patients without EDA. This possibly indicates a better preserved NEMO function in our patients without EDA.

Mutations in GATA2 are associated with the autosomal dominant and sporadic monocytopenia and mycobacterial infection (MonoMAC) syndrome.

The syndrome of monocytopenia, B-cell and NK-cell lymphopenia, and mycobacterial, fungal, and viral infections is associated with myelodysplasia, cytogenetic abnormalities, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and myeloid leukemias. Both autosomal dominant and sporadic cases occur. We identified 12 distinct mutations in GATA2 affecting 20 patients and relatives with this syndrome, including recurrent missense mutations affecting the zinc finger-2 domain (R398W and T354M), suggesting dominant interference of gene function. Four discrete insertion/deletion mutations leading to frame shifts and premature termination implicate haploinsufficiency as a possible mechanism of action as well. These mutations were found in hematopoietic and somatic tissues, and several were identified in families, indicating germline transmission. Thus, GATA2 joins RUNX1 and CEBPA not only as a familial leukemia gene but also as a cause of a complex congenital immunodeficiency that evolves over decades and combines predisposition to infection and myeloid malignancy.

Development of a New Cell-Based AP-1 Gene Reporter Potency Assay for Anti-Anthrax Toxin Therapeutics.

Anthrax toxin is a critical virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis. The toxin comprises protective antigen (PA) and two enzymatic moieties, edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF), forming bipartite lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET). PA binds cellular surface receptors and is required for intracellular translocation of the enzymatic moieties. For this reason, anti-PA antibodies have been developed as therapeutics for prophylaxis and treatment of human anthrax infection. Assays described publicly for the control of anti-PA antibody potency quantify inhibition of LT-mediated cell death or the ET-induced increase in c-AMP levels. These assays do not fully reflect and/or capture the pathological functions of anthrax toxin in humans. Herein, we report the development of a cell-based gene reporter potency assay for anti-PA antibodies based on the rapid LT-induced degradation of c-Jun protein, a pathogenic effect that occurs in human cells. This new assay was developed by transducing Hepa1c1c7 cells with an AP-1 reporter lentiviral construct and has been qualified for specificity, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, and linearity. This assay not only serves as a bioassay for LT activity, but has applications for characterization and quality control of anti-PA therapeutic antibodies or other products that target the AP-1 signaling pathway.

Interchangeability of the Assays Used to Assess the Activity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies.

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 lasted for over three years. A key measure in combatting this pandemic involved the measurement of the monoclonal antibody (mAb)-mediated inhibition of binding between the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and hACE2 receptor. Potency assessments of therapeutic anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs typically include binding or cell-based neutralization assays. We assessed the inhibitory activity of five anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs using ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and four cell-based neutralization assays using different pseudovirus particles and 293T or A549 cells expressing hACE2 with or without TMPRSS2. We assessed the interchangeability between cell-based and binding assays by applying the Bland-Altman method under certain assumptions. Our data demonstrated that the IC50 [nM] values determined by eight neutralization assays are independent of the cell line, presence of TMPRSS2 enzyme on the cell surface, and pseudovirus backbone used. Moreover, the Bland-Altman analysis showed that the IC50 [nM] and KD [nM] values determined by neutralization/ELISA or by SPR are equivalent and that the anti-spike mAb activity can be attributed to one variable directly related to its tertiary conformational structure conformation, rate dissociation constant Koff. This parameter is independent from the concentrations of the components of the mAb:RBD:hACE2 complexes and can be used for a comparison between the activities of the different mAbs.

X-linked susceptibility to mycobacteria is caused by mutations in NEMO impairing CD40-dependent IL-12 production.

Germline mutations in five autosomal genes involved in interleukin (IL)-12-dependent, interferon (IFN)-gamma-mediated immunity cause Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD). The molecular basis of X-linked recessive (XR)-MSMD remains unknown. We report here mutations in the leucine zipper (LZ) domain of the NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO) gene in three unrelated kindreds with XR-MSMD. The mutant proteins were produced in normal amounts in blood and fibroblastic cells. However, the patients' monocytes presented an intrinsic defect in T cell-dependent IL-12 production, resulting in defective IFN-gamma secretion by T cells. IL-12 production was also impaired as the result of a specific defect in NEMO- and NF-kappaB/c-Rel-mediated CD40 signaling after the stimulation of monocytes and dendritic cells by CD40L-expressing T cells and fibroblasts, respectively. However, the CD40-dependent up-regulation of costimulatory molecules of dendritic cells and the proliferation and immunoglobulin class switch of B cells were normal. Moreover, the patients' blood and fibroblastic cells responded to other NF-kappaB activators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, and lipopolysaccharide. These two mutations in the NEMO LZ domain provide the first genetic etiology of XR-MSMD. They also demonstrate the importance of the T cell- and CD40L-triggered, CD40-, and NEMO/NF-kappaB/c-Rel-mediated induction of IL-12 by monocyte-derived cells for protective immunity to mycobacteria in humans.

Autosomal dominant and sporadic monocytopenia with susceptibility to mycobacteria, fungi, papillomaviruses, and myelodysplasia.

We identified 18 patients with the distinct clinical phenotype of susceptibility to disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, viral infections, especially with human papillomaviruses, and fungal infections, primarily histoplasmosis, and molds. This syndrome typically had its onset in adulthood (age range, 7-60 years; mean, 31.1 years; median, 32 years) and was characterized by profound circulating monocytopenia (mean, 13.3 cells/microL; median, 14.5 cells/microL), B lymphocytopenia (mean, 9.4 cells/microL; median, 4 cells/microL), and NK lymphocytopenia (mean, 16 cells/microL; median, 5.5 cells/microL). T lymphocytes were variably affected. Despite these peripheral cytopenias, all patients had macrophages and plasma cells at sites of inflammation and normal immunoglobulin levels. Ten of these patients developed 1 or more of the following malignancies: 9 myelodysplasia/leukemia, 1 vulvar carcinoma and metastatic melanoma, 1 cervical carcinoma, 1 Bowen disease of the vulva, and 1 multiple Epstein-Barr virus(+) leiomyosarcoma. Five patients developed pulmonary alveolar proteinosis without mutations in the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor or anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies. Among these 18 patients, 5 families had 2 generations affected, suggesting autosomal dominant transmission as well as sporadic cases. This novel clinical syndrome links susceptibility to mycobacterial, viral, and fungal infections with malignancy and can be transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Neutrophil elastase mediates pathogenic effects of anthrax lethal toxin in the murine intestinal tract.

Neutrophils isolated from BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice and treated in vitro with anthrax lethal toxin release bioactive neutrophil elastase, a proinflammatory mediator of tissue destruction. Similarly, neutrophils isolated from mice treated with anthrax lethal toxin in vivo and cultured ex vivo release greater amounts of elastase than neutrophils from vehicle-treated controls. Direct measurements from murine intestinal tissue samples demonstrate an anthrax lethal toxin-dependent increase in neutrophil elastase activity in vivo as well. These findings correlate with marked lethal toxin-induced intestinal ulceration and bleeding in neutrophil elastase(+/+) animals, but not in neutrophil elastase(-/-) animals. Moreover, neutrophil elastase(-/-) mice have a significant survival advantage over neutrophil elastase(+/+) animals following exposure to anthrax lethal toxin, thereby establishing a key role for neutrophil elastase in mediating the deleterious effects of anthrax lethal toxin.

STAT3 mutations in the hyper-IgE syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The hyper-IgE syndrome (or Job's syndrome) is a rare disorder of immunity and connective tissue characterized by dermatitis, boils, cyst-forming pneumonias, elevated serum IgE levels, retained primary dentition, and bone abnormalities. Inheritance is autosomal dominant; sporadic cases are also found. METHODS: We collected longitudinal clinical data on patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome and their families and assayed the levels of cytokines secreted by stimulated leukocytes and the gene expression in resting and stimulated cells. These data implicated the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene (STAT3) as a candidate gene, which we then sequenced. RESULTS: We found increased levels of proinflammatory gene transcripts in unstimulated peripheral-blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells from patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome, as compared with levels in control cells. In vitro cultures of mononuclear cells from patients that were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, with or without interferon-gamma, had higher tumor necrosis factor alpha levels than did identically treated cells from unaffected persons (P=0.003). In contrast, the cells from patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome generated lower levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in response to the presence of interleukin-6 (P=0.03), suggesting a defect in interleukin-6 signaling through its downstream mediators, one of which is STAT3. We identified missense mutations and single-codon in-frame deletions in STAT3 in 50 familial and sporadic cases of the hyper-IgE syndrome. Eighteen discrete mutations, five of which were hot spots, were predicted to directly affect the DNA-binding and SRC homology 2 (SH2) domains. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in STAT3 underlie sporadic and dominant forms of the hyper-IgE syndrome, an immunodeficiency syndrome involving increased innate immune response, recurrent infections, and complex somatic features.

The ELISA Detectability and Potency of Pegfilgrastim Decrease in Physiological Conditions: Key Roles for Aggregation and Individual Variability.

PEGylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (pegfilgrastim) is used clinically to accelerate immune reconstitution following chemotherapy and is being pursued for biosimilar development. One challenge to overcome in pegfilgrastim biosimilar development is establishing pharmacokinetic (PK) similarity, which is partly due to the degree of PK variability. We herein report that commercially available G-CSF and PEG ELISA detection kits have different capacities to detect pegfilgrastim aggregates that rapidly form in vitro in physiological conditions. These aggregates can be observed using SDS-PAGE, size-exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and real-time NMR analysis and are associated with decreased bioactivity as reflected by reduced drug-induced cellular proliferation and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, individual variability in the stability and detectability of pegfilgrastim in human sera is also observed. Pegfilgrastim levels display marked subject variability in sera from healthy donors incubated at 37 °C. The stability patterns of pegfilgrastim closely match the stability patterns of filgrastim, consistent with a key role for pegfilgrastim's G-CSF moiety in driving formation of inactive aggregates. Taken together, our results indicate that individual variability and ELISA specificity for inactive aggregates are key factors to consider when designing and interpreting studies involving the measurement of serum pegfilgrastim concentrations.

New era in drug interaction evaluation: US Food and Drug Administration update on CYP enzymes, transporters, and the guidance process.

Predicting clinically significant drug interactions during drug development is a challenge for the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies. Since the publication of the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) first in vitro and in vivo drug interaction guidance documents in 1997 and 1999, researchers and clinicians have gained a better understanding of drug interactions. This knowledge has enabled the FDA and the industry to progress and begin to overcome these challenges. The FDA has continued its efforts to evaluate methodologies to study drug interactions and communicate recommendations regarding the conduct of drug interaction studies, particularly for CYP-based and transporter-based drug interactions, to the pharmaceutical industry. A drug interaction Web site was established to document the FDA's current understanding of drug interactions (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/drugInteractions/default.htm). This report provides an overview of the evolution of the drug interaction guidances, includes a synopsis of the steps taken by the FDA to revise the original drug interaction guidance documents, and summarizes and highlights updated sections in the current guidance document, Drug Interaction Studies-Study Design, Data Analysis, and Implications for Dosing and Labeling.

Bacillus anthracis: a multi-faceted role for anthrax lethal toxin in thwarting host immune defenses.

Lethal factor (LF), along with its receptor-binding partner protective antigen (PA), forms lethal toxin (LT), a critical virulence factor for Bacillus anthracis. LF is a Zn(2+) protease that cleaves specific mitogen activated protein kinase kinases (MAPKKs), inactivating signal transduction intermediates required for normal immune function. Initial research emphasized the role of LT in attenuating pro-inflammatory responses by macrophages, the primary targets of infection. More recent studies have revealed that LT affects a broad range of immune cells. In addition to direct effects on macrophages and neutrophils, LT suppresses the costimulatory functions of dendritic cells, thereby impeding essential cross-talk between innate and adaptive immune responses. Moreover, LT acts directly on T and B lymphocytes, blocking antigen receptor-dependent proliferation, cytokine production and Ig production. In this manner, LT mounts a broad-based attack on host immunity, thus providing B. anthracis with multiple mechanisms for avoiding protective host responses.

HIV regulation of the IL-7R: a viral mechanism for enhancing HIV-1 replication in human macrophages in vitro.

We report a novel mechanism, involving up-regulation of the interleukin (IL)-7 cytokine receptor, by which human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enhances its own production in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) in vitro. HIV-1 infection or treatment of MDM cultures with exogenous HIV-1 Tat(86) protein up-regulates the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) alpha-chain at the levels of steady-state RNA, protein, and functional IL-7R on the cell surface (as measured by ligand-induced receptor signaling). This IL-7R up-regulation is associated with increased amounts of HIV-1 virions in the supernatants of infected MDM cultures treated with exogenous IL-7 cytokine. The overall effect of IL-7 stimulation on HIV replication in MDM culture supernatants is typically in the range of one log and greater. The results are consistent with a model in which HIV infection produces the Tat protein, which in turn up-regulates IL-7R in a paracrine manner. This results in increased IL-7R signaling in response to the IL-7 cytokine, which ultimately promotes early events in HIV replication, including binding/entry and possibly other steps prior to reverse transcription. The results suggest that the effects of IL-7 on HIV replication in MDM should be considered when analyzing and designing clinical trials involving treatment of patients with IL-7 or Tat vaccines.

IL-23: a cytokine that acts on memory T cells.

The newly discovered cytokine interleukin (IL)-23 shares some in vivo functions with IL-12, including the activation of the transcription factor STAT4 (signal tranducer and activator of transcription-4). Indeed, the receptors for each appear to share one subunit, but also have at least one distinct subunit. Frucht discusses the similarities of IL-12 and IL-23 and the effects that distinguish one from the other. In contrast to IL-12, IL-23 appears to participate in the proliferative signal in memory T cells. More functions that distinguish IL-23 from IL-12 are likely to be uncovered as soon as the other component(s) of the IL-23 receptor are molecularly cloned and characterized.