匹多莫德联合布地奈德雾化吸入对支气管哮喘患儿IL-4，IFN-γ，免疫球蛋白及T细胞亚群的影响

目的:探讨匹多莫德联合布地奈德雾化吸入对支气管哮喘患儿白细胞介素(IL)-4、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、免疫球蛋白及T细胞亚群的影响。方法:选取2015年6月至2016年6月我院收治的支气管哮喘患儿92例作为研究对象,随机分为观察组和对照组,对照组吸入布地奈德混悬液治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联用匹多莫德口服液,检测并比较两组患儿治疗前后血清IL-4、IFN-γ、IgA、IgG、IgM以及CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)、CD~(8+)、CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)的变化。结果:治疗前,观察组与对照组的IL-4、IFN-γ、IgA、IgG、Ig M及CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)、CD~(8+)、CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)均无统计学差异(P0.05);与治疗前相比,观察组治疗后IL-4水平显著降低,IFN-γ、IgA、IgG、IgM水平、CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)、CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)水平均显著升高,差异均有统计学(P0.05);而对照组治疗后的IFN-γ、IgA、IgG、IgM、CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)、CD~(8+)、CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)水平与治疗前比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),仅IL-4水平显著降低(P0.05)。治疗后,观察组的IL-4、IFN-γ、IgA、IgG、IgM、CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)、CD~(8+)、CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)水平均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:与单独使用布地奈德相比,匹多莫德联合布地奈德可更加显著提高支气管哮喘患儿的调节免疫功能。     

匹多莫德对抗生素相关性腹泻患儿的免疫功能及炎症反应的影响

目的:研究匹多莫德辅助治疗抗生素相关性腹泻(ADD)患儿的临床疗效及对患儿免疫功能和炎症反应的影响。方法:研究对象选取我院2015年10月到2016年12月间收治的ADD患儿96例,采用随机数字法将其分为对照组和观察组,每组各48例。两组患儿均接受常规对症治疗,观察组患儿在此基础上口服匹多莫德治疗。比较两组患儿的治疗总有效率和复发率、治疗前后的免疫功能指标和血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平的变化。结果:观察组的治疗总有效率(93.75%)明显高于对照组(72.92%)(P=0.00),复发率明显低于对照组(P=0.00)。治疗后,观察组的血清IgA、IgG、IgM水平、CD~(3+)、CD~(4+)及CD~(4+)/CD~(8+)比值均明显高于对照组(P0.01),CD~(8+)、血清TNF-α和IL-6水平均明显低于对照组(P0.01)。结论:匹多莫德能够有效改善ADD患儿的免疫功能,抑制机体炎症反应,且治疗安全性高。     

布地奈德雾化吸入对毛细支气管炎患儿血清IL-4、IFN-γ、TNF-α及T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

目的:研究布地奈德雾化吸入治疗小儿毛细支气管炎的临床疗效及对血清白介素-4(IL-4)和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及T淋巴细胞亚群的影响。方法:研究对象选取我院2014年1月到2017年1月收治的毛细支气管炎患儿70例,采用随机数字法将其分为对照组和观察组,每组35例。对照组患者给予吸氧、控制喘憋和抗病原体等常规治疗,观察组患者在对照组的基础上雾化吸入布地奈德联合特布他林及异丙托溴铵治疗。比较两组患者的治疗总有效率,各症状和体征缓解时间和住院时间,治疗前后的血清IL-4、IFN-γ、TNF-α和T淋巴细胞亚群CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、及CD4~+/CD8~+水平的变化。结果:治疗后,观察组的治疗总有效率(97.14%)明显高于对照组(71.43%)(P=0.00);观察组气促缓解时间、哮鸣音消失时间、湿啰音消失时间、咳嗽消失时间、心率正常时间、住院时间明显短于对照组(P0.01);观察组患者的CD3~+、CD4~+、及CD4~+/CD8~+细胞比值、血清IFN-γ水平均明显低于高于对照组,CD8~+、血清IL-4、TNF-α水平明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:布地奈德雾化吸入治疗毛细支气管炎的临床疗效显著,可有效抑制炎症,增强机体免疫功能,且治疗安全性较高。     

肾综合征出血热患者NK细胞及其表面标志物的动态观察

通过动态观察肾综合征出血热患者不同临床阶段NK细胞及CD8+T细胞表面活化性/抑制性受体等分子的变化,探讨患者抗汉坦病毒感染的免疫机制,为本病的抗感染免疫治疗提供科学依据。收集肾综合征出血热患者血液样本57份,以健康人血做对照,用流式细胞仪检测各组样本NK细胞数及NK细胞亚群、NK细胞活化及抑制受体、CD8+T细胞数及其表面NK受体的表达水平。分析患者的发热期、少尿期、多尿期和恢复期上述观察指标的动态变化。结果显示,肾综合征出血热患者的NK细胞水平明显高于正常对照组(P0.001)。患者的发热期、少尿期、多尿期和恢复期4个不同临床过程中NK细胞水平都处于升高状态,其中少尿期高于其他各期(P0.01)。患者NK细胞抑制受体NKG2A表达总水平有下降趋势,在少尿期下降的比较明显(P0.01),NK细胞活化受体NKG2D表达呈上升的趋势,不同病程中表达总体水平基本一致。患者的NK细胞亚群CD56~-CD16~+和CD56~(bri)CD16~(-/+)数量显著高于正常对照组(P0.01),而CD56~(dim)CD16~+细胞NK亚群变化无统计学差异(P0.05)。患者CD8~+T细胞总数及病程各期均显著高于对照组(P0.01);病例组和对照组CD8~+T细胞表达NK活化受体NKG2D和抑制受体NKG2A无显著差异(P0.05)。结果表明,肾综合征出血热患者的急性期NK细胞处于活化状态;其中CD56~(bri)CD16~(-/+)NK细胞亚群及CD56-CD16~+NK细胞在免疫调节方面发挥了重要的作用。     

YKL-40、CD4+/CD8+比值与腺病毒肺炎患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清壳多糖酶3样蛋白1（YKL-40）、外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与腺病毒肺炎（AP）患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系。方法：选取2019年10月～2022年10月湖北省妇幼保健院收治的97例AP患儿为AP组,根据是否并发喘息分别为喘息组和无喘息组,另选取同期50例体检健康儿童为对照组。收集AP患儿的临床资料,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清YKL-40和炎性因子[白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNFα）]水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺、CD8⁺比例并计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。采用Spearman相关性分析AP患儿血清YKL-40、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与炎性因子水平的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析AP患儿并发喘息的影响因素。结果：与对照组比较,AP组血清YKL-40、外周血CD8⁺比例升高,CD4⁺比例、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低（P＜0.05）。AP组血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。Spearman相关性分析显示,AP患儿血清YKL-40与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈正相关,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。97例AP患儿住院期间喘息发生率为50.52%（49/97）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,呼吸衰竭、小气道病变、特应性体质和血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α、YKL-40升高为AP患儿并发喘息的独立危险因素,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：AP患儿血清YKL-40水平升高和外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低,与炎性因子水平升高和并发喘息密切相关。     

乌司他丁治疗支气管哮喘的临床疗效及血清IL-2, IL-4及T细胞亚群的变化分析

目的:探讨乌司他丁治疗支气管哮喘的临床研究及血清白介素(IL)-2、IL-4、T细胞亚群的变化。方法:选择2014年1月至2016年10月我院接诊的98例支气管哮喘患者,通过随机数表法分为观察组(n=49)和对照组(n=49)。对照组使用常规治疗,包括抗炎、改善通气、纠正酸碱平衡紊乱、雾化吸入糖皮质激素及β2受体激动剂、补充电解质等,观察组联合乌司他丁治疗,均连续治疗7 d。比较两组临床疗效、临床症状消退时间,并于治疗前后采集3 mL空腹静脉血,使用流式细胞仪检测血清IL-2、IL-4、T细胞亚群的变化。结果:治疗后,观察组临床疗效总有效率明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组呼吸困难、哮鸣音、胸闷、咳嗽症状消退时间明显比对照组短(P0.05);治疗前,两组血清IL-2、IL-4比较差异不明显(P0.05),和治疗前比较,两组治疗后血清IL-2、IL-4均得到显著改善(P0.05),观察组血清IL-2明显高于对照组,血清IL-4明显比对照组低(P0.05);T细胞亚群中,两组治疗前CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比较无显著差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平较治疗前均显著改善(P0.05),观察组CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+均比明显对照组高,CD8~+明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:在支气管哮喘患者中应用乌司他丁效果显著,可有效缓解临床症状,改善血清IL-2、IL-4及T细胞亚群的表达,调节机体免疫功能,临床应用价值高。     

献血感染丙型肝炎病毒人群的T细胞免疫及与肝损伤的相关性研究

丙型肝炎是由感染丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C virus,HCV)引起的,至今仍是世界公共卫生的严重威胁。为研究HCV感染者的T细胞免疫状态及其对疾病进展的影响,我们招募了62位研究对象,包括20位健康对照、42位HCV感染者。我们通过HCV主要的T细胞免疫原非结构蛋白3(NS3蛋白)多肽库体外刺激外周血淋巴细胞,利用流式细胞方法检测CD8~+T细胞和CD4~+T细胞的γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白介素-2(IL-2)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的分泌水平。同时,我们检测了研究对象血清中白介素-6(IL-6)和白介素-10(IL-10)的水平。结果表明,HCV感染者外周血中仍持续存在针对NS3的特异性CD8~+T细胞和CD4~+T细胞。感染者血清中IL-6、IL-10显著高于对照人群。相关性分析显示,HCV感染者外周血中分泌IFN-γ和TNF-α的HCV特异性CD8~+T细胞水平及血清中IL-10水平与血清中的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)呈现正相关。本研究表明,HCV感染者体内针对病毒的特异性细胞免疫持续保持一定的水平,并且可能与病人的肝损伤有关,该研究对于了解HCV感染的细胞免疫特征及研发相应的免疫干预策略具有一定的意义。     

儿童难治性肺炎支原体肺炎的临床特点及血清IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ的变化分析

目的:分析儿童难治性肺炎支原体肺炎(RMPP)的临床特点及血清白介素-4(IL-4)、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)检测对RMPP的预测价值。方法:回顾性分析我院2014年6月～2018年1月收治的453例肺炎支原体肺炎(MMP)患儿临床资料,包含81例RMMP及372例普通MPP(GMPP),分析和比较2组患儿的临床特征、临床表现、胸部影像学、肺外并发症、实验室检查结果,采用多因素Logistic回归分析RMPP发生的危险因素,并以受试者工作绘制特征(ROC)曲线分析各因素检测对RMPP的预测价值。结果:RMPP组年龄、热程、发热、寒战、呼吸音减弱、肺部浊音应该是肺部罗音、胸腔积液、大叶性肺炎、心脏损害、氧疗率、住院时间、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞百分比、前白蛋白、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(Ig G)、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ水平均显著高于GMPP组(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示血清IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ水平为RMPP发生的独立危险因素(P0.05)。血清IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ及四者联合检测的曲线下面积分别为0.681、0.699、0.693、0.767、0.857,联合检测曲线下面积明显高于IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ单独检测。结论:RMPPP患儿的年龄相对较高,且临床表现、胸部影像学、肺外并发症较GMPP患儿严重,更需吸氧治疗,延长住院时间。RMPP患儿血清IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ水平明显上升,且四者联合检测对预测RMMP的发生临床价值较高。     

变形链球菌细胞壁对EAhy926细胞TLR4、IL-6和IL-8表达的影响

【目的】观察变形链球菌细胞壁对EAhy926细胞的增殖活性、TLR4的表达和炎性细胞因子IL-6和IL-8分泌的影响,初步探讨变形链球菌致血管内皮细胞TLR4表达、炎症反应及其两者之间的关系。【方法】变形链球菌细胞壁作用于EAhy926细胞,MTT法检测EAhy926细胞的增殖活性;RT-PCR法检测EAhy926细胞TLR4、IL-6和IL-8 mRNA的表达;流式细胞术检测EAhy926细胞表面TLR4的表达;细胞生物活性方法和ELISA分别检测EAhy926细胞IL-6和IL-8的分泌;抗体阻断实验观察IL-6和IL-8的表达与TLR4的关系。【结果】不同浓度的变形链球菌细胞壁作用6 h可促进EAhy926细胞的增殖(P0.05),但12 h后可明显抑制该细胞的生长(P0.05),呈现显著的时间和剂量依赖性。变形链球菌细胞壁作用于EAhy926细胞后,TLR4 mRNA和蛋白水平的表达量随着作用时间延长而逐渐增高,在16 h达到高峰,24 h后又逐渐下降(P0.01);IL-6和IL-8的表达也呈现明显的时间依赖性增高(P0.05)。经TLR4抗体阻断后,变形链球菌细胞壁刺激EAhy926细胞IL-6和IL-8的产生明显减少(P0.01)。【结论】变形链球菌细胞壁可明显抑制EAhy926细胞的生长,上调该细胞TLR4的表达,促进炎性细胞因子IL-6和IL-8的分泌;IL-6和IL-8的产生与TLR4的表达上调密切相关。     

狼疮性肾炎患者血清NETs、TWEAK、外周血CD4+T/CD8+T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨狼疮性肾炎（LN）患者血清中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网（NETs）、肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡微弱诱导剂（TWEAK）、外周血分化簇（CD）4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系。方法：选取2021年8月～2022年8月川北医学院附属医院肾内科收治的LN患者137例（LN组）,根据系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）-2000评分分为轻度活动组（52例）、中度活动组（45例）、重度活动组（40例）。随访1年,根据肾脏相关终点事件发生情况分为预后不良组（43例）和预后良好组（94例）,另选取同期76名体检健康志愿者（对照组）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清NETs、TWEAK水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例。Spearman相关性分析LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T与SLEDAI-2000评分的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析LN患者预后不良的因素,受试者工作特征曲线分析血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T对LN患者预后不良的预测价值。结果：与对照组比较,LN组血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低（P＜0.05）。轻度活动组、中度活动组、重度活动组血清NETs、TWEAK依次升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T依次降低（P＜0.05）。LN患者SLEDAI-2000评分与血清NETs、TWEAK呈正相关,与外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T呈负相关（P＜0.05）。慢性肾脏病分期4期、SLEDAI-2000评分升高、NETs升高、TWEAK升高为LN患者预后不良的独立危险因素,估算肾小球滤过率升高、CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T联合预测LN患者预后不良的曲线下面积为0.943,大于血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T单独预测的0.790、0.788、0.799（P＜0.05）。结论：LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低,与疾病活动度及肾脏预后不良密切相关,血清NETs、TWEAK联合外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T预测LN患者肾脏预后的价值较高。     

Effects of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice on antibody production

The function of T cell subsets in tumor-bearing mice was examined using an in vitro culture system of anti-(sheep red blood cell) antibody production, which is known to be dependent on T cells. The helper function of T cells of fibrosarcoma-MethA-bearing mice in antibody production decreased with the tumor stage of the mice. T cells were separated into CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells for further analysis of T cell subsets by the panning method using monoclonal antibodies. The helper function of CD4⁺ T cells in antibody production began to decrease significantly in tumor-bearing mice 1 week after the tumor transplantation. On the other hand, the suppressive function of CD8⁺ T cells was retained and had not decreased in the mice even 3 weeks after the transplantation. The same changes in function of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were also observed in Methl-bearing mice. These results suggested that this tumor-associated immunosuppression in antibody production is attributable to the decrease in helper activity of CD4⁺ T cells and the maintenance of the suppressive activity of CD8⁺ T cells.     

Apoptosis of CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD25<Superscript>high</Superscript> T cells in response to Sirolimus requires activation of T cell receptor and is modulated by IL-2

Targeted molecular therapies inhibit proliferation and survival of cancer cells but may also affect immune cells. We have evaluated the effects of Sirolimus and Sorafenib on proliferation and survival of lymphoid cell subsets. Both drugs were cytotoxic to CD4⁺CD25^high T cells, and were growth inhibitory for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Cytotoxicity depended on CD3/CD28 stimulation and was detectable within 12 h, with 80–90% of CD4⁺CD25^high cells killed by 72 h. Cell death was due to apoptosis, based on Annexin V and 7AAD staining. Addition of IL-2 prevented the apoptotic response to Sirolimus, potentially accounting for reports that Sirolimus can enhance proliferation of CD4⁺CD25^high cells. These results predict that Sirolimus or Sorafenib would reduce CD4⁺CD25^high cells if administered prior to antigenic stimulation in an immunotherapy protocol. However, administration of IL-2 protects CD4⁺CD25^high T cells from cytotoxic effects of Sirolimus, a response that may be considered in design of therapeutic protocols.     

Activation via TCR or IL-2 receptor of a CD8+ suppressor T cell clone: Effect on IL-10 production and on proliferation of the suppressor T cell

In a previous study, we established CD8⁺ suppressor T cell (Ts) clone 13G2 which produced the suppressive lymphokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10). In this study, we examined what physiological activator could induce both production of IL-10 from 13G2 and the proliferation of 13G2. Both the antigenic stimulation mimicked by the anti-CD3 antibody and the T cell growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2) induced IL-10 production from the 13G2 clone equally well. 13G2 cells proliferated remarkably with IL-2 stimulation, while anti-CD3 only slightly induced proliferation of the clone. 13G2 cells also produced IL-10 in the presence of hydroxyurea which blocked transit of cells from G₁ to S phase. However, cycloheximide blocked the production of IL-10 from the Ts clone. The study demonstrates that both the anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2 induced IL-10 synthesis of the Ts clone equally well, and the proliferative response of Ts cells was induced more by IL-2 than by anti-CD3. IL-2 proved to be a good stimulator for Ts cells to produce suppressive lymphokine and to multiply their population.Abbreviation Ts suppressor T cell - Th helper T cell - Ag antigen - APC antigen presenting cell - IL interleukin - TCR T cell receptor - mAb monoclonal antibody     

T cell precursor frequency differentially affects CTL responses under different immune conditions

Generation of effective CTL responses is the goal of many vaccination protocols. However, to what extant T cell precursor frequencies will generate a CD8⁺ CTL response has not been elucidated properly. In this study, we employed a model system, in which naive CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells derived from ovalbumin (OVA)-specific TCR transgenic OT II and OT I mice were used for adoptive transfer into wild-type, Ia^b−/− gene knockout and transgenic RIP-mOVA mice, and assessed OVA-pulsed DC (DC_OVA)-stimulated CD8⁺ CTL responses in these mice. We demonstrated that (i) a critical threshold exists above which T cells precursor frequency cannot enhance the CTL responses in wild-type C57BL/6 mice, (ii) increasing CD8⁺ T cell precursors is required to generate CTL responses but with functional memory defect in absence of CD4⁺ T cell help, and (iii) increasing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell precursors overcomes immune suppression to DC_OVA-stimulated CD8⁺ CTL responses in transgenic RIP-mOVA mice with OVA-specific self immune tolerance. Taken together, these findings may have important implications for optimizing immunotherapy against cancer.     

2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者PCT、HMGB1、CD4+/CD8+比值与继发肺部感染的关系

摘要 目的：探讨2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者降钙素原（PCT）、高迁移率族蛋白1（HMGB1）、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与继发肺部感染的关系。方法：选择2019年1月至2022年6月四川大学华西医院呼吸与危重症医学科收治的97例2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者,根据入院治疗时是否继发肺部感染分为肺部感染组（53例）及非肺部感染组（44例）。检测两组血清PCT、HMGB1水平以及外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的因素。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析PCT、HMGB1和CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的价值。结果：肺部感染组血清PCT、HMGB1水平高于非肺部感染组（P＜0.05）,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值低于非肺部感染组（P＜0.05）。糖化血红蛋白及血清PCT、HMGB1水平升高是2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的危险因素（P＜0.05）,高CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值是保护因素（P＜0.05）。PCT、HMGB1、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的曲线下面积为0.719、0.761、0.738,联合PCT、HMGB1和CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测的曲线下面积为0.878,高于各指标单独预测。结论：2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者血清PCT、HMGB1水平增高,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低,均与继发肺部感染有关,PCT、HMGB1联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值可辅助预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的风险。     

Rapid turnover of the CD8(+)CD28(-) T-cell subset of effector cells in the circulation of patients with head and neck cancer

CD8⁺ T cells in the circulation of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) were previously shown to be significantly more sensitive to, and preferentially targeted for, apoptosis than CD4⁺ T cells (Hoffmann et al., Clin Cancer Res, 8:2553–2562, 2002). To distinguish global from CD8⁺ subset-specific apoptosis, we studied Annexin-binding to naïve, memory, and effector subsets of CD8⁺ cells by multicolor flow cytometry. Age-related changes in naïve and effector CD8⁺ cell subsets were observed in patients and normal controls (NC). The frequencies of naïve (CD28⁺CD45RO^-) CD8⁺ T cells were lower and those of memory (CD28⁺CD45RO⁺) and effector (CD28^-) CD8⁺ T cells significantly higher in the circulation of HNC patients relative to age-matched NC. Among CD8⁺ T cells, the CD28^- effector cell subset contained the highest proportion of Annexin-binding cells, while the naïve CD28⁺CD45RO^- subset contained the lowest. This suggested a high turnover rate of the CD8⁺CD28^- effector cell subset in patients with HNC, which was being compensated by a rapid transition of naïve CD8⁺ T cells to the effector cell pool. Following tumor resection, the frequency of CD8⁺CD28^- T cells normalized in the patients, an indication that the presence of tumor had an influence on the size of CD8⁺CD28^- T-cell pool. Ex vivo, in mixed lymphocyte-tumor cultures (MLTC) with semiallogeneic T cells as responders, CD8⁺CD28^- T cells could be generated from CD8⁺CD28⁺ cells by repeated stimulations with tumor cells. These CD8⁺CD28^- effector cells lysed the tumor, produced IFN- in response to the tumor, and strongly expressed granzyme B. Thus, the high rate of their apoptosis in the circulation of patients with HNC might be expected to contribute to tumor progression. However, the ex vivo generation of this cell subset was suppressed by strong CD28/B7 ligation or by overexpresson of MHC molecules on tumor cells, suggesting that adequate costimulation is necessary for protection from apoptosis. It appears that interactions of immune and tumor cells might determine the fate of this terminally differentiated effector cell subset.Supported in part by NIH grants: PO-1 DE 12321 and RO-1 CA 82016 to Theresa L. Whiteside.     

Priming of naive CD8+ T cells in the presence of IL-12 selectively enhances the survival of CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD62L<Superscript>hi</Superscript> cells and results in superior anti-tumor activity in a tolerogenic murine model

During the antigen-dependant activation process several subsets CD8⁺ T cells appear with different phenotypic and functional characteristics. Recent studies indicate that the state of T cell differentiation radically affects their ability to effectively respond to tumor challenge, with early effector CD8⁺ T (CD62L^high) cells having better anti-tumor activity. Thus strategies aimed at optimizing the generation of such subpopulations could significantly enhance the effectiveness of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancer. In this study, we show that priming of naïve CD8⁺ T cells in the presence of IL-12 selectively rescued early CD8⁺ CD62L^hi from activation induced cell death and resulted in the increased accumulation of this subset of CD8⁺ T cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that IL-12 directly modulated the expression of CD62L on activated CD8⁺ T cells. When used for ACT, naïve CD8⁺ T cells primed in vitro in the presence of IL-12 showed superior anti-tumor activity toward B16 melanoma. Importantly, using the Pmel-1 model, priming pmel-1 cells in vitro with IL-12 reduced the state of functional tolerance associated with the non-mutated “self” tumor antigen gp100, as demonstrated by significant tumor responses in the absence of vaccination. Together, our results suggest that in vitro conditioning of naïve CD8⁺ T cells with IL-12 prior to ACT could significantly enhance their anti-tumor activity.     

Antitumor activity of a self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide vaccine bearing B cell,CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript> and CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript> T cell epitopes

Molecularly defined synthetic vaccines capable of inducing both antibodies and cellular anti-tumor immune responses, in a manner compatible with human delivery, are limited. Few molecules achieve this target without utilizing external immuno-adjuvants. In this study, we explored a self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide (GLP) as a platform for cancer vaccines using as a model MO5, an OVA-expressing mouse B16 melanoma. A prototype B and T cell epitope-based GLP molecule was constructed by synthesizing a chimeric peptide made of a CD8⁺ T cell epitope, from ovalbumin (OVA_257–264) and an universal CD4⁺ T helper (Th) epitope (PADRE). The resulting CTL–Th peptide backbones was coupled to a carbohydrate B cell epitope based on a regioselectively addressable functionalized templates (RAFT), made of four α-GalNAc molecules at C-terminal. The N terminus of the resulting glycopeptides (GP) was then linked to a palmitic acid moiety (PAM), obviating the need for potentially toxic external immuno-adjuvants. The final prototype OVA-GLP molecule, delivered in adjuvant-free PBS, in mice induced: (1) robust RAFT-specific IgG/IgM that recognized tumor cell lines; (2) local and systemic OVA_257–264-specific IFN-γ producing CD8⁺ T cells; (3) PADRE-specific CD4⁺ T cells; (4) OVA-GLP vaccination elicited a reduction of tumor size in mice inoculated with syngeneic murine MO5 carcinoma cells and a protection from lethal carcinoma cell challenge; (5) finally, OVA-GLP immunization significantly inhibited the growth of pre-established MO5 tumors. Our results suggest self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide molecules as a platform for B Cell, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T cell epitopes-based immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines. Both I. Bettahi and G. Dasgupta have contributed equally to this work.