Thymocyte/splenocyte-derived CD4+CD25+Treg stimulated by anti-CD200R2 derived dendritic cells suppress mixed leukocyte cultures and skin graft rejection

BACKGROUND: CD200 delivers immunoregulatory signals following engagement of its receptor, CD200R. A family of CD200Rs (CD200R1-4) has been described. Spleen expresses cell surface CD200R1, while bone marrow shows predominantly expression of cell surface CD200R2/R3. We showed that dendritic cell precursors (DCp) cultured with anti-CD200R2/3 develop the capacity to induce CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) from peripheral lymphocytes. We now characterize DCs involved in induction of antigen-specific Treg from thymocytes or peripheral T cells, and the properties of Treg cells maintained in long-term culture. METHODS: Bone marrow DCp (C3H or BL/6 origin) were cultured for 8 days with GMCSF, IL-4 and anti-CD200R2, or with CD200Fc and a previously described peptide inhibitor of CD200R1 to allow preferential engagement of non-CD200R1 receptors by CD200. Mixed leukocyte cultures (MLCs) were initiated with allogeneic responder lymphocytes/thymocytes (BL/6 or C3H) and mitomycin-c treated DCs to induce Treg. Treg cells were maintained by reculture with DCs derived in the same manner and IL-2, cloned at limiting dilution, and tested for their ability to suppress MLCs and skin graft rejection in vivo. RESULTS: Foxp3(+) CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg were derived from 60-hr thymocyte and splenocyte T cell cultures using both DC populations. Cloned C3H Treg (Foxp3(+)) suppressed both C3H anti-BL/6 reactivity in a fresh MLC and rejection of BL/6 skin allografts in C3H recipients; the converse was true for BL/6 Treg. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CD200 triggering of bone-marrow DCs in the absence of CD200R1 engagement induces CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg, and these cloned antigen-specific Treg may have clinical utility.     

Induction of tolerance-inducing antigen-presenting cells in bone marrow cultures in vitro using monoclonal antibodies to CD200R

CD200 to CD200R interactions produce immunoregulation. We investigated whether the expression of CD200R on dendritic cell (DC) precursors affects their developmental fate. C57BL/6 bone marrow (BM) cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of (interleukin-4 + granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity) to generate allostimulatory DCs, which were in turn used to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and cytokine production after culture with C3H responder spleen cells. Some marrow cultures included anti-CD200R antibodies. The inclusion of monoclonal antibodies in different isoforms of CD200R in the BM culture led to a generation of cells (tolerogenic DCs) that were unable to produce allostimulation in vitro with responder cells. Cells taken from these latter mixed leukocyte cultures (MLCs) now contained CD4(+)CD25(+) cells able to inhibit the antigen-specific MLC response of fresh C3H responder cells to stimulation with C57BL/6 cells, but not stimulation with BALB/c cells. Tolerogenic DCs, infused in vivo into mice receiving C57BL/6 skin grafts, produced antigen-specific decreased rejection of BL/6 allografts, not BALB/c allografts, compared with mice receiving control DCs (generated from BM in the absence of anti-CD200R). The induction of CD4(+)CD25(+) suppressor cells in MLCs using tolerogenic DCs from the initial BM cultures could be overcome by using limiting numbers of tolerogenic DCs and an excess of allostimulatory DCs derived from BM cultures maintained in the absence of anti-CD200R. These data indicate that anti-CD200R biases stem cells in BM toward the development of suppressive antigen-presenting cells, which can induce CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Tolerogenic DCs have the potential to modify graft acceptance in vivo.     

The role of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in liver transplant tolerance

The liver has long been considered a tolerogenic organ that favors the induction of peripheral tolerance. The mechanisms underlying liver tolerogenicity remain largely undefined. In this study, we characterized Foxp3-expressing CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in liver allograft recipients and examined the role of Treg in inherent liver tolerogenicity by employing the mouse spontaneous liver transplant tolerance model. Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed from C57BL/10 (H2b) to C3H/HeJ (H2k) mice. The percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Treg was expanded in the liver grafts and recipient spleens from day 5 up to day 100 posttransplantation, associated with high intracellular Foxp3 and CTLA4 expression. Immunohistochemistry further demonstrated significant numbers of Foxp3+ cells in the liver grafts and recipient spleens and increased transforming growth factor beta expression in the recipient spleens throughout the time courses. Adoptive transfer of spleen cells from the long-term liver allograft survivors significantly prolonged donor heart graft survival. Depletion of recipient CD4+ CD25+ Treg using anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (250 microg/d) induced acute liver allograft rejection, associated with elevated anti-donor T-cell proliferative responses, CTL and natural killer activities, enhanced interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-10, and decreased IL-4 production, and decreased T-cell apoptotic activity in anti-CD25-treated recipients. Moreover, CTLA4 blockade by anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody administration exacerbated liver graft rejection when combined with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody. Thus, Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ Treg appear to underpin spontaneous acceptance of major histocompatability complex- mismatched liver allografts in mice. CTLA4, IL-4, and apoptosis of alloreactive T cells appear to contribute to the function of Treg and regulation of graft outcome.     

门静脉输注供者脾细胞诱导的供者特异性免疫低反应性

目的 探讨经门静脉输注供者脾细胞能否诱导皮肤移植小鼠产生供者特异性的免疫低反应性及其可能机制.方法 取Balb/c小鼠,随机分为空白对照组(经小鼠门静脉输注RPMI 1640培养液)、受者脾细胞组(经小鼠门静脉输注Balb/c小鼠脾细胞)、供者脾细胞组(经小鼠门静脉输注C57BL/6小鼠脾细胞)、空白移植对照组(经小鼠门静脉输注RPMI 1640培养液,7 d后移植C57BL/6小鼠的皮肤)、实验对照组(经小鼠门静脉输注Balb/c小鼠脾细胞,7 d后移植C57BL/6小鼠的皮肤)、实验组(经小鼠门静脉输注C57BL/6小鼠脾细胞,7 d后移植C57BL/6小鼠的皮肤)以及第三方移植组(经小鼠门静脉输注C57BL/6小鼠脾细胞,7 d后移植C3H小鼠的皮肤).记录空白移植对照组、实验对照组、实验组和第三方移植组移植皮肤的存活时间,并观察移植皮肤的病理学变化;脾细胞输注后7 d,分别获取空白对照组、受者脾细胞组和供者脾细胞组小鼠的外周血、脾脏和肝脏,用流式细胞仪测定样本中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T淋巴细胞(CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞)的比例.结果 实验组移植皮肤的存活时间为(19.8±4.6)d,明显长于空白移植对照组、实验对照组和第三方移植组,但仍未达到长期存活.皮肤移植后7 d,空白移植对照组和实验对照组的移植皮肤呈现重度急性排斥反应的病理学改变,而实验组移植皮肤呈现中度急性排斥反应的病理学改变.供者脾细胞组外周血、肝脏和脾脏中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞比例明显高于空白对照组和受者脾细胞组.结论 门静脉输注供者脾细胞可特异性地延长供者皮肤移植物的存活时间,减轻移植物的排斥反应,该效应可能与受者体内的CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞增加有关.     

Patterns of immune responses evoked by allogeneic hepatocytes: evidence for independent co-dominant roles for CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in acute rejection.

INTRODUCTION: This is the first in a series of reports that characterizes immune responses evoked by allogeneic hepatocytes using a functional model of hepatocyte transplantation in mice. METHODS: "Donor" hepatocytes expressing the transgene human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hA1AT-FVB/N, H2q) were transplanted into C57BL/6 (H2b) or MHC II knockout (H2b) hosts treated with anti-CD4, anti-CD8, or a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Hepatocyte rejection was determined as a loss of circulating ELISA-detectable transgene product (hA1AT). In addition, some C57BL/6 mice underwent transplantation with FVB/N heterotopic cardiac allografts and were treated with anti-CD4 mAb. Cardiac allograft rejection was determined by palpation. Graft recipients were tested for donor-reactive alloantibodies and donor-reactive delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) of allogeneic hepatocytes in normal C57BL/6 mice was 10 days (no treatment), 10 days (anti-CD4 mAb), 14 days (anti-CD8 mAb), and 35 days (anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs). The MST of hepatocytes in B6 MHC class II knockout mice was 10 days (no treatment) and 21 days (anti-CD8 mAb). The MST of cardiac allografts was 11 days (no treatment) and >100 days (anti-CD4 mAb). Donor-reactive DTH responses were readily detected in both untreated and mAb-treated recipients. Donor-reactive alloantibody was barely detectable in untreated hosts. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that allogeneic hepatocytes are highly immunogenic and stimulate strong cell-mediated immune responses by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, even when treated with agents that can cause acceptance of cardiac allografts. Indeed, CD4+ or CD8+ T cells seem to independently cause hepatocellular allograft rejection. Allogeneic hepatocytes evoked strong donor-reactive DTH responses but were poor stimuli for donor-reactive antibody production. This is an unusual pattern of immune reactivity in allograft recipients.     

New Insights into Mechanisms of Spontaneous Liver Transplant Tolerance: The Role of Foxp3-Expressing CD25+CD4+ Regulatory T Cells

Liver allografts in mice are accepted across MHC barriers without requirement for immunosuppressive therapy. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain largely undefined. In this study, we investigated the role of Foxp3-expressing CD25⁺CD4⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg) in the induction of murine liver transplant tolerance. Foxp3⁺CD25⁺CD4⁺ T cells were increased in liver grafts and recipient spleens from day 5 to day 100 posttransplantation, associated with enhanced CTLA4 and TGF-β expression and IL-4 production. Depletion of recipient CD25⁺CD4⁺ T cells using anti-CD25 mAb (250 μg/day) induced acute liver allograft rejection. This was associated with a decreased ratio of Foxp3⁺ Treg: T effector cells, decreased IL-4 and elevated IL-10 and IL-2 production by graft-infiltrating T cells, and reduced apoptotic activity of graft-infiltrating CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in anti-CD25-mAb-treated recipients. Thus, the data suggest that Foxp3⁺CD25⁺CD4⁺Treg are involved in spontaneous acceptance of liver allografts in mice. The ratio of Treg to T effector cells appears to determine liver transplant outcome. CTLA4, IL-4, TGF-β and apoptosis of graft-infiltrating T cells are also associated with liver transplant tolerance and may contribute, at least in part, to the mechanisms of Treg-mediated immune regulation in this model.     

阻断共刺激通路诱导产生免疫无能状态

目的 探讨同时阻断CD40／CDl54和B7／CD28共刺激通路能否诱导产生免疫无能状态以及无能状态的逆转条件。方法 以C3H小鼠脾细胞为刺激细胞，BALB／c小鼠脾细胞为反应细胞，C57BL／6J小鼠脾细胞为第三方细胞，在体外双向混合淋巴细胞培养中加入不同浓度的抗CDl54和抗CD80单克隆抗体，诱导产生无能细胞。在无能细胞中分别加入经7射线照射后的C3H小鼠或C57BL／6J小鼠脾细胞，或者直接加入不同浓度重组小鼠白细胞介素2(nmIL-2)，或者同时加入经7射线照射后的C3H小鼠细胞和不同浓度的mnIL-2刺激，观察无能状态的逆转情况。结果 联合应用抗CDl54和抗CD80单克隆抗体能显著抑制体外双向混合淋巴细胞培养反应的细胞增殖；第三方刺激细胞能够逆转无能细胞的无能状态；单纯加入nmIL-2或C3H小鼠细胞再次刺激不能逆转无能状态，而只有同时加入C3H小鼠细胞和nmIL-2刺激才能逆转无能细胞的无能状态。结论 同时阻断CD40／CDl54和B7／CD28通路能诱导产生抗原特异性的免疫无能状态，而且只有同时给予抗原和外源性IL-2再次刺激才能逆转这种无能状态。     

The effect of immunosuppressive drug rapamycin on regulatory CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in mice

CD4(+)CD25(+)Regulatory T (Treg) cells are crucial for negatively regulating immune responses. Rapamycin (rapa) is an immunosuppressive agent which is widely used for preventing acute graft rejection in patients and has been used to induce operational tolerance in mouse models. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of rapa on CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells in a mouse model. After C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally given 1.5 mg/kg/day of rapa for 14 days, the percentages, cell numbers, phenotype and function of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry as well as the in vitro and in vivo functional assays. The cell numbers of CD4(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cell subsets were markedly decreased in rapa-treated mice as reported. However, rapa significantly enhanced the ratios of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells or CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells to CD4(+)T cells in spleens and thymi of mice (P<0.01) respectively. Furthermore, splenic CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells in rapa-treated mice showed immunosuppressive ability on the immune response of T effector cells to alloantigens or mitogen as efficiently as the control CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, rapa could significantly enhance the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg cells in the thymus and the periphery while keeping these cells functional, indicating that CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells are more resistant to rapa than other CD4(+)T cells. The different effects of rapa on CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg and T effector cells make rapa to be a favorable choice for inducing immune tolerance to self-, allo-, or xeno-antigens.     

阻断ICOS/B7h信号的供体特异性输血对移植受体CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的影响

目的 观察阻断ICOS/B7h信号的供体特异性输血(DST)对异基因小鼠心脏移植术后体内CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)的影响.方法 按陈氏方法建立小鼠颈部异位心脏移植模型,实验分3组,异基因组及同基因组:供心分别来源于BALB/C和C57BL/6小鼠,受体均为C57BL/6小鼠,未予治疗.治疗组:移植当天给予受体鼠(C57BL/6)尾静脉注射5×106 ICOS-Fc靶定的供体(BALB/C)脾B淋巴细胞,d0～6连续给予受体鼠尾静脉注射ICOS-Fc 200 μg/d.术后统计各组移植物的存活时间,通过流式细胞术检测受体鼠外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg的亚群比例,利用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测移植物中FOXP3的mRNA表达,在混合淋巴细胞反应中检测CD4+CD25+Treg对CD4+CD25-效应T细胞(Teff)的增殖抑制效率.结果 与异基因组比较,治疗组心脏移植物存活时间明显延长[(84.38±29.14)d比(7.00±0.76)d,P＜0.01].各组中,治疗组受体外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg亚群比例显著上调[(15.60±5.69)%,P＜0.01].与其他两组比较,治疗组心脏移植物中FOXP3 mRNA表达显著上调.以正常鼠为对照,耐受鼠脾脏中获取的CD4+CD25+Treg能够更高效地抑制CD4+CD25-Teff在混合淋巴细胞培养中的增殖效应.结论 通过阻断ICOS/B7h信号的DST可以诱导异基因小鼠心脏移植耐受,CD4+CD25+Treg在耐受的形成与维持中均起着重要作用.     

Prolongation of survival following depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in mice with experimental brain tumors

OBJECT: Regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of the immune response. Whereas the presence of these cells has been associated with immune suppression, the lack of regulatory T (Treg) cells has been shown to induce autoimmunity. The purpose of this study was to define the role of Treg cells in tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). METHODS: The authors implanted syngeneic GL261 tumor cells in the brains or flanks of C57BL/6 mice. The resulting tumors were later removed at specific time points, and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was analyzed by performing flow cytometry for the presence of Treg cells. In a separate experiment, mice with GL261 tumors were treated with injections of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to determine whether depletion of Treg cells may have an impact on the length of survival in mice with brain tumors. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from mice with GL261 tumors were found to have a significant increase in the presence of Treg cells compared with control lymphocytes (p < 0.05). Moreover, Treg cells isolated in murine brain tumors expressed FoxP3, CTLA-4, and CD62L. Mice treated with anti-CD25 mAb lived significantly longer than tumor-bearing control animals (p < 0.05). An analysis of brains in surviving animals showed a depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that CD4+CD25+ Treg cells play an important role in suppressing the immune response to CNS tumors. These Treg cells may therefore represent a potentially novel target for immunotherapy of malignant gliomas.     

乳腺癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞水平的检测及意义

目的：探讨乳腺癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞（Treg）水平检测的意义。 方法：流式细胞术检测74例乳腺癌患者与30例健康对照者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg占CD4+T细胞百分比,分析CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平与乳腺癌患者临床病理特征及相关免疫组化指标的关系。 结果：乳腺癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg占CD4+T细胞的百分比高于健康对照者[（9.15± 2.24）% vs.（2.29±1.36）%],差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。统计分析显示,乳腺癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平与肿瘤组织学分级、淋巴结转移、pTNM分期以及HER-2、pS2、nm23的表达有关（均P<0.05）,而与肿瘤大小、病理类型以及雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）、p53、Ki-67表达无关（均P>0.05）。进一步相关性分析显示,CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平与肿瘤组织学分级、淋巴结转移数、pTNM分期、HER-2的表达呈正相关（r=0.583,r=0.333,r=0.919,r=0.604,均P<0.05）而与pS2、nm23表达呈负相关（r=-0.229,r=-0.401,均P<0.05）。 结论：乳腺癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平升高,并与与乳腺癌的进展、转移密切相关,对其检测可能有助于患者预后及治疗效果的评估。

     

Rapamycin‐Conditioned Donor Dendritic Cells Differentiate CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T Cells In Vitro with TGF‐β1 for Islet Transplantation

Dendritic cells (DCs) conditioned with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin have been previously shown to expand naturally existing regulatory T cells (nTregs). This work addresses whether rapamycin‐conditioned donor DCs could effectively induce CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs (iTregs) in cell cultures with alloantigen specificities, and whether such in vitro‐differentiated CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs could effectively control acute rejection in allogeneic islet transplantation. We found that donor BALB/c bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs) pharmacologically modified by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had significantly enhanced ability to induce CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs of recipient origin (C57BL/6 (B6)) in vitro under Treg driving conditions compared to unmodified BMDCs. These in vitro‐induced CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs exerted donor‐specific suppression in vitro, and prolonged allogeneic islet graft survival in vivo in RAG^?/‐ hosts upon coadoptive transfer with T‐effector cells. The CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs expanded and preferentially maintained Foxp3 expression in the graft draining lymph nodes. Finally, the CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs were further able to induce endogenous naïve T cells to convert to CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells. We conclude that rapamycin‐conditioned donor BMDCs can be exploited for efficient in vitro differentiation of donor antigen‐specific CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs. Such in vitro‐generated donor‐specific CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ iTregs are able to effectively control allogeneic islet graft rejection.     

1-甲基色氨酸对胰腺癌荷瘤鼠中调节性T细胞数量变化的影响

目的 观察1-甲基色氨酸(1-MT)对胰腺癌荷瘤鼠中调节性T细胞(Treg)数量变化的影响,比较树突状细胞(DC)疫苗与1-MT联合应用前后抗肿瘤作用的强弱.方法 建立小鼠胰腺癌模型;利用流式细胞术检测荷瘤鼠应用1-MT前后肿瘤组织周围引流淋巴结(TDLNs)及脾脏中CD4~+ CD25~+T细胞占CD4~+T比例;荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)测量Foxp3在TDLNs及脾脏mRNA水平;利用肿瘤细胞裂解物冲击DC制备DC疫苗,并根据是否与1-MT联合应用分组(各组均为n=8);观测各组肿瘤体积的差异.结果 应用1-MT后,荷瘤鼠CD4~+ CD25~+ T细胞占CD~+T细胞的比例明显低于未应用组(TDLNs)分别为(16.01±2.21)%和(25.00±2.16)%(P<0.05);脾脏分别为(13.11±1.93)%和(22.14±2.33)%(P<0.05,P<0.01);应用1-MT组Foxp3 mRNA表达水平显著低于未应用组,应用1-MT组相对表达值:TDLNs0.947±0.216、脾细胞1.198±0.347,而未应用组分别为:1.927±0.256、1.798±0.237(P<0.05);1-MT+DC疫苗组肿瘤生长显著受到抑制,第36天肿瘤体积为(789.0±111.0)mm~3;显著小于DC疫苗组、1-MT组及对照组,肿瘤体积分别为:(1768.0±251.3)、(1854.0±192.1)、(1899.0±201.2)mm~3(P<0.01).结论 1-MT可以有效抑制胰腺癌荷瘤鼠癌组织周围引流淋巴结及脾脏CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg细胞的数量增加,从而增强DC疫苗抗肿瘤作用.     

不同免疫抑制方案对肾移植术受者CD4~+ Foxp3~+ 调节性T细胞的影响

目的 探讨不同免疫抑制剂方案对肾移植术受者外周血CD4~+ Foxp3~+调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)表达水平的影响.方法 定群研究了2006年1月至2008年1月在本移植中心接受初次移植50例随访满1年肾移植受者,分为钙调神经蛋白抑制组(钙调神经蛋白抑制剂+吗替麦考酚酯+强的松)19例,其中环孢素组10例,他克莫司组9例;雷帕霉素组(雷帕霉素+吗替麦考酚酯+强的松)31例.另取20例行规律血液透析终末期肾病患者为对照组.采用流式细胞仪的方法检测3组外周血CD4~+ Foxp3~+ Treg占CD4~+ T细胞的比例,比较各组间表达水平与不同免疫抑制方案的关系.结果 钙调神经蛋白抑制剂组、雷帕霉素组和终末期肾病组3组年龄、性别比无统计学差异(P>0.05).钙调神经蛋白抑制剂组、雷帕霉素组2组冷缺血时间、HLA错配率、群体反应性抗体(PRA)和急性排斥反应发生率无统计学差异(P>0.05).雷帕霉素组和终末期肾病组CD4~+ Foxp3~+ T细胞占CD4~+ T细胞的比例均明显高于钙调神经蛋白抑制组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).使用环孢素患者和他克莫司患者外周血中CD4~+ Foxp3~+ T细胞占CD4~+ T细胞的比例之间无显著性差异(P>0.05).结论 肾移植术后服用雷帕霉素组患者外周血CD4~+ Foxp3~+ Treg占CD4~+ T细胞的比例显著高于服用钙调神经蛋白抑制组患者,提示雷帕霉素有助于诱导宿主对移植肾免疫耐受.     

Observational support for an immunoregulatory role of CD3+CD4+CD25+IFN-gamma+ blood lymphocytes in kidney transplant recipients with good long-term graft outcome.

There is evidence that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-dependent interactions of dendritic cell (DC), T regulatory (Treg), and T suppressor (Ts) subpopulations contribute to allograft acceptance. We measured DC subsets, CD3+CD4+CD25+ (Treg phenotype) and CD3+CD8+CD28(-) (Ts phenotype) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) expressing Foxp3, Th1 or Th2 cytokines, peripheral T- and B-cell counts, and plasma cytokines in 33 kidney transplant recipients with a serum creatinine of < or =1.8 mg/dl and 32 recipients with a serum creatinine of > or =2.0 mg/dl more than 100 days post-transplant. Cell subsets were measured in whole blood using four-color flow cytometry. Patients with increased creatinine had less frequently detectable CD3+CD4+CD25+IFN-gamma+ PBL than patients with good graft function (P = 0.017). In patients with good graft function, CD3+CD4+CD25+IFN-gamma+ PBL were associated with high Foxp3+, IL-2+, IL-12+, IL-4+, and IL-10+ CD3+CD4+CD25+ T PBL (P < 0.001), low CD3+CD8+CD28(-)Foxp3+ (P = 0.002), CD3+CD4+DR+ (P = 0.002), CD3+CD8+DR+ T (P = 0.005) and CD19+ B PBL (P = 0.005), and low lineage(-)HLA-DR+CD11c+CD123(-) DC1 (P = 0.006). Patients with impaired graft function did not show these associations. Additional flow cytometric analysis confirmed strong co-expression of IFN-gamma and Foxp3 by CD4+CD25+ PBL particularly in patients with good graft function. Our data support an immunoregulatory role of CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+IFN-gamma+ cells in a subgroup of transplant recipients with good graft acceptance.     

TGF-β Induces Foxp3 + T-Regulatory Cells from CD4 + CD25 − Precursors

CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent suppressors, playing important roles in autoimmunity and transplantation tolerance. Understanding the signals necessary for the generation and expansion of Tregs is important for clinical cellular therapy, but only limited progress has been made. Recent reports suggest a role for TGF-beta in the generation of Tregs from CD4 + CD25 - precursors, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-beta2 triggers Foxp3 expression in CD4 + CD25 - precursors, and these Foxp3 + cells act like conventional Tregs. The generation of Foxp3 + Tregs requires stimulation of the T-cell receptor, the IL-2R and the TGF-beta receptor. More importantly, strong costimulation through CD28 prevents Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in an IL-4-dependent manner. Furthermore, TGF-beta-driven Tregs inhibit innate inflammatory responses to syngeneic transplanted pancreatic islets and enhance islet transplant survival. Thus, TGF-beta is a key regulator of the signaling pathways that initiate and maintain Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in CD4 + CD25 - precursors. TGF-beta and signaling through TGF-beta receptor, CD28 costimulation and IL-4 may be key components for the manipulation of Treg. The de novo generation of Foxp3 + cells from CD4 + cells has the potential to be used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and induction of transplant tolerance.     

小鼠补体调节蛋白对CD4+T淋巴细胞的调控作用及其机制

目的 研究小鼠补体调节蛋白Crry对CD4+T淋巴细胞的调控作用及诱导同种移植免疫低反应性的机制.方法 分离C57BL/6小鼠脾淋巴细胞,用免疫磁珠法分选出CD4+T淋巴细胞后,将CD4+T淋巴细胞分为A、B、C、D、E和F组,分别用抗小鼠CD3、CD28、Crry、CD3/CD28、CD3/Crry和CD3/CD28/Crry抗体共刺激通路与CD4+T淋巴细胞进行反应,采用噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测各组CD4+T淋巴细胞的增殖情况,并采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测CD4+T淋巴细胞培养上清中白细胞介素2(IL-2)、γ干扰素(γ-IFN)、IL-4和IL-10的水平;另外,以BALB/c小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠的脾细胞分别作为刺激细胞和反应细胞,建立同种混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)体系并加入抗小鼠Crry抗体,通过岍法观察Crry对MLR的影响.结果 D、E、F组的CD4+T淋巴细胞均出现明显增殖,增殖活性显著高于A、B、C组(P<0.05),其中F组显著高于D组和E组(P<0.05),D组和E组间增殖活性的差异无统计学意义.D组CD4+T淋巴细胞经抗CD3/CD28抗体共刺激后,培养上清中γ-IFN和IL-2的水平显著升高,与A、B、C和E组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),但与F组的差异无统计学意义;E组CD4+T淋巴细胞经抗CD3/Crry抗体共刺激后,IL-4的水平显著升高,与A、B、C、D组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),但显著低于F组(P<0.05);各组间IL-10水平的差异无统计学意义.Crry可以明显抑制MLR中的细胞增殖(P<0.05).结论 补体调节蛋白Crry能刺激CD4+T淋巴细胞的增殖,并使其IL-4的表达升高及抑制IL-2和γ-IFN的表达,从而诱导同种移植免疫低反应性.     

Depleting anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (GK1.5) treatment: influence on regulatory CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells in mice

BACKGROUND: CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells are often essential for the maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance and transplant tolerance in some cases. The effects of depleting anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (GK1.5), which was used in transplant tolerance induction, on CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells have not been investigated. METHODS: Three weeks after BALB/c mice were injected with GK1.5 or phosphate-buffered saline, the levels, phenotype and immunosuppressive function of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in these mice were detected. RESULTS: The numbers of CD4 and CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in the periphery were markedly decreased in GK1.5-treated mice. However, GK1.5 treatment significantly enhanced the ratios of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells or CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3 T cells to CD4(+) T cells in the periphery (P<0.01). Compared with the control mice, more CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in GK1.5-treated mice showed CD45RB and CD62L phenotype. Furthermore, enriched CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in GK1.5-treated mice show immunosuppressive ability on the immune response of T effector cells to alloantigens or mitogen as efficiently as those from the control mice in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: GK1.5 could significantly enhance the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells in the periphery while keeping these cells functional, indicating that GK1.5 might affect the potential induction of immune tolerance by different influences on CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells and CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in periphery.     

CD8+T细胞和调节性T细胞在食管癌中表达及与预后的关系

目的 探讨食管癌组织中CD8+T细胞、Foxp3阳性调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)表达及对预后的影响.方法 应用免疫组织化学SP法检测CD8、Foxp3在90例食管癌组织间质、癌巢中的表达,计数阳性细胞,分析阳性细胞数目与预后的关系.结果 间质中CD8+T细胞的数量与浸润深度、分化程度呈负相关(P<0.05);Foxp3+Treg细胞数量与淋巴结转移、病变长度呈正相关(P<0.05).本组病例3年总生存率66.67%(60/90).单因素生存分析显示,无论癌巢或间质中,CD8+T细胞计数高者的总体生存曲线优于计数低者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);roxp3+Treg细胞计数高者的累计生存情况较计数低者差(P<0.05).多因素分析显示,间质浸润的CD8+T、Foxp3+Treg细胞数量和病变长度是影响生存期的独立因素(P<0.05).结论 间质中浸润的CD8+T细胞数量、Foxp3+Treg细胞数量是影响食管癌患者预后的独立因素,Foxp3+Treg细胞数量增多预后不良,CD8+T细胞数量增多则预后良好.