B and T lymphocyte attenuator regulates T cell activation through interaction with herpesvirus entry mediator

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) provides an inhibitory signal to B and T cells. Previously, indirect observations suggested that B7x was a ligand for BTLA. Here we show that BTLA does not bind B7x; instead, we identify herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) as the unique BTLA ligand. BTLA bound the most membrane-distal cysteine-rich domain of HVEM, distinct from regions where the ligands LIGHT and lymphotoxin-alpha bound HVEM. HVEM induced BTLA tyrosine phosphorylation and association of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 and repressed antigen-driven T cell proliferation, providing an example of reverse signaling to a non-tumor necrosis factor family ligand. The conservation of the BTLA-HVEM interaction between mouse and human suggests that this system is an important pathway regulating lymphocyte activation and/or homeostasis in the immune response.     

Distinct expression and inhibitory function of B and T lymphocyte attenuator on human T cells

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) has been recently identified as a new inhibitory receptor of the CD28 superfamily, with similarities to cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation antigen (CTLA)-4 and programmed death (PD)-1. Engagement of BTLA on T lymphocytes can profoundly reduce the T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation. In this study, we generated four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human BTLA. Using the produced mAb 8H9, the BTLA molecule was found to distinctly express on many subgroups of immunocytes and show a regulatory expression, which was in accordance with its unique ligand herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) in the process of T cell activation. In addition, the expression of BTLA was increased in the CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells of pleural fluid in lung cancer patients. Furthermore, we showed that the BTLA-induced negative signals could be triggered by mAb 7D7. Cross-linking of BTLA with mAb 7D7 suppressed T lymphocyte proliferation, downregulated the expression of T cell activation marker CD25, and inhibited the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10.     

一株鼠抗人BTLA功能性单克隆抗体的研制及其生物学特性鉴定

为了研制鼠抗人BTLA功能性单克隆抗体,以高表达人BTLA分子的基因转染细胞L929/BTLA为免疫原,常规免疫BALB/c小鼠,采用B淋巴细胞杂交瘤技术进行细胞融合,并以基因转染细胞293T/BTLA和293T/mock作为抗原,筛选阳性杂交瘤克隆,经间接免疫荧光标记和流式细胞术分析、反复鉴定和多次克隆化培养,筛选获得分泌特异性鼠抗人BTLA分子单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株;采用Ig亚型快速定性试纸法、细胞核染色体计数、竞争结合抑制试验和T增殖抑制试验等对单抗进行生物学特性的鉴定。结果表明,成功获得一株持续、稳定分泌鼠抗人BTLA单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株8H9,该单抗可特异性识别基因转染细胞以及静止与活化T淋巴细胞上表达的BTLA分子,单抗8H9和BTLA交联后能显著抑制鼠抗人CD3单抗对T细胞激发的增殖作用。     

转染人BTLA基因细胞株的建立及其生物学功能的初步研究

目的:构建B、T淋巴细胞衰减子(BTLA)基因转染的细胞作为免疫原,并探讨该基因转染细胞在体外的生物学功能。方法:通过RT-PCR法从经PHA活化的人外周血T细胞中克隆出人BTLA编码区全长基因,经EcoR I和BamHI双酶切后插入逆转录病毒载体pEGZ-Term中构建成重组载体pEGZ-Term/BTLA。用脂质体法以重组逆转录病毒载体转染293T细胞,并用Zeocin抗生素进行长期筛选;流式细胞术分析BTLA在基因转染细胞膜上的表达;通过MTT法和流式细胞术探讨基因转染细胞在体外对T淋巴细胞增殖与活化的影响。结果:流式细胞术检测表明BTLA基因转染的293T细胞膜上能稳定地高表达人BTLA蛋白。BTLA基因转染的293T细胞和T细胞体外共培养显示,与未转染的293T细胞相比,该基因转染的细胞能部分地抑制抗人CD3单克隆抗体(mAb)刺激的T细胞增殖;流式细胞术和ELISA法分析揭示,该基因转染的细胞能够下调T细胞表面活化标志CD25的表达并降低IFN-γ和IL-10的分泌。结论:获得稳定高表达人BTLA基因转染的细胞株。该细胞株在体外对抗人CD3 mAb刺激的T细胞的增殖与活化具有部分地抑制作用。     

CpG-ODN-induced sustained expression of BTLA mediating selective inhibition of human B cells

BTLA (B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator) is a prominent co-receptor that is structurally and functionally related to CTLA-4 and PD-1. In T cells, BTLA inhibits TCR-mediated activation. In B cells, roles and functions of BTLA are still poorly understood and have never been studied in the context of B cells activated by CpG via TLR9. In this study, we evaluated the expression of BTLA depending on activation and differentiation of human B cell subsets in peripheral blood and lymph nodes. Stimulation with CpG upregulated BTLA, but not its ligand: herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), on B cells in vitro and sustained its expression in vivo in melanoma patients after vaccination. Upon ligation with HVEM, BTLA inhibited CpG-mediated B cell functions (proliferation, cytokine production, and upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules), which was reversed by blocking BTLA/HVEM interactions. Interestingly, chemokine secretion (IL-8 and MIP1β) was not affected by BTLA/HVEM ligation, suggesting that BTLA-mediated inhibition is selective for some but not all B cell functions. We conclude that BTLA is an important immune checkpoint for B cells, as similarly known for T cells.     

人共信号分子HVEM在外周血PBMC表达特性及其对T细胞的生物学作用

HVEM既可作为受体与LIGHT作用传递正性共刺激信号,又能作为配体作用于BTLA介导负性共抑制信号。为深入探讨HVEM对T细胞复杂而又独特的调控作用,本文研究了HVEM在免疫细胞上的表达特性,初步探讨了T细胞表达的HVEM分子所介导的生物学作用。采用LPS刺激人新鲜PBMC,以及PHA或PMA/IM刺激活化T细胞;间接免疫荧光标记和流式细胞术检测HVEM表达;MTT法分析T细胞增殖作用。结果显示,HVEM在不同条件刺激活化的T细胞表面均呈现先上调后下调表达;T细胞增殖试验表明,基因转染细胞L929/LIGHT能够明显促进T细胞的增殖及IL-2和IFN-γ的分泌,而以抗人BTLA单抗在一定程度上模拟HVEM所介导的BTLA/HVEM信号能够明显抑制T细胞增殖作用及细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和IL-10的产生。     

CD160 inhibits activation of human CD4+ T cells through interaction with herpesvirus entry mediator

CD160, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is expressed on both cytolytic lymphocytes and some unstimulated CD4+ T cells. Here we show that CD160 expression was increased after activation of human CD4+ T cells and that crosslinking CD160 with monoclonal antibody strongly inhibited CD3- and CD28-mediated activation. We found that herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) was a ligand of CD160 that acted as a 'bidirectional switch' for T cell activation, producing a positive or negative outcome depending on the engagement of HVEM by CD160 and known HVEM ligands such as B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and the T lymphocyte receptor LIGHT. Inhibition of CD4+ T cell activation by HVEM-transfected cells was dependent on CD160 and BTLA; when the cysteine-rich domain 1 of HVEM was deleted, this inhibition was lost, resulting in strong T cell activation. CD160 thus serves as a negative regulator of CD4+ T cell activation through its interaction with HVEM.     

BTLA对调节性T细胞发育及功能的影响

目的 研究B和T淋巴细胞弱化因子(B and T lymphocyte attenuator,BTLA)对调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell,Treg)发育和功能的影响.方法 构建在Treg中特异性敲除BTLA基因的小鼠模型,使用流式细胞术检测该模型小鼠中枢及外周各淋巴器官中T细胞外周环境稳态、T细胞的活...     

The CD160, BTLA, LIGHT/HVEM pathway: a bidirectional switch regulating T-cell activation

Summary:  CD160 is a newly identified ligand for HVEM (herpes virus entry mediator). Previously identified HVEM ligands include BTLA (B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator), LIGHT (lymphotoxin-like, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes) and LTα (lymphotoxin-α). The binding of LIGHT or LTα to HVEM delivers a costimulatory signal, whereas the binding of BTLA or CD160 to HVEM delivers a coinhibitory signal. Thus, HVEM is a bidirectional switch regulating T-cell activation in a costimulatory or coinhibitory fashion whose outcome depends on the ligand engaged. The cysteine-rich domain 1 (CRD1) of HVEM is essential for the binding of coinhibitory ligands CD160 and BTLA but not costimulatory ligand LIGHT. Deletion or blockade of HVEM CRD1 abolishes the binding of CD160 and BTLA, but not LIGHT, and converts HVEM to a dominant costimulatory molecule, possibly through the loss of negative signaling by CD160/BTLA. Therapies targeting the CRD1 of HVEM to block BTLA and CD160 binding are being developed to enhance immune responses and vaccination.     

Antigen-specific CD4 T cell clonal expansion and differentiation in the aged lymphoid microenvironment. I. The primary T cell response is unaffected

Aging is associated with changes in the immune system that lead to decreased immunity in the elderly. Prior studies from humans and mice have shown that aged T cells exhibit numerous defects, including decreased proliferation following in vitro stimulation, suggesting that intrinsic defects exist within aged T cells, leading to defective T cell activation and clonal expansion. In vivo, however, cellular and soluble factors in the lymphoid microenvironment influence T cell function. To investigate the effects of the aged lymphoid microenvironment on T cell function, we monitored the immune response of CD4 T cells from DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice following adoptive transfer into young and aged hosts. After immunization with specific antigen similar rates of donor DO11.10 T cell division were observed in the two host types. However, at the peak of the response, greater numbers of DO11.10 T cells were found in the aged hosts. Regardless of the age of the host, the donor DO11.10 T cell population differentiated into functional effector cells. Despite the increased CD4 T cell growth in aged hosts, similar numbers of memory DO11.10 T cells were found in young and in aged hosts. As CD4 T cell clonal expansion and differentiation is not impaired in the aged microenvironment, our data suggest that diminished T cell immunity during aging is largely due to intrinsic T cell defects, rather than to extrinsic influences associated with the aged lymphoid microenvironment.     

Differential effect of CD69 targeting on bystander and antigen-specific T cell proliferation

In spite of an initially proposed role as a costimulatory molecule for CD69, in vivo studies showed it as a regulator of immune responses and lymphocyte egress. We found constitutive CD69 expression by T cell subsets and pDC. We examined a possible effect of CD69 on T cell proliferation using transfer models and in vitro assays. In mice locally expressing or receiving antigen, anti-CD692.2 treatment did not affect the proliferation of antigen-specific transgenic T cells in ADLN, although we observed the presence of proliferated T cells in non-ADLN and spleen. This was not affected by FTY720 treatment and thus, not contributed by increased egress of proliferated lymphocytes from ADLN. In the absence of antigen, anti-CD69 2.2 treatment induced bystander proliferation of transferred memory phenotype T cells. This proliferation was mediated by IL-2, as it was inhibited by anti-IL-2 or anti-CD25 antibodies in vitro and by anti-CD25 antibodies in vivo. It was also dependent on CD69 expression by donor T cells and recipient cells. CD69 targeting on T cells enhanced IL-2-mediated proliferation and CD25 expression. However, it did not lead to increased early IL-2 production by T cells. No T cell subset was found to be specifically required in the recipient. Instead, CD69 targeting on pDC induced their expression of IL-2 and CD25, and pDC depletion showed that this subset was involved in the proliferation induction. These results indicate that CD69 targeting induces bystander T cell proliferation through pDC IL-2 production and T cell sensitization to IL-2 without affecting antigen-driven T cell proliferation.     

BTLA-HVEM通路阻断对树突状细胞功能影响的体内外研究

目的 探讨阻断BTLA-HVEM(B/T淋巴细胞弱化因子疱疹病毒进入介质)通路对树突状细胞功能的影响和相关免疫学机制.方法 构建小鼠BTLA胞外功能区的真核表达载体psBTLA,转染CHO细胞;HSP70-TC-1肿瘤抗原肽刺激小鼠骨髓来源DCs,流式细胞仪检测处理后DCs表面BTLA、HVEM的表达,同时给予转染了psBTLA质粒的CHO细胞的培养上清处理后,检测DCs表面B7-1的表达,ELISA检测上清中IL-12的分泌;处理后的DCs刺激脾细胞,检测淋巴细胞增殖和细胞因子分泌;检测psBTLA体内转染对宫颈癌细胞系TC-1成瘤小鼠DCs表达B7-1和肿瘤生长的影响.结果 成功构建小鼠BTLA胞外段的真核表达载体psBTLA,获得了稳定转染psBTLA的CHO细胞,在其培养上清检测到BTLA胞外段(sBTLA)的表达.DCs经抗原肽刺激后BTLA、HVEM表达均上调,加入含sBTLA的上清处理后上调B7-1,上清中分泌的IL-12增加,与脾细胞共培养时促进细胞增殖和IL-2、IFN-γ的分泌;体内基因转染psBTLA促进DCs表达B7-1以及抑制肿瘤生长.结论 通过sBTLA阻断BTLA-HVEM共抑制通路,可以进一步促进DCs的功能,更好地激活淋巴细胞,促进抗肿瘤免疫应答.     

B and T lymphocyte attenuator regulates CD8+ T cell-intrinsic homeostasis and memory cell generation

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is a negative regulator of T cell activation, but its function in vivo is not well characterized. Here we show that mice deficient in full-length BTLA or its ligand, herpesvirus entry mediator, had increased number of memory CD8(+) T cells. The memory CD8(+) T cell phenotype resulted from a T cell-intrinsic perturbation of the CD8(+) T cell pool. Naive BTLA-deficient CD8(+) T cells were more efficient than wild-type cells at generating memory in a competitive antigen-specific system. This effect was independent of the initial expansion of the responding antigen-specific T cell population. In addition, BTLA negatively regulated antigen-independent homeostatic expansion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. These results emphasize two central functions of BTLA in limiting T cell activity in vivo.     

组胺对T细胞IL-2产生及增殖活性影响的实验研究

目的:了解组胺对 CD4 和 CD8 T细胞IL-2产生和细胞增殖活性的影响。方法:密度梯度离心及吸附法分离PBMC和PBLC,采用抗CD4 和CD8 抗体分别制备CD8 和CD4 T细胞进行培养,然后采用ELISA法和MTT比色法测上清液IL-2含量及增殖活性。结果:①组胺 CD4 （CD8 ）培养上清液中IL-2水平及MTT增殖指数与T细胞自然培养孔比较明显降低（P<0.05）。②组胺 CD4 （CD8 ） 西咪替丁培养孔上清液中IL-2水平及 MTT增殖指数明显高于未加西咪替丁孔（P<0.05）。③CD4 T细胞自然培养孔上清液中IL-2水平显著高于CD8 T细胞自然培养孔。结论:组胺可抑制T细胞IL-2产生及增殖。西咪替丁可阻断组胺对T细胞的抑制作用。CD8 T细胞也可产生IL-2,但其功能较 CD4 T细胞为低。     

Activation of macaque T cells and B cells with agonistic monoclonal antibodies

A series of mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to human differentiation antigens known to have agonistic activity for human T or B cells was found to bind specifically to macaque T or B cell subsets. Most of these mAb also stimulated macaque lymphocyte proliferation, implying that they recognize functional homologues in monkeys. Anti-CD3, anti-CD28 (9.3), and anti-Lp220 (CD45R) mAb stimulated proliferation of both human and macaque T cells; similarly, anti-IgM and anti-CDw40 mAb stimulated both human and macaque B cells. In contrast, anti-CD20 and anti-CD39 mAb, which are known to stimulate human B cells, did not stimulate macaque B cells. A human low-molecular weight B cell growth factor (BCGF) and anti-IgM were co-stimulatory for macaque splenic B cells but not for blood B cells, suggesting that B cell subpopulations may differ in their responsiveness to BCGF. The results show that functional epitopes on some lymphocyte surface molecules such as CD28 or CDw40 are conserved in primate evolution. Functional epitopes on other cell surface molecules such as CD3 and CD20 may have more complex evolutionary constraints.     

Activation of lymphocytes by BAT and anti CTLA-4: comparison of binding to T and B cells.

In this study we compare the binding and immune stimulatory properties of BAT and anti CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Both antibodies were previously shown to manifest effective immune responses against tumor cells. We have described that BAT antibody, produced against Daudi, a B lymphoblastoid cell line, binds and activates T cells. In this paper we demonstrate that anti CTLA-4, produced against the T-cell activation determinant CTLA-4, binds also to B lymphoblastoid cell lines like Daudi and Raji. Both antibodies do not bind resting B cells. BAT binds resting T lymphocytes as well as activated T lymphocytes, whereas anti CTLA-4 binds only activated T cells. Competitive binding experiments indicate that the binding sites of BAT and anti CTLA-4 on activated T cells are distinct. We have studied the in vitro stimulatory effect of BAT and anti CTLA-4 on lymphocytes cultured with or without tumor cells. In contrast to BAT that increased the proliferation of lymphocytes that have been cultured with tumor cells, anti CTLA-4 did not synergize with tumor cells to enhance lymphocyte proliferation.     

The expression and anatomical distribution of BTLA and its ligand HVEM in rheumatoid synovium

Co-inhibitory signaling from B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) can suppress lymphocyte activation and maintain peripheral tolerance. However, the expression and anatomical distribution of BTLA and its ligand, herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium have not been reported. In this study, we analyzed the expression of HVEM and BTLA in RA synovium by immunohistochemistry, and our results showed that both factors were observed in all four cases of RA samples. At the cellular level, both HVEM and BTLA were found on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm. Fluorescence dual staining demonstrated that HVEM was chiefly on CD3⁺ T cells, CD68⁺ macrophages, and to a lesser extent was found on CD31⁺ endothelial cells. Similarly, the expression of BTLA was observed on infiltrated CD3⁺ T cells and CD68⁺ macrophages. The co-expression of HVEM and BTLA with some members of the B7 family in these sections was also analyzed, and the results showed that HVEM antigen was also found on B7-H3⁺ capillaries, while it was absent on B7-H1⁺, B7-DC⁺, B7-H4⁺, and Z39Ig⁺ cells. Interestingly, BTLA was observed on B7-H1⁺, B7-H4⁺, and HVEM⁺ cells in the synovium. The characteristic expression and distribution of BTLA/HVEM in the synovium indicated that their signaling probably affects the pathogenesis of RA, and a clear understanding of their functional roles may further elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Targeting lymphocyte activation through the lymphotoxin and LIGHT pathways

Summary: Cytokines mediate key communication pathways essential for regulation of immune responses. Full activation of antigen-responding lymphocytes requires cooperating signals from the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related cytokines and their specific receptors. LIGHT, a lymphotoxin-β (LTβ)-related TNF family member, modulates T-cell activation through two receptors, the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and indirectly through the LT-β receptor. An unexpected finding revealed a non-canonical binding site on HVEM for the immunoglobulin superfamily member, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), and an inhibitory signaling protein suppressing T-cell activation. Thus, HVEM can act as a molecular switch between proinflammatory and inhibitory signaling. The non-canonical HVEM–BTLA pathway also acts to counter LTβR signaling that promotes the proliferation of antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) within lymphoid tissue microenvironments. These results indicate LTβ receptor and HVEM–BTLA pathways form an integrated signaling circuit. Targeting these cytokine pathways with specific antagonists (antibody or decoy receptor) can alter lymphocyte differentiation and activation. Alternately, agonists directed at their cell surface receptors can restore homeostasis and potentially reset immune and inflammatory processes, which may be useful in treating autoimmune and infectious diseases and cancer.     

肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族成员HVEM/TR2研究进展

HVEM/TR2是近来发现的肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族成员,可与单纯疱疹病毒包膜糖蛋白D(HSV-gD)结合介导HSV感染细胞过程;可与其配体LIGHT结合刺激T细胞增殖,在肿瘤免疫、移植免疫、炎症反应、自身免疫性疾病的发生及胸腺阴性选择等过程中发挥重要的生物学作用。另外,新近发现它可与另一配体BTLA结合而抑制T细胞增殖,可能为自身免疫病的治疗提供新思路。