Yifan Zhan

The Development, Maturation, and Turnover Rate of Mouse Spleen Dendritic Cell Populations

Three distinct subtypes of dendritic cells (DC) are present in mouse spleen, separable as CD4−8α−, CD4+8α−, and CD4−8α+ DC. We have tested whether these represent stages of development or activation within one DC lineage, or whether they represent separate DC lineages. All three DC subtypes appear relatively mature by many criteria, but all retain a capacity to phagocytose particulate material in vivo. Although further maturation or activation could be induced by bacterially derived stimuli, phagocytic capacity was retained, and no DC subtype was converted to the other. Continuous elimination of CD4+8− DC by Ab depletion had no effect on the levels of the other DC subtypes. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments indicated that all three DC subtypes have a rapid turnover (half-life, 1.5–2.9 days) in the spleen, with none being the precursor of another. The three DC subtypes showed different kinetics of development from bone marrow precursors. The CD8α+ spleen DC, apparently the most mature, displayed an extremely rapid turnover based on bromodeoxyuridine uptake and the fastest generation from bone marrow precursors. In conclusion, the three splenic DC subtypes behave as rapidly turning over products of three independent developmental streams.

Differential development of murine dendritic cells by GM-CSF versus Flt3 ligand has implications for inflammation and trafficking.

To gain ample numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) for investigation, or for immunotherapy, the culture of DC precursors from bone marrow in either GM-CSF and IL-4 (GM/IL4-DCs) or Flt3L (FL-DCs) has often been used. Despite their common use, the relationship of these culture-derived DCs to those in vivo, and their relative potential for use in immunotherapy, needs further elucidation. In this study we found that in contrast to FL-DCs, highly purified GM/IL4-DCs were larger and more granular, surface Mac-3+, and were comprised of two populations (CD24lowCD11bhigh and CD24highCD11blow). Functionally, although comparable in T cell activation, GM/IL4-DCs produced more inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-10, CCL-2, and NO than FL-DCs upon TLR ligation. However, FL-DCs migrated more efficiently to draining lymph nodes after s.c. injection and produced a different profile of cytokines to GM/IL4-DCs. Developmentally, unlike GM/IL4-DCs, FL-DCs cannot be differentiated from CD11bhighLy6ChighLy6G− monocytes. Collectively, these data suggest that the GM/IL4-DCs are the equivalents of the TNF-α and inducible NO synthase producing DCs in vivo that emerge after inflammation whereas FL-DCs better represent the steady-state resident DCs. The differences between GM/IL4-DCs and FL-DCs have serious implications for DC-based immunotherapeutic strategies.

Innate Immune Surveillance of Spontaneous B Cell Lymphomas by Natural Killer Cells and γδ T Cells

Few studies have demonstrated that innate lymphocytes play a major role in preventing spontaneous tumor formation. We evaluated the development of spontaneous tumors in mice lacking β-2 microglobulin (β2m; and thus MHC class I, CD1d, and CD16) and/or perforin, since these tumor cells would be expected to activate innate effector cells. Approximately half the cohort of perforin gene-targeted mice succumbed to spontaneous disseminated B cell lymphomas and in mice that also lacked β2m, the lymphomas developed earlier (by more than 100 d) and with greater incidence (84%). B cell lymphomas from perforin/β2m gene-targeted mice effectively primed cell-mediated cytotoxicity and perforin, but not IFN-γ, IL-12, or IL-18, was absolutely essential for tumor rejection. Activated NK1.1+ and γδTCR+ T cells were abundant at the tumor site, and transplanted tumors were strongly rejected by either, or both, of these cell types. Blockade of a number of different known costimulatory pathways failed to prevent tumor rejection. These results reflect a critical role for NK cells and γδTCR+ T cells in innate immune surveillance of B cell lymphomas, mediated by as yet undetermined pathway(s) of tumor recognition.

NKT Cell Stimulation with Glycolipid Antigen In Vivo: Costimulation-Dependent Expansion, Bim-Dependent Contraction, and Hyporesponsiveness to Further Antigenic Challenge

Activation of NKT cells using the glycolipid α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) has availed many investigations into their immunoregulatory and therapeutic potential. However, it remains unclear how they respond to stimulation in vivo, which costimulatory pathways are important, and what factors (e.g., Ag availability and activation-induced cell death) limit their response. We have explored these questions in the context of an in vivo model of NKT cell dynamics spanning activation, population expansion, and subsequent contraction. Neither the B7/CD28 nor the CD40/CD40L costimulatory pathway was necessary for cytokine production by activated NKT cells, either early (2 h) or late (3 days) after initial stimulation, but both pathways were necessary for normal proliferative expansion of NKT cells in vivo. The proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim was necessary for normal contraction of the NKT cell population between days 3–9 after stimulation, suggesting that the pool size is regulated by apoptotic death, similar to that of conventional T cells. Ag availability was not the limiting factor for NKT cell expansion in vivo, and a second α-GalCer injection induced a very blunted response, whereby cytokine production was reduced and further expansion did not occur. This appeared to be a form of anergy that was intrinsic to NKT cells and was not associated with inhibitory NK receptor signaling. Furthermore, NKT cells from mice prechallenged with α-GalCer in vivo showed little cytokine production and reduced proliferation in vitro. In summary, this study significantly enhances our understanding of how NKT cells respond to primary and secondary antigenic challenge in vivo.

The cell biology of cross-presentation and the role of dendritic cell subsets

The cell biology of cross‐presentation is reviewed regarding exogenous antigen uptake, antigen degradation and entry into the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway. Whereas cross‐presentation is not associated with enhanced phagocytic ability, certain receptors may favour uptake for cross‐presentation for example mannose receptor for soluble glycoproteins. Perhaps, the defining property of the cross‐presenting cell is some specialization in host machinery for handling and transport of antigen across organelles. Both cytosolic and vacuolar pathways are discussed. Which dendritic cell (DC) subset is the cross‐presenting cell is explored. Cross‐presentation is found within the CD8+ subset resident in lymphoid organs. The role of other DC subsets (especially the migratory CD8− DC) and the route of antigen delivery are also discussed. Further consideration is given to antigen transfer between DC subsets and differential presentation to naive vs memory T cells.

Selective suicide of cross-presenting CD8+ dendritic cells by cytochrome c injection shows functional heterogeneity within this subset.

Cross-presentation as a fundamental pathway of activating CD8+ T cells has been well established. So far the application of this concept in vivo is limited, and the mechanisms that specialize CD8+ dendritic cells (DCs) for this task are not fully understood. Here we take advantage of the specific cytosolic export feature of cross-presenting DCs together with the property of cytosolic cytochrome c (cyt c) in initiating Apaf-1-dependent apoptosis selectively in cross-presenting DCs. A single i.v. injection of cyt c in B6 mice produced a 2- to 3-fold reduction in splenic CD8+ DCs but not in Apaf-1-deficient mice. Functional studies both in vivo and in vitro showed that cyt c profoundly abrogated OVA-specific CD8+ T cell proliferation through its apoptosis-inducing effect on cross-presenting DCs. More importantly, in vivo injection of cyt c abolished the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to exogenous antigen and reduced subsequent immunity to tumor challenge. In addition, only a proportion of CD8+ DCs that express abundant IL-12 and Toll-like receptor 3 were efficient cross-presenters. Our data support the hypothesis that cross-presentation in vivo requires cytosolic diversion of endocytosed proteins, conferring cross-presentation specialization to a proportion of CD8+ DCs. We propose that DCs incapable of such transfer, even within the CD8+ DC subset, are unable to cross-present. Our model opens an avenue to specifically target cross-presenting DCs in vivo for manipulating cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses toward infections, tumors, and transplants.

The Rel subunit of NF-kappaB-like transcription factors is a positive and negative regulator of macrophage gene expression: distinct roles for Rel in different macrophage populations.

The role of Rel in the monocyte/macrophage lineage was examined in mice with an inactivated c‐rel gene. Although the frequency of monocytic cells was normal in Rel−/− mice, we show that Rel serves distinct roles in regulating gene expression and immune effector function in different mature macrophage populations. Stimulated Rel−/− resident peritoneal macrophages produced higher than normal levels of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), but tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha) production was not induced. Diminished cytotoxic activity exhibited by resident Rel−/− macrophages was consistent with reduced nitric oxide production resulting from impaired up‐regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. While a similar altered pattern of IL‐6 and TNF‐alpha expression was observed in stimulated Rel−/− peritoneal effusion macrophages, cytotoxic activity, nitric oxide, GM‐CSF and G‐CSF production by these cells was normal. The alternate regulation of certain genes in the two macrophage populations coincided with different patterns of nuclear Rel/NF‐kappaB complexes expressed in normal resident and elicited cells. Collectively, these results establish that Rel is a positive or negative regulator of transcription in macrophages and that Rel has distinct roles in different macrophage populations.

Selected Toll-like Receptor Ligands and Viruses Promote Helper-Independent Cytotoxic T Cell Priming by Upregulating CD40L on Dendritic Cells

CD40L (CD154) on CD4(+) T cells has been shown to license dendritic cells (DCs) via CD40 to prime cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. We found that the converse (CD40L on DCs) was also important. Anti-CD40L treatment decreased endogenous CTL responses to both ovalbumin and influenza infection even in the absence of CD4(+) T cells. DCs expressed CD40L upon stimulation with agonists to Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR9. Moreover, influenza infection, which stimulates CTLs without help, upregulated CD40L on DCs, but herpes simplex infection, which elicits CTLs through help, did not. CD40L-deficient (Cd40lg(-/-)) DCs are suboptimal both in vivo in bone marrow chimera experiments and in vitro in mixed lymphocyte reactions. In contrast, Cd40lg(-/-) CD8(+) T cells killed as effectively as wild-type cells. Thus, CD40L upregulation on DCs promoted optimal priming of CD8(+) T cells without CD4(+) T cells, providing a mechanism by which pathogens may elicit helper-independent CTL immunity.

Characterization of an Immediate Splenic Precursor of CD8+ Dendritic Cells Capable of Inducing Antiviral T Cell Responses

Mouse spleens contain three major dendritic cell (DC) populations: plasmacytoid DC, conventional CD8+CD24+ DC (CD8+ DC), and conventional CD8−CD24− DC (CD8− DC). We have previously shown that CD8+ DC are the major cross-presenting subtype in vivo and are the main inducers of antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Here we show that after depletion of CD8+ DC, the only DC capable of viral Ag presentation was a small subset that expresses CD24 but not CD8. This CD8−CD24+ DC population is greatly expanded in mice treated with the DC growth factor FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand. The CD8−CD24+ DC represent an immediate precursor of CD8+ DC, as demonstrated by their expression pattern of characteristic markers of CD8+ DC, their capacity to cross-present in vitro, and their conversion into CD8+ DC upon adoptive transfer into recipient mice. Accordingly, the lifespan of transferred CD8−CD24+ DC in vivo was greatly enhanced as compared with terminally differentiated CD8+ DC. Moreover, in a vaccination protocol, CD8−CD24+ DC induced stronger T cell responses and accelerated viral clearance of HSV-1 compared with CD8+ DC. Our results demonstrate that the ability to cross-present first appears in an immediate precursor population of CD8+ DC that does not yet express CD8. The enhanced capacity of CD8−CD24+ DC to induce immune responses upon adoptive transfer makes them an attractive novel tool for DC-based immunotherapies.

GM-CSF increases cross-presentation and CD103 expression by mouse CD8⁺ spleen dendritic cells.

Resident CD8+ DCs perform several functions, including cross‐presenting antigen and rapidly engulfing the Gram‐positive intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Little is known about how these functions of CD8+ DCs are modulated. Here, we show that granulocyte‐macrophage CSF (GM‐CSF), a cytokine that exists at low levels at steady state but is elevated during infection and inflammation, enhances cross‐presentation and rapid uptake of L. monocytogenes by resident CD8+ DCs. This previously unrecognized functional enhancement of CD8+ DCs by GM‐CSF was independent of promoting DC survival in vitro. Enhancement of these functions by GM‐CSF was also marked by CD103 expression on CD8+ DCs that was strongly regulated by GM‐CSF. Our findings not only identify GM‐CSF as a key molecule regulating CD8+ DC function, but also as a factor responsible for functional heterogeneity of CD8+ DCs that is at least substantially demarcated by CD103 expression.