4-1BB triggers IL-13 production from T cells to limit the polarized, Th1-mediated inflammation

4-1BB (CD137) triggering typically induces Th1 response by increasing IFN-gamma from T cells upon TCR ligation. We found recently that 4-1BB costimulation increased the expression of IL-13 from CD4(+) T cells, as well as CD8(+) T cells. The enhanced IL-13 expression by agonistic anti-4-1BB treatment was mediated via MAPK1/2, PI-3K, JNK, mammalian target of rapamycin, NF-AT, and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. The signaling for IL-13 induction was similar to that of IFN-gamma production by anti-4-1BB treatment in T cells. When the anti-4-1BB-mediated IL-13 expression was tested in an in vivo viral infection model such as HSV-1 and vesicular stomatitis virus, 4-1BB stimulation enhanced IL-13 expression of CD4(+) T, rather than CD8(+) T cells. Although IL-13 was enhanced by anti-4-1BB treatment, the increased IL-13 did not significantly alter the anti-4-1BB-induced Th1 polarization of T cells--increase of T-bet and decrease of GATA-3. Nevertheless, anti-4-1BB treatment polarized T cells excessively in the absence of IL-13 and even became detrimental to the mice by causing liver inflammation. Therefore, we concluded that IL-13 was coinduced following 4-1BB triggering to maintain the Th1/2 balance of immune response.     

Glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor family-related receptor signalling exacerbates hapten-induced colitis by CD4+ T cells

The glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor family related gene (GITR) has been reported to be expressed on the activated T and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg). Signalling triggered by GITR not only neutralizes the suppressive effect of Treg cells, but also augments activation, proliferation and cytokine production of effector T cells. To test the role of GITR in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis - a murine model of mucosal inflammation - TNBS-injected Balb/c mice were treated with agonistic anti-GITR monoclonal antibody (mAb). Anti-GITR treatment increased the death rate compared to rat IgG-treated mice. Typically, death occurred within 4 days after the TNBS injection when the mice were treated with anti-GITR. The mice that survived anti-GITR treatment suffered from severe inflammation in their entire intestines. CD4(+) T-depletion protected the mice from colitis; even an anti-GITR effect was not apparent. In contrast, CD8(+) T depletion showed less protective than did CD4(+) T depletion. Stimulation of GITR enhanced the production of proinflammatory cytokines including interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12. It also enhanced the humoral response such as serum levels of IgG(2b) and IgA, which was completely dependent on CD4(+) T cells. Taken together, this study demonstrated that GITR signalling on CD4(+) T cells is involved in the development and progress of colitis by enhancing both T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 type responses.     

Hapten-induced colitis associated with maintained Th1 and inflammatory responses in IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice

IFN-gamma is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. To further define the role of IFN-gamma in intestinal inflammation, we studied the effects of intra-colonic 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) instillation in mice with a functionally inactivated IFN-gamma receptor 1 (IFN-gammaR1(- / -)). Our results indicate that IFN-gamma is not necessary for the induction of hapten-induced colitis: after TNBS administration both wild-type and IFN-gammaR1(- / -) mice lost body weight, and the histological features of TNBS-induced colitis were comparable. Colons of IFN-gammaR1(- / -) mice contained a greater number of cells, represented by macrophages and CD4(+) T cells; caudal lymph node cells produced more IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha upon stimulation in vitro. Moreover, IL-18 and IL-12 p40 RNA levels were comparably up-regulated after TNBS treatment in IFN-gammaR1(- / -) wild-type mice. These findings demonstrate that IFN-gamma is dispensable for the development of TNBS-induced colitis. Importantly, the production of Th1 cytokines (e. g. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) by caudal lymph node T lymphocytes was enhanced rather than decreased in IFNgammaR1(- / -) mice with no evidence for default Th2 development.     

4-1BB stimulation inhibits allergen-specific immunoglobulin E production and airway hyper-reactivity but partially suppresses bronchial eosinophilic inflammation in a mouse asthma model

BACKGROUND: 4-1 BB, a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily, functions as a co-stimulatory molecule. Recently, stimulation of the 4-1 BB pathway was shown to suppress antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell and subsequent T cell-dependent humoral immune responses. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of agonistic anti-4-1 BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment on allergic asthma, in which allergen-specific type 2 helper T cells (Th2) have been shown to play an important role. METHODS: BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized with intraperitoneal injections of ovalbumin (OVA) and alum on days 0 and 14, and then challenged with inhaled OVA on days 28, 29 and 30. In test groups, the agonistic anti-4-1 BB mAb was administered at the time of initial systemic sensitization with OVA. On day 31, mice were challenged with inhaled methacholine, and enhanced pause was measured as an index of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). Levels of OVA-specific IgE in serum, and levels of various cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were measured. The severity of airway inflammation was determined by differential cell counts in BAL fluids and histopathologic lung analysis. To evaluate local immunity, we cultured lymphocytes from draining perihilar lymph nodes and evaluated the proliferative response to OVA and the levels of IL-5 in the culture supernatant. In addition, the functional mechanism of 4-1 BB stimulation was evaluated in splenocytes obtained at day 7 after systemic OVA sensitization. RESULTS: We found that treatment with the anti-4-1 BB mAb significantly decreased AHR and the production of allergen-specific IgE. Bronchial inflammation, however, had only partially improved and the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in BAL fluids showed only a small degree of reduction compared with the control Ig-treated mice. Thoracic lymphocytes from anti-4-1 BB-treated mice showed significant suppression of OVA-induced proliferation and IL-5 production. In anti-4-1 BB-treated mice, splenocytes exhibited poor proliferation and marked apoptosis 7 days after systemic OVA challenge. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that stimulation of the 4-1 BB pathway effectively suppresses some features of allergic asthma, including allergen-specific IgE production and AHR, through deletion of allergen-specific Th2 cells. However, we found that bronchial allergic inflammation was not strictly mediated by suppression of the Th2 immune response in this murine model of asthma. Despite these somewhat contradictory effects, intervention in the 4-1 BB pathway might provide a potential novel immunotherapeutic approach for treatment of allergic asthma.     

协同刺激分子4-1BB和CD28对人外周血不同T细胞亚群的激活作用

目的 :探讨 4 1BB/ 4 1BBL协同刺激信号在CD4 和CD8 T细胞活化、增殖中的作用 ,并与CD2 8/B7信号作比较。方法 :用抗CD3单抗 (mAb)刺激人外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC)。用阻断型抗 4 1BBLmAb和抗CD80mAb ,分别阻断 4 1BB/ 4 1BBL和CD2 8/B7 1协同刺激信号。利用流式细胞术 (FCM)检测CD4 T细胞、CD8 T细胞的增殖率、CD8/CD4T细胞的比值变化和细胞分泌IFN γ的情况。结果 :用抗 4 1BBLmAb和抗CD80mAb阻断相应的协同刺激途径后 ,CD4 和CD8 T细胞的增殖和细胞分泌IFN γ的水平均明显下降。培养 8d,抗CD3mAb单独刺激组CD8/CD4T细胞的比值为 1.98± 0 .0 6 ;抗 4 1BBLmAb阻断组CD8/CD4T细胞的比值下降为 0 .96±0 .0 3;而在抗CD80mAb阻断组 ,其比值上升为 2 .6 9± 0 .16。结论 :4 1BB分子可在CD4 T细胞和CD8 T细胞的活化、增殖中提供协同刺激信号。 4 1BB分子所介导的协同刺激信号 ,在CD8 T细胞活化及增殖中发挥了更为重要的作用 ;而CD2 8分子所介导的协同刺激信号则更有利于CD4 T细胞的活化     

Established B16 tumors are rejected following treatment with GM-CSF-secreting tumor cell immunotherapy in combination with anti-4-1BB mAb

Immunization with irradiated tumor cells engineered to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulates potent, specific and long lasting anti-tumor immunity in clinical and preclinical settings. Efforts to further increase immunotherapy efficacy with immune-modulatory agents are under evaluation. Based on the immune-modulatory properties of 4-1BB (CD137), it has been postulated that agonistic 4-1BB antibodies may add additional anti-tumor efficacy to GM-CSF-secreting tumor cell immunotherapy. The combination of GM-CSF-secreting tumor cell immunotherapy and anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment resulted in rejection of established tumors in the B16 melanoma model. These anti-tumor effects correlated with persistent tumor-specific CD8(+) T cell responses. In addition, early tumor infiltration of functional CD8(+) T cells and a greater expansion of antigen-specific memory T cells were found in mice treated with the combination therapy. In summary, an agonistic anti-4-1BB mAb combined with GM-CSF-secreting tumor cell immunotherapy may provide a novel and potent treatment strategy for patients with cancer.     

Heligmosomoides polygyrus promotes regulatory T-cell cytokine production in the murine normal distal intestine

Helminths down-regulate inflammation and may prevent development of several autoimmune illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease. We determined if exposure to the duodenal helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus establishes cytokine pathways in the distal intestine that may protect from intestinal inflammation. Mice received 200 H. polygyrus larvae and were studied 2 weeks later. Lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) were isolated from the terminal ileum for analysis and in vitro experiments. Mice with H. polygyrus were resistant to trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, a Th1 cytokine-dependent inflammation. Heligmosomoides polygyrus did not change the normal microscopic appearance of the terminal ileum and colon and minimally affected LPMC composition. However, colonization altered LPMC cytokine profiles, blocking gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) p40 release but promoting IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10 secretion. IL-10 blockade in vitro with anti-IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) monoclonal antibody restored LPMC IFN-gamma and IL-12 p40 secretion. IL-10 blockade in vivo worsened TNBS colitis in H. polygyrus-colonized mice. Lamina propria CD4(+) T cells isolated from colonized mice inhibited IFN-gamma production by splenic T cells from worm-free mice. This inhibition did not require cell contact and was dependent on IL-10. Heligmosomoides polygyrus colonization inhibits Th1 and promotes Th2 and regulatory cytokine production in distant intestinal regions without changing histology or LPMC composition. IL-10 is particularly important for limiting the Th1 response. The T-cell origin of these cytokines demonstrates mucosal regulatory T-cell induction.     

Blockade of the 4-1BB (CD137)/4-1BBL and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 costimulatory pathways promotes corneal allograft survival in mice

To explore the roles of 4-1BB (CD137) and CD28 in corneal transplantation, we examined the effect of 4-1BB/4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 blockade on corneal allograft survival in mice. Allogeneic corneal transplantation was performed between two strains of wild-type (WT) mice, BALB/c and C57BL/6 (B6), and between BALB/c and B6 WT donors and various gene knockout (KO) recipients. Some of the WT graft recipients were treated intraperitoneally with agonistic anti-4-1BB or blocking anti-4-1BBL monoclonal antibody (mAb) on days 0, 2, 4 and 6 after transplantation. Transplanted eyes were observed over a 13-week period. Allogeneic grafts in control WT B6 and BALB/c mice treated with rat immunoglobulin G showed median survival times (MST) of 12 and 14 days, respectively. Allogeneic grafts in B6 WT recipients treated with anti-4-1BB mAb showed accelerated rejection, with an MST of 8 days. In contrast, allogeneic grafts in BALB/c 4-1BB/CD28 KO and B6 CD80/CD86 KO recipients had significantly prolonged graft survival times (MST, 52.5 days and 36 days, respectively). Treatment of WT recipients with anti-4-1BB mAb resulted in enhanced cellular proliferation in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and increased the numbers of CD4(+) CD8(+) T cells, and macrophages in the grafts, which correlated with decreased graft survival time, whereas transplant recipients with costimulatory receptor deletion showed longer graft survival times. These results suggest that the absence of receptors for the 4-1BB/4-1BBL and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 costimulatory pathways promotes corneal allograft survival, whereas triggering 4-1BB with an agonistic mAb enhances the rejection of corneal allografts.     

Blocking of IL-6 signaling pathway prevents CD4+ T cell-mediated colitis in a T(h)17-independent manner

Naive CD4(+) T cells rapidly proliferate to generate effector cells after encountering an antigen and small numbers survive as memory T cells in preparation for future immunological events. In the present work, adoptive transfer of naive CD4(+) T cells into RAG2(-/-) mice caused the generation of memory-type effector T cells including T(h)1, T(h)2, T(h)17 and regulatory T cells, and eventually induced T cell-dependent colitis. We found here that blocking of the IL-6R with a specific mAb remarkably inhibited the CD4(+) T cell-mediated colitis in parallel with the inhibition of T(h)17 cell generation. However, the transfer of naive CD4(+) T cells prepared from IL-17(-/-) mice still induced severe colitis. At the effector phase, the mAb significantly inhibited IL-17 but not IFN-gamma production. The blockade of IL-6 signaling enhanced the generation of IL-4- and IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells, and inhibited up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor -alpha mRNA expression in the colon. These findings clearly demonstrated that IL-6 is a critical factor for the induction of colitis by expansion of naive CD4(+) T cells in RAG2(-/-) mice. Thus, the IL-6-mediated signaling pathway may be a significant therapeutic target in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.     

Blockade of CD70-CD27 Interaction Inhibits Induction of Allergic Lung Inflammation in Mice

The interaction between the TNF receptor family member CD27 and its ligand CD70 provides a costimulatory signal for T-cell activation. In this study, we investigated the effects of neutralizing anti-CD70 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a murine model of allergic lung inflammation to determine whether CD27 contributes to the development of pathogenic Th2 cells and pulmonary inflammation. BALB/c mice were immunized by an injection of ovalbumin (OVA) with alum adjuvant and challenged with aerosolized OVA in PBS. Some groups of mice were treated with anti-CD70 mAb or control rat IgG during the induction or effector phase. The administration of anti-CD70 mAb during the induction phase, but not the effector phase, reduced eosinophil infiltration in lung tissue compared with control IgG-treated mice. Treatment with anti-CD70 mAb also resulted in the decreased production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and draining lymph node cell cultures. We further revealed that antigen-specific CD4 T cells were separated into CD27(+) and CD27(-) populations in the lymph nodes of OVA-immunized DO11.10/Rag-2(-/-) mice. The CD27(+) CD4 T cells produced a high concentration of IFN-γ, representing Th1 cells. In contrast, CD27(-) CD4 T cells produced high concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, representing Th2 cells. Moreover, the population of CD27(-) Th2 cells was significantly reduced by the anti-CD70 mAb treatment. These results indicate an important role for CD27 in the development of pathogenic Th2 cells in a murine model of allergic lung inflammation.     

Functional expression of 4-1BB (CD137) in the inflammatory tissue in Crohn's disease

4-1BB ligand (L) expressed on antigen presenting cells (APC) interacts with 4-1BB, expressed on activated T cells and this interaction costimulates T cells to secrete cytokines and to proliferate. We investigated whether 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions might be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). In immunohistochemistry, we found 4-1BB expression on lamina propria (LP) cells in inflamed and to a lesser extend in non-inflamed gut tissue from CD patients. mRNA levels for 4-1BB were also elevated in intestinal CD tissue. In contrast, only few 4-1BB-expressing cells were found in inflamed tissue from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and almost no positive cells were found in control intestinal tissue. 4-1BB expression was better sustained on in vitro activated lamina propria T cells from CD patients compared to controls. Finally, agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody enhanced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and proliferation of lamina propria T cells from CD patients. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions contribute to the persistence of gut inflammation in CD.     

Helicobacter hepaticus-induced colitis in interleukin-10-deficient mice: cytokine requirements for the induction and maintenance of intestinal inflammation

We have previously shown that specific-pathogen-free interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient (IL-10 KO) mice reconstituted with Helicobacter hepaticus develop severe colitis associated with a Th1-type cytokine response. In the present study, we formally demonstrate that IL-12 is crucial for disease induction, because mice deficient for both IL-10 and IL-12 p40 show no intestinal pathology following H. hepaticus infection. By using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to IL-12, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), we have further analyzed the role of these cytokines in the maintenance of the Th1 response and inflammation in IL-10 KO mice with established H. hepaticus-induced colitis. Treatment of infected colitic IL-10 KO mice with anti-IL-12 p40 resulted in markedly reduced intestinal inflammation, colonic IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels, and H. hepaticus-specific IFN-gamma secretion by mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells compared to the findings in control MAb-treated mice. Moreover, the diminished pathology was associated with decreased numbers of colonic CD3(+) T cells and significantly reduced frequencies of Helicobacter-reactive CD4(+) Th1 cells in MLN. In contrast, anti-IFN-gamma and/or anti-TNF-alpha had no effect on intestinal inflammation in IL-10 KO mice with established colitis. Using IL-10/IFN-gamma double-deficient mice, we further show that IFN-gamma is not required for the development of colitis following H. hepaticus infection. MLN cells from infected IL-10/IFN-gamma KO animals secreted elevated amounts of IL-12 and TNF-alpha following bacterial antigen stimulation, indicating alternative pathways of disease induction. Taken together, our results demonstrate a crucial role for IL-12 in both inducing and sustaining intestinal inflammation through recruitment and maintenance of a pool of pathogenic Th1 cells.     

Murine keratocytes function as antigen-presenting cells.

Keratocytes express MHC class I molecules constitutively, and keratocytes stimulated with IFN-gamma express MHC class II molecules. Unstimulated keratocytes constitutively express B7-1 and ICAM-1, as well as low levels of CD40 and 4-1BBL. These findings indicate that keratocytes may deliver both antigen-specific and costimulatory signals to CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. To demonstrate that keratocytes expressing B7-1 provide a costimulatory signal to T cells, CD4(+) or CD8(+) mouse T cells were incubated with anti-CD3 mAb and irradiated keratocytes. Enhanced proliferation of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells occurred, and could be inhibited by anti-B7-1 mAb, indicating T cell costimulatory activity by B7-1 on the keratocytes. To demonstrate that keratocytes can deliver an antigen-specific signal, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from herpes-infected mice were incubated with HSV-1-infected, irradiated keratocytes. The resulting T cell proliferation and production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma) indicated T cell activation by antigens presented by the infected keratocytes. These results show that keratocytes in the corneal stroma of the mouse can function as antigen-presenting cells and, thus, may play a role in immune-mediated stromal inflammation such as herpetic stromal keratitis.     

Both CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells are required for IFN-gamma gene expression in pancreatic islets and autoimmune diabetes development in biobreeding rats

To study the relative roles of CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells and their cytokine products in autoimmune diabetes development, we selectively depleted CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells in autoimmune diabetes-prone (DP) biobreeding (BB) rats, by administrations of anti-CD2 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) respectively. We then analysed cytokine mRNA expression, by PCR assay, in mononuclear leukocytes isolated from islets and spleens of control and mAb-treated DP-BB rats. Depletion of CD4(+)T cells (by anti-CD2 mAb) in blood, spleen and islets prevented diabetes development in DP-BB rats, and depletion of CD8(+)T cells (by anti-CD8 mAb) delayed and significantly decreased diabetes incidence. Depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells completely prevented IFN-gamma mRNA upregulation in islets of DP-BB rats above the low level expressed in islets of diabetes-resistant (DR) BB rats. Also, IL-10 mRNA levels in islets of DP-BB rats were significantly decreased by depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells, whereas the effects of the anti-T cell mAb on mRNA levels of other cytokines in islets (IL-2, IL-4, IL-12p40, and TNF-alpha) were discordant. In contrast, both mAb treatments significantly upregulated IL-4 and TNF-alpha mRNA levels in spleens of DP-BB rats. These results demonstrate that islet infiltration by both CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells is required for IFN-gamma and IL-10 production in islets and beta-cell destruction. Depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells may prevent beta-cell destruction by decreasing IFN-gamma and IL-10 production in islets and increasing IL-4 and TNF-alpha production systemically.     

CD137 ligand prevents the development of T-helper type 2 cell-mediated allergic asthma by interferon-γ-producing CD8+ T cells

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is a T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell-mediated chronic disease that is characterized by airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and chronic eosinophilic airway inflammation. Several studies suggest co-stimulatory molecules like CD137 as potential targets for therapeutic interventions in allergic airway disease. Recently, we could show in a murine asthma model that administration of an agonistic antibody against the receptor of the co-stimulatory molecule CD137 prevented and even reversed an already-established asthma phenotype. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of stimulation of the CD137 ligand by a monoclonal antibody (CD137L mAb). METHODS: To induce an asthma-like phenotype, BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), followed by an intrapulmonary allergen challenge. Anti-CD137L or control mAb were applied 1 day before OVA immunization or after the asthma phenotype was already established. RESULTS: Stimulation of the CD137L instead of the receptor by CD137L mAb prevents the development of an asthma-like phenotype but does not reverse established disease. While the receptor-mediated effect is partly mediated by anergy of CD4(+) T cells and partly by induction of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells, the effect of the CD137L mAb is completely dependent on IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells: blockade of IFN-gamma and depletion of CD8(+) T cells fully abrogated the observed protective effect. In vitro experiments showed that the anti-CD137L mAb ligates directly to CD8(+) T cells and induces the generation of IFN-gamma by this cell population. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that anti-CD137L mAb prevents disease development via IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells but is inferior to stimulation of the receptor that reverses established disease by a mechanism including CD4(+) T cell anergy.     

Enteric bacterial antigens activate CD4(+) T cells from scid mice with inflammatory bowel disease

Scid mice transplanted with CD4(+) T cells from congenic donor mice develop a chronic and lethal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 2-3 months post-transplantation. In the present study we have investigated the response of CD4(+) T cells from scid mice with colitis against fecal extracts. Our results show that in contrast to CD4(+) T cells from normal BALB/c mice, CD4(+) T cells from scid mice with colitis proliferate strongly in response to antigen-presenting cells (APC) pulsed with fecal extracts. The IBD-associated T cells did not respond to either extracts from food antigens or fecal extracts from germ-free mice, which indicates that they recognize bacterial antigens in the fecal extracts. CD4(+) T cells isolated from the colonic lamina propria of scid mice 3 weeks post transplantation also responded vigorously to fecal extracts, demonstrating that reactive CD4(+) T cells are present in the gut mucosa of transplanted scid mice prior to clinical manifestations of IBD. CD4(+) T cells activated by fecal extracts produced high amounts of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, intermediate amounts of IL-4 and low amounts of IL-10, consistent with a Th1 profile. The proliferative reactivity towards fecal extracts was restricted by MHC class II molecules and dependent on antigen processing, as the response could be blocked by anti-MHC class II antibodies or a short fixation of the APC. This study demonstrates that class II-restricted CD4(+) Th1 cells, which recognize enteric bacterial antigens, infiltrate the gut mucosa and spleen of transplanted scid mice prior to and during the course of colitis.     

Involvement of interleukin 18 in Crohn's disease: evidence from in vitro analysis of human gut inflammatory cells and from experimental colitis models

An imbalance of immunoregulatory factors and/or cells contributes to uncontrolled mucosal T cell activation and inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). Bioactive interleukin (IL)-18 has been shown to be produced by macrophages in CD lesions. We report here that T cells freshly isolated from inflamed tissue of CD patients (and not T cells from control intestinal tissue) were responsive to IL-18. In the presence of IL-18, these T cells produced more interferon (IFN)-gamma and less IL-10. To analyse further the role of IL-18 in this disease, an acute and a chronic model of murine colitis were used. IL-18 mRNA was significantly enhanced in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis, and treatment with IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BPa), which neutralizes IL-18 bioactivity, significantly reduced the severity of colitis. However, IL-18BPa did not affect the course of chronic colitis in CD45RBhighCD4+ T cell reconstituted SCID mice. Production of IFN-gamma in lamina propria mononuclear cell cultures from IL-18BPa-treated SCID mice was decreased, but at the same time fewer lamina propria CD4+ T cells harvested from IL-18BPa-treated mice compared to non-treated mice were in apoptosis. We conclude that IL-18 clearly has a modulatory role in the inflammatory cascade of CD and experimental colitis by affecting IFN-gamma and IL-10 production, and apoptosis. In view of the divergent effects of IL-18 neutralization in the two different murine colitis models, it is unlikely that IL-18 is at the top of this cascade.     

Expression of functional IL-2 receptors on mature splenic dendritic cells

We report here the expression of functional IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) on mature splenic dendritic cells (DC) and synergistic effect of IL-2 on IFN-gamma production by DC. IL-2 augmented IL-12-dependent IFN-gamma production by DC purified from both splenocytes of wild-type and anti-asialoGM1 Ab-treated Rag-2(-/-) splenocytes devoid of T, B, NK and NKT cells. A neutralizing mAb against IL-2Ralpha blocked such enhancing effect of IL-2 on IFN-gamma production, indicating the presence of functional IL-2R on DC. Synergistic effects of IL-2 were also observed on IFN-gamma production by DC stimulated through CD40 or MHC class II, suggesting that T cell-derived IL-2 can act on DC during antigen presentation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that DC produce IFN-gamma during interaction with allogeneic CD4(+) T cells from IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. These results suggest that IL-2 produced by naive T cells upon antigen stimulation is an important factor during Th0 to Th1 differentiation by inducing IFN-gamma from DC.     

Analysis of cytokine production in the colon of nude mice with experimental colitis induced by adoptive transfer of immunocompetent cells from mice infected with a murine retrovirus

LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is known to induce murine AIDS (MAIDS). We have shown that Sj?gren's syndrome (SjS)-like exocrinopathy can be induced in mice with MAIDS and that adoptive transfer of spleen cells from MAIDS mice can induce inflammatory bowel disease-like colitis as well as SjS-like exocrinopathy in nude mice. To assess the role of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 in the pathogenesis of our experimental model, we tried to identify the cells producing these cytokines and their localization in the colitis lesions in situ. Expression of mRNA for IFN-gamma and IL-10 was assessed by RT-PCR, and protein expression of these cytokines was also analyzed in frozen sections of colon by double-color-staining immunofluorescence (IF). An increase of IFN-gamma and IL-10 mRNA was detected in the colon of mice with colitis, but not in that of control mice. Double-color IF showed that Mac-1(+) cells were positive for IFN-gamma or IL-10 and that most CD4(+) T cells were positive for IL-10, although the population of IFN-gamma-positive CD4(+) T cells was low. In our experimental colitis model, Mac-1(+) macrophages that produce both IFN-gamma and IL-10 might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of colitis in combination with CD4(+) T cells.