Clonal heterogeneity in the functional requirement for Lyt-2/3 molecules on cytolytic T lymphocytes: analysis by antibody blocking and selective trypsinization

While it is well established that murine cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) express the Lyt-2/3 molecular complex on their surface, conflicting results have been reported concerning the role of this complex in CTL activity. In the present study this question was reinvestigated at the clonal level. Although different (H-2b anti-H-2d) CTL clones expressed comparable amounts of Lyt-2/3 molecules, as assessed by quantitative flow microfluorometry, the activity of some clones was inhibited by low doses (10 ng) of monoclonal anti-Lyt-2 or anti-Lyt-3 antibodies (in the absence of complement), whereas other clones were not inhibited by either antibody at doses as high as 5 microgram. Treatment of these clones with doses of trypsin sufficient to cleave Lyt-2/3 antigenic determinants from the cell surface resulted in a similar dissociation: clones that were inhibited by antibodies lost cytolytic activity, whereas "uninhibited" clones were unaffected by trypsin treatment. Moreover, the dissociation observed among different alloreactive clones could be demonstrated with self-H-2-restricted (H-2b anti-MSV) clones exhibiting cross-reactivity with normal H-2d products. The lytic activity of these clones against the relevant syngeneic target cells was unaffected by anti-Lyt-2 antibodies or trypsin, whereas their cross- reactivity on H-2d target cells was abolished by either treatment. These results provide direct evidence for clonal heterogeneity in the requirement for Lyt-2/3 molecules in CTL-mediated lysis. It is proposed that the function of Lyt-2/3 molecules is to stabilize the interaction between CTL receptors and the corresponding antigens on the target cells and that the requirement for such a stabilization is correlated with low number and/or affinity of CTL receptors.     

Phenotypic characterization of human cytolytic T lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture

Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)-activated T cells were analyzed according to the expression of various cell surface markers by the specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated in the MLR. CTL were found exclusively in a population of MLR-activated T cells that lacked detectable Fc gamma R but that expressed a surface antigen recognized by the 4F2 monoclonal antibody. In contrast, CTL were found in both the Ia-positive and Ia-negative cells after MLR activation. Thus, the specific CTL generated in the allogeneic MLR can be identified and isolated by virtue of the expression of a particular cell surface marker.     

Dendritic cells stimulate primary human cytolytic lymphocyte responses in the absence of CD4+ helper T cells

Cytotoxic lymphocytes are typically generated from unfractionated suspensions of human lymphocytes by stimulating with heterogeneous APCs and exogeneous growth factors. We have found that human blood dendritic cells can directly stimulate allogeneic human CD8+ T cells to proliferate and express antigen-specific cytotoxic activity. These primary responses, which are accompanied by the release of T cell growth factor(s), are induced in the absence of CD4+ helper T cells and are not inhibited by anti-CD4 mAb. Both antigen-specific CTL as well as nonspecific NK cells can be elicited by dendritic cells. The NK cell response can be depleted at the precursor level by panning with an anti-CD11b mAb, which removes a CD11b+/CD28-, CD16+ subset from the starting CD4- responders. Allogeneic blood monocytes are neither stimulatory nor inhibitory of these primary CD4- MLRs, even though monocytes present alloantigen in such a way as to be recognized as specific targets for CTL that have been sensitized by dendritic cells. The number of CD8+ cells that are blast transformed and express an activated phenotype (i.e., HLA DR/DQ+, CD25/IL-2R+, CD45R-) reaches 30-40% of the culture at day 4-5, the peak of the helper-independent response. We conclude that antigen-presentation by dendritic cells is sufficient in itself to prime cytolytic precursors. We speculate that using dendritic cell stimulators and CD4- responders in MLRs may be more efficient than standard tissue typing approaches for the detection of subtle, but important class I MHC-restricted histoincompatibilities in human transplantation.     

Amplification of altered self-reactive cytolytic T lymphocyte responses by cloned, allospecific human Th cells

The effect of a cloned allospecific human Th cell, termed 86, on the in vitro generation of altered self-reactive cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) was investigated. Utilizing the induction of hapten altered self-reactive CTL as a model for virus or tumor-specific cell-mediated immunity, we determined that the presence of small numbers of clone 86 cells markedly amplified the generation of hapten altered self-reactive CTL. The killer cells induced belong to the CD4-, CD8+ subset, are specific for the hapten-modified autologous stimulator cells present in culture, and are MHC class I restricted. The CTL induced under these culture conditions are readily expanded in the presence of IL-2 with maintenance of efficient and specific altered self-killing. Of interest, clone 86 cells preferentially enhance the growth of CD8+ T cells and selectively amplify altered self-cytolysis but not NK cell activity. Although in vitro clone 86 cells mediate help for CTL generation via the production of lymphokines (IL-4 but little IL-2), one can envision immunotherapeutic strategies for human disease that involve the adoptive transfer of Th cells functionally analogous to clone 86.     

Specificity of the helper T cell for the cytolytic T lymphocyte response to influenza viruses

We have described a model system in which helper T cells are required to mount a primary antiviral cytolytic T lymphocyte response. The radioresistant helper cell can be found in the spleens of mice that have been immunized subcutaneously with influenza viruses 6-8 d previously. These helper cells appear to be type specific but cross-reactive among the subtypes of influenza A viruses. The phenotypes of the interacting cell populations were determined.     

人CD4~+FOXP3~+T细胞的异质性研究进展

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)是一群具有免疫调节功能的细胞,对维持自身免疫耐受和免疫自稳必不可少,FOXP3特异性表达于Treg细胞,是Treg细胞发育、活化、发挥功能的关键。目前,CD4+FOXP3+T淋巴细胞常被用来定义Treg细胞进行科学研究,而最近研究表明,人CD4+FOXP3+T淋巴细胞存在表型和功能上的异质性,这其中包括具有免疫抑制功能的CD4+FOXP3+Treg,还包含没有抑制功能的其它类型T细胞,而这些不同功能的细胞亚群可以通过表型的差异加以区分。本文就近年来关于CD4+FOXP3+T细胞亚群表型特征和功能的异质性研究作一综述。     

Interleukin 7 enhances cytolytic T lymphocyte generation and induces lymphokine-activated killer cells from human peripheral blood

The effects of purified recombinant interleukin 7 (IL-7) on the generation of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and on the induction of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in autologous cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated. IL-7 was found to induce the generation of both CTL and LAK cells in bulk cultures. The appearance of peak CTL activity in MLC established with exogenous IL-7 was delayed in comparison with replicate cultures containing exogenous IL-2, but both cytokines stimulated quantitatively similar levels of antigen-specific lytic activity. An IL-2-neutralizing antiserum inhibited substantially, but not completely, the effect of IL-7 on CTL generation, implying the existence of both an indirect component of IL-7 activity via IL-2 utilization, as well as an IL-2-independent component. Cell surface phenotypic analysis of IL-2- or IL-7-generated CTL effector cells revealed that CD8+ cells were responsible for the vast majority of lytic activity. Limiting dilution analysis (LDA) revealed that essentially identical frequencies of CTL precursors (CTL-P) were capable of clonal expansion and/or differentiation in the presence of exogenous IL-2, IL-4, or IL-7, supporting the concept that all three of these cytokines are capable of exerting a major influence on T cell growth and differentiation. Approximately half of the CTL-P that responded in IL-7-supplemented LDA cultures did so in an IL-2-independent manner. IL-7 stimulated the development of LAK cells in autologous bulk cultures, but only weakly in comparison with IL-2. In contrast to its effects on CTL generation, the induction of LAK cells by IL-7 was virtually independent of IL-2. LAK cells induced by IL-7, like those induced by IL-2, were phenotypically heterogeneous and included CD8+, CD56+, and gamma/delta+ cells. Limiting dilution analysis indicated that IL-2 stimulated fivefold more LAK-P than IL-7 and 220-fold more than IL-4. Collectively, these data suggest that IL-7 has potent regulatory effects on human cytolytic cell populations and, either alone or in combination with other cytokines, could be important for the in vitro expansion of cells for adoptive immunotherapy.     

HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells produce antiviral cytokines but are impaired in cytolytic function

The use of peptide-human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I tetrameric complexes to identify antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells has provided a major development in our understanding of their role in controlling viral infections. However, questions remain about the exact function of these cells, particularly in HIV infection. Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes exert much of their activity by secreting soluble factors such as cytokines and chemokines. We describe here a method that combines the use of tetramers and intracellular staining to examine the functional heterogeneity of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells ex vivo. After stimulation by specific peptide antigen, secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, and perforin is analyzed by FACS((R)) within the tetramer-positive population in peripheral blood. Using this method, we have assessed the functional phenotype of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells compared with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8(+) T cells in HIV chronic infection. We show that the majority of circulating CD8(+) T cells specific for CMV and HIV antigens are functionally active with regards to the secretion of antiviral cytokines in response to antigen, although a subset of tetramer-staining cells was identified that secretes IFN-gamma and MIP-1beta but not TNF-alpha. However, a striking finding is that HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells express significantly lower levels of perforin than CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells. This lack of perforin is linked with persistent CD27 expression on HIV-specific cells, suggesting impaired maturation, and specific lysis ex vivo is lower for HIV-specific compared with CMV-specific cells from the same donor. Thus, HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells are impaired in cytolytic activity.     

CD4 effector T cell subsets in the response to influenza: heterogeneity,migration, and function

The immune response of naive CD4 T cells to influenza virus is initiated in the draining lymph nodes and spleen, and only after effectors are generated do antigen-specific cells migrate to the lung which is the site of infection. The effector cells generated in secondary organs appear as multiple subsets which are a heterogeneous continuum of cells in terms of number of cell divisions, phenotype and function. The effector cells that migrate to the lung constitute the more differentiated of the total responding population, characterized by many cell divisions, loss of CD62L, down-regulation of CCR7, stable expression of CD44 and CD49d, and transient expression of CCR5 and CD25. These cells also secrete high levels of interferon gamma and reduced levels of interleukin 2 relative to those in the secondary lymphoid organs. The response declines rapidly in parallel with viral clearance, but a spectrum of resting cell subsets reflecting the pattern at the peak of response is retained, suggesting that heterogeneous effector populations may give rise to corresponding memory populations. These results reveal a complex response, not an all-or-none one, which results in multiple effector phenotypes and implies that effector cells and the memory cells derived from them can display a broad spectrum of functional potentials.     

Clonal analysis of cytolytic T lymphocyte specificity. I. Phenotypically distinct sets of clones as the cellular basis of cross-reactivity to alloantigens

The cellular basis of the cytolytic cross-reactivity observed in primary allogeneic (C56BL/6 anti-DBA/2 and C57BL/6 anti-C3H/He) mixed- leukocyte cultures (MLC) was investigated by analysis of the specificity of clonal progeny derived from individual cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursor cells (CTL-P) contained within these populations. A sensitive mixed-leukocyte microculture (micro-MLC) technique was used with limiting dilution analysis by Poisson statistics to determine the frequency of CTL-P reactive against both specific and third-party (P815 and AKRA) target cells, to calculate the probability that each micro-MLC was a clone derived from a single CTL- P, and to examine the specificity of each micro-MLC assayed separately against both target cells. A total of 287 phenotypically specific, heteroclitic, and cross-reactive micro-MLC from the 2 different strain combinations were observed with a relative frequency of 81, 11, and 8%, respectively, and were calculated to have mean clone probability of 90 and 99% when based, respectively, upon the frequencies of CTL-P reactive against the specific and third-party target cells. These clones were estimated to have an approximate size of 6 X 10(4) cells, which corresponded to roughly 16 cell doublings during the 7 d of culture. 22 clones were successfully subcloned and in virtually every case, the subclones retained the specificity phenotype of the original clone from which they were derived. These results provide direct evidence for three phenotypically distinct sets of CTL as the cellular basis of cross-reactivity in MLC populations assayed against two different target cells.     

Genetic linkage of the cytolytic T lymphocyte repertoire and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes

The specificity repertoire of H-2Kb-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been examined in B10.D2,BALB/c, and the allotype congenic line CB-20. Comparing their expression of recurrent specificities that serve as markers for the repertoire of each strain indicates that the CTL repertoire of B10.D2 (Ighb) and BALB/c (Igha) differ extensively. In contrast, the repertoires expressed by B10.D2 and CB-20 (Ighb) are essentially identical with respect to their expression of the same recurrent specificities. Taken together with results previously obtained, it is concluded that both major histocompatibility complex and Igh-linked genes affect the CTL specificity repertoire.     

Antigenic specificity of the cytolytic T lymphocyte response to murine sarcoma virus-induced tumors. III. Characterization of cytolytic T lymphocyte clones specific for Moloney leukemia virus-associated cell surface antigens

Cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones specific for Moloney leukemia virus (MoLV)-derived tumor cells were generated by placing limiting numbers of C57BL/6 responder cells into mixed leukocyte-tumor cell microcultures. Under appropriate conditions (presence of stimulating tumor cells, accessory cells, and T cell growth factor), such cloned CTL could readily be expanded to provide large numbers of homogeneous, highly cytolytic CTL populations for further characterization. Using four target-cell types, three specificity patterns were observed: one reactive with the syngeneic MoLV-derived tumor only, one cross-reactive with an allogeneic MoLV-derived tumor, and one cross-reactive with normal allogeneic cells. Subclones derived from these three types of clones exhibited a high degree of stability in terms of lytic activity and specificity over a 4-mo period of observation. Three clones analyzed by flow cytofluorometry using monoclonal antibodies were all found to be of the Lyt-1+2+ phenotype. Furthermore, lysis of target cells by all of six clones tested was inhibited by anti-H-2Db (but not by anti-H-2Kb) monoclonal antibodies, demonstrating H-2Db-restriction at the clonal level.     

An antigen receptor-driven, interleukin 2-independent pathway for proliferation of murine cytolytic T lymphocyte clones

Proliferation of T lymphocytes can be induced by IL-2, either through an autocrine pathway in which the responding cell produces its own IL-2 or through an exocrine pathway in which IL-2 secreted by Th stimulates proliferation of IL-2-dependent CTL. However, proliferation of at least some CTL clones, such as CTL L3 and CTL dB45, also can be induced by stimulation of the antigen receptor in the absence of IL-2. Stimulation of these cloned CTL with T cell-depleted allogeneic spleen cells, allogeneic tumor cells, or immobilized mAb reactive with the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) induced thymidine incorporation, entry into cell cycle, and secretion of macrophage activating factor, but these stimuli did not induce the secretion of IL-2. Several observations indicated that such proliferation of cloned CTL induced by stimulation of the TCR was independent of IL-2; IL-2 could not be detected in supernatants from stimulated CTL cells. mAbs reactive with the murine IL-2-R efficiently blocked IL-2-mediated thymidine incorporation in cloned CTL and Th, but had no inhibitory effect on TCR-driven thymidine incorporation in the CTL clones. TCR-driven thymidine incorporation in cloned Th L2 cells was profoundly inhibited by these antibodies, indicating the operation of an IL-2-mediated autocrine pathway for proliferation in this cloned Th. When antibodies to the TCR were used to stimulate cloned CTL and Th, IFN-gamma mRNA was easily shown in the cloned CTL and Th. Although IL-2 mRNA could be detected in the cloned Th, it was never observed in the cloned CTL. These findings provide evidence for the existence of a TCR-mediated, IL-2-independent pathway for induction of cellular proliferation in cloned murine CTL.     

Leucine-rich repeat containing 8A (LRRC8A) is essential for T lymphocyte development and function

Lrrc8a is a ubiquitously expressed gene that encodes a leucine-rich repeat (LRR)–containing protein detected at higher levels on the surface of thymocytes than on other immune cells. We generated Lrrc8a^−/− mice to investigate the role of LRRC8A in lymphocyte development and function. Lrrc8a^−/− mice had increased prenatal and postnatal mortality, growth retardation, and multiple tissue abnormalities. Lrrc8a^−/− mice displayed a modest block in B cell development but intact intrinsic B cell function. In contrast, both Lrrc8a^−/− mice and Lrrc8a^−/−→Rag2^−/− bone marrow chimeras exhibited a severe cell-intrinsic block in early thymic development, with decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of thymocytes, and impaired peripheral T cell function. Thymic epithelial cells expressed an LRRC8A ligand that was critical for double-negative to double-positive thymocyte differentiation and survival in vitro. LRRC8A constitutively associated with the GRB2–GAB2 complex and lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) in thymocytes. LRRC8A ligation activated AKT via the LCK–ZAP–70–GAB2–PI3K pathway, and AKT phosphorylation was markedly reduced in the thymus of Lrrc8a^−/− mice. These findings reveal an essential role for LRRC8A in T cell development, survival, and function.Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are 20–29-aa-long sequences that contain a conserved consensus sequence LxxLxLxxN/CxL, where L may be replaced by isoleucine, phenylalanine, or valine (Kobe and Kajava, 2001). LRRs provide a structural framework for protein–protein interactions (Kobe and Kajava, 2001). Several LRR-containing proteins, such as TLRs, NODs, and GP1bβ, are important in innate immunity (Tang et al., 2004; Inohara et al., 2005; Lee and Kim, 2007). Little is known about the role of LRR-containing proteins in adaptive immunity, with the exception of CIITA (MHC class II transactivator), the deficiency of which results in absent expression of MHC class II molecules and severe immunodeficiency (Cressman et al., 1999).LRRC8A (LRR containing 8A) is a 94-kD LRR-containing protein highly conserved between human and mouse (Sawada et al., 2003). LRRC8A spans the cell membrane four times and its extracellular C terminus contains 17 LRRs (Sawada et al., 2003; Smits and Kajava, 2004). A 17-yr-old female patient with congenital facial abnormalities, absent B cells, and agammaglobulinemia, but normal numbers of T cells, had a balanced t(9;20)(q33.2;q12) translocation, resulting in the deletion of the C-terminal two-and-a-half LRRs of LRRC8A (91 aa) and the addition of 35 aa derived from an intronic sequence (Sawada et al., 2003). The truncated LRRC8A product was co-expressed with the intact product of the normal LRRC8A allele at comparable levels (Sawada et al., 2003). Reconstitution of irradiated recipient mice with syngeneic CD34⁺ BM progenitors transduced with a retroviral vector overexpressing the mutant LRRC8A resulted in a severe block in B cell development at the pro–B cell to pre–B cell transition and reduced numbers of T cells (Sawada et al., 2003). The phenotype was attributed to the dominant negative effect of the co-expressed mutant LRRC8A allele (Conley, 2003; Sawada et al., 2003). No developmental or functional analysis of the T cells was conducted in these mice, and the expression level of the mutant protein in hematopoietic cells was not documented (Sawada et al., 2003).To understand the role of LRRC8A in the adaptive immune system, we generated Lrrc8a^−/− mice that expressed no LRRC8A protein. Unlike the patient, Lrrc8a^−/− mice have peripheral B cells and normal immunoglobulin levels but display a severe cell-intrinsic block in thymic development and impaired peripheral T cell function. We demonstrate that thymic epithelial cell (TECs) express ligands for LRRC8A and that LRRC8A ligation activates AKT via the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK)–ZAP-70–GAB2–PI3K pathway. Our work demonstrates an essential role for LRRC8A in T cell development and function.     

B cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4) is sufficient for the proliferation and differentiation of lectin-stimulated cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors

In this report, we demonstrate that IL-4 is sufficient to stimulate both the proliferation and differentiation of Lyt-2+, Ia- splenic CTL precursors stimulated with the mitogenic lectin Con A. The response to IL-4 and Con A was not dependent on a putative endogenous production of IL-2 within the cultures, as demonstrated by an absence of an inhibitory effect by an anti-IL-2-R blocking mAb. Our results indicate that IL-2 and IL-4 can support an equivalent proliferative response by lectin-stimulated Lyt-2+ T lymphocytes, while IL-4 is more efficacious in stimulating their differentiation into mature cytolytically active cells.     

Functional heterogeneity of L3T4+ T cells in MRL-lpr/lpr mice. L3T4+ T cells suppress major histocompatibility complex-self-restricted L3T4+ T helper cell function in association with autoimmunity

The present study demonstrates in MRl-lpr/lpr autoimmune mice an age-dependent loss of MHC-self-restricted function by L3T4+ Th. This defect is not present in age-matched, congenic MRL-+/+ spleen cells and appears to be due to the presence of suppressor cells that are selective for L3T4+ Th and not for Lyt-2+ Th. Surprisingly, the suppressor cells are also L3T4+ T cells and can suppress the IL-2 production of congenic MRL/+ L3T4+ Th to MHC-self-restricted antigens. These data support the idea of functional specialization within the L3T4+ population of T cells. Because L3T4+ suppressor cells are detected late in the course of autoimmunity, we interpret their presence not as a primary initiating event in the development of autoimmunity, but rather as a compensatory mechanism. Additionally, similar suppression of L3T4+ Th function has also been reported in a murine graft-vs.-host model of autoimmunity, suggesting that the suppressor cells represent an immunoregulatory mechanism that is a common feature of autoimmunity. Since excessive class II-restricted Th activity for B cells has been reported for both models of autoimmunity, L3T4+ suppressor cells may represent an attempt to down regulate such excessive Th activity. These findings may be relevant to human autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, in which B cell hyperactivity is also associated with reduced IL-2 production by Th.     

Direct demonstration of the clonogenic potential of every human peripheral blood T cell. Clonal analysis of HLA-DR expression and cytolytic activity

In an attempt to determine the clonogenic properties of human peripheral blood T cells, we have developed a limiting dilution microculture system using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as T cell activator and supernatant from PHA-stimulated spleen cultures as a source of T cell growth factors. The frequencies of cells capable of extensive proliferation under these culture conditions were 0.52-0.73, 0.98-1.11, and less than 0.02 in peripheral blood mononuclear, E-rosette-positive, and E-rosette-negative cell populations, respectively. The clonogenic potential of virtually all T cells was confirmed in experiments using single cells isolated by micromanipulation. Clone size ranged between 5 and 30 X 10(4) cells on day 14 of culture. The same microculture system was used to determine the precursor frequency of all cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL-P). As assessed by a lectin-dependent 51Cr release assay, the CTL-P frequency in purified T cell populations ranged between 0.30 and 0.34. In comparison, the precursor frequency of T cells capable of lysing K562 target cells was ranging between 0.14 and 0.16. Parallel analysis of individual clonal cultures for both lytic activities showed that 50% of the clones exhibiting lectin-dependent lysis were also active against K562 target cells. All of the proliferating clones expressed HLA-DR antigens, although to a varying degree as assessed by flow cytofluorometry. Given the high cloning efficiency of this culture system, it appears now possible to determine the precursor frequencies of the various classes of functional cells in T cell populations.     

哮喘病人外周血CD4+ T淋巴细胞自噬现象的观察

摘要：目的观察分离培养的哮喘病人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞的自噬现象。方法密度梯度离心法、尼龙棉柱法及磁分离法分离哮喘病人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞，分空白组及地塞米松（DXM）组，培养72h后用流式细胞仪检测自噬细胞比例变化。结果DXM组与空白组72h自噬细胞发生率有显著性差异。结论DXM可诱导哮喘病人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞自噬。