Downregulation of CD4＋CD25＋ regulatory T cells may underlie enhanced Th1 immunity caused by immunization with activated autologous T cells

Regulatory T cells （Treg） play important roles in immune system homeostasis, and may also be involved in tumor immunotolerance by suppressing Th1 immune response which is involved in anti-tumor immunity. We have previously reported that immunization with attenuated activated autologous T cells leads to enhanced anti-tumor immunity and upregulated Thl responses in vivo. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that Treg function was significantly downregulated in mice that received immunization of attenuated activated autologous T cells. We found that Foxp3 expression decreased in CD4＋CD25＋ T cells from the immunized mice. Moreover, CD4＋CD25＋Foxp3＋ Treg obtained from immunized mice exhibited diminished immunosuppression ability compared to those from naive mice. Further analysis showed that the serum of immunized mice contains a high level ofanti-CD25 antibody （about 30 ng/ml, p〈0.01 vs controls）. Consistent with a role ofanti-CD25 response in the downregulation of Treg, adoptive transfer of serum from immunized mice to naive mice led to a significant decrease in Treg population and function in recipient mice. The triggering of anti-CD25 response in immunized mice can be explained by the fact that CD25 was induced to a high level in the ConA activated autologous T cells used for immunization. Our results demonstrate for the first time that immunization with attenuated activated autologous T cells evokes anti-CD25 antibody production, which leads to impeded CD4＋CD25＋Foxp3＋ Treg expansion and function in vivo. We suggest that dampened Treg function likely contributes to enhanced Thl response in immunized mice and is at least part of the mechanism underlying the boosted anti-tumor immunity.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的外周维持

CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞作为一种抑制性T细胞功能亚群,在维持机体的免疫自稳和免疫耐受方面发挥了关键作用。该作用的发挥与其外周细胞库的维持密切相关。新近的研究显示CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞主要通过两种机制来维持其外周细胞库,一些功能分子参与其中。     

喘可治注射液对小鼠体外CD4+CD25+T细胞的影响

利用荧光抗体标记和流式细胞术检测喘可治对刀豆蛋白A(ConA)诱导的T细胞CD69和CD25表达的影响,研究喘可治是否具有促进CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞升高的作用.结果发现喘可治对ConA诱导的T细胞活化标志分子CD69的表达具有抑制作用,但对CD25的表达具有促进作用.说明喘可治对T细胞活化具有抑制作用,CD25表达的上调并不是由活化引起的,而很可能是CD4 CD25 Tr水平升高的标志.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞发挥效应的分子机制

调节性T细胞是一群具有免疫调节(或免疫抑制)作用的细胞,Foxp3 CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞约占CD4 T细胞的5%￣15%,主要是CD4 CD8-CD25-单阳性胸腺细胞在胸腺的自然选择过程中产生的,也可以通过外周诱导而产生。它通过细胞接触依赖机制和抑制性细胞因子依赖机制主动抑制自身免疫T细胞的活化,维持自稳状态。现对Foxp3 CD4 CD25 T细胞群的一些特征性分子在其效应机制中的作用进行综述。     

Anticancer immunotherapy by CTLA-4 blockade: obligatory contribution of IL-2 receptors and negative prognostic impact of soluble CD25

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4)-blocking antibody ipilimumab induces immune-mediated long-term control of metastatic melanoma in a fraction of patients. Although ipilimumab undoubtedly exerts its therapeutic effects via immunostimulation, thus far clinically useful, immunologically relevant biomarkers that predict treatment efficiency have been elusive. Here, we show that neutralization of IL-2 or blocking the α and β subunits of the IL-2 receptor (CD25 and CD122, respectively) abolished the antitumor effects and the accompanying improvement of the ratio of intratumoral T effector versus regulatory cells (Tregs), which were otherwise induced by CTLA-4 blockade in preclinical mouse models. CTLA-4 blockade led to the reduction of a suppressive CD4⁺ T cell subset expressing Lag3, ICOS, IL-10 and Egr2 with a concomitant rise in IL-2-producing effector cells that lost FoxP3 expression and accumulated in regressing tumors. While recombinant IL-2 improved the therapeutic efficacy of CTLA-4 blockade, the decoy IL-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα, sCD25) inhibited the anticancer effects of CTLA-4 blockade. In 262 metastatic melanoma patients receiving ipilimumab, baseline serum concentrations of sCD25 represented an independent indicator of overall survival, with high levels predicting resistance to therapy. Altogether, these results unravel a role for IL-2 and IL-2 receptors in the anticancer activity of CTLA-4 blockade. Importantly, our study provides the first immunologically relevant biomarker, namely elevated serum sCD25, that predicts resistance to CTLA-4 blockade in patients with melanoma.     

CD4+CD25+ suppressor T cells regulate pathogen induced inflammation and disease

A key suppressor role has recently been ascribed to the natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), the removal of which leads to the development of autoimmune disease and aggravated pathogen-induced inflammation in otherwise normal hosts. The repertoire of antigen specificities of Treg is as broad as that of naive T cells, recognizing both self and non-self antigens, enabling Treg to control a broad range of immune responses. Although widely acknowledged to play a role in the maintenance of self-tolerance, recent studies indicate that Treg can be activated and expanded against bacterial, viral and parasite antigens in vivo. Such pathogen-specific Treg can prevent infection-induced immunopathology but may also increase the load of infection and prolong pathogen persistence by suppressing protective immune responses. This review discusses the role of Treg in the prevention of exaggerated inflammation favoring chronicity in bacterial or fungal infections and latency in viral infections. Special attention is given to the role of Treg in the modulation of gastric inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori infection. Findings in both experimentally infected mice and humans with natural infection indicate that Treg are important in protecting the H. pylori-infected host against excessive gastric inflammation and disease symptoms but on the negative side promote bacterial colonization at the gastric and duodenal mucosa which may increase the risk in H. pylori-infected individuals to develop duodenal ulcers.     

幽门螺杆菌感染者CD4~+ CD25~+调节性T细胞的检测及其相关性分析

目的检测幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染阳性的胃部疾病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的百分含量及转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)的水平,探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在H.pylori感染中的免疫调节作用及意义。方法采用流式细胞术检测H.pylori感染的慢性浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变和胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量、CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例;并采用ELISA方法检测H.pylori感染者血清中TGF-β1的含量,无H.pylori感染的患者作为阴性对照。结果 H.pylori感染的患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的百分含量及TGF-β1的水平较不伴有H.pylori感染的患者显著升高(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变及胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的百分含量及CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的患者血清中TGF-β1水平也随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染可增加CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平;随着病变严重程度的进展,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平逐渐升高,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分含量和TGF-β1水平可作为临床判断病情进展的指标。     

CD4+CD25+ 调节性T 细胞与冠状动脉粥样硬化病变的研究进展

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞是一个具有独特免疫调节功能的T细胞亚群,人体主要通过CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞以免疫负向调节的方式来抑制自身反应性T细胞的作用,减少免疫性疾病的发生,从而维持机体内环境的稳定,维持免疫耐受。CD4+CD25+Treg已被证实其与肿瘤、感染、自身免疫病、移植免疫等多种疾病的发生、发展及转归均相关。随着社会的进步和人民生活水平的提高冠状动脉粥样硬化性病变作为一种慢性病变,其发病率越来越高,已经成为严重危害人类健康的常见病,近年来越来越多的证据表明炎症及免疫反应机制在冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的发生、发展及预后过程中具有重要的作用。而CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在冠状动脉粥样硬化性病变中所起的作用也受到越来越多的关注。本文就CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与冠状动脉粥样硬化病变之间的关联做一综述。     

CD137 signaling interferes with activation and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in induced tolerance to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is a T cell-mediated disease inducible with mouse thyroglobulin (mTg). Pretreatment with mTg, however, can induce CD4+ T cell-mediated tolerance to EAT. We demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells are critical for the tolerance induction, as in vivo depletion of CD25+ cells abrogated established tolerance, and CD4+CD25+ cells from tolerized mice suppressed mTg-responsive cells in vitro. Importantly, administration of an agonistic CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited tolerance development, and the mediation of established tolerance. CD137 mAb also inhibited the suppression of mTg-responsive cells by CD4+CD25+ cells in vitro. Signaling through CD137 likely resulted in enhancement of the responding inflammatory T cells, as anti-CD137 did not enable CD4+CD25+ T cells to proliferate in response to mTg in vitro.     

Selective expansion and enhanced anti-tumor effect of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells by retrovirus-mediated IL-15 expression

Mounting evidence has demonstrated that CD4⁺ T cells play an important role in anti-tumor immune responses. Thus, adoptive transfer of these cells may have great potential for anti-cancer therapy. However, due to the difficulty to generate sufficient tumor-specific CD4⁺ T cells, the use of CD4⁺ T cells in tumor therapy is limited. It has been found that IL-15 transfection enhances the proliferation and anti-tumor activity of tumor-specific CD8⁺ T cells, but the effect of IL-15 transfection on CD4⁺ T cells remains unknown. Here, the effects of retrovirus-mediated IL-15 expression in Ova-specific CD4⁺ T cells from Do11.10 mice were evaluated and it was discovered that IL-15 transfected CD4⁺ T cells expressed both soluble and membrane-bound IL-15. Retrovirus-mediated IL-15 expression led to a selective expansion of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells by inhibiting their apoptosis. Invivo IL-15 transfected CD4⁺ T cells were more effective in suppressing tumor growth than control retroviral vector transfected ones. To ensure the safety of the method, the employment of thymidine kinase gene made it possible to eliminate these transgenic CD4⁺ T cells following ganciclovir treatment. Together, we show that IL-15 transfection induced a selective expansion of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells ex vivo and enhanced their tumor-suppression effects in vivo. This has an important significance for improving the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy.     

Signaling through CD40 ligand decreases CD80 expression on murine Langerhans cells and enhances IL-12 p40 production

We previously showed that murine Langerhans cells (LC) express CD40 ligand (CD40L). In this study, we further investigated the function of CD40L on LC using agonistic antibodies and CD40L knockout (KO) mice. Signaling through CD40L decreased CD80 expression on LC 48 h after stimulation and the decrease was more remarkable in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Signaling through CD40 enhanced the production of IL-12 p40 from LC, and simultaneous signaling through CD40L slightly augmented this effect. Addition of IFN-gamma further enhanced IL-12 p40 production. LC from CD40L KO mice expressed similar levels of surface molecules such as CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class II, compared with those from wild-type mice. However, they produced less amount of IL-12 p40 during 48 h after purification. These results suggest that signaling through CD40L on LC is important in regulating IL-12 production, which is critical for Th1 type immune responses.     

CD4+CD25+T细胞在夏氏疟原虫感染鼠中的应答差异

为探讨CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)在夏氏疟原虫感染过程中的活化特点及其与疾病进展的相关性,用夏氏疟原虫分别感染BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠,Giemsa染色制备薄血膜,镜检计数红细胞感染率;以流式细胞术检测脾细胞悬液中Treg细胞百分含量;ELISA测定脾细胞培养上清IFN-γ水平。BALB/c小鼠原虫血症于感染后第8d达到峰值34.4%后迅速下降,于感染后第15d左右小鼠自愈;其IFN-γ水平和Treg细胞百分含量均在感染后第5d明显增加后开始下降(P<0.01);DBA/2小鼠原虫血症于感染后第9～11d一直维持在峰值38%左右,并在感染后约第10d小鼠死亡;其IFN-γ水平在感染后第3d明显升高后迅速回落(P<0.01),Treg细胞百分含量在感染后的前8d平稳升高,但于感染后第8～11d出现骤然上升。结果提示,CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞数量异常变化与宿主感染结局呈密切相关性。     

口服卡介菌诱导免疫耐受的CD4+CD25+调节性T 细胞机制研究

目的:研究口服卡介菌诱导免疫耐受对CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的影响。方法:采用口服MPB制备EAE大鼠模型,随机分为BCG组(0.5mg/kg)和EAE模型组(PBS),每组各15只,连续经口灌服给药14d,同时选取15只健康大鼠作为对照组。分别于免疫后15d、27d流式细胞术检测外周血、胸腺及脾脏中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞百分率,ELISA检测血清IL-6、TGF-β、IgE、IgG含量。结果:与EAE模型组相比,免疫后BCG组大鼠外周血、胸腺及脾脏中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞百分率增加,血清IL-6、TGF-β含量上升,血清IgE、IgG抗体水平下降。结论:口服BCG通过上调淋巴器官中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞比例,抑制效应性T细胞活性,发挥免疫耐受作用。     

CD4 T cell dependent tumor immunity stimulated by dendritic cell based vaccine

CD8 CTLs have been accountable for the major effector cells responsible for the rejection of tumor cells. And CD40 signaling and IL-12 have been shown to be the essential pathways involved in the activation process. Immunizing mice with dendritic cells transduced with an adenovirus expressing the human melanoma antigen gp100, an immunization strategy of xenoimmunization, stimulated potent tumor protection dependent on effective CD4 T cells in the absence of CD8 T cells. Further studies revealed that neither CD40 signaling nor IL-12 was indispensable for the activation of dendritic and CD4 T cells in this model. Stimulation of effective antitumor immunity targeting the self-antigen did not elicit autoimmunity. The implications of this study were discussed.     

Dynamics of CD4^＋CD25^＋ T Cells in Spleens and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Mice Infected with Schistosomajaponicum

CD4~ CD25~ T cells play a major role in modulating immune response,but few reports havebeen published about schistosomiasis.Here,we investigated the changes in CD4~ CD25~ T cell populations inspleens and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.The proportions ofCD4~ CD25~ T cells in total CD4~ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.CD25 and Foxp3 expression wasmeasured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The suppressive activities of CD4~ CD25~ Tcells were detected by in vitro proliferation of splenocytes.Evidence showed that the percentage of CD4~ CD25~ T cells was the same as controls 3 weeks post-infection.At the acute stage of infection,the percentagedecreased significantly.However,at the chronic stage of infection,it rebounded to normal levels or evenhigher.The expression of the CD25 and Foxp3 showed gradual increase along with the infection progress.Invitro experiment also showed the strong suppressive effect of CD4~ CD25~ T cells,isolated during the chronicstage,on proliferation of the CD25~-splenocytes.This is the first time that the dynamics of CD4~ CD25~ T cellpopulations was demonstrated in mice infected with schistosomiasis.In conclusion,our data indicated thatCD4~ CD25~ cells might be involved in the immune modulation during S.japonicum infection,which en-hances current knowledge of the mechanisms of the immuno-downregulation and re-infection inschistosomiasis.     

宫颈癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+high调节性T细胞的表达及意义

目的:探讨宫颈癌患者外周血中CD4~ CD25~( high)调节性T(regulator T cells,Tr)的表达及意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测52例宫颈癌患者,35例健康女性外周血中CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr、细胞毒性T细胞(cytotoxic T lymphocytes,CTL)和NK细胞,采用ELISA检测血清中-干扰素(interferon,IFN-)的表达水平。结果:宫颈癌患者外周血CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr占CD4~ T淋巴细胞的百分比为(7.18±2.32)%,高于健康女性组(P<0.05);宫颈癌患者外周血CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr水平与CTL、NK细胞及IFN-水平呈负相关。结论:宫颈癌患者外周血中具免疫抑制活性的CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr水平较高,参与宫颈癌患者的肿瘤免疫抑制。     

A tolerogenic semimature dendritic cells induce effector T-cell hyporesponsiveness by activation of antigen-specific CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells that promotes skin allograft survival in mice

Semimature dendritic cells (smDCs) can induce autoimmune tolerance by activation of host antigen-specific CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells. We hypothesized that donor smDCs injected into recipients would induce effector T-cell hyporesponsiveness by activating CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells, and promote skin allograft survival. Myeloid smDCs were derived from C57BL/6J mice (donors) in vitro. BALB/c mice (recipients) were injected with smDCs to generate antigen-specific CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells in vivo. Allograft survival was prolonged when BALB/c recipients received either C57BL/6J smDCs prior to grafting or C57BL/6J smDC-derived CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells post-grafting, and skin flaps from these grafts showed the highest IL-10 production regardless of rapamycin treatments. Our findings confirm that smDCs constitute an independent subgroup of DCs that play a key role for inducing CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells to express high IL-10 levels, which induce hyporesponsiveness of effector T cells. Pre-treating recipients with donor smDCs may have potential for transplant tolerance induction.     

Effect of fluvastatin on apoptosis in human CD4+ T cells

Statins are lipid-lowering agents with pleiotropic effects. We investigated the apoptotic effects of fluvastatin on peripheral CD4+ T cells from healthy subjects. Fluvastatin induced apoptosis in resting CD4+ T cells but not in CD4+ T cells strongly activated with a high concentration of PMA plus ionomycin (PMA/I) analyzed with annexin V and propidium iodide staining. However, CD4+ T cells activated with a low concentration of PMA/I or with anti-CD3 antibodies were apoptotic after treatment with fluvastatin. Activities of caspases-8, -9, and -3 were increased in resting CD4+ T cells treated with fluvastatin (10 microM). In strongly activated CD4+ T cells, fluvastatin inhibited the activation of caspase-8 induced by PMA/I and increased caspase-9 activity. The caspase-3 activity did not differ between untreated and fluvastatin-treated strongly activated CD4+ T cells. Treatment with fluvastatin (10 microM) enhanced cytochrome c release and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in both resting and strongly activated CD4+ T cells. Although the in vitro concentration of fluvastatin used in this study is higher than in vivo, other factors may sensitize apoptotic cell death of CD4+ T cells in vivo. In conclusion, fluvastatin induces apoptosis in resting T cells but not in strongly activated T cells, a difference that might be due to the interaction between caspase-8 and caspase-9.