细胞因子直接诱导正常人CD4+T细胞产生IL-17和IFN-γ

目的:探讨细胞因子(IL-23、IL-2和IL-15)对正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)和CD4 T细胞IL-17产生的诱导作用和调节因素。方法:将正常人PBMC和纯化的CD4 T细胞在不同条件下与IL-23、IL-2和IL-15进行培养,采用ELISA法检测细胞培养液中IL-17和IFN-γ的水平;采用酶联免疫斑点试验(ELISPOT)在单个细胞水平上检测IL-17和IFN-γ产生细胞的频率。结果:IL-23可诱导PBMC产生IL-17和IFN-γ;Th2细胞因子和抗IL-12受体β1(IL-12Rβ1)mAb可抑制IL-23诱导的IL-17和IFN-γ产生。IL-2和IL-15均可诱导IL-17和IFN-γ产生,并与IL-23具有共同诱导作用。IL-12可诱导PBMC产生大量的IFN-γ,但不产生IL-17。进一步研究表明,IL-23、IL-2和IL-15可直接诱导纯化的CD4 T细胞产生IL-17和IFN-γ。结论:IL-23、IL-2和IL-15可直接作用于正常人CD4 T细胞诱导其产生IL-17和IFN-γ;Th2细胞因子和抗IL-12Rβ1mAb可抑制IL-23诱导的IL-17和IFN-γ产生。为探讨自身免疫性疾病等的发生机制和治疗提供了新的靶点。     

The capacity of the natural ligands for CD28 to drive IL-4 expression in naïve and antigen-primed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

The B7/CD28 costimulatory pathway plays a critical role in T cell activation including Th1/Th2 differentiation. However, little is known about whether CD28 costimulation favors polarization of either Th1 and Th2 or both. Here, we show a critical role of the natural ligands for CD28 molecules (B7.2-Ig or B7.1-Ig fusion proteins), particularly in the induction of type 2 T cell polarization. Upon TCR-triggering with suboptimal doses of anti-CD3, costimulation of na?ve CD4+ T cells with anti-CD28 mAb or B7-Ig fusion proteins led to comparable levels of IFN-gamma production. Na?ve T cells could produce IL-4 when CD28 costimulation was done with B7-Ig, but not with anti-CD28. IL-4-selective upregulation was also observed when T cells from anti-OVA TCR transgenic mice were stimulated with OVA in the presence of B7-Ig. Correlating with IL-4 expression, GATA-3 expression was induced much more potently by costimulation with B7-Ig than with anti-CD28 mAb, while T-bet induction by these two costimulatory reagents was comparable. This B7 effect was also applied for na?ve and antigen-primed CD8+ T cells: IL-4-expressing CD8+ T cells were generated when na?ve and alloantigen-primed T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 and recall antigens, respectively, in the presence of B7-Ig costimulation. Importantly, such CD8+ T cell differentiation required the coexistence of CD4+ T cells during the initial TCR stimulation. These observations indicate that both type 2 CD4 and CD8 T cell polarizations are efficiently induced via costimulation of CD28 with its natural ligands, although the differentiation of CD8+ T cells is dependent on CD4+ cells.     

Circulating IFN-γ producing CD4+ T cells and IL-17A producing CD4+ T cells,HLA-shared epitope and ACPA may characterize the clinical response to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients

This study analyzed the association between peripheral distributions of helper T cell subsets, HLA shared-epitope (SE), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and clinical response to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Frequencies of IFN-γ-producing CD4+T (Th1) and IL-17A-producing CD4+T (Th17) cells were determined by flow cytometry in 167 patients (114 cases with good-response (GR) and 53 poor-response (PR) based on DAS28). HLA-DRB1 alleles for patients and 150 healthy controls were determined by PCR-SSP. We observed that 65.2% of RA patients were SE⁺, 63.4%ACPA⁺, 43.7%SE⁺ACPA⁺ and 14.9% were SE⁻ACPA⁻. Higher significantly proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells were found in RA patients than controls (P < 0.05) as well as in the SE⁺ or ACPA⁺RA patients compared to SE⁻ and ACPA⁻ patients. Increased frequencies of both Th subsets were found in SE⁺ACPA⁺ versus SE⁻ACPA⁻ patients (P < 0.001) and in the PR versus GR group (P < 0.001). We showed significant differences for Th cells frequencies between SE⁺ and SE⁻ patients in both groups, and between ACPA⁺ and ACPA⁻ cases in the PR group. Our findings suggest a close link between Th1 and Th17 cells proportions and HLA-SE/ACPA in the RA patients and remarkably in the PR group which could be indicative for the importance of immune monitoring for evaluation of response to therapy.     

Influence of a mutation in IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFNGR2) in human cells on the generation of Th17 cells in memory T cells

The T cell subsets involved in inflammatory reactions are mainly the IFN-γ secreting Th1 cells and IL17-producing Th17 cells. Although Th17 cells are primed in the thymus, there is evidence that Th17 cells can be generated from effector memory CD4⁺ T cells. Cytokines as IL-6, TGF-β, IL-21 and IL-23 involved in development of Th17 cells are well described. Here we analyzed the impact of a mutation in the IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFN-γR2) on the induction of Th17 cells. By isolation of T cells and monocytes of a patient with this mutation we could demonstrate an inhibitory role of IFN-γ signaling as IFN-γR2-deficient monocytes induce a higher percentage of IL-17⁺ cells from both healthy and IFN-γR2-deficient CD4⁺ T cells. This data confirm the interference of these two T helper subsets and points to a balance of Th1 and Th17 cells obtained by their own cytokine production and their interplay with APCs.     

Vγ1+ γδ T cells reduce IL-10-producing CD4+CD25+ T cells in the lung of ovalbumin-sensitized and challenged mice

In OVA-sensitized and challenged mice, gammadelta T cells expressing Vgamma1 enhance airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) but the underlying mechanism is unclear. These cells also reduce IL-10 levels in the airways, suggesting that they might function by inhibiting CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg)) or other CD4(+) T cells capable of producing IL-10 and suppressing AHR. Indeed, sensitization and challenge with OVA combined with inactivation of Vgamma1(+) cells increased CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in the lung, and markedly those capable of producing IL-10. The cellular change was associated with increased IL-10 and TGF-beta levels in the airways, and a decrease of IL-13. T(reg) include naturally occurring Foxp3(+) T(reg), inducible Foxp3(-) T(reg), and antigen-specific T(reg) many of which express folate receptor 4 (FR4). Although Foxp3 gene expression in the lung was also increased pulmonary CD4(+) T cells, expressing Foxp3-protein or FR4 remained stable. Therefore, the inhibition by Vgamma1(+) gammadelta T cells might not be targeting Foxp3(+) T(reg) but rather CD4(+) T cells destined to produce IL-10.     

The differential effects of IL-1 and TNF-α on proinflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase expression in human chondrosarcoma cells

Objective and design:Interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). In the present study, using Affymetrix oligonucleotide array technology and real-time quantitative RT-PCR we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential effect of IL-1 and TNF- on gene expression in the human chondrosarcoma cell line, SW1353. Materials and methods:SW1353 cells were stimulated singularly with IL-1, TNF-, Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or treated with the combination of cytokine and PMA. Total RNA was collected at multiple time points over a 24-h period followed by biotinylated cRNA target preparation and hybridization onto the Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 array. The differential expression patterns of several cytokine and MMP genes were further confirmed by real time quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Results:Our microarray experiments have broadly confirmed previously published data on chondrocyte gene expression regulated by IL-1 and TNF-. The expression pattern of proIL-1, MMP-1, and MMP-13 in chondrocytes is differentially regulated when stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines. IL-1, but not TNF-, can induce IL-6, bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2), and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) expression in SW1353 cells. Additionally, our Western blot results provide the first evidence that IL-1 is produced in the proform in IL-1-activated chondrosarcoma cells and that additional signals are required for its posttranslational processing/activation. Conclusions:IL-1 and TNF- each activate a distinct set of genes in chondrosarcoma cells, and gene expression in these cells is regulated by groups of genes related in part by their function. Chondrocyte IL-1 appears to serve an important role in the pathogenesis OA contributing to joint inflammation and cartilage destruction.Received 15 September 2003; returned for revision 16 October 2003; accepted by J. S. Skotnicki 11 March 2004     

Changes in the expression of CD31 and CXCR3 in CD4+ naïve T cells in elderly persons

So far, very few studies exist on the na?ve T cell population of elderly persons. Only recently an increase in the percentage of long lived CD4(+)CD31(-) na?ve T cells has been claimed to occur with aging. We, therefore, characterised CD31(+) and CD31(-) CD45RA(+) CD4(+) T cells in young and healthy elderly persons. The production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by the different subpopulations was studied following stimulation with PMA and Ionomycin. The expression of CD28, CD11a, CD62L, CXCR3 and CCR7 was also analysed. The results of this study demonstrate a pronounced increase in the percentage of CD31(-) CD45RA(+) T cells within the CD4 subpopulation of elderly persons. Both, CD31(-) and CD31(+) CD45RA(+) cells expressed CD28, CD62L, were CD11a (dim) and produced IL-2 but no IFN-gamma. This phenotype confirms that they were na?ve T cells. IL-2 production by na?ve T cells was not impaired in elderly persons. Interestingly, CD31(+) as well as CD31(-) na?ve T cells contained a subpopulation of CXCR3(+) cells in elderly individuals, but not in young ones. In spite of expressing this chemokine receptor that enables the cells to migrate into inflammatory tissues, they were still CCR7(+) and CD62L(+). We speculate that due to previous contact with local environmental factors, this subset of na?ve T cells acquires a different chemokine receptor phenotype, resulting in an altered migratory capacity in old age. Aberrant contact with antigen and effector cell differentiation in unorthodox locations may be the consequence. This could also affect Th1/Th2 polarisation, which is known to be impaired in elderly persons.     

Immune tolerance induced by intravenous transfer of immature dendritic cells via up-regulating numbers of suppressive IL-10+ IFN-γ+-producing CD4+ T cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) regulate immunity and immune tolerance in vivo. However, the mechanisms of DC-mediated tolerance have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that intravenous (i.v.) transfer of bone marrow-derived DCs pulsed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide blocks the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6J mice. i.v. transfer of MOG-pulsed DCs leads to the down-regulation of the production of IL-17A and IFN-γ and up-regulation of IL-10 secretion. The development of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is facilitated via up-regulation of FoxP3 expression and production of IL-10. The number of suppressive CD4⁺IL-10⁺IFN-γ⁺ T cells is also improved. The expression of OX40, CD154, and CD28 is down-regulated, but the expression of CD152, CD80, PD-1, ICOS, and BTLA is up-regulated on CD4⁺ T cells after i.v. transfer of immature DCs. The expression of CCR4, CCR5, and CCR7 on CD4⁺ T cells is also improved. Our results suggest that immature DCs may induce tolerance via facilitating the development of CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs and suppressive CD4⁺IL-10⁺IFN-γ⁺ T cells in vivo.     

Effects of combination of Cryptococcus gattii and IFN-γ, IL-4 or IL-27 on human bronchial epithelial cells

BackgroundAirway epithelial cells are crucial for the establishment of cryptococcosis. In experimental cryptococcosis, the Th2 immune response is associated with host susceptibility, while Th1 cells are associated with protection. The absence of IL-27 receptor alpha in mice favor the increase Cryptococcus neoformans burden in the lung. Here, we evaluated the effects of the combination of IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 with C. gattii on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B).MethodsBEAS-2B were stimulated with IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 (100 ng/mL) and/or live yeast forms of C. gattii (multiplicities of infection (MOI) of 1–100) and vice-versa, as well as with heat-killed cells of C. gattii for 24 h.ResultsNone of the C. gattii MOIs had cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B when compared to control. The cells stimulated by cytokines (IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27) followed by live yeast forms of C. gattii (MOI of 100) infection and vice-versa demonstrated a reduction in IL-6, IL-8 and/or CCL2 production and activation of STAT6 (induced by IL-4) and STAT1 (induced by IL-27 or IFN-γ) when compared to cells stimulated with C. gattii, IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27. In the combination of cytokines and heat-killed cells of C. gattii, no inhibition of these inflammatory parameters was observed. The growth of C. gattii was increased while the phagocytosis of live yeast forms of C. gattii in the BEAS-2B were reduced in the presence of IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27.ConclusionThe association of live yeast forms, but not heat-killed yeast forms, of C. gattii with IL-4, IFN-γ or IL-27 induced an anti-inflammatory effect.     

Production of IFN-γ by CD4(+) T cells in response to malaria antigens is IL-2 dependent

T-cell immune responses are critical for protection of the host and for disease pathogenesis during infection with Plasmodium species. We examined the regulation of CD4(+) T-cell cytokine responses during infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). CD4(+) T cells from PbA-infected mice produced IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in response to TCR stimulation at levels higher than those from uninfected mice. This altered cytokine response was dependent on parasitemia. To examine the specificity of the response, mice were adoptively transferred with CD4(+) T cells from OT-II TCR transgenic mice and were infected with PbA expressing OVA. Unexpectedly, CD4(+) T cells from the OT-II-transferred wild-type PbA-infected mice showed high levels of IFN-γ production after stimulation with OVA and the cells producing IFN-γ were not OT-II but were host CD4(+) T cells. Further investigation revealed that host CD4(+) T cells produced IFN-γ in response to IL-2 produced by activated OT-II cells. This IFN-γ response was completely inhibited by anti-CD25 mAbs, and this effect was not due to the block of the survival signals provided by IL-2. Furthermore, IFN-γ production by CD4(+) T cells in response to PbA antigens was dependent on IL-2. These findings suggest the importance of IL-2 levels during infection with malaria parasites and indicate that CD4(+) T cells can produce IFN-γ without TCR engagement via a bystander mechanism in response to IL-2 produced by other activated CD4(+) T cells.     

CD5 levels define functionally heterogeneous populations of naïve human CD4+ T cells

Studies in murine models show that subthreshold TCR interactions with self-peptide are required for thymic development and peripheral survival of naïve T cells. Recently, differences in the strength of tonic TCR interactions with self-peptide, as read-out by cell surface levels of CD5, were associated with distinct effector potentials among sorted populations of T cells in mice. However, whether CD5 can also be used to parse functional heterogeneity among human T cells is less clear. Our study demonstrates that CD5 levels correlate with TCR signal strength in human naïve CD4⁺ T cells. Further, we describe a relationship between CD5 levels on naïve human CD4⁺ T cells and binding affinity to foreign peptide, in addition to a predominance of CD5^hi T cells in the memory compartment. Differences in gene expression and biases in cytokine production potential between CD5^lo and CD5^hi naïve human CD4⁺ T cells are consistent with observations in mice. Together, these data validate the use of CD5 surface levels as a marker of heterogeneity among human naïve CD4⁺ T cells with important implications for the identification of functionally biased T- cell populations that can be exploited to improve the efficacy of adoptive cell therapies.     

IL-17/IFN-γ double producing CD8+ T (Tc17/IFN-γ) cells: a novel cytotoxic T-cell subset converted from Tc17 cells by IL-12

It has been reported that IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T (Tc1) cells express cytotoxic molecules such as perforin and granzyme B to exhibit higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells compared with Tc2 cells. However, the critical role of IL-17-producing CD8(+) T (Tc17)-cell subsets in tumor immunity remains unclear. Tc17 cells differentiated from naive CD8(+) T cells did not possess cytotoxic molecules and exhibited no strong cytotoxicity. However, when Tc17 effector cells were further cultured with IL-12, they converted into IFN-γ-producing Tc17 cells, which mainly consisted of IL-17/IFN-γ double-producing cells (Tc17/IFN-γ). IL-12-converted Tc17 cells also acquired cytotoxic function in addition to IFN-γ producibility. Moreover, they showed strong anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo as well as Tc1 cells. Among four distinct subsets in IL-12-converted Tc17 cell populations, the isolated Tc17/IFN-γ cells exhibited cytotoxicity as well as IFN-γ-producing Tc1-like cells. Thus, we first indicate direct evidence that Tc17/IFN-γ cells, which were plastically converted from non-cytotoxic Tc17 cells by IL-12, exhibited strong anti-tumor activity as well as Tc17 cell-derived Tc1-like cells.     

Isolation of viable antigen-specific CD8+ T cells based on membrane-bound tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression

Current technology to isolate viable cytokine-producing antigen-specific primary human T cells is limited to bi-specific antibody capture systems, which suffer from limited sensitivity and high background. Here, we describe a novel procedure for isolating antigen-specific human T cells based on their ability to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Unlike many cytokines, TNF-α is initially produced in a biologically active membrane-bound form that is subsequently cleaved by TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) to release the soluble form of TNF-α. By preventing this cleavage event, we show that TNF-α can be 'trapped' on the surface of the T cells from which it originates and directly labeled for viable isolation of these antigen-specific T cells. Together with other existing sorting procedures to isolate activated T cells, this new technique should permit the direct isolation of multi-functional T lymphocytes for further protein and gene expression analyses, as well as a detailed functional assessment of the potential role that TNF-α producing T cells play in the adaptive immune system.     

IFN-α Acts on T-Cell Receptor-Triggered Human Peripheral Leukocytes to Up-Regulate CCR5 Expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) as well as IL-2 was recently shown to up-regulate CCR5 expression on T-cell receptor (TCR)-triggered human T cells. Because of the functional similarity between interferon-alpha (IFN-) and IL-12, the present study investigated whether IFN- also up-regulates T cell CCR5 expression. CCR5 was marginally detected on T cells from unstimulated human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and only slightly induced on PBL T cells following stimulation with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). When anti-CD3/anti-CD28-triggered PBLs were exposed to IFN-, T cells expressed high levels of CCR5. The levels of CCR5 expression were comparable to those induced by IL-12. However, when purified T cells instead of unfractionated PBL were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 and then exposed to IL-12 or IFN-, CCR5 expression was induced by IL-12 but not by IFN-. IFN- was found to act on anti-CD3/anti-CD28-stimulated PBL to promote their IL-12 production. Moreover, addition of anti-IL-12 mAb to IFN--stimulated cultures of anti-CD3/CD28-pretreated PBL resulted in considerable inhibition of CCR5 expression. Together, these results indicate that IFN- as well as IL-12 up-regulates CCR5 expression on TCR-triggered T cells and that IFN- functions not by acting directly on T cells but via enhancing IL-12 production by PBL.