Biochemical association of CD45 with the T cell receptor complex: regulation by CD45 isoform and during T cell activation.

CD45 is the predominant transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase in lymphocytes and is required for the efficient induction of T cell receptor signaling and activation. However, the regulation of CD45 activity and substrate specificity are poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate a basal biochemical association of CD45 with the T cell receptor complex that is regulated in part by CD45 isoform expression. Further, maintenance of CD45/TCR association is differentially regulated following TCR ligation with peptide: a partial agonist peptide induces CD45/TCR dissociation while an agonist peptide promotes sustained association in a CD4-dependent manner. These data suggest that T cell receptor signaling pathways may be modulated by altering access of CD45 to TCR-associated substrates involved in T cell activation.     

Accessory molecule regulation of naive CD4 T cell activation

Naive CD4 T cell activation is a complex process involving many steps. T cell receptor (TCR) signals, provided by interaction with peptide/MHC on antigen-presenting cells (APC), control many events associated with activation. The extent of TCR signaling and the magnitude of the T cell response is in turn controlled by accessory molecules on APC, which stabilize T-APC interactions. Full T cell activation additionally requires multiple costimulatory signals, generated upon ligation of T cell coreceptors by accessory molecules, and these lead to IL-2 production, proliferation and differentiation of the naive cell into an effector state. This review summarizes the role played by accessory molecules in naive CD4 activation and discusses how integration of signals from these molecules, with signals from the TCR, may determine the outcome of T-APC interaction. The available data provide explanations for why only APC which express high levels of multiple costimulatory/adhesion molecules, such as dendritic cells and activated B cells, induce efficient naive T cell responses, and suggest that ICAM-1/LFA-1 and B7/CD28 interactions are major pathways used to initiate naive T cell activation.     

Assessment of the feasibility of exon 45–55 multiexon skipping for duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background  

The specific skipping of an exon, induced by antisense oligonucleotides (AON) during splicing, has shown to be a promising therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. As different mutations require skipping of different exons, this approach is mutation dependent. The skipping of an entire stretch of exons (e.g. exons 45 to 55) has recently been suggested as an approach applicable to larger groups of patients. However, this multiexon skipping approach is technically challenging. The levels of intended multiexon skips are typically low and highly variable, and may be dependent on the order of intron removal. We hypothesized that the splicing order might favor the induction of multiexon 45–55 skipping.     

CD45 modulates T cell receptor/CD3-induced activation of human thymocytes via regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation.

Stimulation of thymocytes or mature T cells via the T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 complex activates a cascade of processes inducing cells to enter the cell cycle. A key step is the activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) within seconds following TcR/CD3 stimulation, an event which is strongly enhanced by co-ligation of the CD4 (or CD8) accessory molecule with TcR/CD3. In contrast, co-ligation of CD45 inhibits the same TcR/CD3 responses. The machinery which couples the TcR/CD3 complex, CD4, and CD45 to PI-PLC appears to involve regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation, as the TcR/CD3 and CD4 receptors are associated with the tyrosine kinases p59fyn and p56lck, respectively, and CD45 has intrinsic tyrosine phosphatase activity. Here, we have examined the ability of CD45 to regulate signal transduction via TcR/CD3 in human thymocytes. Co-cross-linking CD45 to the TcR/CD3 complex strongly suppressed the tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular substrates normally seen following TcR/CD3 stimulation. This effect of CD45 was associated with inhibition of a rise in intracellular calcium following TcR/CD3 ligation. Since TcR/CD3 stimulation of mature T cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1, we investigated this phenomenon in thymocytes, and asked whether ligation of CD45 might regulate this process. By immunoprecipitation we found that TcR/CD3 stimulation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1, an effect which was enhanced by co-cross-linking CD4 to TcR/CD3. In contrast, co-ligation of CD45 strongly blocked PLC gamma 1 phosphorylation induced by either stimulus. Consistent with previous findings in mature T cells, CD45 cross-linking was able to partially inhibit TcR/CD3-induced thymocyte proliferation when interleukin 2 was used as a second signal, but almost completely (80%-90%) blocked proliferation when anti-CD28 mAb was used as the second signal, suggesting that CD45 cross-linking may be able to block interleukin 2 production via the CD28 pathway. These effects of CD45 on TcR/CD3 signaling and proliferation in thymocytes point towards a potential role for this pathway in thymic selection.     

The roles of CD4 and CD8 in T cell activation

CD4 and CD8 T cell surface molecules play a role in T cell recognition and activation by binding to their respective class II and class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ligands on an antigen presenting cell (APC). Though CD4 and CD8 are capable of binding to MHC molecules in the absence of the T cell receptor (TCR), increasing evidence suggests that they may primarily function by complexing with the TCR to form a 'co-receptor' for recognition of antigen-bound MHC. Using gene transfer studies we have demonstrated that CD4 and CD8 can augment antigen-induced IL-2 production through different mechanisms dependent on whether or not they can bind MHC independently of the TCR or complexed with the TCR. Under circumstances where CD4 and CD8 can bind to the same MHC ligand as the TCR, they potentiate antigen-induced IL-2 production maximally by a mechanism in large part dependent on their cytoplasmic tails. Enhancement of antigen-induced IL-2 production can also occur under circumstances where CD4 and CD8 bind on MHC ligand distinct from that recognized by the TCR. In this instance, the magnitude of this enhancement is not as great and appears (at least for CD8) to be independent of the cytoplasmic tail and the associated p56lck. The dependence of co-receptor function on the cytoplasmic tail of CD4 or CD8 may reflect the activity of the associated intracellular tyrosine kinase p56lck.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

CD226 对 CD4+T 细胞调节作用的研究进展

CD226 为表达于NK 细胞、T 细胞、单核细胞等多种免疫细胞膜上的一种玉型跨膜糖蛋白,与配体CD112 或CD155 结合后,通过介导多种免疫细胞的分化、增殖和功能调节来参与机体多项生理和病理活动。本文围绕CD226 对于CD4+ T 细胞的免疫调控作用和参与疾病进程的研究进展展开综述,重点阐明CD226 参与初始CD4+ T 细胞增殖分化、Th1/ Th2/Th17 细胞极化过程和对调节性T 细胞的调控作用。     

Innate immune activation and CD4+ T cell priming during respiratory fungal infection

Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that causes a spectrum of diseases, including lethal lung infections in immunocompromised humans and allergic asthma in atopic individuals. T helper 1 (Th1) CD4(+) T cells protect against invasive A. fumigatus infections whereas Th2 CD4(+) T cells exacerbate asthma upon inhalation of A. fumigatus spores. Herein, we demonstrate that A. fumigatus-specific T cells were rapidly primed in lymph nodes draining the lung and fully differentiated into interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing Th1 CD4(+) T cells upon arrival in the airways. T-bet induction in A. fumigatus-specific CD4(+) T cells was enhanced by MyD88-mediated signals in draining lymph nodes, but T cell proliferation, trafficking, and Th1 differentiation in the airways were Toll-like receptor (TLR) and MyD88 independent. Our studies demonstrate that CD4(+) T cell differentiation during respiratory fungal infection occurs incrementally, with TLR-mediated signals in the lymph node enhancing the potential for IFN-gamma production whereas MyD88-independent signals promote Th1 differentiation in the lung.     

The tetraspanin CD9 is preferentially expressed on the human CD4(+)CD45RA+ naive T cell population and is involved in T cell activation

Human CD4+ T cells can be divided into reciprocal memory and naive T cell subsets based on their expression of CD45 isoforms and CD29/integrin beta1 subunit. To identify unique cell surface molecules on human T cells, we developed a new monoclonal antibody termed anti5H9. Binding of anti5H9 triggers a co-stimulatory response in human peripheral blood T cells. Retrovirus-mediated expression cloning has revealed that the antigen recognized by anti5H9 is identical to the tetraspanin CD9. We now show that human CD9 is preferentially expressed on the CD4(+)CD45RA+ naive T cell subset, and that CD9(+)CD45RA+ T cells respond preferentially to the recombinant beta2-glycoprotein I, compared to CD9-CD45RA+ T cells. Furthermore, anti5H9 inhibits both the recombinant beta2-glycoprotein I- and the recall antigen tetanus toxoid-specific T cell proliferation. These results suggest that the tetraspanin CD9 plays an important role in T cell activation.     

Subsets of CD4 T cells and B cell activation

All helper T cells recognise foreign protein antigens presented by class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and express the cell surface molecule CD4. However, not all CD4 T cells behave as helper T cells when assayed for their ability to activate B cells to produce antigen specific antibody. In this review, after discussing the background information about CD4 T cell subsets, a series of questions will be asked: whether selective activation of distinct functional subsets of CD4 T cell accounts for the difference between humoral and cell-mediated immunity; whether the same subsets exist in all mammalian species studied to date, or whether there are major species differences; whether cells belonging to distinct functional subsets can be distinguished on the basis of a subset-specific cell surface molecule; what models of subset development can account for existing data; and whether or not the subsets defined to date are all comparable in their ability to activate B cells?     

Toll-dependent control mechanisms of CD4 T cell activation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) detect microbial infection and play an essential role in the induction of innate and adaptive immune responses. The mechanisms of TLR-mediated control of adaptive immunity are not yet fully understood. Induction of dendritic cell (DC) maturation is essential for activation of naive T cells. Here, we demonstrate that TLR-induced DC maturation and migration to the lymph nodes, in the absence of TLR-induced inflammatory cytokines, are not sufficient for T cell activation in vivo. We show that transient depletion of regulatory T (Tr) cells recovers the primary CD4 T cells response in MyD88-deficient mice, demonstrating that a major mechanism of TLR-mediated activation of T cell responses is the blocking of suppression by regulatory T cells. In addition we show that a TLR-induced signal(s) is required for memory CD4 T cell differentiation, but not for activation of memory T cells.     

Inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid T cells have activation requirements characteristic of CD4+CD45RA- T cells

It has long been recognized that T cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other inflammatory compartments cannot be stimulated by mitogen and the reason for this has remained unknown. This question was investigated using mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from the CSF of subjects with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory brain diseases which predominantly express the CD4 and CDw29 but not CD45RA determinants. CSF and blood cells were stimulated by either the CD3/T cell receptor complex, the CD2 activation pathway, calcium ionophore, or an activator of protein kinase C, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). CSF MNC proliferated less than blood MNC following stimulation by phytohemagglutinin in subjects with inflammation in the CSF, but not in subjects with non-inflammatory CNS diseases. Moreover, CSF MNC were not induced to proliferate through stimulation of the CD2 pathway by anti-T11(2) + anti-T11(3) monoclonal antibodies (mAb). This was not due to defects in either interleukin 2 receptors, interleukin 2 secretion, or to T cell pre-activation in vivo. Instead, the refractory activation state of inflammatory CSF T cells was corrected by PMA. That CSF contains predominantly CD4+CDw29+CD45RA- cells suggests that PMA may be co-stimulatory with anti-CD2 mAb to activate this population of T cells. This was confirmed in experiments with sorted T cells from normal subjects. These data suggest that the inability of mitogens or anti-CD2 mAb to stimulate inflammatory CSF T cells, which can be corrected by an inducer of protein kinase C, is related to the relative absence of CD4+CD45RA+ cells in the CSF. Alterations of protein kinase C and protein phosphorylation may exist in inflammatory T cell populations that regulate the immune response.     

Selective increase of activation antigens HLA-DR and CD38 on CD4+ CD45RO+ T lymphocytes during HIV-1 infection.

Infection with HIV results in a progressive depletion of CD4+ T cells and leads to significant in vivo lymphocyte phenotype changes. In this regard, the expression of HLA-DR and CD38 on CD8+ T cells has been shown to increase dramatically with disease progression. We investigated the expression of both activation markers on CD4+ T cells in HIV-1-infected subjects at different clinical stages of infection and compared the in vivo activation of CD4+ T cells with parameters of viral activity and CD8+ T cell activation. Fresh peripheral venous blood was obtained from 54 HIV-infected subjects and from 28 uninfected healthy controls. Three-colour immunophenotyping of the CD4+ T cell subset showed that the proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing HLA-DR (10% in HIV-negative controls) or CD38 (62% in HIV-negative controls) was higher in asymptomatic (P < 0.05 for CD38) and symptomatic (P < 0.001 for HLA-DR and CD38) HIV-infected subjects than in controls, whereas the proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing CD45RO (54% in controls) remained relatively unchanged. Simultaneous expression of HLA-DR and CD38 on CD4+ T cells increased from 2.3% in controls to 11% (P < 0.001) in asymptomatic and 22% (P < 0.001) in symptomatic HIV-infected subjects. This relative increase of CD38 and HLA-DR expression occurred mainly on CD4+ T cells co-expressing CD45RO. Changes in expression of HLA-DR and CD38 on CD4+ T cells correlated with similar changes on CD8+ T lymphocytes, with the presence of HIV antigen in the circulation, and with the disease stage of HIV infection.     

The regulation of CD4+ T cells during malaria

Malaria is a major global health problem. Despite decades of research, there is still no effective vaccine to prevent disease in the majority of people living in malaria-endemic regions. Additionally, drug treatment options are continually threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. Immune responses generated against Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria are generally not sufficient to prevent the establishment of infection and can even contribute to the development of disease, unless individuals have survived multiple infections. Research conducted in experimental models, controlled human malaria infection studies, and with malaria patients from disease-endemic areas indicate the rapid development of immunoregulatory pathways in response to Plasmodium infection. These “imprinted” immune responses limit inflammation, and likely prevent progression to severe disease manifestations. However, they also cause slow acquisition of immunity and possibly hamper the development of vaccine-mediated protection against disease. A major target for and mediator of the immunoregulatory pathways established during malaria are CD4⁺ T cells that play critical roles in priming phagocytic cells to capture and kill malaria parasites, as well as helping B cells produce functional anti-parasitic antibodies. In this review, we describe mechanisms of CD4⁺ T cell activation during malaria and discuss the immunoregulatory mechanisms that develop to dampen their anti-parasitic and pathological functions. We also offer some ideas about how host-directed approaches might be applied to modulate CD4⁺ T cell functions to improve vaccine responses and enhance development of natural immunity.     

CD4+ T cell hyper-responsiveness in CD45 transgenic mice is independent of isoform

The CD45 tyrosine phosphatase is required for T cell development and function by virtue of its role as a positive regulator of src family kinase activity. In addition, recent data have highlighted that CD45 also acts as a negative regulator of Lck function by dephosphorylation of critical tyrosine residues. Lck functionality and TCR responsiveness are elevated in transgenic mice expressing the CD45RO isoform at 'intermediate' (10-40% of wild type) levels, indicating that the expression level of CD45 is critical in determining the sensitivity of T cells to TCR stimulation. However, it is unclear whether such a phenotype is specific for the CD45RO isoform, typically expressed by activated T cells. In the present work, the roles of three isoforms of CD45, RO, RB and RABC, in thymocyte development, T cell responses and TCR signalling pathways were directly compared. The data demonstrate that expression of CD45RB or CD45RABC at intermediate levels also results in CD4(+) T cell hyper-reactivity, as previously published for CD45RO. These data emphasize the dual functions of CD45 as both a positive and a negative regulators of TCR signalling irrespective of specific isoform expression.     

CD45 isoform expression during T cell development in the thymus.

Various isoforms of leukocyte common antigen, or CD45, are expressed differentially on T cells at different stages of development and activation. We report studies on CD45 isoform expression on various subsets of human T cells using two- and three-color flow cytometry and cell depletion. Bone marrow cells that were depleted of CD3+ and HLA-DR+ cells were CD45RA-RO-. The earliest CD3-CD4-CD8-CD19- thymocytes were CD45RO- with 20%-30% CD45RA+ cells. The most prominent population of CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes were CD45RA-RO+. Even the CD4+CD8+ blasts were greater than 90% CD45RO+. About 80% of single-positive thymocytes (CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+) were also CD45RO+. Only 4.3% of CD4+ and 18% of CD8+ single-positive thymocytes were CD45RA+. In contrast, cord blood T cells which represent the stage that immediately follows single-positive thymocytes, contained 90% CD45RA+ cells. Thus, in terms of CD45 isoform expression, single-positive thymocytes are more like double-positive cells than cord blood T cells. These results suggest the following sequence of CD45 isoform switching during T cell development: CD45RA-RO- or RA+RO- (double-negative thymocytes)----RA-RO+ (double-positive and most single-positive thymocytes)----RA+RO- (cord blood T cells), the last switch from CD45RO to CD45RA occurring as a final step of maturation in the thymus.     

Regulation of D-3 phosphoinositides during T cell activation via the T cell antigen receptor/CD3 complex and CD2 antigens.

An immediate consequence of T cell activation via the T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 complex and CD2 antigen is the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate and the generation of inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol which then regulate intracellular calcium and protein kinase C. Changes in cellular levels of phosphoinositides phosphorylated on the D-4 and D-5 position during T cell activation have been well documented. Recently it has been proposed that phosphoinositides phosphorylated on the D-3 position of the inositol ring by a novel phosphoinositide (PI) 3 kinase may also be important in cell activation. In the present study we have examined the levels and regulation of D-3 phosphoinositides in T cells activated by the TcR/CD3 complex and CD2 antigens. The data show the existence of phosphatidylinositol-(3)-monophosphate [PtdIns(3)P], phosphatidylinositol-(3,4)-bisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P2] and phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] in T cells. Activation of the TcR/CD3 complex or CD2 antigen results in modulation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 and a putative PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in T cells but does not change levels of PtdIns(3)P. These data provide the first evidence that lipid products of a PI3 kinase exist in T cells.