The requirements for triggering of lysis by cytolytic T lymphocyte clones. II. Cyclosporin A inhibits TCR-mediated exocytosis by only selectively inhibits TCR-mediated lytic activity by cloned CTL

TCR-mediated granule exocytosis, as measured by the release of serine esterase activity, has been implicated in the lytic process of Ag-specific CTL. Exocytosis appears to be the mechanism of release of other lysis-relevant molecules including cytotoxic lymphokines and proteins that have the capacity to induce membrane lesions as measured by the hemolysis of non-nucleated SRBC. In the studies presented here, we assessed the contribution of exocytosis and lymphokine production in CTL lysis of nucleated and non-nucleated target cells by using a panel of murine CTL clones. Ag-mediated activation of cytolysis, lymphokine production, and exocytosis could be mimicked by mAb against the TCR/CD3 complex, or by stimulation with the combination of PMA + calcium ionophore, which appear to bypass the TCR (neither PMA nor calcium ionophore alone induced these functions efficiently in our CD8+ CTL clones). Although lysis, IFN-gamma production and exocytosis of N-alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysin esterase (BLTE) activity were induced by either stimulus, we were able to identify distinct activation requirements for each of these functions. We found that lymphokine production, exocytosis, and cytolysis could be selectively inhibited. Cycloheximide inhibited IFN-gamma production, but did not inhibit exocytosis of BLTE activity or cytolysis. In addition we showed that cyclosporine A (CsA) profoundly inhibited IFN-gamma production as well as exocytosis induced by stimulation through the Ag receptor or by PMA + calcium ionophore. In contrast, CsA had little or no effect on lysis of nucleated target cells that bear the relevant Ag. These findings indicate that our CTL clones can lyse target cells by a mechanism independent of exocytosis or (de novo) lymphokine production. To directly assess the capacity of our CTL clones to lyse target cells without inducing nuclear damage we developed a system of coating non-nucleated SRBC with anti-CD3 mAb for use as stimuli and as targets for lysis. We found that our cloned CTL were indeed activated to produce IFN-gamma by SRBC that were coated with anti-CD3 mAb, and, furthermore, they were able to lyse the SRBC in a short term cytolytic assay. Thus our CD8+ CTL are capable of lysing certain target cells by a mechanism independent of DNA degradation, presumably by inducing a membrane lesion. In addition, CsA did inhibit lysis of the non-nucleated SRBC targets as well as exocytosis of BLTE activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Tumor-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibits T lymphocyte activation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multi-functional cytokine that is considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, our studies show that MIF, when produced in super-physiological levels by a murine neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro-2a) exceeding those normally seen during an immune response, inhibits cytokine-, CD3-, and allo-induced T-cell activation. MIF is also able to inhibit T cells that have already received an activation signal. The T-cell inhibitory effects of culture supernatants from neuroblastoma cells were reversed when the cells were transfected with dicer-generated si-RNA to MIF. When T cells were activated in vitro by co-culture with interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 and analyzed for cytokine production in the presence or absence of MIF-containing culture supernatant, inhibition of T-cell proliferation and induced cell death were observed even as the treated T cells produced high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The inhibitory effects of MIF were partially reversed when lymphocytes from IFN-gamma knockout mice were tested. We propose that the high levels of MIF produced by neuroblastoma cause activation induced T-cell death through an IFN-gamma pathway and may eliminate activated T cells from the tumor microenvironment and thus contribute to escape from immune surveillance.     

Cyclosporin A inhibits late steps of T lymphocyte activation after transmembrane signaling

The in vitro stimulation of murine splenic T lymphocytes with concanavalin A (Con A) produced interleukin 2 (IL2). The addition of cyclosporin A (CsA) to the culture resulted in complete inhibition of IL2 production. The Con A stimulation of T lymphocytes induced the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol into inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, each of which could function as the second messengers in the subsequent signal transduction pathway. CsA did not inhibit the production of inositol (poly)phosphates. Further, CsA did not affect Ca2+-calmodulin functions; a) the redistribution of various cytoskeletal proteins as well as Con A-receptor aggregation, and b) the cytosolic Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent enzyme activities. Moreover, the activity of protein kinase C, which has been accepted to be the target of diacylglycerol, was not influenced in the presence of CsA. While the above steps of signal transduction are bypassed by synergy between calcium ionophore and phorbol ester, T lymphocyte activation which was induced by such stimuli was completely inhibited by CsA. These results indicate that CsA does not influence early steps of T lymphocyte activation as bypassed by calcium ionophore and phorbol ester, but rather inhibits later step(s) subsequent to the activation of protein kinase C and Ca2+-calmodulin.     

Mechanosensing in T lymphocyte activation

Mechanical forces play an increasingly recognized role in modulating cell function. This report demonstrates mechanosensing by T cells, using polyacrylamide gels presenting ligands to CD3 and CD28. Naive CD4 T cells exhibited stronger activation, as measured by attachment and secretion of IL-2, with increasing substrate elastic modulus over the range of 10–200 kPa. By presenting these ligands on different surfaces, this report further demonstrates that mechanosensing is more strongly associated with CD3 rather than CD28 signaling. Finally, phospho-specific staining for Zap70 and Src family kinase proteins suggests that sensing of substrate rigidity occurs at least in part by processes downstream of T-cell receptor activation. The ability of T cells to quantitatively respond to substrate rigidly provides an intriguing new model for mechanobiology.     

Calcium and T lymphocyte activation

A prolonged (at least 2-4 hr) elevation of [Ca2+]i accompanies early T cell activation by TCR/CD3-specific ligands. Ca2+ is generally thought to be an essential second messenger for early activation, but the precise molecular events contingent upon the Ca2+ signal remain to be determined. The Ca2+ signal can be separated into an early transient peak due to InsP3-released Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and a sustained plateau due to altered transmembrane Ca2+ flux. Patch clamp studies have identified an InsP3-activated, Ca2+ permeable channel in the plasma membrane of T lymphocytes that may be responsible for the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i during continuous TCR/CD3 occupancy. The Ca2+ signal can be further resolved at the level of the single cell into a series of repetitive oscillations between peak and trough levels with a period of 16-20 s. The oscillations may be part of a frequency-encoded signaling system. Several nonlinear internal feedback controls may contribute to the periodic nature of the Ca2+ signal: PKC-mediated phosphorylation of the CD3 gamma subunit, which is a feedback inhibitor of TCR/CD3 function; amplification of Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum by a highly cooperative step in the opening of Ca2+ channels by InsP3, and Ca2+-dependent feedback enhancement of PLC function; autoregulatory negative feedback on Ca2+ influx by Ca2+, both by a direct effect on the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel and by induction of membrane hyperpolarization secondary to Ca2+-activated K+ efflux. In addition, several other internal feedback controls on TCR/CD3 function, by CD4-induced tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of the CD3 zeta subunit, or on the Ca2+ signal, by extracellular Cl- or by GM1 gangliosides, are also postulated. The question of whether a G protein couples TCR/CD3 to PI hydrolysis and to Ca2+ mobilization is unresolved, although some indirect evidence for the involvement of GTP binding proteins in T cell activation has recently been obtained with cholera toxin. There is also preliminary evidence that TCR/CD3 may structurally conform to G protein coupled receptors, i.e., having a core structure of seven alpha helical transmembrane spanning segments, a ligand recognition site, loci for regulatory phosphorylation, and a putative nucleotide binding site.     

Requirement for Shc in TCR-mediated activation of a T cell hybridoma.

Engagement of the TCR determines the fate of T cells to activate their functional programs, proliferate, or undergo apoptosis. The intracellular signal transduction pathways that dictate the specific outcome of receptor engagement have only been partially elucidated. The adapter protein, Shc, is involved in cytokine production, mitogenesis, transformation, and apoptosis in different cell systems. We found that Shc becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues upon stimulation of the TCR in DO11.10 hybridoma T cells; therefore, we investigated the role of Shc in activation-induced cell death in these cells by creating a series of stably transfected cell lines. Expression of Shc-SH2 (the SH2 domain of Shc) or Shc-Y239/240F (full-length Shc in which tyrosines 239 and 240 have been mutated to phenylalanine) resulted in the inhibition of activation-induced cell death and Fas ligand up-regulation after TCR cross-linking. Expression of wild-type Shc or Shc-Y317F had no significant effect. In addition, we found that Shc-SH2 and Shc-Y239/240F, but not Shc-Y317F, inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and production of IL-2 after TCR cross-linking. These results indicate an important role for Shc in the early signaling events that lead to activation-induced cell death and IL-2 production after TCR activation.     

Blockade of physiologically secreted IFN-gamma inhibits human T lymphocyte and natural killer cell activation

The role of physiologically secreted human IFN-gamma in T lymphocyte and NK cell activation has been probed with a panel of mouse mAb directed against various epitopes of the human IFN-gamma molecule, or human IFN-gamma R. Addition to the culture medium of those mAb that neutralize the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma or interact with its receptor inhibited proliferative and cytotoxic responses elicited in PBL by HLA alloantigens, anti-CD3 mAb, and IL-2, but not the proliferative response to PHA. The IFN-gamma blockade also inhibited IFN-gamma, IL-2, and TNF-alpha release during MLC. Kinetic experiments showed that reduction of proliferative and cytotoxic responses to HLA alloantigens is maximal when IFN-gamma is blocked within the first 48 h. Exogenous rIFN-gamma restored the proliferative response only when added at the beginning. Moreover, when IFN-gamma was blocked, T lymphocytes recovered from 6-day MLC displayed a profound decrease in their expression of p55 and p75 chains of the IL-2R, as well as in the number of high-affinity IL-2 binding sites. These findings strongly suggest that IFN-gamma is required in the early phases of induction of the oligo- and polyclonal proliferative and cytotoxic responses of lymphocytes.     

HIV inhibits the early steps of lymphocyte activation, including initiation of inositol phospholipid metabolism

Mechanisms accounting for HIV-associated suppression of lymphocyte proliferation were investigated. In previous work we demonstrated that purified and inactivated HIV-suppressed lymphoid cell proliferation. In this report we used an inactivated preparation of HIV obtained from infected CEM cells grown in serum free media and demonstrated that this HIV-associated suppression acted in the early steps of activation to inhibit the incorporation of radiolabeled phosphorus into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidic acid. Initially we showed that both purified CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte subsets were affected and HIV-associated inhibition did not require the CD4 molecule. Impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis (decreased size and granularity and decreased expression of receptors to IL-2 and transferrin) in response to PHA indicated an effect of inactivated HIV on the early steps of activation. This was confirmed by time studies where 1) a 2 min HIV-pretreatment followed by washing before stimulation was sufficient to inhibit PHA induced proliferation of normal lymphocytes, and 2) addition of HIV to PHA prestimulated lymphocytes failed to inhibit proliferation, e.g., there was no effect on preactivated lymphocytes. HIV was mainly inhibitory of lymphocyte proliferation induced by PHA or mAb to the CD3 receptor. In contrast to the effect on the CD3/TiR, responses via the CD2 receptor were not suppressed, e.g., stimulation with the monoclonal antibodies T11(2) + T11(3). Inasmuch as responses by direct A23187 + PMA stimulation of intracellular pathways were also inhibited, it appears that the HIV-induced defect was not (or not only) membrane receptor mediated. The earliest (min) measurable event after stimulation was the initial increase in intracellular Ca2+ which was unaffected by HIV pretreatment. The next measurable event (min to h) of stimulation is a sustained increase in inositol phospholipid turnover. Pretreatment of mononuclear cells with inactivated HIV resulted in a decreased inositol phospholipid turnover as judged from decreased 32P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. This led to decreased generation of DAG as reflected in the reduced radiolabeling of its metabolite PA. Reduced availability of DAG presumably interferes with pkC activation and leads to decreased expression of receptors for IL-2 and transferrin and impaired proliferation.     

Expression of chemokine-like factor 1 is upregulated during T lymphocyte activation

Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) is a cytokine with chemotactic effects on leukocytes and a functional ligand of CCR4. This cytokine is widely expressed and the level of expression is reported to be upregulated in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), disease conditions in which T lymphocytes are over-activated. In order to determine the expression profile of CKLF1 in activated T lymphocytes, we first employed a PCR-based method on human blood fractions cDNA panels and found that CKLF1 was upregulated in activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells, with no obvious changes in CD19+ cells. We further performed kinetic analyses of CKLF1 expression in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) at both the mRNA and protein levels. In resting PBL, the constitutive expression of CKLF1 was low at mRNA level and barely detectable at the protein level; however, both were remarkably upregulated by PHA, appearing at 8h after PHA-stimulation and persisting up to 72h. These results suggest that CKLF1 may be involved in T lymphocyte activation and further study of CKLF1 function will prove valuable.     

Thrombospondin-1 is a CD47-dependent endogenous inhibitor of hydrogen sulfide signaling in T cell activation

Thrombospondin-1 is a potent suppressor of T cell activation via its receptor CD47. However, the precise mechanism for this inhibition remains unclear. Because H₂S is an endogenous potentiator of T cell activation and is necessary for full T cell activation, we hypothesized that thrombospondin-1 signaling through CD47 inhibits T cell activation by antagonizing H₂S signaling. Primary T cells from thrombospondin-1 null mice were more sensitive to H₂S-dependent activation assessed by proliferation and induction of interleukin-2 and CD69 mRNAs. Exogenous thrombospondin-1 inhibited H₂S responses in wild type and thrombospondin-1 null T cells but enhanced the same responses in CD47 null T cells. Fibronectin, which shares integrin and glycosaminoglycan binding properties with thrombospondin-1 but not CD47 binding, did not inhibit H₂S signaling. A CD47-binding peptide derived from thrombospondin-1 inhibited H₂S-induced activation, whereas two other functional sequences from thrombospondin-1 enhanced H₂S signaling. Therefore, engaging CD47 is necessary and sufficient for thrombospondin-1 to inhibit H₂S-dependent T cell activation. H₂S stimulated T cell activation by potentiating MEK-dependent ERK phosphorylation, and thrombospondin-1 inhibited this signaling in a CD47-dependent manner. Thrombospondin-1 also limited activation-dependent T cell expression of the H₂S biosynthetic enzymes cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase, thereby limiting the autocrine role of H₂S in T cell activation. Thus, thrombospondin-1 signaling through CD47 is the first identified endogenous inhibitor of H₂S signaling and constitutes a novel mechanism that negatively regulates T cell activation.     

Cloned cytotoxic T lymphocyte target cells fail to induce early activation events in effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We have explored further the basis for resistance of cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We find that most cloned CTLs recognized as specific target cells by other cloned CTLs used as effector cells fail to activate three early events that may be critical in triggering lysis in the effector CTLs: Ca2+ influx, microtubule organizing center (MTOC) reorientation, and serine esterase release. To the extent that any or all of these events are involved in activation or expression of the lytic pathway in effector CTLs, our results suggest that in addition to being inherently resistant to cytotoxic granule extracts, many CTLs are also unable to induce lytic function in other (effector) CTLs. We have found one CTL clone that can respond to recognizable cloned CTL target cells with at least MTOC reorientation and serine esterase release, although the target CTLs are still not lysed. In this case, the resistance of the target CTL to lysis may be due solely to its resistance to cytoplasmic granule contents.     

The beta1 and beta3 integrins promote T cell receptor-mediated cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation

Recognition by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) of antigenic peptides bound to major histocompatibility class (MHC) I molecules on target cells leads to sustained calcium mobilization and CTL degranulation resulting in perforin-dependent killing. We report that beta1 and beta3 integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins on target cells and/or surfaces dramatically promotes CTL degranulation. CTLs, when adhered to fibronectin but not CTL in suspension, efficiently degranulate upon exposure to soluble MHC.peptide complexes, even monomeric ones. This adhesion induces recruitment and activation of the focal adhesion kinase Pyk2, the cytoskeleton linker paxillin, and the Src kinases Lck and Fyn in the contact site. The T cell receptor, by association with Pyk2, becomes part of this adhesion-induced activation cluster, which greatly increases its signaling.     

Rapamycin inhibits aldolase A expression during human lymphocyte activation

Rapamycin (RAPA) strongly inhibits lymphocyte activation and proliferation, but does not affect most of the activation-related gene expression at the mRNA level. In order to understand the mechanism of action of RAPA and to gain further insights in lymphocyte signalling which is impaired by RAPA, we screened for RAPA-sensitive genes using differential hybridization. The expression of human aldolase A gene was found to be inducible during T and B cell activation, and the induction was repressed by RAPA at both the mRNA and enzymatic levels. The other two important immunosuppressants, cyclosporin A and FK506, also inhibited the mitogen-induced upregulation. However, none of these three drugs inhibited the constitutive expression. There was no fluctuation of aldolase A expression during the cell cycle, and RAPA failed to block the first cell cycle after synchronization in Jurkat cells. However, the second cycle was hampered by RAPA, and this was correlated with the inhibition of aldolase A expression during this later stage. Since aldolase A is a key enzyme in glycolysis and lymphocytes mainly depend on glycolysis for energy supply, the data from this study suggest that aldolase A might be one of the downstream targets of RAPA. The inhibition of the enzyme upregulation might deprive the cells of additional supply of energy, and prevent the cells from entering an optimal status for proliferation. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Peroxynitrite inhibits T lymphocyte activation and proliferation by promoting impairment of tyrosine phosphorylation and peroxynitrite-driven apoptotic death

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a potent oxidizing and nitrating agent produced by the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide. It readily nitrates phenolic compounds such as tyrosine residues in proteins, and it has been demonstrated that nitration of tyrosine residues in proteins inhibits their phosphorylation. During immune responses, tyrosine phosphorylation of key substrates by protein tyrosine kinases is the earliest of the intracellular signaling pathways following activation through the TCR complex. This work was aimed to evaluate the effects of ONOO- on lymphocyte tyrosine phosphorylation, proliferation, and survival. Additionally, we studied the generation of nitrating species in vivo and in vitro during immune activation. Our results demonstrate that ONOO-, through nitration of tyrosine residues, is able to inhibit activation-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation in purified lymphocytes and prime them to undergo apoptotic cell death after PHA- or CD3-mediated activation but not upon phorbol ester-mediated stimulation. We also provide evidence indicating that peroxynitrite is produced during in vitro immune activation, mainly by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies demonstrate the in vivo generation of nitrating species in human lymph nodes undergoing mild to strong immune activation. Our results point to a physiological role for ONOO- as a down-modulator of immune responses and also as key mediator in cellular and tissue injury associated with chronic activation of the immune system.     

Inhibition of T lymphocyte activation by cyclosporin A: interference with the early activation of plasma membrane phospholipid metabolism

Rabbit lymph node and thymus lymphocytes were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). Cyclosporin A (CSA) inhibited in a dose-dependent way the induction of RNA and DNA synthesis; nearly complete inhibition was observed at a concentration of 200 ng/ml. Results of kinetic studies suggested that the immunosuppressive drug interfered with an early event occurring in activated lymphocytes. Among the earliest changes detectable in activated lymphocytes, the turnover of plasma membrane phospholipids is increased, predominantly of their fatty acid moieties, catalyzed by the membrane-bound lysophosphatide acyltransferase. CSA, at concentrations identical with those inhibiting macromolecular synthesis, also inhibited the Con A-stimulated specific increase in the incorporation of labeled fatty acids into plasma membrane phospholipids. When lymphocytes were stimulated with Con A for 1 hr, incorporation of labeled oleic acid and arachidonic acid approximately doubled in plasma membrane phospholipids. CSA at a concentration of 200 ng/ml prevented the elevated incorporation of labeled fatty acids into plasma membrane phospholipids of Con A-stimulated thymocytes. Concomitantly, the activation of lysolecithin acyltransferase, the key enzyme for the incorporation of long-chain fatty acids into phospholipids, was strongly inhibited. Up to high concentrations, CSA had no effect on the phospholipid metabolism of unstimulated lymphocytes. The results suggest that CSA inhibits the activation of T lymphocytes by interfering with the early activation of plasma membrane phospholipid metabolism.     

Carbon monoxide inhibits T lymphocyte proliferation via caspase-dependent pathway

T lymphocyte activation and proliferation is involved in many pathological processes. We have recently shown that carbon monoxide (CO), an enzymatic product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), confers potent antiproliferative effects in airway and vascular smooth muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CO can inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation and then to determine the mechanism by which CO can modulate T lymphocyte proliferation. In the presence of 250 parts per million CO, CD3-activated T lymphocyte proliferation was, remarkably, inhibited by 80% when compared with controls. We observed that the antiproliferative effect of CO in T lymphocytes was independent of the mitogen-activated protein kinase or cGMP signaling pathways, unlike what we demonstrated previously in smooth muscle cells. We demonstrate that CO inhibited caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression and activity, and caspase inhibition with benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK pan-caspase inhibitor) blocked T lymphocyte proliferation. Furthermore, in caspase-8-deficient lymphocytes, the antiproliferative effect of CO was markedly attenuated, further supporting the involvement of caspase-8 in the antiproliferative effects of CO. CO also increased the protein level of p21(Cip1), and CO-mediated inhibition of caspase activity is partially regulated by p21(Cip1). Taken together, these data suggest that CO confers potent antiproliferative effects in CD3-activated T lymphocytes and that these antiproliferative effects in T lymphocytes are mediated by p21(Cip1)-dependent caspase activity, in particular caspase-8, independent of cGMP and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways.