Melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells induce protective antitumor responses mediated by T cells

Dendritic cells are the most potent antigen-presenting cells inducing innate and adaptive immune response. Dendritic cells infiltrate melanomas, but their ability to induce host antitumor immunity remains obscure. In a previous study, we have observed that melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells have the capacity to process antigens and migrate to lymph nodes to prime T lymphocytes. Here, we observed that melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells extracted from melanoma without any additional manipulations were able to protect naive mice against a lethal challenge with the tumor. Remarkably, this was achieved with reinjection of 10(5) melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells, a number that did not exceed the total number of melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells recovered from one single tumor. Three observations indicate that protection was due to the natural loading of melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells with tumor antigens. First, the protective effect was not observed with equivalent numbers of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Second, the protection induced was specific for the tumor from which the tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells were isolated. Third, depletion experiments indicate that both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were required during the effector phase of the antitumor response. Hence, designing strategies aimed at rendering melanoma-infiltrating dendritic cells visible to host T cells may boost spontaneous antitumor immunity.     

Sustained antigen-specific antitumor recall response mediated by gene-modified CD4+ T helper-1 and CD8+ T cells

Given that specific subsets of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) CD4(+) T cells have been shown to play key roles in tumor rejection models, we wanted to assess the contribution of either Th1 or Th2 CD4(+) cell subtypes for redirected T-cell immunotherapy. In this study, we have developed a novel method involving retroviral transduction and in vitro T-cell polarization to generate gene-engineered mouse CD4(+) Th1 and Th2 cells or T helper intermediate (Thi) cells expressing an anti-erbB2-CD28-zeta chimeric receptor. Gene-modified Th1 and Th2 polarized CD4(+) cells were characterized by the preferential secretion of IFN-gamma and interleukin-4, respectively, whereas Thi cells secreted both cytokines following receptor ligation. In adoptive transfer studies using an erbB2(+) lung metastasis model, complete survival of mice was observed when transduced Th1, Th2, or Thi CD4(+) cells were transferred in combination with an equivalent number of transduced CD8(+) T cells. Tumor rejection was consistently associated with transduced T cells at the tumor site and interleukin-2 secretion. However, the surviving mice treated with gene-modified Th1 CD4(+) cells were significantly more resistant to a subsequent challenge with a different erbB2(+) tumor (4T1.2) implanted s.c. This result correlated with both increased expansion of Th1 CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the blood and a greater number of these cells localizing to the tumor site following rechallenge. These data support the use of gene-modified CD4(+) Th1 and CD8(+) T cells for mediating a sustained antitumor response.     

MIDGE/hNIS vaccination generates antigen-associated CD8+IFN-gamma+ T cells and enhances protective antitumor immunity

Human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) is a transmembrane protein that actively transports iodide ions into thyroid cells. hNIS is over-expressed in some cases of the thyroid cancers compared with the surrounding normal tissues and has been considered to be an attractive target for immunotherapy. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of utilizing the hNIS antigenic protein in enhanced-antigen-associated immunotherapy using image analysis with a gamma counter. To accomplish this, minimalistic immunogenically defined gene expression (MIDGE), either plain or coupled to a nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide, was used as a vector system. Vaccination with MIDGE/hNIS, MIDGE/hNIS-NLS and pcDNA3.1/hNIS produced a significant increase in the number of hNIS-associated IFN-gamma-secreting CD8(+) T cells, with MIDGE/hNIS having the strongest effect. In addition, immunization with the hNIS encoding vectors induced antigen-mediated antitumor activity against NIS-expressing CT26 tumors in vivo, with the highest tumor free rate (100%) and lowest tumor growth being observed up to 40 days after the CT26/NIS tumor challenge with MIDGE/hNIS than those resulting from other immunization groups. Tumor progression could be followed noninvasively and repetitively by monitoring levels of hNIS gene expression in the tumors using scintigraphic image analysis. Overall, hNIS has a potential use as an antigen for immunization approaches, and vaccination with MIDGE/hNIS vectors is an effective means of generating hNIS-associated immune responses in mice.     

Maximal T cell-mediated antitumor responses rely upon CCR5 expression in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells

Immune responses against cancer rely upon leukocyte trafficking patterns that are coordinated by chemokines. CCR5, the receptor for chemotactic chemokines MIP1alpha, MIP1beta, and RANTES (CCL3, CCL4, CCL5), exerts major regulatory effects on CD4(+)- and CD8(+) T cell-mediated immunity. Although CCR5 and its ligands participate in the response to various pathogens, its relevance to tumoral immune control has been debated. Here, we report that CCR5 has a specific, ligand-dependent role in optimizing antitumor responses. In adoptive transfer studies, efficient tumor rejection required CCR5 expression by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. CCR5 activation in CD4(+) cells resulted in CD40L upregulation, leading to full maturation of antigen-presenting cells and enhanced CD8(+) T-cell crosspriming and tumor infiltration. CCR5 reduced chemical-induced fibrosarcoma incidence and growth, but did not affect the onset or progression of spontaneous breast cancers in tolerogenic Tg(MMTV-neu) mice. However, CCR5 was required for TLR9-mediated reactivation of antineu responses in these mice. Our results indicate that CCR5 boosts T-cell responses to tumors by modulating helper-dependent CD8(+) T-cell activation.     

CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞与肿瘤的相关性研究

通过了解CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞（CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg）表面分子的特性和CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg在外周血和组织中的表达,认识CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg在肿瘤免疫调节中的作用,探索其作用的分子机制。     

CD4+ T lymphocytes: a critical component of antitumor immunity

Both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines targeting a wide variety of cancers are being developed. Because of the potency of cell-mediated immunity, many vaccine strategies are focused on activating tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. CD4⁺ T lymphocytes are a key element in optimal activation of CD8⁺ T cells and in the maintenance of immune memory, and therefore their activation is critical for cancer vaccine efficacy. This article reviews the mechanisms by which CD4⁺ T cells facilitate tumor immunity and the vaccine strategies that enhance CD4⁺ T cell activity.     

Superior antitumor in vitro responses of allogeneic matched sibling compared with autologous patient CD8+ T cells

Allogeneic cell therapy as a means to break immunotolerance to solid tumors is increasingly used for cancer treatment. To investigate cellular alloimmune responses in a human tumor model, primary cultures were established from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues of 56 patients. In three patients with stable RCC line and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donor available, allogeneic and autologous RCC reactivities were compared using mixed lymphocyte/tumor cell cultures (MLTC). Responding lymphocytes were exclusively CD8(+) T cells, whereas CD4(+) T cells or natural killer cells were never observed. Sibling MLTC populations showed higher proliferative and cytolytic antitumor responses compared with their autologous counterparts. The allo-MLTC responders originated from the CD8(+) CD62L(high)(+) peripheral blood subpopulation containing naive precursor and central memory T cells. Limiting dilution cloning failed to establish CTL clones from autologous MLTCs or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In contrast, a broad panel of RCC-reactive CTL clones was expanded from each allogeneic MLTC. These sibling CTL clones either recognized exclusively the original RCC tumor line or cross-reacted with nonmalignant kidney cells of patient origin. A minority of CTL clones also recognized patient-derived hematopoietic cells or other allogeneic tumor targets. The MHC-restricting alleles for RCC-reactive sibling CTL clones included HLA-A2, HLA-A3, HLA-A11, HLA-A24, and HLA-B7. In one sibling donor-RCC pair, strongly proliferative CD3(+)CD16(+)CD57(+) CTL clones with non-HLA-restricted antitumor reactivity were established. Our results show superior tumor-reactive CD8 responses of matched allogeneic compared with autologous T cells. These data encourage the generation of antitumor T-cell products from HLA-identical siblings and their potential use in adoptive immunotherapy of metastatic RCC patients.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与抗肿瘤免疫

CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T（CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr）细胞是一类维持机体自身耐受的T细胞亚群,分布广泛,但不同组织表型有所不同。它们可由胸腺自然产生,也可在外周血中诱导产生,其活化要依赖于特异性抗原的存在。CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞发挥抑制效应是通过细胞接触依赖或分泌细胞因子这两种方式。去除CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞或抑制其功能,重新募集效应性T细胞能够增强机体抗肿瘤作用,这将成为一种可行的肿瘤免疫治疗方法。     

Synergistic enhancement of antitumor immunity with adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and intratumoral lymphotactin transgene expression

The lack of efficient T-cell infiltration of tumors is a major obstacle to successful adoptive T-cell therapy. We have shown that transplanted SP2/0 myeloma tumors that have been engineered to express lymphotactin (Lptn) invariably regress under the influence of infiltrating XCR1+T cells and neutrophils. Herein, we characterize these T cells and investigate their therapeutic efficacy, either alone or with Lptn gene therapy. After stimulation with SP2/0 cells, these T cells were CD25+FasL+L-selectin-, expressed XCR-1, and were chemoattracted by Lptn in vitro. They comprised 66% CD4+ Th1 and 33% CD8+ Tc1 cells, both of which expressed significant amounts of IFN-gamma, perforin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but not interleukin-4. The CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells, which were inhibited and stimulated, respectively, for proliferation with Lptn signaling, displayed 38 and 84% specific killing, respectively, for Ia(d)/H-2K(d)-expressing SP2/0 tumor cells (E:T ratio, 100). In vivo, combined intratumoral Lptn gene transfer and adoptive immunotherapy with these CD4+ and CD8+ T cells eradicated well-established SP2/0 tumors in six of eight mice, and dramatically slowed tumor growth in the other two mice. Cell tracking using labeled T cells confirmed that these cells infiltrated better into the Lptn-expressing tumors than non-Lptn-expressing ones. Control or Lptn adenoviral treatments by themselves did not alter the lethal outcome for tumor-bearing mice, nor did T-cell therapy by itself, although the latter two treatments did slow its time frame. Combined Lptn gene transfer and adoptive CD4+ or CD8+ cell transfers were not nearly as efficacious as the combined Lptn gene and unfractionated T-cell transfers. Taken together, our data provide solid evidence of a potent synergy between adoptive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell therapy and Lptn gene transfer into tumor tissues, which culminated in the eradication of well-established tumor masses.     

非霍奇金淋巴瘤患者血中CD+4 CD+25 T细胞/CD+4 T细胞比率意义初探

  目的 探讨非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）患者外周血中CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞比率的意义。方法 应用流式细胞技术检测15例健康人、41例初诊NHL患者、16例CTOP方案化疗后完全缓解后的NHL患者及25例化疗后未达到完全缓解的患者单位体积内外周血中CD+4 CD+25 T细胞数量和CD+4 T细胞,计算CD+4 CD+25 T细胞占CD+4 T细胞的比率。结果 初诊NHL患者CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞的比率为（7.54±2.31）％,高于健康者的（4.13±1.25）％（P＜0.05）;化疗完全缓解后NHL患者外周血CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞的比率为（6.26±2.28）％,低于初诊化疗前患者的（7.54±2.31％）（P＜0.05）。化疗后未达到完全缓解患者CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞的比率为（7.85±2.12）％,高于化疗后完全缓解的患者的比率（6.26±2.28）％（P＜0.05）。结论 化疗缓解后的NHL患者外周血中CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞的比率较化疗前及化疗未缓解的患者降低,提示CD+4 CD+25 T细胞／CD+4 T细胞的比率可能与NHL患者免疫功能及治疗效果有关。     

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in human hematopoietic cell transplantation

Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T(reg)) are differentiated T lymphocytes actively involved in the control of peripheral immunity. Over the past few years, a number of animal studies have demonstrated the critical role of these cells in the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). In these models, T(reg) can exert a potent suppressive effect on immune effector cells reactive to host antigens and prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD) while preserving the graft-versus-leukemia effect (GVL). The present review summarizes current knowledge on the role of T(reg) populations in humans following allogeneic HCT. Recent investigations focusing on T(reg) in transplant patients have generated conflicting results mostly due to the use of different parameters to assess T(reg). Nonetheless, these studies suggested that an imbalance between T(reg) and effector cells during immune reconstitution can substantially impair regulatory mechanisms and contributes to the development of GVHD. Building on these studies, a number of therapeutic strategies are being developed to positively modulate T(reg) pools in vivo and prevent or even correct GVHD. Conversely, clinical interventions can also be envisaged to decrease T(reg) activity in vivo and enhance the GVL effect. These potential strategies are discussed herein. Coming years will undoubtedly yield additional knowledge on how to use T(reg) subsets in vivo and successfully control and modulate immune responses in patients post-HCT.     

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞与抗肿瘤免疫

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T(CD4~+CD25~+Tr)细胞是一类维持机体自身耐受的T细胞亚群,分布广泛,但不同组织表型有所不同。它们可由胸腺自然产生,也可在外周血中诱导产生,其活化要依赖于特异性抗原的存在。CD4~+CD25~+Tr细胞发挥抑制效应是通过细胞接触依赖或分泌细胞因子这两种方式。去除CD4~+CD25~+Tr细胞或抑制其功能,重新募集效应性T细胞能够增强机体抗肿瘤作用,这将成为一种可行的肿瘤免疫治疗方法。     

CD4+CD25+CCR6+调节性T细胞在小鼠乳腺癌模型中对CD8+T细胞的抑制作用

目的：观察CD4+CD25+CCR6+调节性T细胞（简称CCR6+Tregs）体内对CD8+T细胞功能的抑制作用,并探讨其与肿瘤免疫逃逸的关系。方法：建立4T1乳腺癌细胞荷瘤裸鼠模型,FACS分选CCR6+Tregs,检测其Foxp3的表达;FACS分选4T1特异性CD8+T细胞,CFSE标记后分别与CCR6+Tregs或CCR6Tregs共同过继转输入4T1荷瘤裸鼠体内,观察荷瘤裸鼠肿瘤生长情况和小鼠存活时间;FACS检测肿瘤组织中CD8+T细胞的增殖、细胞因子IFNγ的产生和颗粒酶B的表达情况。结果：CCR6+Tregs和CCR6Tregs均高表达Foxp3;CCR6+Tregs和CD8+T细胞共转输组4T1荷瘤裸鼠肿瘤的生长明显快于CCR6Tregs共转输组和CD8+T细胞单转输组,同时该组荷瘤裸鼠生存时间也明显缩短（P<0.05）;CCR6+Tregs和CD8+T细胞共转输组CD8+T细胞的增殖、IFNγ的产生和颗粒酶B的表达均明显低于CCR6Tregs共转输组和CD8+T细胞单转输组（P<0.05）。结论：CCR6+Tregs在体内可以有效抑制CD8+T细胞的功能,其在肿瘤免疫逃逸和肿瘤发生、发展中发挥重要作用。     

CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞及其与肿瘤的关系

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞是体内自然存在的,能够分泌IL-4、IL-10、转化生长因子-β(TGF-β),表达IL-2Rα(CD25)、细胞毒性T淋巴细胞抗原4(CTLA-4)分子,对效应性T细胞具有抑制作用,是调节性T细胞的重要亚群,参与肿瘤的生长、自身免疫性疾病的发生及耐受移植排斥.现就该类细胞抑制作用机制的研究近况及相关免疫治疗主要是肿瘤免疫治疗的研究进展作一综述.     

Human CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress NKT cell functions

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells play an important role in peripheral tolerance. These cells have been reported to be capable of suppressing the response of CD4+CD25- T cells in vitro. The depletion of these cells evokes effective immune responses to tumor cells in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ T cells also suppress all subsets of Valpha24+NKT cells (Valpha24+CD4-CD8- double negative, Valpha24+CD4+, and Valpha24+CD8+) in both proliferation and cytokine production [IFN-gamma, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, and IL-10]. This suppression is mediated by cell-to-cell contact but not by a humoral factor or the inhibition of antigen-presenting cells. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of Valpha24+NKT cells against some tumor cell lines is suppressed by CD4+CD25+ T cells. This finding is important in developing an effective immunotherapy for cancer.     

Depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells enhances interleukin-2-induced antitumor immunity in a mouse model of colon adenocarcinoma

Interleukin 2 (IL)-2 induces antitumor immunity and clinical responses in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. However, IL-2 also increases the number of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells that suppress antitumor immune responses. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of depletion of Treg cells on IL-2-induced antitumor immunity. IL-2-transfected mouse colon adenocarcinoma (MC38/IL-2) cells were implanted subcutaneously or intrahepatically into male C57BL/6 mice, and tumor growth and the proportion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with Treg-cell depletion in response to treatment with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (PC61) were determined. In mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline, 40-60% of MC38/IL-2 tumors were rejected. In contrast, all MC38/IL-2 tumors were rejected in mice treated with PC61. The number of tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells in mice treated with PC61 was approximately twice that in mice treated with PBS. The numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) and natural killer cells were also increased significantly. To test the antimetastatic effects of IL-2 treatment in combination with Treg-cell depletion, human recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) and PC61 were administered to mice implanted with MC38/mock cells in the spleen, and hepatic metastasis was investigated. The average liver weight in mice treated with rIL-2 plus PC61 was 1.04 +/- 0.03 g, less than that in mice treated with rIL-2 (2.04 +/- 0.51 g) or PC61 alone (1.81 +/- 0.38 g). We conclude that IL-2-induced antitumor immunity is enhanced by Treg-cell depletion and is due to expansion of the tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8(+) T-cell population.     

Concurrent induction of antitumor immunity and autoimmune thyroiditis in CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cell-depleted mice

When CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells are depleted or inactivated for the purpose of enhancing antitumor immunity, the risk of autoimmune disease may be significantly elevated because these regulatory T cells control both antitumor immunity and autoimmunity. To evaluate the relative benefit and risk of modulating CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, we established a new test system to measure simultaneously the immune reactivity to a tumor-associated antigen, neu, and an unrelated self-antigen, thyroglobulin. BALB/c mice were inoculated with TUBO cells expressing an activated rat neu and treated with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody to deplete CD25+ cells. The tumors grew, then regressed, and neu-specific antibodies and IFN-gamma-secreting T cells were induced. The same mice were also exposed to mouse thyroglobulin by chronic i.v. injections. These mice produced thyroglobulin-specific antibody and IFN-gamma-secreting T cells with inflammatory infiltration in the thyroids of some mice. The immune responses to neu or thyroglobulin were greater in mice undergoing TUBO tumor rejection and thyroglobulin injection than in those experiencing either alone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental system to assess the concurrent induction and possible synergy of immune reactivity to defined tumor and self-antigens following reduction of regulatory T cells. These results illustrate the importance of monitoring immune reactivity to self-antigens during cancer immunotherapy that involves immunomodulating agents, and the pressing need for novel strategies to induce antitumor immunity while minimizing autoimmunity.     

Distinct and overlapping roles of interleukin-10 and CD25+ regulatory T cells in the inhibition of antitumor CD8 T-cell responses

Lack of antitumor immunity is often related to impaired CD8 T-cell responses that could result from a poor priming capacity by tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (TIDC) and/or further inhibition by regulatory T cells (T(reg)). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been implicated in the inhibition of TIDC as well as in the generation and functions of T(reg). Here, we address some of the respective and possibly overlapping roles of IL-10 and CD25+ T(reg) in CD8 antitumor immunity. Whereas tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells proliferated in vivo in the presence of IL-10 or T(reg), optimal effector functions were observed in mice lacking both IL-10 and T(reg). Indeed, tumors grown in normal but not in IL-10-deficient or CD25-depleted mice induced tumor antigen-specific CD8 suppressor T cells. Suppression involved transforming growth factor-beta. Similarly, both IL-10 and T(reg) were responsible for impaired CD8 T cell priming by TIDCs, but IL-12 production by TIDCs was prevented only by T(reg)-independent IL-10. Subsequently, IL-10 defect and T(reg) depletion were required to achieve optimal induction of CD8 T-cell effectors by TIDC following CpG activation. Our results point out major redundant and nonredundant roles for IL-10 and T(reg) in the inhibition of TIDC-mediated generation of antitumor CD8 T-cell response.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与CD4+T、CD8+T细胞在结直肠癌组织中的分布

 目的 分析CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+调节性T细胞（Treg）与CD4+T、CD8+T在结直肠癌（colorectal carcinoma, CRC）组织中的分布及其与临床病理特征之间的关系。方法 收集42例CRC新鲜手术标本,应用冰冻切片、免疫组织化学SP法检测肿瘤组织和癌旁组织中FOXP3+、CD4+T和CD8+T阳性细胞数。结果 CRC患者肿瘤组织中FOXP3表达水平显著升高,与癌旁组织相比差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）;中低分化组Treg细胞数明显高于高分化组（P<0.01）;淋巴结转移组Treg细胞数明显高于无淋巴结转移组（P<0.05）;癌巢内CD4+、CD8+T细胞数及CD4+/CD8+值显著低于间质（P<0.01）;Ⅲ+Ⅳ期、淋巴结转移组癌巢内CD4+/CD8+比值显著低于Ⅰ+Ⅱ期及无淋巴结转移组（P<0.05）;CRC中Treg数量与癌巢内CD4+/CD8+比值显著负相关（r=-0.605, P<0.01）。结论 CRC的发生发展可能与其癌组织局部微环境中Treg数量变化相关,肿瘤局部Treg数量的增多与T淋巴细胞亚群比例失调可能成为肿瘤免疫逃逸的机制之一。     

CD28 costimulation overcomes transforming growth factor-beta-mediated repression of proliferation of redirected human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in an antitumor cell attack

The T-cell-mediated antitumor immune response is frequently repressed in the tumor environment by an immunologic barrier, the predominant mediators of which are thought to be interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). We explored the effect of these cytokines on the individual T-cell effector functions on antigen engagement during an antitumor cell attack. Isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were antigen-specifically redirected toward carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-positive tumor cells by expression of a recombinant T-cell receptor (immunoreceptor), which triggers T-cell activation via CD3zeta on binding to CEA. Immunoreceptor-activated T cells secrete IFN-gamma, proliferate, and lyse CEA+ but not CEA- tumor cells. Whereas IL-10 has no direct effect on immunoreceptor-triggered effector functions, TGF-beta represses proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but neither IFN-gamma secretion nor specific cytolytic activities. CD28 costimulation, however, overcomes TGF-beta-mediated repression in T-cell proliferation. Consequently, T cells redirected by a combined CD28-CD3zeta signaling immunoreceptor are largely resistant to TGF-beta-mediated repression. This is reflected in vivo by a more pronounced antitumor activity of T cells against TGF-beta-secreting tumors when redirected by a costimulatory CD28-CD3zeta than by a CD3zeta signaling immunoreceptor.