利用RNA干扰诱导产生的CD8+CD28-抑制性T淋巴细胞的免疫学特性

目的 探讨通过RNA干扰技术诱导产生的CD8+ CD28-抑制性T淋巴细胞(Ts细胞)的免疫学特性.方法 取SD大鼠骨髓,培养分离树突状细胞(DC),设计、合成主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)Ⅰ类小片段干扰RNA(siRNA),以MHC Ⅰ siRNA转染DC.先以Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织液刺激转染MHCI siRNA的DC,然后将DC与从SD大鼠脾脏分离得到的CD8+T淋巴细胞共同培养,通过磁珠法分离出Ts细胞.分别在由SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞(反应细胞)和Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织细胞(刺激细胞)组成的混合淋巴细胞培养体系中加入数量不等的Ts细胞,检测反应细胞增殖情况;分别以Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织细胞和卵白蛋白(OVA)刺激SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞,然后再按不同比例加入Ts细胞,检测各组脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖情况;在由SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞、Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织液和Ts细胞组成的混合淋巴细胞培养体系中加入可溶性重组白细胞介素2(rrIL-2),观察IL-2对Ts细胞功能的影响;采用实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)测定Ts细胞中转化生长因子β(TGF-β和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)mRNA的表达,流式细胞仪和实时PCR检测Ts细胞上CD25分子的表达.结果 Ts细胞对SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞和Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织细胞之问的混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)具有抑制作用,但对于SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞和OVA之间的MLR则无抑制作用.在SD大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞、Wistar大鼠肠系膜淋巴组织液和Ts细胞组成的混合淋巴细胞培养体系中加入rrIL-2后,SD大鼠脾脏细胞的增殖并无明显增加(P＞0.05).与CD8+CD28+T淋巴细胞和CD8+ T淋巴细胞比较,Ts细胞的TGF-β和IFN-γ mRNA的表达量明显升高(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),而CD25的表达量明显降低(P＜0.05).结论 采用经MHC I siRNA干扰的DC能够诱导CD8+T淋巴细胞产生CD8+ CD28-Ts细胞;Ts细胞在体外具有免疫抑制特性,其免疫抑制作用不被外源性IL-2所逆转,且其免疫调节作用具有抗原特异性.     

人单核细胞共刺激分子在异种免疫反应中的表达及其作用机制

目的 揭示人单核细胞共刺激分子在异种免疫反应中的表达及其作用机制.方法 从猪的主动脉分离血管内皮细胞(PEC)并培养扩增;从人单个核细胞(PBMC)中纯化CD4+T淋巴细胞和单核细胞.建立PEC和人PBMC混合培养体系,培养后收集细胞,然后加入荧光标记的单克隆抗体,通过流式细胞术检测CD14+单核细胞表面共刺激分子表达情况.为了检测淋巴细胞增殖反应以及阻断共刺激分子对PEC免疫反应的作用,在PEC和人PBMC混合培养体系中分别加入抗CD154、CD80和CD86单克隆抗体.在培养的最后24 h加入同位素,于培养结束后收集细胞并经同位素计数仪进行检测.纯化的单核细胞经PEC刺激后与CD4+T淋巴细胞共培养来研究这些单核细胞诱导CD4+T淋巴细胞的增殖以及阻断共刺激分子的作用.结果 PEC和人PBMC混合培养后可检测到PBMC对异种PEC的高度免疫增殖反应;流式细胞术检测到PBMC中的CD14+单核细胞表面无CD40和CD80的表达,但表达CD86,经PEC刺激后,CD14+单核细胞膜表面显著上调CD40和CD80蛋白分子的表达,CD86表达上调.与未经刺激的单核细胞相比较,经PEC刺激后的单核细胞和CD4+T淋巴细胞共培养后可诱导CD4+T淋巴细胞明显增殖,抗人CD154、CD80、CD86单克隆抗体可以阻断CD4+T淋巴细胞对PEC的增殖反应.结论 人CD14+单核细胞在异种免疫反应过程的间接抗原提呈和共刺激信号传导中发挥重要作用,通过上调其共刺激分子的表达与CD4+T淋巴细胞共刺激分子CD154和CD28相互作用形成第二信号,并诱导CD4+T淋巴细胞对PEC的增殖反应;阻断共刺激分子可抑制异种细胞免疫反应.     

转染IKK2dn的受者树突状细胞回输延长同种异体肾移植大鼠的存活时间

目的 探讨IKK2dn基因转染并负载供者抗原的受者未成熟树突状细胞(imDC)延长同种异体肾移植大鼠的存活时间及其机制.方法 获取和培养Lewis大鼠骨髓源性DC,转染IKK2dn并负载BN大鼠可溶性抗原进行体外实验,检测CD86和主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)Ⅱ的表达及DC刺激T淋巴细胞增殖的能力.肾移植受者为Lewis大鼠,用随即数字表法分DC组、空转染组、转染组、对照组,术前7d分别输注1×10~7个D、Adv-0-DC、负载BN抗原的Adv-IKK2dn-DC和等量生理盐水,供者均为BN大鼠.另设第三方供者组,术前处理同转染组,供者为Wistar大鼠.移植后检测各组受者T淋巴细胞的增殖能力及血清白细胞介素2(IL-2)和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的表达水平,观察各组大鼠的存活时间和发生排斥反应情况.结果 DC的体外实验结果显示:与转染IKK2dn前相比,转染后DC仍能低水平表达CD86和MHC Ⅱ,负载供者抗原后CD86和MHCⅡ表达均增加,而转染IKK2dn后再负载供者抗原,CD86和MHC Ⅱ的表达未发生明显变化;DC负载供者抗原后,刺激T淋巴细胞增殖的能力明显增强(P<0.05),而转染IKK2dn并负载供者抗原后不能有效刺激T淋巴细胞增殖.肾移植术后的检测结果显示:转染组T淋巴细胞的增殖能力明显低于其他4组(P<0.05或P相似文献   

采用经姜黄素处理的未成熟树突状细胞延长大鼠移植肾存活时间

目的 探讨姜黄素(Cur)处理的树突状细胞(DC)诱导同种T淋巴细胞低反应性的效果以及对大鼠移植肾存活时间的影响.方法 体外培养Wistar大鼠骨髓来源的DC,经Cur处理后,以流式细胞仪检测细胞CD11c、CD80、CD86及主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)Ⅱ类抗原的变化,酶联免疫吸附试验测定DC分泌白细胞介素12(IL-12)的水平,混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)检测其刺激Lewis大鼠T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,二次MLR测定其诱导的T淋巴细胞抗原特异性低反应性.以Wistar大鼠为供者,Lewis大鼠为受者,进行肾移植.术前第7天,经尾静脉给受者输注用Cur处理的供者DC,分设不处理对照组和未成熟DC对照组(经尾静脉注射供者的未成熟DC),术后观察移植肾存活时间及组织学改变情况,第14天检测受者T淋巴细胞对供者成熟DC的反应性.结果 Cur能明显抑制DC共刺激分子CD11c、CD80、CD86及MHCⅡ类抗原的表达以及IL-12的分泌(P＜0.05).同种T淋巴细胞对经Cur处理过的DC刺激的增殖能力明显减低,且这种低反应性具有抗原特异性.对照组和未成熟DC对照组移植肾的存活时间分别为(8.6±2.1)d和(22.4±7.4)d,实验组为(31.5±6.9)d,实验组移植肾存活时间明显长于对照组和未成熟DC对照组(P＜0.05),且其移植肾组织的损伤程度最轻.实验组受者的T淋巴细胞对供者成熟DC刺激的反应性明显低于对照组(P＜0.05),而对第三方无关抗原的刺激保持较高增殖强度.结论 Cur能抑制DC成熟功能,诱导供者特异性的T淋巴细胞低反应性,移植前输注经Cur处理的未成熟DC能显著延长大鼠移植肾的存活时间.     

第三方未成熟树突状细胞负载异体抗原诱导免疫耐受的实验研究

目的观察第三方未成熟树突状细胞（imDC）负载同种异体抗原后对其免疫特性的影响。方法从健康足月新生儿脐血中分离单核细胞，采用重组人粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（rhGM-SCg）和重组人白细胞介素（rhIL）4联合培养7d，诱导其分化成imDC，并通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察细胞形态、检测细胞表型及混合淋巴细胞反应（MLR）；将培养的细胞与异体淋巴细胞抗原共同孵育，并给予共刺激分子阻断剂细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关抗原4免疫球蛋白（CTLA-4Ig）处理，检测抗原负载前后的细胞表型变化，通过MLR比较致敏前后T淋巴细胞增殖的能力。结果（1）培养后细胞具有典型的imDC特征，CD1α、CD83、CD80、CD86等成熟标志呈低表达，分别为21．42％、0．59％、5．39％、3．85％；人类白细胞DR抗原（HLA-DR）的表达率为60．66％，MLR结果提示其不能刺激同种异体T淋巴细胞增殖。（2）负载抗原后的DC表现出成熟特性，CD1α、CD83、CD80、CD86及HLA-DR表达明显增高，分别为65．51％、42．20％、56．45％、38．52％、76．44％（P〈0．05）；能够刺激T淋巴细胞增殖[刺激指数（SI）〉2．00]。（3）给予共刺激阻断剂CTLA-4Ig致耐处理后，SI由2．51下降到0．39。可明显抑制T淋巴细胞增殖。结论第三方imDC负载抗原后能表现出成熟特性；经CTLA-4Ig致耐处理，不能刺激未致敏T淋巴细胞增殖。有望诱导受体针对供者抗原的特异性免疫耐受。     

未分化骨髓间充质干细胞的免疫学特性研究

目的 研究骨髓间充质干细胞表面MHC-Ⅰ、MHC-Ⅱ类抗原与共刺激分子CD80（B7—1）和CD86（B7—2）的表达及探讨MSC的抗原性。方法 采用流式细胞技术检测MSC表面MHC-Ⅰ、MHC-Ⅱ类抗原与共刺激分子CDS0（B7—1）和CD86（B7—2）的表达，测定淋巴细胞MSC混合反应的强度。结果 MSC表达高水平的MHCⅠ类抗原，不表达MHCⅡ类抗原，低表达CD86（B7—2），不表达CD80（B7—1），IFN-γ刺激48h后，MHCⅠ类抗原表达增加，MHCⅡ类抗原表达，CD80（B7—1）、CD86（B7—2）也均有表达。未分化的MSC经γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）刺激之后，不会引起很强的免疫排斥反应，表现为弱免疫原性。结论 未分化的MSC抗原性较弱，具有同种异体移植的可能。     

IκBα突变体基因修饰树突状细胞降低同种T细胞的反应性

目的观察IκBα突变体基因修饰的树突状细胞(IκBαM-DC)对同种T细胞的反应性。方法利用腺病毒载体将IκBαM基因转染WF大鼠骨髓树突状细胞(DC),Western-blot法检测DC中IκBα、IκBαM基因的表达;用流式细胞仪检测DC中共刺激分子MHCⅡ、CD80、CD86、CD40的表达;酶联免疫法(ELISA)分析DC分泌IL-12的含量。通过混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)分析Lewis大鼠T细胞对IκBαM-DC刺激的增殖能力,二次MLR检测IκBαM-DC诱导的T细胞抗原特异性的低反应性。结果IκBαM抑制DC共刺激分子MHCⅡ、CD80、CD86、CD40的表达及IL-12分泌。同种T细胞对IκBαM-DC刺激的增殖能力较未转染的DC反应明显降低;T细胞低反应具有抗原特异性。结论表达IκBα突变体基因的DC能降低同种T细胞的反应性。     

新一代多克隆抗体抑制异种细胞免疫反应的研究

目的 研究新一代兔抗人免疫细胞多克隆抗体(newRALG)对异种细胞免疫反应的抑制作用.方法 应用活化的淋巴细胞和单核细胞致敏新西兰兔后获得newRALG.将PKH-26标记的猪血管内皮细胞(PEC)和正常人单个核细胞(PBMC)建立混合培养体系,培养液中分别加入newRALG、正常兔IgG、Thymoglobulin和Scavenger受体(SR)阻断剂Poly G,培养后收集PBMC,然后分别加入异硫氰基荧光素(FITC)标记的鼠抗人CD14、CD40、CD80、CD86和HLA-DR单克隆抗体.通过流式细胞术检测单核细胞对PEC膜的吞噬作用;通过淋巴细胞与PEC的混合培养体系,加入newRALG,以观察淋巴细胞的增殖反应和newRALG对增殖反应的阻断作用.结果 PBMC与PKH-26标记的PEC共培养后,PBMC中的CD86+单核细胞表达PKH-26,进一步研究发现PKH-26阳性的CD86+单核细胞不但表达CD14、CD86和HLA-DR,同时上调共刺激分子CD40和CD80的表达水平.正常兔IgG(作为阴性对照)对单核细胞吞噬PEC膜无阻断作用,Thymoglobulin具有较低的阻断效果,newRALG与Poly G相似,均具有较高的阻断作用.正常未经刺激的人淋巴细胞不具备增殖能力,经灭活的PEC刺激后,人淋巴细胞具有高水平的免疫增殖反应.正常兔IgG不能阻断PEC对人淋巴细胞的免疫增殖反应;Thymoglobulin的抑制作用随浓度的降低而增强;高浓度的newRALG不能抑制人淋巴细胞的免疫增殖反应,但低浓度的newRALG则显示出强大地抑制人淋巴细胞免疫增殖反应的作用.结论 单核细胞在异种免疫反应过程中发挥重要作用;newRALG可有效抑制单核细胞的吞噬功能和淋巴细胞的免疫增殖反应,从而有效的抑制异种移植排斥反应.     

负载肿瘤抗原的DC疫苗体外诱导的特异性抗膀胱癌效应研究

目的 探讨负载膀胱癌抗原成分树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)疫苗的制备和体外诱导T淋巴细胞特异性杀伤膀胱癌细胞的作用.方法 冻融法制备EJ细胞裂解物抗原成分,体外培养的人外周血单个核细胞(hu-PBMC)在rhGM-CSF、rhIL-4、TNF-α诱导下分化出DC,负载EJ细胞裂解物抗原后制备膀胱癌DC疫苗;免疫磁珠分离法从人免疫重建Balb/c裸小鼠脾脏组织中分离CD3+ T淋巴细胞,3H-TdR掺入试验测定DC疫苗刺激自体T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,51Cr释放试验检测DC疫苗诱导的T细胞对EJ细胞的杀伤作用.结果 Hu-PBMC在细胞因子rhGM-CSF、rhIL-4和TNF-α的刺激下分化为成熟DC,负载EJ抗原的DC疫苗体外可使同源T淋巴细胞活化,增殖指数增加,活化的T淋巴细胞对EJ细胞的杀伤率为(62.58±6.13)%,和对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 负载膀胱癌冻融抗原的DC疫苗体外可诱导人T淋巴细胞活化增殖,对EJ细胞有明显的杀伤作用.     

大鼠未成熟树突状细胞体外扩增及功能鉴定

摘要：目的 探讨建立大鼠体外大量扩增未成熟树突状细胞(DC) 的方法, 以及不同剂量粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM CSF)对大鼠DC分化成熟的影响。方法 分离纯化并扩增大鼠骨髓细胞，用不同剂量GM CSF培养,6 d 和10 d后收集悬浮细胞进行扫描电镜观察和免疫表型鉴定,并行混合淋巴细胞反应,观察其诱导未致敏T 淋巴细胞增殖的情况。结果 小剂量GM CSF 培养获得的DC(GMlowDC) 形态上具有DC 的典型特征,在细胞表型、细胞功能试验上具有未成熟的特性,具有DC 的典型特征,细胞表面高表达CD11c,低表达CD80，CD86及MHC II类分子,与大剂量GM CSF加IL 4的联合组培养获得的DC( GMhighDC) 相比,其体外刺激未致敏T 淋巴细胞的增殖能力较弱.结论 笔者所建立的培养未成熟DC 的方法是可行的；GM CSF的剂量与细胞的成熟程度相关。     

Evidence that indefinite survival of small bowel allografts achieved by a brief course of cyclosporine or FK506 is not due to systemic hyporesponsiveness.

The immunological status of Lewis (LEW) recipients of indefinitely surviving (greater than 400 days) orthotopic Brown-Norway (BN) small bowel allografts was investigated 1 to 1 1/2 years after cessation of immunosuppressive therapy with either cyclosporine or FK506 and compared with recipients of syngeneic grafts. A normal proliferative response (as measured by a mixed lymphocyte culture) of recipient peripheral lymph node lymphocytes in response to the donor-specific (BN) and the third-party (ACI) antigen, was observed in all experimental groups. Cytolytic T cell generation (as measured by a standard 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay) in response to the donor-specific (BN) and the third-party (ACI) antigen was observed also in all groups. A FACS analysis of allograft-recipient splenocytes showed no evidence for systemic lymphoid chimerism. BN or ACI skin grafts transplanted onto recipients of allogeneic and syngeneic small bowel grafts were rejected completely in 12-17 days, while the intestinal grafts remained functional. Immunohistologic evaluation of the allografts, using anti-BN class I and anti-Lewis class II monoclonal antibodies showed anti-BN staining on the epithelial and endothelial structures, whereas the mononuclear cells in the lamina propria stained positively with the anti-LEW monoclonal antibody. However, lymphoid depletion and scarring of Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes as well as focal obliterative mesenteric arteriopathy, indicative of an indolent chronic rejection, were observed. These data demonstrate that recipients of indefinitely surviving small bowel allografts remain immune competent and do not retain the intestinal graft on the basis of specific hyporesponsiveness to the donor antigens.     

Differential cytokine expression and regulation of human anti-pig xenogeneic responses by modified porcine dendritic cells

Abstract: Background: Porcine dendritic cells (DC) are likely to be pivotal cells in the initiation of stimulatory and potential tolerogenic responses to xenoantigens, however, there are limited studies characterizing these antigen presenting cells. Methods: Porcine PBMC (CD172a⁺) were cultured with GM‐CSF and IL‐4 and phenotype and functional capabilities assessed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL‐10, and IL‐3 were added to the GM‐CSF/IL‐4 DC cultures to determine phenotypic and functional changes. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for key cytokines was performed and the modified porcine DC were further assessed by primary mixed lymphocyte reaction to determine the effect of LPS, IL‐10, and IL‐3 on stimulatory capability. Results: Porcine PBMC (CD172⁺) cultured with GM‐CSF and IL‐4 produced cells with DC morphology, which were major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II⁺, CD14^?/lo, and CD1a^lo. Addition of IL‐10 or IL‐3 to GM‐CSF/IL‐4 DC cultures produced cells with lower levels of MHC class II and higher levels of antigen uptake consistent with less mature DC. Quantitative real‐time PCR of DC showed the addition of IL‐10 induced an increase in IL‐10 mRNA, no detectable IL‐12, and reduced IL‐6 mRNA. The addition of IL‐3 to DC cultures decreased IL‐12, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), with no change in IL‐10 mRNA. GM‐CSF/IL‐4 DC induced strong human lymphocyte proliferation, compared with significantly reduced stimulatory capacity induced by IL‐10 and IL‐3 treated DC cultures. Conclusions: The profound effect on differential DC cytokine profile and reduced human anti‐pig responses has important therapeutic implications in xenotransplantation. The mechanism of altered regulation warrants further investigation.     

负载异体抗原对低剂量粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子诱导的树突状细胞免疫学性状的影响

目的观察低剂量粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)诱生的未成熟树突状细胞(GM~(low)DC)对异体抗原的摄取能力,以及负载异体抗原后细胞表型和功能的改变。方法对处于增殖期的C_(57)BL/6小鼠单个核细胞(MNC)作氚标记亮氨酸(~3H-Leu)掺入处理,制备~3H-Leu标记的抗原上清液。将此抗原上清液分别与昆明小鼠GM~(low)DC和成熟树突状细胞(DC)孵育30、60、90 min,检测细胞每分钟放射性荧光闪烁计数(cpm)值；用流式细胞仪检测负载异体抗原前后GM~(low)DC表面I~A/I~E、CD80分子的表达情况。分离C_(57)BL/6小鼠的T淋巴细胞,根据加入的刺激因素分组并进行同种混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)：对照组(不加刺激因素)、GM~(low)DC组、GM~(low)DC+异体抗原组、GM~(low)DC+异体抗原+细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关抗原4Ig(CTLA-4Ig)组。检测各组细胞cpm值,计算刺激指数(SI)。结果加入异体抗原上清液后30、60、90 min,GM~(low)DC的cpm值均明显高于同时相点的成熟DC(P＜0．05或0．01)。负载异体抗原前,GM~(low)DC细胞表面I~A/I~E的表达率为(32±8)%,CD80的表达率为(25±10)%；负载后两者分别为(54±10)%、(71±18)%,均明显升高(P＜0．05或0．01)。MLR：GM~(low)DC+异体抗原组细胞cpm值明显高于对照组(P＜0．05),SI＞2．0；GM~(low)DC组以及GM~(low)DC+异体抗原+CTLA-4Ig组细胞cpm值与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0．05),AI均＜2．0。结论GM~(low)DC具有较强的抗原摄取能力,负载抗原后,细胞在表型及功能上渐趋成熟。应用CTLA-4Ig可阻断其免疫应答效应,建立免疫耐受。     

腺病毒介导G250基因转染树突状细胞激活免疫效应细胞治疗肾癌的实验研究

目的 探讨以腺病毒(Ad)载体介导肾癌相关抗原G250基因转染制备树突状细胞(DC)瘤苗.体外诱导自体T淋巴细胞特异性抗肾癌免疫效应. 方法 自健康人外周血中提取单核细胞,将贴壁细胞分为3组(Ad-G250基因转染组、G250蛋白致敏组、未致敏组),用粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子和诱导活化;3组DC细胞中分别加入自体T淋巴细胞,获得细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL).RT-PCR检测G250在DC细胞内的转录情况;流式细胞仪检测DC表面标志分子和G250抗原蛋白的表达情况;四甲基偶氮唑盐法检测3组CTL对肾癌细胞株786-0和肺癌细胞株A549的杀伤活性. 结果 Ad-G250高效转染DC,G250阳性细胞率为(52.2±1.5)%,G250蛋白在DC:内成功表达:基因转染组DC中成功扩增出G250产物;Ad-G250转染的DC表面标志CD_(80)、CD_(83)、CD_(86)、CD_(1a)、HLA-DR表达高于其他2组.差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).Ad-G250基因转染组、G250蛋白致敏组、未致敏组诱导的3组CTL对786-0靶细胞杀伤活性分别为(83.4±2.8)%、(79.6±2.4)%、(77.3±2.1)%,组间比较差异有统计学意义(F=69.172,P=0.000);3组CTL对A549靶细胞杀伤活性差异无统计学意义(F=0.373,P=0.693). 结论 以Ad为载体介导抗原基因转染DC,并诱导特异的CTL,技术上可行,所诱导的CTL杀伤活性强,有望成为一种肿瘤免疫治疗方法.     

CMRF-44 antibody-mediated depletion of activated human dendridic cells: a potential means for improving allograft survival

BACKGROUND: Activated dendritic cells (DC) initiate immune responses by presenting antigen, including alloantigen from tissue grafts, to T lymphocytes. The potential to deplete or inactivate differentiated-activated DC during allogeneic transplantation represents a new approach to immunosuppression. METHODS: The authors investigated the potential of the monoclonal antibody CMRF-44, which has specificity for a DC-associated differentiation-activation antigen, to induce complement-mediated lysis of activated human DC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), or purified DC preparations, were cultured overnight to activate endogenous DC, resulting in the expression of CMRF-44 antigen and CD83. These were then treated with CMRF-44 and complement. Depletion of activated DC was monitored by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent of activated (CD83+) DC in cultured PBMC were depleted by treatment with CMRF-44 and autologous serum (AS) (complement source; mean percentage of CD83+-CD14--CD19- cells=0.06%; cf 0.50% for heat-inactivated AS controls, P<0.0005, n=7). Ninety-five percent of cultured purified myeloid DC were depleted by this treatment, compared with only 43% of similarly treated lymphoid DC. Overnight culture also increases CMRF-44 antigen on a proportion of B cells and mononuclears, but only 24% of these cells were depleted. This treatment considerably reduced the ability of PBMC to stimulate allogeneic CD4+ CD45RA+ T lymphocytes. Similarly, the T-cell proliferative responses to recall and naive antigens were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: CMRF-44 may be a suitable candidate for a new selective immunosuppressive strategy, targeting differentiated-activated but not resting DC. It may have applications in preventing GVHD in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and facilitate immunoacceptance of solid organ allografts.     

Preferential induction of Th1 responses by functionally mature hepatic (CD8alpha- and CD8alpha+) dendritic cells: association with conversion from liver transplant tolerance to acute rejection

BACKGROUND: Liver grafts are accepted across major histocompatibility barriers in mice without immunosuppressive therapy. Potentially tolerogenic immature donor dendritic cells (DC) may play a key role in this phenomenon, but recovery of purified DC from normal livers for functional analysis is inherently difficult. Administration of in vitro propagated immature donor DC to recipients of different types of allograft can prolong transplant survival. By contrast, marked increases in donor liver DC as the result of Flt3 ligand (FL) administration and the resulting augmentation of allostimulatory activity within host lymphoid tissue, is associated with acute graft rejection. Here, we compared the capacity of in vitro generated normal liver immature DC and FL-treated donor liver DC to induce alloimmune CD4+ T helper (Th) 1/Th2 and CD8+ T cytotoxic (Tc) 1/Tc2 responses, in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: B10 (H2b, IAb) immature liver DC were propagated from normal hepatic nonparenchymal cells in granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for 6-8 days. Freshly isolated DC from livers of FL-treated mice (FL-liver DC) were cultured overnight (o/n) in GM-CSF, and both myeloid (CD11c+ CD8alpha-) and lymphoid DC (CD11c+ CD8alpha+) flow-sorted for functional analysis. Proliferative activity and production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 by naive C3H (H2k, IEk) T cells in response to DC stimulation was assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and by multicolor flow cytometric analysis, respectively, after 3-day mixed leukocyte reactions. To investigate their in vivo trafficking, B10 DC were injected subcutaneously into normal C3H mice. Sections of lymphoid tissue were immunostained for donor MHC class II+ (IAb+) cells, and for IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 production. Donor cells and clusters of specific cytokine-secreting cells were enumerated. RESULTS: Both in vitro propagated normal liver-derived DC, and freshly isolated bulk FL-liver DC showed an immature phenotype (MHC class II(lo), CD40-, CD80-, and CD86-) and were weak stimulators of naive allogeneic T cells. After o/n incubation in GM-CSF, both CD8alpha- and CD8alpha+ FL-liver DC exhibited marked up-regulation of surface MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, and acquired potent stimulatory activity for Th1 (mainly) and Th2 cells. Both in vitro propagated immature DC and o/n-cultured mature FL-liver DC homed in vivo to host lymphoid tissues, but with different kinetics. Whereas the mature allogeneic FL-liver DC induced IFN-gamma+ clusters in splenic T-cell areas within 2 days, the IFN-gamma response to immature DC was much slower and weaker. CONCLUSIONS: FL-treated donor livers that are rejected acutely contain markedly enhanced numbers of myeloid (CD8alpha-) and lymphoid (CD8alpha+) DC, many of which are capable of maturing rapidly into strong inducers of Th1 and Tcl responses. Substantial differences in quantity, and both the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the DC constituency of donor livers, may contribute significantly toward the distinct outcomes of liver transplant tolerance and rejection.     

ADAP deficiency combined with costimulation blockade synergistically protects intestinal allografts

Adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein (ADAP) plays an important role in T cell activation. ADAP deficiency was recently found to prolong heart graft survival in mice. We investigated the role of ADAP in intestinal transplantation and the synergistic effect of ADAP deficiency and Costimulation blockade (CB). T cell proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were determined. MHC mismatched intestinal allografts was transplanted heterotopically. Anti-CD40L antibody was applied to the recipient. Upon stimulation with allogenic dendritic cells (DC), ADAP-deficient (ADAP−/−) T cells displayed impaired proliferative responses compared with that of wild-type (WT) T cells. In contrast, the CTL activity in ADAP−/− mice was comparable with that of WT mice. Rejection of intestinal allografts was ameliorated, but not prevented in ADAP−/− mice. Although CB alone was not sufficient to mitigate the rejection, the combination of CB and ADAP deficiency profoundly inhibited rejection. This was accompanied by less infiltration and activation of host lymphocytes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of intestinal allografts. ADAP deficiency combined with CB protected the intestinal allografts synergistically. ADAP could be a novel target in the induction phase of the immune responses in organ transplantation.