Requirement of B7 costimulation for Th1-mediated inflammatory bone resorption in experimental periodontal disease

The CD28 costimulation at TCR signaling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the T cell response. To elucidate the role of T cells in periodontal disease, a system of cell transfer with TCR/CD28-dependent Th1 or Th2 clones was developed in rats. Gingival injection of specific Ag, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans 29-kDa outer membrane protein, and LPS could induce local bone resorption 10 days after the transfer of Ag-specific Th1 clone cells, but not after transfer of Th2 clone cells. Interestingly, the presence of LPS was required not only for the induction of bone resorption but also for Ag-specific IgG2a production. LPS injection elicited the induction of expression of both B7-1 and B7-2 expression on gingival macrophages, which otherwise expressed only MHC class II when animals were injected with Ag alone. The expression of B7 molecules was observed for up to 3 days, which corresponded to the duration of retention of T clone cells in gingival tissues. Either local or systemic administration of CTLA4Ig, a functional antagonist of CD28 binding to B7, could abrogate the bone resorption induced by Th1 clone cells combined with gingival challenge with both Ag and LPS. These results suggest that local Ag-specific activation of Th1-type T cells by B7 costimulation appeared to trigger inflammatory bone resorption, whereas inhibition of B7 expression by CTLA4Ig might be a therapeutic approach for intervention with inflammatory bone resorption.     

Cognate interactions between helper T cells and B cells. III. Contact-dependent, lymphokine-independent induction of B cell cycle entry by activated helper T cells

An Ag-specific, IL-2-dependent Th clone induced the growth of B cells in a class II-restricted, Ag-specific, IL-2-dependent manner. The formation of stable Th-3.1-B cell conjugates was restricted by Ag and class II MHC. After activation of Th-3.1 by insolubilized anti-T3 (Th-3.1T3), Th-3.1T3 induced the growth of B cells in a class II unrestricted, Ag nonspecific manner. The formation of stable conjugates between Th-3.1T3 and B cells was also class II unrestricted and Ag nonspecific. Although the interaction of Th-3.1T3 and B cells was class II unrestricted, the interaction was inhibited by the combination of anti-IA and anti-IE mAb. This suggested that monomorphic domains of class II MHC molecules were involved in Th-3.1T3-B cell interaction. Fixed Th-3.1T3 but not fixed resting Th-3.1 induced B cell cycle entry, as measured by an increase in B cell RNA synthesis. Trypsin-treatment of Th-3.1T3 before fixation reduced their ability to activate B cells, indicating that cell surface proteins on Th-3.1T3 were required for enhanced B cell RNA synthesis. Anti-IL-4, anti-IL-2R, or anti-IFN-gamma did not affect the ability of Th-3.1T3 to induce heightened B cell RNA synthesis. Progression into S phase by B cells activated with fixed Th-3.1T3 was supported by the addition of soluble factors. When stimulated with fixed Th-3.1T3, EL4 supernatant (SN) enhanced B cell DNA synthesis. Depletion of IL-4, but not IL-2, from EL4 SN ablated its supportive capabilities. IL-4 alone was completely ineffective in supporting entry into S phase. Therefore, IL-4 and another activity(ies) in EL4 SN were necessary for B cell cycle progression into S phase. Taken together, these data suggest that after Th activation, Th cell surface proteins are expressed that mediate the binding of Th to B cells via recognition of nonpolymorphic domains of class II MHC molecules. Contact of Th-3.1T3 with B cells, not lymphokines, results in the entry of B cells into the cell cycle and heightened B cell lymphokine responsiveness. The addition of exogenous lymphokines supports the progression of Th-3.1T3-activated B cells into S phase.     

Identification and characterization of a hamster monoclonal antibody anti-2.28 directed against a 70-kilodalton activation antigen on human monocytes

Hamster mAb against activated human monocytes were examined for their reactivities against monocyte activation Ag. One mAb, anti-2.28, stained only monocytes activated with LPS plus IFN-gamma, but not unactivated peripheral blood monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, RBC, and platelets. However, it stained peripheral blood T cells activated with PMA plus anti-CD3 and peripheral blood and tonsillar B cells activated with PMA plus anti-mu. Of the 35 cell lines of diverse origin examined for immunofluorescence staining by anti-2.28, only EBV-transformed cell lines showed strong staining by this mAb. One pre-B cell line, Nalm-12, could be induced by PMA to exhibit intermediate staining. Immunoprecipitation studies identified the 2.28 Ag as a 70- to 85-kDa monomer. Immunofluorescence staining, immunoprecipitation, and peptide mapping studies indicated that 2.28 was different from a number of monocyte and lymphocyte surface Ag including Mo3e, B-4 (CD19), B-5, CD39, and the G28-8 Ag Bgp 95. These studies suggest that 2.28 may be a novel hemopoietic non-lineage-specific activation Ag.     

Differential abilities of Th1 and Th2 to induce polyclonal B cell proliferation.

Human gamma globulin-specific T helper cell (Th) clones, activated by HGG in the presence of antigen (Ag)-presenting cells, stimulated polyclonal B cell proliferation. Both Th1 and Th2 clones induced B cell proliferation, but Th1 clones were generally 5- to 10-fold less efficient than Th2 in this capacity. Th1 and Th2 each induced proliferation of both small and large B cells, although Th1 induced less B cell proliferation than Th2, regardless of B cell size. Th1-induced B cell proliferation was increased significantly by stimulating the Th1 clones with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb. The B cell response to Ag-activated Th1 clones was also increased by the addition of rIL-4 or culture supernatants from activated Th2 clones, and this enhancement was abolished by addition of anti-IL-4 mAb. The differential capacity of the Th subsets to stimulate B cells could not be attributed to differences in the degree of Ag-induced activation of the Th clones as reflected by Th proliferation or Th expression of activation markers, RL388 Ag, IL-2R, or TfR. Taken together the results suggest that even though Th1 and Th2 are similarly activated by Ag-presenting cells, Ag-activated Th2 interact more effectively with B cells than Ag-activated Th1. It is possible that inefficient interaction and subsequent intercellular signaling between Th1 and B cells results in inefficient Th1-induced B cell proliferation, and that this deficiency may be circumvented by signals (e.g., lymphokines) provided by Th2, or by the stimulation of Th1 with plate-bound anti-CD3 Ab rather than Ag.     

GIF inhibits Th effector generation by acting on antigen-presenting B cells

Glycosylation-inhibiting factor (GIF) is a 13-kDa cytokine secreted from T cells. Administration of bioactive recombinant GIF inhibits IgG1 and IgE Ab responses in vivo. Treatment of B cells with the cytokine reduces the secretion of IgG1 and IgE induced by LPS and IL-4. To examine the effect on cognate T-B interaction, GIF was added to low-density B cells from MD4 transgenic (Tg) mice, which express B cell receptor specific for hen egg lysozyme (HEL). The B cells were subsequently pulsed with HEL-OVA conjugate and cultured with OVA-specific naive CD4 T cells from DO11.10 Tg mice. Treatment of Ag-presenting B cells with GIF reduced expansion and IL-2 secretion of naive T cells and rendered them hyporesponsive to antigenic restimulation, resulting in 50--95% reduction of IL-4 and IFN-gamma secretion upon restimulation with Ag. GIF dramatically inhibited Th effector generation when it was added to B cells before pulsing with HEL-OVA, whereas it showed little to no effect when added after B cells were pulsed with Ag. GIF was more effective when B cells from MD4 Tg mice were pulsed with HEL-OVA than when they were pulsed with OVA. This cytokine did not affect Th effector generation when B cells or irradiated splenocytes pulsed with OVA(323--339) peptide stimulated naive DO11.10 T cells. Confocal microscopy revealed that GIF inhibited internalization of HEL by B cells from MD4 Tg mice. Therefore, the cytokine may regulate early steps of Ag presentation involving B cell receptors to diminish Th effector generation from naive CD4 T cells.     

Hairy cell leukemia-associated antigen (HC2) is an activation antigen of several hemopoietic cell lineages, inducible on monocytes by IFN-gamma

The HC2 Ag is defined by a mAb raised against leukemic B lymphocytes from a patient with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). This 60 to 70-kDa Ag was immunoprecipitated from EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines, from HCL-B cells, from the HUT-102 T cell line infected with HTLVI, and from activated monocytes. A binding assay with radioiodinated Fab' anti-HC2 confirmed this cellular distribution of the Ag and demonstrated 500 to 3000 binding sites on resting T cells, 300 to 11,000 binding sites on non-T cells, less than 3000 binding sites on chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells, and 29,000 to 223,000 binding sites on HCL-B cells. PMA plus anti-CD3 up-regulated HC2 expression on T cells and IFN-gamma up-regulated expression on monocytes. On B cells, EBV transformation may result in HC2 expression, and antibody to HC2 has been found to inhibit B cell differentiation and proliferation. The combined results suggest an important role for the HC2 membrane-associated Ag on cells responsible for the immune response.     

Incomplete activation of CD4 T cells by antigen-presenting transitional immature B cells: implications for peripheral B and T cell responsiveness

B cells leave the bone marrow as transitional B cells. Transitional B cells represent a target of negative selection and peripheral tolerance, both of which are abrogated in vitro by mediators of T cell help. In vitro, transitional and mature B cells differ in their responses to B cell receptor ligation. Whereas mature B cells up-regulate the T cell costimulatory molecule CD86 (B7.2) and are activated, transitional B cells do not and undergo apoptosis. The ability of transitional B cells to process and present Ag to CD4 T cells and to elicit protective signals in the absence of CD86 up-regulation was investigated. We report that transitional B cells can process and present Ag as peptide:MHC class II complexes. However, their ability to activate T cells and elicit help signals from CD4-expressing Th cells was compromised compared with mature B cells, unless exogenous T cell costimulation was provided. A stringent requirement for CD28 costimulation was not evident in interactions between transitional B cells and preactivated CD4-expressing T cells, indicating that T cells involved in vivo in an ongoing immune response might rescue Ag-specific transitional B cells from negative selection. These data suggest that during an immune response, immature B cells may be able to sustain the responses of preactivated CD4(+) T cells, while being unable to initiate activation of naive T cells. Furthermore, the ability of preactivated, but not naive T cells to provide survival signals to B cell receptor-engaged transitional immature B cells argues that these B cells may be directed toward activation rather than negative selection when encountering Ag in the context of a pre-existing immune response.     

The role of CTLA-4 in regulating Th2 differentiation.

To examine the role of CTLA-4 in Th cell differentiation, we used two newly generated CTLA-4-deficient (CTLA-4-/-) mouse strains: DO11. 10 CTLA-4-/- mice carrying a class II restricted transgenic TCR specific for OVA, and mice lacking CTLA-4, B7.1 and B7.2 (CTLA-4-/- B7.1/B7.2-/- ). When purified naive CD4+ DO11.10 T cells from CTLA-4-/- and wild-type mice were primed and restimulated in vitro with peptide Ag, CTLA-4-/- DO11.10 T cells developed into Th2 cells, whereas wild-type DO11.10 T cells developed into Th1 cells. Similarly, when CTLA-4-/- CD4+ T cells from mice lacking CTLA-4, B7. 1, and B7.2 were stimulated in vitro with anti-CD3 Ab and wild-type APC, these CTLA-4-/- CD4+ T cells produced IL-4 even during the primary stimulation, whereas CD4+ cells from B7.1/B7.2-/- mice did not produce IL-4. Upon secondary stimulation, CD4+ T cells from CTLA-4-/- B7.1/B7.2-/- mice secreted high levels of IL-4, whereas CD4+ T cells from B7.1/B7.2-/- mice produced IFN-gamma. In contrast to the effects on CD4+ Th differentiation, the absence of CTLA-4 resulted in only a modest effect on T cell proliferation, and increased proliferation of CTLA-4-/- CD4+ T cells was seen only during secondary stimulation in vitro. Administration of a stimulatory anti-CD28 Ab in vivo induced IL-4 production in CTLA-4-/- B7.1/B7.2-/- but not wild-type mice. These studies demonstrate that CTLA-4 is a critical and potent inhibitor of Th2 differentiation. Thus, the B7-CD28/CTLA-4 pathway plays a critical role in regulating Th2 differentiation in two ways: CD28 promotes Th2 differentiation while CTLA-4 limits Th2 differentiation.     

Inducible cell contact signals regulate early activation gene expression during B-T lymphocyte collaboration.

B cells get help in the antibody response by presenting processed Ag to Th cells. We asked whether the Ag-presenting B cell must induce Th functions before receiving help, or whether B cell activation is a direct consequence of T cell recognition of Ag on the B cell surface. To obtain a prompt and sensitive indication of the receipt of growth signals, we measured mRNA levels of the immediate early genes, c-myc and egr-1, in T and B cells separated from Ag-specific B-T conjugates of normal, resting murine B cells and a Th line. Although Ag-dependent increases in B cell c-myc expression occur as early as 2 h after conjugation, early c-myc expression in the B cell was also seen when the Th cells were activated with immobilized anti-CD3 in the absence of Ag recognition. Therefore, T cell activation rather than Ag recognition per se appears to be responsible for the early c-myc signal in the B cells. The c-myc response in the B cell depends on induction of a contact-dependent helper function in the T cell, which is inhibitable by cyclosporin A acting on the T cell. Delivery of contact help is not blocked by anti-class II MHC antibody. Contact with activated Th cells induces a different pattern of immediate early gene expression from that induced by cross-linking the B cell Ag receptor.     

Tumor-specific T cell activation by recombinant immunoreceptors: CD3 zeta signaling and CD28 costimulation are simultaneously required for efficient IL-2 secretion and can be integrated into one combined CD28/CD3 zeta signaling receptor molecule.

Recombinant immunoreceptors with specificity for the carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA) can redirect grafted T cells to a MHC/Ag-independent antitumor response. To analyze receptor-mediated cellular activation in the context of CD28 costimulation, we generated: 1) CEA+ colorectal tumor cells that express simultaneously B7-1 and B7-2, and 2) CEA-specific immunoreceptors that harbor intracellularly the signaling moities either of CD28 (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD28), CD3zeta (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD3zeta), or FcepsilonRIgamma (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-gamma). By retroviral gene transfer, we grafted activated T cells from the peripheral blood with these immunoreceptors. T cells that express the FcepsilonRIgamma or CD3zeta signaling receptor lysed specifically CEA+ tumor cells and secreted high amounts of IFN-gamma upon receptor cross-linking, whereas anti-CEA-CD28 receptor-grafted T cells did not, indicating that CD28 signaling alone is not sufficient for efficient T cell activation. CD28 costimulation did not affect cytolysis by T cells equipped with gamma- or zeta-signaling receptors, but enhanced both IFN-gamma secretion and proliferation. CD28 costimulation, however, was required for efficient IL-2 secretion of anti-CEA-gamma receptor-grafted T cells. Both purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells grafted with immunoreceptors required CD28 costimulation for complete T cell activation. We integrated both CD28 and CD3zeta signaling domains into one combined immunoreceptor molecule (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD28/CD3zeta) with dual signaling properties. T cells grafted with the combined CD28/CD3zeta signaling receptor secreted high amounts of IL-2 upon Ag binding without exogenous B7/CD28 costimulation, demonstrating that both MHC-independent cellular activation and CD28 costimulation for complete T cell activation can be delivered by one recombinant receptor molecule.     

Artificial T cell:B cell conjugation. A unique approach to analyze weak cell-cell interactions

An antibody response against a thymic-dependent Ag requires cognate recognition of the Ag by B and T cells. Functional T-B cell (T-B) interaction involves binding of Ag by B cell surface Ig, internalization and processing of Ag, expression of an Ag fragment in the context of Ia, binding of Ag/Ia by the TCR and binding of T cell-derived lymphokines by B cell lymphokine receptors. It is becoming increasingly evident that B and T cell accessory molecules also are involved in T-B interactions. To determine the role of accessory molecules in T-B collaboration, we have designed a system in which T-B interaction was artificially induced in the absence of carrier protein. TNP-modified, turkey gamma-globulin-specific, Th cells were allowed to form conjugates with TNP-specific B cells in the absence of hapten-carrier complex. Both B and T cells were induced to proliferate and B cells partially differentiated into antibody-secreting cells when B cells were cultured with TNP-modified but not unmodified T cells. The activation of B cells by TNP-modified T cells was not MHC restricted but was blocked by anti-Ia antibodies, suggesting a role for Ia distinct from Ag presentation. Furthermore, B cell proliferation was also inhibited by antibodies to L3T4 and LFA-1, suggesting a functional accessory role for these molecules in induction of B cell proliferation/differentiation.     

CTLA-4 and CD28 mRNA are coexpressed in most T cells after activation. Expression of CTLA-4 and CD28 mRNA does not correlate with the pattern of lymphokine production.

Ag-presenting cells provide at least two distinct signals for T cell activation. T cell receptor-dependent stimulation is provided by presentation of a specific peptide Ag in association with MHC molecules. In addition, APC also supply costimulatory signals required for T cell activation that are neither Ag- nor MHC restricted. One such costimulatory signal is mediated via the interaction of B7 on APC with the CD28 receptor on T cells. Recently, CTLA-4 has been shown to be a second B7 receptor on T cells. In the present report, we have examined the expression of CD28 and CTLA-4 on a panel of resting and activated normal T cell subsets and T cell clones by RNA blot analysis in an attempt to determine whether their expression defines reciprocal or overlapping subsets. CD28 was detected in resting T cells, whereas CTLA-4 was not. After stimulation with PHA and PMA for 24 h, CTLA-4 mRNA was expressed in both the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets as well as in CD28+ T cells. We examined 37 human and six murine T cell clones that had been previously characterized for their cytokine production. After activation, CTLA-4 and CD28 mRNA were coexpressed in 36 of 37 human T cell clones and all six murine T cell clones. These included T cells of CD4+8-, CD4-8+, and CD4-8- phenotypes as well as clones with Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles. In contrast, CD28 but not CTLA-4 mRNA was detected in leukemic T cell lines and myelomas. CTLA-4 and B7 mRNA but not CD28 mRNA was detected in two long term HTLV-I-transformed T cell lines. These data demonstrate that CD28 and CTLA-4 mRNA are coexpressed in most activated T cells and T cell clones, providing evidence that they do not define reciprocal subsets. Moreover, they are consistent with the hypothesis that B7 transmits its signal through a single receptor, CD28, on resting T cells, and multiple receptors, CD28 and CTLA-4, on activated T cells.     

Characterization of antigen processing and presentation by resting B lymphocytes

The production of antibody to a thymus-dependent Ag requires cooperation between the B cell and an Ag-specific Th cell. MHC restriction of this interaction implies that the Th cell recognizes Ag on the B cell surface in the context of MHC molecules and that the Ag-specific B cell gets help by acting as an APC for the Th cell. However, a number of studies have suggested that normal resting B cells are ineffective as APC, implying that the B cell must leave the resting state before it can interact specifically with a Th cell. Other studies, including our own with rabbit globulin-specific mouse T cell lines and hybridomas, show that certain T cell lines can be efficiently stimulated by normal resting B cells. One possible explanation for the above contradiction is that our B cells have become activated before presentation. Here we show that presentation by size-selected small B cells is not the result of nonspecific activation signals generated by the T cells or components of the medium. Also, although LPS activation does increase the efficiency of presentation by small B cells, use of large cells in place of small cells or preincubation of resting B cells with mitogenic doses of anti-Ig does not. Another possibility that we considered was that small B cells are unable to process Ag and that we had selected T cell lines that were capable of recognizing native Ag on the B cell surface. In the majority of cases, experiments with B cell lines and macrophages have shown that Ag presentation requires Ag processing, a sequence of events that includes internalization of Ag into an acid compartment, denaturation or digestion of Ag into fragments, and its return to the cell surface in the context of class II MHC molecules. The experiments reported here show that our T cell lines require an Ag processing step and that small resting B cells, like other APC, process Ag before presenting it to T cells. Specifically, we show that an incubation of 2 to 4 h is required after the Ag pulse before Ag presentation becomes resistant to irradiation. Shortly after the pulse, the Ag enters a pronase-resistant compartment. Although efficient Ag presentation requires initial binding to membrane Ig, Ag is no longer associated with membrane Ig at the time of presentation and is not presented in its intact form, because removal of membrane Ig by goat anti-Ig blocks presentation before but not after the Ag pulse.     

Differential antigen sensitivity and costimulatory requirements in human Th1 and Th2 antigen-specific CD4+ cells with similar TCR avidity

The differentiation of naive CD4(+) Th cells into Th1 and Th2 phenotypes is influenced by cytokines, concentration of Ag, accessory molecules, and the affinity of the MHC-TCR interaction. To study these factors in human memory T cells, T cell lines with Th1 or Th2 phenotypes specific for the peptide hemagglutinin (HA)(307-319) in the context of DRB1*0401 were established from the peripheral blood of an individual previously vaccinated for influenza virus. Flow cytometric analysis with fluorescent-labeled MHC class II tetramers was used to analyze TCR avidity: the Th2 line bound the HLA-DR*0401-HA(307-319) tetramers with higher mean avidity, although the range of binding avidity largely overlapped with the Th1 line. High-affinity Th1 and Th2 lines were established for further study by FACS sorting. When activated with plate-bound HLA-DR*0401-HA(307-319) monomers, the Th1 line proliferated and produced IFN-gamma without additional costimulation whereas the Th2 line required the addition of soluble anti-CD28 Ab to induce proliferation and IL-5 production, but this requirement could be overcome with high concentrations of plate-bound monomer alone. IL-2 production was dependent on costimulation in both cell lines. These findings demonstrate that upon antigenic rechallenge, Th1 and Th2 cells differ in their response to Ag-specific stimulation. Th2 cells were sensitive to the strength of signal to a greater degree than Th1 cells and required costimulation through CD28 for maximal proliferation. These distinctions between Th1 and Th2 activation are not consistent with a simple avidity model of Ag recognition and indicate both qualitative and quantitative differences in determining cell lineage commitment.     

Break of neonatal Th1 tolerance and exacerbation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by interference with B7 costimulation

Ig-PLP1 is an Ig chimera expressing proteolipid protein-1 (PLP1) peptide corresponding to aa residues 139-151 of PLP. Newborn mice given Ig-PLP1 in saline on the day of birth and challenged 7 wk later with PLP1 peptide in CFA develop an organ-specific neonatal immunity that confers resistance against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. The T cell responses in these animals comprise Th2 cells in the lymph node and anergic Th1 lymphocytes in the spleen. Intriguingly, the anergic splenic T cells, although nonproliferative and unable to produce IFN-gamma or IL-4, secrete significant amounts of IL-2. In this work, studies were performed to determine whether costimulation through B7 molecules plays any role in the unusual form of splenic Th1 anergy. The results show that engagement of either B7.1 or B7.2 with anti-B7 Abs during induction of EAE in adult mice that were neonatally tolerized with Ig-PLP1 restores and exacerbates disease severity. At the cellular level, the anergic splenic T cells regain the ability to proliferate and produce IFN-gamma when stimulated with Ag in the presence of either anti-B7.1 or anti-B7.2 Ab. However, such restoration was abolished when both B7.1 and B7.2 molecules were engaged simultaneously, indicating that costimulation is necessary for reactivation. Surprisingly, both anti-B7.1 and anti-B7.2 Abs triggered splenic dendritic cells to produce IL-12, a key cytokine required for restoration of the anergic T cells. Thus, recovery from neonatally induced T cell anergy requires B7 molecules to serve double functions, namely, costimulation and induction of cytokine production by APCs.     

Analysis of CD4+ T cells that provide contact-dependent bystander help to B cells.

Although cognate, MHC-restricted interaction of Th cells with Ag-presenting B cells provides effective help to a resting B cell, substantial B cell responses have also been seen with preactivated T cell clones that cannot recognize Ag on the B cell but apparently interact in a noncognate fashion (the bystander response). Here, we have investigated the ability of distinct Th cell subsets and T cells activated by different stimuli to support such bystander B cell responses. We have also determined which cytokines are involved. We generated distinct CD4+ T cell subsets specific for both alloantigen (using normal mice) and cytochrome c (using TCR transgenic mice). To compare cognate and bystander help, we analyzed the response of allogeneic (cognate) vs syngeneic (bystander) resting B cells in the former case, and the response of syngeneic B cells in the presence vs absence of Ag, in the latter case. Both approaches gave similar results. T cells stimulated with Ag for 24 h (naive and memory cells) or generated from naive cells over 4 days in the presence of exogenous IL-2 ("Th1-like" effectors) induced B cells to secrete minimal amounts of bystander Ig (20 to 700 ng/ml), less than 6% of the Ig induced under cognate conditions. In contrast, effectors generated in IL-4 or IL-6 ("Th2-like" and "Th0-like") induced significantly more bystander Ig (4 to 9 micrograms/ml), which was 18 to 30% of the amount produced during a cognate response. Restimulation of Th cell populations with anti-CD3, instead of Ag/APC, enhanced their ability to induce bystander Ig to levels 40 to 100% of those produced through cognate interaction. The addition of anti-cytokine Ab to bystander responses indicated that the cytokines utilized were similar to those mediating response after cognate interaction. Addition of exogenous cytokines did not specifically enhance the extent of the bystander response as a function of the cognate response. These results suggest that most Th cells can efficiently activate only those B cells that present relevant Ag on class II MHC, but that highly activated/differentiated Th effectors also have the ability to induce significant bystander B cell responses through noncognate interactions. We also conclude that the mode of Th cell activation and the cytokines encountered during Th differentiation play a major role in the capacity of helper cells to initiate a bystander response.     

Cognate interactions between helper T cells and B cells. IV. Requirements for the expression of effector phase activity by helper T cells.

After activation with anti-CD3, activated Th (THCD3), but not resting Th, fixed with paraformaldehyde induce B cell RNA synthesis when co-cultured with resting B cells. This activity is expressed by Th of both Th1 and Th2 subtypes, as well as a third Th clone that is not classified into either subtype. It is proposed that anti-CD3 activation of Th results in the expression of Th membrane proteins that trigger B cell cycle entry. Kinetic studies reveal that 4 to 8 h of activation with anti-CD3 is sufficient for ThCD3 to express B cell-activating function. However, activation of Th with anti-CD3 for extended periods of time results in reduced Th effector activity. Inhibition of Th RNA synthesis during the anti-CD3 activation period ablates the ability of ThCD3 to induce B cell cycle entry. This indicates that de novo synthesis of proteins is required for ThCD3 to express effector function. The ability of fixed ThCD3 to induce entry of B cell into cycle is not due to an increase in expression of CD3, CD4, LFA-1, ICAM-1, class I MHC or Thy-1. Other forms of Th activation (PMA and A23187, Con A) also induced Th effector function. Furthermore, purified plasma membranes from anti-CD3 activated, but not resting Th, induced resting B cells to enter cycle. The addition of IL-4, but not IL-2, IL-5, or IFN-gamma amplified the DNA synthetic response of B cells stimulated with PM from activated Th. Taken together these data indicate that de novo expression of Th surface proteins on activated Th is required for Th to induce B cell cycle entry into G1 and the addition of IL-4 is required for the heightened progression into S phase.     

Cytolytic activity of Ia-restricted T cell clones and hybridomas: evidence for a cytolytic mechanism independent of interferon-gamma, lymphotoxin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Ten different helper T cell (Th) hybridomas that are specific to Ia or antigen plus Ia were found to express nonspecific cytolytic activity toward the cytotoxin (CT)-resistant P815 cells upon activation with either Con A or a monoclonal anti-T3 antibody (T3-mAb). In contrast to cytolytic Th1 clones which secrete high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and cytotoxin (CT) (lymphotoxin (LT, also known as TNF-beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha], these Th hybridomas produce low or undetectable levels of IFN-gamma and CT. No inhibitory activity of IFN-gamma and CT was observed in culture supernatants of activated Th hybridomas. Double-chamber experiments demonstrated that CT-sensitive L929 cells when physically separated from activated Th1 clones were killed by membrane-permeable CT. Under identical experimental conditions, lysis of P815 cells did not occur. Moreover, activation of Th hybridomas directly in wells containing the CT-sensitive L929 cells failed to induce target cell lysis. This confirms that these Th hybridomas produce little CT and argues against high local concentrations of CT being responsible for Th hybridoma-mediated killing of P815 cells. Finally, a polyclonal rabbit antiserum to rTNF-alpha, which strongly and specifically inhibited CT-mediated and Th1 clone-mediated killing of L929 cells, failed to inhibit P815 lysis by activated Th1 clones and Th hybridomas. These observations establish that a cytolytic mechanism independent of IFN-gamma, LT, and TNF-alpha is responsible for lysis of CT-resistant target cells.     

Tolerance induction in T helper (Th1) cells by thymic macrophages.

Most macrophages in the peripheral tissues present Ag optimally to a variety of functionally distinct Th cells. Although thymic macrophages have been implicated in deleting autoreactive thymocytes, their role in influencing the functional capacities of mature T cells is not clear. We have established a normal untransformed macrophage cell line, named TMC, from the mouse thymus. The TMC line presents protein Ag to an IL-4-producing Th2 type Th clone after IFN-gamma treatment as evidence by T cell proliferation and the release of IL-3 and IL-4. However, these thymic macrophages are inefficient at stimulating a well characterized cytochrome C-specific IL-2-producing Th1 clone, A.E7. Ag presentation by TMC results in the production of IL-3 but not IL-2 production or proliferation of A.E7 cells. This selective Ag presentation defect to Th1 cells is corrected by the addition of live but not fixed allogeneic irradiated spleen cells, suggesting that the thymic macrophages lack the expression of costimulatory activity required for Th1 activation. This is further demonstrated by the failure of live thymic macrophages to provide costimulatory activity to A.E7 cells stimulated with fixed spleen cells plus the antigenic peptide 81-104. Exposure of A.E7 cells to paraformaldehyde-treated TMC in the presence of 81-104 peptide induces specific hyporesponsiveness, anergy. These data demonstrate that thymic macrophages can have a profound influence on the response of selected T cells to Ag. Furthermore, the nature of the T cell stimulus is also critical because Th1 and Th2 cells responded equally well to the T cell mitogen, Con A, and a bacterial superantigen presented by the thymic macrophages.     

Activated T cells and monocytes have characteristic patterns of class II antigen expression

The expression of human histocompatibility class II Ag was measured on activated T cells and monocytes by quantitative mAb binding in direct two-color immunofluorescence. Monocytes activated by IFN-gamma bound an average of 2 x 10(6) DR-specific mAb, 3 x 10(5) DQ-specific mAb, and 7 x 10(5) DP-specific mAb per cell. For T cells activated by anti-CD3, a subpopulation bound 1 x 10(5) DR-specific mAb, 5 x 10(4) DQ-specific mAb and 5 x 10(4) DP-specific mAb per cell. These measurements were obtained after establishing a base line of class II Ag expression on resting B cells and monocytes. Resting B cells and those monocytes that were positive for class II Ag bound identical amounts of mAb; 3 x 10(4) DR-specific mAb, 3 x 10(3) DQ-specific mAb and 2 x 10(4) DP-specific mAb. However, most resting monocytes (75%) expressed only DR Ag. In the process of studying the expression of class II Ag on T cells, it was necessary to define and analyze the activated T cell state. Cell cultures activated with 0.3 ng/ml anti-CD3 had the highest expression of class II Ag on T cells, whereas those activated with 3.0 ng/ml anti-CD3 had the highest expression of IL-2R on T cells. Addition of IL-2 had no further effect on DR Ag expression on T cells but did up-regulate IL-2R expression. Reducing the initial monocyte concentration before activating T cells increased class II Ag expression on T cells without affecting IL-2R expression. The results obtained on T cell activation suggest that perhaps a lymphokine may be made by CD3-activated T cells which induces class II Ag expression on T cells.