MICA antigens stimulate T cell proliferation and cell-mediated cytotoxicity

In previous experiments we have found that transplant recipients had specific antibodies against MICA. In the present study, we measured T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity to investigate whether immunization with MICA can produce a specific cellular immune response. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant MICA (rMICA). Lymphoid cell suspensions obtained after immunization were used to measure T cell proliferation. We detected a robust proliferative response in MICA-stimulated cultures as determined by [3H]thymidine uptake. Using carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to measure proliferation, we found that in MICA-stimulated cultures, 21% of the CD3+ T cells were CD4+ and CFSE-low and 3% of the T cells were proliferating CD8+ T cells. Among CFSE-low CD4+ spleen cells, 25% secreted IL-4 and only 2% produced IFN-gamma, suggesting a predominant Th2-type response. Blocking of MHC class I or class II molecules with monoclonal antibodies resulted in prominent inhibition of CD8+ or CD4+ T cell proliferation, respectively. In addition, we found that blocking the NKG2D receptor did not cause inhibition of the T cell response. MICA-stimulated CD8+ T lymphocytes exerted cytotoxicity against a BALB/c monocyte cell line (RAW 267.4) primed with soluble rMICA. Our results suggested that MICA-activated T cells may have a role in a cellular component of transplant rejection.     

Activation-induced expression of MICA on T lymphocytes involves engagement of CD3 and CD28

MICA is an HLA-related cell stress-regulated antigen recognized by cytotoxic cells expressing the NKG2D molecule. Although resting lymphocytes do not express MICA, it can be induced on PHA-activated T cells. Here, we demonstrate by Western blot that MICA is induced on allogeneic-activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Blocking activation with anti-HLA class I, anti-HLA-DR, or anti-CD86 mAb affected the expression of MICA slightly. When T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 or anti-CD28 mAb plus PMA, a sustained up-regulation of MICA was observed by Western blot, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. The expression of MICA reached a plateau at day 4 after CD3 engagement and at day 3 after anti-CD28/PMA stimulation. Conversely, the proliferative response reached a peak at day 4. Hence, CD3 or CD28 engagement induces MICA expression on T lymphocytes. This activation-induced expression might participate in NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity toward activated T cells to maintain homeostasis during an ongoing immune response.     

CD8+ T cell-mediated protection against an intracellular bacterium by perforin-dependent cytotoxicity

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes is mainly controlled by macrophages, which are activated by specific T cells. A potential role of CD8⁺ T cells by direct lysis of infected cells was investigated in perforin-deficient mice generated by homologous recombination. The absence of perforin-mediated cytotoxicity resulted in delayed clearance of Listeria from the spleen but not the liver after primary infection, overall susceptibility to Listeria however was not increased. Protection against a secondary infection was drastically impaired in perforin-deficient mice. Adoptive transfer of immune spleen cells to recipients revealed that anti-Listeria protection by CD8⁺ T cells from perforin-deficient versus normal mice was about 10-fold reduced in livers and about 100-fold reduced in the spleen of recipients. CD4⁺ T cells from immune control and perforin-deficient mice conferred comparable protection. These results indicate that the protective effect of CD8⁺ T cells against an intracellular bacterium mainly evident in secondary infection is mediated by a perforin-dependent pathway, presumably cytotoxicity, and less by other direct or indirect effector mechanisms.     

Increased expression of CD40 ligand in activated CD4+ T lymphocytes of systemic sclerosis patients

CD40-CD154 interactions play a key role in regulating immune response and are involved in the development of some autoimmune diseases. We analysed the expression of CD154 antigen in CD3-activated PBMC from 10 systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and 10 control subjects by immunofluorescence. PBMC from SSc patients showed an increased expression of this molecule, since, 6 h following CD3 stimulation, the percentage of CD154(+)cells was of 17. 53+/-2.0 (mean+/-SE) in control and 25.33+/-2.93 in patient cells (P< 0.03). The higher expression of CD154 antigen was ascribible to CD4(+)cells. The enhanced induction of CD154 following CD3 stimulation depended on protein synthesis, since was abolished when the cells were stimulated via CD3 in the presence of cycloheximide. By analysing the expression of the CD40-induced antigen CD80, we verified that a blocking anti-CD40 antibody inhibited CD80 appearance in SSc activated monocytes, indicating that CD154 molecule was functional. These results show an enhanced expression of a functional CD154 molecule in SSc CD4(+)activated T lymphocytes.     

Regulation of perforin-independent NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cells have been thought to depend largely on perforin-mediated mechanisms for the induction of cell death in targets. However, this view has more recently been challenged. It is now clear that NK cells are capable of using death ligands like Fas ligand (FasL) or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) to induce cytotoxicity. Still, relatively little is known about the control of these "perforin-independent" cell death eliciting reactions, for example, the regulation of FasL expression on NK cells. In the present study, we confirm the ability of NK cells to mediate target cytotoxicity in the absence of perforin, in vivo and in vitro. We show that the induction of perforin-independent NK cell-mediated cell death is prevented by inhibiting signals mediated by MHC class I recognition. Furthermore, we demonstrate in vitro that cross-linking of the activation receptor NK1.1 on NK cells leads to the up-regulation of FasL on the cell surface. However, simultaneous engagement of an MHC class I binding inhibitory receptor prevents the externalization of FasL. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for theMHC class I-dependent regulation of perforin-independent cytotoxicity.     

Intracellular expression of CD1 molecules on PHA-activated normal T lymphocytes.

In this study we have analyzed, using immunoperoxidase (IPx) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), the intracellular and cell surface expression of CD1 antigens on PHA activated human T cells. By IIF, CD1 isotypes were not detected on the surface of 3 days PHA activated cells. Conversely, CD1a, CD1b and CD1c molecules were found by IPx in the cytoplasm of normal activated cells from 13 different donors. Kinetic studies showed that, while CD25 was already observed 24 h after activation, all 3 isotypes of CD1 molecules started to be detected 48 h after PHA activation, with a peak expression at 72 h.     

Human monocyte-derived and CD83(+) blood dendritic cells enhance NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Dendritic cells (DC) are known to be the most potent APC and to stimulate antigen-specific T cell responses. Recently it was reported that murine DC were also capable of modulating the innate immunity by stimulating NK cells through cell-to-cell contact. In the present study, we examined whether human DC could affect NK activity. Both monocyte-derived and CD83(+) blood DC were tested. The addition of DC to cultures of CD56(+) cells resulted in the significant dose-dependent enhancement of the killing activity against various NK-sensitive targets. The resultant activity was comparable to that induced by optimal concentrations of various cytokines, including IL-2, IL-12, IL-15 and IFN-gamma. Interestingly, DC enhanced the cytotoxicity of CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cells, but not that of CD3(+)CD56(+) T cells. Experiments using transwells clearly demonstrated that the enhancement of NK activity by DC was mediated by soluble factors produced by DC. The culture supernatants of DC also stimulated NK activity. The treatment of both DC and their supernatants with anti-human IL-12 or IL-18 antibodies did not block the enhancement of NK cell-mediated cytolysis by DC, indicating that other factor(s) produced by DC were responsible for the enhancement of NK activity. These results suggest that human myeloid DC can modulate innate immunity by enhancing NK activity.     

Synergistic effect of IFN-gamma and human cytomegalovirus protein UL40 in the HLA-E-dependent protection from NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Human CMV (HCMV) has evolved several strategies to evade the immune system of the infected host. Here, we investigated the role of the HCMV-encoded protein UL40 in the modulation of NK cell lysis. UL40 carries in its leader sequence a nonameric peptide similar to that found in many HLA class I molecules leader sequences. This peptide up-regulates the expression of HLA-E, the ligand for the NK cell inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. The UL40-encoded HLA-E-binding peptide was present in all HCMV clinical (4636, 13B, 109B, 3C) and laboratory (AD169) strains analyzed. However, transfection of UL40 in different cell lines (293T, 721.221, K562) did not consistently confer protection from NK lysis (as measured using NKL and the newly generated NK line Nishi), despite a moderate up-regulation of HLA-E. Interestingly, combined transfection and treatment with IFN-gamma increased the inhibitory effect, via an HLA-E- and CD94/NKG2A-dependent mechanism. Although cells transfected with UL40 derived from either AD169 or 3C showed protection from NK cell lysis, infection of fibroblasts with the viruses resulted in a strong inhibition only with the clinical strain 3C. Our results suggest that UL40 and IFN-gamma-dependent up-regulation of HLA-E is only one possible mechanism to avoid NK cell recognition of HCMV infected cells.     

CD59 is physically and functionally associated with natural cytotoxicity receptors and activates human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Triggering of cytotoxicity in human NK cells is induced by the combined engagement of several triggering receptors. These include primary receptors such as NKG2D and the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) NKp30, NKp46 and NKp44, while other molecules, including 2B4, NTB-A and NKp80, function as co-receptors. As reported in the present study, during an attempt to identify novel NK receptors or co-receptors, we found that CD59 functions as a co-receptor in human NK cell activation; engagement of CD59 by specific mAb delivers triggering signals to human NK cells, resulting in enhancement of cytotoxicity. Similar to other NK co-receptors, the triggering function of CD59, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein, depends on the simultaneous engagement of primary receptors such as NCR. Accordingly, CD59-dependent triggering was virtually restricted to NK cells expressing high surface densities of NKp46, and mAb-mediated modulation of NKp46 resulted in markedly decreased responses to anti-CD59 mAb. Biochemical analysis revealed that CD59 is physically associated with NKp46 and NKp30. Moreover, engagement of CD59 resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3zeta chains associated with these NCR, but not those associated with CD16. Thus, CD59-mediated costimulation of NK cells requires direct physical interaction of this GPI-linked protein with primary triggering NK receptors.     

Interleukin-15 differentially enhances the expression of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 in activated human (CD4+) T lymphocytes

In this study interleukin (IL)-15 was examined for its ability to modulate the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 in activated human T lymphocytes. The effect of IL-15 was compared with IL-2 and IL-7, cytokines all known to use the IL-2 receptor gammaC chain. The results demonstrate that the extent of upregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA was dependent on the applied cytokine (IL-2>IL-15>IL-7) and on the stimulatory signal. IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNAs were upregulated by IL-15 in concanavalin A- (twofold) and anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28- (fivefold) stimulated T lymphocytes. IFN-gamma mRNA accumulation, but not IL-4 mRNA, was additively upregulated by IL-15 plus IL-7 (ninefold) in anti-CD3 stimulated T lymphocytes, and bypassed the requirement of CD28 signalling. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) experiments demonstrated that IFN-gamma mRNA was upregulated by IL-15 in both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, whereas IL-4 mRNA accumulation predominantly occurred in CD4+ cells. Preincubation of highly purified CD4+ T lymphocytes during 7 days with IL-15 and/or IL-7, followed by activation, also showed enhanced IL-4 protein secretion, but predominantly upregulated IFN-gamma protein. The net effect was a dramatically increased IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio. Taken together, IL-15 and IL-7 can act as costimulatory signals, which may favour a T helper 1 (Th1) immune response, particularly in the absence of sufficient CD28 costimulation.     

Masking of veto function in vivo by activated CD4+ T lymphocytes

Donor CD8+ T lymphocytes injected into recipient mice incompatible at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes induce donor-specific CTL nonresponsiveness, attributed to the veto function of donor cells. Here we show that conditions leading to strong activation of CD4+ T cells, namely the presence in the recipient of foreign MHC class II determinants, lead to the apparent loss of veto function of donor cells. This "masking" of veto function is dependent on the dose of foreign MHC class II present. Veto function can be partially restored by treatment of recipients in vivo with CD4-specific antibody, a measure which has been shown to eliminate the function of CD4+ T cells in vivo. We conclude that CD4+ T cells activated by contact with antigen can interfere with the veto function of CD8+ T cells. Consequences of this finding are: (a) veto function of a sample cell population can be overlooked when activation of CD4+ T cells occurs simultaneously. (b) The balance between veto function of recipient cells and its abrogation might be responsible for the kind of graft-vs.-host reaction generated (CD8+ T cell-mediated and frequently lethal or CD4+ T cell-mediated and not lethal) when parental T cells are injected into recipients incompatible at MHC class I and class II genes. (c) A possible contribution of veto cells should be considered in several protocols in which donor hemopoetic cells were used in conjunction with CD4-specific antibodies to induce transplantation tolerance. (d) Veto function in vivo does not require a contribution of CD4+ T cells.     

NK相关抗原在HIV/AIDS患者CD8+T淋巴细胞上的表达

目的　探讨NK相关抗原CD5 6、CD16在HIV AIDS患者CD8 T淋巴细胞上的表达。方法　取外周血细胞 ,用标记荧光的抗体进行染色 ,以CD8强阳 淋巴细胞为门 ,用流式细胞仪分析CD8 T淋巴细胞上CD5 6、CD16的表达。结果　HIV AIDS患者CD8 T淋巴细胞表达CD5 6 、CD5 6 CD16 - 、CD5 6 CD16 均明显低于HIV抗体阴性健康对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;经高效抗逆转录病毒疗法 (HAART)治疗后CD8 T淋巴细胞表达的CD5 6 、CD5 6 CD16 - 、CD5 6 CD16 呈逐渐升高趋势。HIV AIDS患者表达CD5 6 CD16 - 的CD8 T淋巴细胞亚群绝对数与CD4 T淋巴细胞绝对数呈正相关 ,r=0 .393,P <0 .0 5 ;表达CD5 6 - CD16 的CD8 T淋巴细胞百分数与CD4 T细胞绝对数呈负相关 ,r=- 0 .32 4 ,P <0 .0 5。结论　表达CD5 6的CD8 T淋巴细胞在HIV AIDS患者中明显缺失 ,HAART治疗可恢复缺失。CD8 T淋巴细胞上CD5 6的表达是HIV感染中值得关注的重要指标之一 ,对评价抗病毒疗效具有指导意义。     

Human T lymphoblasts and activated dendritic cells in the allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction are susceptible to NK cell-mediated anti-CD83-dependent cytotoxicity

CD83 is a marker of dendritic cell (DC) differentiation/activation and its expression in the mouse thymus contributes to CD4(+) T lymphocyte development. Its extrathymic role remains unclear despite the functional effects observed with CD83 fusion proteins or CD83 antibody and recent reports of potential ligands. We investigated the previously observed and presumed functional blockade of the allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) with rabbit polyclonal anti-CD83 (RA83). RA83 inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation stimulated with allogeneic immature monocyte-derived DC (iMoDC) was confirmed. However, we found it was due to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by NK cells in the responder T cell preparation. The likely targets of the ADCC were MoDC that had up-regulated CD83 during the MLR. Using a (51)Cr-release assay, we confirmed that CD83(+) MoDC, but not CD83(-) MoDC, are lysed by NK cells in the presence of RA83. However, prior fixation of the stimulator MoDC in the allogeneic MLR did not abrogate RA83 inhibition, indicating that cells from the responder T lymphocyte preparation, involved in the MLR proliferative response, also expressed CD83. We found, after 3-4 days of culture with allogeneic MoDC, a subset of CD3(+) cells had up-regulated CD83 and CD25. These were blasting T cells and, when isolated from the MLR, were found to be lysed by autologous NK cells in the presence of RA83. Thus, CD83 is expressed by responding T cells as well as by stimulating cells in the MLR and both are susceptible to anti-CD83-mediated ADCC.     

MicroRNA-7 在CD4+ T 细胞体外活化中的表达及意义

目的:观察microRNA-(miR-)在体外活化CD4+ T 细胞中表达的变化,初步探讨其意义。方法:采用免疫磁珠分选法(MACS)获得FVB 小鼠脾脏中CD4+ CD62L+ T 细胞,经抗CD3/ CD28 抗体刺激后,Real-ime PCR 检测miR- 7达水平,FACS 检测活化膜分子CD69 的表达变化;进一步观察刺激不同时间点CD4+ T 细胞中miR-7表达的变化;观察ERK 抑制剂PD98059 处理后,CD4+ T 细胞活化下miR-7表达的变化,同时CCK8 法检测细胞增殖变化,FACS 检测CD69 和CD62L 分子的表达变化;最后, Real-time C 检测各组细胞中IL-7、IL-10 和IFN鄄酌等细胞因子表达水平变化。结果:与对照组相比,抗CD3/ CD28 抗体刺激后,CD4+ CD62L+ T 细胞中miR-7 表达水平显著上调,CD69 分子的表达明显增加(P<0.05);与刺激0 h 组和24 h 组相比,48 h 组和72 h 组miR-7 的表达水平显著上调(P<0.05);PD98059 处理组中,CD4+ T 细胞的miR-7 表达水平显著下降(P<0.05),同时,活化膜分子CD69 的表达比例明显降低(P<0.05);最后,细胞表达IL-6、IL-10 和IFN 的水平均显著减弱(P<0.05)。结论:miR-7 在活化的CD4+ T 细胞中明显上调,并与ERK 信号相关,为后续探讨miR-7 在CD4+ T 细胞功能中的作用提供了前期实验基础。     

ConA激活的小鼠T细胞CD69表达动力学的体内外研究

目的 为明确ＣＤ６９体内外表达动力学并进一步探讨其作用。方法 ＣｏｎＡ体内外刺激小鼠Ｔ细胞后,选取不同时间点,流式细胞仪观察Ｔ细胞ＣＥ６９表达率。结果ＣｏｎＡ刺激后２ｈＣＤ６９即有明显表达,６～８ｈ达到峰值,ＣＤ８＾＝与ＣＤ８＾＋Ｔ细胞相比无明显差异。体外条件对ＣＤ６９的表达有显著的影响。结论 结果提示ＣＤ８＾－和ＣＤ８＾＋Ｔ细胞的活化均需要ＣＤ６９的参与,Ｔ细胞可能在活化早期一过性高表达ＣＤ６９     

TCR-mediated target cell lysis by CD4+NK1+ liver T lymphocytes

In the liver, an unusual T lymphocyte population exists with the intriguing phenotype CD4+NK1+ TCR alpha beta int. Thus far, functions of these lymphocytes remained elusive. Recently, however, CD4+NK1+ liver T lymphocytes have been shown to produce cytokines. Here we show that sorted CD4+NK1+ liver lymphocytes from naive mice lyse target cells after TCR alpha beta or CD3, but not TCR gamma delta, engagement. Liver lymphocytes from beta 2-microglobulin-deficient gene disruption mutant mice failed to express such cytolytic activities and in vivo treatment with anti-NK1.1 mAb or anti-CD4 mAb, but not anti-CD8 mAb, markedly reduced target cell lysis. In vivo administration or rIL-12 impaired TCR alpha beta-mediated target cell lysis by liver lymphocytes. A similar down-regulation of cytolytic activities was observed with liver lymphocytes from mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes or Mycobacterium bovis BCG, which are potent IL-12 inducers. We anticipate (i) that cytolytic CD4+NK1+ T lymphocytes contribute to immunosurveillance of inflammatory processes in the liver and (ii) that they are influenced by IL-12.      

异黄酮Genistein对T细胞体外活化CD69表达的影响

目的 :研究异黄酮Genistein对T淋巴细胞活化的影响 ,探讨将其发展为免疫干预药物的可能性。方法 :应用荧光标记的单克隆抗体和流式细胞技术 ,在全血培养体系中于 2h和 6h时间点检测分别经 10 ,5 0或 10 0 μmol L浓度Genistein预培养的 ,PHA或PDB诱导活化的T细胞的CD6 9表达百分率。结果 :培养 2h后 ,Genistein对PHA活化组的抑制作用要强于PDB活化组 ,P <0 0 5 ;培养 6h后 ,Genistein对PHA活化组的抑制作用同样强于PDB活化组 ,P <0 0 5 ,但较之 2h时间点均有所降低 ;无论PHA活化组或PDB活化组 ,Genistein对T细胞CD6 9表达率的抑制效应均随作用浓度的升高而增强。结论 :Genistein对PHA和PDB诱导活化的T细胞的CD6 9表达率均有明显的抑制作用 ,这种抑制作用存在浓度依赖关系。Genistein有潜力发展成一种免疫干预药物。