Ai Kariyone

Pathogen-specific regulatory T cells delay the arrival of effector T cells in the lung during early tuberculosis.

The ability of the adaptive immune system to restrict Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is impeded by activated Foxp3+ regulatory T (T reg) cells. The importance of pathogen-specific T reg cells in this process has not been addressed. We show that T reg cell expansion after aerosol Mtb infection does not occur until Mtb is transported to the pulmonary lymph node (pLN), and Mtb-specific T reg cells have an increased propensity to proliferate. Even small numbers of Mtb-specific T reg cells are capable of delaying the priming of effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the pLN and their subsequent accumulation in the lung, the primary site of infection. This delay likely prolongs the initial phase of bacterial expansion and explains the higher bacterial burden observed in these mice. Thus, T reg cells recognizing Mtb-derived antigens specifically and potently restrict protective immune responses during tuberculosis.

Antibody against interleukin-5 prevents antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration and bronchial hyperreactivity in the guinea pig airways

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) induces proliferation, differentiation and activation of eosinophils. An animal model of local allergen (airways) sensitization was employed to study the effects of anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) on infiltration of eosinophils into inflammatory region, the development of antigen-induced late asthmatic response (LAR) and the increased bronchial responsiveness following LAR. Guinea pigs exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) daily for 10 days developed an increase in the number of eosinophils in the tracheal wall 24 h after aerosolized OVA challenge. Furthermore, all animals developed an apparent LAR determined by the response with a 2-fold increase in respiratory resistance and showed an increase in bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine 24 h after OVA challenge. In animals treated with anti-IL-5 mAb, however, eosinophil number in the tracheal wall dramatically decreased compared with animals treated with control antibody. The development of LAR was also remarkably suppressed by anti-IL-5 mAb treatment, although a similar magnitude of immediate bronchoconstriction was observed. Moreover, in anti-IL-5 antibody-treated guinea pigs, an increase in bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine significantly decreased. Data demonstrate that IL-5 is involved in airway eosinophilia, development of LAR and an increase in bronchial responsiveness induced by allergen sensitization via the airways. Development of IL-5 synthesis inhibitors and/or receptor antagonists could provide another therapeutic class of anti-asthmatic drugs.

Essential Role of Stat5 for IL-5-Dependent IgH Switch Recombination in Mouse B Cells

IL-5 stimulation of CD38-activated murine splenic B cells induces μ-γ1 CSR at the DNA level leading to a high level of IgG1 production. Further addition of IL-4 in the system enhances IL-5-dependent μ-γ1 CSR. Although some of the postreceptor signaling events initiated by IL-5 in activated B cells have been characterized, the involvement of Stat in IL-5 signaling has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we examined the activation of Stat5 and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) in CD38-activated murine splenic B cells by IL-5. The role of Stat5a and Stat5b in IL-5-induced μ-γ1 CSR and also IgG1 and IgM production was documented, as IL-5 does not act on CD38-stimulated splenic B cells from Stat5a−/− and Stat5b−/− mice. Expression levels of CD38-induced germline γ1 transcripts and AID in Stat5a−/− and Stat5b−/− B cells upon IL-5 stimulation were comparable to those of wild-type B cells. The impaired μ-γ1 CSR by Stat5b−/− B cells, but not by Stat5a−/− B cells, was rescued in part by IL-4, as the addition of IL-4 to the culture of CD38- and IL-5-stimulated B cells induced μ-γ1 CSR leading to IgG1 production. Analysis of cell division cycle number of wild-type B cells revealed that μ-γ1 CSR was observed after five or six cell divisions. Stat5a−/− and Stat5b−/− B cells showed similar cell division cycles, but they did not undergo μ-γ1 CSR. Our data support the notion that both Stat5a and Stat5b are essential for IL-5-dependent μ-γ1 CSR and Ig secretion; however, their major target may not be AID. Stat5a and Stat5b are not redundant, but rather are at least partially distinctive in their function.

Toll-like receptor 7 cooperates with IL-4 in activated B cells through antigen receptor or CD38 and induces class switch recombination and IgG1 production.

IL-4 and 8-mercaptoguanosine (8-SGuo) stimulation of CD38-activated B cells induces mu to gamma1 class switch recombination (CSR) at the DNA level leading to a high level of IgG1 production. Although some of signaling events initiated by IL-4 in activated B cells have been characterized, the involvement of TLR/MyD88 and Btk pathway in IL-4-dependent mu to gamma1 CSR has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we characterized receptors for 8-SGuo and differential roles of 8-SGuo and IL-4 in the induction and mu to gamma1 CSR and IgG1 production. The role of TLR7 and MyD88 in 8-SGuo-induced AID expression and mu to gamma1 CSR was documented, as 8-SGuo did not act on CD38-stimulated splenic B cells from Tlr7(-/-) and Myd88(-/-) mice. CD38-activated B cells from Btk-deficient mice failed to respond to TLR7 ligands for the AID expression and CSR, indicating that Btk is also indispensable for the system. Stimulation of CD38-activated B cells with 8-SGuo induced significant AID expression and DNA double strand breaks, but IL-4 stimulation by itself did not trigger mu to gamma1 CSR. Intriguingly, the mu to gamma1 CSR in the B cells stimulated with CD38 and 8-SGuo totally depends on IL-4 stimulation. Similar results were obtained in the activated B cells through BCR and loxoribine, a well-known TLR7 ligand, in place of 8-SGuo. In vivo administration of TLR7 ligand and anti-CD38 antibody induced the generation of CD138(+) IgG1(+) cells. These results indicate that TLR7 is a receptor for 8-SGuo and plays an essential role in the AID and Blimp-1 expression; however it is not enough to complete mu to gamma1 CSR in CD38-activated B cells. IL-4 may be required for the induction of DNA repair system together with AID for the completion of CSR.

The RP105/MD-1 complex is indispensable for TLR4/ MD-2-dependent proliferation and IgM-secreting plasma cell differentiation of marginal zone B cells

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells mount rapid T-cell-independent (T-I) immune responses against microbial components such as LPS. While Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is essential for LPS responses, MZ B cells uniquely express high levels of another LPS sensor Radioprotective 105 (RP105). However, little is known about how RP105 is used by MZ B cells. In this study, we investigated TLR4- or RP105-dependent MZ B cell responses by utilizing agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to each receptor. Cross-linking TLR4 and RP105 at the same time with the mAbs induced robust IgM-secreting plasma cell generation as lipid A moiety of LPS. In contrast, stimulation with either mAb alone did not elicit such responses. RP105-deficient MZ B cells failed to produce IgM-secreting plasma cells in response to lipid A. TLR4 or lipid A stimulation of MZ B cells up-regulated their B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1) and X-box-binding protein 1 (Xbp-1) mRNA expression. RP105 stimulation alone did not give these responses and in fact decreased TLR4-mediated their expression. Compared with wild-type (WT) MZ B cells, RP105-deficient MZ B cells exhibited increased levels of Blimp-1 and Xbp-1 mRNA expression in response to lipid A. Lipid A or TLR4 plus RP105 stimulation induced massive proliferation and expression of Bcl-xL and c-Myc in WT but not RP105-deficient MZ B cells. These responses contributed to TLR4-mediated anti-apoptotic responses in MZ B cells. Thus, RP105 contributes in a unique way to the TLR4-dependent survival, proliferation and plasma cell generation of MZ B cells.

Instruction of naive CD4+ T‐cell fate to T‐bet expression and T helper 1 development: roles of T‐cell receptor‐mediated signals

Using T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, we demonstrate that TCR stimulation of naive CD4+ T cells induces transient T‐bet expression, interleukin (IL)‐12 receptor β2 up‐regulation, and GATA‐3 down‐regulation, which leads to T helper (Th)1 differentiation even when the cells are stimulated with peptide‐loaded I‐Ab‐transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells in the absence of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and IL‐12. Sustained IFN‐γ and IL‐12 stimulation augments naive T‐cell differentiation into Th1 cells. Intriguingly, a significant Th1 response is observed even when T‐bet–/– naive CD4+ T cells are stimulated through TCR in the absence of IFN‐γ or IL‐12. Stimulation of naive CD4+ T cells in the absence of IFN‐γ or IL‐12 with altered peptide ligand, whose avidity to the TCR is lower than that of original peptide, fails to up‐regulate transient T‐bet expression, sustains GATA‐3 expression, and induces differentiation into Th2 cells. These results support the notion that direct interaction between TCR and peptide‐loaded antigen‐presenting cells, even in the absence of T‐bet expression and costimulatory signals, primarily determine the fate of naive CD4+ T cells to Th1 cells.

Augmented induction of CD8 + cytotoxic T-cell response and antitumour resistance by T helper type 1-inducing peptide

The effector CD8+ T cells recognize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I binding altered self‐peptides expressed in tumour cells. Although the requirement for CD4+ T helper type 1 (Th1) cells in regulating CD8+ T cells has been documented, their target epitopes and functional impact in antitumour responses remain unclear. We examined whether a potent immunogenic peptide of Mycobacterium tuberculosis eliciting Th1 immunity contributes to the generation of CD8+ T cells and to protective antitumour immune responses to unrelated tumour‐specific antigens. Peptide‐25, a major Th epitope of Ag85B from M. tuberculosis preferentially induced CD4+ Th1 cells in C57BL/6 mice and had an augmenting effect on Th1 generation for coimmunized unrelated antigenic peptides. Coimmunization of mice with Peptide‐25 and ovalbumin (OVA) or Peptide‐25 and B16 melanoma peptide [tyrosinase‐related protein‐2 (TRP‐2)] for MHC class I led to a profound increase in CD8+ T cells specific for OVA and TRP‐2 peptides, respectively. This heightened response depended on Peptide‐25‐specific CD4+ T cells and interferon‐γ‐producing T cells. In tumour protection assays, immunization with Peptide‐25 and OVA resulted in the enhancement of CD8+ cytotoxic cell generation specific for OVA and the growth inhibition of EL‐4 thymoma expressing OVA peptide leading to the tumour rejection. These phenomena were not achieved by immunization with OVA alone. Peptide‐25‐reactive Th1 cells counteractivated dendritic cells in the presence of Peptide‐25 leading them to activate and present OVA peptide to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

Suppressed induction of mycobacterial antigen-specific Th1-type CD4+ T cells in the lung after pulmonary mycobacterial infection

Although the importance of T(h)1-type immune response in protection against mycobacterial infection is well recognized, its regulatory mechanism in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected lung is not well characterized. To address this issue, we analyzed kinetics of induction of mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4(+) T(h)1 T cells after mycobacterial infection in P25 TCR-transgenic (Tg) mice which express TCR alpha and beta chains from a mycobacterial Ag85B-specific MHC class II A(b)-restricted CD4(+) T-cell clone. To supply normal regulatory T-cell repertoire, we transferred normal spleen T cells into the P25 TCR-Tg mice before infection. High dose subcutaneous infection with Mtb or Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induced P25 TCR-Tg CD4(+) T(h)1 cells within a week. In contrast, high-dose Mtb or BCG infection into the lung failed to induce P25 TCR-Tg CD4(+) T(h)1 cells at the early stage of the infection. Furthermore, low-dose Mtb infection into the lung induced P25 TCR-Tg CD4(+) T(h)1 cells on day 21 in the mediastinal lymph node but not in the lung. IL-10 was partially involved in the suppression of T(h)1 induction in the lung because pretreatment of mice with anti-IL-10 antibody resulted in increase of P25 TCR-Tg CD4(+) T(h)1 cells in the Mtb-infected lung on day 21 of the infection, whereas neutralization of transforming growth factor-beta, another important suppressive cytokine in the lung, showed no effects on the T(h)1 induction. Our data suggest that induction of anti-mycobacterial CD4(+) T(h)1 cells is suppressed in the mycobacteria-infected lung partially by IL-10.

Phenotypic and Functional Analyses on T-Cell Subsets in Lymph Nodes of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr Mice

By means of killing and/or FACS sorting the double-negative (DN) Lyt2-, L3T4- cells, Lyt2+ or L3T4+ cells and B220- cell populations were separated from T-cell-enriched lymph node (LN) cells of 4- to 5-month-old MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice. These highly purified cell populations were examined for their proliferative responses, interleukin 2 (IL2) production and expression of IL2 receptor (IL2R) in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and the calcium ionophore A23187 (A2) or PMA plus concanavalin A. The DNT-cell population was unable to respond to the stimuli and did not express IL2R. Thus the DN T cells, the major population responsible for the lymphadenopathy, possess fundamental defects in signal transduction as well as in the IL2-IL2R-mediated function. On the other hand, Lyt2+ or L3T4+ T cells obtained by sorting or B220- cells purified by the sorting after killing B220+ cells, exhibited proliferative responses indistinguishable from that of LN cells of the congenic MRL/Mp-+/+(+/+) mice. These cells also expressed IL2R after stimulation, however, the amount of IL2 produced was significantly lower than that produced by congenic +/+ cells. This suggested that phenotypically normal Lyt2+ or L3T4+ T cells of lpr LNs also possess a partial defect in the signal transduction system for IL2 production under the influence of the lpr gene.

Ontogeny and function of B220+ L3T4+ T-cell subset of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

T-cell-enriched populations obtained from lymph nodes (LNs) of 4-month-old MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL-lpr), C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H-lpr), and C3H/HeJ-gld/gld (C3H-gld) mice were studied for the expression of B220, L3T4, and Lyt 2 antigens. A new B220+ L3T4+ phenotype was demonstrated in T-cell populations of these mice by two-color flow cytometry with phycoerythrin-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to L3T4 and FITC-anti-B220 MoAb. The generation of the T subset was apparently under the influence of the lpr or gld gene, since it could not be demonstrated in T-cell-enriched populations of MRL/Mp- +/+ and normal C3H mice. The expression level of L3T4 antigen on the T subset was lower than that on B220- L3T4+ cells, while the level of B220 antigen was similar to that of B220+ L3T4- or B220+ Lyt 2- cells. The B220+ L3T4+ phenotype appeared in LNs and spleens, but not in thymuses, of MRL-lpr mice as early as 2 months of age. Its proportion to whole LN T cells at this age was equivalent to that observed in 4-month-old mice. Functional studies on FACS-sorted cell populations revealed that the T subset similar to B220+ L3T4- cells possessed deficiencies in the IL-2-IL-2 receptor system. The appearance of the T subset with an intermediate phenotype and its functional defects suggests that lpr and gld genes in these autoimmune mice exert their influences on the ontogeny and function of L3T4+ T cells and contribute to the induction of early lupus.