Gamma delta T cell receptor repertoire in brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis

Heat shock or stress proteins and their role as autoantigens in multiple sclerosis

Stress or heat shock proteins are constitutively expressed in normal CNS tissues, in a variety of cell types (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons). Their presence may protect cells from various stresses, such as hypoxia, anoxia, and excessive excitatory stimulation. Increased amounts of hsp are expressed in various cells of the CNS during acute toxic-metabolic states and in chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Increased expression of hsp may lead to immune responses to these proteins. Antibodies to mycobacterial hsp bind to normal human myelin and to oligodendrocytes in regions of MS demyelination. Cellular immune responses to hsp occur with increased frequency and magnitude in persons with MS, especially those with recent onset of disease. In addition, there are populations of T cells expressing gamma/delta antigen receptors in the brains and spinal fluids of persons with MS, suggesting an in situ immune response to hsp. Humoral immune responses to hsp are found in CSF, but no disease specificity has been documented. Some myelin proteins have sequence homology with particular hsp. One instance is the homology between a peptide of mycobacterial HSP 65 and the myelin protein CNP. Our data in EAE suggest that immune responses to either cross-reactive epitopes or whole hsp can modify the course of both acute and chronic relapsing EAE. These data support the hypothesis that an immune response to an infectious agent's hsp could result in a cross-reactive immune response to CNS myelin, or to responses to endogenous, CNS-expressed hsp, resulting in demyelination. This may be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of MS.

A simple method for the propagation and purification of gamma delta T cells from the peripheral blood of glioblastoma patients using solid-phase anti-CD3 antibody and soluble IL-2

Although gamma delta T cells make up no more than 10% of the peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells, they appear to play an important role in host defense against tumor growth. In order to evaluate their functional activity against tumors and their response to various cytokines, large numbers of cells are required. Here, we describe a newly-devised method for the isolation and expansion of gamma delta T cells from the peripheral blood of cancer patients, in particular those with glioblastoma. Using this approach, a 1000-1500-fold increase in total cell numbers was achieved in two weeks, the proportion of gamma delta T cells in the expanded population being, on average, approximately 30% after 14 days of culture. The method therefore gives a yield of approximately 10-15 x 10(8) gamma delta T cells from only 5 ml of peripheral blood from glioblastoma patients and normal controls. The highly purified gamma delta T cells of glioblastoma patients were shown to bear both a high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and a low-affinity IL-12 receptor (IL-12R). They also displayed significant cytotoxicity against autologous tumor cells, but not against autologous fresh or IL-2-treated lymphocytes, and proliferated in response to IL-2, both effects being dependent on the dose of IL-2 used for activation. In addition, overnight incubation with 700 U/ml of IL-2 or 50 ng/ml of IL-12 resulted in significant cytotoxic activity of patients' gamma delta T cells against K562 target cells, the level of activity being almost the same as with similarly-treated gamma delta T cells from normal controls (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that the patients' gamma delta T cells obtained using this method are intact in terms of cytotoxic function. Thus, this method not only makes it possible to produce large numbers of purified gamma delta T cells but also to produce populations containing both gamma delta T cells and NK cells, both active against tumor targets which might be suitable for clinical trials of adoptive-immunotherapy, especially in cancer patients for whom no effective therapy is available.

gamma delta T-cell-human glial cell interactions. I. In vitro induction of gammadelta T-cell expansion by human glial cells

gamma delta T-cells are found in increased proportion in multiple sclerosis (MS) white matter plaque infiltrates compared with peripheral blood or spleen, raising the possibility that they are either specifically attracted to lesion sites or, once present, are stimulated to expand. We have previously shown that human oligodendrocytes (OGC) preferentially express heat shock proteins (hsp), molecules to which gamma delta T-cells have been known to react and that in vitro expanded gamma delta T-cells can lyse OGC. We therefore investigated whether human glial cells, that differentially express hsp, could stimulate gamma delta T-cell expansion from peripheral blood. We compared the glial cell-induced expansion to cell lines which also differentially express hsp and have been shown to selectively stimulate gamma delta T-cell expansion (e.g. RPMI 8226, Daudi). We found that both OGC and human fetal astrocytes (hFA) expressed hsp and stimulated the preferential expansion of gamma delta T-cells to about the same extent as the hsp expressing cell lines RPMI 8226 or Daudi, in the presence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) but without any T-cell mitogen. Furthermore, the type of gamma delta T-cells expanded were of the V delta 2 subtype known to be particularly reactive to hsp. Microglia, U937 cell lines or purified myelin membranes, which express little or no hsp, did not support gamma delta T-cell growth. These results therefore suggest that OGC may contribute to the local expansion of gamma delta T-cells within MS plaques. Potential harmful effects of gamma delta T-cells on OGC may thereby contribute to the immunopathogenesis of MS demyelination.

Aggravation of murine experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by administration of T-cell receptor gammadelta-specific antibody

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is thought to be dominantly mediated by Ag-specific CD4+ MHC class II-restricted T-cells. Recent reports demonstrated accumulation of gammadelta T-cells in active multiple sclerosis (MS) plaque and infiltration into brains with EAE. However, the role of gammadelta T-cells in pathogenesis of EAE remains unknown. In the present study we have examined EAE mice administered T-cell receptor (TCR) gammadelta-specific mAb (UC7-13D5) to elucidate the potential role of gammadelta T-cells in the pathogenesis of EAE. MAb treatment led to transient depleting gammadelta T-cells in vivo. MAb-treated EAE mice showed aggravation and disease recurrence and also increased Ag-specific proliferative responses. Semiquantitative PCR analysis demonstrated an increased level of IFN-gamma mRNA expression in splenocytes from mAb-treated EAE mice during the induction and pre-relapse phase, however, aggravation and disease recurrence have not been suggested to be directly mediated by IFN-gamma in the present study. Our results imply that gammadelta T-cells play a preventing role in the recurrence of EAE.

Modulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice by immunization with a peptide specific for the gamma delta T cell receptor

This study investigated the role of gamma delta T cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that resembles multiple sclerosis. The strategy was to assess the effect on EAE of TCR peptide immunization directed against V gamma 6 T cells, shown recently to predominate in the CNS of mice during the early stages of EAE. The data show that TCR peptide immunization specific for V gamma 6 chains does not induce protection against EAE, since the incidence of EAE in TCR treated animals was similar to control mice, and therefore does not affect disease susceptibility per se, but rather alters the development of the disease. Specifically, there was a delay in the onset of EAE and a reduction in disease severity in TCR treated animals, although the effects were not highly significant. These findings suggest a role for gamma delta T cells in the development of EAE; however, further studies are necessary to confirm the specificity of TCR peptide immunization.

Limited junctional diversity of V delta 5-J delta 1 rearrangement in multiple sclerosis patients

T-cell receptor (TCR) delta gene repertoire, as assessed by V delta-J delta rearrangements, has been analyzed in nine multiple sclerosis (MS) cases and in 30 healthy individuals by seminested PCR technique. Among the V delta-J delta junctional diversities studied, the most striking result has been observed in V delta 5-J delta 1 rearrangement. The detection of repeated V delta 5-J delta 1 nucleotide sequences in all analyzed clones from seven out of nine patients studied proved the monoclonal nature of gamma delta T-cells with V delta 5-J delta 1 rearrangement. The clonal nature of this rearrangement proved by PAGE and sequencing analysis may suggest an antigen-driven expansion of gamma delta T cells and argues for a significant role of gamma delta T-cells with V delta 5-J delta 1 rearrangement in MS pathogenesis. However, it cannot be excluded that clonal expansion of these lymphocytes may represent secondary change to central nervous system damage.

Oligoclonal expansion of gamma delta T cells in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients

We have used a PCR based method to analyse TCR gamma chain repertoire and clonality of gamma delta T cells in the CSF and blood of II MS patients. Samples collected from nine patients with other neurological diseases were used as a control. Five controls had central nervous system inflammation and four had non-inflammatory processes. We have observed a decreased percentage of gamma delta T cells expressing TCR gamma with V gamma 9 and J gamma P fragments in the CSF samples in comparison with the blood. We did not final clonal expansion of the gamma delta T cells in any control case. Clonal expansion of gamma delta T cells occurred in five of II MS cases in the CSF but not in the blood. Two of these clones expressed TCR gamma rearranged with V gamma 9 and J gamma 1 fragments, two others used V gamma 10 and J gamma P1, and one used V gamma 9 and J gamma P fragments. We found no correlation between clonality and clinical state of patients, duration of the disease or number of cells in CSF. Our study provides additional evidence for the possible role of the gamma delta T cells in the MS pathogenesis.

Intraepithelial gamma/delta T cells in duodenal mucosa are related to the immune state and survival time in AIDS

The proportion of T-cell receptor gamma/delta+ cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio relative to all CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were determined by immunofluorescence in duodenal mucosa of late-stage (mostly CDC IVC1/D) subjects (n = 21) infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The gamma/delta fraction (median, 14.2%; range, 1.7 to 59.8%) was increased (P < 0.03) compared with that in HIV- controls (n = 11; median 2.8%; range, 0.3 to 38%). Also, the number of gamma/delta+ IEL per mucosal unit was increased (P < 0.05) in the HIV+ subjects (median, 11.1/U) compared with the controls (3.2/U). Approximately 100% of the gamma/delta+ IEL were CD8-, and most expressed the Vdelta1vJdelta1-encoded epitope (median, 90.9%). The total number of CD3+ IEL tended to be lower than in the controls (67.4 versus 72.9/U). Both the epithelium and the lamina propria contained mainly CD8+ T cells, the median ratios of CD4+ T cells being 1 and 7.6%, respectively. This result accorded with the reduced CD4 cell number in blood (median, 18 X 10(6)/liter). The HIV+ subjects had increased serum levels of neopterin and beta2-microglobulin (both P < 0.0001), probably reflecting immunostimulation. Serum neopterin and beta2-microglobulin were inversely related to duodenal gamma/delta IEL, particularly in the premortal group (r = -0.97 and r = -0.58, respectively). The increased gamma/delta IEL might reflect enhanced intestinal protection in late-phase HIV infection. Short survival expectancy (<7 months) was associated not only with high levels of neopterin and beta2-microglobulin but also with a reduced number of duodenal gamma/delta+ cells (P < 0.03).

Human intestinal Vdelta1+ lymphocytes recognize tumor cells of epithelial origin

gammadelta T cells can be grouped into discrete subsets based upon their expression of T cell receptor (TCR) variable (V) region families, their tissue distribution, and their specificity. Vdelta2+ T cells constitute the majority of gammadelta T cells in peripheral blood whereas Vdelta1+T cells reside preferentially in skin epithelium and in the intestine. gammadelta T cells are envisioned as first line host defense mechanisms capable of providing a source of immune effector T cells and immunomodulating cytokines such as interleukin (IL) 4 or interferon (IFN) gamma. We describe here the fine specificity of three distinct gammadelta+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from patients with primary or metastatic colorectal cancer, that could be readily expanded in vitro in the presence of IL-1beta and IL-7. Irrespective of donor, these individual gammadelta T cells exhibited a similar pattern of reactivity defined by recognition of autologous and allogeneic colorectal cancer cells, renal cell cancer, pancreatic cancer, and a freshly isolated explant from human intestine as measured by cytolytic T cell responses and by IFN-gamma release. In contrast, tumors of alternate histologies were not lysed, including lung cancer, squamous cell cancer, as well as the natural/lymphocyte-activated killer cell-sensitive hematopoietic cell lines T2, C1R, or Daudi. The cell line K562 was only poorly lysed when compared with colorectal cancer targets. Target cell reactivity mediated by Vdelta1+ T cells was partially blocked with Abs directed against the TCR, the beta2 or beta7 integrin chains, or fibronectin receptor. Marker analysis using flow cytometry revealed that all three gammadelta T cell lines exhibit a similar phenotype. Analysis of the gammadelta TCR junctional suggested exclusive usage of the Vdelta1/Ddelta3/Jdelta1 TCR segments with extensive (< or = 29 bp) N/P region diversity. T cell recognition of target cells did not appear to be a major histocompatibility complex restricted or to be correlated with target cell expression of heat-shock proteins. Based on the ability of some epithelial tumors, including colorectal, pancreatic, and renal cell cancers to effectively cold target inhibit the lysis of colorectal cancer cell lines by these Vdelta1+ T cell lines, we suggest that intestinal Vdelta1+ T cell lines, we suggest that intestinal Vdelta1+ T cells are capable of recognizing cell surface Ag(s) shared by tumors of epithelial origin.

T cell receptor repertoire in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of coeliac patients

The alpha beta and gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of six coeliac and six age-matched controls was analysed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No TCR alpha and gamma delta restriction was observed in coeliacs and controls. However, V gamma 3 was expressed only in coeliac peripheral and intestinal T cells. V delta 2 was strongly expressed in coeliacs and scarcely transcribed in control cells. The unique expression of these gamma delta TCR in coeliac patients suggests that V gamma 3 and perhaps V delta 2 TCR-bearing lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.

T cell receptor usage in autoimmune disease

Activated T-cells are believed to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. In experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model resembling human multiple sclerosis (MS), there is evidence that T cells reactive to myelin basic protein mediate an inflammatory response within the central nervous system leading to demyelination. Furthermore, encephalitogenic T cells express TCR with highly restricted V gene usage and consequently specific forms of immunotherapy directed against V gene products have been successful in preventing and treating EAE. These findings prompted studies into the analysis of TCR repertoire expression in human autoimmune diseases in an attempt to identify the TCR usage of autoreactive and potentially pathogenic T cells. However, this has proved difficult as the autoantigens that drive the T cell response in most human autoimmune disorders are unknown. This review examines the data that have accumulated over the past few years on TCR usage in human autoimmune diseases and is focused largely on rheumatoid arthritis and MS.

Gamma delta T cell receptor gene expression by muscle-infiltrating lymphocytes in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Autoreactive alpha beta T cells have been implicated as playing a primary pathogenic role in a group of diseases characterized by chronic muscle inflammation known as the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). gamma delta T cells, a distinct and enigmatic class of T cells, play a less certain role in a variety of human autoimmune diseases including the IIM. In an attempt to understand the significance of gamma delta T cells in the IIM, we utilized a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to evaluate gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR) gene expression in 45 muscle biopsies obtained from 42 IIM patients (17 polymyositis, 12 dermatomyositis, and 13 inclusion body myositis). gamma delta TCR gene expression was not detected in 36 specimens, the majority of muscle biopsies surveyed. gamma delta TCR gene expression by muscle-infiltrating lymphocytes was detected among nine clinically heterogeneous patients. We further analysed the junctional sequence composition of the V gamma 3 and V delta 1 transcripts, whose expression was prominent among gamma delta positive patients. DNA sequence analysis of V gamma 3 amplification products from two patients revealed the presence of several productively rearranged transcripts with amino acid sequence similarities within the V gamma 3-N-J gamma junctional domain. No amino acid sequence similarities were evident within the V delta-N-D delta-N-J delta region of V delta 1 transcripts amplified from four patients, although a distinct and dominant clonotype was detected from each patient. Our cumulative data suggest that unlike alpha beta T cells, gamma delta T cells do not play a prominent pathologic role in the IIM. In fact, the sporadic nature of gamma delta TCR gene expression detected among these patients implies that gamma delta T cell infiltration, when it occurs, is a secondary event perhaps resulting from non-specific inflammatory processes.

Gamma delta T cells participate in the immune response against activated, myelin basic protein-specific, human T cells

gamma delta T cells are over-represented in some multiple sclerosis (MS) parenchymal lesions and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of individuals with early MS. In this investigation we studied the T cell-T cell interactions between human, myelin basic protein-reactive T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from MS and control subjects. We detected brisk proliferation by PBMC in response to activated, but not resting, MBP-specific T cells. The magnitude of proliferation approached that induced by superantigens and was distinctly greater than the response to standard recall antigens. Examination of the responding T cells revealed predominant expansion of T cells using gamma delta rather than alpha beta T cell receptors. This finding suggests that the accumulation of gamma delta T cells noted in some MS parenchymal lesions may represent recruitment by activation markers expressed by other T cells in these lesions. The response to activated but not resting MBP-specific T cells may parallel observations that protective T cell vaccination in experimental encephalomyelitis is more effective using activated rather than resting, myelin-specific T cells.

Multiple sclerosis: limited diversity of the V delta 2-J delta 3 T-cell receptor in chronic active lesions

T lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor have been found in the central nervous system of patients with multiple sclerosis in association with demyelinated lesions. Although the biological function of these cells remains to be established, it has been proposed that they are involved in the response to highly conserved antigens, such as heat shock proteins (hsp), expressed during tissue damage and thus may contribute to the development of an autoimmune response. Using polymerase chain reaction, we probed for the presence of T-cell receptor gamma delta cells in fresh-frozen early autopsy brain tissue from patients with multiple sclerosis and patients with non-multiple sclerosis conditions. The results demonstrated the presence of two major V-J combinations of the T-cell receptor delta chain--V delta 2-J delta 3, V delta 2-J delta 1--and we used a direct sequencing technique to determine whether this gamma delta T-cell population was clonal or diverse. In chronic-active plaques from 9 patients with multiple sclerosis, we found a striking predominant gene rearrangement within the V delta 2-J delta 3 T-cell receptor population that was not present in central nervous system tissue from patients with other neurological diseases. In contrast, within the V delta 2-J delta 1 T-cell receptor population, a predominant rearrangement pattern was detected in only 1 of the multiple sclerosis patients. The sequence of the predominant V delta 2-J delta 3 gene rearrangement was confirmed by cloning and sequencing the gene products from 1 multiple sclerosis patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunological aspects of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in Northern Europeans and North Americans. Despite intensive research its etiology is still unknown, but a T cell-mediated autoimmune pathogenesis is likely to be responsible for the demyelination. This hypothesis is based both on findings in MS patients and studies of an experimental animal model for demyelinating diseases, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Experiments in EAE have not only demonstrated which myelin antigens are able to induce the demyelinating process but also have determined the characteristics of encephalitogenic T cells, that is, their fine specificity, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction, lymphokine secretion, activation requirements, and T cell receptor (TCR) usage. Based on these findings, highly specific and efficient immune interventions have been designed in EAE and have raised hopes that similar approaches could modulate the disease process in MS. Although the examination of the myelin-specific T cell response in MS patients has shown parallels to EAE, this remains an area of intensive research because a number of questions remain. This review summarizes the important lessons from EAE, examines recent findings in MS, and discusses current concepts about how the disease process develops and which steps might be taken to modulate it.

Gamma delta T cell distribution in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis

The distribution of gamma delta T cells was determined in peripheral blood of 50 patients in acute relapse of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS), 8 patients with primary progressive MS, 26 patients with inflammatory neurological disease (IND), 33 patients with non-inflammatory neurological disease (NIND) and 31 healthy subjects. Paired cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained from 37 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 2 patients with primary progressive MS, 14 with IND and 18 with NIND. The monoclonal antibodies pan-alpha beta TCR, TCR delta 1, delta TCS1 and anti-delta V2(a) which identify alpha beta T cells, gamma delta T cells, V delta 1, and V delta 2 gene products respectively, were used to define the T cell receptor repertoire. gamma delta T cells expressed as a percentage of CD3+ lymphocytes were lower in MS CSF compared to NIND CSF (3.4% +/- 0.5 versus 7.3% +/- 1.4; p < 0.001). This was due to a lower MS CSF. Peripheral blood levels of gamma delta T cells were normal in each study group. CD45RA expression was increased on gamma delta T cells in CSF of each patient group when compared with the paired blood samples. These results suggest that V delta 1 + and V delta 2 + gamma delta T cells with altered CD45 expression are reduced in CSF of patients with established MS. This finding may be related to sequestration or apoptosis of gamma delta T cells within active MS lesions.

High incidence of spontaneous autoimmune encephalomyelitis in immunodeficient anti-myelin basic protein T cell receptor transgenic mice

We have generated TCR transgenic mice (T/R+) specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) and crossed them to RAG-1-deficient mice to obtain mice (T/R-) that have T cells expressing the transgenic TCR but no other lymphocytes. Both T/R+ and T/R- mice carry, in the lymph nodes and spleen, large numbers of the potentially encephalitogenic CD4+ anti-MBP T cells. These cells respond to MBP in vitro but show no signs of activation in vivo. Nevertheless, approximately 14% of H-2u T/R+ and 100% of H-2u T/R- mice developed spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) within 12 months. These data indicate that EAE can be mediated by CD4+ anti-MBP T cells in the absence of any other lymphocytes and that nontransgenic lymphocytes that are present in T/R+ but absent in T/R- mice have a protective effect. The data also suggest that spontaneous EAE may be triggered by an in situ activation of CD4+ anti-MBP cells in the nervous system.