Self-reactive T cells and degeneracy of T cell recognition: evolving concepts-from sequence homology to shape mimicry and TCR flexibility

Gasdermin D-dependent neutrophil extracellular traps exacerbate cytokine storm contributing to pyoderma gangrenosum pathogenesis

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is characterized by the agonizing necrotizing ulcers with non-infectious neutrophil infiltration. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent one of the mechanisms of neutrophils activation, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) plays a regulatory role in NETs. In this study, we discovered that the serum levels of NETs were elevated in PG patients compared to healthy controls. Injection of serum from PG patients into the dorsal skin of wild-type mice led to the formation of localized cutaneous ulcers. Furthermore, subsequent modeling demonstrated a significant increase of NETs and GSDMD in skin lesions and peripheral blood serum of wild-type mice. In GSDMD -/- mice, the severity of skin ulcers after modeling was significantly diminished. Overall, our findings shed light on the role of GSDMD in regulating the production of NETs by neutrophils and the release of inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of PG and establish an animal model for studying PG.

Theories of immune recognition: Is anybody right?

The clonal selection theory (CST) is the centrepiece of the current paradigm used to explain immune recognition and memory. Throughout the past decades, the original CST had been expanded and modified to explain new experimental evidences since its original publication by Burnet. This gave origin to new paradigms that govern experimental immunology nowadays, such as the associative recognition of antigen model and the stranger/danger signal model. However, these new theories also do not fully explain experimental findings such as natural autoimmune immunoglobulins, idiotypic networks, low and high dose tolerance, and dual-receptor T and B cells. To make sense of these empirical data, some authors have been trying to change the paradigm of immune cognition using a systemic approach, analogies with brain processing and concepts from second-order cybernetics. In the present paper, we review the CST and some of the theories/hypotheses derived from it, focusing on immune recognition. We point out their main weaknesses and highlight arguments made by their opponents and believers. We conclude that, until now, none of the proposed theories can fully explain the totality of immune phenomena and that a theory of everything is needed in immunology.

The Pathophysiology and Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum-Current Options and New Perspectives

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory dermatological disorder characterized by painful ulcers that quickly spread peripherally. The pathophysiology of PG is not fully understood; however, it is most commonly considered a disease in the spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses. The treatment of PG remains challenging due to the lack of generally accepted therapeutic guidelines. Existing therapeutic methods focus on limiting inflammation through the use of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies. Recently, several reports have indicated the successful use of biologic drugs and small molecules administered for coexisting diseases, resulting in ulcer healing. In this review, we summarize the discoveries regarding the pathophysiology of PG and present treatment options to raise awareness and improve the management of this rare entity.

Visiting Molecular Mimicry Once More: Pathogenicity, Virulence, and Autoimmunity

The concept of molecular mimicry describes situations in which antigen sharing between parasites and hosts could benefit pathogen evasion from host immune responses. However, antigen sharing can generate host responses to parasite-derived self-like peptides, triggering autoimmunity. Since its conception, molecular mimicry and the consequent potential cross-reactivity following infections have been repeatedly described in humans, raising increasing interest among immunologists. Here, we reviewed this concept focusing on the challenge of maintaining host immune tolerance to self-components in parasitic diseases. We focused on the studies that used genomics and bioinformatics to estimate the extent of antigen sharing between proteomes of different organisms. In addition, we comparatively analyzed human and murine proteomes for peptide sharing with proteomes of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms. We conclude that, although the amount of antigenic sharing between hosts and both pathogenic and non-pathogenic parasites and bacteria is massive, the degree of this antigen sharing is not related to pathogenicity or virulence. In addition, because the development of autoimmunity in response to infections by microorganisms endowed with cross-reacting antigens is rare, we conclude that molecular mimicry by itself is not a sufficient factor to disrupt intact self-tolerance mechanisms.

The therapeutic effect of an autologous and allogenic mixed glioma cell lysate vaccine in a rat model

PURPOSE

Tumor immunotherapy has the advantages of high specificity, minimal damage to the patient's body, and a long-lasting anti-tumor effect. However, due to the existence of immune escape phenomenon, the effect of anti-tumor immunotherapy is still poor. Therefore, a cancer vaccine that reverses tumor-associated immunosuppression is a very promising approach for research and treatment.

METHODS

Vaccines were prepared using autologous and allogeneic tumor cells and their lysates to syngeneic tumor cell lysates as immunogens. The glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis and the secretion level of MCP-2, IFN-γ were detected to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment against glioma in vitro. In addition, a rat glioma model was established to investigate the anti-tumor effect in vivo, and evaluated its efficacy by observing the changes of CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, NK cells, and the level of IL-2 and IL-10 in peripheral blood before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The C6 + 9L glioma cell lysate vaccine (C6 + 9L-CL) not only inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and promoted their apoptosis in vitro, but also significantly inhibited the tumor growth in vivo and improved the survival time of rats. In addition, the C6 + 9L-CL vaccine enhanced the anti-tumor immune response by promoting the secretion of T cell chemokines MCP-2, IFN-γ and IL-2, and by stimulating the proliferation of T cells and NK cells in peripheral blood and glioma tissues.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effect of molecular mimic vaccines on glioma and provided a theoretical basis for molecular mimic hybrid vaccines as a potential therapeutic approach.

Synthetic Peptides with Inadvertent Chemical Modifications Can Activate Potentially Autoreactive T Cells

The human CD8+ T cell clone 6C5 has previously been shown to recognize the tert-butyl-modified Bax161-170 peptide LLSY(3-tBu)FGTPT presented by HLA-A*02:01. This nonnatural epitope was likely created as a by-product of fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl protecting group peptide synthesis and bound poorly to HLA-A*02:01. In this study, we used a systematic approach to identify and characterize natural ligands for the 6C5 TCR. Functional analyses revealed that 6C5 T cells only recognized the LLSYFGTPT peptide when tBu was added to the tyrosine residue and did not recognize the LLSYFGTPT peptide modified with larger (di-tBu) or smaller chemical groups (Me). Combinatorial peptide library screening further showed that 6C5 T cells recognized a series of self-derived peptides with dissimilar amino acid sequences to LLSY(3-tBu)FGTPT. Structural studies of LLSY(3-tBu)FGTPT and two other activating nonamers (IIGWMWIPV and LLGWVFAQV) in complex with HLA-A*02:01 demonstrated similar overall peptide conformations and highlighted the importance of the position (P) 4 residue for T cell recognition, particularly the capacity of the bulky amino acid tryptophan to substitute for the tBu-modified tyrosine residue in conjunction with other changes at P5 and P6. Collectively, these results indicated that chemical modifications directly altered the immunogenicity of a synthetic peptide via molecular mimicry, leading to the inadvertent activation of a T cell clone with unexpected and potentially autoreactive specificities.

Thymoma-associated autoimmune encephalitis with positive Titin antibodies: A case report

We report a case of thymoma-associated autoimmune encephalitis with positive Titin antibodies. The patient had cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric symptoms and symptomatic epilepsy. PET-CT indicated space-occupied lesion at the thoracic entrance. The patient was diagnosed with paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis. After immunotherapy, his condition improved and underwent thymectomy. Pathology revealed type A thymoma. The patient recurred 10 days after the operation. Thymoma is associated with AE. And Titin antibodies may be involved in the extensive immune response to antigens which the patient's thymoma ectopically expressed. This case reflects the complexity of the immune relationship among autoimmune encephalitis, Titin antibodises and thymoma. Titin antibody may have a certain guiding significance for the treatment and prognosis of autoimmune encephalitis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis that presents with rapidly developing, painful skin ulcers hallmarked by undermined borders and peripheral erythema. Epidemiological studies indicate that the average age of PG onset is in the mid-40s, with an incidence of a few cases per million person-years. PG is often associated with a variety of other immune-mediated diseases, most commonly inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of PG is not well understood, but PG is generally considered an autoinflammatory disorder. Studies have focused on the role of T cells, especially at the wound margin; these cells may support the destructive autoinflammatory response by the innate immune system. PG is difficult to diagnose as several differential diagnoses are possible; in addition to clinical examination, laboratory tests of biopsied wound tissue are required for an accurate diagnosis, and new validated diagnostic criteria will facilitate the process. Treatment of PG typically starts with fast-acting immunosuppressive drugs (corticosteroids and/or cyclosporine) to reduce inflammation followed by the addition of more slowly acting immunosuppressive drugs with superior adverse event profiles, including biologics (in particular, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents). Appropriate wound care is also essential. Future research should focus on PG-specific outcome measures and PG quality-of-life studies.

Exploring the different states of wild-type T-cell receptor and mutant conformational changes towards understanding the antigen recognition

Recognition of proteolytic peptide fragments presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on target cells by T-cell receptor (TCR) is among the most important interactions in the adaptive immune system. Several computational studies have been performed to investigate conformational and dynamical properties of TCRs for enhanced immunogenicity. Here, we present the large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies of the two comprehensive systems consisting of the wild-type and mutant IG4 TCR in complex with the tumor epitope NY-ESO peptide (SLLMWITQC) and analyzed for mapping conformational changes of TCR in the states prior to antigen binding, upon antigen binding and after the antigen was released. All of the simulations were performed with different states of TCRs for each 1000 ns of simulation time, providing six simulations for time duration of 6000 ns (6µs). We show that rather than undergoing most critical conformational changes upon antigen binding, the high proportion of complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops change by comparatively small amount. The hypervariable CDRα3 and CDRβ3 loops showed significant structural changes. Interestingly, the TCR β chain loops showed the least changes, which is reliable with recent implications that β domain of TCR may propel antigen interaction. The mutant shows higher rigidity than wild-type even in released state; expose an induced fit mechanism occurring from the re-structuring of CDRα3 loop and can allow enhanced binding affinity of the peptide antigen. Additionally, we show that CDRα3 loop and peptide contacts are an adaptive feature of affinity enhanced mutant TCR.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A New Window into the Human Alloresponse

Alloreactive T lymphocytes are the primary mediators of allograft rejection. The size and diversity of the HLA-alloreactive T cell repertoire has thus far precluded the ability to follow these T cells and thereby to understand their fate in human transplant recipients. This review summarizes the history, challenges, and recent advances in the study of alloreactive T cells. We highlight the historical development of assays to measure alloreactivity and discuss how high-throughput T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing-based assays can provide a new window into the fate of alloreactive T cells in human transplant recipients. A specific approach combining a classical in vitro assay, the mixed lymphocyte reaction, with deep T cell receptor sequencing is described as a tool to track the donor-reactive T cell repertoire for any specific HLA-mismatched donor-recipient pair. This assay can provide mechanistic insights and has potential as a noninvasive, highly specific biomarker for rejection and tolerance.

What Is Direct Allorecognition?

Direct allorecognition is the process by which donor-derived major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide complexes, typically presented by donor-derived ‘passenger’ dendritic cells, are recognised directly by recipient T cells. In this review, we discuss the two principle theories which have been proposed to explain why individuals possess a high-precursor frequency of T cells with direct allospecificity and how self-restricted T cells recognise allogeneic MHC-peptide complexes. These theories, both of which are supported by functional and structural data, suggest that T cells recognising allogeneic MHC-peptide complexes focus either on the allopeptides bound to the allo-MHC molecules or the allo-MHC molecules themselves. We discuss how direct alloimmune responses may be sustained long term, the consequences of this for graft outcome and highlight novel strategies which are currently being investigated as a potential means of reducing rejection mediated through this pathway.

Immunogenicity of GX301 cancer vaccine: Four (telomerase peptides) are better than one

Peptide_540–548, peptide_611–626, peptide_672–686 and peptide_766–780, which are derived from human telomerase, constitute the immunogenic component of the GX301 cancer vaccine. The relative immunogenicity of these peptides is unknown, thus it is unsure whether their combined use offers real advantages over single peptide stimulation. Hence, this study compared the number of specific immune responses and responders to each peptide, as well as to their mixture (meaning the co-presence of the 4 peptides in the same culture well), achieved after ex vivo stimulation of PBMC from 21, HLA-A2+ (n.11) or HLA-A2- (n.10), healthy donors. The study was performed on freshly collected PBMC (T0) and on PBMC stimulated for 10 d with single peptides or their mixture (T1). Peptide-specific immune responses were analyzed by Elispot and cytokine intracellular staining by flow cytometry. The results showed that each peptide induced specific immune responses in some subjects, with different panels of responders among the peptides. Moreover, the numbers of responses and responders to the single peptides or their mixture were comparable. Importantly, the overall number of responders to the 4 peptides was higher than to each single peptide, or to their mixture, both at T0 and T1. These data demonstrate the immunogenicity of each of the 4 GX301 telomerase peptides. Moreover, they show the advantage of multi-peptide over single peptide stimulation, providing a clear support to their combined administration in vaccination protocols. However, the data pose a warning against peptide administration as a mixture due to possible interference phenomena during antigen presentation processes.

Pathophysiology of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases: Nature Versus Nurture

Pemphigus and pemphigoid are the prototypical immunobullous diseases. Although it has been well established that they are caused by deposition of autoreactive antibodies directed against adherence proteins within the skin, the specific genetic and environmental factors leading to development of these diseases continue to be an area of investigation. Herein, we discuss several of the potential environmental triggers that may induce patients to develop immunobullous diseases including medications, viral infections, UV exposure or other radiation injury and dietary factors. In addition, the potential genetic and immunologic mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of pemphigus and pemphigoid will be reviewed. The multifactorial nature of these diseases contributes to their complexity and highlights the importance of a detailed personal and family history when caring for these patients.

Intramolecular polyspecificity in CD4 T-cell recognition of Ad-restricted epitopes of proteoglycan aggrecan

T-cell recognition of MHC–peptide complexes shows a high degree of polyspecificity extending to recognition of a large number of structurally unrelated peptides. Examples of polyspecificity reported to date are confined to recognition of epitopes from distinct proteins or synthetic peptide libraries. Here we describe intramolecular polyspecificity of CD4 T cells specific for several epitopes within proteoglycan aggrecan, a structural glycoprotein of cartilage and candidate autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis. T-cell hybridomas from aggrecan-immunized mice recognized four structurally unrelated epitopes from the G1 domain of aggrecan, but not other aggrecan epitopes or a variety of other peptide epitopes restricted by the same MHC class II allele. We also showed that the hierarchy of cross-reactivity broadly correlated with the strength of peptide binding to MHC class II. Similar polyspecificity was observed in responses of lymph node cells from peptide-immunized mice, suggesting polyspecificity of a significant proportion of the in vivo aggrecan specific T-cell repertoire. Polyspecific recognition of several epitopes within the same autoantigen may provide a novel mechanism to reach the activation threshold of low-affinity autoreactive T cells in the initiation of autoimmune diseases.

Sercarzian immunology--In memoriam. Eli E. Sercarz, 1934-2009

During his long career as a principal investigator and educator, Eli Sercarz trained over 100 scientists. He is best known for developing hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) as a model antigen for immunologic studies. Working in his model system Eli furthered our understanding of antigen processing and immunologic tolerance. His work established important concepts of how the immune system recognizes antigenic determinants processed from whole protein antigens; specifically he developed the concepts of immunodominance and crypticity. Later in his career he focused more on autoimmunity using a variety of established animal models to develop theories on how T cells can circumvent tolerance induction and how an autoreactive immune response can evolve over time. His theory of "determinant spreading" is one of the cornerstones of our modern understanding of autoimmunity. This review covers Eli's entire scientific career outlining his many seminal discoveries.

CD8(+) T regulatory/suppressor cells and their relationships with autoreactivity and autoimmunity

Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) are fundamental for immune homeostasis since they contribute to the induction of peripheral tolerance to autologous antigens and regulate effector immune responses. Treg subsets are present within both the CD4+and the CD8(+) T cell compartments. Considering the CD8(+) Treg, in the last decades several subpopulations, provided with different phenotypes and mechanisms of action, have been characterized. This review is an attempt of integrating in an organic scenario the different CD8(+) Treg subpopulations. Moreover, it summarizes the findings so far achieved on the existence of CD8(+) Treg alterations in autoimmune diseases.

Molecular mimics can induce a nonautoaggressive repertoire that preempts induction of autoimmunity

To determine the role that competition plays in a molecular mimic's capacity to induce autoimmunity, we studied the ability of naïve encephalitogenic T cells to expand in response to agonist altered peptide ligands (APLs), some capable of stimulating both self-directed and exclusively APL-specific T cells. Our results show that although the APLs capable of stimulating exclusively APL-specific T cells are able to expand encephalitogenic T cells in vitro, the encephalitogenic repertoire is effectively outcompeted in vivo when the APL is used as the priming immunogen. Competition as a mechanism was supported by: (i) the demonstration of a population of exclusively APL-specific T cells, (ii) an experiment in which an encephalitogenic T cell population was successfully outcompeted by adoptively transferred naïve T cells, and (iii) demonstrating that the elimination of competing T cells bestowed an APL with the ability to expand naïve encephalitogenic T cells in vivo. In total, these experiments support the existence of a reasonably broad T cell repertoire responsive to a molecular mimic (e.g., a microbial agent), of which the exclusively mimic-specific component tends to focus the immune response on the invading pathogen, whereas the rare cross-reactive, potentially autoreactive T cells are often preempted from becoming involved.

Conformational changes and flexibility in T-cell receptor recognition of peptide-MHC complexes

A necessary feature of the immune system, TCR (T-cell receptor) cross-reactivity has been implicated in numerous autoimmune pathologies and is an underlying cause of transplant rejection. Early studies of the interactions of alphabeta TCRs (T-cell receptors) with their peptide-MHC ligands suggested that conformational plasticity in the TCR CDR (complementarity determining region) loops is a dominant contributor to T-cell cross-reactivity. Since these initial studies, the database of TCRs whose structures have been solved both bound and free is now large enough to permit general conclusions to be drawn about the extent of TCR plasticity and the types and locations of motion that occur. In the present paper, we review the conformational differences between free and bound TCRs, quantifying the structural changes that occur and discussing their possible roles in specificity and cross-reactivity. We show that, rather than undergoing major structural alterations or 'folding' upon binding, the majority of TCR CDR loops shift by relatively small amounts. The structural changes that do occur are dominated by hinge-bending motions, with loop remodelling usually occurring near loop apexes. As predicted from previous studies, the largest changes are in the hypervariable CDR3alpha and CDR3beta loops, although in some cases the germline-encoded CDR1alpha and CDR2alpha loops shift in magnitudes that approximate those of the CDR3 loops. Intriguingly, the smallest shifts are in the germline-encoded loops of the beta-chain, consistent with recent suggestions that the TCR beta domain may drive ligand recognition.

Prediction of T-cell epitope

The prevailing methods to predict T-cell epitopes are reviewed. Motif matching, matrix, support vector machine (SVM), and empirical scoring function methods are mainly reviewed; and the thermodynamic integration (TI) method using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is mentioned briefly. The motif matching method appeared first and developed with the increased understanding of the characteristic structure of MHC-peptide complexes, that is, pockets aligned in the groove and corresponding residues fitting on them. This method is now becoming outdated due to the insufficiency and inaccuracy of information. The matrix method, the generalization of interaction between pockets of MHC and residues of bound peptide to all the positions in the groove, is the most prevalent one. Efficiency of calculation makes this method appropriate to scan for candidates of T-cell epitopes within whole expressed proteins in an organ or even in a body. A large amount of experimental binding data is necessary to determine a matrix. SVM is a relative of the artificial neural network, especially direct generalization of a linear Perceptron. By incorporating non-binder data and adopting encoding that reflects the physical properties of amino acids, its performance becomes quite high. Empirical scoring functions apparently seem to be founded on a physical basis. However, the estimates directly derived from the method using only structural data are far from practical use. Through regression with binding data of a series of ligands and receptors, this method predicts binding affinity with appropriate accuracy. The TI method using MD requires only structural data and a general atomic parameter, that is, force field, and hence theoretically most consistent; however, the extent of perturbation, inaccuracy of the force field, the necessity of an immense amount of calculations, and continued difficulty of sampling an adequate structure hamper the application of this method in practical use.

Modeling immune behavior for experimentalists

This article outlines the requirements for useful models of biologic systems. Such models should fulfill three conditions: (i) suit the bottom-up data of the living system, not merely adhere to top-down logic; (ii) abet experimentation by stimulating new ideas for novel experiments; and (iii) engage the mind of the experimentalist with understandable, visual representations. Seven characteristics of a useful model are discussed.

Promiscuity of the AlloHLA-A2 restricted T cell repertoire hampers the generation of minor Histocompatibility antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells across HLA barriers

Hematopoietic system-specific miHAs are ideal targets for adoptive immunotherapy after allogeneic HLA (alloHLA)-matched SCT. Adoptive immunotherapy with cytotoxic T cells targeting hematopoietic system-specific miHAs restricted by alloHLA molecules is an attractive strategy to treat relapsed hematologic malignancies after HLA-mismatched SCT. As a proof of principle, we exploited 2 new strategies to generate alloHLA-A2-restricted miHA-specific T cells from HLA-A2(neg) donors using a HLA/miHA multimer-guided approach. In one strategy, autologous DCs coated with HLA-A2/miHA complexes were used for in vitro generation of miHA-specific T cells from HLA-A2(neg) male donors. In the other strategy, miHA-specific T cells were directly isolated from the peripheral blood of HLA-A2(neg) parous females with HLA-A2(pos) offspring. Both methods introduced recombinant HLA-A2/miHA complexes as the sole allogeneic target antigen. However, neither method yielded high avidity miHA-specific T cells or prevented the emergence of peptide-dependent promiscuous T cells. The latter T cells resembled miHA-specific T cells so closely with regard to tetramer binding and cytokine production that only extensive testing at a clonal level revealed their nonspecific nature. Therefore, promiscuity of the alloHLA-A2 T cell repertoire of HLA-A2(neg) individuals hampers in vitro generation of genuine miHA-specific T cells and limits its use for adoptive immunotherapy after HLA-A2 mismatched SCT.

A T cell receptor flattens a bulged antigenic peptide presented by a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule

Plasticity of the T cell receptor (TCR) is a hallmark of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cell recognition. However, it is unclear whether interactions of TCR and peptide-MHC class I (pMHCI) always conform to this paradigm. Here we describe the structure of a TCR, ELS4, in its non-ligand-bound form and in complex with a prominent 'bulged' Epstein-Barr virus peptide bound to HLA-B(*)3501. This complex was atypical of previously characterized TCR-pMHCI interactions in that a rigid face of the TCR crumpled the bulged antigenic determinant. This peptide 'bulldozing' created a more featureless pMHCI determinant, allowing the TCR to maximize MHC class I contacts essential for MHC class I restriction of TCR recognition. Our findings represent a mechanism of antigen recognition whereby the plasticity of the T cell response is dictated mainly by adjustments in the MHC-bound peptide.

Rotavirus-specific T cell responses and cytokine mRNA expression in children with diabetes-associated autoantibodies and type 1 diabetes

Rotavirus infections have been implicated as a possible trigger of type 1 diabetes. We elucidated this connection by comparing peripheral blood T cell responses to rotavirus between children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (n = 43), healthy children with multiple diabetes-associated autoantibodies (n = 36) and control children carrying human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes but without autoantibodies (n = 104). Lymphocyte proliferation assays based on stimulation with an antigen were performed using freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and IgG and IgA class rotavirus antibodies were measured using plasma samples collected from the children. The expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in PBMC was studied with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a subgroup of 38 children. No differences were observed in the strength or frequency of positive T cell responses to rotavirus between children with overt diabetes, children with multiple autoantibodies and control children. Children with diabetes-associated autoantibodies had, instead, stronger T cell responses to purified coxsackie B4 virus than control children. Rotavirus-stimulated lymphocytes from autoantibody-positive children produced more IL-4 and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes more IL-4 and IFN-gamma than lymphocytes from control children. PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from children with diabetes also produced more IL-4 and purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated lymphocytes less TGF-beta than lymphocytes from autoantibody-negative control children. In conclusion, our lymphocyte proliferation studies did not provide evidence supporting an association between rotavirus infections and the development of type 1 diabetes or diabetes-associated autoantibodies in young children.

T cell receptor recognition via cooperative conformational plasticity

Although T cell receptor cross-reactivity is a fundamental property of the immune system and is implicated in numerous autoimmune pathologies, the molecular mechanisms by which T cell receptors can recognize and respond to diverse ligands are incompletely understood. In the current study we examined the response of the human T cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) Tax-specific T cell receptor (TCR) A6 to a panel of structurally distinct haptens coupled to the Tax 11-19 peptide with a lysine substitution at position 5 (Tax5K, LLFG[K-hapten]PVYV). The A6 TCR could cross-reactively recognize one of these haptenated peptides, Tax-5K-4-(3-Indolyl)-butyric acid (IBA), presented by HLA-A*0201. The crystal structures of Tax5K-IBA/HLA-A2 free and in complex with A6 reveal that binding is mediated by a mechanism of cooperative conformational plasticity involving conformational changes on both sides of the protein-protein interface, including the TCR complementarity determining region (CDR) loops, Valpha/Vbeta domain orientation, and the hapten-modified peptide. Our findings illustrate the complex role that protein dynamics can play in TCR cross-reactivity and highlight that T cell receptor recognition of ligand can be achieved through diverse and complex molecular mechanisms that can occur simultaneously in the interface, not limited to molecular mimicry and CDR loop shifts.

Extensive T cell receptor cross-reactivity on structurally diverse haptenated peptides presented by HLA-A2

Previous studies have shown that individual TCRs are able to effectively recognize multiple peptide/MHC complexes that have varying degrees of structural diversity. These TCR cross-reactivities have usually been demonstrated by using peptides that have different amino acid sequences. To further examine the extent to which TCRs can accommodate structurally diverse ligands, we analyzed human TCR cross-reactivity to eight structurally distinct haptens that are coupled to the HLA-A2-binding Tax peptide with a lysine substitution at position 5 (Tax-5K, LLFG[K-hapten]PVYV). The results demonstrate that 71% percent of the haptenated-peptide-induced CTL lines could cross-react on at least one other hapten. We compared the effects of HLA-A2 mutants with substitutions at known TCR contact sites for recognition by hapten-cross-reactive CTL. Recognition of the A2 mutants was remarkably similar whether they were presenting the immunizing or the cross-reactive peptide, indicating that similar amino acid contacts are made by the TCR during recognition of both complexes. Thus, hapten cross-reactivity is apparently accomplished without major adjustments to the interaction between the TCR and the surface of the HLA-A2 molecule. Collectively, these results suggest that TCRs possess the molecular flexibility to accommodate very structurally diverse ligands while retaining conserved interactions with the surface of the MHC molecule.

How an autoimmune reaction triggered by molecular mimicry between streptococcal M protein and cardiac tissue proteins leads to heart lesions in rheumatic heart disease

Molecular mimicry between microbial antigens and host tissue is suggested as a mechanism for post-infectious autoimmune disease. In the present work we describe the autoimmune reactions of two severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients, through an analysis of heart-infiltrating T-cell repertoire, antigen recognition, and cytokine production induced by specific antigens. T-cell clones derived from oligoclonally expanded T cells in the heart cross-recognized M5 peptides, heart tissue-derived proteins, and myosin peptides. We show, using binding affinity assays, that an immunodominant streptococcal peptide (M5(81-96)) is capable of binding to the HLA-DR53 molecule. The same peptide was recognized by an infiltrating T-cell clone from a patient carrying HLA-DR15, DR7, and DR53 molecules. This suggests that this peptide is probably presented to T cells in the context of the HLA-DR53 molecule. Cross-reactive heart-infiltrating T cells activated by the M5 protein and its peptides and by heart tissue-derived proteins produced predominantly inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-4 was produced in small amounts by mitral valve intralesional T-cell lines and clones. Altogether, these results suggest that mimicry between streptococcal antigens and heart-tissue proteins, combined with high inflammatory cytokine and low IL-4 production, leads to the development of autoimmune reactions and cardiac tissue damage in RHD patients.

Nonantigen specific CD8+ T suppressor lymphocytes originate from CD8+CD28− T cells and inhibit both T-Cell proliferation and CTL function

Nonantigen specific CD8+ suppressor T lymphocytes (CD8+ Ts) inhibit T-cell proliferation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes. The impossibility to generate in vitro these cells has been correlated with the appearance of relapses in patients affected by autoimmune diseases, suggesting the involvement of these cells in immune regulation. This study was aimed to identify circulating precursors and to characterize the phenotype and mechanism of action of CD8+ Ts. We found that CD8+ Ts can be generated in vitro from CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes, but not from CD8+CD28+ T cells. A key role in their generation is played by monocytes that secrete interleukin-10 (IL-10) after granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation. Cell-to-cell direct interaction between CD8+CD28- T cells and monocytes does not play a role in the generation of CD8+ Ts. CD8+ Ts have a CD45RA+, CD27-, CCR7-, IL-10Ralpha+ phenotype and a TCR Vbeta chain repertoire overlapping that of autologous circulating CD8+ T cells. This phenotype is typical of T lymphocytes previously expanded due to antigen stimulation. Their suppressive effect on T-cell proliferation targets both antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and antigen-specific T lymphocytes, and is mediated by IL-10. CD8+ Ts suppress also the antigen-specific cytotoxic activity of CTL decreasing the expression of HLA class I molecules on target cells through IL-10 secretion. These findings can be helpful for the better understanding of immune regulatory circuits and for the definition of new pathogenic aspects in autoimmunity and tumor immunology.

The heuristics of biologic theory: the case of self-nonself discrimination

Mel Cohn has responded to our critique of the minimal model of self-nonself discrimination proposed by Langman and him. In this response to Mel Cohn, we summarize the essential differences between our points of view and highlight one criterion (of many) for preferring one theory to another in the complex field of biology: a preferred theory, rather than solving a problem, is heuristic. A good theory is one that activates a scientist to perform experiments that are novel and productive.

The autoantibody repertoire: searching for order

The spontaneously occurring autoantibodies that are associated with human diseases bear the hallmarks of a typical immune response. The repertoire of autoantibodies is surprisingly limited, however, and is the same in both humans and mice. Neither molecular mimicry nor immune dysregulation accounts for this unexpectedly narrow focus of specificities. Experimental data on the properties of the target autoantigens--such as their structure, catabolism, exposure to the immune system after cell death and recently described immunostimulatory effects on immature dendritic cells--indicate that these properties, in conjunction with the tissue microenvironment, help to select the autoantibody repertoire.

Single T cell receptor-mediated recognition of an identical HIV-derived peptide presented by multiple HLA class I molecules

A dual specific human CTL clone harboring one beta and two inframe alpha transcripts of TCR was previously reported to recognize an HIV Pol-derived nonapeptide (IPLTEEAEL) endogenously presented by both syngeneic HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*5101. In the current study, a retrovirus-mediated TCR transfer of individual alpha- and beta-chains to TCR-negative hybridoma showed that Valpha12.1 TCR in complex with Vbeta5.6 were responsible for the peptide-specific response in the context of both HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*5101, confirming single TCR-mediated dual specificity. The second TCR-alpha chain was not somehow expressed on the cell surface. Remarkably, the Valpha12.1/Vbeta5.6 TCR also recognized the same peptide presented by allogeneic HLA class I molecules that share the similar peptide-binding motifs, such as HLA-B*5301 and HLA-B*0702. The sensitivity of peptide recognition by the Valpha12/Vbeta5.6 TCR appeared to be comparable when the peptide was presented by syngeneic and allogeneic HLA class I molecules, with changes in T cell responsiveness caused largely by peptide-binding capacity. Moreover, the CTL clone bearing Valpha12.1/Vbeta5.6 TCR showed substantial cytolytic activity against the peptide-loaded cells expressing HLA-B*3501, HLA-B*5101, HLA-B*5301, or HLA-B*0702, providing further evidence that a single TCR complex can recognize the same peptide presented by a broad range of HLA class I molecules. A TCR with fine specificity for an HIV Ag but broad specificity to multiple HLA molecules may provide an advantage to the generation of allorestricted, peptide-specific T cells, and thus could be a potent candidate for immunotherapy against HIV infection.

Viruses and autoimmunity: an affair but not a marriage contract

Viruses are considered as causative agents and contributors to lesion expression in autoimmune disease, notions best supported by studies in animal model systems. This review discusses relationships between virus infection and autoimmunity focusing on mechanisms by which they could induce autoreactivity. The popular idea of molecular mimicry is viewed skeptically with the reviewers taking the viewpoint that viruses contribute to autoimmunity mainly by inducing several nonspecific inflammatory events that together are sufficient to trigger autoreactivity in genetically receptive hosts.

Autoimmunity provoked by infection: how good is the case for T cell epitope mimicry?

Autoimmune diseases remain one of the mysteries that perplex immunologists. What makes the immune system, which has evolved to protect an organism from foreign invaders, turn on the organism itself? A popular answer to this question involves the lymphoid network's primordial function: autoimmunity is a by-product of the immune response to microbial infection. For decades there have been tantalizing associations between infectious agents and autoimmunity: beta-hemolytic streptococci and rheumatic fever; B3 Coxsackieviruses and myocarditis; Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas' disease; diverse viruses and multiple sclerosis; Borrelia burgdorfii and Lyme arthritis; and B4 Coxsackievirus, cytomegalovirus or rubella and type 1 diabetes, to name the most frequently cited examples. In addition, animal models have provided direct evidence that infection with a particular microbe can incite a particular autoimmune disease. Nonetheless, many of the associations appear less than convincing and, even for those that seem to be on solid footing, there is no real understanding of the underlying mechanism(s).