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

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

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

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

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

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

Regulation of inflammation, autoimmunity, and infection immunity by HVEM-BTLA signaling

The HVEM, or TNFRSF14, is a membrane-bound receptor known to activate the NF-κB pathway, leading to the induction of proinflammatory and cell survival-promoting genes. HVEM binds several ligands that are capable of mediating costimulatory pathways, predominantly through its interaction with LIGHT (TNFSF14). However, it can also mediate coinhibitory effects, predominantly by interacting with IGSF members, BTLA or CD160. Therefore, it can function like a "molecular switch" for various activating or inhibitory functions. Furthermore, recent studies suggest the existence of bidirectional signaling with HVEM acting as a ligand for signaling through BTLA, which may act as a ligand in other contexts. Bidirectional signaling, together with new information indicating signaling in cis by cells that coexpress HVEM and its ligands, makes signaling within a HVEM-mediated network complicated, although potentially rich in biology. Accumulating in vivo evidence has shown that HVEM-mediated, coinhibitory signaling may be dominant over HVEM-mediated costimulatory signaling. In several disease models the absence of HVEM-BTLA signaling predominantly resulted in severe mucosal inflammation in the gut and lung, autoimmune-like disease, and impaired immunity during bacterial infection. Here, we will summarize the current view about how HVEM-BTLA signaling is involved in the regulation of mucosal inflammation, autoimmunity, and infection immunity.     

Monoclonal antibodies to B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) have no effect on in vitro B cell proliferation and act to inhibit in vitro T cell proliferation when presented in a cis, but not trans, format relative to the activating stimulus

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immunoglobulin superfamily member surface protein expressed on B and T cells. Its ligand, herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), is believed to act as a monomeric agonist that signals via the CRD1 of HVEM to inhibit lymphocyte activation: HVEM is also the receptor for lymphotoxin-α and LIGHT, which both bind in the CRD2 and CRD3 domains of the HVEM molecule, and for CD160 which competes with BTLA. We have shown that recombinant HVEM and a panel of different monoclonal antibodies specifically bind murine BTLA on both B and T cells and that some antibodies inhibit anti-CD3ε-induced T cell proliferation in vitro, but only when constrained appropriately with a putatively cross-linking reagent. The antibodies had no significant effect on in vitro T cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay nor on in vitro DO11.10 antigen-induced T cell proliferation. None of these antibodies, nor HVEM-Fc, had any significant effect on in vitro B cell proliferation induced by anti-immunoglobulin M antibodies (±anti-CD40) or lipopolysaccharide. We further elucidated the requirements for inhibition of in vitro T cell proliferation using a beads-based system to demonstrate that the antibodies that inhibited T cell proliferation in vitro were required to be presented to the T cell in a cis, and not trans, format relative to the anti-CD3ε stimulus. We also found that antibodies that inhibited T cell proliferation in vitro had no significant effect on the antibody captured interleukin-2 associated with the in vivo activation of DO11.10 T cells transferred to syngeneic recipient BALB/c mice. These data suggest that there may be specific structural requirements for the BTLA molecule to exert its effect on lymphocyte activation and proliferation.     

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

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

The signaling networks of the herpesvirus entry mediator (TNFRSF14) in immune regulation

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) (TNFRSF14) regulates T-cell immune responses by activating both inflammatory and inhibitory signaling pathways. HVEM acts as both a receptor for the canonical TNF-related ligands, LIGHT [lymphotoxin-like, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes] and lymphotoxin-α, and as a ligand for the immunoglobulin superfamily proteins BTLA (B and T lymphocyte attenuator) and CD160, a feature distinguishing HVEM from other immune regulatory molecules. The ability of HVEM to interact with multiple ligands in distinct configurations creates a functionally diverse set of intrinsic and bidirectional signaling pathways that control both inflammatory and inhibitory responses. The HVEM system is integrated into the larger LTβR and TNFR network through extensive shared ligand and receptor usage. Experimental mouse models and human diseases indicate that dysregulation of HVEM network may contribute to autoimmune pathogenesis, making it an attractive target for drug intervention.     

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

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

Targeting lymphocyte activation through the lymphotoxin and LIGHT pathways

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

人共信号分子HVEM在外周血PBMC表达特性及其对T细胞的生物学作用

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

BTLA expression contributes to septic morbidity and mortality by inducing innate inflammatory cell dysfunction

A proper innate inflammatory response is essential for prevention of the systemic inflammation associated with sepsis. BTLA is an immune-regulatory receptor demonstrated to be expressed not only on adaptive immune populations and have potent inhibitory effects on CD4(+) T cells but is also expressed on innate cell populations (CD11c(+) and CD11b(+) cells) and has been shown to diminish pathogen clearance following bacterial and parasite infection. The role of BTLA in sepsis and the mechanisms by which BTLA alters pathogen clearance, however, have not been addressed clearly. Here, we show that following acute experimental sepsis induction in mice (CLP), the number of infiltrating BTLA- and HVEM (the ligand for BTLA)-expressing macrophages, inflammatory monocytes, mature and immature DCs, and neutrophils increased in the peritoneum compared with sham surgery, suggesting that a high level of HVEM:BTLA interactions occurs between these cells at the site of septic insult. Given this, we evaluated BTLA(-/-) mice, 24 h post-CLP, and observed a marked increase in the degree of activation on these cell populations, as well as a reduction in peritoneal bacterial burden and IL-10 induction, and most importantly, BTLA(-/-) mice exhibited a higher rate of survival and protection from organ injury when compared with WT mice. Such changes were not restricted to experimental mice, as circulating BTLA+ and HVEM+ monocytes and HVEM+ granulocytes were increased in septic ICU patients, supporting a role for BTLA and/or HVEM as potential, novel diagnostic markers of innate immune response/status and as therapeutic targets of sepsis.     

LIGHT-HVEM—BTLA共信号分子的研究进展

BTLA是新近发现的一个CD28超家族共抑制分子,它的配体不是B7家族成员而是TNF受体超家族成员HVEM。HVEM同时还存在一个TNF超家族的配体,即T细胞上可诱导表达的与HSV的糖蛋白D竞争结合HVEM的淋巴毒素类似物（LIGHT）。HVEM可以作为一个分子开关,通过结合LIGHT或BTLA7E免疫调节中发挥不同的作用。     

BTLA:一个新发现的CD28超家族共刺激分子

BTLA是新近发现的一个CD8超家族共刺激分子,它与CTLA-4、PD-1有相似的结构和功能,对T细胞活化起负性调控作用,同时还可作为胸腺细胞阳性选择的早期标志。研究发现BTLA可与HVEM直接结合,目前多认为HVEM是BTLA的配体。BTLA—HVEM相互作用沟通了CD28及TNFR两个共刺激分子超家族,是一个比较特别的．CD28超家族分子。     

B和T淋巴细胞衰减因子(BTLA)在类风湿关节炎滑膜组织的表达

目的:探讨CD28家族共抑制分子B和T淋巴细胞衰减因子在类风湿关节炎(RA)患者滑膜组织内的表达。方法:免疫组化法检测RA患者滑膜组织BTLA的表达;并使用免疫荧光法检测BTLA的细胞定位及分布。结果:免疫组化结果证实,RA患者滑膜组织中有大量的BTLA阳性细胞,形态观察提示这些阳性的细胞主要是淋巴结处的淋巴细胞及巨噬细胞;免疫荧光分析进一步表明这些BTLA+细胞主要为CD3+T细胞及CD68+巨噬细胞,少数CD31+内皮细胞也表达BTLA。此外,对比其他B7家族共刺激分子在滑膜组织中的分布,免疫荧光发现BTLA共表达于B7-H1+,B7-H4+及HVEM+细胞,但不表达于B7-DC+及B7-H3+细胞。结论:关节炎滑膜组织内有大量BTLA阳性细胞,提示BTLA有可能参与并调节了关节炎的病理进程。     

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

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

BTLA/HVEM抑制信号通路研究进展

BTLA是新近发现的Ig家族的抑制性受体,其唯一配体HVEM,来自TNF受体超家族,可与TNF家族的LIGHT结合提供正向刺激信号.而BTLA与HVEM的相互作用传递抑制信号下调淋巴细胞的免疫应答.这两个来自不同家族的受体间的负向调节作用,改变了对传统抑制性信号通路作用方式的看法.通过介绍目前对其生物学特性、信号传导机制及与相关疾病关系的研究,为进一步深入了解免疫应答的调控机制及寻找治疗自身免疫病、移植排斥、肿瘤等疾病的新方法提供参考.     

肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族成员HVEM/TR2研究进展

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

BTLA-HVEM通路阻断对树突状细胞功能影响的体内外研究

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

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

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