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Short Communications |
-Deficient Mice
From the Veterinary Medical Research Institute*
and Department of Veterinary Pathology,
Iowa
State University, and the USDA/Agricultural Research Service/National
Animal Disease Center,
Ames, Iowa
| Abstract |
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or -ß genes spontaneously develop intestinal
inflammation with features similar to ulcerative colitis in humans.
TCR-
-deficient mice maintained germfree or colonized with a limited
number of intestinal bacteria failed to develop inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD)-like lesions. Evidently, inflammation in these
mice does not develop spontaneously or result from a generalized
antigenic stimulation, but rather requires induction by a
heretofore unidentified specific stimulus. We describe the development
of IBD-like lesions in germfree TCR-
-deficient mice monoassociated
with the protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum. Lesions were
seen in distal ileum, cecum, and colon and were most
severe in the cecum. A prominent leukocytic infiltrate within the
lamina propria was a common characteristic of the lesions observed in
the C. parvum-infected germfree TCR-
-deficient mice. The
leukocytic infiltrate was composed of aggregates of B220+
cells, the majority of which expressed surface IgD (ie,
conventional B lymphocytes). It has been proposed that antigenic
stimulation by a microorganism(s) is needed to initiate intestinal
inflammation in TCR-
-deficient mice. Our results indicate that a
single microbial species, C. parvum, is
capable of triggering the development of IBD-like lesions in germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice.
| Introduction |
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or -ß genes spontaneously develop IBD-like lesions
as they age.1
The chronic colitis observed to spontaneously
develop in TCR-
- or TCR-ß-deficient mice resembles UC, beginning
after approximately 3 to 4 months of age in a majority of the knockout
mice. These mice gradually develop chronic diarrhea, leading to
progressive wasting that is often associated with anorectal prolapse.
We have recently reported the earlier and more predictable development
of IBD-like lesions in flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice infected
with Cryptosporidium parvum.2
In this model,
TCR-
-deficient mice infected at 1 week of age with C.
parvum develop IBD-like lesions within 3 weeks after infection. C. parvum is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that is a common cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea worldwide. C. parvum is now recognized as the most important waterborne contaminant in the United States. Although the disease is generally self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals, it can be severe and life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients. As a case in point, a cryptosporidiosis outbreak occurred in Milwaukee during the spring of 1993 that was traced to contamination of a municipal water-treatment facility and resulted in devastating consequences in HIV-infected individuals and those with severely impaired cellular immunity.3 Of particular interest, among the patients treated, were 12 individuals with stable UC or CD who suffered abrupt clinical relapse during the waterborne outbreak. Eventually, these patients recovered to their clinical baseline after standard IBD therapy and administration of intravenous fluid. Thus, it is evident that C. parvum can induce an acute relapse in patients with pre-existing IBD and an earlier induction of intestinal inflammation in knockout mice predisposed to developing IBD-like lesions.
Previously, it was shown that TCR-
-deficient mice maintained under
germfree conditions do not develop IBD-like lesions.4
Moreover, in that study, no intestinal inflammation was observed in
gnotobiotic TCR-
-deficient mice colonized with Lactobacillus
plantarum, Streptococcus faecalis, S.
faecium, and/or Escherichia coli. Thus, as has been
proposed, inflammation is likely initiated by a specific environmental
organism or group of organisms that have yet to be identified. Given
our previous observation that flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice
rapidly develop IBD-like lesions after C. parvum infection,
the primary objective of the present experiments was to determine
whether germfree TCR-
-deficient mice monoassociated with C.
parvum would develop intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, as
germfree immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice are more susceptible
to C. parvum infection than are flora-bearing mice, a
secondary objective was to examine whether germfree TCR-
-deficient
mice are more susceptible to C. parvum than are
flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice.
| Materials and Methods |
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Adult flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice1
were
obtained from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME). A breeding colony
of these mice was established and maintained at Iowa State University.
Germfree TCR-
-deficient mice were derived at the University of
Wisconsin Gnotobiotic Laboratory, Madison, WI, and a breeding colony
was established and maintained at Iowa State University. Mice
maintained under germfree conditions were monitored for contamination
by culturing fecal samples on blood agar plates under aerobic or
anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, swabs were periodically taken from
random locations inside the isolators for both aerobic and anaerobic
bacteriological culture.
Cryptosporidium parvum
Purified oocysts were isolated from feces collected from calves experimentally inoculated with C. parvum oocysts using a previously described method.5 Before use, oocysts were incubated for 30 minutes with 2.5% peracetic acid to kill any contaminant bacteria and then washed three times with PBS. Adult germfree and flora-bearing mice were challenged with 106 C. parvum oocysts via gastric intubation. Additional flora-bearing and germfree mice were maintained as noninfected controls. Fecal pellets were collected weekly from individual mice. Fecal impression smears were prepared, stained with carbol fuschin, and examined for the presence of C. parvum oocysts.
Histology
At 6 to 12 weeks after challenge, mice were euthanized, and the entire intestinal tract of each mouse was infused with 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF). In addition, the pancreas, liver, lungs, and gall bladder from individual mice were fixed in NBF. After fixation, samples of these tissues were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for routine histological evaluation. In addition, tissue sections were stained with Warthin-Starry silver stain and examined for the presence of bacterial populations.
Antibodies
The following monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used in these
experiments: GL3, hamster IgG anti-mouse 
TCR; H57-597, hamster
IgG anti-mouse TCR-ß; 217-170, mouse IgG1 anti-mouse IgDb
(Igh-5b); RA3-6B2, rat IgG2a anti-mouse B220; and 53-7.313, rat IgG2a
anti-mouse CD5 (Ly-1). RA3-6B2 was purified from supernatants of
hybridoma culture and biotinylated using standard procedures. The
other MAbs were purchased as biotinylated conjugates from PharMingen
(San Diego, CA).
Immunohistochemistry
To assess the cellular composition of the mucosal lesions, immunohistochemical staining was performed on 8-µm frozen cecal sections. Briefly, tissue was snap-frozen in OCT medium (Miles, Elkhart, IN) and stored at -70°C. Sections were then cut and placed on poly-L-lysine-coated slides, fixed with 95% ethanol, and stored frozen at -70°C for later use. Frozen sections were washed in 0.05 mol/L Tris, pH 7.6, and blocked with 5% serum. Sections were incubated overnight at 4°C with biotinylated primary antibodies. Sections were incubated with streptavidin-peroxidase and developed with diaminobenzidine substrate/chromogen (Biomeda, Foster City, CA).
| Results |
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The number of oocysts in feces of germfree and flora-bearing
TCR-
-deficient mice were examined each week as a measure of
susceptibility to C. parvum. Fecal samples collected from
germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected with C. parvum were
typically soft and contained mucus. As shown in Figure 1
, greater than 80% of germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice were shedding C. parvum oocysts at 1
week postinfection (PI). In contrast, none of the flora-bearing
TCR-
-deficient mice were shedding oocysts at 1 week PI. In fact, the
number of oocysts in flora-bearing C. parvum-infected
TCR-
-deficient mice was relatively low until 6 to 7 weeks PI, when
greater than 50% of the mice were found to be shedding oocysts. In
contrast, by 4 weeks PI, 100% of germfree mice infected with C.
parvum were shedding oocysts, and they continued to do so
throughout the 12-week course of the experiment. Moreover, the number
of oocysts shed per mouse was greater for germfree TCR-
-deficient
mice than flora-bearing mice (data not shown). Thus, it is readily
apparent that in comparison with flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice,
germfree mice were more heavily infected with C. parvum as
assessed by oocyst shedding.
|
-Deficient Mice Infected with C.
parvum
Previously, lesions were observed in liver, gall bladder, and bile
ducts of immunodeficient NIH III-nu/nu or SCID mice after
infection with C. parvum.6
In addition,
involvement of respiratory epithelium, bile ducts, gall bladder, and
pancreas due to C. parvum in AIDS patients has been
reported.7-13
Therefore, we examined sections of pancreas,
gall bladder, and lungs from germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected
with C. parvum. No parasites or significant lesions were
seen in these tissues at 6 or 12 weeks PI. However, aggregates of
lymphocytes with or without plasma cells or macrophages were observed
in the liver parenchyma of mice at 12 weeks PI.
Given our previous observation that flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient
mice develop IBD-like lesions after C. parvum infection, we
examined the ability of C. parvum to induce intestinal
inflammation in germfree TCR-
mutant mice. There was no inflammation
present in any of the intestinal sections of control adult germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice. In addition, no bacterial populations were
observed in intestinal tissue sections of germfree TCR-
-deficient
mice based on Warthin-Starry silver staining. As shown in Figure 2A
, the cecal histoarchitecture was
normal with few mononuclear cells, which is similar to that previously
described for the colonic architecture of germfree TCR-
mutant
mice.4
At 6 weeks PI, no lesions were observed in the
duodenum of germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected with C.
parvum. However, in the distal jejunum and ileum, there was mild
crypt epithelial cell hyperplasia. Mild to moderate diffuse
infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells was observed in the
jejunal and ileal lamina propria of these mice. As shown in Figure 2B
,
cecal mucosa of germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected for 6 weeks
with C. parvum were moderately thickened due to
proliferative glands and hyperplasia of surface epithelium. There was a
diffuse infiltrate of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells in the
cecal lamina propria. Colonic mucosa was thickened due to proliferation
of glands and mild infiltration of lymphocytes in the lamina propria.
|
-deficient mice infected with C.
parvum. However, the ileal epithelium was hyperproliferative, and
there were a moderate number of apoptotic cells. Ileal crypts of
germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected with C. parvum were
hyperplastic. There was a mild to moderate diffuse infiltrate of
lymphocytes and plasma cells in the lamina propria. In general, lesions
in the small intestine were less severe than observed in the large
intestine. In the cecum, mucosa, and submucosa were thickened (Figure 2C)
Immunohistochemical Staining of Leukocytes in Cecal Tissue of
Germfree TCR-
-Deficient Mice Infected with C. parvum
We used immunohistochemical staining of cecal tissues isolated at
12 weeks PI from germfree TCR-
-deficient mice to phenotype the
leukocytes infiltrating the inflamed lamina propria of these mice.
There were few TCR-ß+ cells,
/
TCR+
cells, or NK1.1+ cells in the cecal lamina propria of
germfree TCR-
-deficient mice infected with C. parvum (not
shown). However, as shown in Figure 3, A and B
, there were a striking number of aggregates of B220+
lymphocytes. The predominant B cell population in the lamina propria of
mice is the Ly-1+ B cell (B-1) subset as opposed to
conventional B cells (B-2).14
As mature B-2 B cells are
surface (s)IgDhigh, whereas sIgD expression on B-1 B cells
ranges from negative to dull positive,14
we examined the
expression of sIgD to distinguish these B lymphocyte subpopulations.
Interestingly, the aggregates of B220+ cells were
predominantly composed of cells intensely stained by MAb to sIgD
(Figure 3C)
, indicating that these cells are likely representative of
the conventional (ie, B-2) B cell subset.
|
| Discussion |
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|
|
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-
or TCR-ß-deficient mice, or TCR-ß x
-double-deficient mice
resembles UC in humans. Lesions develop in a majority of these
TCR-deficient mice after approximately 3 to 4 months of age. These mice
gradually develop chronic diarrhea, leading to progressive wasting that
is often associated with anorectal prolapse.1
It has been
hypothesized that the disease in these immunodeficient mice is mediated
by chronic stimulation of lymphoid cells via an environmental agent
that would normally be cleared in immunocompetent animals. In support
of this latter hypothesis, it was recently shown that germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice do not develop IBD-like lesions.4
In
fact, no intestinal inflammation was observed in TCR-
-deficient mice
colonized with one or two microbial species from the normal intestinal
flora. We have extended these observations to show that germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice monoassociated with C. parvum develop
intestinal inflammation. Our results provide a mechanism for the
induction of colitis in TCR-
-deficient mice, in that antigenic
stimulation by a single microbial species, such as that provided by
C. parvum, is sufficient to trigger intestinal inflammation.
Furthermore, the chronicity of this antigenic stimulation evidently
leads to the progression and perpetuation of the inflammation in these
mice.
Resistance to C. parvum infection has been shown to be
dependent on T lymphocyte function, especially that of CD4+
T cells.15-17
TCR-
-deficient mice are known to possess
functional B cells,
/
T cells, and
TCR-
-ß+ T cells.18-19
In
fact, TCR-
-ß+, and in some cases
/
T cells, in TCR-
mutant mice are known to express CD4.20
In contrast to immunocompetent mice, germfree TCR-
-deficient mice,
as well as flora-bearing TCR-
mutant mice, develop chronic C.
parvum infection and intestinal inflammation. Our results expand
on previous research by refining the critical role for CD4+
T cells in resistance to C. parvum infection to further
suggest a requirement for CD4+ T cells possessing
heterodimeric
and ß chains of the TCR.
A striking feature of the intestinal lesions in germfree
TCR-
-deficient mice monoassociated with C. parvum were
the numerous aggregates of B220+, sIgD+ B cells
in the intestine. Intense expression of sIgD would suggest that these B
cells are conventional, or B-2, B cells, as opposed to B-1 (Ly-1) B
cells. As TCR-
-deficient, TCR-ß-deficient, TCR-ß x
-double-deficient mice, or MHC-class-II-deficient mice, but not
RAG-1-deficient mice, develop colitis spontaneously, it has been
speculated that the disease is caused by an inappropriate regulation of
B cells due to the lack of class-II-MHC-restricted CD4+
ß T cells. Moreover, it has been implied that IBD in TCR-deficient
mice could result from an autoimmune attack against the mucosal
epithelium, possibly due to cross-reactive antibodies and thus may be
regarded as an autoimmune disease. Interestingly, B-2 B cells are known
to produce pathogenic autoantibodies.14
Thus, it remains to
be determined whether the B-2 B lymphocytes in the lamina propria of
germfree TCR-
-deficient mice monoassociated with C.
parvum produce autoantibodies and whether these autoantibodies
cross-react with host intestinal epithelium.
The previously described mucosal lesions in C.
parvum-infected flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice2
were more severe than were observed in C. parvum-infected
germfree TCR-
-deficient mice in the present study. Moreover, the
leukocytic infiltrate in flora-bearing mice contained a significant
number of
/
T cells as well as B cells.2
Thus, one
could speculate that once the intestinal mucosa has been breached in
flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice, other microbial organisms,
including members of the normal intestinal flora, could potentiate the
inflammation. The enhanced inflammatory response observed in
flora-bearing TCR-
-deficient mice may result in the local
proliferation or recruitment of
/
T cells or may be a consequence
of their local proliferation or trafficking to the inflammatory site.
The results presented herein support the previous hypothesis that the
inability of an immunocompromised host to regulate the immune response
to chronic antigenic stimulation in the intestinal mucosa results in
inflammation. Previous research had failed to identify a single
microbial species capable of inducing intestinal inflammation in
TCR-
-deficient mice. We have demonstrated that the ubiquitous
protozoan parasite C. parvum is capable of inducing IBD in
TCR-
-deficient mice that are predisposed to intestinal inflammation.
In at least one case report, clinical relapse after exposure to
C. parvum has been documented to occur in patients with
previously stable IBD.3
Thus, patients with certain types
of transient or more permanent immunodeficiency or with a history of
intestinal disease may be at risk for developing IBD-like lesions after
exposure to C. parvum or other enteric pathogens.
| Acknowledgements |
|---|
| Footnotes |
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Supported by grant DK-52552 from the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R.E. Sacco).
Accepted for publication August 22, 1998.
| References |
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-deficient mice persistently infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. J Parasitol 1997, 83:460-464[Medline]
ß-deficient mice fail to develop colitis in the absence of a microbial environment. Am J Pathol 1997, 150:91-97[Abstract]
and CD4+ T lymphocytes in protective immunity. J Immunol 1991, 147:1014-1022[Abstract]
and ß block thymocyte development at different stages. Nature 1992, 360:225-231[Medline]
ß-expressing cells. Science 1992, 256:1448-1452
ß T cells. Eur J Immunol 1996, 26:1603-1607[Medline]
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