CD44 is necessary for optimal contact allergic responses but is not required for normal leukocyte extravasation

The in vivo administration of certain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the adhesion receptor, CD44, into normal mice induces both a modulation of CD44 from the surface of peripheral lymphocytes, and a concomitant increase in the amount of soluble CD44 in the serum. CD44- negative lymphocytes isolated from anti-CD44-treated mice exhibit normal homing patterns upon adoptive transfer, and are capable of reexpressing CD44 upon activation. The treatment of haptensensitized mice with anti-CD44 mAb inhibits their ability to mount a cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response within the first 24 h after hapten challenge. This inhibition reflects a block in both the edema and leukocyte infiltration of the cutaneous site of DTH, whereas the extravasation and accumulation of leukocytes in the draining lymph nodes progress normally. After 72 h, the leukocytes that extravasate into the site of antigen challenge express CD44. These results indicate that CD44 is not necessary for normal leukocyte circulation but is required for leukocyte extravasation into an inflammatory site involving nonlymphoid tissue.     

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in CD4+ T lymphocytes genetically deficient in LFA-1: LFA-1 is required for HIV-mediated cell fusion but not for viral transmission

In the present study, we demonstrated that expression of the LFA-1 molecule is necessary for cell fusion and syncytia formation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, the lack of expression of LFA-1 does not influence significantly cell-to-cell transmission of HIV. In fact, LFA-1- T lymphocytes obtained from a leukocyte adhesion deficiency patient were unable to fuse and form syncytia when infected with HIV-1 or HIV-2, despite the fact that efficiency of HIV infection (i.e., virus entry, HIV spreading, and levels of virus replication) was comparable with that observed in LFA-1+ T lymphocytes. In addition, we provide evidence that LFA-1 by mediating cell fusion contributes to the depletion of HIV-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes in vitro.     

CD4+ but not CD8+ cells are essential for allorejection

The generation of knockout mice with targeted gene disruption has provided a valuable tool for studying the immune response. Here we describe the use of CD4 and CD8 knockout mice to examine the role of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in initiating allotransplantation rejection. Pretreatment with a brief course of depletive anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody therapy allowed permanent survival of heart, but not skin, allografts transplanted across a major histocompatibility barrier. However, skin as well as heart grafts were permanently accepted in the CD4 knockout mice. Transfer of CD4+ cells into CD4 knockout recipient mice 1 d before skin engraftment reconstituted rejection, demonstrating that CD4+ cells are necessary for initiating rejection of allogeneic transplants. Major histocompatibility complex disparate heart and skin allografts transplanted into CD8 knockout recipients were rejected within 10 d. This study demonstrates that CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells are absolutely required to initiate allograft rejection.     

Inhibition of LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 as a therapeutic approach to inflammation and autoimmune diseases

This review focuses on providing insights into the structural basis and clinical relevance of LFA-1 and VLA-4 inhibition by peptides and small molecules as adhesion-based therapeutic strategies for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interactions of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) play central roles in mediating immune and inflammatory responses. Leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1, alpha(L)beta(2), and CD11a/CD18) and very late antigen (VLA-4, alpha(4)beta(1), and CD49d/CD29) are members of integrin-type CAM that are predominantly involved in leukocyte trafficking and extravasation. LFA-1 is exclusively expressed on leukocytes and interacts with its ligands ICAM-1, -2, and -3 to promote a variety of homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion events required for normal and pathologic functions of the immune systems. VLA-4 is expressed mainly on lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils, but is not found on neutrophils. VLA-4 interacts with its ligands VCAM-1 and fibronectin (FN) CS1 during chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, transplant-rejection, and allergy. Blockade of LFA-1 and VLA-4 interactions with their ligands is a potential target for immunosuppression. LFA-1 and VLA-4 antagonists (antibodies, peptides, and small molecules) are being developed for controlling inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The therapeutic intervention of mostly mAb-based has been extensively studied. However, due to the challenging relative efficacy/safety ratio of mAb-based therapy application, especially in terms of systemic administration and immunogenic potential, strategic alternatives in the forms of peptide, peptide mimetic inhibitors, and small molecule non-peptide antagonists are being sought. Linear and cyclic peptides derived from the sequences of LFA-1, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, VCAM-1, and FN C1 have been shown to have inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. Finally, understanding the mechanism of LFA-1 and VLA-4 binding to their ligands has become a fundamental basis in developing therapeutic agents for inflammation and autoimmune diseases.     

LFA-1和VLA-4参与人高增殖潜能内皮祖细胞与血管内皮的黏附和跨内皮迁移

为了了解淋巴细胞功能相关抗原1（lymphocyte function—associated antigen1，LFA-1）和极迟反应抗原4（very lateantigen 4，VLA-4）在高增殖潜能内皮祖细胞（high proliferative potential endothelial progenitor cells，HPP—EPCs）归巢过程中与血管内皮的黏附和跨内皮迁移中的作用，利用流式细胞术检测HPP—EPC中整合蛋白B1和B2的表达以及小鼠骨髓内皮细胞相应的受体的表达。利用体外黏附和迁移实验研究经过功能级别的中和抗体阻断VLA-4和LFA-1后HPP—EPC黏附和迁移细胞数目的变化。结果表明，HPP—EPC表达整合蛋白B1和B2，活化后小鼠骨髓内皮细胞表达细胞间黏附分子1（intercellular adhesion molecule1，ICAM-1）和血管细胞黏附分子1（vascular cell adhesion molecule1，VCAM-1）；加CDlla抗体组黏附细胞或CD49d抗体组黏附和迁移细胞均较同型对照抗体组少，而且加CDlla和CD49d两种抗体联用组黏附和迁移细胞明显减少，其细胞数较任何单一抗体组少。结论：LFA-1和VLA-4在HPP—EPC与血管内皮的黏附和跨内皮迁移中发挥了重要的作用。     

VLA-4 mediates CD3-dependent CD4+ T cell activation via the CS1 alternatively spliced domain of fibronectin

We previously showed that fibronectin (FN) synergized with anti-CD3 in induction of CD4+ T cell proliferation, and that VLA-5 acted as a functional FN receptor in a serum-free culture system. In the present study, we showed that VLA-4 is also involved in this CD3-dependent CD4 cell activation through its interaction with the alternatively spliced CS1 domain of FN. When highly purified CD4 cells were cultured on plates coated with anti-CD3 plus synthetic CS1 peptide-IgG conjugate, significant proliferation could be observed. Neither CS1 alone nor anti-CD3 alone induced this activation. This proliferation was completely blocked by anti-VLA beta 1 (4B4) and anti-VLA-4 (8F2), while anti-VLA-5 (monoclonal antibody [mAb] 16 and 2H6) had no effect. These data indicate that VLA-4 mediates CD3-dependent CD4 cell proliferation via the CS1 domain of FN. Anti-VLA-4 also partially (10-40%) inhibited CD4 cell proliferation induced by native FN plus anti-CD3, implying that the CS1 domain is active in the native plasma FN. However, this native FN-dependent proliferation was entirely abolished by addition of anti-VLA-5 alone. Moreover, when native FN-coated plates were pretreated with anti-FN (mAb 333), which blocks RGDS sites but not CS1 sites, no CD4 cell activation could be observed. These results strongly suggest that CD4 cell activation induced by plasma FN/anti-CD3 may be dependent on both VLA4/CS1 and VLA5/RGDS interactions, although the latter interaction may be required for function of the former.     

The thymic medulla is required for Foxp3+ regulatory but not conventional CD4+ thymocyte development

A key role of the thymic medulla is to negatively select autoreactive CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ thymocytes, a process important for T cell tolerance induction. However, the involvement of the thymic medulla in other aspects of αβ T cell development, including the generation of Foxp3⁺ natural regulatory T cells (nT_reg cells) and the continued maturation of positively selected conventional αβ T cells, is unclear. We show that newly generated conventional CD69⁺Qa2⁻ CD4 single-positive thymocytes mature to the late CD69⁻Qa2⁺ stage in the absence of RelB-dependent medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Furthermore, an increasing ability to continue maturation extrathymically is observed within the CD69⁺CCR7^−/loCCR9⁺ subset of conventional SP4 thymocytes, providing evidence for an independence from medullary support by the earliest stages after positive selection. In contrast, Foxp3⁺ nT_reg cell development is medullary dependent, with mTECs fostering the generation of Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ nT_reg cell precursors at the CD69⁺CCR7⁺CCR9⁻ stage. Our results demonstrate a differential requirement for the thymic medulla in relation to CD4 conventional and Foxp3⁺ thymocyte lineages, in which an intact mTEC compartment is a prerequisite for Foxp3⁺ nT_reg cell development through the generation of Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ nT_reg cell precursors.In the thymus, positive selection of CD4⁺8⁺ thymocytes recognizing self-peptide/MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells (TECs) triggers the entry of CD4/CD8 single-positive (SP) T cells into the thymic medulla, a process essential for tolerance induction (Kurobe et al., 2006). Additionally, the medulla is also considered a key site of differentiation that supports thymocyte maturation after positive selection, including stages defined by loss of CD24/CD69 and acquisition of CD62L/Qa2 (McCaughtry et al., 2007; Li et al., 2007).Although the medulla also contains SP4 Foxp3⁺ natural regulatory T cells (nT_reg cells; Liston et al., 2008), its role in nT_reg cell generation remains unclear, with both medullary TECs (mTECs) and DCs being implicated (Aschenbrenner et al., 2007; Proietto et al., 2008; Spence and Green, 2008; Wirnsberger et al., 2009; Hinterberger et al., 2010). Importantly, nT_reg cell development is a multistage process, with TCR–MHC (Lio and Hsieh, 2008) and CD28–CD80/86 interactions (Lio et al., 2010; Vang et al., 2010; Hinterberger et al., 2011) driving the generation of Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ nT_reg cell precursors that give rise to Foxp3⁺CD25⁺ nT_reg cells (Lio and Hsieh, 2008). However, the role of mTECs during Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ nT_reg cell precursor generation is unknown.Here, we define steps in both conventional and nT_reg SP4 thymocyte maturation, mapping their requirements for a RelB-dependent mTEC compartment (Burkly et al., 1995; Weih et al., 1995; Heino et al., 2000). We show that conventional SP4 thymocytes can complete their maturation in the absence of RelB-dependent mTECs, with evidence of thymic independence occurring by the CD69⁺CCR7^−/loCCR9⁺ SP4 thymocyte stage. In contrast, Foxp3⁺ nT_reg cells require an intact thymic medulla, with a requirement for RelB-dependent mTEC mapping to the generation of Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ nT_reg cell precursors at the CD69⁺CCR7⁺CCR9⁻ stage. Collectively, our data reveal the differential importance of the thymic medulla during SP4 thymocyte development and highlight a specific role for mTECs in Foxp3⁻CD25⁺ precursor generation.     

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and the integrin VLA-4 mediate adhesion of human B cell precursors to cultured bone marrow adherent cells.

Adhesion of B cell precursors to accessory cells in the bone marrow microenvironment may be required for normal early B cell development. Human bone marrow B cell precursors adhere more avidly than mature B cells to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts. To determine the mechanism of this adhesion, expression of adhesion proteins on human B precursor cells and cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. The very late antigen (VLA) integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5 were the only adhesion proteins expressed at higher levels in B cell precursors than mature B cells. Antibodies to the alpha and beta chains of VLA-4, but not VLA-5, significantly blocked binding to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts of immature B cells and cell lines. Although fibronectin is a ligand for VLA-4, anti-fibronectin antibody and a soluble fibronectin fragment containing the VLA-4 binding domain did not block adhesion, suggesting that VLA-4 is involved in adhesion of B cell precursors, but not as a fibronectin receptor. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the other known counterreceptor for VLA-4, was identified on bone marrow-derived fibroblasts, and anti-VCAM-1 significantly blocked adhesion of normal B cell precursors to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts, indicating that VLA-4/VCAM-1 interactions are important in adhesion of B cell precursors to the bone marrow microenvironment.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 is important for the development of severe experimental malaria but is not required for leukocyte adhesion in the brain.

Plasmodium berghei-infected mice, a well-recognized model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), exhibit a systemic inflammatory response. Most investigators hypothesize that leukocytes bind to endothelial cells via intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), which causes endothelial damage, increased microvascular permeability, and, ultimately, death. ICAM-1-deficient mice on an ECM-susceptible C57BL/6 background were significantly (p = .04) protected from P. berghei mortality compared with ICAM-1 intact controls. ICAM-1 expression assessed by the dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique was increased in the brain and lung in C57BL/6 mice on day 6 of P. berghei infection compared with uninfected controls (5.3-fold, p = .0003 for brain and 1.8-fold, p = .04 for lung). The increase in ICAM-1 expression coincided with significant (p < .05) increases in microvascular permeability in the brain and lung. In contrast to the hypothesized role for ICAM-1, in vivo analysis by intravital microscopy of leukocyte rolling and adhesion in brain microvasculature of mice revealed markedly increased levels of leukocyte rolling and adhesion in ICAM-1-deficient mice on day 6 of P. berghei infection compared with uninfected controls. In addition, ICAM-1 expression and microvascular permeability were increased in infected ECM-resistant BALB/c mice compared with uninfected BALB/c controls. These results collectively indicate that although ICAM-1 contributes to the mortality of experimental malaria, it is not sufficient for the development of severe experimental malaria. In addition, ICAM-1 expressed on the endothelium or on leukocytes is not required for leukocyte rolling or adhesion to the brain microvasculature of mice during P. berghei malaria. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the brain vasculature during P. berghei malaria use different ligands than observed during inflammation in other vascular beds.     

Involvement of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) but not ICAM-1 in a radioactive leukocyte cell-mediated immunity (LA-CMI) assay

A number of monoclonal antibodies (Mab) specific to human leukocyte adherence molecules were investigated for their possible function in LA-CMI assay. These data indicate that LFA-1 appears to be directly involved in LA-CMI of human peripheral blood leukocytes since both MAb H52, specific to LFA-1 beta and MAb MHM24, specific to LA-1 alpha inhibited LA-CMI that retained distinct functional characteristics normally exhibited in LFA-1-dependent adhesion steps. That is, binding of cells onto tube wall required the presence of bivalent cations and metabolic energy production; it could be stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and was partially dependent on intact cytoskeleton and temperature. MAbs specific to other adherence molecules such as ICAM-1, CD2, CD58, CD4, CD8, CD11b and LAM-1 did not affect leukocyte adherence in this model.     

Requirement for TRAF3 in signaling by LMP1 but not CD40 in B lymphocytes

CD40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, and the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncoprotein latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) share several tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) adaptor proteins for signaling. Among these, TRAF3 was the first identified to directly bind both receptors, yet its role remains a mystery. To address this, we generated B cell lines deficient in TRAF3 by homologous recombination. We found that CD40 signals were normal in the absence of TRAF3, with the exception of moderately enhanced c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and antibody secretion. In sharp contrast, LMP1 signaling was markedly defective in TRAF3-/- B cells. LMP1-induced activation of JNK and nuclear factor kappaB, up-regulation of CD23 and CD80, and antibody secretion were substantially affected by TRAF3 deficiency. Reconstitution of TRAF3 expression decreased CD40-induced JNK activation and antibody secretion, and fully restored LMP1 signaling. Although TRAF2 is widely believed to be important for LMP1 function, LMP1 signaling was intact in TRAF2-/- B cells. Our data reveal that CD40 and LMP1 unexpectedly use TRAF3 in different ways, and that TRAF3 is required for LMP1-mediated activation of B cells.     

Modulation of cell adhesion by changes in alpha L beta 2 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18) cytoplasmic domain/cytoskeleton interaction

The integrin alpha L beta 2 (leukocyte function-associated molecule 1, CD11a/CD18) mediates activation-dependent adhesion of leukocytes. The cytoplasmic domains of alpha L beta 2 have been demonstrated to modulate adhesiveness of alpha L beta 2. Affinity changes of alpha L beta 2 for its ligand or postreceptor events can be responsible for this modulation of adhesiveness. To investigate the possible role of the alpha L beta 2 cytoplasmic domains in postreceptor events we constructed cDNA encoding chimeric proteins with intracellular alpha L beta 2 domains, which are responsible for alpha L beta 2 specific intracellular interactions, and extracellular alpha IIIb beta 3 (GP IIb/IIIa) domains, which allow the assessment of the receptor affinity state. The cDNA was stably transfected in Chinese hamster ovary cells and chimeric heterodimer formation proven by immunoprecipitations and flow cytometry. The chimeric receptors mediate adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen, and this adhesion is increased by phorbol myristate acetate and abolished by cytochalasin D. However, neither treatment affects the affinity state of the chimeric receptor, suggesting involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of alpha L beta 2 mediated cell adhesion. To exclude the possibility of postoccupancy affinity changes of the chimeric receptors, we locked the receptors into a high affinity state by creating a deletion variant. The region deleted (VGFFK) is highly conserved in integrin alpha subunit cytoplasmic domains. Cotransfection of this deletion variant with a beta subunit truncation (beta 3 delta 724) and a triple mutation at 758-760 (TTT to AAA) of beta 2 abolishes adhesion without changing the affinity state. A single mutation (TTT to TAT) reduces adhesion by half without affinity change. Scanning electron microscopy reveals impaired spreading of these truncated/mutated chimeras. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates a correlation between impaired adhesion and a decrease in the ability to form focal adhesions and to organize the cytoskeleton into stress fibers. These results describe the integrin/cytoskeleton interaction, the organization of the cytoskeleton, and cell spreading as postreceptor events modulating alpha L beta 2 cytoplasmic domain mediated cell adhesion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the cytoplasmic domain of the beta 2 subunit, and within it the TTT region, are required for these postreceptor events. Additionally, we present a new approach, using deletion variants to lock integrins in a high affinity state without interfering with the investigated integrin/cytoskeleton interaction. This approach may be generally useful to investigate the role of postreceptor events in integrin- mediated cell adhesion and migration.     

Expression of the alpha1beta1 integrin, VLA-1, marks a distinct subset of human CD4+ memory T cells

The alpha1beta1 integrin, very late antigen-1 (VLA-1), is a collagen receptor expressed in many CD4+ T cells localizing to inflamed tissues. Here we show that the expression of VLA-1 is a stable marker of a distinct subset of CD4+ memory T cells. Thus, in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), approximately 1-4% of the CD4+ T cells express VLA-1, and following T cell receptor activation ex vivo, the percentage of VLA-1+ cells increases within the CD45RO+ population. Importantly, the activated VLA-1+ and VLA-1- cells can be isolated and maintained in culture as phenotypically stable subsets. Functionally, CD4+ memory T cells, operationally defined as the cells that divide rapidly following stimulation with a recall antigen, are highly enriched for VLA-1+ cells. Moreover, depletion of the small fraction of VLA-1+ cells present in CD4+ PBLs prior to stimulation significantly abrogated the proliferative response to recall antigens. Notably, the VLA-1+ cells in fresh CD4+ PBLs are composed of resting CD45RO+/RA-, CCR7-, CD62L+, CD25-, and VLA-4hi cells. Interestingly, this VLA-1+ subset is enriched for Th1-type cells, and Th1-polarizing conditions during T cell activation favor the emergence of VLA-1+ cells. Thus, VLA-1 expression is a stable marker of a unique subset of human memory CD4+ T cells that predominantly differentiates into Th1 cells.     

CD40-CD40 ligand interactions are critical in T-B cooperation but not for other anti-viral CD4+ T cell functions

CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction is required for the generation of antibody responses to T-dependent antigens as well as for the development of germinal centers and memory B cells. The role of the CD40-CD40L interaction in the induction of antigen-specific. Th cells and in mediating Th cell effector functions other than cognate help for B cells is less well understood. Using CD40- and CD40L-deficient mice together with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and vesicular stomatitis virus as viral model antigens, this study corroborates earlier findings that no lg isotype switching of virus-specific antibodies was measurable upon infection of CD40- or CD40L-deficient mice. In contrast, in vivo induction of virus-specific CD4+ T cells measured by proliferation and cytokine secretion of primed virus- specific Th cells in vitro was not crucially dependent on the CD40- CD40L interaction. In addition, virus-specific Th cells primed in a CD40-deficient environment, adoptively transferred into CD40-competent recipients, were able to mediate lg isotype switch. Th-mediated effector functions distinct from and in addition to T-B collaboration were analyzed in CD40- and CD40L-deficient and normal mice: (a) local inflammatory reactions upon LCMV infection mediated by LCMV-specific Th cells were not dependent on a functional CD40-CD40L interaction, (b) cytokine-mediated protection by CD4+ T cells primed by vesicular stomatitis virus against a challenge infection with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus was found to be equivalent in CD40L-deficient and normal mice. Thus, CD40-CD40L interaction plays a crucial role in T-B interactions for Th-dependent activation of B cells but not, or to a much lesser extent, in T cell activation, antigen-specific Th cell responses in vitro, and for interleukin-mediated Th cell effector functions in vivo.     

B7 but not intercellular adhesion molecule-1 costimulation prevents the induction of human alloantigen-specific tolerance

Presentation of antigen by the major histocompatibility complex to T lymphocytes without the requisite costimulatory signals does not induce an immune response but rather results in a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. To determine which costimulatory signals are critical for the T cell commitment to activation or anergy, we developed an in vitro model system that isolated the contributions of alloantigen and each candidate costimulatory molecule. Here, we show that transfectants expressing HLA-DR7 and either B7 or intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) deliver independent costimulatory signals resulting in alloantigen-induced proliferation of CD4-positive T lymphocytes. Although equivalent in their ability to costimulate maximal proliferation of alloreactive T cells, B7 but not ICAM-1 induced detectable interleukin 2 secretion and prevented the induction of alloantigen-specific anergy. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that blockade of the ICAM-1:lymphocyte function-associated 1 pathway results in immunosuppression, whereas blockade of the B7:CD28/CTLA4 pathway results in alloantigen-specific anergy. This approach, using this model system, should facilitate the identification of critical costimulatory pathways which must be inhibited in order to induce alloantigen-specific tolerance before human organ transplantation.     

HIV-1 Vpr enhances viral burden by facilitating infection of tissue macrophages but not nondividing CD4+ T cells.

Prior experiments in explants of human lymphoid tissue have demonstrated that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) productively infects diverse cellular targets including T cells and tissue macrophages. We sought to determine the specific contribution of macrophages and T cells to the overall viral burden within lymphoid tissue. To block infection of macrophages selectively while preserving infection of T cells, we used viruses deficient for viral protein R (Vpr) that exhibit profound replication defects in nondividing cells in vitro. We inoculated tonsil histocultures with matched pairs of congenic viruses that differed only by the presence of a wild-type or truncated vpr gene. Although these viruses exhibited no reduction in the infection or depletion of T cells, the ability of the Vpr-deficient R5 virus to infect tissue macrophages was severely impaired compared with matched wild-type R5 virus. Interestingly, the Vpr-deficient R5 virus also exhibited a 50% reduction in overall virus replication compared with its wild-type counterpart despite the fact that macrophages represent a small fraction of the potential targets of HIV-1 infection in these tissues. Collectively, these data highlight the importance of tissue macrophages in local viral burden and further implicate roles for CC chemokine receptor 5, macrophages, and Vpr in the life cycle and pathogenesis of HIV-1.     

Organ-dependent in vivo priming of naive CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells by plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) play a pivotal role as cytokine-secreting accessory cells in the antimicrobial immune defense. In contrast, the capacity of PDCs to act as antigen-presenting cells in naive T cell priming remains unclear. By studying T cell responses in mice that lack conventional DCs (cDCs), and by the use of a PDC-specific antigen-targeting strategy, we show that PDCs can initiate productive naive CD4(+) T cell responses in lymph nodes, but not in the spleen. PDC-triggered CD4(+) T cell responses differed from cDC-driven responses in that they were not associated with concomitant CD8(+) T cell priming. Our results establish PDCs as a bona fide DC subset that initiates unique CD4(+) Th cell-dominated primary immune responses.     

A critical role for transforming growth factor-beta but not interleukin 4 in the suppression of T helper type 1-mediated colitis by CD45RB(low) CD4+ T cells

A T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated colitis with similarities to inflammatory bowel disease in humans developed in severe combined immunodeficiency mice reconstituted with CD45RB(high) CD4+ splenic T cells and could be prevented by cotransfer of CD45RB(low) CD4+ T cells. Inhibition of this Th1 response by the CD45RB(low) T cell population could be reversed in vivo by an anti-transforming growth factor (TGF) beta antibody. Interleukin (IL) 4 was not required for either the differentiation of function of protective cells as CD45RB(low) CD4+ cells from IL-4-deficient mice were fully effective. These results identify a subpopulation of peripheral CD4+ cells and TGF-beta as critical components of the natural immune regulatory mechanism, which prevents the development of pathogenic Th1 responses in the gut, and suggests that this immunoregulatory population is distinct from Th2 cells.     

Conversion of CD4+ CD25- cells into CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo requires B7 costimulation, but not the thymus

The CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells play a critical role in controlling autoimmunity, but little is known about their development and maintenance. In this study, we investigated whether CD4+ CD25- cells can convert to CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo under natural conditions. CD4+ CD25- cells from CD45.1+ mice were sorted and transferred into congenic CD45.2+ mice. Converted CD4+ CD25+ cells could be detected in lymphoid organs as early as 1 wk after transfer and by 6 wk after transfer, 5-12% of transferred CD4+ cells expressed CD25. Converted CD4+ CD25+ cells themselves failed to proliferate after stimulation, but could suppress proliferation of responder cells in vitro, and also expressed high levels of Foxp3 mRNA. In addition, CD4+ CD25- cells transferred into thymectomized congenic mice converted to CD4+ CD25+ cells that also suppressed responder cell proliferation in vitro, and expressed high levels of Foxp3 mRNA. Finally, CD4+ CD25- cells transferred into B7-/- mice failed to convert into CD4+ CD25+ cells that exhibit the regulatory phenotype. These data indicate that CD4+ CD25- cells convert into CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells spontaneously in vivo and suggest that this conversion process could contribute significantly to the maintenance of the peripheral CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cell population.     

The MEKK1-JNK pathway plays a protective role in pressure overload but does not mediate cardiac hypertrophy

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MEKK1) mediates activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). Although previous studies using cultured cardiac myocytes have suggested that the MEKK1-JNK pathway plays a key role in hypertrophy and apoptosis, its effects in cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis are not fully understood in adult animals in vivo. We examined the role of the MEKK1-JNK pathway in pressure-overloaded hearts by using mice deficient in MEKK1. We found that transverse aortic banding significantly increased JNK activity in Mekk1(+/+) but not Mekk1(-/-) mice, indicating that MEKK1 mediates JNK activation by pressure overload. Nevertheless, pressure overload caused significant levels of cardiac hypertrophy and expression of atrial natriuretic factor in Mekk1(-/-) animals, which showed higher mortality and lung/body weight ratio than were seen in controls. Fourteen days after banding, Mekk1(-/-) hearts were dilated, and their left ventricular ejection fraction was low. Pressure overload caused elevated levels of apoptosis and inflammatory lesions in these mice and produced a smaller increase in TGF-beta and TNF-alpha expression than occurred in wild-type controls. Thus, MEKK1 appears to be required for pressure overload-induced JNK activation and cytokine upregulation but to be dispensable for pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. MEKK1 also prevents apoptosis and inflammation, thereby protecting against heart failure and sudden death following cardiac pressure overload.