3H11, a unique cell surface molecule involved in the function of the CD45RA+ subset of CD4+ cells

We have developed a mAb anti-3H11 by immunizing mice with a T cell line derived from the Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset). Anti-3H11 is reactive with approximately 48% of unfractionated T cells, 62% of CD4+ cells and 39% of CD8+ cells. Among CD4 cells, anti-3H11 preferentially reacts with the CD45RA+ T cell subset. The majority of helper activity for pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-driven B cell IgG synthesis and T cell response to recall antigen such as tetanus toxoid was found within the 3H11-CD4 cell population, whereas anti-3H11+CD4+ cells provided poor helper function for PWM-driven B cell IgG synthesis and were more responsive to concanavalin A and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction. Biochemical characterization showed that anti-3H11 precipitated a single protein band with a relative molecular weight of 32,000 from 125I-surface labeled cell lysate. Biochemical, phenotypic and functional studies revealed that the 3H11 molecule appeared to be different from previously established molecules on the T cell surface. Interestingly, addition of anti-3H11 to the combination of CD4 and B cells in the presence of CD8 cells but not to the combination of CD4 and B cells resulted in enhancement of the suppression of PWM-driven B cell IgG synthesis. Moreover, anti-3H11 had a co-mitogenic effect on T cells via the CD2 and CD3 pathways, and this co-mitogenic activity is restricted to the CD45RA+ T cells. Taken together, our results show that the 3H11 molecule is a novel antigen which may play an important role in the activation and function of the CD45RA+ subset of T cells.

UV irradiation can induce in vitro clonal anergy in alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated by coculturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with allogeneic Sa cells (an Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]-transformed B-cell line). The CTL did not proliferate in response to UV-B-irradiated Sa cells unless exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) was present, although they could kill the UV-B-irradiated Sa cells. The results indicate that UV-B-irradiated Sa cells do not provide sufficient signals for the proliferation of the CTL while they can be recognized by CTL and induce high-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on them. The alloreactive CTL could be rendered anergic by previous exposure to UV-B-irradiated Sa cells. The alloreactive CTL previously stimulated with UV-B-irradiated Sa cells failed to proliferate in response to nontreated Sa cells. Proliferation of the anergic CTL could not be restored by Sa cells and exogenous IL-2 but by the combination of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore (A23187). The anergic CTL showed a considerably low cytotoxic activity against Sa target cells. The expression of TCR on the anergic CTL was downregulated while expression of high-affinity IL-2R was upregulated. Their CD28 and CD8 expression were unchanged. In addition, the proliferative response and cytotoxicity of the anergic CTL to Sa cells could be restored after the cells had been rested for 7 days to allow reexpression of TCR. These results suggest that downregulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) and impairment in the post-IL-2/IL-2R signaling pathway are relevant to the clonal anergy induced in the alloreactive CTL by stimulation of UV-B-irradiated Sa cells.

Ultraviolet irradiation inhibits killer-target cell interaction

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on cell-mediated cytolysis were examined in order to clarify the inhibitory mechanisms of allosensitization by UV irradiation. UV-B-irradiated target cells (Sa; an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line) exhibited more resistance against alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) than mitomycin C (MMC)-treated target cells. In the conjugate formation assay, UV-B-irradiated target cells showed a considerably lower binding to alloreactive CTL than MMC-treated target cells. UV-B irradiation induced a reduction of HLA-class I, -DR, CD54 (ICAM-1) and CD58 (LFA-3) expression on target cells. However, it does not seem to contribute to the inhibition of cell adhesion induced by UV-B irradiation because a similar reduction of cell surface antigens was observed in MMC-treated target cells. Number of cells capped with anti-HLA-class I, -DR, CD54 or CD58 monoclonal antibody were markedly reduced by UV-B irradiation compared to that by MMC treatment. These findings suggest the possibility that the inhibition of cell adhesion between UV-B-irradiated Sa target cells and alloreactive CTL is due to the impaired mobility of cell surface antigens which will affect the early process of cell-mediated cytolysis.

Extrathymic origin of V gamma 1/V delta 6 T cells in the skin

The dendritic epidermal cells (dEC) from young (8-week-old) athymic mice were found to express mRNA for gamma/delta T cell receptors (TcR). The mRNA found in the dEC from athymic mice was expressed only for V gamma 1-J gamma 4-C gamma 4 and V delta 6-J delta 1-C delta with both chains having productive rearrangements and junctional diversity. On the other hand, the dEC from euthymic mice carried V gamma 5-J gamma 1-C gamma 1 and V delta 1-J delta 2-C delta in addition to the V gamma 1/V delta 6 subset found in athymic mice. Therefore, this V gamma 1/V delta 6 subset, which has been implicated in the murine gamma/delta T cell responses to mycobacterial antigens and self heat-shock proteins, is the product of extrathymic maturation in the dEC from both athymic and euthymic mice.

Reciprocal T cell responses in the liver and thymus of mice injected with syngeneic tumor cells

We investigated the T cell responses in various tissues, especially in the liver and thymus, of mice injected with syngeneic tumors. This study was undertaken since recent evidence indicated that the liver is one of the important immune organs for T cell proliferation. When C3H/He mice were intraperitoneally injected with mitomycin-treated syngeneic MH134 tumors (1 x 10(7)/mouse), a transient increase of liver mononuclear cells (MNC) was induced, showing a peak at Day 4 after injection. Histological study of such liver showed a sinusoidal dilatation and an accumulation of MNC in the sinusoids. The most predominant MNC induced were double negative (CD4-8-) alpha beta T cells and gamma delta T cells. These gamma delta T cells varied, showing unique time-kinetics. Despite a continuous increase of whole liver MNC and alpha beta T cells, the proportion of gamma delta T cells in the liver decreased beginning 4 days after injection. In contrast with the response in the liver, a striking decrease in the cell number of thymocytes was induced after tumor injection, showing a basal level at Day 6. This hypocellularity in the thymus appears to be an inverted response of the lymphocytosis in the liver. At this time, a corresponding decrease in the proportion of double positive (CD4+8+) T cells was always seen in the thymus. Analysis of cell proliferative response showed that the increase of liver MNC after tumor injection was accompanied by augmented proliferation, whereas the decrease of thymocytes was accompanied by depressed proliferation. The present results indicate that there exists a unique, reciprocal response of T lymphocytes between the liver and thymus, and that the presence of tumor appears to stimulate T cell response in the liver but alternatively inactivates such response in the thymus.

Predominant appearance of gamma/delta T lymphocytes in the liver of mice after birth

gamma/delta T lymphocytes residing in the liver of mice were systematically characterized with respect to their age-related variation, phenotype and V gene segment usage of gamma/delta T cell receptor (TcR). Previous human and murine studies have shown that a high proportion of gamma/delta T cells reside in the liver and that such liver gamma/delta T cells have lymphoblastic morphology and can spontaneously proliferate in vitro. In the present study, a predominant appearance of gamma/delta T cells (up to 23% among CD3+ cells) in the liver was confirmed in 4-week old mice of various strains. gamma/delta T cells in the liver preferentially co-expressed CD8 antigens, whereas the vast majority of gamma/delta T cells in the spleen lacked the CD8 antigens. The identification of gamma/delta T cells in various lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs also revealed the liver to be one of the organs where gamma/delta T cell are most abundant. The level of such liver gamma/delta T cells showed a clear age-related variation. In the fetal stage and just after birth, gamma/delta T cells were not detectable in the liver (less than 0.2%). However, a significantly higher percentage of gamma/delta T cells among both the total population of mononuclear cells and CD3+ cells was detected in the liver of young 2- to 8-week-old mice; this percentage subsequently declined. As the total number of liver mononuclear cells increased in aged mice, the absolute number of liver gamma/delta T cells also increased as a function of age. V gene segment usage analysis by the polymerase chain reaction method demonstrated that V gamma 1 or V gamma 2/V delta 6 were preferentially used by liver gamma/delta T cells. The age-related increase of gamma/delta T cells was more prominent in the liver of athymic nude mice, and such gamma/delta T cells highly co-expressed the CD8 antigens and also utilized the V gamma 1 or V gamma 2/V delta 6 for gamma/delta Tcr. The predominant appearance of unique gamma/delta T cells in the liver, which was inversely related to the existence of the thymus, indicates that these gamma/delta T cells may differentiate extrathymically in the liver.

[Induction and functional analysis of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from human tonsil by Streptococcus pyogenes stimulation]

The killer cell characteristics of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells induced from human tonsil by streptococcus pyogenes stimulation were examined. Immunohistologic staining of tonsil showed that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells were mainly located in the interfollicular area connected with stratified squamous epithelium. Streptococcus pyogenes could induce the proliferation of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from tonsil in the presence of low-dose of IL-2. This streptococcus pyogenes-induced gamma delta TCR-bearing T cell proliferation was likely to be independent on the IL-2/IL-2R system since an obvious inhibition was not observed with anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-2R mAbs. More importantly, these gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells exhibited cell-mediated cytotoxic activity in a 4 hr 51 Cr-release assay. In addition, immunocytochemical staining revealed that these cells contained a killer protein perforin. These results demonstrate that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from tonsil exhibit typical killer cell characteristics. These data also suggest that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells in human tonsil may play a cytotoxic role in protecting the integrity of tonsil from infection.

Expression and function of a 90-kilodalton homodimeric molecule (10D1 antigen) on human thymocytes

The 10D1 Ag is a 90-kDa homodimeric molecule specifically expressed on a subpopulation of human T cells, and is involved in an alternative pathway of T cell activation. In the present study, we have examined the expression and function of the 10D1 Ag on human thymocytes. Three-color FMF analysis showed that the 10D1 Ag was highly expressed on minor but distinct subpopulations of double-negative and CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and weakly on a part of double-positive thymocytes, but not on CD8 single-positive thymocytes. In double-negative thymocytes, the vast majority of 10D1+ cells were immature thymocytes of CD7+2+3- phenotype. Interestingly, 10D1 mAb could induce the proliferation of CD4 single-positive thymocytes in the presence of goat anti-mouse Ig to cross-link the 10D1 Ag. The treatment of thymocytes with OKT4 mAb plus C but not with OKT8 mAb plus C totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, indicating that the 10D1-responsible thymocytes were of CD4+8- phenotype. This 10D1 mAb-induced thymocyte proliferation was perfectly dependent on the endogenous IL-2/IL-2R system since a complete inhibition was observed with anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-2R mAb. The proliferating CD4 single positive thymocytes predominantly expressed the IL-2R alpha (p55) but not a detectable level of the IL-2R beta (p75). These results indicate that, although the 10D1 Ag can be detected on the CD7+2+3-4-8- thymocytes, its functional expression is restricted to a minor more mature CD4+ thymocyte population as well as in peripheral blood T cells, and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Expression and function of a 90-kilodalton homodimeric molecule (10D1 antigen) on human thymocytes

The 10D1 Ag is a 90-kDa homodimeric molecule specifically expressed on a subpopulation of human T cells, and is involved in an alternative pathway of T cell activation. In the present study, we have examined the expression and function of the 10D1 Ag on human thymocytes. Three-color FMF analysis showed that the 10D1 Ag was highly expressed on minor but distinct subpopulations of double-negative and CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and weakly on a part of double-positive thymocytes, but not on CD8 single-positive thymocytes. In double-negative thymocytes, the vast majority of 10D1+ cells were immature thymocytes of CD7+2+3- phenotype. Interestingly, 10D1 mAb could induce the proliferation of CD4 single-positive thymocytes in the presence of goat anti-mouse Ig to cross-link the 10D1 Ag. The treatment of thymocytes with OKT4 mAb plus C but not with OKT8 mAb plus C totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, indicating that the 10D1-responsible thymocytes were of CD4+8- phenotype. This 10D1 mAb-induced thymocyte proliferation was perfectly dependent on the endogenous IL-2/IL-2R system since a complete inhibition was observed with anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-2R mAb. The proliferating CD4 single positive thymocytes predominantly expressed the IL-2R alpha (p55) but not a detectable level of the IL-2R beta (p75). These results indicate that, although the 10D1 Ag can be detected on the CD7+2+3-4-8- thymocytes, its functional expression is restricted to a minor more mature CD4+ thymocyte population as well as in peripheral blood T cells, and the implications of these findings are discussed.

A novel homodimeric molecule involved in human T cell activation

A mAb, 10D1, was obtained by fusing spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with a CD3/TCR- human T cell line, P12/ichikawa, to mouse myeloma cells, P3X63-Ag8-653. 10D1 mAb is specific for T cells in that it reacted with all the T cell lines tested, but not with B or myeloid cell lines. A small fraction of normal peripheral blood T cells, preferentially CD4+, was also reactive with 10D1 mAb. Biochemical studies revealed that 10D1 mAb recognizes a disulfide-linked homodimeric molecule composed of 90-kDa polypeptide. 10D1 mAb induced a substantial proliferation of peripheral blood T cells when cross-linked with goat anti-mouse Ig antibody. The elimination of CD4+ cells totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, whereas the elimination of CD8+ cells rather enhanced it. The proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells induced by 10D1 mAb was almost completely inhibited after modulation of the CD3/TCR complex with anti-CD3 mAb. In addition, a prompt increase in intracellular [Ca2+] was observed in a CD3+ T cell line, Jurkat but not in its surface CD3- mutant when 10D1 mAb was added. These results indicate that the 10D1 molecule is involved in a novel pathway of human CD4+ T cell activation, which is associated with the CD3/TCR-mediated pathway.

A novel homodimeric molecule involved in human T cell activation

A mAb, 10D1, was obtained by fusing spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with a CD3/TCR- human T cell line, P12/ichikawa, to mouse myeloma cells, P3X63-Ag8-653. 10D1 mAb is specific for T cells in that it reacted with all the T cell lines tested, but not with B or myeloid cell lines. A small fraction of normal peripheral blood T cells, preferentially CD4+, was also reactive with 10D1 mAb. Biochemical studies revealed that 10D1 mAb recognizes a disulfide-linked homodimeric molecule composed of 90-kDa polypeptide. 10D1 mAb induced a substantial proliferation of peripheral blood T cells when cross-linked with goat anti-mouse Ig antibody. The elimination of CD4+ cells totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, whereas the elimination of CD8+ cells rather enhanced it. The proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells induced by 10D1 mAb was almost completely inhibited after modulation of the CD3/TCR complex with anti-CD3 mAb. In addition, a prompt increase in intracellular [Ca2+] was observed in a CD3+ T cell line, Jurkat but not in its surface CD3- mutant when 10D1 mAb was added. These results indicate that the 10D1 molecule is involved in a novel pathway of human CD4+ T cell activation, which is associated with the CD3/TCR-mediated pathway.

Thy-1-positive dendritic epidermal cells contain a killer protein perforin

The killer cell characteristics of Thy-1-positive dendritic epidermal cells (Thy-1+ DEC) were examined. Four Thy-1+ DEC clones which were established from athymic nude mice exhibited spontaneous or lectin-redirectable cytotoxic activity against some murine tumor cell lines in a 4 h 51Cr-release assay. A colorimetric assay for benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine-thiobenzyl ester esterase revealed a strong serine esterase activity expressed in all cell clones. In addition, Northern blot analysis using a murine perforin cDNA probe revealed that all four Thy-1+ DEC clones expressed abundant mRNA for perforin, as do most killer T cells. More importantly, immunocytochemical staining with an anti-perforin monoclonal antibody revealed that not only all four Thy-1+ DEC clones but also a part of freshly isolated Thy-1+ DEC from normal and nude mice contained perforin. These results demonstrate that Thy-1+ DEC exhibit typical killer cell characteristics in vitro and in vivo. These data also suggest that Thy-1+ DEC may play a cytotoxic role in protecting the integrity of skin from infection or neoplastic transformation.

Molecular cloning and chromosomal assignment of a human perforin (PFP) gene

Human perforin cDNA was isolated and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of human perforin showed 68.4% similarity to that of mouse perforin. RNA blot analysis of the human perforin gene revealed that the gene product is expressed preferentially in killer-type cells among cell lines tested, and in large granular lymphocytes among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In situ hybridization analysis with a human perforin cDNA probe revealed that the human perforin (PFP) gene is located on chromosome 17q11-21.

[On the mechanisms of human T cell proliferation induced by the 10B4 molecule]

The 10B4 system of human T cells seems to constitute a member of T cell receptor complex. We have analyzed the mechanisms by which a monoclonal antibody against the 10B4 molecule activates human peripheral T cells. The 10B4 antibody together with goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibody induced significant increase of DNA and RNA syntheses in T cells with peak responses on day 9 and on day 7, respectively. This activation process is mediated by interleukin 2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R), because (1) IL-2 activity was detected in the culture supernatants, (2) the percentage of IL-2R positive cells increased during the culture period, with a peak on day 9, and (3) the 10B4-induced T cell proliferation was inhibited by anti IL-2R antibody. Blocking studies with pharmacological agents showed that in the 10B4-induced system, a protein kinase C (PK-C) inhibitor, palmitoylcarnitine, blocked DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, IL-2 production and IL-2R expression whereas a Ca ion channel blocker, verapamil, inhibited DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, IL-2 production but not IL-2R expression. It is thus concluded that PK-C activation is required for IL-2 production and IL-2R expression and that channel-mediated Ca ion influx is important for IL-2 production but may not be needed for IL-2R expression.