Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Division of Immunology

Self-defense against invaded pathogenic microorganisms and foreign antigenic molecules is strictly controlled by the immune system and inflammation. Our major research interests are to elucidate cells and effector molecules in innate and acquired immunity and inflammation. In particular, we are focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and activation of B cells and IgH class switch recombination under the influence of T cells, cytokines and adaptor proteins. We are also interested in elucidating cellular mechanisms of preferential induction of Th1 cells upon immunization with Mycobacterium-derived, Peptide-25 and its derivatives.
In 2003, Professor Dr. Fritz Melchers, Basel University, who were invited by the University of Tokyo as the Eminent Scientist of JSPS, has been joining us for our research projects. Dr. Melchers always encouraged us and suggested important issues for each project. We would like to appreciate his enormous contributions.

1. Roles of IL-5 in the B cell differentiation

a. Molecular mechanisms of class switch recombination in CD38-activated B cells.
Yumiko Tsukamoto, Atsushi Sato, Kiyoshi Takatsu
Class switch recombination (CSR) is the process that changes physiological activities of antibodies without changing their specificities to antigens. Murine B cells differentiate into IgG1- or IgE- secreting cells when activated by anti-CD40 and IL-4. However, IL-4 cannot induce CSR in anti-CD38-activated B cells, although IL-5 can induce CSR in both anti-CD40- and anti-CD38-activated B cells. Anti-CD38 and IL-4-activated B cells differentiate into IgG1-secreting cells when activated by 8-mercaptugoanosine (8-SGuo). 8-SGuo is a guanosine analogue, and it induces proliferation and differentiation in B cells. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), which is necessary for CSR, is expressed in anti-CD38, IL-4, and 8-SGuo-activated B cells, and isn't expressed in_anti-CD38 and IL-4-activated B cells. It suggests that 8-SGuo induces expression of AID in B cells, and thus induces CSR.
In anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells, AID is expressed; however these B cells don't differentiate into IgG1-secreting B cells. This suggests that IL-4 also induces some factor(s) necessary for CSR in anti-CD38, IL-4, and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. Cell division, transcription of germline ｳ1, and looping out of ｳ1-ｼ reciprocal DNA are necessary for CSR. In anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells and anti-CD38, IL-4, and 8-SGuo-activated B cells, cell division and transcription of germline ｳ1 were induced. However, ｳ1-ｼ reciprocal DNA didn't exist in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. These results show that anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo cannot induce CSR because of lacking some factor(s) which are involved in CSR other than cell division, transcription of germline ｳ1, and AID expression. This factor(s) (Factor X) may be induced by IL-4 in _anti-CD38, IL-4, and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. We examined the expression of UNG, Bach2, and 53BP1 genes which are necessary for CSR and found that they were all expressed in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. Hence Factor X is not UNG, Bach2, and 53BP1. Identification of Factor X may reveal some new aspects of CSR.

b. IL-5 induces IgG1 isotype switch recombination in CD38-stimulated murine B cells
Atsushi Sato, Yumiko Tsukamoto, Keisuke Honiara, Kiyoshi Takatsu
As we reported, IL-5 stimulation of anti-CD38-stimulated murine splenic B (B-2) cells induces ｼ-ｳ1 class switch recombination (CSR) leading to a high level of lgG1 production. Further addition of IL-4 in the system enhances IL-5-dependent ｼ-ｳ1 CSR. Stat5a- and Stat5b-deficient B-2 cells could not show ｼ-ｳ1 CSR and lgG1 production, despite of the intact induction of ｳ1 germline transcripts. Cell division cycle analyses of Stat5b deficient B-2 cells using CFSE revealed that Stat5b-deficient B cells were normally divided to 5 or 6 times, but these they could not express surface IgG1. These results implied that Stat5 plays pivotal roles in the ｼ-ｳ1 CSR induction. RT-PCR analysis revealed equivalent levels of AID expression in wild type and Stat5b-deficient B cells, while expression of the Blimp-1 gene was impaired in Stat5b deficient B-2 cells.
We examined the involvement of Stat5a and Stat5b in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. Cell division and transcription of germline ｳ1 were induced in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells, but those B cells did not undergo CSR similar to anti-CD38 and IL-5 stimulated Stat5a deficient B cells. Hence we examined the phosphorylation of Stat5a and Stat5b in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. Stat5a and Stat5b were not phosphorylated in anti-CD38 and 8-SGuo-activated B cells. Downstream molecules of Stat5a and Stat5b may be involved in the process of CSR induce by anti-CD38, IL-4, and 8-SGuo.
c. Molecular mechanisms of nuclear factor (NF)-ｺB and the germline ｳ1 transcript expression in CD38-stimulated B cells
Hiroaki Kaku and Kiyoshi Takatsu
CD38 is an ectoenzyme with both ADP ribosyl cyclase and cADP ribosyl hydrolase activity. Ligation of CD38 on B-2 cells by anti-CD38 mAb induces B cell proliferation, IL-5Rｱ expression, and the germline ｳ1 mRNA expression. IL-5 promotes ｼ-ｳ1 CSR and IgM and IgG1 production from anti-CD38-stimulated B-2 cells in an IL-4 independent manner. We reported that NF-ｺB complexes play critical roles in the B cell activation in response to CD38 ligation, and that Btk, PKC, PI3-kinase, BASH/BLNK, PLC-ｳ2 and extracellular Ca2+ influx are involved in NF-ｺB activation induced by anti-CD38 and antibody production induced by anti-CD38 and IL-5 co-stimulation. By analyzing the upstream molecules of CD38 signaling pathway, we found that anti-CD38-mediated NF-ｺB can be induced via activation of Syk and GTP-binding protein. Moreover, GTP-binding protein but not Syk be co-immunoprecipitated with CD38 in cell lysates prepared using Brij-58 detergent. These data suggest that CD38 directly associates with GTP-binding protein or that CD38 constitutively localizes in GTP-binding protein- or GPCR-associated membrane micro-domain. Therefore, we speculate that GTP-binding protein may link and modulate CD38-Syk signaling pathway or that anti-CD38-stimulation induce colocalization of GTP-binding protein into BCR-associated micro-domain.

2. Role of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and B-1 cells in mucosal immunity and elicitation of contact sensitivity

a. Origin and differentiation of B-1 cells
Taku Kouro, Masashi Ikutani and Kiyoshi Takatsu
B-1 cells form distinctive subset of B lymphocyte characterized by preferential distribution to peritoneal cavity and contribution to serum natural antibodies and intestinal IgA secretion. Although several lines of evidence showed that constitutive B cell receptor signaling causes expression of B-1 phenotype, it is still unknown how generation and differentiation of B-1 cells are controlled. IL-5 is indispensable for normal development of B-1 cells because IL-5R-/- mice show reduced number and cell size of peritoneal B-1 cells. To investigate roles of IL-5 in B-1 cell development, we first checked expression of IL-5R on early lymphoid progenitors in the fetal liver. IL-5Rｱ is not detected on lineage marker negative (Lin-) fetal liver cells but weakly detected on B220+ proB cells. Its expression was also induced when Lin- fetal liver cells were placed in the stroma-free, serum-free culture with B cell differentiating condition. Then Lin- cells were stimulated or not stimulated with IL-5 in such cultures and transferred to lymphocyte-deficient SCID mice. Progenitors from either condition differentiated to B-1 cells in the SCID mice but more B-1b cells were observed in the mice received IL-5-stimulated progenitors. Interestingly, feces IgA was only restored in the mice received IL-5-stimulated progenitors. B-1b cells differentiated from IL-5-treated progenitors are likely responsible for intestinal IgA, because SCID mice transferred with B-1b cells secreted more IgA in the feces than mice received B-1a cells did. From these results, it is speculated that IL-5 induces B-1b cell differentiation in the early stage of gestation, which eventually results in production of IgA in the gut.

b. Identification of IL-5 secreting cells in vivo
Masashi Ikutani, Byoung-Gon Moon, Taku Kouro and Kiyoshi Takatsu
B-1 cells differ from B-2 cells in surface markers, anatomical location and developmental pattern, and are known to be involved in natural immunity by producing natural antibodies. B-1 cells form distinctive subset of B lymphocytes characterized by preferential distribution to peritoneal and pleural cavities as well as unique antigen reactivity. Unlike conventional B-2 cells, B-1 cells are rather maintained by self-renewal than de novo differentiation and are activated independent of helper T cells though details in the proliferation and activation of B-1 cells are unknown. We are focusing on IL-5 as a candidate of soluble factor that control B-1 cell development and activation. Indeed we have shown that IL-5 is indispensable for survival and homeostatic proliferation of peritoneal B-1 cells and mucosal IgA responses. IL-5 is originally found as a soluble factor secreted from helper T lymphocytes but recently significant amount of IL-5 is shown to be secreted from non-lymphoid tissues such as lung. B-1 cells also depend on IL-5 of non-lymphoid origin because neutralizing antibody against IL-5 still take effect on peritoneal B-1 cells in the host mice lacking lymphocytes. However, technical difficulties have been preventing detection of IL-5 secreting cells that support B-1 cells. To overcome this problem, we are now generating mouse model in which green fluorescent protein gene is inserted in the IL-5 gene locus (IL-5/GFP knock-in mice).

c. Role of IL-5 and B-1 cells in mucosal immunity
Atsuko Itakura, Yuji kikuchi1, Taku Kouro, Masashi Ikutani, Kiyoshi Takatsu: 1Laboratory of Immunoregulation, Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University
About a half of IgA is derived from B-1 cells in intestinal and respiratory mucosa, which plays an important role in primary host defense mechanism against pathogens that invade through mucosal tissues. B-1 cell numbers and the size of B-1 cells are decreased in IL-5 receptor ｱ chain-deficient (IL-5Rｱ-/-) mice, and their serum IgM and intestinal IgA levels were lower than those of C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, we tried to determine if lack of IL-5/IL-5R signaling enhances sensitivity to these pathogens.
IL-5Rｱ-/- and C57BL/6 mice were orally or intranasally inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium or influenza A PR/8 virus, respectively. Results revealed that IL-5Rｱ-/- mice　and C57BL/6 mice died in a similar manner following inoculation with S. typhimurium, and bacterial loads of Payer's patches, spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes in IL-5Rｱ-/- mice were comparable to those in C57BL/6 mice. We found no difference in lung virus titers between IL-5Rｱ-/- and C57BL/6 mice inoculated with PR/8. ELISA for IgM, IgG and IgA titers in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum showed that PR/8-specific antibodies were induced in both IL-5Rｱ-/- and C57BL/6 mice upon inoculation, and antibody titers in IL-5Rｱ-/- mice were roughly equivalent to those in C57BL/6 mice. These results indicate that IL-5/IL-5R signaling does not seem to be involved in host defense against S. typhimurium and influenza virus, and antibody responses to these pathogens.

d. B-1 cells in elicitation of contact sensitivity
Elicitation of contact sensitivity, a classic example of T cell-mediated immunity, requires antigen-specific IgM antibodies, which are produced by B-1 cells within 1 day after skin immunization. Because IL-5 is important for maintenance of B-1 cells, and promotes antibody production, we examined if IL-5 is involved in elicitation of contact sensitivity. IL-5Rｱ-/- and C57BL/6 mice were immunized by painting oxazolone on the chest, abdomen and feet. On day 4, mice were challenged by topical application of same antigen on the ears, and ear thickness was measured at 24-hr post-challenge. We found that ear swelling responses were impaired in IL-5Rｱ-/- mice. Histological examination of C57BL/6 ears showed edema of the connective tissue with massive accumulation of inflammatory cells including eosinophils. In IL-5Rｱ-/- mice, edema and cell infiltration were much milder, and no eosinophils were observed. These results suggest that IL-5 is required for full elicitation of contact sensitivity.

3. Regulatory functions of adapter proteins in the immune system

a. Control of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell functions by Lnk adaptor protein, which functions as a molecular scaffold linking RTKs with cytoskeletal regulatory components
Satoshi Takaki, Sang-Mo Kwon, Hitoshi Takizawa, Masanori Iseki, Kazuhiro Sudo2, Hideo Ema2, Jun Seita2, Mitsujiro Osawa2, Hiromitsu Nakauchi2 and Kiyoshi Takatsu: 2Laboratory of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Experimental Medicine, IMSUT
Lnk, a recently identified intracellular adaptor protein, negatively regulates B-lymphopoiesis and early hematopoiesis. The lnk-deficient mice show enhanced B cell production due to the hypersensitivity of B precursors to stem cell factor, SCF. Competitive repopulation assays in irradiated host animals have demonstrated that the ability of hematopoietic progenitors to generate various blood cells is greatly enhanced by the absence of Lnk. We further investigated the effect of lnk-deficiency on the compartment size and ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which is strictly regulated in normal conditions. Measurement of competitive repopulation unit (CRU) as well as flow cytometric analysis revealed that there exist nearly 15-fold more functional HSCs in the bone marrow of adult lnk-/- mice compared to normal mice. Clonal analysis by single cell HSC transplantation indicated that a part of lnk-/- HSCs had highly repopulating capability.
Molecular mechanisms underlying Lnk-mediated regulation are not fully understood. We revealed that Lnk could control actin reorganization activated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and thereby regulate cell migration. Lnk expressing fibroblasts showed flattened, spreading shapes, prominent actin polymerization accompanied by augmented Rac activation, and impaired migration in a wound-healing assay. Lnk co-immunoprecipitated with Rac, Vav, PAK and filamin A indicating a complex formation of cytoskeletal regulatory proteins supported by Lnk. Adhesion and migration behavior of lnk-/- progenitor cells are now under investigation.

b. Enhancing repopulation ability of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by a targeted inhibition of Lnk
Hitoshi Takizawa, Chiyomi Kubo-Akashi, Ikuo Nobuhisa3, Sang-Mo Kwon, Masanori Iseki, Tetsuya Taga3, Kiyoshi Takatsu and Satoshi Takaki: 3Laboratory of Gene Expression and Regulation, Center for Experimental Medicine, IMSUT
Repopulating ability of HSC/Ps in irradiated host animals is greatly enhanced by the absence of Lnk. In lnk-deficient mice, however, neither malignant transformation nor functional defect of blood cells was observed. We identified functional domains of Lnk, generated dominant-negative (DN) Lnk mutants and tested whether DN Lnk mutants could block functions of Lnk endogenously expressed in HSC/Ps and augment repopulation ability of HSC/Ps. Lnk consists of an N-terminal proline-rich region, SH2-, PH- domains and a conserved tyrosine phosphorylation site. Various Lnk mutants were generated and transducted into MC9 mast cells using retroviral vector, and their SCF-dependent growth was evaluated by monitoring eGFP+ cells. While the wild-type Lnk efficiently inhibited growth of MC9 cells, a point mutation in the SH2 domain completely abolished the inhibitory effect. The SH2 mutants acted as DN mutants since they cancelled growth inhibition of MC9 transfectants overexpressing Lnk. The SH2 mutant with deletion of PH domain and C-terminal region was the most effective DN Lnk mutant. We, next, evaluated consequences of the DN Lnk expression in HSC/Ps by competitive repopulation assay. HSC/Ps expressing the DN Lnk was transferred into lethally irradiated host animals and percentage of eGFP+ cells in peripheral blood was monitored. Cells expressing DN Lnk repopulated at much higher percentage in lymphoid and myeloid lineages than cells treated with control vectors. Inhibition of Lnk by the DN mutant could become a potent approach for expansion and regulation of HSC/Ps.

c. Control of actin reorganization and B-1 cell compartment size by adaptor molecule containing PH and SH2 domains, APS
Masanori Iseki, Chiyomi Kubo-Akashi, Sang-Mo Kwon, Nobuaki Yoshida3, Kiyoshi Takatsu and Satoshi Takaki
To understand functions of the Lnk family adaptor proteins further, we tried to identify other members of the family, and isolated mouse APS (adaptor molecule containing PH and SH2 domains). APS is expressed in various tissues including spleen, bone marrow, brain and muscle, and in mature B but not in T or immature B cells. In cell lines, APS is tyrosine phosphorylated upon stimulation with IL-5, IL-3 or anti-IgM. To investigate roles of APS in vivo, we generated APS-/- mice. APS-/- mice were viable, fertile and show no anomalies or growth retardation. Lymphocyte or myeloid cell developments in bone marrow, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes were not perturbed. However, APS-/- mice had more B-1 cells in peritoneal cavity, and showed enhanced humoral immune responses against thymus-independent type-2 (TI-2) antigens, while APS-/- B-2 cells exhibited normal proliferative responses and tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins upon BCR crosslinking. On the other hand, in transgenic mice overexpressing APS in lymphocytes, the numbers of peritoneal B-1 and splenic B cells were reduced, and proliferation induced by anti-IgM stimulation was impaired. APS colocalized with filamentous actin (F-actin) accumulated during capping of BCR in APS-transgenic B cells. F-actin contents after BCR stimulation was decreased in APS-/- B-1 cells compared to wild-type B-1 cells. Our results indicated that APS may have a novel regulatory role in actin reorganization and control of B-lineage cell compartment size.

d. Roles of Lnk-family adaptor proteins, Lnk, SH2-B and APS in growth and functions of mast cells: APS-deficiency causes augmented degranulation and reduced actin assembly
Chiyomi Kubo-Akashi, Masanori Iseki, Sang-Mo Kwon, Hitoshi Takizawa, Kiyoshi Takatsu and Satoshi Takaki
Lnk, SH2-B and APS form an adaptor protein family conserved from drosophila. SH2-B is originally identified as a protein associated with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) of FcｵRI ｳ-chain. APS is identified as a potential substrate of c-Kit. Since Lnk, SH2-B and APS are all expressed in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), and may play roles in signaling mediated through c-Kit or FcｵRI, we investigated consequences of the deficiency either of Lnk, SH2-B or APS in mast cell functions. We established IL-3-dependent BMMCs from lnk-/-, SH2-B-/- and APS-/- mice. IL-3-dependent growth of those cells was comparable. Proliferation or adhesion mediated by c-Kit activation as well as degranulation induced by cross-linking FcｵRI were normal in the absence of Lnk or SH2-B. In contrast, APS-/- BMMCs showed augmented degranulation after cross-linking FcｵRI compared to wild type cells, while c-Kit-mediated proliferation and adhesion were kept unaffected. The enhanced degranulation from APS-/- BMMCs was due to augmented degranulation from each mast cell but not to increased proportion of cells that underwent degranulation. Calcium influx and tyrosine phosphorylation of various cellular proteins induced by cross-linking FcｵRI were normal in the absence of APS, and cell survival mediated by binding of monomeric IgE to FcｵRI was also normal. We found, however, that APS-/- BMMCs showed reduced F-actin assembly at steady state. APS-/- cells were resistant to latrunculin, an inhibitor disrupting F-actin microfilaments in FcｵRI-mediated degranulation responses. Our results suggest potential roles of APS in controlling actin cytoskeleton and magnitude of degranulation in mast cells.

4. Mechanisms of preferential induction of Th1 response upon immunization with Mycobacteria peptide

The Ag85B of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis and M. Bovis BCG is immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice with Ag85B to expand TCRVｲ11+ CD4+ Th1 cells in conjunction with APCs in an I-Ab-restricted manner. We identified the major antigenic epitope (Peptide-25) for Ag85B-specific Vｲ11+ T cells as the 15-mer peptide, covering amino acid residues 240-254 of Ag85B.

a. Role of MHC/peptide-TCR interaction in the Peptide-25-dependent Th1 development
Haruyuki Ariga, Makiyo Nakada, Takeshi Tokunaga, Yoko Shimohakamada, Ai Kariyone, Toshiki Tamura and Kiyoshi Takatsu
Activated CD4+ Th cells can be classified into two subsets, Th1 and Th2, on the basis of cytokine production profiles. Th1 cells play a critical role in the induction of the cell-mediated immune responses that are important for the eradication of intracellular pathogens and the development of organ-specific autoimmune diseases. In addition to the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) activation signals, other factors such as the cytokine environment, type of APC, genetic background and co-stimulatory molecules expressed by activated APC may also be involved in the determination of the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into Th1 cells. However, it is unclear whether the TCR signaling events exert a direct influence on Th1 differentiation. To elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms of the induction of Th1 cells by Peptide-25, transgenic mice that express the TCR-Vｱ5-Vｲ11 for recognition of Peptide-25, in conjunction with I-Ab molecules, were generated (P25 TCR-Tg), and the differential activities of naive CD4+ T cells from P25 TCR-Tg were examined.
Naive CD4+ T cells from P25 TCR-Tg preferentially differentiated into Th1 cells upon Peptide-25 stimulation in the presence of T and NK cells depleted I-Ab splenic APC under neutral condition. In contrast, a mutant of Peptide-25 could induce solely Th2 differentiation. Peptiode-25-induced Th1 differentiation was observed even in the presence of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to IFN-ｳ and IL-12. Furthermore, naive CD4+ T cells from STAT1 deficient P25 TCR-Tg also differentiated into Th1 cells upon Peptide-25 stimulation. Moreover, Peptide-25-loaded I-Ab-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (Peptide-25-I-Ab-CHO) that do not express co-stimulatory molecules, such as CD40/80/86 and ICAM-1 on their surface, and not produce any IFN-ｳ and IL-12 effectively induced Th1 differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells from P25 TCR-Tg. Within 3 hr after the TCR stimulation with Peptide-25-I-Ab-CHO, IFN-ｳ and IL-12 independent transient T-bet up-regulation and suppression of GATA-3 expression were observed. These results imply that direct interaction between Peptide-25/I-Ab and TCR primarily influences determination of the fate of naive CD4+ T cells in differentiation toward the Th1 subsets.

b. Adjuvant activity of Peptide-25 for enhancing anti-tumor immune response
Takeshi Kikuchi, Ai kariyone, Wen Xu, Toshiki Tamura and Kiyoshi Takatsu
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTL) play an important role in the protection against tumor growth. Tumor cells are thought to express an array of antigens recognizable by CTLs that principally contribute to tumor rejection. It still remains unclear, however, whether CD4+ helper T cells together with CTLs mediate efficient immune responses leading to tumor rejection.
As the immunization of C57BL/6 mice with Peptide-25 emulsified in incomplete Freund adjuvant (IFA) induces Th1 response to Peptide-25, we examined adjuvant activity of Peptide-25 for CTL generation to ovalbumin (OVA) as a model tumor antigen. Results revealed that co-immunization of C57BL/6 mice with OVA and Peptide-25 could induce higher OVA specific-IgG2a and IFN-ｳ production than OVA alone immunization. Intriguingly, the OVA-specific CTL generation was also enhanced when mice were co-immunized with OVA plus Peptide-25. The adjuvant effect of Peptide-25 was not observed in CD4 deficient or IFN-ｳ deficient mice. Co-immunization of OVA and Peptide-25 could prevent in vivo growth of E.G7-OVA cell (EL4 thymoma transfected with cDNA encoding chicken OVA) leading to prolonged survival. Furthermore, the enhancement of CTL generation by Peptide-25 was also observed when class I-binding OVA peptide (SIINFEKL) was used in place of intact OVA. Moreover, CTL generation specific for class I-binding B16 melanoma peptide (SVDFFVWL) was enhanced by co-immunization with Peptide-25. To elucidate the mechanisms of this adjuvant activity of Peptide-25, we examined the dendritic cells (DC) activation by Peptide-25. Results revealed that Peptide-25 stimulation alone did not enhance the expression of surface molecules. When we co-cultured DC with CD4+ T cells from P25 TCR-Tg mice together with Peptide-25, expressions of MHC class I and ICAM-1 were enhanced and led to induce IL-12 p40 production. Such DC showed more effective OVA presentation to OVA specific CD8+ T cells and enhanced proliferation of the cells.
These results indicate that Peptide-25 exerts potent adjuvant activity and provides efficient help for CTL induction against neo-tumor antigen when concomitantly immunized.

5. Role of mast cells, eosinophils, and IL-5 in the development of asthma
Yoko Oe-Kikuchi and Kiyoshi Takatsu
Mast cells are though to contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic airway responses through IgE dependent mechanism. Eosinophilic inflammation is clearly a hallmark of both allergic and non-allergic asthma. Considerable evidence suggests that there is association between pulmonary eosinophil infiltration and AHR in human asthma. An immunopathogenic role for mast cells is suggested by the role of IL-4, IL-13, IL-5 in IgE synthesis and eosinophil differentiation and activation, however, the exact mechanism by which mast cells mediate eosinophilic inflammation and subsequent AHR are still not entirely clear.
We have studied the role of IL-5 on mast cell and eosinophil activation and role of activated mast cells in activation and survivability of eosinophils. First, we have studied IgE-dependent production of histamine and cytokine (IL-5 and GM-CSF) by mast cells isolated from IL-5R_ KO and IL-5 KO mice to observe the function of IL-5 on releasability. We observed that mast cells, expressing detectable IL-5R_, increased their steady state expression of IL-5 mRNA after cross-linking the IgE receptor. Although we have observed IL-5, GM-CSF, and histamine release from these mast cells, there were no significant difference on each releasability, however, we have found that IL-5 was able to reduce histamine content in mast cells in dose dependent manner. Second, we have established the system to isolate eosinophils from a long-term bone marrow culture supplemented with IL-5. Third, to understand the bioactivity of released product from activated mast cells, we have further investigated the effect of mast cell supernatants on activation (such as degranulation and expression of adhesion molecule) and survivability of eosinophils isolated from a culture of bone marrow cells.