Heat shock fusion protein gp96-Ig mediates strong CD8 CTL expansion in vivo

PROBLEM: As shown previously, gp96-Ig peptide complexes secreted by an ovalbumin transfected tumor (EG7) mediate strong, specific tumor immunity through a CD4 T cell independent CD8+ CTL response. In this study, we set out to develop a system to quantitatively determine the CD8 CTL response to gp96-Ig and to evaluate the influence of an established wild type tumor. METHODS: Secreted heat shock protein gp96-Ig was constructed by replacement of the endoplasmic reticulum retention signal with the Fc portion of IgGI, transfected into EG7 (EG7-gp96-Ig) and used to induce CD8+ CTL expansion in vivo. Adoptively transferred, ovalbumin specific T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic CD8+ cells (OT-1) responded with clonal expansion to the immunization with EG7-gp96-Ig. OT-1 expansion was quantitated with K(b-peptide)-tetramers by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In response to primary immunization with EG7-gp96-Ig, OT-1 expand from an initial frequency of 0.5 to 25% of all CD8 cells, and to 50% of all CD8 cells after a booster immunization. Endogenous ovalbumin specific CD8 cells also expand strongly. Antigen specific effector function was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot-forming cell assay (ELISPOT) for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). While effector function was strongly induced by secreted gp96-Ig, not all expanded OT-1 produce IFN-gamma. EG7 does not cause OT-1 expansion, but rather induces anergy. If OT-1 are transferred into wild type EG7 tumor bearing mice to induce anergy of OT-1, immunization with EG7-gp96-Ig can partly overcome unresponsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that secreted gp96-Ig is a powerful mediator of specific CD8+ CTL responses in vivo. Secretory gp96 mimics release of gp96 by damaged or necrotic cells that is able to activate dendritic cells without CD4 help. Gp96-Ig associated peptides have not been selected by binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Specific immunization by secreted gp96-Ig therefore is expected to occur also in allogeneic settings.     

Cell-secreted Gp96-Ig-peptide complexes induce lamina propria and intraepithelial CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa

Induction of mucosal immunity is critical for protection from enteric pathogens. Heat shock protein gp96 is one of the primary peptide and protein chaperones located in the endoplasmic reticulum. We reported previously that a cell-secreted gp96-Ig fusion protein (gp96-Ig) mediated strong systemic, antigen-specific CD8-CTL expansion in vivo. We now evaluate the mucosal immune response to stimulation by secreted gp96 using allogeneic NIH-3T3 transfected with ovalbumin (OVA) and gp96-Ig. A single intraperitoneal NIH-3T3-OVA-gp96-Ig immunization caused significant homing of OVA-specific TCR transgenic CD8 cells (OT-I) to Peyer's patches, to the intraepithelial compartment and to the lamina propria. Intraperitoneal immunization with cells secreting gp96-Ig provided stronger mucosal immunity than the same dose instilled vaginally or rectally or injected subcutaneously or intradermally. Our results provide the first evidence that cell-based gp96-Ig-secreting vaccines may serve as a potent modality to induce mucosal immunity.     

B7.2-Ig fusion proteins enhance IL-4-dependent differentiation of tumor-sensitized CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors

The B7/CD28 co-stimulatory pathway plays a critical role in T cell activation and differentiation. Our previous study demonstrated that administration of B7.2-Ig fusion proteins to tumor-bearing mice elicits IL-4-dependent, CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor regression. Here, we investigated whether B7.2-Ig stimulation of tumor-sensitized CD8+ CTL precursors during in vitro antigen re-sensitization actually results in their differentiation into mature CTLs and if so, whether such a process depends on IL-4 signals. Splenocytes from tumor-sensitized (tumor-bearing or tumor-immunized) mice exhibited low levels of anti-tumor CTL responses upon culturing alone, but induced strikingly enhanced CTL responses when stimulated in vitro with B7.2-Ig fusion proteins. Because CTLs were not generated from normal splenocytes even by B7.2-Ig stimulation, the expression of the B7.2-Ig effect required the in vivo tumor sensitization of CD8+ CTL precursors. Administration of anti-CD4 or anti-CD40 ligand (CD40L) to mice before tumor sensitization resulted in almost complete inhibition of CTL responses generated in the subsequent culture containing B7.2-Ig. In contrast, anti-IL-4 did not influence in vivo tumor sensitization required for CTL induction. However, B7.2-Ig stimulation of tumor-sensitized splenocytes enhanced IL-4 production and neutralization of this IL-4 with anti-IL-4 potently down-regulated CTL responses. These results indicate that B7.2-Ig enhances IL-4-dependent differentiation of anti-tumor CD8+ CTL precursors that can be sensitized in vivo depending on collaboration with CD4+ T cells involving CD40L function.     

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by MHC class I ligands fused to heat shock cognate protein 70

Immunization with gp96 and heat shock cognate protein 70 (hsc70) purified with in vivo bound naturally occurring peptides or bound to synthetic peptides by in vitro reconstitution has been shown to induce peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In addition, mycobacterial heat shock protein 70 covalently fused to ovalbumin (OVA)-derived fragments has been shown to generate MHC class I-restricted CTL responses. Here, we genetically fused five different CTL epitopes, including peptides derived from Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein, tumor antigens, HY antigen and OVA, to either the N- or C-terminus of murine hsc70 and expressed the resulting proteins in Escherichia coli. Vaccination with all five fusion proteins induced peptide-specific CTL, indicating that no cognate flanking regions of CTL epitopes are necessary for the immune response. The point of injection was crucial for CTL induction. CD4(+) T cells were not required for the priming of CD8(+) T cells and vaccination with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with hsc70 fusion proteins also elicited CTL responses. Furthermore, by using deletion mutants of hsc70, we identified amino acid residues 280-385 of hsc70 as the region most critical for inducing the CTL response.     

CD91: a receptor for heat shock protein gp96

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) can take up exogenous antigenic peptides chaperoned by heat shock protein gp96 and re-present them through the endogenous pathway on their major histocompatibility class I molecules. The high efficiency of this process has been attributed previously to a receptor for gp96 on APCs. The CD91 molecule (also called alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor or the low density lipoprotein-related protein) is shown here to be a cell surface receptor for the heat shock protein gp96. CD91 binds gp96 directly, rather than through another ligand for CD91. The previously known CD91 ligand, alpha 2-macroglobulin, inhibits re-presentation of gp96-chaperoned antigenic peptides by macrophages, as do antibodies to CD91. As gp96 is exclusively intracellular and is released as a result of necrotic but not apoptotic cell death, we propose that CD91 acts as a sensor for necrotic cell death.     

Humanized mice: novel model for studying mechanisms of human immune-based therapies

The lack of relevant animal models is the major bottleneck for understanding human immunology and immunopathology. In the last few years, a novel model of humanized mouse has been successfully employed to investigate some of the most critical questions in human immunology. We have set up and tested in our laboratory the latest technology for generating mice with a human immune system by reconstituting newborn immunodeficient NOD/SCID-γ ^−/−_c mice with human fetal liver-derived hematopoietic stem cells. These humanized mice have been deemed most competent as human models in a thorough comparative study with other humanized mouse technologies. Lymphocytes in these mice are of human origin while other hematopoietic cells are chimeric, partly of mouse and partly of human origin. We demonstrate that human CD8 T lymphocytes in humanized mice are fully responsive to our novel cell-based secreted heat shock protein gp96^HIV-Ig vaccine. We also show that the gp96^HIV-Ig vaccine induces powerful mucosal immune responses in the rectum and the vagina, which are thought to be required for protection from HIV infection. We posit the hypothesis that vaccine approaches tested in humanized mouse models can generate data rapidly, economically and with great flexibility (genetic manipulations are possible), to be subsequently tested in larger nonhuman primate models and humans.

     

Virus-induced polyclonal B cell activation improves protective CTL memory via retained CD27 expression on memory CTL

Different viruses elicit distinct phenotypes of memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). This is reflected in differential expression of homing receptors and costimulatory molecules like CD27. Memory CTL retained CD27 following lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, but not after immunization with recombinant vaccinia virus or tumor cells expressing LCMV glycoprotein. Stable CD27 expression on memory CTL required ligation by CD70 expressed on polyclonally activated B cells during the contraction phase. The functional consequence of CD27 expressed on virus-specific CTL was analyzed in CD27-deficient mice. LCMV infection of CD27(-/-) mice revealed that primary CTL activation and expansion as well as elimination of the virus were independent of CD27 expression. In contrast, ligation of CD27 on memory CTL upon secondary antigen encounter increased clonal expansion and improved protection against re-infection. This points to novel B cell-CTL interactions during viral infection and to a beneficial role of polyclonal B cell activation that represents a characteristic of murine LCMV, human immunodeficiency virus and human hepatitis B and C virus infection.     

Viral infection results in massive CD8+ T cell expansion and mortality in vaccinated perforin-deficient mice

Perforin-mediated cytotoxicity is essential for clearance of primary LCMV infection. BALB/c-perforin-deficient (PKO) mice survived LCMV infection by deleting NP(118)-specific CD8(+) T cells whereas vaccination of PKO mice with Listeria expressing NP(118) generated a stable memory CD8(+) T cell population. However, >85% of vaccinated BALB/c-PKO mice died after LCMV infection. Mortality was associated with enormous expansion of NP(118)-specific CD8(+) T cells in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues and aberrant CD8(+) T cell cytokine production. Depletion of CD8(+) T cells or treatment with anti-IFNgamma antibody rescued vaccinated mice from mortality. Thus, perforin was essential for resistance to secondary LCMV infection, and, in the absence of perforin, vaccination resulted in lethal disease mediated by dysregulated CD8(+) T cell expansion and cytokine production.     

Heat‐Shock Protein gp96 Enhances T Cell Responses and Protective Potential to Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin Vaccine

The commonly used Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine only induces moderate T cell responses and is less effective in protecting against pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in adults and ageing populations. Thus, developing new TB vaccine candidates is an important strategy against the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we demonstrated that immunization with heat‐shock protein gp96 as an adjuvant led to a significantly increased CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell response to a BCG vaccine. Secretion of the Th1‐type cytokines was increased by splenocytes from gp96‐immunized mice. In addition, adding gp96 as an adjuvant effectively improved the protection against intravenous challenge with Mycobacterium bovis BCG in mice. Our study reveals the novel property of gp96 in boosting the vaccine‐specific T cell response and its potential use as an adjuvant for BCG vaccines against mycobacterial infection.     

Natural killer cells prime the responsiveness of autologous CD4+ T cells to CTLA4-Ig and interleukin-10 mediated inhibition in an allogeneic dendritic cell-mixed lymphocyte reaction

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) and interleukin (IL)-10 are immunomodulatory molecules which target CD28 costimulation by acting either directly or indirectly on the CD80/86 receptors on dendritic cells (DCs). This study examined the effect of combined treatment with CTLA4-Ig and IL-10 on T-cell responsiveness in a dendritic cell-mixed lymphocyte reaction (DC-MLR). T cells derived from nylon wool enrichment (NWT cells) demonstrated 15% (P = 0.006) and 10% (P = 0.0015) inhibition of proliferation with suboptimal doses of IL-10 (5 ng/ml) and CTLA4-Ig (20 ng/ml), respectively. Combined treatment with both agents resulted in 38% inhibition (P = 0.004) of the MLR response compared with untreated controls. In contrast to NWT cells, which consisted of CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+ (NK) cells, purified CD4+ T cells were less responsive to immunomodulation by CTLA4-Ig and IL-10. Repletion of the CD4+ T cells with NK cells restored IL-10 and CTLA4-Ig mediated immunomodulation, suggesting a role for NK cells in the regulation of DC-T-cell interactions. The specific effect of NK cells on DC activation was demonstrated by CD80 up-regulation on DCs in the absence of T cells. However, in the absence of DCs, NK cells augmented the proliferation of autologous CD4+ T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which was blocked by CTLA4-Ig. It is proposed that, in the MLR, immunomodulation by suboptimal CTLA4-Ig and IL-10 is influenced by cellular interactions of NK cells with DCs and T cells involving DC lysis and costimulation. Thus, NK cells prime both DCs and T cells to low doses of CTLA4-Ig and IL-10 during alloimmune responses, providing evidence for the potential interaction between innate and adaptive immunity.     

Clonal expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes is regulated by late exposure to serum to prevent apoptosis.

Although serum-free media have been used to expand lymphokine-activated killer cells, antigen-specific CD8 T cell cytotoxicity does not develop in vitro in the absence of serum. The immunodominant Vbeta17 response to an influenza A matrix protein epitope restricted by HLA A2.1 was used to study the serum requirement for CTL activation. Serum acts directly on T cells and not indirectly by activating APCs. In the absence of serum, the initial steps of T cell activation, including expression of CD69 and CD25, are unimpaired and some antigen-specific cytotoxicity may be generated in the first few days after stimulation. However, expression of late activation markers, such as HLA-DR and CD38, and clonal expansion of class I-restricted antigen-specific CTL does not occur if CTL are not exposed to serum within 4 days of antigen exposure. The antigen-specific CTL, but not unstimulated bystander T cells, undergo apoptosis if they are not exposed to serum within a few days of activation. Apoptosis of TCR-activated CTL does not appear to be Fas-mediated since it is not blocked by inhibiting the Fas pathway. Therefore, late exposure to an unidentified serum protein regulates the clonal expansion of TCR-activated CD8 CTL.     

Epitope specificity of memory CD8+ T cells dictates vaccination-induced mortality in LCMV-infected perforin-deficient mice

Perforin‐deficient (PKO) mice serve as models for familial hemophagocytic lympho‐histiocytosis, a uniformly fatal disease associated with viral infection of perforin‐deficient humans. Naïve perforin‐deficient BALB/c mice survive while vaccinated PKO mice containing virus‐specific memory CD8 ⁺ T cells rapidly succumb to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Thus, vaccination converts a nonlethal persistent infection into a fatal disease mediated by virus‐specific memory CD8 ⁺ T cells. Here, we determine the extent to which vaccination‐induced mortality in PKO mice following LCMV challenge is due to differences in vaccine modalities, the quantity or epitope specificity of memory CD8⁺ T cells. We show that LCMV‐induced mortality in immune PKO mice is independent of vaccine modalities and that the starting number of memory CD8 ⁺ T cells specific to the immunodominant epitope NP_118‐126 dictates the magnitude of secondary CD8 ⁺ T‐cell expansion, the inability to regulate production of CD8⁺ T‐cell‐derived IFN‐γ, and mortality in the vaccinated PKO mice. Importantly, mortality is determined by the epitope specificity of memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and the associated degree of functional exhaustion and cytokine dysregulation but not the absolute magnitude of CD8 ⁺ T‐cell expansion. These data suggest that deeper understanding of the parameters that influence the outcome of vaccine‐induced diseases would aid rational vaccine design to minimize adverse outcomes after infection.     

Clonal restriction of the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ memory T cells by transforming growth factor-{beta}

Recent evidence showed that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulates the global expansion of CD8+ T cells, which are CD44hi, a marker for memory cells. However, it is not clear whether this regulatory mechanism also applies to the antigen-specific CD8+ memory cells. By using a murine mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) model, we examined the effect of TGF-beta on antigen-specific CD8+ memory cells [cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)]. We found that the secondary CTL response in CD8+ memory cells from untreated MLC was not affected by TGF-beta but augmented by interleukin (IL)-2, whereas the CD8+ memory cells from TGF-beta-pretreated MLC (MLC-TGF-beta) failed to mount a significant, secondary CTL response, even when IL-2 was added. In exploring this dichotomy, in combination with flow cytometry analysis, we found that prolonged exposure to TGF-beta reduces the CTL activity in CD8+ memory cells. The increase by IL-2 and the reduction by TGF-beta of the CTL responses were clonal-specific. TGF-beta did not affect the CTL response to a third-party antigen or polyclonal T cell activation. Experiments performed with transgenic 2C cells gave similar results. Cell-cycle study performed with adoptive transfer of the cell tracker-labeled MLC cells revealed that the in vivo expansion of CD8+ memory cells from MLC-TGF-beta was restricted severely, and the restriction was clonal-specific, thus offering direct evidence to show that TGF-beta induces clonal restriction of CD8+ memory cell expansion.     

The effects of B7-dependent costimulation on T cell division and survival in vivo and in vitro are dependent on antigen concentration

We used 5-(and 6-) carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester labeled TCR-transgenic CD4(+) T cells to investigate the contribution of B7 costimulation to T cell activation and clonal expansion. B7 costimulation was blocked with the fusion protein cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4)-Ig, which prevents the interaction of B7 with its receptor CD28 on T cells. CTLA4-Ig had different effects depending on the density of antigen (Ag)/MHC ligands available by T cells. In the presence of CTLA4-Ig, tenfold higher concentrations of Ag were required for T cells to undergo cell division in vitro. At high Ag concentrations, T cell division occurred at comparable rates whether in the presence or absence of CTLA4-Ig; however, T cell survival and clonal expansion were strongly inhibited. Addition of IL-2 restored T cell survival but not responsiveness to low doses of Ag. In vivo, B7 costimulation was similarly required for the survival of Ag-specific T cells but not for cell division in response to high amounts of Ag. Thus, B7 costimulation regulates CD4(+) T cell responses by promoting cell division in the presence of limiting amounts of Ag, and by protecting T cells from the onset of apoptosis.     

Induction of HIV-1 envelope (gp120)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in mice by recombinant CHO cell-derived gp120 is enhanced by enzymatic removal of N-linked glycans

Priming of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses with recombinant proteins has been facilitated by the development of novel adjuvants that deliver antigens into the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) pathway. However, the extent to which secondary structure or glycosylation of these proteins prevents priming of class I MHC-restricted CTL responses is not clear. To address this issue, recombinant HIV-1 gp120 envelope proteins produced in yeast, insect, or mammalian cells were compared for the ability to elicit CD8⁺ CTL activity in mice. Envelope-specific CD8⁺ T lymphocytes were detected in BALB/c mice immunized with env 2-3, a 55-kDa yeast-derived envelope protein that is not glycosylated and lacks a native conformation. This response was directed against a previously described epitope in the V3 region of gp120, as well as a newly identified epitope located near the carboxy-terminus of the molecule. Similar levels of V3-directed CTL activity were observed in mice immunized with recombinant gp120 produced in insect (Spodoptera fugiperda) cells using a baculovirus expression system (gp120BAC). In contrast, induction of CTL responses was considerably less efficient when mice were immunized with gp120CHO, a native, fully glycosylated envelope protein produced in mammalian CHO cells. Denaturation of gp120CHO prior to immunization was not sufficient to prime CTL responses. However, envelope-specific CD8⁺ CTL activity was elicited when N-linked glycans were removed by treatment with an endoglycosidase. Possible mechanisms by which N-linked glycans influence delivery or processing of recombinant proteins for class I MHC presentation, and the implications of these findings for the design of subunit vaccines, are discussed.     

Lymphopenia-driven CD8(+) T cells are resistant to antigen-induced tolerance in NOD.scid mice

T cells undergoing lymphopenia-driven proliferation acquire effector and memory properties that can be pathogenic. Indeed, generalized lymphopenia is associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. The current study was carried out to determine how CD8(+) T cells undergoing acute lymphopenic expansion respond to antigen under tolerizing conditions in vivo. Adoptive transfer of diabetes by TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells was enhanced following treatment of NOD. scid recipients with a high dose of soluble peptide. Furthermore, whereas TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells underwent clonal deletion and failed to differentiate into CTL in peptide-treated lymphoreplete recipient mice, TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells in a lymphopenic environment were resistant to clonal deletion, and CTL differentiation was enhanced by a high dose of soluble peptide. Moreover, peptide treatment had distinct effects on expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L) in TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells under lymphopenic versus lymphoreplete conditions. These results demonstrate that CD8(+) T cells undergoing lymphopenia-driven expansion in NOD. scid recipients are resistant to antigen-induced tolerance, and readily differentiate into CTL upon stimulation with a high dose of soluble peptide.     

Phylogenetic conservation of the molecular and immunological properties of the chaperones gp96 and hsp70

The heat shock proteins (HSP) gp96 and hsp70 have been shown to have a critical role in eliciting adaptive immune responses to cancers and viruses. This role derives from (i) their ability to chaperone antigenic peptides generated in the cells from which the HSP are isolated, and (ii) their capacity to interact with antigen presenting cells (APC) which re-present the HSP-chaperoned peptides in context of MHC I molecules. We have asked whether the immunological properties of HSP extend beyond the mammals to other phyla. We report here the serological, biochemical, genetic, and immunological characterization of the Xenopus gp96. Like mammalian gp96, Xenopus gp96 forms non-covalent complexes with peptides. Immunization with gp96 and hsp70 purified from Xenopus tumors, elicits potent and specific anti-tumor immunity, which is dependent on their ability to chaperone peptides in vivo. An immunogenic peptide chaperoned by the Xenopus gp96 can be processed and presented by mouse APC, to antigen-specific CD8+ T cells of mice. The remarkable conservation of these essential immunological properties of gp96 and hsp70 between amphibians and mammals suggests the importance of HSP in the evolution of the vertebrate immune system.     

Specific subsets of murine dendritic cells acquire potent T cell regulatory functions following CTLA4-mediated induction of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase

Murine dendritic cells (DCs) expressing indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) catabolize tryptophan and can suppress T cell responses elicited in vivo. Here, we identify specific subsets of splenic (CD11c+) dendritic cells competent to mediate IDO-dependent T cell suppression following CTLA4-mediated ligation of B7 molecules. IDO-competent DC subsets acquired potent and dominant T cell suppressive properties as a consequence of IDO up-regulation, as they blocked the ability of T cells to respond to other stimulatory DCs in the same cultures. Soluble CTLA4 (CTLA4-Ig) and cloned CTLA4+ regulatory T cells (Tr1D1) up-regulated IDO selectively in DC subsets co-expressing B220 or CD8alpha. The ability of Tr1D1 T cells to suppress CD8+ T cell responses was completely dependent on their ability to induce tryptophan catabolism in DCs. Selective IDO up-regulation in DCs did not inhibit T cell activation, but prevented T cell clonal expansion due to rapid death of activated T cells. T cell responses were restored by genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of IDO enzyme activity, or by adding excess tryptophan. DCs from interferon gamma (IFNgamma)-receptor-deficient mice were effective in promoting IDO-dependent T cell suppression following CTLA4-Ig exposure in vivo, indicating that IFNgamma signaling was not necessary for IDO up-regulation in this model. These findings suggest that IDO-competent DCs provide a regulatory bridge, mediated by CTLA4-B7 engagement, between certain regulatory T cell subsets and naive responder T cells.     

Card9 controls Dectin‐1‐induced T‐cell cytotoxicity and tumor growth in mice

Activation of the C‐type lectin receptor Dectin‐1 by β‐glucans triggers multiple signals within DCs that result in activation of innate immunity. While these mechanisms can potently prime CD8⁺ cytotoxic T‐cell (CTL) responses without additional adjuvants, the Dectin‐1 effector pathways that control CTL induction remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that Dectin‐1‐induced CTL cross‐priming in mice does not require inflammasome activation but strictly depends on the adapter protein Card9 in vitro. In vivo, Dectin‐1‐mediated Card9 activation after vaccination drives both expansion and activation of Ag‐specific CTLs, resulting in long‐lasting CTL responses that are sufficient to protect mice from tumor challenge. This Dectin‐1‐induced antitumor immune response was independent of NK cell function and completely abrogated in Card9‐deficient mice. Thus, our results demonstrate that Dectin‐1‐triggered Card9 signaling but not inflammasome activation can potently cross‐prime Ag‐specific CTLs, suggesting that this pathway would be a candidate for immunotherapy and vaccine development.     

Anti-tumor MHC class Ia-unrestricted CD8 T cell cytotoxicity elicited by the heat shock protein gp96

In Xenopus as in mammals, gp96 stimulates MHC-restricted cellular immunity against chaperoned minor histocompatibility (H) antigens (Ag). In adult Xenopus, gp96 also elicits peptide-specific effectors against MHC class Ia-negative 15/0 tumors. To determine whether gp96 can generate functionally heterogeneous CD8+ effectors (CTL that kill MHC class Ia+ minor H-Ag-disparate lymphoblasts and MHC class Ia- tumor targets), LG-6 isogenetic frogs were immunized with gp96 purified either from MHC-identical but minor H-Ag-disparate LG-15 normal tissues or from the MHC class Ia-negative 15/0 tumor line (derived from LG-15 frogs). LG-15 normal liver-derived gp96 did not induce detectable CD8+ in vitro killing against 15/0 tumor cells. However, 15/0-derived gp96 did induce killing against both MHC class Ia+ LG-15 lymphoblasts and the MHC class Ia- 15/0 tumor, but not against another MHC class Ia- tumor (B3B7) or against LG-6 lymphoblasts. Tumor killing was better when 15/0 rather than normal LG-15 irradiated stimulators were used, but in vitro stimulation without prior in vivo immunization was ineffective. These data suggest that (1) 15/0-derived gp96 chaperones minor H-Ag shared with normal LG-15 lymphocytes and elicits MHC-restricted CTL, and (2) 15/0-derived gp96, but not normal liver-derived gp96, generates CD8+ effectors that kill 15/0 tumor cells in the absence of MHC class Ia expression.