http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/25883/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/37317/ 2013-03-01T00:00:00Z T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity, thymic output, clonal size and peripheral T-lymphocyte numbers largely depend on intra-thymic and post-thymic T-lymphocyte proliferation. However, quantitative insight into thymocyte and T-lymphocyte proliferation is still lacking. We developed a new TCRG-based TCR excision circle (TREC) assay, the Vγ-Jγ TREC assay, which we used together with an adjusted δREC-ψJα TREC assay to quantify the proliferative history of human thymocyte and T-lymphocyte subpopulations from children and adults. This revealed that thymocytes undergo ∼6-8 intra-thymic cell divisions from the double negative (DN) 3 developmental stage onwards, which appeared independent of age. Thus thymocyte proliferation after the DN3 developmental stages is stable and therefore not contributing to the reduced thymic output upon ageing. Cord blood naive T lymphocytes had already undergone ∼2-3 post-thymic cell divisions, which increased to ∼6-7 cell divisions in naive T lymphocytes of middle-aged adults, indicating the importance of homeostatic naive T-lymphocyte proliferation from a young age onwards in the maintenance of peripheral T-lymphocyte numbers. In conclusion, our data provide quantitative insight into the proliferative history of thymocyte and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and alterations herein upon ageing. This novel TREC assay approach could prove valuable in immune status monitoring in a variety of conditions. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38280/ 2012-02-01T00:00:00Z Obesity is associated with local T-cell abnormalities in adipose tissue. Systemic obesity-related abnormalities in the peripheral blood T-cell compartment are not well defined. In this study, we investigated the peripheral blood T-cell compartment of morbidly obese and lean subjects. We determined all major T-cell sub-populations via six-color flow cytometry, including CD8+and CD4+T cells, CD4+T-helper (Th) subpopulations, and natural CD4+CD25+FoxP3+T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Moreover, molecular analyses to assess thymic output, T-cell proliferation (T-cell receptor excision circle analysis), and T-cell receptor-β (TCRB) repertoire (GeneScan analysis) were performed. In addition, we determined plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cytokines associated with Th subpopulations and T-cell proliferation. Morbidly obese subjects had a selective increase in peripheral blood CD4+naive, memory, natural CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Treg, and Th2 T cells, whereas CD8+T cells were normal. CD4+and CD8+T-cell proliferation was increased, whereas the TCRB repertoire was not significantly altered. Plasma levels of cytokines CCL5 and IL-7 were elevated. CD4+T-cell numbers correlated positively with fasting insulin levels. The peripheral blood T-cell compartment of morbidly obese subjects is characterized by increased homeostatic T-cell proliferation to which cytokines IL-7 and CCL5, among others, might contribute. This is associated with increased CD4+T cells, with skewing toward a Treg- and Th2-dominated phenotype, suggesting a more anti-inflammatory set point. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21099/ 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z Myelin-laden macrophages reside within the CNS, the CSF and in the CNS-draining lymph nodes during MS and EAE, suggesting migration of these macrophages between these compartments and interaction with other cells. Since chemokines and their receptors are pivotal for leukocyte trafficking, we addressed whether myelin ingestion affects chemotaxis of mouse macrophages in vitro. Myelin ingestion enhanced expression of CCR7 and CXCR3 on macrophages and migration towards CCL21 and CXCL10. Furthermore, myelin-laden macrophages released chemoattractants resulting in enhanced migration of myeloid cells in vitro. Our data demonstrate that myelin-laden macrophages have increased motility and suggest trafficking between anatomical compartments in vivo. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/25295/ 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z PURPOSE. Excessive orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production are characteristic of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and are driven by local mediators. Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen production in lungs and skin. This study was conducted to determine whether imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibit orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production induced by PDGF-BB and TGF-β1and whether expression of the genes PDGF-B and TGF-B1(growth factors suggested to play a role in GO) are increased in GO orbital tissues. METHODS. PDGF-B and TGF-B1mRNA levels were determined in orbital tissues of 13 patients with GO and 5 control patients. Orbital fibroblasts were cultured from eight patients with GO and three control patients and the effect of imatinib mesylate and AMN107 on PDGF-BB and TGF-β1-induced orbital fibroblast proliferation, signaling cascades, hyaluronan synthase (HAS) gene expression and hyaluronan production were determined. RESULTS. PDGF-B and TGF-B1mRNA levels were significantly increased in GO orbital tissues. Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced orbital fibroblast proliferation, HAS induction and hyaluronan production by blocking PDGFreceptor phosphorylation. TGF-β1induced HAS expression and hyaluronan production. This induction was not inhibited by imatinib mesylate or AMN107, due to the inability of TGF-β1to activate c-Abl kinase activity in orbital fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS. Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibit orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production induced by PDGF-BB; a factor highly expressed in orbital tissue from patients with GO. The drugs, however, had no effect on TGF-β1-induced HAS expression and hyaluronan production. Nevertheless, imatinib mesylate and AMN107 should be considered as treatment candidates for GO.