Use of intracellular cytokine staining and bacterial superantigen to document suppression of the adaptive immune system in injured patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentages of major T lymphocyte subsets in the circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cell population in patients with major traumatic injury at early and late time points and to determine the expression of coreceptors and cytokine production by these T cell subsets. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Prior studies suggest that serious injury in humans suppresses the adaptive immune system as revealed by diminished proliferation and altered cytokine production in response to polyclonal T cell activation. However, the contribution of individual cell types to this immune dysfunction has not been well characterized. METHODS: The percentage of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the relative density of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor expression was determined by flow cytometry in 17 consecutive trauma patients (injury severity score > 20) within 24 hours of injury and at day 7. Intracellular expression of the cytokines interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFNgamma), IL-4, and IL-10 were also studied after stimulation with bacterial superantigen (SEB). Patients were compared with age- and sex-matched controls and to themselves for differences between early and late cytokine expression. RESULTS: The percentage of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was decreased versus controls at day 1 and further decreased by day 7 following injury. CD4 and CD8 cell surface expression was also decreased at days 1 and 7. CD4+ T cells in injured patients responded to SEB activation with decreased expression of IFNgamma and IL-2 on day 1 versus controls (P < 0.05) and of all 4 cytokines by day 7 (P < 0.05), while CD8+ T cells showed diminished expression of IFNgamma and IL-2 only at both time points. When day 1 and day 7 cytokine expression results were compared in the same patients, CD4+ T cells showed diminished expression of IFNgamma, IL-2, and IL-4 by day 7 (P < 0.05), but maintained expression of IL-10. CD8 T cells showed diminished expression of IFNgamma only. CONCLUSIONS: Severe injury induces a loss of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and diminished coreceptor expression by these cells. Both T cell subsets show progressive loss of immunostimulatory cytokine production with maintenance of potentially suppressive IL-10 production. These events may have negative consequences for host defense.     

In vitro expanded human CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are potent suppressors of T-cell-mediated xenogeneic responses

BACKGROUND: Cellular rejection of xenografts is predominantly mediated by CD4 T cells. Little is known of the effectiveness of CD4CD25 T regulatory (Treg) cells at suppressing this strong T-cell mediated immune response. In this study, we evaluated the activity of fresh Treg cells and expanded Treg cells to suppress the xeno immune response in vitro. METHODS: Human Treg cells were preferentially expanded by CD3/CD28 expand beads, interleukin (IL)-2, and rapamycin. Human CD4CD25 T cells were stimulated with irradiated porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence or absence of fresh or expanded human Treg cells for 5 days before proliferation assay. In a separate experiment, the porcine xenoantigen-stimulated CD4CD25 T cells were separated from Treg cells by transwells and assessed for cytotoxicity of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells target cells. Cytokine-producing cells and cytokine release in the cocultures were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot and enzyme-linked immonosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: Human Treg were expanded up to 3,500-fold after 14 days in culture. The addition of fresh Treg suppressed the T-cell mediated xenoimmune response. Compared with fresh Treg cells, expanded Treg cells were more potent at suppressing CD4CD25 T-cell-mediated antiporcine xenogeneic responses. This suppression required cell contact. However, the enhanced suppression by expanded Treg cells was associated with increased secretion of IL-4 and IL-10 when compared with their nonexpanded Treg counterparts. CONCLUSION: This study shows that expanded human Treg cells were capable of suppressing antiporcine xenogeneic responses in vitro and involve both contact dependent and cytokine mediated mechanisms.     

高迁移率族蛋白B1对小鼠调节性T细胞与CD4+CD25-T细胞相互作用的影响

目的 观察高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)对调节性T细胞(Treg)与CD4+CD25-T细胞相互作用的影响,并初步探讨其影响Treg抑制功能的机制.方法 免疫磁珠法分离正常BALB/c小鼠脾脏CD4+CD25+Treg及CD4+CD25-T细胞.采用固相包被抗CD3/可溶性抗CD28进行辅助活化,以不同时间及浓度HMGB1刺激Treg,ELISA法分析HMGB1刺激对Treg分泌IL-10的影响.将HMGB1(1000μg/L)刺激后的Treg与CD4+CD25-T细胞共培养,MTT法观察其对Treg抑制CD4+CD25-T细胞反应的作用,并分析HMGB1刺激后的Treg对CD4+CD25-T细胞IL-2生成及细胞功能极化的影响.结果 经抗CD3/CD28辅助活化的CD4+CD25+Treg在HMGB1作用下IL-2生成无显著差异(P＞0.05),但随时间延长及剂量增加,IL-10生成明显减少(P＜0.05).经HMGB1刺激的Treg对CD4+CD25-T细胞增殖的抑制反应减弱,同时诱导CD4+CD25-T细胞IL-2产生及细胞功能极化的能力均下降(P＜0.05).结论 HMGB1可通过诱导Treg抑制功能的下调,从而影响CD4+CD25-T细胞功能,进而调节炎症反应过程.     

抗原特异性CD4+CD25+T细胞对同种异体胰岛移植影响及作用机制研究

目的:探讨抗原特异性CD4+CD25+Treg细胞免疫对同种异体胰岛急性移植排斥反应的影响和机制。方法:用MACS分选供体抗原特异性CD4+CD25+Treg细胞免疫糖尿病BALB/cByJ受体小鼠，以ICR小鼠胰岛为供体行同种异体胰岛移植。观察移植后小鼠的存活时间、移植前后外周血CD4+和CD8+T细胞亚群的变化和移植物中Th1/Th2细胞因子mRNA表达水平的变化。结果:抗原特异性Treg细胞联合胰岛移植组(C组)胰岛移植物平均生存期为(34.57±17.15)d，显著长于单纯胰岛移植组(B组)的(10.6±1.82) d (P<0.01)；移植后第3天，C组外周血CD4+/CD8+的值显著低于B组(P<0.01)；C组移植物中IL-10,TGF-β mRNA表达比B组显著增强。B组移植物中IL-1β，IL-2及IFN-γ mRNA表达明显强于C组。结论:抗原特异性CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞可通过调节Th2/Th1之间的反应平衡而延长同种异体胰岛移植物的存活时间。     

脓毒症大鼠调节性T细胞凋亡对效应T细胞增殖和分泌功能的影响及血必净注射液的干预作用

目的 探讨血必净注射液对脓毒症大鼠CD+4CD+25调节性T细胞(Treg)凋亡的影响及与效应T细胞(Teff)增殖及分泌功能的关系.方法 Wister大鼠随机分为对照组、假于术组、肓肠结扎穿孔(CLP)组和血必净治疗组,每组8只;于第3天采用免疫磁珠法分选大鼠脾脏CD+4CD25+Treg和CD+4CD25-T细胞.CD+4CD25+Treg培养12 h后检测凋亡率、叉头翼状螺旋转录因子(Foxp3)和T淋巴细胞毒性相关抗原4(CTLA-4)表达及门细胞介素(IL)-10的分泌.将Treg与CD+4CD25-T细胞共培养,并以刀豆素A刺激后观察Treg对Teff增殖活性和细胞培养上清IL-2/可溶性IL-2受体α(slL-2Rα)含量的影响.结果 CLP组CD+4CD25+Treg细胞凋亡率<对照组和假于术组(P<0.01),而血必净治疗组明显>CLP组(P<0.01).与CLP组比较,血必净治疗组CD+4CD25+Treg细胞Foxp3、CTLA-4表达和IL-10分泌显著下降(P<0.01).同时,CLP组Teff增殖反应抑制率明显>对照组,而血必净组其抑制率CLP组,sll-2Rα低于CLP组(P<0.01).结论 脓毒症病理过程中CD+4CD25+Treg细胞对Teff抑制效应明显增强,而血必净注射液能诱导Treg细胞凋亡,减轻Treg对Teff的抑制作用.     

High frequency of CD4+ CD25- CD69+ T cells is correlated with a low risk of acute graft-versus-host disease in allotransplants

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain transplantation tolerance and suppress graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in humans. We monitored 17 subjects with acute GvHD to determine whether Treg frequency correlates with acute GvHD. We found the percent of CD4(+) CD25(-) CD69(+) Tregs decreases when acute GvHD develops and increases after acute GvHD is controlled. We next sequentially studied 50 subjects receiving conventional allotransplants. We show a high frequency and increased numbers of CD4(+) CD25(-) CD69(+) Tregs are associated with a reduced risk of acute GvHD. We also show that CD4(+) CD25(-) CD69(+) Treg numbers increase substantially early after allografts and that a low percent of CD4(+) CD25(-) CD69(+) Tregs is associated with an increased risk of acute GvHD. Reconstitution of Tregs early post-transplant is associated with less acute GvHD. These data imply that CD4(+) CD25(-) CD69(+) Tregs are a novel subset of regulatory T cells that may protect against acute GvHD after allotransplants.     

CD4+CD25+Treg细胞对肿瘤特异性CTL杀伤效果的影响

目的 探讨CD4+CD25+Treg细胞对肿瘤特异性细胞毒T细胞(CTL)杀伤效果的影响及机制.方法 将C57BL/6小鼠80只随机分为4组,每组20只.A组:树突状细胞(DC)与T细胞共同培养前删除CD4+CD25+Treg;B组:DC与T细胞共同培养后删除CD4+CD25+Treg;C组:DC与T细胞共同培养时不删除CD4+CD25+Treg;对照组:无DC诱导的T细胞.应用脾脏来源DC细胞诱导T细胞制备CTL,在CTL形成的不同时期采用MACS法删除CD4+CD25+Treg.应用噻唑蓝(MTY)比色法检测不同组别CTL对B16黑色素瘤细胞的杀伤效果.同时应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测细胞培养液中白细胞介素(IL)-2、干扰素(IFN)-γ含量变化.结果 3组实验组CTL杀伤率明显高于对照组(P<0.05).删除CD4+CD25+Treg的A组、B组CTL杀伤率明显高于未删除的C组(P<0.05).但CTL形成的不同时期删除CD4+CD25+Treg对CTL杀伤率的影响无统计学意义(P>0.05).IL-2、IFN-γ含量变化与杀伤率呈现相同的变化趋势.结论 删除CD4+CD25+Treg细胞可明显提高CTL的杀伤效果,是消除肿瘤免疫耐受机制的新途径.     

Relationships between regulatory T cells and CD8+ effector populations in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: Homeostasis of circulating T cells is regulated in complex ways that have not yet been well defined. The balance between type 1 and type 2 T-cell subsets in cancer patients is thought to modulate antitumor immunity. Meanwhile, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which are potent inhibitors of antitumor immune responses, also play an invaluable role in maintaining immune homeostasis. METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from 42 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and 24 healthy age-selected donors. The percentages of T-cell subsets and their cytokine profiles expressed in response to ex vivo stimulation were studied by multicolor flow cytometry. RESULTS: Although patients with SCCHN had a lower percentage (p < .05) of circulating CD4+ T cells than healthy donors, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) were increased in the patients (p < .01). A significant increase in Th1 and Th2 CD4+ T cells was observed in the patients after ex vivo stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate /ionomycin. The percent of Treg inversely correlated with that of total CD8+ T cells (p < .05), CD8+IFN-gamma+ (Tc1) cells (p < .05), and CD8+IL-4+ (Tc2) cells (p < .01). There was a highly significant correlation between Tc1 and Tc2 CD8+ T cells (p < .0001) in SCCHN patients but not in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Treg are increased in proportion in the circulation of patients with SCCHN. These cells appear to downregulate cytokine expression in both Tc1 and Tc2 subsets of CD8+ effector T cells, which may be responsible for antitumor responses.     

Interleukin-7 is a survival factor for CD4+ CD25+ T-cells and is expressed by diabetes-suppressive dendritic cells

Dendritic cells can facilitate allograft survival and prevent autoimmunity via direct and indirect cell-mediated mechanisms. Recent studies demonstrate that immunoregulatory dendritic cells (iDCs) confer immune hyporesponsiveness in part through CD4(+) CD25(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs). Herein, we provide evidence to support the hypothesis that dendritic cells derived from NOD mice and engineered ex vivo to exhibit suppressed expression of the CD40, CD80, and CD86 costimulatory molecules motivate an increase in the prevalence of regulatory CD4(+) CD25(+) T-cells via interleukin (IL)-7. Unlike control dendritic cells, these dendritic cells expressed significant levels of IL-7. Exogenous addition of IL-7 to NOD T-cells did not promote expansion or proliferation, but instead selectively maintained the number of CD4(+) CD25(+) T-cells by inhibiting activation of apoptosis in these cells. In vitro, IL-7 receptor alpha-chain (IL-7Ralpha) was expressed at significantly higher levels on CD4(+) CD25(+) T-cells compared with CD4(+) CD25(-) T-cells irrespective of resting or stimulated state. In vivo, CD4(+) CD25(+) T-cells obtained from NOD-scid mice reconstituted with ex vivo engineered iDCs and NOD splenocytes expressed significantly higher levels of IL-7Ralpha compared with levels in the CD4(+) CD25(-) subset, especially in diabetes-suppressive dendritic cell-administered NOD-scid recipients. Taken together, our data suggest a novel mechanism by which iDCs delay autoimmunity through the CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg pathway and suggest IL-7 as a survival factor for these putative Tregs, which express the alpha-chain of its receptor at considerably higher levels than CD4(+) CD25(-) T-cells.     

Generation and expansion of human CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells with indirect allospecificity: Potential reagents to promote donor-specific transplantation tolerance

BACKGROUND: Harnessing naturally arising CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) for potential adoptive cell therapy is hampered by their innate autoreactivity and their limited number. METHODS: CD4+ CD25+ Tregs were purified from peripheral blood of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR1*0101+ A2- individuals, and stimulated with autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). RESULTS: Here we show that CD4+ CD25+ Tregs specific for an HLA A2 (103-120) peptide can be selected from the peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ T cell population of a healthy individual and detected using a tetramer comprised of HLA DRB1*0101 and the A2 peptide. The selected cells can be expanded substantially (i.e., a 1600-fold increase over a two-week period) by T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and high-doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2). The CD4+ CD25+Tregs with indirect allospecificity for the A2 peptide showed more potent antigen-specific suppression than polyclonal CD4+ CD25+ Tregs. CONCLUSIONS: These data may pave the way for clinical studies using CD4+ CD25+ Tregs with indirect allospecificity as therapeutic reagents for the induction of donor-specific transplantation tolerance.     

吗替麦考酚酯抑制小鼠TH17细胞的分化和增殖

目的 通过观察吗替麦考酚酯(MMF)对小鼠辅助性T淋巴细胞17(TH 17细胞)分化和增殖的影响,探讨MMF的免疫抑制作用及其机制.方法 采用随机数字表法将小鼠分为MMF组与对照组,每组8只.MMF组小鼠每天给予MMF 40 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃,对照组小鼠每天给予等体积生理盐水灌胃.3周后取小鼠外周血和脾脏,采用流式细胞术检测小鼠外周血和脾细胞中TH17细胞和CD4+CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg细胞)的比例,并计算出TH 17细胞与Treg细胞的比值;采用酶联免疫吸附试验法分别检测两组小鼠血清中白细胞介素(IL)-17和IL-23的浓度.结果 MMF组外周血和脾细胞中TH17细胞比例分别为(1.95±0.08)％和(2.42±0.06)％,对照组分别为(3.19±0.07)％和(4.21±0.25)％,两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).MMF组外周血和脾细胞中TH 17细胞与Treg细胞的比值均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).MMF组小鼠血清IL-17水平明显低于对照组(P＜0.05),而血清IL-23水平高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 MMF能够明显抑制小鼠体内TH17细胞的分化与增殖,降低TH 17细胞与Treg细胞的比值,减少IL-17的分泌,有利于诱导免疫耐受.     

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells protect against injury in an innate murine model of chronic kidney disease

Studies of mechanisms of disease regulation by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) have been focused on their interaction with effector T cells; however, the possibility that regulation might involve noncognate cells has not been explored in detail. This study investigated the effect of CD4+CD25+ Treg on macrophage proinflammatory properties and phenotype in vitro and found that they modulate macrophages by inhibiting their activation, leading to reduced proinflammatory cytokine production and a downregulated effector phenotype. For testing the in vivo significance of this effect, CD4+CD25+ T cells that expressed high levels of Foxp3 were reconstituted into SCID mice after induction of Adriamycin nephropathy, a noncognate model of chronic renal disease. CD4+CD25+ T cells significantly reduced glomerular and interstitial injury. In addition, there was a significant fall in the number of macrophages in both the glomeruli and interstitium of SCID mice that were reconstituted with Treg as compared with the Adriamycin alone group. Blockade of TGF-beta using neutralizing antibodies significantly impaired the protective effect of Treg. These findings delineate a TGF-beta-dependent Treg-macrophage inhibitory interaction that can explain cognate-independent protection by Treg.     

TGF-β Induces Foxp3 + T-Regulatory Cells from CD4 + CD25 − Precursors

CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent suppressors, playing important roles in autoimmunity and transplantation tolerance. Understanding the signals necessary for the generation and expansion of Tregs is important for clinical cellular therapy, but only limited progress has been made. Recent reports suggest a role for TGF-beta in the generation of Tregs from CD4 + CD25 - precursors, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-beta2 triggers Foxp3 expression in CD4 + CD25 - precursors, and these Foxp3 + cells act like conventional Tregs. The generation of Foxp3 + Tregs requires stimulation of the T-cell receptor, the IL-2R and the TGF-beta receptor. More importantly, strong costimulation through CD28 prevents Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in an IL-4-dependent manner. Furthermore, TGF-beta-driven Tregs inhibit innate inflammatory responses to syngeneic transplanted pancreatic islets and enhance islet transplant survival. Thus, TGF-beta is a key regulator of the signaling pathways that initiate and maintain Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in CD4 + CD25 - precursors. TGF-beta and signaling through TGF-beta receptor, CD28 costimulation and IL-4 may be key components for the manipulation of Treg. The de novo generation of Foxp3 + cells from CD4 + cells has the potential to be used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and induction of transplant tolerance.     

Allergic Conjunctivitis Renders CD4+ T Cells Resistant to T Regulatory Cells and Exacerbates Corneal Allograft Rejection

Allergic diseases rob corneal allografts of immune privilege and increase immune rejection. Corneal allograft rejection in BALB/c allergic hosts was analyzed using a short ragweed (SWR) pollen model of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis did not induce exaggerated T‐cell responses to donor C57BL/6 (B6) alloantigens or stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Allergic conjunctivitis did affect T regulatory cells (Tregs) that support graft survival. Exogenous IL‐4, but not IL‐5 or IL‐13, prevented Treg suppression of CD4⁺ effector T cells isolated from naïve mice. However, mice with allergic conjunctivitis developed Tregs that suppressed CD4⁺ effector T‐cell proliferation. In addition, IL‐4 did not inhibit Treg suppression of IL‐4Rα^?/? CD4⁺ T‐cell responses, suggesting that IL‐4 rendered effector T cells resistant to Tregs. SRW‐sensitized IL‐4Rα^?/? mice displayed the same 50% graft survival as nonallergic WT mice, that was significantly less than the 100% rejection that occurred in allergic WT hosts, supporting the role of IL‐4 in the abrogation of immune privilege. Moreover, exacerbation of corneal allograft rejection in allergic mice was reversed by administering anti‐IL‐4 antibody. Thus, allergy‐induced exacerbation of corneal graft rejection is due to the production of IL‐4, which renders effector T cells resistant to Treg suppression of alloimmune responses.     

Critical influence of natural regulatory CD25+ T cells on the fate of allografts in the absence of immunosuppression

BACKGROUND: Allografts are occasionally accepted in the absence of immunosuppression. Because naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (natural CD25(+) Treg cells) have been shown to inhibit allograft rejection, we investigated their influence on the outcome of allografts in nonimmunosuppressed mouse recipients. METHODS: We compared survival times of male CBA/Ca skin grafts in female CBA/Ca recipients expressing a transgenic anti-HY T-cell receptor on a RAG-1(+/+) (A1[M]RAG+) or a RAG-1(-/-) (A1[M]RAG-) background. Depletion of natural CD25(+) Treg cells in A1[M]RAG+ mice was achieved by in vivo administration of the PC61 monoclonal antibody. The influence of natural CD25(+) Treg cells on the fate of major histocompatibility complex class II-mismatched (C57BL/6X bm12)F1 skin or bm12 heart transplants in C57BL/6 recipients was also assessed. Finally, we investigated the impact of natural CD25(+) Treg cells on the production of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines in mixed lymphocyte cultures between C57BL/6 CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells as responders and bm12 or (C57BL/6X bm12)F1 antigen-presenting cells as stimulators. RESULTS: Male allografts were spontaneously accepted by female A1(M)RAG+ mice but readily rejected by female A1(M)RAG+ mice depleted of natural CD25(+) Treg cells by pretreatment with the PC61 monoclonal antibody. Depletion of CD25(+) Treg cells also enhanced eosinophil-determined rejection of (C57BL/6X bm12)F1 skin grafts or bm12 cardiac grafts in C57BL/6 recipients. Finally, natural CD25(+) Treg cells inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-5, and IL-13 in mixed lymphocyte culture in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Natural CD25(+) Treg cells control Th1- and Th2-type allohelper T-cell responses and thereby influence the fate of allografts in nonimmunosuppressed recipients.     

CD30 antigen: not a physiological marker for TH2 cells but an important costimulator molecule in the regulation of the balance between TH1/TH2 response

Understanding the physiological role of CD30 would be an important step forward in transplants because CD30+ T cells can be induced by alloantigens even in the presence of immunosuppressives such as cyclosporine (Csa) and hence can act as regulatory cells in allograft. The results of functional studies on purified T CD30+ cell populations led us to hypothesize that the CD30 costimulator molecule is not a specific marker for TH2 cells in normal conditions, as has been suggested, but rather a marker for an important immunoregulatory subpopulation that regulates the balance between TH1 and TH2 (TH1/TH2) type response. To substantiate this hypothesis we studied the TH1/TH2 cytokine network in peripheral whole blood cultures stimulate with M44 CD30 ligand (CD30L), an agonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb). Four types of whole blood culture were used: the first had been stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb which generates a CD30 cytokine profile similar to alloreactive stimulation; the second with anti-CD3 mAb+M81 (an anti-CD30L mAb) to inhibit CD30/CD30L interaction; the third with anti-CD3+anti-interleukin (IL)4 mAbs to counteract IL4 activity and the fourth with anti-CD3+anti-interferon (IFN)gamma mAbs to counteract IFNgamma activity. Network interactions between soluble CD30 (sCD30, a maker of CD30 expression), sBcl2 (a marker of cell survival) and TH1/TH2 cytokines (IFNgamma, IL2, IL12p70, IL12p40, IL4, IL5 and IL10) were then studied in the supernatants obtained. Our results confirm the hypothesis above by showing that CD30 signals trigger functional mechanisms responsible for changes in levels of production of several important TH1 and TH2 cytokines involved in the regulation of the physiological balance between TH1/TH2 functions. The CD30-stimulated network, in fact, induces IFNgamma production linked to TH1 activity (-->TH1) which is subsequently integrated by IL4 production linked to TH2 activity (-->TH2). This production appears to be regulated, respectively, by IL12p40 (-->TH2) and IL12p70 (-->TH1) production which could maintain the balance between TH1/TH2 type response (TH1<-->TH2). Further CD30 mechanisms are the regulation of the interactions between: IL5-IFNgamma, IL5-IL4, IL2-IL10, IL2-IL12p40 and IL10-IL12p70 production. The immunoregulatory activity of CD30 was confirmed by the lack of production balance between the above-mentioned cytokines observed in cultures in which the interaction between CD30 and its natural ligand (CD30/CD30L) and IL4 or IFNgamma activity had been blocked. We therefore conclude that CD30 may be an important costimulatory molecule and marker for the physiological balance between TH1/TH2 immune response. Consequently, further study of CD30 immunoregulatory mechanisms may allow for the identification of methods for re-establishing equilibrium and hence more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of immunopathological conditions such as transplant rejection.     

Targeting acute allograft rejection by immunotherapy with ex vivo-expanded natural CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND: Natural CD4CD25 regulatory T (Treg) cells have been implicated in suppressing alloreactivity in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that immunotherapy using ex vivo-expanded natural Treg could prevent acute allograft rejection in mice. METHODS: Natural CD4+ CD25+ Treg were freshly purified from naive mice via automated magnetic cell sorter and expanded ex vivo by anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-coated Dynabeads. Suppression was assayed in vitro by mixed lymphocyte reaction and in vivo by targeting cardiac allograft rejection. Survival of Treg or effector T (Teff) cells after adoptive transfer in vivo was tracked by flow cytometry and all allografts were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: By day nine in culture, 26.6+/-5.3-fold of expansion was achieved by co-culture of fresh natural Treg with anti-CD3/CD28 mAb-coated Dynabeads and interleukin-2. Ex vivo-expanded Treg exerted stronger suppression than fresh ones towards alloantigens in vitro and prevented CD4 Teff-mediated but only delayed CD4+/CD8+ Teff-mediated heart allograft rejection in Rag-/- mice. Long-term surviving allografts showed no signs of acute or chronic rejection with graft-infiltrating Treg expressing CD25 and FoxP3. Infused Treg persisted and expanded long-term in vivo and trafficked through the peripheral lymphoid tissues. CD25 expression was dynamic in vivo: maintained CD25 expression on Treg was indicative for the preservation of allosuppression, while significantly enhanced CD25 expression on CD4+ effector T cells was most likely associated with T-cell expansion and graft rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic use of ex vivo-expanded natural CD4+ CD25+ Treg may be a feasible and nontoxic modality for controlling allograft rejection or perhaps inducing allograft tolerance.