Christiane Pontoux

Modulation of Fas-Dependent Apoptosis: A Dynamic Process Controlling Both the Persistence and Death of CD4 Regulatory T Cells and Effector T Cells

We have previously shown that regulatory CD25+CD4+ T cells are resistant to clonal deletion induced by viral superantigen in vivo. In this work we report that isolated CD25+CD4+ T cells activated in vitro by anti-CD3 Ab are resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis, in contrast to their CD25−CD4+ counterparts. Resistance of CD25+CD4+ T cells to Fas-dependent activation-induced cell death is not linked to their inability to produce IL-2 or to their ability to produce IL-10. The sensitivity of both populations to Fas-induced apoptosis can be modulated in vitro by changing the CD25+CD4+:CD25−CD4+ T cell ratio. The sensitivity of CD25−CD4+ T cells to apoptosis can be reduced, while the sensitivity of CD25+CD4+ T cells can be enhanced. Modulation of Fas-dependent apoptosis is associated with changes in cytokine production. However, while CD25−CD4+ T cell apoptosis is highly dependent on IL-2 (production of which is inhibited by CD25+CD4+ T cells in coculture), modulation of CD25+CD4+ T cell apoptosis is IL-2 independent. Taken together, these results suggest that CD25+CD4+ and CD25−CD4+ T cell sensitivity to Fas-dependent apoptosis is dynamically modulated during immune responses; this modulation appears to help maintain a permanent population of regulatory T cells required to control effector T cells.

A unique subpopulation of CD4+ regulatory T cells controls wasting disease, IL‐10 secretion and T cell homeostasis

CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells have major roles in controlling immune responses, and use heterogeneous regulatory mechanisms. It is possible that these different activities aremediated by different subsets. Here we show that CD103+CD25+CD4+ T cells (that control inflammatory bowel disease) are highly enriched in gut‐associated lymphoid tissue and have unique functional properties. In vivo, only this subpopulation is able to control wasting disease and peripheral T cell homeostasis. In vitro, only this subpopulation is able to regulate IL‐10 secretion, and it might also mediate infectious suppression. These results demonstrate that regulatory T cells can be divided into discrete subpopulations with defined functional properties and regulatory mechanisms.

Immune Regulation by Self-Reactive T Cells is Antigen Specific

Immune regulation plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of self-tolerance. Nevertheless, it has been difficult to conclude whether regulation is Ag specific because studies have focused on polyclonal populations of regulatory T cells. We have used in this study a murine transgenic model that generates self-reactive, regulatory T cells of known Ag specificity to determine their capacity to suppress naive T cells specific for other Ags. We show that these regulatory cells can regulate the responses of naive T cells with the same TCR specificity, but do not inhibit T cell proliferation or differentiation of naive T cells specific for other Ags. These results demonstrate that immune regulation may be more Ag specific than previously proposed.

CD4 Help Regulates Expression of Crucial Genes Involved in CD8 T Cell Memory and Sensitivity to Regulatory Elements

The role of CD4 help during CD8 memory differentiation has been clearly demonstrated in different experimental models. However, the mechanisms involved to mediate CD4 help and the extent of its effects remain largely unknown. Using gene analysis at a single cell level, which allows the study of gene expression in terms of frequency, intensity and coxpression, we show that unhelped CD8 T cells harbor severe defects in the expression of crucial genes involved in proliferation, survival, and cytotoxic functions, the three main characteristics of CD8 memory differentiation described so far. Importantly, during secondary response, unhelped CD8 T cells exhibit blockade in all cytotoxic pathways (perforin, Fas ligand, IFN-γ), demonstrating the highly ubiquitous effect of CD4 help. Secondly, resting unhelped CD8 T cells extinguish the majority of their stimulated genes, showing that CD4 help favors the persistence of gene expression. Indeed, during secondary response, unhelped CD8 T cells exhibit a profile very similar to naive T cells, demonstrating that no instructive program has been imprinted in these cells. Finally unhelped CD8 T cells exhibit a higher sensitivity to immunoregulatory genes during secondary immune response. Therefore, these results characterize the multiple effects of CD4 help on CD8 memory differentiation and provide important insights for the understanding of protective memory responses.

Synergistic CD40 signaling on APCs and CD8 T cells drives efficient CD8 response and memory differentiation

The role of CD4 help during CD8 response and memory differentiation has been clearly demonstrated in different experimental models. However, the exact mechanisms of CD4 help remain largely unknown and preclude replacement therapy to develop. Interestingly, studies have shown that administration of an agonist aCD40ab can substitute CD4 help in vitro and in vivo, whereas the targets of this antibody remain elusive. In this study, we address the exact role of CD40 expression on APCs and CD8 T cells using aCD40ab treatment in mice. We demonstrate that aCD40 antibodies have synergetic effects on APCs and CD8 T cells. Full efficiency of aCD40 treatment requires CD40 expression on both populations: if one of these cell populations is CD40‐deficient, the CD8 T cell response is impaired. Most importantly, direct CD40 signaling on APCs and CD8 T cells affects CD8 T cell differentiation differently. In our model, CD40 expression on APCs plays an important but dispensable role on CD8 T cell expansion and effector functions during the early phase of the immune response. Conversely, CD40 on CD8 T cells is crucial and nonredundant for their progressive differentiation into memory cells. Altogether, these results highlight that CD40–CD40L‐dependent and independent effects of CD4 help to drive a complete CD8 T cell differentiation.

Neoplastic transformation and angiogenesis in the thymus of transgenic mice expressing SV40 T and t antigen under an l-pyruvate kinase promoter (SV12 mice)

Using several techniques, we have assessed morphological characteristics of a malignant thymic tumour in SV12 transgenic (Tg) mice expressing SV40 T and t antigens under control of an L‐PK promoter. We describe the development of a carcinoma originating from thymic hyperplasia and followed by the formation of a benign tumour composed chiefly of medullary epithelial cells expressing the transgene and of lymphocytes, a pathology very rarely reported in mice. Our study of the SV12 Tg mice represents the first description of a model of a pure malignant thymic tumour associated with extensive angiogenesis maintained in numerous descendants. The formation of a large tumoral neovascular network, observed here, has never been described in human and/or experimental thymic tumours. Tumoral transformation and angiogenesis are demonstrated by immunolabelling with antibodies against various cytokeratins (CKs) of different molecular weights, vascular endothelial cell markers and VEGF/receptor‐2 (Flk‐1) present on the neovascular endothelial cells. Different points raised by the originality of this model are discussed. These include the medullary nature of the cells expressing the SV40 transgene and their relationship with the tumoral development. The subset of different molecular weight CK components and their modifications are also considered, as well as the presence of type IV epithelial cells, progenitors of medullary epithelial cells. Finally, the cell signals involved in angiogenesis and the possible action of an angiogenic factor, probably secreted by the tumoral cells themselves, are discussed.