The impact of HLA class I and EBV latency-II antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells on the pathogenesis of EBV(+) Hodgkin lymphoma.

In 40% of cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency-II antigens [EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)/latent membrane protein (LMP)1/LMP2A] are present (EBV(+) cHL) in the malignant cells and antigen presentation is intact. Previous studies have shown consistently that HLA-A*02 is protective in EBV(+) cHL, yet its role in disease pathogenesis is unknown. To explore the basis for this observation, gene expression was assessed in 33 cHL nodes. Interestingly, CD8 and LMP2A expression were correlated strongly and, for a given LMP2A level, CD8 was elevated markedly in HLA-A*02(-) versus HLA-A*02(+) EBV(+) cHL patients, suggesting that LMP2A-specific CD8(+) T cell anti-tumoral immunity may be relatively ineffective in HLA-A*02(-) EBV(+) cHL. To ascertain the impact of HLA class I on EBV latency antigen-specific immunodominance, we used a stepwise functional T cell approach. In newly diagnosed EBV(+) cHL, the magnitude of ex-vivo LMP1/2A-specific CD8(+) T cell responses was elevated in HLA-A*02(+) patients. Furthermore, in a controlled in-vitro assay, LMP2A-specific CD8(+) T cells from healthy HLA-A*02 heterozygotes expanded to a greater extent with HLA-A*02-restricted compared to non-HLA-A*02-restricted cell lines. In an extensive analysis of HLA class I-restricted immunity, immunodominant EBNA3A/3B/3C-specific CD8(+) T cell responses were stimulated by numerous HLA class I molecules, whereas the subdominant LMP1/2A-specific responses were confined largely to HLA-A*02. Our results demonstrate that HLA-A*02 mediates a modest, but none the less stronger, EBV-specific CD8(+) T cell response than non-HLA-A*02 alleles, an effect confined to EBV latency-II antigens. Thus, the protective effect of HLA-A*02 against EBV(+) cHL is not a surrogate association, but reflects the impact of HLA class I on EBV latency-II antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell hierarchies.

Comparison of systemic and mucosal vaccination: impact on intravenous and rectal SIV challenge.

Mucosal tissues are the primary route of transmission for most respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus. We aimed to generate strong mucosal immune responses to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in rhesus macaques by targeting recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) to the lung. The immunogenicity and efficacy of aerosol (AE) vaccination was compared with intramuscular (IM) delivery in either an intravenous (IV) or intrarectal (IR) SIV(mac251) challenge model. Aerosolized rAd5 induced strong cellular responses in the lung and systemic humoral responses equivalent to IM. Strikingly, all immunization groups controlled acute viremia in the IV challenge model by 1-2 logs. By contrast, after IR challenge, only peak viremia was reduced by immunization, with no significant effect on SIV infection acquisition rate or mucosal CD4(+) T-cell preservation. Improved disease outcome was associated with pre-challenge cellular and humoral responses, while post-challenge T-cell responses were highly correlated with viremia control. The similar outcomes achieved by systemic and airway mucosal immunization support AE delivery as a safe, effective, and less invasive alternative to parenteral vaccination.

A replication defective recombinant Ad5 vaccine expressing Ebola virus GP is safe and immunogenic in healthy adults.

Ebola virus causes irregular outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in equatorial Africa. Case mortality remains high; there is no effective treatment and outbreaks are sporadic and unpredictable. Studies of Ebola virus vaccine platforms in non-human primates have established that the induction of protective immunity is possible and safety and human immunogenicity has been demonstrated in a previous Phase I clinical trial of a 1st generation Ebola DNA vaccine. We now report the safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vaccine encoding the envelope glycoprotein (GP) from the Zaire and Sudan Ebola virus species, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, dose escalation, Phase I human study. Thirty-one healthy adults received vaccine at 2×10(9) (n=12), or 2×10(10) (n=11) viral particles or placebo (n=8) as an intramuscular injection. Antibody responses were assessed by ELISA and neutralizing assays; and T cell responses were assessed by ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining assays. This recombinant Ebola virus vaccine was safe and subjects developed antigen specific humoral and cellular immune responses.

Probability binning comparison: a metric for quantitating multivariate distribution differences.

BACKGROUND: While several algorithms for the comparison of univariate distributions arising from flow cytometric analyses have been developed and studied for many years, algorithms for comparing multivariate distributions remain elusive. Such algorithms could be useful for comparing differences between samples based on several independent measurements, rather than differences based on any single measurement. It is conceivable that distributions could be completely distinct in multivariate space, but unresolvable in any combination of univariate histograms. Multivariate comparisons could also be useful for providing feedback about instrument stability, when only subtle changes in measurements are occurring. METHODS: We apply a variant of Probability Binning, described in the accompanying article, to multidimensional data. In this approach, hyper-rectangles of n dimensions (where n is the number of measurements being compared) comprise the bins used for the chi-squared statistic. These hyper-dimensional bins are constructed such that the control sample has the same number of events in each bin; the bins are then applied to the test samples for chi-squared calculations. RESULTS: Using a Monte-Carlo simulation, we determined the distribution of chi-squared values obtained by comparing sets of events from the same distribution; this distribution of chi-squared values was identical as for the univariate algorithm. Hence, the same formulae can be used to construct a metric, analogous to a t-score, that estimates the probability with which distributions are distinct. As for univariate comparisons, this metric scales with the difference between two distributions, and can be used to rank samples according to similarity to a control. We apply the algorithm to multivariate immunophenotyping data, and demonstrate that it can be used to discriminate distinct samples and to rank samples according to a biologically-meaningful difference. CONCLUSION: Probability binning, as shown here, provides a useful metric for determining the probability with which two or more multivariate distributions represent distinct sets of data. The metric can be used to identify the similarity or dissimilarity of samples. Finally, as demonstrated in the accompanying paper, the algorithm can be used to gate on events in one sample that are different from a control sample, even if those events cannot be distinguished on the basis of any combination of univariate or bivariate displays. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Naive CD4 T cells inhibit CD28-costimulated R5 HIV replication in memory CD4 T cells.

Stimulation with antibodies to CD3 and CD28 coimmobilized on beads can be used to significantly expand T cells ex vivo. With CD4 T cells from HIV-infected patients, this expansion usually is accompanied by complete suppression of viral replication, presumed to be caused by down-regulation of the viral coreceptor CCR5 and up-regulation of CCR5 ligands. Here we show that this suppression occurs in total CD4 T cells acutely infected with R5 HIV, but not in purified CD62L(-) memory CD4 T cells. The lack of complete suppression in these memory cells, typically comprising 10-40% of total CD4 T cells, occurs despite high levels of CCR5 ligand secretion and down-regulation of CCR5. Significantly, adding back naive or CD62L(+) memory CD4 T cells inhibits the viral replication in the CD62L(-) cells, with the naive cells capable of completely repressing the virus. Although this inhibition was previously thought to be specific to bead-bound anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation, we show that the same suppression is obtained with sufficiently strong anti-CD3/B7.1 stimulation. Our results show that inhibitory mechanisms, expressed predominantly by strongly stimulated naive CD4 T cells and mediated independently of CCR5-binding chemokines, play a role in the inhibition of R5 HIV replication in CD4 T cells upon CD28 costimulation.

Direct functional analysis of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood.

The functional status of virus-specific CD8+ T cells is important for the outcome and the immunopathogenesis of viral infections. We have developed an assay for the direct functional analysis of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, which does not require prolonged in vitro cultivation and amplification of T cells. Whole blood samples were incubated with peptide antigens for <5 h, followed by staining with peptide-MHC tetramers to identify epitope-specific T cells. The cells were also stained for the activation marker CD69 or for the production of cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). With the combined staining with tetramer and antibodies to CD69 or cytokines the number of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells as well as the functional response of each individual cell to the cognate antigen can be determined in a single experiment. Virus-specific CD8+ T cells that are nonfunctional, as well as those that are functional under the same stimulating conditions can be simultaneously detected with this assay, which is not possible by using other T-cell functional assays including cytotoxicity assay, intracellular cytokine staining, and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay.

Increased CD95/Fas-induced apoptosis of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells.

Why HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells ultimately fail to clear or control HIV infection is not known. We show here that HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells exhibit increased sensitivity to CD95/Fas-induced apoptosis. This apoptosis is 3-fold higher compared to CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells from the same patients. HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells express the CD45RA(-)CD62L(-) but lack the CD45RA(+)CD62L(-) T cell effector memory (T(EM)) phenotype. This skewing is not found in CMV- and EBV-specific CD8(+) T cells in HIV-infected individuals. CD95/Fas-induced apoptosis is much higher in the CD45RA(-)CD62L(-) T(EM) cells. However, cytotoxicity and IFNgamma production by HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells is not impaired. Our data suggest that the survival and differentiation of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells may be compromised by CD95/Fas apoptosis induced by FasL-expressing HIV-infected cells.

N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione in HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione (GSH) deficiency is common in HIV-infected individuals and is associated with impaired T cell function and impaired survival. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used to replenish GSH that has been depleted by acetaminophen overdose. Studies here test oral administration of NAC for safe and effective GSH replenishment in HIV infection. DESIGN: Oral NAC administration in a randomized, 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial followed by optional open-label drug for up to 24 weeks. SUBJECTS: HIV-infected, low GSH, CD4 T cells < 500 micro L(-1), no active opportunistic infections or other debilitation; n = 81. Study conducted prior to introduction of protease inhibitors. RESULTS: Whole blood GSH levels in NAC arm subjects significantly increased from 0.88 mM to 0.98 mM, bringing GSH levels in NAC-treated subjects to 89% of uninfected controls (P = 0.03). Baseline GSH levels in the placebo group (0.91) remained essentially the same during the 8 week placebo-controlled trial. T cell GSH, adjusted for CD4 T cell count and beta2-microglobulin levels, also increased in the NAC-treated subjects (P = 0.04). Adverse effects were minimal and not significantly associated with NAC ingestion. CONCLUSION: NAC treatment for 8 weeks safely replenishes whole blood GSH and T cell GSH in HIV-infected individuals. Thus, NAC offers useful adjunct therapy to increase protection against oxidative stress, improve immune system function and increase detoxification of acetaminophen and other drugs. These findings suggest that NAC therapy could be valuable in other clinical situations in which GSH deficiency or oxidative stress plays a role in disease pathology, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, septic shock and diabetes.

Gene microarray identification of redox and mitochondrial elements that control resistance or sensitivity to apoptosis.

Multigenic programs controlling susceptibility to apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation have not yet been defined. Here, using DNA microarrays, we show gene expression patterns in an apoptosis-sensitive and apoptosis-resistant murine B cell lymphoma model system both before and after irradiation. From the 11,000 genes interrogated by the arrays, two major patterns emerged. First, before radiation exposure the radioresistant LYar cells expressed significantly greater levels of message for several genes involved in regulating intracellular redox potential. Compared with LYas cells, LYar cells express 20- to 50-fold more mRNA for the tetraspanin CD53 and for fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Expression of both of these genes can lead to the increase of total cellular glutathione, which is the principle intracellular antioxidant and has been shown to inhibit many forms of apoptosis. A second pattern emerged after radiation, when the apoptosis-sensitive LYas cells induced rapid expression of a unique cluster of genes characterized by their involvement in mitochondrial electron transport. Some of these genes have been previously recognized as proapoptotic; however others, such as uncoupling protein 2, were not previously known to be apoptotic regulatory proteins. From these observations we propose that a multigenic program for sensitivity to apoptosis involves induction of transcripts for genes participating in mitochondrial uncoupling and loss of membrane potential. This program triggers mitochondrial release of apoptogenic factors and induces the "caspase cascade." Conversely, cells resistant to apoptosis down-regulate these biochemical pathways, while activating pathways for establishment and maintenance of high intracellular redox potential by means of elevated glutathione.

Characterization of circulating T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens in melanoma patients.

We identified circulating CD8+ T-cell populations specific for the tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) MART-1 (27-35) or tyrosinase (368-376) in six of eleven patients with metastatic melanoma using peptide/HLA-A*0201 tetramers. These TAA-specific populations were of two phenotypically distinct types: one, typical for memory/effector T cells; the other, a previously undescribed phenotype expressing both naive and effector cell markers. This latter type represented more than 2% of the total CD8+ T cells in one patient, permitting detailed phenotypic and functional analysis. Although these cells have many of the hallmarks of effector T cells, they were functionally unresponsive, unable to directly lyse melanoma target cells or produce cytokines in response to mitogens. In contrast, CD8+ T cells from the same patient were able to lyse EBV-pulsed target cells and showed robust allogeneic responses. Thus, the clonally expanded TAA-specific population seems to have been selectively rendered anergic in vivo. Peptide stimulation of the TAA-specific T-cell populations in other patients failed to induce substantial upregulation of CD69 expression, indicating that these cells may also have functional defects, leading to blunted activation responses. These data demonstrate that systemic TAA-specific T-cell responses can develop de novo in cancer patients, but that antigen-specific unresponsiveness may explain why such cells are unable to control tumor growth.

Single cell analysis and selection of living retrovirus vector-corrected mucopolysaccharidosis VII cells using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based assay for mammalian beta-glucuronidase enzymatic activity.

Mutations in the acid beta-glucuronidase gene lead to systemic accumulation of undegraded glycosaminoglycans in lysosomes and ultimately to clinical manifestations of mucopolysaccharidosis VII (Sly disease). Gene transfer by retrovirus vectors into murine mucopolysaccharidosis VII hematopoietic stem cells or fibroblasts ameliorates glycosaminoglycan accumulation in some affected tissues. The efficacy of gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VII depends on the levels of beta-glucuronidase secreted by gene-corrected cells; therefore, enrichment of transduced cells expressing high levels of enzyme prior to transplantation is desirable. We describe the development of a fluorescence-activated cell sorter-based assay for the quantitative analysis of beta-glucuronidase activity in viable cells. Murine mucopolysaccharidosis VII cells transduced with a beta-glucuronidase retroviral vector can be isolated by cell sorting on the basis of beta-glucuronidase activity and cultured for further use. In vitro analysis revealed that sorted cells have elevated levels of beta-glucuronidase activity and secrete higher levels of cross-correcting enzyme than the population from which they were sorted. Transduced fibroblasts stably expressing beta-glucuronidase after subcutaneous passage in the mucopolysaccharidosis VII mouse can be isolated by cell sorting and expanded ex vivo. A relatively high percentage of these cells maintain stable expression after secondary transplantation, yielding significantly higher levels of enzymatic activity than that generated in the primary transplant.

Long-term depletion of naive T cells in patients treated for Hodgkin's disease.

We investigated the representation of T cells in patients who had been treated for Hodgkin's disease (HD). We found a marked depletion in both CD4 and CD8 naive T-cell counts that persists up to 30 years after completion of treatment. In contrast, CD4 and CD8 memory T-cell subsets recovered to normal or above normal levels by 5 years posttreatment. Thus, the previously-reported long-term deficit in total CD4 T-cell counts after treatment for HD is due to specific depletion of naive T cells. Similarly, total CD8 T-cell counts return to normal by 5 years only because CD8 memory T cells expand to higher than normal levels. These findings suggest that the treatment (mediastinal irradiation) results in a longterm dysregulation of T-cell subset homeostasis. The profound depletion of naive T cells may explain the altered T-cell function in treated patients, including the poor response to immunization after treatment for HD. Further, in some individuals, we identified expansions of unusual subsets expressing low levels of CD8. Eight-color fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses showed that these cells largely express CD8alphaalpha homodimers and CD57, consistent with the phenotype of potentially extrathymically derived T cells. In addition, these cells, both CD4+ and CD4-, are probably cytotoxic lymphocytes, as they express high levels of intracellular perforin. In adults treated for HD, an increased activity of extrathymic T-cell differentiation may partially compensate for the loss of thymic-derived T cells.

HIV does not replicate in naive CD4 T cells stimulated with CD3/CD28.

In this report, we demonstrate that the T cell tropic strain of HIV, LAI, does not replicate in naive CD4 T cells stimulated by cross-linking CD3 and CD28. In contrast, LAI replicates well in memory CD4 T cells stimulated in the same way. Unlike this physiologically relevant stimulation, PHA stimulates productive LAI replication in both naive and memory T cells. These studies were conducted with highly purified (FACS-isolated) subsets of CD4 T cells identified by expression of both CD45RA and CD62L. Remixing of purified T cells showed that naive T cells do not suppress LAI replication in memory T cells and that memory T cells do not restore LAI expression in naive T cells. The suppression of productive LAI replication in naive T cells is not due to differential expression of viral coreceptors, nor is it due to inhibition of activation of the important HIV transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1. The inherent resistance of naive T cells to productive HIV infection, coupled with their proliferative advantage as demonstrated here, provides a sound basis for proposed clinical therapies using ex vivo expansion and reinfusion of CD4 T cells from HIV-infected adults.

Glutathione deficiency is associated with impaired survival in HIV disease.

Glutathione (GSH), a cysteine-containing tripeptide, is essential for the viability and function of virtually all cells. In vitro studies showing that low GSH levels both promote HIV expression and impair T cell function suggested a link between GSH depletion and HIV disease progression. Clinical studies presented here directly demonstrate that low GSH levels predict poor survival in otherwise indistinguishable HIV-infected subjects. Specifically, we show that GSH deficiency in CD4 T cells from such subjects is associated with markedly decreased survival 2-3 years after baseline data collection (Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression analyses, P < 0.0001 for both analyses). This finding, supported by evidence demonstrating that oral administration of the GSH prodrug N-acetylcysteine replenishes GSH in these subjects and suggesting that N-acetylcysteine administration can improve their survival, establishes GSH deficiency as a key determinant of survival in HIV disease. Further, it argues strongly that the unnecessary or excessive use of acetaminophen, alcohol, or other drugs known to deplete GSH should be avoided by HIV-infected individuals.

Dynamics of fine T-cell subsets during HIV disease and after thymic ablation by mediastinal irradiation.

The T-cell compartment is considerably more complex than just CD4 and CD8 T cells. Indeed, we can identify dozens of functionally and phenotypically distinct subsets within the peripheral blood of humans. These subsets are differentially affected in diseases which may underly some of the functional defects attributable to the disease. In HIV disease, all thymic-derived T-cell populations are gradually lost at identical rates during late-stage disease progression, while unusual, perhaps extrathymically-derived T cells expand. This expansion may reflect an attempt on the part of the immune system to compensate for the significant insult of HIV infection to the host: the abrogation of normal thymopoiesis and T-cell homeostasis.

8 color, 10-parameter flow cytometry to elucidate complex leukocyte heterogeneity.

We developed the chemistry, instrumentation, and software technologies needed to measure, simultaneously and independently, eight different fluorescent molecules on individual cells. Conjugation of these fluorochromes to monoclonal antibodies is straightforward; all immunofluorescence staining is accomplished with direct stains only. We built a hybrid flow cytometer with eight fluorescence detectors and two light scatter channels, with excitation provided by three spatially separated laser beams emitting at 407 nm, 488 nm, and 595 nm. The fluorescence compensation required to make the data orthogonal is of sufficient complexity that it cannot be performed manually; thus, we use software to compensate the data post hoc, based on data collected from singly stained compensation control samples. In this report, we evaluate the 8 color staining technology. Of the seven fluorochromes other than fluorescein, six have a useful brightness at least as great as fluorescein. Three of the fluorochromes (phycoerythrin, allophycocyanin, and the Cy5 resonance energy tandem of phycoerythrin) are considerably brighter than fluorescein and are useful for detecting antigens expressed at low levels. Finally, we show the power and utility of the 8 color, 10-parameter technology using staining experiments on both human and murine immune systems.

Elevation of plasma thioredoxin levels in HIV-infected individuals.

Thioredoxin (Trx), a ubiquitous protein intimately involved in redox and protein disulfide reductions, has been shown to be released from cells and to have cytokine-like activities. In addition, Trx has been implicated in the redox regulation of immunological responses and shown to be deficient in tissues from AIDS patients. In studies presented here, plasma Trx levels were measured by ELISA in plasma samples from HIV-infected individuals (n = 136) and HIV-negative controls (n = 47). To account for the release of Trx into plasma due to hemolysis, the Trx measurements were corrected according to the level of hemoglobin in the plasma sample. Data presented show that, in contrast to tissue Trx levels, corrected plasma Trx levels are significantly higher in HIV-infected individuals than in controls (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, approximately 25% of the HIV-infected individuals studied have plasma Trx levels greater than the highest levels found in controls (37 ng/ml). Detailed multiparameter FACS analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the infected individuals demonstrates that those with higher plasma Trx levels (37 ng/ml or greater) tend to have lower overall CD4 counts. In addition, increases in plasma Trx levels correlate with decreases in monochlorobimane staining (indicative of lower intracellular glutathione levels in PBMC) and with changes in surface antigen expression (CD62L, CD38 and CD20) that occur in the later stages of HIV infection. These correlations suggest that elevation of plasma Trx levels may be an important component of advanced HIV disease, perhaps related to the oxidative stress that often occurs at this stage.

ET-18-OCH3 inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate but not by tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin 1 alpha.

1-O-Octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) is a synthetic diether phospholipid that is competitive with phosphatidylserine binding to the regulatory domain of protein kinase C (PKC). Our previous studies indicate that the selective inhibition of tumor cell growth by ET-18-OCH3 may be due to altered signal transduction mechanisms, including the inhibition of PKC. To further define the mechanism of action of ET-18-OCH3, we have used it to study the role of PKC in regulation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, which is activated by diverse stimuli. In the 293.27.2 human kidney cell line, as in hematopoietic cells of all lineages, NF-kappa B is stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha). The response to either TNF-alpha or IL-1 alpha is synergistically enhanced by TPA. However, the regulatory mechanisms and signal transduction systems responsible for NF-kappa B activation in response to these different stimuli have not been determined in detail. We have used ET-18-OCH3 and auranofin, which inhibit PKC by different mechanisms, to assess the role of PKC in NF-kappa B activation. ET-18-OCH3 markedly inhibits TPA-induced NF-kappa B activation, as measured by HIV long terminal repeat-directed expression of beta-galactosidase. The IC50 for inhibition by ET-18-OCH3 is approximately 2 microM, a noncytotoxic concentration. Inhibition of TPA-induced NF-kappa B activation was dependent upon preincubation with ET-18-OCH3, and the drug was active at approximately 2 mol% of total cellular phospholipid. ET-18-OCH3 did not inhibit NF-kappa B activation by either TNF-alpha or IL-1 alpha, indicating that there are multiple distinct signal transduction pathways leading to activation of NF-kappa B. We have confirmed these results using auranofin, an antirheumatic drug that is a specific PKC inhibitor interacting with the catalytic domain. Like ET-18-OCH3, auranofin blocked NF-kappa B activation by TPA but not by TNF-alpha or IL-1 alpha. Also like the ether lipid, auranofin only partially blocked the synergy exhibited by TPA and TNF-alpha. To confirm the role of NF-kappa B in this response, we measured NF-kappa B by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Both ET-18-OCH3 and auranofin inhibited cellular induction of the active NF-kappa B complex in response to TPA but not in response to TNF-alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Heterogeneous calcium flux in peripheral T cell subsets revealed by five-color flow cytometry using log-ratio circuitry.

Calcium flux measurements of different subpopulations of cells by flow cytometry are important in understanding complex interactions in the immune system. This paper discusses the use of the difference of Log signals as a preferred method for obtaining this information simultaneously with other immunofluorescence parameters. We describe simple modifications to a commercial instrument that enables the measurement of calcium flux in addition to three immunofluorescence parameters. Finally, we show an application of this technique to measuring calcium flux of T cell subsets in human blood. We show that different subsets of peripheral CD4 T cells have significantly different capabilities to flux calcium after CD3 stimulation. These differences are related to the functional capacities of the cells within these subsets.