Peroxiredoxin II Regulates Effector and Secondary Memory CD8+ T Cell Responses

Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) generated in response to receptor stimulation play an important role in cellular responses. However, the effect of increased H₂O₂ on an antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cell response was unknown. Following T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, the expression and oxidation of peroxiredoxin II (PrdxII), a critical antioxidant enzyme, increased in CD8⁺ T cells. Deletion of PrdxII increased ROI, S phase entry, division, and death during in vitro division. During primary acute viral and bacterial infection, the number of effector CD8⁺ T cells in PrdxII-deficient mice was increased, while the number of memory cells were similar to those of the wild-type cells. Adoptive transfer of P14 TCR transgenic cells demonstrated that the increased expansion of effector cells was T cell autonomous. After rechallenge, effector CD8⁺ T cells in mutant animals were more skewed to memory phenotype than cells from wild-type mice, resulting in a larger secondary memory CD8⁺ T cell pool. During chronic viral infection, increased antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells accumulated in the spleens of PrdxII mutant mice, causing mortality. These results demonstrate that PrdxII controls effector CD8⁺ T cell expansion, secondary memory generation, and immunopathology.     

HDAC1 Controls CD8+ T Cell Homeostasis and Antiviral Response

Reversible lysine acetylation plays an important role in the regulation of T cell responses. HDAC1 has been shown to control peripheral T helper cells, however the role of HDAC1 in CD8⁺ T cell function remains elusive. By using conditional gene targeting approaches, we show that LckCre-mediated deletion of HDAC1 led to reduced numbers of thymocytes as well as peripheral T cells, and to an increased fraction of CD8⁺CD4^– cells within the CD3/TCRβ^lo population, indicating that HDAC1 is essential for the efficient progression of immature CD8⁺CD4^– cells to the DP stage. Moreover, CD44^hi effector CD8⁺ T cells were enhanced in mice with a T cell-specific deletion of HDAC1 under homeostatic conditions and HDAC1-deficient CD44^hi CD8⁺ T cells produced more IFNγ upon ex vivo PMA/ionomycin stimulation in comparison to wild-type cells. Naïve (CD44^l°CD62L⁺) HDAC1-null CD8⁺ T cells displayed a normal proliferative response, produced similar amounts of IL-2 and TNFα, slightly enhanced amounts of IFNγ, and their in vivo cytotoxicity was normal in the absence of HDAC1. However, T cell-specific loss of HDAC1 led to a reduced anti-viral CD8⁺ T cell response upon LCMV infection and impaired expansion of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Taken together, our data indicate that HDAC1 is required for the efficient generation of thymocytes and peripheral T cells, for proper CD8⁺ T cell homeostasis and for an efficient in vivo expansion and activation of CD8⁺ T cells in response to LCMV infection.     

Increased Cell Surface Free Thiols Identify Effector CD8+ T Cells Undergoing T Cell Receptor Stimulation

Recognition of peptide Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC) by the T cell receptor causes rapid production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in naïve CD8⁺ T cells. Because ROI such as H₂O₂ are membrane permeable, mechanisms must exist to prevent overoxidation of surface proteins. In this study we used fluorescently labeled conjugates of maleimide to measure the level of cell surface free thiols (CSFT) during the development, activation and differentiation of CD8⁺ T cells. We found that during development CSFT were higher on CD8 SP compared to CD4 SP or CD4CD8 DP T cells. After activation CSFT became elevated prior to division but once proliferation started levels continued to rise. During acute viral infection CSFT levels were elevated on antigen-specific effector cells compared to memory cells. Additionally, the CSFT level was always higher on antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells in lymphoid compared to nonlymphoid organs. During chronic viral infection, CSFT levels were elevated for extended periods on antigen-specific effector CD8⁺ T cells. Finally, CSFT levels on effector CD8⁺ T cells, regardless of infection, identified cells undergoing TCR stimulation. Taken together these data suggest that CD8⁺ T cells upregulate CSFT following receptor ligation and ROI production during infection to prevent overoxidation of surface proteins.     

CD45RB Status of CD8+ T Cell Memory Defines T Cell Receptor Affinity and Persistence

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Concurrent Generation of Effector and Central Memory CD8 T Cells during Vaccinia Virus Infection

It is generally thought that during the contraction phase of an acute anti-viral T cell reponse, the effector T cells that escape activation-induced cell death eventually differentiate into central memory T cells over the next several weeks. Here we report that antigen-specific CD8T cells with the phenotype and function of central memory cells develop concomitantly with effector T cells during vaccinia virus (vv) infection. As soon as 5 days after an intraperitoneal infection with vv, we could identify a subset of CD44^hi and CD62L⁺ vv-specific CD8 T cells in the peritoneal exudate lymphocytes. This population constituted approximately 10% of all antigen-specific T cells and like central memory T cells, they also expressed high levels of CCR7 and IL-7R but expressed little granzyme B. Importantly, upon adoptive transfer into naïve congenic hosts, CD62L⁺, but not CD62L⁻ CD8 T cells were able to expand and mediate a rapid recall response to a new vv challenge initiated 6 weeks after transfer, confirming that the CD62L⁺ vv-specific CD8 T cells are bonafide memory cells. Our results are thus consistent with the branched differentiation model, where effector and memory cells develop simultaneously. These results are likely to have implications in the context of vaccine design, particularly those based on vaccinia virus recombinants.     

Antigen Presenting B Cells Facilitate CD4 T Cell Cooperation Resulting in Enhanced Generation of Effector and Memory CD4 T Cells

We show that the in vivo generation of cytokine-producing CD4 T cells specific for a given major histocompatibility class-II (MHCII)-binding peptide of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) is facilitated when mice are immunized with splenic antigen presenting cells (APC) pulsed with this HEL peptide and another peptide that binds a different MHCII molecule. This enhanced generation of peptide-specific effector CD4 T cells requires that the same splenic APC be pulsed with both peptides. Pulsed B cells, but not pulsed dendritic cells (DCs), can mediate CD4 T cell cooperation, which can be blocked by disrupting OX40-OX40L (CD134-CD252) interactions. In addition, the generation of HEL peptide-specific CD4 T cell memory is greater when mice are primed with B cells pulsed with the two peptides than with B cells pulsed with the HEL- peptide alone. Based on our findings, we suggest CD4 T cell cooperation is important for vaccine design, underlies the phenomenon of “epitope-spreading” seen in autoimmunity, and that the efficacy of B cell-depletion in the treatment of human cell-mediated autoimmune disease is due to the abrogation of the interactions between autoimmune CD4 T cells that facilitates their activation.     

A TCR Affinity Threshold Regulates Memory CD4 T Cell Differentiation following Vaccination

Diverse Ag-specific memory TCR repertoires are essential for protection against pathogens. Subunit vaccines that combine peptide or protein Ags with TLR agonists are very potent at inducing T cell immune responses, but their capacity to elicit stable and diverse memory CD4 T cell repertoires has not been evaluated. In this study, we examined the evolution of a complex Ag-specific population during the transition from primary effectors to memory T cells after peptide or protein vaccination. Both vaccination regimens induced equally diverse effector CD4 TCR repertoires, but peptide vaccines skewed the memory CD4 TCR repertoire toward high-affinity clonotypes whereas protein vaccines maintained low-affinity clonotypes in the memory compartment. CD27-mediated signaling was essential for the maintenance of low-affinity clonotypes after protein vaccination but was not sufficient to promote their survival following peptide vaccination. The rapid culling of the TCR repertoire in peptide-immunized mice coincided with a prolonged proliferation phase during which low-affinity clonotypes disappeared despite exhibiting no sign of enhanced apoptosis. Our study reveals a novel affinity threshold for memory CD4 T cell differentiation following vaccination and suggests a role for nonapoptotic cell death in the regulation of CD4 T cell clonal selection.     

Programmed Death 1 Regulates Memory Phenotype CD4 T Cell Accumulation,Inhibits Expansion of the Effector Memory Phenotype Subset and Modulates Production of Effector Cytokines

Memory phenotype CD4 T cells are found in normal mice and arise through response to environmental antigens or homeostatic mechanisms. The factors that regulate the homeostasis of memory phenotype CD4 cells are not clear. In the present study we demonstrate that there is a marked accumulation of memory phenotype CD4 cells, specifically of the effector memory (T_EM) phenotype, in lymphoid organs and tissues of mice deficient for the negative co-stimulatory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). This can be correlated with decreased apoptosis but not with enhanced homeostatic turnover potential of these cells. PD-1 ablation increased the frequency of memory phenotype CD4 IFN-γ producers but decreased the respective frequency of IL-17A-producing cells. In particular, IFN-γ producers were more abundant but IL-17A producing cells were more scarce among PD-1 KO T_EM-phenotype cells relative to WT. Transfer of peripheral naïve CD4 T cells suggested that accumulated PD-1 KO T_EM-phenotype cells are of peripheral and not of thymic origin. This accumulation effect was mediated by CD4 cell-intrinsic mechanisms as shown by mixed bone marrow chimera experiments. Naïve PD-1 KO CD4 T cells gave rise to higher numbers of T_EM-phenotype lymphopenia-induced proliferation memory cells. In conclusion, we provide evidence that PD-1 has an important role in determining the composition and functional aspects of memory phenotype CD4 T cell pool.     

Tolerogenic Vaccination Reduced Effector Memory CD4 T Cells and Induced Effector Memory Treg Cells for Type I Diabetes Treatment

Background

Vaccination could induce immune tolerance and protected NOD mice from the development of type I diabetes (T1D). We previously demonstrated that insulin peptide (B9-23) combined with dexamethasone (DEX) stimulated the expansion of antigen specific regulatory T (Treg) cells which in turn effectively prevented T1D in NOD mice. Here, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of tolerogenic vaccination for T1D treatment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The diabetic NOD mice (Blood glucose level ≧250 mg/dl) were treated with B9-23 and DEX twice. The tolerance was restored by blocking maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and inducing Treg cells in treated NOD mice. Remarkably, the reduction of autoreactive effector memory CD4 T (Tm) cells and the induction of functional effector memory Treg (mTreg) cells contributed to the improvement of T1D in treated NOD mice.

Conclusions/Significance

Tolerogenic vaccination restored tolerance and ameliorated T1D by suppressing effector CD4 Tm cells and inducing effector mTreg cells. Our findings implicate the potential of tolerogenic vaccination for T1D treatment.     

Effector CD8+ T cells mediate inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness

Allergic asthma is a complex syndrome characterized by airway obstruction, airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). Using a mouse model of allergen-induced AHR, we previously demonstrated that CD8-deficient mice develop significantly lower AHR, eosinophilic inflammation and interleukin (IL)-13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with wild-type mice. These responses were restored by adoptive transfer of antigen-primed CD8(+) T cells. Previously, two distinct populations of antigen-experienced CD8(+) T cells, termed effector (T(EFF)) and central memory (T(CM)) cells, have been described. After adoptive transfer into CD8-deficient mice, T(EFF), but not T(CM), cells restored AHR, eosinophilic inflammation and IL-13 levels. T(EFF), but not T(CM), cells accumulated in the lungs, and intracellular cytokine staining showed that the transferred T(EFF) cells were a source of IL-13. These data suggest an important role for effector CD8(+) T cells in the development of AHR and airway inflammation, which may be associated with their Tc2-type cytokine production and their capacity to migrate into the lung.     

Effector functions of CD8-positive guinea pig T lymphocytes

The response of guinea pig T lymphocytes to different stimuli was analysed with focus on the functions of CD8-positive T cells, which so far had been poorly defined in this animal model. For identification and purification of guinea pig cytotoxic T lymphocytes, three monoclonal antibodies, directed against the CD8 differentiation antigen were characterized and compared with respect to expression pattern and biochemical characteristics of the corresponding cell surface antigen. The antibodies were used for the identification of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte subpopulation within alloreactive T cell lines, and for the depletion of CD8-positive cells in in vitro assays. Purified CD4- and CD8-positive cells were tested for their ability to proliferate in response to antigen, mitogen or anti-guinea pig Thy-1 monoclonal antibodies. Both, CD4- and CD8-positive cells showed IL-2 release and subsequent proliferation after polyclonal stimulation. Cytotoxic activity in CD8-positive alloreactive T cells was expressed in vitro only after repeated stimulation.     

Tim-3-Expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Human Tuberculosis (TB) Exhibit Polarized Effector Memory Phenotypes and Stronger Anti-TB Effector Functions

T-cell immune responses modulated by T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3) during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in humans remain poorly understood. Here, we found that active TB patients exhibited increases in numbers of Tim-3-expressing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which preferentially displayed polarized effector memory phenotypes. Consistent with effector phenotypes, Tim-3⁺CD4⁺ and Tim-3⁺CD8⁺ T-cell subsets showed greater effector functions for producing Th1/Th22 cytokines and CTL effector molecules than Tim-3⁻ counterparts, and Tim-3-expressing T cells more apparently limited intracellular Mtb replication in macrophages. The increased effector functions for Tim-3-expressing T cells consisted with cellular activation signaling as Tim-3⁺CD4⁺ and Tim-3⁺CD8⁺ T-cell subsets expressed much higher levels of phosphorylated signaling molecules p38, stat3, stat5, and Erk1/2 than Tim-3- controls. Mechanistic experiments showed that siRNA silencing of Tim-3 or soluble Tim-3 treatment interfering with membrane Tim-3-ligand interaction reduced de novo production of IFN-γ and TNF-α by Tim-3-expressing T cells. Furthermore, stimulation of Tim-3 signaling pathways by antibody cross-linking of membrane Tim-3 augmented effector function of IFN-γ production by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, suggesting that Tim-3 signaling helped to drive stronger effector functions in active TB patients. This study therefore uncovered a previously unknown mechanism for T-cell immune responses regulated by Tim-3, and findings may have implications for potential immune intervention in TB.     

miRNA与细胞分化的研究进展

microRNA(miRNA)是一类长度为22nt的内源性的参与转录后调节的单链非编码小RNA。近年来的研究表明,miRNA在基因表达调控方面具有广泛和普遍的作用,参与了生物体发生发育、细胞增殖、细胞分化等生物学过程,尤其是其在干细胞的自我更新与多向分化的调节作用日益受到关注。我们查阅近年有关文献,介绍了miRNA的生成、作用机制、研究方法,论述及其对真核生物细胞分化的调控作用。     

Infection of Adult Thymus with Murine Retrovirus Induces Virus-Specific Central Tolerance That Prevents Functional Memory CD8+ T Cell Differentiation

In chronic viral infections, persistent antigen presentation causes progressive exhaustion of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells. It has become clear, however, that virus-specific naïve CD8⁺ T cells newly generated from the thymus can be primed with persisting antigens. In the setting of low antigen density and resolved inflammation, newly primed CD8⁺ T cells are preferentially recruited into the functional memory pool. Thus, continual recruitment of naïve CD8⁺ T cells from the thymus is important for preserving the population of functional memory CD8⁺ T cells in chronically infected animals. Friend virus (FV) is the pathogenic murine retrovirus that establishes chronic infection in adult mice, which is bolstered by the profound exhaustion of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells induced during the early phase of infection. Here we show an additional evasion strategy in which FV disseminates efficiently into the thymus, ultimately leading to clonal deletion of thymocytes that are reactive to FV antigens. Owing to the resultant lack of virus-specific recent thymic emigrants, along with the above exhaustion of antigen-experienced peripheral CD8⁺ T cells, mice chronically infected with FV fail to establish a functional virus-specific CD8⁺ T cell pool, and are highly susceptible to challenge with tumor cells expressing FV-encoded antigen. However, FV-specific naïve CD8⁺ T cells generated in uninfected mice can be primed and differentiate into functional memory CD8⁺ T cells upon their transfer into chronically infected animals. These findings indicate that virus-induced central tolerance that develops during the chronic phase of infection accelerates the accumulation of dysfunctional memory CD8⁺ T cells.