Cholera toxin subunit B peptide fusion proteins reveal impaired oral tolerance induction in diabetes‐prone but not in diabetes‐resistant mice

The cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been used as adjuvant to improve oral vaccine delivery in type 1 diabetes. The effect of CTB/peptide formulations on Ag‐specific CD4⁺ T cells has remained largely unexplored. Here, using tetramer analysis, we investigated how oral delivery of CTB fused to two CD4⁺ T‐cell epitopes, the BDC‐2.5 T‐cell 2.5mi mimotope and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 286–300, affected diabetogenic CD4⁺ T cells in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. When administered i.p., CTB‐2.5mi activated 2.5mi⁺ T cells and following intragastric delivery generated Ag‐specific Foxp3⁺ Treg and Th2 cells. While 2.5mi⁺ and GAD‐specific T cells were tolerized in diabetes‐resistant NODxB6.Foxp3^EGFP F1 and nonobese resistant (NOR) mice, this did not occur in NOD mice. This indicated that NOD mice had a recessive genetic resistance to induce oral tolerance to both CTB‐fused epitopes. In contrast to NODxB6.Foxp3^EGFP F1 mice, oral treatment in NOD mice lead to strong 2.5mi⁺ T‐cell activation and the sequestration of these cells to the effector‐memory pool. Oral treatment of NOD mice with CTB‐2.5mi failed to prevent diabetes. These findings underline the importance of investigating the effect of oral vaccine formulations on diabetogenic T cells as in selected cases they may have counterproductive consequences in human patients.     

FTY720-induced conversion of conventional Foxp3- CD4+ T cells to Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in NOD mice

Citation Sun Y, Wang W, Shan B, Di J, Chen L, Ren L, Li W, Li D‐J, Lin Y. FTY720‐induced conversion of conventional Foxp3^?CD4⁺ T cells to Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in NOD mice. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 349–362 Problem FTY720 is known as an agonist of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor, but little is known about the possibility that FTY720 induces the conversion of conventional Foxp3^?CD4⁺ T cells to Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Method of study FTY720 treatment was performed using Foxp3^?CD4⁺ T cells purified from NOD mice. Results FTY720 caused an increase in Foxp3⁺ Treg cells in lymphoid organs in NOD mice. FTY720 effectively induced Foxp3 expression in Foxp3^?CD4⁺ T cells both in vitro and in vivo, an effect that was inhibited by a TGF‐β‐neutralizing antibody or the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐6. T‐cell‐mediated embryo rejection in NOD mice was prevented upon FTY720 treatment. Conclusions The use of FTY720 along with Ag administration may represent a useful therapeutic strategy to selectively expand Ag‐specific Foxp3⁺ Tregs to intervene autoimmune and infectious diseases.     

CD25+ Treg specifically suppress auto‐Ab generation against pancreatic tissue autoantigens

To study B‐cell tolerance against non‐lymphoid tissue autoantigens, we generated transgenic rat insulin promoter (RIP)‐OVA/hen egg lysozyme (HEL) mice expressing the model antigens, OVA and HEL, in pancreatic islets. Their vaccination with OVA or HEL induced far less auto‐Ab titers compared with non‐transgenic controls. Depletion of CD25⁺ cells during immunization completely restored auto‐Ab production, but did not affect antibodies against a foreign control antigen. Depletion at later time‐points was not effective. OVA‐specific CD25⁺ FoxP3⁺ T_reg were more frequent in the autoantigen‐draining pancreatic LN than in other secondary lymphatics of RIP‐OVA/HEL mice. Consistently, B cells were suppressed in that LN and also in the spleen, which is known to concentrate circulating antigen, such as the antigens used for vaccination. Suppression involved preventing expansion of autoreactive B cells in response to autoantigen, reducing antibody production per B‐cell and isotype changes. These findings demonstrate that CD25⁺ T_reg suppress auto‐Ab production against non‐lymphoid tissue antigens in an antigen‐specific manner.     

Mesenteric lymph node CD11b− CD103+ PD‐L1High dendritic cells highly induce regulatory T cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) induce Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells to regulate immune responses to beneficial or non‐harmful agents in the intestine, such as commensal bacteria and foods. Several studies in MLN DCs have revealed that the CD103⁺ DC subset highly induces regulatory T cells, and another study has reported that MLN DCs from programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) ‐deficient mice could not induce regulatory T cells. Hence, the present study investigated the expression of these molecules on MLN CD11c⁺ cells. Four distinct subsets expressing CD103 and/or PD‐L1 were identified, namely CD11b⁺ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^High, CD11b⁻ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^High, CD11b⁻ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^Low and CD11b⁺ CD103⁻ PD‐L1^Int. Among them, the CD11b⁻ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^High DC subset highly induced Foxp3⁺ T cells. This subset expressed Aldh1a2 and Itgb8 genes, which are involved in retinoic acid metabolism and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) activation, respectively. Exogenous TGF‐β supplementation equalized the level of Foxp3⁺ T‐cell induction by the four subsets whereas retinoic acid did not, which suggests that high ability to activate TGF‐β is determinant for the high Foxp3⁺ T‐cell induction by CD11b⁻ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^High DC subset. Finally, this subset exhibited a migratory DC phenotype and could take up and present orally administered antigens. Collectively, the MLN CD11b⁻ CD103⁺ PD‐L1^High DC subset probably takes up luminal antigens in the intestine, migrates to MLNs, and highly induces regulatory T cells through TGF‐β activation.     

UV inhibits allergic airways disease in mice by reducing effector CD4+ T cells

Background In human asthma, and experimental allergic airways disease in mice, antigen‐presenting cells and CD4⁺ effector cells at the airway mucosa orchestrate, and CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells attenuate, allergen immunity. UV irradiation of skin before sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) causes significantly reduced asthma‐like responses in respiratory tissues. Objective To determine whether UV‐induced changes in CD11c⁺ cells, CD4⁺CD25⁺ effector cells or CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory cells in the trachea and airway draining lymph nodes (ADLNs) were responsible for reduced allergic airways disease. Methods The phenotype and function of CD11c⁺ cells and CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells in the trachea and ADLNs of UV‐ and non‐irradiated, OVA‐sensitized mice was examined 24 h after a single exposure to aerosolized OVA. Results No changes in the function of CD11c⁺ cells from UV‐irradiated mice were observed. CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells from UV‐irradiated, OVA‐sensitized mice harvested 24 h after OVA aerosol proliferated less in response to OVA in vitro and were unable to suppress the proliferation of OVA‐sensitized responder cells. This result suggested reduced activation of effector T cells in the airway mucosa of UV‐irradiated, OVA‐sensitized mice. To exclude regulatory cells of any type, there was similar proliferation in vivo to aerosolized OVA by CFSE‐loaded, OVA‐TCR‐specific CD4⁺ cells adoptively transferred into UV‐ and non‐irradiated, OVA‐sensitized mice. In addition, there was no difference in the expression of regulatory T cell markers (Foxp3, IL‐10, TGF‐β mRNA). To examine effector T cells, ADLN cells from UV‐irradiated, OVA‐sensitized and ‐challenged mice were cultured with OVA. There was reduced expression of the early activation marker CD69 by CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells, and reduced proliferation in the absence of the regulatory cytokine, IL‐10. Conclusion Reduced allergic airways disease in UV‐irradiated mice is due to fewer effector CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells in the trachea and ADLNs, and not due to UV‐induced regulatory cells. Cite this as: J. P. McGlade, D. H. Strickland, M. J. M. Lambert, S. Gorman, J. A. Thomas, M. A. Judge, J. T. Burchell, G. R. Zosky and P. H. Hart, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 772–785.     

Depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells switches the whey‐allergic response from immunoglobulin E‐ to immunoglobulin free light chain‐dependent

Background Symptoms of allergy are largely attributed to an IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity response. However, a considerable number of patients also exhibit clinical features of allergy without detectable systemic IgE. Previous work showed that Ig‐free light chains (IgLC) may act as an alternate mechanism to induce allergic responses. CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells are crucial in the initiation and regulation of allergic responses and compromised function might affect the response to allergens. Objective To examine the contribution of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells and IgLC towards the whey‐allergic response. Methods Mice were sensitized orally with whey using cholera toxin as an adjuvant. CD25⁺ T cells were depleted in vivo using a CD25 mAb. The acute allergic skin response to whey and ex vivo colon reactivity was measured in the presence or absence of F991, a specific inhibitor of IgLC. Serum whey‐specific antibodies and IgLC in serum and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) supernatants were measured. Depletion of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells was confirmed in the spleen. Results Anti‐CD25 treatment strongly reduced whey‐specific antibody levels and resulted in a partial depletion of effector T cells and a major depletion of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells. Surprisingly, despite the abolished specific IgE response, the acute allergic skin response to whey was not affected. IgLC levels were enhanced in the serum and MLN supernatants of CD25‐depleted sensitized mice. F991 inhibited the acute skin response and colon hyperreactivity in anti‐CD25‐treated mice, indicating that these responses were mainly IgLC dependent. Conclusions Depletion of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells resulted in a switch from an IgE‐ to an IgLC‐dependent acute skin response and functional hyperresponsiveness of the colon. Our data suggest that CD25⁺ T cells play a crucial role in balancing cow's milk allergy between IgE and IgE‐independent responses and both mechanisms might play a role in allergic responses to the same allergen. Cite this as: B. C. A. M. van Esch, B. Schouten, B. R. J. Blokhuis, G. A. Hofman, L. Boon, J. Garssen L. M. J. Knippels, L. E. M. Willemsen and F. A. Redegeld, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1414–1421.     

CD4+CD25+ T cell depletion impairs tolerance induction in a murine model of asthma

Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in controlling the development of airway inflammation. However, their role in the mechanisms leading to tolerance in established allergic asthma is unclear. Objective To examine the role of Tregs in tolerance induction in a murine model of asthma. Methods Ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized asthmatic mice were depleted or not of CD25⁺ T cells by anti‐CD25 PC61 monoclonal antibody (mAb) before intranasal treatment (INT) with OVA, then challenged with OVA aerosol. To further evaluate the respective regulatory activity of CD4⁺CD25⁺ and CD4⁺CD25^? T cells, both T cell subsets were transferred from tolerized or non‐tolerized animals to asthmatic recipients. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion were examined. Results Intranasal treatment with OVA led to increased levels of IL‐10, TGF‐β and IL‐17 in lung homogenates, inhibition of eosinophil recruitment into the BALF and antigen specific T cell hyporesponsiveness. CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells were markedly upregulated in lungs and suppressed in vitro and in vivo OVA‐specific T cell responses. Depletion of CD25⁺ cells before OVA INT severely hampered tolerance induction as indicated by a strong recruitment of eosinophils into BALF and a vigorous T cell response to OVA upon challenge. However, the transfer of CD4⁺CD25^? T cells not only suppressed antigen specific T cell responsiveness but also significantly reduced eosinophil recruitment as opposed to CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells. As compared with control mice, a significantly higher proportion of CD4⁺CD25^? T cells from OVA treated mice expressed mTGF‐β. Conclusion Both CD4⁺CD25⁺ and CD4⁺CD25^? T cells appear to be essential to tolerance induction. The relationship between both subsets and the mechanisms of their regulatory activity will have to be further analyzed.     

DC‐induced CD8+ T‐cell response is inhibited by MHC class II‐dependent DX5+CD4+ Treg

CD4⁺ T cells are important for CD8⁺ T‐cell priming by providing cognate signals for DC maturation. We analyzed the capacity of CD4⁺ T cells to influence CD8⁺ T‐cell responses induced by activated DC. Surprisingly, mice depleted for CD4⁺ cells were able to generate stronger antigen‐specific CD8⁺ T‐cell responses after DC vaccination than non‐depleted mice. The same observation was made when mice were vaccinated with MHC class II^?/? DC, indicating the presence of a MHC class II‐dependent CD4⁺ T‐cell population inhibiting CD8⁺ T‐cell responses. Recently we described the expansion of DX5⁺CD4⁺ T cells, a T‐cell population displaying immune regulatory properties, upon vaccination with DC. Intriguingly, we now observe an inverse correlation between CD8⁺ T‐cell induction and expansion of DX5⁺CD4⁺ T cells as the latter cells did not expand after vaccination with MHC class II^?/? DC. In vitro, DX5⁺CD4⁺ T cells were able to limit proliferation, modulate cytokine production and induce Foxp3⁺ expression in OVA‐specific CD8⁺ T cells. Together, our data show an inhibitory role of CD4⁺ T cells on the induction of CD8⁺ T‐cell responses by activated DC and indicate the involvement of DX5⁺CD4⁺, but not CD4⁺CD25⁺, T cells in this process.     

Intestinal inflammation abrogates the tolerogenic properties of MLN CD103+ dendritic cells

Intestinal CD103⁺ DC promote the differentiation of Foxp3⁺ Treg from naïve CD4⁺ T cells through mechanisms involving TGF‐β and the dietary metabolite, retinoic acid (RA). In this study, we have analysed whether the specialised features of CD103⁺ DC are conserved in colitis. Our results show that inflammation dampens the tolerogenic properties of MLN CD103⁺ DC, which is associated with lower expression of tgfβ2 and aldh1a2. Accordingly, CD103⁺ DC taken from colitic mice are impaired in their ability to induce Foxp3⁺ Treg and instead favour the emergence of IFN‐γ‐producing CD4⁺ T cells compared with their steady‐state counterparts. BrdU‐labelling studies and analysis of ontogeny markers show that CD103⁺ DC from steady‐state and colitic settings retain similar subset composition and developmental pathways. These results indicate that MLN CD103⁺ DC are not hard‐wired to promote tolerance but can adapt to environmental conditions. The inflammatory properties of MLN CD103⁺ DC in colitic mice may reflect defective gut tolerogenic conditioning or altered migratory pathways and raise the possibility that migratory DC populations contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.     

T‐cell tolerance induced by repeated antigen stimulation: Selective loss of Foxp3− conventional CD4 T cells and induction of CD4 T‐cell anergy

Repeated immunization of mice with bacterial superantigens induces extensive deletion and anergy of reactive CD4 T cells. Here we report that the in vitro proliferation anergy of CD4 T cells from TCR transgenic mice immunized three times with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) (3× SEB) is partially due to an increased frequency of Foxp3⁺ CD4 T cells. Importantly, reduced number of conventional CD25^? Foxp3^? cells, rather than conversion of such cells to Foxp3⁺ cells, was the cause of that increase and was also seen in mice repeatedly immunized with OVA (3× OVA) and OVA—peptide (OVAp) (3× OVAp). Cell‐transfer experiments revealed profound but transient anergy of CD4 T cells isolated from 3× OVAp and 3× SEB mice. However, the in vivo anergy was CD4 T‐cell autonomous and independent of Foxp3⁺ Treg. Finally, proliferation of transferred CD4 T cells was inhibited in repeatedly immunized mice but inhibition was lost when transfer was delayed, despite the maintenance of elevated frequency of Foxp3⁺ cells. These data provide important implications for Foxp3⁺ cell‐mediated tolerance in situations of repeated antigen exposure such as human persistent infections.     

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances the ability of transferred CD4+ CD25+ cells to modulate T helper type 2-driven asthmatic responses

The severity of allergic diseases may be modified by vitamin D. However, the immune pathways modulated by the active form of vitamin D, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃], are yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, naturally occurring CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells from the skin‐draining lymph nodes (SDLN) of mice treated with topical 1,25(OH)₂D₃ had an increased ability to suppress T helper type 2 (Th2) ‐skewed immune responses. CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells transferred from mice treated with topical 1,25(OH)₂D₃ into ovalbumin (OVA) ‐sensitized mice challenged intranasally with OVA 18 hr later, significantly suppressed the capacity of airway‐draining lymph node (ADLN) cells to proliferate and secrete cytokines in response to further OVA stimulation ex vivo. The CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells from 1,25(OH)₂D₃‐treated mice also reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and the proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). To test the effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on cells able to respond to a specific antigen, CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells were purified from the SDLN of OVA‐T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice treated 4 days earlier with topical 1,25(OH)₂D₃. CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells from OVA‐TCR mice treated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ were able to alter BALF cell content and suppress ADLN responses to a similar degree to those cells from non‐transgenic mice, suggesting that the effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ was not related to TCR signalling. In summary, topical 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased the regulatory capacity of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ cells from the SDLN to suppress Th2‐mediated allergic airway disease. This work highlights how local 1,25(OH)₂D₃ production by lung epithelial cells may modulate the suppressive activity of local regulatory T cells.     

CD4+CD25highforkhead box protein 3+ regulatory T lymphocytes suppress interferon‐γ and CD107 expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from tuberculous pleural effusions

Tuberculous pleural effusion is characterized by a T helper type 1 (Th1) profile, but an excessive Th1 response may also cause tissue damage that might be controlled by regulatory mechanisms. In the current study we investigated the role of regulatory T cells (T_reg) in the modulation of Th1 responses in patients with tuberculous (TB) pleurisy. Using flow cytometry we evaluated the proportion of T_reg (CD4⁺CD25^highforkhead box protein 3⁺), interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐10 expression and CD107 degranulation in peripheral blood (PB) and pleural fluid (PF) from patients with TB pleurisy. We demonstrated that the proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺, CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺ and CD8⁺CD25⁺ cells were increased in PF compared to PB samples. Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulation increased the proportion of CD4⁺CD25^low/negIL‐10⁺ in PB and CD4⁺CD25^low/negIFN‐γ⁺ in PF; meanwhile, CD25^high mainly expressed IL‐10 in both compartments. A high proportion of CD4⁺CD107⁺ and CD8⁺CD107⁺ cells was observed in PF. T_reg depletion enhanced the in‐vitro M. tuberculosis‐induced IFN‐γ and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ degranulation responses and decreased CD4⁺IL‐10⁺ cells in PF. Our results demonstrated that in TB pleurisy T_reg cells effectively inhibit not only IFN‐γ expression but also the ability of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells to degranulate in response to M. tuberculosis.     

Effector memory CD4+T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes mediate bone loss in food-allergic enteropathy model mice,creating IL-4 dominance

Intestinal inflammation can be accompanied by osteoporosis, but their relationship, mediated by immune responses, remains unclear. Here, we investigated a non-IgE-mediated food-allergic enteropathy model of ovalbumin (OVA) 23-3 mice expressing OVA-specific T-cell-receptor transgenes. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and their pathogenic CD4⁺T cells were important to enteropathy occurrence and exacerbation when the mice were fed an egg-white (EW) diet. EW-fed OVA23-3 mice also developed bone loss and increased CD44^hiCD62L^loCD4⁺T cells in the MLNs and bone marrow (BM); these changes were attenuated by MLN, but not spleen, resection. We fed an EW diet to F1 cross offspring from OVA23-3 mice and a mouse line expressing the photoconvertible protein KikGR to track MLN CD4⁺T cells. Photoconverted MLN CD44^hiCD62L^loCD4⁺T cells migrated predominantly to the BM; pit formation assay proved their ability to promote bone damage via osteoclasts. Significantly greater expression of IL-4 mRNA in MLN CD44^hiCD62L^loCD4⁺T cells and bone was observed in EW-fed OVA23-3 mice. Anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody injection canceled bone loss in the primary inflammation phase in EW-fed mice, but less so in the chronic phase. This novel report shows the specific inflammatory relationship, via Th2-dominant-OVA-specific T cells and IL-4 production, between MLNs and bone, a distant organ, in food-allergic enteropathy.     

Control of Schistosoma mansoni egg‐induced inflammation by IL‐4‐responsive CD4+CD25−CD103+Foxp3− cells is IL‐10‐dependent

Host protection to helminth infection requires IL‐4 receptor α chain (IL‐4Rα) signalling and the establishment of finely regulated Th2 responses. In the current study, the role of IL‐4Rα‐responsive T cells in Schistosoma mansoni egg‐induced inflammation was investigated. Egg‐induced inflammation in IL‐4Rα‐responsive BALB/c mice was accompanied with Th2‐biased responses, whereas T‐cell‐specific IL‐4Rα‐deficient BALB/c mice (iLck^creIl4ra^?/lox) developed Th1‐biased responses with heightened inflammation. The proportion of Foxp3⁺ Treg in the draining LN of control mice did not correlate with the control of inflammation and was reduced in comparison to T‐cell‐specific IL‐4Rα‐deficient mice. This was due to IL‐4‐mediated inhibition of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg conversion, demonstrated in adoptively transferred Rag2^?/? mice. Interestingly, reduced footpad swelling in Il4ra^?/lox mice was associated with the induction of IL‐4 and IL‐10‐secreting CD4⁺CD25^?CD103⁺Foxp3^? cells, confirmed in S. mansoni infection studies. Transfer of IL‐4Rα‐responsive CD4⁺CD25^?CD103⁺ cells, but not CD4⁺CD25^high or CD4⁺CD25^?CD103^? cells, controlled inflammation in iLck^creIl4ra^?/lox mice. The control of inflammation depended on IL‐10, as transferred CD4⁺CD25^?CD103⁺ cells from IL‐10‐deficient mice were not able to effectively downregulate inflammation. Together, these results demonstrate that IL‐4 signalling in T cells inhibits Foxp3⁺ Treg in vivo and promotes CD4⁺CD25^?CD103⁺Foxp3^? cells that control S. mansoni egg‐induced inflammation via IL‐10.     

Transforming growth factor beta 1 plays an important role in inducing CD4+CD25+forhead box P3+ regulatory T cells by mast cells

The role of mast cells (MCs) in the generation of adaptive immune responses especially in the transplant immune responses is far from being resolved. It is reported that mast cells are essential intermediaries in regulatory T cell (T_reg) transplant tolerance, but the mechanism has not been clarified. To investigate whether bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) can induce T_regs by expressing transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) in vitro, bone marrow cells obtained from C57BL/6 (H‐2^b) mice were cultured with interleukin (IL)‐3 (10 ng/ml) and stem cell factor (SCF) (10 ng/ml) for 4 weeks. The purity of BMMCs was measured by flow cytometry. The BMMCs were then co‐cultured with C57BL/6 T cells at ratios of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1. Anti‐CD3, anti‐CD28 and IL‐2 were administered into the co‐culture system with (experiment groups) or without (control groups) TGF‐β1 neutralizing antibody. The percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)⁺ T_regs in the co‐cultured system were analysed by flow cytometry on day 5. The T_reg percentages were significantly higher in all the experiment groups compared to the control groups. These changes were deduced by applying TGF‐β1 neutralizing antibody into the co‐culture system. Our results indicated that the CD4⁺ T cells can be induced into CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ T cells by BMMCs via TGF‐β1.     

TLR2 engagement on CD4+ T cells enhances effector functions and protective responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We have previously demonstrated that mycobacterial lipoproteins engage TLR2 on human CD4⁺ T cells and upregulate TCR‐triggered IFN‐γ secretion and cell proliferation in vitro. Here we examined the role of CD4⁺ T‐cell‐expressed TLR2 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Ag‐specific T‐cell priming and in protection against MTB infection in vivo. Like their human counterparts, mouse CD4⁺ T cells express TLR2 and respond to TLR2 costimulation in vitro. This Th1‐like response was observed in the context of both polyclonal and Ag‐specific TCR stimulation. To evaluate the role of T‐cell TLR2 in priming of CD4⁺ T cells in vivo, naive MTB Ag85B‐specific TCR transgenic CD4⁺ T cells (P25 TCR‐Tg) were adoptively transferred into Tlr2^?/? recipient C57BL/6 mice that were then immunized with Ag85B and with or without TLR2 ligand Pam₃Cys‐SKKKK. TLR2 engagement during priming resulted in increased numbers of IFN‐γ‐secreting P25 TCR‐Tg T cells 1 week after immunization. P25 TCR‐Tg T cells stimulated in vitro via TCR and TLR2 conferred more protection than T cells stimulated via TCR alone when adoptively transferred before MTB infection. Our findings indicate that TLR2 engagement on CD4⁺ T cells increases MTB Ag‐specific responses and may contribute to protection against MTB infection.     

In vitro selective depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells from PBMC using anti-tac-SAP

It has been shown that naturally occurring regulatory T-cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺ Foxp3⁺ T-cells) have critical roles in tumor invasion and down-regulation of immune response against established tumors. High expression of CD25 (IL-2Rα) by regulatory T (T_reg) cells may cause an inefficient response when using IL-2-based cancer vaccines. It seems that selective elimination of T_reg cells before treatment of tumor-bearing T-cells can strongly increase the efficacy of a vaccine. The aim of this study was to set up an efficient cost-effective protocol to eliminate CD4⁺CD25⁺ T-cells—using the immunotoxin anti-tac-SAP. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) taken from colon cancer patients were treated with different concentrations (i.e., 0–100 µg/dl) of the immunotoxin. Flow cytometric analyses were then preformed to analyze expression of CD4, CD25, CD3, CD8, and CD45 surface markers; semi-quantitative fluorescent-PCR was used for the detection of Foxp3 expression before and after anti-tac-SAP treatment. The results indicated that anti-tac-SAP effectively eliminated CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_reg cells and that 25 µg/dl was the optimal concentration of anti-tac-SAP for selective depletion of these cells. These outcomes were verified by analyses of Foxp3 expression. The results also indicated that this immunotoxin had no non-specific effects on other T-cells, including CD4⁺CD25^? and CD8⁺CD45⁺ T-cells. Building on the work here, ongoing/future studies with the anti-tac-SAP will focus on functional assessments of the remaining (i.e., non-eliminated) T-cells (i.e., CD8, CD4; using proliferation and peptide sensitization assays) to ascertain if the immunotoxin inadvertently alters the functions of these cells—an untoward outcome.