T细胞功能亚群

T细胞是高度异质性的细胞群,可分为不同类别。近年来,T细胞(尤其是CD4+T细胞)功能亚群的研究进展极为迅速。Th1、Th2、nTreg、Th17、Tfh、iTreg、Th9和Th22细胞等陆续被发现,极大扩展了对CD4+T细胞功能亚群的认识。同时,对CD8+T细胞和记忆性T细胞功能亚群的研究也取得进展。     

诱导性调节性T细胞抑制移植排斥反应的作用研究

目的:通过体外诱导的方法将幼稚CD4+T细胞(na觙ve CD4+T cell)转化为调节性T细胞(RegulatoryT cells,Tregs),并验证其在小鼠异体皮片移植模型上对移植排斥反应的抑制作用。方法:分选na觙ve CD4+T细胞并在体外诱导其转化为Tregs,流式检测细胞确定其转化率。将诱导性Treg(induced Treg,iTreg)与效应T细胞(Effective T cells,Teffs)以不同比例共同培养检测其对T细胞增殖的抑制能力。建立C57bl/6到Balb/c小鼠的异体皮片移植模型,植皮术后将iTreg经由股静脉输注入受体(Balb/c小鼠)体内,观察皮片存活情况,绘制皮片存活曲线。同时于皮片移植术后11天对皮片进行病理切片,观察移植排斥反应状况。结果:体外诱导na觙ve CD4+T细胞转化为iTreg的比例约44%,在iTreg:Teff比例大于1:4时,iTreg具有明显地抑制Teff增殖的作用,且这种抑制作用具有剂量依赖性。植皮小鼠输注iTreg后皮片存活时间较对照组延长约2.4天,病理切片显示排斥反应减轻,但皮片在14天左右时仍被排斥。结论:体外诱导的iTreg能够在体外抑制Teff增殖,且能有效抑制小鼠异体皮片移植后排斥反应。     

FOXP3+调节性T细胞与非感染性炎症疾病

FOXP3~+调节性T细胞(FOXP3~+Tregs)是一类具有免疫抑制等调节作用的CD4~+T淋巴细胞亚群,其正常生理功能对人体免疫稳态的维持不可或缺。基于免疫疗法的临床需求,越来越多研究着眼于深入理解FOXP3~+Treg在局部组织炎症条件下的功能紊乱及其相关分子机理。现将系统阐述近年来有关FOXP3~+Treg生理功能及其调控机制的研究新进展,重点聚焦在多种非感染性炎症疾病,如自身免疫性疾病、免疫代谢性疾病、神经退行性疾病中,FOXP3~+Treg功能稳定性及组织特异性的分子机理及其潜在干预新靶点和新策略。     

Treg细胞功能调节与抗肿瘤免疫治疗

CD4~+CD25~+FOXP3~+调节性T细胞(Treg)负责维持体内免疫稳态和免疫耐受,转录因子FOXP3对于其发育分化及生理功能至关重要。FOXP3功能在转录、翻译和翻译后修饰等多个层次被精细调控。Treg在肿瘤微环境中聚集而介导肿瘤的免疫逃逸,减少微环境中的Treg细胞数量并降低其活性,有助于促进机体的抗肿瘤免疫反应。深入研究不同组织及不同炎症微环境下Treg功能调节机制及其细胞特异性表面标志物,将为肿瘤免疫治疗提供新思路和新策略。     

天然型调节性T细胞发育分化的研究进展

CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(Treg)对维持自身免疫耐受及调控免疫应答水平发挥非常重要的作用．Treg的缺失或紊乱导致如多发性硬化症、1型糖尿病等自身免疫性疾病的发生．研究发现,Treg在肿瘤免疫、感染免疫和移植免疫耐受中也发挥关键作用．根据来源不同,可将Treg分为胸腺来源的天然型Treg(natural Treg)和外周诱导型Treg(induced Treg)两群．天然型Treg(nTreg)是由胸腺发育分化成熟的,nTreg存在于胸腺CD4单阳性细胞中,表达CD4、CD25及叉头转录因子Foxp3,主要通过细胞与细胞之间直接接触发挥免疫抑制功能．研究表明,nTreg在胸腺中发育分化受到十分复杂的细胞、分子网络调控．胸腺微环境、T细胞受体、共刺激分子、IL-2等信号都可影响nTreg的发育分化．本文将主要对胸腺nTreg的发育分化过程及分子调控等方面进行综述．     

调节性T 细胞在发热结缔组织病患者外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究Treg细胞在发热CTD患者外周血表达对结核感染的诊断价值。方法:对103例发热CTD患者进行T-SPOT.TB试验,将39例阳性者设为实验组-1,进行抗结核治疗,将64例阳性者设为实验组-2,另选取40例健康者作为对照组,检测三组外周血CD4+CD25+Treg细胞、Foxp3基因、IL-10、TGF-β的表达。结果:实验组CD4+CD25+Foxp3 Treg细胞占CD4+T比例高于对照组(P0.05),实验组-1治疗前外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3 Treg细胞占CD4+T比例高于实验组-1治疗后、实验组-2(P0.05);实验组TGF-β表达量低于对照组(P0.05),实验组-1治疗前低于实验组-1治疗后及实验组-2(P0.05);实验组-1治疗前IL-10表达量低于实验组-1治疗后、实验组-2及对照组(P0.05)。结论:CD4+CD25+Foxp3 Treg细胞在发热CTD伴有结核感染患者外周血中的表达升高,其变化可作为结核感染诊断的辅助性指标。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞

调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)是机体维持自身耐受的重要组成部分。CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞来源于胸腺,其主要功能是抑制自身反应性T细胞,并且其作用是通过直接的Treg-T效应细胞之间的相互接触方式来实现的。CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞可分泌多种抑制性细胞因子,但与其抑制功能关系并不明确,目前有证据表明GITR和Foxp3与CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞的抑制功能有关,并且Foxp3已作为CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞的特异性标志。通过IL-10、TGF-β等抑制性细胞因子、imDC以及转基因技术可以产生具有免疫抑制功能的调节性T细胞。调节性T细胞在免疫相关性疾病、肿瘤免疫和抗感染免疫等方面具有重要意义。     

调节性T细胞及其调节机制

免疫系统中许多细胞相互作用以保护机体免受各种病原体造成的伤害,同时机体又发展了多种机制调控免疫系统以预防对自身抗原的免疫应答或对病原体的过度应答。除了抗原刺激免疫活性细胞激活和分化的内在稳态调节机制外,调节性T细胞所介导的外源性机制在免疫调节中发挥着举足轻重的作用。目前发现的调节性T细胞主要包括CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、Tr1调节性T细胞、Th3调节性T细胞、CD8+调节性T细胞、NK T细胞、TCRγδ+T细胞、DN T细胞。本文介绍这些调节性T细胞的表型和作用机制的研究进展。     

调节性T细胞与胶质瘤的免疫治疗

调节性T细胞（regulatory T cell,Treg）是一群具有抑制其它免疫细胞功能的起负性调控的细胞群. Treg细胞能抑制多种免疫细胞,如CD4+T和CD8+T淋巴细胞、NK细胞、B淋巴细胞以及树突状细胞的活化和增殖,是体内维持免疫系统稳定,防止出现自身免疫性疾病重要因素.最新研究表明,Treg细胞在肿瘤免疫逃逸中也发挥重要作用. 肿瘤细胞通过扩增或招募Treg细胞,抑制机体对肿瘤的免疫作用,由此可知,Treg细胞在肿瘤的发生和发展过程中发挥重要作用. 因此,抑制Treg细胞的活性和数量是包括胶质瘤在内的肿瘤免疫治疗有效的方式.     

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。     

A kinetic and dynamic analysis of Foxp3 induced in T cells by TGF-beta

TGF-beta induces Foxp3 expression in stimulated T cells. These Foxp3+ cells (induced regulatory T cells (iTreg)) share functional and therapeutic properties with thymic-derived Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (natural regulatory T cells (nTreg)). We performed a single-cell analysis to better characterize the regulation of Foxp3 in iTreg in vitro and assess their dynamics after transfer in vivo. TGF-beta up-regulated Foxp3 in CD4+Foxp3- T cells only when added within a 2- to 3-day window of CD3/CD28 stimulation. Up to 90% conversion occurred, beginning after 1-2 days of treatment. Foxp3 expression strictly required TCR stimulation but not costimulation and was independent of cell cycling. Removal of TGF-beta led to a loss of Foxp3 expression after an approximately 4-day lag. Most iTreg transferred into wild-type mice down-regulated Foxp3 within 2 days, and these Foxp3- cells were concentrated in the blood, spleen, lung, and liver. Few of the Foxp3- cells were detected by 28 days after transfer. However, some Foxp3+ cells persisted even to this late time point, and these preferentially localized to the lymph nodes and bone marrow. CXCR4 was preferentially expressed on Foxp3+ iTreg within the bone marrow, and CD62L was preferentially expressed on those in the lymph nodes. Like transferred nTreg and in contrast with revertant Foxp3- cells, Foxp3+ iTreg retained CD25 and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene. Thus, Foxp3 expression in na?ve-stimulated T cells is transient in vitro, dependent on TGF-beta activity within a highly restricted window after activation and continuous TGF-beta presence. In vivo, a subset of transferred iTreg persist long term, potentially providing a lasting source for regulatory activity after therapeutic administration.     

P38 MAP kinase signaling is required for the conversion of CD4+CD25- T cells into iTreg

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are important mediators of immune tolerance. A subset of Treg can be generated in the periphery by TGF-beta dependent conversion of conventional CD4+CD25- T cells into induced Treg (iTreg). In chronic viral infection or malignancy, such induced iTreg, which limit the depletion of aberrant or infected cells, may be of pathogenic relevance. To identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention, we investigated the TGF-beta signaling in Treg. In contrast to conventional CD4+ T cells, Treg exhibited marked activation of the p38 MAP kinase pathway. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity prevented the TGF-beta-dependent conversion of CD4+CD25- T cells into Foxp3+ iTreg in vitro. Of note, the suppressive capacity of nTreg was not affected by inhibiting p38 MAP kinase. Our findings indicate that signaling via p38 MAP kinase seems to be important for the peripheral generation of iTreg; p38 MAP kinase could thus be a therapeutic target to enhance immunity to chronic viral infection or cancer.     

Progranulin Facilitates Conversion and Function of Regulatory T Cells under Inflammatory Conditions

The progranulin (PGRN) is known to protect regulatory T cells (Tregs) from a negative regulation by TNF-α, and its levels are elevated in various kinds of autoimmune diseases. Whether PGRN directly regulates the conversion of CD4+CD25-T cells into Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (iTreg), and whether PGRN affects the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, however, remain unknown. In this study we provide evidences demonstrating that PGRN is able to stimulate the conversion of CD4+CD25-T cells into iTreg in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In addition, PGRN showed synergistic effects with TGF-β1 on the induction of iTreg. PGRN was required for the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, since PGRN-deficient Tregs have a significant decreased ability to suppress the proliferation of effector T cells (Teff). In addition, PGRN deficiency caused a marked reduction in Tregs number in the course of inflammatory arthritis, although no significant difference was observed in the numbers of Tregs between wild type and PGRN deficient mice during development. Furthermore, PGRN deficiency led to significant upregulation of the Wnt receptor gene Fzd2. Collectively, this study reveals that PGRN directly regulates the numbers and function of Tregs under inflammatory conditions, and provides new insight into the immune regulatory mechanism of PGRN in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and immune-related diseases.     

Identification of circulating human antigen-reactive CD4+ FOXP3+ natural regulatory T cells

Circulating human CD4(+)CD25(++)CD127(-)FOXP3(+) T cells with a persistent demethylated regulatory T cell (Treg)-specific demethylated region Foxp3 gene are considered natural Tregs (nTregs). We have shown that it is possible to identify functional Ag-reactive nTregs cells for a range of different common viral and vaccination Ags. The frequency of these Ag-reactive nTregs within the nTreg population is strikingly similar to the frequency of Ag-reactive T effector cells within the CD4(+) T cell population. The Ag-reactive nTregs could be recognized with great specificity by induction of CD154 expression. These CD154(+) Ag-reactive nTregs showed a memory phenotype and shared all phenotypical and functional characteristics of nTregs. The isolated CD154(+) nTregs could be most efficiently expanded by specific antigenic stimulation, while their Ag-reactive suppressive activity was maintained. After an in vivo booster Ag challenge, the ratio of Ag-reactive T cells to Ag-reactive Tregs increased substantially, which could be attributed to the rise in effector T cells but not Tregs. In conclusion, the nTreg population mirrors the effector T cell population in the frequency of Ag-reactive T cells. Isolation and expansion of functional Ag-reactive nTregs is possible and of potential benefit for specific therapeutic goals.     

Rapamycin promotes expansion of functional CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells of both healthy subjects and type 1 diabetic patients

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) are pivotal for the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance in both mice and humans. Rapamycin has been shown to promote tolerance in experimental models and to favor CD4+CD25+ Treg-dependent suppression. We recently reported that rapamycin allows in vitro expansion of murine CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, which preserve their suppressive function. In the current study, we show that activation of human CD4+ T cells from healthy subjects in the presence of rapamycin leads to growth of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs and to selective depletion of CD4+CD25- T effector cells, which are highly sensitive to the antiproliferative effect of the compound. The rapamycin-expanded Tregs suppress proliferation of both syngeneic and allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, rapamycin promotes expansion of functional CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs also in type 1 diabetic patients, in whom a defect in freshly isolated CD4+CD25+ Tregs has been reported. The capacity of rapamycin to allow growth of functional CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs, but also to deplete T effector cells, can be exploited for the design of novel and safe in vitro protocols for cellular immunotherapy in T cell-mediated diseases.     

MAP kinase p38 and its relation to T cell anergy and suppressor function of regulatory T cells

Diverse regulatory T cell populations (Treg) are important for the control of self tolerance and immune homeostasis. These include naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ Treg (nTreg) and induced Treg (iTreg). Tolerogenic dendritic cells, modulated by IL-10, are able to convert peripheral T cells into iTreg. These are anergic and characterized by a G1 cell cycle arrest, dependent on elevated levels of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1. Novel data revealed a distinct pattern of MAP kinase activation in iTreg different from clonal T cell anergy, with enhanced activation of the p38-MAPKAP-K2/3 pathway. p38 is involved in cell cycle control and its activity is a prerequisite for the induction and maintenance of the anergic state in iTreg. Inhibition of p38 leads to down regulation of p27Kip1, cell cycle progress and loss of regulatory T cell function. Here, we discuss these data in light of the role of p38 and p27Kip1 in T cell activation, anergy induction and cell cycle control.     

1,25-Dihyroxyvitamin D3 promotes FOXP3 expression via binding to vitamin D response elements in its conserved noncoding sequence region

FOXP3-positive regulatory T (Treg) cells are a unique subset of T cells with immune regulatory properties. Treg cells can be induced from non-Treg CD4(+) T cells (induced Treg [iTreg] cells) by TCR triggering, IL-2, and TGF-β or retinoic acid. 1,25-Dihyroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)VD(3)] affects the functions of immune cells including T cells. 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3) binds the nuclear VD receptor (VDR) that binds target DNA sequences known as the VD response element (VDRE). Although 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3) can promote FOXP3 expression in CD4(+) T cells with TCR triggering and IL-2, it is unknown whether this effect of 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3) is mediated through direct binding of VDR to the FOXP3 gene without involving other molecules. Also, it is unclear whether FOXP3 expression in 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3)-induced Treg (VD-iTreg) cells is critical for the inhibitory function of these cells. In this study, we demonstrated the presence of VDREs in the intronic conserved noncoding sequence region +1714 to +2554 of the human FOXP3 gene and the enhancement of the FOXP3 promoter activity by such VDREs in response to 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3). Additionally, VD-iTreg cells suppressed the proliferation of target CD4(+) T cells and this activity was dependent on FOXP3 expression. These findings suggest that 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3) can affect human immune responses by regulating FOXP3 expression in CD4(+) T cells through direct VDR binding to the FOXP3 gene, which is essential for inhibitory function of VD-iTreg cells.