Induction of alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in human T lymphocytes by blocking interaction of CD28 with its natural ligand B7/BB1

Recent advances in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention

In the 1970s and 1980s, GVHD prevention approaches were limited in number. Recent advances in our understanding of the requirements for T-cell immune responses and for basic mechanism(s) involved in GVHD pathophysiology have led to exciting new strategies for GVHD prevention. This review focuses upon recent developments in GVHD prevention generated over the past 5 years. We have selected five different types of strategies to highlight including: 1) the in vivo targeting of GVHD-reactive T cells using either intact and F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies directed against T-cell-surface determinants or immunotoxins which consist of antibodies linked to toxins, 2) a comparison of the in vivo immunosuppressive effects of FK506 and rapamycin on T-cell signaling, 3) the inhibition of T-cell activation through blockade of costimulatory or adhesogenic signals, 4) shifting the balance between acute GVHD-inducing T-helper-type 1 (Th1) T cells to anti-inflammatory T-helper-type 2 (Th2)-type T cells, and 5) the regulation of alloreactive T-cell activation by treatment with peptide analogs which affect either TCR/MHC, CD4/MHC class II, or CD8/MHC class I interactions. Collectively, these approaches are illustratrative of the progress made in extending our GVHD prevention armamentarium.

The role of dendritic cells in T cell activation

Dendritic cells (DC) are distinguishable from other antigen-presenting cells by their potent antigen-presenting capacity. They are not only efficient at presenting peptide antigen but can also process and present soluble protein antigen sto antigen-specific T cells and cloned T cell lines. They are very strong stimulators of both allogeneic and syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions and have a unique capacity to stimulate naive T cells. The potent functional capacity of DC is related to a high-level expression of major histocompatibility complex class I/II molecules and constitutive expression of costimulatory molecules, such as CD80/CD86, as well as heat stable antigen, CD40 and the leucocyte function antigen (LFA) family of adhesion molecules. Recent studies have shown that DC are also involved in regulation of the immune response via induction of both central and peripheral tolerance.

Costimulation through B7-2 (CD86) is required for the induction of a lung mucosal T helper cell 2 (TH2) immune response and altered airway responsiveness

The recruitment of eosinophils into the airways after allergen exposure is dependent on interleukin (IL) 5 secreted from antigen-specific CD4+ T cells of the T helper cell (Th) 2 subset. However, while it is established that costimulation through CD28 is required for TCR-mediated activation and IL-2 production, the importance of this mechanism for the induction of a Th2 immune response is less clear. In the present study, we administered the fusion protein CTLA-4 immunoglobulin (Ig) into the lungs before allergen provocation to determine whether CD28/CTLA-4 ligands are required for allergen-induced eosinophil accumulation and the production of Th2 cytokines. Administration of CTLA-4 Ig inhibited the recruitment of eosinophils into the lungs by 75% and suppressed IgE in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CTLA-4 Ig also inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 by 70-80% and enhanced interferon-gamma production from CD3-T cell receptor-activated lung Thy1.2+ cells. Allergen exposure upregulated expression of B7-2, but not B7-1, on B cells from the lung within 24 h. Moreover, airway administration of an anti-B7-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited eosinophil infiltration, IgE production, and Th2 cytokine secretion comparable in magnitude to that observed with CTLA-4 Ig. Treatment with an anti-B7-1 mAb had a small, but significant effect on eosinophil accumulation, although was less effective in inhibiting Th2 cytokine production. The anti-B7-2, but not anti-B7-1, mAb also inhibited antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo. In all of the parameters assessed, the combination of both the anti-B7-1 and anti-B7-2 mAb was no more effective than anti-B7-2 mAb treatment alone. We propose that strategies aimed at inhibition of CD28 interactions with B7-2 molecules may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of lung mucosal allergic inflammation.

In situ expression of B7 and CD28 receptor families in skin lesions of patients with lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To examine the expression of costimulatory molecules of the B7 and CD28 receptor families in active skin lesions of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE).

METHODS

The in situ expression of B7-1, B7-2, BB-1, and CD28 was studied by immunohistochemistry, and B7-1 and B7-2 RNA expression was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Only in lesional skin from SLE, SCLE, and CDLE patients did dermal and epidermal antigen-presenting cells (APC) express B7-1 and B7-2, particularly when in apposition to CD28+ T cells. These B7-1+ and B7-2+ APC bound CTLA-4 fusion protein. In lesional (but not in nonlesional) skin, keratinocytes expressed BB-1. The majority of infiltrating T cells were CD28+. B7-1 and B7-2 RNA were expressed in lesional skin from SLE, SCLE, and CDLE patients; when dermis was separated from epidermis, only faint B7-1 and B7-2 RNA signals were detectable in the epidermis, indicating that dermal but not epidermal cells were the major source of B7-1 and B7-2 RNA. During treatment, both B7-1 and B7-2 protein and RNA expression were reduced.

CONCLUSION

These in situ findings suggest that costimulation via the B7-CD28 pathway may be important for the generation and/or propagation of T cell activity in skin lesions of humans with lupus erythematosus. Thus, the manipulation of this pathway (e.g., by CTLA-4 fusion protein) could be an important target for the development of future therapies for LE.

Regulation of the interleukin-2 CD28-responsive element by NF-ATp and various NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors

The CD28 costimulatory signal enhances antigen-mediated induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene transcription through activation of an enhancer termed the CD28-responsive element (CD28RE). Although various nuclear proteins have been shown to bind to CD28RE, their in vivo functions in the regulation of this enhancer remain elusive. In this report, we show that CD28RE binds distinct transcription factors in cells treated with different mitogenic stimuli. Stimulation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex in the absence of a CD28 costimulatory signal induces a member of the nuclear factor of the activated T cells, NF-ATp; however, this treatment fails to activate the CD28RE enhancer activity. Significant activation of CD28RE was detected when the cells were treated with both the TCR stimulators and an anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD28), which induces the NF-kappaB/Rel enhancer binding proteins in addition to NF-ATp. The costimulatory activity of anti-CD28 can be further enhanced by a phorbol ester. Kinetic analyses demonstrate that activation of endogenous IL-2 gene transcription is correlated with the binding of CD28RE by NF-ATp and different NF-kappaB/Rel species. Transient-transfection studies reveal that expression of either NF-ATp or the p50-RelA NF-kappaB heterodimer leads to the potent transactivation of both the CD28RE enhancer and the intact IL-2 promoter in mitogen-stimulated cells. Remarkably, coexpression of these two families of enhancer-binding proteins in Jurkat T cells results in the transactivation of the CD28RE enhancer even in the absence of any cellular stimuli. Together, these results suggest that activation of IL-2 gene transcription by the TCR- and CD28-mediated signals involves the interaction of CD28RE with NF-ATp and various NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors.

Draining lymph node cells of contact-sensitized mice induce suppression of contact sensitivity

The application of hapten to the skin of mice can induce contact sensitivity (CS). It has also been well established that draining lymph node (DLN) cells can induce CS to the hapten used for skin painting when injected into naive mice. This is true for DLN cells recovered about 24 h after skin painting with hapten. It is unclear, however, whether DLN cells recovered shortly after hapten application have the same ability. By using an adoptive transfer assay system, we examined the ability of DLN cells recovered from mice at various times after skin painting with hapten to induce CS. DLN cells harvested 18-24 h after the application of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced strong CS when injected into naive mice. DLN cells harvested 3-6 h after the application of FITC or DNFB induced either only weak or no CS but induced suppression of the subsequent immunization to the two haptens. The suppression was hapten-specific, MHC restricted, and associated with the appearance of splenic suppressor T lymphocytes. Analyses with antibodies and ultraviolet (UV) B radiation demonstrated that suppression-inducing cells in DLNs were Ia+, Thy-1(-), and functionally UV-sensitive. These data suggest that epicutaneous sensitization with hapten first induces immunologically specific suppressor activity in the draining lymph nodes, whereas immunogenic activity becomes predominant later.

CD28 expression on peripheral blood T lymphocytes after orthotopic liver transplant: upregulation in acute rejection

Despite immunosuppressive treatments, acute rejection remains a significant cause of graft loss. Efficient allorecognition implicates cognate T-cell interactions and requires costimulatory signals such as those delivered via CD28. Therefore, we have studied CD28 peripheral blood T-cell expression, analyzing its possible implications in liver allograft acute rejection. Fifty-five CsA-immunosuppressed orthotopic liver recipients, with or without acute rejection (AR and NAR) were immunocytometrically monitored after transplant and thirty healthy volunteers were studied as controls. In liver recipients the absolute number of CD28+ cells fell sharply immediately after transplant, but no significant differences were detected between the AR and NAR groups either in the absolute number or in the percentage of CD28+ lymphocytes. By contrast, both CD4+CD28+ and CD8+CD28+ T-cell subsets displayed a significant increase in CD28 intensity expression in AR recipients, whereas CD28 expression was significantly downregulated in the NAR recipients. This data suggests that CD28 molecule can be important in the immunologic events preceding acute rejection and that CD28 up- or downregulation could become a useful predictive marker for acute rejection or tolerance development in liver recipients.

Suppression of Alloantigen-Induced T-Cell Proliferation by CD14+ Cells Derived From Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor–Mobilized Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

The proliferative responsiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF )–mobilized blood was studied in uni-directional mixed leukocyte cultures. Unfractionated mononuclear cells from mobilized blood obtained by leukapheresis at day 4 after initiation of G-CSF (G-PBMC) were hyporesponsive (31.5% ± 9.2% response, P = .003) compared to mononuclear cells obtained from the peripheral blood before administration of G-CSF (preG-PBMC). There was great variability among donors when purified preG- and G-CD4 cells were compared. In eight of 10 donors, G-CD4 cells were equally responsive or moderately hyporesponsive; in two of 10 donors, G-CD4 cells were more strikingly hyporesponsive. CD14 cells derived from leukapheresis products (G-CD14 cells) suppressed alloantigen-induced proliferation by 48.6% ± 7.5% when added to preG-PBMC or preG-CD4 cells at responder-CD14 ratios of 2:1 (P < .001). Suppression was evident (14.4% ± 5.0%) even at responder-CD14 ratios of 8:1 and was largely contact-independent. PreG- and G-CD14 cells had equivalent potency in suppressing proliferative responses. Given that G-CSF–mobilized blood cell grafts contain 50-fold more CD14 cells and only 10-fold more T cells than marrow, we propose that suppression of donor T cells by the large proportion of monocytes present in leukapheresis products could contribute to the unexpectedly low incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

B7-1-dependent co-stimulation results in qualitatively and quantitatively different responses by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

To characterize better the co-stimulatory activity of native B7-1 in the absence of other receptor/ligand interactions that might contribute to the response, B7-1 was purified by monoclonal antibody (mAb) affinity chromatography. Immobilization of purified B7-1 with anti-T cell receptor (TCR) mAb on cell-sized latex microspheres provided an effective stimulus for activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as measured by proliferation, development of effector function, and changes in motility and adhesion. The CD4+ T cell response was prolonged and resulted in efficient interleukin-2 production and clonal expansion. In contrast, CD8+ responses were transient. Proliferation and clonal expansion peaked on days 3 and 4, coincident with maximal expression of lytic effector function, and the cells then died. These results demonstrate that B7-1 mediated co-stimulation is sufficient for the induction of effector function in both helper and cytotoxic T cell precursors, but suggest that B7-1 co-stimulation is not sufficient to sustain helper-independent CD8+ CTL responses. When the dose responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to B7-1 were compared, CD8+ T cells were found to require higher densities of B7-1 to attain an equivalent level of activation, suggesting that the level of expression of B7-1 by APC may influence the development of helper or CTL responses. Finally, in contrast to results obtained by others with B7-1 transfectants, purified B7-1 did not provide co-stimulation when presented on a surface separate from the TCR stimulus.

Antiviral immune responses in CTLA4 transgenic mice

The role of B7 binding CD28 in the regulation of T- and B-cell responses against viral antigens was assessed in transgenic mice expressing soluble CTLA4-Hgamma1 (CTLA4-Ig tg mice) that blocks B7-CD28 interactions. The results indicate that transgenic soluble CTLA4 does not significantly alter cytotoxic T-cell responses against replicating lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or vaccinia virus but drastically impairs the induction of cytotoxic T-cell responses against abortively replicating vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). While the T-independent neutralizing immunoglobulin M (IgM) responses were within normal ranges, the switch to IgG was reduced 4- to 16-fold after immunization with abortively replicating VSV and more than 30-fold after immunization with an inert VSV glycoprotein antigen in transgenic mice. IgG antibody responses to LCMV, as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by neutralizing action, were reduced about 3- to 20-fold and more than 50-fold, respectively. These results suggest that responses in CTLA4-Ig tg mice are mounted according to their independence of T help. While immune responses to nonreplicating or poorly replicating antigens are in general most dependent on T help and B7-CD28 interactions, they are most impaired in CTLA4-Ig tg mice. The results of the present experiments also indicate that highly replicating viruses, because of greater quantities of available antigens and by inducing as-yet-undefined factors and/or cell surface changes, are capable of compensating for the decrease in T help caused by the blocking effects of soluble CTLA4.

Induction of hapten-specific tolerance of human CD8+ urushiol (poison ivy)-reactive T lymphocytes

The interaction of CD28 with B7 molecules (CD80 or CD86) is an essential second signal for both the activation of CD4+ T cells through the T-cell receptor and the prevention of anergy. We studied the requirement of hapten-specific human CD8+ cells for CD28 co-stimulation in recognition of hapten, and anergy induction. Urushiol, the immunogenic hapten of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), elicits a predominantly CD8+ T-cell response. Autologous PBMC were pre-incubated with urushiol prior to fixation by paraformaldehyde. Fixed antigen-presenting cells were unable to present urushiol to human CD8+ urushiol-specific T cells. Addition of anti-CD28, however, overcame this antigen-presenting defect, enabling CD8+ cells to proliferate. Fixation of antigen-presenting cells prevents upregulation of B7, and addition of anti-CD28 substitutes for this signal. Proliferation of CD8+ T cells in response to urushiol was blocked by CTLA4Ig, a recombinant fusion protein that blocks CD28/B7 interactions. Preincubation of urushiol-specific CD8+ cells with fixed PBMC + urushiol for 7 d induced anergy. Anergic CD8+ cells were viable and able to proliferate in response to IL-2, but not in response to urushiol. Induction of anergy required the presence of urushiol, and pre-incubation with irradiated PBMC + urushiol did not have this effect. It is proposed that anergy was induced by presentation of urushiol by fixed PBMC, in the absence of adequate co-stimulation signals. Induction of anergy by blocking of co-stimulation could potentially induce clinical hyposensitization to haptens.

Suppression of Alloantigen-Induced T-Cell Proliferation by CD14+ Cells Derived From Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor–Mobilized Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

The proliferative responsiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF )–mobilized blood was studied in uni-directional mixed leukocyte cultures. Unfractionated mononuclear cells from mobilized blood obtained by leukapheresis at day 4 after initiation of G-CSF (G-PBMC) were hyporesponsive (31.5% ± 9.2% response, P = .003) compared to mononuclear cells obtained from the peripheral blood before administration of G-CSF (preG-PBMC). There was great variability among donors when purified preG- and G-CD4 cells were compared. In eight of 10 donors, G-CD4 cells were equally responsive or moderately hyporesponsive; in two of 10 donors, G-CD4 cells were more strikingly hyporesponsive. CD14 cells derived from leukapheresis products (G-CD14 cells) suppressed alloantigen-induced proliferation by 48.6% ± 7.5% when added to preG-PBMC or preG-CD4 cells at responder-CD14 ratios of 2:1 (P < .001). Suppression was evident (14.4% ± 5.0%) even at responder-CD14 ratios of 8:1 and was largely contact-independent. PreG- and G-CD14 cells had equivalent potency in suppressing proliferative responses. Given that G-CSF–mobilized blood cell grafts contain 50-fold more CD14 cells and only 10-fold more T cells than marrow, we propose that suppression of donor T cells by the large proportion of monocytes present in leukapheresis products could contribute to the unexpectedly low incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Blockade of CD28/B7 co-stimulation by mCTLA4-Hgamma1 inhibits antigen-induced lung eosinophilia but not Th2 cell development or recruitment in the lung

We have studied the role of the CD28/B7 co-stimulatory pathway in the development of a Th2-type lung immune response. Mice injected two or three times intraperitoneally with ovalbumin in alum adjuvant and then re-exposed to the same antigen by intranasal (i.n.) inoculation show infiltration of the lung tissue and appearance in the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of significant numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes, in a pattern which is reminiscent of asthmatic inflammation. The accumulation of eosinophils in the airways is completely dependent on interleukin (IL)-5 secretion by CD4+ T cells. We have used mice transgenic for a soluble form of murine CTLA-4 (mCTLA4-Hgamma1) which binds to B7 molecules on antigen-presenting cells, thereby preventing their interaction with T cell-expressed CD28. mCTLA4-Hgamma1-transgenic mice immunized intraperitoneally and challenged i.n. with ovalbumin failed to generate any eosinophil infiltration, suggesting that little or no IL-5 was secreted in the lungs of these mice. In contrast with the complete lack of eosinophils, the numbers and phenotypes of infiltrating lymphocytes were comparable in the lungs of mCTLA4-Hgamma1-transgenic and normal mice. Also, lung lymphocytes from immunized mCTLA4-Hgamma1-transgenic and normal mice could be shown to secrete comparable amounts of IL-4 and IL-5 when stimulated in culture in the absence of mCTLA4-Hgamma1. We conclude that mCTLA4-Hgamma1 can efficiently block the production of IL-5 during in vivo responses and inhibit eosinophil recruitment, but that it does not block the development of CD4+ T cells into Th2 cells with the potential to secrete IL-5.

Effect of CD80 and CD86 blockade and anti-interleukin-12 treatment on mouse acute graft-versus-host disease

We investigated the efficacy of a combination of anti-CD80 and CD86 (CD80 + 86) monoclonal antibodies (mAb), anti-interleukin (IL)-12 mAb, or both, for prophylaxis in a mouse acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) model. The treatment with a combination of anti-CD80 + 86 mAb efficiently reduced the lethality of GVHD, whereas mAb against either CD80 or CD86 alone had an effect. A delay in lymphocyte reconstitution and GVHD-associated histological changes in organs was observed at 30 days post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT) even in the anti-CD80 + 86 mAb-treated mice, although these manifestations were resolved by 100 days. In vitro, host alloantigen-specific T cell proliferative responses and generation of CTL were significantly reduced by anti-CD80 + 86 treatment. Furthermore, anti-CD80 + 86 mAb preferentially inhibited the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, but not IL-4 and IL-10, when cultures were assayed at 21 days. Although the anti-IL-12 mAb treatment alone inhibited the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and IFN-gamma production in vitro, administration of anti-IL-12 mAb in vivo reversed the beneficial effects of anti-CD80 + 86 treatment on host survival post-BMT. The adverse effect of anti-IL-12 treatment seems to result from impairment of natural immunity and hematopoiesis, rather than as a consequence of an incomplete blockade of T helper (Th)1 responses. Our results suggest that the prevention of GVHD-induced death results from the efficient blockade of Th1 cell activation by the anti-CD80 + 86 treatment. However, further treatment is required for a complete prevention of GVHD, which seems to be partly mediated by Th2 cells.

Defective post-thymic tolerance mechanisms during the chronic progressive stage of multiple sclerosis

We have recently isolated a panel of T-cell clones from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that are capable of functioning as antigen-presenting cells and of expressing the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2. In this report we show that these T-cell clones are resistant to inhibitory regulation, including the induction of anergy and sensitivity to tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-induced growth inhibition. The resistance to anergy induction was associated with expression of B7 costimulatory molecules. These data suggest that lack of responsiveness to peripheral inhibitory signals may account for the entry of autoimmune diseases into a chronic progressive phase.

CD4 mAbs prevent progression of alloactivated CD4+ T cells into the S phase of the cell cycle without interfering with early activation signals

Knowing that several CD4 mAbs may delay allograft rejection in the absence of circulating CD4+ lymphocyte depletion in vivo, we investigated the mechanisms whereby CD4 mAbs can interfere with the development of alloreactive T cells in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). In agreement with previous reports, CD4 mAbs of different species (mouse, rat, humanized), isotypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b) and different epitope specificities decreased 3H-TdR incorporation in MLR, using monocyte-depleted or CD4+ T lymphocyte-enriched blood mononuclear cells as responders. Those effects were achieved at nonsaturating mAb concentration and were still demonstrable upon delayed addition of CD4 mAbs. However, CD4 mAbs decreased neither the number of blast cells nor the expression of CD25 (the alpha chain of IL-2 receptor), indicating that initial activation events leading to blast transformation were not affected. Determination of cytokine gene expression by non competitive quantitative RT-PCR and measurement of protein concentration in supernatants demonstrated that CD4 mAbs did not decrease IFN-gamma induced by alloactivation. However IL-2 concentration was decreased in all supernatants whereas IL-2 mRNA expression, only slightly decreased at 24 hr, and dropped after 72 hr. IL-5 and IL-10 mRNAs, equally expressed by stimulated or nonstimulated responder cells, were not affected by CD4 mAbs. IL-4 mRNA was not detectable. Furthermore, addition of rIL-2, rIFN-gamma or rIL-4 did not overcome proliferation inhibition. The data provide a novel insight into the mechanisms of CD4 mAbs immunosuppresssion that associates a decrease of IL-2 expression with an IL-2 resistant blockade of the progression of activated CD4+ T cells from the G1 to the S phases of the cell cycle.

Antigen-specific targeting of CD28-mediated T cell co-stimulation using chimeric single-chain antibody variable fragment-CD28 receptors

T cells require two distinct signals for optimal activation. One is an antigen-specific signal and is provided by engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR). The second is an antigen-independent signal mediated by engagement of the T cell surface molecule CD28 with members of the B7 family. To endow CD28 molecules with antibody-type recognition, we have constructed chimeric single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv)-CD28 molecules; following transfection of the genes encoding such constructs into the Jurkat human T cell line we show that they are stably expressed as functional cell surface receptors. These chimeric molecules have no apparent negative effects on the expression and signaling ability of the wild-type CD28 and TCR/CD3 molecules. When combined with signaling via the TCR/CD3 complex, these antigen-specific scFv-CD28 chimeric molecules provide signals similar to those elicited by the cross-linking of the unmodified CD28 molecules. Furthermore, the generation of double transfectants simultaneously expressing scFv-CD28 and scFv-CD3 zeta chimeras demonstrates that antigen-specific co-stimulatory signals can also synergize with signals mediated through chimeric CD3 zeta chains to secrete maximal levels of interleukin-2. Overall, our results suggest that optimal, predefined antigen-specific activation of T cells directed by the specificity of the scFv should be possible.

Phosphorylation of each of the distal three tyrosines of the CD28 cytoplasmic tail is required for CD28-induced T cell IL-2 secretion

Signaling by the CD28 T cell costimulatory receptor is known to involve recruitment and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) which is dependent upon phosphorylation of tyrosine 173 of the CD28 cytoplasmic tail, present in a YMNM motif. However, whether this phosphorylation is required for CD28 costimulation and whether or not phosphorylation of any of the other three tyrosines of the CD28 cytoplasmic tail (tyrosines 188, 191 and 200) is also important for CD28 induced responses is unclear. To address this we examined the ability of chimeric receptors, consisting of the extracellular plus transmembrane membrane domain of human CD8 alpha linked to different mutated human CD28 cytoplasmic tails, to induce IL-2 secretion in Jurkat T leukemia cells in the presence of PMA and ionomycin. A receptor in which tyrosine 173 of the CD28 tail was mutated to phenylalanine was able to induce IL-2. By contrast, receptors which contained single tyrosine 188, 191 or 200 to phenylalanine substitutions were unable to induce IL-2. These results imply that in this system phosphorylation of tyrosine 173 and hence activation of PI3-kinase is not required for CD28 induced IL-2 secretion. Further, they imply that phosphorylation of each of tyrosines 188, 191 and 200 is necessary for this response. Despite an apparent requirement for phosphorylation of all three of these tyrosines, however, receptors which contain tyrosine only at positions 191 or 200 and a truncated receptor which does not contain tyrosine 200 induce normal IL-2. These last findings, therefore, illustrate the complexity of CD28 mediated activation signals.

CD80, CD86 and CD40 provide accessory signals in a multiple-step T-cell activation model

In this review, a sequential multiple-step model for T-cell activation is proposed. In a series of in vitro studies, highly purified freshly isolated human peripheral blood T lymphocytes were stimulated through the CD28 receptor, with mAb or with natural ligands B7-1 or B7-2, along with TCR stimulation, in the absence of other costimulatory interactions. Ligation of the CD28 receptor, along with stimulation of the TCR, was found to up-regulate pleiotropic in vitro activities, including the secretion of both Th1 and Th2-type cytokines, B-cell help, and the development of cytotoxic activity. This costimulatory action involves CD4+ and CD8+ as well as naive and memory T-cell subsets. The expression of B7-1 and B7-2 on professional APC in situ in both normal and pathological tissues, and its up-regulation on monocytes by GM-CSF and IFN-gamma is consistent with this role. Additional studies have addressed the contribution of interactions between CD28 and B7-1 and B7-2 in T-cell activation initiated by normal un-engineered APC, such as stimulation with recall antigens and primary MLR. Blockade of the interaction between CD28 and B7-1/B7-2 under these conditions failed to completely inhibit T-cell responses or to induce anergy. Complete inhibition and anergy were, however, induced with a combination of CsA, targeting downstream TCR-triggered signalling, as well as anti-B7-1- and anti-B7-2-directed reagents. Interestingly, and in contrast to anti-LFA-1 mAb, the addition of anti-B7-1 or anti-B7-2 reagents could be delayed until at least 48 h after the initiation of T-cell stimulation, indicating a requirement for a late interaction between CD28 and its counter-receptors. Interactions between CD40L on activated T cells and CD40 on APC may serve to sustain, enhance or prolong the presentation of B7-1 or B7-2 on the APC, and thus to prevent anergy induction, or ineffective or abortive T-cell stimulation. Based on these data a sequential multiple-step T-cell activation model is proposed, and novel strategies for immuno-intervention can be designed.

Expression of CD80 (B7/BB-1) and CD28 in human white blood cells treated with urocanic acid

Urocanic acid (UCA) is formed in the epidermis where it accumulates to be converted from trans- to cis-UCA by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The two isomers modulate immune functions in several experimental systems. In particular, cis-UCA has been shown to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance, but the molecular mechanism of this effect is unknown. The present investigation was instituted to disclose any effect of UCA isomers on the cellular expression of the costimulatory antigens CD80 (B7/BB-1) and CD28. CD80 expression was efficiently induced in monocytic (CD14+) cells by human interferon-gamma, while CD28 levels on lymphocytes remained unchanged, as detected by flow cytometry. Neither UCA isomer showed any effect on the expression patterns of these costimulatory molecules. The results obtained suggest that the mode of action for epidermal UCA-induced tolerogenesis may not involve modulation of CD80 (B7/BB-1) or CD28 expression.

CD28: a signalling perspective

CD28 and the related molecule cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4), together with their natural ligands B7.1 and B7.2, have been implicated in the differential regulation of several immune responses. CD28 provides signals during T cell activation which are required for the production of interleukin 2 and other cytokines and chemokines, and it has also been implicated in the regulation of T cell anergy and programmed T cell death. The biochemical signals provided by CD28 are cyclosporin A-resistant and complement those provided by the T cell antigen receptor to allow full activation of T cells. Multiple signalling cascades which may be independent of, or dependent on, protein tyrosine kinase activation have been demonstrated to be activated by CD28, including activation of phospholipase C, p21ran, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, sphingomyelinase/ceramide and 5-lipoxygenase. The relative contributions of these cascades to overall CD28 signalling are still unknown, but probably depend on the state of activation of the T cell and the level of CD28 activation. The importance of these signalling cascades (in particular the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mediated cascade) to functional indications of CD28 activation, such as interleukin 2 gene regulation, has been investigated using pharmacological and genetic manipulations. These approaches have demonstrated that CD28-activated signalling cascades regulate several transcription factors involved in interleukin 2 transcriptional activation. This review describes in detail the structure and expression of the CD28 and B7 families, the functional outcomes of CD28 ligation and the signalling events that are thought to mediate these functions.

R24 anti-GD3 ganglioside antibody can induce costimulation and prevent the induction of alloantigen-specific T cell clonal anergy

R24 is a monoclonal antibody directed against the cell surface ganglioside GD3. It can detect GD3 on the surface of a subset of T lymphocytes and can stimulate proliferation and secretion of cytokines in vitro. In the present report, we examined the effects of the R24 antibody upon antigen-specific T cell response, employing an HLA-DR7-specific T cell clonal model. As previously shown, primary stimulation of HLA-DR7-specific alloreactive T cell clones by transfectants expressing HLA-DR7 alone (t-DR7) in the absence of B7 co-stimulation resulted in anergy. Binding of cell surface GD3 on HLA-DR7-specific alloreactive T cell clones with R24 under these anergizing conditions resulted in interleukin-2 (IL-2) accumulation and prevented the induction of alloantigen-specific T cell clonal anergy. Binding of GD3 by R24 also prevented anergy under conditions where B7:CD28 interactions were blocked by CTLA4-Ig. The effect of R24 was abrogated in the presence of a combination of monoclonal antibodies for the alpha and beta chains of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) or a neutralizing anti-IL-2 antibody. R24 does not appear to interact directly with the IL-2R since incubation of T cell clones with R24 did not induce early activation of IL-2R associated Jak kinases, Jak1 and Jak3, as was induced following incubation with IL-2. In contrast, incubation of HLA-DR7-specific clones with t-DR7 in the presence of R24 did result in phosphorylation of IL-2R related Jak kinases after 24 h. Our data indicate that the membrane ganglioside GD3 structure recognized by R24 may play an important role in antigen-specific T cell clonal response.

Factors that influence activated CD8+ T-cell apoptosis in patients with acute herpesvirus infections: loss of costimulatory molecules CD28, CD5 and CD6 but relative maintenance of Bax and Bcl-X expression

The expanded CD8+ T-lymphocyte population arising in response to viral infection controls the virus but could also prove damaging to the host unless safely removed at the end of the immune response. Apoptosis provides a mechanism whereby this can be achieved, as apoptotic cells are recognized and engulfed by macrophages. Peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes from individuals with acute viral infections were highly susceptible to apoptosis after short-term culture in vitro. This spontaneous cell death could be prevented by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and was related to a decreased expression of Bcl-2 but not Bax or Bcl-XL, additional molecules that promote or prevent apoptosis, respectively, as well as an increase in CD95. After stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody, T cells from these patients also underwent an activation-induced cell death (AICD) that could not be prevented by IL-2. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells from this patient group expressed lower than normal levels of three costimulatory molecules, CD28, CD5 and CD6, suggesting that stimulation in the absence of a second signal is a possible mechanism for the defective reactivation of these cells. Thus multiple mechanisms, including loss of Bcl-2, increased CD95 and loss of costimulatory molecules, place constraints on the survival and reactivation of activated CD8+ T cells after viral infections. This enables immune activation to be controlled and cellular homeostasis to be re-established during resolution of viral diseases in vivo.

Evidence for intact CD28 signaling in T cell hyporesponsiveness induced by the HIV-1 nef gene

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 is associated with quantitative and qualitative T cell alterations that severely impair the host's immune defense system. The molecular basis for this immunosuppression remains unclear. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from patients show markedly decreased interleukin (IL)-2 secretion but unaffected or even increased T helper (Th)2 cytokine production. T cell functional defects were recently reported to correlate more with T cell receptor (TcR) signaling, whereas signals provided by ligation of co-receptors CD27 and CD28 appeared to be preserved. Among the various mechanisms proposed to be involved in HIV-1-induced T cell dysfunction, we and others have reported that the nef gene product exhibited significant immunosuppressive activity. By using an inducible stably integrated nef gene, we demonstrated that Nef specifically down-regulated IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gama produced upon TcR triggering. Here, using the same experimental system, we extended our initial observations to additional mitogenic signals, and investigated the co-stimulatory function of CD28. Nef down-regulated IL-2, but not IL-4 produced upon induction by combinations of mitogens that mimicked TcR signals together with CD28 mAb or CD28's natural ligand (CD80 and CD86). However, the co-signals provided by CD28 to up-regulate IL-2 induction were unaffected by Nef, since IL-2 produced by nef-transfected cells was proportionally enhanced to the same extent as that of control cells, either upon stimulation by the CD28 mAb or CD80 and CD86. In addition, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase recruitment induced upon CD28 triggering was also found to be unaltered by nef expression. Together with the observation that similar levels of the Nef protein were detected in nef-transfected cells and upon infection of PBMC, these data suggest a selective immunosuppression induced by nef in human T cells by altering TcR signaling without detectable impact on CD28 co-receptor function. These data agree with the T cell defects observed in PBMC isolated from HIV-infected individuals.

Differential association of protein tyrosine kinases with the T cell receptor is linked to the induction of anergy and its prevention by B7 family-mediated costimulation

When stimulated through their antigen receptor, without costimulation, T cells enter a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. B7-mediated costimulation, signaling via CD28, is sufficient to prevent the induction of anergy. Here we show that ligation of T cell receptor (TCR) by alloantigen alone, which results in anergy, activates tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR zeta and its association with fyn. In contrast, TCR ligation in the presence of B7 costimulation, which results in productive immunity, activates tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR zeta and CD3 chains, which associate with activated lck and zeta-associated protein (ZAP) 70. Under these conditions, CD28 associates with activated lck and TCR zeta. These data suggest that the induction of anergy is an active signaling process characterized by the association of TCR zeta and fyn. In addition, CD28-mediated costimulation may prevent the induction of anergy by facilitating the effective association of TCR zeta and CD3 epsilon with the critical protein tyrosine kinase lck, and the subsequent recruitment of ZAP-70. Strategies to inhibit or activate TCR-associated, specific protein tyrosine kinase-mediated pathways may provide a basis for drug development with potential applications in the fields of transplantation, autoimmunity, and tumor immunity.

Long-term acceptance of major histocompatibility complex-mismatched cardiac allograft induced by a low dose of CTLA4IgM plus FK506

The immunosuppressant FK506 prolongs allograft survival. However, at therapeutic doses it has significant side effects. A fusion protein consisting of the extracellular portion of CTLA4 and the Fc portion of human IgG (CTLA4IgG) also prolongs allograft survival, but large doses of CTLA4IgG are required for the induction of cardiac allograft acceptance. Therefore, we constructed a pentameric form of a new CTLA4 fusion protein, CTLA4IgM. We tested whether low doses of CTLA4IgG or CTLA4IgM in combination with subtherapeutic doses of FK506 can prolong allograft survival in a synergistic fashion. C57BL/6 (H-2b) neonatal hearts were transplanted to CBA/J (H-2b) mice in a heterotopic, nonvascularized cardiac allograft model. The findings demonstrate that a combination of low doses of FK506 plus a pentameric form of CTLA4Ig, CTLA4IgM, leads to significant graft survival, while a combination of FK506 plus CTLA4IgG does not.

Development of Th 1- or Th 2-dominated immune responses: what about the polarizing signals?

Type 1 helper T cells and type 2 helper T cells represent two extremely polarized forms of the effector specific immune response, based on a distinctive profile of cytokine production. Type 1- and type 2 helper T cell-dominated immune responses play a different role in both protection and immunopathology. The differentiation of effector phenotypes depends on a complex matrix of interconnecting factors resulting from the evolutionary interplay between vertebrates and microorganisms. These include the physical form of the antigen, as well as the density and affinity of the peptide ligand, the cytokines produced by "natural" immunity cells at the time of antigen presentation, costimulatory signals provided by antigen-presenting cells, and hormones released into the microenvironment. The elucidation of genetic and environmental factors that regulate type 1 or type 2 helper T cell development in response to different antigenic stimulation is the basis for new immunotherapeutic strategies in allergic and autoimmune disorders, as well as for the improvement of vaccines.

CD28-dependent killing by human YT cells requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation

CD28/B7 interactions have been demonstrated to provide a co-stimulatory signal for the generation of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the absence of CD4+ T helper cells. The CD28 signals required for induction of cytotoxicity have yet to be described. To investigate further the biochemical signaling pathways associated with CD28-dependent cytotoxicity, we have studied the human thymic leukemia cell line, YT. YT cells kill B7+ targets in a non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted, CD28-dependent manner. CD28 ligation on the surface of YT cells caused a rapid increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of four major cellular substrates with masses estimated to be 110, 95, 85, and 44 kDa. The 110 and 85 kDa substrates were identified as the catalytic and regulatory subunits, respectively, of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). Engagement of CD28 caused the rapid receptor association and activation of PI3-K but did not activate phospholipase C gamma. CD28-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3-K activation was independent of p56lck protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity (previously reported to be associated with CD28) and was insensitive to inhibition by the PTK inhibitor herbimycin A. Two structurally and mechanistically dissimilar inhibitors of PI3-K, wortmannin and 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002) also failed to block CD28-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation events or the association of PI3-K with the CD28 receptor. However, both drugs inhibited CD28-dependent cytotoxicity and CD28 receptor associated PI3-K activity with IC50 values similar to the reported IC50 values for PI3-K inhibition. Although herbimycin A did not significantly block the observed CD28-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation or PI3-K activation, herbimycin did block CD28-dependent cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. These data support a role for PI3-K activation in the CD28-dependent initiation of cytotoxic effector function and suggest that a herbimycin sensitive step(s) is either CD28-independent, resides within a PI3-K-independent CD28 signaling pathway, or is downstream of CD28-dependent PI3-K activation.

CTLA4-Ig plus bone marrow induces long-term allograft survival and donor specific unresponsiveness in the murine model. Evidence for hematopoietic chimerism

Allograft rejection is dependent on T cell activation, which requires both the engagement of the T cell receptor by antigen in the context of the MHC molecules and costimulatory signals delivered by cell surface molecules such as B7-CD28/CTLA4 pathway. CTLA4-Ig is a fusion protein that blocks this pathway and has previously been shown to prolong both allograft and xenograft survival. The current study demonstrates markedly prolonged murine cardiac allograft survival and specific prolongation of secondary skin grafts using a combination of CTLA4-Ig plus donor bone marrow. A role for hematopoietic chimerism in the establishment of CTLA4-Ig-induced transplantation tolerance was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of recipient tissues. Expression of donor-specific MHC class II transcripts in both peripheral and lymphoid tissues was demonstrated at greater than 200 days after transplant. To investigate the functional significance of this observation, heart donors, and donor bone marrow were irradiated before transplantation in CTLA4-Ig-treated recipients. A reduction in allograft survival was associated with irradiation of both the donor heart and the bone marrow. These results suggest that there may be a donor-derived radiosensitive element that enhances allograft survival in this model. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of allografts of tolerant and control animals at days 5, 8, and 12 after transplantation failed to demonstrate a dramatic difference in the expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-gamma message. Cytotoxicity effector transcripts were largely intact in CTLA4-Ig + bone marrow-treated recipients as they showed no decrease in intragraft granzyme, perforin, Fas, or Fas ligand transcripts during thr first 8 days after transplant. These results imply that complex mechanisms may be important for the induction and maintenance of transplantation tolerance in the CTLA4-Ig plus bone marrow murine cardiac allograft model.

CD28/B7 system of T cell costimulation

T cells play a central role in the initiation and regulation of the immune response to antigen. Both the engagement of the TCR with MHC/Ag and a second signal are needed for the complete activation of the T cell. The CD28/B7 receptor/ligand system is one of the dominant costimulatory pathways. Interruption of this signaling pathway with CD28 antagonists not only results in the suppression of the immune response, but in some cases induces antigen-specific tolerance. However, the CD28/B7 system is increasingly complex due to the identification of multiple receptors and ligands with positive and negative signaling activities. This review summarizes the state of CD28/B7 immunobiology both in vitro and in vivo; summarizes the many experiments that have led to our current understanding of the participants in this complex receptor/ligand system; and illustrates the current models for CD28/B7-mediated T cell and B cell regulation. It is our hope and expectation that this review will provoke additional research that will unravel this important, yet complex, signaling pathway.

Major histocompatibility complex class II-expressing endothelial cells induce allospecific nonresponsiveness in naive T cells

The role of endothelial cells (EC) in initiating a primary T cell response is of importance in clinical transplantation and autoimmunity since EC are the first allogeneic target encountered by the recipient's immune system and may display tissue-specific autoantigens in the context of an inflammatory response. In this study, we have investigated the antigen-presenting cell function of human umbilical vein-derived EC (HUVEC), depleted of constitutively major histocompatibility complex class II+ cells and induced to express class II molecules by interferon-gamma. The results show that HUVEC do not express B7 but can support proliferation by antigen-specific T cell clones. In contrast, they were unable to initiate a primary alloresponse using three independent HUVEC cultures and MHC class II-mismatched CD4+ T cells from eight donors. The response to HUVEC was reconstituted by trans-costimulation provided by DAP.3 transfectants expressing human B7.1. Coculture of peripheral blood T cells with EC expressing allogeneic DR molecules had markedly different effects on CD45RO+ and RA+ subsets. Subsequent reactivity of the RO+ T cells was unaffected by exposure to EC, indicating a neutral encounter. In contrast, culture with DR+ EC induced allospecific nonresponsiveness in RA+ T cells.

CD40-CD40 ligand interactions in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis

We investigated the role of CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interactions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Activated helper T cells expressing CD40L (gp39) surface protein were found in MS patient brain sections, but not in brain tissue sections of normal controls or patients with other neurological disease. CD40L-positive cells were co-localized with CD40-bearing cells in active lesions (perivascular infiltrates). Most of these CD40-bearing cells proved to be of the monocytic lineage (macrophages or microglial cells), and relatively few were B cells. To functionally evaluate CD40-CD40L interactions, EAE was elicited in mice by means of proteolipid-peptide immunization. Treatment with anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody completely prevented the development of disease. Furthermore, administration of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody, even after disease onset, shortly before maximum disability score was reached led to dramatic disease reduction. The presence of helper T cells expressing CD40L in brain tissue of MS patients and EAE animals, together with the functional evidence provided by successful experimental prevention and therapy in an animal model, indicates that blockade of CD40-CD40L-mediated cellular interactions may be a method for interference in active MS.

A cell type-specific enhancer in the human B7.1 gene regulated by NF-kappaB

The costimulatory molecule B7.1 provides a second signal critical for T cell activation. The distribution of this integral membrane protein is restricted to certain tissues where its level of expression is modulated by multiple exogenous stimuli. To identify the molecular basis for specificity and inducibility, the chromatin configuration of the human B7.1 gene was examined in intact nuclei from various cell types. The identification of a tissue-specific deoxyribonuclease I hypersensitive site approximately 3kb upstream of the transcription start site led to the characterization of a cell type-specific enhancer region. This 183-bp region was both cell type specific and responsive to two distinct stimuli, lipopolysaccharide and dibutyryl cAMP, known to regulate B7.1 expression. Deletional and site-directed mutagenesis revealed the presence of multiple functionally critical cis elements within this region, one of which was a nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB consensus sequence. In B7.1-positive B cells, this element bound several members of the NF-kappaB family, transcription factors already implicated in signal transduction pathways relevant to B7.1 expression. This is the first description, to our knowledge, of regulatory elements that control expression of a gene encoding a B7 costimulatory molecule.

Prolonged islet allograft acceptance in the absence of interleukin 4 expression

Murine CTLA4/Fc therapy leads to permanent engraftment of islet allografts in interleukin 4 (IL-4) knockout (IL-4-/- mice. Interestingly, IL-4+/- hosts were more resistant to tolerance induction than IL-4-/- mice. An IL-2/Fc fusion protein abrogates the effect of CTLA4/Fc therapy while an IL-4/Fc fusion protein tends to inhibit rather than enhance the effect of CTLA/Fc treatment in IL-4-/- recipients. We conclude that allograft acceptance requires principally a blockade of T cell activation rather than 'immune deviation' of the T cell activation program to Th2 cytokines (i.e. IL-4).

Does B7-1 expression confer antigen-presenting cell capacity to tumors in vivo?

Tumors engineered to express the costimulatory molecule B7-1 can elicit CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-dependent antitumor responses in immunocompetent mice. It has been postulated that this result reflects direct priming of CTL by the modified tumor in vivo. Previous studies of the immune response to a B7-1- murine colon carcinoma expressing influenza nucleoprotein (NP) as a model tumor antigen have demonstrated the crucial role of bone marrow-derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the priming of NP-specific CTL in vivo. In this system, no evidence of direct CTL priming by tumor was detected. We have performed a similar analysis to determine if B7-1 transfectant of this tumor results in the direct priming of CTL, and to compare this response to that primed by host APCs. When H-2b-->H-2bxd bone marrow chimeras were immunized with a single injection of CT26/NP/B7-1 (H-2d), NP-specific CTL were detected that were restricted to the bone marrow haplotype (H-2b), but not to the tumor haplotype. In contrast, CTL recognizing the NP antigenic epitope in the context of the tumor's major histocompatibility complex were detectable only after multiple immunizations. These results suggest that whereas B7-1+ tumor vaccines result in some degree of direct presentation to CD8+ T cells, the dominant mechanism of CTL priming is through the uptake and presentation of tumor antigens by bone marrow-deprived APCs. However, repeated immunization with B7-1+ tumor cells can efficiently expand the directly primed CD8+ CTL population.

Skin allograft rejection in CD28-deficient mice

Costimulatory interactions between CD28 and the B7 family have been shown to augment T cell responses in general. To further assess the importance of the costimulatory signals generated through CD28, the allogeneic response was examined in CD28-deficient mice. T cells from CD28-deficient mice showed reduced proliferation and cytokine production in response to allogeneic stimulator cells in vitro. However, CD28-deficient T cells developed cytotoxic activity against allogeneic target cells in vitro and efficiently rejected skin allografts in vivo. These results suggest that the costimulatory signals through CD28 are not essential for the induction of alloreactive effector functions in vitro and in vivo.

Differential effects of costimulator signals and interleukin-2 on T cell receptor-mediated cell death of resting and activated CD4+ murine splenic T cells

Postthymic T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated cell death offers the potential for creating antigen-specific transplant tolerance analogous to thymic clonal deletion. Murine specific CD4+ cell were rigorously purified by: (a) adherent cell depletion and (b) magnetic bead/monoclonal antibody (mAb) depletion of macrophages, Ia+ cells, mu-chain+ cells, NK cells, and CD8+ T cells. CD4+s were typically > 95% pure by flow cytometry. Resting CD4+s stimulated by plastic-immobilized anti-TCR/CD3 mAb wee shown to die in the absence of exogenous interleukin (IL)-2. Blasting CD4+s showed dose-dependent cell death upon religation of TCR/CD3 in the presence of IL-2; however, withdrawal of IL-2 from blasting CD4+s also resulted in cell death. Cell death was shown to be apoptotic by flow cytometry DNA content analysis. Anti-CD28 mAb, co-immobilized with anti-TCR/CD3 mAb, inhibited cell death of resting CD4+s in the absence of exogenous IL-2; however, anti-CD28 mAb showed minimal cell death inhibition of CD4+ blasts when TCR/CD3 was religated. In contrast, splenic adherent cells effectively inhibited cell death of blasting CD4+s induced by TCR/CD3 mAb religation. We conclude that TCR-mediated programmed cell death of highly purified splenic CD4+s is dependent upon activation state, availability of IL-2, and accessory cell or CD28 costimulator signals. Furthermore, IL-2 acts to protect against cell death in both resting and activated CD4+ T cells. IL-2 protection could be overcome by high concentrations of anti-TCR/CD3 mAb, which results in cell death of CD4+ blasts. In the effort to understand potential mechanisms of peripheral tolerance induction, these findings assist to distinguish and define conditions for antigen receptor-mediated programmed cell death of mature CD4+ T cells.

Induction of immunological tolerance to islet allografts

T-cell dependent activation of resting B cells involves the interaction of gp39 on T cells with its receptor, CD40, on B cells. We administered either a combination of T-cell-depleted splenic lymphocytes and anti-gp39 monoclonal antibody or antibody alone to establish islet allografts in mice without continuous immunosuppression. Fully allogeneic H-2q FVB islets were permanently accepted by chemically diabetic H-2b C57BL/6 mice provided that the recipients were pretreated with both T-cell-depleted donor spleen cells and anti-gp39 antibody. Antibody alone was less effective in prolonging allograft survival, but we did observe that anti-gp39 mAb alone can exert an independent, primary effect on islet allograft survival that was dose dependent. Targeting gp39, in combination with lymphocyte transfusion, might prove suitable for tolerance induction and allotransplantation without immunosuppression.

Bone marrow-derived dendritic cell progenitors (NLDC 145+, MHC class II+, B7-1dim, B7-2-) induce alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in murine T lymphocytes

The functional maturation of dendritic cells (DC) and other antigen-presenting cells is believed to reflect the upregulation of cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and other T cell co-stimulatory molecules, especially the CD28 ligands B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86). In this study, we propagated cells exhibiting characteristics of DC precursors from the bone marrow (BM) of B10 mice (H-2b; I-A+) in response to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The methods used were similar to those employed previously to propagate DC progenitors from normal mouse liver. Cells expressing DC lineage markers (NLDC 145+, 33D1+, N418+) harvested from 8-10-day GM-CSF stimulated BM cell cultures were CD45+, heat-stable antigen+, CD54+, CD44+, MHC class II+, B7-1dim but B7-2- (costimulatory molecule-deficient). Supplementation of cultures with interleukin-4 (IL-4) in addition to GM-CSF however, resulted in marked upregulation of MHC class II and B7-2 expression. These latter cells exhibited potent allostimulatory activity in primary mixed leukocyte cultures. In contrast, the cells stimulated with GM-CSF alone were relatively weak stimulators and induced alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in allogeneic T cells (C3H; H-2k; I-E+) detected upon restimulation in secondary MLR. This was associated with blockade of IL-2 production. Reactivity to third-party stimulators was intact. The hyporesponsiveness induced by the GM-CSF stimulated, costimulatory molecule-deficient cells was prevented by incorporation of anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody in the primary MLR and was reversed by addition of IL-2 to restimulated T cells. The findings show that MHC class II+ B7-2- cells with a DC precursor phenotype can induce alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in vitro. Under the appropriate conditions, such costimulatory molecule-deficient cells could contribute to the induction of donor-specific unresponsiveness in vivo.

CD30-mediated signaling promotes the development of human T helper type 2-like T cells

We have recently shown that CD30, a member of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily, is preferentially expressed by human T cell clones producing T helper (Th) type 2 cytokines. We report here that costimulation with an agonistic anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody enhanced antigen (Ag)-induced proliferation and cytokine secretion by established human Th2 and Th0 clones. Moreover, costimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the same anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody resulted in the preferential development of Ag-specific T cell lines and clones showing a Th2-like profile of cytokine secretion. In contrast, early blockade in bulk culture of CD30 ligand-CD30 interaction shifted the development of Ag-specific T cells towards the opposite (Th1-like) phenotype. Taken together, these data suggest that CD30 triggering of activated Th cells by CD30 ligand-expressing Ag-presenting cells may represent an important costimulatory signaling for the development of Th2-type responses.

Expression of costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), and interleukin 12 cytokine in multiple sclerosis lesions

Resting autoreactive T cells are present in the circulation of normal individuals without pathologic consequences. In autoimmune animal models, stimulation of these self-reactive T cells in the presence of costimulatory molecules B7-1 results in T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, whereas B7-2 stimulation generates regulatory autoreactive T cells that abrogate disease severity. Thus, reactivation in the brain of myelin-autoreactive T cells by antigen with costimulatory molecules may be a critical event in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), a putative autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. We investigated the expression of cytokines and costimulatory molecules in a panel of 41 histologically characterized CNS specimens from 15 MS and 10 control cases using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry. In four cases, vascular CNS infarcts with inflammation were compared with MS plaques from the same brain. We observed increased expression of B7-1 and interleukin (IL) 12p40 in acute MS plaques, particularly from early disease cases but not in inflammatory infarcts. B7-1 staining was localized predominantly to the lymphocytes in perivenular inflammatory cuffs but not the parenchyma. In contrast, B7-2 was expressed predominantly on macrophages both in MS lesions of varied time duration and in inflammatory infarcts. These findings indicate that an early event in the initiation of MS involves upregulation of B7-1 and IL-12, resulting in conditions that maximally stimulate T cell activation and induction of T helper 1-type immune responses.