骨髓MSCs对GVHD模型大鼠的免疫调节作用

目的探讨骨髓源间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)对移植物抗宿主病(graft versus host disease,GVHD)模型大鼠的免疫调节作用。方法从SD大鼠骨髓中分离培养MSCs。通过给放射线照射过的Wistar大鼠进行干细胞和单个核细胞(mononuclear cell,MNC)共同移植,建立大鼠GVHD模型,对其进行异基因骨髓移植的同时,共输注不同数量的供者源性的MSCs,观察受鼠的一般表现、生存期及病理损伤的变化;利用细胞免疫化学检测各实验组大鼠外周血MNC中Foxp3+细胞比例的变化,应用ELISA方法检测实验各组大鼠外周血血清中细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4的变化,诱导各组受鼠脾脏MNC为CTL,并用MTT法检测各组受鼠CTL的杀伤活性。结果异基因骨髓移植时,共输注供鼠MSCs能够明显降低GVHD的发生率,并减轻其病理损伤,延长生存时间;共输注MSCs受鼠血清中IFN-γ水平明显减低而IL-4水平明显增加(P<0.05),与GVHD组大鼠相比,共输注MSCs的各组大鼠外周血中Foxp3+细胞比例明显增加(P<0.05),而CTL杀伤活性明显减弱。结论 MSCs能够通过免疫调节作用抑制GVHD的发生,降低其严重程度,并延长受鼠生存时间。     

IFN-γ对体外培养系统中IL-18诱导的肿瘤特异性CTL杀伤效应的影响

目的应用rhIL-18在体外培养系统(Coculture system in vitro,CCs)中诱导肿瘤特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte,CTL),探讨IFN-γ在rhIL-18诱导的肿瘤特异性CTL产生过程及杀伤效应中的作用.方法采用Stem SepTM免疫磁性细胞分离法分离人外周血NK细胞、T细胞及DCs细胞,流式细胞仪分析细胞表型,125Ⅰ-UdR标记的细胞毒实验检测杀伤活性,ELISA方法检测IFN-γ蛋白产生量,RT-PCR检测IFN-γ mRNA表达含量.结果在肿瘤抗原存在的条件下,IL-18在CCs中能够诱导并促进CTL介导的肿瘤特异性杀伤效应;IL-18能够在肿瘤抗原刺激的CCs中诱导IFN-γ mRNA的表达及IFN-γ蛋白的产生,并与IL-18的含量呈剂量依赖关系,在rhIL-18含量为100 ng时,培养上清中IFN-γ为4 410±210 pg/ml.但加入抗IFN-γ抗体对rhIL-18诱导的肿瘤特异性CTL产生过程无明显影响,不能抑制IL-18诱导的这种肿瘤特异性CTL的杀伤效应.结论IL-18能够在肿瘤抗原刺激的CCs中有效地诱导CTL介导的肿瘤特异性杀伤效应,并诱导IFN-γ的产生,但其诱导肿瘤特异性CTL的产生过程及杀伤效应与IFN-γ无关.     

调节性T细胞对NK细胞体外杀伤乳腺癌细胞的影响

目的探讨调节性T细胞(Regulatory T cells,T-reg细胞)对NK细胞的影响及可能机制。方法流式细胞术(Flowcytometry,FCM)检测乳腺癌患者外周血中T-reg细胞、NK细胞以及T细胞亚群比例。乳酸脱氢酶(Lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)法检测NK细胞对四种乳腺癌细胞株杀伤活性。ELISA检测上清液中IFN-γ和TGF-β1含量。结果乳腺癌和健康人外周血T-reg细胞分别占CD4~+T细胞的(7.5±3.0)%和(5.1±1.5)%(P<0.01=。T-reg细胞能抑制NK细胞杀伤乳腺癌细胞,同时下调NK细胞分泌IFN-γ,上清液中TGF-β1含量随着T-reg细胞比例的增高而增加。结论T-reg细胞抑制NK细胞杀伤乳腺癌的作用,其机制与T-reg细胞分泌细胞因子TGF-β1有一定关系。     

骨髓间充质干细胞的体外扩增及其对T淋巴细胞产生IFN-γ和IL-10的影响

为了探讨骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSC)对T淋巴细胞分泌功能的免疫调节作用,从人骨髓分离培养MSC,通过其形态的均一性及流式细胞术检测表面标志以鉴定其纯度;从外周血分离获得T淋巴细胞,再将MSC分别以不同数量加入到植物血凝素(PHA)刺激的外周血T淋巴细胞和混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)培养体系及不同浓度MSC培养上清加入混合淋巴细胞反应培养体系共培养后,分别收集上清,ELISA检测IFN-γ和IL-10水平,发现不同细胞数量的MSC对T细胞分泌细胞因子IFN-γ均有抑制,同时促进IL-10分泌,且其抑制和促进均呈剂量依赖性;MSC的不同上清浓度对IFN-γ抑制亦呈浓度依赖性,但未发现对IL-10分泌的影响。表明骨髓MSC在体外可抑制T细胞分泌IFN-γ、促进分泌IL-10,起到免疫调节作用。     

大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞对脾单个核细胞的免疫调节作用

目的:研究大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)对脾单个核细胞(MNC)的免疫调节作用,并初步探讨其作用机制.方法:从大鼠骨髓中分离培养间充质干细胞,通过瑞氏-姬姆萨染色进行形态学观察.应用流式细胞术(FCM)检测鉴定其细胞表面特征分子.以刀豆蛋白A(ConA)作为刺激原,用MTT法测定不同数量MSCs对脾MNC增殖能力的影响.ELISA法检测MSCs对脾MNC分泌IL-2和IL-10水平的影响.用FCM分析MSCs对脾MNC细胞周期分布以及p27、cyclin E表达水平的影响.用乳酸脱氢酶释放法检测MSCs对脾MNC杀伤活性的影响.结果:经不同数量的MSCs作用后,脾MNC增殖水平明显低于阳性对照组(P<0.01),而且MSCs比例越高,其抑制作用越强(P<0.01).经MSCs作用后,脾MNC分泌IL-2的水平明显降低,而分泌IL-10的水平明显升高(P<0.01),且这种作用随MSCs比例的增加而增强.在ConA刺激下,MSCs可以使脾MNC阻滞于G_0/G_1期,抑制其进入S期(P<0.01).MSCs可使脾MNC表达p27的水平明显上升,cyclin E表达的水平明显下降(P<0.05).与MSCs共培养后,脾MNC对colon26和H22细胞的杀伤活性和单独培养组相比明显下降(P<0.05).结论:MSCs能够抑制脾MNC体外增殖,该作用可能与MSCs改变MNC分泌细胞因子的水平及其对MNC细胞周期的调节有关.     

GPI-B7-1分子膜表面修饰瘤苗抗肿瘤作用的研究

目的：研制抗肿瘤免疫治疗的新疫苗。方法: 用含目的基因的质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/GPI-B7-1转染QK10341细胞，提取膜蛋白GPI-B7-1, 经Western blotting鉴定后，用蛋白转化法锚定在肿瘤细胞SKOV3膜上，取正常健康人外周血中非贴壁的淋巴细胞， 进行淋巴细胞扩增和CTL功能检测，并检测细胞培养液中IL-2、TNF-α和IFN-γ水平，FCM检测CTL的Fas表达水平。结果:与野生型SKOV3细胞比较，用GPI-B7-1修饰的SKOV3细胞能够更有效地刺激淋巴细胞增殖、诱导特异CTL杀伤活性(P<0.01)，还可诱导 CTL表达的Fas水平升高等活性增强以及分泌的IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α等细胞因子水平均显著上升(P<0.05)。结论: B7-1基因在肿瘤细胞中表达可增强其免疫原性，在体外有效诱导T细胞活化， 显著增强T细胞杀伤肿瘤细胞的活性；对防治肿瘤侵袭具有一定作用。     

间充质干细胞体外对ITP患者T淋巴细胞分泌功能的影响

目的： 体外观察间充质干细胞（MSCs）对特发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）患者T淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子功能的影响。方法: 采用Ficoll分离和体外贴壁、传代培养,扩增出骨髓MSCs;通过Ficoll分离法和尼龙棉柱法获取ITP患者外周血T淋巴细胞。以经丝裂霉素（MMC）处理后不同数量（2×103、1×104、5×104 cells/well）的MSCs作为基底层细胞,接种体外分离纯化的异体ITP患者T淋巴细胞,分别于2 d、4 d、6 d后各自收集培养上清,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法动态测定T淋巴细胞分泌白细胞介素2(IL-2)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)、白细胞介素10(IL-10)水平的变化。结果: ITP患者T淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ较正常人高(P<0.05),IL-4、IL-10较正常人低(P<0.05)。MSCs可显著抑制ITP患者或正常对照组T淋巴细胞分泌IL-2、IFN-γ(P<0.05),且随MSCs数量的增加,抑制增强(P<0.05),共培养4 d、6 d时作用明显强于2 d时(P<0.05);MSCs可促进ITP患者T淋巴细胞分泌IL-4、IL-10 (P<0.05),且随MSCs量的增加,促进作用增强(P<0.05),对IL-10的作用随时间延长而增强(P<0.05),但对IL-4的作用在培养第2 d、4 d、6 d时无显著差异(P>0.05);在正常对照组,当MSCs数量>1×104可以促进T淋巴细胞分泌IL-4 与IL-10 (P<0.05),且随MSCs数量的增加,作用增强(P<0.05),共培养4 d、6 d时作用明显强于2 d时(P<0.05)。结论: MSCs能够在体外调节ITP患者辅助性T细胞1 (Thl)和辅助性T细胞2 (Th2)反应平衡,可使ITP患者Th1极化状态部分改善。     

Flt3L与CCL5细胞因子佐剂对HBc抗原DNA疫苗特异性免疫应答的促进作用

观察真核重组表达质粒pFlt3L及pCCL5对携带HBc抗原的DNA疫苗诱导的抗原特异性免疫应答的促进作用。将pFlt3L及pCCL5分别用脂质体的方法转染Hep G2细胞,然后采用骨髓细胞增殖及趋化小室实验检测细胞上清Flt3L及CCL5两种细胞因子的生物学活性。将pFlt3L和pCCL5两种重组质粒单独或联合使用与携带HBc抗原的DNA疫苗经肌内注射法免疫小鼠,采用MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞增殖、流式细胞仪检测脾CD8+T淋巴细胞中IFN-γ表达、ELISA法检测脾淋巴细胞培养上清IL-4含量及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法检测特异性CTL杀伤活性。结果:骨髓细胞增殖及趋化实验证实了Flt3L及CCL5均有生物学活性。pFlt3L和pCCL5单独或联合使用均可促进特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应(P<0.05),提高小鼠脾脏CD8+T淋巴细胞中IFN-γ表达量(P<0.05或P<0.01),IL-4表达水平在各组无显著区别(P>0.05),Flt3L+CCL5组小鼠脾细胞特异性CTL活性显著高于其他各组(P<0.05)。pFlt3L和pCCL5表达质粒联用可显著促进小鼠Th1型细胞因子的表达,并对带HBc抗原的DNA疫苗的免疫应答具有促进作用。     

IL-12基因修饰DC中SOCS1基因沉默对体外诱导特异性CTL的影响

利用重组腺病毒载体pAd CMV/V5-DEST-IL-12转染小鼠骨髓来源的树突状细胞(IL-12/DC),探讨SOCS1基因沉默IL-12/DC在体外诱导细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)的效能,及其免疫杀伤肺癌细胞株LLC的能力。采用重组腺病毒介导IL-12基因和SOCS1SiRNA基因共同修饰C57BL/6小鼠骨髓来源的DC,经反复冻融法提取LLC抗原,致敏基因修饰的DC;用ELISA法检测各组DC分泌IL-12和IL-10的水平,及各组DC刺激后的T细胞分泌IFN-γ的水平;MTT法检测DC刺激同源小鼠T细胞的增殖能力,微量细胞毒法检测CTL的活性并收集刺激后的T细胞,流式细胞术分析CD8+/CD4+比例和CD4+CD25+Treg的水平;统计学分析各组间的差异。SOCS1SiRNA和IL-12基因共同修饰能有效下调DC中SOCS1蛋白的表达并上调IL-12蛋白的表达;IL-12的分泌水平也明显高于SOCS1SiRNA或IL-12单基因转染组;基因共同修饰的DC表型更加成熟,能明显促进CTL的增殖和活化,减少Treg的生成;CTL分泌高水平的IFN-γ,产生对LLC特异性的细胞免疫。     

IL-17作为分子佐剂增强HIV DNA疫苗细胞免疫应答的研究

目的 为了进一步增强HIV DNA疫苗的免疫反应,本研究将IL-17作为HIV DNA疫苗的分子佐剂免疫小鼠,旨在探讨IL-17对HIVDNA疫苗诱导体液和细胞免疫应答的影响.方法 将小鼠IL-17构建到真核表达载体,与HW-1膜蛋白DNA疫苗pGX-Env联合免疫BALB/c小鼠;分别在第0、2周进行免疫,在第4周检测T淋巴细胞增殖指数、抗-Env IgG、细胞因子表达水平和体内细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤作用(CTL)等免疫学指标.结果 IL-17能够增强HIV DNA疫苗的特定免疫反应.与单注射疫苗组相比,IL-17作为佐剂组的T细胞增殖、抗体水平和CD4~+T细胞分泌IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-17的表达均无明显增强,但对CD8~+T细胞分泌IFN-γ的表达和体内CTL的效果影响明显(P<0.05).结论 IL-17作为分子佐剂不足以影响Th细胞分化,然而却能够增强特异性CD8~+T细胞中IFN-γ的表达,尤其是增强体内CTL反应.此结果为增强艾滋病DNA疫苗CD8~+T细胞活性和用于艾滋病的治疗提供了一个新的思路.     

Multi-tasking of helper T cells

CD4 T helper cells (Th) are critical in combating pathogens and maintaining immune homeostasis. Since the establishment of the Th1–Th2 paradigm in the 1980s, many types of specialized Th cells, including Th1, Th2, Th17, Th9, follicular helper T and regulatory T, have been identified. We have become accustomed to the idea that different Th cells are ‘committed’ to their paths but recent emerging evidence suggests that under certain conditions, seemingly committed Th cells possess plasticity and may convert into other types of effector cells. In this review, we will first introduce the major sub‐types of Th cells that are involved in immune regulation. Then, we will describe in detail the inter‐convertibility of Th cells among different sub‐types under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Finally, we will discuss our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms on how a particular type of Th cells may convert into other types of Th cells.     

Taurine: energy drink for T cells

The activation of T cells causes many cellular changes, including alterations in cell morphology, motility, and size. While all immunologists know that T cells increase their size and become "blasted" upon activation, little attention has been paid to the question of how cell size is regulated and how this process influences T-cell responses. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Kaesler et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 831-841] demonstrate that the organic osmolyte taurine and its transporter Taut are instrumental in driving cell-volume regulation and therefore the T-cell response. In the absence of Taut, effector and memory T-cell responses in mice are severely impaired, mainly due to increased apoptosis of effector cells. Hence, this paper provides an important link between the regulation of cell size and effector T-cell responses.     

CD52 is a novel costimulatory molecule for induction of CD4+ regulatory T cells

We previously reported that 4C8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) provides a costimulatory signal to human CD4+ T cells and consequently induces regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are hypo-responsive and suppress the polyclonal response of bystander CD4+ cells in a contact-dependent manner. In this study, we identified the antigen of 4C8 mAb as CD52. Costimulation with Campath-1H, a humanized anti-CD52 mAb, also induced Treg cells. Anti-CD52-induced Treg cells suppressed the proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells provided with polyclonal or allogeneic stimulation. When Treg cells were induced from Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) treated cells, they suppressed the response to SEB more efficiently than that to another superantigen, SEA. Furthermore, anti-CD52-induced Treg cells could be expanded by culture with IL-2 followed by CD52-costimulation, and co-injection of expanded Treg cells suppressed lethal xenogeneic graft versus host disease (GvHD) reactions in SCID mice caused by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).     

T cells,dendritic cells and epithelial cells in intestinal homeostasis

The mucosal immune system of the intestinal tract is continuously exposed to both potential pathogens and beneficial commensal microorganism. A variety of mechanisms contribute to the ability of the gut to either react or remain tolerant to antigen present in the intestinal lumen. Antigens of the gut commensals are not simply ignored, but rather trigger an active immunosuppressive process, which prevents the outcome of immunopathology. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the mechanism of intestinal homeostasis, with particular focus on the complex crosstalk between T cells, dendritic cells and intestinal epithelial cells.     

Induction of contact-dependent CD8(+) regulatory T cells through stimulation with staphylococcal and streptococcal superantigens

The bacterial superantigen exotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are potent stimulators of polyclonal T-cell proliferation. They are the causes of toxic shock syndrome but also induce CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ regulatory cells in the CD4 compartment. Several studies have recently described different forms of antigen-induced regulatory CD8⁺ T cells in the context of inflammatory diseases and chronic viral infections. In this paper we show that bacterial superantigens are potent inducers of human regulatory CD8⁺ T cells. We used four prototypic superantigens of S. aureus (toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxin A) and Str. pyogenes (streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins A and K/L). At concentrations below 1 ng/ml each toxin triggers concentration-dependent T-cell receptor Vβ-specific expression of CD25 and FOXP3 on CD8⁺ T cells. This effect is independent of CD4⁺ T-cell help but requires antigen-presenting cells for maximum effect. The cells also express the activation/regulatory markers cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein and skin homing adhesins CD103 and cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. Superantigen-induced CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ CD8⁺ T cells were as potent as freshly prepared naturally occurring CD4⁺ regulatory T cells in suppressing proliferation of CD4⁺ CD25⁻ T cells in response to anti-CD3 stimulation. Although superantigen-induced CD8⁺ CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ express interleukin-10 and interferon-γ their suppressive function is cell contact dependent. Our findings indicate that regulatory CD8⁺ T cells may be a feature of acute bacterial infections contributing to immune evasion by the microbe and disease pathogenesis. The presence and magnitude of regulatory CD8⁺ T-cell responses may represent a novel biomarker in such infections. Superantigen-induced regulatory CD8⁺ T cells also have therapeutic potential.     

Regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in viral infection

CD4⁺ T cells are the central element of the adaptive immune responses and protect the body from a variety of pathogens. Starting from naive cells, CD4⁺ T cells can differentiate into various effector cell subsets with specialized functions including T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T (Treg) and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Among them, Tregs and Th17 cells show a strong plasticity allowing the functional adaptation to various physiological and pathological environments during immune responses. Although they are derived from the same precursor cells and their differentiation pathways are interrelated, the terminally differentiated cells have totally opposite functions. Studies have shown that Tregs and Th17 cells have rather complex interplays in viral infection: Th17 cells may contribute to immune activation and disease progression while Tregs may inhibit this process and play a key role in the maintenance of immune homoeostasis, possibly at the cost of compromised viral control. In this review, we take respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections as examples to discuss these interplays and their impacts on disease progression in viral infection.     

The immune responses of central and effector memory BCG-specific CD4 T cells in BCG-vaccinated PPD donors were modulated by Treg cells

Most of the studies evaluating the function of tuberculosis (TB)-specific T cells were only based on the ability to produce cytokines, which may not fully reflect the function of T cells. In the present study, we confirmed that Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) could significantly induce cytokine production by CD4⁺ T cells from BCG-vaccinated PPD⁺ donors. In addition, CD4⁺ T cells were activated, divided and proliferated in response to BCG stimulation. Phenotypic analysis showed that IFN-γ⁺CD4⁺ T cells displayed CD45RA⁻CCR7^+/−CD62L⁻, indicating that these CD4⁺ T cells were central and effector memory cells. The analysis of cytokine profiles demonstrated that most of BCG-specific BrdU⁺CD4⁺ T cells produced Th1 cytokines in response to polyclonal stimulation. In addition, we found that regulatory T cells (Treg) suppressed BCG-induced proliferation and IFN-γ production by memory CD4⁺ T cells. The suppressive effects of Treg on BCG-specific responses of CD4⁺ T cells could be partially reversed by blocking the production of IL-10. Taken together, our results demonstrated that functional central and effector memory BCG-specific CD4⁺ T cells could be detected based on the activation, proliferation and division of these cells, and modulated by Treg in PBMCs from BCG-vaccinated PPD⁺ donors.     

The proliferative response of CD4 T cells to steady-state CD8+ dendritic cells is restricted by post-activation death

CD8(+) splenic dendritic cells (DCs) from steady-state mice are less effective than the CD8(-) DC subset in their capacity to stimulate CD4 T cell proliferation in culture. However, we found that the two DC subtypes were equally potent at activating CD4 T cells, based on up-regulation of CD69 and CD25 expression. Also, we found no difference in the rate of T cell death prior to entry into the first division. We then tracked carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled T cells and employed a quantitative model to assess in detail the CD4 T cell expansion process in response to stimulation with CD8(+) or with CD8(-) DCs. The time required for most T cells to replicate their DNA prior to the first division was similar in both DC cultures. However, progression of the CD4 T cell population through subsequent divisions was reduced in CD8(+) DCs compared with CD8(-) DC culture. This was associated with an increased loss of viable T cells at each division. Post-activation, division-associated T cell death is therefore a major factor in the reduced response of CD4 T cells to CD8(+) DCs.     

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-infected patients contain CD8 T cells that form conjugates with and kill HIV-infected autologous CD4 T cells

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of untreated, HIV-infected patients contain HIV-specific CD8 T cells as well as their corresponding targets, HIV-infected CD4 T cells. To determine if CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV-infected patients may result from autologous CD8–CD4 T-cell interaction, CD8 and CD4 T cells procured from PBMC of acute and chronic untreated HIV-infected patients were sorted and co-incubated. Formation of CD8-CD4 T-cell conjugates was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis of CD4 T cells in conjugation was recorded by digitized images and was further observed and measured by FACS using Annexin staining. Perforin expression in the CD8 T cells was measured using intracellular monoclonal perforin antibody staining. HIV DNA in the conjugated CD4 T cells was detected by in situ PCR. We found that 6·1 ± 0·5% of CD4 T cells from acute HIV-infected patients and 3·0 ± 0·5% from chronic HIV-infected patients formed CD8–CD4 T-cell conjugates. Annexin binding and cell morphology typical of apoptosis were observed in the conjugated CD4 T cells. The majority of CD8 T cells that had conjugated to CD4 T cells expressed perforin. The conjugated CD4 T cells exhibited nuclear HIV DNA. CD8 T cells and HIV-infected CD4 T cells, both procured from the PBMC of untreated HIV-infected patients, form conjugates. Apoptotic lytic activity has been observed in the conjugated CD4 T cells. We propose that CD4 T-cell annihilation in HIV-infected patients results, at least in part, from the interactions of perforin-rich CD8 T cells with autologous, HIV-infected CD4 T cells.