Victor C. de Vries

Molecular mechanism and function of CD40/CD40L engagement in the immune system

Summary:  During the generation of a successful adaptive immune response, multiple molecular signals are required. A primary signal is the binding of cognate antigen to an antigen receptor expressed by T and B lymphocytes. Multiple secondary signals involve the engagement of costimulatory molecules expressed by T and B lymphocytes with their respective ligands. Because of its essential role in immunity, one of the best characterized of the costimulatory molecules is the receptor CD40. This receptor, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, is expressed by B cells, professional antigen‐presenting cells, as well as non‐immune cells and tumors. CD40 binds its ligand CD40L, which is transiently expressed on T cells and other non‐immune cells under inflammatory conditions. A wide spectrum of molecular and cellular processes is regulated by CD40 engagement including the initiation and progression of cellular and humoral adaptive immunity. In this review, we describe the downstream signaling pathways initiated by CD40 and overview how CD40 engagement or antagonism modulates humoral and cellular immunity. Lastly, we discuss the role of CD40 as a target in harnessing anti‐tumor immunity. This review underscores the essential role CD40 plays in adaptive immunity.

Programmed death 1 ligand signaling regulates the generation of adaptive Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells

Although mature dendritic cells (DCs) are potent initiators of adaptive immune response, immature steady-state DCs contribute to immune tolerance. In this study, we show that ex vivo splenic DCs are capable of inducing conversion of naïve CD4+ T cells to adaptive Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells (aTreg) in the presence of TGF-β. In particular, when compared with splenic CD8α− DCs, the CD8α+ DC subset were superior in inducing higher frequencies of conversion. This was not attributable to the difference in basal level of costimulation, because deficiency of CD40 or CD80/86 signaling did not diminish the differential induction of Foxp3. Conversion was regulated by DC maturation status. Further insights into the molecular mechanisms of conversion were gained by analyzing the contribution of several costimulatory and coinhibitory receptors. Costimulatory signals through GITR suppressed conversion, whereas coinhibitory signaling via programmed death 1 ligand (PD-L1) but not PD-L2 was required for conversion. Ex vivo PD-L1−/− DCs failed to support Foxp3 induction in the presence of TGF-β. In vivo blocking PD-L1 signaling abolished conversion in a tumor-induced aTreg conversion model. Collectively, this study highlights the cellular and molecular parameters that might be exploited to control the de novo generation of aTregs and peripheral tolerance.

The immortality of humoral immunity

Summary:  Decades of high‐titered antibody are sustained due to the persistence of memory B cells and long‐lived plasma cells (PCs). The differentiation of each of these subsets is antigen‐ and T‐cell driven and is dependent on signals acquired and integrated during the germinal center response. Inherent in the primary immune response must be the delivery of signals to B cells to create these populations, which have virtual immortality. Differences in biology and chemotactic behavior disperse memory B cells and long‐lived PCs to a spectrum of anatomic sites. Each subset must rely on survival factors that can support their longevity. This review focuses on the generation of each of these subsets, their survival, and renewal, which must occur to sustain serological memory. In this context, we discuss the role of antigen, bystander inflammation, and cellular niches. The contribution of BAFF (B‐cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family) and APRIL (a proliferation‐inducing ligand) to the persistence of memory B cells and PCs are also detailed. Insights that have been provided over the past few years in the regulation of long‐lived B‐cell responses will have profound impact on vaccine development, the treatment of pre‐sensitized patients for organ transplantation, and therapeutic interventions in both antibody‐ and T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity.

A retinoic acid–dependent checkpoint in the development of CD4+ T cell–mediated immunity

Immune cell activation induces concurrent temporal and spatial retinoic acid signaling, and CD4+ T cell–specific loss of RA signals reduces effector function, migration, and polarity.

Tryptophan hydroxylase-1 regulates immune tolerance and inflammation

Tryptophan hydroxylase deficiency in mast cells breaks allograft tolerance, induces tumor remission, and intensifies neuroinflammation.

The distinctive germinal center phase of IgE+ B lymphocytes limits their contribution to the classical memory response

Direct class switching to IgE generates IgE+ GC cells that are highly apoptotic and do not contribute to the memory compartment, while sequential switching through an IgG+ intermediate results in the generation of long-lived IgE+ plasma cells.

The enigmatic role of mast cells in dominant tolerance

Purpose of reviewThe role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral tolerance has been studied extensively in transplantation research. Recently, mast cells have been shown to play an indispensable role in allograft tolerance. The purpose of this review is to inform the reader on the current standings of the role of mast cells in dominant tolerance with an emphasis on the interaction of mast cells with Treg. Recent findingsMast cells are required to sustain peripheral tolerance via Treg. Treg can stabilize mast cells degranulation by contact-dependent mechanisms through the interaction of OX40 and its ligand OX40L, and by production of soluble factors, such as interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β. Conversely, the activation and subsequent degranulation of mast cells break peripheral tolerance. SummaryBoth mast cells and Treg are needed to create a local immunosuppressive environment in the transplant. Treg are not only necessary to suppress effector T-cell responses but also to stabilize mast cells. Mast cells in return could contribute to the immunosuppressive state by release of transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-10 and specific proteases. However, the molecular basis for mast cells control of Treg suppression in organ transplantation is still unresolved.

Cross-roads in the lung: immune cells and tissue interactions as determinants of allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is a chronic disease of the lung characterized by underlying Th2- and IgE-mediated inflammation, structural alterations of the bronchial wall, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Initial allergic sensitization and later development of chronic disease are determined by close interactions between lung structural cells and the resident and migratory immune cells in the lung. Epithelial cells play a crucial role in allergic sensitization by directly influencing dendritic cells induction of tolerant or effector T cells and production of type 2 cytokines by innate immune cells. During chronic disease, the bronchial epithelium, stroma, and smooth muscle become structurally and functionally altered, contributing to the perpetuation of tissue remodeling. Thus, targeting tissue-driven pathology in addition to inflammation may increase the effectiveness of asthma treatment.

Mast Cells in Allergy and Tumor Disease

In allergy, mast cells (MCs) are known for the notoriously detrimental role they play. MC mediators like histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxane are released during the early phase of an allergic reaction and produce inflammation and local tissue responses. One pervasive roadblock in the effective development of therapeutic immunity to cancer is the fact that tumors create immune privileged sites that are resistant to the development of effective inflammation and effective anti-tumor responses. In this chapter we will present the current knowledge of the inflammatory responses elicited in allergies by IgE and MCs as well as the current knowledge on how the responses of MCs may regulate tumor growth and the immune response to tumors.

Studying mast cells in peripheral tolerance by using a skin transplantation model

Mast cells (MCs) play an important role in both inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses [1]. The importance of MCs in maintaining peripheral tolerance was discovered in a FoxP3(+) regulatory T-cell (Treg)-mediated skin transplant model [2]. MCs can directly mediate tolerance by releasing anti-inflammatory mediators (reviewed in ref. 3) or by interacting with other immune cells in the graft. Here we will present protocols used to study the role of MCs in peripheral tolerance with the emphasis on how MCs can regulate T-cell functionality. First we will introduce the skin transplant model followed by reconstitution of mast cell-deficient mice (B6.Cg-Kit (W-sh) ). This includes the preparation of MCs from the bone marrow. Finally the methods used to study the influence of MCs on T-cell responses and Treg functionality will be presented by modulating the balance between tolerance and inflammation.