Co-expression of CD8α in CD4+ T cell receptor αβ+ T cells migrating into the murine small intestine epithelial layer

We investigated the surface phenotype of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cell receptor (TCR) αβ⁺ T cells repopulating the intestinal lymphoid tissues of C.B-17 scidlscid (severe-combined immunodeficient; scid) (H-2^d, L^d+) mice. CD4⁺ CD8^? T cells were cell sorter-purified from various secondary and tertiary lymphoid organs of congenic C.B-17 +/+ (H-2^d, L^d+) or semi-syngeneic dm2 (H-2^d, L^d?) immunocompetent donor mice. After transfer of 10⁵ cells into young scid mice, a mucosa-homing, memory CD44^hi CD45RB^lo CD4⁺ T cell population was selectively engrafted. Large numbers of single-positive (SP) CD3⁺ CD2⁺ CD28⁺ CD4⁺ CD^8? T cells that expressed the α₄ integrin chain CD49d were found in the spleen, the mesenteric lymph nodes, the peritoneal cavity and the gut lamina propria of transplanted scid mice. Unexpectedly, large populations of donor-type doublepositive (DP) CD4⁺ CD8α⁺ CD8β^? T cells with high expression of the CD3/TCR complex appeared in the epithelial layer of the small intestine of transplanted scid mice. In contrast to SP CD4⁺ T cells, the intraepithelial DP T cells showed low expression of the CD2 and the CD28 co-stimulator molecules, and of the α₄ integrin chain CD49d, but expressed high levels of the α_IEL integrin chain CD103. The TCR-Vβ repertoire of DP but not SP intraepithelial CD4⁺ T cells was biased towards usage of the Vβ6 and Vβ8 viable domains. Highly purified populations of SP and DP CD4⁺ T cell populations from the small intestine epithelial layer of transplanted scid mice had different abilities to repopulate secondary scid recipient mice: SP CD4⁺ T cells repopulated various lymphoid tissues of the immunodeficient host, while intraepithelial DP CD4⁺ T cells did not. Hence, a subset of CD3⁺ CD4⁺ TCRαβ⁺ T cells apparently undergoes striking phenotypic changes when it enters the microenvironment of the small intestine epithelial layer.     

Polyclonal expansion of adoptively transferred CD4+ αβ T cells in the colonic lamina propria of scid mice with colitis

The adoptive transfer of low numbers of peripheral, non-fractionated CD4⁺ αβ T cells into histocompatible, severely immunodeficient (scid) hosts induces a colitis. This disease developed in C.B-17 scid/scid hosts after the injection of 10⁵CD4⁺ T cells purified from different peripheral lymphoid organs of immunocompetent C.B-17 +/+ or BALB/c^dm2 donor mice. Irrespective of their tissue origin, transferred CD4⁺ T cells selectively repopulated the scid host with gut-seeking CD4⁺ T cells. A chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) developed as polyclonal populations of mucosa-seeking memory/effector CD4⁺ T cells accumulated in the gut lamina propria and epithelial layer of the adoptive host. The manifestation of colitis in the scid host correlated with the in situ polyclonal activation and expansion of adoptively transferred CD4⁺ T cells in the colonic lamina propria. Attempts were unsuccessful to select in vivo an oligoclonal CD4⁺ T cell population with an enhanced IBD-inducing potential by repeatedly reinjecting 10⁵ donor-type CD4⁺ T cells from the colonic lamina propria of transplanted scid mice with an early and severe IBD into new scid hosts. The data indicate that the preferential repopulation of gut-associated lymphoid tissues with immunocompetent CD4⁺ T cells, and their polyclonal activation and in situ expansion in the lamina propria of the histocompatible, immunodeficient host are critical events in the pathogenesis of an IBD in this model.     

Proliferation and apoptosis of lamina propria CD4+ T cells from scid mice with inflammatory bowel disease

Scid mice transplanted with low numbers of syngeneic CD4⁺ T cells, develop a chronic and lethal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) within 4 – 6 months. We have used in vivo 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeling to assess the proliferation of lamina propria-derived CD4⁺ T cells in diseased scid mice. The hourly rate of renewal of colonic lamina propria CD4⁺ T cells in diseased mice was 7 % compared with 1.5 % in normal BALB/c control mice. Transplantation of scid mice with in vitro activated CD4⁺ T cells accelerated the disease onset and development in a cell dose-dependent fashion when compared with non-activated CD4⁺ T cells. In pulse-chase experiments it was shown that BrdU-labeled cells disappeared rapidly from the lamina propria of diseased mice. DNA analysis revealed that this was due to the presence of nearly four times as many apoptotic CD4⁺ T cells in diseased than in control mice. Further analyses showed that the apoptotic lamina propria CD4⁺ T cells were derived from cells having entered the cell cycle within the previous 8 h. These data clearly demonstrate that vigorous CD4⁺ T cell proliferation and death are involved throughout the course of IBD.     

NOD小鼠自然状态下CD4~+CD25~+T细胞的动态变化及意义

研究自发的1型糖尿病雌鼠模型(NOD)在自然状态下发生1型糖尿病过程中CD4+CD25+T细胞的动态变化,旨在初步探讨调节性T细胞参与1型糖尿病发病的可能机制。采用雌性NOD小鼠作动物模型,每2周尾静脉采血1次,采用三色流式细胞术测定NOD小鼠外周血中CD4+CD25+T细胞(CD3+CD4+CD25+)的百分率。在32周时,对比发生糖尿病和未发生糖尿病NOD小鼠不同脏器中的CD4+CD25+T细胞阳性率。HE法检测胰岛炎。结果显示:(1)自第6周起NOD小鼠CD4+CD25+T细胞百分率逐渐降低。发生糖尿病NOD小鼠CD4+CD25+T细胞比率低于未发病NOD小鼠对照组(外周血分别为0.94%±0.21%、1.62%±0.23%,P=0.01;脾脏2.09%±0.14%、2.77%±0.36%,P=0.019),提示糖尿病NOD小鼠外周血中存在异常比例的CD4+CD25+T细胞;(2)32周龄糖尿病NOD小鼠与未发病NOD小鼠的CD4+CD25+T细胞抑制功能减低,与阳性对照组有显著性差异;(3)HE染色结果示糖尿病NOD小鼠胰岛结构完全破坏,胰岛炎程度较未发病NOD小鼠严重。该结果提示NOD小鼠发生糖尿病时免疫功能紊乱与CD4+CD25+T细胞参与调节及T细胞亚群变化相关,糖尿病的发生受致病性T细胞和调节性T细胞的调节。     

活动性肺结核病人外周血CD4~+/CD8~+Tim-3~+ T细胞群内记忆细胞分布特点

目的研究活动性肺结核病人外周血CD4+/CD8+Tim-3+T细胞群内记忆细胞分布特点。方法分离22例初治活动性肺结核病人PBMCs,用流式细胞仪分析比较CD4+/CD8+Tim-3+/Tim-3-T细胞群内的中央型记忆细胞(Tcm)和效应型记忆细胞(Tem)的分布。结果活动期初治肺结核病人外周血CD4+Tim-3+T细胞群包含更少的中央型记忆细胞(P<0.0001)和较多的效应型记忆细胞(P=0.0139),CD8+Tim-3+T细胞群包含较少的效应型记忆细胞(P=0.0065)。结论活动期初治肺结核CD4+Tim-3+T细胞群内含有更多的效应型记忆细胞可能会促使Tem对抗原的快速保护性免疫应答效应下降,从而促进结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染向活动性病变转变。Tim-3对记忆性T细胞分化、形成及功能的影响尚需进一步研究。     

小鼠CD4＋ CD25＋免疫调节性T细胞体外扩增及功能检测的研究

目的 探讨小鼠CD4＋ CD25＋调节性T细胞（Tregs）的体外扩增方法及扩增后Tregs的免疫功能.方法 利用免疫磁珠法分离小鼠Tregs;采用anti-CD3mAb＋rIL-2和Allo-APC＋rIL-2两种方法进行体外扩增,通过TRANSWELL培养系统、细胞因子表达及CFSE染色标记等方法检测Tregs免疫抑制作用的机制.结果 体外分离的Tregs纯度为89.5％;活细胞率约为98％.Tregs扩增的倍数在两组各时间点差异无统计学意义.扩增后CD4＋ CD25＋T细胞、CD4＋T细胞和CD4＋ CD25-T细胞的每分钟计数（CPM）分别为1 470、12 700和14 300.混合淋巴细胞反应（MLR）中当CD4＋：CD25＋T细胞的比例为1∶1时,抑制率为79％,比例为8∶1时,抑制率为33％.CFSE标记后,进入分裂周期的CD4＋T细胞的百分比在未加入CD4＋ CD25＋T细胞组为83.7％,加入CD4＋ CD25＋T细胞组为31.7％,差异具有统计学意义（P=0.0006）.CD4＋ CD25＋T细胞对CD4＋T细胞的增殖抑制率在Transwell和Non-Transwell的培养系统中分别为＜5％和95％.Transwell培养组中IL-2含量高于Non-Transwell组,差异具有统计学意义[Transwell培养组为（158.33±2.08）pg/mL,Non-Transwell组为（23.00±2.00） pg/mL,P ＜0.0001].结论 采用免疫磁珠法分离小鼠Tregs可行,Tregs可有效扩增;Tregs的作用机制为抑制CD4＋T细胞的增殖及抑制CD4＋T细胞分泌IL-2;其抑制作用需要细胞-细胞间接触;体外扩增后的Tregs仍具有免疫特性,其体外免疫抑制作用增强.     

天然CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的研究进展

天然CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞在针对自身抗原和外来抗原的免疫应答中起关键控制作用,其缺乏或功能性的缺陷将导致多重病理性的失调.本文就近年在其产生、作用机制以及与免疫耐受的诱导关系等方面的研究进展进行了综述.     

Circulating memory CD8+ T cells are limited in forming CD103+ tissue-resident memory T cells at mucosal sites after reinfection

Tissue-resident memory CD8⁺ T cells (T_RM) localize to barrier tissues and mediate local protection against reinvading pathogens. Circulating central memory (T_CM) and effector memory CD8⁺ T cells (T_EM) also contribute to tissue recall responses, but their potential to form mucosal T_RM remains unclear. Here, we employed adoptive transfer and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus reinfection models to specifically assess secondary responses of T_CM and T_EM at mucosal sites. Donor T_CM and T_EM exhibited robust systemic recall responses, but only limited accumulation in the small intestine, consistent with reduced expression of tissue-homing and -retention molecules. Murine and human circulating memory T cells also exhibited limited CD103 upregulation following TGF-β stimulation. Upon pathogen clearance, T_CM and T_EM readily gave rise to secondary T_EM. T_CM also formed secondary central memory in lymphoid tissues and T_RM in internal tissues, for example, the liver. Both T_CM and T_EM failed to substantially contribute to resident mucosal memory in the small intestine, while activated intestinal T_RM, but not liver T_RM, efficiently reformed CD103⁺ T_RM. Our findings demonstrate that circulating T_CM and T_EM are limited in generating mucosal T_RM upon reinfection. This may pose important implications on cell therapy and vaccination strategies employing memory CD8⁺ T cells for protection at mucosal sites.     

Differences in responsiveness to CD3 stimulation between naive and memory CD4+ T cells cannot be overcome by CD28 costimulation

Activation of naive CD4⁺ T cells is essential for the induction of primary immune responses. However, this subset is less responsive to signaling via T cell receptor/CD3 (TcR/CD3) complex than memory CD4⁺ cells. For mitogenic activation of T cells, in addition to triggering of the TcR/CD3 complex, costimulatory signals are required that can be generated by surface structures present on the antigen-presenting cells. We investigated here whether differences in responsiveness to TcR/CD3 stimulation of naive and memory cells can be overcome by the costimulatory pathway B7/CD28. Using a B7-dependent system we show that even in the presence of optimal CD28 costimulation, CD4⁺ naive cells still have more stringent TcR/CD3 activation requirements than memory cells. Furthermore, titration of the B7 signal revealed that for activation of naive CD4⁺ cells a higher level of cross-linking of CD28 molecules is required than for memory cells. Thus, our results show that at least two signals are required for activation of both CD4⁺ memory and naive cells, but that for activation of naive cells higher cross-linking of both CD3 and CD28 molecules is necessary.     

Heterogeneity of CD4+ memory T cells: Functional modules for tailored immunity

Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity is the hallmark of effector and memory T cells. Upon antigenic stimulation, naïve CD4⁺ T cells make choices to become effector Th1, Th2 or Th17 cells, or even Treg. In addition to differences in cytokine repertoire, effector CD4⁺ T cells exhibit diversity in homing, such as migration to lymph node follicles to help B cells versus migration to inflamed tissues. Upon clearance of the antigen, two major types of memory T cells remain: central memory cells, which patrol lymphoid organs, and effector memory cells that act as sentinels in peripheral tissues such as the skin and the gut. Here, we review our current understanding of CD4⁺ T‐cell lineage heterogeneity and flexibility, with emphasis on the human system, and propose an organization of effector and memory T cells based on distinct functional modules.     

A 150-kDa molecule of macrophage membrane stimulates interleukin-2 and interferon-γ production and proliferation of ovalbumin-specific CD4+ T cells

In the present study, we describe the potential co-stimulatory role of a macrophage membrane-associated protein of 150 kDa (M150). The protein was isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was found to be a single molecule on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The molecule was re-constituted in phosphatidyl choline vesicles and tested for its ability to promote the proliferation and the secretion of lymphokines from T helper (Th) cells. The reconstituted M150 induced a significant proliferation of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-stimulated ovalbumin-specific CD4⁺ T cells. Further, Th cells activated with this molecule in the presence of anti-CD3 mAb mainly secreted interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-γ but not IL-4. M150 could not promote the proliferation of Th cells, or lymphokine secretion in the absence of anti-CD3 mAb. These observations suggest that M150 acts by selectively activating a Th1-like immune response.     

小细胞和非小细胞肺癌晚期患者CD3~+ CD4~+及CD3~+ CD8~+T淋巴细胞亚群的差异

目的:探索小细胞和非小细胞肺癌晚期患者CD3+CD4+及CD3+CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群是否存在差异,并为治疗提供参考。方法:选取肺癌晚期患者共65例,其中包括小细胞肺癌14例,非小细胞肺癌51例以及20例健康对照。用流式细胞仪检测研究对象外周血淋巴细胞表面CD3+CD4+及CD3+CD8+的表达情况。结果:CD3+CD4+T细胞所占比例无论是小细胞还是非小细胞肺癌晚期的患者都较健康对照显著降低;CD3+CD8+T细胞所占比例在肺癌晚期的患者较健康对照并无显著变化;CD4+/CD8+比值在小细胞肺癌晚期患者较健康对照显著下降。结论:无论是小细胞还是非小细胞肺癌晚期的患者CD3+CD4+T细胞的水平较健康人都显著降低,说明肺癌晚期患者细胞免疫功能严重受损。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在肿瘤免疫中的作用

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Tr)是体内自然发生的调节性T细胞的重要亚群,具有无反应性和免疫抑制两大特性,主要通过与靶细胞的直接接触而起作用,其在体内不仅参与自身免疫性疾病、移植排斥反应等,还在肿瘤的发生、发展及免疫治疗中发挥重要作用.近几年来,Tr在肿瘤免疫中的作用倍受关注.     

Steady‐state antigen‐expressing dendritic cells terminate CD4+ memory T‐cell responses

CD4⁺ T cells are important effectors of inflammation and tissue destruction in many diseases of immune dysregulation. As memory T cells develop early during the preclinical stages of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, immunotherapeutic approaches to treatment of these diseases, once established, must include the means to terminate memory T‐cell responses. Traditionally, it has been considered that, due to their terminally differentiated nature, memory T cells are resistant to tolerance induction, although emerging evidence indicates that some immunotherapeutic approaches can terminate memory T‐cell responses. Here, we demonstrate that CD4⁺ memory T‐cell responses can be terminated when cognate antigen is transgenically expressed in steady‐state DC. Transfer of in‐vitro‐generated CD4⁺ memory T cells establishes, in nontransgenic recipients, a stable and readily recalled memory response to cognate antigen. In contrast, upon transfer to mice expressing cognate antigen targeted to DC, memory CD4⁺ T cells undergo a phase of limited proliferation followed by substantial deletion, and recall responses are effectively silenced. This finding is important in understanding how to effectively apply immunotherapy to ongoing T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.     

CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞对树突状细胞的杀伤作用

目的 探讨CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞是否对树突状细胞发挥免疫调节作用及其可能的机制。方法 用MACS（magnetic cell sorting）从BALB／c小鼠静息T细胞分离纯化CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞，体外细胞增殖实验观察其对CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞的免疫抑制作用；GM-CSF／IL-4培养自体小鼠骨髓来源DC，FACS（fluorescence-activated cell sorting）鉴定其表面分子特性；以CD3／CD28单克隆抗体活化CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞，FACS体外杀伤实验研究其对自体DC的调节作用，并观察穿孔素抑制剂EGTA对上述作用的影响。结果 用MACS法成功分离出CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞，纯度可达98％，特异性表达而Faxp3基因，能明显抑制CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞的体外增殖；骨髓来源的DC表达CDllc、MHCⅡ及少量协同刺激分子CD80、CD86；FACS体外杀伤实验证实以CD3／CD28抗体体外活化的CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞对自体DC有显著杀伤作用（P〈0．05），穿孔素抑制剂EGTA能部分抑制该杀伤效应（P〈0．05）。结论 CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞可通过杀伤作用对自体DC发挥免疫调节作用，穿孔素／颗粒酶杀伤途径可能参与其中。     

卵巢癌细胞培养上清诱导CD4+CD25-T细胞分化为CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞

目的研究卵巢癌细胞培养上清液是否能诱导外周血CD4^＋CD25^- T细胞转变为CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞。方法将外周血CD4^＋CD25^- T细胞分离后，对照组用CD3和CD28单抗活化，实验组在对照基础上加用卵巢癌细胞株SKOV3培养上清，72h后分离各组的CD25^＋和CD25^-T细胞，溴化脱氧尿嘧啶掺入标记法测定增殖能力及对静息的自体同源CD4^＋CD25^- T细胞的增殖抑制能力，流式细胞仪测定细胞糖皮质激素诱发型TNF受体（glucocorticoid-induced TNFR,GITR）与CTLA-4分子的表达，RT-PCR检测细胞卿mRNA的表达。结果与对照组相反，实验组的CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞具有免疫抑制功能，自身增殖能力下降，GITR和CTLA-4分子的表达和CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞相似，并被诱导表达转录因子Foxp3 mRNA。结论卵巢癌细胞分泌的可溶性物质能诱导外周血CD4^＋CD25^-T细胞转化为CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞。     

树突状细胞扩增抗原特异性CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞研究进展

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Tr)是同时具有免疫低反应性和免疫抑制性功能两大特征的T细胞.研究证实,CD4+ CD25+ Tr在抑制器官特异性自身免疫性疾病及GVHD是抗原特异性的,因此,应用器官特异性而不是多克隆性的Tr将大大促进以Tr为基础的免疫治疗.而具有调节活性的CD4+ CD25+ Tr仅占人类外周血CIM+ T细胞的1%～2%,因此,研究体外大量扩增的方法 对于以Tr基础的治疗至关重要.研究表明,树突状细胞(DC)作为机体强有力的专职抗原递呈细胞可以扩增具有抗原特异性的CD4+ CD25+ Tr且能增加后者的抑制活性,这为治疗自身免疫性疾病及GVHD提供了新的治疗前景.     

Expression of selectin-binding epitopes and cytokines by CD4+ T cells repopulating scid mice with colitis

Recruitment into the gut of CD4⁺ T cells and their activation in the colonic lamina propria (LP) are key events in the development of colitis in scid mice reconstituted with CD4⁺ T cells from immunocompetent, congenic donor mice. This study investigated the expression of cytokines and selectin-binding epitopes by CD4⁺ T cells repopulating different tissues of the adoptive scid host. Cells from the inflamed colonic LP of transplanted scid mice produced high amounts of IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α but only low amounts IL-4 and IL-10. Intracellular cytokine staining confirmed the presence of large numbers of IFN-γ- and TNF-α-producing effector CD4⁺ T cells in the colonic LP of scid mice with colitis but also in non-inflamed tissues [spleen (S), peritoneal cavity (PC) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN)] of the adoptive host. Cells from these tissues furthermore produced large amounts of IL-12. Ligands for endothelial selectins are involved in recruiting T cells into inflamed tissues. We have analyzed the expression of selectin-binding epitopes on CD4⁺ T cells repopulating different tissues of the adoptive scid host. We found that a large fraction of CD4⁺ T cells from inflamed colonic LP and from non-inflamed PC, mLN and S expressed high levels of P- and E-selectin-binding epitopes (P-L^hi) in transplanted scid mice, but not in congenic, immunocompetent control mice. Although P-L^hi CD4⁺ T cells were enriched in IFN-γ-producing subsets from most (but not all) tissues, we also found large numbers of in vivo generated P-L^lo CD4⁺ T cells producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. This was in contrast to in vitro generated Th1 CD4⁺ T blasts that were almost exclusively P-L^hi. In this mouse model, production of Th1-type pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of surface epitopes binding endothelial selectins are hence strikingly up-regulated in CD4⁺ T cells residing in inflamed and non-inflamed tissues during the development of colitis.