The cysteine residues in the cytoplasmic tail of CD8 alpha are required for its coreceptor function

Structure, function, and immunomodulation of the CD8 co-receptor

Expressed on the surface of CD8+ T cells, the CD8 co-receptor is a key component of the T cells that contributes to antigen recognition, immune cell maturation, and immune cell signaling. While CD8 is widely recognized as a co-stimulatory molecule for conventional CD8+ αβ T cells, recent reports highlight its multifaceted role in both adaptive and innate immune responses. In this review, we discuss the utility of CD8 in relation to its immunomodulatory properties. We outline the unique structure and function of different CD8 domains (ectodomain, hinge, transmembrane, cytoplasmic tail) in the context of the distinct properties of CD8αα homodimers and CD8αβ heterodimers. We discuss CD8 features commonly used to construct chimeric antigen receptors for immunotherapy. We describe the molecular interactions of CD8 with classical MHC-I, non-classical MHCs, and Lck partners involved in T cell signaling. Engineered and naturally occurring CD8 mutations that alter immune responses are discussed. The applications of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mABs) that target CD8 are summarized. Finally, we examine the unique structure and function of several CD8/mAB complexes. Collectively, these findings reveal the promising immunomodulatory properties of CD8 and CD8 binding partners, not only to uncover basic immune system function, but to advance efforts towards translational research for targeted immunotherapy.

Constitutive CD8 expression drives innate CD8+ T-cell differentiation via induction of iNKT2 cells

Temporal down-regulation of the CD8 co-receptor after receiving positive-selection signals has been proposed to serve as an important determinant to segregate helper versus cytotoxic lineages by generating differences in the duration of TCR signaling between MHC-I and MHC-II selected thymocytes. By contrast, little is known about whether CD8 also modulates TCR signaling engaged by the non-classical MHC-I-like molecule, CD1d, during development of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Here, we show that constitutive transgenic CD8 expression resulted in enhanced differentiation of innate memory-like CD8⁺ thymocytes in both a cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic manner, the latter being accomplished by an increase in the IL-4-producing iNKT2 subset. Skewed iNKT2 differentiation requires cysteine residues in the intracellular domain of CD8α that are essential for transmitting cellular signaling. Collectively, these findings shed a new light on the relevance of CD8 down-regulation in shaping the balance of iNKT-cell subsets by modulating TCR signaling.

Homodimerization and heterodimerization of minimal zinc(II)-binding-domain peptides of T-cell proteins CD4, CD8alpha, and Lck

Metal-mediated protein oligomerization is an emerging mode of protein-protein interaction. The C-terminal cytosolic domains of T-cell coreceptors CD4 and CD8alpha form zinc-bridged heterodimers with the N-terminal region of the kinase Lck, with each protein contributing two cysteinate ligands to the complex. Using size exclusion chromatography, (1)H NMR, and UV/visible absorption spectroscopy with cobalt(II) as a spectroscopic probe, we demonstrate that small peptides derived from these regions form metal-bridged heterodimers but also homodimers, in contrast to previous reports. The Lck-CD4 and Lck-CD8alpha cobalt(II)-bridged heterodimer complexes are more stable than the corresponding (Lck)(2)cobalt(II) complex by factors of 11 +/- 4 and 22 +/- 9, respectively. These studies were aided by the discovery that cobalt(II) complexes with a cobalt(II)(-Cys-X-X-Cys-)(-Cys-X-Cys-) chromophore show unusual optical spectra with one component of the visible d-d ((4)A(2)-to-(4)T(1)(P)) transition red-shifted and well separated from the other components. These results provide insights into the basis of specificity of metal-bridged complex formation and on the potential biological significance of metal-bridged homodimers in T-cells.

Differential expression of the human CD8beta splice variants and regulation of the M-2 isoform by ubiquitination

The CD8alphabeta heterodimer functions as a coreceptor with the TCR, influencing the outcome of CD8(+) T cell responses to pathogen-infected and tumor cells. In contrast to the murine CD8B gene, the human gene encodes alternatively spliced variants with different cytoplasmic tails (M-1, M-2, M-3, and M-4). At present, little is known about the expression patterns and functional significance of such variants. We used quantitative RT-PCR to demonstrate differential mRNA expression patterns of these splice variants in thymocytes and in resting, memory, and activated primary human CD8(+) T cells. In total CD8(+) T cells, mRNA levels of the M-1 variant were the most predominant and levels of M-3 were the least detected. The M-4 isoform was predominant in effector memory CD8(+) T cells. Upon stimulation of CD8(+) T cells, the M-2 variant mRNA levels were elevated 10-20-fold relative to resting cells in contrast to the other isoforms. Curiously, the M-2 isoform was not expressed on the cell surface in transfected cell lines. Using fluorescent chimeras of the extracellular domain of mouse CD8beta fused to the cytoplasmic tails of each isoform, the M-2 isoform was localized in a lysosomal compartment regulated by ubiquitination of a lysine residue (K215) in its cytoplasmic tail. In contrast, upon short-term stimulation, the M-2 protein localized to the cell surface with the TCR complex. The relatively recent evolution of CD8B gene splice variants in the chimpanzee/human lineage is most likely important for fine-tuning the CD8(+) T cell responses.

New alleles of chicken CD8 alpha and CD3d found in Chinese native and western breeds

Chinese native chicken breeds provide useful resources for the study of genetic diversity. In this study, the alleles of CD8 alpha and CD3d cDNA from Chinese native and introduced western breeds of chicken were analyzed at the sequence level. Six alleles were found, due to 13 amino acid replacements in the extracellular domain of the CD8 alpha sequence. There were four alleles detected in the Chinese strains, and alleles 5 and 6 were identified for the first time. Allele 6 was shared by Langshan, Beijing Fatty and Recessive White Feather chickens. Allele 2, found in the Bigbone strain, was the same as that found in the Leghorn strain H.B15.H7, and allele 3 in the Xianju breed was also the same as in the Leghorn strain H.B15.H12. Two Leghorn lines (RPL line 7 and AY519197) and the Camellia possessed an allele (alleles 1, 4 and 5), respectively, that was not found in the other lines. Nine out of 13 amino acid replacements were situated in the putative major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I binding CDR1 (positions 30, 33 and 34), CDR2 (positions 58, 62, 63 and 65) and CDR3 (positions 90 and 106). Except for the Xianju breed, the CD8 alpha cDNA of Chinese native chicken breeds shared high homology. Two alleles were found in CD3d. Three additional nucleotides were found at positions 64, 65 and 66 in the newly discovered allele 2. This led to a difference of four amino acids (at residues 22, 23, 24 and 25) in the extracellular domain of CD3d cDNA from the Gushi, Recessive White Feather and ISA chickens compared with these of the White Leghorn and T11.15 (NM_205512). Five hybridoma clones (1C9, 1H5, 4B11, 6G5 and 13C5) against chicken CD8 alpha were generated by DNA immunization. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 6G5 and 4B11, showed reactivity to the splenocytes from five Chinese native chicken breeds, the Recessive White Feather chicken and the Leghorn (AY519197), while mAbs 1C9, 1H5 and 13C5 showed no reaction with these breeds.

Dose-dependent modulation of CD8 and functional avidity as a result of peptide encounter

The generation of an optimal CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response is critical for the clearance of many intracellular pathogens. Previous studies suggest that one contributor to an optimal immune response is the presence of CD8(+) cells exhibiting high functional avidity. In this regard, CD8 expression has been shown to contribute to peptide sensitivity. Here, we investigated the ability of naive splenocytes to modulate CD8 expression according to the concentration of stimulatory peptide antigen. Our results showed that the level of CD8 expressed was inversely correlated with the amount of peptide used for the primary stimulation, with higher concentrations of antigen resulting in lower expression of both CD8alpha and CD8beta. Importantly the ensuing CD8(low) and CD8(high) CTL populations were not the result of the selective outgrowth of naive CD8(+) T-cell subpopulations expressing distinct levels of CD8. Subsequent encounter with peptide antigen resulted in continued modulation of both the absolute level and the isoform of CD8 expressed and in the functional avidity of the responding cells. We propose that CD8 cell surface expression is not a static property, but can be modulated to 'fine tune' the sensitivity of responding CTL to a defined concentration of antigen.

The sialyltransferase ST3Gal-I is not required for regulation of CD8-class I MHC binding during T cell development

The CD8 coreceptor plays a crucial role in thymocyte and T cell sensitivity by binding to class I MHC and recruiting downstream signaling molecules to the TCR. Previous studies reported considerable changes in TCR-independent CD8/class I MHC binding (i.e., CD8 noncognate interactions) during T cell development, changes that correlated with altered glycosylation of surface molecules. In particular, expression of the sialyltransferase ST3Gal-I has been proposed as a critical factor regulating the attenuation of CD8 avidity during the double-positive to CD8 single-positive progression. This hypothesis is strengthened by the fact that ST3Gal-I(-/-) animals show a profound disregulation of CD8 T cell homeostasis. In contrast to this model, however, we report in this study that ST3Gal-I deficiency had no detectable impact on CD8 noncognate binding to multimeric peptide/MHC class I ligands at any stage of thymocyte development. We also found that the susceptibility to CD8-induced cell death is not markedly influenced by ST3Gal-I deficiency. Thus, the profound effects of ST3Gal-I on CD8 T cell survival evidently do not involve a role for this enzyme in controlling CD8-class I binding.

Expression of CD8alpha identifies a distinct subset of effector memory CD4+ T lymphocytes

Circulating CD4+ CD8+ T lymphocytes have been described in the peripheral blood of humans and several animal species. However, the origin and functional properties of these cells remain poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated the frequency, phenotype and function of peripheral CD4+ CD8+ T cells in rhesus macaques. Two distinct populations of CD4+ CD8+ T cells were identified: the dominant one was CD4hi CD8lo and expressed the CD8alphaalpha homodimer, while the minor population was CD4lo CD8hi and expressed the CD8alphabeta heterodimer. The majority of CD4hi CD8alphalo T cells exhibited an activated effector/memory phenotype (CCR5lo CD7- CD28- HLA-DR+) and expressed relatively high levels of granzyme B. Intracellular cytokine staining assays demonstrated that the frequency of cytomegalovirus-specific T cells was enriched five-fold in CD4hi CD8alphalo T cells compared to single-positive CD4+ T cells, whereas no consistent enrichment was observed for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific T cells. Cross-sectional studies of SIV-infected animals demonstrated that the frequency of CD4hi CD8alphalo T cells was lower in wild-type SIV-infected animals compared to uninfected controls, although prospective studies of SIV-infected animals demonstrated depletion of CD4hi CD8alphalo lymphocytes only in a subset of animals. Taken together, these data suggest that CD4+ T cells expressing CD8alpha represent an effector/memory subset of CD4+ T cells and that this cell population can be depleted during the course of SIV infection.

Defective Proximal TCR Signaling Inhibits CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Lytic Function

CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are severely deficient in cytolysis, a defect that may permit tumor escape from immune-mediated destruction. Because lytic function is dependent upon TCR signaling, we have tested the hypothesis that primary TIL have defective signaling by analysis of the localization and activation status of TIL proteins important in TCR-mediated signaling. Upon conjugate formation with cognate target cells in vitro, TIL do not recruit granzyme B+ granules, the microtubule-organizing center, F-actin, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, nor proline rich tyrosine kinase-2 to the target cell contact site. In addition, TIL do not flux calcium nor demonstrate proximal tyrosine kinase activity, deficiencies likely to underlie failure to fully activate the lytic machinery. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses demonstrate that TIL are triggered by conjugate formation in that the TCR, p56lck, CD3zeta, LFA-1, lipid rafts, ZAP70, and linker for activation of T cells localize at the TIL:tumor cell contact site, and CD43 and CD45 are excluded. However, proximal TCR signaling is blocked upon conjugate formation because the inhibitory motif of p56lck is rapidly phosphorylated (Y505) and COOH-terminal Src kinase is recruited to the contact site, while Src homology 2 domain-containing protein phosphatase 2 is cytoplasmic. Our data support a novel mechanism explaining how tumor-induced inactivation of proximal TCR signaling regulates lytic function of antitumor T cells.

The CD8 isoform CD8αα is not a functional homologue of the TCR co-receptor CD8αβ

Although structurally similar, CD8alphabeta and CD8alphaalpha have notably diverted with regard to function. Whereas CD8alphabeta functions as a T-cell receptor (TCR) co-receptor on MHC-class-I-restricted thymocytes and mature T cells, CD8alphaalpha is unable to support conventional positive selection, and can be expressed on T cells independent of the MHC restriction of their TCR. CD8alphaalpha induction is consistent with antigenic stimulation through the TCR, and recent developments have now shown that CD8alphaalpha induced on agonist-triggered immature thymocytes, antigenic-stimulated conventional CD8alphabeta T cells and mucosal T cells mediates the specific modulation of TCR activation signals to facilitate their survival and differentiation into various specialized T-cell subsets.

The influence of the src-family kinases, Lck and Fyn, on T cell differentiation, survival and activation

The src-family kinases p56lck (Lck) and p59fyn (Fyn) are expressed in T cells and are among the first signaling molecules to be activated downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR). Evidence is emerging that although closely related, these signaling molecules have discrete functions during development, maintenance and activation of peripheral T cells. For example, during thymopoiesis Lck is uniquely able to provide all the signals required for pre-TCRbeta selection, although Fyn can substitute for a subset of these. Positive selection of CD4 single-positive (SP) cells is also critically dependent on the expression of Lck but not Fyn, while differentiation of CD8 SP cells proceeds relatively efficiently in the absence of Lck. In naïve peripheral T cells either Lck or Fyn can transmit TCR-mediated survival signals, and yet only Lck is able to trigger TCR-mediated expansion signals under conditions of lymphopenia. Stimulation of naïve T cells by antigenic stimuli is also severely compromised in the absence of Lck, but more subtly impaired by the absence of Fyn. We discuss recent experiments addressing how these two src-kinase family members interface with downstream signaling pathways to regulate these diverse aspects of T cell behavior.

Discrepancy between ELISPOT IFN-gamma secretion and binding of A2/peptide multimers to TCR reveals interclonal dissociation of CTL effector function from TCR-peptide/MHC complexes half-life

Activation of CD8(+) cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by antigen is triggered by the interaction of clonotypic alphabeta T cell receptors (TCRs) with antigenic peptides bound to MHC class I molecules (pMHC complexes). Fluorescent multimeric pMHC complexes have been shown to specifically stain antigen-specific CTLs by directly binding the TCR. In tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from a melanoma patient we found a high frequency of tyrosinase(368-376) peptide-specific cells as detected by IFN-gamma ELISPOT, without detectable staining with the corresponding A2/peptide multimers. Surprisingly, these T cells were able to lyse tyrosinase(368-376) peptide-pulsed target cells as efficiently as other specific T cells that were stained by multimers. Analysis of the staining patterns under different conditions of incubation time and temperature revealed that these results were explained by major differences in TCR-multimeric ligand interaction kinetics among the clones. Whereas no direct quantitative correlation between antigenic peptide concentration required for CTL effector functions and equilibrium multimer binding was observed interclonally, the latter was profoundly affected by the kinetics of TCR-ligand interaction. More importantly, our data indicate that similar levels of T cell activation can be achieved by independent CD8(+) T cell clonotypes displaying different TCR/pMHC complex dissociation rates.

Essential role of CD8 palmitoylation in CD8 coreceptor function

To investigate the molecular basis that makes heterodimeric CD8alphabeta a more efficient coreceptor than homodimeric CD8alphaalpha, we used various CD8 transfectants of T1.4 T cell hybridomas, which are specific for H-2Kd, and a photoreactive derivative of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite peptide PbCS 252-260 (SYIPSAEKI). We demonstrate that CD8 is palmitoylated at the cytoplasmic tail of CD8beta and that this allows partitioning of CD8alphabeta, but not of CD8alphaalpha, in lipid rafts. Localization of CD8 in rafts is crucial for its coreceptor function. First, association of CD8 with the src kinase p56lck takes place nearly exclusively in rafts, mainly due to increased concentration of both components in this compartment. Deletion of the cytoplasmic domain of CD8beta abrogated localization of CD8 in rafts and association with p56lck. Second, CD8-mediated cross-linking of p56lck by multimeric Kd-peptide complexes or by anti-CD8 Ab results in p56lck activation in rafts, from which the abundant phosphatase CD45 is excluded. Third, CD8-associated activated p56lck phosphorylates CD3zeta in rafts and hence induces TCR signaling and T cell activation. This study shows that palmitoylation of CD8beta is required for efficient CD8 coreceptor function, mainly because it dramatically increases CD8 association with p56lck and CD8-mediated activation of p56lck in lipid rafts.

CD8 expression allows T cell signaling by monomeric peptide-MHC complexes

Physiologically, TCR signaling is unlikely to result from the cross-linking of TCR-CD3 complexes, given the low density of specific peptide-MHC complexes on antigen-presenting cells. We therefore have tested directly an alternative model for antigen recognition. We show that monomers of soluble peptide-MHC trigger Ca2+ responses in CD8alphabeta+ T cells. This response is not observed in CD8- T cells and when either the CD8:MHC or CD8:Lck interactions are prevented. This demonstrates that an intact CD8 coreceptor is necessary for effective TCR signaling in response to monomeric peptide-MHC molecules. We propose that this heterodimerization of TCR and CD8 by peptide-MHC corresponds to the physiological event normally involved during antigen-specific signal transduction.

The CD8 beta polypeptide is required for the recognition of an altered peptide ligand as an agonist

T cell activation is triggered by the specific recognition of cognate peptides presented by MHC molecules. Altered peptide ligands are analogs of cognate peptides which have a high affinity for MHC molecules. Some of them induce complete T cell responses, i.e. they act as agonists, whereas others behave as partial agonists or even as antagonists. Here, we analyzed both early (intracellular Ca2+ mobilization), and late (interleukin-2 production) signal transduction events induced by a cognate peptide or a corresponding altered peptide ligand using T cell hybridomas expressing or not the CD8 alpha and beta chains. With a video imaging system, we showed that the intracellular Ca2+ response to an altered peptide ligand induces the appearance of a characteristic sustained intracellular Ca2+ concentration gradient which can be detected shortly after T cell interaction with antigen-presenting cells. We also provide evidence that the same altered peptide ligand can be seen either as an agonist or a partial agonist, depending on the presence of CD8beta in the CD8 co-receptor dimers expressed at the T cell surface.

CD8 beta increases CD8 coreceptor function and participation in TCR-ligand binding

To study the role of CD8 beta in T cell function, we derived a CD8 alpha/beta-(CD8-/-) T cell hybridoma of the H-2Kd-restricted N9 cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone specific for a photoreactive derivative of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite peptide PbCS 252-260. This hybridoma was transfected either with CD8 alpha alone or together with CD8 beta. All three hybridomas released interleukin 2 upon incubation with L cells expressing Kd-peptide derivative complexes, though CD8 alpha/beta cells did so more efficiently than CD8 alpha/alpha and especially CD8-/- cells. More strikingly, only CD8 alpha/beta cells were able to recognize a weak agonist peptide derivative variant. This recognition was abolished by Fab' fragments of the anti-Kd alpha 3 monoclonal antibody SF1-1.1.1 or substitution of Kd D-227 with K, both conditions known to impair CD8 coreceptor function. T cell receptor (TCR) photoaffinity labeling indicated that TCR-ligand binding on CD8 alpha/beta cells was approximately 5- and 20-fold more avid than on CD8 alpha/a and CD8-/- cells, respectively. SF1-1.1.1 Fab' or Kd mutation D227K reduced the TCR photoaffinity labeling on CD8 alpha/beta cells to approximately the same low levels observed on CD8-/- cells. These results indicate that CD8 alpha/beta is a more efficient coreceptor than CD8alpha/alpha, because it more avidly strengthens TCR-ligand binding.