Relative Expression of OX40, OX40L mRNA,and OX40L Serum Levels in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

This study determined the roles of OX40 and OX40L in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). We compared the expression of OX40 and OX40L genes in peripheral blood mRNA levels and serum levels of OX40L in women with a history of RSA to the control group. In this case-control study, 40 women with a history of RSA (case group), and 40 others with no history of abortion (control group) were investigated. The expressions of OX40 mRNA and OX40L mRNA were determined in the two groups using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Also, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of serum OX40L in the two groups. There were no significant differences in the maternal age of women in the two groups (30.1 ± 4.28 years in the case vs. 30.03 ± 4.23 years in the control group). There was no difference in terms of the levels of OX40 and OX40L mRNA between the groups (p = 0.08 and p = 0.56, respectively). In addition, there was no significant correlation between the expression of OX40 and OX40L mRNA levels with age or the number of abortions. The correlation between OX40 and OX40L mRNA levels was not significant. RSA history group turned to show a higher level of serum OX40L than the control group (p = 0.03). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the expression of OX40 mRNA and OX40L mRNA was similar between women with a history of RSA and the control group. The elevation of serum OX40L level may be considered as a risk factor for RSA.     

胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素、OX40和OX40受体在过敏性腹泻小鼠大肠黏膜中表达的关系

目的 建立小鼠过敏性腹泻模型,检测其大肠黏膜中胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)、OX40、OX40受体(OX40L)的表达和肠系膜淋巴结细胞培养上清中IL-4、IFN-γ的水平,分析其之间的关系,探讨TSLP、OX40、OX40L在过敏性腹泻中的作用.方法 雌性BALB/c小鼠20只随机分成两组即对照组和实验组.采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测肠系膜淋巴结细胞培养上清中IL-4和IFN-γ的水平,取大肠组织HE染色观察大肠组织病理改变,SP免疫组织化学技术检测TSLP、OX40、OX40L的表达.结果 ①HE染色结果显示:实验组比对照组小鼠结肠黏膜组织非特异性炎症反应显著,上皮排列不规则,有大量炎性细胞浸润,固有层可见大量嗜酸性粒细胞浸润;②TSLP、OX40、OX40L在过敏性腹泻小鼠大肠黏膜中的表达水平高于对照组的表达水平(t=7.07,t =7.81,t =7.79,P均＜0.01);③Spearman等级相关分析发现TSLP、OX40、0X40L三者间表达强度存在正相关(r=0.889,r=0.932,r=0.943,P均＜0.01),同时三者与肠系膜淋巴结细胞培养上清中IL-4水平呈正相关(r=0.891,r =0.936,r=0.886,P均＜0.05),而与IFN-γ水平呈负相关(r=-0.829,r=-0.881,r=-0.937,P均＜0.05).结论 TSLP、OX40、OX40L三者间表达存在正相关,并诱导了Th1/Th2轴向Th2轴漂移,促进了过敏性腹泻的发生发展.     

Targeting OX40 and OX40L for the treatment of autoimmunity and cancer

The optimal activation of na?ve T cells requires TCR-mediated recognition of cognate peptide-MHC complexes on antigen presenting cells in the presence of costimulatory signals. Although signals provided via CD28-B7 interactions are important for enhancing the initial T-cell response, other costimulatory signals are required for sustaining the response and promoting both T-cell differentiation and survival. In particular, engagement of OX40 (CD134) by its natural ligand OX40L (CD134L) or OX40 agonists has been shown to provide key signals that can augment CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. Importantly, numerous studies have highlighted the ability of OX40-specific agonists or antagonists to enhance antitumor immunity or ameliorate autoimmune disease, respectively. On the basis of these studies, the development of OX40- and OX40L-specific reagents has been pursued for clinical use. Given the emerging role of OX40 and OX40L as novel therapeutic targets, this review will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of OX40-mediated T-cell costimulation with a special emphasis on the role of OX40-OX40L interactions in the etiology and treatment of autoimmunity and cancer.     

ICOS/ICOSL、OX40/OX40L及CD40/CD40L在系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血表达水平及其临床意义

本研究旨在检测SLE患者外周CD4+T细胞表面ICOS、OX40、CD40L及B细胞表面ICOSL、OX40L、CD40分子的表达情况,并探索其临床意义。采用流式细胞术,我们检测SLE患者及健康对照外周CD4+T细胞表面ICOS、OX40、CD40L及B细胞表面ICOSL、OX40L、CD40分子的表达,并分析其与SLE临床指标的相关性。结果显示,SLE患者外周CD4+T细胞上ICOS、OX40、CD40L及B细胞上ICOSL、OX40L、CD40分子的表达均明显高于健康对照组(均P0.05),且SLE患者CD4+T细胞表面ICOS的表达与患者血清IgG水平呈现正相关,B细胞表面ICOSL的表达与患者血清抗dsDNA抗体水平正相关,B细胞表面OX40L的表达与患者血清抗核抗体水平正相关(均P0.05)。上述结果表明SLE患者外周CD4+T细胞上ICOS、OX40、CD40L及B细胞上ICOSL、OX40L、CD40分子均发生上调,并与SLE自身抗体水平呈现正相关,提示分别表达于T细胞和B细胞表面的ICOS/ICOSL、OX40/OX40L及CD40/CD40L分子,通过相互作用参与SLE的致病过程。     

The significance of OX40 and OX40L to T-cell biology and immune disease

Summary:  OX40 (CD134) and its binding partner, OX40L (CD252), are members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor/tumor necrosis factor superfamily and are expressed on activated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells as well as on a number of other lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells. Costimulatory signals from OX40 to a conventional T cell promote division and survival, augmenting the clonal expansion of effector and memory populations as they are being generated to antigen. OX40 additionally suppresses the differentiation and activity of T-regulatory cells, further amplifying this process. OX40 and OX40L also regulate cytokine production from T cells, antigen-presenting cells, natural killer cells, and natural killer T cells, and modulate cytokine receptor signaling. In line with these important modulatory functions, OX40–OX40L interactions have been found to play a central role in the development of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, making them attractive candidates for intervention in the clinic. Conversely, stimulating OX40 has shown it to be a candidate for therapeutic immunization strategies for cancer and infectious disease. This review provides a broad overview of the biology of OX40 including the intracellular signals from OX40 that impact many aspects of immune function and have promoted OX40 as one of the most prominent costimulatory molecules known to control T cells.     

人OX40L在BL-21大肠杆菌中的表达和生物学功能研究

目的：克隆和表达人可溶性OX40L重组蛋白(sOXdOL)，探讨OXdOL信号在T细胞对乳腺癌细胞反应中的协同刺激效应。方法：运用基因工程技术在大肠杆菌中表达人重组融合蛋白GST-sOX40L，Western blot分析表达蛋白的特异性；采用体外T细胞和乳腺癌细胞混合培养体系，观察对T细胞生长和增殖的影响。结果：构建了GST-sOX40L原核表达体系，从而进行重组蛋白的有效表达；纯化的重组蛋白通过免疫印迹分析能被特异性单抗识别，并在体外培养体系中显示出协同刺激T细胞对乳腺肿瘤细胞的反应性：促进T细胞生长、增殖以及IL-2的分泌。结论：成功地研制了具有生物学活性的sOX40L，为体外激发肿瘤特异性T细胞提供良好的物质基础。     

Graves病患者外周血OX40和OX40L分子表达的研究

探讨OX40和OX40L分子在Graves病患者外周血T淋巴细胞和单核细胞上的表达及其在Graves病发病机制中的可能作用。采用流式细胞仪检测技术对50例初发Graves病患者和30例健康志愿者外周血T细胞上OX40和单核细胞上OX40L的表达水平进行分析,并对28例治疗前后病人淋巴细胞上OX40/OX40L的表达进行了比较。结果:与正常对照组比,初发Graves病患者外周血CD4+T细胞上OX40表达水平明显升高,而CD8+T细胞上OX40表达水平无显著变化;同时,还检测到单核细胞上OX40L表达水平也明显增加。治疗后,FT3(游离三碘甲腺原氨酸)值恢复至健康对照组表达范围的Graves病患者其CD4+T细胞上OX40和单核细胞上OX40L的表达均显著降低至正常水平;而FT3值仍偏高的患者单核细胞上OX40L的表达降低,但未降至健康对照组表达范围,CD4+T细胞上OX40的表达则无显著变化。Graves病患者外周血T细胞和单核细胞上分别存在OX40和OX40L的异常表达,且与治疗效果密切相关,提示OX40/OX40L信号在T细胞与单核细胞相互作用过程中可能有助于自身反应性T细胞的持续活化,从而参与Graves病的免疫发生发展。     

Vascular endothelial cells provide T cells with costimulatory signals via the OX40/gp34 system

We investigated whether gp34, the ligand of OX40, expressed on EC is involved in costimulation of T cells. Normal CD4+ T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3-coated beads, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or concanavalin A (Con A) in the presence or absence of irradiated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Stimulation of T cells with each of these mitogens results in significant T-cell proliferation only when HUVEC were present, and this proliferation was inhibited markedly by anti-OX40 or anti-gp34 monoclonal antibody (mAb). T cells cultured with HUVEC produced more interleukin (IL)-2 than those cultured without HUVEC. The addition of anti-IL-2R alpha chain and anti-IL-2R beta chain mAbs abolished the costimulatory effects of HUVEC. Thus, the augmentation of T-cell proliferation appears to be attributable to increased IL-2 production. These results suggest that gp34 expressed on HUVEC plays a role in potentiation of T-cell immune response by providing OX40+ T cells with costimulatory signals.     

The costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and OX40L are up-regulated in Aspergillus fumigatus sensitized mice

Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) is a fungus associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and other allergic diseases. Immune responses in these diseases are due to T and B cell responses. T cell activation requires both Af-specific engagement of the T-cell-receptor as well as interaction of antigen independent costimulatory molecules including CD28-CD80/CD86 and OX40-OX40L interactions. Since these molecules and their interactions have been suggested to have a potential involvement in the pathogenesis of ABPA, we have investigated their role in a model of experimental allergic aspergillosis. BALB/c mice were primed and sensitized with Af allergens, with or without exogenous IL-4. Results showed up-regulation of both CD86 and CD80 molecules on lung B cells from Af-sensitized mice (79% CD86+ and 24% CD80+) and Af/rIL-4-treated mice (90% CD86+ and 24% CD80+) compared to normal controls (36% and 17%, respectively). Lung macrophages in Af-sensitized mice treated or not with IL-4 showed enhanced expression of these molecules. OX40L expression was also up-regulated on lung B cells and macrophages from both Af-sensitized and Af/rIL-4 exposed mice as compared to normal controls. All Af-sensitized animals showed peripheral blood eosinophilia, enhanced total serum IgE and allergen-specific IgG1 antibodies and characteristic lung inflammation. The up-regulation of CD80, CD86 and OX40L molecules on lung B cells and macrophages from Af-allergen exposed mice suggests a major role for these molecules in the amplification and persistence of immunological and inflammatory responses in ABPA.     

Contribution of OX40/OX40 ligand interaction to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 (CD134) are a pair of cell surface molecules belonging to the TNF/TNF receptor family. Interaction of OX40L with its receptor OX40 is thought to be important in T cell activation through T cell/antigen-presenting cell interaction. However, involvement of these molecules in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. To explore the contribution of OX40/OX40L interaction to the pathogenesis of RA in vivo, we evaluated the effect of a neutralizing anti-OX40L monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice as an animal model for RA. Administration of anti-OX40L mAb into type II collagen (CII) -immunized DBA/1 mice dramatically ameliorated the disease severity. In vivo treatment with anti-OX40L mAb did not inhibit the expansion of CII-reactive T cells, but suppressed IFN-gamma and anti-CII IgG2a production. Therefore, OX40/OX40L interaction appears to play a critical role in the development of CIA by enhancing Th1-type autoimmune response. In addition, T lymphocytes in synovial fluid and synovial tissue from RA patients expressed OX40, while OX40L was expressed on sublining cells in synovial tissue. These results indicate that OX40/OX40L interaction may play a critical role in the development of RA.     

共刺激分子CD40L在RA患者T细胞亚群中的异常表达

目的　探讨共刺激分子CD4 0L在类风湿关节炎 (RA)患者的T细胞亚群上的表达异常与免疫功能紊乱的关系。方法　用流式细胞仪采用直接免疫荧光法测定 4 6例RA患者和 2 0例健康对照人外周血T细胞表面标志CD3、CD4、CD8的表达情况及CD4 0L在CD4 + T和CD8+ T细胞上的表达。用IMMAGE免疫分析仪 ,速率散射比浊法测定血清中免疫球蛋白的水平。结果　RA患者CD3+ CD4 + 细胞较正常对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,CD3+ CD8+ 细胞较正常对照组显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,CD4 + T细胞和CD8+ T细胞上的CD4 0L的表达都较对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;血清中 3种免疫球蛋白IgG、IgA、IgM的水平均较对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　RA患者以CD4 + T细胞活化为主 ,CD4 + T细胞和CD8+ T细胞上高表达的CD4 0L为T细胞活化提供第二信号 ,促使RA患者的细胞免疫功能亢进 ,同时诱导B细胞增生 ,产生大量免疫球蛋白。CD4 0 CD4 0L途径在RA免疫功能紊乱中起了重要作用     

OX40/OX40L interaction induces the expression of CXCR5 and contributes to chronic colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice

Interactions between APC and T lymphocytes have been implicated as a major factor contributing to inflammatory bowel disease. To test whether OX40/OX40L interaction plays a role in chronic intestinal inflammation, we induced chronic colitis using dextran sulfate sodium and treated the mice with a murine fusion protein (OX40-IgG). Treatment resulted in a dose-dependent and significant reduction of intestinal inflammation (46%) as measured by a histologic score. IL-10 and IL-5 production from mesenteric lymph node cells increased 20-fold and 18-fold, respectively. In colonic tissue, IL-10 mRNA levels increased and the expression of T-bet was decreased to 30%. IL-10 neutralization partly inhibited the beneficial effects of OX40-IgG treatment. Surprisingly, despite the reduction of inflammation we found the number and size of colonic lymphoid follicles increased, with an accumulation of CD4(+) cells in the mantle area. In contrast, the number of CD4(+) cells infiltrating the mucosa was significantly reduced, as was their CXCR5 expression (24-fold). We conclude that OX40/OX40L interaction contributes to the perpetuation of chronic colitis partly by suppressing IL-10 production. Furthermore, our data suggest that the OX40/OX40L-induced CXCR5 expression on CD4(+) cells may be important for the inflammatory process by allowing migration to the germinal center for further differentiation of CD4(+) cells before they infiltrate the chronically inflamed mucosa.     

Expression of tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily costimulatory molecules CD27L, CD30L, OX40L and 4-1BBL in the heart of patients with acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: T-cell-mediated myocardial damage is known to be involved in acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Recently, we found that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand superfamily costimulatory molecules, especially 4-1BBL, played an important role in the myocardial damage of murine acute viral myocarditis. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate the roles for CD27L, CD30L, OX40L and 4-1BBL, which belong to TNF ligand superfamily, in the development of acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, we analyzed the expression of these antigens in the myocardial tissues of patients with acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. We also examined expression of the receptors for these molecules, CD27, CD30, OX40 and 4-1BB, which belong to TNF receptor superfamily, on the infiltrating cells. Strong expression of CD27L, CD30L and 4-1BBL and weak to moderate expression of OX40L was found in the cardiac myocytes of patients with acute myocarditis. Moderate expression of CD27L, CD30L and 4-1BBL and weak expression of OX40L was found on the cardiac myocytes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Most of the infiltrating cells expressed CD27, CD30 and 4-1BB and a part of the infiltrating cells expressed OX40. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that expression of TNF ligand superfamily costimulatory molecules on cardiac myocytes may play a role in the cell-mediated myocardial damage in patients with acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy as in murine viral myocarditis.     

Costimulatory molecule OX40/OX40L expression in ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma of breast: An immunohistochemistry-based pilot study

OX40, a membrane-bound member of the tumor-necrosis-factor-receptor (TNFR) superfamily, plays an important role in proliferation, survival and infiltration of activated T cells via binding to OX40L. Recent studies indicate that OX40/OX40L system mediates the adhesion and infiltration of adult T cell leukemia (ATL). Previously, we detected OX40 expression in breast carcinoma cell lines and tissues. The correlation of expression of OX40 and OX40L and clinical features in breast carcinogenesis, however, has not been well characterized. The expression of OX40 and OX40L in 107 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCa), 9 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and 31 fibroadenomas from breast tissues and its relationship with the clinical features were determined using immunohistochemistry (peroxidase-conjugated polymer method, ChemMate™ Envision™ Detection kit). The positive immunostaining rates for OX40 in IDCa, DCIS and fibroadenomas from breast tissues were 85.0%, 66.7% and 38.7% respectively, showing a significant difference in OX40 expression among IDCa, DCIS and fibroadenoma of breast (z = 5.206, P = 0.001). Increased staining intensity of OX40 was associated with TNM stages (z = 2.112, P = 0.017). Meanwhile, a relation of OX40 expression with lymph node metastatic status in IDCa was found (P = 0.041). The expression of OX40L did not show any obvious difference among IDCa, DCIS and fibroadenomas from breast tissues. OX40L expression was also not related to histopathological parameters in IDCa except for progesterone receptor (PR) being positive (P = 0.005). However, a high coincidental positive rate for OX40 and OX40L was observed in biopsy samples with IDCa (P = 0.017, Kappa = 0.231). The present results suggest that high OX40 expression may be associated with malignant transformation, progression, invasion and metastasis in breast cancer biology.     

Association of the co-stimulator OX40L with systemic lupus erythematosus

The archetypal systemic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has incompletely understood pathogenesis, although evidence suggests a strong genetic component. Unlike organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, the genetics of lupus are not as dominated by the effect of a single locus. Undoubtedly, the major histocompatibility complex is the greatest and most consistent genetic risk factor in SLE susceptibility; however, recent candidate gene and whole genome association (WGA) studies have identified several other genes that are likely to advance our understanding of this complex disease. One of these, the TNF superfamily member OX40L, interacts with its unique receptor OX40, to maintain T cell memory by providing a late-stage co-stimulatory signal to sustain the survival of activated T cells. The precise immunological consequences are yet to be determined; however, signalling through OX40-OX40L is bidirectional and the reverse signalling pathway via OX40L may quantitatively enhance B cell proliferation to augment the B cell hyperactivity found in SLE. Like OX40L, several genes recently identified in WGA studies are components of B cell pathways. Collectively, these genes will help us to unravel the mechanisms by which aberrant B cell signalling results in lupus pathogenesis.     

Consequences of OX40-OX40 ligand interactions in langerhans cell function: enhanced contact hypersensitivity responses in OX40L-transgenic mice

Langerhans cells (LC) represent the dominant antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the epidermis and thus play an important role in cutaneous immune responses to approaching pathogens. These responses are mediated by several costimulatory molecules after antigenic challenge. OX40 ligand (OX40L), a member of TNF superfamily, is expressed on several APC such as splenic dendritic cells (DC) and activated B cells. This molecule has been reported to provide potent costimulation in APC-T cell interactions upon binding to its cognate receptor, OX40, on activated T cells. Little is known, however, regarding OX40L expression and function on LC. In the present study, we report the expression of both OX40L and OX40 on differentiated LC derived from draining lymph nodes in the FITC-sensitized mice. During contact hypersensitivity responses, OX40L-deficient mice demonstrated a significant reduction in both hapten-induced ear swelling and hapten-specific T cell responses despite intact migratory responses. Conversely, these responses were markedly increased in two different OX40L-transgenic strains with variations in OX40L overexpression. In the LC-induced MLR, OX40L-deficient and OX40L-overexpressing LC were capable of reducing and elevating the responses of allogeneic CD4+ T cells, respectively. Thus the requirement of OX40L during the antigen presentation function of LC in T cell priming is here demonstrated.     

大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤时粘附分子CD40及CD40配体的表达

目的:探讨粘附分子CD40及CD40配体(CD40L)在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的表达。方法:采用大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型,大鼠分7组:对照组(n=3)、单纯缺血30min、缺血30min再灌注1min、5min、10min、20min和30min组(各组n=6),利用流式细胞技术观察外周血CD40及CD40L的表达,并用免疫组织化学法观察CD40及CD40L在心肌中表达情况。结果:单纯30min缺血组(I_30min)的CD40及CD40L高于对照组(P＜0.05);在不同的再灌注时间中,CD40及CD40L在再灌注1min(R_1min)开始升高,R_5min达高峰,随后开始下降,R_30min达基线,其中R_5min、R_10min的CD40及CD40L比I_30min及对照组高(P＜0.05),免疫组织化学法显示CD40及CD40L在心肌细胞膜上表达,正常心肌细胞膜上表达较弱,损伤心肌细胞膜上表达较强。结论:提示心肌缺血再灌注损伤的发生可能与粘附分子CD40及CD40L的异常表达有关。