Proinflammatory adjuvants enhance the cognate helper activity of aged CD4 T cells.

Age-related declines in humoral responses contribute to the reduced efficacy of vaccines in older populations. Using an adoptive transfer model, we have shown that age-related intrinsic declines in CD4 T cell function contribute significantly to the reduced humoral responses observed with aging, resulting in reduced B cell expansion and differentiation as well as reduced IgG production. In this current study, we show that the helper function of aged CD4 T cells can be enhanced using a TLR-binding adjuvant or an adjuvant containing proinflammatory (PI) cytokines. The helper function of aged CD4 T cells was also enhanced when PI cytokines were added during in vitro CD4 effector generation. Enhanced helper activity resulted in improved expansion and differentiation of B cells and affinity maturation of IgG. PI cytokines also induced significant production of effector cytokines, including IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-17, and IL-21, by both young and aged CD4 T cells. Importantly, we also show that proinflammatory adjuvants can significantly enhance the humoral response in intact aged animals. We propose that one of the mechanisms involved in the ability of adjuvants to enhance both young and aged T cell responses includes driving multifaceted T cell differentiation and production of multiple cytokines by responding CD4 T cells.

Modulation of responses of Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 to pH and temperature stresses by growth at different salt concentrations.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus inhabits marine, brackish, and estuarine waters worldwide, where fluctuations in salinity pose a constant challenge to the osmotic stress response of the organism. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a moderate halophile, having an absolute requirement for salt for survival, and is capable of growth at 1 to 9% NaCl. It is the leading cause of seafood-related bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States and much of Asia. We determined whether growth in differing NaCl concentrations alters the susceptibility of V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 to other environmental stresses. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was grown at a 1% or 3% NaCl concentration, and the growth and survival of the organism were examined under acid or temperature stress conditions. Growth of V. parahaemolyticus in 3% NaCl versus that in 1% NaCl increased survival under both inorganic (HCl) and organic (acetic acid) acid conditions. In addition, at 42 degrees C and -20 degrees C, 1% NaCl had a detrimental effect on growth. The expression of lysine decarboxylase (encoded by cadA), the organism's main acid stress response system, was induced by both NaCl and acid conditions. To begin to address the mechanism of regulation of the stress response, we constructed a knockout mutation in rpoS, which encodes the alternative stress sigma factor, and in toxRS, a two-component regulator common to many Vibrio species. Both mutant strains had significantly reduced survival under acid stress conditions. The effect of V. parahaemolyticus growth in 1% or 3% NaCl was examined using a cytotoxicity assay, and we found that V. parahaemolyticus grown in 1% NaCl was significantly more toxic than that grown in 3% NaCl.

Osmoadaptation among Vibrio species and unique genomic features and physiological responses of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a moderately halophilic bacterium found in estuarine and marine coastal ecosystems worldwide. Although the ability of V. parahaemolyticus to grow and proliferate in fluctuating saline environments is well known, the underlying molecular mechanisms of osmoadaptation are unknown. We performed an in silico analysis of V. parahaemolyticus strain RIMD2210633 for genes homologous to osmotic stress response genes in other bacteria. We uncovered two putative compatible solute synthesis systems (encoded by ectABC and betABI) and six putative compatible solute transporters (encoded by four bcct loci and two proVWX loci). An ectoine synthesis system clustered with a betaine/carnitine/choline transporter and a ProU transporter (encoded by homologues of proVWX from Escherichia coli), and a betaine synthesis system clustered with a ProU transporter (encoded by homologues of proVXW from Pseudomonas syringae). This is at least double the number present in V. cholerae, V. fischeri, or V. vulnificus. Six additional Vibrio species contain both ectABC and betABI, i.e., V. alginolyticus 12G01, V. angustum, V. harveyi BAA-1116, V. splendidus LGP32, Vibrio sp. strain MED222, and Vibrio sp. strain Ex25. V. harveyi HY01 and V. splendidus 12B01 only encoded the betaine system. In addition, V. alginolyticus had a compendium of systems identical to that found in V. parahaemolyticus. Comparative physiological analysis of RIMD2210633 with V. vulnificus YJ016, V. cholerae N16961, and V. fischeri ES114 grown at different salinities and temperatures demonstrated that V. parahaemolyticus had a growth advantage under all of the conditions examined. We demonstrate, by one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, that V. parahaemolyticus is capable of de novo synthesis of ectoine at high salinity whereas a Delta ectB knockout strain is not. We constructed a single-knockout mutation in proU1, but no growth defect was noted, indicating transporter system redundancy. We complemented E. coli MKH13, a compatible solute transporter-negative strain, with bcct2 and demonstrated uptake of betaine at high salt concentrations.

Comparison of gene expression by co-cultured WC1+ gammadelta and CD4+ alphabeta T cells exhibiting a recall response to bacterial antigen.

Immunization of cattle with a Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo-bovis vaccine results in the development of a recall response by WC1(+) gammadelta T cells and CD4(+) alphabeta T cells characterized by proliferation and interferon-gamma production. It was hypothesized that these two T cell subpopulations had largely redundant effector functions, principally differing in their requirements for activation. To test this, gene expression in cells proliferating to antigen were compared utilizing RT-PCR and bovine microarrays. Both T cell populations had similar transcript profiles for effector molecules, including IFN-gamma, FasL and granzyme B. In contrast, transcripts for costimulatory receptors and ligands were notably different following activation, as WC1(+) T cells expressed no or lower levels of transcripts for CD28 and CD40L, while CD4(+) T cells expressed substantial levels of both. However, both cell types had high levels of CTLA-4 transcript suggesting the cells may be regulated similarly following activation but differ in their need for and ability to provide costimulation. Microarray analyses to extend the number of genes examined revealed that while both subpopulations upregulated anti-apoptotic genes as well as those involved in cell activation and protein biosynthesis, overall there were limited differences between the two antigen-activated cell populations. Those genes that did differ were involved in cell signaling, protein production and intracellular protein trafficking. These results strengthen the hypothesis that these particular activated WC1(+) and CD4(+) T cells have overlapping effector functions and therefore may differ principally with regard to how they are recruited into immune responses.

Molecular cloning of bovine chemokine receptors and expression by WC1+ gammadelta T cells.

Chemokine receptors mediate leukocyte migration into secondary lymphoid tissues and localization to peripheral inflammation sites. We describe full-length cDNA sequences of bovine chemokine receptors CCR5, CCR7, CXCR3 and CXCR5 and transcript expression by WC1(+)gammadelta T cells, a unique cell population with proinflammatory characteristics that comprises a large proportion of mononuclear cells in young ruminants. Bovine chemokine sequences were more similar to those of humans than were murine sequences to humans', ranging from 84% to 91%. Transcript analysis showed that antigen stimulation of WC1(+)gammadelta T cells induced IFN-gamma production and substantially increased CCR5 and CXCR3 expression when compared with freshly isolated (ex vivo) cells. CCR7 transcripts were minimally expressed in ex vivo and proliferating WC1(+)gammadelta T cells and CXCR5 expression was negligible. These results confirm the proinflammatory nature of WC1(+)gammadelta T cells is reflected by its chemokine receptor expression and suggest WC1(+)gammadelta T cells are unlikely to transit through secondary lymphoid tissues.

WC1+ gammadelta T cell memory population is induced by killed bacterial vaccine.

Limited studies have addressed the ability of gammadelta T cells to become memory populations. We previously demonstrated that WC1.1(+) gammadelta T cells from ruminants vaccinated with killed Leptospira borgpetersenii proliferate and produce IFN-gamma in recall responses. Here we show that this response is dependent upon antigen-responsive CD4 T cells, at least across transwell membranes; this requirement cannot be replaced by IL-2. The response was also dependent upon in vivo priming, since gammadelta T cells from leptospira vaccine-naive animals did not respond to antigen even when co-cultured across membranes from antigen-responsive PBMC. Gammadelta T cells were the major antigen-responding T cell population for the first 4 wks following vaccination and replicated more rapidly than CD4 T cells. Primed WC1(+) gammadelta T cells circulated as CD62L(hi)/CD45RO(int)/CD44(lo), characteristics of T(CM) cells. When stimulated with antigen, they decreased CD62L, increased CD44 and CD25, and had no change in CD45RO expression. These changes paralleled those of the leptospira antigen-responsive CD4 T cells but differed from those of gammadelta T cells proliferating to mitogen stimulation. This system for in vivo gammadelta T cell priming is unique, since it relies on a killed antigen to induce memory and may be pertinent to designing vaccines that require type 1 pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Identification of three new bovine T-cell receptor delta variable gene subgroups expressed by peripheral blood T cells.

To understand the biology of gammadelta T cells in ruminants, it is necessary to have a comprehensive picture of gammadelta T-cell receptor gene diversity and expression. In this study, three new subgroups of bovine T-cell receptor delta (TRD) variable genes were identified by RT-PCR and sequencing and homology with TRDV genes from other mammals determined. Previously unidentified TRDV subgroup genes described in this study include the bovine homologues of ovine TRDV2, TRDV3, and TRDV4 which were named accordingly. TRDV2 subgroup has two genes (TRDV2-1 and TRDV2-2) while we found the previously identified TRDV1 has at least eight genes corresponding to separate genomic sequences. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences for particular gene subgroups between cattle and sheep were more than 87% identical but identities among TRDV subgroups within a species were much less, with bovine TRDV4 having <45% identity to the other three bovine TRDV gene subgroups. Analysis of circulating bovine gammadelta T cells revealed that genes from all four TRDV subgroups were expressed in combination with TRDJ1, TRDJ3, and TRDC, although TRDV4 was the least represented, and all displayed a variety of CDR3 junctional lengths. Finally, some genes within the TRDV1, TRDV2, and TRDV3 subgroups recombined with TRAV incorporating TRAJs, suggesting dual use.

Differential TCR gene usage between WC1- and WC1+ ruminant gammadelta T cell subpopulations including those responding to bacterial antigen.

Ruminant gammadelta T cells are divided into subpopulations based on the presence or absence of WC1 co-receptors (scavenger-receptor-cysteine-rich family members uniquely expressed on gammadelta T cells). Evidence suggests WC1+ are inflammatory while WC1- are regulatory and that they also differ in their tissue distribution. Recently, this paradigm was refined further as cells that produce interferon-gamma and proliferate to autologous antigens, leptospira antigens, or IL-12 were largely found within the WC1+ subpopulation that bears the WC1.1 antigenic epitope but not that bearing the WC1.2 epitope. Here, the T cell receptor gene expression by these different subpopulations (WC1-, WC1.1+, and WC1.2+) was compared using flow cytometrically-purified cells and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The WC1- gammadelta T cells had transcripts for all 11 possible combinations of the TRG subgroup V and C genes while those in both WC1+ subpopulations were restricted to TRGV3-TRGC5 and TRGV7-TRGC5. In contrast, all three subpopulations expressed transcripts from all four known bovine TRDV genes. Further analysis of the WC1+ gammadelta T cells that proliferated in leptospira antigen-stimulated cultures indicated that they do not represent a unique subpopulation within the larger WC1+ population based on their TCR gene usage. Moreover, sequencing of 65 transcripts showed that their junctional regions were diverse as TRGJ5-1, TRGJ5-2, TRDJ1, and TRDJ3 were used, and CDR3s ranged from 9 to 24 amino acids. The restricted but shared gammadelta TCR gene usage for WC1.1+, WC1.2+, and WC1(+)-antigen-responsive cells leaves open the possibility that the WC1 co-receptor is an important determining element in the activation process and subsequent response.

Role of menaquinones in Fe(III) reduction by membrane fractions of Shewanella putrefaciens.

Two Tn5-generated mutants of Shewanella putrefaciens with insertions in menD and menB were isolated and analyzed. Both mutants were deficient in the use of several terminal electron acceptors, including Fe(III). This deficiency was overcome by the addition of menaquinone (vitamin K(2)). Isolated membrane fractions from both mutants were unable to reduce Fe(III) in the absence of added menaquinone when formate was used as the electron donor. These results indicate that menaquinones are essential components for the reduction of Fe(III) by both whole cells and purified membrane fractions when formate or lactate is used as the electron donor.