Absence of CD4CD25 regulatory T cell expansion in renal transplanted patients treated in vivo with Belatacept mediated CD28–CD80/86 blockade

AimsBelatacept is a new recombinant molecule (CTLA4-Ig) that interferes with the second activation signal of T lymphocytes. CTLA4-Ig induced T cell allograft tolerance in rodents but not in primates. We examined the changes in peripheral lymphocyte subsets, including regulatory T cells, in renal transplant patients treated with Belatacept.MethodsA cross-sectional immunological study was carried out 6 months after transplantation in 28 patients enrolled in the Belatacept phase II study. Eighteen patients received Belatacept, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids (Belatacept group), while the control group of 10 patients received cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids (CsA group). Lymphocyte subsets were examined by flow cytometry. Foxp3 mRNA expression was measured by quantitative PCR.ResultsThe number of T lymphocytes and the percentage of CD3+ T cells were similar in both groups. However, the percentage of CD3+ CD4+ T cells was lower in the Belatacept group than in the control CsA group (B = 42.5% ± 13.7 vs CsA = 52.9% ± 9, p < 0.005), and the percentage of CD3+ CD8+ cells was higher in the Belatacept group than in the control (B = 32.9% ± 6.7 vs CsA = 19.5% ± 8.2, p < 0.0002). The percentage of CD19+ cells was similar in both groups. Among CD56+cells, only the percentage of CD16+ cells was significantly higher in the Belatacept group than in the control (B = 82% ± 12 vs CsA = 59.7% ± 25, p = 0.01). Among CD4 and CD8 T cells the percentage of activated lymphocytes expressing CTLA4, HLA-DR or CD40L was similar in both groups. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells was higher in the CsA group. The percentage of regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells with bright CD25 staining was similar in both groups (B = 3.6 ± 2.3% vs CsA = 4.7 ± 1.9%, ns) as was the expression of FoxP3.ConclusionOur results indicated that Belatacept did not induce regulatory T cell expansion in vivo. We suggest that Belatacept treatment should be maintained after transplantation to allow graft acceptance.     

Regulation of transplant arteriosclerosis by CD25+CD4+ T cells generated to alloantigen in vivo

BACKGROUND: CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells have been shown to suppress alloimmunity in various experimental settings. Here, we hypothesized that alloantigen-reactive regulatory T cells would reduce the severity of transplant arteriosclerosis. METHODS: CD25+CD4+ T cells from CBA mice that were pretreated with C57BL/6 (B.6) blood (donor-specific transfusion, DST) and nondepleting anti-CD4 Ab (YTS 177) were cotransferred with na?ve CBA CD25-CD4+"effector" T cells into CBA-rag-/- mice. These animals received aorta transplants from B.6 CD31-/- donors. CBA wild-type recipients of B.6 aorta grafts were pretreated with 177/DST directly. Some animals received 6x10(5) CD25+CD4+ T cells from pretreated mice to augment regulation on day -1. Grafts were harvested on day 30. RESULTS: Luminal occlusion of the graft caused by neointima formation was 29.3+/-19.4% (n=5) after transfer of effector T cells only. Co-transfer of CD25+CD4+ regulators reduced occlusion significantly (2.4+/-3.3%, n=3; P=0.009). This effect was partially abrogated in the presence of a CTLA4 blocking Ab (11.1+/-4.7%, n=4; P=0.008). Pretreating immunocompetent CBA recipients of B.6 aortic allografts with 177/DST did not reduce transplant arteriosclerosis significantly (43.0+/-15.7%, n=5 vs. 56.6+/-16.8%, n=5; 177/DST vs. controls; P=0.22). However, when pretreated primary CBA recipients received an additional transfer of 6 x 10(5) CD25+CD4+ T cells procured from other mice pretreated with 177/DST before transplantation, luminal occlusion of the graft was markedly reduced (33.0+/-7.6%, n=5; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Regulatory T cells generated in vivo to alloantigen can prevent CD25-CD4+ T-cell-mediated transplant arteriosclerosis. In immunocompetent recipients, these cells have potential to be used as cellular immunotherapy to control transplant arteriosclerosis.     

Aggressive skin allograft rejection in CD28-/- mice independent of the CD40/CD40L costimulatory pathway.

CD28-/- mice have been utilized to study the role of B7/CD28 and B7-CTLA4 interactions. There is evidence that CTLA4 ligation may be critical for tolerance induction. The aim of the current study is to further investigate rejection responses of CD28-/- mice and to define the role of B7-CTLA4 interactions in the absence of the CD40 and CD28 pathways. Balb/c skin allografts were transplanted onto C57BL/6 (B6) wild type or CD28-/- mice treated with anti-CD40L, CTLA4-Ig, or combination blockade. To investigate the cellular mechanism of rejection in CD28-/- recipients, mice were treated with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibodies prior to treatment with costimulation blockade. The fluoroscein dye CFSE was utilized to study T cell expansion in vivo. Surprisingly, treatment of B6 CD28-/- mice with CTLA4-Ig alone (MST 12d), anti-CD40L alone (MST 13d), or combined blockade (MST 13d) had no effect on allograft survival compared to untreated B6 CD28 mice (MST 11d). CD28-/- recipients depleted of CD4+ cells and treated with CTLA4-Ig, anti-CD40L, or combination blockade also did not have prolonged survival compared with untreated mice (MST 10d). In contrast, CD28-/- recipients depleted of CD8+ cells had markedly prolonged allograft survival when treated with either anti-CD40L alone (MST 49d) or with combination blockade (MST 57d). Studies utilizing CFSE demonstrated that CD28-/- CD8+ T cells are not defective in in vivo proliferation responses compared with wild type CD8 cells. Thus, CD28-/- CD8+ T cells are responsible for aggressive rejection responses of CD28-/- mice independent of the CD40 pathway. In addition, CD40L blockade does not result in CD4+ T cell tolerance in CD28 recipients, despite an intact B7-CTLA4 pathway.     

小剂量环孢素A联用细胞毒T淋巴细胞A4-Ig治疗器官移植排斥反应

目的　研究小剂量环孢素A(CsA)联用细胞毒T淋巴细胞A4 Ig(CTLA4 Ig)治疗器官移植排斥反应的效果。　方法　采用Ono′s方法建立大鼠心脏移植排斥反应动物模型 ,将实验动物分为 4组。A组 :对照组 ,未给予任何治疗 ;B组 :腹腔内注射CsA ,10mg·kg-1·d-1,连续 7d ;C组 :术后第 2天 1次性注射CTLA4 Ig 10 0 μg ;D组 :术后 1～ 7d连续腹腔内注射CsA ,2mg .kg-1.d-1,术后第 2天加用CTLA4 Ig 5 0 μg。观察移植心脏存活天数及术后IL 2含量和组织学变化。　 结果　A、B、C、D 4组大鼠移植心脏存活时间分别为 ( 7 2± 0 7)、( 19 4± 2 1)、( 3 1 6± 1 8)和 ( 2 4 6± 2 1)d ,与对照组相比 ,各治疗组大鼠心脏存活时间明显延长 ,差异有显著性意义 (q =3 2 7 83 ,P <0 0 5 ) ,D组与C组相比差异无显著性意义 (q =1 86,P >0 0 5 ) ;各治疗组术后IL 2含量明显减低 ,与对照组相比差异有非常显著性意义 (q=9 82 ,P <0 0 1) ;A、B、C和D组排斥反应分级分别为Ⅳ、Ⅲ、Ⅰ和Ⅰ级。　结论　CTLA4 Ig抗排斥反应能力比CsA强 ,小剂量CsA联合使用CTLA4 Ig能增强治疗排斥反应疗效 ,两者具有正协同作用。     

Short-term anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody treatment and neogenetic CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells in kidney transplantation

CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells named regulatory T (Treg) cells are generated and play a key role in the induction and maintenance of transplant tolerance in organ recipients. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) enhance the development of effector cells and is essential for generation of Treg cells. The effect of the anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD25mAb) induction therapy on the neogenetic CD4(+)CD25(high)Treg cells is important for therapeutic strategies in kidney transplant. To clarify the question, a prospective study was conducted in 21 living donor kidney transplant recipients who randomly divided into the anti-CD25mAb group (Daclizumab) with 11 patients and the control group with 10 patients. The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(high)Treg cells in total CD4(+) T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and FoxP3 expression by RT-PCR in peripheral blood, and results were compared at day 0, 3, 13, 17, 27 posttransplantation. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics and allograft survival. The present study showed that in vivo antigen-specific Treg cells population were generated and expanded after transplant. Both groups showed a significant increase in the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(high)Treg cells and higher level of FoxP3 mRNA after transplantation while the serum creatinine declined. Compared with the control group, recipients with anti-CD25mAb injection had significantly lower percentage of CD4(+)CD25(high) in total CD4(+) cells (1.13%+/-0.13% vs 1.94%+/-0.22%, P=0.00; 3.75%+/-0.28% vs 7.11%+/-0.51%, P=0.00) on day 3, 17 after transplantation. While, the percentage was not significantly different on day 10, 27 (3.72%+/-0.19% vs 4.36%+/-0.28%, P=0.08; 7.84%+/-0.35% vs 8.56%+/-0.36%, P=0.16). However, there was not obvious difference in Foxp3 expression level associated with the source of the CD4(+)CD25(high)Treg cells at the different time point after transplant. Our data indicated that CD4(+)CD25(high)Treg cells were transiently affected by anti-CD25mAb, without depletion. In conclusion, the short-term treatment with anti-CD25mAb might not prevent the production, proliferation of neogenetic Treg cells in organ transplant.     

大鼠心脏移植术后弓形虫感染时淋巴细胞亚群变化的观察

目的 观察大鼠器官移植术后机体免疫状态与环孢素A(CsA)使用和弓形虫发病的关系。方法 流式细胞术测定移植术后第5、10、15及20受体的T淋巴细胞亚群的变化。结果 CD4^ 和CD8^ T淋巴细胞酚率均有变化；使用环孢素组术后5d CID8^ T淋巴细胞较术前明显升高；术后10d，无论是否使用环孢素，CD8^ T淋巴细胞亦较术前明显升高；感染发作时CD8^ T淋巴细胞明显升高，CD4^ ／CD8^ 比值降低或倒置；移植术后供体携带病原体可致受体CD4^ ／CD8^ 比值低于受体隐性感染组的比值。结论 器官移植术后CsA使用导致免疫抑制，CD4^ 和CD8^ T淋巴细胞均参与对弓形虫的免疫作用；感染发作时CD8^ 明显升高，是主要的细胞毒细胞；CD4^ ／CD8^ 比值可用于评估机体免疫状态，预测弓形虫感染的发生。     

CTLA4-Ig基因对大鼠肝移植后免疫细胞浸润及细胞凋亡的影响

目的研究腺病毒介导的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关抗原4-Ig(cytolyticT-lymphocyteassociatedantigen4-Ig,CTLA4-Ig)基因对大鼠肝移植后移植物中免疫细胞浸润和细胞凋亡的影响。方法将大鼠原位肝移植模型分为排斥对照组、环孢素A(CsA)组和CTLA4-Ig组。分别于术后1,3,5,7,12d,用免疫组织化学法和缺口末端标记技术(TUNEL法)分别测定移植物中CTLA4-Ig基因的表达和巨噬细胞、CD8 T细胞浸润及细胞凋亡,并以病理形态学变化作参照。结果静脉注射重组CTLA4-Ig基因腺病毒7d后,大鼠肝脏CTLA4-Ig稳定表达,在肝移植60d后仍呈阳性;CTLA4-Ig组汇管区巨噬细胞、CD8 T细胞浸润明显较排斥对照组少;细胞凋亡指数在术后3、5和7d明显低于排斥对照组(P<0·01),汇管区巨噬细胞、CD8 T细胞浸润数和凋亡指数与排斥反应分级均显著相关。结论重组CTLA4-Ig基因腺病毒经静脉一次给药后能在大鼠肝脏稳定表达,并通过抑制移植物中免疫细胞浸润及移植物细胞凋亡,抑制移植后急性排斥反应。     

The influence of immuosuppressive therapy on the development of CD4+CD25+ T cells after renal transplantation

A growing number of studies suggest that CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells play a significant role to downregulate the immune response to alloantigens. In this study, we investigated the possible influence of immunosuppressive therapy, including cyclosporine (CsA) or rapamycin (sirolimus), on the level of CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+), and CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood of renal allograft recipients. The study was performed on renal allograft recipients who displayed uneventful stable courses (RAR-S; n = 15) versus biopsy-proven chronic rejection (RAR-CH; n = 12). The patients were divided based on the immunosuppressive protocol: group 1 (prednisone+CsA+Aza) and group II (prednisone+sirolimus). The control group consisted of 10 healthy blood donors. We examined the expression of CD4, CD25, CTLA-4, and Foxp3 in peripheral blood T cells. Flow cytometry was performed with a FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences) instrument with data analyzed using Cell Quest software. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in rapamycin (sirolimus) treated patients did not differ from that observed in healthy individuals, but was significantly higher compared with CsA-treated patients. CsA therapy resulted in a reduction in the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells after renal transplantation in both groups (RAR-S and RAR-CH) compared with patients treated with rapamycin or to healthy donors. The type of immunosuppressive therapy (with or without calcineurin inhibitors) may have an important role in tolerance induction and graft function.     

Mechanisms of survival prolongation of murine cardiac allografts using the treatment of CTLA4-Ig and MR1

BACKGROUND: [corrected] The present study was undertaken to determine the role of costimulatory blockade in a murine cardiac transplant model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We blocked the CD28/B7 and CD154/CD40 costimulatory pathways by transient administration of CTLA4-Ig and MR1 antibody to study the effects on allograft survival time, deviation of Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion, and other mechanisms related to prolonged survival. RESULTS: Costimulatory blockade prolonged the mean survival time (MST) of cardiac allografts to 43 days for the treated group vs 8 days for the untreated group (P < .01). The costimulatory blockade down-regulated the expression of 2 Th1 cytokines (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) and 2 Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), reduced the numbers of graft-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, and inhibited the expression of both perforin/GrB and FasL in allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Combined administration of CTLA4-Ig/MR1 inhibited acute rejection reactions in murine cardiac allografts, prolonging the survival of cardiac grafts through several mechanisms, including inhibition of Th1 and Th2 cytokine expression, graft infiltration by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and reduced both perforin/GrB and Fas-FasL.     

Tolerance to rat heart grafts induced by intrathymic immunomodulation is mediated by indirect recognition primed CD4+CD25+ Treg cells

BACKGROUND: In a rat model (PVG.R8-to-PVG.1U) disparate for one class I antigen, RT.1Aa, we previously demonstrated that intrathymic immunomodulation with donor antigens resulted in prolonged survival of cardiac allografts that underwent chronic rejection. However, long-term survivors developed a regulatory cell population that prevented both acute and chronic rejection when adoptively transferred into secondary graft recipients. The purpose of this study was to characterize these regulatory cells with particular emphasis on CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. METHODS: Spleens, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood lymphocytes of secondary tolerant recipients were characterized using antibodies to various T cell markers in flow cytometry. In vitro MLR and in vivo adoptive transfer experiments were conducted to investigate the involvement of CD4+CD25+ T cells in the observed tolerance. The presence of various cytokines in the sera of graft recipients and MLR culture supernatants was tested using ELISA. RESULTS: Tolerant recipients compared with naive rats had substantially higher percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells in the spleen (28+/-3% vs. 11+/-5%) and blood (23+/-6% vs. 9+/-4%). Tolerant animals also had higher levels of serum IL-10 than naive and rejecting animals. CD4+CD25+ T cells from secondary long-term graft survivors inhibited donor-specific proliferative responses in vitro that was associated with high IL-10 production. Importantly, depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells from splenocytes of tolerant rats abrogated their ability to transfer tolerance to tertiary graft recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that cardiac allograft tolerance in this model is mediated by CD4+CD25+ Treg cells primed by indirect recognition and is associated with high levels of IL-10.     

2型糖尿病肾病患者外周血CD28/CTLA4共刺激分子的表达及其意义

目的:探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)肾病患者外周血T细胞亚群、共刺激分子CD 28及细胞毒T淋巴细胞抗原(CTLA)4的表达及其临床意义。方法:选取2015年07月~2018年06月至我科室和内分泌科治疗的患者,根据尿微量清蛋白排泄率(UAER)将其分为DM组(T2DM无肾病,n=42)和DN组(T2DM合并肾病,n=40),同时选取健康人群40例作为对照(NC组)。采用流式细胞技术测定两组患者外周血T淋巴细胞上CD4、CD8的表达,并用流式细胞技术测定CD4^+、CD8^+T淋巴细胞表面CD28、CTLA4分子的表达。结果:三组外周血CD4^+和CD4^+/CD8^+按NC组-DM组-DN组顺序均呈显著递增趋势(P<0.01),CD3^+、CD8^+按照顺序呈显著递减趋势(P<0.01),且各组间差异明显(P<0.01);三组外周血CD4^+CD28^+、CD8^+CD28^+ T细胞按NC组-DM组-DN组顺序均呈显著递增趋势(P<0.01),CD4^+CTLA4+及CD8^+CTLA4+T细胞按照顺序呈显著递减趋势(P<0.01),且各组间差异明显(P<0.01)。结论:T2DM患者T细胞亚群失衡,其中合并肾病患者表达失衡更为严重,提示糖尿病肾病患者存在自身免疫调节异常。同时T2DM合并肾病患者外周血CD28和CTLA4表达也显著异于正常对照,提示共刺激分子可能参与了T2DM合并肾病的免疫功能紊乱。     

Differences in Type 1 and Type 2 intracytoplasmic cytokines, detected by flow cytometry, according to immunosuppression (cyclosporine A vs. tacrolimus) in stable renal allograft recipients

Recent multicenter, randomized clinical trials have shown that in renal transplant patients tacrolimus (FK506) was more efficient than cyclosporine A (CsA) at preventing acute rejection. In order to try and evaluate whether this difference was related to a different in vivo T-cell suppression we assessed, in a prospective study, the frequencies of interleukin (IL)-2-, IL-4-, IL-5-, IL-6-, IL-10-, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)- and double-positive IL-2/IFN-gamma-producing whole T cells, CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell subsets by means of cytokine flow cytometry. This was performed after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, in the presence of monensin, in 14 healthy volunteers (controls) and in 14 renal transplant patients. The immunosuppression of the latter was based either on CsA (n = 7) or on FK506 (n = 7). Cytokine-expressing T-cell frequencies were assessed immediately pretransplantation (DO), and subsequently 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) afterwards in fasting patients prior to the morning intake of the immunosuppressive drug. We found that at DO the frequencies of IL-2-(22 +/- 2% vs. 22.2 +/- 2%), IFN-gamma-(26 +/- 3% vs. 29 + 3.4%) and IL-4-(0.8 +/- 0.2% vs. 1.4 +/- 0.2%)-expressing T lymphocytes were not significantly different between the controls and the patients, respectively. Conversely, the frequency of IL-2/IFN-gamma double positive cells was higher in the latter (9.3 +/- 1.6%) than in the controls (5.6 +/- 0.8); p = 0.06. Finally, on D0 the frequencies of IL-5-, IL-6-, and IL-10-producing T lymphocytes were lower than 1%, in both groups, as well as after grafting, i.e. on M3 and M6. As compared to baseline (DO): (a) chronic immunosuppression significantly decreased the frequencies of IL-2-, IL-4- and IL-2/IFN-gamma-expressing T cells, whereas those of IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were not significantly affected; (b) the frequencies of cytokine-expressing T cells were not statistically different between M3 and M6; (c) the decrease in the frequencies of IL-2- and IL-2/IFN-gamma-expressing T cells affected CD4 + and CD8 + cells equally; (d) there was a marginal decrease in the frequency of IFN-gamma-expressing cells only in the CD4 + subset but not in the CD8 population; and (e) for CsA, but not for FK506, the frequency of the IL-2-expressing T cells was negatively correlated with the whole blood trough levels. When we compared the frequencies of cytokine-expressing cells in FK506- and CsA-treated patients, we found that the frequency of IL-2-expressing T cells was significantly lower with FK506 (10.9+/-1.61%) than with CsA (16.3 +/- 1.8%; p = 0.03), whereas the frequencies of the other cytokine-expressing cells were not statistically different between the two groups. In conclusion, our study clearly demonstrated that studied ex vivo, FK506 and CsA decrease the frequencies of cells expressing IL-2, IL-4 and IL-2/IFN-gamma in vivo but do not affect those expressing IFN-gamma. Meanwhile, the frequency of IL-2-producing T cells was more affected with FK506 than with CsA and was negatively correlated with the CsA trough level. Finally, our results regarding IL-2 might explain to some extent the higher efficiency of FK506 in vivo than CsA.     

B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD 86) expression in human tubular epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial inflammation with infiltration of mononuclear cells plays an important role in acute allograft rejection and in the progression of renal diseases. We therefore investigated in vivo the expression of the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 on proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) under normal and pathologic conditions and analyzed the regulation and functional role of these molecules after cytokine and CD40 activation in vitro. METHODS: Immunohistological staining for B7-1 and B7-2 on cryostat sections of core needle biopsies from patients with different renal diseases was examined. Patients were divided into three groups: group A: diffuse interstitial inflammation; group B: minor interstitial inflammation; group C: no interstitial inflammation. In addition, the expression of B7-1 and B7-2 protein and mRNA of cultured PTEC that had been stimulated with cytokine-combinations in absence or presence of a stimulatory anti-CD40 antibody was investigated by means of FACS analysis and RT-PCR. The functional role was analyzed in MKLCs with cytokine and anti-CD40 prestimulated PTEC by measuring IFN-gamma and IL-2 expression in absence or presence of CTLA4-Ig by ELISA. RESULTS: Group A patients showed intense tubular staining for B7-1 and B7-2, group B patients showed mild staining, whereas in group C patients B7-1 and B7-2 staining was negative or only weakly positive. In vitro, the presence of B7-1 and B7-2 on PTEC was increased after stimulation with combinations of IL-1alpha, IL-4, IFN-gamma or IL-13 instead of IL-4 and CD40 activation. B7-1 and B7-2 mRNA could be detected in PTEC as well. In MKLCs only cytokine and anti-CD40 prestimulated PTEC were able to stimulate IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by purified T cells, which could be blocked dose-dependently by CTLA4-Ig. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly shows that B7-1 and B7-2 can be induced on PTEC in vivo and in vitro. After B7-1 and B7-2 induction, PTEC costimulate CD28 on T lymphocytes resulting in cytokine production. This might be of relevance in allograft rejection and in various kidney diseases.     

Sirolimus versus cyclosporine therapy increases circulating regulatory T cells, but does not protect renal transplant patients given alemtuzumab induction from chronic allograft injury

BACKGROUND: In kidney transplant recipients with alemtuzumab induction maintained on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) immunosuppression, sirolimus (SRL) promotes significant expansion of circulating CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells (Treg). This might translate into more effective protection against chronic graft injury compared to cyclosporin A (CsA), which, in the same clinical setting, does not affect Treg. METHODS: To assess this hypothesis, in the extension of a single-center, prospective, randomized, open, blind endpoint study aimed to assess the effect of low-dose SRL or CsA on circulating Treg, we compared the outcomes of renal transplant recipients on SRL (n=11) or CsA (n=10) by per-protocol biopsies and serial measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), and 24-hour proteinuria over 30 months posttransplant. RESULTS: Despite 4-fold higher CD4+CD25high Treg counts (22.1+/-12.2% vs. 5.7+/-4.2% of CD3+CD4+ T cells), SRL-treated patients, compared to CsA-treated patients, had a significantly higher tubular C4d staining score (1.1+/-0.6 vs. 0.2+/-0.3, P<0.01), with nonsignificant trends to higher chronic allograft damage index score (5.6+/-2.4 vs. 3.7+/-3.3), faster GFR (-2.92+/-0.33 vs. -0.28+/-0.44 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year), and RPF (-10.80+/-5.45 vs. -1.86+/-3.09 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year) decline, and more clinical proteinuria (n=6 vs. 4). There was no significant correlation between Treg counts and any considered outcome variable in the study group as a whole and within each cohort. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, despite enhanced Treg expression, low-dose SRL combined to alemtuzumab induction and MMF-based steroid-free maintenance therapy, does not appreciably protect renal transplant recipients from chronic allograft injury and dysfunction.     

基因转移CTLA4-Ig和抗CD154抗体在异种胰岛移植排斥反应中的作用

目的 探讨基因转移细胞毒性T细胞相关抗原4免疫球蛋白(CTLA4-Ig)和抗T细胞分化群154(CD154)抗体在异种胰岛移植排斥反应中的作用及机理.方法 建立人-大鼠异种胰岛移植模型,用携带CTLA4-Ig基因的重组腺病毒感染移植胰岛细胞,并用抗CD154抗体进行治疗,观察糖尿病大鼠胰岛移植后血糖变化、生存情况及移植物病理形态学改变,检测移植物CTLA4-Ig、胰岛素的表达和移植大鼠白细胞介素2(IL-2)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α的水平变化.结果 (1)糖尿病大鼠移植后2 d血糖降至正常,对照组血糖平均在移植后8 d升高,抗体治疗组、转染组和联合治疗组血糖分别在18、25和36 d升高.(2)对照组、抗体治疗组、转染组和联合治疗组的移植物存活时间分别为(10.0±2.1)d、(22.0±8.2)d、(28.0±6.5)d和(37.0±9.3)d,各组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);移植大鼠生存时间分别为(21.0±5.7)d、(35.0±6.5)d、(48.0±8.5)d和(65.0 ±12.5)d,各组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).(3)对照组在移植后1周内,IL-2、TNF-α的水平均急剧上升,较移植前显著升高(P＜0.01).(4)各治疗组移植物见成片的胰岛细胞团,未见淋巴细胞浸润,转染组和联合治疗组移植物可见CTLA4-Ig和胰岛素的表达.结论 基因转移CTLA4-Ig和抗CD154抗体均可抑制异种胰岛移植排斥反应,二者联合效果优于单独使用.     

Flt3-L augments the engraftment of donor-derived bone marrow cells when combined with sublethal irradiation and costimulatory (CD28/B7 and CD40/CD40L) blockade

T-cell costimulatory blockade as a constituent for recipient conditioning prior to bone marrow transplantation has led to the development of less toxic protocols for the establishment of donor cell chimerism. We therefore hypothesized that the addition of the hematopoietic growth factor, Flt3-ligand (Flt3-L), to the perioperative inhibition of the CD28/B7 and CD40/CD40 ligand costimulatory pathways would enhance the engraftment of allogeneic bone marrow. Recipient BALB/c ByJ (H-2(d), Mls(c), Vbeta6+/Vbeta8+ TCR) received a single sublethal dose of total body irradiation (300 rad) 6 h prior to transplantation IV with unfractionated donor CBA/J (H-2(k), Mls(d), Vbeta6-/Vbeta8+ TCR) bone marrow cells. CTLA4-Ig and/or MRI were administered at 500 microg IP on days 0, 2, 4, and 6 posttransplantation. Flt3-L was administered at 10 microg IP on days 0-6. Donor cell chimerism was determined on days 30-90 by flow cytometric analysis. Donor-specific tolerance was assessed by skin grafting. In vitro TCR cross-linking assays and flow cytometry were utilized to explore the deletion of donor-reactive T cells. Recipients receiving CTLA4-Ig and MRI engrafted allogeneic bone marrow cells in the peripheral blood (3/6; 50%) with chimerism being detected at 2-31%. Addition of Flt3-L to this preconditioning regimen enhanced the incidence of engraftment of donor bone marrow cells (10/13; 3-70%). Long-term survival of donor but not third-party-specific skin grafts demonstrated that donor-specific tolerance had been achieved in the chimeric recipients. Deletion of the donor-reactive T cells within the chimeric recipients was also observed. The addition of hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines to the nonmyeloablative regimen of sublethal irradiation and T-cell costimulatory blockade provides a novel strategy for the establishment of donor cell chimerism and for the induction of stable and robust donor-specific tolerance. The deletion of donor-reactive T cells using this protocol suggests the reliability and feasibility of this protocol for clinical transplantation.     

CTLA4-Ig对肝细胞移植大鼠免疫耐受的作用及其机制

目的 探讨细胞毒性淋巴细胞相关抗原4融合蛋白(CTLA4-Ig)诱导肝细胞移植大鼠免疫耐受的作用及机制.方法 10%D-氨基半乳糖(D-gal)一次性腹腔注射建立大鼠急性药物性肝衰竭模型;采用肝脏原位灌注法分离纯化肝细胞,经脾脏移植后随机分为两组.实验组腹腔一次性注射CTLA4-Ig,对照组不予处理.两组均分别于术后第1、3、5、7天采外周血观察白细胞介素(IL)-2、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)及肝功能变化;术后1周测两组大鼠外周血T细胞亚群,处死大鼠后取脾脏苏木素-伊红(HE)染色.结果 实验组谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、血清总胆红素(TBil)于术后第7天分别为(6.5±7.3)IU/ml、(5.1±1.6)mmol/L,低于对照组.术后治疗组IL-2含量明显下降,第7天达到(1. 3138±0.8508)ng/L,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);术后TNF含量两组之间差异无统计学差异(P＞0.05).外周血CD4+T细胞、CD4+/CD8+T细胞实验组分别为(37.3±7.2)%、(1.5±0.1)%,低于对照组(P＜0.05),CD8+T细胞两组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).术后第7天治疗组脾内仍可见肝细胞或肝细胞团,对照组见大量淋巴细胞浸润,但很少见肝细胞.结论 CTLA4-Ig能诱导经脾同种异体肝细胞移植大鼠免疫耐受,使急性肝衰大鼠肝功能得到改善.可能是抑制T淋巴细胞亚群,且主要是抑制CD4+T细胞,使CD4+/CD8+T细胞比值下降;抑制IL-2的分泌.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the immunosuppressive effect of cytotoxic T Iymphocyte associated antigen 4 Ig fusion protein (CTLA4-Ig) in rat allograft hepatocyte transplantation model and the mechanisms. Methods Acute liver failure (ALF) model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 10% D-gal solution to SD rates. Collagenase perfusion was performed on SD rats to separate liver cells. SD rats with ALF were subjected to intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation and randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received intraperitoneal injection of CTLA4-Ig. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), liver function and histologicy were observed at the 1st,3rd, 5th, 7th day after operation and the T lymphocyte subsets were detected by using immunohistochemistry at the 7th day after operation. Results The levels of ALT and TBil were respectively (6. 5 ±7.3) IU/ml and (5.1 ± 1.6) mmol/L at the 7th day after operation and significantly decreased after injection of CTLA4-Ig ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). IL-2 concentration in the experimental group was ( 1.3138 ± 0. 8508 ) ng/L at the 7th day after operation and significantly decreased (P ＜0. 05). TNF had no significant difference between two groups after operation ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). T lymphocyte subsets, mainly CD4 + , in the experimental group was significantly decreased as compared with control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), so did the CD4 +/CD8 +. Histological changes: At the 7th day after operation, there were some hepatocytes in the spleen of the experimental group. But in the control group, the changes in the spleen were characterized by severe lymphocyte infiltration. There were no hepatocytes both groups. Conclusion CTLA4-Ig can induce rat allogeneic hepatocytes intrasplenic transplantation immune tolerance. It may improve the liver function of rats with ALF.CTLA4-Ig can decrease T lymphocyte subsets, mainly CD4 + and concentrations of IL-2.     

CD5+ B lymphocytes in high-risk islet cell antibody-positive and newly diagnosed IDDM subjects.

Human CD5+ B lymphocytes produce autoantibodies that bind to self- and exogenous antigens. Extremely high percentages of CD5+ B lymphocytes are present in the fetal and newborn periods, whereas they constitute only a minority of B lymphocytes in healthy adults. Increased percentages of circulating CD5+ lymphocytes have previously been demonstrated in several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, progressive systemic sclerosis, Graves' disease, and Sj?gren's syndrome. We measured the percentages of B lymphocytes that expressed the CD5 determinant in 93 control subjects (age range 1 day to 59 yr, mean +/- 22.6 +/- 17.7 yr), 17 subjects with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM; range 5-29 yr, mean +/- SD 13 +/- 5.9 yr), 31 high-risk islet cell antibody (ICA)-positive nondiabetic subjects (range 4-45 yr, mean +/- SD 19.8 +/- 14.1 yr), and 13 subjects with IDDM of greater than 5 yr duration (range 10-43 yr, mean +/- SD 24.2 +/- 9.9 yr). We report that CD5+ B-lymphocyte percentages are strikingly age dependent in healthy control subjects, declining progressively from the newborn period to the middle-age years (r = -0.75, P = 0.0001). In ICA+ nondiabetic and recent-onset IDDM subjects less than 29 yr of age, the percentage of circulating CD5+ B lymphocytes fell within the 95% confidence intervals established for control subjects. However, the age-dependent rate of decline in the percentage of CD5+ B lymphocytes within the control range was slower in ICA+ and newly diagnosed IDDM subjects than in control subjects.     

小鼠CD4+CD25+T调节细胞的分离、纯化及其功能检测

目的 探讨小鼠CD4+CD25+T调节细胞(Treg)的分离培养、纯化及其部分功能检测.方法 采用免疫磁珠分离法(MACS)对分离小鼠的脾淋巴细胞进行分选CD4+CD25+Treg细胞,锥虫蓝细胞染色检测其活性,流式细胞仪检测分选所得活性细胞的纯度,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测培养上清液中白细胞介素(IL)-2、IL-10水平的浓度.结果 MACS分离的CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的纯度达83%～96%.体外培养中Treg组、T组和混合组IL-2和IL-10的平均水平分别为:(10.25±2.31)、(40.32±8.05)ng/L;(5 8.21±13.05)、(11.52±3.01)ng/L;(39.54±12.82)、(31.25±4.36)ng/L,数据差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论 采用MACS系统两步法,可获得高纯度、具有免疫抑制功能的Treg细胞,该细胞对CD4+CD25-T细胞的免疫抑制作用可能是通过IL-10对IL-2的调节作用实现的.