Shahram Salek-Ardakani

OX40 (CD134) Controls Memory T Helper 2 Cells that Drive Lung Inflammation

Asthma is caused by memory Th2 cells that often arise early in life and persist after repeated encounters with allergen. Although much is known regarding how Th2 cells develop, there is little information about the molecules that regulate memory Th2 cells after they have formed. Here we show that the costimulatory molecule OX40 is expressed on memory CD4 cells. In already sensitized animals, blocking OX40–OX40L interactions at the time of inhalation of aerosolized antigen suppressed memory effector accumulation in lung draining lymph nodes and lung, and prevented eosinophilia, airway hyperreactivity, mucus secretion, and Th2 cyto-kine production. Demonstrating that OX40 signals directly regulate memory T cells, antigen-experienced OX40-deficient T cells were found to divide initially but could not survive and accumulate in large numbers after antigen rechallenge. Thus, OX40–OX40L interactions are pivotal to the efficiency of recall responses regulated by memory Th2 cells.

The costimulation-regulated duration of PKB activation controls T cell longevity.

A brief antigenic stimulus can promote T cell proliferation, but the duration and nature of intracellular signals required for survival are unclear. Here we show that in the absence of OX40 costimulation, antigen-activated CD4+ cells are short-lived because the activity of protein kinase B (PKB; also known as Akt) is not maintained over time. Activated T cells that express a dominant-negative variant of PKB also undergo apoptosis, reproducing the OX40-deficient phenotype. In contrast, an active form of PKB prevents downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins in OX40-deficient T cells, rescues antigen-induced cell survival in vivo, and controls inflammation in recall responses. Thus, sustained and periodic PKB signaling has an integral role in regulating T cell longevity.

Differential Regulation of Th2 and Th1 Lung Inflammatory Responses by Protein Kinase Cθ

In vitro and recent in vivo studies have identified protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ) as an important intermediate in signaling pathways leading to T cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production. However, the importance of PKCθ to many T cell-driven inflammatory responses has not been demonstrated. In this study we show that although PKCθ is required for the development of a robust lung inflammatory response controlled by Th2 cells, it plays a lesser role in the development of a similar lung inflammatory response controlled by Th1 cells. PKCθ-deficient mice were strongly compromised in generating Th2 cells and exhibited reduced airway eosinophilia and Th2 cytokine production in lungs. PKCθ was required for the initial development of Th1 cells, with these cells exhibiting delayed kinetics of differentiation and accumulation. However, with recall Ag challenge via the airways, this defect was overcome, and lung infiltration and Th1 cytokine production were largely unimpaired in PKCθ-deficient animals. These data suggest that PKCθ can play roles in aspects of both Th2 and Th1 responses, but lung inflammation induced by Th2 cells is more dependent on this protein kinase than lung inflammation induced by Th1 cells.

Protein Kinase Cθ Controls Th1 Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Molecules that regulate encephalitogenic T cells are of interest for multiple sclerosis. In this study we show that protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ) is critical for the development of Ag-specific Th1 cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis. PKCθ-deficient mice immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein failed to develop cell infiltrates and Th1 cytokines in the CNS and were resistant to the development of clinical EAE. CD4 T cells became primed and accumulated in secondary lymphoid organs in the absence of PKCθ, but had severely diminished IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-17 production. Increasing Ag exposure and inflammatory conditions failed to induce EAE in PKCθ-deficient mice, showing a profound defect in the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-reactive T cell population. These data provide evidence of a pivotal role for PKCθ in the generation and effector function of autoimmune Th1 cells.

The kinases aurora B and mTOR regulate the G1–S cell cycle progression of T lymphocytes

CD28-deficient T cells arrest at the G1–S transition of the cell cycle. Here we show that this is controlled by the kinase aurora B, which exists in a complex with survivin and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Expression of aurora B in Cd28−/− T cells augmented phosphorylation of mTOR substrates, expression of cyclin A, hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and activation of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2 and promoted cell cycle progression. Interleukin 2 enhanced aurora B activity, and inactive aurora B prevented interleukin 2–induced proliferation. Moreover, expression of aurora B restored Cd28−/− T cell proliferation and promoted inflammation in vivo. These data identify aurora B, along with survivin and mTOR, as a regulator of the G1–S checkpoint in T cells.

Convergence of Itch-induced ubiquitination with MEKK1-JNK signaling in Th2 tolerance and airway inflammation

The immune system is capable of mounting robust responses against invading pathogens but refrains from attacking self. Many studies have focused on tolerance induction of Th1 cells, whose failure results in development of autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms governing tolerance induction in Th2 cells and its relation to allergic responses remain unclear. Here we used both in vivo and in vitro protocols to demonstrate that Th2 cells either containing a mitogen and extracellular kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1) mutant or lacking JNK1 or the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch cannot be tolerized. In a mouse allergic model, injection of high-dose tolerizing antigen failed to block the development of airway inflammation in Itch-/- mice. This study suggests that MEKK1-JNK signaling regulates Itch E3 ligase-mediated tolerogenic process in Th2 cells. These findings have therapeutic implications for allergic diseases.

Vaccinia Virus-Specific CD4+ T Cell Responses Target a Set of Antigens Largely Distinct from Those Targeted by CD8+ T Cell Responses

Recent studies have defined vaccinia virus (VACV)-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes in mice and humans. However, little is known about the epitope specificities of CD4+ T cell responses. In this study, we identified 14 I-Ab-restricted VACV-specific CD4+ T cell epitopes by screening a large set of 2146 different 15-mer peptides in C57BL/6 mice. These epitopes account for ∼20% of the total anti-VACV CD4+ T cell response and are derived from 13 different viral proteins. Surprisingly, none of the CD4+ T cell epitopes identified was derived from VACV virulence factors. Although early Ags were recognized, late Ags predominated as CD4+ T cell targets. These results are in contrast to what was previously found in CD8+ T cells responses, where early Ags, including virulence factors, were prominently recognized. Taken together, these results highlight fundamental differences in immunodominance of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to a complex pathogen.

The TNFR family members OX40 and CD27 link viral virulence to protective T cell vaccines in mice

Induction of CD8+ T cell immunity is a key characteristic of an effective vaccine. For safety reasons, human vaccination strategies largely use attenuated nonreplicating or weakly replicating poxvirus-based vectors, but these often elicit poor CD8+ T cell immunity and might not result in optimal protection. Recent studies have suggested that virulence is directly linked to immunogenicity, but the molecular mechanisms underlying optimal CD8+ T cell responses remain to be defined. Here, using natural and recombinant vaccinia virus (VACV) strains, we have shown in mice that VACV strains of differing virulence induce distinct levels of T cell memory because of the differential use of TNF receptor (TNFR) family costimulatory receptors. With strongly replicating (i.e., virulent) VACV, the TNFR family costimulatory receptors OX40 (also known as CD134) and CD27 were engaged and promoted the generation of high numbers of memory CD8+ T cells, which protected against a lethal virus challenge in the absence of other mechanisms, including antibody and help from CD4+ T cells. In contrast, weakly replicating (i.e., low-virulence) VACV strains were poor at eliciting protective CD8+ T cell memory, as only the Ig family costimulatory receptor CD28 was engaged, and not OX40 or CD27. Our results suggest that the virulence of a virus dictates costimulatory receptor usage to determine the level of protective CD8+ T cell immunity.

OX40 Drives Protective Vaccinia Virus-Specific CD8 T cells

Vaccinia virus (VACV) affords long-lasting protection against variola virus, the agent of smallpox. VACV-reactive CD8 T cells contribute to protection but their molecular control is unknown. We show that the TNFR molecule OX40 (CD134) controls primary VACV-specific CD8 T cell expansion and antiviral cytokine production and dictates development of strong memory to both dominant and subdominant VACV epitopes. Using adoptive transfer of OX40-deficient CD8 TCR-transgenic T cells responding to Ag in the context of VACV infection, we found that this reflects a direct action of OX40 expressed by CD8 T cells. Furthermore, CD8 T cells that can protect against lethal VACV challenge do not develop in mice deficient in OX40. Thus, OX40, which has been found to play little if any role in the generation of CD8 T cells to several viruses, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and influenza, plays a dominant role in shaping the CD8 T cell response to VACV. These data suggest that unique costimulatory pathways might control alternate antiviral CD8 responses, demonstrating the plasticity of the immune response in utilizing different mechanisms to achieve similar ultimate goals.

B Cell-Specific Expression of B7-2 Is Required for Follicular Th Cell Function in Response to Vaccinia Virus

Follicular Th (TFH) cells are specialized in provision of help to B cells that is essential for promoting protective Ab responses. CD28/B7 (B7-1 and B7-2) interactions are required for germinal center (GC) formation, but it is not clear if they simply support activation of naive CD4 T cells during initiation of responses by dendritic cells or if they directly control TFH cells and/or directly influence follicular B cell differentiation. Using a model of vaccinia virus infection, we show that B7-2 but not B7-1 deficiency profoundly impaired TFH cell development but did not affect CD4 T cell priming and Th1 differentiation. Consistent with this, B7-2 but not B7-1 was required for acquisition of GC B cell phenotype, plasma cell generation, and virus-specific neutralizing Ab responses. Mixed adoptive transfer experiments indicated that bidirectional interactions between CD28 expressed on activated T cells and B7-2 expressed on follicular B cells were essential for maintenance of the TFH phenotype and GC B cell development. Our data provide new insight into the source and nature of molecules required for TFH cells to direct GC B cell responses.