Macrophage-induced neutrophil apoptosis

Macrophages (Mphi) contribute to the resolution of early inflammation by recognizing and ingesting apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). In addition, experiments reported here demonstrated that Mphi can actively induce PMN apoptosis. Coculture of cells from 2- or 5-day-old wounds in rats, or of Mphi purified from such preparations, with PMN-rich wound cell populations obtained 1 day after wounding increased PMN apoptosis by >3-fold. Neither resident- nor Proprionibacterium acnes-elicited peritoneal Mphi-induced PMN apoptosis. Apoptosis was not mediated by a soluble factor and required E:T contact. Fixed wound-Mphi and membrane isolates from viable Mphi were as effective as intact cells in inducing PMN apoptosis. Mphi-induced apoptosis was inhibited by peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, anti-beta3 (CD61) Ab, CD36 peptide, or anti-TNF-alpha Ab. Soluble TNF-alpha did not induce PMN apoptosis. In additional studies, K562 cells (negative for beta3, TNF-alpha, and Fas ligand) transfected to express either alphavbeta3 integrin, an uncleavable membrane form of TNF-alpha, or both were used in cocultures with wound PMN. Only the double transfectants were able to induce PMN apoptosis, an effect inhibited by anti-beta3 (CD61) or anti-TNF-alpha Abs. These results demonstrate that wound Mphi induce PMN apoptosis through a constitutive effector mechanism requiring both intercellular binding through integrin-ligand interactions and membrane-bound TNF-alpha.     

FADD deficiency sensitises Jurkat T cells to TNF-alpha-dependent necrosis during activation-induced cell death

Activation-induced cell death (AICD) in activated T lymphocytes is largely mediated by Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) interaction. The cytoplasmic adaptor molecule Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) plays an essential role in the apoptotic signalling of the Fas death pathway. In the present study, we observed that FADD deficient (FADD(-/-)) Jurkat T cells undergo AICD to a similar extent as wild-type cells. AICD in wild-type Jurkat T cells is via apoptosis, whereas it is non-apoptotic in FADD(-/-) cells. The latter took up propidium iodide, exhibit a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential and have no detectable cleavage products of caspase-8 or -3 activation, suggesting that these cells die by necrosis. Wild-type Jurkat T cells undergo apoptosis when incubated with recombinant FasL and Trail but not with TNF-alpha. In contrast, FADD(-/-) Jurkat T cells are resistant to FasL and Trail but die of necrosis when incubated with TNF-alpha. We showed that neutralising anti-TNF-alpha blocked AICD as well as TNF-alpha-induced necrosis in FADD(-/-) Jurkat T cells. Furthermore, down regulating the receptor interacting protein, RIP, with geldanamycin treatment, which is essential for TNF-alpha signalling, markedly inhibited AICD in FADD(-/-) Jurkat T cells. In addition, caspase-8-deficient Jurkat T cells are resistant to Fas- and TNF-alpha-induced cell death. Taken together, our results suggest that a deficiency in FADD and not caspase-8 or the inhibition of the Fas signalling pathway sensitises Jurkat T cells to TNF-alpha-dependent necrosis during AICD.     

L-selectin serves as an E-selectin ligand on cultured human T lymphoblasts

Previous studies reported that L-selectin (CD62L) on human peripheral blood neutrophils serves as an E-selectin ligand. This study shows that CD62L acquired E-selectin-binding activity following phorbol ester (PMA) treatment of the Jurkat T cell line and anti-CD3/IL-2-driven proliferation of human T lymphocytes in vitro. The recombinant porcine E-selectin/human Ig chimera P11.4 showed neuraminidase-sensitive and calcium-dependent attachment to PMA-stimulated human Jurkat T cells in a flow cytometry assay. The anti-CD62L mAb (DREG 56) blocked this binding interaction by approximately 60% and P11.4 precipitated CD62L from detergent lysates of PMA-activated Jurkat cells. In contrast, P11.4 precipitated minimal amounts of CD62L from detergent lysates of nonactivated human PBL. As reported previously, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 and a distinct 130-kDa glycoprotein were the major species in these precipitates. However, T cell activation on plate-immobilized anti-CD3 and growth in low-dose IL-2 increased the percentage of CD62L molecules with E-selectin-binding activity. After two cycles of activation and culture, approximately 60-70% of the CD62L was precipitated with the P11.4 chimera. These cultured T lymphoblasts rolled avidly on both E-selectin and P-selectin at physiologic levels of linear shear stress. The DREG 56 Ab partially blocked rolling on the E-selectin substrate, whereas no effect was seen on P-selectin. Thus, CD62L on human cultured T lymphoblasts is one of several glycoproteins that interacts directly with E-selectin and contributes to rolling under flow.     

CD59、CD55在T细胞活化信号转导中的协同作用

目的:研究糖基磷脂酰肌醇(GPI)锚固蛋白CD59、CD55在脂筏介导T细胞信号转导通路中的协同效应。方法:应用siRNA技术,构建特异性针对CD55与CD59基因的重组载体pSUPER-siCD55,pSUPER-siCD59。实验分为未转染的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅰ组)、转染pSUPER空质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅱ组)、转染pSUPER-siCD59重组质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅲ组)及转染pSUPER-siCD55重组质粒的Jurkat细胞组(Ⅳ组)。RT-PCR检测转染细胞中CD55和CD59基因的表达噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜分别检测CD55与CD59联合作用对4组Jurkat细胞的增殖效应以及细胞内钙离子的变化、结果:稳定转染后,Ⅲ组细胞CD59分子的表达和Ⅳ组细胞CD55分子的表达被成功抑制。Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组细胞CD55与CD59联合作用后增殖能力和钙离子浓度均明显高于Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组(P<0.05),Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组之间无差异结论:CD59和CD55在T细胞活化信号转导通路中存在协同效应。     

CD81 and CD28 costimulate T cells through distinct pathways

We have examined the role of CD81 in the activation of murine splenic alphabeta T cells. Expression of the CD81 molecule on T cells increases following activation, raising the possibility of a role for this molecule in progression of the activation process. Using an in vitro costimulation assay, we show that CD81 can function as a costimulatory molecule on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This costimulation functions independently of CD28, and unlike costimulation through CD28, is susceptible to inhibition by cyclosporin A. Strikingly, the pattern of cytokine production elicited by costimulation via CD81 is unique. IL-2 production was not up-regulated, whereas both IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression significantly increased. Together our results demonstrate an alternate pathway for costimulation of T cell activation mediated by CD81.     

Interaction between transmembrane TNF and TNFR1/2 mediates the activation of monocytes by contact with T cells

Monocytes and monocytic cells produce proinflammatory cytokines upon direct cell contact with activated T cells. In the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, the pivotal role of TNF-alpha implies that the interaction between transmembrane TNF-alpha (mTNF) and the TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) might participate in the T cell contact-dependent activation of monocytes. Accordingly, treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by administration of a TNF-alpha-blocking Ab was found to significantly decrease TNF-alpha production by monocytes. Several lines of evidence indicated that signaling through TNFR1/2 and through mTNF (reverse signaling) is involved in TNF-alpha production by monocytes after T cell contact: 1) blocking mTNF on activated T cells leads to a significant reduction in TNF-alpha production; 2) down-regulation of TNFR1/2 on monocytes by transfection with small interfering RNA results in diminished TNF-alpha production; 3) blocking or down-regulating TNFR2 on activated T cells inhibits TNF-alpha production, indicating that mTNF on the monocyte surface mediates signaling; 4) ligation of mTNF on monocytes by surface TNFR2 transfected into resting T cells induces TNF-alpha production due to reverse signaling by mTNF; and 5) ligation of mTNF on monocytes by a soluble TNFR2:Ig receptor construct induces TNF-alpha production due to reverse signaling. In conclusion, we identified mTNF and TNFR1/2 as interaction partners contributing to TNF-alpha production in monocytes. Both pathways initiated by mTNF-TNFR interaction are likely to be inhibited by treatment with anti-TNF-alpha Abs.     

Lck Mediates Signal Transmission from CD59 to the TCR/CD3 Pathway in Jurkat T Cells

The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecule CD59 has been implicated in the modulation of T cell responses, but the underlying molecular mechanism of CD59 influencing T cell signaling remained unclear. Here we analyzed Jurkat T cells stimulated via anti-CD3ε- or anti-CD59-coated surfaces, using time-resolved single-cell Ca²⁺ imaging as a read-out for stimulation. This analysis revealed a heterogeneous Ca²⁺ response of the cell population in a stimulus-dependent manner. Further analysis of T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 deficient or overexpressing cells showed that CD59-mediated signaling is strongly dependent on TCR/CD3 surface expression. In protein co-patterning and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments no direct physical interaction was observed between CD59 and CD3 at the plasma membrane upon anti-CD59 stimulation. However, siRNA-mediated protein knock-downs of downstream signaling molecules revealed that the Src family kinase Lck and the adaptor molecule linker of activated T cells (LAT) are essential for both signaling pathways. Furthermore, flow cytometry measurements showed that knock-down of Lck accelerates CD3 re-expression at the cell surface after anti-CD59 stimulation similar to what has been observed upon direct TCR/CD3 stimulation. Finally, physically linking Lck to CD3ζ completely abolished CD59-triggered Ca²⁺ signaling, while signaling was still functional upon direct TCR/CD3 stimulation. Altogether, we demonstrate that Lck mediates signal transmission from CD59 to the TCR/CD3 pathway in Jurkat T cells, and propose that CD59 may act via Lck to modulate T cell responses.     

CD59、CD55在T细胞活化信号转导中的协同作用

目的：研究糖基磷脂酰肌醇（GeD）锚固蛋白CD59、CD55在脂筏介导T细胞信号转导通路中的协同效应。方法：应用siRNA技术,构建特异性针对CD55与CD59基因的重组载体pSUPER—siCD55,pSUPER—siCD59。实验分为未转染的Jurkat细胞组（I组）、转染pSUPER空质粒的Jurkat细胞组（Ⅱ组）、转染pSUPER—siCD59重组质粒的Jurkat细胞组（Ⅲ组）及转染pSUPER—siCD55重组质粒的Jurkat细胞组（Ⅳ组）。RT—PCR检测转染细胞中CD55和CD59基因的表达。噻唑蓝（MTT）比色法和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜分别检测CD55与CD59联合作用对4组Jurkat细胞的增殖效应以及细胞内钙离子的变化。结果：稳定转染后,Ⅲ组细胞CD59分子的表达和Ⅳ组细胞CD55分子的表达被成功抑制。Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组细胞CD55与CD59联合作用后增殖能力和钙离子浓度均明显高于Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组（P〈0．05）,Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组之间无差异。结论：CD59和CD55在T细胞活化信号转导通路中存在协同效应。     

CD3 receptor modulation in Jurkat leukemic cell line

CD3 antigen is a crucial molecule in T cell signal transduction. Although its expression on cell surface is constitutive, dynamic regulation of TCR-CD3 level is probably the most important mechanism allowing T cells to calibrate their response to different levels of stimuli. In our study we examined the role of two main T cell signal transduction pathways in controlling the surface level of CD3 antigen, one based on protein kinase C activity and the other dependent on calcineurin. As an experimental model we used three clones derived from Jurkat cell line, expressing different levels of CD3 antigen surface expression: CD3(low) (217.6), CD3+(217.9) or CD3(low) (217.7). The cells were stimulated with PMA or ionomycin, acting directly on PKC and calcineurin, respectively. Prior to the stimulation cells were incubated with PKC inhibitor--chelerythrine or calcineurin blocker--cyclosporine A. Changes in CD3 surface expression were measured by flow cytometry. Only PMA and chelerythrine were able to change CD3 expression suggesting important involvement of PKC in the regulation of its expression. To confirm these findings, PKC activity was estimated in Jurkat clones. Our data demonstrated that Jurkat clones with different CD3 expression showed also different PKC activities, so we conclude that PKC-dependent pathway is the main way of controlling CD3 level on Jurkat clones.     

Ex vivo homeostatic proliferation of CD4+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis is dysregulated and driven by membrane-anchored TNFalpha

The systemic CD4(+) T cell compartment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by TCR repertoire contraction, shortened telomere lengths, and decreased numbers of recent thymic emigrants, suggesting a disturbed CD4(+) T cell homeostasis. In mice, homeostatic proliferation of peripheral CD4(+) T cells is regulated by TCR interaction with self peptide-MHC complexes (pMHC) and can be reproduced in vitro. We have established an ex vivo model of homeostatic proliferation, in which self-replication of human CD4(+) T cells is induced by cell-cell contact with autologous monocytes. In healthy individuals, blockade of TCR-pMHC class II contact resulted in decreased CD4(+) T cell division. In contrast, homeostatic proliferation in RA patients was not inhibited by pMHC blockade, but increased during the initial culture period. The anti-TNF-alpha Ab cA2 inhibited homeostasis-driven ex vivo proliferation in healthy controls and in RA patients. In addition, treatment of RA patients with infliximab decreased the ex vivo rate of homeostatic proliferation of CD4(+) T cells. Our results suggest a disturbed regulation of CD4(+) T cell homeostasis leading to the repertoire aberrations reported in RA. Membrane-anchored TNF-alpha appears to be a cell-cell contact-dependent stimulus of homeostatic proliferation of CD4(+) T cells, possibly favoring self-replication of autoreactive CD4(+) T cells in patients with RA.     

Cloning and functional expression of the T cell activation antigen CD26.

A cDNA encoding the T cell activation Ag CD26 was isolated from human PHA-activated T cells by using an expression cloning method. The nucleotide sequence obtained predicts a protein of 766 amino acids of type II membrane topology, with six amino acids in the cytoplasmic region. The predicted amino acid sequence of the Ag was 85% homologous to that of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV enzyme isolated from rat liver. Derivatives of the human leukemic T cell line Jurkat transfected with a CD26 expression plasmid were established. Characterization of the CD26 Ag expressed by the transfected Jurkat cells revealed that the Ag could be immunoprecipitated as a 110-kDa molecule similar to that found on peripheral blood T cells and that the Ag had dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity. Functional analysis of these Jurkat transfectants showed that cross-linking of the CD26 and CD3 Ag with their respective antibodies resulted in enhanced intracellular calcium mobilization and IL-2 production. These results provide direct evidence that the CD26 Ag plays a role in T cell activation.     

CD43 functions as a ligand for E-Selectin on activated T cells

E-selectin, an inducible cell adhesion molecule expressed on endothelial cells, mediates the rolling on endothelium of leukocytes expressing E-selectin ligands, such as neutrophils and activated T cells. Although previous studies using mice lacking P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) have indicated that PSGL-1 on Th1 cells functions as an E-selectin ligand, the molecular nature of E-selectin ligands other than PSGL-1 remains unknown. In this study, we show that a 130-kDa glycoprotein was precipitated by an E-selectin-IgG chimera from mouse Th1 cells. This protein was cleaved by O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase and required sialic acid for E-selectin binding. The mAb 1B11, which recognizes the 130-kDa glycoform of CD43, recognized the 130-kDa band in the E-selectin-IgG precipitate. In addition, immunoprecipitation of the E-selectin-IgG precipitate with 1B11 depleted the 130-kDa protein, further confirming its identity as CD43. CD43 was also precipitated with E-selectin-IgG from cultured human T cells. E-selectin-dependent cell rolling on CD43 was observed under flow conditions using a CD43-IgG chimera generated in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase VII and a core 2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase. These results suggest that CD43, when modified by a specific set of glycosyltranferases, can function as an E-selectin ligand and therefore potentially mediate activated T cell migration into inflamed sites.     

A human CD4- T cell leukemia subclone with contact-dependent helper function.

Helper T lymphocytes provide a contact dependent signal to resting B cells that is required for optimal differentiation into Ig-secreting cells. The surface structure(s) on T cells that mediate helper function have not been identified but are known to be induced by T cell activation. A CD4- subclone of the Jurkat leukemic T cell line (D1.1) was isolated and found to be distinct from CD4+ Jurkat clones and a variety of other T and non-T cell leukemic lines in that coculture of D1.1 with resting B cells induced B cells to specifically express surface CD23 molecules, a marker of B cell activation. Furthermore, Jurkat D1.1 induced B cell proliferation and terminal B cell differentiation into IgG-secreting cells in the presence of T cell-dependent B cell mitogens. Similar to the helper effector function of activated T cells, the effects of Jurkat D1.1 were neither Ag nor MHC restricted. Paraformaldehyde fixed Jurkat D1.1 cells remained competent to activate B cells while D1.1 supernatants and diffusible factors were inactive. The effect of Jurkat D1.1 on B cell activation was distinct from that of rIL-4 and was not inhibited by antibodies to IL-4. Together these observations suggested that surface structures on D1.1 and not secreted factors, mediated contact-dependent helper effector function.     

IL-4 suppression of in vivo T cell activation and antibody production

Injection of mice with a foreign anti-IgD Ab stimulates B and T cell activation that results in large cytokine and Ab responses. Because most anti-IgD-activated B cells die before they can be stimulated by activated T cells, and because IL-4 prolongs the survival of B cells cultured with anti-Ig, we hypothesized that treatment with IL-4 at the time of anti-IgD Ab injection would decrease B cell death and enhance anti-IgD-induced Ab responses. Instead, IL-4 treatment before or along with anti-IgD Ab suppressed IgE and IgG1 responses, whereas IL-4 injected after anti-IgD enhanced IgE responses. The suppressive effect of early IL-4 treatment on the Ab response to anti-IgD was associated with a rapid, short-lived increase in IFN-gamma gene expression but decreased CD4+ T cell activation and decreased or delayed T cell production of other cytokines. We examined the possibilities that IL-4 stimulation of IFN-gamma production, suppression of IL-1 or IL-2 production, or induction of TNF-alpha or Fas-mediated apoptosis could account for IL-4's suppressive effect. The suppressive effect of IL-4 was not reversed by IL-1, IL-2, or anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IFN-gamma mAb treatment, or mimicked by treatment with anti-IL-2Ralpha (CD25) and anti-IL-2Rbeta (CD122) mAbs. Early IL-4 treatment failed to inhibit anti-IgD-induced Ab production in Fas-defective lpr mice; however, the poor responsiveness of lpr mice to anti-IgD made this result difficult to interpret. These observations indicate that exposure to IL-4, while T cells are first being activated by Ag presentation, can inhibit T cells activation or promote deletion of responding CD4+ T cells.     

CD44 is a major E-selectin ligand on human hematopoietic progenitor cells

E-selectin plays a critical role in mediating tissue-specific homing of T cells into skin, and of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) into bone marrow (BM). Though it is known that a glycoform of PSGL-1 (CLA) functions as the principal E-selectin ligand on human T lymphocytes, the E-selectin ligand(s) of human HPCs has not been identified. We used a shear-based adherence assay to analyze and define the E-selectin ligand activity of membrane proteins from human HPCs. Our data show that PSGL-1 expressed on human HPCs is an E-selectin ligand, and that HPCs also express a previously unrecognized E-selectin ligand, CD44. The E-selectin ligand activity of CD44 is conferred by the elaboration of sialylated, fucosylated binding determinants on N-glycans. This glycoform of CD44 is expressed on primitive CD34+ human HPCs, but not on more mature hematopoietic cells. Under physiologic flow conditions, this molecule mediates E-selectin-dependent rolling interactions over a wider shear range than that of PSGL-1, and promotes human HPC rolling interactions on E-selectin expressed on human BM endothelial cells. These findings offer new insights into the structural biology and physiology of CD44, and into the molecular basis of E-selectin-dependent adhesive interactions that direct homing of human HPC to BM.