scholarly journals Assessment of Mycophenolic Acid-induced Immunosuppression: A New Approach

2000 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1376-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Millan ◽  
Federic Oppenheimer ◽  
Merce Brunet ◽  
Jordi Vilardell ◽  
Isabel Rojo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mycophenolic acid (MPA), a metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), is an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a key enzyme in the ex novo synthesis of GTP. We measured IMPDH activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MMF-treated patients to evaluate the efficacy of MMF in individual patients. Methods: IMPDH activity was measured by 3H released from [2,8-3H]IMP that had been formed in the cells from added [2,8-3H]hypoxanthine in PBMCs of 35 renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin A and corticoids plus MMF: 2 g (n = 10), 1.5 g (n = 7), 1 g (n = 10), or 0 g (n = 8) per day. An alternative method, based on the capacity of the patients’ sera to inhibit spontaneous proliferation of the CEM cell line, was also analyzed. Results: The IMPDH activity of PBMCs in transplanted patients was highly variable. For the method based on CEM cell line proliferation: (a) cell proliferation was inhibited only in MMF-treated patients; (b) there was a clear postdose increase in inhibition; (c) inhibition was not affected by other immunosuppressants in vitro or in vivo; (d) inhibition from predose to predose sample was correlated; and (e) when the MMF dosage was <20 mg · kg−1 · day−1, two groups of patients were identified, one that maintained a high inhibitory capacity in all dose intervals, and one with periods of low inhibitory capacity. Conclusions: Measurement of the inhibition of CEM cell line proliferation by sera from MMF-treated patients may be useful for evaluating the relative efficacy of MMF treatment in individual patients, especially those receiving low doses of MMF.

ALTEX ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora Signorazzi ◽  
Marilena Etna ◽  
Eliana Coccia ◽  
Anke Huckriede

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus causes a severe disease that can lead to permanent neurological complications. The whole inactivated TBE vaccine is highly effective, as proven by high seroconversion rates and near eradication of the disease in countries where vaccination programs have been implemented. TBE vaccine potency testing currently requires the use of in vivo methods that present issues of reproducibility as well as animal discomfort. As an alternative, public and private entities are currently exploring a batch-to-batch consistency approach which would demonstrate conformity of a newly produced vaccine batch with a batch with proven in vivo efficacy with respect to a range of in vitro measurable quality parameters. For the identification of a suitable cellular platform to be used in a panel of in vitro batch-to-batch assessments for the TBE vaccine, we exposed human cell-based systems, both of primary origin and cell line-derived, to vaccine formulations of high and low quality. Following stimulation, cell responses were evaluated by assessing the expression of selected genes by qPCR. Our findings show that the expression of interferon-stimulated genes differed after treatment with non-adjuvanted vaccine batches of different quality in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells, but not in monocyte-free PBMC suspensions nor in cell line-derived immune cells. These results indicate suitable platforms and potential biomarkers for a cell-based assay that, together with other immunochemical analyses, could serve for batch-to-batch assessment of the TBE vaccine, reducing (and eventually replacing) in vivo methods for potency testing.


ALTEX ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora Signorazzi ◽  
Marilena Etna ◽  
Eliana Coccia ◽  
Anke Huckriede

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus causes a severe disease that can lead to permanent neurological complications. The whole inactivated TBE vaccine is highly effective, as proven by high seroconversion rates and near eradication of the disease in countries where vaccination programs have been implemented. TBE vaccine potency testing currently requires the use of in vivo methods that present issues of reproducibility as well as animal discomfort. As an alternative, public and private entities are currently exploring a batch-to-batch consistency approach which would demonstrate conformity of a newly produced vaccine batch with a batch with proven in vivo efficacy with respect to a range of in vitro measurable quality parameters. For the identification of a suitable cellular platform to be used in a panel of in vitro batch-to-batch assessments for the TBE vaccine, we exposed human cell-based systems, both of primary origin and cell line-derived, to vaccine formulations of high and low quality. Following stimulation, cell responses were evaluated by assessing the expression of selected genes by qPCR. Our findings show that the expression of interferon-stimulated genes differed after treatment with non-adjuvanted vaccine batches of different quality in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells, but not in monocyte-free PBMC suspensions nor in cell line-derived immune cells. These results indicate suitable platforms and potential biomarkers for a cell-based assay that, together with other immunochemical analyses, could serve for batch-to-batch assessment of the TBE vaccine, reducing (and eventually replacing) in vivo methods for potency testing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hacer Kuzu Okur ◽  
Koray Yalcin ◽  
Cihan Tastan ◽  
Sevda Demir ◽  
Bulut Yurtsever ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Dornase alfa, the recombinant form of the human DNase I enzyme, breaks down neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) that include a vast amount of DNA fragments, histones, microbicidal proteins and oxidant enzymes released from necrotic neutrophils in the highly viscous mucus of cystic fibrosis patients. Dornase alfa has been used for decades in patients with cystic fibrosis to reduce the viscoelasticity of respiratory tract secretions, to decrease the severity of respiratory tract infections, and to improve lung function. Previous studies have linked abnormal NET formations to lung diseases, especially to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected more than two million people over the world, resulting in unprecedented health, social and economic crises. The COVID-19, viral pneumonia that progresses to ARDS and even multiple organ failure, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). High blood neutrophil levels are an early indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection and predict severe respiratory diseases. A similar mucus structure is detected in COVID-19 patients due to the accumulation of excessive NET in the lungs. Here, we show our preliminary results with dornase alfa that may have an in-vitro anti-viral effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in a bovine kidney cell line, MDBK without drug toxicity on healthy adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this preliminary study, we also showed that dornase alfa can promote clearance of NET formation in both an in-vitro and three COVID-19 cases who showed clinical improvement in radiological analysis (2-of-3 cases), oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, disappearing of dyspnea and coughing.


npj Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Tanner ◽  
Andrew D. White ◽  
Charelle Boot ◽  
Claudia C. Sombroek ◽  
Matthew K. O’Shea ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present a non-human primate mycobacterial growth inhibition assay (MGIA) using in vitro blood or cell co-culture with the aim of refining and expediting early tuberculosis vaccine testing. We have taken steps to optimise the assay using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells, transfer it to end-user institutes, and assess technical and biological validity. Increasing cell concentration or mycobacterial input and co-culturing in static 48-well plates compared with rotating tubes improved intra-assay repeatability and sensitivity. Standardisation and harmonisation efforts resulted in high consistency agreements, with repeatability and intermediate precision <10% coefficient of variation (CV) and inter-site reproducibility <20% CV; although some systematic differences were observed. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrated ability to detect a BCG vaccine-induced improvement in growth inhibition in macaque samples, and a correlation between MGIA outcome and measures of protection from in vivo disease development following challenge with either intradermal BCG or aerosol/endobronchial Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) at a group and individual animal level.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 2516-2525 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Meszaros ◽  
S Aberle ◽  
R Dedrick ◽  
R Machovich ◽  
A Horwitz ◽  
...  

Abstract Mononuclear phagocytes, stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), have been implicated in the activation of coagulation in sepsis and endotoxemia. In monocytes LPS induces the synthesis of tissue factor (TF) which, assembled with factor VII, initiates the blood coagulation cascades. In this study we investigated the mechanism of LPS recognition by monocytes, and the consequent expression of TF mRNA and TF activity. We also studied the inhibition of these effects of LPS by rBPI23, a 23-kD recombinant fragment of bactericidal/permeability increasing protein, which has been shown to antagonize LPS in vitro and in vivo. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or monocytes isolated by adherence, were stimulated with Escherichia coli O113 LPS at physiologically relevant concentrations (&gt; or = 10 pg/mL). The effect of LPS was dependent on the presence of the serum protein LBP (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein), as shown by the potentiating effect of human recombinant LBP or serum. Furthermore, recognition of low amounts of LPS by monocytes was also dependent on CD14 receptors, because monoclonal antibodies against CD14 greatly reduced the LPS sensitivity of monocytes in the presence of serum or rLBP. Induction of TF activity and mRNA expression by LPS were inhibited by rBPI23. The expression of tumor necrosis factor showed qualitatively similar changes. Considering the involvement of LPS-induced TF in the potentially lethal intravascular coagulation in sepsis, inhibition of TF induction by rBPI23 may be of therapeutic benefit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Mark Collister ◽  
Julia Rempel ◽  
Jiaqi Yang ◽  
Kelly Kaita ◽  
Zach Raizman ◽  
...  

Background: Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a recently described pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related inflammation and fibrosis. IL-32α is the most abundant IL-32 isoform. Methods: Circulating IL-32α levels were documented in patients with chronic HCV infections ( n = 31) and compared with individuals who spontaneously resolved HCV infection ( n = 14) and HCV-naive controls ( n = 20). In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the chronic HCV ( n = 12) and HCV-naive ( n = 9) cohorts were investigated for responses to HCV core and non-structural (NS)3 protein induced IL-32α production. Finally, correlations between IL-32α levels, hepatic fibrosis and subsequent responses to interferon-based therapy were documented in patients with chronic HCV. Results: Circulating IL-32α levels in patients with chronic HCV were similar to those of spontaneously resolved and HCV-naive controls. HCV protein induced IL-32α responses were similar in chronic HCV patients and HCV-naive controls. In patients with chronic HCV, serum IL-32α levels correlated with worsening METAVIR fibrosis (F) scores from F0 to F3 ( r = 0.596, P < 0.001) as did NS3 induced IL-32α responses ( r = 0.837, P < 0.05). However, these correlations were not sustained with the inclusion of IL-32α levels at F4 scores, suggesting events at F4 interfere with IL-32α synthesis or release. In chronic HCV patients who underwent treatment ( n = 28), baseline in vivo and in vitro induced IL-32α concentrations were not predictive of therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: IL-32α activity is associated with worsening fibrosis scores in non-cirrhotic, chronic HCV patients.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2154-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Bromuro ◽  
Roberto La Valle ◽  
Silvia Sandini ◽  
Francesca Urbani ◽  
Clara M. Ausiello ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The 70-kDa recombinant Candida albicans heat shock protein (CaHsp70) and its 21-kDa C-terminal and 28-kDa N-terminal fragments (CaHsp70-Cter and CaHsp70-Nter, respectively) were studied for their immunogenicity, including proinflammatory cytokine induction in vitro and in vivo, and protection in a murine model of hematogenous candidiasis. The whole protein and its two fragments were strong inducers of both antibody (Ab; immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1] and IgG2b were the prevalent isotypes) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) responses in mice. CaHsp70 preparations were also recognized as CMI targets by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy human subjects. Inoculation of CaHsp70 preparations into immunized mice induced rapid production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha, peaking at 2 to 5 h and declining within 24 h. CaHsp70 and CaHsp70-Cter also induced gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-12, and IL-10 but not IL-4 production by CD4+ lymphocytes cocultured with splenic accessory cells from nonimmunized mice. In particular, the production of IFN-γ was equal if not superior to that induced in the same cells by whole, heat-inactivated fungal cells or the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A. In immunized mice, however, IL-4 but not IL-12 was produced in addition to IFN-γ upon in vitro stimulation of CD4+ cells with CaHsp70 and CaHsp70-Cter. These animals showed a decreased median survival time compared to nonimmunized mice, and their mortality was strictly associated with organ invasion by fungal hyphae. Their enhanced susceptibility was attributable to the immunization state, as it did not occur in congenitally athymic nude mice, which were unable to raise either Ab or CMI responses to CaHsp70 preparations. Together, our data demonstrate the elevated immunogenicity of CaHsp70, with which, however, no protection against but rather some enhancement of Candida infection seemed to occur in the mouse model used.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick D. Muller ◽  
Leonardo M.R. Ferreira ◽  
Emilie Ronin ◽  
Patrick Ho ◽  
Vinh Nguyen ◽  
...  

Infusion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting donor-derived human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a promising strategy to promote transplant tolerance. Here, we describe an anti-HLA-A2 CAR (A2-CAR) generated by grafting the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of a human monoclonal anti-HLA-A2 antibody into the framework regions of the Herceptin 4D5 single-chain variable fragment and fusing it with a CD28-zeta signaling domain. The CDR-grafted A2-CAR maintained the specificity of the original antibody. We then generated HLA-A2 mono-specific human CAR Tregs either by deleting the endogenous T-cell receptor (TCR) via CRISPR/Cas9 and introducing the A2-CAR using lentiviral transduction or by directly integrating the CAR construct into the TCR alpha constant locus using homology-directed repair. These A2-CAR+TCRdeficient human Tregs maintained both Treg phenotype and function in vitro. Moreover, they selectively accumulated in HLA-A2-expressing islets transplanted from either HLA-A2 transgenic mice or deceased human donors. A2-CAR+TCRdeficient Tregs did not impair the function of these HLA-A2+ islets, whereas similarly engineered A2-CAR+TCRdeficientCD4+ conventional T cells rejected the islets in less than 2 weeks. A2-CAR+TCRdeficient Tregs delayed graft-versus-host disease only in the presence of HLA-A2, expressed either by co-transferred peripheral blood mononuclear cells or by the recipient mice. Altogether, we demonstrate that genome-engineered mono-antigen-specific A2-CAR Tregs localize to HLA-A2-expressing grafts and exhibit antigen-dependent in vivo suppression, independent of TCR expression. These approaches may be applied towards developing precision Treg cell therapies for transplant tolerance.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 964-967
Author(s):  
THOMAS J. BOWEN ◽  
RALPH J. WEDGWOOD ◽  
HANS D. OCHS ◽  
WERNER HENLE

In vivo and in vitro humoral and cellular immune responses were studied in a 2½-year-old girl immediately before, during, and after an asymptomatic infection with Epstein-Barr virus. During the acute EBV infection, the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells were deficient in immunoglobulin synthesis and suppressed the in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis of normal allogeneic cells. In vitro mitogen transformation of lymphocytes was reduced. In vivo antibody responses to the T cell-dependent antigens bacteriophage φX 174 and Keyhole limpet hemocyanin were markedly depressed. These studies suggest that suppressor cells induced during acute EBV infection not only suppress immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro, but also interfere with in vivo antibody synthesis.


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