Costimulation: building an immunological synapse

A molecular framework for two-step T cell signaling: Lck Src homology 3 mutations discriminate distinctly regulated lipid raft reorganization events

Costimulation by CD28 or lipid-raft-associated CD48 potentiate TCR-induced signals, cytoskeletal reorganization, and IL-2 production. We and others have proposed that costimulators function to construct a raft-based platform(s) especially suited for TCR engagement and sustained and processive signal transduction. Here, we characterize TCR/CD48 and TCR/CD28 costimulation in T cells expressing Lck Src homology 3 (SH3) mutants. We demonstrate that Lck SH3 functions after initiation of TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and concentration of transducers within rafts, to regulate the costimulation-dependent migration of rafts to the TCR contact site. Expression of kinase-active/SH3-impaired Lck mutants disrupts costimulation-dependent raft recruitment, sustained TCR protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and IL-2 production. However, TCR-induced apoptosis, shown only to require "partial" TCR signals, is unaffected by expression of kinase-active/SH3-impaired Lck mutants. Therefore, two distinctly regulated raft reorganization events are required for processive and sustained "complete" TCR signal transduction and T cell activation. Together with recent characterization of CD28 and CD48 costimulatory activities, these findings provide a molecular framework for two signal models of T cell activation.

Human CD38: a (r)evolutionary story of enzymes and receptors

Human CD38 is the mammalian prototype of a family of proteins which share structural similarities and an ectoenzymatic activity involved in the production of calcium mobilizing compounds. Besides the enzymatic activity, the molecule performs as a receptor, ruling adhesion and signaling in leukocytes. These functions are exerted through the interaction with surface ligands, one of which was identified as CD31. Recently, CD38 has gained attention as a prognostic marker and a pathogenetic agent in leukemias and in other diseases. Together these insights have produced a model of an as yet unique family of molecules, which act independently as receptors and enzymes.

B7 requirements for primary and secondary protein- and polysaccharide-specific Ig isotype responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae

The requirements for B7 costimulation during an in vivo humoral response to an intact extracellular bacteria have not been reported. In this study we immunized mice with Streptococcus pneumoniae (R36A) to determine the B7 requirements for induction of Ig, specific for two determinants on R36A, the phosphorylcholine (PC) determinant of C-polysaccharide and pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). We show that the primary anti-PspA response, the development of PspA-specific memory, and the induction of the secondary anti-PspA response in primed mice were completely dependent upon B7 costimulation. Of note, costimulation was required only briefly after the secondary immunization compared with after the primary immunization for optimal induction of Ig. Blockade of B7 costimulation at the time of secondary immunization also completely abrogated the established state of memory, but did not induce tolerance. In contrast to the anti-PspA response, the primary anti-PC response involved only a very short period of B7 costimulation. Whereas B7-2 alone was required for induction of the primary anti-PspA and anti-PC responses, a redundant role for B7-1 and B7-2 was noted for the PspA-specific secondary response. CTLA4Ig blocked both the anti-PC and anti-PspA responses equally well over a wide range of bacterial doses. These studies demonstrate a critical, but variable, role for B7-dependent costimulation during an Ig response to an extracellular bacteria.

The T cell activation molecule H4 and the CD28-like molecule ICOS are identical

The recently cloned CD28-like molecule ICOS displays striking similarities with H4, characterized some years ago in the mouse and recently in humans. Both molecules are selectively expressed by activated and germinal center T cells, display similar structure, and display co-stimulatory activities. H4 displays lateral association with the CD3/TCR and is expressed by mature thymocytes. In the mouse, H4 is also expressed at high levels by thymic NKT cells that are resistant to negative selection. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether H4 and ICOS are the same molecule using the C398.4A (binding human and mouse H4) and F44 (binding human ICOS) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in parallel experiments on human T cells. ICOS and H4 displayed the same expression pattern in a panel of T cell lines and the same expression kinetics in phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells. C398.4A completely blocked cell staining by F44, whereas F44 partially blocked C398.4A. H4 and ICOS immunoprecipitates displayed identical SDS-PAGE patterns and H4 immunoprecipitation completely removed ICOS from cell lysates. Finally, the C398.4A mAb specifically stained cells transfected with the human or mouse ICOS. These data prove that H4 and ICOS are the same molecule and that F44 and C398.4A bind partially different epitopes.

Immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes do not polarize lipid rafts in response to TCR-mediated signals

TCR-mediated stimulation induces activation and proliferation of mature T cells. When accompanied by signals through the costimulatory receptor CD28, TCR signals also result in the recruitment of cholesterol- and glycosphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains (lipid rafts), which are known to contain several molecules important for T cell signaling. Interestingly, immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes respond to TCR/CD28 costimulation not by proliferating, but by dying. In this study, we report that, although CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes polarize their actin cytoskeleton, they fail to recruit lipid rafts to the site of TCR/CD28 costimulation. We show that coupling of lipid raft mobilization to cytoskeletal reorganization can be mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and discuss the relevance of these findings to the interpretation of TCR signals by immature vs mature T cells.

CD28 and the tyrosine kinase lck stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in T cells via inhibition of the small G protein Rap1

Proliferation of T cells via activation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) requires concurrent engagement of accessory costimulatory molecules to achieve full activation. The best-studied costimulatory molecule, CD28, achieves these effects, in part, by augmenting signals from the TCR to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade. We show here that TCR-mediated stimulation of MAP kinase extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) is limited by activation of the Ras antagonist Rap1. CD28 increases ERK signaling by blocking Rap1 action. CD28 inhibits Rap1 activation because it selectively stimulates an extrinsic Rap1 GTPase activity. The ability of CD28 to stimulate Rap1 GTPase activity was dependent on the tyrosine kinase Lck. Our results suggest that CD28-mediated Rap1 GTPase-activating protein activation can help explain the augmentation of ERKs during CD28 costimulation.

Structure of murine CTLA-4 and its role in modulating T cell responsiveness

The effective regulation of T cell responses is dependent on opposing signals transmitted through two related cell-surface receptors, CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Dimerization of CTLA-4 is required for the formation of high-avidity complexes with B7 ligands and for transmission of signals that attenuate T cell activation. We determined the crystal structure of the extracellular portion of CTLA-4 to 2.0 angstrom resolution. CTLA-4 belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and displays a strand topology similar to Valpha domains, with an unusual mode of dimerization that places the B7 binding sites distal to the dimerization interface. This organization allows each CTLA-4 dimer to bind two bivalent B7 molecules and suggests that a periodic arrangement of these components within the immunological synapse may contribute to the regulation of T cell responsiveness.

Environmental immunogens and T-cell-mediated responses in fibromyalgia: evidence for immune dysregulation and determinants of granuloma formation

Thirty-nine patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were studied for cell-mediated sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Lymphocytes were tested by standard [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in vitro for T cell memory to 11 chemical substances. Concanavalin A (Con A) was used to demonstrate T cell proliferation. Controls were 25 contemporaneous healthy adults and 252 other concurrent standard controls without any aspect of FMS. Significantly higher (P < 0.01) stimulation indexes (SI) were found in FMS for aluminum, lead, and platinum; borderline higher (0.05 > P > 0.02) SI were found for cadmium and silicon. FMS patients showed sporadic responses to the specific substances tested, with no high-frequency result (>50%) and no obvious pattern. Mitogenic responses to Con A indicated some suppression of T cell functionality in FMS. Possible links between mitogenicity and immunogenic T cell proliferation, certain electrochemical specifics of granuloma formation, maintenance of connective tissue, and the fundamental nature of FMS are considered.

Galectin-1 induces partial TCR zeta-chain phosphorylation and antagonizes processive TCR signal transduction

Galectin-1 is an endogenous lectin with known T cell immunoregulatory activity, though the molecular basis by which galectin-1 influences Ag specific T cell responses has not been elucidated. Here, we characterize the ability of galectin-1 to modulate TCR signals and responses by T cells with well defined hierarchies of threshold requirements for signaling distinct functional responses. We demonstrate that galectin-1 antagonizes TCR responses known to require costimulation and processive protein tyrosine phosphorylation, such as IL-2 production, but is permissive for TCR responses that only require partial TCR signals, such as IFN-gamma production, CD69 up-regulation, and apoptosis. Galectin-1 binding alone or together with Ag stimulation induces partial phosphorylation of TCR-zeta and the generation of inhibitory pp21zeta. Galectin-1 antagonizes Ag induced signals and TCR/costimulator dependent lipid raft clustering at the TCR contact site. We propose that galectin-1 functions as a T cell "counterstimulator" to limit required protein segregation and lipid raft reorganization at the TCR contact site and, thus, processive and sustained TCR signal transduction. These findings support the concept that TCR antagonism can arise from the generation of an inhibitory pp21zeta-based TCR signaling complex. Moreover, they demonstrate that TCR antagonism can result from T cell interactions with a ligand other than peptide/MHC.

Antigen presentation in extracellular matrix: interactions of T cells with dendritic cells are dynamic, short lived, and sequential

Cognate interactions of naive T cells with antigen-presenting dendritic cells require physical cell-cell contacts leading to signal induction and T cell activation. Using a three-dimensional collagen matrix videomicroscopy model for ovalbumin peptide-specific activation of murine and oxidative mitogenesis of human T cells, we show that T cells maintain vigorous migration upon cognate interactions to DC (dendritic cell), continuously crawl across the DC surface, and rapidly detach (median within 6-12 min). These dynamic and short-lived encounters favor sequential contacts with the same or other DC and trigger calcium influx, upregulation of activation markers, T blast formation, and proliferation. We conclude that a tissue environment supports the accumulation of sequential signals, implicating a numeric or "digital" control mechanism for an ongoing primary immune response.

Protein-tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is involved in interleukin-2 production by Jurkat T cells via its tyrosine 402

We established Jurkat transfectants that overexpress Pyk2 or its mutants, K457A (lysine 457 was mutated to alanine), Pyk2-Y402F (tyrosine 402 to phenylalanine), and Pyk2-Y881F to investigate the role of Pyk2 in T cell activation. Pyk2 as well as kinase-inactive Pyk2-K457A, was phosphorylated at tyrosine residues 402, 580, and 881 upon T cell antigen receptor cross-linking, indicating that these residues are phosphorylated by other tyrosine kinase(s). However, no tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2-Y402F was detected while more than 60% of the tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in Pyk2-Y881F. Pyk2-Y402F inhibited the activation of endogenous Pyk2. The degree of activation of both c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase but not extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase after concurrent ligation of T cell antigen receptor and CD28 was reduced by more than 50% in the clones expressing Pyk2-Y402F. Consistent with this inhibition, IL-2 production was significantly diminished in the Pyk2-Y402F-expressing clones. Furthermore, we found that Pyk2, when overexpressed, associates with Zap70 and Vav. Taken together, these findings suggest that Pyk2 is involved in the activation of T cells through its tyrosine 402.

The tyrosine kinase PYK-2/RAFTK regulates natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic response, and is translocated and activated upon specific target cell recognition and killing

The compartmentalization of plasma membrane proteins has a key role in regulation of lymphocyte activation and development of immunity. We found that the proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (PYK-2/RAFTK) colocalized with the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) at the trailing edge of migrating natural killer (NK) cells. When polyclonal NK cells bound to K562 targets, PYK-2 translocated to the area of NK-target cell interaction. The specificity of this process was assessed with NK cell clones bearing activatory or inhibitory forms of CD94/NKG2. The translocation of PYK-2, MTOC, and paxillin to the area of NK-target cell contact was regulated upon specific recognition of target cells through NK cell receptors, controlling target cell killing. Furthermore, parallel in vitro kinase assays showed that PYK-2 was activated in response to signals that specifically triggered its translocation and NK cell mediated cytotoxicity. The overexpression of both the wt and a dominant-negative mutant of PYK-2, but not ZAP-70 wt, prevented the specific translocation of the MTOC and paxillin, and blocked the cytotoxic response of NK cells. Our data indicate that subcellular compartmentalization of PYK-2 correlates with effective signal transduction. Furthermore, they also suggest an important role for PYK-2 on the assembly of the signaling complexes that regulate the cytotoxic response.

Signal transduction by the TCR for antigen

The past several years have seen the beginning of a shift in the way that TCR signal transduction is studied. Although many investigators continue to identify new molecules, particularly adaptor proteins, others have attempted to look at signaling events in a larger cellular context. Thus the identification of distinct formations of signaling molecules at junctions between T cells and antigen-presenting cells, the role of the cytoskeleton and the partitioning of molecules into specialized lipid subdomains have been the subjects of many publications. Such concepts are helping to assemble a blueprint of how the myriad adaptors and kinases fit together to effect T cell activation.

A dominant negative Fas-associated death domain protein mutant inhibits proliferation and leads to impaired calcium mobilization in both T-cells and fibroblasts

Death domain-containing members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family ("death receptors") can induce apoptosis upon stimulation by their natural ligands or by agonistic antibodies. Activated death receptors recruit death domain adapter proteins like Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), and this ultimately leads to proteolytic activation of the caspase cascade and cell death. Recently, FADD has also been implicated in the regulation of proliferation; functional inhibition of FADD results in p53-dependent impairment of proliferation in activated T-cells. In this study we have further analyzed T-cells derived from transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative FADD mutant (FADD DN) under control of the lck promoter in vitro so as to identify the signaling pathways that become engaged upon T-cell receptor stimulation and that are regulated by death receptors. FADD DN expression inhibits T-cell proliferation, both at the G(0) --> S transition and in the G(1) phase of continuously proliferating cells. We observe a decrease in the release of calcium from intracellular stores after T-cell receptor stimulation, whereas influx of extracellular calcium seems to be unaffected. FADD DN-expressing fibroblasts show a similarly inhibited cell growth and impaired calcium mobilization indicating that the modulation of proliferation and calcium response by death receptors is not cell type-specific.

Induction of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes by artificial antigen-presenting cells

The adoptive transfer of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is a promising therapeutic approach for a number of diseases. To overcome the difficulty in generating specific CTLs, we established stable artificial antigen-presenting cells (AAPCs) that can be used to stimulate T cells of any patient of a given human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type. Mouse fibroblasts were retrovirally transduced with a single HLA-peptide complex along with the human accessory molecules B7.1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3. These AAPCs consistently elicit strong stimulation and expansion of HLA-restricted CTLs. Owing to the high efficiency of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, stable AAPCs can be readily engineered for any HLA molecule and any specific peptide.

A balance between positive and negative signals in cytotoxic lymphocytes regulates the polarization of lipid rafts during the development of cell-mediated killing

Plasma membrane microdomains containing sphingolipids and cholesterol (lipid rafts) are enriched in signaling molecules. The cross-linking of certain types of cell surface receptors initiates the redistribution of these lipid rafts, resulting in the formation of signaling complexes. However, little is known about the regulation of the initial raft redistribution and whether negative regulatory signaling pathways target this phase of cellular activation. We used natural killer (NK) cells as a model to investigate the regulation of raft redistribution, as both positive and negative signals have been implicated in the development of their cellular function. Here we show that after NK cells form conjugates with sensitive tumor cells, rafts become polarized to the site of target recognition. This redistribution of lipid rafts requires the activation of both Src and Syk family protein tyrosine kinases. In contrast, engagement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-recognizing killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) on NK cells by resistant, MHC-bearing tumor targets blocks raft redistribution. This inhibition is dependent on the catalytic activity of KIR-associated SHP-1, a Src homology 2 (SH2) domain containing tyrosine phosphatase. These results suggest that the influence of integrated positive and negative signals on raft redistribution critically influences the development of cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

AILIM/ICOS: a novel lymphocyte adhesion molecule

The adhesive interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells is required for the formation of the immunological synapse. Inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) is a third member of the CD28 family of co-stimulatory molecules. Here we describe a novel lymphocyte adhesion molecule, of relative molecular mass 47,000, designated AILIM, that is a rat homolog of ICOS. Rat AILIM was constitutively expressed on thymocytes and was induced on naive T cells after activation. Human thymoma cells bound to purified AILIM. Furthermore, cells transfected with the AILIM gene aggregated in an AILIM-dependent manner. These results suggest a novel function for AILIM/ICOS as an adhesion molecule, which plays an important role in T cell activation.

Dynamic interactions of macrophages with T cells during antigen presentation

We have established a method for real-time video analysis of the interaction of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with T cells. Green fluorescent protein expression controlled by a nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-responsive promoter permits the visualization of productive antigen presentation in single T cells. The readout is rapid (within 2 h) and semiquantitative and allows analysis by video microscopy and flow cytometry. Using this approach, we demonstrate that macrophages have the capacity to simultaneously activate multiple T cells. In addition, the interaction of T cells with macrophages is extraordinarily dynamic: after initial stable contact, the T cells migrate continuously on the surface of the macrophage and from APC to APC during productive antigen presentation. Thus, T cells sum up signals from multiple interactions with macrophages during stimulation.

Aggregation of lipid rafts accompanies signaling via the T cell antigen receptor

The role of lipid rafts in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling was investigated using fluorescence microscopy. Lipid rafts labeled with cholera toxin B subunit (CT-B) and cross-linked into patches displayed characteristics of rafts isolated biochemically, including detergent resistance and colocalization with raft-associated proteins. LCK, LAT, and the TCR all colocalized with lipid patches, although TCR association was sensitive to nonionic detergent. Aggregation of the TCR by anti-CD3 mAb cross-linking also caused coaggregation of raft-associated proteins. However, the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 did not colocalize to either CT-B or CD3 patches. Cross-linking of either CD3 or CT-B strongly induced tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of a ZAP-70(SH2)(2)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein to the lipid patches. Also, CT-B patching induced signaling events analagous to TCR stimulation, with the same dependence on expression of key TCR signaling molecules. Targeting of LCK to rafts was necessary for these events, as a nonraft- associated transmembrane LCK chimera, which did not colocalize with TCR patches, could not reconstitute CT-B-induced signaling. Thus, our results indicate a mechanism whereby TCR engagement promotes aggregation of lipid rafts, which facilitates colocalization of LCK, LAT, and the TCR whilst excluding CD45, thereby triggering protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Cutting Edge: Dueling TCRs: Peptide Antagonism of CD4+ T Cells with Dual Antigen Specificities

T cells expressing two different TCRs were generated by interbreeding 3A9 and AND CD4+ TCR transgenic mice specific for the hen egg lysozyme (HEL) peptide 48–62:I-Ak and moth cytochrome c (MCC) peptide 88–103:I-Ek peptide:MHC ligands, respectively. Peripheral T cells in the offspring express two TCR Vβ-chains and respond to HEL and MCC. We observed minimal or no additive effects upon simultaneous suboptimal stimulation with both agonist peptides; however, an antagonist peptide for the 3A9 TCR was able to inhibit the response of the dual receptor T cells to MCC, the AND TCR agonist. This HEL antagonist peptide did not affect AND single transgenic T cells, indicating that the antagonism observed in the dual TCR cells is dependent on the presence of the HEL-specific 3A9 TCR. In contrast, anti-TCR Abs mediate receptor-specific antagonism. These results demonstrate that peptide antagonism exerts a dominant effect.

Intracellular phosphotyrosine induction by major histocompatibility complex class II requires co-aggregation with membrane rafts

Cross-linking MHC class II molecules human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) on the surface of THP-1 cells was found to induce their entry into the glycolipid-enriched membrane fraction of the plasma membrane. At the cellular level, this resulted in the synergistic co-aggregation of class II with cholera toxin, a marker of membrane rafts. The accompanying induction of intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation could be inhibited by treating cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a drug that chelates membrane cholesterol and thereby disperses membrane rafts. Signaling could also be inhibited by treating cells with the Src-family kinase inhibitor PP1. Together, these results show that the induced association of class II molecules with membrane rafts can contribute to their aggregation on the cell surface and mediate an association with intracellular protein-tyrosine kinases.

Proline residues in CD28 and the Src homology (SH)3 domain of Lck are required for T cell costimulation

The Src family tyrosine kinases Lck and Fyn are critical for signaling via the T cell receptor. However, the exact mechanism of their activation is unknown. Recent crystal structures of Src kinases suggest that an important mechanism of kinase activation is via engagement of the Src homology (SH)3 domain by proline-containing sequences. To test this hypothesis, we identified several T cell membrane proteins that contain potential SH3 ligands. Here we demonstrate that Lck and Fyn can be activated by proline motifs in the CD28 and CD2 proteins, respectively. Supporting a role for Lck in CD28 signaling, we demonstrate that CD28 signaling in both transformed and primary T cells requires Lck as well as proline residues in CD28. These data suggest that Lck plays an essential role in CD28 costimulation.