Migration of dendritic leukocytes from cardiac allografts into host spleens. A novel pathway for initiation of rejection

Acute rejection in heart transplant patients is associated with the presence of committed donor-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes in the graft but not in the blood

In vivo-activated, committed donor-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (cCTL) can be propagated and expanded from endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) in IL-2-enriched medium especially during an acute rejection episode. We report here our efforts to detect these cCTL by the same technique in peripheral blood at the moment of rejection and when no rejection was diagnosed. During or just before rejection, significantly less frequent (P less than 0.01) donor reactive cCTL were found in PBL samples (two out of 20) than in the simultaneously taken EMB samples (13 out of 19). Donor B-LCL and/or third-party B-LCL were lysed by 15 PBL samples. Inhibition studies revealed that this lysis was due to LAK-like cytotoxicity. The results show that peripheral blood does not reflect intra-graft events, which is probably the reason for the irreproducible results of diagnosis of rejection by monitoring immunological parameters in the peripheral blood.

Identification of proliferating dendritic cell precursors in mouse blood

While it has been known that dendritic cells arise from proliferating precursors in situ, it has been difficult to identify progenitors in culture. We find that aggregates of growing dendritic cells develop in cultures of mouse blood that are supplemented with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but not other CSFs. The dendritic cell precursor derives from the Ia-negative and nonadherent fraction. The aggregates of developing dendritic cells appear at about 1 wk of culture, with 100 or more such clusters being formed per 10(6) blood leukocytes. The aggregates can be dislodged and subcultured as expanding clusters that are covered with cells having the motile sheet-like processes ("veils") of dendritic cells. By about 2 wk, large numbers of single, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-rich dendritic cells begin to be released into the medium. Combined immunoperoxidase and [3H]thymidine autoradiography show that the cells that proliferate within the aggregate lack certain antigenic markers that are found on mature dendritic cells. However, in pulse-chase protocols, the [3H]thymidine-labeled progeny exhibit many typical dendritic cell features, including abundant MHC class II and a cytoplasmic granular antigen identified by monoclonal antibody 2A1. The progeny dendritic cells are potent stimulators of the mixed leukocyte reaction and can home to the T-dependent areas of lymph node after injection into the footpads. We conclude that mouse blood contains GM-CSF-dependent, proliferating progenitors that give rise to large numbers of dendritic cells with characteristic morphology, mobility, phenotype, and strong T cell stimulatory function.

Intraepithelial airway dendritic cells: a distinct subset of pulmonary dendritic cells obtained by microdissection

Dendritic cells (DC), in general, and pulmonary DC, in particular, are a heterogeneous population of cells, their phenotype and function being dependent on their anatomic location, their state of activation, and the regulatory effect of locally secreted cytokines. Using a novel microdissection technique, the epithelium from the trachea and entire airway system was harvested, and the contained DC isolated at greater than 90% purity. The phenotype and function of these airway DC (ADC) was compared to DC isolated, at greater than 90% purity, from the parenchyma of the same lung. In contrast to lung DC (LDC), ADC did not express intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in situ, the amount of immune associated antigen (Ia) expressed was less (as determined by immunoperoxidase staining and immunopanning), and greater than 50% of ADC displayed Fc receptors (FcR). The majority of LDC were ICAM-1+, less than 5% expressed FcR, and all were intensely Ia+. Airway DC were most numerous in tracheal epithelium, but they were also present in small numbers in the epithelium of the most distal airways. Their numbers increased in all segments of the tracheobronchial epithelium in response to the administration of IFN-gamma. ADC were consistently more effective than LDC in presenting soluble (hen egg lysozyme) and particulate (heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes) antigens to antigen-sensitized T cells. By contrast, LDC were significantly more efficient in stimulating the proliferation of nonsensitized T cells in an autologous mixed leukocyte reaction. These data suggest that in normal animals, intraepithelial DC of airways share many attributes with Langerhans cells of the skin. Interstitial LDC, by contrast, reside in an environment where they may be exposed to a different set of regulatory factors and where they have progressed to a more advanced stage of differentiation than ADC. Both groups of DC are, however, heterogeneous, reflecting the continuous turnover that these cells undergo in the lung.

Cells in the marginal zone of the spleen

The marginal zone of the spleen forms an intriguing area in which a variety of cell types are combined. Several of these cell types seem to have a fixed position in the marginal zone, such as the marginal zone macrophages, the marginal metallophilic macrophages at the inner border, and, to a lesser extent, the marginal zone B cells. For other cell types--T lymphocytes, small B cells, and dendritic cells--the marginal zone is only a temporary residence. It is this combination of relatively sessile cell populations and the continuous influx and passing of bloodborne immunocompetent cells that turn the marginal zone into a dynamic area, particularly apt for antigen processing and recognition. In no other lymphoid organ can such a unique combination of cells and functions be found. The opening of the arterial blood stream in the marginal sinuses results in a reduction of the velocity of the blood stream, and antigens are initially screened in the marginal zone. To this, extremely potent phagocytic cells, the marginal zone macrophages, are present which can take up and phagocytize large foreign particles, such as bacteria and effete red blood cells. Further filtration of the blood takes place in the filtration beds of the red pulp. The marginal zone macrophages express membrane receptors for bacterial polysaccharides which lead to efficient phagocytosis, probably even in the absence of prior opsonization. Antigenic fragments produced this way can be taken up by dendritic cells that enter the spleen by the blood as part of a mobile surveillance immune system. Dendritic cells present antigen to T cells in the outer area of the T cell-dependent PALS, leading to clustering and enrichment of antigen-specific T cells. Antigens in the marginal zone can also directly associate with memory B cells thought to reside here for longer times, having intimate contact with the marginal zone macrophages. B memory cells then migrate into the PALS and present antigen to T cells. The marginal zone therefore functions not only as an area of initial filtration and phagocytosis of antigens from the blood, but also as a site of lymphocyte emigration. Some of the incoming T and B lymphocytes in the recirculating pool enter the white pulp from the marginal zone. The underlying force and selective molecular mechanisms that guide this migration are unknown. Both B and T lymphocytes recirculate through the outer PALS area on their way to the follicles and the inner PALS, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Studies on the induction of anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID). III. Induction of ACAID depends upon intraocular transforming growth factor-beta

Delayed hypersensitivity (DH), the prototypical form of cell-mediated immune responsiveness, is mediated with the participation of considerable nonspecific inflammation which necessarily disrupts the anatomic integrity of involved and adjacent tissues. Damage of this type is of minor consequence to many visceral and cutaneous organs, but is of devastating consequence for organs such as the eye and the brain. At least in the case of the eye, the organ is remarkably adept at regulating the immune system's ability to respond to intraocular antigens by selectively down-regulating both the induction and expression of delayed hypersensitivity while leaving other effector modalities intact. This ability of the eye to selectivity down-regulate systemic DH responses to intracamerally inoculated antigens is known as anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) and is mediated in part by antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Recent work suggests that macrophages (M phi) that reside in the iris and ciliary body can migrate out of an antigen-bearing eye and activate regulatory T cells within the spleen. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which intraocular M phi interact with antigen in the anterior chamber of the eye (AC) and subsequently induce splenic regulatory cells in ACAID, we have investigated what role, if any, the AC microenvironment itself plays in ACAID induction. The results reveal that CD45- parenchymal iris/ciliary cells secrete a soluble factor(s) locally and into the aqueous humor which endows resident, mature M phi with ACAID-inducing capabilities. Mice receiving infusions of these altered, antigen-pulsed M phi are incapable of mounting a significant DH response following immunization with antigen in adjuvant. Importantly, the ACAID-inducing effect is achieved when conventional, extraocular M phi are exposed in vitro to a soluble factor present in aqueous humor or culture SN from iris and ciliary body cells. Further investigations into the identity of this factor reveal it to be transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The role of TGF-beta in the generation of ACAID, as well as the implications of these findings to an understanding of immunologic privilege in general, are discussed.

Cellular mechanisms of allograft rejection

It is generally agreed that a multiplicity of mechanisms are involved in the rejection of various grafts across different histocompatibility barriers. Recent publications have concentrated less on the characterization of the cells involved in the rejection process and more on their initial activation and their infiltration into the graft.

The influence of MHC class II antigen blockade by perfusion with a monoclonal antibody on rat renal graft survival

To decrease immunogenicity of the rat kidney, grafts were perfused with an anti-MHC class II monoclonal antibody (mAb). How effectively this procedure blocked class II-positive cells, which were mainly dendritic in appearance, was checked by immunostaining renal sections after perfusion and comparing them with in vitro stained sections. Optimum conditions were applied for graft pretreatment before transplantation. This procedure prolonged graft survival, though not satisfactorily from the biological point of view (9.6 +/- 0.8 versus 7.7 +/- 0.5 days in the control group; P less than 0.02). The dendritic cells were not killed but blocked. Several hours after transplantation, the mAb dissociated from these class II-positive cells. It was also shown that donor cells migrate into the recipient's spleen early after transplantation. The number of these cells was smaller when the transplanted organ was perfused with the mAb. Further studies are suggested to deplete the graft of donor dendritic cells more adequately. They should also combine graft perfusion with anti-class II mAb and recipient immunosuppression at reduced doses.

The immune response to intracerebral neural grafts

Neural transplantation offers a potential therapeutic approach to a variety of neurological disorders, most notably those of a degenerative nature. However, the degree of immunological privilege (i.e. isolation from an immune response) in the brain, which is not absolute, may be a significant impediment to the survival of histoincompatible grafts. The nature of this privilege, together with the specific immune events leading to neural graft rejection, are discussed. As a consequence of this immune-mediated rejection, immunosuppression in some form might be necessary to guarantee long-term graft survival. Various strategies are being explored to suppress the immune response to neural grafts, not only for future use in clinical therapies, but also to bring intracerebral allo- and xenotransplantation to the attention of the general neurobiologist.

Signals arising from antigen-presenting cells

It has been customary to consider that antigen-presenting cells provide, in addition to the presented antigen, a second or co-stimulatory signal that leads to T-cell growth and effector function. The recent literature indicates that this two-signal notion oversimplifies the function of antigen-presenting cells. Instead it is useful to consider four groups of events: the formation of peptide-MHC complexes, the role of soluble cytokines, the action of antigen-presenting cell-T cell molecular couples distinct from the receptor for peptide MHC, and the function of antigen-presenting cells in situ.

Influence of cytokines and immunosuppressive drugs on major histocompatibility complex class I/II expression by human cardiac myocytes in vitro

Human cardiac myocytes do not express detectable levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and express low levels, if any, of MHC class I antigens. During rejection episodes, cardiac biopsies show massive increases of MHC antigens, which are thought to be induced by cytokines released by donor-sensitized recipient mononuclear cells. In efforts to determine the nature of the cytokines that induce MHC expression on cardiac myocytes, human fetal cardiac myocyte cultures were established. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were added to these cultures and dose/kinetics of MHC class I/II induction quantitated. Data show that IFN-gamma induces both MHC class I and II expression, and all the other cytokines (except IL-2) induce only MHC class I but not class II. Cytokines used in combination showed that IFN-alpha with TNF-alpha was the only combination that induced MHC class II expression. Addition of immunosuppressive drugs such as cytoxan, azathioprine, cyclosporine-A, and FK-506, even when added at the initiation of the cultures, did not appreciably affect the ability of the appropriate cytokines to induce MHC expression by the myocytes in vitro.

Early events in liver allograft rejection. Delineation of sites of simultaneous intragraft and recipient lymphoid tissue sensitization

The early events of liver allograft rejection in untreated rats were studied in the DA to BN rejection strain combination and compared with DA and BN liver isograft recipients. In the liver allografts, T-cell infiltration first occurred at 2 days after transplantation and localized to the portal triads and subjacent to the terminal hepatic venules (THV), regions rich in intensely Ia + spindle and dendritic-shaped interstitial cells. Double staining showed distinct 'clustering' between donor Ia-positive dendritic-shaped cells and W3/25+ infiltrating lymphocytes, or to a lesser extent, OX8+ cells. The infiltrating mononuclear cells underwent blastogenesis and proliferated in both the triads and THV regions at 3 and 4 days. Donor Ia-positive cells were also noted in the W3/25+ periarterial lymphatic sheath and marginal zone of the recipient spleen 1 day after transplantation. The number of these cells in the spleen peaked at 3 to 4 days, but were no longer detectable by 10 to 12 days. Mitotic activity became evident in these same regions by days 3 and 4. Paracortical blastogenesis (day 2) and proliferation (days 3 and 4) were also noted in the regional lymph nodes of liver allograft recipients, but no donor Ia+ cells were found in the mesenteric nodes or thymus of the allograft recipients. These results demonstrate that sensitization of the recipient lymphoid tissue to liver allografts can occur both peripherally (intragraft) and centrally (spleen and lymph nodes). Passenger leukocytes (donor dendritic cells) are likely the primary stimulators of the rejection reaction. Still, it is probable that other pathways of sensitization exist.

T cell immunity and interferon-gamma secretion during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats

An immunospot assay that detects single secretory cells was used to enumerate interferon-gamma secreting cells (IFN-gamma-sc) in mononuclear cell suspensions from the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral lymphoid organs after actively induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. In the CNS compartment there was a significant increase in the number of IFN-gamma-sc preceding the onset of the clinical signs of EAE. Both in rats with EAE and rats immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) the number of IFN-gamma-sc increased in peripheral lymphoid organs, as compared to non-immunized controls. In view of the potent immunoregulatory effects of IFN-gamma, its intra-CNS secretion may play a crucial role for clinicopathological events in EAE. To study the numbers of primed T cells that in response to myelin antigens produced IFN-gamma, mononuclear cell suspensions from peripheral lymphoid organs were precultured to allow for antigen uptake, presentation and T cell triggering, followed by enumeration of IFN-gamma-sc. T cells responding to a peptide of myelin basic protein (MBP) that previously have been shown encephalitogenic in Lewis rats, appeared initially and were quantitatively dominant over the course of EAE. Later, T cell reactivities to multiple regions of MBP appeared, showing that the concept of immunodominance in EAE is non-absolute and time dependent. Splenocyte cultures from EAE rats exposed to the different antigens showed a reduced number of IFN-gamma-sc compared to cultures not exposed to antigen, suggesting an antigen-induced suppression of T cell effector molecules.

Antigen processing and presentation in vivo: the microenvironment as a crucial factor

Antigen processing and presentation in vitro is an increasingly well understood phenomenon. However, in vivo, a large number of variables conspire to obscure and confuse. In this article, Nico van Rooijen attempts to bring order to events that occur in the spleen after antigenic challenge: starting with the large body of reliable in vitro data he incorporates information on splenic anatomy, cell trafficking and the cellular microenvironment to arrive at a physiological model for antigen handling in vivo.

Use of the fluorescence activated cell sorter to enrich dendritic cells from mouse spleen

Dendritic cells are a specialized but trace population of antigen presenting cells that always have been enriched by multi-step procedures over a period of 1 or more days in tissue culture. Here we describe the isolation of dendritic cells from fresh mouse spleen suspensions using the FACS and a monoclonal antibody, N418, to the p150/90 member of the leukocyte integrin family (Metlay et al., 1990). By two color fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analyses, the trace N418+ subset expressed most of the surface markers, including the 33D1 antigen, that are characteristic of dendritic cells isolated by other methods. An exception was that small amounts of Fc receptors, CD4 and F4/80 antigen were detected initially, but these diminished upon culture. In functional assays, sorted N418+ cells from fresh spleen were at least 30 times more active than N418- cells in presenting antigen to T cells. The assays were stimulation of the primary mixed leukocyte reaction and presentation of exogenous protein antigens to sensitized populations of lymph node T cells. The viability and MLR stimulating function of the sorted populations both were increased upon exposure to the cytokine, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). These results indicate that dendritic cells can be enriched from fresh isolates of mouse spleen using the FACS, and that when this is done, many of the distinctive features of dendritic cells - phenotype, APC function, and sensitivity to appropriate cytokines - are apparent.

The role of graft-derived dendritic leukocytes in the rejection of vascularized organ allografts. Recent findings on the migration and function of dendritic leukocytes after transplantation

Dendritic cells isolated from lymphoid tissues are potent stimulators of primary allogeneic T-cell responses in vitro and in vivo. Similar major histocompatibility complex class II-bearing dendritic-shaped leukocytes are contained within transplanted organs and these are thought to be important passenger leukocytes that trigger rejection. Recent findings on the migration, phenotype, and function of cardiac dendritic leukocytes (DLs) are reviewed. After transplantation donor DLs migrate rapidly from mouse cardiac allografts into the recipients's spleens. Within the spleens donor DLs associate with recipient CD4+ T cells. Isolated cardiac DLs, like lymphoid dendritic cells, are potent stimulators of T-cell proliferation in vitro. This suggests that DLs function as passenger leukocytes by migrating from grafts into the lymphoid tissues of the recipient and that sensitization to vascularized organ allografts may occur centrally within lymphoid tissues rather than peripherally in the graft itself.

Dendritic cells pulsed with protein antigens in vitro can prime antigen-specific, MHC-restricted T cells in situ

T cells recognize peptides that are bound to MHC molecules on the surface of different types of antigen-presenting cells (APC). Antigen presentation most often is studied using T cells that have undergone priming in situ, or cell lines that have been chronically stimulated in vitro. The use of primed cells provides sufficient numbers of antigen-reactive lymphocytes for experimental study. A more complete understanding of immunogenicity, however, requires that one develop systems for studying the onset of a T cell response from unprimed lymphocytes, especially in situ. Here it is shown that mouse T cells can be reliably primed in situ using dendritic cells as APC. The dendritic cells were isolated from spleen, pulsed with protein antigens, and then administered to naive mice. Antigen-responsive T cells developed in the draining lymphoid tissue, and these T cells only recognized protein when presented on cells bearing the same MHC products as the original priming dendritic cells. In contrast, little or no priming was seen if antigen-pulsed spleen cells or peritoneal cells were injected. Since very small amounts of the foreign protein were visualized within endocytic vacuoles of antigen-pulsed dendritic cells, it is suggested that dendritic cells have a small but relevant vacuolar system for presenting antigens over a several day period in situ.

Interstitial dendritic cells

Interstitial dendritic cells (IDC) were first identified in the interstitium of non-lymphoid organs as leucocytes which stained intensely with anti-MHC class II antibodies. These cells have been identified in several species including man, and can be distinguished from tissue macrophages by their immunological phenotype and cytochemical and functional characteristics. IDC appear to be closely related to lymphoid dendritic cells (DC), and have the capacity to bind antigen and stimulate T lymphocyte responses. It seems probable that they represent a stage of nonlymphoid dendritic cell differentiation necessary for antigen surveillance, similar to the Langerhans cell of the skin. Exposure to antigen appears to induce migration of these cells into adjacent lymphatics and subsequent localization in the interfollicular areas of lymph node, where the DC present processed antigen to activate a primary T cell response. The IDC has been identified as the passenger leucocyte within organ allografts which contributes substantially to graft immunogenicity, so that eradication of donor organ IDC improves organ graft survival.

Dendritic cells as antigen presenting cells in vivo

The biology of antigen presenting cells (APC) traditionally is studied in tissue culture systems using T cells that have been expanded beforehand by stimulation with antigen. Here we consider the distinctive roles of dendritic cells for sensitizing or priming T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Several functions of dendritic cells have been identified in tissue culture that are pertinent to T cell sensitization. These include the ability to a) capture and retain foreign antigens in an immunogenic form, b) bind antigen-specific resting lymphocytes, and c) activate T cells to produce lymphokines and undergo long term clonal growth. Dendritic cells have several properties in vivo that also would contribute to APC function. These are a) their widespread tissue distribution permitting access to antigens in most organs, b) the capacity to home via the blood stream and afferent lymph to the T-dependent areas of spleen and lymph node, and c) the ability to capture antigen in antigen-pulsed animals. Dendritic cells bearing antigen have been administered in situ to initiate responses like contact sensitivity, graft rejection, and antibody formation. A most striking recent example is that, when dendritic cells are pulsed with protein antigens in vitro and administered to immunologically naive mice, there is direct priming of antigen-specific T cells that are restricted to the MHC of the injected APC.

Thymic dendritic cells: phenotype and function

Interdigitating (IDC) cells of the thymus have been characterized in situ by their ultrastructure and phenotype. Thymic dendritic cells (DC), thought to represent their in vitro correlate, resemble splenic DC in their ability to initiate peripheral T cell responses. In vivo, however, DC of the thymus have been implicated in tolerance induction, although at one time they were thought to impart MHC-restriction on developing T cells. Our present understanding of these areas is reviewed here. An in vitro model has been developed to address directly the function of DC in the thymus. Mature DC and immature thymocytes migrate into deoxyguanosine-treated thymus lobes where they adopt a reciprocal distribution, DC homing primarily to the medulla while the thymocytes remain in the cortex. These observations support the close relationship between thymic DC and IDC and provide a powerful tool to examine the role of DC in thymocyte ontogeny.

The surface of dendritic cells in the mouse as studied with monoclonal antibodies

A family of dendritic cells has been identified in situ and in vitro by microscopy and immunolabeling. The members of this family include the dendritic cells isolated from lymphoid organs, Langerhans cells [LC] of the epidermis, veiled cells in afferent lymph, and interdigitating cells [IDC] in the T-cell areas. Some common features to all members of the family are high levels of MHC class II antigens, a lack of most B and T cell markers, and an absence or low levels of macrophage/granulocyte antigens. This review summarizes the markers of mouse dendritic cells as assessed by a panel of monoclonal antibodies, and stresses a few recent findings. 1) In spleen, there are two populations of dendritic cells. More than 75% of isolated cells are 33D1+, NLDC145-, and J11d-, while the remainder have the reciprocal phenotype and thus share the NLDC145 antigen of IDC. Thymic dendritic cells, released by collagenase digestion, and epidermal LC also are 33D1-, NLDC145+, J11d+. 2) When epidermal LC are placed in culture, there are changes in cell function and phenotype. There is a decrease in Fc gamma receptors and the F4/80 macrophage antigen, an increase in class I and II MHC products and p55 IL-2 receptors, and persistence of the NLDC145 IDC antigen. The cultured LC thereby resembles the IDC. 3) A new antibody N418 shows that dendritic cells express the p150/90 member of the leukocyte beta 2 integrin family. Immunolabeling of tissue sections of spleen indicates that N418+ dendritic cells not only are present in the periarterial sheaths, the location of IDC, but also in "nests" at the periphery of the T area where 33D1 has been found. The peripheral collections interrupt the marginal zone of macrophages that separates white and red pulp, and places the dendritic cells in the path of T cells as they move through the white pulp. Therefore the members of the dendritic cell family have important markers in common, as well as differences that are associated with state of immunologic function and location.