Autoantibodies against galectin-2 peptides as biomarkers for the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Autoantibodies against opsonins of dying and dead cells mediate Fcγ receptor-dependent phagocytosis of autologous apoptotic and necrotic cells and hereby tend to elicit inflammation instead of silent clearance. We analysed sera of patients with chronic autoimmune diseases for the occurrence of IgG autoantibodies recognizing galectins. These pluripotent effectors can also bind to apoptotic or necrotic cells. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; n = 104) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n = 62) were examined, healthy donors (n = 31) served as controls. Selected peptides of galectin (Gal)-2 were employed for peptide-based ELISAs. Levels of anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG were significantly increased in SLE and APS when compared with controls. In addition, patients with APS showed significantly higher levels of anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG compared with patients with SLE. Anti-Gal-2(PEP)-IgG may, therefore, be considered novel biomarkers for APS.

HIV-1 Tat protein directly induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and inactivates cytochrome c oxidase.

The Trans-activator protein (Tat) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a pleiotropic protein involved in different aspects of AIDS pathogenesis. As a number of viral proteins Tat is suspected to disturb mitochondrial function. We prepared pure synthetic full-length Tat by native chemical ligation (NCL), and Tat peptides, to evaluate their direct effects on isolated mitochondria. Submicromolar doses of synthetic Tat cause a rapid dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ(m)) as well as cytochrome c release in mitochondria isolated from mouse liver, heart, and brain. Accordingly, Tat decreases substrate oxidation by mitochondria isolated from these tissues, with oxygen uptake being initially restored by adding cytochrome c. The anion-channel inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) protects isolated mitochondria against Tat-induced mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), whereas ruthenium red, a ryanodine receptor blocker, does not. Pharmacologic inhibitors of the permeability transition pore, Bax/Bak inhibitors, and recombinant Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins do not reduce Tat-induced MMP. We finally observed that Tat inhibits cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in disrupted mitochondria isolated from liver, heart, and brain of both mouse and human samples, making it the first described viral protein to be a potential COX inhibitor.

Targeted Vpr-derived peptides reach mitochondria to induce apoptosis of alphaVbeta3-expressing endothelial cells.

The HIV-1 encoded apoptogenic protein Vpr induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) via interactions with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT). We have designed a peptide, TEAM-VP, composed of two functional domains, one a tumor blood vessel RGD-like 'homing' motif and the other an MMP-inducing sequence derived from Vpr. When added to isolated mitochondria, TEAM-VP interacts with ANT and VDAC, reduces oxygen consumption and overcomes Bcl-2 protection to cause inner and outer MMP. TEAM-VP specifically recognizes cell-surface expressed alpha(V)beta(3) integrins, internalizes, temporarily localizes to lysosomes and progressively co-distributes with the mitochondrial compartment with no sign of lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Finally TEAM-VP reaches mitochondria of angiogenic endothelial cells to induce mitochondrial fission, dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), cytochrome c release and apoptosis hallmarks. Hence, this chimeric peptide constitutes the first example of a virus-derived mitochondriotoxic compound as a candidate to kill selectively tumor neo-endothelia.

The N-terminus of HIV-1 Tat protein is essential for Tat-TAR RNA interaction.

The human HIV transactivator protein Tat is essential for efficient viral transcription that occurs by a complex mechanism involving interaction of Tat with the TAR RNA element. This interaction appears to require the mediation of a cellular protein, cyclin T1. However, the possibility that Tat and TAR associate in a binary Tat-TAR complex has been little investigated. Using a chemically synthesized active Tat protein, the kinetic and equilibrium parameters of its interaction with TAR were determined by surface plasmon resonance technology. Independently of partner and method of immobilization onto the sensor chip, the association (k(a) = 5-9 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) and dissociation rate constants (k(d) = 1.7-4.3 x 10(-3) s(-1)) yielded similar equilibrium dissociation constants (K(d) = 2-8 nM). A truncated peptide encompassing residues 30-86 of Tat did not bind to TAR at all. We conclude that Tat can form a high-affinity complex with TAR in the absence of cyclin T1 and that the N-terminal domain of Tat is essential for this interaction, suggesting a conformational link between this domain and the basic domain of Tat. These results are important in our quest for developing therapeutic compounds that impair viral replication.

Active immunization against murine TNFalpha peptides in mice: generation of endogenous antibodies cross-reacting with the native cytokine and in vivo protection.

New lines of treatment targeting cytokines have been successfully developed recently and are now widely used in therapy. They are based on passive administration of cytokine inhibitors either soluble receptors or mAbs and the major example is TNFalpha in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since a few years, our group has developed a novel alternative approach targeting cytokines by using active immunization against biologically inactive but immunogenic cytokine derivatives. In the present work, we present a new aspect of this research, based on immunization against specific cytokine peptides chosen by molecular modelling. We could elicit a significant humoral response against four TNFalpha peptides by active immunization, and show that the Abs generated cross-reacted with the native cytokine with good titers as determined by ELISA. Interestingly, during coimmunization experiments with couples of peptides, one showed a clear immunodominant effect over the other. Overall, we could not show the neutralization of TNFalpha biological activity in vitro by the immunized sera, but it seems that it is not a prerequisite to observe clinical efficacy. Indeed, using the LPS/galactosamine-induced shock, we could demonstrate that one of the four peptides tested conferred a clinical protection. These results validate the feasibility and efficacy of active immunization against cytokine peptides, and confirm that active immunization against cytokines could represent in the future an alternative to passive immunization in many diseases.

Synthesis of enantiopure 4-hydroxypipecolate and 4-hydroxylysine derivatives from a common 4,6-dioxopiperidinecarboxylate precursor.

tert-Butyl 2-substituted 4,6-dioxo-1-piperidinecarboxylates 4 have been prepared in good yield starting from Boc-Asp-O(t)Bu and other beta-amino acids. By analogy with chiral tetramic acids, their reduction by NaBH(4) in CH(2)Cl(2)/AcOH afforded the corresponding cis-4-hydroxy delta-lactams in good yield and stereoselectivity (68-98% de). In the absence of the A(1,3) strain (reduction of 6-substituted 2,4-dioxo-1-piperidines 7), the cis-4-hydroxy isomer was still obtained as the major product but the de values were consistently lower. 4-Hydroxy-6-oxo-1,2-piperidinedicarboxylate 2a, readily accessible from Boc-Asp-O(t)Bu (three steps, 63% overall yield), has proven to be an excellent building block for the synthesis of cis- and trans-4-hydroxypipecolates 17 and 24 (52 and 36% overall yield, respectively) and for the synthesis of a protected 4-hydroxylysine derivative 29 (41% overall yield).

Characterization of zebrafish Cx43.4 connexin and its channels.

Connexins (Cx) form intercellular junctional channels which are responsible for metabolic and electrical coupling. We report here on the biochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of zebrafish connexin zfCx43.4, an orthologue of mammalian and avian Cx45, and the electrophysiological properties of junctional channels formed by this protein. The investigations were performed on transfected COS-7 cells or HeLa cells. Using site-directed antibodies, zfCx43.4 cDNA (GenBank accession no. X96712) was demonstrated to code for a protein with a M(r) of 45 000. In transfected cells, zfCx43.4 was localized in cell-cell contact areas as expected for a gap junction protein. zfCx43.4 channels were shown to transfer Lucifer Yellow. The multichannel currents were sensitive to the transjunctional voltage (V(j)). Their properties were consistent with a two-state model and yielded the following Boltzmann parameters for negative/positive V(j): V(j,0) = -38.4/41.9 mV; g(j,min) = 0.19/0.18; z = 2.6/2.3. These parameters deviate somewhat from those of zfCx43.4 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and from those of Cx45, an orthologue of zfCx43.4, expressed in mammalian cells or Xenopus oocytes. Conceivably, the subtle differences may reflect differences in experimental methods and/or in the expression system. The single channel currents yielded two prominent levels attributable to a main conductance state (gamma(j,main) = 33.2 +/- 1.5 pS) and a residual conductance state (gamma(j,residual) = 11.9 +/- 0.6 pS).

Immunity under the skin: potential application for topical delivery of vaccines.

With the technological advances in biomedical sciences and the better understanding of how the immune system works, new immunisation strategies and vaccine delivery options, such sprays, patches, and edible formulations have been developed. This has opened up the possibility of administering vaccines without the use of needles and syringes. Already topical immunisation is a reality and it has the potential to make vaccine delivery more equitable, safer, and efficient. Furthermore, it would increase the rate of vaccine compliance and greatly facilitate the successful implementation of worldwide mass vaccination campaigns against infectious diseases. This review gives a brief account of the latest developments of application of candidate vaccine antigens onto bare skin and describes some of our recent observations using peptide and glycoconjugate vaccines as immunogens.

Diastereoselective hydroxylation of 6-substituted piperidin-2-ones. An efficient synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-hydroxylysine and related alpha-amino acids.

The synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,2-piperidinedicarboxylates (5) and related (3S,6R)-3-hydroxy-6-alkyl-2-oxo-1-piperidinecarboxylates has been developed. The approach is based on the asymmetric hydroxylation of enolates generated from the corresponding N-protected-6-substituted piperidin-2-ones. The utility of 5a as a precursor in the synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-hydroxylysine (1), an amino acid unique to collagen and collagen-like proteins, has also been demonstrated. (2S)-6-oxo-1,2-piperidinedicarboxylates (6) required for hydroxylation studies were prepared in 38-74% yield, starting from conveniently protected aspartic acid as inexpensive chiral adduct. Hydroxylation of 6 to 5 proceeds in high yield and excellent diastereoselectivity by treatment of their Li-enolate with (+)-camphorsulfonyloxaziridine at -78 degrees C. Ring opening of di-tert-butyl (2S,5R)-6-oxo-1,2-piperidinedicarboxylate ((5R)-5a) under reductive conditions afforded the corresponding 1,2-diol (17) in 91%, which was further transformed to (2S,5R)-5-hydroxylysine in four steps (84%). 17 is also a versatile intermediate in the preparation of tert-butyl (2S,5R)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-hydroxy-6-iodohexanoate (3) and tert-butyl (2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-4-[(2R)-oxiranyl]butanoate (4), two amino acid derivatives used in the total synthesis of the bone collagen cross-link (+)-pyridinoline (2a).

Study of antigen-processing steps reveals preferences explaining differential biological outcomes of two HLA-A2-restricted immunodominant epitopes from human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses directed to different human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epitopes vary in their protective efficacy. In particular, HIV-infected cells are much more sensitive to lysis by anti-Gag/p17(77-85)/HLA-A2 than to that by anti-polymerase/RT(476-484)/HLA-A2 CTL, because of a higher density of p17(77-85) complexes. This report describes multiple processing steps favoring the generation of p17(77-85) complexes: (i) the exact COOH-terminal cleavage of epitopes by cellular proteases occurred faster and more frequently for p17(77-85) than for RT(476-484), and (ii) the binding efficiency of the transporter associated with antigen processing was greater for p17(77-85) precursors than for the RT(476-484) epitope. Surprisingly, these peptides, which differed markedly in their antigenicity, displayed qualitatively and quantitatively similar immunogenicity, suggesting differences in the mechanisms governing these phenomena. Here, we discuss the mechanisms responsible for such differences.

The LTR72 mutant of heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli enhances the ability of peptide antigens to elicit CD4(+) T cells and secrete gamma interferon after coapplication onto bare skin.

Application of antigens with an adjuvant onto bare skin is a needle-free and pain-free immunization procedure that delivers antigens to the immunocompetent cells of the epidermis. We tested here the immunogenicity and adjuvanticity of two mutants of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) of Escherichia coli, LTK63 and LTR72. Both mutants were shown to be immunogenic, inducing serum and mucosal antibody responses. The application of LTK63 and LTR72 to bare skin induced significant protection against intraperitoneal challenge with a lethal dose of LT. In addition, both LT mutants enhanced the capacity of peptides TT:830-843 and HA:307-319 (representing T-helper epitopes from tetanus toxin and influenza virus hemagglutinin, respectively) to elicit antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells after coapplication onto bare skin. However, only mutant LTR72 was capable of stimulating the secretion of high levels of gamma interferon. These findings demonstrate that successful skin immunization protocols require the selection of the right adjuvant in order to induce the appropriate type of antigen-specific immune responses in a selective and reliable way. Moreover, the use of adjuvants such the LTK63 and LTR72 mutants, with no or low residual toxicity, holds a lot of promise for the future application of vaccines to the bare skin of humans.

The anti-HIV pentameric pseudopeptide HB-19 is preferentially taken up in vivo by lymphoid organs where it forms a complex with nucleolin.

The HB-19 pseudopeptide 5[Kpsi(CH(2)N)PR]-TASP, psi(CH(2)N) for reduced peptide bond, is a specific inhibitor of HIV infection in different CD4(+) cell lines and in primary T-lymphocytes and macrophages. It blocks virus-particle attachment to permissive cells by binding and forming a stable complex with nucleolin expressed on the cell surface. Here, we have investigated the tissue distribution of the tritiated HB-19 by using beta-radio imager whole-body mapping in rats. A rapid, selective, and stable distribution and accumulation of the systematically administered HB-19 was demonstrated within the spleen, liver, bone, and kidney as soon as 5 min following its administration. No apparent uptake of HB-19 occurred in the brain and the muscle tissue. Interestingly and despite its rapid clearance from the blood, at 24 h postexposure a significant proportion of HB-19 was still recovered from target organs, of which 16-37% could be accounted for intact pseudopeptide. The elimination of HB-19 mainly occurred by renal glomerular filtration and most of the excreted radioactivity appeared to be HB-19 metabolites. Finally, injection of the biotin-labeled HB-19 pseudopeptide but not its control counterpart allowed the recovery of the HB-19-nucleolin complex from the liver, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow, thus indicating that the in vivo molecular target of HB-19 is surface nucleolin. Our results demonstrate the preferential uptake and stability of HB-19 in lymphoid organs that are the site of HIV propagation.

Unexpected stability of the urea cis-trans isomer in urea-containing model pseudopeptides.

In contrast to the situation observed in the crystal state, the urea moiety in N-Boc-N'-carbamoyl-gem-diaminoalkyl derivatives (single-residue ureidopeptides) 1-4 exclusively assumes a cis-trans conformation in solution. When R(3) = H, the resulting structure can be further stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond that closes an eight-membered pseudocycle. The root-mean-square deviation calculated for heavy atoms between a peptide gamma-turn and the folded conformation that we propose to call urea turn is 0.60 A. [structure: see text]

Murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus: B and T cell responses to spliceosomal ribonucleoproteins in MRL/Fas(lpr) and (NZB x NZW)F(1) lupus mice.

(NZB x NZW)F(1) and MRL/Fas(lpr) lupus mice present a similar phenotype with a spectrum of autoantibodies associated with very severe nephritis. It is thought, however, that in contrast to other lupus-prone mice such as MRL/Fas(lpr) mice, (NZB x NZW)F(1) mice do not generate autoantibodies to ribonucleoproteins (RNP) Sm/RNP. In this study, we demonstrate that contrary to previous reports, the autoimmune response directed against Sm/RNP antigens also occurs in NZB x NZW mice. CD4(+) T cells from unprimed 10-week-old NZB x NZW mice proliferate and secrete IL-2 in response to peptide 131-151 of the U1-70K protein, which is known to contain a T(h) epitope recognized by CD4(+) T cells from MRL/Fas(lpr) mice. Peptide 131-151, which was found to bind I-A(k) and I-E(k) class II MHC molecules, also bound both I-A(d) and I-E(d) molecules. This result led us to also re-evaluate longitudinally the anti-Sm/RNP antibody response in NZB x NZW mice. We found that 25-week-old mice do produce antibodies reacting with several small nuclear and heterogeneous nuclear (hn) RNP proteins, such as SmD1, U1-70K and hnRNP A2/B1 proteins. The fine specificity of these antibodies was studied with overlapping synthetic peptides. The same antigenically positive and negative peptides were characterized in MRL/Fas(lpr) and NZB x NZW mice in the three proteins. This new finding can help to understand the mechanisms involved in the development of the anti-Sm/RNP antibody response and, particularly, the role played by non-MHC genes in this autoimmune response.

Evidence of secondary structure by high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of a bioactive peptide bound to different solid supports.

The structure of the 19-amino acid peptide epitope, corresponding to the 141-159 sequence of capsid viral protein VP1 of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), bound to three different resins, namely, polystyrene-MBHA, PEGA, and POEPOP, has been determined by high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy. A combination of homonuclear and heteronuclear bidimensional experiments was used for the complete peptide resonance assignment and the qualitative characterization of the peptide folding. The influence of the chemicophysical nature of the different polymers on the secondary structure of the covalently attached FMDV peptide was studied in detail. In the case of polystyrene-MBHA and polyacrylamide-PEGA resins, the analysis of the 2D spectra was hampered by missing signals and extensive overlaps, and only a propensity toward a peptide secondary structure could be derived from the assigned NOE correlations. When the FMDV peptide was linked to the polyoxyethylene-based POEPOP resin, it was found to adopt in dimethylformamide a helical conformation encompassing the C-terminal domain from residues 152 to 159. This conformation is very close to that of the free peptide previously analyzed in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. Our study clearly demonstrates that a regular helical structure can be adopted by a resin-bound bioactive peptide. Moreover, a change in the folding was observed when the same peptide-POEPOP conjugate was swollen in aqueous solution, displaying the same conformational features as the free peptide in water. The possibility of studying solid-supported ordered secondary structures by the HRMAS NMR technique in a wide range of solvents can be extended either to other biologically relevant peptides and proteins or to new synthetic oligomers.

Structure of antibody-bound peptides and retro-inverso analogues. A transferred nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and molecular dynamics approach.

The three-dimensional structures of the two L-peptides, H-CGGIRGERA-OH, called L(A), and H-CGGIRGERG-OH, called L(G), corresponding or close to the IRGERA sequence present in the C-terminal region (residues 130-135) of histone H3, and their retro-inverso analogues HO-mAreGriGGC-NH2, called RI(mA), and HO-mGreGriGGC-NH2, called RI(mG), have been studied by two-dimensional 1H NMR and molecular dynamics calculations in association with a monoclonal antibody generated against L(A). At 25 degrees C, the affinity constants of the monoclonal antibody with respect to RI(mA) and RI(mG) were 75- and 270-fold higher than those measured with the homologous L(A) and L(G) peptides, respectively. Due to the spontaneous epimerization of the mA malonic residue, RI(mA) gave rise to two sets of resonances. With regard to the NH amide region, one set was similar to that for RI(mG) while the second was similar to those for the parent L-peptides L(A) and L(G). The antibody-bound conformations of the two couples of L- and retro-inverso peptides have been analyzed using molecular modeling calculations based on the transferred NOE interproton distances. Folded structures appeared in both cases with a type II' beta-turn in the parent GGIR sequence and a type I' beta-turn in the retro-inverso reGr sequence.

Characteristics of HIV-1 Nef regions containing multiple CD8+ T cell epitopes: wealth of HLA-binding motifs and sensitivity to proteasome degradation.

First and foremost among the many factors that influence epitope presentation are the degradation of Ag, which results in peptide liberation, and the presence of HLA class I molecules able to present the peptides to T lymphocytes. To define the regions of HIV-1 Nef that can provide multiple T cell epitopes, we analyzed the Nef sequence and determined that there are 73 peptides containing 81 HLA-binding motifs. We tested the binding of these peptides to six common HLA molecules (HLA-A2, -A3, -A24, -B7, -B8, and -B35), and we showed that most of them were efficient binders (54% of motifs), especially peptides associating with HLA-A3, -B7/35, and -B8 molecules. Nef peptides most frequently recognized by T cells of HIV-1-infected individuals were 90-97, 135-143, 71-81, 77-85, 90-100, 73-82, and 128-137. The frequency of T cell recognition was not directly related to the strength of peptide-HLA binding. The generation of Nef epitopes is crucial; therefore, we investigated the digestion by the 20S proteasome of a large peptide, Nef(66-100). This fragment was efficiently cleaved, and NH(2)-terminally extended precursors of epitope 71-81 were recognized by T cells of an HIV-1-infected individual. These results suggest that a high frequency of T cell recognition may depend on proteasome cleavage.

Synthesis and antigenic properties of reduced peptide bond analogues of an immunodominant epitope of the melanoma MART-1 protein.

Backbone modifications have been introduced into the melanoma derived peptide MART-1(27-35) to increase its binding to class I major histocompatibility complex HLA-A2 molecule, and ultimately to enhance its immunogenicity. Each analogue was obtained by replacing one peptide bond at a time in the natural epitope by the aminomethylene (CH2-NH) surrogate. All analogues displayed an increased resistance to proteolysis. Interestingly, the comparative results showed that five analogues bound more efficiently to HLA-A2 than the parent peptide. On the other hand, two pseudopeptide/HLA-A2 complexes were recognized by one melanoma-specific T cell clone. Close examination of the impact of such modifications at the molecular level provides useful supports for the rational design of stable compounds with applications in anti-tumour specific immunotherapy and in vaccine development.

Immunization onto bare skin with heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli enhances immune responses to coadministered protein and peptide antigens and protects mice against lethal toxin challenge.

In this study, the potential of the bare skin as a non-invasive route for vaccination was examined. Following application of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) of Escherichia coli onto bare skin of BALB/c mice, strong serum anti-LT antibody responses were observed, and mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibodies were measured in vagina washes. In addition, LT enhanced the serum and mucosal antibody and proliferative T-cell responses to the model protein antigen beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) when coadministered onto bare skin, highlighting its potential to exert an adjuvant effect. When a peptide representing a T-helper epitope (aa 307-319) from the haemagglutinin of influenza virus was applied onto bare skin with LT or cholera toxin (CT), it primed effectively peptide- and virus-specific T cells, as measured in vitro by the interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion assay. LT was shown to be as immunogenic as CT. Binding activity to GM1 gangliosides was essential for effective induction of anti-CT serum and mucosal antibody responses. Finally, mice immunized onto bare skin with LT were protected against intraperitoneal challenge with a lethal dose of the homologous toxin. These findings give further support to a growing body of evidence on the potential of skin as a non-invasive route for vaccine delivery. This immunization strategy might be advantageous for vaccination programmes in Third World countries, because administration by this route is simple, painless and economical.