Snmm~'ySeveral mycobacterial antigens, identified by monoclonal antibodies and patient sera, have been found to be homologous to stress or heat-shock proteins (hsp) defined in Escherichia coli and yeast. A major antigen recognized by most Mycobacterium leprae-reactive human T cell lines and cell wail-reactive T cell clones is a 10-kD protein that has now been cloned and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence of this protein is 44% homologous to the hsp 10 (GroES) of E. coll. The purified native and recombinant 10-kD protein was found to be a stronger stimulator of peripheral blood T cell proliferation than other native and recombinant M. l~rae proteins tested. The degree of reactivity parallded the response to intact M. leprae throughout the spectrum of leprosy. Limiting-dilution analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient contact and a tuberculoid patient indicated that approximately one third ofM./e~e-reactive T cell precursors responded to the 10-kD antigen. T ceU lines derived from lepromin skin tests were strongly responsive to the 10-kD protein. T cell clones reactive to both the purified native and recombinant 10-kD antigens recognized M. l~rae-specific epitopes as well as epitopes crossreactive with the cognate antigen of M. tuberculosis. Further, the purified hsp 10 elicited strong ddayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in guinea pigs sensitized to M. leprae. The strong T ceil responses against the M. leprae 10-kD protein suggest a role for this heat-shock cognate protein in the protective/resistant responses to infection.
Central to immune and inflammatory responses are the integrin-mediated adhesive interactions of cells with their extracellular matrix (ECM)-rich environment. Using a comprehensive and quantitative mRNA profiling technique, we analyzed the effect of ECM-induced attachment on monocyte gene expression, its regulation by growth factors, and the integrin specificity of this event. Adhesion of cells to fibronectin resulted in increased expression of a large number of genes, which was strongly potentiated by the presence of growth factors. Adhesion activated both the NF-kappaB and Jak/STAT pathways of gene transcription and increased expression of genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses, revealing the importance of ECM-integrin interactions in these processes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.