Activation and function of an autoreactive T cell clone with dual immunoregulatory activity

Previously it was demonstrated that the human autoreactive CD4+ T cell clone MTC-4 is bifunctional, having the capacity to augment differentiation of autologous B cells into Ig-secreting cells in the absence of PWM and the capacity to suppress such differentiation in the presence of PWM. In the present study it was shown that these two functions of MTC-4 are mediated by distinctly different mechanisms. In the presence of autologous class II MHC Ag, MTC-4 releases one or more non-MHC-restricted soluble factors which stimulate B cell differentiation. The helper factors are different from IL-2, and act on both resting (small) and activated (large) B cells. The suppressor function of MTC-4 cells is elicited when MTC-4 cells are co-cultured with autologous non-T cells preincubated with PWM for 4 h, but not with non-T cells preincubated with PWM for 24 h; thus, activated autologous non-T cells have a transient capacity to induce MTC-4 suppressor function. Induction of MTC-4 suppressor activity is not associated with increased proliferation of MTC-4 and is mediated by low numbers of these cells. Unlike helper function, MTC-4 suppression of Ig synthesis can occur late in B cell cultures, and MTC-4 suppresses Ig production by autologous B cells, but not by allogeneic B cells. Finally, in co-cultures with activated autologous non-T cells and allogeneic B cells, MTC-4 can simultaneously produce helper factors that augment Ig synthesis by allogeneic B cells and suppress Ig synthesis by autologous B cells. In summary, exposure of MTC-4 to autologous non-T cells causes release of non-MHC-restricted factors which augment Ig production by both resting and activated autologous B cells, whereas exposure of MTC-4 to recently activated B cells causes MTC-4 to express the additional function of directly suppressing Ig production by differentiated autologous B cells. Thus autoreactive T cells may be uniquely suited to regulate Ig production.     

Noncognate contact-dependent B cell activation can promote IL-4-dependent in vitro human IgE synthesis

We have previously shown that IL-4 is an essential mediator for the synthesis of human IgE in vitro. In this study we demonstrate that prior physical contact with T cells is required by B cells to synthesize IgE in response to IL-4. Both autologous and allogeneic freshly prepared T cells were consistently able to support IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis, provided that they were added to B cells together with, or before, the addition of IL-4. In addition, most CD4+, as well as a proportion of CD8+, PHA-induced T cell clones (TCC) established from two HLA-DR incompatible donors, supported, in the presence of exogenous IL-4, the synthesis of IgE in B cells from the majority of individuals tested including both donors of cloned T cells. An alloreactive TCC able to produce IL-4 in response to HLA-DR4+ B cells and to induce HLA-DR4+ B cells to synthesize IgE, acquired the ability to support IgE synthesis by B cells lacking the appropriate alloantigen provided that exogenous IL-4 was added. Although the ability of freshly prepared T cells to support IgE synthesis was consistently abrogated by fixation with paraformaldehyde (PF), such a treatment variably affected the IgE-inducing ability of TCC. Preactivation with anti-CD3 before treatment with PF maintained or even enhanced the ability of TCC to support IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis. More importantly, preactivation with anti-CD3, followed by fixation with PF, enabled TCC, apparently devoid of IgE-inducing activity in unfixed condition, to support IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis. Taken together these data suggest that at least two signals are involved in the triggering of human B cells to IgE production: the first is delivered by a T-B cell contact and the second by IL-4. The physical signal delivered by T cells does not necessarily consist of cognate interaction. Non-cognate contact-dependent induction of B cells to IgE synthesis in response to IL-4 appears to be related to molecule(s) distinct from the TCR/CD3 complex, but fully expressed on the membrane of TCR/CD3-activated T cells.     

IL-2 and a contact-mediated signal provided by TCR alpha beta + or TCR gamma delta + CD4+ T cells induce polyclonal Ig production by committed human B cells. Enhancement by IL-5, specific inhibition of IgA synthesis by IL-4.

To study the role of T cells in T-B cell interactions resulting in isotype production, autologous purified human splenic B and T cells were cocultured in the presence of IL-2 and Con A. Under these conditions high amounts of IgM, IgG, and IgA were secreted. B cell help was provided by autologous CD4+ T cells whereas autologous CD8+ T cells were ineffective. Moreover, CD8+ T cells suppressed Ig production when added to B cells cocultured with CD4+ T cells. Autologous CD4+ T cells could be replaced by allogeneic activated TCR gamma delta,CD4+ or TCR alpha beta,CD4+ T cell clones with nonrelevant specificities, indicating that the TCR is not involved in these T-B cell interactions. In contrast, resting CD4+ T cell clones, activated CD8+, or TCR gamma delta,CD4-,CD8- T cell clones failed to induce IL-2-dependent Ig synthesis. CD4+ T-B cell interaction required cell-cell contact. Separation of the CD4+ T and B cells by semiporous membranes or replacement of the CD4+ T cells by their culture supernatants did not result in Ig synthesis. However, intact activated TCR alpha beta or TCR gamma delta,CD4+ T cell clones could be replaced by plasma membrane preparations of these cells. Ig synthesis was blocked by mAb against class II MHC and CD4. These data indicate that in addition to CD4 and class II MHC Ag a membrane-associated determinant expressed on both TCR alpha beta or TCR gamma delta,CD4+ T cells after activation is required for productive T-B cell interactions resulting in Ig synthesis. Ig production was also blocked by mAb against IL-2 and the IL-2R molecules Tac and p75 but not by anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-5 mAb. The CD4+ T cell clones and IL-2 stimulated surface IgM-IgG+ and IgM-IgA+, but not IgM+IgG- or IgM+IgA- B cells to secrete IgG and IgA, respectively, indicating that they induced a selective expansion of IgG- and IgA-committed B cells rather than isotype switching in Ig noncommitted B cells. Induction of Ig production by CD4+ T cell clones and IL-2 was modulated by other cytokines. IL-5 and transforming growth factor-beta enhanced, or blocked, respectively, the production of all isotypes in a dose-dependent fashion. Interestingly, IL-4 specifically blocked IgA production in this culture system, indicating that IL-4 inhibits only antibody production by IgA-committed B cells.     

Human peripheral blood T helper cell-induced B cell activation results in B cell surface expression of the CD23 (BLAST-2) antigen

We have developed an in vitro system to assess the early stages of B cell activation induced by peripheral blood T helper cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are cultured for 16 hr with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), T lymphocytes are then removed by sheep red blood cell rosette depletion, and expression of the B cell surface activation antigen CD23 (BLAST-2) is assessed by indirect immunofluorescence. Anti-CD3 mAb, but not a control anti-CD5 mAb, stimulates the expression of CD23 on 20-50% of peripheral blood B cells cultured with autologous T cells. T cell subset depletion studies show that the CD4+ T cell subset is responsible for anti-CD3-mediated induction of CD23 on autologous B cells. Anti-CD3-induced, T helper cell-dependent CD23 expression is not MHC-restricted, as allogeneic combinations of T and non-T cells, cultured in the presence of anti-CD3 antibody, also result in the expression of B cell CD23. Individuals whose monocyte Fc receptors bind murine IgG1 mAb poorly fail to trigger T cell proliferation in response to murine IgG1 anti-CD3 mAb and also fail to express B cell CD23 following culture of PBMC with IgG1 anti-CD3 mAb, while the usual expression of CD23 is seen after culture with IgG2a anti-CD3 mAb. The mechanism of anti-CD3-induced B cell activation was addressed in experiments using a two-chamber culture system. While little IL-4 activity was detected in anti-CD3-stimulated culture supernatants, optimal induction of CD23 was observed when T and B cells were cultured together in a single chamber. This suggests that under physiologic conditions, in which quantities of lymphokine may be limiting, close physical contact between the anti-CD3-activated Th cell and B cell may be required for CD23 expression. The anti-CD3-induced BLAST-2 assay will facilitate the analysis of Th cell-mediated B cell activation in any individual and should permit us to separately evaluate the roles of Th cells and B cells in the impaired immunoregulation characteristic of autoimmune disorders.     

Human atopen-specific types 1 and 2 T helper cell clones.

Eight representative T lymphocyte clones (TLC) randomly selected from previously described panels of CD4+ housedust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)-specific TLC from atopic and nonatopic donors were studied in more detail in a comparative investigation. The TLC from the atopic donors closely resembled murine type 2 Th (Th2) cells by secreting substantial IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, minimal IFN-gamma, and relatively little IL-2. In contrast, the nonatopic's TLC resembled murine type 1 Th (TH1) cells by secreting substantial IFN-gamma, IL-2, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF, no IL-4, and little IL-5. A difference with murine Th1 cells was their additional secretion of IL-6. These cytokine profiles were consistent upon stimulation via different activation pathways including stimulation with specific Dp Ag, mitogenic lectins, and antibodies to CD2, CD3, or CD28. The observed differences in IL-2 secretion, however, were most evident upon stimulation with anti-CD28. If TLC cells were cultured with highly purified B cells and stimulated with anti-CD3 in the absence of exogenous IL-4, IgE synthesis was induced only in cultures with the atopics' Th2 clones, which could be completely abrogated by anti-IL-4. The mere presence of exogenous rIL-4, however, did not result in IgE synthesis, nor did unstimulated TLC cells alone. But if unstimulated TLC cells (that proved not to secrete detectable amounts of cytokines) were added together with rIL-4, again IgE synthesis was induced only in cultures with the atopics' Th2 clones, suggesting the involvement of an additional, as yet unidentified accessory helper function of the atopics' Th2 clones for IgE induction. Unstimulated Th2 clones showed a significantly higher expression of CD28 than the Th1 clones, but three days after stimulation, CD28 expression was elevated to comparable levels on both subsets. When added to B cells at this time point, together with rIL-4 and anti-IFN-gamma, still only the atopics' Th2 clones supported IgE synthesis, arguing against a role for CD28 in this accessory helper function. Whereas the atopics' Th2 clones were excellent helper cells for IgE induction, a unique property of the nonatopic's Th1 clones was their cytolytic activity toward autologous APC which could be induced by specific Dp Ag and by anti-CD3. The present data provide clear evidence for the existence of Th1 and Th2 cells in man.     

Functional heterogeneity among herpes simplex virus-specific human CD4+ T cells.

One hundred thirteen HSV-specific CD4+ T cell clones were established from the PBL of a healthy person and their functional heterogeneity was investigated. All clones proliferated in response to stimulation with HSV in the presence of autologous APC. Among those, 48 clones showed cytotoxic activity to HSV-infected autologous EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line, but not to HSV-infected autologous fibroblasts, HSV-infected allogeneic cells, or K562 cells (group 1). Five clones showed cytotoxicity against HSV-infected autologous cells as well as HSV-infected allogeneic cells and K562 cells (group 2). The cytotoxicity of these clones was found to be mediated by the direct killing but not by the "innocent bystander" killing of target cells. Sixty clones showed no cytotoxic activity, however, among these, 23 revealed HLA-unrestricted and nonspecific cytotoxicity in the presence of PHA in culture (group 3), and the remaining 37 did not show any cytotoxic activity even in the presence of PHA (group 4). The cytotoxic patterns of these clones did not change in activated and resting phases, suggesting that the difference in cytotoxic ability does not depend on cell cycles. The cytotoxic activity of group 1 was inhibited by addition of anti-HLA-DR or anti-CD3 mAb to the culture, whereas these mAb had no effect on the cytotoxicity of group 2. All four groups of clones had helper activity for anti-HSV antibody production by autologous B cells. Moreover it was found that all groups of clones simultaneously produced IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma after culture with APC followed by HSV Ag stimulation. The surface phenotype of all clones was uniformly CD2+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD29+, CD45RA-, but expression of Leu 8 was varied. These data therefore indicate that HSV-specific human CD4+ T cells are classified into at least four groups according to the presence and specificity of cytotoxicity, i.e., Th cells with HSV-specific and HLA-class II-restricted cytotoxicity, Th cells with HLA-unrestricted and nonspecific cytotoxicity, Th cells with lectin-dependent cytotoxicity, and Th cells without cytotoxic activity. The present finding of functional heterogeneity among virus-specific human CD4+ T cells might shed light on the pathogenesis of CD4+ T cell immunodeficiency, such as human retrovirus infections.     

Helper activity in antigen-specific antibody production mediated by CD4+ human cytotoxic T cell clones directed against herpes simplex virus

Three HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2) common ("HSV-type common") and three HSV-1 specific CTL clones, which were CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, 4B4+, and 2H4-, were established. These clones proliferated in response to stimulation with HSV in the presence of autologous APC. The HSV type specificity of the proliferative response was identical with that of the cytotoxic activity of the clones. The cytotoxic activity and the proliferative response were both inhibited by addition of anti-HLA-DR mAb to the culture. After culture of these CTL clones with autologous B cells and macrophages followed by HSV Ag stimulation, anti-HSV antibody was detected in the culture supernatant. The HSV type specificity of the helper function for antibody production was identical with that of the cytotoxicity, i.e., HSV-type common clones, upon stimulation with either HSV-1, or HSV-2, and HSV-1-specific clones, upon stimulation with HSV-1 but not with HSV-2, showed helper activity for anti-HSV antibody production by autologous B cells. Moreover, it was found that these clones produced humoral factors which help autologous B cells to produce antibody. The helper factors were produced by T cell clones in an HSV-type-specific manner. These data suggest that some CD4+ T cells can simultaneously manifest both specific cytotoxicity and helper activity for Ag-specific antibody production by B cells, and that these multifunctional T cells might play an important role in protection against viral infection.     

Activation through CD3 molecule leads a number of human T cell clones to induce IgE synthesis in vitro by B cells from allergic and nonallergic individuals

Seventy-eight clones established from tonsillar T lymphocytes of two nonallergic children were tested under different experimental conditions for their ability to induce in vitro IgE synthesis by B cells from allergic or nonallergic donors. After 24 hr preactivation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), 11 out of 32 CD4+ clones from the first and 17 out of 36 CD4+ clones from the second tonsil donor showed the ability to induce IgE synthesis in vitro by B cells from both allergic and nonallergic individuals, whereas none of 10 CD8+ clones nor T blasts of PHA-induced cell lines obtained from unfractionated T cell suspensions of the same tonsils had such an effect. Seven of the 11 T cell clones from the first tonsil donor active on IgE production after pre-activation with PHA also induced IgE synthesis in vitro by nonallergic and allergic B cells upon stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Under the same experimental conditions, virtually all of the T cell clones able to induce IgE synthesis in vitro by target B cells showed the ability to stimulate IgG and IgM production as well. T cell clones were also established from the peripheral blood of a nonallergic donor and were tested for their ability to induce IgE synthesis in autologous B cells. After preactivation with PHA, seven out of 35 CD4+ clones induced the production of detectable amounts of both IgE and IgG in autologous B cells. The addition to the cultures of PHA-stimulated unfractionated T cells inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the IgE but not the IgG synthesis induced by an autologous helper T cell clone in autologous B cells. Taken together, these data indicate that a remarkable proportion of human T cell clones upon triggering of the CD3 molecular complex were able to provide help for the synthesis of IgE in B cells from both allergic and nonallergic individuals. The successful induction of IgE synthesis by single T cell clones was apparently related to the lack of concomitant suppressor activity to which IgE-producing cells appeared to be exquisitely sensitive.     

Human immunodeficiency virus-induced pathology favored by cellular transmission and activation

Epidemiological data suggest that transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs primarily by transference of virally infected cells. However, the efficiency of lytic productive infection induced by HIV after transmission of cell-associated virus vs. free virus is difficult to assess. The present studies compare the extent of depletion of CD4+ (helper/inducer) T cells after mixing uninfected cells with either free HIV or irradiated HIV-infected allogeneic or autologous cells in vitro. Rapid CD4+ cellular depletion occurred only in cultures containing allogeneic infected cells or after addition of a nonspecific T cell activation signal to cultures with autologous infected cells. These in vitro observations strongly support the epidemiological implication that interactions between infected and uninfected cells are the most efficient means of transmission and HIV-induced cytopathology in vivo. They also provide direct support for the concept that immunological stimulation by foreign cells infected with HIV dramatically increases the likelihood of transmission. These in vitro observations suggest a model for the acquisition of HIV in vivo and the role of cellular activation in dissemination of the virus to uninfected cells in an infected individual.     

CD4+ Leu-8+ T cell supernatant activity that inhibits Ig production.

The subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that expresses the Leu-8 peripheral lymph node homing receptor suppresses PWM-stimulated Ig synthesis. To determine the mechanism of this suppression, the immunoregulatory activity of culture supernatants obtained from peripheral blood CD4+ Leu-8+ T cells cultured with anti-CD3 mAb and PMA (Leu-8+ supernatant) was determined. Leu-8+ supernatant suppressed PWM-stimulated Ig synthesis in cultures containing non-T cells and CD4+ Leu-8- T cells. In contrast, the supernatant from CD4+ Leu-8- T cells did not suppress Ig synthesis. The inhibitory activity of CD4+ Leu-8+ T cell supernatants could not be accounted for by a deficiency or excess of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-6, or PGE2. In studies examining the effect of CD4+ Leu-8+ supernatant on T cells, the supernatant did not alter either mitogen-induced proliferation or the helper function of CD4+ Leu-8- T cells. In studies examining the effect of CD4+ Leu-8+ supernatant on B cells, the supernatant inhibited Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain-induced B cell Ig secretion but not B cell proliferation. The suppressor activity of Leu-8+ supernatant was eliminated by protease treatment and was eluted by HPLC in two main peaks, with molecular sizes of 44 and 12 kDa. In summary, these studies indicate that supernatants from activated CD4+ Leu-8+ T cells directly suppress B cell Ig production.     

IL-4 is an essential factor for the IgE synthesis induced in vitro by human T cell clones and their supernatants

The property of 109 CD4+ T cell clones (TCC) to induce IgE synthesis in vitro in human B cells was compared with their ability to produce IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma in their supernatants (SUP) after 24-h stimulation with PHA. A significant positive correlation was found between the property of TCC to induce or enhance spontaneous IgE synthesis and their ability to release IL-4. In contrast, there was an inverse relationship between the IgE helper activity of TCC and their ability to release IFN-gamma, whereas no statistical correlation between the property to induce IgE synthesis and to produce IL-2 was observed. The ability of PHA-SUP from 71 CD4+ TCC to induce IgE synthesis in B cells was also investigated. Twenty-nine SUP (all derived from TCC active on IgE synthesis) induced production of substantial amounts of IgE in target B cells. There was a correlation between the amount of IgE synthesized by B cells in response to these SUP and their IL-4 content. An even higher correlation was found between the IgE synthesis induced by these SUP and the ratio between the amount of IL-4 and IFN-gamma present in the same SUP. Like IL-4-containing SUP, rIL-4 also showed the ability to induce IgE production in B cells from both atopic and nonatopic donors. The addition to B cell cultures of anti-IL-4 antibody virtually abolished not only the IgE synthesis induced by rIL-4, but also that stimulated by TCC and their SUP. In contrast, the IgG synthesis induced by TCC SUP was not or only slightly inhibited by the anti-IL-4 antibody. These data indicate that IL-4 is an essential mediator for the IgE synthesis induced in vitro by human TCC and their SUP in the absence of a polyclonal activator, whereas IFN-gamma seems to exert a negative regulatory effect on the production of IgE.     

HIV-infected Langerhans cells preferentially transmit virus to proliferating autologous CD4+ memory T cells located within Langerhans cell-T cell clusters

Langerhans cells (LC) are likely initial targets for HIV following sexual exposure to virus and provide an efficient means for HIV to gain access to lymph node T cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of the CD4(+) T cell that becomes infected by HIV-infected LC. We infected human LC within tissue explants ex vivo and then, 3 days later, cocultured HIV-infected LC with different subsets of autologous CD4(+) T cells. Using multicolor flow cytometric analyses of LC-CD4(+) T cell cocultures, we documented that HIV-infected LC preferentially infected memory (as compared with naive) CD4(+) T cells. Proliferating and HIV-infected CD4(+) memory T cells were more frequently detected in conjugates of LC and autologous CD4(+) T cells, suggesting that T cells become activated and preferentially get infected through cluster formation with infected LC, rather than getting infected with free virus produced by single HIV-infected LC or T cells. p24(+) Memory CD4(+) T cells proliferated well in the absence of superantigen; by contrast, p24(+) T cells did not divide or divided only once in the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B, suggesting that virus production was rapid and induced apoptosis in these cells before significant proliferation could occur. These results highlight that close interactions between dendritic cells, in this case epidermal LC, and T cells are important for optimal HIV replication within specific subsets of CD4(+) T cells. Disrupting cluster formation between LC and memory CD4(+) T cells may be a novel strategy to interfere with sexual transmission of HIV.     

Defective dendritic cell function in HIV-infected patients receiving effective highly active antiretroviral therapy: neutralization of IL-10 production and depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells restore high levels of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses induced by dendritic cells generated in the presence of IFN-alpha

We previously demonstrated that GM-CSF/IFN-alpha combination allowed the differentiation of monocytes from HIV-infected patients into dendritic cells (DCs) exhibiting high CD8(+) T cell stimulating abilities. The present study was aimed at characterizing the ability of DCs generated in the presence of GM-CSF and IFN-alpha to induce CD4 T cell responses. DCs were generated from monocytes of HIV-infected patients in the presence of GM-CSF with either IFN-alpha (IFN-DCs) or IL-4 (IL-4-DCs) for 7 days. Eleven patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and exhibiting CD4 cell counts above 400/mm(3) and plasma HIV-RNA <50 copies/ml for at least 1 year were included in the study. Both DC populations were found to be defective in inducing autologous (in response to tuberculin or HIV-p24) or allogeneic CD4 T cell proliferation. Neutralization of IL-10 during the differentiation of IFN-DCs, but not during the DC-T cell coculture, significantly increased their ability to stimulate autologous CD4 T cell proliferation in response to tuberculin and allogeneic CD4 T cell proliferation (4.1-fold and 3.0-fold increases, respectively, at the DC to T cell ratio of 1:10). Moreover, IL-10 neutralization and CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell depletion synergistically act to dramatically increase HIV-p24-specific CD4 T cell responses induced by IFN-DCs (31.7-fold increase) but not responses induced by IL-4-DCs. Taken together, our results indicate that IFN-DCs are more efficient than IL-4-DCs to stimulate CD4(+) T cell proliferation, further supporting their use for immune-based therapy in HIV infection.     

Induction of isotype switching and Ig production by CD5+ and CD10+ human fetal B cells.

In the present study the capacity of early fetal B cells to produce Ig was investigated. It is shown that B cells from fetal liver, spleen, and bone marrow (BM) can be induced to produce IgM, IgG, IgG4, and IgE, but not IgA, in response to IL-4 in the presence of anti-CD40 mAb or cloned CD4+ T cells. Even splenic B cells from a human fetus of only 12 wk of gestation produced these Ig isotypes. IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, and transforming growth factor-beta inhibited IL-4-induced IgE production in fetal B cells, as described for mature B cells. The majority of B cells in fetal spleen expressed CD5 and CD10 and greater than 99% of B cells in fetal BM were CD10+. Highly purified CD10+, CD19+ immature B cells and CD5+, CD19+ B cells could be induced to produce Ig, including IgG4 and IgE, in similar amounts as unseparated CD19+ B cells. Virtually all CD19+ cells still expressed CD10 after 12 days of culture. However, the IgE-producing cells at the end of the culture period were found in the CD19-,CD10- cell population, suggesting differentiation of CD19+,CD10+ B cells into CD19-,CD10- plasma cells. Pre-B cells are characterized by their lack of expression of surface IgM (sIgM). Only 30 to 40% of BM B cells expressed sIgM. However, in contrast to sIgM+,CD10+,CD19+ immature B cells, sorted sIgM-,CD10+,CD19+ pre-B cells failed to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells under the present culture conditions. Addition of IL-6 to these cultures was ineffective. Taken together, these results indicate that fetal CD5+ and CD10+ B cells are mature in their capacity to be induced to Ig isotype switching in vitro as soon as they express sIgM.     

CD4 positive Leu-8 negative helper-inducer T cells predominate in the human intestinal lamina propria

The regulatory function of peripheral blood CD4 T cells correlates with the presence or absence of the membrane glycoprotein recognized by anti-Leu-8 antibody; CD4,Leu8- T cells help Ig synthesis and CD4,Leu-8+ T cells suppress Ig synthesis. In contrast to CD4 T cells from the peripheral blood and organized gut-associated lymphoid tissues, intestinal lamina propria CD4 T cells were found to have diminished expression of the Leu-8 Ag. Therefore, studies were performed to determine whether the decreased expression of the Leu-8 Ag on lamina propria CD4 T cells correlates with a difference in the ability of peripheral blood and lamina propria CD4 T cells to regulate PWM-stimulated Ig synthesis. At high T cell to non-T cell ratios, the helper function of lamina propria CD4 T cells was significantly higher than that of peripheral blood CD4 T cells. When CD4 T cells were incubated with anti-Leu-8 antibody, the suppressor function of peripheral blood CD4 T cells was increased, but lamina propria CD4 T cells did not suppress Ig synthesis. No difference was found between the helper function of CD4,Leu-8- T cells and the suppressor function of CD4, Leu-8+ T cells isolated from either the peripheral blood or the lamina propria. Thus, the difference in the regulatory function of CD4 T cells from the peripheral blood and the lamina propria is due to the quantitative difference in CD4,Leu-8+ T cells in these sites. Consequently, the intestinal lamina propria is a site enriched in CD4,Leu-8- T cells which predominantly mediate help for Ig synthesis.     

Identification of the anti-CD3-unresponsive subpopulation of CD4+, CD45RA+ peripheral T lymphocytes.

The majority of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes proliferate in vitro in response to anti-CD3 in presence of autologous APC. The present study describes a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that cannot be activated and progress into cell cycle by stimulation with anti-CD3 plus APC or with mitogenic combinations of anti-CD2. The in vitro responses of these anti-CD3-unresponsive CD4+ T cells were investigated with a panel of mAb to CD2, CD3, and CD28, and found to be similar to those previously observed for mature thymocytes: only the combination of anti-CD2 plus anti-CD28 produced cell proliferation. Anti-CD3-unresponsive T cells were CD45RA+, but represented only 14 to 22% of the CD4+, CD45RA+ T cell population. Activation with anti-CD2 plus anti-CD28 mAb resulted in major changes in the cell surface phenotype and functional properties: a loss of CD45RA+ occurred and an increased expression of CD45RO, CD29, and CD58 (LFA3), as well as a gain in responsiveness to anti-CD3 and anti-CD2. This change in CD45 phenotype from CD45RA to CD45RO occurs in both the anti-CD3-responsive and in the anti-CD3-unresponsive subsets of the CD45RA+, CD4+ cells after cell proliferation. The anti-CD3-unresponsive subset may represent a pool of not yet fully differentiated peripheral T cells. The acquisition of anti-CD3 responsiveness could occur as a consequence of Ag priming or by an Ag-independent mechanism. Involvement of the CD28 Ag in this process is suggested from the present study.     

CD4 molecules are associated with the antigen receptor complex on activated but not resting T cells

To explore the relationship between CD4 and CD3/Ti on the T cell surface, we have studied a panel of Ag-specific Th cell lines and clones, as well as resting and mitogen-activated CD4+ cells. Our results show that exposure of Th cells to their specific antigenic stimuli, but not to irrelevant stimuli, induced the rapid disappearance of approximately 20 to 35% of CD3 and CD4 molecules. The modulation of these molecules was detected in less than 1 h, became maximal at 12 h, and recovered thereafter in parallel. Treatment of Th cells with anti-CD4 antibody prevented Ag-induced modulation of CD3, and treatment with anti-CD3 blocked modulation of CD4. In the absence of Ag, treatment of these cells with an antibody (WT-31) directed at a conformational determinant within CD3/Ti or with the combination of anti-CD3 antibody and goat anti-mouse Ig, also resulted in significant modulation of CD4. Similar treatment of PHA-activated CD4+ T cells with anti-CD3/Ti antibodies also induced CD4 modulation; however, the same antibodies failed to affect CD4 expression on fresh resting T cells. These results indicate that on activated, but not resting T cells, CD4 molecules can be physically associated with CD3/Ti. We postulate that this association is essential for efficient Th cell activation, and further that the ability of anti-CD4 antibodies to inhibit helper functions is due to their prevention of CD4-CD3/Ti interaction on the T cell surface.     

Both naive and memory T cells can provide help for human IgE production, but with different cytokine requirements.

Most in vitro systems for the induction of IgE production by human B cells require both IL-4 and the presence of T cells. Little is known about the mechanism of T cell help or the ability of different T cell subsets to provide this helper activity. In the present study we demonstrate that, in the presence of exogenous IL-4, anti-CD3 stimulated naive T cells (CD4+CD45RA+) are potent helper cells for human IgE production. In their presence, as little as 750 autologous B cells can produce up to 100 ng/ml IgE. This response was found over a broad range of anti-CD3 concentrations. IgE helper activity by naive T cells was inhibited by IL-2. Under all conditions tested, naive T cells were unable to provide help for IgM production. This is in contrast to activated memory T cells (CD4+CD45RO+), which are very efficient helper cells for IgM or IgE production, provided that IL-2 or IL-2 plus IL-4 are present respectively.     

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.