Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides promote protective immunity and provide systemic therapy for leishmaniasis via IL-12- and IFN-gamma-dependent mechanisms.

Resistance to murine leishmaniasis correlates with development of a CD4(+) T helper 1 (Th1)-predominant immune response. To determine whether immunostimulatory CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN), known to promote a Th1 immune response, could provide protection from Leishmania infection, CpG-ODN and freeze-thawed (F/T) Leishmania major were coinjected intradermally into susceptible BALB/c mice. A Leishmania-specific Th1-predominant immune response was induced, and 40% of animals were protected from subsequent challenge with infectious organisms, with 0% protection of animals injected with F/T Leishmania organisms and PBS, F/T organisms and control ODN, or F/T organisms alone. More striking protection (65-95%) was seen in mice first infected with intact Leishmania organisms and then injected with CpG-ODN, either at the site of infection or at a remote site. To determine whether the therapeutic protection provided by CpG-ODN depended on IL-12 and IFN-gamma production, both IFN-gamma-deficient BALB/c mice and BALB/c mice treated with neutralizing anti-IL-12 mAb were first inoculated with Leishmania and then treated with either CpG-ODN, ODN, or PBS. None of these IFN-gamma-deficient mice survived (0/20, 0/20, and 0/20 respectively). Furthermore, neutralization of IL-12 completely abolished the therapeutic protection provided by CpG-ODN (0/20 mice surviving). We conclude that immunostimulatory DNA sequences likely exert systemic effects via IL-12 and IFN-gamma-dependent mechanisms and hold considerable promise as both vaccine adjuvants and potential therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of leishmaniasis.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides can circumvent the Th2 polarization of neonatal responses to vaccines but may fail to fully redirect Th2 responses established by neonatal priming.

Neonatal murine responses to a panel of conventional vaccines differ qualitatively from adult responses by a particular polarization toward a Th2 pattern and a frequent limitation of the Th1 and CTL responses required for protection against intracellular microorganisms. In contrast, DNA vaccines induce adult-like Th1/CTL neonatal responses against the same vaccine Ags. In this report, we show that this can be related to their content in unmethylated CpG motifs. Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs activate neonatal APCs to produce IL-12 in vitro and induce adult-like Th1 responses to tetanus toxoid and measles Ags in vivo, with production of IgG2a-specific Abs and adult-like secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-5 by Ag-specific T cells. However, in spite of their capacity to trigger neonatal B cell proliferation in vitro, CpG-ODN only partially enhanced early life Ab responses. Finally, using Th1-driving CpG-ODN with the boosting dose of a protein vaccine was sufficient to redirect adult but not neonatally primed Th2 responses. These observations could be important for the development of novel vaccines that will have to be effective early in life.

Sequence motifs in adenoviral DNA block immune activation by stimulatory CpG motifs.

Unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular base contexts (CpG-S motifs) are relatively common in bacterial DNA but are rare in vertebrate DNA. B cells and monocytes have the ability to detect such CpG-S motifs that trigger innate immune defenses with production of Th1-like cytokines. Despite comparable levels of unmethylated CpG dinucleotides, DNA from serotype 12 adenovirus is immune-stimulatory, but serotype 2 is nonstimulatory and can even inhibit activation by bacterial DNA. In type 12 genomes, the distribution of CpG-flanking bases is similar to that predicted by chance. However, in type 2 adenoviral DNA the immune stimulatory CpG-S motifs are outnumbered by a 15- to 30-fold excess of CpG dinucleotides in clusters of direct repeats or with a C on the 5' side or a G on the 3' side. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing these putative neutralizing (CpG-N) motifs block immune activation by CpG-S motifs in vitro and in vivo. Eliminating 52 of the 134 CpG-N motifs present in a DNA vaccine markedly enhanced its Th1-like function in vivo, which was increased further by the addition of CpG-S motifs. Thus, depending on the CpG motif, prokaryotic DNA can be either immune-stimulatory or neutralizing. These results have important implications for understanding microbial pathogenesis and molecular evolution and for the clinical development of DNA vaccines and gene therapy vectors.

CpG DNA induces sustained IL-12 expression in vivo and resistance to Listeria monocytogenes challenge.

Vertebrates have evolved innate immune defense mechanisms that recognize and respond to structural patterns that are specific to microbial molecules. One such pattern recognition system is based on unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular sequence contexts (CpG motifs); these motifs are common in bacterial DNA but are under-represented ("CpG suppression") and methylated in vertebrate DNA. Mice that are injected with bacterial DNA or synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing CpG motifs respond with a rapid production of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. The serum levels of IL-12 were increased for at least 8 days after a single injection of CpG ODNs, but IFN-gamma levels returned to baseline within 24 h. This Th1-like cytokine response to CpG motifs induces a state of resistance to infection by Listeria monocytogenes in susceptible specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice. Resistance developed within 48 h of pretreatment with CpG ODNs, persisted for at least 2 wk, and was dependent upon IFN-gamma secretion. These data support the hypothesis that CpG DNA motifs are a "danger signal" that activates protective innate immune defenses and may have therapeutic potential.

CpG DNA, a novel immune enhancer for systemic and mucosal immunization with influenza virus.

Bacterial DNA causes B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin secretion, and Th1-like cytokine secretion, due to unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in particular base contexts (CpG motifs), which are far more common in bacterial DNA than in vertebrate DNA. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs also trigger immune activation, suggesting possible utility as vaccine enhancers. Mice systemically primed with formalin-inactivated influenza virus mixed with CpG ODN, generated virus-specific serum antibodies at titres approximately seven times higher than mice immunized without CpG; the titres were further increased following an identical second injection. To determine whether CpG could be absorbed through mucosae and enhance vaccination responses, mice were immunized intranasally (IN) with the same preparation of virus with or without CpG ODN or Escherichia coli DNA. Following IN immunization, CpG ODN or E. coli DNA promoted increased production of influenza-specific antibodies in serum, saliva and the genital tract, compared with the control groups. These studies indicate that stimulatory CpG ODN are promising new immune enhancers for vaccination applications.

Generation of a human monoclonal antibody to hepatitis C virus, JRA1 by activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and hypo-osmolar electrofusion.

We have generated a human monoclonal antibody with binding specificity for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific peptides using peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from a HCV antibody positive patient. The B-lymphocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 72 hours prior to the fusion. A recently described high efficiency hypo-osmolar electrofusion technique was employed, allowing generation of a large number of human hybridomas. The hybridomas were screened for human immunoglobulin and HCV-specific peptide binding by EIA. A single HCV-positive clone, JRA1, was detected and sub-cloned. Isotype analysis showed it to secrete an IgM lambda monoclonal antibody. The antibody was positive on both first and second generation HCV antibody analysis. This study confirms that viable pathogen-specific B-cells may be recovered from the peripheral blood. Although such cells are likely to be relatively uncommon in the circulating B-cell pool, they may be successfully immortalized by high efficiency electrofusion techniques. This technique might be valuable for the generation of human monoclonal antibodies with specificity for other human pathogens.

Induction of hepatic pathology in SCID-Hu mice engrafted with peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with Schistosomiasis japonica.

SCID mice were engrafted with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from persons currently or previously infected with Schistosoma japonicum. After immunization with soluble worm antigenic preparation, the SCID-Hu mice were analyzed for a human immune response. ELISA revealed a low titer of human antibody recognizing soluble egg antigens in 2 of 10 mice. One mouse had detectable levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and gamma-interferon, TH1 phenotype cytokines. All mice had elevated levels of IL-4, a TH2 phenotype cytokine. The human cytokine profile of the mice paralleled the patient's serum profile at clinical examination. In addition, all mice had substantial hepatic pathology, including inflammatory cell infiltrates and macrovesicular fat deposition. The data indicate that activation of PBL from patients with a history of schistosomiasis japonica infection can result in focal hepatic pathology, which may be driven by specific cytokines.

Brain microvascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells produce granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and support colony formation of granulocyte-macrophage-like cells.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent stimulator of macrophages and neutrophils and plays a role in inflammatory diseases. In this article, we report that mouse brain-derived microvascular smooth muscle cells (SM) and endothelial cells (En) in coculture with splenocytes support the colony proliferation of immature granulocyte-macrophage-like (GM) cells. Unstimulated SM and En cells release GM-CSF as shown by ELISA assay and SM expresses mRNA for GM-CSF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Stimulation of SM and En by a nonspecific activator (lipopolysaccharide) results in upregulation of GM-CSF production. GM colonies cannot be grown on cultured astrocytes or on extracellular matrix alone prepared from smooth muscle or endothelium. However, colonies form on the extracellular matrix and on astrocytes, either in the presence of SM- or En-conditioned medium or after the addition of recombinant GM-CSF. The GM cells are positive for nonspecific esterase, peroxidase, and MAC-1 markers but are negative for FC gamma receptors and for Thy 1.2, CD8, CD4, MHC class II, and Asialo GM1 markers. These observations emphasize the possibility for active participation of brain microvasculature SM and En in acute inflammatory reactions of the central nervous system.

Adhesion molecules on murine brain microvascular endothelial cells: expression and regulation of ICAM-1 and Lgp 55.

The mechanisms for the initiation of immune reactions in the central nervous system are poorly understood. In this report, we describe the presence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and Lgp 55 (suggested mouse homologue of human intercellular adhesion molecule-2, ICAM-2) on the surface of brain microvessel endothelium (EN) cells and show in vitro induction of ICAM-1 molecules on EN cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines. ICAM-1 expression was detected using flow cytometry analysis with biotinylated anti-ICAM-1 antibody (YN1/1.7.4). Lgp 55 expression was characterized using PA3 monoclonal antibody. According to our results, 30-40% of the non-activated brain EN cells expressed ICAM-1 and 15-20% expressed Lgp 55 molecules. The ICAM-1 molecule expression was increased after the activation of the cells with recombinant murine gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 alpha (IL1-alpha) in a dose-dependent manner. The increased ICAM-1 expression was detected as early as 2 h following the cytokine treatment and reached its maximum after 24 h. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) did not influence the expression of ICAM-1 molecule. Lgp 55 molecule does not seem to be regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. ICAM-1 and Lgp 55 expression was found to be polarized on the luminal surface of EN by confocal laser microscopy suggesting accessibility for leukocytes. Inducible ICAM-1 expression may play a critical role in formation of inflammatory reactions inside the central nervous system.

Adhesion of splenocytes to brain microvascular endothelium in the BALB/c and SJL/j mouse systems.

Adhesion of hematopoietic cells to endothelial (En) cells plays an important role in their migration into extravascular tissue. This report characterizes the adhesion properties of naive splenocytes to syngeneic and allogeneic mouse brain microvascular endothelium isolated from the BALB/c or SJL/j mouse strains. Syngeneic adhesion reaches maximum levels by 60 min at 37 degrees C, but is more pronounced in the BALB/c system (mean adhesion = 10.7% +/- 1.0) compared to adhesion seen in the SJL/j (mean adhesion = 4.3% +/- 0.6). BALB/c, but not SJL/j adhesion, seems to be mediated, at least in part, by the interaction of CD11a/CD18 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1] with one of its ligands, because BALB/c adhesion is partially inhibited when the assay is carried out either in the presence of chelating agents or with antibodies to the CD11a/CD18 molecule. Activation of the endothelium with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (rIL-1 alpha), and recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-alpha), enhances adhesion in both BALB/c and SJL/j. IFN-gamma and IL-1 alpha mediated adhesion enhancement is abrogated by antibodies to the CD11a/CD18 molecules in the BALB/c but not in the SJL/j system. The adhesion of splenocytes to mouse brain En clearly has unique properties, and whether or not the differences seen in the SJL/j system in any way influences its susceptibility to the autoimmune demyelinating disease, experimental autoimmune encephalitis, remains to be determined.