1
|
Castañeda J, Hidalgo Y, Sauma D, Rosemblatt M, Bono MR, Núñez S. The Multifaceted Roles of B Cells in the Thymus: From Immune Tolerance to Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766698. [PMID: 34790201 PMCID: PMC8591215 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is home to a significant number of resident B cells which possess several unique characteristics regarding their origin, phenotype and function. Evidence shows that they originate both from precursors that mature intrathymically and as the entry of recirculating mature B cells. Under steady-state conditions they exhibit hallmark signatures of activated B cells, undergo immunoglobulin class-switch, and express the Aire transcription factor. These features are imprinted within the thymus and enable B cells to act as specialized antigen-presenting cells in the thymic medulla that contribute negative selection of self-reactive T cells. Though, most studies have focused on B cells located in the medulla, a second contingent of B cells is also present in non-epithelial perivascular spaces of the thymus. This latter group of B cells, which includes memory B cells and plasma cells, is not readily detected in the thymus of infants or young mice but gradually accumulates during normal aging. Remarkably, in many autoimmune diseases the thymus suffers severe structural atrophy and infiltration of B cells in the perivascular spaces, which organize into follicles similar to those typically found in secondary lymphoid organs. This review provides an overview of the pathways involved in thymic B cell origin and presents an integrated view of both thymic medullary and perivascular B cells and their respective physiological and pathological roles in central tolerance and autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justine Castañeda
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yessia Hidalgo
- Cells for cells-Consorcio Regenero, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Sauma
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Rosemblatt
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Rosa Bono
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
Extensive studies have suggested a central role of B cells in the autoimmune pathogenesis, as loss of B cell tolerance results in increased serum levels of autoantibodies, enhanced effector T cell response and tissue damages. Here, we provide an overview of dysregulated B cell responses in the development of autoimmunity. In addition to their presence in the target organs, autoreactive B cells can promote the formation of ectopic lymphoid structures and differentiate into plasma cells that produce large amounts of autoantibodies and cytokines. In animal models that recapitulate the key features of human autoimmune disease, mechanistic studies have indicated two categories of autoantibodies: (1) serological markers for disease diagnosis and prognosis; (2) effector molecules that induce organ hypofunction or damage directly in an epitope-specific manner, or indirectly by activating other immune cell subsets. Moreover, B cell-derived cytokines usually promote the autoreactive T cell response during autoimmune development, but there is compelling evidence that a subpopulation of B cells negatively regulates immune responses, also known as regulatory B cells via secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-35, etc.) or a contact-dependent fashion. Although B cell depletion could eliminate most circulating B cells in the periphery, the clinical outcomes of B cell depletion therapy for autoimmune diseases vary among individuals due to differential activation or survival signals for B cells provided by tissue microenvironment. Thus, therapeutic combinations that target immune checkpoints and B cell activation may represent a promising strategy for the effective treatment of human autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
|
3
|
Santamaria J, Darrigues J, van Meerwijk JP, Romagnoli P. Antigen-presenting cells and T-lymphocytes homing to the thymus shape T cell development. Immunol Lett 2018; 204:9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
4
|
Pinto AI, Smith J, Kissack MR, Hogg KG, Green EA. Thymic B Cell-Mediated Attack of Thymic Stroma Precedes Type 1 Diabetes Development. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1281. [PMID: 29930554 PMCID: PMC5999731 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from a coordinated autoimmune attack of insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas by the innate and adaptive immune systems, beta cell death being predominantly T cell-mediated. In addition to T cells, peripheral B cells are important in T1D progression. The thymus of mice and man also contains B cells, and lately they have been linked to central tolerance of T cells. The role of thymic B cells in T1D is undefined. Here, we show there are abnormalities in the thymic B cell compartment before beta cell destruction and T1D manifestation. Using non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we document that preceding T1D development, there is significant accumulation of thymic B cells-partly through in situ development- and the putative formation of ectopic germinal centers. In addition, in NOD mice we quantify thymic plasma cells and observe in situ binding of immunoglobulins to undefined antigens on a proportion of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). By contrast, no ectopic germinal centers or pronounced intrathymic autoantibodies are detectable in animals not genetically predisposed to developing T1D. Binding of autoantibodies to thymic stroma correlates with apoptosis of mTECs, including insulin-expressing cells. By contrast, apoptosis of mTECs was decreased by 50% in B cell-deficient NOD mice suggesting intrathymic autoantibodies may selectively target certain mTECs for destruction. Furthermore, we observe that these thymic B cell-associated events correlated with an increased prevalence of premature thymic emigration of T cells. Together, our data suggest that the thymus may be a principal autoimmune target in T1D and contributes to disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Pinto
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Smith
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam R Kissack
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Karen G Hogg
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - E Allison Green
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom.,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Breed ER, Lee ST, Hogquist KA. Directing T cell fate: How thymic antigen presenting cells coordinate thymocyte selection. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 84:2-10. [PMID: 28800929 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The development of a self-tolerant and effective T cell receptor repertoire is dependent on interactions coordinated by various antigen presenting cells (APC) within the thymus. T cell receptor-self-peptide-MHC interactions are essential for determining T cell fate, however different cytokine and co-stimulatory signals provided by the diverse APCs within the thymus are also critical. Here, we outline the different localization and functional capabilities of thymic APCs. We also discuss how these distinct APCs work collectively to facilitate the establishment of a diverse T cell receptor repertoire that is tolerant to an array of different self-antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise R Breed
- The Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S Thera Lee
- The Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- The Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mohammed Ali HH, Drela N. Role of thymic B cells in the development of thymus-derived regulatory T cell in vitro. Immunol Lett 2017; 185:56-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
7
|
Yamano T, Steinert M, Klein L. Thymic B Cells and Central T Cell Tolerance. Front Immunol 2015; 6:376. [PMID: 26257742 PMCID: PMC4510420 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Central T cell tolerance is believed to be mainly induced by thymic dendritic cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells. The thymus also harbors substantial numbers of B cells. These may arise though intrathymic B lymphopoiesis or immigration from the bloodstream. Importantly, and in contrast to resting “mainstream” B cells in the periphery, thymic B cells display elevated levels of MHC class II and constitutively express CD80. Arguably, their most unexpected feature is the expression of autoimmune regulator. These unique features of thymic B cells result from a licensing process that involves cross-talk with CD4 single-positive T cells and CD40 signaling. Together, these recent findings suggest that B cells play a more prominent role as thymic APCs than previously appreciated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich , Munich , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lopes N, Sergé A, Ferrier P, Irla M. Thymic Crosstalk Coordinates Medulla Organization and T-Cell Tolerance Induction. Front Immunol 2015; 6:365. [PMID: 26257733 PMCID: PMC4507079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus ensures the generation of a functional and highly diverse T-cell repertoire. The thymic medulla, which is mainly composed of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), provides a specialized microenvironment dedicated to the establishment of T-cell tolerance. mTECs play a privileged role in this pivotal process by their unique capacity to express a broad range of peripheral self-antigens that are presented to developing T cells. Reciprocally, developing T cells control mTEC differentiation and organization. These bidirectional interactions are commonly referred to as thymic crosstalk. This review focuses on the relative contributions of mTEC and DC subsets to the deletion of autoreactive T cells and the generation of natural regulatory T cells. We also summarize current knowledge regarding how hematopoietic cells conversely control the composition and complex three-dimensional organization of the thymic medulla.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noëlla Lopes
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
| | - Arnauld Sergé
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille Université UM105 , Marseille , France
| | - Pierre Ferrier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yamano T, Nedjic J, Hinterberger M, Steinert M, Koser S, Pinto S, Gerdes N, Lutgens E, Ishimaru N, Busslinger M, Brors B, Kyewski B, Klein L. Thymic B Cells Are Licensed to Present Self Antigens for Central T Cell Tolerance Induction. Immunity 2015; 42:1048-61. [PMID: 26070482 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) use distinct strategies of self-antigen expression and presentation to mediate central tolerance. The thymus also harbors B cells; whether they also display unique tolerogenic features and how they genealogically relate to peripheral B cells is unclear. Here, we found that Aire is expressed in thymic but not peripheral B cells. Aire expression in thymic B cells coincided with major histocompatibility class II (MHCII) and CD80 upregulation and immunoglobulin class-switching. These features were recapitulated upon immigration of naive peripheral B cells into the thymus, whereby this intrathymic licensing required CD40 signaling in the context of cognate interactions with autoreactive CD4(+) thymocytes. Moreover, a licensing-dependent neo-antigen selectively upregulated in immigrating B cells mediated negative selection through direct presentation. Thus, autoreactivity within the nascent T cell repertoire fuels a feed forward loop that endows thymic B cells with tolerogenic features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jelena Nedjic
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Hinterberger
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Koser
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheena Pinto
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Gerdes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Brors
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The development and function of thymic B cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:2657-63. [PMID: 25837998 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Thymic B cells are a unique population of B lymphocytes that reside at the cortico-medullary junction of the thymus, an organ that is specialized for the development and selection of T cells. These B cells are distinct from peripheral B cells both in terms of their origin and phenotype. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that they develop within the thymus from B lineage-committed progenitors and are not recirculating peripheral B cells. Furthermore, thymic B cells have a highly activated phenotype. Because of their location in the thymic medulla, they have been thought to play a role in T cell negative selection. Thymic B cells are capable of inducing negative selection in a number of model antigen systems, including viral super antigen, peptides from immunoglobulin, and cognate self antigen presented by B cell receptor-mediated uptake. These findings establish thymic B cells as a novel and important population to study; however, much work remains to be done to understand how all of these unique aspects of thymic B cell biology inform their function.
Collapse
|
11
|
Melichar HJ, Ross JO, Taylor KT, Robey EA. Stable interactions and sustained TCR signaling characterize thymocyte-thymocyte interactions that support negative selection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 194:1057-1061. [PMID: 25520400 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Negative selection is one of the primary mechanisms that render T cells tolerant to self. Thymic dendritic cells play an important role in negative selection, in line with their ability to induce migratory arrest and sustained TCR signals. Thymocytes themselves display self-peptide/MHC class I complexes, and although there is evidence that they can support clonal deletion, it is not clear whether they do so directly via stable cell-cell contacts and sustained TCR signals. In this study, we show that murine thymocytes can support surprisingly efficient negative selection of Ag-specific thymocytes. Furthermore, we observe that agonist-dependent thymocyte-thymocyte interactions occurred as stable, motile conjugates led by the peptide-presenting thymocyte and in which the trailing peptide-specific thymocyte exhibited persistent elevations in intracellular calcium concentration. These data confirm that self-Ag presentation by thymocytes is an additional mechanism to ensure T cell tolerance and further strengthen the correlation between stable cellular contacts, sustained TCR signals, and efficient negative selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather J Melichar
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jenny O Ross
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kayleigh T Taylor
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ellen A Robey
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xing C, Ma N, Xiao H, Wang X, Zheng M, Han G, Chen G, Hou C, Shen B, Li Y, Wang R. Critical role for thymic CD19+CD5+CD1dhiIL-10+ regulatory B cells in immune homeostasis. J Leukoc Biol 2014; 97:547-56. [PMID: 25516754 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3a0414-213rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that besides the spleen, LNs, peripheral blood, and thymus contain a regulatory IL-10-producing CD19(+)CD5(+)CD1d(high) B cell subset that may play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Indeed, this population was identified in the murine thymus, and furthermore, when cocultured with CD4(+) T cells, this population of B cells supported the maintenance of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs in vitro, in part, via the CD5-CD72 interaction. Mice homozygous for Cd19(Cre) (CD19(-/-)) express B cells with impaired signaling and humoral responses. Strikingly, CD19(-/-) mice produce fewer CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and a greater percentage of CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) T cells. Consistent with these results, transfer of thymic CD19(+)CD5(+)CD1d(hi) B cells into CD19(-/-) mice resulted in significantly up-regulated numbers of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs with a concomitant reduction in CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) T cell populations in the thymus, spleen, and LNs but not in the BM of recipient mice. In addition, thymic CD19(+)CD5(+)CD1d(hi) B cells significantly suppressed autoimmune responses in lupus-like mice via up-regulation of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and IL-10-producing Bregs. This study suggests that thymic CD19(+)CD5(+)CD1d(hi)IL-10(+) Bregs play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xing
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Ning Ma
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - He Xiao
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xiaoqian Wang
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Mingke Zheng
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Gencheng Han
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Guojiang Chen
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Chunmei Hou
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Beifen Shen
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yan Li
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Renxi Wang
- *Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, China; and State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fujihara C, Williams JA, Watanabe M, Jeon H, Sharrow SO, Hodes RJ. T cell-B cell thymic cross-talk: maintenance and function of thymic B cells requires cognate CD40-CD40 ligand interaction. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:5534-44. [PMID: 25344473 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thymic development requires bidirectional interaction or cross-talk between developing T cells and thymic stromal cells, a relationship that has been best characterized for the interaction between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells. We have characterized in this article the requirement for similar cross-talk in the maintenance and function of thymic B cells, another population that plays a role in selection of developing thymic T cells. We found that maintenance of thymic B cells is strongly dependent on the presence of mature single-positive thymocytes and on the interactions of these T cells with specific Ag ligand. Maintenance of thymic B cell number is strongly dependent on B cell-autonomous expression of CD40, but not MHC class II, indicating that direct engagement of CD40 on thymic B cells is necessary to support their maintenance and proliferation. Thymic B cells can mediate negative selection of superantigen-specific, self-reactive, single-positive thymocytes, and we show that CD40 expression on B cells is critical for this negative selection. Cross-talk with thymic T cells is thus required to support the thymic B cell population through a pathway that requires cell-autonomous expression of CD40, and that reciprocally functions in negative selection of autoreactive T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiharu Fujihara
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Joy A Williams
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Masashi Watanabe
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Hyein Jeon
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Susan O Sharrow
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Richard J Hodes
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Although 'self-nonself' and 'danger' theories have improved our understanding of the immune system, successful immunotherapy of cancer and many autoimmune diseases still remain far from reach. This indicates that our knowledge of how the immune system decides to respond effectively or ineffectively is limited. Emerging evidence suggest that decision-making during the immune response is not solely determined by 'nonself' entity of the antigen or damage-associated 'danger' signals. This article provides an overview of the 'self-nonself' and 'danger' models, and suggests that 'adaptation' signals are needed to guarantee immunological tolerance that has been observed during the immune response toward 'self', 'nonself' or even 'danger'. This should be facilitated by dynamic expression of adapting receptors (ARs) and adapting ligands on cells of the immune system and other somatic cells. Any alterations in the expression of ARs on certain tissues would result in tissue-specific autoimmune diseases or spontaneous regression of cancer. Identification of such ARs and their nominal adapting ligands could lead to the discovery of currently unknown receptors and their implications in the treatment of cancer, solid organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masoud H Manjili
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Box 980035, 401 College Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Klein L, Kyewski B, Allen PM, Hogquist KA. Positive and negative selection of the T cell repertoire: what thymocytes see (and don't see). Nat Rev Immunol 2014; 14:377-91. [PMID: 24830344 PMCID: PMC4757912 DOI: 10.1038/nri3667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 882] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The fate of developing T cells is specified by the interaction of their antigen receptors with self-peptide-MHC complexes that are displayed by thymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Various subsets of thymic APCs are strategically positioned in particular thymic microenvironments and they coordinate the selection of a functional and self-tolerant T cell repertoire. In this Review, we discuss the different strategies that these APCs use to sample and process self antigens and to thereby generate partly unique, 'idiosyncratic' peptide-MHC ligandomes. We discuss how the particular composition of the peptide-MHC ligandomes that are presented by specific APC subsets not only shapes the T cell repertoire in the thymus but may also indelibly imprint the behaviour of mature T cells in the periphery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul M Allen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Walters SN, Webster KE, Daley S, Grey ST. A Role for Intrathymic B Cells in the Generation of Natural Regulatory T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:170-6. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
17
|
Exploring the MHC-peptide matrix of central tolerance in the human thymus. Nat Commun 2013; 4:2039. [PMID: 23783831 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ever since it was discovered that central tolerance to self is imposed on developing T cells in the thymus through their interaction with self-peptide major histocompatibility complexes on thymic antigen-presenting cells, immunologists have speculated about the nature of these peptides, particularly in humans. Here, to shed light on the so-far unknown human thymic peptide repertoire, we analyse peptides eluted from isolated thymic dendritic cells, dendritic cell-depleted antigen-presenting cells and whole thymus. Bioinformatic analysis of the 842 identified natural major histocompatibility complex I and II ligands reveals significant cross-talk between major histocompatibility complex-class I and II pathways and differences in source protein representation between individuals as well as different antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, several autoimmune- and tumour-related peptides, from enolase and vimentin for example, are presented in the healthy thymus. 302 peptides are directly derived from negatively selecting dendritic cells, thus providing the first global view of the peptide matrix in the human thymus that imposes self-tolerance in vivo.
Collapse
|
18
|
Lei F, Song J, Haque R, Xiong X, Fang D, Wu Y, Lens SMA, Croft M, Song J. Transgenic expression of survivin compensates for OX40-deficiency in driving Th2 development and allergic inflammation. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:1914-24. [PMID: 23616302 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201243081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis family molecule, has been proposed as a crucial intermediate in the signaling pathways leading to T-cell development, proliferation, and expansion. However, the importance of survivin to T-cell-driven inflammatory responses has not been demonstrated. Here, we show that survivin transgenic mice exhibit an increased antigen-driven Th2 lung inflammation and that constitutive expression of survivin reversed the defective lung inflammation even in the absence of OX40 costimulation. We found that OX40-deficient mice were compromised in generating Th2 cells, airway eosinophilia, and IgE responses. In contrast, OX40-deficient/survivin transgenic mice generated normal Th2 responses and exhibited strong lung inflammation. These results suggest that OX40 costimulation crucially engages survivin during antigen-mediated Th2 responses. These findings also promote the notion that OX40 costimulation regulates allergic responses or lung inflammation by targeting survivin thereby enhancing T-cell proliferation and resulting in more differentiated Th2 cells in the allergic inflammatory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengyang Lei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Friedrich RI, Nopora K, Brocker T. Transcriptional targeting of B cells with viral vectors. Eur J Cell Biol 2012; 91:86-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Revised: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
|
20
|
Self-antigen presentation by mouse B cells results in regulatory T-cell induction rather than anergy or clonal deletion. Blood 2011; 118:984-91. [PMID: 21652680 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-02-336115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple mechanisms operate to ensure T-cell tolerance toward self-antigens. Three main processes have been described: clonal deletion, anergy, and deviation to CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) that suppress autoreactive T cells that have escaped the first 2 mechanisms. Although it is accepted that dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells contribute in maintaining T-cell tolerance to self-antigens, their relative contribution and the processes involved under physiologic conditions remain only partially characterized. In this study, we used different transgenic mouse models to obtain chimeras where a neo self-antigen is expressed by thymic epithelium and/or by DCs or B cells. We found that expression of cognate ligand in the thymus enhances antigen-specific FoxP3(+) cells independently of whether the self-antigen is expressed on thymic epithelium or only on DCs, but not on B cells. On the contrary, self-antigen expression by B cells was very efficient in inducing FoxP3(+) cells in the periphery, whereas self-antigen expression by DC led mainly to deletion and anergy of antigen-specific FoxP3(-) cells. The results presented in this study underline the role of B cells in Treg induction and may have important implications in clinical protocols aimed at the peripheral expansion of Tregs in patients.
Collapse
|
21
|
Akirav EM, Xu Y, Ruddle NH. Resident B cells regulate thymic expression of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. J Neuroimmunol 2011; 235:33-9. [PMID: 21550671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Thymic B cells represent a numerically minor cell population located primarily at the cortico-medullary junction. Their biological role is unclear. B cell-deficient μMT mice exhibited reduced medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) numbers and reduced MOG and insulin mRNA expression. Lymphotoxin produced by B cells was critical for normal tissue restricted antigen (TRA) expression, suggesting that B cells regulate self-antigens through their production of LT. These results reveal an unexpected role of B cells in mTEC maintenance and expression of TRAs through their production of LT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eitan M Akirav
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
B cells participate in thymic negative selection of murine auto-reactive CD4+ T cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15372. [PMID: 20976010 PMCID: PMC2958132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well documented that thymic epithelial cells participate in the process of negative selection in the thymus. In recent years it was reported that also dendritic cells enter the thymus and contribute to this process, thus allowing for the depletion of thymocytes that are specific to peripherally expressed self-antigens. Here we report that also B cells may take part in the elimination of auto-reactive thymocytes. Using a unique mouse model we show that B cells induce negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes in a process that leads to the deletion of these cells whereas regulatory T cells are spared. These findings have direct implication in autoimmunity, as expression of a myelin antigen by B cells in the thymus renders the mice resistant to autoimmune inflammation of the CNS.
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Recent years have seen a major advance in our understanding of the organization of the dendritic cell (DC) compartment. Particularly rewarding in this respect have been studies investigating DC origins, based on the identification of transcription factor and growth factor requirements, as well as direct demonstrations of precursor/progeny relationships by adoptive cell transfers. However, to fully understand the organization of the DC compartment, functional definitions of DC subsets must be provided and potential task divisions revealed that distinguish DC from other immune cells, including the closely related mononuclear phagocytes, such as macrophages. In fact, functional definitions might eventually replace the current distinction between DC and macrophages, which is in part based on arbitrary historic considerations, i.e. mononuclear phagocytes identified before the advent of DC in the mid 1970s generally termed macrophages. In this article, we review recent insight in the functions of classical DC in the mouse, focusing on our own work involving conditional and constitutive cell ablation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liat Bar-On
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ohnmacht C, Pullner A, King SBS, Drexler I, Meier S, Brocker T, Voehringer D. Constitutive ablation of dendritic cells breaks self-tolerance of CD4 T cells and results in spontaneous fatal autoimmunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 206:549-59. [PMID: 19237601 PMCID: PMC2699126 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20082394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 439] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Lack of immunological tolerance against self-antigens results in autoimmune disorders. During onset of autoimmunity, dendritic cells (DCs) are thought to be critical for priming of self-reactive T cells that have escaped tolerance induction. However, because DCs can also induce T cell tolerance, it remains unclear whether DCs are required under steady-state conditions to prevent autoimmunity. To address this question, we crossed CD11c-Cre mice with mice that express diphtheria toxin A (DTA) under the control of a loxP-flanked neomycin resistance (neoR) cassette from the ROSA26 locus. Cre-mediated removal of the neoR cassette leads to DTA expression and constitutive loss of conventional DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, and Langerhans cells. These DC-depleted (ΔDC) mice showed increased frequencies of CD4 single-positive thymocytes and infiltration of CD4 T cells into peripheral tissues. They developed spontaneous autoimmunity characterized by reduced body weight, splenomegaly, autoantibody formation, neutrophilia, high numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells, and inflammatory bowel disease. Pathology could be induced by reconstitution of wild-type (WT) mice with bone marrow (BM) from ΔDC mice, whereas mixed BM chimeras that received BM from ΔDC and WT mice remained healthy. This demonstrates that DCs play an essential role to protect against fatal autoimmunity under steady-state conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caspar Ohnmacht
- Institute for Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Werner-Klein M, Dresch C, Marconi P, Brocker T. Transcriptional targeting of B cells for induction of peripheral CD8 T cell tolerance. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 178:7738-46. [PMID: 17548611 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.12.7738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Several mechanisms are in place to neutralize autoimmune CD8 T cells by tolerance induction. Developing self-specific CD8 T cells are eliminated in the thymus by Ag-presenting epithelial and dendritic cells (DCs). However, CD8 T cells escaping thymic central tolerance can also be inactivated by tolerance mechanisms in peripheral organs. In contrast to DCs, the role of B cells in generating CD8 T cell tolerance is not well-characterized. To investigate this question in more detail, we transcriptionally targeted Ag to B cells using B cell-specific retroviral vectors in vivo. Although Ag expression could be detected in B cells of thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen, B cells were unable to induce central tolerance of CD8 thymocytes. In contrast, in peripheral organs, we could identify clonal deletion and functional inhibition (anergy) of CD8 T cells as tolerance-inducing mechanisms. Although Ag expressed by B cells was acquired and cross-presented by DCs, B cells were also sufficient to tolerize CD8 T cells directly. These findings suggest exploitation of B cells for Ag-specific immunotherapy of CD8 T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Werner-Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Goethestrasse 31, D-80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Thymus is the site of generation and selection of T-lymphocytes. It also contains phenotypically and functionally distinct dendritic cell (DC) populations, including conventional DC (cDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC). Thymic cDC are heterogeneous and contain two subsets: a major subset derived from the precursors within thymus, and a minor subset presumably of extrathymic origin. Increasing evidence suggest that thymic cDC can cross-present self-antigens to developing thymocytes and play an important role in thymocyte negative selection and central tolerance induction. Thymic pDC can produce type-I interferon upon appropriate activation. However, their role in a steady state thymus is currently unclear.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Wu
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G, Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cascalho M, Platt JL. B cells and B cell products-helping to restore cellular immunity? Transfus Med Hemother 2006; 33:45-49. [PMID: 16755301 PMCID: PMC1473962 DOI: 10.1159/000090196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells that provide vital protection against tumors, viruses and intracellular bacteria are thought to develop independently of B cells. However, recent discoveries suggest that development of T cells depends on B cells. One way B cells promote T cell development is by providing diverse peptides that may promote positive selection of thymocytes. Diverse peptides and B cells help in diversification of the T cell receptor repertoire and may decrease cross-reactivity in the mature T cell compartment. These new insights may provide the basis for the design of novel therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Cascalho
- Transplantation Biology Program and the Departments Surgery, Immunology and Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kleindienst P, Brocker T. Concerted antigen presentation by dendritic cells and B cells is necessary for optimal CD4 T-cell immunity in vivo. Immunology 2005; 115:556-64. [PMID: 16011524 PMCID: PMC1782172 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2005.02196.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative contributions of different types of antigen presenting cells to T-cell activation, expansion and induction of effector functions are still not fully understood. In order to evaluate the roles of dendritic versus B cells during these phases of a CD4 T-cell response in vivo, we adoptively transferred major histocompatibility complex class II restricted, T-cell receptor-transgenic CD4+ T cells into transgenic mice expressing selectively the T-cell restricting class II molecules on either dendritic cells, B cells or both. Upon immunization with peptide antigen, we observed that dendritic cells were sufficient to induce activation, expansion, interleukin-2 production and germinal centre migration of antigen-specific T cells, independently of other antigen-presenting cells. In contrast, neither resting nor activated B cells had similar antigen-presenting capacities in vivo. However, in double transgenic mice where both B cells and dendritic cells were capable of presenting antigen, T cells showed increased proliferation, expansion and cytokine production in vivo. Moreover, higher antigen-specific CD4 T-cell numbers accumulated in germinal centres. Our data demonstrate that dendritic cells are sufficient to activate naive CD4 T cells in vivo, but B cells subsequently can enhance CD4 T-cell expansion further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kleindienst
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig- Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
McAleer J, Weber P, Sun J, Butler JE. Antibody repertoire development in fetal and neonatal piglets. XI. The thymic B-cell repertoire develops independently from that in blood and mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunology 2005; 114:171-83. [PMID: 15667562 PMCID: PMC1782081 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.02101.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2004] [Revised: 10/15/2004] [Accepted: 10/15/2004] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin and function of thymic B cells is currently unresolved. In the present study we compared V(H) gene repertoire diversification in >3500 cloned VDJs (from 11 animals at three time-points, using three to five animals per time-point) that were expressed with immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgD, IgG, IgA and IgE in thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and peripheral blood B cells (PBB) of newborn piglets and 5-week-old isolator piglets maintained germfree (GF) or colonized with Escherichia coli. The results showed that the repertoire expressed with IgM, IgD, IgG and IgA in PBB and MLN remained polyclonal, undiversified and unselected in piglets maintained GF for 5 weeks, that age and colonization resulted in significant repertoire diversification of IgG and IgA in the MLN and of IgG in blood, that the thymic B-cell repertoire was polyclonal, unaffected by colonization and showed no clonal selection in any isotype, and that the thymic IgA and IgE repertoires were more diverse at birth than the repertoire of any isotype in MLN or PBB. IgD was seldom recovered from the PBB of newborn piglets or at any time-point in thymus, but was recovered in the MLN of all 11 animals examined. The IgD and IgM repertoires in all tissues remained polyclonal and unselected, although V(H) usage by IgD transcripts did not always parallel that of IgM in the same tissue. Therefore, isotype-switched B cells in the thymic medulla cannot be accounted for by immigration of B cells diversified by colonization of the gut, and thymic B cells undergo switch recombination and repertoire diversification before birth without clonal selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy McAleer
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1109, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Moreau T, Bardin F, Imbert J, Chabannon C, Tonnelle C. Restriction of transgene expression to the B-lymphoid progeny of human lentivirally transduced CD34+ cells. Mol Ther 2005; 10:45-56. [PMID: 15233941 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2004] [Accepted: 04/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of gene transfer strategies will necessitate improved efficiency and control of transduction and transgene expression. We here provide evidence that targeting expression of the GFP reporter gene to the B-lymphoid progeny of genetically modified human hematopoietic progenitor cells can be achieved through the insertion of regulatory sequences from the human CD19 gene promoter into a lentiviral vector. Based on a bioinformatics approach, three human CD19-derived sequences were designed and inserted into a self-inactivated lentiviral vector backbone upstream of the GFP gene: S.CD19 (230 bp), M.CD19 (464 bp), and L.CD19 (1274 bp). These new lentiviral vectors efficiently transduced cord blood CD34(+) cells. The M.CD19 and especially L.CD19 sequences preferentially targeted GFP expression to in vitro and in vivo differentiated CD19(+) progeny; moreover, transgene expression was detected from the CD34(+) pro/pre-B cell to the mature peripheral IgM(+) B cell stage. In contrast, GFP expression was weak or absent in primary T-lymphoid and uncommitted progenitor cells or in erythroid, natural killer, or myeloid differentiated cells. Such B-lineage-specific lentiviral vectors may be useful for correcting inherited disorders that affect B-lymphoid cells or for deciphering the transcriptional program that controls B cell commitment and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Moreau
- Centre de Thérapie Cellulaire et Génique, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Centre Régional de Lutte contre le Cancer Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cannarile MA, Decanis N, van Meerwijk JPM, Brocker T. The Role of Dendritic Cells in Selection of Classical and Nonclassical CD8+T Cells In Vivo. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 173:4799-805. [PMID: 15470019 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.8.4799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
|
32
|
Werner M, Kraunus J, Baum C, Brocker T. B-cell-specific transgene expression using a self-inactivating retroviral vector with human CD19 promoter and viral post-transcriptional regulatory element. Gene Ther 2004; 11:992-1000. [PMID: 15029232 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Retroviral gene transfer resulting in transgene expression selectively restricted to specific cell lineages would be desirable for many gene therapeutic applications. Such transcriptional targeting of retroviruses can be accomplished by employing eukaryotic control elements in self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors, but use of these vectors is complicated by an accompanying reduction in viral titers. To overcome this restriction and address the influence of the post-transcriptional regulatory element of the Woodchuck hepatitis virus (WPRE) on viral titers and transgene expression, we developed SIN-vectors with and without WPRE. Using the enhancer-promoter of the Spleen Focus Forming virus (SFFV) to direct eGFP expression to multiple hematopoietic lineages, we show that WPRE significantly (>10 x) increased viral titers (>10(6) per ml of unconcentrated supernatant) and transgene expression in NIH3T3 cells in vitro. Gene expression in vivo was significantly lowered in lymphoid cells, but not in myeloid cells when WPRE was present. Furthermore, the use of WPRE in combination with the B-cell lineage-specific CD19 promoter significantly increased viral titers and allowed targeting of transgene expression by SIN-vectors specifically to B cells throughout their development in primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Werner
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
João C, Ogle BM, Gay-Rabinstein C, Platt JL, Cascalho M. B cell-dependent TCR diversification. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 172:4709-16. [PMID: 15067046 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.8.4709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
T cell diversity was once thought to depend on the interaction of T cell precursors with thymic epithelial cells. Recent evidence suggests, however, that diversity might arise through the interaction of developing T cells with other cells, the identity of which is not known. In this study we show that T cell diversity is driven by B cells and Ig. The TCR V beta diversity of thymocytes in mice that lack B cells and Ig is reduced to 6 x 10(2) from wild-type values of 1.1 x 10(8); in mice with oligoclonal B cells, the TCR V beta diversity of thymocytes is 0.01% that in wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer of diverse B cells or administration of polyclonal Ig increases thymocyte diversity in mice that lack B cells 8- and 7-fold, respectively, whereas adoptive transfer of monoclonal B cells or monoclonal Ig does not. These findings reveal a heretofore unrecognized and vital function of B cells and Ig for generation of T cell diversity and suggest a potential approach to immune reconstitution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina João
- Transplantation Biology Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kleindienst P, Brocker T. Endogenous dendritic cells are required for amplification of T cell responses induced by dendritic cell vaccines in vivo. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 170:2817-23. [PMID: 12626531 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.6.2817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) loaded in vitro with Ag are used as cellular vaccines to induce Ag-specific immunity. These cells are thought to be responsible for direct stimulation of Ag-specific T cells, which may subsequently mediate immunity. In this study, in transgenic mouse models with targeted MHC class II expression specifically on DCs, we show that the DC vaccine is responsible only for partial CD4(+) T cell activation, but to obtain optimal expansion of T cells in vivo, participation of endogenous (resident) DCs, but not endogenous B cells, is crucial. Transfer of Ag to endogenous DCs seems not to be mediated by simple peptide diffusion, but rather by DC-DC interaction in lymph nodes as demonstrated by histological analysis. In contrast, injection of apoptotic or necrotic DC vaccines does not induce T cell responses, but rather represents an immunological null event, which argues that viability of DC vaccines can be crucial for initial triggering of T cells. We propose that viable DCs from the DC vaccine must migrate to the draining lymph nodes and initiate a T cell response, which thereafter requires endogenous DCs that present transferred Ag in order induce optimal T cell expansion. These results are of specific importance with regard to the applicability of DC vaccinations in tumor patients, where the function of endogenous DCs is suppressed by either tumors or chemotherapy.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer/methods
- Animals
- Antigen Presentation/genetics
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Apoptosis/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Communication/genetics
- Cell Communication/immunology
- Cell Division/genetics
- Cell Division/immunology
- Cell Survival/genetics
- Cell Survival/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Dendritic Cells/cytology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/pathology
- Dendritic Cells/transplantation
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/administration & dosage
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/biosynthesis
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/administration & dosage
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/biosynthesis
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/genetics
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/immunology
- Humans
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Lymph Nodes/immunology
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Necrosis
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kleindienst
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Golby S, Hackett M, Boursier L, Dunn‐Walters D, Thiagamoorthy S, Spencer J. B cell development and proliferation of mature B cells in human fetal intestine. J Leukoc Biol 2002. [DOI: 10.1189/jlb.72.2.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Golby
- Department of Histopathology, GKT Medical School, St. Thomas’ Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maggie Hackett
- Department of Histopathology, GKT Medical School, St. Thomas’ Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Boursier
- Department of Histopathology, GKT Medical School, St. Thomas’ Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Dunn‐Walters
- Department of Histopathology, GKT Medical School, St. Thomas’ Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jo Spencer
- Department of Histopathology, GKT Medical School, St. Thomas’ Campus, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Izcue A, Morales G, Minguet S, Sánchez-Movilla A, Morales P, Martínez-M JA, Gaspar ML, Marcos MA. Both B and gammadelta TCR(+) lymphocytes regulate alphabeta TCR(+) lymphocytes involved in superantigen specific responses. Eur J Immunol 2001; 31:2811-7. [PMID: 11536180 DOI: 10.1002/1521-4141(200109)31:9<2811::aid-immu2811>3.0.co;2-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous superantigens (SAg) presented by MHC class II IA molecules induce slow-evolving negative selection of alpha beta T cells. The role of both B and gamma delta T cells on the regulation of these SAg-specific alpha beta T cell responses was addressed in IA(b+)IE(b-) C57BL/6 mice bearing genetically induced B cell and gamma delta T cell deficiencies. B lymphocytes were required in the negative selection of Vbeta5(+)/Vbeta12(+) CD4(+) T cells. In contrast, gamma delta T cells positively stimulated the utilization of the same SAg-responsive alpha beta T cell subsets. These differences started in mature CD4(+) thymocytes and extended to naive T cell pools for B cell negative selection, and up to memory T cells for gamma deltaT cell influences. The levels of SAg-responsive T cells did not vary between C57BL/6 and double deficient (B cell and gamma delta T cell-deficient) congenic mice, implying that both B and gamma delta T cells acted through independent mechanisms.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Immunoglobulin M/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region
- Immunologic Memory
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/analysis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/analysis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Superantigens/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Izcue
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jiménez E, Vicente A, Sacedón R, Muñoz JJ, Weinmaster G, Zapata AG, Varas A. Distinct mechanisms contribute to generate and change the CD4:CD8 cell ratio during thymus development: a role for the Notch ligand, Jagged1. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2001; 166:5898-908. [PMID: 11342604 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.10.5898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In adult life, the high CD4:CD8 cell ratio observed in peripheral lymphoid organs originates in the thymus. Our results show that the low peripheral CD4:CD8 cell ratio seen during fetal life also has an intrathymic origin. This distinct production of CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) thymocytes is regulated by the developmental age of the thymic stroma. The differential expression of Notch receptors and their ligands, especially Jagged1, throughout thymus development plays a key role in the generation of the different CD4:CD8 cell ratios. We also show that the intrathymic CD4:CD8 cell ratio sharply changes from fetal to adult values around birth. Differences in the proliferation and emigration rates of the mature thymocyte subsets contribute to this change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Jiménez
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculties of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kurts C, Cannarile M, Klebba I, Brocker T. Dendritic cells are sufficient to cross-present self-antigens to CD8 T cells in vivo. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2001; 166:1439-42. [PMID: 11160180 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.3.1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of cross-presentation enables professional APCs to induce CD8 T cell-mediated immune responses against exogenous Ags. Through this mechanism, APCs can induce either immunity against infectious pathogens or tolerance against self-Ag residing in extralymphatic locations. An unanswered question in this field concerns the identity of the cross-presenting APC. All major classes of professional APCs, particularly dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, have previously been shown to be able to cross-present Ags in vitro. In the present study, we have created transgenic mice where MHC class I expression is driven selectively in dendritic cells and provide direct in vivo evidence that dendritic cells are sufficient to cross-present exogenous self-Ags and induce Ag-specific cell division of CD8-positive T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Kurts
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|