Stimulation via the CD3 and CD28 molecules induces responsiveness to IL-4 in CD4+CD29+CD45R- memory T lymphocytes

Although both IL-2 and IL-4 can promote the growth of activated T cells, IL-4 appears to selectively promote the growth of those helper/inducer and cytolytic T cells which have been activated via their CD3/TCR complex. The present study examines the participation of CD28 and certain other T cell-surface molecules in inducing T cell responsiveness to IL-4. Purified small high density T cells were cultured in the absence of accessory cells with various soluble anti-human T cell mAb with or without soluble anti-CD3 mAb and their responsiveness to IL-4 was studied. None of the soluble anti-T cell mAb alone was able to induce T cell proliferation in response to IL-4. A combination of soluble anti-CD3 with anti-CD28 mAb but not with mAb directed at the CD2, CD5, CD7, CD11a/CD18, or class I MHC molecules induced T cell proliferation in response to IL-4. Anti-CD2 and anti-CD5 mAb enhanced and anti-CD18 mAb inhibited this anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 mAb-induced T cell response to IL-4. In addition, anti-CD2 in combination with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb induced modest levels of T cell proliferation even in the absence of exogenous cytokines. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF were each unable to replace either anti-CD3 or anti-CD28 mAb in the induction of T cell responsiveness to IL-4, but both IL-1 and TNF enhanced this response. The anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 mAb-induced response to IL-4 was exhibited only by cells within the CD4+CD29+CD45R- memory T subpopulation, and not by CD8+ or CD4+CD45R+ naive T cells. When individually cross-linked with goat anti-mouse IgG antibody immobilized on plastic surface, only anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb were able to induce T cell proliferation. These results indicate that the CD3 and CD28 molecules play a crucial role in inducing T cell responsiveness to IL-4 and that the CD2, CD5, and CD11a/CD18 molecules influence this process.     

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.     

Internalization and recycling of CD4 transfected into HeLa and NIH3T3 cells.

The internalization of CD4, a T cell differentiation antigen and the receptor for the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1 and -2), has been examined in HeLa and murine 3T3 cells transfected with CD4 cDNA. Fab' fragments of the anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody Leu3a were generated by pepsin digestion and used as a specific monovalent, non-crosslinking ligand for CD4. These Fab' fragments were shown to bind to CD4 on the transfected cells with an affinity similar to that of HIV gp120, and inhibited HIV infection of lymphocytic cells. The Fab' fragments were radioiodinated and used in an acid-stripping endocytosis assay to demonstrate that the CD4 expressed on transfected HeLa and NIH3T3 cells was internalized. Approximately 1.5-2% of the total cell-bound [125I]Fab' fragments were internalized per minute. Furthermore, the internalized [125I]Fab' fragments could be shown to recycle to the cell surface. After 30-60 min a steady state was reached between internalization and recycling, with approximately 30-40% of the total cellular CD4 pool residing inside the cell. Similar results were obtained in studies with the intact divalent radiolabelled Leu3a antibody. These data demonstrate that CD4 expressed on transfected non-lymphoid cells is constitutively endocytosed and recycled.     

Cytofluorometric analyses of human T cell CD2/CD4 inter-molecular interactions

Incubation of human T lymphocytes with saturating concentrations of combinations of certain anti-CD2 and -CD4 mAb results in reciprocal down-regulation of the cell surface density expression of the respective CD molecules. Such reciprocal down-regulation occurs at 0 degrees C in the presence of sodium azide and appears selective for CD2 and CD4 molecules because mAb identifying various other CD T cell surface molecules (anti-Leu2a, -OK-CLL, -W6/32, -beta 2-microglobulin, -4B4) do not modulate CD2 or CD4 R density, and because anti-CD2 mAb (anti-OKT11 and -D66 clone-1) do not alter CD8 R density (anti-OKT8, -Leu2a) and vice versa. Down-regulation of CD2 by mAb specific to CD4 is epitope-specific but does not vary on the basis of the antibody isotype used. The anti-CD4 mAb, Leu3a, was the strongest CD2 down-regulator examined followed by OKT4F. mAb specific to other CD4 epitopes (B, C, D, and E) caused only slight down-regulation of CD2 expression whereas anti-OKT4 and -OKT4A mAb had no significant regulatory effect. Also, mAb specific to the 9.6 (anti-OKT11) and D66 (anti-D66 clone 1) epitopes of the CD2 molecule down-regulated CD4 density detectable with Leu3a, OKT4, and OKT4A anti-CD4 mAb. Down-regulation of CD2 by anti-CD4 mAb also occurred with the transformed T cell line, KE-37, which demonstrates that such effects can occur without mononuclear phagocytic accessory cells. From these data it can be concluded that important T cell immunoregulatory signals may be transmitted intramembranally between CD2 and CD4 glycoproteins.     

Biochemical differences in the alphabeta T cell receptor.CD3 surface complex between CD8+ and CD4+ human mature T lymphocytes

We have reported the existence of biochemical and conformational differences in the alphabeta T cell receptor (TCR) complex between CD4(+) and CD8(+) CD3gamma-deficient (gamma(-)) mature T cells. In the present study, we have furthered our understanding and extended the observations to primary T lymphocytes from normal (gamma(+)) individuals. Surface TCR.CD3 components from CD4(+) gamma(-) T cells, other than CD3gamma, were detectable and similar in size to CD4(+) gamma(+) controls. Their native TCR.CD3 complex was also similar to CD4(+) gamma(+) controls, except for an alphabeta(deltaepsilon)(2)zeta(2) instead of an alphabetagammaepsilondeltaepsilonzeta(2) stoichiometry. In contrast, the surface TCRalpha, TCRbeta, and CD3delta chains of CD8(+) gamma(-) T cells did not possess their usual sizes. Using confocal immunofluorescence, TCRalpha was hardly detectable in CD8(+) gamma(-) T cells. Blue native gels (BN-PAGE) demonstrated the existence of a heterogeneous population of TCR.CD3 in these cells. Using primary peripheral blood T lymphocytes from normal (gamma(+)) donors, we performed a broad epitopic scan. In contrast to all other TCR.CD3-specific monoclonal antibodies, RW2-8C8 stained CD8(+) better than it did CD4(+) T cells, and the difference was dependent on glycosylation of the TCR.CD3 complex but independent of T cell activation or differentiation. RW2-8C8 staining of CD8(+) T cells was shown to be more dependent on lipid raft integrity than that of CD4(+) T cells. Finally, immunoprecipitation studies on purified primary CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells revealed the existence of TCR glycosylation differences between the two. Collectively, these results are consistent with the existence of conformational or topological lineage-specific differences in the TCR.CD3 from CD4(+) and CD8(+) wild type T cells. The differences may be relevant for cis interactions during antigen recognition and signal transduction.     

Interactions between CD3 and Thy1 T cell activation pathways: blockade of CD3-mediated T lymphocyte activation induced by immobilized anti-Thy1 antibodies.

Resting murine T cell activation induced by either CD3 complexes or Thy1 molecules was investigated in vitro, using surface-bound anti-CD3 mAb as the stimulus. One mitogenic anti-Thy 1 mAb (G7) lost mitogenicity when presented to T cells immobilized on a plastic surface, even in the presence of phorbol ester. Moreover, T cell activation induced by immobilized anti-CD3 was potently blocked by coimmobilized anti-Thy 1 mAb. Nonmitogenic anti-Thy 1 mAb also blocked CD3-induced activation when coimmobilized with anti-CD3. Control experiments showed that anti-Thy 1 specifically blocked T cell activation, even in the presence of measurable and functional concentrations of plastic-bound anti-CD3. Coimmobilized anti-Thy 1 potently blocked IL2 secretion stimulated by anti-CD3. Addition of exogenous rIL2 completely prevented anti-Thy 1-mediated blockade. On the other hand, while completely blocking T cell proliferation, immobilized anti-Thy 1 only partially blocked secretion of IL3-like activity by the T cells. One IgM anti-Thy 1 mAb (2A3) induced secretion of IL3-like activity by T cells when immobilized in the absence of bound anti-CD3. These results indicate that extensive aggregation of Thy 1 molecules delivers a potent negative signal which antagonizes CD3-mediated T cell activation and growth.     

Insertion and internalization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in murine CD4 T lymphocytes.

The specific binding of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to murine lymphocytes was investigated. CD4 T cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) bound more 125I-VIP than did unseparated MLN lymphocytes at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. The differences between the amount of 125I-VIP bound by the CD4 T cells and unseparated MLN lymphocytes at 37 degrees C depended upon a difference in the amount of the ligand that was internalized by the cells. The rate of insertion of unoccupied VIP receptors from the cytoplasm into the cell membrane (370 receptors/cell/min), the rate constants for internalization of ligand occupied VIP receptors (0.55 min-1) and unoccupied VIP receptors (0.11 min-1), and the rate constant for the elimination of internalized VIP (0.07 min-1) by CD4 T cells were evaluated. These results provide new understanding of the behaviour of VIP receptors on lymphocytes and indicate a mechanism by which CD4 T lymphocytes can homologously regulate their surface expression of VIP receptors in the presence of ambient VIP.     

Nasal anti-CD3 antibody ameliorates lupus by inducing an IL-10-secreting CD4+ CD25- LAP+ regulatory T cell and is associated with down-regulation of IL-17+ CD4+ ICOS+ CXCR5+ follicular helper T cells

Lupus is an Ab-mediated autoimmune disease. One of the potential contributors to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus is a defect in naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Thus, the generation of inducible regulatory T cells that can control autoantibody responses is a potential avenue for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. We have found that nasal administration of anti-CD3 mAb attenuated lupus development as well as arrested ongoing lupus in two strains of lupus-prone mice. Nasal anti-CD3 induced a CD4(+)CD25(-)latency-associated peptide (LAP)(+) regulatory T cell that secreted high levels of IL-10 and suppressed disease in vivo via IL-10- and TFG-beta-dependent mechanisms. Disease suppression also occurred following adoptive transfer of CD4(+)CD25(-)LAP(+) regulatory T cells from nasal anti-CD3-treated animals to lupus-prone mice. Animals treated with nasal anti-CD3 had less glomerulonephritis and diminished levels of autoantibodies as measured by both ELISA and autoantigen microarrays. Nasal anti-CD3 affected the function of CD4(+)ICOS(+)CXCR5(+) follicular helper T cells that are required for autoantibody production. CD4(+)ICOS(+)CXCR5(+) follicular helper T cells express high levels of IL-17 and IL-21 and these cytokines were down-regulated by nasal anti-CD3. Our results demonstrate that nasal anti-CD3 induces CD4(+)CD25(-)LAP(+) regulatory T cells that suppress lupus in mice and that it is associated with down-regulation of T cell help for autoantibody production.     

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.     

T cell regulation of human B cell proliferation and differentiation. Regulatory influences of CD45R+ and CD45R- T4 cell subsets

The immunoregulatory functions of human T4 cell subpopulations defined by mAb to the CD45R molecule (2H4) were examined. Both CD45R- and CD45R+ T4 cells that had been treated with mitomycin C (CD45R- and CD45R+ T4-mito) provided help for the generation of Ig-secreting cells (ISC) in cultures stimulated by PWM or by immobilized mAb to CD3 (64.1). IL-2 enhanced the generation of ISC in PWM-stimulated cultures and in anti-CD3-stimulated cultures containing CD45R+ T4-mito. The generation of ISC was maximal in cultures containing anti-CD3-activated CD45R- T4-mito and was not increased by IL-2. By contrast, CD45R+ T4 cells that had not been treated with mitomycin C suppressed B cell responses in cultures stimulated with PWM or anti-CD3, whereas CD45R- T4 cells suppressed the generation of ISC only in cultures stimulated with anti-CD3. IL-2 enhanced suppression by anti-CD3, but not PWM, activated CD45R- T4 cells. Suppression by CD45R+ T4 cells was maximal and not increased by IL-2. CD45R+ T4-mito were more effective suppressor-inducers in PWM-stimulated cultures, promoting the differentiation of suppressor-effector cells from CD8+ T cells. However, both CD45R+ and CD45R- T4-mito exerted comparable suppressor-inducer function in anti-CD3-stimulated cultures. Moreover, in anti-CD3-stimulated cultures, T8 cells could function as both suppressor-effector cells and suppressor-inducer cells. One of the functions of suppressor-inducer cells in this system appeared to involve the production of IL-2. Thus, the addition of IL-2 facilitated the induction of suppressor-effector T8 cells by CD45R- T4-mito in PWM-stimulated cultures. Although IL-2 production by the T cell subsets varied widely depending on the nature of the stimulus, these differences could not entirely explain their capacity to function as helper cells, suppressor-effector cells or suppressor-inducer cells. These results indicate that both CD45R+ and CD45R- T4 cells can help or suppress B cell responses, as well as induce suppressor-effector T8 cells. Moreover, suppressor-inducer function of T cells is not limited to the T4 cell population, but rather can also be accomplished by T8 cells. The results indicate that both T4 cell subsets and T8 cells exert multiple regulatory effects on human B cell function, with the nature of the activating stimulus playing a major role in determining the functional capacity of various T cell subsets.     

Evidence for an association between CD8 molecules and the T cell receptor complex on cytotoxic T cells

The T cell differentiation molecule CD8 is thought to play an important role in class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell activities but the precise function of this molecule is unknown. To explore this question, we have studied several CD3+, CD8+ class I alloantigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines and clones. The ability of these CTL to proliferate as well as to lyse specific targets was inhibited by either anti-CD3 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies. Exposure of CTL to relevant but not irrelevant target cells induced the rapid (less than 1 hr) disappearance of approximately 20 to 30% of CD3 and CD8 molecules from the cell surface. The modulation of these molecules became maximal at 6 to 12 hr and recovered thereafter in parallel. Treatment of CTL with anti-CD8 prevented alloantigen-induced modulation of CD3, and treatment with anti-CD3 blocked modulation of CD8. Incubation of CTL with the combination of anti-CD3 and goat anti-mouse Ig also resulted in modulation of CD8. In contrast, the expression of other CTL surface antigens, such as CD2 (Leu-5, T11) and HLA-DR, was not reduced by any of these manipulations. These results suggest that CD8 molecules are associated with the CD3/antigen receptor complex on the surface of CTL, and may play a direct role in antigen-induced modulation and cross-linking of the T cell receptor.     

Microfilament assembly modulates phospholipase C-mediated signal transduction by the TCR/CD3 in murine T helper lymphocytes.

Cytoskeletal involvement in the response to TCR/CD3 ligation and in signal transduction was investigated in a murine Th cell type 2 clone. Cells coated with the hamster anti-CD3 mAb, 145-2C11 (2C11 mAb), and exposed to goat anti-hamster demonstrated an increase in polymerized actin as well as an increase in inositol phospholipid hydrolysis mediated by activation of phospholipase C. Pretreatment with cytochalasins (Cyt) (D or B), drugs that interact with cellular actin, prevented actin polymerization, and augmented the initial rate and total amount of inositol phosphates produced. Drugs modifying microtubule function were ineffective. The intracellular Ca2+ rise attributed to InsP3 and InsP4 generated in response to CD3 perturbation was augmented by CytD. CytD treatment did not affect inositol phosphate generation resulting from the stimulation of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins with aluminium tetrafluoride, indicating that the action of CytD was specific for receptor-mediated inositol phospholipids. CytD decreased the rate of anti-CD3-induced receptor internalization. These data suggest that the assembly of microfilaments plays a role in CD3 internalization and that a CytD-sensitive mechanism uncouples the TCR/CD3 complex from phospholipase C-mediated signaling.     

Murine anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody induces potent cytolytic activity in both T and NK cell populations

Antibodies specific for the CD3 complex have the capacity to both stimulate and inhibit a variety of T cell functions. We show here that a monoclonal antibody to the epsilon chain of CD3 can induce efficient non-MHC-restricted cytolytic activity in murine lymphocytes with peak activity occurring after 48 hr of incubation. In a panel of targets, the anti-CD3-activated effectors lysed tumor cells but not normal lymphoblasts. Cytolysis was not dependent on the presence of the antibody in the cytolytic assay. Moderate to high cytolytic activity was elicited from lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus by anti-CD3 treatment in vitro, whereas only low activity was apparent in bone marrow. The precursors of anti-CD3-activated cells consisted largely of mature T cells, although a smaller component of immature T cells was also involved. Thus, separation of thymocytes based on adhesion to peanut agglutinin revealed that both positive (immature) and negative (mature) fractions could be activated, while cytotoxic pretreatment of spleen cells with an antibody (J11d) to immature T cells before anti-CD3 activation significantly decreased the resulting cytotoxicity. The majority of precursors in spleen were Thy 1+ and CD8+ and/or AGM1+. Antibody depletion studies showed that the effector cells have both a T and a NK component consisting of Thy 1+, CD5+, CD8+, CD4-, and AGM1- cells and Thy 1-, CD5-, CD8-, CD4-, and AGM1+ cells, respectively. The production of significant amounts of IL-2 and TNF in culture following anti-CD3 treatment, along with the synergistic effect of exogenously added IL-2, suggests that one or both of the effector cell types could be induced by lymphokines. The intraperitoneal administration of the anti-CD3 antibody induces cytolytic activity in vivo. Therefore, the direct activation of cytolysis by anti-CD3 antibody and the additional effects, both direct and synergistic, of lymphokines produced by the activated lymphocytes could conceivably provide a potent anti-tumor therapy.     

Degradation of CD4 following phorbol-induced internalization in human T lymphocytes. Evidence for distinct endocytic routing of CD4 and CD3.

Exposure of T lymphocytes to phorbol esters induces endocytosis of CD4 and the CD3/T-cell receptor complex. We compared the pathway of CD4 internalization to that of CD3 following activation of human T lymphocytes with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). Both CD3 and CD4 were rapidly internalized in response to PDBu, but only CD3, and not CD4, was recycled to the cell surface after removal of PDBu. In support of a degradative fate for internalized CD4, radioimmuno-precipitation studies revealed that the total amount of cellular CD4 was reduced by greater than 90% after exposure to PDBu for 4 h, whereas total CD3 remained constant. PDBu induced CD4 capping and localization consistent with sequestration in intracellular vesicles, presumably lysosomes, prior to becoming degraded. Lysosomotropic agents, such as NH4Cl, chloroquine, and monensin inhibited CD4 degradation, consistent with a lysosomal fate for CD4. Internalization and degradation of CD4 was blocked by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C suggestive of a role for protein kinase C in the endocytic fate of CD4. The results of this study demonstrate that CD3 and CD4 follow distinct endocytic pathways which may be relevant to their having distinct roles in T cell activation and function.     

CD4+ Primary T Cells Expressing HCV-Core Protein Upregulate Foxp3 and IL-10, Suppressing CD4 and CD8 T Cells

Adaptive T cell responses are critical for controlling HCV infection. While there is clinical evidence of a relevant role for regulatory T cells in chronic HCV-infected patients, based on their increased number and function; mechanisms underlying such a phenomena are still poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that proteins from Hepatitis C virus can suppress host immune responses. We and others have shown that HCV is present in CD4+ lymphocytes from chronically infected patients and that HCV-core protein induces a state of unresponsiveness in the CD4+ tumor cell line Jurkat. Here we show that CD4+ primary T cells lentivirally transduced with HCV-core, not only acquire an anergic phenotype but also inhibit IL-2 production and proliferation of bystander CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in response to anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 stimulation. Core-transduced CD4+ T cells show a phenotype characterized by an increased basal secretion of the regulatory cytokine IL-10, a decreased IFN-γ production upon stimulation, as well as expression of regulatory T cell markers, CTLA-4, and Foxp3. A significant induction of CD4+CD25+CD127^lowPD-1^highTIM-3^high regulatory T cells with an exhausted phenotype was also observed. Moreover, CCR7 expression decreased in HCV-core expressing CD4+ T cells explaining their sequestration in inflamed tissues such as the infected liver. This work provides a new perspective on de novo generation of regulatory CD4+ T cells in the periphery, induced by the expression of a single viral protein.     

T hybridoma alpha/beta gene transfected in a murine T cell hybridoma: role of CD4 molecule in vitro and in vivo--engraftment in SCID mice induces T cell maturation.

In the present work, we tested in SCID and Balb/c mice the activity of T hybridoma transfected with T cell receptor (TCR) alpha/beta chain genes. A T cell hybridoma denoted D011107 was used as recipient for transfection of cytotoxic KB5C20 TCR alpha/beta heterodimer genes by protoplast fusion or electroporation. After transfection, the parental D011107 T cell line reexpressed CD5 and CD4 surface molecules. In vitro, we noted strong proliferation and unusual cytotoxic reactivities against H-2k target cells although the transfected cell line does not express the CD8 molecule. The fate of parental and transfected cells was examined in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) and Balb/c mice at Day 16 after intravenous injection. Cells from bone marrow, thymus, and spleen tissues were analyzed by immunofluorescence. The transfected T cell hybridoma was CD3+ Desire 1+ CD4+ Thy1.2. The SCID mice grafted with the transfected T cell hybridoma presented a high percentage of CD3+ (15%), CD4+ (27%), Thy1.2+ (27.52%), and Desire 1+ (8.74%) cells in the spleen. The percentages of CD3+ (6.2%) and Thy1.2+ (5.06%) cells in the spleen from SCID mice grafted with parental T cell D011107 and from untreated SCID were similar and lower (CD3+, 3.52%; Thy1.2+, 4.34%). It seems that transfected T cells hybridoma grafted in the SCID mice induce significant expression of CD4+ Thy1.2+ Desire 1- cells (17%) in the spleen. These results indicate that transfected T cells graft may allow T cell differentiation. In Balb/c mice, the percentage of different T cell subsets in bone marrow, thymus, or spleen cells in mice injected with transfected T cells was similar to that in untreated mice. We did not observe any cytotoxic or significant allogeneic proliferation in vitro.     

Generation propagation, and targeting of human CD4+ helper/killer T cells induced by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody plus recombinant IL-2. An efficient strategy for adoptive tumor immunotherapy.

We developed a culture system for the rapid generation of CD4+ T cells that have both helper and killer functions. CD4+ T cells isolated from human PBL did not proliferate or develop significant cytotoxicity when treated with rIL-2 because of the lack of p75 IL-2R expression. However, culture of isolated CD4+ T cells with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb plus rIL-2 resulted in a marked proliferation (500-fold increase in 14 days) of CD4+ T cells. The proliferating CD4+ T cells produced IL-2 (92 U/ml) and showed strong cytotoxicity against OKT3 hybridoma cells and Daudi, K562, and U937 tumor cells in an anti-CD3 mAb-dependent manner. The CD4+ T cells contained significant amounts of cytolytic granule-related proteins such as serine esterase and perforin. Activated CD4+ helper/killer cells can be generated from both healthy donors and tumor patients and can be propagated in vitro for 14 to 35 days by biweekly restimulation with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb plus rIL-2. This culture yielded about 20,000-fold increase in cell number after a 21-day culture. Bispecific antibody containing anti-CD3 and anti-glioma Fab components enhanced the cytotoxicity of activated CD4+ helper/killer cells against IMR32 glioma cells. Moreover, the activated CD4+ helper/killer cells showed both helper and antitumor activity in vivo and prevented growth of anti-CD3 hybridoma cells in nude mice whether or not IL-2 was administered. These results indicate that anti-CD3 mAb plus IL-2-activated CD4+ helper/killer cells may provide an effective strategy for adoptive tumor immunotherapy of cancer.     

Patterns of costimulation of T cell clones by cross-linking CD3, CD4/CD8, and class I MHC molecules

The ability of mAb to class I MHC molecules, CD3, or CD4/CD8 to stimulate human T cell clones alone or in combination was examined. Cross-linking each of these surface Ag with appropriate mAb and goat anti-mouse Ig (GaMIg) resulted in a unique pattern of increase in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and different degrees of functional activation. Cross-linking class I MHC molecules provided the most effective stimulus of IL-2 production and proliferation. Cross-linking more than one surface Ag induced a compound calcium signal with characteristics of each individual response. Cross-linking CD3 + HLA-A,B,C caused a rapid and prolonged increase in [Ca2+]i and synergistically increased IL-2 production and proliferation of all clones. Cross-linking CD3 + CD4/CD8 also generated a compound calcium signal and increased IL-2 production and DNA synthesis. Purposeful inclusion of CD3 was not required for costimulation as cross-linking HLA-A,B,C + CD4/CD8 also increased [Ca2+]i, IL-2 production, and proliferation. Cross-linking three surface Ag, CD3 + HLA-A,B,C + CD4/CD8, resulted in the greatest initial and sustained [Ca2+]i, IL-2 production, and DNA synthesis. Although there was a tendency for the various stimuli to increase both [Ca2+]i and functional responsiveness, neither the magnitude nor duration of the increased [Ca2+]i correlated with the amount of IL-2 produced or the ultimate proliferative response. To determine whether costimulation required that the various surface molecules were cross-linked together, experiments were carried out using isotype specific secondary antibodies. Augmentation of [Ca2+]i and costimulation of functional responses were noted when class I MHC molecules were cross-linked and CD3 was bound, but not cross-linked. Similarly, costimulation through CD3 and CD4/CD8 was observed when CD4/CD8 was cross-linked and the CD3 complex was engaged by an anti-CD3 mAb which was not further cross-linked. In contrast, costimulation by class I MHC molecules and CD4/CD8 was only observed when these molecules were cross-linked together. These data demonstrate that cross-linking class I MHC determinants or CD4/CD8 provides a direct signal to T cell clones that can be enhanced when CD3 is independently engaged. The results also indicate that T cell clones can be stimulated without engaging CD3 by the combination of signals delivered via class I MHC molecules and CD4/CD8, but only when these determinants were cross-linked together. These studies have demonstrated that these cell surface molecules differ in their capacity to deliver activation signals to T cell clones and also exhibit unique patterns of positive cooperativity in signaling potential.     

Monoclonal antibodies to murine CD3 epsilon define distinct epitopes, one of which may interact with CD4 during T cell activation

The TCR is comprised of two variable chains that confer specificity, called alpha:beta or gamma:delta, physically associated with five different molecules that comprise the complex known as CD3. Antibodies to this complex are very useful, as they react with all T lymphocytes. A rat mAb to mouse CD3 has been prepared. It reacts with 100% of T cells in all mouse strains tested but with no other cell type. It binds to the CD3 epsilon chain. This antibody activates cloned T cell lines and normal T cells, provided suitable accessory cells and signals are present. This antibody detects a determinant similar to but not identical with those detected by two previously reported hamster anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies. This antibody fixes C efficiently, and it is thus useful for depletion of T cells from bulk populations. Activation of T cells by one of the three different anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies was inhibited by the Fab fragment of anti-CD4, similar to the effects of anti-CD4 Fab on two previously reported anti-TCR V region antibodies that bind a CD3 epsilon-associated epitope. This further defines a site involving TCR V regions and CD3 epsilon with which CD4 appears to associate during T cell activation.