B7家族成员反向信号调控的研究进展

共刺激分子免疫球蛋白家族—B7家族成员与CD28家族成员之间相互作用向T细胞传递共刺激信号,在T细胞充分活化和功能发挥中发挥了重要的功能。近几年研究表明,部分B7家族成员向T细胞传递免疫信号的同时,也向表达B7分子的抗原提呈细胞传递反向信号,增强或抑制了抗原提呈细胞的功能,并进一步在维持T细胞免疫和T细胞耐受中发挥重要的功能。     

B7家族成员反向信号调控的研究进展

共刺激分子免疫球蛋白家族-B7家族成员与CD28家族成员之间相互作用向T细胞传递共刺激信号,在T细胞充分活化和功能发挥中发挥了重要的功能.近几年研究表明,部分B7家族成员向T细胞传递免疫信号的同时,也向表达B7分子的抗原提呈细胞传递反向信号,增强或抑制了抗原提呈细胞的功能,并进一步在维持T细胞免疫和T细胞耐受中发挥重要的功能.     

树突细胞的特征及其生物学功能的研究进展

树突细胞(DC)是已知功能最强大的专职抗原呈递细胞(APC),能高效摄取、加工并呈递抗原给T细胞,同时上调表达主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)Ⅰ、Ⅱ类分子,协同刺激分子和黏附分子,为T细胞激活提供协同刺激信号,从而启动适应性免疫应答.近年来对DC表面标记的研究揭示了更为细致的DC亚群分类,也推动了不同亚群DC生物学功能的研究进展.DC启动免疫应答具有双重作用,一方面能促进适应性免疫应答的激活,清除病原体;另一方面又能诱导调节性T细胞的产生,导致免疫耐受.DC在启动保护性免疫反应的同时,还可能因捕获、传递入侵的病毒而促进某些病毒感染.DC因其复杂的生物学功能而成为研究免疫应答的热点.本文主要对上述内容的研究进展作一简要综述.     

影响CD4+CD25+T细胞分化发育的细胞分子机制

免疫耐受的精髓即机体对外界病原体抗原产生免疫应答的同时对自身抗原不应答.近两年对CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(CD4 CD25 regulatory T cell, Treg)所发挥的免疫耐受功能的研究取得了令人瞩目的长足进展,对此群细胞所具有的维持外周免疫耐受的独特地位已无可争议.但调节性T细胞的多种生物学特征特别是Treg细胞分化发育的分子机制与信号需求并不清楚,因此探索有关Treg的发生发育及其影响机制已成为近两年研究Treg细胞的热点.综述最近的相关研究数据,了解胸腺以及外周影响Treg细胞分化发育和功能产生的多种细胞分子机制,有助于进一步研究此群细胞的功能及其在抑制自身免疫性疾病、诱导移植耐受等方面的应用.     

PD-1相关免疫调节应用的研究进展

程序性细胞死亡因子1(programmed cell death 1,PD-1)是一种共刺激分子,属于CD28家族,呈诱导性表达于活化的T细胞、B细胞和NK细胞表面,与其配体作用传递抑制性信号,发挥负向调控作用,这一信号通路在自身免疫性疾病、肿瘤发生、慢性病毒感染中具有重要的生物学意义。通过研究PD-1及其配体与临床疾病的相关性,阐明其作用机理后,利用信号调节可以达到维持自身耐受、抑制肿瘤、抗病毒和提高机体免疫应答等免疫治疗的目的。本文对PD-1及其配体的生物学功能,免疫治疗等方面的进展进行回顾。     

记忆性T细胞的形成、维持和功能

免疫记忆是指机体在对某一抗原产生特异性识别及应答的同时,记住该抗原,当再次遭遇同一抗原时,能发生快速和强烈的免疫应答。树突状细胞吞噬病原微生物后,通过主要组织相容性复合体分子提呈抗原短肽段,与T细胞相互作用。在T细胞抗原受体信号和共刺激信号的协同作用下,抗原特异性T细胞增殖,收缩,小部分细胞作为记忆细胞长期存活。免疫记忆T细胞在表型特征和功能上都存在多样性。深入研究机体记忆性T细胞的特征,不仅能指导新型疫苗的设计,而且可望帮助治疗疾病。     

抑制性受体TIGIT在慢性病毒感染中的作用机制研究进展

T细胞免疫球蛋白和免疫受体酪氨酸抑制性基序结构域[T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif(ITIM) domain,TIGIT]是新型T细胞或NK细胞抑制性受体,可通过与肿瘤细胞、被感染细胞表面的多种配体相结合,激活免疫细胞内部负性刺激信号,从而抑制细胞过度活化和促炎性细胞因子的过度分泌,在肿瘤、病毒感染以及多种自身免疫病的免疫发病机制中发挥重要的调节功能。阐明TIGIT在免疫应答中的机制将有助于揭示多种疾病免疫应答中的T细胞功能低下,为多种疾病的治疗提供新的思路和靶点。我们就TIGIT在慢性病毒感染中的作用机制的最新研究进展做简要综述。     

CD28与免疫应答的研究进展

目前大量已证明ＣＤ２８家族分子与Ｂ７家族一产生的共到刺激信号在免疫应答的Ｔ细胞激活中作用，对相关分子的研究已成为免疫学的一个热门课题，本文不ＣＤ２８家族分子的结构、配体、领事声望地以及对免疫应答的调控等作一综述。     

The gp49B1 inhibitory receptor regulates the IFN-gamma responses of T cells and NK cells

The magnitude and diversity of Ag-specific T cell effector activity have been proposed to be controlled by an integration of positive signals transduced by the TCR and negative signals originating from inhibitory cell surface molecules. Although the lectin family of NK cell-associated inhibitory receptors has been reported to regulate the function of murine CTLs, gp49B1, the Ig superfamily member is not known to be expressed on T cells. Moreover, the consequences of the lack of an endogenously expressed NK cell-associated inhibitory receptor on T cell functions are not known. We report that gp49B1 is expressed by nearly all activated CD8 and CD4 T cells in addition to NK cells during an immune response to viral, bacterial, or tumor challenge. Kinetics of gp49B1 expression parallel functional capability and subside in the memory phase. Following vaccinia viral infection, IFN-gamma production by both subsets of T cells and NK cells is enhanced in gp49B1-deficient mice compared with gp49B1(+/+) mice. The stimulation threshold for IFN-gamma production is also lower in gp49B1-deficient T cells. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the cytotoxic responses. We conclude that gp49B1 is a unique inhibitory receptor that is induced in multiple lineages of innate and adaptive immune cells during an infection and controls their IFN-gamma, but not cytotoxic responses.     

The B7 family of immune-regulatory ligands

The B7 family consists of structurally related, cell-surface protein ligands, which bind to receptors on lymphocytes that regulate immune responses. Activation of T and B lymphocytes is initiated by engagement of cell-surface, antigen-specific T-cell receptors or B-cell receptors, but additional signals delivered simultaneously by B7 ligands determine the ultimate immune response. These 'costimulatory' or 'coinhibitory' signals are delivered by B7 ligands through the CD28 family of receptors on lymphocytes. Interaction of B7-family members with costimulatory receptors augments immune responses, and interaction with coinhibitory receptors attenuates immune responses. There are currently seven known members of the family: B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86), inducible costimulator ligand (ICOS-L), programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1), programmed death-2 ligand (PD-L2), B7-H3, and B7-H4. Members of the family have been characterized predominantly in humans and mice, but some members are also found in birds. They share 20-40% amino-acid identity and are structurally related, with the extracellular domain containing tandem domains related to variable and constant immunoglobulin domains. B7 ligands are expressed in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. The importance of the family in regulating immune responses is shown by the development of immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases in mice with mutations in B7-family genes. Manipulation of the signals delivered by B7 ligands has shown potential in the treatment of autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases and cancer.     

Costimulation of antitumor immunity by the B7 counterreceptor for the T lymphocyte molecules CD28 and CTLA-4.

Interaction of the B7 molecule on antigen-presenting cells with its receptors CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells provides costimulatory signals for T cell activation. We have studied the effects of B7 on antitumor immunity to a murine melanoma that expresses a rejection antigen associated with the E7 gene product of human papillomavirus 16. While this E7+ tumor grows progressively in immunocompetent hosts, cotransfection of its cells with B7 led to tumor regression by a B7-dependent immune response mediated by CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes. The immune response induced by E7+B7+ tumor cells also caused regression of E7+B7- tumors at distant sites and was curative for established E7+B7- micrometastases. Our findings suggest that increasing T cell costimulation through the CD28 and CTLA-4 receptors may have therapeutic usefulness for generating immunity against tumors expressing viral antigens.     

CTLA-4 lacking the cytoplasmic domain costimulates IL-2 production in T-cell hybridomas

Optimal T-cell activation depends on the antigen-specific signal mediated by the TCR and engagement of costimulatory receptors such as CD28. CTLA-4, a homologous counterpart of CD28, is considered to be a crucial inhibitory receptor. To test its function separately from CD28 in an antigen-driven and ligand-specific model, we stably transfected the T-cell hybridomas A1.1 and DO11.10, which lack significant endogenous CD28 or CTLA-4 expression, with wild-type CTLA-4 (CTLA-4 WT) and a construct lacking the cytoplasmic tail (tailless [TL]). Functional studies were carried out by co-incubation with APC expressing the B7 ligands for CTLA-4 and appropriate MHC molecules loaded with their cognate antigens. IL-2 production on costimulation of CTLA-4WT and TCR did not differ significantly from untransfected controls. However, coligation of TCR and CTLA-4TL resulted in a vigorous IL-2 response specific for the interaction of CTLA-4 with B7. Thus, lack of the cytoplasmic tail converted CTLA-4 into a costimulatory receptor. This indicates that the CTLA-4 inhibitory function may not be attributable to sequestration of the common B7 ligands when competing with CD28. Rather, ligation of B7 by the CTLA-4 extracellular domain can enhance TCR activation, whereas in the full-length receptor, inhibitory signals mediated by the cytoplasmic domain may override this activation.     

Human rhinoviruses inhibit the accessory function of dendritic cells by inducing sialoadhesin and B7-H1 expression

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional APCs with an unmatched ability to interact with and activate T cells. There is accumulating evidence that DC not only efficiently stimulate T cell activation but also regulate T cell responses. However, little is known about cell surface structures on DC involved in the regulation of T cell responses. We demonstrate that human rhinoviruses (HRV) can efficiently inhibit the accessory function of DC through induction of inhibitory cell surface receptors. We observed that treatment of DC with HRV14 (R-DC), a member of the major group HRV family, diminished their T cell stimulatory capacity and induced a promiscuous and deep anergic state in cocultured T cells despite high levels of MHC molecules as well as costimulatory molecules, e.g., B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86), and independent of inhibitory soluble factors such as IL-10. In contrast, expression of inhibitory B7-H1 molecules was up-regulated and R-DC de novo expressed sialoadhesin (Sn). Most importantly, blocking of B7-H1 and Sn on R-DC with specific mAbs against both receptors reverted the inhibitory phenotype. Thus, inhibitory signals delivered from R-DC to T cells via B7-H1 and Sn were critical for the induction of anergy. These observations suggest that an altered accessory molecule repertoire on DC upon interaction with HRV down-modulates adaptive immune responses during the viral infection.     

Functional requirements for signaling through the stimulatory and inhibitory mouse NKR-P1 (CD161) NK cell receptors

The NK cell receptor protein 1 (NKR-P1) (CD161) molecules represent a family of type II transmembrane C-type lectin-like receptors expressed predominantly by NK cells. Despite sharing a common NK1.1 epitope, the mouse NKR-P1B and NKR-P1C receptors possess opposing functions in NK cell signaling. Engagement of NKR-P1C stimulates cytotoxicity of target cells, Ca2+ flux, phosphatidylinositol turnover, kinase activity, and cytokine production. In contrast, NKR-P1B engagement inhibits NK cell cytotoxicity. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how different signaling outcomes are mediated at the molecular level. Here, we demonstrate that both NKR-P1B and NKR-P1C associate with the tyrosine kinase, p56(lck). The interaction is mediated through the di-cysteine CxCP motif in the cytoplasmic domains of NKR-P1B/C. Disrupting this motif leads to abrogation of both stimulatory and inhibitory NKR-P1 signals. In addition, mutation of the consensus ITIM (LxYxxL) in NKR-P1B abolishes both its Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 recruitment and inhibitory function. Strikingly, engagement of NKR-P1C on NK cells obtained from Lck-deficient mice failed to induce NK cytotoxicity. These results reveal a role for Lck in the initiation of NKR-P1 signals, and demonstrate a requirement for the ITIM in NKR-P1-mediated inhibition.     

Secretin receptor oligomers form intracellularly during maturation through receptor core domains

Oligomerization of numerous G protein-coupled receptors has been documented, including the prototypic family B secretin receptor. The clinical significance of oligomerization of this receptor became clear with the recent observation that a misspliced form present in pancreatic cancer could associate with the wild-type receptor and act as a dominant negative inhibitor of its normal growth inhibitory function. Our goal was to explore the molecular mechanism of this interaction using bioluminescence (BRET) and fluorescence (FRET) resonance energy transfer and fluorescence microscopy with a variety of receptor constructs tagged with luciferase or cyan or yellow fluorescent proteins. BRET signals comparable to those obtained from cells coexpressing differentially tagged wild-type receptors were observed for similarly tagged secretin receptors in which all or part of the amino-terminal domain was deleted. As expected, neither of these constructs bound secretin, and only the partially truncated construct sorted to the plasma membrane. Receptors lacking the majority of the carboxyl-terminal domain, including that important for phosphorylation-mediated desensitization, also produced BRET signals above background. These findings suggested that the receptor's membrane-spanning core is responsible for secretin receptor oligomerization. Interestingly, alanine substitutions for a -GxxxG- helix interaction motif in transmembrane segment 7 created nonfunctional receptors that were capable of forming oligomers. Furthermore, treatment of receptor-expressing cells with brefeldin A did not eliminate the BRET signals, and morphologic FRET experiments confirmed the expected subcellular localizations of receptor oligomers. We conclude that secretin receptor oligomerization occurs through -GxxxG- motif-independent interactions of transmembrane segments during the maturation of nascent molecules.     

Crystal structure of the Ly49I natural killer cell receptor reveals variability in dimerization mode within the Ly49 family

Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the detection and destruction of virally infected and tumor cells during innate immune responses. The cytolytic activity of NK cells is regulated through a balance of inhibitory and stimulatory signals delivered by NK receptors that recognize classical major histocompatabilty complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, or MHC-I homologs such as MICA, on target cells. The Ly49 family of NK receptors (Ly49A through W), which includes both inhibitory and activating receptors, are homodimeric type II transmembrane glycoproteins, with each subunit composed of a C-type lectin-like domain tethered to the membrane by a stalk region. We have determined the crystal structure, at 3.0 A resolution, of the murine inhibitory NK receptor Ly49I. The Ly49I monomer adopts a fold similar to that of other C-type lectin-like NK receptors, including Ly49A, NKG2D and CD69. However, the Ly49I monomers associate in a manner distinct from that of these other NK receptors, forming a more open dimer. As a result, the putative MHC-binding surfaces of the Ly49I dimer are spatially more distant than the corresponding surfaces of Ly49A or NKG2D. These structural differences probably reflect the fundamentally different ways in which Ly49 and NKG2D receptors recognize their respective ligands: whereas the single MICA binding site of NKG2D is formed by the precise juxtaposition of two monomers, each Ly49 monomer contains an independent binding site for MHC-I. Hence, the structural constraints on dimerization geometry may be relatively relaxed within the Ly49 family. Such variability may enable certain Ly49 receptors, like Ly49I, to bind MHC-I molecules bivalently, thereby stabilizing receptor-ligand interactions and enhancing signal transmission to the NK cell.