NOD小鼠胸腺细胞TCR介导的信号通路缺陷

目的 进一步研究NOD小鼠T细胞应答改变机理。方法 用抗TCR抗体、ConA激活NOD小鼠胸腺细胞，分析TCR介导的信号通路的水平。结果 与Balb／c小鼠胸腺细胞相比，抗TCR抗体诱导的增殖应答较弱，与年龄及NOD胸腺CD4^ CD8^-和CD4^-CD8^ SP细胞有关；rIL-2能部分恢复对TCR抗体应答的缺乏。NOD小鼠对PMA IONO和PMA anti—TCR-mAb应答正常，但对anti-TCRmAb IONO应答缺乏。结论 与年龄有关的NOD小鼠胸腺细胞对TCR抗体应答的缺乏与T细胞激活时上游PKC信号通路的缺乏有关。     

性别对T细胞受体抗体诱导的小鼠胸腺细胞亚群凋亡的影响

为分析抗TCR抗体诱导小鼠胸腺细胞的凋亡与性别的关系。用抗TCR抗体腹腔注射、体外包被诱导不同性别小鼠胸腺细胞的凋亡 ,并体外分析雌、雄小鼠在细胞周期凋亡敏感性的差异。腹腔注射抗TCR抗体 4 8h后 ,BALB/c小鼠成熟髓质区高表达TCR的单阳性细胞数目 (CD4 + CD8 、CD4 CD8+ )成倍增加 ,同时皮质区低表达TCR的不成熟双阳性细胞 (CD4 +CD8+ )数目减少。雄性小鼠的这种变化明显于雌性小鼠 ,体外刺激显示类似的结果。抗TCR抗体诱导的凋亡与G0 /G1期细胞的减少有关。结果表明不同性别小鼠在细胞凋亡的敏感性上有差异 ,雄性小鼠更易感。     

年龄、性别在幼鼠胸腺T细胞增殖中的作用

目的：分析年幼小鼠性别、年龄与CD3、CD4、CD8免疫参数表达的关系。方法：分离3—9周小鼠胸腺、脾脏T淋巴细胞，FACS分析细胞表面CD3、CD4、CD8的表达；CFSE标记后细胞，加入ConA、抗TCR抗体、PMA IONO刺激剂培养72小时，流式细胞仪分析的方法比较不同刺激剂作用下雌、雄小鼠T细胞的增殖。结果：结果胸腺和脾脏表面CD3、CD4、CD8的表达与性别无明显关系，6-9周小鼠脾脏CD3^ 细胞明显多于3—4周小鼠；胸腺细胞的增殖与年龄、性别无关，而3周雌性小鼠脾细胞对PMA IONO刺激后的增殖应答比雄性明显，4-6周雄性小鼠脾细胞的增殖能力强于雌性小鼠，7—8周雌性小鼠脾细胞对抗TCR抗体的应答能力明显减小。结论：免疫系统的雌雄异型可能早于青春期。     

CD3/TCR复合物抗体诱导不成熟胸腺细胞亚群的凋亡

目的：采用AnnexinV,PI染色，流式细胞仪分析的方法、DNA琼脂糖电泳法检测不同CD3/TCR复合物抗体对小鼠胸腺T淋巴细胞亚群的促凋亡作用。方法：新鲜分离胸腺细胞，加入PMA、anti-TCR anti-CD28 mAb,anti-TCR mAb等培养20小时，AnnexinV,PI,CD4,CD8细胞染色以及TCR三染，进行FACS分析，同时抽提培养细胞DNA进行琼脂糖电泳。结果：PMA IONO诱导胸腺T细胞的凋亡作用最强，anti-TCR anti-CD28 mAb次之，anti-TCR mAb最弱。结论：AnnexinV,PI细胞染色，流式细胞仪分析的方法可以灵敏检测T淋巴细胞的凋亡；anti-TCR anti-CD28 mAb能明显增强anti-TCR mAb促不成熟的CD4^ CD8^ TCR^ 和CD4^ TCR^ 细胞的凋亡作用；不成熟T细胞经TCR与自身抗原结合的活性过程能产生克隆删除从而产生自我耐受。     

CD28协同刺激分子对T细胞受体介导的胸腺细胞亚群凋亡的影响

目的：分析anti-TCRαβmAb anti-CD28mAb诱导小鼠胸腺淋巴细胞不同亚群的凋亡及凋亡程度，分析CD28协同刺激分子对TCR受体介导的胸腺细胞亚群凋亡的影响。方法：新鲜分离胸腺细胞，加入anti-TCRαβmAb-anti-TCRαβmAb anti-CD28mAb等培养20h，进行多重染色，流式细胞仪分析。结果：与胸腺细胞自发凋亡的结果相比较；（1）双信号刺激可明显增加胸腺细胞凋亡的数目，尤其是CD4^ CD8^ 胸腺细胞的凋亡数目。（2）凋亡的CD4^ CD8^ 亚群，CD4^ CD8^-亚群细胞表面CD28的表达均增多。结论：CD28共刺激分子对TCR受体介导的胸腺细胞亚群凋亡的影响与细胞的成熟程度有关，CD28共刺激分子能明显增强不成熟皮质胸腺细胞的凋亡。     

抗鼠T细胞受体抗体抑制胸腺细胞的迁出

目的 通过检测抗仓鼠T细胞受体抗体对胸腺T细胞输出的影响，进一步研究胸腺是提供外周免疫细胞输出的有关机理。方法 体内注射抗TCR抗体48h后FACS分析新迁出细胞在胸腺、淋巴结的表达。结果 小鼠成熟髓质区高表达T细胞受体的单阳性细胞数目成倍增加，同时皮质区低表达T细胞受体的不成熟双阳性细胞数目减少。成熟的单阳性胸腺细胞高表达归巢受体L-Selectin，表型分析(TCRαβ、CD69、HAS、Vβ7-integrin、Qa-2)显示增加的这群细胞为胸腺的新迁出细胞，此群成熟细胞的高表达，表明胸腺的细胞迁出受到了抑制。胸腺内注射异硫氰酸荧光素16h后，抗TCR抗体注射小鼠外周淋巴结及脾脏CD4^ 、CD8^ 新迁出细胞数量减少。结论 抗TCR抗体能抑制胸腺T细胞向外周迁移。     

胸腺基质细胞支持下骨髓CD34~+细胞向T细胞体外定向分化

目的：研究人骨髓CD34^＋细胞体外向T细胞定向分化的方法，为研究造血细胞淋系造血活性及T细胞发育和分化提供技术平台。方法：免疫磁珠法分离骨髓CD34^＋细胞，在骨髓基质细胞条件培养液构建的微环境下，在胸腺基质细胞的支持下，使其体外向T细胞定向分化，收集培养的非贴壁细胞，免疫荧光染色后经流式细胞术检测培养不同时间CD1^-CD3^＋细胞、CD3^＋CD4^＋CD8^-细胞及CD3^＋CD4^-CD8^＋细胞比例。结果：培养1周时，培养细胞中以不成熟的CD1^＋CD3^-细胞、CD1^＋CD3^＋细胞为主，可检测到少量CD1^-CD3^＋细胞，随培养时间延长，不成熟细胞比例逐渐减少，而成熟的CD1^-CD3^＋细胞比例逐渐增加；在CD3^＋细胞中，培养初期以不成熟的双阳性细胞CD4^＋CD8^＋为主，而成熟的单阳性CD^＋CD8^-细胞及CD4^-CD8^＋细胞占极小比例，随培养时间延长，双阳性细胞比例逐渐减少，而成熟的单阳性细胞比例逐渐增高；而无胸腺基质细胞支持的CD34＋细胞仅在培养初期检测到成熟细胞存在，而培养后4周基本检测不到成熟T细胞的存在。结论：在骨髓基质细胞及胸腺基质细胞的支持下，骨髓CD34^＋细胞可体外发育为成熟的CD1^-CD3^＋细胞及单阳性T细胞，其中胸腺基质细胞的支持对于造血细胞向T细胞的体外定向分化极其重要。     

IDDM患者T细胞受体介导的信号通路受损

目的 :进一步研究IDDM患者T细胞应答改变的机制。方法 :用抗TCR抗体激活患者外周血T细胞 ,分析TCR介导的信号通路的水平。结果 :与正常对照组相比较 ,抗TCR抗体诱导的增殖性应答较弱 (P <0 .0 5) ;rIL 2能部分恢复对抗TCR抗体应答的缺乏 ;抗CD2 8抗体刺激不能恢复TCR介导的增殖性应答 (P =0 .0 3 )。结论 :IDDM患者的T细胞对抗TCR抗体应答的缺乏与TCR介导的信号通路受损有关 ,但协同刺激信号通路正常。TCR信号通路的缺乏增加了IDDM患者T细胞对凋亡的敏感性或无反应性     

小鼠CD^3＋TCRαβ^＋CD^—CD8^—胸腺细胞特性分析

目的：分析CD^3 TCRαβ^ CD^-CD8^-胸腺细胞的特性，推断其在胸腺发育中表型和功能的成熟过程。方法：分离纯化小鼠胸腺DN细胞，用多重染色的方法分析CD^3 TCRαβ^ CD^-CD8^-细胞的表型和TCR库，并与外周淋巴结的相应细胞进行对比。结果：DNA胸腺细胞为异质性细胞，包括CD3^-DN细胞和CD3^ DN细胞，而CD3^ DN细胞又分为CD^3 TCRαβ^ 和CD3^ TCRγδ^ 2个亚群。其中，CD^3 TCRαβ^ DN细胞体积较小，绝大部分细胞对可的松耐受，细胞中能与自身反应的Vβ^3 和Vβ11^ 细胞比例极低，表型较为成熟，与髓质型SP（single positive) 细胞相似。结论：CD^3 TCRαβ^ DN细胞不同于CD^3 TCRαβ^－DN细胞，是一个独特的细胞亚群，只有在经历表型和功能的进一步成熟才能迁出胸腺，移至外周。     

抗CD4抗体对SEB诱导的PBMC增殖反应的抑制作用机理

目的：探讨抗CD4抗体在SEB诱导的外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）增殖择应中的作用机理。方法：采用MTT法,以SEB为刺激原,观测在不同条件诱导的BMC增殖反应中抗CD4抗体的作用。采用形态学、生物化学、流式细胞仪等方法,检测抗CD4抗体诱导的CD4^ T细胞凋亡。结果：抗CD4人-鼠嵌合抗体和鼠源性单抗对由SEB诱导的PBMC增殖均有抑制作用。嵌合抗体能特异性诱导CD4^ T细胞发生凋亡。结论：抗CD4抗体的增殖抑制作用能直接作用于TCR诱导的早期活化信号,嵌合抗体的抑制作用强度与单核细胞的存在密切相关,抗CD4嵌合抗体的进一步广泛交联是诱导凋亡的关键。     

TCR signaling inhibits glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes depending on the stage of development

Signaling by either the TCR or glucocorticoid receptor (GR) induces apoptosis in thymocytes. Interestingly, it has been shown previously that hybridoma T cells escape apoptosis induced by either TCR or GR when both of these receptors signal simultaneously. Whether such mutual antagonism is present in primary thymocytes was the subject of the present study. Both glucocorticoids (GC) and anti-TCR/CD28 (or anti-CD3/CD28) mAb induced apoptosis in total thymocytes. When these signals were present at the same time, GC-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by TCR/CD3 signaling. Costimulation by anti-CD28 enhanced the inhibitory effects of anti-CD3 on GC-induced apoptosis about 30-fold. However, subset analysis revealed that most cells rescued from GC-induced apoptosis were mature CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes, and these cells were resistant to TCR/CD3-induced apoptosis in the absence of GC. Similar results were obtained with mature splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. TCR/CD3 signaling alone, while inducing apoptosis in CD4+(CD8+)TCRlow thymocytes, rescued a small subset of CD4+(CD8+)TCRlow thymocytes from GC-induced apoptosis. Thus, TCR signaling increasingly reverses GC-induced apoptosis as thymocyte development progresses. As GC are infinitely present in vivo, these findings support a model wherein TCR signaling may be required to prevent GC-induced apoptosis both under basal and immune challenging conditions.     

Altered functional responsiveness of thymocyte subsets from CD3delta- deficient mice to TCR-CD3 engagement

CD3delta-deficient (delta degrees) mice are defective in alphabeta T cell development. Here we explore the capacity of TCR-CD3 signaling complexes expressed on delta degrees thymocytes to mediate the following functional outcomes in response to antibody cross-linking: (i) the transition from the CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+ stage, (ii) the transition from the CD4+CD8+ to CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ stages and (iii) the induction of apoptosis. We provide evidence that CD3deltaepsilon complexes are dispensable for mediating the anti-CD3-mediated CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+ transition. On the other hand, CD3delta is critical at the CD4+CD8+ stage. We demonstrate that CD4+CD8+ thymocytes from delta degrees mice, unlike delta degrees CD4-CD8- thymocytes and wild-type CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, require prolonged or consecutive stimuli to elicit functional responses. Depending on the nature of the secondary stimulus, delta degrees thymocytes can be induced to undergo apoptosis or preferential maturation to the CD4-CD8+ stage. Taken together these results indicate that the signaling capacity of the TCR-CD3 complex is noticeably altered in the absence of CD3delta. The essential role of CD3delta at the CD4+CD8+ stage of development correlates with the onset of TCRalpha rearrangement, consistent with a critical structural and/or functional relationship between CD3delta and TCRalpha.      

A novel CD3-J11d+ subset of CD4+CD8- cells repopulating thymus in radiation bone marrow chimeras

Sequential appearance of T cell subpopulations occurs in the thymus of irradiated AKR (H-2k, Thy-1.1) mice at an early stage after transplantation with bone marrow cells of C3H/HeN (H-2k, Thy-1.2) mice. The donor-derived thymocytes were first detected on day 8 after bone marrow reconstitution. Although most of the thymocytes were CD4-CD8- cells, an appreciable level of CD4+CD8- cells was detected in the thymus at this stage. The early appearing CD4+CD8- cells were a novel subset of thymocytes that were J11d+CD3-. From day 10 to day 21 the proportion of CD4+CD8-CD3-J11d+ cells decreased while the proportion of CD4+CD8+ cells and CD4+CD8-CD3+J11d- cells increased. The CD4+CD8-CD3- cells seem to diversify to form CD4+CD8+ thymocytes after short-term culture in vitro. These results suggested the existence of a differential pathway from CD4-CD8- cells to CD4+CD8+ cells via CD4+CD8- cells in thymus.     

Functional responsiveness in vitro and in vivo of alpha/beta T cell receptors expressed by the B2A2 (J11d)- subset of CD4-8- thymocytes

B2A2-CD4-8- cells represent a rare subpopulation of thymocytes normally comprising 0.5% of the total adult thymus. These cells are known to express CD3-associated T cell receptor (TcR) alpha/beta molecules. In the present study we have examined the functional capacity of alpha/beta heterodimers on B2A2-CD4-8- cells. In the presence of monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for either murine CD3 or TcR expressing the V beta 8-encoded beta chain (F23.1), B2A2-CD4-8- cells proliferated. Such proliferation was blocked by mAb to interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2R), suggesting an autocrine mechanism involving IL 2 production and subsequent utilization. IL 2 and also IL 3 production by mAb-stimulated B2A2-CD4-8- cells was directly confirmed. Furthermore, a panel of B2A2-CD4-8- clones were derived to assess the role of the TcR in cytolysis. Many clones were isolated which killed Fc receptor-bearing P815 target cells only in the presence of F23.1 mAb. Finally, in vivo treatment of neonatal mice with F23.1 mAb resulted in a marked reduction of V beta 8+ B2A2-CD4-8- thymocytes. Collectively, these results indicate that the TcR alpha/beta complex on CD4-CD8-B2A2- cells is fully capable of transducing signals that lead to proliferation, lymphokine production and cytolysis in vitro, as well as to disappearance of this subset from the thymus in vivo.     

Developmental regulation of bcl-2 expression in the thymus.

An important factor in shaping the T-cell receptor (TcR) repertoire during thymocyte development is the susceptibility of double-positive (CD4+ CD8+) thymocytes to induction of apoptosis (negative selection) when the TcR is engaged by 'self'-antigens. Recent evidence has suggested that this susceptibility to apoptosis may be influenced by the expression of bcl-2, a proto-oncogene known to increase the resistance to apoptosis in various cell systems. Using a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in conjunction with staged embryonic material and purified thymocyte subpopulations we have investigated patterns of bcl-2 expression during normal T-cell development. Our results show that while bcl-2 alpha gene expression is readily detectable in immature CD3-CD4-CD8- thymocytes and in mature single-positive TcRhi cells, it is drastically reduced in TcR negative double-positive (CD3- CD4+ CD8+) cortical thymocytes of intermediate maturity. Careful mapping of bcl-2 alpha re-expression in relation to the onset of TcR expression within the population of embryonic thymocytes indicates that bcl-2 alpha is up-regulated as soon as TcR molecules are expressed on the surface of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes. Therefore, thymocytes susceptible to apoptosis on TcR ligation express bcl-2 alpha mRNA suggesting that changing levels of bcl-2 expression are unlikely to be the only determinant regulating susceptibility to apoptosis in the thymus. The possible implications of these changes in bcl-2 expression regarding other facets of thymocyte development will be discussed.     

Clonal analysis of CD4-CD8- human thymocytes expressing a T cell receptor gamma/delta chain. Direct evidence for the de novo expression of CD8 surface antigen and of cytolytic activity against tumor targets

CD4-CD8- human thymocytes were obtained by treating total thymocyte suspensions with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and complement. The resulting cell populations contained virtually no CD4+, CD8+ or WT31+ cells and 17-65% CD3+ cells. In addition, analysis of cell reactivity with delta-TCS-1 mAb (specific for the C gamma 2-encoded, nondisulfide-linked form of TcR gamma/delta), revealed the presence of a variable proportion of delta-TCS-1+ cells (the % of delta-TCS-1+ cells were lower than the percentage of CD3+ cells). Upon culture in recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2, in the presence of irradiated mononuclear cells), CD4-CD8- thymocytes underwent extensive proliferation. In addition, a progressive increase of CD8+ cells (but not of CD4+ or WT31+ cells) could be detected. Cells also progressively acquired cytolytic activity against K-562 or fresh melanoma cells. Fresh CD4-CD8- thymocytes were cloned under limiting dilution conditions. The cloning efficiencies were relatively high (1/3 cells); in addition, virtually all the clonal progenies obtained displayed cytolytic activity and expressed the CD3+WT31-delta-TCS-1+ surface phenotype. About half of the clones analyzed were CD8+, whereas none expressed CD4 antigens. We conclude that (a) only delta-TCS-1-reactive, TcR gamma/delta+ cells can be isolated from CD4-CD8- thymocytes cultured in IL2, and (b) the expression of CD8 antigen and of cytolytic activity reflects a true in vitro phenotypic change of CD8-, noncytolytic precursors (and not the preferential growth of few contaminating cells).     

Expression and function of CD2 during murine thymocyte ontogeny

CD2, originally recognized as the sheep erythrocyte receptor of human T cells, has been implicated in early T cell development in the thymus. In this report, we examined the expression and functional role of CD2 during murine thymocyte ontogeny by using monoclonal antibodies to murine CD2. Surface expression of CD2 was first detected in Thy-1+ fetal thymocytes at day 14 of gestation and it progressively increased during CD4-CD8- phenotype. Surface IL 2 receptor (CD25) expression was readily detected in surface CD2- cells at day 13 of gestation and the majority of CD2+ cells appeared to be generated from CD25+ cells thereafter. In adult CD4-CD8- thymocytes, the expression of CD2 and CD25 was mutually exclusive. These results indicate that surface CD2 expression is not a prerequisite for CD25 induction during murine thymocyte ontogeny. This was further confirmed by fetal thymus organ culture in which anti-murine CD2 mAb was included. The antibody treatment led to a suppressed CD2 expression on thymocytes; however, there was no effect on the appearance of CD25. Moreover, no influence on the development of mature CD3+ thymocytes was observed after fetal thymus organ culture in the presence of anti-murine CD2 mAb, and a substantial number of CD3+CD2- cells was demonstrated in fetal and adult CD4-CD8- thymocytes. These findings argue against the functional relevance of CD2 expression during early T cell development as proposed in humans.     

CD4+CD8+CD3high thymocytes appear transiently during ontogeny: evidence from phenotypic and functional studies.

During T cell development thymocyte subsets emerge in a defined order, reflective of their maturational stage. In this study we determined the timing of appearance of CD4+CD8+CD3high thymocytes during in vivo and in vitro embryonic development, and thymic reconstitution after cortisone treatment. In these models, CD4+CD8+CD3high cells followed CD4+CD8+CD3low and preceded mature CD4+CD8-CD3high/CD4-CD8+CD3high thymocytes, while cortisone resistance was first seen among CD4+CD8+CD3high cells. CD4+CD8+CD3high thymocytes were also shown to display a pattern of antigen receptor-mediated calcium influx intermediate between that induced in other CD4+CD8+ cells and mature thymocytes. These results are consistent with a precursor-progeny relationship between CD4+CD8+CD3low and CD4+CD8+CD3high thymocytes, the latter developing to mature thymocytes (Hugo, P. et al., Int. Immunol. 1991. 3: 265).