Salim Dhanji

Impaired CD8 T cell memory and CD4 T cell primary responses in IL-7Rα mutant mice

Loss of interleukin (IL)-7 or the IL-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα, CD127) results in severe immunodeficiencies in mice and humans. To more precisely identify signals governing IL-7 function in vivo, we have disrupted the IL-7Rα Y449XXM motif in mice by knock-in mutagenesis (IL-7Rα449F). Thymic precursors were reduced in number in IL-7Rα449F mice, but in marked contrast to IL-7Rα−/− knockout mice, thymocytes and peripheral T cells developed normally. Strikingly, Listeria infection revealed that CD4 and CD8 T cells had different requirements for IL-7Rα signals. CD4 T cells failed to mount a primary response, but despite normal CD8 primary responses, maintenance of CD8 memory was impaired in IL-7Rα449F mice. Furthermore, we show that Bcl-2 is IL-7Rα Y449 independent and insufficient for IL-7–mediated maintenance of CD8 memory.

IL-2-activated CD8+CD44high cells express both adaptive and innate immune system receptors and demonstrate specificity for syngeneic tumor cells

CD8+ T cells depend on the αβ TCR for Ag recognition and function. However, Ag-activated CD8+ T cells can also express receptors of the innate immune system. In this study, we examined the expression of NK receptors on a population of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of CD44 (CD8+CD44high cells) from normal mice. These cells are distinct from conventional memory CD8+ T cells and they proliferate and become activated in response to IL 2 via a CD48/CD2-dependent mechanism. Before activation, they express low or undetectable levels of NK receptors but upon activation with IL-2 they expressed significant levels of activating NK receptors including 2B4 and NKG2D. Interestingly, the IL-2-activated cells demonstrate a preference in the killing of syngeneic tumor cells. This killing of syngeneic tumor cells was greatly enhanced by the expression of the NKG2D ligand Rae-1 on the target cell. In contrast to conventional CD8+ T cells, IL-2-activated CD8+CD44high cells express DAP12, an adaptor molecule that is normally expressed in activated NK cells. These observations indicate that activated CD8+CD44high cells express receptors of both the adaptive and innate immune system and may play a unique role in the surveillance of host cells that have been altered by infection or transformation.

RasGRP1 transmits prodifferentiation TCR signaling that is crucial for CD4 T cell development.

TCR signaling plays a governing role in both the survival and differentiation of bipotent double-positive thymocytes into the CD4+ and CD8+ single-positive T cell lineages. A central mediator of this developmental program is the small GTPase Ras, emitting cytoplasmic signals through downstream MAPK pathways and eventually affecting gene expression. TCR signal transduction orchestrates the activation of Ras by integrating at least two Ras-guanyl nucleotide exchange factors, RasGRP1 and Sos. In this study, we have characterized the relationship between RasGRP1 function and its potential roles in promoting ERK activity, cell survival, maturation, and lineage commitment. Investigations on RasGRP1−/− mice expressing a transgenic (Tg) MHC class II-restricted TCR revealed that the development of CD4 T cells expressing this Tg TCR is completely dependent on RasGRP1. Unexpectedly, a small number of functional CD8 single-positive thymocytes expressing the Tg MHC class II-restricted TCR exists in mutant mice. In addition, RasGRP1−/− double-positive thymocytes exhibit marked deficits in TCR-stimulated up-regulation of the positive selection marker CD69 and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, whereas CD5 induction is unaffected. To evaluate the role of RasGRP1 in providing cellular survival signaling, we enforced Bcl-2 expression in RasGRP1−/− thymocytes. These studies demonstrate that RasGRP1 function cannot be fully complemented by Tg Bcl-2 expression. Therefore, we propose that RasGRP1 transmits differentiation signaling critically required for CD4 T cell development.

The Low Affinity Fc Receptor for IgG Functions as an Effective Cytolytic Receptor for Self-Specific CD8 T Cells

We have recently described a population of self-Ag-specific murine CD8+ T cells with a memory phenotype that use receptors of both the adaptive and innate immune systems in the detection of transformed and infected cells. In this study we show that upon activation with IL-2 with or without Ag, between 10 and 20% of the activated self-specific CD8+ T cells express the low affinity FcR for IgG. By contrast, all IL-2-activated NK cells express high levels of this FcR. The FcR comprises the FcγRIIIα and FcRγ subunits. However, the FcRγ subunit also associates with the CD3 complex, and this association probably contributes to the low expression of FcR in activated cells. Although the FcR is expressed at a low level on activated self-specific CD8+ T cells, it functions very efficiently as a cytolytic receptor in ADCC. FcR-dependent killing occurred in the absence of TCR stimulation, but could be augmented by concurrent stimulation of the TCR. In addition to mediating ADCC, engagement of the FcR on self-specific CD8+ T cells results in the production of both IFN-γ and TNF-α. This is the first report of an activating FcR on self-specific murine CD8+αβ TCR+ T cells and establishes the importance of innate immune system receptors in the function of these self-specific CD8+ T cells.

Self-Antigen Maintains the Innate Antibacterial Function of Self-Specific CD8 T Cells In Vivo

Self-specific CD8 T cells, which are selected by high-affinity interactions with self-Ags, develop into a lineage distinct from conventional CD8 T cells. We have previously shown that these self-specific cells acquire phenotypic and functional similarities to cells of the innate immune system including the expression of functional receptors associated with NK cells. In this study, we show that these self-specific cells have the ability to produce large amounts of IFN-γ in response to infection with Listeria monocytogenes in a bystander fashion. The rapid production of IFN-γ is associated with a dramatic reduction in the number of viable bacteria at the peak of infection. Self-specific CD8 T cells provide only marginal innate protection in the absence of self-Ag; however, the presence of self-Ag dramatically increases their protective ability. Exposure to self-Ag is necessary for the maintenance of the memory phenotype and responsiveness to inflammatory cytokines such as IL-15. Significantly, self-specific CD8 T cells are also more efficient in the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, thus providing more cytokine-dependent protection against bacterial infection when compared with NK cells. These findings illustrate that self-reactive CD8 T cells can play an important innate function in the early defense against bacterial infection.

H2-M3-Restricted T Cells Participate in the Priming of Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells

H2-M3-restricted CD8+ T cells provide early protection against bacterial infections. In this study, we demonstrate that activated H2-M3-restricted T cells provide early signals for efficient CD4+ T cell priming. C57BL/6 mice immunized with dendritic cells coated with the MHC class II-restricted listeriolysin O peptide LLO190–201 (LLO) generated CD4+ T cells capable of responding to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. Inclusion of a H2-M3-restricted formylated peptide fMIGWII (fMIG), but not MHC class Ia-restricted peptides, during immunization with LLO significantly increased IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cell numbers, which was associated with increased protection against LM infection. Studies with a CD4+ T cell-depleting mAb indicate that the reduction in bacterial load in fMIG plus LLO immunized mice is likely due to augmented numbers of LLO-specific CD4+ T cells, generated with the help of H2-M3-restricted CD8+ T cells. We also found that augmentation of LLO-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes with H2-M3-restricted T cells requires presentation of LLO and fMIG by the same dendritic cells. Interestingly, the augmented CD4+ T cell response generated with fMIG also increased primary LM-specific responses by MHC class Ia-restricted CD8 T cells. Coimmunization with LLO and fMIG also increases the number of memory Ag-specific CD4+ T cells. We also demonstrate that CD8 T cells restricted to another MHC class Ib molecule, Qa-1, whose human equivalent is HLA-E, are also able to enhance Ag-specific CD4+ T cell responses. These results reveal a novel function for H2-M3- and Qa-1-restricted T cells; provision of help to CD4+ Th cells during the primary response.

Exposure to sequestered self-antigens in vivo is not sufficient for the induction of autoimmune diabetes.

Although the role of T cells in autoimmunity has been explored for many years, the mechanisms leading to the initial priming of an autoimmune T cell response remain enigmatic. The ‘hit and run’ model suggests that self-antigens released upon cell death can provide the initial signal for a self-sustaining autoimmune response. Using a novel transgenic mouse model where we could induce the release of self-antigens via caspase-dependent apoptosis. We tracked the fate of CD8+ T cells specific for the self-antigen. Our studies demonstrated that antigens released from apoptotic cells were cross-presented by CD11c+ cells in the draining lymph node. This cross-presentation led to proliferation of self-antigen specific T cells, followed by a transient ability to produce IFN-γ, but did not lead to the development of autoimmune diabetes. Using this model we examined the consequences on T cell immunity when apoptosis was combined with dendritic cell maturation signals, an autoimmune susceptible genetic background, and the deletion of Tregs. The results of our study demonstrate that autoimmune diabetes cannot be initiated by the presentation of antigens released from apoptotic cells in vivo even in the presence of factors known to promote autoimmunity.