The production of regulatory cytokines for thymocyte proliferation by murine thymic epithelium in vitro

Two separate cultures of pure, morphologically distinct thymic epithelial cells have been generated and maintained in culture for one year (A.C. Nieburgs et al., Cell. Immunol. 90, 439-450, 1985). Supernatants from one of these cell lines, TECs, were examined for functional activity on thymocytes in vitro. These supernatants contained three distinct intercellular mediators, each capable of modulating thymocyte responses to T-cell mitogens. Enhancement of thymocyte proliferation to suboptimal doses of mitogen was associated with a factor that eluted in the 97,000-Da region on molecular sieve chromatography and was functionally and physicochemically distinct from interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 (IL-1 and IL-2). Suppression of the thymocyte response to optimal doses of mitogen was mediated by a 1000- to 5000-Da factor. These two intercellular components have different susceptibilities to heat treatments and are trypsin insensitive. In addition, thymic epithelial cells produced significantly high levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which also suppressed thymocyte responses to mitogen, but only at high doses of supernatant. These epithelial cell-derived enhancing and inhibitory effects on thymocytes could play a role in regulating intrathymic events.     

Induction of thymocyte proliferation by supernatants from a mouse thymic epithelial cell line

The thymic stroma plays a critical role in the generation of T lymphocytes by direct cell-to-cell contacts as well as by secreting growth factors or hormones. The thymic epithelial cells, responsible for thymic hormone secretion, include morphologically and antigenically distinct subpopulations that may exert different roles in thymocyte maturation. The recent development of thymic epithelial cell lines provided an interesting model for studying thymic epithelial influences on T cell differentiation. Treating mouse thymocytes by supernatants from one of TEC line (IT-76M1), we observed an induction of thymocyte proliferation and an increase in the percentages of CD4-/CD8- thymocytes. This proliferation was largely inhibited when thymocytes were incubated with IT-76M1 supernatants together with an anti-thymulin monoclonal antibody, but could be enhanced by pretreating growing epithelial cells by triiodothyronine. We suggest that among the target cells for thymulin within the thymus, some putative precursors of early phenotype might be included.     

Migration of putative progenitor T cells in response to thymus-derived chemotactic factors

Progenitor T cells reach the thymus through the circulation from hematopoietic organs and then migrate toward the site of differentiation in the thymus. The mechanism that regulates such intrathymic migration is not well understood. In order to clarify this mechanism, in vitro chemotactic activity for murine thymocytes was assayed in the extracts and culture supernatants of thymic tissue elements. A potent thymocyte chemotactic activity was found in the extract and culture supernatant from Ig-, Ia- thymic stromal cells. Peanut agglutinin-positive (PNA+1), Thy 1+, TL-, Lyt 1+2-, L3T4- thymocytes, Ig-, Thy 1- bone marrow cells, and mononuclear cells of spleen and peripheral blood, but neither B cells nor lymph node cells, were chemotactically attracted by the factor(s). The chemotactic activity was found in none of the following materials tested: the extract and culture supernatant of thymocytes, culture supernatant of lymph node stromal cells, normal mouse serum, and zymosan-activated serum. The chemotactic activity was found in three molecular fractions by gel chromatography. The activity in all three fractions was destroyed by trypsin digestion or by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min. These results suggest that Ig-, Ia- thymic stromal cells but not thymocytes secrete a chemotactic factor(s) for progenitor T cells with three molecular species. The factor is considered to play an important role in the migration of intrathymic progenitor T cells into the site of differentiation.     

Monoclonal antibodies to CD2 and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 inhibit human thymic epithelial cell-dependent mature thymocyte activation

Recent study of human thymocyte-thymic epithelial (TE) cell interactions has demonstrated that thymocytes bind to TE cells, and a consequence of this binding is the provision of accessory cell signals by TE cells for phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced mature thymocyte activation. In this paper we report on studies of the molecules involved in TE cell-dependent mature thymocyte activation. TE-thymocyte interactions necessary for PHA-induced thymocyte activation were inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against the cluster of differentiation (CD)2 antigen on thymocytes and lymphocyte function-associated (LFA)-3 antigen on TE cells. Inhibition of TE accessory cell signals by antibodies against CD2 (alpha CD2) and LFA-3 (alpha LFA-3) antigens occurred early on during thymocyte activation and prevented thymocyte interleukin 2 receptor expression. Further, alpha CD2 and alpha LFA-3 inhibited PHA-induced thymocyte activation in whole thymic explant cultures suggesting a significant role of the CD2 and LFA-3 antigens in thymocyte activation when accessory cell signals for PHA-induced thymocyte triggering were delivered by cells within an intact thymic microenvironment.     

Thymic microenvironment induces HIV expression. Physiologic secretion of IL-6 by thymic epithelial cells up-regulates virus expression in chronically infected cells

The hallmark of infection with HIV-1 is progressive depletion and qualitative dysfunction of the CD4+ Th cell population in infected individuals. Clinical trials of antiretroviral agents have shown that, despite suppression of virus replication, regeneration of the T cell pool does not occur. One proposed explanation for the defective regenerative capacity of the CD4+ T cell pool is infection of early T lymphocyte progenitors or stem cells. An additional explanation could be failure of cells of the intrathymic microenvironment (thymic epithelial (TE) cells) to carry out critical nurturing functions for developing thymocytes, i.e., secretion of thymocyte-trophic cytokines and expression of adhesion molecules. This study examines the effect of HIV on cultured TE cells and determines the role of TE cells in the regulation of viral expression in chronically HIV-infected cells. We found no evidence of infection of TE cells after exposure to HIV-1. However, normal human serum induced secretion of IL-6 by TE cells; induction of TE IL-6 was partially blocked by anti-IFN-gamma antibodies. Moreover, supernatants from TE cells maintained in normal human serum up-regulated HIV replication in chronically HIV-1-infected cells. Because intrathymic T cell precursors can be infected with HIV and T cell precursors come into close contact with TE cells in the thymus, IL-6 secreted by TE cells during normal intrathymic development may induce HIV expression in infected thymocytes in vivo and promote the intrathymic spread of HIV.     

Thymocyte LFA-1 and thymic epithelial cell ICAM-1 molecules mediate binding of activated human thymocytes to thymic epithelial cells.

We have investigated the binding in vitro of activated thymocytes to thymic epithelial (TE) cells, and studied the effect of up-regulation of TE cell surface intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and HLA-DR by IFN-gamma on the ability of TE cells to bind to both resting and activated human thymocytes. TE cell binding to activated and resting thymocytes was studied by using our previously described suspension assay of TE-thymocyte conjugate formation. We found that activated mature and immature thymocytes bound maximally at 37 degrees C to IFN-gamma-treated ICAM-1+ and HLA-DR+ TE cells and this TE-activated thymocyte binding was inhibited by antibodies to LFA-1 alpha-chain (CD11a) (68.1 +/- 5.6% inhibition, p less than 0.01) and ICAM-1 (73.9 +/- 7.7% inhibition, p less than 0.05). Neither anti-HLA-DR antibody L243 nor anti-MHC class I antibody 3F10 inhibited IFN-gamma-treated TE binding to activated thymocytes. As with antibodies to LFA-3 and CD2, antibodies to LFA-1 and ICAM-1 also inhibited PHA-induced mature thymocyte activation when accessory signals were provided by TE cells in vitro. Finally, LFA-1 and ICAM-1 were expressed early on in human thymic fetal ontogeny in patterns similar to those seen in postnatal thymus. Taken together, these data suggest that resting mature and immature thymocytes bind to TE cells via the CD2/LFA-3 ligand pair, whereas activated thymocytes bind via both CD2/LFA-3 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 ligand systems. We postulate that IFN-gamma produced intrathymically may regulate TE expression of ICAM-1 and therefore potentially may regulate TE cell binding to activated thymocytes beginning in the earliest stages of human thymic development.     

Human thymic epithelial cells function as accessory cells for autologous mature thymocyte activation

Using human thymocytes and autologous thymic epithelial (TE) cells grown in vitro in long-term culture, we have found TE cells can function as accessory cells for mitogen-induced mature thymocyte activation. Tritiated thymidine incorporation, blast formation, and protein synthesis were all induced in accessory cell-depleted thymocytes by autologous TE cells in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of PHA. After 3 days of mitogen stimulation of thymocyte-TE cell cocultures in vitro, thymocyte blasts bound to TE cells and 77 +/- 4% (mean +/- SEM) of TE cells acquired expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (DR) antigen. TE accessory cell function for thymocyte activation was dependent on the number of TE cells added to thymocyte cultures, was not dependent on TE cell division, but did require TE cell protein synthesis. In thymocyte separation experiments, the predominant cell type responding to PHA in the presence of TE cells was T6- mature (stage III) thymocytes. Thus, human TE cells are capable of providing signals that lead to mature thymocyte activation.     

Purified lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) activates human thymocytes via the CD2 pathway

Defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of interaction of developing thymocytes with nonlymphoid cells of the thymic microenvironment is critical for understanding normal thymus function. We have previously shown that the CD2/LFA-3 adhesion pathway is important in the interaction of thymocytes with a variety of LFA-3+ nonlymphoid thymic microenvironment cell types. Moreover, T cell activation via the CD2 (alternative, Ag independent) pathway is considered an important mechanism for intrathymic T cell proliferation. To study the relevance of CD2/LFA-3 interactions to human thymocyte activation, we have used purified LFA-3 Ag in several in vitro assays of thymocyte proliferation. Whereas LFA-3 Ag alone did not induce thymocyte proliferation, LFA-3 Ag in combination with the anti-CD2 antibody, CD2.1, and rIL-2 induced marked thymocyte proliferation. Additionally, the anti-CD28 antibody, Kolt2, could substitute for rIL-2, resulting in thymocyte activation induced by LFA-3 Ag in combination with antibodies CD2.1 and Kolt2. In both triggering systems, LFA-3 induced thymocyte activation was dependent upon the concentration of LFA-3 Ag. LFA-3 Ag-dependent thymocyte activation was directed primarily toward CD1-, mature thymocytes. Finally, intact SRBC that express the sheep homolog of LFA-3, T11TS, in combination with antibody CD2.1 and rIL-2 could also induce thymocyte activation. These data suggest that interaction of LFA-3 molecules with thymocyte CD2 molecules may provide a component of the stimulus for normal intrathymic thymocyte activation leading to thymocyte proliferation.     

Thymus hormones do not induce proliferative ability or cytolytic function in PNA+ cortical thymocytes

A variety of thymus hormone preparations, as well as drugs known to perturb cell differentiation, were tested for their ability to induce nonfunctional cortical thymocytes to become functional precursor cells. Murine cortical thymocytes, defined as the high peanut agglutinin (PNA) binding or as the low H-2K, major [86%] thymocyte subpopulation, were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Their function was assessed in a high cloning efficiency, growth factor saturated, concanavalin A-stimulated limit-dilution culture system, determining the number of precursors of extended clones (PTL-p), or determining with a lectin-mediated tumor-lysis readout the number of precursors of cytolytic clones (CTL-p). The hormone preparations tested were crude or partially purified culture supernatants from thymus "epithelial" monolayers (TES), soluble extracts of thymic nonlymphoid tissue (STF), semipure thymus humoral factor (THF), and the pure peptides thymopoietin 32-36 (TP5) and "facteur thymique sérique" (FTS). These preparations were either added directly to the limit dilution cultures, or were first preincubated with the cells, which were then subjected to limit-dilution culture. In no case did the hormone preparations cause any increase in the level of PTL-p or CTL-p in the PNA+ or low H-2K thymocyte population, even though a conversion of only a few percent to functional cells could have been detected. Two possible explanations are considered. One is that the main function of these materials is to control post-thymic peripheral T cells, rather than to induce intrathymic differentiation. Another is that the typical cortical thymocyte is beyond the stage at which thymocytes can be induced by hormones, a view that is strengthened by the failure of either 5-azacytidine or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate to activate these cells. In this latter explanation the true intrathymic target of hormone action may be an earlier, and very minor, thymus subpopulation.     

Effects of cytokines on human thymic epithelial cells in culture. II. Recombinant IL 1 stimulates thymic epithelial cells to produce IL6 and GM-CSF

Our earlier study reported the ability of interleukin 1 (IL1) to promote proliferation and to induce morphological changes of human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) in culture. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of IL1 on the secretory function of TEC. Both human recombinant IL1 alpha and IL1 beta induced TEC to produce molecules in the culture supernatant fluids (TES) which displayed marked thymocyte proliferative capacities. This activity was specifically induced by IL1 since other TEC growth factors such as epidermal growth factor and a bovine pituitary extract had no effect on promoting secretion of T cell-activating molecules by TEC. Using specific radioimmunoassays for both forms of IL1, we found that unstimulated TEC produced negligible amounts of IL1 alpha and IL1 beta in TES, which were not increased by IL1 stimulation, and we concluded that the IL1-induced TES molecules were not IL1. IL1 induced TEC to produce IL6, as detected by the hybridoma growth factor biological activity. Neutralizing anti-IL6 antibodies completely blocked the thymocyte activating capacities of the IL1-induced TES thus implying a major role for IL6 in TEC-derived T cell activation. IL1 also induced TEC to produce GM-CSF as measured by bioassay and confirmed by an immunoenzymetric assay. Our results confirm that TEC are a source of cytokines and show that TEC respond to IL1 by producing cytokines with consequences on the thymic lymphoid population. This further emphasizes the importance and complexity of paracrine molecular interactions involved in intrathymic development.     

Vascular and stromal changes in irradiated and recovering rat thymus.

To analyze the mechanisms responsible for thymocyte proliferation, maturation and migration in the thymus, the rat thymus just after, and recovering from irradiation was studied morphologically. The vascular structures of the rat thymus after a radiation dose of 6 Gy were found to be destroyed on day 3, but had recovered to almost normal by day 7, suggesting that the abrupt recovery of thymus structure after irradiation was due primarily to this change in vascular structure. Furthermore, the epithelial tissues in the thymic cortex appeared to contribute to this abrupt proliferation, and possibly to the abrupt maturation of thymocytes, while medullary epithelial tissues remained sparse and appeared inactive for a relatively long period. These findings are considered important for understanding the interrelationship between thymic epithelial cells and thymocytes with respect to thymocyte proliferation, maturation and migration.     

Analysis of thymic stromal cell subpopulations grown in vitro on extracellular matrix in defined medium. II. Cytokine activities in murine thymic epithelial and mesenchymal cell culture supernatants

Two morphologically distinct primary cultures of murine thymic stroma were established and found to be of epithelial (MTEC) and mesenchymal (MTMC) origin. These cultures were generated by selective conditions of tissue disruption and were maintained on extracellular matrix in defined medium. Culture supernatants (CS) from these cultures (EC-CS and MC-CS respectively), were tested for cytokine production and for effects on thymocyte maturation. Both supernatants displayed the activities of IL-3 and of granulocyte/macrophage-CSF and not of IL-1, -2, -4, or IFN. In addition they were found to be mitogenic to murine thymocytes in a "spontaneous" [3H]TdR incorporation assay. The two supernatants differed, however, in their effect on Con A stimulation. EC-CS had a strong enhancing effect, both when used for preincubation (18 h) before Con A stimulation or when present simultaneously with it. MC-CS had a small inconsistent effect under these conditions. Also EC-CS enhanced IL-2 and IL-3 production by thymocytes. The responsive thymocyte subpopulation was the one that does not bind peanut agglutinin. CS of an established thymic epithelial cell line displayed only part of these activities at a considerably lower level. CS from primary kidney cell culture was completely devoid of activity. The results suggest that primary thymic stromal cell cultures, cultivated under the defined conditions described here, may better preserve physiologic secretory activities, and probably also other cell functions, compared with established cell lines. Furthermore, the results are compatible with the hypothesis that the soluble factors, secreted by thymic stromal cells, are active on either very early or late stages of thymic differentiation, whereas the main intrathymic stages of differentiation are conceivable dependent primarily on direct contact with stromal cells.     

Quantitative and functional expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in human thymocytes

We recently demonstrated the expression of somatostatin (SS) and SS receptor (SSR) subtype 1 (sst1), sst2A, and sst3 in normal human thymic tissue and of sst1 and sst2A on isolated thymic epithelial cells (TEC). We also found an inhibitory effect of SS and octreotide on TEC proliferation. In the present study, we further investigated the presence and function of SSR in freshly purified human thymocytes at various stages of development. Thymocytes represent a heterogeneous population of lymphoid cells displaying different levels of maturation and characterized by specific cell surface markers. In this study, we first demonstrated specific high-affinity 125I-Tyr(11)-labeled SS-14 binding on thymocyte membrane homogenates. Subsequently, by RT-PCR, sst2A and sst3 mRNA expression was detected in the whole thymocyte population. After separation of thymocytes into subpopulations, we found by quantitative RT-PCR that sst2A and sst3 are differentially expressed in intermediate/mature and immature thymocytes. The expression of sst3 mRNA was higher in the intermediate/mature CD3+ fraction compared with the immature CD2+CD3- one, whereas sst2A mRNA was less abundant in the intermediate/mature CD3+ thymocytes. In 7-day-cultured thymocytes, SSR subtype mRNA expression was lost. SS-14 significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation in all thymocyte cultures, indicating the presence of functional receptors. Conversely, octreotide significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation only in the cultures of immature CD2+CD3- thymocytes. Subtype sst3 is expressed mainly on the intermediate/mature thymocyte fraction, and most of these cells generally die by apoptosis. Because SS-14, but not octreotide, induced a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic thymocytes, it might be that sst3 is involved in this process. Moreover, sst3 has recently been demonstrated on peripheral human T lymphocytes, which derive directly from mature thymocytes, and SS analogs may induce apoptosis in these cells. Interestingly, CD14+ thymic cells, which are cells belonging to the monocyte-macrophage lineage, selectively expressed sst2A mRNA. Finally, SSR expression in human thymocytes seems to follow a developmental pathway. The heterogeneous expression of SSR within the human thymus on specific cell subsets and the endogenous production of SS as well as SS-like peptides emphasize their role in the bidirectional interactions between the main cell components of the thymus involved in intrathymic T cell maturation.     

Expression of asialo GM1 on a subset of adult murine thymocytes: histological localization and demonstration that the asialo GM1-positive subset contains both the functionally mature and the proliferating thymocyte subpopulations

A small population (10 to 14%) of adult murine thymocytes expresses the glycolipid asialo GM1 (aGM1). Flow cytometric analysis of the aGM1+ cells present in thymus demonstrates the expression of a mature or medullary phenotype by 50% of the aGM1+ cells. Analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor activity, proliferative capacity, and IL 2 production displayed by aGM1+ and aGM1- thymocyte fractions isolated by cell sorting indicates that these functional compartments of the thymus are contained within the aGM1+ subset. The aGM1+ population also contains virtually all mitotically active thymocytes, as measured by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. The immature IL 2 receptor-bearing thymoblasts are also included in the aGM1+ population. Immunohistochemical labeling of thymic tissue sections reveals that the majority of aGM1+ cells are located in the medulla. Clusters of aGM1+ cells are found scattered throughout the cortical and subcapsular areas. The aGM1+ population therefore contains the functionally mature thymocytes as well as some immature thymocytes, particularly those that are mitotically active. It is suggested that the aGM1+ subset of thymocytes represents those cells that are mature or actively maturing. This hypothesis is discussed in the context of current concepts of intrathymic T cell differentiation pathways.     

Atypical memory phenotype T cells with low homeostatic potential and impaired TCR signaling and regulatory T cell function in Foxn1Delta/Delta mutant mice

Foxn1Delta/Delta mutants have a block in thymic epithelial cell differentiation at an intermediate progenitor stage, resulting in reduced thymocyte cellularity and blocks at the double-negative and double-positive stages. Whereas naive single-positive thymocytes were reduced >500-fold in the adult Foxn1Delta/Delta thymus, peripheral T cell numbers were reduced only 10-fold. The current data shows that Foxn1Delta/Delta peripheral T cells had increased expression of activation markers and the ability to produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma. These cells acquired this profile immediately after leaving the thymus as early as the newborn stage and maintained high steady-state proliferation in vivo but decreased proliferation in response to TCR stimulation in vitro. Single-positive thymocytes and naive T cells also had constitutively low alphabetaTCR and IL7R expression. These cells also displayed reduced ability to undergo homeostatic proliferation and increased rates of apoptosis. Although the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells was normal in Foxn1Delta/Delta mutant mice, these cells failed to have suppressor function, resulting in reduced regulatory T cell activity. Recent data from our laboratory suggest that T cells in the Foxn1Delta/Delta thymus develop from atypical progenitor cells via a noncanonical pathway. Our results suggest that the phenotype of peripheral T cells in Foxn1Delta/Delta mutant mice is the result of atypical progenitor cells developing in an abnormal thymic microenvironment with a deficient TCR and IL7 signaling system.     

The role of Ia molecules in the activation of T lymphocytes. IV. The basis of the thymocyte IL 1 response and its possible role in the generation of the T cell repertoire

The activation requirements for thymocyte proliferation were investigated. Thymocytes proliferate in the presence of exogenous interleukin 1, which has been used as the classic assay for this factor. This response, however, is greatly decreased in cultures of purified thymic T cells. Purified thymic T cells will proliferate in the presence of IL 1 if accessory cells are added to culture. The requisite accessory cell is a non-T, adherent, radioresistant cell found in macrophage/dendritic cell-enriched fractions of both thymus and spleen. This cell bears Ia molecules, which are critically involved in the activation of thymocytes. This thymocyte-accessory cell interaction is not dependent on exogenous nominal antigens. Therefore, it appears that IL 1 allows the expansion of thymocytes with specificity for self-class II MHC antigens. This response was found to be unique to this stage of T cell development and can be observed with both mature and immature thymic T cell subsets. The implications of these findings for the physiologic expansion of self-restricted T cells in the thymus are discussed.     

Interleukin 1 increases collagen type IV production by murine mammary epithelial cells

The effects of human interleukin 1 (IL 1) on collagen type IV production by normal mouse mammary epithelial cells were examined. Human IL 1 was derived from the culture media of peripheral blood monocytes or placental cells that were stimulated with silica. Although crude culture media of silica-stimulated monocytes or placental cells had no enhancing activity for type IV collagen production, IL 1-containing fractions obtained by Sephacryl S-200 gel chromatography and isoelectrofocusing from such media possessed considerable activity. To confirm the effects of IL 1 on collagen production, human monocyte-derived IL 1 was highly purified by sequential isoelectrofocusing, anion-exchange (AX 300), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and HPLC gel filtration (TSK 3000). The same HPLC gel filtration fractions contained both an activity that stimulated collagen synthesis by mammary cells and thymocyte growth-promoting activity. These activities of IL 1 differed from a number of other factors, such as epidermal growth factor and another factor produced by placental cells that stimulated type IV collagen production but not thymocyte proliferation. In fact, IL 1 induced 100-fold less collagen type IV production by mammary epithelial cells than was needed to induce thymocyte proliferation. Our data suggest that IL 1-like molecules, which reportedly are produced by many tissue cell types, may therefore play a role in promoting a basement membrane formation at stromal-epithelial boundaries.