Regulation of CD8+ T cell development by thymus-specific proteasomes

Proteasomes are responsible for generating peptides presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules of the immune system. Here, we report the identification of a previously unrecognized catalytic subunit called beta5t. beta5t is expressed exclusively in cortical thymic epithelial cells, which are responsible for the positive selection of developing thymocytes. Although the chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasomes is considered to be important for the production of peptides with high affinities for MHC class I clefts, incorporation of beta5t into proteasomes in place of beta5 or beta5i selectively reduces this activity. We also found that beta5t-deficient mice displayed defective development of CD8(+) T cells in the thymus. Our results suggest a key role for beta5t in generating the MHC class I-restricted CD8(+) T cell repertoire during thymic selection.     

Regulation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell homeostasis by perforin and interferon-gamma

T cell memory depends on factors that regulate expansion and death of these cells after antigenic stimulation. Mice deficient in perforin and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) exhibited increased expansion, altered immunodominance, and decreased death of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after infection with an attenuated strain of Listeria monocytogenes, which was cleared from these mice. Expansion of CD8+ T cells was controlled by perforin, whereas IFN-gamma regulated immunodominance and the death phase. Thus, perforin and IFN-gamma regulate distinct elements of CD8+ T cell homeostasis independently of their role as antimicrobial effector molecules.     

Split anergy in a CD8+ T cell: receptor-dependent cytolysis in the absence of interleukin-2 production

Engagement of the antigen-specific receptor (TCR) of CD4+ T lymphocytes without a second (costimulatory) signal prevents the subsequent production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by these cells. Because IL-2 is a key immunoregulatory lymphokine and is also produced by a subset of CD8+ T cells that are able to kill target cells, the effect of engaging the TCR of one such clone in the absence of costimulatory signals was examined. The capacity for TCR-dependent IL-2 production was lost, indicating comparable costimulator-dependent signaling requirements for IL-2 production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, TCR-mediated cytotoxicity was not impaired, implying that costimulation is required for only certain TCR-dependent effector functions.     

Regulation of expression of the interleukin-2 receptor on hematopoietic cells by interleukin-3

Remarkable similarities in the intracellular and genetic events occur when lymphoid and hematopoietic cells are exposed to their specific growth factors. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, whose cell-surface expression is an absolute requirement for the growth and differentiation of lymphoid cells, was detected on various nonlymphoid hematopoietic cell types in this study. Cell lines consisting either of granulocyte-macrophage precursors or mast cells, which are dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for their growth, expressed high levels of the IL-2 receptor on their surface. Analysis of the binding characteristics of these receptors with 125I-labeled recombinant IL-2 revealed that only receptors with low affinity for IL-2 were present on these cells. Addition of purified recombinant IL-3 to these cell lines led to an increase in IL-2 receptor gene expression within 1 hour in isolated nuclei. This IL-3--induced increase in the number of IL-2 receptors on the cell surface is maximal within 24 hours. Addition of 10,000 units of IL-2 to these cells had no apparent effect on their growth or differentiation. The presence of the receptor with only low affinity for IL-2 on hematopoietic cells and the regulation by IL-3 suggest that this receptor is involved in some important metabolic event in hematopoiesis.     

Downregulation of L3T4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes by interleukin-2

Proliferation of activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize foreign histocompatibility antigens is induced by interleukin-2, a potent immunoregulatory molecule originally described as T cell growth factor. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is widely used to isolate and induce clonal expansion of CTLs for functional studies in vitro and in vivo. However, in studies with CTLs specific for class I and class II histocompatibility antigens, IL-2 rapidly downregulated the lytic activity of some class II-specific CTLs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Lytic activity of L3T4+ CTLs specific for the murine class II antigen I-Ek was repeatedly up- and downregulated in vitro by alternate exposure to specific (alloantigen) and nonspecific (recombinant IL-2) signals, respectively. These results demonstrate that some CTLs modulate their functional property (cytolysis) while undergoing IL-2-driven cell proliferation without loss of antigen specificity or ability to revert to a lytic phenotype.     

Regulation of B cell tolerance by the lupus susceptibility gene Ly108

The susceptibility locus for the autoimmune disease lupus on murine chromosome 1, Sle1z/Sle1bz, and the orthologous human locus are associated with production of autoantibody to chromatin. We report that the presence of Sle1z/Sle1bz impairs B cell anergy, receptor revision, and deletion. Members of the SLAM costimulatory molecule family constitute prime candidates for Sle1bz, among which the Ly108.1 isoform of the Ly108 gene was most highly expressed in immature B cells from lupus-prone B6.Sle1z mice. The normal Ly108.2 allele, but not the lupus-associated Ly108.1 allele, was found to sensitize immature B cells to deletion and RAG reexpression. As a potential regulator of tolerance checkpoints, Ly108 may censor self-reactive B cells, hence safeguarding against autoimmunity.     

SLE患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞及Foxp3基因表达的研究

目的:研究系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞及Foxp3基因的表达水平,了解它们在SLE发病机制中的作用。方法:分别收集25例SLE患者(SLE组)及健康人(对照组)外周抗凝静脉血,分离纯化T淋巴细胞。PE标记抗CD 4单抗,F ITC标记的抗CD 25单抗,作双色流式细胞术,分析SLE患者外周血CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞百分率,RT-PCR检测T细胞Foxp3 mRNA表达。结果:SLE组外周血CD 4 T、CD 4 CD 25 T细胞百分率及T细胞Foxp3 mRNA水平均低于对照组(P<0.01),并且CD 4 CD 25 T细胞百分率与Foxp3mRNA水平呈依赖关系(P<0.01)。结论:SLE患者外周血存在细胞免疫功能失调,CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞数量减少和Foxp3mRNA表达下调可能与SLE的免疫学发病机制有关。     

A role for CD40 expression on CD8+ T cells in the generation of CD8+ T cell memory

The delivery of CD4 help to CD8+ T cell responses requires interactions between CD40 and CD40 ligand and is thought to occur through antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation. Here we show that generation of memory CD8+ T cells displaying an enhanced capacity for cell division and cytokine secretion required CD4 help but not CD40 expression by the APCs. Activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressed CD40; and in the absence of this protein, CD8+ T cells were unable to differentiate into memory cells or receive CD4 help. These results suggest that, like B cells, CD8+ T cells receive CD4 help directly through CD40 and that this interaction is fundamental for CD8+ T cell memory generation.     

Inhibition of T cell receptor expression and function in immature CD4+CD8+ cells by CD4

Most immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes express only a small number of T cell receptor (TCR) molecules on their surface, and the TCR molecules they do express are only marginally capable of transducing intracellular signals. TCR expression and function was not intrinsically low in immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, but was found to be actively inhibited by CD4-mediated signals. Indeed, release of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes from CD4-mediated signals resulted in significant increases in both TCR expression and signaling function. These results suggest that, in CD4+CD8+ cells developing in the thymus, increased TCR expression and function requires release from CD4-mediated inhibition.     

布地奈德对成年过敏性鼻炎患者调节性T细胞功能的影响

目的 观察布地奈德对成年过敏性鼻炎(AR)患者CD8+CD28-调节性T细胞(Treg)功能的影响.方法 AR患者70例,随机分为观察组及对照组,每组35例,均以孟鲁斯特作为基础治疗,观察组给予布地奈德鼻喷雾剂128 μg/(鼻孔·天),对照组不给予布地奈德喷鼻.另选择32例健康志愿者作为健康对照组.检测健康对照组及AR患者治疗前及治疗12周后的外周血Treg及其胞内细胞因子白介素10(IL-10)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的含量,以及IgE、IgG4和嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)含量.结果 (1)与健康对照组比较,AR患者CD8+CD28-Treg、IL-10、TGF-β1及IgG4均显著降低(P＜0.01),而IgE及EOS均显著升高(P＜0.01).(2)治疗后观察组CD8+CD28-Treg、IL-10、TGF-β1及IgG4均高于治疗前及对照组(P＜0.01),IgE及EOS均低于治疗前及对照组(P＜0.01或0.05).(3)CD8+CD28-Treg、IL-10及TGF-β1三者当中任意一者,均与IgE及EOS当中任一者呈负相关(P＜0.01或o.05),但前三者与IgG4均呈正相关(P＜0.05或0.01).结论 CD8+CD28-Treg及其细胞因子下降是AR的重要表现,布地奈德可提高该细胞及IgG4含量,降低ⅠgE及EOS含量.     

Differential clustering of CD4 and CD3zeta during T cell recognition

Whereas T helper cells recognize peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II complexes through their T cell receptors (TCRs), CD4 binds to an antigen-independent region of the MHC. Using green fluorescent protein-tagged chimeras and three-dimensional video microscopy, we show that CD4 and TCR-associated CD3zeta cluster in the interface coincident with increases in intracellular calcium. Signaling-, costimulation-, and cytoskeleton-dependent processes then stabilize CD3zeta in a single cluster at the center of the interface, while CD4 moves to the periphery. Thus, the CD4 coreceptor may serve primarily to "boost" recognition of ligand by the TCR and may not be required once activation has been initiated.     

CD8alphaalpha-mediated survival and differentiation of CD8 memory T cell precursors

Memory T cells are long-lived antigen-experienced T cells that are generally accepted to be direct descendants of proliferating primary effector cells. However, the factors that permit selective survival of these T cells are not well established. We show that homodimeric alpha chains of the CD8 molecule (CD8alphaalpha) are transiently induced on a selected subset of CD8alphabeta+ T cells upon antigenic stimulation. These CD8alphaalpha molecules promote the survival and differentiation of activated lymphocytes into memory CD8 T cells. Thus, memory precursors can be identified among primary effector cells and are selected for survival and differentiation by CD8alphaalpha.     

Regulation of polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity by purified Gq.

The hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by phospholipase C yields the second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and 1,2-diacylglycerol. This activity is regulated by a variety of hormones through G protein pathways. However, the specific G protein or proteins involved has not been identified. The alpha subunit of a newly discovered pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein (Gq) has recently been isolated and is now shown to stimulate the activity of polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from bovine brain. Both the maximal activity and the affinity of PI-PLC for calcium ion were affected. These results identify Gq as a G protein that regulates PI-PLC.