Staphylococcus aureus Serine protease-like protein A (SplA) induces IL-8 by keratinocytes and synergizes with IL-17A.

BACKGROUND: Serine protease-like (Spl) proteins produced by Staphylococcus (S.) aureus have been associated with allergic inflammation. However, effects of Spls on the epidermal immune response have not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidermal immune response to SplA, SplD and SplE dependent on differentiation of keratinocytes and a Th2 or Th17 cytokine milieu. METHODS: Human keratinocytes of healthy controls and a STAT3-hyper-IgE syndrome (STAT3-HIES) patient were cultured in different calcium concentrations in the presence of Spls and Th2 or Th17 cytokines. Keratinocyte-specific IL-8 production and concomitant migration of neutrophils were assessed. RESULTS: SplE and more significantly SplA, induced IL-8 in keratinocytes. Suprabasal-like keratinocytes showed a higher Spl-mediated IL-8 production and neutrophil migration compared to basal-like keratinocytes. Th17 cytokines amplified Spl-mediated IL-8 production, which correlated with neutrophil recruitment. Neutrophil recruitment by keratinocytes of the STAT3-HIES patient was similar to healthy control cells. CONCLUSION: S. aureus-specific Spl proteases synergized with IL-17A on human keratinocytes with respect to IL-8 release and neutrophil migration, highlighting the importance of keratinocytes and Th17 immunity in barrier function.

Pathogen-specific antibody profiles in patients with severe systemic infections.

Infections are often caused by pathobionts, endogenous bacteria that belong to the microbiota. Trauma and surgical intervention can allow bacteria to overcome host defences, ultimately leading to sepsis if left untreated. One of the main defence strategies of the immune system is the production of highly specific antibodies. In the present proof-of-concept study, plasma antibodies against 9 major pathogens were measured in sepsis patients, as an example of severe systemic infections. The binding of plasma antibodies to bacterial extracellular proteins was quantified using a semi-automated immunoblot assay. Comparison of the pathogen-specific antibody levels before and after infection showed an increase in plasma IgG in 20 out of 37 tested patients. This host-directed approach extended the results of pathogen-oriented microbiological and PCR diagnostics: a specific antibody response to additional bacteria was frequently observed, indicating unrecognised poly-microbial invasion. This might explain some cases of failed, seemingly targeted antibiotic treatment.

Staphylococcus aureus controls interleukin-5 release in upper airway inflammation.

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent colonizer of the upper airways in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, but also resides intramucosally; it has been shown that secreted staphylococcal proteins such as enterotoxins and serine proteases induce the release of cytokines such as IL-5. We have analyzed nasal polyp tissue freshly obtained during routine surgery, which did or did not contain cultivatable S. aureus, to study spontaneous IL-5 production by nasal polyp tissue over 24 and 72h in tissue culture. In S. aureus-positive samples we interfered by killing the bacteria using antibiotics or S. aureus specific intravenous staphylococcal phages (ISP), active or heat-inactivated. Phage-neutralizing antibodies were used to demonstrate the specificity of the phage-mediated effects. We monitored S. aureus colony forming units, and identified S. aureus proteins by mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that cultivatable S. aureus may be found in type-2 inflamed nasal polyps; the pathogen is replicating within 24h and secretes proteins, including enterotoxins and serine proteases. The presence of S. aureus was associated with a significantly higher release of IL-5. Killing of S. aureus by antibiotics or specific ISP significantly reduced the IL-5 release. The suppressive activity of the bacteriophage on IL-5 be abolished by heat inactivation or anti-phage antibodies. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we used high resolution mass spectrometry to identify S. aureus proteins directly in infected nasal polyp tissue and nasal polyp tissue incubated over 24 and 72h in culture. We discovered bacterial proteins including enterotoxins and serine proteases like proteins. These experiments indicate a direct role of S. aureus in the regulation of IL-5 production in nasal polyps and may suggest the involvement of bacterial proteins detected in the tissues.

Maintaining health by balancing microbial exposure and prevention of infection: the hygiene hypothesis versus the hypothesis of early immune challenge.

The human immune system is inseparably bonded to an individual's personal micro-biome from birth to death. Since the beginning of life, commensal relationships have ensured the survival of micro- and macro-organisms within complex relationships. However, technological advances and altered lifestyle imposed new rules for this interaction during recent decades. It has been observed that reduced exposure to micro-organisms and parasites results in decreased morbidity and mortality, but is also associated with a rising prevalence of atopic disorders and autoimmune diseases, mostly in industrialized countries. This inverse relationship is described by the 'hygiene hypothesis', put forward in 1989, yet this term only imperfectly describes these observations, as excessive hygiene or hygienic measures may not directly be the central cause. The lack of appropriate immune stimulation during early childhood with the consequence of disturbed alignment in the sequence of encountering self- or non-self-antigens might account in the rise of atopy and autoimmune disease. For this reason we propose the term 'early immune challenge hypothesis'. This concept highlights the importance of immune priming in early life in the context of genetic, social, geographic, cultural, and economic background. Moreover, it emphasizes the central role of 'training' of regulatory T-cells through sufficient microbial exposure, leading to a robust, healthy balance between inflammation and anti-inflammation or immune tolerance. Insufficient exposure might result in abnormal immune regulatory development. Finally, it incorporates the idea of encountering 'old friends' - organisms that shaped our immune system during human phylogeny. This article gives a comprehensive overview of the relationship between microbial exposure, and the incidence of asthma and hay fever is outlined. Although the outcomes of these studies originally were interpreted in the framework of the hygiene hypothesis, they may suit the concept of the hypothesis of early immune challenge even better. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that TH or TReg imbalances in disease may be partially corrected by the administration of helminthic or bacterial extracts.

Expression of staphylococcal superantigens during nasal colonization is not sufficient to induce a systemic neutralizing antibody response in humans.

Staphylococcus aureus carriers have high-titer serum antibodies against non-enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) superantigens, whereas they lack anti-egc antibodies, suggesting different superantigen expression profiles in vivo. We measured the superantigen transcripts in S. aureus directly isolated from the nose of persistent carriers and correlated them with the superantigen-neutralizing antibody response. While neutralizing serum antibodies against the staphylococcal enterotoxins A and C (SEA and SEC) were found in carriers, antibodies against the egc-encoded staphylococcal enterotoxin-like toxin O (SElO) were rare. Surprisingly, the transcription of selo was comparable to sea and sec during nasal colonization. Thus, egc superantigens are transcribed during nasal colonization, but this is not sufficient to induce a serum antibody response.

Antibody responses in furunculosis patients vaccinated with autologous formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus.

Autologous vaccines (short: autovaccines) have been used since the beginning of the 20th century to treat chronic staphylococcal infections, but their mechanisms of action are still obscure. This prospective pilot study involved four patients with furunculosis who were vaccinated with autologous formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus cells. Vaccines were individually prepared from the infecting S. aureus strain and repeatedly injected subcutaneously in increasing doses over several months. We characterized the virulence gene repertoire and spa genotype of the infecting and colonising S. aureus strains. Serum antibody responses to secreted and surface-bound bacterial antigens were determined by two-dimensional immunoblotting and flow-cytometry based assays (Luminex). All patients reported clinical improvement. Molecular characterization showed that all strains isolated from one patient over time belonged to the same S. aureus clone. Already before treatment, there was robust antibody binding to a broad range of staphylococcal antigens. Autovaccination moderately boosted the IgG response to extracellular antigens in two patients, while the antibody response of the other two patients was not affected. Similarly, vaccination moderately enhanced the antibody response against some staphylococcal surface proteins, e.g. ClfA, ClfB, SdrD and SdrE. In summary, autovaccination only slightly boosted the pre-existing serum antibody response, predominantly to bacterial surface antigens.

Mitoxantrone treatment in multiple sclerosis induces TH2-type cytokines.

OBJECTIVES: Mitoxantrone is a cytotoxic drug with immune modulatory properties used in the treatment of progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). We explored the effect of mitoxantrone treatment in MS patients on cytokine patterns induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T-cell subsets ex vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood was obtained before mitoxantrone infusion and 6, 12 and 18 days thereafter. Proliferation and prototypic TH1-, TH17- and TH2-type cytokines were determined following in vitro stimulation of PBMC, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, a patient cohort receiving its first mitoxantrone treatment was cross-sectionally compared with a cohort of patients with more than 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: Mitoxantrone treatment increased the ex vivo production of the TH2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4; P < 0.05) and IL-5 (P < 0.001) in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated CD4+ T cells within 18 days of treatment. The cross-sectional study revealed that long-term treatment with mitoxantrone increased the inducibility of IL-4 and IL-5 secretion by PBMCs and CD4+ T cells even further. No significant changes were observed for interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-17 and IL-10. Mitoxantrone did not alter the proliferative capacity of ex vivo-stimulated T cells. CONCLUSION: Mitoxantrone treatment in MS enhances the inducibility of TH2-type cytokines, which may contribute to its beneficial effects in MS.

Detrimental role for CD4+ T lymphocytes in murine diffuse peritonitis due to inhibition of local bacterial elimination.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal sepsis due to intestinal leakage of endogenous gut bacteria is a life-threatening condition. In healthy individuals, T lymphocytes have essential functions in balancing the immune response to the commensal gut flora. AIM: To determine how T lymphocytes shape the process of diffuse faecal peritonitis. METHODS: In colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP), a clinically relevant mouse model of diffuse peritonitis, the kinetics of systemic T cell activation were investigated by assessment of activation markers. CD4(+) T cells were then depleted with monoclonal antibodies, and survival, bacterial dissemination and cytokine concentrations were measured. T cell receptor signalling was blocked with tacrolimus. RESULTS: In diffuse peritonitis, CD4(+) T cells, both Foxp3(-) and Foxp3(+), became systemically involved within hours and upregulated CTLA-4 and other activation markers. Depletion of the CD4(+) T cells enhanced local bacterial clearance from the peritoneal cavity, reduced bacterial dissemination and improved survival. This was accompanied by increased immigration of granulocytes and macrophages into the peritoneum, indicating that CD4(+) T cells inhibit the local innate immune response. Blockade of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling by tacrolimus did not influence the survival in this peritonitis model, showing that the inhibitory effects of the CD4(+) T lymphocytes were independent of TCR-mediated antigen recognition. CONCLUSION: In diffuse peritonitis caused by commensal gut bacteria the CD4(+) T lymphocytes exert a net negative effect on the local anti-bacterial defence, and thereby contribute to bacterial dissemination and poor outcome.

Clonal distribution of superantigen genes in clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

Staphylococcus aureus is both a successful human commensal and a major pathogen. The elucidation of the molecular determinants of virulence, in particular assessment of the contributions of the genetic background versus those of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), has proved difficult in this variable species. To address this, we simultaneously determined the genetic backgrounds (spa typing) and the distributions of all 19 known superantigens and the exfoliative toxins A and D (multiplex PCR) as markers for MGEs. Methicillin- sensitive S. aureus strains from Pomerania, 107 nasal and 88 blood culture isolates, were investigated. All superantigen-encoding MGEs were linked more or less tightly to the genetic background. Thus, each S. aureus clonal complex was characterized by a typical repertoire of superantigen and exfoliative toxin genes. However, within each S. aureus clonal complex and even within the same spa type, virulence gene profiles varied remarkably. Therefore, virulence genes of nasal and blood culture isolates were separately compared in each clonal complex. The results indicated a role in infection for the MGE harboring the exfoliative toxin D gene. In contrast, there was no association of superantigen genes with bloodstream invasion. In summary, we show here that the simultaneous assessment of virulence gene profiles and the genetic background increases the discriminatory power of genetic investigations into the mechanisms of S. aureus pathogenesis.

Inhibition of BCL11B expression leads to apoptosis of malignant but not normal mature T cells.

The B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/lymphoma 11B gene (BCL11B) encodes a Krüppel-like zinc-finger protein, which plays a crucial role in thymopoiesis and has been associated with hematopoietic malignancies. It was hypothesized that BCL11B may act as a tumor-suppressor gene, but its precise function has not yet been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that the survival of human T-cell leukemia and lymphoma cell lines is critically dependent on Bcl11b. Suppression of Bcl11b by RNA interference selectively induced apoptosis in transformed T cells whereas normal mature T cells remained unaffected. The apoptosis was effected by simultaneous activation of death receptor-mediated and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, most likely as a result of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) upregulation and suppression of the Bcl-xL antiapoptotic protein. Our data indicate an antiapoptotic function of Bcl11b. The resistance of normal mature T lymphocytes to Bcl11b suppression-induced apoptosis and restricted expression pattern make it an attractive therapeutic target in T-cell malignancies.

CTLA-4 regulates the murine immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes a profound suppression of T cell responsiveness to polyclonal or antigenic stimuli. In this study, we quantified expression of the negative T cell regulatory molecule CTLA-4 in T. cruzi infected mice and analysed its influence on the immune suppression. Levels of splenic CTLA-4 expression were highest around day 10 after infection, reaching 5% in resistant B6D2F1 mice, but exceeding 10% of CD4(+) T cells in C57BL/6 mice that were susceptible to mortal disease. The proliferative response of explanted splenocytes to CD3-mediated stimulation was strongly suppressed in both the susceptible and the resistant strains. Blockade of CTLA-4 in vitro with a monoclonal antibody affected neither proliferative response nor cytokine production (IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-2) by splenic T cells from infected C57BL/6 mice. Treatment of mice with anti-CTLA-4 antibody on the day of infection decreased IFN-gamma production and reduced mortality by about 50%. We conclude that high CTLA-4 expression is a hallmark of severe disease in murine T. cruzi infection, and that CTLA-4 has a regulative influence at the early stages during priming of the immune reaction to the parasite, augmenting a strong Th1-biased response.

Increased expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) by T and B lymphocytes in Wegener's granulomatosis.

CTLA-4 (CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells with sequence homology to CD28. Both molecules bind to the same ligands, B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86) but have antagonistic functions. While CD28 is an important costimulator, CTLA-4 has an essential inhibitory function in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Furthermore, CTLA-4 has a role in inducing a Th1 response and suppressing Th2 cytokines, an effect which is antagonized by CD28. Many autoimmune diseases are characterized by an overwhelming production of Th1 cytokines. Recently, the predominance of the Th1 cytokine pattern has been directly observed in the granulomatous inflammation of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. The balance between CD28 and CTLA-4 expression by T lymphocytes could be a factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Down regulation of CD28 predominantly on CD8+ T cells has been described in Wegner's granulomatosis; however, analysis of CTLA-4 is complicated by its low expression levels. Here we have used potent signal enhancement to study CTLA-4 on PBMC in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (n = 25) in comparison with healthy controls (n = 19). Expression levels of CTLA-4 were significantly increased selectively on CD4+ and possibly also on CD4-/CD8- T cells in Wegener's granulomatosis. High CTLA-4 expression by T lymphocytes was associated with more severe disease. In contrast, after stimulation with the mitogen PHA, CTLA-4 levels were strongly increased on T cells from controls but in T cells from Wegener's granulomatosis patients this response was severely impaired. Interestingly, while CTLA-4 was seen exclusively on T cells in control individuals, about half of the Wegener's patients showed CTLA-4 expression by a fraction of peripheral B lymphocytes. CTLA-4 positive B cells in the periphery were associated with less acute disease.

Downregulation of p56(lck) tyrosine kinase activity in T cells of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) correlates with the nontransforming and apathogenic properties of herpesvirus saimiri in its natural host.

Herpesvirus saimiri is capable of transforming T lymphocytes of various primate species to stable growth in culture. The interaction of the T-cellular tyrosine kinase p56(lck) with the transformation-associated viral protein Tip has been shown before to activate the kinase and provides one model for the T-cell-specific transformation by herpesvirus saimiri subgroup C strains. In contrast to other primate species, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) are naturally infected with the virus without signs of lymphoma or other disease. Although the endogenous virus was regularly recovered from peripheral blood cells from squirrel monkeys, we observed that the T cells lost the virus genomes in culture. Superinfection with virus strain C488 did not induce growth transformation, in contrast to parallel experiments with T cells of other primate species. Surprisingly, p56(lck) was enzymatically inactive in primary T-cell lines derived from different squirrel monkeys, although the T cells reacted appropriately to stimulatory signals. The cDNA sequence revealed minor point mutations only, and transfections in COS-7 cells demonstrated that the S. sciureus lck gene codes for a functional enzyme. In S. sciureus, the tyrosine kinase p56(lck) was not activated after T-cell stimulation and enzymatic activity could not be induced by Tip of herpesvirus saimiri C488. However, the suppression of p56(lck) was partially released after administration of the phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate. This argues for unique species-specific conditions in T cells of S. sciureus which may interfere with the transforming activity and pathogenicity of herpesvirus saimiri subgroup C strains in their natural host.

CD4 alphabeta T lymphocytes express high levels of the T lymphocyte antigen CTLA-4 (CD152) in acute malaria.

The role of T lymphocytes in human acute malaria remains under debate. The kinetics of T cell activation in acute malaria were investigated, with emphasis on CTLA-4 (CD152). In patients with malaria, CTLA-4 expression by CD4 alphabeta T lymphocytes was highly increased. After initiation of antiplasmodial treatment, it returned to control values within a few days. gammadelta T cells, which also are implicated in the pathogenesis of human malaria, did not express CTLA-4. The level of CTLA-4 expression at the time of hospital admission was correlated positively with other markers of disease severity-the peak of the parasitemia and the peak of serum neopterin levels. These results show that CTLA-4 is a sensitive and dynamic marker for T lymphocyte activation. Its strong increase in acute malaria argues for the involvement of T cells in the human immune response to plasmodia.

Enhanced expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) on CD4+ T cells in HIV infection.

CTLA-4 (CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells with sequence homology to CD28. Both molecules bind to the same ligands, B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86) but have antagonistic functions. While CD28 is an important costimulator, CTLA-4 has an essential inhibitory function in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Down-regulation of CD28 predominantly on CD8+ T cells has been described in HIV infection, but analysis of CTLA-4 is complicated by its low expression levels. Here we have used potent signal enhancement to study CTLA-4 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) during HIV infection. CTLA-4 was expressed only on T cells. Expression levels were significantly increased selectively on CD4+ T cells during all stages of HIV infection, while CTLA-4 expression on CD8+ T cells was always low. In contrast, after stimulation with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), CTLA-4 levels were strongly increased on T cells from controls but in T cells from HIV patients this response was severely impaired. Our data suggest that in HIV infection CD4+ and CD8+ T cells may be less responsive to B7 costimuli due to two different mechanisms: increase in CTLA-4 expression by CD4+ cells and down-regulation of CD28 by CD8+ cells.

Modulation of enzymatic activity of Src-family kinases in bovine T cells transformed by Theileria parva.

After infection with sporozoites of the protozoon Theileria parva (Tp) bovine T cells are readily transformed to permanent growth in vivo and in vitro. Their transformed state depends on the constant presence of the parasite but membrane signals remain important. Non-receptor tyrosine kinases play a critical role in the transduction of membrane signals in haematopoietic cells. We have investigated Src-family kinases in bovine T cells transformed by Tp. The T cell receptor-associated tyrosine kinase p60fyn had high activity in all cell lines tested. In addition, weak phosphorylation of 2 novel bands was observed associated with Fyn. In contrast to Fyn, enzymatic activity of p56lck, which in T cells has an essential role in signalling, was low. Furthermore, 1 of 3 Tp transformed cell lines was completely devoid of p56lck indicating that the enzyme is not necessary for the Tp dependent growth of the T cells. In addition to p60fyn and p56lck weak enzymatic activity of 1 splice variant of p53/56lyn was observed after infection of T cells with Tp. These data show that growth transformation by Tp influences kinase activity in bovine T cells. However, they also prove that p56lck does not play an essential role in the transformation mechanism.

Expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) on human medullary CD4+ thymocytes.

CTLA-4 (CD152) is a T cell surface receptor with sequence homology to the co-stimulatory molecule CD28. The molecule, which is essential for the inhibitory regulation of the immune response, becomes transiently expressed on mature T cells after stimulation in vitro. In situ, CTLA-4+ T cells are enriched in the light zones of the germinal centers in human peripheral lymphoid organs. In this study we have studied expression of CTLA-4 in human thymus in situ. CTLA-4 was expressed on about one third of CD4+/CD8-/CD1- medullary thymocytes. CTLA-4 was acquired by a subset of immature (CD1+) thymocytes and lost from the mature (CD1-) subpopulation within 48 h of cell culture, suggesting that the expression on medullary thymocytes is transient. The demonstration of CTLA-4 on a substantial subpopulation of mature CD4+ thymocytes adds a new dimension to the understanding of this important molecule. When contemplating application of anti-CTLA-4 for therapy its potential influence on T cell maturation has to be taken into account.

Activation induces apoptosis in Herpesvirus saimiri-transformed T cells independent of CD95 (Fas, APO-1).

Signaling via the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex of pre-activated T cells induces apoptosis. Such an activation-induced cell death (AICD) is thought to play an important role in the regulation of cellular immune responses. In this study we analyzed pathways of AICD by using human T cells transformed by Herpesvirus saimiri. These growth-transformed T cells show the phenotype of activated mature T cells and continue to express a functionally intact TCR. We show that human H. saimiri-transformed T cell clones readily undergo cell death upon signaling via the TCR/CD3 complex or via phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) + ionomycin. The AICD in H. saimiri-transformed T cells was detectable a few hours after activation and it was not affected by the presence of interleukin (IL)-2 or by anti-CD4 cross-linking. However, AICD required tyrosine phosphorylation, since it could be blocked by herbimycin A. Cyclosporin A (CsA) did not block the development of AICD, but other consequences of activation in H. saimiri-transformed T cells like the production of interferon-gamma. Surprisingly, the development of AICD was not reduced by neutralizing antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or blocking antibodies directed to CD95 (Fas, APO-1), although H. saimiri-transformed T cells were sensitive to CD95 ligation. To confirm that this form of AICD is really independent of CD95, we have established an H. saimiri-transformed T cell line from a patient with a homozygous deletion in the CD95 gene. This CD95-deficient T cell line was as sensitive to AICD as other CD95-expressing H. saimiri-transformed T cells. In conclusion, we describe here a type of AICD in H. saimiri-transformed T cells that is independent of CD95 and TNF-alpha, not sensitive to CsA, but requires tyrosine phosphorylation. This system should be useful for the investigation of CD95-independent forms of AICD.

Functional phenotype of transformed human alphabeta and gammadelta T cells determined by different subgroup C strains of herpesvirus Saimiri.

Based on sequence divergence in the transformation-relevant region, herpesvirus saimiri strains are classified into three subgroups. Only members of subgroup C transform human T lymphocytes to continuous interleukin-2-dependent growth in culture. In this study, human cord blood T cells were immortalized by using different subgroup C strains (C488, C484, and C139). The resulting T-cell lines represented different types of T-cell clones. They were either CD4+ or CD8+ and expressed either the alphabeta or the gammadelta type of T-cell receptors. If transformed by the same virus strain, alphabeta and gammadelta clones were similar with respect to viral persistence, virus gene expression, proliferation, and Th1-type cytokine production. However, major differences were observed in T cells immortalized by different subgroup C strains. Strain C139 persisted at low copy number, compared to the high copy number of prototype C488. The transformation-associated genes stpC and tip of strain C488 were strongly induced after T-cell stimulation. The homologous genes of strain C139 were only weakly expressed and not induced after activation. After CD2 ligation, the C488-transformed T cells produced interleukin-2, whereas the C139-transformed cells did not. Correspondingly, the C139-transformed T cells were less sensitive to cyclosporin A. Sequence comparison from different subgroup C strains revealed a variability of the stpC/tip promoter region and of the Lck-binding viral protein Tip. Thus, closely related subgroup C strains of herpesvirus saimiri cause major differences in the functional phenotype of growth-transformed human T cells.