Regulatory Eosinophils Suppress T Cells Partly through Galectin-10.

Eosinophils have the capacity to regulate the function of T cell subsets. Our aim was to test the hypothesis of the existence of a regulatory subset of eosinophils. Human eosinophils were incubated with T cells that were stimulated with allogeneic leukocytes or CD3/CD28 cross-linking. After 2 d of coculture, 11% of the eosinophils gained CD16 expression. A CD16hi subset of eosinophils, encompassing 1-5% of all eosinophils, was also identified in the blood of healthy subjects. FACS sorting showed that these CD16hi eosinophils were significantly stronger suppressors of T cell proliferation than were conventional CD16neg eosinophils. Human eosinophils contain stores of the immunoregulatory protein galectin-10. We found that Ab-mediated neutralization of galectin-10 partially abrogated the suppressive function of the eosinophils. Moreover, recombinant galectin-10 by itself was able to suppress T cell proliferation. Finally, we detected galectin-10-containing immune synapses between eosinophils and lymphocytes. To conclude, we describe a subset of suppressive eosinophils expressing CD16 that may escape detection because CD16-based negative selection is the standard procedure for the isolation of human eosinophils. Moreover, we show that galectin-10 functions as a T cell-suppressive molecule in eosinophils.

Infections with Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Cytokine Responses in 2 Persons Bitten by Ticks, Sweden.

The prevalence of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection was determined in 102 persons bitten by ticks in Sweden. Two infected women had erythematous rashes; 1 was co-infected with a Borrelia sp., and the other showed seroconversion for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both patients had increased levels of Neoehrlichia DNA and serum cytokines for several months.

Eosinophils from hematopoietic stem cell recipients suppress allogeneic T cell proliferation.

Eosinophilia has been associated with less severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that eosinophils diminish allogeneic T cell activation in patients with chronic GVHD. The capacity of eosinophils derived from healthy subjects and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant recipients, with or without chronic GVHD, to reduce allogeneic T cell proliferation was evaluated using a mixed leukocyte reaction. Eosinophil-mediated inhibition of proliferation was observed for the eosinophils of both healthy subjects and patients who underwent HSC transplantation. Eosinophils from patients with and without chronic GVHD were equally suppressive. Healthy eosinophils required cell-to-cell contact for their suppressive capacity, which was directed against CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells. Neither eosinophilic cationic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, or increased numbers of regulatory T cells could account for the suppressive effect of healthy eosinophils. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed significantly increased mRNA levels of the immunoregulatory protein galectin-10 in the eosinophils of both chronic GVHD patients and patients without GVHD, as compared with those from healthy subjects. The upregulation of galectin-10 expression in eosinophils from patients suggests a stimulatory effect of HSC transplantation in itself on eosinophilic galectin-10 expression, regardless of chronic GVHD status. To conclude, eosinophils from HSC transplant recipients and healthy subjects have a T cell suppressive capacity.

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) promotes IgG but not IgM antibody production in vivo in mice.

Individuals working in a dental clinic are exposed to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). HEMA has been found to have several effects on the immune system, including acting as an adjuvant in mice and stimulating the production of human IgG1 in vitro. In this study we continued to explore the immunomodulatory properties of HEMA in mice. Mice were co-injected subcutaneously with the following: HEMA + ovalbumin (OVA) in bicarbonate buffer, OVA in bicarbonate buffer, HEMA in bicarbonate buffer, or bicarbonate buffer alone. Mice immunized with OVA were killed 2 wk after a booster injection. Mice exposed to HEMA only were killed 6 d after the last injection with HEMA. Serum and spleens were collected. The activities of anti-OVA IgG and anti-OVA IgM were determined using ELISAs, as was the in vitro production of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by splenocytes after 2 d of incubation. Splenocyte proliferation was analyzed using [(3) H]thymidine decomposition. Mice exposed twice to HEMA in vivo had a higher baseline and a higher concanavalin A-stimulated proliferation of splenocytes, and produced less TNF-α in relation to IL-6, compared with controls. Immunization of mice with OVA/HEMA resulted in a higher anti-OVA IgG activity, relative to anti-OVA IgM activity, compared with controls. In conclusion, HEMA has selective effects on cytokine and antibody production in mice.

Effects on mouse immunity of long-term exposure in vivo to minute amounts of HEMA.

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) leaks from cured restorations over time. Hence, HEMA can come into contact with cells of the immune system that are present in the oral mucosa and in the dental pulp. In this study, our aim was to develop a model of long-term exposure to minute amounts of HEMA and to record the immunological effects in mice. Osmotic pumps filled with either HEMA (8.2 M or 183 µM) or 0.9% NaCl (control) were implanted subcutaneously into the backs of mice and left in situ for 40 d, during which time the animals were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). After 40 d, spleens and serum were collected. Splenocyte proliferation in vitro was analyzed by measuring the decomposition of [(3)H]thymidine. Splenocyte cytokine production and serum anti-OVA IgG, IgM and IgA activity were analyzed using ELISAs. Mice exposed to both the higher and the lower HEMA concentrations gained significantly less weight and produced significantly reduced amounts of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in vitro compared with control mice. Mice exposed to the lower HEMA concentration had a significantly reduced concanavalin A-stimulated splenocyte proliferation in vitro and blood anti-OVA IgA activity. In conclusion, long-term exposure to minute amounts of HEMA in vivo affects the general health of mice and suppresses certain immunological functions.

Effect of 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) on the phagocytic and respiratory burst activity of human neutrophils and monocytes.

Neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages (MØ), found in oral mucosa and gingival sulcus, phagocytose and kill bacteria using products produced during a respiratory burst. 2-Hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) is a major component released from resin glass ionomer and dental adhesives. Hence, in pulp and gingiva, phagocytes can come into contact with unpolymerized HEMA monomers. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exposure to HEMA on neutrophil and monocyte bactericidal function. Blood collected from five female volunteers was exposed in vitro to HEMA for 2 h and then phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and cellular integrity were measured using flow cytometry. Respiratory burst was quantified by measuring fluorescent rhodamine 123 generated via oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123. Cellular membrane integrity was evaluated by staining with propidium iodide. The respiratory burst activity of the neutrophils was significantly decreased by exposure to 7.5 and 15 mM HEMA. No significant effect of HEMA was seen on the number of granulocytes or monocytes capable of performing respiratory burst. Furthermore, there was no significant effect of HEMA on the phagocytic activity of the monocytes or the granulocytes. In conclusion, HEMA did not affect the phagocytosis activity of neutrophils; however, the ability of the cells to kill internalized prey was significantly reduced.

Imaging of HER2 may improve the outcome of external irradiation therapy for prostate cancer patients.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer among males. Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression in PCa has been reported by several studies and its involvement in the progression towards androgen-independent PCa has been discussed. External irradiation is one of the existing therapies, which has been demonstrated to be efficient in combination with androgen deprivation therapy for the treatment of advanced PCa. However, 20-40% of patients develop recurrent and more aggressive PCa within 10 years. The current study investigates the involvement of HER2 in survival and radioresistance in PCa cells and we hypothesized that, by monitoring HER2 expression, treatment may be personalized. The PCa cell lines, LNCap, PC3 and DU-145, received a 6 Gy single dose of external irradiation. The number of PC3 cells was not affected by a single dose of radiation, whereas a 5-fold decrease in cell number was detected in LNCap (P<0.00001) and DU-145 (P<0.0001) cells. The HER2 expression in PC3 exhibited a significant increase post irradiation, however, the expression was stable in the remaining cell lines. The administration of trastuzumab post-irradiation resulted in a 2-fold decrease in the PC3 cell number, while the drug did not demonstrate additional effects in LNCap and DU-145 cells, when compared with that of irradiation treatment alone. The results of the present study demonstrated that an increase in membranous HER2 expression in response to external irradiation may indicate cell radioresistance. Furthermore, imaging of HER2 expression prior to and following external irradiation may present a step towards personalized therapy in PCa.

In vitro modeling of HER2-targeting therapy in disseminated prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer type among men. Treatments against advanced PCa are limited and in many cases only palliative. In a later, androgent independent, stage of PCa androgen receptors can be activated without interaction with ligand, i.e., by receptors of tyrosine kinase (RTK) family in the outlaw pathway. Human epidermal growth factor receptors HER2 and EGFR belong to RTK-family. HER2 is one of the main actors in the outlaw pathway with EGFR as the preferable heterodimerizing partner. We hypothesized that information on HER2 expression in advanced PCa could be useful for selection of patients for anti-RTK therapy and monitoring of therapy response. A panel of PCa cell lines (LNCap, PC3, DU-145) was subjected to a 8-week treatment using drugs influencing the RTK: trastuzumab (anti­HER2), 17-DMAG (Hsp90 inhibitor), alone or in combination, and their HER2 and EGFR expressions were compared with non-treated cells. Treatment with trastuzumab decreased proliferation of LNCap and DU-145 cell lines, while 17-DMAG and trastuzumab/17­DMAG combination affected all three cell lines. HER2 expression was significantly increased in PC3 cells, the most resistant cell line. On the contrary, in responding cells (LNCap and DU-145) HER2 expression decreased, accompanied by increased EGFR expression. However, additional treatment of cells with cetuximab (anti­EGFR) did not give any additive effect to trastuzumab. In this study the response to anti-RTK therapy proved to vary between different PCa cell lines. We have demonstrated that RTK targeting treatments may affect the phenotypic profile of PCa tumor cells that correlates with therapy outcome. Observation of such changes during treatment could be used for monitoring and an improved therapy outcome.