CD3~+CD56~+NKT细胞与Vα24~+iNKT细胞的检测及其表型特点分析

为了比较CD3+CD56+NKT细胞与CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT细胞在外周血淋巴细胞中的相对比例及其表面分子表达的差别,本研究采集了健康人外周全血,用四色荧光抗体染色和流式细胞术检测CD3+CD56+NKT细胞和CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT细胞在淋巴细胞中的比例,及其亚群表型及活化分子CD69的表达情况。检测结果表明,在正常人外周血淋巴细胞中CD3+CD56+NKT细胞所占比例为3.90%±2.89%,以CD8亚群占多数(57.61%±17.35%);而CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT细胞所占比例仅为0.39%±0.19%,且以CD4亚群占多数(56.60%±19.66%)。两种NKT细胞的相对数量之间存在显著正相关(r=0.467,P<0.05),但两类细胞之间极少重叠。CD16和CD161在CD3+CD56+NKT细胞上的表达量显著高于在CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT细胞上的表达量(P均<0.01)。活化分子CD69在两种细胞上的表达量均较低(P>0.05)。本研究结果表明,正常人外周血CD3+CD56+NKT细胞与CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT细胞在相对数量、亚群及表型上存在显著差异,是两种截然不同的NKT细胞。     

人外周血CD3~+CD56~+NKT与Vα24~+iNKT、Vβ11~+iNKT细胞的关系及NKT亚群和细胞因子分泌的研究

目的探讨正常人外周血中CD3+CD56+NKT细胞的频率与CD3+Vα24+iNKT、CD3+Vβ11+iNKT细胞之间的关系、表型特征及细胞因子的表达。方法应用流式细胞术,检测CD3+CD56+NKT细胞频率与CD3+Vα24+iNKT和CD3+Vβ11+iNKT细胞之间的关系、CD4及CD8表面分子及细胞因子的表达。结果正常人外周血CD3+CD56+NKT细胞的频率为6.39%±2.34%;只有1.5%CD3+CD56+NKT细胞表达TCRVα24和1.2%CD3+CD56+NKT细胞表达TCRVβ11,0.7%CD3+CD56+NKT细胞同时表达TCRVα24和TCRVβ11;根据CD4和CD8表面分子的表达,可将CD3+CD56+NKT细胞分为66.9%CD4+、20.4%CD8+和11.6%CD4-CD8-3个亚群;当细胞刺激后,50.2%CD3+CD56+NKT细胞分泌IFN-γ,3.3%分泌IL-4,1.5%同时分泌IFN-γ和IL-4。此外,CD4+NKT、CD8+NKT和CD4-CD8-NKT 3群细胞分泌IFN-γ的频率分别为45.1%、70.3%和55.4%,分泌IL-4的频率为6.5%、7.0%和6.9%,同时分泌IFN-γ和IL-4的频率为2.4%、4.7%和3.1%。结论大多数CD3+CD56+NKT细胞与CD3+TCRVα24+iNKT和CD3+TCRVβ11+iNKT细胞是不同的NKT细胞亚群,CD3+CD56+NKT细胞频率小,能分泌大量的细胞因子,参与机体的免疫反应。     

肺结核患者外周血CD4~+和CD8~+记忆性T细胞亚群、IL-17、IL-27表达的初步探讨

目的:探讨肺结核患者外周血CD4+和CD8+记忆性T细胞亚群及白细胞介素17(Interleukin-17,IL-17),IL-27的表达。方法:采用流式细胞术检测肺结核患者组外周血CD4+和CD8+记忆性T细胞,患者组按治疗史分为初治组,复治组;按痰涂片抗酸染色分为痰涂阳性组,痰涂阴性组。初治组8例为凡既往未用过抗结核药物治疗或用药时间少于一个月的新发病例;复治组22例为凡既往应用抗结核药物一个月以上的新发病例、复发病例、初治治疗失败病例等;痰涂阳组9例为痰涂片抗酸染色阳性;痰涂阴组21例为痰涂片抗酸染色阴性。ELISA法检测IL-17,IL-27。结果:①与健康对照组比较:患者组CD4+效应型记忆性T细胞均显著增高(P<0.05),初治组与涂阴组CD8+效应型记忆性T细胞均显著降低(P<0.05),复治组IL-17显著降低(P<0.05),而IL-27显著增高(P<0.05)。②与初治组比较:复治组CD4+中央型记忆性T细胞显著降低(P<0.05),而CD8+效应型记忆性T细胞显著增高(P<0.05),IL-17显著降低(P<0.05),IL-27显著增高(P<0.05)。③与涂阴组比较:涂阳组CD4+中央型记忆性T细胞显著降低(P<0.05),CD8+效应型记忆性T细胞显著增高(P<0.05),CD8+中央型记忆性T细胞显著降低(P<0.05)。④Spearman相关性分析显示:IL-17与IL-27呈正相关(P<0.05),记忆性T细胞亚群与IL-17,IL-27水平无显著相关性(P>0.05)。结论:肺结核患者外周血CD4+效应型记忆性T细胞的表达可望作为TB初步诊断的观察指标,CD4+中央型记忆性T细胞和CD8+效应型记忆性T细胞的表达均可望作为TB患者的临床分组依据,TB外周血IL-17、IL-27水平可望用于判断TB的炎症程度。     

周围血中CD3~+ TCRvα24~+与CD3~+ TCRvβ11~+ NKT细胞之间的差异

目的:比较正常人周围血中CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞和CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞在频率、亚群、表型特征及功能方面的异同,以进一步了解NKT细胞在免疫应答中的作用。方法:分离正常成年人PBMCs,利用流式细胞术(FCM)检测TCRvα24、TCRvβ11、CD4、CD8、CD45RA、CD62L和CCR7表面分子的表达;PMA+Ionomyc in刺激PBMCs后,检测CD3+TCRvα24+、CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞产生细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的情况。结果:PBMCs中CD3+TCRvα24+和CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的平均频率分别为0.63%和0.43%,NKT细胞频率的个体差异较大,少数细胞同时表达TCRvα24和TCRvβ11;根据CD4和CD8分子的表达,PBMCs中CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,平均频率分别为64.35%、19.04%、17.18%,CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞同样可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,其平均频率分别为53.69%、18.99%、29.74%,相应各亚群之间无显著差异;CD45RA+CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的频率(71.14%)要高于CD45RA+CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞的频率(46.55%),二者之间差异有显著性,CD62L+CD3+TCRvα24+NKT(46.26%)对CD62L+CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT(42.36%)以及CCR7+CD3+TCRvα24+NKT(9.24%)对CCR7+CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT(8.22%)之间的差异均无统计学意义;细胞因子检测的结果表明CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞和CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞产生的IL-4(13.01%对6.62%)和IFN-γ(38.12%对26.95%)的总体水平间无显著性差异,但是IFN-γ+IL-4+CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞的平均频率(12.65%)要高于IFN-γ+IL-4+CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的平均频率(3.02%),且二者之间的差异有统计学意义。结论:正常人周围血中CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞和CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞在频率、表型及产生细胞因子方面均有一定差异,总体来看,二者频率虽小但表型复杂,产生细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-4的水平高,参与免疫调节及免疫应答的过程。     

周围血中CD3~+ TCRvα24~+与CD3~+ TCRvβ11~+ NKT细胞之间的差异

目的:比较正常人周围血中CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞和CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞在频率、亚群、表型特征及功能方面的异同,以进一步了解NKT细胞在免疫应答中的作用。方法:分离正常成年人PBMCs,利用流式细胞术(FCM)检测TCRvα24、TCRvβ11、CD4、CD8、CD45RA、CD62L和CCR7表面分子的表达;PMA+Ionomyc in刺激PBMCs后,检测CD3+TCRvα24+、CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞产生细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的情况。结果:PBMCs中CD3+TCRvα24+和CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的平均频率分别为0.63%和0.43%,NKT细胞频率的个体差异较大,少数细胞同时表达TCRvα24和TCRvβ11;根据CD4和CD8分子的表达,PBMCs中CD3+TCRvα24+NKT细胞可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,平均频率分别为64.35%、19.04%、17.18%,CD3+TCRvβ11+NKT细胞同样可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,其平均频率分别为53.69%、18.99%、29.74%,相应各亚群之...     

体外活化CD8~+ NKT细胞的肿瘤杀伤作用

目的:探讨超抗原SEB活化并扩增的耐受调节性CD8+ NKT细胞对肿瘤细胞K562和A549的杀伤作用。方法:获取体外扩增0、10、20、30 d的耐受调节性效应细胞与K562和A549肿瘤细胞做混合淋巴细胞培养,MTT方法测定效应细胞对肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用。经荧光抗体染色、流式细胞术(FCM)解析效应细胞表面CD69分子的表达率和NKT细胞亚群百分数。结果:在效靶比20∶1时,效应细胞杀伤K562和A549细胞的百分率分别达到75.4%和67.2%(P0.05,n=3)。效应细胞的上清液未显示杀伤作用。效应细胞表面CD69分子的表达率随培养时间延长而增加,由0 d的0.11%增加到30 d的98.23%(P0.01,n=3)。效应细胞中CD8+ NKT细胞亚群随扩增时间延长而增加,由正常值(0 d)的0.36%增加到30 d的41.59%(P0.05,n=3)。结论:耐受调节性CD8+ NKT细胞在杀伤肿瘤细胞中起了重要作用。杀伤肿瘤细胞的作用机制是效应细胞的直接作用,与游离的细胞因子无关。     

耐受性CD8~+ NKT细胞体外增殖能力的鉴定

目的:利用CFSE标记细胞,流式细胞术(FCM)检测法,解析超抗原SEB活化的耐受性CD8+ NKT细胞在体外增殖的情况。方法:利用CFSE标记新鲜分离的C57BL/J鼠脾细胞,分别与ConA和LPS共同培养3d,收集细胞进行荧光染色并用FCM解析细胞表面CD69分子的表达率和增殖能力。CFSE标记的鼠脾细胞与SEB共培养5d和10d后,荧光染色并用FCM解析细胞表面CD69的百分数和增殖能力。SEB活化的第10天细胞经CFSE标记后在IL-2的协同作用下继续培养10d,荧光染色,FCM解析这群细胞的增殖能力、活性分子CD69的表达率和NKT细胞亚群的变化情况。结果:ConA、LPS和SEB三者均可以刺激小鼠脾细胞增殖。ConA和LPS在3d内可以使细胞增殖3代,且CD69的表达率为74.19%和41.56%;SEB在5d和10d内分别可以使细胞增殖5代和7代,细胞表面CD69的表达率为32.09%和48.66%。SEB活化的10d细胞可以在IL-2的协同下继续传代培养10d,可以增殖7代;这群细胞中CD8+ NKT细胞亚群,由原始的0.36%增加到38.58%;细胞表面CD69分子由正常值的0.11%提高到83.74%。结论:超抗原SEB活化的CD8+ NKT细胞可以在体外进行增殖培养,且这些细胞是活性化的细胞。利用CFSE标记细胞,FCM可以检测耐受性CD8+ NKT细胞在体外的增殖水平。     

耐受调节性CD8+NKT细胞体外稳定性的研究

目的:探讨超抗原SEB活化并扩增的CD8+NKT细胞耐受调节功能的稳定性.方法:超抗原SEB活化并体外扩增的10 d、20d、30 d和冻存效应细胞被用于本研究.以正常C57BL/J鼠脾细胞为对照,将各个效应细胞与刺激剂刀豆蛋白(ConA)或脂多糖(LPS)共同培养72 h,测定效应细胞对刺激剂的应答反应能力.在正常小鼠淋巴细胞与上述刺激剂反应的同时添加各效应细胞,72 h后测定效应细胞抑制正常淋巴细胞对刺激剂的应答反应能力.体外扩增和冻存的效应细胞与异源鼠脾细胞做混合淋巴细胞培养,MTT法测定细胞的增殖情况.效应细胞用荧光抗体染色,用流式细胞术(FCM)解析NKT细胞亚群.结果:与正常淋巴细胞对刺激剂的应答反应能力相比,体外扩增10 d、20 d、30 d和冻存效应细胞对ConA或LPS的应答反应能力明显降低,细胞增殖的A值分别由正常值0.67和0.61分别下降至0.30和0.31,0.28和0.20,0.26和0.24,以及0.22和0.23(P＜0.05,n=3).效应细胞抑制正常淋巴细胞对上述刺激剂ConA或LPS的应答反应,分别由正常值0.67和0.61下降至0.33和0.39,0.30和0.43,0.36和0.43,以及0.26和0.29(P＜0.05,n=3).效应细胞与异源鼠脾细胞反应与对照组相比明显的降低,分别由正常值0.70下降至20d的0.42,30 d的0.42以及冻存效应细胞的0.54(P＜0.05,n=3).在这群效应细胞中,主要是CD8+NKT细胞,由原始的0.36%增加到41.59%(P＜0.05,n=3).结论:耐受调节性CD8+NKT细胞可以在体外进行传代培养,并且这些传代培养细胞的耐受调节功能依然存在.     

IL-2和IL-4联合作用对T-ALL CD4~+T细胞CCR9的调节作用

为了观察IL 2和IL 4对白血病细胞CCR9分布和功能的调节作用 ,我们对 2 1例T ALL患者的血液标本进行分析。流式细胞仪检测发现T ALLCD4 + T细胞高表达CCR9(83 0 %± 7 0 % ) ,IL 2和IL 4联合作用后CCR9的表达显著降低 (16 0 %± 4 0 % ) ;RT PCR、Northernblot和Westernblot及免疫荧光数字共聚焦显微镜检测发现 ,IL 2和IL 4联合作用后T ALLCD4 +T细胞上CCR9的mRNA和蛋白质的表达水平没有改变 ,只是位置发生变化 ,即CCR9发生了内置 ;功能检测发现IL 2和IL 4联合作用亦可相应抑制这些细胞上CCR9的黏附功能和趋化功能。实验结果可能为白血病细胞因子的治疗提供一定的线索     

周围血中CD3+TCRvα24+与CD3+TCRvβ1+NKT细胞之间的差异

目的:比较正常人周围血中CD3+ TCRvβ11+ NKT 细胞和CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT细胞在频率、亚群、表型特征及功能方面的异同,以进一步了解NKT细胞在免疫应答中的作用.方法:分离正常成年人PBMCs,利用流式细胞术(FCM)检测TCRvα24、TCRv1β11、CD4、CD8、CD45RA、CD62L和CCR7表面分子的表达;PMA+ Ionomycin刺激PBMCs后,检测CD3+ TCRvα24+、CD3+ TCRvβ11+NKT细胞产生细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的情况.结果:PBMCs中CD3+ TCRvα24+和CD3+ TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的平均频率分别为0.63％和0.43％,NKT细胞频率的个体差异较大,少数细胞同时表达TCRvα24和TCRvβ11;根据CD4和CD8分子的表达,PBMCs 中CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT细胞可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,平均频率分别为64.35％、19.04％、17.18％,CD3+ TCRvβ311+ NKT细胞同样可分为CD4+、CD8+、CD4-CD8-3个亚群,其平均频率分别为53.69％、18.99％、29.74％,相应各亚群之间无显著差异;CD45RA+ CD3+ TCRvβ11+ NKT细胞的频率(71.14％)要高于CIM5RA+ CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT 细胞的频率(46.55％),二者之间差异有显著性,CD62L+CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT (46.26％)对CD62L+ CD3+ TCRvβ11+NKT(42.36％)以及CCR7+ CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT(9.24％)对CCR7+ CD3 +TCRvβ11+NKT(8.22％)之间的差异均无统计学意义;细胞因子检测的结果表明CD3 +TCRvα24+ NKT细胞和CD3+ TCRvβ11+NKT细胞产生的IL-4( 13.01％对6.62％)和IFN-γ(38.12％对26.95％)的总体水平间无显著性差异,但是IFN-γ+ IL-4+ CD3+ TCRvα24+NKT细胞的平均频率(12.65％)要高于IFN-γ+ IL-4+ CD3+ TCRvβ11+NKT细胞的平均频率(3.02％),且二者之间的差异有统计学意义.结论:正常人周围血中CD3+ TCRvα24+ NKT细胞和CD3+TrCRvβ11+NKT细胞在频率、表型及产生细胞因子方面均有一定差异,总体来看,二者频率虽小但表型复杂,产生细胞因子IFN-y和IL-4的水平高,参与免疫调节及免疫应答的过程.     

Differential usage of VLA-4 and CXCR4 by CD3+CD56+ NKT cells and CD56+CD16+ NK cells regulates their interaction with endothelial cells

The mechanism that regulates the preferential accumulation of NKT cells in the BM is unknown. The BM endothelium constitutively expresses selectins, the integrin ligands VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and the chemokine CXCL12. Both NK and NKT subsets of cells exhibited similar tethering and rolling interactions on both P-selectin and E-selectin and expressed similar levels of the integrins, VLA-4 and LFA-1. Although NKT cells express higher levels of CXCR4 than NK cells, CXCL12 (the ligand for CXCR4) rapidly stimulates similar levels of adhesion of NK and NKT cells to VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In both subsets, the arrest on VCAM-1 was dependent on high affinity VLA-4 and the homing of these cells to the BM of NOD/SCID was VLA-4-dependent. However, as opposed to the situation for NK cells, CXCL12 preferentially triggers, under shear flow, the rolling on VCAM-1 and transendothelial migration of NKT cells. Moreover, over-expression of high levels of CXCR4 on the YT NK cell line enables them to migrate in response to CXCL12. This study therefore suggests an important role for CXCR4 levels of expression and for VLA-4 in regulating the accumulation of NKT cells in the BM.     

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞抑制肺结核患者特异细胞免疫

  目的 了解结核患者外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞在抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应中的作用。 方法 使用细胞分离、流式细胞分析、细胞增殖和细胞因子测定等方法,比较结核患者及健康正常人群外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞的量及功能特征的差异。 结果 结核患者外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞数占CD4+细胞总数的比例显著高于健康正常人群;在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血单个核细胞增殖能力和产生γ-干扰素的能力比健康正常人群明显增强。在BCG刺激下,结核患者外周血CD4-细胞产生γ-干扰素(1289.62±519.01)及白介素-10(1045.40±534.12)的能力比结核患者外周血BPMCs细胞产生γ-干扰素(624.50±261.13)及白介素-10(377.00±249.56)的能力显著增强(均p<0.05);在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节T细胞显著抑制结核患者外周血CD4+CD25-细胞产生γ-干扰素及白介素-10。 结论 结核患者CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞数量增多,抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应功能增强,可能与结核的发生、发展及转归有密切关系。     

CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + regulatory T cells suppress specific cellular immune responses in active pulmonary TB patients

目的 了解结核患者外周血中CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+调节T细胞在抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应中的作用.方法 使用细胞分离、流式细胞分析、细胞增殖和细胞因子测定等方法,比较结核患者及健康正常人群外周血中CI4+ CD25+ FoxP3+调节T细胞的量及功能特征的差异.结果 结核患者外周血中CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+调节T细胞数占CD4+细胞总数的比例显著高于健康正常人群;在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血单个核细胞增殖能力和产生γ-干扰素的能力比健康正常人群明显增强.在BCG刺激下,结核患者外周血CI4-细胞产生γ-干扰素[(1 289.62 +519.01)μg/L]及白介素-10[(1 045.40±534.12) μg/L]的能力比结核患者外周血PBMCs细胞产生γ-干扰素[ (624.50 +261.13) μg/L]及白介素-10[ (377.00±249.56) μg/L]的能力显著增强(P＜0.05);在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血CI4+ CD25+调节T细胞显著抑制结核患者外周血CD4+ CD25 -细胞产生γ-干扰素及白介素-10.结论 结核患者CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+调节T细胞数量增多,抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应功能增强,可能与结核的发生、发展及转归有密切关系.     

CD244抑制活动性肺结核患者CD8+T细胞细胞因子分泌的实验研究

目的 探讨表面受体CD244在活动性肺结核患者CD8+T细胞中的功能.方法 密度梯度离心法提取活动性肺结核患者和健康对照者的外周血单个核细胞,通过流式细胞术检测CD244在CD3+ CD8+细胞中的表达;通过细胞内染色方法检测CD244与细胞因子IFN-γ和TNF-α表达的关系.结果 CD244在活动性肺结核患者CD8+T细胞表达强度显著高于健康对照者(P=0.0003);复治肺结核患者的CD244表达强度显著高于新发肺结核患者(P=0.0011);CD244-细胞表达IFN-γ比例显著高于CD244+细胞(P=0.0013);CD244-细胞表达TNF-α比例显著高于CD244+细胞(P =0.0016).结论 CD244抑制活动性肺结核患者CD8+T细胞的细胞因子分泌表达.     

CD3+CD56+ NK T cells are significantly decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disease, in which autoimmunity plays a great role. Natural killer T cells (NK T cells), are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases. To examine the involvement of CD3+CD56+ NK T cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we investigated the lymphocyte subpopulations obtained from blood samples of psoriatic patients before and after treatment, and of healthy controls, using two-colour flow cytometry. We found no significant differences between total T cells, total B cells, T helper cells, T cytotoxic cells and NK cells in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment and in controls. Increased percentage of memory T cells and decreased percentage of naive T cells was detected in psoriatic patients compared to controls, but these changes were not statistically significant. The CD3+CD56+ cells of psoriatic patients were significantly decreased relative to controls. The percentage of CD3+CD56+ cells increased after different antipsoriatic therapies, but remained significantly lower than those found in controls. CD3+CD56+ cells of healthy controls were capable of rapid activation, while in psoriatic patients activated NK T cells were almost absent. The decrease in the number of CD3+CD56+ cells may represent an intrinsic characteristic feature of patients with psoriasis, which is supported by the fact that after treatment NK T cells do not reach the values found in controls. In conclusion our results suggest that CD3+CD56+ NK T cells could be actively involved in the development of Th1 mediated autoimmune diseases.     

Increased numbers but functional defects of CD56+CD3+ cells in lung cancer

CD56+ T cells were studied in samples of peripheral blood from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients compared with healthy controls. Relative numbers of CD56+CD3+ cells were increased in NSCLC (P = 0.001) and SCLC (P = 0.002) compared with normal subjects but their ability to respond to activation by up-regulating CD25 or producing IFN-γ were both significantly impaired. Expression of the killer-immunoglobulin-like receptor CD158a was significantly lower on CD56+CD3+ cells in SCLC than controls and also in early stage compared with late stage NSCLC patients. Mean levels of CD158e were higher in NSCLC patients than controls. CD158e levels on CD56+CD3+ cells were increased in the presence of its ligand HLA-Bw4 compared with controls. Although the precise role of CD56+CD3+ cells is not clear, they appear to be functionally impaired in lung cancer, which may have implications for a reduction of direct or indirect anti-tumour responses.     

IL-23 and IL-17 in the establishment of protective pulmonary CD4+ T cell responses after vaccination and during Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge

Interferon-gamma is key in limiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here we show that vaccination triggered an accelerated interferon-gamma response by CD4(+) T cells in the lung during subsequent M. tuberculosis infection. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) was essential for the accelerated response, for early cessation of bacterial growth and for establishment of an IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cell population in the lung. The recall response of the IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cell population occurred concurrently with expression of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11. Depletion of IL-17 during challenge reduced the chemokine expression and accumulation of CD4(+) T cells producing interferon-gamma in the lung. We propose that vaccination induces IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells that populate the lung and, after challenge, trigger the production of chemokines that recruit CD4(+) T cells producing interferon-gamma, which ultimately restrict bacterial growth.     

Expansion of cytotoxic CD3+ CD56+ cells from peripheral blood progenitor cells of patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Immunotherapy may potentially improve the outcome of autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Poor effector cell proliferation and marginal antitumor activity limit attempts to use immunotherapy. We have characterized the ex vivo expansion, up to 1000-fold, of CD3+ CD56+ lymphocytes from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of healthy donors. Expanded cells termed cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells induce non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted lysis of tumor cells and demonstrate cytolytic activity superior to lymphokine-activated killer cells without the requirement of interleukin (IL)-2 treatment in vivo. To determine whether cytolytic cells could be expanded from patient material, we evaluated samples of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) from 25 patients undergoing autologous HCT. The PBPCs were expanded by priming with interferon-gamma followed by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and IL-2 the next day. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was performed on days 0, 15, 21, and 28 of cell culture. The median T-cell content rose from 15.3% (range, 1.1% to 89.7%) on day 0 to 97.2% (range, 83.6% to 99.5%) by day 15. By day 21, T cells expanded 21.8-fold (range, 1.7- to 420.0-fold) and CD3+ CD56+ cells expanded 44.8-fold (range, 5.1- to 747.0-fold). CIK cells were used as effector cells against B-cell lymphoma targets (OCI-Ly8) with a median of 24% (range, 3% to 67%) and 42% (range, 6% to 96%) specific lysis of target cells on days 21 and 28, respectively. CIK cells derived from PBL of 2 additional patients with acute myelogenous leukemia demonstrated 39% and 78% specific lysis of OCI-Ly8 and 26% and 58% specific lysis of autologous leukemic blasts at an effector:target ratio of 40:1. CIK cells may be expanded from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized PBPCs of patients undergoing autologous HCT. CIK cells may provide a potent tool for use in posttransplantation adoptive immunotherapy.