title: Neisserial porins induce B lymphocytes to express costimulatory B7-2 molecules and to proliferate.
abstract: The neisserial porins are the major protein components of the outer membrane of the pathogenic Neisseria (N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae). They have been shown to be able to enhance the immune response to poorly immunogenic substances (e.g., polysaccharides, peptides, glycolipids, etc.). To explore the basis of their potent adjuvant activity, the effect of the neisserial porins on T-B cell interactions and T cell costimulation was examined. Neisserial porins increased the surface expression of the costimulatory ligand B7-2 (CD86) but did not affect the expression of B7-1 (CD80). In addition, incubation with the neisserial porins increased the T lymphocyte costimulatory ability of B lymphocytes, which was inhibited by anti-B7-2 but not anti-B7-1 monoclonal antibodies. Upregulation of B7-2 on the surface of B lymphocytes may be the mechanism behind the immunopotentiating activity of neisserial porins.
authors.affiliation: The Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Boston City Hospital, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wetzler
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Wetzler
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D002450:Cell Communication; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000276:immunology*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D018272:Porins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C497965:Cd86 protein, mouse; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018272:Porins