Metformin has anti-inflammatory effects and induces immunometabolic reprogramming via multiple mechanisms in hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Targeting immunometabolism has shown promise in treating autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving painful lesions in apocrine gland-bearing skin. Therapeutic options for HS are limited and often ineffective; thus, there is a pressing need for improved treatments. To date, metabolic dysregulation has not been investigated in HS. As HS is highly inflammatory, we hypothesized that energy metabolism is dysregulated in these patients. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, which is known to impact on cellular metabolic and signalling pathways, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in cancer and arthritis. While metformin is not licensed for use in HS, patients with HS taking metformin show improved clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect and mechanism of action of metformin in HS.

METHODS

To assess the effect of metformin in vivo, we compared the immune and metabolic profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with HS taking metformin vs. those not taking metformin. To examine the effect of metformin treatment ex vivo, we employed a skin explant model on skin biopsies from patients with HS not taking metformin, which we cultured with metformin overnight. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, multiplex cytokine assays and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure inflammatory markers, and Seahorse flux technology and quantitative RT-PCR to assess glucose metabolism.

RESULTS

We showed that metabolic pathways are dysregulated in the PBMCs of patients with HS vs. healthy individuals. In metformin-treated patients, these metabolic pathways were restored and their PBMCs had reduced inflammatory markers following long-term metformin treatment. In the skin explant model, we found that overnight culture with metformin reduced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and glycolytic genes in lesions and tracts of patients with HS. Using in vitro assays, we found that metformin may induce these changes via the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is linked to glycolysis and protein synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides insight into the mechanisms of action of metformin in HS. The anti-inflammatory effects of metformin support its use as a therapeutic agent in HS, while its effects on immunometabolism suggest that targeting metabolism is a promising therapeutic option in inflammatory diseases, including HS.

Benefit of inhibiting SSAO in relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

We have developed several series of potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of SSAO (AOC3/VAP-1) that also block trafficking of leukocytes to sites of inflammation. Blocking of SSAO-mediated leukocyte adhesion has recently been shown efficacious in several models of inflammatory diseases. We have examined the potential of SSAO inhibitors in neurological diseases, having previously demonstrated the efficacy of SSAO inhibition in a rat model of stroke. Here we show the effect of the small molecule SSAO inhibitor LJP 1207 (IC(50) human SSAO 17 nM; ratio IC(50) SSAO:MAO >5000), on relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model that shares many characteristics with human multiple sclerosis. Clinical efficacy was observed when dosing with LJP 1207 was initiated either at the peak of initial flare or during remission. These data demonstrate the potential clinical benefit of small molecule anti-SSAO therapy in this model.

Cutting edge: trimolecular interaction of TCR with MHC class II and bacterial superantigen shows a similar affinity to MHC:peptide ligands

Bacterial superantigens such as Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) are very potent stimulators of T cells. They bind to the Vbeta region of the TCR and to MHC class II, stimulating T cells at nanomolar concentrations. Using surface plasmon resonance measurements, we find that binding between the individual components of the complex (TCR-class II, TCR-SEA, SEA-class II) is very weak, but that the stability of the trimolecular complex is considerably enhanced, reaching an affinity similar to that found for TCR interactions with MHC:peptide ligand. Thus, the potency of SEA in stimulation of T cells is not due to particularly strong affinities between the proteins, but to a cooperative effect of interactions in the TCR-SEA-MHC class II trimolecular complex that brings the kinetics into a similar range to binding of conventional Ags. This range may be the optimum for T cell activation.

A role for p21ras/MAP kinase in TCR-mediated activation of LFA-1

LFA-1 is a beta2 integrin that plays well-characterized roles in adhesion of T lymphocytes to APC, T cell-mediated cytolysis, and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Although it is clear that LFA-1 must undergo affinity or avidity changes to bind its cellular ligand ICAM-1, the intracellular signaling pathways involved are not well characterized. Here, we show that the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is also involved in TCR-activated LFA-1 adhesion. Expression of a dominant negative form of p21ras in a thymocyte cell line inhibits, while constitutively active p21ras both enhances and sustains, subsequent TCR-triggered adhesion to isolated ICAM-1. However, the Ras/MAPK pathway alone is not sufficient for activating T cell LFA-1, as inhibition of both downstream MAPK/extracellular regulated kinase kinase (MEK) activity and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity is required for complete inhibition of adhesion.

Cross talk between T and B cells generates B antigen-presenting cells able to induce inositol phosphate production in T cells responding to Mls(a) superantigens

Previous studies showed that activation of CD4+ T cells with mouse mammary tumor virus-encoded Mls(a) superantigens induces strong proliferative responses and interleukin-2 production but fails to elicit typical early T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signal transduction events, such as hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides (PI) or an increase in intracellular calcium. Here we show that the failure of Mls(a) antigen to activate PI hydrolysis applies when resting B cells are used as antigen-presenting cells (APC). By contrast, when Mls(a)-bearing B cells are activated for 24 h by exposure to lipopolysaccharide or, more importantly, to Mls(a)-reactive T cells or anti-CD40 antibodies the cells develop the capacity to elicit easily detectable PI turnover. These studies demonstrate that, for B cells as APC, the initiation of certain TCR-associated signal transduction pathways can depend on activation of the APC. The data suggest that cross talk between T cells and resting B cells can suffice to generate competent B APC and lead to the delayed initiation of signaling pathways important in T cell responses.

Augmentation of mature CD4+ T cell responses to isolated antigenic class II proteins by fibronectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1

Mature CD4+ T cells can undergo stable adhesion to isolated antigenic MHC complexes, and upon TCR engagement exhibit up-regulated adhesion to the integrin ligands fibronectin (FN) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Here, we have examined T cell responses to purified antigenic class II complexes, alone or coimmobilized in the presence of FN or ICAM-1. T cell adhesion to immobilized peptide-MHC complexes alone stimulated suboptimal, but marked levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 secretion, and this was accompanied by cell proliferation. T cell adhesion to both FN and ICAM-1 strongly augmented cytokine release and T cell proliferation. Activation of Vbeta3+ and Vbeta8+ T cell lines by isolated staphylococcal enterotoxin-MHC complexes was also examined, and surprisingly, a Vbeta8+ T cell line displayed significant cell adhesion or later response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B-MHC complexes only when Ag was coimmobilized with ICAM-1 or FN. The results demonstrate that adhesion of CD4+ T cells to ICAM-1 or FN activated by natural TCR ligands can strongly augment T cell signaling and downstream responses. Moreover, for some Ags, T cell interaction with accessory ligands may be critical in attaining a threshold level of receptor occupancy for cell activation.

Augmentation of mature CD4+ T cell responses to isolated antigenic class II proteins by fibronectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1

Mature CD4+ T cells can undergo stable adhesion to isolated antigenic MHC complexes, and upon TCR engagement exhibit up-regulated adhesion to the integrin ligands fibronectin (FN) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Here, we have examined T cell responses to purified antigenic class II complexes, alone or coimmobilized in the presence of FN or ICAM-1. T cell adhesion to immobilized peptide-MHC complexes alone stimulated suboptimal, but marked levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 secretion, and this was accompanied by cell proliferation. T cell adhesion to both FN and ICAM-1 strongly augmented cytokine release and T cell proliferation. Activation of Vbeta3+ and Vbeta8+ T cell lines by isolated staphylococcal enterotoxin-MHC complexes was also examined, and surprisingly, a Vbeta8+ T cell line displayed significant cell adhesion or later response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B-MHC complexes only when Ag was coimmobilized with ICAM-1 or FN. The results demonstrate that adhesion of CD4+ T cells to ICAM-1 or FN activated by natural TCR ligands can strongly augment T cell signaling and downstream responses. Moreover, for some Ags, T cell interaction with accessory ligands may be critical in attaining a threshold level of receptor occupancy for cell activation.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte interaction with fibronectin and vitronectin: activated adhesion and cosignalling

Stimulation of cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in solution resulted in rapid and sustained activation of adhesion to immobilized fibronectin (FN) but did not initiate degranulation. Addition of a second antibody (Ab) to further cross-link the TCR substantially increased the level of adhesion and also activated degranulation, as measured by release of serine esterase, in the presence of immobilized FN but not in its absence. Thus, binding to FN can provide a costimulatory signal to activate degranulation. TCR cross-linking also activated CD8-dependent adhesion to class I, and CD8 provided a costimulatory signal upon binding to class I. However, the requirements for activating adhesion and generating the costimulatory signal differed significantly for FN versus class I ligand, suggesting that these two receptor-ligand systems do not share a common mechanism of action. Co-immobilizing FN and alloantigen resulted in increased serine esterase release in comparison with that stimulated by antigen alone, and required the FN and class I be on the same surface. Peptide and antibody blocking demonstrated that CTL binding to FN, and to vitronectin (VN), was mediated by the alpha V beta 3 vitronectin receptor (VNR). Thus, VNR is activated by a signal from the TCR to mediate adhesion to FN or VN, and delivers a costimulatory signal for degranulation via a different mechanism than costimulation by CD8 binding to class I.

T cell receptor and CD8-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation events in cytotoxic T lymphocytes: activation of p56lck by CD8 binding to class I protein

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins plays a central role in T cell activation. Mitogens or anti-receptor antibodies have been employed to study these signaling events, but the extent to which these mimic receptor interactions with native ligands is unclear. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be activated for functional responses using purified, native class I ligands presented on a surface. Previous work showed that stimulation with fluid-phase anti-T cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) activates CD8 to mediate adhesion to class I proteins and that activated CD8 generates a co-stimulatory signal upon binding to class I. Changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates and activity of the p56lck kinase have now been examined in this two-step process. The observed changes are small in comparison to those found using more potent nonphysiological stimuli, but may more accurately reflect the events required for activation of functional responses. Fluid-phase anti-TCR mAb caused increased tyrosine phosphorylation of a discrete subset of cellular substrates. Increased phosphorylation of additional substrates occurred upon CD8 binding to class I, resulting in a phosphorylation pattern comparable to that found in cells stimulated with class I alloantigen. Anti-TCR mAb alone caused increased tyrosine phosphorylation of p56lck. When CD8 bound to class I, phosphorylation of p56lck decreased to below the basal level found in unstimulated cells, accompanied by a substantial increase in kinase activity. These results are consistent with the two-step model for TCR activation of CD8/class I interactions and directly demonstrate that CD8 binding to class I leads to up-regulation of p56lck activity.

Murine CD4+ T cells undergo TCR-activated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins but not to nonantigenic MHC class II proteins

Engagement of the TCR modulates the avidity of several receptors that play key roles in lymphocyte adhesion and/or signal transduction, including CD8, CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), CD2, and several beta 1-integrins. Here, we investigated whether CD4+ T cells similarly undergo TCR-regulated adhesion to isolated MHC class II proteins through CD4. Strong adhesion of a number of CD4+ T cell clones to immobilized antigenic peptide/class II complexes was readily detectable. Adhesion to antigenic class II proteins was CD4 dependent and inhibited by pretreatment of T cells with the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A, suggesting that adhesion requires TCR- and/or CD4-derived signal transduction. Treatment of T cells with anti-TCR Ab strongly increased subsequent adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins, fibronectin and vitronectin, but, significantly, not to immobilized nonantigenic class II proteins. Suboptimal densities of antigenic peptide/class II complexes also activated adhesion of T cells to coimmobilized fibronectin or vitronectin, and this resulted in production of IFN-gamma to levels exceeding those stimulated by optimal densities of antigenic class II complexes alone. However, no augmentation of adhesion or cytokine secretion occurred when self or third party class II proteins were coimmobilized with antigenic class II complexes. The present results, therefore, suggest fundamental differences in the mechanism by which the TCR regulates coreceptor adhesion in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Murine CD4+ T cells undergo TCR-activated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins but not to nonantigenic MHC class II proteins

Engagement of the TCR modulates the avidity of several receptors that play key roles in lymphocyte adhesion and/or signal transduction, including CD8, CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), CD2, and several beta 1-integrins. Here, we investigated whether CD4+ T cells similarly undergo TCR-regulated adhesion to isolated MHC class II proteins through CD4. Strong adhesion of a number of CD4+ T cell clones to immobilized antigenic peptide/class II complexes was readily detectable. Adhesion to antigenic class II proteins was CD4 dependent and inhibited by pretreatment of T cells with the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A, suggesting that adhesion requires TCR- and/or CD4-derived signal transduction. Treatment of T cells with anti-TCR Ab strongly increased subsequent adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins, fibronectin and vitronectin, but, significantly, not to immobilized nonantigenic class II proteins. Suboptimal densities of antigenic peptide/class II complexes also activated adhesion of T cells to coimmobilized fibronectin or vitronectin, and this resulted in production of IFN-gamma to levels exceeding those stimulated by optimal densities of antigenic class II complexes alone. However, no augmentation of adhesion or cytokine secretion occurred when self or third party class II proteins were coimmobilized with antigenic class II complexes. The present results, therefore, suggest fundamental differences in the mechanism by which the TCR regulates coreceptor adhesion in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Signals for activation of CD8-dependent adhesion and costimulation in CTLs

Adhesion of CD8+ CTL to purified class I proteins has been shown to be regulated by the TCR: nonactivated CTL do not adhere to immobilized class I proteins (non-Ag), but adhesion becomes readily detectable upon treatment of the CTL with fluid-phase anti-TCR mAb. Signals for up-regulating CD8 adhesion do not appear to involve products of the PI pathway, as neither increased production of inositol phosphates or mobilization of [Ca2+]i can be detected in response to the fluid-phase anti-TCR mAb, but both occur when the CTL then bind to class I protein. The lack of a role for phosphoinositide pathway products in up-regulating CD8 was confirmed by the inability of phorbol ester or calcium ionophore to substitute for TCR mAb in triggering adhesion to class I proteins. Instead, both phorbol ester and calcium ionophore inhibited the anti-TCR mAb-stimulated adhesion to class I. Inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases also block TCR-activated, CD8-dependent adhesion to class I, and concomitantly block inositol phosphate release, Ca2+ mobilization and degranulation. Inhibition of signaling and response does not appear to be caused solely by the inhibition of adhesion to class I, however, because these inhibitors also block signaling in response to immobilized anti-TCR mAb under conditions in which binding of other receptors to their ligands is not necessary to initiate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and degranulation. These results lend further support for a model in which CTL activation involves a cascade of adhesion and signaling events initiated by the TCR and propagated by CD8 and additional cell-surface receptors.

Signals for activation of CD8-dependent adhesion and costimulation in CTLs

Adhesion of CD8+ CTL to purified class I proteins has been shown to be regulated by the TCR: nonactivated CTL do not adhere to immobilized class I proteins (non-Ag), but adhesion becomes readily detectable upon treatment of the CTL with fluid-phase anti-TCR mAb. Signals for up-regulating CD8 adhesion do not appear to involve products of the PI pathway, as neither increased production of inositol phosphates or mobilization of [Ca2+]i can be detected in response to the fluid-phase anti-TCR mAb, but both occur when the CTL then bind to class I protein. The lack of a role for phosphoinositide pathway products in up-regulating CD8 was confirmed by the inability of phorbol ester or calcium ionophore to substitute for TCR mAb in triggering adhesion to class I proteins. Instead, both phorbol ester and calcium ionophore inhibited the anti-TCR mAb-stimulated adhesion to class I. Inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases also block TCR-activated, CD8-dependent adhesion to class I, and concomitantly block inositol phosphate release, Ca2+ mobilization and degranulation. Inhibition of signaling and response does not appear to be caused solely by the inhibition of adhesion to class I, however, because these inhibitors also block signaling in response to immobilized anti-TCR mAb under conditions in which binding of other receptors to their ligands is not necessary to initiate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and degranulation. These results lend further support for a model in which CTL activation involves a cascade of adhesion and signaling events initiated by the TCR and propagated by CD8 and additional cell-surface receptors.

Contribution of lymphocyte function-associated-1/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 binding to the adhesion/signaling cascade of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation

A rapid induction of adhesion to immobilized intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 occurs when cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are stimulated with either soluble anti-T cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or with immobilized alloantigen, and this binding is blocked by the addition of anti-lymphocyte function-associated (LFA)-1 mAbs. Requirements for activating LFA-1 adhesion to ICAM-1 are similar to those found for induction of binding to immobilized fibronectin (FN), but distinct from those for activating CD8-mediated adhesion to class I major histocompatibility complex. A distinct role for LFA-1 in co-signaling for TCR-dependent degranulation could not be demonstrated. In contrast, both CD8 and the FN-binding integrin provide costimulatory signals for this response. Thus, if co-signaling via LFA-1 occurs, it clearly differs from that provided by CD8 or the FN-binding integrin. On the basis of antibody blocking effects, alloantigen-dependent activation of adhesion to ICAM-1 involves both the TCR and CD8. These results support a view of CTL activation as a cascade of adhesion and signaling events, with different coreceptors making distinct contributions.

CD8 and antigen-specific T cell adhesion cascades

Activation of T cells involves both the antigen-specific T cell receptor and a number of additional accessory receptors. For cytotoxic T lymphocytes these include CD8, LFA-1 and VLA receptors. Recent studies have demonstrated that these receptors become activated to mediate adhesion upon crosslinking of the T cell receptor, and can deliver co-stimulatory signals upon binding their ligands. Rather than being redundant adhesion/co-signalling systems, these various receptors participate in a cascade of adhesion and signalling events leading to full activation of cellular responses.

The roles of CD8 in cytotoxic T lymphocyte function

The CD8 glycoprotein of cytotoxic T cells is both an adhesion protein and a cosignalling receptor. These functions are regulated by signals from the T-cell antigen receptor complex (TCR-CD3), and CD8 acts to couple TCR occupancy to second messenger pathways. Here Anne O'Rourke and Matthew Mescher examine the roles of CD8 in activating the adhesion and signalling cascade initiated by antigen binding.

IgE receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release by rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells: possible role in activating degranulation

Aggregation of the IgE receptor on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells triggers increased hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides (PI), secretion of arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites, and degranulation to release 5-hydroxytryptamine. Despite the documented involvement of second messengers produced by the PI pathway in RBL cell exocytosis, recent evidence has suggested that additional signalling events are also necessary. We have, therefore, examined PLA2 activation and AA metabolite production by these cells in response to Ag stimulation, and evaluated the potential role of these in activating degranulation. The time course and antigen dose dependence for release of AA and its metabolites were comparable to those for degranulation and production of inositol phosphates (InsPs) when examined in parallel. Stimulated fatty acid release was highly selective for AA (compared with oleic or linoleic acids) and appeared to result predominantly from PLA2 activation. AA released upon antigen stimulation is rapidly metabolized to produce prostaglandin and leukotrienes. These are not required for activating degranulation, since BW755c completely inhibited AA metabolite production without affecting AA release, degranulation or InsP production. In contrast, the PLA2 inhibitors quinacrine and quercetin inhibited both AA release and degranulation in parallel, without significantly affecting levels of InsP production, and this inhibition could be partially reversed by exogenous addition of AA and lysophospholipid. These results demonstrate that activation of IgE-receptor mediated exocytosis of RBL cells does not require AA metabolites, and strongly suggest that PLA2 activation and release of AA and lysophospholipid may be involved in triggering this response.

Factors influencing the fate of T cells responding to Mls antigens

Although T cell tolerance to self antigens is primarily a reflection of clonal deletion in the thymus, recent evidence suggests that mature T cells are subject to negative regulation in the post-thymic environment: Extrathymic tolerance is the result of clonal anergy in some studies and T cell deletion in others. The factors controlling the induction of anergy versus deletion of mature T cells are still poorly understood. This article summarizes evidence that exposure of T cells to Mls superantigens in vivo leads to a sequence of T cell proliferation, anergy and deletion; anergy appears to reflect persistence of antigen. The biochemical consequences of exposing T cells to superantigens in vitro are discussed.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation involves a cascade of signalling and adhesion events

In addition to the antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR), T cells bear an array of 'accessory' molecules that can contribute to stable adhesion to the antigen-bearing cell and provide costimulatory signals. For several of these, T-cell adhesion to the ligand can be activated by TCR-dependent signalling (a signal from the TCR primes the coreceptor to bind to its ligand). It is unclear whether the individual coreceptors share common mechanisms of priming and cosignalling, and perhaps act in a redundant manner, or whether they act in a distinct way and contribute uniquely to the activation process. We report here the use of isolated alloantigen, class I proteins and fibronectin ligands to show that coreceptors on cytotoxic T lymphocytes are activated sequentially and deliver distinct biochemical signals on binding to their ligands. TCR engagement activates CD8 by a protein tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway, and CD8 then acts as a signal for initiation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis on binding to class I. In contrast, activated adhesion to fibronectin does not initiate polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, but amplifies hydrolysis once it has been initiated. Thus, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation involves a TCR-initiated cascade of adhesion and signalling events leading to response.

Questionnaire development: an examination of the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire

This paper describes the outcome of user trials of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire which encompassed the views of the following groups: data entry clerks, technical staff, administrative clerks and 481 subjects employed in 10 supermarkets. A significant number of improvements was identified, especially concerning its wording, layout and administration. This has led to a standardized version being produced for use in studying the prevalence of reported symptoms in many types of occupational groups.

Equilibrium binding of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to class I antigen

Cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes specifically bind to purified alloantigen that has been immobilized on a surface. When the time course was examined, it was found that binding reached a plateau level within about 1 h at 37 degrees C, at which time about 30% of the CTL were tightly adhered to the surface. Analysis of the properties of binding demonstrated that this does not simply result because only a fraction of the cells in the clonal population are capable of binding. Instead, the binding is shown to result from an equilibrium involving tightly bound and unbound (or weakly bound) cells. Thus, the cells cycle between a tightly bound and unbound state, despite continuous contact with the Ag-bearing surface. The results suggest that dissociation of the bound cells may be an actively signaled event. A model that could account for these results based on activated CD8 binding is discussed.

Equilibrium binding of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to class I antigen

Cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes specifically bind to purified alloantigen that has been immobilized on a surface. When the time course was examined, it was found that binding reached a plateau level within about 1 h at 37 degrees C, at which time about 30% of the CTL were tightly adhered to the surface. Analysis of the properties of binding demonstrated that this does not simply result because only a fraction of the cells in the clonal population are capable of binding. Instead, the binding is shown to result from an equilibrium involving tightly bound and unbound (or weakly bound) cells. Thus, the cells cycle between a tightly bound and unbound state, despite continuous contact with the Ag-bearing surface. The results suggest that dissociation of the bound cells may be an actively signaled event. A model that could account for these results based on activated CD8 binding is discussed.

Cytoskeletal function in CD8- and T cell receptor-mediated interaction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes with class I protein

Cloned allospecific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) adhere to purified class I alloantigen immobilized on plastic and degranulate in response to it. Binding and degranulation are inhibited by drugs that impair cytoskeletal function. Cytochalasins D and E, which interfere with microfilament function, and colchicine, which disrupts microtubules, were used and gave qualitatively similar results. Concentrations of these drugs that inhibited degranulation in response to alloantigen did not inhibit response to immobilized anti-T cell receptor (TCR) antibody. Neither did they inhibit response when alloantigen was co-immobilized with an antibody against class I on the CTL to promote adhesion between the CTL and antigen-bearing surface. Thus, neither transmembrane signal generation via the TCR nor degranulation per se were prevented. Instead, the drugs act to prevent the initial adhesion to alloantigen. CTL binding to alloantigen depends in part on CD8-class I interaction, and adhesion via CD8 is "activated" by crosslinking the TCR with soluble anti-TCR antibody. This adhesion, too, is shown to be cytoskeleton dependent.

Activation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in T cells by H-2 alloantigen but not MLS determinants

Murine minor lymphocyte-stimulating (Mls) determinants are cell surface antigens that stimulate strong primary T cell responses; the responding T cells display restricted T cell receptor (TCR) V beta gene usage. Interaction of T cells with mitogens or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens activated the polyphosphoinositide (PI) signaling pathway, but this pathway was not triggered by Mls recognition. However, interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and proliferation to all three stimuli were comparable. Thus, although recognition of both allo-H-2 and Mls determinants is thought to be mediated by the TCR, these antigens appear to elicit biochemically distinct signal transduction pathways.

Activated CD8 binding to class I protein mediated by the T-cell receptor results in signalling

The CD8 glycoprotein of T cells bind nonpolymorphic regions of class I major histocompatibility complex proteins on target cells and these interactions promote antigen recognition and signalling by the T-cell receptor. Studies using artificial membranes indicated that effective CD8/class I interaction is critical for response by alloantigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes when class I protein is the only ligand on the antigen-bearing surface. But significant CD8-mediated binding of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to non-antigenic class I protein could not be detected in the absence of the alloantigen. These apparently contradictory findings indicate that CD8 binding to class I protein might be activated through the T-cell receptor and the results reported here demonstrate that this is the case. Treatment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes with soluble anti-T-cell receptor antibody activates adhesion of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes to class I, but not class II proteins. The specificity of this binding implies that it is mediated by CD8 and blocking by anti-CD8 antibodies confirmed this. Furthermore, binding of CD8 to class I protein resulted in generation of an additional signal(s) necessary to initiate response at low T-cell receptor occupancy levels.

Glucose, glutamine and ketone body utilisation by resting and concanavalin A activated rat splenic lymphocytes

The utilisation of glucose, glutamine, acetoacetate and D-3-hydroxybutyrate were investigated over 72 h of incubation of rat splenic lymphocytes, with and without concanavalin A. Lymphocytes consumed both ketone bodies; acetoacetate was consumed preferentially. The ketone bodies reduced glucose consumption by 30-50%, but had little effect on lactate production. Glutamine uptake was concentration dependent up to 4 mM, and consumption was increased in the presence of concanavalin. Glutamine stimulated glucose consumption and lactate production in both resting and activated cells. Complete oxidation contributed 65% of glucose-derived ATP, but less than 40% of glutamine-derived ATP. Glutamine metabolism makes only a minor contribution to lymphocyte ATP generation.

T cell receptor-mediated signaling occurs in the absence of inositol phosphate production

Murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can lyse certain target cells in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ (Ostergaard, H. L., Kane, K. P., Mescher, M. F., and Clark, W. R. (1987) Nature 330, 71-72). We have examined the effect of extracellular Ca2+ on the inositol phosphate response to antigen by CTL. In Ca2+-containing medium relevant antigen-bearing target cells and the mitogen concanavalin A induce a rapid accumulation of inositol phosphates in CTL. In the presence of 4 mM EGTA the antigen- and mitogen-stimulated increases in inositol mono-, bis-, and tris-phosphates cannot be detected, even with 10 mM LiCl added. Abrogation of the inositol phosphate response occurs whether CTL are preincubated in EGTA or EGTA is added with the stimulus. The results indicate that the killing of certain target cells by murine CTL may be independent of the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol pathway. Furthermore, since Ca2+-independent cytolysis remains antigen-specific, the data strongly support the existence of additional T cell receptor-mediated second messenger pathway(s) in CTL.