CD28以外的T细胞协同刺激分子及其功能

CD28是协同TCR诱导T细胞产生高水平IL－2,促进T细胞生存及防止T细胞凋亡的主要协同刺激分子,但并非所有的T细胞均表达CD28,提示T细胞活化尚有其它协同刺激途径的存在。最近研究表明,其它一些协同刺激分子,如4－1BB、OX40、ICOS、LFA－1等在不同的T细胞亚群和T细胞活化的不同阶段,呈现不同的表达和介导不同的生物学功能。     

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.     

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。     

CD28协同刺激信号传导的研究进展

T细胞表面分子CD28介导的协同刺激信号在T细胞的激活、增殖、抗凋亡及促进多种细胞因子的分泌中起重要作用。有关其活化信号在T细胞内的传导巳成为免疫研究的热点,近年的研究表明,CD28在T细胞内可通过多种信号传导分子,如P13K、GRB2、A-SMase、PKC-θ等传导活化信号,亦可通过ITK、MKP等传导活化抑制信号,从而调控T细胞的活化,增殖等作用。     

人外周血活化淋巴细胞survivin基因的转录激活和表达相关的信号转导通路研究

Survivin是与细胞增殖和细胞凋亡调控密切相关的重要功能蛋白质,也是肿瘤临床诊断的分子标志物及治疗研究的理想靶标.由于发现人外周血活化淋巴细胞存在Survivin蛋白的显著表达,故以植物血凝素(PHA)和IL-2共刺激培养的正常人外周血单个核细胞为实验材料,采用RT-PCR、蛋白质印迹以及细胞周期分析等实验方法,观察淋巴细胞活化与Survivin蛋白表达之间的相互关系,并利用3种激酶抑制剂探索了淋巴细胞活化所致Survivin蛋白表达相关的信号转导通路.实验结果表明：人外周血单个核细胞在刺激培养36 h前后出现survivin基因的明显转录激活和蛋白质的起始表达,表达产物的水平随培养时间的延长而增加,且具有明显的细胞周期和周期时相依赖性.JAK2的抑制剂AG490阻断细胞周期的运行,且强烈抑制survivin基因的转录激活和蛋白质表达,PI3K和MEK的抑制剂Wortmannin和PD98059也有一定程度的抑制作用.所得实验结论是：survivin基因的转录激活和蛋白质表达与淋巴细胞活化相关联,代表细胞处在增殖状态.JAK2介导的JAK-STAT信号通路是淋巴细胞活化,Survivin蛋白表达必需和最重要的信号转导通路,PI3K和MEK介导的信号通路也具有一定的影响作用.     

重组人ICOS蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达及其对B细胞活性的作用

ICOS (induciblecostimulator)是一种表达在活化T细胞上的新型共刺激分子 ,它的配体GL5 0组成性表达在B细胞及巨噬细胞上。ICOS可以促使Th2细胞的分化 ,能促进IL 4、IL 10的分泌。从扁桃体中克隆到ICOS基因 ,构建了PET ICOS重组载体 ,并在大肠杆菌中得到高效表达 ,经SDS电泳及Western印迹法鉴定 ,所获得的蛋白质为特异性目的蛋白质。继而利用ICOS联合IL 10以及PWM驱动的B细胞体外培养系统 ,分析了ICOS在B细胞生长及抗体产生中的作用。结果表明 ,ICOS在PWM体外培养体系中 ,能有效地促进B细胞生长以及协同IL 10增加IgG的分泌。     

活化／抑制CD59对T淋巴细胞增殖的影响

目的：研究活化／抑制cD59分子对T细胞增殖的影响。方法：Jurkat细胞分别电转入pSUPER-siCD59质粒及用CD59活化抗体刺激。激光共聚焦显微镜下观察细胞的电转情况及cD59分子在细胞膜上的分布及表达;MTT比色法检测细胞的增殖。Westernblot检测CD59分子表达及T细胞活化相关蛋白ZAP70磷酸化水平。结果：激光共聚焦显微镜下可见电转染细胞表达绿色荧光,转染效率约为40％。转染pSUPER-siCD59质粒后CD59荧光强度强度降低,CD59分子均匀分布于细胞膜与正常Jurkat细胞分布一致。抗体活化后CD59在细胞膜成簇状分布。抗体活后细胞增殖速率和磷酸化ZAP70的蛋白表达水平均高于正常组（P〈0．05）,而细胞电转质粒后则恰恰相反。结论：CD59通过与信号转导分子的相互作用促进T细胞活化增殖。     

活化/抑制CD59 对T 淋巴细胞增殖的影响

目的：研究活化/抑制CD59 分子对T 细胞增殖的影响。方法：Jurkat细胞分别电转入pSUPER-siCD59 质粒及用CD59 活化 抗体刺激。激光共聚焦显微镜下观察细胞的电转情况及CD59 分子在细胞膜上的分布及表达;MTT 比色法检测细胞的增殖。 Western blot检测CD59 分子表达及T细胞活化相关蛋白ZAP70磷酸化水平。结果：激光共聚焦显微镜下可见电转染细胞表达绿 色荧光,转染效率约为40%。转染pSUPER-siCD59 质粒后CD59荧光强度强度降低,CD59 分子均匀分布于细胞膜与正常Jurkat 细胞分布一致。抗体活化后CD59 在细胞膜成簇状分布。抗体活后细胞增殖速率和磷酸化ZAP70 的蛋白表达水平均高于正常组 （P<0.05）,而细胞电转质粒后则恰恰相反。结论：CD59 通过与信号转导分子的相互作用促进T 细胞活化增殖。     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1通过Survivin介导细胞增殖和抑制细胞凋亡

利用间接免疫荧光、基因转染、抗体剔除 (Ab knock out)、细胞平板集落形成、流式细胞术以及半胱氨酸天冬酰胺酶 (caspase3)活性检测等方法 ,从survivin核移位、Rb磷酸化、细胞周期演进、细胞克隆形成和细胞凋亡等方面 ,探讨EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白 1(LMP1)调控细胞增殖和细胞凋亡双重效应的分子机制 .结果发现 ,LMP1表达介导survivin核移位 ,促进细胞Rb磷酸化增加 ,S期细胞数显著增加 ;LMP1通过survivin促进细胞克隆形成 .用Ab knock out阻断survivin核移位和survivin反义核酸抑制survivin表达时 ,Rb磷酸化水平降低 ,S期细胞减少 ,抑制LMP1介导的细胞增殖 ,活化细胞caspase 3,诱导细胞凋亡 .结果提示 ,EB病毒LMP1通过survivin促进细胞增殖和抑制细胞凋亡     

EB病毒BLLF-1基因转染小鼠T细胞淋巴瘤的研究

目的:研究EBV膜蛋白gp350/220的表达对共刺激分子ICOS的影响以及与T细胞淋巴瘤的关系。方法:繁殖饲养BLLF-1转基因昆明鼠以及正常昆明鼠,观察它们淋巴瘤发病率的差异。取发病的BLLF-1转基因昆明鼠脾脏淋巴细胞,用FITC标记的抗gp350/220单克隆抗体进行免疫荧光染色,检测gp350/220是否在该转基因昆明鼠淋巴细胞内表达及其表达部位。对发病转基因昆明鼠组织进行免疫组化染色,并与正常昆明鼠的进行对比分析。用RT-PCR方法检测转基因小鼠共刺激分子ICOS的表达变化。结果:BLLF-1转基因昆明鼠淋巴组织病理性改变与正常昆明鼠有显著差异,免疫荧光检测到该转基因小鼠淋巴细胞表达gp350/220于胞浆和胞膜上,病理学观察发现,发病小鼠淋巴结组织有反应性增生,脾脏淋巴瘤细胞浸润,免疫组化证明为T细胞淋巴瘤,转基因小鼠脾脏、肺脏及肿瘤中ICOS表达显著升高。结论:BLLF-1基因的表达,与该转基因小鼠发生T细胞淋巴瘤有关,并引起共刺激分子ICOS表达的变化,该转基因小鼠的建立,为我们进一步研究BLLF-1基因在T细胞淋巴瘤发病中的作用提供了良好的动物模型。     

CD226 expression deficiency causes high sensitivity to apoptosis in NK T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Humans and mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related autoimmune diseases have reduced numbers of NK T cells. An association between NK T cell deficiency and autoimmune disease has been identified. However, the mechanisms for reduction of NK T cell number in patients with SLE are unknown. In the present study we report that NK T cells from active SLE patients are highly sensitive to anti-CD95-induced apoptosis compared with those from normal subjects and inactive SLE patients. CD226 expression is deficient on NK T cells from active SLE patients. The expression of one antiapoptotic member protein, survivin, is found to be selectively deficient in freshly isolated NK T cells from active SLE patients. CD226 preactivation significantly up-regulates survivin expression and activation, which can rescue active SLE NK T cells from anti-CD95-induced apoptosis. In transfected COS7 cells, we confirm that anti-CD95-mediated death signals are inhibited by activation of the CD226 pathway through stabilization of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and through activation of survivin. We therefore conclude that deficient expression of CD226 and survivin in NK T cells from active SLE is a molecular base of high sensitivity of the cells to anti-CD95-induced apoptosis. These observations offer a potential explanation for high apoptotic sensitivity of NK T cells from active SLE, and provide a new insight into the mechanism of reduction of NK T cell number in SLE and understanding the association between NK T cell deficiency and autoimmune diseases.     

Optimization of in vitro expansion of macaque CD4 T cells using anti-CD3 and co-stimulation for autotransfusion therapy

BACKGROUND: Our laboratory has previously shown that adoptive transfer of in vitro-expanded autologous purified polyclonal CD4(+) T cells using anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads induced antiviral responses capable of controlling SIV replication in vivo. METHODS: As CD4(+) T cells comprise several phenotypic and functional lineages, studies were carried out to optimize the in vitro culture conditions for maximal CD4(+) T-cell expansion, survival and delineate the phenotype of these expanded CD4(+) T cells to be linked to maximal clinical benefit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that whereas anti-monkey CD3gamma/epsilon was able to induce T-cell proliferation and expansion in combination with antibodies against multiple co-stimulatory molecules, monkey CD3epsilon cross reacting antibodies failed to induce proliferation of macaque CD4(+) T cells. Among co-stimulatory signals, anti-CD28 stimulation was consistently superior to anti-4-1BB, CD27 or ICOS while the use of anti-CD154 failed to deliver a detectable proliferation signal. Increasing the relative anti-CD28 co-stimulatory signal relative to anti-CD3 provided a modest enhancement of expansion. Additional strategies for optimization included attempts to neutralize free radicals, enhancement of glucose uptake by T cells or addition of T-cell stimulatory cytokines. However, none of these strategies provided any detectable proliferative advantage. Addition of 10 autologous irradiated feeder cells/expanding T cell provided some enhancement of expansion; however, given the high numbers of T cell needed, this approach was deemed impractical and costly, and lower ratios of feeder to expanding T cells failed to provide such benefit. The most critical parameter for efficient expansion of purified CD4(+) T cells from multiple monkeys was the optimization of space and culture conditions at culture inception. Finally, anti-CD3/28-expanded CD4(+) T cells uniformly exhibited a central memory phenotype, absence of CCR5 expression, marked CXCR4 expression in vitro, low levels of caspase 3 but also of Bcl-2 expression.     

The survivin molecule as a double-edged sword in cellular physiologic and pathologic conditions and its role as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer

Survivin is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitory proteins with increased expression level in most cancerous tissues. Evidence shows that survivin plays regulatory roles in proliferation or survival of normal adult cells, principally vascular endothelial cells, T lymphocytes, primitive hematopoietic cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Survivin antiapoptotic role is, directly and indirectly, related to caspase proteins and shows its role in cell division through the chromosomal passenger complex. Survivin contains many genetic polymorphisms that the role of some variations has been proven in several cancers. The −31G/C polymorphism is one of the most important survivin mutations which is located in the promoter region on a CDE/CHR motif. This polymorphism can upregulate the survivin messenger RNA. In addition, its allele C can increase the risk of cancers in 1.27-fold than allele G. Considering the fundamental role of survivin in different cancers, this protein could be considered as a new therapeutic target in cancer treatment. For this purpose, various strategies have been designed including the prevention of survivin expression through inhibition of mRNA translation using antagonistic molecules, inhibition of survivin gene function through small inhibitory molecules, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. In this study, we describe the structure, played roles in physiological and pathological states and genetic polymorphisms of survivin. Finally, the role of survivin as a potential target in cancer therapy given challenges ahead has been discussed.     

Targeting lung cancer stem‐like cells with TRAIL gene armed oncolytic adenovirus

Lung cancer stem cell (LCSC) is critical in cancer initiation, progression, drug resistance and relapse. Disadvantages showed in conventional lung cancer therapy probably because of its existence. In this study, lung cancer cell line A549 cells propagated as spheroid bodies (named as A549 sphere cells) in growth factors‐defined serum‐free medium. A549 sphere cells displayed CSC properties, including chemo‐resistance, increased proportion of G0/G1 cells, slower proliferation rate, ability of differentiation and enhanced tumour formation ability in vivo. Oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 carrying EGFP gene, ZD55‐EGFP, infected A549 sphere cells and inhibited cell growth. Tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) armed oncolytic adenovirus, ZD55‐TRAIL, exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity and induced A549 sphere cells apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, small molecules embelin, LY294002 and resveratrol improved the cytotoxicity of ZD55‐TRAIL. In the A549 sphere cells xenograft models, ZD55‐TRAIL significantly inhibited tumour growth and improved survival status of mice. These results suggested that gene armed oncolytic adenovirus is a potential approach for lung cancer therapy through targeting LCSCs.     

Activation of NF-kappaB1 by OX40 contributes to antigen-driven T cell expansion and survival

The costimulatory molecule OX40 (CD134) is required in many instances for effective T cell-mediated immunity, controlling proliferation, and survival of T cells after encountering specific Ag. We previously found that the functional targets of OX40 are survivin and aurora B that regulate proliferation and Bcl-2 antiapoptotic family members that regulate survival. However, the intracellular pathways from OX40 that mediate these effects are unclear. In this study, we show that OX40 signaling can target the canonical NF-kappaB (NF-kappaB1) pathway in peripheral Ag-responding CD4 T cells. Phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB1/p50 and RelA, and NF-kappaB1 activity, are impaired in OX40-deficient T cells. Retroviral transduction of active IkappaB kinase that constitutively activates NF-kappaB1 rescues the poor expansion and survival of OX40-deficient T cells, directly correlating with increased expression and activity of survivin, aurora B, and Bcl-2 family members. Moreover, active IkappaB kinase expression alone is sufficient to restore the defective expansion and survival of OX40-deficient T cells in vivo when responding to Ag. Thus, OX40 signals regulate T cell number and viability through the NF-kappaB1 pathway that controls expression and activity of intracellular targets for proliferation and survival.     

PI3-kinase and MAP-kinase signaling cascades in AILIM/ICOS- and CD28-costimulated T-cells have distinct functions between cell proliferation and IL-10 production

Both AILIM/ICOS and CD28 provide positive costimulatory signals for T-cell activation, resulting in proliferation and cytokine production. In this study, we attempted to clarify the key signaling molecules in T-cell proliferation, and also IL-2 and IL-10 production, during T-cell activation by CD3 induced by costimulation with either AILIM/ICOS or CD28. We examined the role of both the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and MAP kinase family members such as ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase in this process. PI3-kinase and Erk1/2 were shown to potentially regulate primary T-cell activation and subsequent proliferation via both AILIM/ICOS- or CD28-mediated costimulation and the Erk signaling cascade was essential for this proliferation induction and also for IL-2 production. The JAK inhibitor, AG490, inhibited this induction. Our studies indicate that IL-2 is necessary for induction of T-cell proliferation and that the quantities of IL-2 produced by AILIM/ICOS ligation are also sufficient for T-cells to proliferate. In contrast, inhibition of Akt and p38, that are phosphorylated by both AILIM/ICOS and CD28-ligation, could downregulate IL-10 production but not T-cell proliferation. These data raise the interesting possibility that the signaling cascades between T-cell proliferation and IL-10 production are regulated by different molecules in AILIM/ICOS- and CD28-costimulated T-cells.