Positive selection of an MHC class-I restricted TCR in the absence of classical MHC class I molecules

Identification of the transgenic integration site in 2C T cell receptor transgenic mice

2C T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice have been long used to study the molecular basis of TCR binding to peptide/major compatibility complexes and the cytotoxicity mechanism of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To study the role of variable gene promoters in allelic exclusion, we previously constructed mutant mice in which the Vβ13 promoter was deleted (P13 mice). Introduction of 2C transgene into P13 mice accelerated the onset of systemic CD8 T cell lymphoma between 14 and 27 weeks of age, although parental P13 mice appeared to be normal. This observation suggests that the lymphoma development may be linked to features of 2C transgene. To identify the integration site of 2C transgene, Southern blotting identified a 2C-specific DNA fragment by 3' region probe of 2C TCR α transgene, and digestion-circularization-polymerase chain reaction (DC-PCR) amplified the 2C-specific DNA fragment with inverse primers specific to the southern probe. Sequence analysis revealed that DC-PCR product contained the probe sequences and the junction sequences of integration site, indicating that 2C TCR α transgene is integrated into chromosome 1. Further genomic analysis revealed cytosolic phospholipase A2 group IVA (cPLA2) as the nearest gene to the integration site. cPLA2 expression was upregulated in the normal thymi and T cell lymphomas from 2C transgenic mice, although it was not altered in the lymph nodes of 2C transgenic mice. The result is the first report demonstrating the integration site of 2C TCR transgene, and will facilitate the proper use of 2C transgenic mice in studies of CTLs.

T Cells Engaging the Conserved MHC Class Ib Molecule Qa-1b with TAP-Independent Peptides Are Semi-Invariant Lymphocytes

The HLA-E homolog in the mouse (Qa-1^b) is a conserved MHC class Ib molecule presenting monomorphic peptides to germline-encoded natural killer receptor CD94/NKG2A. Previously, we demonstrated the replacement of this canonical peptide by a diverse peptidome upon deficiency of the TAP peptide transporter. Analysis of this Qa-1^b-restricted T cell repertoire against these non-mutated neoantigens revealed characteristics of conventional hypervariable CD8⁺ T cells, but also of invariant T cell receptor (TCR)αβ T cells. A shared TCR Vα chain was used by this subset in combination with a variety of Vβ chains. The TCRs target peptide ligands that are conserved between mouse and man, like the identified peptide derived from the transcriptional cofactor Med15. The thymus selection was studied in a TCR-transgenic mouse and emerging naïve CD8⁺ T cells displayed a slightly activated phenotype, as witnessed by higher CD122 and Ly6C expression. Moreover, the Qa-1^b protein was dispensable for thymus selection. Importantly, no self-reactivity was observed as reported for other MHC class Ib-restricted subsets. Naïve Qa-1^b restricted T cells expanded, contracted, and formed memory cells in vivo upon peptide vaccination in a similar manner as conventional CD8⁺ T cells. Based on these data, the Qa-1^b restricted T cell subset might be positioned closest to conventional CD8⁺ T cells of all MHC class Ib populations.

Alloreactivity

The alloimmune response between individuals genetically disparate for antigens encoded within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) remains a substantial barrier to transplantation of solid organs, tissues, and hematopoietic stem cells. Alloreactivity has been an immunological paradox because of its apparent contradiction to the requirement of MHC restriction for the induction of normal T lymphocyte mediated immune responses. Through crystallographic analyses and experimental systems utilizing murine CD8(+) cytolytic T cell clones, major advances have been achieved in understanding the molecular and structural basis of T cell receptor recognition of MHC-peptide complexes and the basis of T cell mediated alloreactivity. These studies have further provided an explanation for the relatively high frequencies of alloreactive T cells compared to the frequencies of T cells for microbial derived antigens.

Positive selection of self-antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by hematopoietic cells

In contrast to thymic epithelial cells, which induce the positive selection of conventional CD8(+) T cells, hematopoietic cells (HCs) select innate CD8(+) T cells whose Ag specificity is not fully understood. Here we show that CD8(+) T cells expressing an H-Y Ag-specific Tg TCR were able to develop in mice in which only HCs expressed MHC class I, when HCs also expressed the H-Y Ag. These HC-selected self-specific CD8(+) T cells resemble innate CD8(+) T cells in WT mice in terms of the expression of memory markers and effector functions, but are phenotypically distinct from the thymus-independent CD8(+) T-cell population. The peripheral maintenance of H-Y-specific CD8(+) T cells required presentation of the self-Ag and IL-15 on HCs. HC-selected CD8(+) T cells in mice lacking the Tg TCR also showed these features. Furthermore, by using MHC class I tetramers with a male Ag peptide, we found that self-Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells in TCR non-Tg mice could develop via HC-induced positive selection, supporting results obtained from H-Y TCR Tg mice. These findings indicate the presence of self-specific CD8(+) T cells that are positively selected by HCs in the peripheral T-cell repertoire.

Polyclonal MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells undergo homeostatic expansion in the absence of conventional MHC-restricted T cells

Naive T cells have the capacity to expand in a lymphopenic environment in a process called homeostatic expansion, where they gain a memory-like phenotype. Homeostatic expansion is dependent on competition for a number of factors, including growth factors and interactions with their selecting self-MHC molecules. In contrast to conventional T cells, it is unclear whether class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells have a capacity to undergo homeostatic expansion. In this study, we demonstrate that polyclonal MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells can undergo homeostatic expansion and that their peripheral expansion is suppressed by conventional MHC-restricted T cells. The acute depletion of CD4+ T cells in MHC class Ia-deficient Kb-/-Db-/- mice led to the substantial expansion of class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer of class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells to congenic lymphopenic recipients revealed their ability to undergo homeostatic expansion in a MHC Ib-dependent manner. To further study the homeostatic expansion of MHC Ib-restricted T cells in the absence of all conventional MHC-restricted T cells, we generated mice that express only MHC Ib molecules by crossing H-2Kb-/-Db-/- with CIITA-/- mice. CD8+ T cells in these mice exhibit all of the hallmarks of naive T cells actively undergoing homeostatic expansion with constitutive memory-like surface and functional phenotype. These findings provide direct evidence that MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells have the capacity to undergo homeostatic expansion. Their peripheral expansion is suppressed under normal conditions by a numerical excess of conventional MHC class Ia- and class II-restricted T cells.

Stage-dependent reactivity of thymocytes to self-peptide--MHC complexes

In mice that express a transgene for the 2C T cell antigen-receptor (TCR) and lack a recombinase-activating gene (2C(+)RAG(-/-) mice) most of the peripheral T cells are CD8(+), a few are CD4(+), and a significant fraction are CD4(-)CD8(-) [double negative (DN)]. The DN 2C cells, like DN T cells that are abundant in various other alphabeta TCR-transgenic mice, appear to be derived directly from DN thymocytes that prematurely express the TCR transgene. The DN 2C cells are virtually absent in mice deficient in major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) but more abundant in mice deficient in MHC-I, suggesting that the DN 2C thymocytes are positively selected by self-peptide-MHC-II (pMHC-II) complexes and negatively selected by self-pMHC-I complexes. The pMHC-I complexes, however, positively select CD8(+) 2C T cells in the same mice. The different effects of thymic pMHC-I on DN and CD8(+) thymocytes are consistent with the finding that DN 2C thymocytes are more sensitive than more mature CD4(+)CD8(+) [double positive (DP)] thymocytes to a weak pMHC-I agonist for the 2C TCR. Together with previous evidence that DP thymocytes respond more sensitively than T cells in the periphery to weak pMHC agonists, the findings suggest progressive decreases in responsiveness to self-pMHC-I complexes as thymocytes develop from DN to DP thymocytes and then to mature naïve T cells in the periphery.

A structural perspective on MHC class Ib molecules in adaptive immunity

The highly polymorphic MHC class Ia molecules have a central role in adaptive immunity. By contrast, the closely related MHC class Ib molecules, which show limited polymorphism, are best known for regulating innate immune responses. Nevertheless, a recent area of interest is the emerging role of class Ib molecules in adaptive immunity, particularly in response to tumours and pathogens such as Mycobacteria, Listeria and Salmonella. Here, we review recent findings in this area, highlighting the structure of a T-cell receptor complexed with a cytomegalovirus peptide bound to the class Ib molecule, HLA-E. Collectively, these findings have implications for immunity, transplantation and autoimmunity, and our understanding of the evolution and plasticity of the molecular interactions mediating adaptive immunity.

Development of CD4+ T cells expressing a nominally MHC class I-restricted T cell receptor by two different mechanisms

Differences in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling initiated by interactions among TCRs, coreceptors, and self-peptide-MHC complexes determine the outcome of CD4 versus CD8 lineage of T cell differentiation. The H-2Ld and Kbm3 alloreactive 2C TCR is positively selected by MHC class I Kb and a yet-to-be identified nonclassical class I molecule to differentiate into CD8+ T cells. Here we describe two mechanisms by which CD4+ 2C T cells can be generated in 2C TCR-transgenic mice. In the RAG-/- background, development of CD4+ 2C T cells requires the expression of both I-Ab and the TAP genes, indicating that both MHC class I and II molecules are required for positive selection of these T cells. Notably, only some of the 2C+ RAG-/- mice (approximately 30%) develop CD4+ 2C T cells, with frequencies in individual mice varying from 0.5% to as high as approximately 50%. In the RAG+ background, where endogenous TCRalpha genes are rearranged and expressed, CD4+ 2C T cells are generated because these cells express the 2C TCR as well as additional TCRs, consisting of the 2C TCRbeta and endogenous TCRalpha chains. Similarly, T cells expressing the OT-1 TCR, which is nominally MHC class I-restricted, can also develop into CD4+ T cells through the same two mechanisms. Thus, expression of two TCRs by a single thymocyte, TCR recognition of multiple MHC molecules, and heterogeneity of TCR, coreceptors, and peptide-MHC interactions in the thymus all contribute to the outcome of CD4 versus CD8 lineage development.

An MHC Class Ib-Restricted TCR That Cross-Reacts with an MHC Class Ia Molecule

TCR transgenic 6C5 T cells recognize an insulin B chain epitope presented by the nonclassical class I MHC molecule, Qa-1(b). Positive selection of these T cells was shown previously to require Qa-1(b). Despite dedicated specificity for Qa-1(b), evidence presented in the current study indicates that 6C5 T cells can cross-recognize a classical class I molecule. Clonal deletion was observed unexpectedly in 6C5.H-2(bxq) mice, which do not express I-E MHC class II molecules and thus should not be subject to superantigen-mediated negative selection. 6C5 T cells were observed to respond in vivo and in vitro to spleen cells from allogeneic H-2(q) mice, and specificity was mapped to D(q). Evidence was obtained for direct recognition of D(q), rather than indirect presentation of a D(q)-derived peptide presented by Qa-1(b). Polyclonal CD8(+) T cells from class Ia-deficient K(b)D(b-/-) mice reacted in vitro to allogeneic spleen cells with an apparent frequency comparable to conventional class Ia-restricted T cells. Our results provide a clear example of a Qa-1-specific TCR that can cross-react with a class Ia molecule and evidence supporting the idea that this may be a common property of T cells selected by class Ib molecules.

Microbial colonization induces oligoclonal expansions of intraepithelial CD8 T cells in the gut

Two populations of CD8(+) IEL generally express restricted, but apparently random and non-overlapping TCR repertoires. Previous studies in mice suggested that this could be explained by a dual origin of CD8(+) IEL, i.e. that CD8alphabeta(+) IEL derive from a few peripheral CD8(+) T cell lymphoblasts stimulated by microbial antigens in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, whereas CD8alphaalpha(+) IEL descend from an inefficient intestinal maturation pathway. We show here that the gut mucosa, instead, becomes seeded with surprisingly broad and generally non-overlapping CD8 IEL repertoires and that oligoclonality is induced locally after microbial colonization. In germ-free (GF) rats, both CD8alphabeta(+) and CD8alphaalpha(+) IEL displayed surprisingly diverse TCR Vbeta repertoires, although beta-chain diversity tended to be somewhat restricted in the CD8alphaalpha(+) subset. CDR3 length displays in individual Vbeta-Cbeta and Vbeta-Jbeta combinations generally revealed polyclonal distributions over 6-11 different lengths, similar to CD8(+) lymph node T cells, and CDR3beta sequencing provided further documentation of repertoire diversity. By contrast, in ex-GF rats colonized with normal commensal microflora, both CD8alphabeta(+) and CD8alphaalpha(+) IEL displayed oligoclonal CDR3 length distributions for most of the Vbeta genes analyzed. Our data suggest that microbial colonization induces apparently random clonal expansions of CD8alphabeta(+) and CD8alphaalpha(+) IEL locally in the gut.

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Selection of Classical and Nonclassical CD8+T Cells In Vivo

T cell development is determined by positive and negative selection events. An intriguing question is how signals through the TCR can induce thymocyte survival and maturation in some and programmed cell death in other thymocytes. This paradox can be explained by the hypothesis that different thymic cell types expressing self-MHC/peptide ligands mediate either positive or negative selection events. Using transgenic mice that express MHC class I (MHC-I) selectively on DC, we demonstrate a compartmentalization of thymic functions and reveal that DC induce CTL tolerance to MHC-I-positive hemopoietic targets in vivo. However, in normal and bone marrow chimeric mice, MHC-I+ DC are sufficient to positively select neither MHC-Ib (H2-M3)- nor MHC-Ia (H2-K)-restricted CD8+ T cells. Thus, thymic DC are specialized in tolerance induction, but cannot positively select the vast majority of MHC-I-restricted CD8+ T cells.

The impact of thymic antigen diversity on the size of the selected T cell repertoire

The TCR repertoire of a normal animal is shaped in the thymus by ligand-specific positive- and negative-selection events. These processes are believed to be determined at the single-cell level primarily by the affinity of the TCR-ligand interactions. The relationships among all the variables involved are still unknown due to the complexity of the interactions and the lack of quantitative analysis of those parameters. In this study, we developed a quantitative model of thymic selection that provides estimates of the fractions of positively and negatively selected thymocytes in the cortex and in the medulla, as well as upper-bound ranges for the number of selecting ligands required for the generation of a normal diverse TCR repertoire. Fitting the model to current estimates of positive- and negative-selected thymocytes leads to specific predictions. The results indicate the following: 1) the bulk of thymocyte death takes place in the cortex, and it is due to neglect; 2) the probability of a thymocyte to be negatively selected in the cortex is at least 10-fold lower than in the medulla; 3) <60 ligands are involved in cortical positive selection; and 4) negative selection in the medulla is constrained by a large diversity of selecting ligands on medullary APCs.

Murine CD8+Recent Thymic Emigrants are αEIntegrin-Positive and CC Chemokine Ligand 25 Responsive

Recent thymic emigrants (RTE) are an important subpopulation of naive CD8+ T cells because of their ability to reconstitute a diverse immune system after periods of T cell depletion. In neonatal mice, the majority of peripheral T lymphocytes are RTE, cells that have recently left the thymus to populate the periphery. Postulating that these cells could have unique trafficking mechanisms, we compared adhesion molecule and chemokine receptor expression of neonatal RTE with mature adult lymphocytes. Neonatal CD8+ splenocytes uniformly express alpha(E) integrin and exhibit a high responsiveness to CC chemokine ligand (CCL25) (as compared with adult CD8+ splenocytes). Mature CD8+ thymocytes have a similar alpha(E) integrin(+) CCL25 responsive phenotype, as do adult CD8+ RTE identified by intrathymic FITC injection. With increasing age, the frequency of CD8+ alpha(E) integrin(+) splenocytes decreases, roughly correlating with thymic involution. Moreover, halting thymic output by thymectomy accelerates the age-dependent decline in peripheral CD8+ alpha(E) integrin(+) RTE phenotype cells. Low expression of CD44 distinguishes these CD8+ RTE from a population of memory phenotype alpha(E) integrin(+) CD8+ cells that are CD44(high). We conclude that CD8+ RTE have unique adhesive and chemotactic properties that distinguish them from naive CD8+ T cells. These properties may enable specialized microenvironmental and cell-cell interactions contributing to the fate of RTE in the periphery during the early post-thymic period. This phenotype will also facilitate the identification and isolation of RTE for further studies.

HLA-E-restricted recognition of human cytomegalovirus by a subset of cytolytic T lymphocytes

Natural killer (NK)-cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are a subset of CD8(+) cytolytic T lymphocytes that express human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-specific inhibitory receptors. They are detectable as monoclonal expansions in the blood of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive individuals displaying particular HLA-Cw allotypes. Similar to NK cells, they are capable of killing various allogeneic tumor cell lines, a function referred to as "NK-like activity." The mechanism underlying this unusual functional property has recently been clarified. Via their T-cell receptor, NK-CTL recognize the nonclassical HLA class I molecule HLA-E, which is characterized by a limited polymorphism and by the ability to bind peptides derived from the leader sequence of various HLA class I alleles as well as from few viral proteins. The analysis of the T-cell receptor avidity revealed that NK-CTL recognize with high avidity a CMV UL40-derived peptide. The HLA-E-restricted recognition of CMV by NK-CTL may represent an important immunologic strategy in defenses against this virus. Indeed, unlike conventional CTL, NK-CTL mediated lysis is apparently not affected by the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I that occurs during CMV infection. Because the CMV UL40-derived peptide is identical to the one generated from the leader sequence of various HLA-Cw alleles, NK-CTL are also able to display an "HLA-E-dependent alloreactivity" against allogeneic target cells expressing appropriate HLA-Cw alleles. This broad ability to recognize and kill allogeneic cells may pose serious problems in transplantation.

Thymic Selection and Peripheral Activation of CD8 T Cells by the Same Class I MHC/Peptide Complex

Thymic selection is controlled by the interaction between TCR and MHC/peptide. Strength and quality of the signal determine whether thymocytes are selected or deleted. The factors that contribute to this signal remain poorly defined. Here we show that fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOCs) derived from OT-I transgenic mice (the OT-I TCR is restricted by K(b)-SIINFEKL) on a K(b)D(b-/-) background support positive selection, but only when provided with soluble H-2K(b)-SIINFEKL complexes. Selection of CD8 T cells is independent of the valency of the ligand or its capability to coengage CD8 molecules. Both CD8alphaalpha and CD8alphabeta T cells are selected by H-2K(b)-SIINFEKL, but only CD8alphabeta cells are capable of releasing IFN-gamma in response to the same ligand. The alpha(4)beta(7) integrin is up-regulated on postselection thymocytes from FTOCs. After adoptive transfer, FTOC-derived OT-I CD8 T cells divide in response to the agonist peptide SIINFEKL. These results establish that CD8 T cells responsive to their nominal peptide-Ag can be generated in FTOC supplemented with soluble MHC class I molecules equipped with the same peptide.

HLA-E-restricted recognition of cytomegalovirus-derived peptides by human CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes

HLA-E-restricted T cell receptor alphabeta+ CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) exist as monoclonal expansions in the peripheral blood of some individuals. Here, we show that they recognize, with high avidity, peptides derived from the UL40 protein of different human cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains. Recognition results in the induction of cytotoxicity, IFN-gamma production and cell proliferation. Autologous cells pulsed with CMV-derived peptides become susceptible to lysis by HLA-E-restricted CTLs and induce their proliferation. The high avidity for CMV-derived peptides may explain how these cells are generated in vivo and suggest their possible role in the host defenses against CMV, a virus that evolved various mechanisms to down-regulate classical HLA class I molecules, thus escaping detection by conventional CTLs.

Selective imprinting of gut-homing T cells by Peyer's patch dendritic cells

Whereas naive T cells migrate only to secondary lymphoid organs, activation by antigen confers to T cells the ability to home to non-lymphoid sites. Activated effector/memory T cells migrate preferentially to tissues that are connected to the secondary lymphoid organs where antigen was first encountered. Thus, oral antigens induce effector/memory cells that express essential receptors for intestinal homing, namely the integrin alpha4beta7 and CCR9, the receptor for the gut-associated chemokine TECK/CCL25 (refs 6, 8, 9). Here we show that this imprinting of gut tropism is mediated by dendritic cells from Peyer's patches. Stimulation of CD8-expressing T cells by dendritic cells from Peyer's patches, peripheral lymph nodes and spleen induced equivalent activation markers and effector activity in T cells, but only Peyer's patch dendritic cells induced high levels of alpha4beta7, responsiveness to TECK and the ability to home to the small intestine. These findings establish that Peyer's patch dendritic cells imprint gut-homing specificity on T cells, and thus license effector/memory cells to access anatomical sites most likely to contain their cognate antigen.

Donor-specific tolerance in a murine model: the result of extra-thymic T cell deletion?

Previously, we established a murine model, that involves the engraftment of fully allogeneic T cell depleted donor bone marrow cells in sublethally irradiated and single dose anti-CD3 treated recipient mice. These mice developed permanent stable multilineage mixed chimerism and donor-specific tolerance without graft-versus-host disease. Recently, we have shown that donor-specific tolerance is not induced and/or maintained by clonal anergy, neither by a Th1/Th2 shift, nor by suppressor or other regulatory processes. In the present study, we investigated whether clonal deletion plays a role in tolerance induction in our model. We studied the kinetics of TCRVbeta8(+) T cells in BALB/c (H-2L(d+))-->dm2 (H-2L(d-)) chimeras, in which combination of mouse strains TCRVbeta8 predominates the anti-donor response. We found that TCRVbeta8(+) T cells were specifically deleted. To our surprise, this deletion was also found in mixed chimeras, thymectomized prior to the conditioning regimen. We conclude that clonal deletion plays a role in the establishment and maintenance of donor-specific tolerance, and that the thymus is not required for this process. In addition, confocal laser-scanning microscopy clearly showed the presence of abundant amounts of donor T cells and some donor antigen presenting cells in the small intestine in thymectomized chimeras and not in other organs, suggesting that T cell selection might take place in this organ in the absence of the thymus.

MHC specificity of iIELs

Intestinal intra-epithelial lymphocytes (iIELs) are a major lymphocyte population, reside in close proximity to the intestinal lumen and are conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. iIELs consist of several unique T-cell phenotypes and express both non-rearranged innate immune receptors and rearranged adaptive immune receptors. The ligands for the innate immune receptors on iIELs, such as NKG2D (natural killer-cell receptor), often bind to non-classical MHC class I molecules, such as the human MHC class I-related molecules MICA or MICB. These ligands costimulate T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. In most cases, the MHC molecules that bind to the TCR are still unknown. However, recent efforts to understand the MHC molecules that are involved in the development of and antigen recognition by iIELs have revealed several important results. Here, we focus systematically on recent developments in innate immunity and in TCR recognition of different subtypes of iIELs by various MHC molecules.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in thymocyte apoptosis: caspase-dependent processing of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP7 (HAUSP)

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is crucial for thymocyte development. We analyzed the role of the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway in dexamethasone-triggered and TCR-mediated apoptosis in fetal thymic organ culture (FTOC). Proteasome activity was increased in apoptotic thymocytes, as visualized by active-site labeling of proteasomal beta subunits. The activity of deubiquitinating enzymes in murine apoptotic thymocytes was likewise examined by active-site labeling. We show that the deubiquitinating enzyme USP7 (HAUSP) is proteolytically processed upon dexamethasone-, gamma-irradiation-, and antigen-induced cell death. Such processing of HAUSP does not occur in caspase 3-/- thymocytes, or upon pretreatment of wild type thymocytes with the general caspase inhibitor ZVAD-fmk. Thus, our results suggest that thymocyte apoptosis leads to modification of deubiquitinating enzymes by caspase activity and may provide an additional link between the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and the caspase cascade during programmed cell death.

RasGRP1 transduces low-grade TCR signals which are critical for T cell development, homeostasis, and differentiation

Two important Ras-guanyl nucleotide exchange factors, Sos and RasGRP1, control Ras activation in thymocytes. However, the relative contribution of these two exchange factors to Ras/ERK activation and their resulting impact on positive and negative selection is unclear. We have produced two lines of RasGRP1(-/-) TCR transgenic mice to determine the effect of RasGRP1 in T cell development under conditions of defined TCR signaling. Our results demonstrate that RasGRP1 is crucial for thymocytes expressing weakly selecting TCRs whereas those that express stronger selecting TCRs are more effective at utilizing RasGRP1-independent mechanisms for ERK activation and positive selection. Analysis of RasGRP1(-/-) peripheral T cells also revealed hitherto unidentified functions of RasGRP1 in regulating T cell homeostasis and sustaining antigen-induced developmental programming.

Class I negative CD8 T cells reveal the confounding role of peptide-transfer onto CD8 T cells stimulated with soluble H2-Kb molecules

Crosslinking of the T cell receptor has been proposed to be a prerequisite for T cell activation. Although the evidence supports this notion for CD4 T cells, the situation for CD8 T cells is less clear. Soluble class I monomers have been used to determine activation requirements in vitro with contradictory results. The possibility of transfer of peptide from soluble class I molecules onto class I molecules present on the surface of CD8 T cells, with ensuing presentation to other CD8 T cells, has been widely ignored. We show that monomeric and tetrameric class I molecules as well as free peptide can stimulate naive CD8 T cells in vitro. We generate and characterize CD8 T cells that express the OT-I T cell receptor (for K(b)/SIINFEKL) yet lack K(b) and D(b) molecules, and show that their activation requirements differ from their class I positive counterparts when stimulated with soluble K(b) molecules. By eliminating the confounding effect of peptide transfer, we unmask the true activation requirements for naive CD8 T cells and show that multivalent engagement of T cell receptors, as well as costimulation, is required for optimal stimulation.

Soluble peptide-MHC monomers cause activation of CD8+ T cells through transfer of the peptide to T cell MHC molecules

T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of CD4(+) T cells is known to require multivalent engagement of the TCR by, for example, oligomeric peptide-MHC complexes. In contrast, for CD8(+) T cells, there is evidence for TCR-mediated activation by univalent engagement of the TCR. We have here compared oligomeric and monomeric L(d) and K(b) peptide-MHC complexes and free peptide as stimulators of CD8(+) T cells expressing the 2C TCR. We found that the monomers are indeed effective in activating naive and effector CD8(+) T cells, but through an unexpected mechanism that involves transfer of peptide from soluble monomers to T cell endogenous MHC (K(b)) molecules. The result is that T cells, acting as antigen-presenting cells, are able to activate other naive T cells.

Identification of HLA-E-specific alloreactive T lymphocytes: a cell subset that undergoes preferential expansion in mixed lymphocyte culture and displays a broad cytolytic activity against allogeneic cells

Previous studies showed that a subset of CD8(+) cytolytic T lymphocytes expressing HLA class I-specific natural killer inhibitory receptors (iNKR) is characterized by the ability to recognize HLA-E and to mediate T cell receptor-dependent killing of different NK cell-susceptible tumor target cells. In this study, we show that this CD8(+) T cell subset can also undergo extensive proliferation in mixed lymphocyte cultures in response to allogeneic cells. Analysis of their cytolytic activity revealed a broad specificity against a panel of allogeneic phytohemagglutinin-induced blasts derived from HLA-unmatched donors. On the other hand, autologous and certain allogeneic phytohemagglutinin blasts were resistant to lysis. We used as target cells the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-2(-/-) murine RMA-S cell line cotransfected with beta2-microglobulin and HLA-E*01033. On loading these cells with different HLA-E-binding peptides derived either from HLA class I leader sequences or viral proteins, we could show that HLA-E-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes recognized many, but not all, peptides analyzed. These data suggest that these cells may recognize, on allogeneic cells, HLA-E with peptides that are not present in the host of origin. In addition to their ability to proliferate in response to allogeneic stimulation and to lyse, most allogeneic cells may have important implications in transplantation and in antitumor immune responses.

Positive selection of MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells on hematopoietic cells

Unlike conventional CD8(+) T cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells show an activated phenotype in uninfected mice and respond rapidly to foreign invaders. The underlying factors that contribute to these differences are not well understood. We show here that the activated phenotype of MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells was partially acquired as a result of interactions in the thymus and reflected an increased capacity to be selected via interactions with MHC molecules on hematopoietic cells. Using bone marrow-chimeric mice, we have shown that MHC class Ib-restricted, but not MHC class Ia-restricted, CD8(+) T cells specific for Listeria monocytogenes were efficiently selected when MHC class I was expressed only on hematopoietic cells. Thus, the distinct functional properties of MHC class Ib-restricted versus MHC class Ia-restricted CD8(+) T cells may result, at least in part, from the different ways in which they are positively selected in the thymus.

Positive selection of a Qa-1-restricted T cell receptor with specificity for insulin

The phenotype and development of T cells from transgenic mice expressing a T cell receptor with specificity for insulin presented by the MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1(b) was investigated. Peripheral T cells from the transgenic mice express CD8 and, after activation, kill Qa-1(b)-positive lymphoid target cells in the presence of soluble insulin. Thymic selection requires expression of Qa-1(b) but not the dominant Qa-1-associated peptide, Qdm. In contrast to conventional T cells, selection is at least as efficient when the selecting ligand is expressed only on hematopoietic lineage cells as compared to expression on epithelial cells in the thymus. Our findings suggest that there is a dedicated population of Qa-1-restricted T cells that are selected by interaction with Qa-1 and that the cellular requirements for selection may differ from conventional T cells.

Gut intraepithelial lymphocyte development

CD8alphabeta(+) and CD4(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes, the progeny of double-positive thymocytes, are oligoclonal T-cell populations that have accumulated in the gut wall as the result of repeated antigenic stimulations, which lead to rounds of traffic through the lymph/blood circuit ending in an alpha4beta7-integrin-driven homing all along the gut mucosa. In contrast, CD8alphaalpha(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes, which may be TCRgammadelta(+) or alphabeta(+), result in part from local differentiation in the gut, but studies comparing euthymic and athymic mice suggest a thymic double-negative origin for many of them.