Progressive CD127 down‐regulation correlates with increased apoptosis of CD8 T cells during chronic HIV‐1 infection

Chronic HIV‐1 infection can induce a significant decrease in CD127 expression on CD8 T cells, but the underlying mechanisms and immunological consequences are unclear. In this study, we investigated CD127 expression on CD8 T cells from a total of 51 HIV‐1‐infected subjects and 16 healthy individuals and analyzed the association between CD127 expression and CD8 T‐cell apoptosis in these HIV‐1‐infected subjects. We found that CD127 expression on total CD8 T cells was significantly down‐regulated, which was correlated with the increased CD8 T‐cell apoptosis and disease progression of chronic HIV‐1 infection. The in vitro addition of IL‐7 efficiently rescued the spontaneous apoptosis of CD8 T cells from HIV‐1‐infected individuals. IL‐7 stimulation also transiently down‐regulated CD127 expression, whereas some of the CD127^? CD8 T cells regained CD127 expression soon after IL‐7 was retracted from the incubation medium. Thus, IL‐7 stimulation reduced apoptosis of both CD127⁺ and CD127^?CD8 T cells to some degree. These data indicate that CD127 loss might impair IL‐7 signaling and increase CD8 T‐cell apoptosis during HIV‐1 infection. This study, therefore, will extend the notion that IL‐7 could be a good candidate for immunotherapy in HIV‐1‐infected patients.     

Expression and function of HLA-B27 in lipid-linked form: Implications for cytotoxic T lymphocyte-induced apoptosis signal transduction

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) kill their target cells not only by inducing irreversible membrane damage but also by triggering a programmed suicide cascade (apoptosis) in target cells. Recent evidence suggests that MHC class I antigens are involved in apoptosis signal transduction in T cells. Therefore, it is possible that MHC class I antigens are also responsible for CTL-induced signal transduction in target cells leading to apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, we have expressed HLA-B27 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in a phosphatidyl inositol (PI) anchored form. The expressed Pl-anchored HLA-B27 (PI-B27), a 42-kDa molecule which can be cleaved off the cell surface by Pi-specific phospholipase C, can function as an MHC restriction and antigen presentation element for specific CTL. Furthermore, PI-B27 transfectant CHO cells undergo rapid DNA fragmentation when pulsed with the appropriate peptide and treated with specific CTL, suggesting that the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of the heavy chain of class I MHC molecules are not required in CTL-induced apoptosis signal transduction in target cells.     

IL‐12‐mediated STAT4 signaling and TCR signal strength cooperate in the induction of CD40L in human and mouse CD8+ T cells

CD40L is one of the key molecules bridging the activation of specific T cells and the maturation of professional and nonprofessional antigen‐presenting cells including B cells. CD4⁺ T cells have been regarded as the major T‐cell subset that expresses CD40L upon cognate activation; however, we demonstrate here that a putative CD8⁺ helper T‐cell subset expressing CD40L is induced in human and murine CD8⁺ T cells in vitro and in mice immunized with antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells. IL‐12 and STAT4‐mediated signaling was the major instructive cytokine signal boosting the ability of CD8⁺ T cells to express CD40L both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, TCR signaling strength modulated CD40L expression in CD8⁺ T cells after primary differentiation in vitro as well as in vivo. The induction of CD40L in CD8⁺ T cells regulated by IL‐12 and TCR signaling may enable CD8⁺ T cells to respond autonomously of CD4⁺ T cells. Thus, we propose that under proinflammatory conditions, a self‐sustaining positive feedback loop could facilitate the efficient priming of T cells stimulated by high affinity peptide displaying APCs.     

CD46 RNAi对CD59介导的T细胞信号转导的作用研究

目的构建携带针对CD46基因的pSUPER retro RNAi逆转录病毒载体,研究糖基磷脂酰肌醇(GPI)锚定蛋白CD59与CD46在介导T细胞信号转导中的相关性。方法将能转录产生靶向CD46小发夹RNA(shRNA)的寡核苷酸序列,克隆入逆转录病毒载体pSUPER retro,转化大肠杆菌JM109并转染Jurkat细胞。将Jurkat细胞分为未转染的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅰ组)、转染空质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅱ组)、转染CD59干扰质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅲ组)及转染CD46干扰质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅳ组)。用RT-PCR、Western blot技术检测各组细胞中的CD59、CD46基因的表达水平。用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测CD46与CD59联合作用对4组Jurkat细胞的增殖效应。结果重组载体经PCR及限制性内切酶酶切鉴定初步成功后送测序,结果表明序列正确,构建成功,稳定转染后,Ⅳ组细胞CD46分子的表达被成功抑制,Ⅲ组细胞CD59分子的表达被抑制。Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组细胞CD46与CD59单抗联合作用后,增殖能力明显高于Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组(P<0.05);但Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组,Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组之间无差异。结论 CD59可增强CD46对T细胞信号转导的效应。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者T细胞TCR/CD3复合物介导的信号传导研究

目的：证实SLE患者T细胞功能异常是否与其生物化学信号转导异常有关。方法：用CD3单抗与羊抗鼠二抗IgG相关联刺激T细胞并用Thapsigargin和EGTA干预后，分别用粘附细胞仪连续观察10min T细胞[Ca^2 ]i的变化，并评价[Ca^2 ]i反应与CD3分子和InsP3生成量的相关性。结果：正常人和SLE患者T细胞[Ca^2 ]i反应的基准上似（P＝0．105）；SLE患者T细胞的[Ca^2 ]i反应高峰值、平台值明显高于正常对照（P＜0．001，P＜0．001）；加入Thapsigargin后二者[Ca^2 ]i反应无显著差异，而加入EGTA后二者[Ca^2 ]i反应有显著差异；二者的T细胞CD3阳性率和InsP3生成量无差异（P＝0．665，P＝0．537）。结论：SLE患者T细胞TCR／CD3介导的信号转导途径存在异常；SLE患者T细胞功能异常可能是因细胞内生物化学信号途径异常所致。     

c‐IAP ubiquitin protein ligase activity is required for 4‐1BB signaling and CD8+ memory T‐cell survival

Cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (c‐IAP) 1 and 2 are widely expressed ubiquitin protein ligases that regulate a variety of cellular functions, including the sensitivity of T cells to costimulation. 4‐1BB is a TNF receptor family member that signals via a complex that includes TRAF family members and the c‐IAPs to upregulate NF‐κB and ERK, and has been implicated in memory T‐cell survival. Here, we show that effector and memory T cells from mice expressing a dominant negative E3‐inactive c‐IAP2 (c‐IAP2^H570A) have impaired signaling downstream of 4‐1BB. When infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, unlike mice in which c‐IAPs were acutely downregulated by c‐IAP antagonists, the primary response of c‐IAP2^H570A mice was normal. However, the number of antigen‐specific CD8⁺ but not CD4⁺ T cells declined more rapidly and to a greater extent in c‐IAP2^H570A mice than in WT controls. Studies with T‐cell adoptive transfer demonstrated that the enhanced decay of memory cells was T‐cell intrinsic. Thus, c‐IAP E3 activity is required for 4‐1BB coreceptor signaling and maintenance of CD8⁺ T‐cell memory.     

CD59锚定蛋白对CD3介导Jurkat细胞活化信号转导中的增强效应

目的用前期构建好的CD59pSUPER-RNAi质粒转染Jurkat细胞,探讨CD59特异性沉默前后CD59对CD3介导Jurkat细胞活化信号转导的相关作用。方法采用Lipofectamine2000转染Jurkat细胞,经G418筛选建立稳定转染细胞系,利用RT-PCR检测转染后CD59在基因水平的表达抑制效果。实验分为未转染的Jurkat细胞组(A组),转染空质粒pSUPER组(B组)和转染CD59pSUPER-RNAi质粒的Jurkat细胞组(C组),用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法,Western blot技术和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜分别检测交联CD59单抗与固相化CD3单抗联合作用对3组Jurkat细胞的增殖效应,ZAP-70酪氨酸磷酸化的水平及细胞浆内钙离子的变化。结果重组载体转染后,经G418筛选得到稳定转染细胞系,RT-PCR结果表明转染CD59pSUPER-RNAi质粒的Jurkat细胞组CD59分子的表达受到抑制。转染干扰质粒Jurkat细胞组CD59与CD3联合作用后细胞增殖能力,ZAP-70酪氨酸磷酸化水平及钙离子浓度均明显低于未转染组和转染空质粒组(P<0.05);但未转染组和转染空质粒组之间无差异。结论 CD59对CD3介导T细胞活化信号转导有增强效应。     

Proximal changes in signal transduction that modify CD8+ T cell responsiveness in vivo

The antigen dose conditions the functional properties of CD8(+) T cells generated after priming. At relatively low antigen doses, efficient memory T cells may be generated, while high antigen doses lead to tolerance. To determine the mechanisms leading to such different functional outcomes, we compared the proximal TCR signal transduction of naive cells, to that of memory or high-dose tolerant cells generated in vivo. In vivo activation led to the constitutive phosphorylation of CD3epsilon, recruiting Zap70, in both memory and tolerant cells. In tolerant cells, these phenomena were much more marked, the CD3epsilon and zeta chains no longer associated, and the Src kinases p56Lck and p59Fyn were inactive. Therefore, when the antigen load overcomes the capacities of immune control, a new mechanism intervenes to block signal transduction: the recruitment of Zap70 to CD3epsilon becomes excessive, leading to TCR complex destabilization, Src kinase dysfunction, and signal arrest.     

CD8alpha/alpha homodimers fail to function as co-receptor for a CD8-dependent TCR

In this study, we have started to dissect the molecular basis of CD8 dependence of a high and low avidity CTL clone specific for the same peptide epitope. Using anti-CD8alpha and anti-CD8beta antibodies, we found that cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production by high but not by low avidity CTL was strongly CD8 dependent. We isolated the TCR genes of both types of CTL clones and used retroviral gene transfer to analyse the function of these TCR in primary T cells of wild-type and CD8beta-deficient mice. Both TCR triggered antigen-specific killing in wild-type T cells, and blocking experiments showed that CD8 dependence/independence co-transferred with the TCR into primary T cells, indicating that it was dictated by the TCR itself. Gene transfer experiments into CD8beta-deficient T cells revealed that only the TCR derived from the CD8-independent CTL clone elicited antigen-specific cytotoxicity, while the CD8-dependent TCR was non-functional in the absence of the CD8beta-chain. These data indicate a striking difference between CD8alpha/beta heterodimers and CD8alpha/alpha homodimers as only the former were able to provide co-receptor function for the CD8-dependent TCR.     

CD26‐mediated co‐stimulation in human CD8+ T cells provokes effector function via pro‐inflammatory cytokine production

CD26 is an activation marker of human CD4⁺ T cells, and is associated with T‐cell signal transduction processes as a co‐stimulatory molecule. We have previously demonstrated that high CD26 cell surface expression on CD4⁺ T cells is correlated with the production of T helper type 1 cytokines, whereas CD26⁺ T helper cells stimulate antibody synthesis in B cells. Although the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in CD26‐mediated CD4⁺ T‐cell activation have been extensively evaluated by our group and others, the role of CD26 in CD8⁺ T cells has not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we examine the effector function of CD8⁺ T cells via CD26‐mediated co‐stimulation in comparison with CD28‐mediated co‐stimulation. We found that CD26^high CD8⁺ T cells belong to the early effector memory T‐cell subset, and that CD26‐mediated co‐stimulation of CD8⁺ T cells exerts a cytotoxic effect preferentially via granzyme B, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ and Fas ligand. The effector function associated with CD26‐mediated co‐stimulation is enhanced compared with that obtained through CD28‐mediated co‐stimulation, suggesting that the CD26 co‐stimulation pathway in CD8⁺ T cells is distinct from the CD28 co‐stimulation pathway. Targeting CD26 in CD8⁺ T cells therefore has the potential to be useful in studies of immune responses to new vaccine candidates as well as innovative therapy for immune‐mediated diseases.     

Phospholipase Cγ1 is required for pre‐TCR signal transduction and pre‐T cell development

Pre‐T cell receptor (TCR) signaling is required for pre‐T cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation from the CD4 and CD8 double negative (DN) to the double positive (DP) stage. However, the pre‐TCR signal transduction pathway is not fully understood and the signaling molecules involved have not been completely identified. Phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) 1 is an important signaling molecule that generates two second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate, that are important to mediate PKC activation and intracellular Ca²⁺ flux in many signaling pathways. Previously, we have shown that PLCγ1 is important for TCR‐mediated signaling, development and T‐cell activation, but the role of PLCγ1 in pre‐TCR signal transduction and pre‐T cell development is not known. In this study, we demonstrated that PLCγ1 expression level in pre‐T cells was comparable to that in mature T cells. Deletion of PLCγ1 prior to the pre‐TCR signaling stage partially blocked the DN3 to DN4 transition and reduced thymic cellularity. We also demonstrated that deletion of PLCγ1 impaired pre‐T cell proliferation without affecting cell survival. Further study showed that deficiency of PLCγ1 impaired pre‐TCR mediated Ca²⁺ flux and Erk activation. Thus our studies demonstrate that PLCγ1 is important for pre‐TCR mediated signal transduction and pre‐T cell development.     

JNK2 modulates the CD1d‐dependent and ‐independent activation of iNKT cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells play critical roles in autoimmune, anti‐tumor, and anti‐microbial immune responses, and are activated by glycolipids presented by the MHC class I‐like molecule, CD1d. How the activation of signaling pathways impacts antigen (Ag)‐dependent iNKT cell activation is not well‐known. In the current study, we found that the MAPK JNK2 not only negatively regulates CD1d‐mediated Ag presentation in APCs, but also contributes to CD1d‐independent iNKT cell activation. A deficiency in the JNK2 (but not JNK1) isoform enhanced Ag presentation by CD1d. Using a vaccinia virus (VV) infection model known to cause a loss in iNKT cells in a CD1d‐independent, but IL‐12‐dependent manner, we found the virus‐induced loss of iNKT cells in JNK2 KO mice was substantially lower than that observed in JNK1 KO or wild‐type (WT) mice. Importantly, compared to WT mice, JNK2 KO mouse iNKT cells were found to express less surface IL‐12 receptors. As with a VV infection, an IL‐12 injection also resulted in a smaller decrease in JNK2 KO iNKT cells as compared to WT mice. Overall, our work strongly suggests JNK2 is a negative regulator of CD1d‐mediated Ag presentation and contributes to IL‐12‐induced iNKT cell activation and loss during viral infections.     

IFN‐γ‐STAT1 signal regulates the differentiation of inducible Treg: Potential role for ROS‐mediated apoptosis

Regulatory CD4⁺ T cells are important for the homeostasis of immune cells, and their absence correlates with autoimmune disorders. However, how the immune system regulates Treg homeostasis remains unclear. We found that IFN‐γ‐deficient‐mice had more forkhead box P3 (FOXP3⁺) cells than WT mice in all secondary lymphoid organs except the thymus. However, T‐bet‐ or IL‐4Rα‐deficient mice did not show a similar increase. In vitro differentiation studies showed that conversion of naïve T cells into FOXP3⁺ cells (neo‐generated inducible Treg (iTreg)) by TGF‐β was significantly inhibited by IFN‐γ in a STAT‐1‐dependent manner. Moreover, an in vivo adoptive transfer study showed that inhibition of FOXP3⁺ iTreg generation by IFN‐γ was a T‐cell autocrine effect. This inhibitory effect of IFN‐γ on iTreg generation was significantly abrogated after N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine treatment both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that IFN‐γ regulation of iTreg generation is dependent on ROS‐mediated apoptosis. Therefore, our results suggest that autocrine IFN‐γ can negatively regulate the neo‐generation of FOXP3⁺ iTreg through ROS‐mediated apoptosis in the periphery.     

Co-capping studies reveal CD8/TCR interactions after capping CD8β polypeptides and intracellular associations of CD8 with p56lck

CD8 is a T cell surface glycoprotein that participates in recognition of peptide/MHC class I molecules by binding to their α3 domains. In addition, the cytoplasmic domain of CD8 associates with the intracellular tyrosine kinase p56^lck (lck) promoting recruitment of lck to the TCR signaling complex. Recent data have suggested also that CD8 may interact with the TCR to promote energetically favorable conformations which increase its ligand binding. We have used the techniques of co-capping and confocal microscopy to ask whether we can detect an association between CD8 and the TCR independently of their binding to MHC class I molecules. We show that capping CD8 heterodimers with antibodies to the CD8β polypeptide is significantly more efficient than antibodies to the CD8α polypeptide at inducing co-localization of TCR molecules with CD8, suggesting that there may be preferred conformations of CD8 which stabilize interactions with the TCR. In addition, we show by microscopy that intracellular lck redistributes very efficiently to the area of a CD8 cap, suggesting that there is a stronger association between lck and CD8 than has been proposed from immunoprecipitation analyses.     

复方SZ滴眼液对晶状体上皮细胞凋亡的抑制作用及其信号转导机制

目的： 探讨复方SZ滴眼液（Co-SZ）抑制H₂O₂诱导的晶状体上皮细胞（LEC）凋亡的作用及信号转导机制。为将Co-SZ作为防治白内障的有效药物提供实验依据。 方法： (1)将H₂O₂与Co-SZ和SD大鼠晶状体共同孵育后：TUNEL法检测LEC凋亡率。透射电镜观察LEC超微结构改变及凋亡形成。(2)H₂O₂与Co-SZ和体外培养的牛LEC共同孵育后,四甲基偶氮唑蓝法（MTT）检测不同浓度的Co-SZ抑制LEC凋亡率。流式细胞仪（FCM）检测LEC细胞核内DNA含量。荧光分光光度法检测LEC内游离Ca2+浓度。放射免疫分析法检测LEC内环化腺苷酸（cAMP）和环化鸟苷酸（cGMP）浓度。 结果： TUNEL法检测Co-SZ组LEC凋亡率显著低于H₂O₂组。Co-SZ组LEC超微结构变化也显著轻于H₂O₂组。MTT检测Co-SZ组细胞活性明显高于H₂O₂并具有剂量依赖关系。Co-SZ组LEC核内DNA含量增加。Co-SZ使LEC内游离Ca2+、cAMP降低、cGMP升高。结论：Co-SZ能有效抑制H₂O₂诱导的LEC发生的凋亡 。Co-SZ抑制LEC凋亡的机制可能是通过抑制LEC核内DNA降解，并通过抑制细胞内游离钙离子浓度升高、阻断Ca2+-钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶途径和Ca2+-蛋白激酶C信号转导途径。     

Antigen dose‐dependent suppression of murine IgE responses is mediated by CD4−CD8− double‐negative T cells

Background The IgE response against protein antigens is profoundly influenced by the dose used for sensitization. Objective The aim of the study was to identify immune cells that are involved in antigen dose‐dependent regulation of IgE formation. Methods Wild‐type mice as well as T helper (Th)1‐deficient IL‐12p40^?/? and IFN‐γ^?/? mice were immunized by repeated intraperitoneal injection of either low doses (K01 mice) or high doses (K100 mice) of keyhole limpet haemocyanin adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide. Splenocytes of immunized mice were restimulated in vitro and antigen‐dependent T cell proliferation and cytokine production were measured. The frequency of regulatory T cell subsets among splenocytes from K01 and K100 mice was compared using fluorocytometry and RT‐PCR analysis. Splenocytes or T cell subpopulations were transferred into naïve mice and the effect of lymphocyte transfer on IgE production after priming of recipients with low antigen doses was determined. Results Specific IgE production was considerably impaired in K100 mice. Antigenic restimulation revealed hypoproliferation of K100 splenocytes and reduced production of Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13, but no induction of IFN‐γ production. Moreover, lymphocytes from K01 and K100 mice did not show significant differences in the expression of molecules associated with the phenotype or activity of conventional regulatory T cells. Transfer of splenocytes or purified T cells from K100 mice substantially suppressed the induction of IgE production in the recipients in an antigen‐ and isotype‐specific manner. Neither CD4⁺ nor CD8⁺ T cells from K100 mice were able to inhibit IgE formation; instead, we identified CD4^?CD8^? double‐negative T cells (dnT cells) as the principal T cell population, which potently suppressed IgE production. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that CD4^?CD8^? dnT cells play a major role in the regulation of IgE responses induced by high antigen doses.