Lack of a correlation between cell-mediated immunity to the carrier and the carrier-hapten helper effect

CD4+ teff cell heterogeneity: the perspective from single-cell transcriptomics

Single-cell transcriptomics (scRNAseq) holds the promise to generate definitive atlases of cell types. We review scRNAseq studies of conventional CD4+ αβ T cells performed in a variety of challenged contexts (infection, tumor, allergy) that aimed to parse the complexity and representativity of previously defined CD4+ T cell types, lineages, and cosmologies. With a few years' experience, the field has realized the difficulties and pitfalls of scRNAseq. With the very high-dimensionality of scRNAseq data, subset definitions based on low-dimensionality marker combinations tend to fade or blur: cell types prove more complex than expected; transcripts of key defining transcripts (cytokines, chemokines) are distributed as broad and partially overlapping continua; boundaries with innate lymphocytes are blurred. Tissue location and activation, either cytokine-driven or TCR-driven, determine Teff heterogeneity in sometimes unexpected ways. Emerging techniques for lineage and trajectory tracing, and RNA-protein connections, will further help define the space of differentiated CD4+ T cell heterogeneity.

Microbial-induced Th17: superhero or supervillain?

Th17 cells are an effector lineage of CD4 T cells that can contribute to protection against microbial pathogens and to the development of harmful autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. An increasing number of studies suggests that Th17 cells play an important protective role in mobilizing host immunity to extracellular and intracellular microbial pathogens, such as Candida and Salmonella. Furthermore, the generation of Th17 cells is heavily influenced by the normal microbial flora, highlighting the complex interplay among harmless microbes, pathogens, and host immunity in the regulation of pathogen-specific Th17 responses. In this article, we review the current understanding of microbe-induced Th17 cells in the context of infectious and inflammatory disease.

More stories on Th17 cells

For more than two decades, immunologists have been using the so-called Th1/Th2 paradigm to explain most of the phenomena related to adaptive immunity. The Th1/Th2 paradigm implied the existence of two different, mutually regulated, CD4(+) T helper subsets: Th1 cells, driving cell-mediated immune responses involved in tissue damage and fighting infection against intracellular parasites; and Th2 cells that mediate IgE production and are particularly involved in eosinophilic inflammation, allergy and clearance of helminthic infections. A third member of the T helper set, IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells, now called Th17 cells, was recently described as a distinct lineage that does not share developmental pathways with either Th1 or Th2 cells. The Th17 subset has been linked to autoimmune disorders, being able to produce IL-17, IL-17F and IL-21 among other inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, it has been reported that there is not only a cross-regulation among Th1, Th2 and Th17 effector cells but there is also a dichotomy in the generation of Th17 and T regulatory cells. Therefore, Treg and Th17 effector cells arise in a mutually exclusive fashion, depending on whether they are activated in the presence of TGF-beta or TGF-beta plus inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. This review will address the discovery of the Th17 cells, and recent progress on their development and regulation.

Emergence of the Th17 pathway and its role in host defense

Recently, a paradigm shift has emerged in T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity. On the heels of the discovery of T cells with immunosuppressive function, so-called regulatory T cells (Tregs), the diversity of effector cells has expanded to include a third helper T cell, termed Th17. The appreciation that Th17 cells are products of a distinct effector pathway depended critically on observations made during investigations of mouse models of autoimmunity, advanced by discovery of the cytokines IL-17 and IL-23. These studies understandably led investigators to highlight the role played by Th17 cells in autoimmunity. Yet while the dysfunctional behavior of this phenotype as a contributor to inflammatory disease remains a central issue, this pathway evolved to meet a need for host protection against potential pathogens. It has become apparent that the Th17 pathway promotes host defense against certain extracellular bacteria and fungi, but more recent studies also implicate a role in protection against some protozoa and viruses. Here we review the experimental history that ultimately uncovered the existence and nature of Th17 cells, and then turn the reader's attention to what is currently known about Th17 cells as a bulwark against pathogens.

Induction and regulation of CD4+ T cell subsets

It is now generally accepted that CD4+ T cells can be divided into at least two distinct subsets: Th1 and Th2. Th1 cells characteristically secrete interleukin 1 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) whereas Th2 cells produce mainly IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. Studies from many laboratories have demonstrated that the balance between these two subsets of T cells frequently determines the outcome of infectious and autoimmune diseases. Several factors influence the preferential induction and regulation of Th1 or Th2 cells in vitro and in vivo. Mice were infected with the protozoan parasite Leishmania to show that the gene encoding a major surface glycoprotein of the parasite, delivered orally in a plasmid carried by an auxotrophic Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain (BRD509), preferentially induced Th1 cells and protective immunity against a challenge infection. The protective effect of the vaccine was augmented by administration of BRD509 carrying the genes encoding IL-2, IFN-gamma or tumour necrosis factor alpha. Cloned mouse Th1 cells specific for malarial antigens have been used to show that nitric oxide (NO) can inhibit the production of IFN-gamma by Th1 cells. Oral delivery of antigen and selective cytokines may preferentially induce CD4+ T cell subsets. Modulation of NO synthesis may further influence this induction and sustain such selective responses leading to effective therapy.

Origins of the T(H)1-T(H)2 model: a personal perspective

Robert L. Coffman recounts how his work on immunoglobulin E regulation along with data from Tim Mosmann on the functional heterogeneity of T cell clones led to the T helper type 1-T helper type 2 hypothesis.

T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells: a historical perspective

Demonstration of the existence and functions of T helper (T(H))1 and T(H)2 cells has had an enormous impact on basic and applied immunology. T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells have a crucial role in balancing the immune response. In this article, I attempt to trace the historical events contributing to the development of the T(H)1/T(H)2 concept, the current state of play, and briefly discuss the future prospects for the field.

Biology of attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara recombinant vector in mice: virus fate and activation of B- and T-cell immune responses in comparison with the Western Reserve strain and advantages as a vaccine

The modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain is a candidate vector for vaccination against pathogens and tumors, due to safety concerns and the proven ability of recombinants based on this vector to trigger protection against pathogens in animals. In this study we addressed the fate of the MVA vector in BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal inoculation in comparison with that of the replication-competent Western Reserve (WR) strain by measuring levels of expression of the reporter luciferase gene, the capability to infect target tissues from the site of inoculation, and the length of time of virus persistence. We evaluated the extent of humoral and cellular immune responses induced against the virus antigens and a recombinant product (beta-galactosidase). We found that MVA infects the same target tissues as the WR strain; surprisingly, within 6 h postinoculation the levels of expression of antigens were higher in tissues from MVA-infected mice than in tissues from mice infected with wild-type virus but at later times postinoculation were 2 to 4 log units higher in tissues from WR-infected mice. In spite of this, antibodies and cellular immune responses to viral vector antigens were considerably lower in MVA-inoculated mice than in WR virus-inoculated mice. In contrast, the cellular immune response to a foreign antigen expressed from MVA was similar to and even higher than that triggered by the recombinant WR virus. MVA elicited a Th1 type of immune response, and the main proinflammatory cytokines induced were interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Our findings have defined the biological characteristics of MVA infection in tissues and the immune parameters activated in the course of virus infection. These results are of significance with respect to optimal use of MVA as a vaccine.

Immune effector mechanism in parasitic infections

In this article is a summary of our recent findings on the role of nitric oxide (NO) as an effector mechanism against the intracellular parasite, Leishmania major. NO is produced in large amounts in murine macrophages following activation by IFNgamma synthesized by Th1 cells. NO production is inhibited by IL-4, a product of Th2 cells. A set of stable cell surface markers has now been identified. ST2L and IL-18R are selectively expressed on Th2 and Th1 cells respectively. Antibody against ST2L can down-regulate Th2 cells in the highly susceptible BALB/c mice leading to control of otherwise fatal L. major infection. These results show directly the critical role of the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Selective expression and functions of interleukin 18 receptor on T helper (Th) type 1 but not Th2 cells

Interleukin (IL)-18 induces interferon (IFN)-gamma synthesis and synergizes with IL-12 in T helper type 1 (Th1) but not Th2 cell development. We report here that IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) is selectively expressed on murine Th1 but not Th2 cells. IL-18R mRNA was expressed constitutively and consistently in long-term cultured clones, as well as on newly polarized Th1 but not Th2 cells. IL-18 sustained the expression of IL-12Rbeta2 mRNA, indicating that IL-18R transmits signals that maintain Th1 development through the IL-12R complex. In turn, IL-12 upregulated IL-18R mRNA. Antibody against an IL-18R-derived peptide bound Th1 but not Th2 clones. It also labeled polarized Th1 but not Th2 cells derived from naive ovalbumin-T cell antigen receptor-alphabeta transgenic mice (D011.10). Anti-IL-18R antibody inhibited IL-18- induced IFN-gamma production by Th1 clones in vitro. In vivo, anti-IL-18R antibody reduced local inflammation and lipopolysaccharide-induced mortality in mice. This was accompanied by shifting the balance from Th1 to Th2 responses, manifest as decreased IFN-gamma and proinflammatory cytokine production and increased IL-4 and IL-5 synthesis. Therefore, these data provide a direct mechanism for the selective effect of IL-18 on Th1 but not Th2 cells. They also show that the synergistic effect of IL-12 and IL-18 on Th1 development may be due to the reciprocal upregulation of their receptors. Furthermore, IL-18R is a cell surface marker distinguishing Th1 from Th2 cells and may be a therapeutic target.

Immune deviation: a historical perspective

In this paper I have reviewed my early studies, between 1966 and 1976, on the phenomenon of immune deviation. Initially summarized are experiments with different forms of the flagellin antigen from Salmonella adelaide which established the inverse relationship between delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and antibody formation. Based on the flagellin studies, many of the key factors which determine whether an antigen will induce either DTH or antibody formation were delineated. These factors are just as relevant today as they were 25 years ago. Subsequent analyses at the cellular level demonstrated that different T cell subsets mediate DTH and T cell help and maintain immune deviation by suppressor mechanisms. A number of fundamental questions raised by this early work remain unanswered and are discussed. These include the nature of the primary signalling events which initiate immune deviation, the role of B cells in the deviating process and the mechanism by which CD8+T cells suppress antibody production.

Studies on delayed hypersensitivity to protein antigen. Induction of delayed hypersensitivity by chemically modified antigen

it was shown in our previous paper that mice primed with chemically modified bacterial alpha-amylase (BaA), which was neither cross-reactive with anti-BaA antibody nor able to induce a humoral anti-BaA response, developed enhanced responses to a subsequent challenge with native BaA and that the magnitude of the immunological memory was closely related to the priming dose of modified BaA. This paper describes the experimental conditions for induction of delayed hypersensitivity (DH) by modified BaA in relation to the development of immunological memory for antibody response to native BaA. Mice primed with either an intraperitoneal (i.p.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of modified BaA in complete Freunds adjuvant (CFA) developed enhanced anti-BaA as the immunogen and modified BaA as the eliciting antigen, the relationship of anti-BaA responses to a subsequent challenge with BaA. In contrast, when mice were immunized with an s.c. injection of the modified BaA only, a significant level of DH to native BaA could be induced, as measured by the footpad reaction (FPR). The highest degree of DH was observed in mice given 50 micrograms of modified BaA. DH was detectable within 5 days and persisted for 25 days after immunization. In the reciprocal combination of native BaA as the immunogen and modified BaA as the eliciting antigen, the relationship of anti-BaA responses to DH was examined. The primary anti-BaA responses induced by an i.p. injection of large doses of BaA was markedly higher than those induced by an s.c. injection, while DH was exhibited only in mice given s.c. injection of BaA in CFA. With respect to DH to native BaA induced by the modified BaA, it was shown that C3H/He mice were high and C57BL/6 mice were low responders.

Influence of route and dose of antigen on the migration inhibition and plaque-forming cell responses to sheep erythrocytes in the lizard, Calotes versicolor

The influence of route of administration and dose of antigen on the generation of humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses has been studied in the lizard, Calotes versicolor. Intramuscular (i.m.) immunization was found to be more suitable for the induction of both plaque-forming cell (PFC) and migration inhibition (MI) responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) than the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. The i.m. route favoured the development of quicker PFC as well as MI responses. The latter was observed to be sustained up to a month after immunization. In contrast, with the i.p. route of immunization, the peak PFC and MI responses appeared slowly and were followed by a sudden decline. An inverse relationship between PFC and MI functions was noted. The maximum level of MI was obtained with 10⁴ SRBC while the PFC response was greater with the higher doses of antigen. Low dose of antigen induced a strong and quick MI response with concomitant postponement of the PFC response. Incorporation of SRBC into Freund's complete adjuvant did not influence the MI level. After an injection of a supra-optimal dose of SRBC, the MI level was very low at a time when the PFC response was at its maximum and the degree of MI rose again after the decline in PFC number. Thus, the induction of antibody synthesis needs a higher threshold level of antigen for its full expression, in contrast to the minimal antigen dose required for MI response to SRBC in lizards.

Anti-DNP antibody response after the topical application of DNFB in mice

A single painting or daily paintings for 5 days with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) on the abdominal skin of mice induced both contact sensitivity, detectable by ear swelling, and, hapten-reactive helper T cells, detectable by the augmented anti-bovine serum albumin (BSA) antibody response on challenge with dinitrophenyl-BSA. Contact sensitivity was induced within 7 days and helper activity within 14 days after the sensitization. Anti-hapten antibody response in the spleen or regional lymph nodes of such mice, however, was negligibly small during the 15 days after a single painting. Failure to respond with anti-hapten antibody production of mice given only a single painting was shown to be due to the shortage of B cells reactive to the hapten. Daily paintings for 5 days did not necessarily result in the augmented antibody response. By contrast, a strong anti-hapten antibody response was observed in mice receiving two paintings at an interval of 10 days. In these mice, hapten-specific B memory cells as well as hapten-reactive T cells were detected. Thus, the anti-hapten antibody response after the topical applciation of simple chemicals may depend upon the priming of B cells, and the response must be mediated by the cooperation of T and B cells both reactive to the antigen.

Regulation of anti-hapten antibody response by chemically modified carrier antigen preferentially provoking delayed-type hypersensitivity. I. Possible T-T cell interaction in the suppression of antibody response

The i.p. immunization with chemically modified antigen (dodecanoyl-bovine serum albumin, d-BSA) emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) of CBA mice provoked delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), but not any detectable formation of antibody to the original antigen (BSA). Furthermore, it was found that immunization with d-BSA could generate T cells capable of inhibiting the antibody response to hapten on BSA, and the immunosuppressive effects of these T cells were presumably not due to direct action on hapten-primed and antibody producing B cells. These results were obtained from the following experiments: (1) anti-hapten antibody response to dinitrophenylated-BSA (DNP-BSA) was inhibited when the mice had been primed previously with d-BSA in FIA. This inhibition was regulated by the specificity of the carrier, since the mice treated with d-BSA did not inhibit the anti-DNP antibody response after the immunization with DNP-heterologous carrier, i.e. DNP-keyhole limpet haemocyanin (DNP-KLH). (2) The passive transfer of spleen cells, which had been obtained from donors primed with d-BSA in FIA, inhibited the primary anti-DNP antibody response of syngeneic mice after immunization with DNP BSA. (3) Injection of d-BSA-primed spleen cells suppressed an adoptive anti-DNP antibody response in mice which had been irradiated and had previously had their immunocompetence reconstituted by the cell transfers with both DNP-primed and BSA-primed spleen cells. This in vivo immunosuppressive effect of d-BSA-primed spleen cells did not act on hapten-primed B cells, since d-BSA-primed spleen cells could not suppress the adoptive secondary antibody response reconstituted by DNP-primed cells and bacterial alpha-amylase (BαA)-primed cells. This finding suggests that a T—T cell interaction exists for the suppression of the anti-DNP antibody response to DNP-BSA by d-BSA-primed cells.

Cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in mice. IV. Difference of the functional cell population between helper activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity

Helper activity in the anti-hapten antibody response was studied in mice in reference to the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the carrier protein. Mice were immunized either by an i.v. injection of alum-precipitated bovine serum albumin (AP-BSA) plus bacterial endotoxin or by a s.c. injection of BSA in Freund's complete adjuvant, the latter being effective in inducing DTH. The helper activity was estimated by the antibody response to the challenge with dinitrophenylated BSA (DNP-BSA) given at varying intervals after the injection of BSA. The results indicated that the helper activity was independent of DTH to the carrier protein, suggesting that these two activities, are mediated by different populations of functional cells. A low dose of tolerogenic soluble BSA (sBSA) was sufficient to abrogate the helper activity in the response to DNP-BSA. In contrast, DTH to BSA was only partially depressed by the pretreatment with a low dose of sBSA and was completely depressed by a high dose. DTH reactivity in mice pretreated with a low dose of tolerogen and followed by the immunization with BSA in Freund's complete adjuvant was substantiated by the microscopic observation of mononuclear cell infiltration at the site of the test antigen injection. These results suggest that cells involved in the helper function and DTH may be derived from different precursors.

Immunogenicity of lysozyme derivatives lipid-conjugated to various degrees in mice treated with and without cyclophosphamide: dissociation of delayed-type hypersensitivity and helper function

Lysozyme and a series of its lipid-conjugated derivatives without adjuvant were examined in mice for their abilities to induce delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), helper T-cell activity, and antibody formation. In addition, the effect of cyclophosphamide (CY) on the immune responses was assessed in mice immunized with these lysozyme derivatives. Precipitated lysozyme without lipid conjugation was a good inducer of both antibody and DTH responses. Lipid conjugation to lysozyme to intermediate degrees readily caused the failure only in inducing the antibody response. As lysozyme was lipid-conjugated more heavily, DTH response was also reduced and finally abolished. In contrast, the helper activity was little affected by any degree of lipid conjugation. These results indicate that the helper T-cell activity was dissociated from the both DTH response and the antibody production. CY pretreatment extensively enhanced DTH response induced by such lipid-conjugated derivatives that failed to induce antibody response. Furthermore, CY pretreatment in doses in a wide range enhanced not only DTH response but also antibody formation. It is, therefore, concluded that the enhancement of DTH response by CY does not necessarily entail suppression of antibody formation.

Regulation of the immune response. I. Suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity by T cells from mice expressing humoral immunity

The ability of horse red blood cell (HRBC)-specific T cells from mice expressing humoral immunity to suppress the induction of HRBC-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was investigated. The transfer of Ig-negative spleen cells, from mice injected 4 days previously with HRBC, completely suppressed the development of DTH in mice treated with cyclophosphamide and sensitized with HRBC. The suppressor cell was found to be lysed by treatment with anti-theta serum and complement. Furthermore, hemocyanin-specific immune T cells were able to suppress the DTH induced to HRBC, provided these two antigens were coupled together. These studies suggest that T cells present under conditions were humoral immunity is induced can suppress DTH and that such cells play an important role in the regulation of the immune response.

Ly and Ia antigen phenotypes of T cells involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity and in suppression

The Ly and Ia phenotypes of T lymphocytes involved in different functions were characterized by the use of specific antisera. T cells responsible for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and for helper functions were found to be Ly-1+,2- in contrast to cytotoxic T cells and T cells responsible for suppression of antibody responses which were Ly-1-,2+. Unlike some primed helper cells, T cells involved in DTH were Ia-. Suppressor cells in the system were Ia+.

Cellular and humorial immune responses in mice. III. Acceleration of delayed hypersensitivity response by presensitization with suboptimal dose of antigen

Delayed hypersensitivity (DH) response in mice induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of optimal dose of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) 10(8)) was accelerated by s.c. injection of the antigen of 10(3) or more doses, given 2 or more days earlier. The accelerated response appeared soon after the injection of optimal antigen dose, that is, 1 or 2 days earlier than the response of non-presensitized control. The acceleration was antigen specific. The accelerated response was generally accompanied by an acceleration and/or enhancement of humoral antibody response. Parallel to the acceleration of DH response, the proliferation of regional lymph node cells in the presensitized mice was induced immediately after the following injection of 10(8) SRBC, 1 day earlier than that of non-presensitized animals. These results suggest that presensitization of mice with the antigen induces DH-related memory cells which proliferate immediately after the following injection and function as effector cells for DH reactions, and that the development of DH-related memory cells occurs in close relation to that of helper thymus-derived (T) cells for antibody production.

Inverse relationship between net electric charge on the antigen and that on the sensitized cell in cellular immune response: demonstration with basic encephalitogen of the brain

An inverse relationship exists between the net-electrical charge of immunogens and the antibodies elicited (1). The cellular basis of the net charge phenomenon has been established for both positively and negatively charged immunogens, by cell separation techniques over columns of opposite charge (7, 8). To establish whether this phenomenon can be extended to include cell-mediated immunity, the response to basic encephalitogenic protein (BE) which induces experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was now investigated. Lymph node cells from sensitized strain 13 guinea pigs were fractionated over positively and negatively charged columns and compared to unfractionated cell populations in two assay systems: (a) in vitro response to BE in terms of lymphocyte transformation and (b) the passive transfer of EAE to unsensitized syngeneic recipients. The response was found to be confined to the fraction of cells eluted from glass bead columns, namely, the more negative cells. Cells eluted from poly-L-lysine-coated glass bead columns (i.e., positive cells) were devoid of the capacity to respond to this antigen either in vivo or in vitro. It was previously established that thymocytes rather than bone marrow cells account for the inverse charge phenomenon as assayed by T-helper-cell function in in vivo antibody production (8). We have now extended the inverse charge effect to include cell-mediated immune response of the delayed hypersensitivity type.

Genetic regulation of the antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens in mice. I. Differences in activation of helper T cells in C57BL/10 and BALB/c congenic strains

B10.A(5R) mice immunized with C57BL/10 spleen cells demonstrate a normal T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity to H-2Db tumor cells but they do not mount any IgG antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens. B10.A(5R) mice do show a high titered IgG response when immunized with A.BY cells, which differ at H-2Db plus non-H-2 cell surface antigens, or with B10.A(2R) cells, which differ at H-2Db, H-2Kk, and H-2Ik cell surface antigens. These findings indicate a failure of the T-helper cells to induce the switch from IgM to IgG when the H-2Db alloantigens are the only difference on the immunizing cell. In immunizing H-2d mice with congenic H-g2 cells which differ only in the H-2Db region, mice of the C57BL/10 background made only IgM antibodies whereas mice of the BALB/c background made IgG antibodies. This comparison confirms that genes separate from H-2 regulate the T-cell helper function. The genes that influence the T-cell helper function do not regulate the T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity.