CD4-CD8- T cell receptor alpha beta T cells: generation of an in vitro major histocompatibility complex class I specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response and allogeneic tumor rejection

Spred2 controls the severity of Concanavalin A-induced liver damage by limiting interferon-gamma production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

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Spred2^-/- mice developed exacerbated Con A-induced liver damage with increased IFNγ production.

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MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 markedly inhibited the damage and reduced IFNγ production.

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Neutralization of IFNγ abolished the damage with down-regulated hepatic STAT1 activation.

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Depletion of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells improved the damage with decreased IFNγ production.

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Transplantation of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells into RAG1^-/- mice reproduced severe liver damage.

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Liver damage and IFNγ production were significantly lower in Spred2 transgenic mice.

Introduction

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in T cell-mediated liver damage. However, the inhibitory mechanism(s) that controls T cell-mediated liver damage remains unknown.

Objectives

We investigated whether Spred2 (Sprouty-related, EVH1 domain-containing protein 2) that negatively regulates ERK-MAPK pathway has a biological impact on T cell-mediated liver damage by using a murine model.

Methods

We induced hepatotoxicity in genetically engineered mice by intravenously injecting Concanavalin A (Con A) and analyzed the mechanisms using serum chemistry, histology, ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry.

Results

Spred2-deficient mice (Spred2^-/-) developed more sever liver damage than wild-type (WT) mice with increased interferon-γ (IFNγ) production. Hepatic ERK phosphorylation was enhanced in Spred2^-/- mice, and pretreatment of Spred2^-/- mice with the MAPK/ERK inhibitor U0126 markedly inhibited the liver damage and reduced IFNγ production. Neutralization of IFNγ abolished the damage with decreased hepatic Stat1 activation in Spred2^-/- mice. IFNγ was mainly produced from CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, and their depletion decreased liver damage and IFNγ production. Transplantation of CD4⁺ and/or CD8⁺ T cells from Spred2^-/- mice into RAG1^-/- mice deficient in both T and B cells caused more severe liver damage than those from WT mice. Hepatic expression of T cell attractants, CXCL9 and CXCL10, was augmented in Spred2^-/- mice as compared to WT mice. Conversely, liver damage, IFNγ production and the recruitment of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in livers after Con A challenge were lower in Spred2 transgenic mice, and Spred2-overexpressing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells produced lower levels of IFNγ than WT cells upon stimulation with Con A in vitro.

Conclusion

We demonstrated, for the first time, that Spred2 functions as an endogenous regulator of T cell IFNγ production and Spred2-mediated inhibition of ERK-MAPK pathway may be an effective remedy for T cell-dependent liver damage.

Rescue of cytotoxic function in the CD8alpha knockout mouse by removal of MHC class II

CD8 plays an important role in the activity of cytolytic T cells (CTL). However, whether or not CD8 is required for the development of CTL has not been clearly determined. Cytotoxic activity in the CD8alpha knockout mouse is difficult to induce, and has only been demonstrated against allogenic MHC targets. The lack of cytotoxicity may result from impaired lineage commitment of CTL in the absence of CD8, or diminished competitiveness during selection against (unimpaired) development of CD4(+) T cells on MHC class II (MHC II). To differentiate between these possibilities, we have generated a double-knockout mouse (MHC II(-/-)CD8alpha(-/-)). In MHC II(-/-)CD8alpha(-/-) mice, developing MHC class I (MHC I)-reactive thymocytes cannot rely upon CD8 for selection, but they also cannot be overwhelmed by efficient selection of MHC II-reactive thymocytes. In this mouse, a large, heterogeneous population of peripheral coreceptor double-negative (DN) and CD4(+) T cells develops. Peripheral DN T cells are fully functional CTL. They display cytolytic activity against allogeneic MHC, and against syngeneic MHC following lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Cells from LCMV-infected mice bind more MHC I tetramer at lower concentrations than their wild-type CTL counterparts. These results demonstrate unequivocally that CD8 is not required for commitment of thymocytes to the CTL lineage.

Cytokine-mediated disruption of lymphocyte trafficking, hemopoiesis, and induction of lymphopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in anti-CD137-treated mice

CD137-mediated signals costimulate T cells and protect them from activation-induced apoptosis; they induce curative antitumor immunity and enhance antiviral immune responses in mice. In contrast, anti-CD137 agonistic mAbs can suppress T-dependent humoral immunity and reverse the course of established autoimmune disease. These results have provided a rationale for assessing the therapeutic potential of CD137 ligands in human clinical trials. In this study, we report that a single 200-mug injection of anti-CD137 given to otherwise naive BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice led to the development of a series of immunological anomalies. These included splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, multifocal hepatitis, anemia, altered trafficking of B cells and CD8 T cells, loss of NK cells, and a 10-fold increase in bone marrow (BM) cells bearing the phenotype of hemopoietic stem cells. These events were dependent on CD8 T cells, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and type I IFNs. BM cells up-regulated Fas, and there was a significant increase in the number of CD8+ T cells that correlated with a loss of CD19+ and Ab-secreting cells in the BM. TCR Valphabeta usage was random and polyclonal among liver-infiltrating CD8 T cells, and multifocal CD8+ T cell infiltrates were resolved upon termination of anti-CD137 treatment. Anti-CD137-treated mice developed lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, and had lowered levels of hemoglobin and increased numbers of reticulocytes.

Specific tolerance induction of allo-K(b)-skin grafts by FK506 in the CD8-depleted H-2(k) recipients required low amounts of K(b)-antigen

MHC class I allo-grafts can be directly rejected by recipient CD8 T cells and be indirectly rejected by recipient CD4 T cells. Although the experimental results using the bm mutant and C57BL/6 mice indicated that CD4-mediated rejection of class I-disparate grafts is a relatively weak process and is expected to be more sensitive to additional exogenous immunosuppression, it is unclear that whether this mechanism can be used for inducing a specific tolerance of class I disparate grafts. In this study, we hypothesize that a short course of FK506 may induce a specific tolerance of class I-disparate skin grafts in the CD8-depleted recipients. K(b)-transgenic C3H mice, Tg.H-2 K(b)-1 and Tg.H-2 K(b)-2 mice that express high copies and low copies of K(b)-antigen respectively were used as donors. Wild type C3H mice (H-2(k)) in which either CD4 or CD8 T cells were depleted by administration of anti-CD4 or CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) were used as recipients. Results showed that FK506 promoted longer survival of allo-K(b) skin grafts in CD8-depleted C3H mice than in CD4-depleted C3H mice. Graft survival from Tg.H-2 K(b)-2 mice was significantly longer than Tg.H-2 K(b)-1 mice. A short course of FK506 induced long-term survival of skin grafts from Tg.H-2K(b)-2 mice, but not from Tg.H-2K(b)-1 mice in CD8-depleted C3H recipients, even after FK506 was stopped. These mice also accepted grafts of Tg.H-2K(b)-1 mice when challenged with skin grafts from Tg.H-2K(b)-1 mice, but promptly rejected third party skin grafts from BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice. T cells from K(b)-tolerant C3H mice did not respond to allo-K(b)-antigen in in vitro assays of mixed lymphocyte culture and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In conclusion we found that a short course of FK506 treatment and low amounts of K(b)-antigen induced a K(b)-specific tolerance in the CD8-depleted recipients, and this tolerance maintained even after withdrawing the anti-CD8 mAb treatment.

Immunologic Pathways in a Quantitative Model of Immunosuppression Based on Rejection of an Allogeneic or Xenogeneic Tumor Graft

BACKGROUND

A quantitative model of immunosuppression was previously developed based on the rejection of the allogeneic A/J murine tumor sarcoma 1 (Sa1) in immunocompetent mice. Here, the model is used to evaluate the immunologic mechanisms of graft rejection and to determine the potential of this model to detect synergistic effects of combined immunosuppressive therapies.

METHODS

Wild-type, genetically-deficient, or drug-treated mice were used. Mice were challenged subcutaneously with the allogeneic murine tumor cell line, Sa1, or with the xenogenic human tumor, MDA435. Tumor growth was monitored with time, with increasing tumor size reflecting greater immunosuppression. In some cases, the mice were presensitized with either Sa1 or with A/J splenocytes.

RESULTS

In naïve recipient mice, studies in major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I-deficient mice and with depleting anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) demonstrate that CD8 T cells are important for Sa1 rejection. A modest role for perforin but not for Fas/Fas ligand could be demonstrated. Blockade of CD4 T cells was more effective with decreasing histocompatibility barriers. In contrast, CD4 T cells were critical in second-set rejections, but CD8 T cells were not. Rejection of xenogeneic tumors was also T-cell dependent as demonstrated by anti-CD3 mAb, dependent on both CD4 and CD8 T cells as demonstrated using MHC-I- and MHC-II-deficient mice, but was more vigorous as demonstrated by the lack of effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs in this model.

CONCLUSIONS

This model can be used to define dominant and partial effects of immunologic pathways as well as synergistic interactions of agents to develop immunosuppressive strategies.

Functional Similarity and Differences Between Selection-Independent CD4−CD8− αβ T Cells and Positively Selected CD8 T Cells Expressing the Same TCR and the Induction of Anergy in CD4−CD8− αβ T Cells in Antigen-Expressing Mice

In TCR-αβ transgenic mice, CD4−CD8− TCR-αβ+ (αβ DN) cells arise in the absence of positively selecting MHC molecules and are resistant to clonal deletion in Ag-expressing mice. In this study the activation requirements and functional properties of αβ double-negative (DN) cells were compared with those of positively selected CD8+ cells expressing equivalent levels of the same MHC class I-restricted transgenic TCR. We found that positively selected CD8+ cells required a lower density of the antigenic ligand for optimal proliferative responses compared with αβ DN cells derived from nonpositively selecting mice. However, when the CD8 coreceptor on CD8+ cells was blocked with an anti-CD8 mAb, both αβ DN and CD8+ cells exhibited the same dose-response curve to the antigenic ligand and the same dependence on CD28/B7 costimulation. Positively selected CD8+ cells also differed from αβ DN cells in that they differentiated into more efficient killers and IL-2 producers after Ag stimulation, even after CD8 blockade. However, Ag-activated αβ DN and CD8+ cells were equally efficient in producing IFN-γ, suggesting that this functional property is independent of positive selection. We also found that αβ DN cells recovered from the lymph nodes of Ag-expressing mice were functionally anergic. This anergic state was associated with defective proliferation and IL-2 production in response to Ag stimulation. These observations indicate that αβ DN cells can be anergized in vivo by physiological levels of the antigenic ligand.

Partial agonism elicits an enduring phase of T-cell-medicated antigen presentation

Previous studies have shown that the anti-CD4 mAb W3/25 strongly enhances T cell APC (T-APC) activity. In this study, single positive CD4+ and double negative (DN) (CD4-CD8-) T-helper cells specific for the 55-69 or 72-86 sequence of guinea pig (GP) myelin basic protein (GPMBP) were used to study CD4 regulation of T-APC activity. Clones were cultured with irradiated SPL and GPMBP or rat (R) MBP for 2-3 days, were propagated in IL-2 for another 1-3 days, were irradiated, and were used as T-APC. DN T cells specific for GP55-69 effectively presented GPMBP and were superior APC compared to other CD4+ T cells for presentation of this antigen. In contrast, DN T cells specific for the dominant encephalitogenic 72-86 determinant did not effectively present the agonist GPMBP but potently presented the partial agonist RMBP. The heightened APC activity of DN T cells reflected the lack of CD4 because the anti-CD4 mAb W3/25 promoted T-APC activity of CD4+ T cells to those levels expressed by DN T cells. Overall, T cells with potent reactivity to GPMBP or RMBP were subsequently unable to present that antigen, whereas T cells exhibiting partial or low antigen reactivities were highly effective APC for presentation of that antigen. The unrelated antigen conalbumin was presented by MBP-specific clones only when added to culture with a specific partial agonist. Together, these data indicate that partially agonistic MHC ligands promote prolonged expression of T-APC activity and that DN T cells may be specialized to mediate postactivational antigen presentation.

Mechanisms of allografted tumor rejection: the roles of T cells in allograft rejection mediated by a type of bone marrow-derived macrophage

Allografted tumor rejection does not occur in the absence of T cells, but the main effector cells responsible for the rejection are allograft-induced macrophages (AIM). We examined the roles of T cells in the AIM-mediated rejection of Meth A (H-2d) tumor cells from C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. Irradiation of C57BL/6 mice abrogated both the induction of AIM and the allograft rejection. Reconstitution of the irradiated mice with F1 (C57BL/6 X C3H/He: H-2b/k) bone marrow cells led to the appearance of H-2b/k haplotype of AIM exclusively in the rejection site and to allograft rejection, indicating that radiosensitive cells prerequisite for both the induction of AIM and allograft rejection were bone marrow-derived cells, and that the progenitors of AIM existed in the bone marrow cells to be activated into AIM in the rejection site. To understand the role of T cells in the induction of AIM, we used adult-thymectomized, X-irradiated C57BL/6 mice reconstituted with F1 bone marrow (ATXBM). The ATXBM mice could neither induce AIM nor reject allogeneic Meth A cells, whereas adoptive transfer of F1 lymph node T cells to the ATXBM mice restored not only the induction of AIM but also rejection of the allograft. Among the lymph node T cells, CD4-, but not CD8+, cells were found to be essential for the activation of AIM progenitors to AIM; and CD8+ T cells were further required for rejection, at least in part, to enhance the number of AIM in the rejection site.

Two distinct populations of primary cytotoxic cells infiltrating into allografted tumor rejection sites: infiltration of macrophages cytotoxic against allografted tumor precedes that of multiple sets of cytotoxic T lymphocytes with distinct specificity to alloantigens

It has been reported that the rejection of tumor allografts is mainly mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Here, we characterized the cytotoxic effector cells of C57BL/6 (B6; H-2b) mice infiltrating into the rejection site of the i.p. allografted Meth A fibrosarcoma (or P815 mastocytoma) cells of H-2d origin. Two types of cytotoxic cells (i.e., CD8+ CTLs and macrophages (M phi s)) were identified by flow cytometric fractionation of the infiltrates or by specific in vitro elimination of cells either with antibody (Ab)-coated beads or with an Ab-plus complement. Of particular interest, these effector cells showed distinct and unique target specificities. First, the CTLs were inactive against transplanted tumor (e.g., Meth A) cells, whereas they were cytotoxic against donor-related concanavalin A (Con A) blasts as well as CTLL-2 (H-2b) cells transfected with a class I gene of H-2d origin. A cold target competition assay suggested that the CTLs were composed of multiple sets of T cells, each of which specifically recognized different allo-antigens. Second, the M phi s lysed the allografted tumor cells but were inert toward the Con A blasts and the CTLL-2 transfectants. Unexpectedly, the infiltration of M phi s preceded the infiltration of CTLs by several days during the course of rejection. These results indicate that two distinct populations of unique cytotoxic cells (i.e., CTLs and M phi s) are induced in the allografted tumor rejection site, and that the infiltration of cytotoxic M phi s responsible for rejection precedes that of the CTLs cytotoxic against cells expressing donor-related allo-antigens.

Allo-skin graft rejection, tumor rejection and natural killer activity in mice lacking p56lck

Mice lacking the p56lck molecule (lck -/-) have a profound block in the maturation of thymocytes and a greatly reduced number of peripheral mature T cells. To analyze further the functions of the T cells developed in lck -/- mice in vivo, we evaluated the ability of lck -/- mice to reject allo-skin grafts and methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced syngeneic fibrosarcoma, and also examined the biological activity of lck -/- natural killer (NK) cells. Mice lacking p56lck failed to reject skin grafts from either MHC-disparate or minor-histocompatibility-different donors, even after they had been primed with donor spleen cells. They also failed to reject the MCA-induced immunogenic syngeneic fibrosarcoma, MC57X. NK activity in mice lacking p56lck was normal, and there were no differences in the NK cell activation induced by poly(I).poly(C) stimulation or interleukin-2 stimulation (lymphokine-activated killer induction) between mice lacking p56lck and their immunocompetent heterozygous littermates. NK cells lacking p56lck mediated a normal antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) response. The results of this study indicate that the loss of p56lck severely impairs the effectors of the immune system which mediate the rejection of allo-skin grafts and syngeneic tumors. The normal NK activity in lck -/- mice suggests that p56lck is not required for the development and activation of NK cells.

Early appearance of T cell receptor alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells with a skewed variable region repertoire after infection with Listeria monocytogenes

We found that the number of T cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells increased in the peritoneal cavity on day 5 after an intraperitoneal infection with Listeria monocytogenes strain EGD together with TCR gamma delta + CD4- CD8- T cells. Thereafter, the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells decreased to a normal level by day 14. The TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells showed an activated T cell phenotype (L-selectin CD44 +) and expressed CD45/B220 and interleukin-2 receptor beta, but did not express heat stable antigen, which is expressed by the immature CD4- CD8- thymocytes. Furthermore, 20-30% of the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells expressed the NK1.1 natural killer cell marker. Analysis of the TCR V region repertoire of the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells induced by L. monocytogenes infection showed that more than 80% of the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells expressed TCR V beta 8 detected by anti-TCR V beta 8.1 and 8.2 mAb, and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of V alpha 14 relative to V alpha 11 expression revealed that the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells expressed a higher level of V alpha 14, which was reported to be preferentially expressed by TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- thymocytes rather than conventional CD4+ T cells. The TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8-T cells showed a proliferative response to anti-TCR alpha beta mAb stimulation. In contrast, they showed no response to stimulation with either Listeria antigen or 65-kDa heat shock protein of Mycobacterium bovis, which do stimulate the Listeria-specific TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells and the Listeria-induced TCR gamma delta + T cells, respectively. These results suggest that the TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells may recognize a restricted set of self antigens induced by L. monocytogenes infection, and that they contribute to host protection at an early stage of infection.

Androgen regulation of intra-and extra-thymic T cells and its effect on sex differences in the immune system

Male predominance of malignant disease and female predominance of autoimmune diseases is widely known in humans. To elucidate one of the underlying mechanisms, we examined whether sex differences exist at the level of extra-thymic T cells in various organs of mice under physiological conditions. Effects of castration and testosterone administration were also examined. Intra- and extra-thymic T cells with T cell receptors (TCR) of bright and intermediate intensities, respectively, and with nil and high levels of the interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain respectively, were identified by immunofluorescence. Of the three strains tested, it was demonstrated that intermediate TCR cells were predominant in the liver of female mice. In the liver of male mice after bilateral orchidectomy, mononuclear cells increased and intermediate TCR cells predominated as if they were female; testosterone treatment prevented this immunological consequence of orchidectomy. As extra-thymic T cells comprise a considerable proportion of self-reactive forbidden clones and possess cytotoxic activity against syngeneic tumour cells, the present results suggest a possible relationship between (a) physiologically low levels of extra-thymic T cells in males and the male predominance of malignancy, and (b) the high levels of extra-thymic T cells in females and female predominance of autoimmune diseases.

Mac1 discriminates unusual CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells bearing alpha beta antigen receptor from conventional ones with either CD4 or CD8 in murine lung

Pulmonary intraparenchymal leukocytes were purified from normal mice. By flow cytometry, 20-30% of the lymphocytes were positive for the expression of Mac1, a cell-surface antigen largely restricted to macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells. Sorted Mac1+ lung lymphocytes were large and had abundant cytoplasm with few azurophilic granules. Because Mac1+ lymphocytes did not contain any asiallo GM1+ cells, they are not likely to be NK cells. By a two-color flow cytometric analysis, Mac1+ lymphocytes were demonstrated to be TCR-alpha beta intermediate+, TCR-gamma delta-, CD3intermediate+, CD4-, CD8-, Thy1-, CD5-, and B220-. These Mac1+ alpha beta T cells were not found in other organs such as spleen, thymus, liver, bone marrow and intestine of mice uninfected and infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG. There was a considerable population of this unusual subset of alpha beta T cells in the lungs of congenitally athymic nude mice. In the Mac1+ alpha beta T-cell population, the proportions of V beta 8+ T cells and of forbidden T-cell clones expressing V beta 6 TCR were not much different from that in the conventional T-cell population. These results indicated that extrathymically developed alpha beta T cells reside in considerable proportions in the lung and that Mac1 clearly discriminates these cells from conventional ones. Interestingly, the proportion of these cells increased in the lungs of mice infected with M. bovis BCG, which raises a possibility that these cells may play some role in the host defense against mycobacterial infection.

Perforin expression by thyroid-infiltrating T cells in autoimmune thyroid disease

Infiltration of the thyroid gland by lymphocytes is a hall-mark of autoimmune thyroid disease; it is particularly evident in Hashimoto's thyroiditis but is also seen in most patients with Graves' disease. Infiltrating cells are comprised primarily of T lymphocytes, of which only a minority appears to be activated. Their precise pathogenic role is largely unknown. Since perforin has been a marker for functionally activated cytotoxic T cells in situ we elected to assess the presence of perforin-containing cells in thyroid-infiltrating lymphocytes and establish their phenotype. Cells were isolated from seven subtotal thyroidectomy specimens, five from patients with Graves' disease and two with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The novel findings were as follows: CD4+ perforin-containing T cells occurred only in Hashimoto's glands, suggesting a class II-restricted component of cytotoxicity; in Graves' disease, and to a lesser extent in Hashimoto's, perforin-expressing cells were primarily T cell receptor alpha beta- CD4-CD8- (double negative); double negative perforin-containing cells in peripheral blood of normal individuals were largely gamma delta + T cells. In Hashimoto's samples, the predominant population of T cells expressing perforin was CD8+. By comparison, in studies of the synovial fluid of knee joints from patients with rheumatoid arthritis only a minor population of the perforin-containing cells was double-negative. The data suggest significant differences in cytotoxic autoimmune mechanisms between the two autoimmune thyroid diseases. Functional characterization of double-negative T cells is necessary to define their role in autoimmunity.

GD2 ganglioside-specific monoclonal antibody reacts with murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes reactive with FBL-3N erythroleukaemia

Ganglioside expression on cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced against the mouse erythroleukaemia line FBL-3N, was analysed, compared with that of naive T lymphocytes in the thymus, lymph nodes and spleen. Although normal uncultured and cultured T lymphocytes expressed no GD2, GD3 or GM2 gangliosides, cytotoxic T cells with CD4+CD8-, CD4-CD8+, and CD4-CD8- phenotypes reacted with anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody with various intensities. The reactivity with anti-GD2 was associated with the intensity of cytotoxic activity as analysed using cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones established from the bulk CTLs of each phenotype. An increase of the mRNA expression of GM2/GD2 synthase gene was demonstrated by Northern blot hybridization using RNA extracted from thymocytes, spleen cells, Con A-treated spleen cells and various types of CTL cells. These results indicated that GD2 ganglioside expression might be associated with the functional differentiation of murine T lymphocytes.

Class II major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell function in CD4-deficient mice

Previously, we and others have demonstrated that CD4-deficient mice have a normal number of T cells and B cells with a significant population of CD4-8-TcR alpha beta+ T cells. Surprisingly, however, these mice lacking CD4 show in vivo immunoglobulin isotype class switching from IgM to IgG in response to sheep erythrocytes and vesicular stomatitis virus. In this study we have depleted various subpopulations of T cells in vivo and shown that the population of CD4-8-TcR alpha beta+ T cells is responsible for providing "help" in the antibody response of CD4-deficient mice to vesicular stomatitis virus infection. We have used antigen-specific proliferation assays and blocking studies with class I and II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-specific purified antibodies to show that these cells are class II MHC-restricted in responses against the T cell-dependent antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Finally, phenotypic analysis of the CD4-CD8- thymocytes in CD4-deficient mice shows that these cells have a more mature phenotype than the CD4-8- thymocytes in wild type mice. These results indicate that CD4 is not absolutely necessary for positive selection or effector function of class II MHC-restricted helper T cells.

Characterization of liver lymphomyeloid cells in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites

We have isolated, characterized and quantified the immunocompetent cells present in the extravascular hepatic compartment at various stages after Plasmodium yoelii malaria infection with sporozoites. Cytological analyses revealed a predominantly lymphoid population. In mice with a primary infection, the predominant cells were CD4+, CD8+ and B lymphocytes. In fully protected mice, CD3+ CD4- CD8- and polymorphonuclear cells, particularly eosinophils, were most common. The significance of changes in subpopulations is discussed in relation to antigen presentation and host-protective mechanisms.

CD3+CD16+NK1.1+B220+ large granular lymphocytes arise from both alpha-beta TCR+CD4-CD8- and gamma-delta TCR+CD4-CD8- cells

Cultivation of CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) mouse thymocytes and splenocytes with recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2) in the absence of other stimulation results in the generation of DN-CD3/TCR+CD16+NK1.1+B220+ large granular lymphocytes (LGL). Purified DN alpha-beta TCR+ thymocytes and splenocytes are CD16+IL2R alpha-IL2R beta+NK1.1+B220-CD5high. These cells are unique in that they express both CD16 and T cell receptor (TCR) which are usually mutually exclusive. In addition, they express the natural killer (NK) marker, NK1.1. Cultivation of these cells with IL2 for several days results in the generation of DN alpha-beta TCR+CD16+NK1.1+B220+CD5- LGL, suggesting that DN alpha-beta TCR+ cells in thymus and spleen are the precursors of the DN LGL reported previously. DN gamma-delta TCR+CD16-NK1.1-B220-CD5high thymocytes and splenocytes also give rise to DN gamma-delta TCR+CD16+NK1.1+B220+CD5- LGL which, as shown previously with DN alpha-beta TCR+ LGL cells, are cytotoxic against NK-sensitive YAC-1 cells. Cytotoxic activity is also induced through either CD16 or the gamma-delta TCR. DN alpha-beta TCR+ and DN gamma-delta TCR+ LGL cells are thus similar in phenotype to TCR- NK cells. DN alpha-beta TCR+ thymocytes express low levels of the gamma subunit of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (Fc epsilon RI gamma) molecule, an essential component of CD16 expression. Fc epsilon RI gamma expression is greatly enhanced after cultivation with IL2, resulting in a higher surface expression of CD16. In contrast to DN alpha-beta TCR+ thymocytes, DN gamma-delta TCR+ thymocytes do not express detectable CD16 or Fc epsilon RI gamma mRNA but expression of both is induced by cultivation with IL2, leading to the expression of CD16 on the surface. Whereas CD16 molecules on both DN alpha-beta TCR+ and DN gamma-delta TCR+ LGL are associated with only Fc epsilon RI gamma homodimers, the TCR on these cells are associated with an Fc epsilon RI gamma homodimer and/or CD3 zeta-Fc epsilon RI gamma heterodimers. These results demonstrate that the Fc epsilon RI gamma subunit is a component of the TCR in a fraction of T lineage cells.

T-cell receptor diversity in dendritic epidermal T cells in the rat

The rat epidermis contains a population of dendritic CD3+ cells. For a better characterization of these cells and to investigate their relationship to epidermal lymphocytes of other species, we stained rat epidermal sheets using a variety of monoclonal antibodies against rat leukocyte differentiation antigens in an indirect immunofluorescence procedure. Additionally, we attempted to define their T-cell receptor (TCR) isotype at both the nucleic acid and protein level. Results obtained showed that the majority of the CD3+ dendritic epidermal cells are CD45+, CD2+, TCR alpha beta-, major histocompatibility complex class II-, Thy-1-, asialo GM1-, CD4-, CD5-, and CD8- lymphocytes. We further observed that, in contrast to the mouse system, the rat epidermis additionally harbors a small but distinctive portion of dendritic CD3+ cells that exhibit reactivity with an anti-pan TCR alpha beta monoclonal antibody. Our further finding that rat epidermal cells enriched for CD3+ lymphocytes express full-length C delta mRNA suggests that the vast majority of rat epidermal T cells carry surface-bound TCR gamma delta moieties. On the basis of these findings, one may speculate that the indigenous T-cell population of the epidermis is not necessarily programmed to uniformly express monomorphic TCR gamma delta molecules but, to effectively fulfill its role in host defense, is capable of adaptation to the specific challenges encountered by a given species.

Frequent occurrence of in vivo clonal expansion of CD4- CD8- T cells bearing T cell receptor alpha beta chains in adult humans

We have previously reported 2 cases of healthy men showing in vivo monoclonal expansion of mature CD4- CD8- alpha beta T cells. In the present study, an additional 3 adults were found to exhibit such an expansion, among a total 464 adult donors studied. These 5 individuals were otherwise physiologically normal, with no history of severe illness and autoimmune disease at the time of examination. To investigate the mechanisms of the clonal expansion, further characterization of the clonal cells was attempted. No apparent preference for usage of the T cell receptor beta chain variable region was observed in the clonal T cells. These clonal T cells showed lectin-dependent or redirected antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicities, whereas they could not lyse autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines. Failure of Fas antigen expression was not observed for any of these clones. These results suggest that clonal expansion of CD4- CD8- alpha beta T cells frequently occurs in the periphery without any T cell abnormalities.

CD4+ T cell-mediated rejection of major histocompatibility complex class I-disparate grafts: a role for alloantibody

Experimental studies of the T cell requirement for rejection of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-disparate grafts have generated controversy over both the autonomy of CD8+ T cells and the mechanism whereby CD4+ T cells are able to independently mediate rejection. In this study of rejection of RT1Aa class I MHC-disparate rat cardiac and skin allografts by high-responder PVG RT1u recipients, we show that elimination of CD8+ T cells [by anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) administration in vivo] fails to prolong graft survival, whereas partial depletion of CD4+ T cells (by anti-CD4 mAb treatment) markedly delays rejection of class I-disparate heart grafts, and marginally prolongs survival of skin grafts. Anti-CD4-treated PVG-RT1u athymic nude rats reconstituted with CD8+ T cells failed to reject class I-disparate skin grafts for several weeks and eventual rejection correlated with re-emergence of a small number of donor derived CD4+ T cells. Conversely, anti-CD8-treated nude rats reconstituted with CD4+ T cells alone rapidly rejected class I-disparate skin grafts. Passive transfer of anti-class I immune serum to anti-CD4-treated euthymic recipients promptly restored their ability to specifically reject a class I-disparate heart graft. Similarly, passive transfer of immune serum to PVG-RT1u nude rats bearing skin allografts caused destruction of class I-disparate but not third-party grafts. These results demonstrate that CD4+ T cells are both necessary and sufficient to cause rejection of class I-disparate heart and skin grafts in this model and that CD4+ T cell-dependent alloantibody plays a decisive role in effecting rejection.

Radioresistance of intermediate TCR cells and their localization in the body of mice revealed by irradiation

Extrathymic generation of T cells in the liver and in the intestine was recently demonstrated. We investigated herein whether such T cells, especially those in the liver, are present in other organs of mice. This investigation is possible employing our recently introduced method with which even a minor proportion of extrathymic, intermediate TCR cells in organs other than the liver can be identified. Intermediate TCR cells expressed higher levels of IL-2R beta and LFA-1 than bright TCR cells (i.e., T cells of thymic origin) as revealed by two-color staining. Although intermediate TCR cells were present at a small proportion in the spleen and thymus, they predominated in these organs after irradiation (9 Gy) and bone marrow reconstitution, or after low dose irradiation (6 Gy). This was due to that intermediate TCR cells were relatively radioresistant, whereas bright TCR cells were radiosensitive. Microscopic observation and immunochemical staining showed that intermediate TCR cells in the spleen localized in the red pulp and those in the thymus localized in the medulla. These intermediate TCR cells displayed a large light scatter, similar to such cells in the liver. The present results suggest that intermediate TCR cells may proliferate at multiple sites in the body.

Analysis of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) expression by human peripheral blood CD4-8- alpha/beta T cells demonstrates preferential use of several V beta genes and an invariant TCR alpha chain

CD4-CD8- (double negative [DN]) alpha/beta T cells are a largely uncharacterized subpopulation of unknown function. To investigate whether these cells are selected to recognize particular antigens or antigen-presenting molecules, DN alpha/beta T cells were purified from the peripheral blood of five normal donors and their T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains were examined. Random cloning of TCR alpha chains by single-sided polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification identified an invariant rearrangement between V alpha 24 and J alpha Q, with no N region diversity, which was expressed preferentially by DN alpha/beta T cells from all donors. Random cloning also identified a precise V alpha 7.2-J alpha (IGRJa14) rearrangement, with two variable amino acids encoded in the V-J junction, which was enriched in the DN alpha/beta T cell preparations from some, but not all, donors. Analysis of TCR beta chains by quantitative PCR amplification demonstrated that the expression of four V beta gene families, V beta 2, 8, 11, and 13, was markedly increased in these DN alpha/beta T cell preparations. The expression of particular TCRs by DN alpha/beta T cells from multiple donors indicates that these cells, or at least a subpopulation of cells with this phenotype, recognize a limited spectrum of antigens and suggests that they may use nonpolymorphic antigen-presenting molecules.

Alloreactive cytotoxic T cells can develop and function in mice lacking both CD4 and CD8

Using the technique of homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, a mouse strain without functional CD4 and CD8 genes has been generated. Surprisingly, these mice contain significant numbers of alpha beta T cells. Although mice deficient for CD8 only do not show any cytotoxic response when their T cells are stimulated with either alloantigen or viral antigen, the CD4-8- mice do generate alloreactive cytotoxic T cells. These cytotoxic T cells bear the alpha beta T cell receptor and recognize major histocompatibility complex class I antigens. In addition fully allogeneic skin transplants were rejected but skin transplants expressing only minor transplantation antigens were not. Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes were also not detected. It seems that alloreactive cytotoxic T cells can be induced and exert their effector function in vitro and in vivo in the absence of CD8, and that they can develop and mature in vivo without the CD8 molecule or the signals it might provide.

Extrathymic pathways of T-cell differentiation: a primitive and fundamental immune system

In addition to an intrathymic pathway of T-cell differentiation, extrathymic pathways of T-cell differentiation have recently been demonstrated to occur in multiple sites in mice. Such sites include the sinusoids of the liver, the intraepithelial region of the intestine, and the omentum of the peritoneal cavity. Although these extrathymic pathways are minimal at a young age, they become predominant with aging. Extrathymically differentiated T cells display many properties distinct from those of regular T cells of thymic origin. For instance, they consist of a considerably large proportion of gamma delta T cells as well as alpha beta T cells, contain double-negative CD4-CD8- cells and self-reactive oligoclones, constitutively express the II-2 receptor beta-chain, and have an alpha alpha homodimer of CD8 if they carry it. Cumulative evidence reveals that the extrathymic pathways comprise a primitive and fundamental immune system in the body and play a pivotal role in immune reactions under conditions of aging, bacterial infections, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and pregnancy.

Effect of accessory cells on stimulation of murine T-cell leukemia with antibodies to the CD3/T cell antigen receptor complex

Stimulation of EL4 and RL male 1 leukemia cells in vitro with immobilized anti-CD3 epsilon monoclonal antibody (mAb) (145-2C11) or anti-TCR beta mAb (H57-597) in the absence of accessory cells induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and caused growth inhibition. The growth inhibition was, however, transient and the tumors started to grow again within 5 days in immobilizing plates treated with antibodies at concentrations of 2.5-100 micrograms/ml. Addition of mitomycin C-treated accessory cells to the culture inhibited IL-2 production and resulted in augmented and persistent growth inhibition. No recovery of tumor growth was observed. Furthermore, DNA from EL4 and RL male 1 leukemia cells stimulated with anti-CD3/TCR mAbs was fragmented even in the absence of accessory cells, but fragmentation was much greater in the presence of accessory cells. Marginal and high expression of the bcl-2 gene were observed in EL4 and RL male 1, respectively, indicating that apoptosis of these leukemias mediated by signalling through the CD3/TCR complex has no direct relationship with expression of the bcl-2 gene.

Cutaneous lymphoproliferation and lymphomas in interleukin 7 transgenic mice

To investigate the role of interleukin 7 (IL-7) in the development of the lymphoid system, we have generated two lines of transgenic mice carrying an IL-7 cDNA fused to an immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter and enhancer. This transgene is expressed in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and skin provoking a perturbation of T cell development characterized by a marked reduction of CD4+ CD8+ (double-positive) thymocytes. Quite unexpectedly, however, both lines also develop a progressive cutaneous disorder involving a dermal lymphoid infiltrate that results in progressive alopecia, hyperkeratosis, and exfoliation. Although the infiltrate is primarily composed of T lineage cells, its development is not impeded in the athymic nu/nu background. Furthermore, the phenotype can be transmitted horizontally by transplanting lymphoid tissues or skin to syngeneic wild-type mice. Thus, the phenotype is conveyed by skin-homing, mobile cells (presumably the infiltrating lymphocytes) in a cell-autonomous fashion. In addition to the skin phenotype, this transgene also provokes the development of a lymphoproliferative disorder that induces B and T cell lymphomas within the first 4 mo of life. These findings suggest potential physiologic actions of IL-7 in T cell development and in cutaneous immunity. They also demonstrate that IL-7 can act as an oncogene in the living organism.

T cell response to embryonal carcinoma F9 cells: induction and characterization of T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We investigated the mechanism of T cell response to murine embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. Thy-1+, CD4-, CD8- (double-negative) cytotoxic effector cells were induced in spleen cells obtained from immune A.BY mice to F9 cells, and the cytotoxic activity was major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells were essential for the induction of double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to F9 cells. Most of the double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines obtained by long-term culture of the effector cells had CD3 molecule and T-cell receptor beta chain on their cell surface, and the CD3 molecule was found to be involved in target cell recognition. The T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocyte line (2A5) also lysed various tumor cells in a non-MHC-restricted manner, but did not lyse concanavalin A-stimulated blasts of 129 strain, from which F9 cells had originated. These results indicate that T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by F9 cells recognize a common antigen(s) expressed on F9 cells and other tumor cells but not minor histocompatibility antigens.