CD8+ T cells in HIV disease exhibit cytokine receptor perturbation and poor T cell receptor activation but are responsive to gamma-chain cytokine-driven proliferation

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are important for inducing T cell maturation, proliferation, and survival. Despite the known dysregulation of cytokines in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, cytokine receptor expression is relatively unexplored. METHODS: We examined maturation markers (naive, central memory, effector memory, and effector); the cytokine receptors interleukin (IL)-2R beta , common gamma (C gamma ) chain, IL-7R alpha , IL-15R alpha; and proliferative responses of T cells in a cohort of HIV-infected pediatric patients (median age, 14.82 years) receiving antiretroviral therapy, arbitrarily designated as immunologic responders (group I) and nonresponders (group II) on the basis of a CD4+ T cell count cutoff of 25%. RESULTS: Patients had increased percentages of effector memory CD8+ T cells, in comparison with those in healthy control subjects, with reduced expression of IL-7R alpha in the central memory and effector memory subsets and of the C gamma chain in all maturation subsets of CD8+ T cells. IL-7R alpha +CD8+ T cell percentages were directly correlated with CD4+ T cell percentages. In immunologic nonresponders, anti-CD3+ or HIV Gag antigen-induced CD8+ T cell proliferation was impaired, but proliferation in response to the homeostatic cytokines IL-2 and IL-15 was preserved.Conclusions. Cytokine receptor deficiencies may contribute to immune deficiency in HIV-infected patients, and gamma -chain-utilizing cytokines may play an important role in vivo in maintaining the memory subsets of T cells in patients with CD4+ T cell deficiency.     

感染弓形虫小鼠脾脏CD4+CD25+T细胞的变化

目的 观察小鼠感染刚地弓形虫后脾脏CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞的动态变化。 方法 将28只雌性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为4组，其中3组每鼠腹腔接种弓形虫速殖子悬液200 μl（含弓形虫速殖子5×10⁴个/ml），对照组腹腔接种灭菌PBS 200 μl。分别于弓形虫感染后第2、4和6天取脾，制成单个核细胞，用实时荧光定量PCR检测脾CD4⁺ T细胞Foxp3基因表达水平，流式细胞仪检测脾CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞占CD4⁺ T细胞的比例，并对CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞和CD4⁺ T细胞进行绝对计数。 结果 感染后第4和6天，小鼠脾脏CD4⁺ T细胞Foxp3 mRNA相对表达水平分别为 1.89±0.23和1.79±0.24， 均显著高于正常水平（1.00±0.12）（P＜0.01）；CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞占CD4⁺ T细胞的比例从感染后第2天（15.07%±2.73%）开始上调（P＜0.05），至感染后第4 和6天分别为24.29%±3.19%和19.80%±2.66%，均明显高于正常水平（11.58%±2.04%） （P＜0.01）；脾脏CD4⁺ T细胞占脾细胞的比例及其绝对数量均从感染后第2 天开始降低，至感染后第6 天分别降至5.49%±1.71%和（1.71±0.44）×10⁶ （P＜0.01）。 结论 弓形虫感染导致小鼠脾脏CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞占CD4⁺ T细胞的比例上调，而脾脏CD4⁺ T细胞的显著减少是促成比例上调的主要原因。     

Single cell analysis of cytokine gene coexpression during CD4+ T-cell phenotype development.

CD4+ T cells from alpha beta-T-cell receptor transgenic mice were analyzed for coexpression of cytokine mRNAs during phenotype development using a double-label in situ hybridization technique. T cells that produced cytokines in the primary response were a fraction of the activated population, and only a minority of the cytokine-positive cells coexpressed two cytokines. In secondary responses, frequencies of double-positive cells increased, although they remained a minority of the total. Of the cytokine pairs examined, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were the most frequently coexpressed. IL-4 and interferon gamma showed the greatest tendency toward segregation of expression, being rarely coexpressed after the primary stimulation. These data indicate that there is significant heterogeneity of cytokine gene expression by individual CD4+ T cells during early antigenic responses. Coexpression of any pairs of cytokines, much less Th1 and Th2 cytokines, is generally the exception. The Th0 phenotype is a population phenotype rather than an individual cell phenotype.     

Restricted production of interleukin 4 by activated human T cells.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is secreted by activated T cells and pleiotropically modulates both B- and T-lymphocyte function. In murine helper (CD4+) T-cell clones IL-4 production appears to be regulated independently of interferon gamma and interleukin 2. To determine whether production of these lymphokines is also differentially regulated in uncloned human T cells, we studied lymphokine production by normal human peripheral T cells and T-cell subsets after in vitro polyclonal activation. After maximal induction of lymphokine expression, IL-4 mRNA was detectable in less than 5% of CD4+ and 1-2% of unfractionated T cells, whereas approximately 33% and 60% of CD4+ cells expressed detectable mRNA for interferon gamma and interleukin 2, respectively. This finding correlated with dramatically lower production of IL-4 mRNA and protein than of interferon gamma and interleukin 2 by peripheral blood and tonsillar T cells. The helper-inducer (CD4+ CD45R-) T-cell subset, which significantly enhances in vitro immunoglobulin production, accounted for the preponderance of IL-4 mRNA accumulation and protein production by CD4+ T cells; nevertheless, cells with detectable IL-4 mRNA constituted less than 10% of the CD4+ CD45R- subset. Limitation of IL-4 production to a comparatively small population of normal human T cells could selectively regulate the effects of this lymphokine in T-cell-mediated immune responses; such selective regulation may be a fundamental mechanism for restricting the potentially pleiotropic effects of certain lymphokines to appropriate responder cells.     

Participation of gamma/delta-T cells in the protection against mycobacterial infection]

To search for a potential role of T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta T cells in host-defense against mycobacterial infection, we analyzed the kinetics, repertoire, specificity and function of gamma/delta T cells in the peritoneal cavity, lymph node (LN) and spleen during an intraperitoneal infection with a sublethal dose (5 x 10(5)) of viable BCG in mice. The number of bacteria in the organs increased to a maximal level by 28 days after infection, and thereafter decreased gradually. Of the CD3+ cells in PEC on day 7 after infection, approximately 25% were CD4-CD8-, most of which express TcR gamma/delta on their surface. On the other hand, the PEC on day 28 contained an increased number of alpha/beta T cells which were CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ and the proportion of gamma/delta T cells was reciprocally decreased. The kinetics of gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cells in the LN ad spleen during BCG infection are much the same as that seen in the PEC. The early appearing gamma/delta T cells preferentially used V gamma 1/V delta 6 although the repertoire of these T cells are diversified. The gamma/delta T cells in PEC on day 7 remarkably proliferated and produced gamma IFN and IL-2 in response to sonicated BCG or PPD derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis but not to 65 kd heat shock protein (HSP) derived from M. bovis. These results suggest that gamma/delta T cells precede alpha/beta T cells in appearance during mycobacterial infection and the early appearing gamma/delta T cells may participate in the protection at the early stage against the mycobacterial infection.     

Altered cytokine expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes in polymyositis and dermatomyositis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intracellular and soluble cytokine levels and T cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with active and inactive polymyositis and dermatomyositis. METHODS: The frequencies of T and B lymphocytes, T helper (Th), and T cytotoxic (Tc) cells and of interferon gamma (IFNgamma), interleukin (IL)4, and IL10 expression of CD4+ or CD8+ cells were determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of soluble cytokines were measured with commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: In active dermatomyositis there was a decreased percentage of T (CD3+) lymphocytes and Tc (CD8+) lymphocytes, decreased IFNgamma expression of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, but an increase in B and IL4 producing CD4+ lymphocyte frequencies. These prominent changes disappeared in the inactive stage of the disease. In polymyositis no significant change in these lymphocyte subsets or in intracellular cytokine expression could be detected in either the active or the inactive form. The frequency of IL4+/IFNgamma+ Th cells was calculated and a significantly increased Th2/Th1 frequency was found in active dermatomyositis, and a decreased frequency in inactive dermatomyositis, compared with the control population. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a difference between polymyositis and dermatomyositis in the level of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their intracellular cytokine content. These findings provide further evidence for a difference in the pathogenesis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.     

Characterization of HCV-specific Patr class II restricted CD4+ T cell responses in an acutely infected chimpanzee

Resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with strong and sustained virus-specific CD4+ T cell responses. In this study, we investigated the evolution of functional T cell responses during acute infection of a chimpanzee and the longevity of these lymphocytes in blood and liver after resolution of infection. Viremia increased through the first 3 weeks of infection and then remained stable until the onset of T cell responses at weeks 6 and 8 postinfection. CD4+ T cells targeting nonstructural HCV proteins were detected in proliferation assays by week 6 postinfection, but they failed to produce interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). HCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with the ability to produce IFN-gamma appeared at week 8 when a rapid 10-fold reduction in plasma viremia was first observed. This cytokine response persisted through to week 24 when infection apparently resolved. T cell lines targeting 3 CD4+ T cell epitopes and 1 CD8+ T cell epitope were derived from liver and their Patr major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction elements were identified. In retrospective studies performed on cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at various timepoints after infection, the onset of an IFN-gamma response measured against the class II restricted epitopes correlated with viral clearance. In conclusion, the characterization of the HCV epitopes and MHC class II restriction elements described here will facilitate a detailed comparison of CD4+ T cell function in animals with resolved and persistent infections.     

A mycobacterial heat-shock protein-responsive gamma delta T cell clone also responds to the homologous human heat-shock protein: a possible link between infection and autoimmunity

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells respond to a variety of stress conditions by increasing the synthesis of a family of proteins collectively known as heat-shock proteins (HSP). One of these, a 65-kDa HSP that is highly conserved in many bacteria, is a major target of the immune response to mycobacteria. A gamma delta T cell clone from a healthy donor that recognizes not only the 65-kDa mycobacterial HSP but also the recombinant human homologue of this HSP protein was raised. Like alpha beta T cell clones, which recognize mycobacterial HSP, the clone requires antigen-presenting cells for antigen-induced proliferation and can also be directly activated via receptor cross-linking through CD3 or the delta chain of the gamma delta T cell receptor. These data suggest that the induction of a gamma delta T cell response by bacterial antigens could lead to the expansion of cells that respond to autologous proteins and, therefore, may result in the development of autoimmunity.     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者外周血CD4+T细胞及CD28null/CD28+亚型活化后Kv1.3钾通道的表达和意义

目的 研究急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者外周血中CD4+T细胞及CD28null/CD28+亚型活化前后Kv1.3钾通道数目的 变化以及Kv1.3钾通道阻滞剂对CD4+T细胞活化表达的影响,探讨Kv1.3钾通道在不稳定斑块中的意义.方法 用免疫磁珠法分离出27例ACS患者外周血中的CD4+T细胞,其中12例进一步分出亚型CD4+CD28null和CD4+CD28+T细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录细胞活化前及经CD3抗体活化72 h后的Kv1.3钾电流.CD4+T细胞活化时分别加入终浓度为0.1、1、10 nmol/L特异性Kv1.3钾通道阻滞剂rMargatoxin(rMgTX),共同培养72 h后用反转录-PER法检测干扰素-γ、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α及颗粒酶B mRNA的表达.结果 活化后CD4+、CD4+CD28null、CD4+CD28+T细胞的Kv1.3钾通道的峰电流均明显增加,细胞平均通道数分别增加约90%、60%、80%[活化前后每个细胞的通道数分别为(402±88)个比(752±275)个、(553±328)个比(874±400)个、(392±133)个比(716±251)个,均P<0.05].活化前CD4+CD28nullT细胞Kv1.3钾通道的平均数目比CD4+CD28+T细胞多约40%(P<0.05),活化后两者差异无统计学意义(P=0.102).不同浓度的rMgTX均下调CD4+T细胞活化后干扰素-γ、TNF-α、颗粒酶B mRNA的表达,各浓度组间干扰素-γ、TNF-α、颗粒酶B mRNA的表达差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01),浓度越高,各mRNA表达越低.结论 ACS患者外周血CD4+T细胞及CD28null/CD28+亚型活化后Kv1.3钾通道表达增加,特异性Kv1.3通道阻滞剂rMgTX呈浓度依赖性地抑制CD4+T细胞活化时干扰素-γ、TNF-α及颗粒酶B mRNA的表达,提示CD4+T细胞特别是CD4+CD28nullT细胞的Kv1.3钾通道可作为预防动脉粥样斑块不稳定的潜在治疗靶点.     

Delineation of Immunoregulatory Properties of Adult T-cell Leukemia Cells

We characterized leukemic cells from 20 adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cases and 7 ATL-derived cell lines in terms of Foxp3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, cytokine production, cell surface markers associated with regulatory T-cells (Treg), and in vitro immunoregulatory activity and compared the results with those of cells from 3 T-cell-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL) patients and normal CD4+ T-cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that cells from 10 ATL cases, 1 T-CLL case, and 1 ATL cell line had higher Foxp3 mRNA levels than CD4+ T-cells. In 5 ATL cases, Foxp3 levels were comparable to those of CD4+CD25+ T-cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that CTLA-4 expression correlated with Foxp3 mRNA level in ATL cells. The cells of all ATL cases examined produced no interleukin 2 or interferon gamma after iono-mycin and phorbolmyristate acetate stimulation. Cases with low Foxp3 expression (Foxp3-low) tended to express higher levels of transforming growth factor beta mRNA, but this trend was not statistically significant. An in vitro inhibition assay showed that the proliferation of normal CD4+CD25- T-cells stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and autologous dendritic cells was significantly suppressed by coculture with Foxp3-high ATL cells. These results indicate that Foxp3 expression is variable in ATL cases and that Foxp3-high ATL cells, which resemble Treg phenotypically as well as functionally, may be involved in immune suppression in ATL.     

β-arrestin2对急性支气管哮喘小鼠模型脾CD4+T细胞T-bet表达的影响

目的 探讨β-arrestin 2在急件支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)小鼠模型脾CD4+T细胞可的表达及对T-bet表达的影响.方法 建立急性哮喘小鼠模型,免疫磁珠分离小鼠脾源性CD4+T细胞,RNA干扰β-arrestin 2的表达后,检测CD4+T细胞β-arrestin 2、T-bet mRNA和蛋白的表达.结果 siR...     

Interleukin 7 stimulates tumour necrosis factor alpha and Th1 cytokine production in joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: A large number of activated T cells are found in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin 7 (IL7), a T cell growth factor and a regulator of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production, is produced by synoviocytes from patients with RA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect on proinflammatory cytokine production of synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) and the mechanism by which IL7 influences CD4+ T cell activity in patients with RA. METHODS: In a cross sectional group of patients with RA, IL7 levels were compared with those of healthy controls and related to disease activity. The effect of IL7 on cytokine production was tested by RA SFMC and on SF CD4+ T cells in the presence of mononuclear cells (MC). Production of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), IL1 beta, interferon gamma (IFN gamma), and IL4 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by single cell FACS analysis. Expression of the IL7 receptor alpha chain on CD4+ T cells (essential for IL7 signalling) was assessed. Direct effects of IL7 on isolated synovial fluid (SF) CD4+ T cells were studied by cytokine analysis. By neutralisation of IL12 in MC cultures, indirect effects of IL7 on T cells through accessory cells were studied. RESULTS: IL7 serum levels were higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls and correlated positively with C reactive protein levels. IL7 stimulated TNFalpha production by SFMC and very potently stimulated IFN gamma and TNF alpha production by SF CD4+ T cells. These effects were probably mediated through the IL7 receptor alpha chain, which was abundantly expressed on SF CD4+ T cells. Besides the direct stimulation of T cell cytokine production by IL7, its action was partly dependent on IL12, indicating that IL7 also stimulates accessory cell function, leading to T cell activation. CONCLUSION: IL7 stimulates proinflammatory cytokine production of intra-articular CD4+ T cells and accessory cells from patients with RA. The correlation with measures of disease activity indicates that IL7 might substantially contribute to the perpetuation of Th1 and TNF alpha mediated proinflammatory responses in patients with RA.     

TNF downmodulates the function of human CD4+CD25hi T-regulatory cells

CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory cells (Tregs) play an essential role in maintaining immunologic homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. However, little is known about the exogenous factors that regulate their differentiation and function. Here, we report that TNF inhibits the suppressive function of both naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ Tregs and TGFbeta1-induced CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory cells. The mechanism of this inhibition involves signaling through TNFRII that is constitutively expressed selectively on unstimulated Tregs and that is up-regulated by TNF. TNF-mediated inhibition of suppressive function is related to a decrease in FoxP3 mRNA and protein expression by the Tregs. Notably, CD4+CD25hi Tregs isolated from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) expressed reduced levels of FoxP3 mRNA and protein and poorly suppressed the proliferation and cytokine secretion of CD4+ effector T cells in vitro. Treatment with anti-TNF antibody (infliximab) increased FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression by CD4+CD25hi Tregs and restored their suppressive function. Thus, TNF has a novel action in modulating autoimmunity, by inhibiting CD4+CD25+ Treg activity.     

Regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells reverse imbalances in the T cell pool of bone marrow transplanted TGepsilon26 mice leading to the prevention of colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Erroneous thymic selection of developing T lymphocytes may be responsible for the expansion of self reactive T cells or may contribute to the absence of regulatory T cells important in controlling peripheral inflammatory processes. Colitis in bone marrow (BM) transplanted Tgepsilon26 mice is induced by abnormally activated T cells developing in an aberrant thymic microenvironment. We investigated the protective role of regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells in this model. METHODS: BM from (C57BL/6 x CBA/J) F1 mice was transplanted into specific pathogen free Tgepsilon26 mice (BM-->Tgepsilon26). Transplanted mice received no cells (control), sorted CD4+CD25+, or CD4+CD25- cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of normal mice. MLN cell subsets were analysed using membrane markers. Cytokine secretion of MLN cells was measured using intracellular cytokine staining and cytokine secretion in anti-CD3 stimulated cell cultures. Colitis was measured by histological scores. RESULTS: CD4+CD25+ cells were reduced in the MLNs of BM-->Tgepsilon26 mice. Transfer of regulatory CD4CD4+CD25+ but not of CD4+CD25- cells reduced the number of MLN CD4+ T cells in BM-->Tgepsilon26 recipients and increased the number of MLN CD8+ cells, thereby normalising the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. CD4+CD25+ but not CD4+CD25- cell transfer into BM-->Tgepsilon26 mice reduced the number of tumour necrosis factor alpha+ CD4+ cells and increased the secretion of transforming growth factor beta by MLN cells. Transfer of 3 x 10(5) CD4+CD25+ cells after BM transplantation into Tgepsilon26 mice prevented colitis whereas CD4+CD25- cells had no protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that defective selection or induction of regulatory T cells in the abnormal thymus is responsible for the development of colitis in BM-->Tgepsilon26 mice. Transfer of CD4+CD25+ cells can control intestinal inflammation in BM-->Tgepsilon26 mice by normalising the number and function of the MLN T cell pool.     

Interferon-gamma increases IL-12 mRNA expression and attentuates allergic late-onset airway responses in the Brown Norway rat.

Interferon gamma is a T-helper cell (Th)-1-type cytokine that has been suggested to inhibit the development of an atopic Th2-type profile of cytokine expression. The aim of this study was to investigated the effect of exogenous rat interferon gamma on antigen-induced airway responses, and on Th1 and Th2-type cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the Brown Norway rat. Rats were actively sensitized to ovalbumin and 14 days later underwent an aerosolized ovalbumin challenge. Animals were intratracheally administered either interferon gamma (3,000 U) or control solvent 30 min prior to, and 2 and 4 h following, antigen challenge. Lung resistance was monitored over an 8-h time period. Using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, the levels of Th1- (interleukin-12) and Th2-type (interleukin4 and -5) cytokine mRNA, and major basic protein expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of these rats 8 h after ovalbumin challenge were also determined. Administration of interferon gamma attenuated the development of the late-onset airways response in ovalbumin-sensitized antigen-challenged rats (p<0,05). The expression of interleukin-4 and -5 mRNA in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of interferon gamma treated rats was significantly attenuated compared to ovalbumin-challenged saline-treated controls (p<0.001). This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of interleukin-12 mRNA, and a reduction in eosinophil numbers. Intratracheal administration of interferon gamma modulates the allergic late-onset airways response in rats, and this is associated with a reduction in the expression of T-helper cell 2-type cytokines and an increase in interleukin-12 messenger ribonucleic acid expression within the airways. The present results support a role for interferon gamma in the pathophysiology of acute allergic airway responses, possibly by virtue of its ability to modulate T-helper cell 1- 2-type cytokine expression within the lungs.     

Colitis in mice lacking the common cytokine receptor gamma chain is mediated by IL-6-producing CD4+ T cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mice that have a truncated mutation of the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (CR gamma -/Y) are known to spontaneously develop colitis. To identify the pathologic elements responsible for triggering this localized inflammatory disease, we elucidated and characterized aberrant T cells and their enteropathogenic cytokines in CR gamma -/Y mice with colitis. METHODS: The histologic appearance, cell population, T-cell receptor V beta usage, and cytokine production of lamina propria lymphocytes were assessed. CR gamma -/Y mice were treated with anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor monoclonal antibody to evaluate its ability to control colitis, and splenic CD4 + T cells from the same mouse model were adoptively transferred into SCID mice to see if they spurred the appearance of colitis. RESULTS: We found marked thickening of the large intestine, an increase in crypt depth, and infiltration of the colonic lamina propria and submucosa with mononuclear cells in the euthymic CR gamma -/Y mice, but not in the athymic CR gamma -/Y mice, starting at the age of 8 weeks. Colonic CD4 + T cells with high expressions of antiapoptotic Bcl-x and Bcl-2 were found to use selected subsets (V beta 14) of T-cell receptor and to exclusively produce IL-6. Treatment of CR gamma -/Y mice with anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody prevented the formation of colitis via the induction of apoptosis in IL-6-producing CD4 + T cells. Adoptive transfer of pathologic CD4 + T cells induced colitis in the recipient SCID mice. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic IL-6-producing thymus-derived CD4 + T cells are responsible for the development of colitis in CR gamma -/Y mice.