Th1 cells induce and Th2 inhibit antigen-dependent IL-12 secretion by dendritic cells

Dendritic cells are the most relevant antigen-presenting cells (APC) for presentation of antigens administered in adjuvant to CD4⁺ T cells. Upon interaction with antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cells (DC) expressing appropriate peptide-MHC class II complexes secrete IL-12, a cytokine that drives Th1 cell development. To analyze the T cell-mediated regulation of IL-12 secretion by DC, we have examined their capacity to secrete IL-12 in response to stimulation by antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 DO11.10 TCR-transgenic cells. These cells do not differ either in TCR clonotype or CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression. Interaction with antigen-specific Th1, but not Th2 cells, induces IL-12 p40 and p75 secretion by DC. The induction of IL-12 production by Th1 cells does not depend on their IFN-γ secretion, but requires direct cell-cell contact mediated by peptide/MHC class II-TCR and CD40-CD40L interactions. Th2 cells not only fail to induce IL-12 secretion, but they inhibit its induction by Th1 cells. Unlike stimulation by Th1, inhibition of IL-12 production by Th2 cells is mediated by soluble molecules, as demonstrated by transwell cultures. Among Th2-derived cytokines, IL-10, but not IL-4 inhibit Th1-driven IL-12 secretion. IL-10 produced by Th2 cells appears to be solely responsible for the inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 secretion, but it does not account for the failure of Th2 cells to induce IL-12 production by DC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Th1 cells up-regulate IL-12 production by DC via IFN-γ-independent cognate interaction, whereas this is inhibited by Th2-derived IL-10. The inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 production by Th2 cells with the same antigen specificity represents a novel mechanism driving the polarization of CD4⁺ T cell responses.     

IL-27 suppresses type 2 immune responses in vivo via direct effects on group 2 innate lymphoid cells

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) were recently characterized by their ability to produce significant amounts of type-2 signature cytokines and drive central beneficial and pathological features of type-2 immune responses. Although factors such as IL-33 and IL-25 were shown to have ILC2 activating capacity, it is not well understood, how ILC2 responses are regulated in vivo. Here we provide compelling evidence that IL-27-signalling directly inhibits ILC2 responses and reveal a novel mechanism for negative regulation of the innate arm of type-2 immunity. We demonstrate that IL-27-deficiency is linked to increased mucosal presence of ILC2 in a model of inflammatory lung disease. Moreover, IL-27-treatment inhibited ILC2 proliferation and cytokine production and significantly reduced their accumulation in vivo. During helminth infection, regulation of ILC2 by IL-27 directly impacted anti-parasitic immunity. Thus, therapeutic modulation of the IL-27/IL-27R axis may be relevant in a number of inflammatory conditions associated with dysregulated type-2 responses.     

Selective maturation of dendritic cells by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-secreted proteins drives Th2 immune responses

Helminth infections at mucosal and tissue sites strongly polarize towards Th2 immune responses, following pathways which have yet to be elucidated. We investigated whether dendritic cells (DC) exposed to gastrointestinal nematodes induce Th2 differentiation and, if so, whether this outcome reflects the absence of DC activation (the default hypothesis). We studied secreted proteins from the parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, which induce Th2 development in vivo without live infection. Murine bone marrow-derived DC pulsed with N. brasiliensis excretory/secretory antigen (NES) can, on transfer to naive recipients, prime mice for Th2 responsiveness. Heat inactivation of NES abolishes both its ability to drive Th2 responses in vivo and its capacity to stimulate DC for Th2 induction. NES, but not heat-inactivated NES, up-regulates DC maturation markers associated with Th2 promotion (CD86 and OX40L), with little change to CD80 and MHC class II. Moreover, DC exposed to NES readily produce IL-6 and IL-12p40, but not IL-12p70. LPS induced high IL-12p70 levels, except in DC that had been pre-incubated with NES. These data contradict the default hypothesis, demonstrating that a helminth product (NES) actively matures DC, selectively up-regulating CD86 and OX40L together with IL-6 production, while blocking IL-12p70 responsiveness in a manner consistent with Th2 generation in vivo.     

In vivo induction of immune responses to pathogens by conventional dendritic cells

Specific defense mechanisms against pathogens are fulfilled by different subsets of nonmucosal conventional dendritic cells (DCs), including migratory Langerhans cells (LCs), dermal DCs, and resident CD8(+) and CD8(-) DCs found in lymphoid organs. Dermal DCs capture antigens in the skin and migrate to lymph nodes, where they can transfer the antigens to CD8(+) DCs and activate CD4(+) T cells. Differential antigen-processing machinery grants CD8(+) DCs a high efficiency in activating CD8(+) T cells through crosspresentation, whereas CD8(-) DCs preferentially trigger CD4(+) T cell responses. Recent findings have revealed the important role played by monocyte-derived DCs (mo-DCs), newly formed during infection, in activating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, regulating immunoglobulin production, and killing pathogens. However, a number of controversial issues regarding the function of different DC subsets during viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections remain to be resolved.     

IL-12 and Th1 immune responses in human Peyer's patches

Oral tolerance is a well-characterized phenomenon in animals and is highly effective when induced as a treatment for experimental autoimmune disease. However, its use as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of autoimmune disease in humans has been disappointing. Much of the rationale for its use in humans is based on the finding that feeding antigen to rodents elicits regulatory T cells in Peyer's patches (PPs) that secrete immunosuppressive cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. By contrast, human antigen-specific PP T-cell responses, and mucosal T-cell responses in general, are strongly biased towards T helper 1 (Th1) cells, which are pro-inflammatory rather than immunosuppressive. This is caused by the high local levels of interleukin (IL)-12 in PPs.     

Th2 cells shape the differentiation of developing T cell responses during interactions with dendritic cells in vivo

During priming, naive CD4(+) Th cells differentiate into cells that produce either IFN-gamma or IL-4. Even though the cascade of pathways that induces IL-4-producing Th2 cells has been determined in vitro, the signals promoting Th2 differentiation under physiological conditions remain enigmatic, especially the natural role of the single most important Th2-inducing signal,IL-4. Using Th2 and naive Th cells, each expressing a distinct transgenic TCR, here we show that Th2 cells migrate with the same dynamics as naive Th cells in draining lymph nodes and bind to the same DC, when driven by antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Th2-cell-derived IL-4 deviates CFA-induced Th1 development toward a Th2 phenotype, if both cell populations co-localize in the same T cell area, and are activated simultaneously. Thus, intranodal Th2 cells directly influence Th cell differentiation in vivo, but only under restricted conditions. These findings have implications for the design of cytokine-based therapies and explain the spreading of Th2 responses to multiple aeroallergens in allergic asthma, where naive Th and Th2 cells co-localize in lung-draining lymph nodes.     

Distinct sources and targets of IL-10 during dendritic cell-driven Th1 and Th2 responses in vivo

Dendritic cells (DC) can both initiate an immune response and dictate its character. Cytokines are critically involved in this process and, although interleukin (IL)-10 is known as a potent immunosuppressant, the impact of its release from DC remains unclear. Here, we transfer pathogen-conditioned murine DC in vivo and show that, while DC-derived IL-10 can act to limit Th1 development, it is not required for Th2 induction. In both Th2 and Th1 settings, however, IL-10 from cells other than the initiating DC dominates the regulation of the emerging effector cell populations. Surprisingly, the critical source of IL-10 in this process is neither T nor B cells. These data illustrate the distinct actions of IL-10 during differently polarised, pathogen-focussed, DC-driven immune responses in vivo.     

Human Th2-like cell clones induce IL-12 production by dendritic cells and may express several cytokine profiles

Previous studies have shown that human T_h2 cells, unlike theirmurine counterparts, retain the ability to produce IFN- uponactivation in the presence of exogenous IL-12. Here we firstextended this notion by showing that T_h2-like cell clones (T_h2C)are also capable of inducing IL-12 production by physiologicalantigen-presenting cells (APC); we next showed that these cellsmay express several distinct cytokine profiles depending uponthe activation signal and the type of APC with which they interact.We have analyzed the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN- by T_h2Cstimulated by either anti-CD3 mAb or exogenous IL-2, using peripheralblood monocytes or dendritic cells (DC) as accessory cells.We found that: (i) DC but not monocytes released IL-12 and promotedIL-12-dependent IFN- production upon interaction with anti-CD3-or IL-2-stimulated T_h2C and (ii) ligation of CD3 was requiredfor the production of IL-4 but not of IL-5 or IFN-. Thus, dependingupon the type of APC with which they interacted and the modeof activation, T_h2C, expressed four distinct cytokine profiles:(i) IL-4 + IL-5, in response to anti-CD3 + monocytes; (ii) IL-4,IL-5 + IFN-, in response to anti-CD3 + DC; (iii) IL-5 + IFN-,in response IL-2 + DC; and (iv) IL-5 alone, in response to IL-2+ monocytes. The ability of human T_h2-like cells to induce IL-12production and to release the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-yandIL-5 upon IL-2-driven interactions with APC may contribute toexplain how local infection exacerbates Th2-mediated diseases,like bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis.     

Lung dendritic cell-epithelial cell crosstalk in Th2 responses to allergens

Dendritic cells (DC) have been shown to be responsible for the initiation and maintenance of adaptive Th2 responses in asthma. It is increasingly clear that DC functions are strongly influenced by crosstalk with neighboring cells like epithelial cells, which can release a number of innate cytokines promoting Th2 responses. Clinically relevant allergens often interfere directly or indirectly with the innate immune functions of airway epithelial cells and DC. A better understanding of these interactions might lead to a better prevention and ultimately to new treatments for asthma.     

Relationship between mediator release from human lung mast cells in vitro and in vivo

There is now compelling evidence to incriminate bronchial mast cells in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction of allergic asthma. Human mast cells isolated from lung tissue or bronchoalveolar lavage release histamine and generate eicosanoids upon IgE-dependent activation. In this paper we present data that raise doubts about the significance of phospholipid methylation in IgE-dependent activation-secretion coupling and provide evidence that drugs such as 3-deazaadenosine inhibit mediator secretion by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, in addition to inhibiting putative methylation pathways. Activation of human mast cells and basophils also stimulates adenylate cyclase to increase levels of cyclic AMP, which, on the basis of pharmacological manipulation with purine nucleosides, we believe is involved in the progression of the secretory response. Human lung cells also generate both cyclo- and lipoxygenase products of arachidonate upon Ca++-dependent stimulation with complex interactions occurring between these pathways in the presence of the leukotriene inhibitor, Piriprost. The role of mast cells in the immediate airway response to inhaled allergens in asthma was demonstrated by showing an interaction between nonspecific bronchial reactivity and mast cell reactivity in predicting the airway response upon antigen inhalation. Further confirmation of this concept was obtained by showing an inverse relationship between the release of histamine and neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) into the circulation induced by antigen challenge, and nonspecific airway reactivity. The identification of significant increases in circulating mediators following antigen provocation of patients with seasonal asthma enabled the effects of drugs used in the treatment of asthma to be compared on airway calibre and mast cell mediator release. Sodium cromoglycate partially inhibited the airway and plasma histamine responses with antigen, but totally inhibited the increases in NCF. Salbutamol completely inhibited all responses, while ipratropium bromide, which produced the same bronchoconstriction as achieved with salbutamol, had no effect. The potent H1-antagonist astemizole partially inhibited bronchoconstriction without affecting histamine release. Antigen provocation produced a significant increase in circulating levels of the 13,14-dihydro-15-keto metabolite of PGF2 alpha which could originate from mast cell-derived PGD2. In both retrospective and prospective studies, a close relationship was shown between nonspecific bronchial reactivity and resting airway calibre in asthma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

TLR9 cooperates with TLR4 to increase IL-12 release by murine dendritic cells

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are expressed on the surface or intracellularly by dendritic cells (DC) and recognize specifically different pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Increasing evidence suggests that TLR expressed by DC can cooperate to synergize their functions. Here, we describe the cooperation of TLR9 and TLR4 triggering of murine bone marrow derived DC by CpG oligonucleotides and LPS, respectively. The simultaneous DC stimulation of LPS and CpG showed additive effects on the production of IL-12 but not on other cytokines, such as TNF, IL-6 or IL-10. CpG pretreatment before LPS induced five times more IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 production by DC, whereas LPS pretreatment before CpG showed no effect. The optimal time interval between CpG and LPS treatment was 4h and the synergistic effects were dependent on myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) but independent from the DNA backbone and did not mediate by nucleosome remodeling. The stimulatory effect could be further enhanced by addition of IFN-gamma but not anti-CD40 antibodies. These data show, that TLR4 and TLR9 can cooperate to increase selectively IL-12 production by DC.     

Patterns of mast cell alterations and in vivo mediator release in human allergic skin reactions

Patterns of in vivo histamine release in skin sites challenged with ragweed antigen were compared in five human subjects sensitive to this antigen and four nonallergic individuals, using a newly developed skin-chamber technique. These findings were compared with inflammatory cell responses in the reaction sites and patterns of ultramicroscopic mast cell alterations in biopsy specimens of skin tests in the same subjects. Definite mast cell alterations occurred within 15 sec and appeared maximal within 5 to 10 min after antigen injection. Histamine levels in appended chambers increased after a lag of 10 to 30 min and were elevated for at least 60 min after antigen challenge. Eosinophils accumulated only in antigen-induced reaction sites. However, there was no precise quantitative correlation among the degree of change in these three measurements. These appear to be promising approaches to further in vivo studies of human allergic reactions.     

Th1-biased immune responses induced by DNA-based immunizations are mediated via action on professional antigen-presenting cells to up-regulate IL-12 production

The efficacy of DNA-based immunization in conferring protective immunity against certain microbial pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been described. The potential advantage of DNA-based immunization over the traditional vaccines largely results from its capacity to efficiently induce Th1-biased immune responses against an encoded antigen. We describe how Th1-biased immune responses are induced by DNA-based immunization, using a DNA vaccine construct encoding HIV-1 gp160 cDNA and an eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying murine IFN-gamma cDNA. Transfection of an eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying immunostimulatory sequences (ISS) as well as a gene of interest (DNA vaccine) into professional antigen presenting cells (APC) induced transactivation of IL-12 mRNA, which resulted in antigen-specific Th1-biased immune responses against the encoded antigen. Th1-biased immune responses induced by DNA-based immunization were substantially upregulated by a codelivery of an ectopic IFN-gamma expression system, and this augmentation was mediated via action on professional antigen presenting cells to upregulate IL-12 production. Taken together, it appears likely that Th1-biased immune responses induced by DNA-based immunization are mediated via action on professional antigen-presenting cells to produce IL-12. Interestingly, the model provided strikingly resembles that previously described in infection with Listeria monocytogenes, an intracellular Gram-positive bacterium that induces strong Th1-biased immune responses. The result suggests that DNA-based immunization mimics certain aspects of natural infection with microbial organisms like attenuated vaccines, which in turn provides a rationale to the question of why DNA-based immunization so efficiently induces protective immunity against these microbial pathogens.     

Mast cells promote Th1 and Th17 responses by modulating dendritic cell maturation and function

Mast cells (MCs) play an important role in the regulation of protective adaptive immune responses against pathogens. However, it is still unclear whether MCs promote such host defense responses via direct effects on T cells or rather by modifying the functions of antigen-presenting cells. To identify the underlying mechanisms of the immunoregulatory capacity of MCs, we investigated the impact of MCs on dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function. We found that murine peritoneal MCs underwent direct crosstalk with immature DCs that induced DC maturation as evidenced by enhanced expression of costimulatory molecules. Furthermore, the MC/DC interaction resulted in the release of the T-cell modulating cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and TGF-β into coculture supernatants and increased the IL-12p70, IFN-γ, IL-6 and TGF-β secretion of LPS-matured DCs. Such MC-"primed" DCs subsequently induced efficient CD4+ T-cell proliferation. Surprisingly, we observed that MC-primed DCs stimulated CD4+ T cells to release high levels of IFN-γ and IL-17, demonstrating that MCs promote Th1 and Th17 responses. Confirming our in vitro findings, we found that the enhanced disease progression of MC-deficient mice in Leishmania major infection is correlated with impaired induction of both Th1 and Th17 cells.     

IL-12基因转染的人树突状细胞加强细胞免疫反应的体外研究

目的:探讨IL-12基因转染的树突状细胞(DCs)能否体外加强细胞免疫反应.方法:脂质体转染(经过Flt-3L、SCF、GM-CSF刺激)增殖周期中的DCs前体细胞.加入GM-CSF、IL-4和TNF-α扩增转染细胞.在流式细胞仪上分析细胞表型及IL-12的表达.成熟DCs装载上分别能与HLA-I 类和HLA-II类分子结合的多肽,观察IL-12基因转染DCs对特异性Th细胞发育及特异性CTL诱导和功能的影响.结果:IL-12基因转染细胞在上述细胞因子作用下发育成为能有效表达IL-12并具有典型形态学与表型特征的DCs.在装载上CD4+T细胞表位HBcAg50-69后,能诱导这些细胞发育成为IFN-γ产生型的Th1细胞.HLA-A201亚型DCs在其同时装载CD4+T和CD8+T细胞相应的表位后,IL-12 基因转染DCs所诱导产生的自身淋巴细胞的CTL效应增强.结论:IL-12基因转染的DCs能增强对Th1细胞的刺激和CTL效应的诱导能力,提示它在肿瘤疫苗发展中的潜力.     

Alginic acid oligosaccharide suppresses Th2 development and IgE production by inducing IL-12 production

BACKGROUND: Since allergen-specific IgE is directly involved in the type I allergic reaction, development of a method for inhibiting Th2 responses which lead to the induction of IgE production would be a useful approach for preventing allergic disorders. The ability and mechanism of alginic acid oligosaccharide (ALGO), an oligosaccharide obtained from natural edible polysaccharide, for suppressing Th2 responses was examined in detail. METHODS: Lymph node cells obtained from beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG)-primed BALB/c mice were cultured in vitro with an antigen for 3 days in the absence or presence of ALGO. The amount of cytokine in each culture supernatant was measured. The effect of ALGO on Th2 development was also examined by using ovalbumin specific T cell receptor transgenic mice. Antibody production in the serum of BALB/c mice that had been immunized with beta-LG or beta-LG plus ALGO was investigated. RESULTS: The production of IFN-gamma induced by antigen stimulation was upregulated by ALGO in a dose-dependent manner. IL-12 production was also enhanced by ALGO, and the addition of the anti-IL-12 antibody to the culture abrogated the effect of ALGO. On the other hand, IL-4 production by antigen-stimulated splenocytes of transgenic mice was suppressed in the presence of ALGO. Furthermore, IgE production by ALGO-treated mice was significantly inhibited compared with control mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that ALGO suppressed antigen-induced Th2 development by inducing IL-12 production. ALGO also inhibited in vivo IgE production. These findings suggest that ALGO is expected to be an edible anti-allergic agent.     

IgE-activated mast cells in combination with pro-inflammatory factors induce Th2-promoting dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) and mast cells (MCs) co-localize in peripheral tissues of antigen entry, i.e. skin and mucosa. Due to the proximity of these two cell types, activation of MCs may affect DC functions. Here, we co-cultured human monocyte-derived DCs with cord blood-derived MCs activated by cross-linking of FcepsilonRI to elucidate the net effect of the whole MC products on DCs. Activated MCs induced maturation of DCs, and potently suppressed IL-12p70 production by the DCs. Whereas co-culture of DCs with activated MCs alone did not significantly influence the type of CD4(+) T cell responses induced by the DCs, DCs co-cultured with activated MCs in the presence of pro-inflammatory or T(h)1-inducing factors caused T(h)2 polarization. Although histamine was involved in the induction of DC maturation and T(h)2 polarization by activated MCs, a combinatorial effect of various MC-derived factors, including those acting in a cell contact-dependent manner, was required for the optimal induction of T(h)2-promoting DCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that clusters of DCs are located closely with MCs in lesions of atopic dermatitis. Collectively, this study suggests that the interaction between DCs and IgE-activated MCs in a pro-inflammatory or even T(h)1-prone environment is instrumental in maintaining and augmenting T(h)2 responses in allergy, and that disruption of the DC-MC interaction may constitute an effective strategy to treat ongoing allergic diseases.