Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) interferes with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, but does not affect phosphorylation of T cell receptor zeta and ZAP70.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is an important regulator of T cell homeostasis. Ligation of this receptor leads to prominent downregulation of T cell proliferation, mainly as a consequence of interference with IL-2 production. We here report that CTLA-4 engagement strikingly selectively shuts off activation of downstream T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 signaling events, i.e., activation of the microtubule-associated protein kinase (MAPKs) ERK and JNK. In sharp contrast, proximal TCR signaling events such as ZAP70 and TCR-zeta chain phosphorylation are not affected by CTLA-4 engagement on activated T cells. Since activation of the ERK and JNK kinases is required for stimulation of interleukin (IL)-2 transcription, these data provide a molecular explanation for the block in IL-2 production imposed by CTLA-4.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in allogeneic radiation bone marrow chimeras. The chimeric host strictly dictates the self-repertoire of Ia-restricted T cells but not H-2K/D-restricted T cells.

The present report has used fully H-2 allogeneic radiation bone marrow chimeras to assess the role of host restriction elements in determining the self-specificity of Ia- and H-2K/D-restricted T cells that participate in the generation of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). It was demonstrated that there exists a stringent requirement for the recognition of host thymic-type Ia determinants, but there exists only a preference for host thymic-type H-2K/D determinants. Indeed, once the stringent requirement for recognition of host Ia determinants was fulfilled, anti-TNP CTL were generated in response to TNP-modified stimulators that expressed either donor-type or host-type H-2K/D determinants. The CTL that were generated in response to TNP-modified donor-type stimulators were shown to be specific for TNP and restricted to the non-thymic H-2K/D determinants of the chimeric donor. Thus, these results demonstrate in a single immune response that the thymic hypothesis accurately predicts the self-specificity expressed by Ia-restricted T cells, but does not fully account for the self-specificity expressed by H-2K/D-restricted T cells. These results are consistent with the concept that H-2K/D-restricted T cells, but not Ia-restricted T cells, can differentiate into functional competence either intrathymically or extra-thymically. The present results are also informative for understanding the cellular interactions that are required for the generation of antigen-specific CTL responses. The Ia-restricted T cells that are required for the generation of H-2K/D-restricted anti-TNP CTL were shown to be helper T (TH) cells since (a) like TH cells functioning in antibody responses, they were specific for Ia determinants expressed by accessory cells, and (b) their function could be replaced by either TNP-primed, irradiated TH cells or by nonspecific soluble helper factors. It was also shown that the T-T cell interaction between Ia-restricted TH cells and H-2K/D-restricted precursor CTL (pCTL) is not Ia restricted. Rather, the results demonstrate that the generation of anti-TNP CTL responses involve two parallel sets of major histocompatibility complex-restricted cell interactions, an Ia-restricted TH-accessory cell interaction required for TH cell activation, and an H-2K/D-restricted pCTL-stimulator cell interaction required for pCTL stimulation. The interaction between activated TH cells and stimulated pCTL is mediated, at least in part, by nonspecific soluble helper factors.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses by chimeric thymocytes. Self-recognition is determined early in T cell development.

In this study the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition pattern of thymocytes from recently reconstituted parent leads to F1 and F1 leads to parent radiation bone marrow chimeras was investigated. Chimeric thymocytes were entirely of donor origin approximately 4 wk after irradiation and reconstitution but were not capable of autonomously generating either alloreactive or trinitrophenyl (TNP)-modified-self-reactive CTL responses. However, in the presence of interleukin-2 (I1-2), the the putative T helper cell product, CTL could be generated in vitro by thymocytes from recently reconstituted chimeras. Experiments with thymocytes from A leads to A X B and A X B leads to A chimeras revealed the following: (a) thymocytes from both types of chimeras were nonreactive to either A or B parental major-histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants even though they were alloreactive to third-party stimulator cells; and (b) thymocytes from these chimeras were restricted to the recognition of TNP in association with MHC determinants syngeneic to the chimeric host. Thus, these experiments demonstrate that even at the earliest time CTL effectors of donor origin from the thymuses of chimeras can be studied, their self-receptor repertoire has already been restricted to recognition of host MHC determinants. These results support the concept that the host environment influences the self-recognition capacity of T cells at the pre- or intrathymic stage of differentiation.

T cells from fully H-2 allogeneic (A replaced by B) radiation bone marrow chimeras are functionally competent and host restricted but are alloreactive against hybrid Ia determinants expressed on (A x B)F1 cells.

In this communication it is demonstrated that T cells from fully allogeneic A replaced by B radiation bone marrow chimeras are alloreactive against the hybrid Ia molecules expressed on the surface of heterozygous A X B cells. These results suggested that previous failures to generate cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses from fully allogeneic chimeras by sensitizing the chimeric T cells to antigen in an (A X B)F1-priming environment might have been confounded by an ongoing alloreaction against determinants created by hybrid Ia molecules expressed on F1 cells. Consequently, the ability to generate CTL responses from fully allogeneic chimeras was re-examined by sensitizing the chimeric T cells to antigen presented by homozygous rather that F1 stimulator cells. It was found that T cells of donor bone marrow origin that mediate cytotoxic responses to trinitrophenyl-modified self determinants do differentiate into functional competence in an H-2-incompatible host environment and are restricted to the host H-2 haplotype.

Preferential differentiation of T cell receptor specificities based on the MHC glycoproteins encountered during development. Evidence for positive selection.

T cells recognize foreign antigens together with those MHC glycoproteins they have encountered during their development in the thymus. How the repertoire of antigen-specific TCRs is selected has not yet been fully defined. We have investigated the T cell repertoire specificities of CD4-CD8+ cytotoxic T cells developing under conditions where one of the class I MHC-encoded molecules is blocked, while other class I-MHC glycoproteins are still expressed. We show that antigen-specific T cells restricted to the blocked class I fail to develop, while generation of other class I-specific T cell proceeds undisturbed. This highly selective perturbation of the T cell receptor repertoire demonstrates that development of CD4-CD8+ T cells with a certain TCR specificity requires expression of particular alleles of class I MHC. Thus, TCR-MHC interactions provide signals essential to the differentiation of precursor T cells.

Essential role of the interleukin 2-interleukin 2 receptor pathway in thymocyte maturation in vivo.

The role of the IL-2-IL-2-R pathway in thymocyte differentiation in vivo is unknown. We have examined fetal thymocyte development in vivo, under conditions where all IL-2-R were saturated from day 13 of gestation with anti-IL-2-R mAbs that were previously shown to render mature T cells unable to respond to IL-2. This produced a dramatic change in the composition of developing T cells: thymocytes from day 1 neonatal mice born to anti-IL-2-R-treated mothers did not contain CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive cell populations. In addition, no generation of surface TCR beta chain-expressing T cells or antigen-reactive functional T cells occurred in treated mice. These data suggest that IL-2-IL-2-R interactions provide signals crucial to in vivo intrathymic development of mature T cells.

Differentiation of Ia-reactive CD8+ murine T cells does not require Ia engagement. Implications for the role of CD4 and CD8 accessory molecules in T cell differentiation.

The present study was undertaken to assess the Ia differentiation requirements of CD8+ class II-allospecific CTL, whose CD8+ phenotype is apparently "discordant" with their MHC class II reactivity. To do so, we compared the effect of in vivo anti-Ia blockade on the differentiation of Ia-reactive CD8+ CTL with its effect on the differentiation of CD4+ T cells. We found that anti-Ia blockade did not detectably interfere with the differentiation of CD8+ Ia-reactive CTL, even though it arrested the differentiation of CD4+ T cells. Thus, the differentiation of CD4+ T cells is strictly dependent upon Ia engagement, whereas the differentiation of CD8+ T cells, even those with reactivity against MHC class II alloantigens, does not require Ia engagement. These results support the concept that Ia-reactive CD8+ T cells are conventional CD8+ CTL, probably selected by self-class I MHC molecules during differentiation, whose receptors fortuitously crossreact on MHC class II alloantigens. Taken together, the present data indicate an intimate relationship between CD4/CD8 expression with MHC class specificity during T cell differentiation and selection. We suggest that an active triggering role for CD4 and CD8 accessory molecules in T cell differentiation is best able to explain these observations.

Engagement of CD4 and CD8 expressed on immature thymocytes induces activation of intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation pathways.

Accumulating data suggest that the target cells for selection events leading to establishment of the mature T cell repertoire are the functionally immature double-positive (CD4+/CD8+) thymocytes, and that the CD4 and CD8 antigens expressed on these cells play important roles in these processes. In an attempt to define the biochemical pathways implicated in these events, we have studied the effects of engagement of accessory molecules on tyrosine protein phosphorylation. The results of our experiments demonstrate that engagement of CD4 and CD8 expressed on double-positive thymocytes is coupled with a rapid tyrosine protein phosphorylation signal. Further analyses have revealed that these two surface molecules are physically associated with the internal membrane tyrosine protein kinase p56lck in immature thymocytes, and that the catalytic function of lck expressed in double-positive thymocytes is significantly enhanced upon engagement of CD4. These data provide evidence that tyrosine-specific protein phosphorylation pathways coupled to the CD4 and CD8 T cell surface antigens are functional in immature thymocytes, and therefore, formally prove that signaling functions of CD4 and CD8 molecules are operative in immature thymocytes.

Surface expression of only gamma delta and/or alpha beta T cell receptor heterodimers by cells with four (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) functional receptor chains.

Surface expression of TCR dimers by cells synthesizing three or four distinct types of receptor chains was analyzed. Cells containing intact gamma, alpha, and beta chains had only gamma delta dimers on the cell surface. In human PEER cells, addition of a functional alpha chain led to the loss of gamma delta dimer expression and expression of only alpha beta dimers. This result was not due to transcriptional down-regulation of the gamma or delta loci. In murine cells expressing all four chains, both gamma delta and alpha beta dimers could be demonstrated on a single cell. No other chain combinations (alpha gamma, alpha delta, beta gamma, or beta delta) were detected. Thus, there is stringent control of assembly and/or transport of TCR heterodimers, such that functional receptors consist only of alpha beta and gamma delta pairs, and no additional repertoire diversity is generated by cross pairing.

Predominant variable region gene usage by gamma/delta T cell receptor-bearing cells in the adult thymus.

Previous studies have indicated that the diversity of gamma genes expressed by gamma/delta-bearing murine T cells is limited, but comparable information concerning the expressed diversity of delta genes is lacking. In this study, we have investigated the rearrangement and expression of delta and gamma genes in T cell hybridomas that express gamma/delta T cell receptors. Three productive delta chain cDNA clones were isolated (delta 7.3, delta 7.1, and delta 2.3) that encode new variable region sequences. Two of the delta cDNAs differ significantly from those observed in the V alpha repertoire. In addition, one cDNA expressed a new J delta region (J delta 2), which was localized between J delta 1 and C delta genes. Using these and other delta gene probes and gamma gene probes, we found that five independent hybridomas expressed four different V delta s and three different V gamma s. However, analysis of an enriched population of gamma/delta-expressing cells from the adult thymus suggests that only a few V delta genes and one V gamma gene are used by the majority of the cells. These results suggest that important components of receptor chain that contribute to specificity (i.e., the germline V gene sequences) are relatively nondiverse in the thymic gamma/delta population.

Early development of the T cell repertoire. In vivo treatment of neonatal mice with anti-Ia antibodies interferes with differentiation of I-restricted T cells but not K/D-restricted T cells.

Monoclonal antibodies to I-Ak were injected into neonatal H-2k mice for a period of 3 wk. The spleens of such mice are devoid of Ia-positive cells. Allo- and trinitrophenyl (TNP)-self-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in such anti-I-A-treated mice were almost completely abrogated at the end of the 2-3 wk in vivo treatment period. Development of suppressor cells, carry-over of blocking antibodies, lack of responder accessory cells, or defective CTL function were not responsible for the observed defect. As concanavalin A supernatant could restore the defect, it is more likely that the defect is due to the absence of competent Ia-specific T helper cells. In addition, anti-I-A-treated mice exhibit reduced I-A antigen expression in the thymus and defective Ia-bearing accessory cell function in the spleen. It is postulated that, for development of Ia-specific T cells to occur, precursor T cells need to interact with Ia-encoded products in the thymus, and anti-Ia treatment interferes with this process. Finally, the mechanism of this interference was shown to be due to actual removal or functional inactivation of those I-A-positive elements responsible for the education of I-A-recognizing T cells, since in (H-2b X H-2k)F1 mice, treatment with anti-I-Ak antibodies results in abrogation of CTL responses to TNP in association with both parental haplotypes, while in the thymus of these mice expression of both I-Ak and I-Ab was reduced.

Self-recognition specificity expressed by T cells from nude mice. Absence of detectable Ia-restricted T cells in nude mice that do exhibit self-K/D-restricted T cell responses.

The presence in athymic nude mice of precursor T cells with self-recognition specificity for either H-2 K/D or H-2 I region determinants was investigated. Chimeras were constructed of lethally irradiated parental mice receiving a mixture of F1 nude mouse (6-8 wk old) spleen and bone marrow cells. The donor inoculum was deliberately not subjected to any T cell depletion procedure, so that any potential major histocompatibility complex-committed precursor T cells were allowed to differentiate and expand in the normal parental recipients. 3 mo after reconstitution, the chimeras were immunized with several protein antigens in complete Freund's adjuvant in the footpads and their purified draining lymph node T cells tested 10 d later for ability to recognize antigen on antigen-presenting cells of either parental haplotype. Also, their spleen and lymph node cells were tested for ability to generate a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to trinitrophenyl (TNP)-modified stimulator cells of either parental haplotype. It was demonstrated that T cell proliferative responses of these F1(nude)----parent chimeras were restricted solely to recognizing parental host I region determinants as self and expressed the Ir gene phenotype of the host. In contrast, CTL responses could be generated (in the presence of interleukin 2) to TNP-modified stimulator cells of either parental haplotype. Thus these results indicate that nude mice which do have CTL with self-specificity for K/D region determinants lack proliferating T cells with self-specificity for I region determinants. These results provide evidence for the concepts that development of the I region-restricted T cell repertoire is strictly an intrathymically determined event and that young nude mice lack the unique thymic elements responsible for education of I region-restricted T cells.

Selective expansion of cross-reactive CD8(+) memory T cells by viral variants.

The role of memory T cells during the immune response against random antigenic variants has not been resolved. Here, we show by simultaneous staining with two tetrameric major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide molecules, that the polyclonal CD8(+) T cell response against a series of natural variants of the influenza A nucleoprotein epitope is completely dominated by infrequent cross-reactive T cells that expand from an original memory population. Based on both biochemical and functional criteria, these cross-reactive cytotoxic T cells productively recognize both the parental and the mutant epitope in vitro and in vivo. These results provide direct evidence that the repertoire of antigen-specific T cells used during an infection critically depends on prior antigen encounters, and indicate that polyclonal memory T cell populations can provide protection against a range of antigenic variants.

In vivo induction of anergy in peripheral V beta 8+ T cells by staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

We have developed a model of peripheral in vivo T cell tolerance that is induced by administration of the protein superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Rather than activating V beta 8+ T cells, in vivo administration of SEB induced in them a profound state of anergy. This was shown by their failure to proliferate to subsequent in vitro restimulation with SEB or to anti-V beta 8 antibodies. This unresponsiveness was V beta 8 specific since T cells from SEB-immunized mice responded normally to other antigens. 8 d after SEB administration, there was no reduction in the number of V beta 8+ T cells or in the intensity of V beta 8 T cell receptor (TCR) expression. Although a portion of the V beta 8+ T cells from SEB-primed mice were able to express interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2Rs), they failed to proliferate in response to exogenous IL-2, indicating they were defective in their IL-2 responsiveness. 2-4 wk after SEB administration, there was a reduction of approximately 50% in the number of V beta 8+ cells in immunized compared with control animals. There was, however, no reduction in the level of TCR expression on the remaining V beta 8+ cells. These data demonstrate that proteins that activate T cells in vitro in a V beta-specific manner can induce a state of anergy in peripheral T cells in vivo and may possibly further mediate clonal deletion in a portion of the tolerized cells.

CD8 is required during positive selection of CD4-/CD8+ T cells.

Interactions between self-MHC molecules and T cells are necessary for the proper development of mature T cells, in part due to an absolute requirement for self-MHC-TCR interactions. Recently, we showed that CD4-mediated interactions also participate in shaping the T cell repertoire during thymic maturation. We now examine the possible role of the CD8 molecule during in vivo T cell development. Our results demonstrate that perinatal thymi treated with intact anti-CD8 mAb fail to generate CD8 single-positive T cells, while the generation of the other main phenotypes remains unchanged. Most importantly, the use of F(ab')2 anti-CD8 mAb fragments gave identical results, i.e., lack of generation of CD4-/CD8+ cells, with no effect on the generation of CD4+/CD8+. Furthermore, selective blocking of one CD8 allele with F(ab')2 mAbs in F1 mice expressing both CD8 alleles did not interfere with the development of CD4-/CD8+ cells, demonstrating that the absence of CD8+ T cells in homozygous mice is not due to depletion, but rather is caused by a lack of positive selection. This is most likely attributable to a deficient CD8-MHC class I interaction. Our findings strongly advocate that CD8 molecules are vital to the selection process that leads to the development of mature single-positive CD8 T cells.

Role of CD4 in thymocyte selection and maturation.

We examined the possible role of CD4 molecules during in vivo and in vitro fetal thymic development. Our results show that fetal thymi treated with intact anti-CD4 mAbs fail to generate CD4 single-positive T cells, while the generation of the other phenotypes remains unchanged. Most importantly, the use of F(ab')2 and Fab anti-CD4 mAb gave identical results, i.e., failure to generate CD4+/CD8- T cells, with no effect on the generation of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. Since F(ab')2 and Fab anti-CD4 fail to deplete CD4+/CD8- in adult mice, these results strongly argue that the absence of CD4+/CD8- T cells is not due to depletion, but rather, is caused by a lack of positive selection, attributable to an obstructed CD4-MHC class II interaction. Furthermore, we also observed an increase in TCR/CD3 expression after anti-CD4 (divalent or monovalent) mAb treatment. The TCR/CD3 upregulation occurs in the double-positive population, and may result from CD4 signaling after mAb engagement, or may be a consequence of the blocked CD4-class II interactions. One proposed model argues that the CD3 upregulation occurs in an effort to compensate for the reduction in avidity or signaling that is normally provided by the interaction of the CD4 accessory molecule and its ligand. As a whole, our findings advocate that CD4 molecules play a decisive role in the differentiation of thymocytes.

Absence of the Lyt-2-,L3T4+ lineage of T cells in mice treated neonatally with anti-I-A correlates with absence of intrathymic I-A-bearing antigen-presenting cell function.

In an effort to elucidate the role of intrathymic Ia-bearing antigen-presenting cells (APC) on the development of the class II-restricted T cell repertoire, we examined the effect of neonatal anti-I-A treatment on both intrathymic and splenic APC function; on the generation of Lyt-2-,L3T4+, Lyt-2+,L3T4-, and Lyt-2+,L3T4+ T cells; and on the development of class I- and class II-specific T cell functions. Both the thymus and the spleen are completely devoid of Lyt-2-,L3T4+ T cells in young mice treated from birth with anti-I-A, and also lack functions associated with this subset, i.e., alloantigen-specific interleukin 2 production (present report), allo-class II-specific and self-class II-restricted T cell proliferative responses, and helper cell function for the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses (18). Development of the Lyt-2+,L3T4- subset proceeds undisturbed in these mice, in accord with the previously reported normal levels of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (18). The thymus contains normal numbers of the immature cortical Lyt-2+,L3T4+ cells, indicating that acquisition of the L3T4 marker, in and of itself, is not influenced by anti-I-A treatment. This striking absence of the lineage of T cells responsible for class II-specific T cell functions is correlated with absence of thymic APC function for class II-restricted T cell clones. When anti-I-A-treated mice are allowed to recover from the antibody treatment, splenic and thymic APC function return to normal in 2-3 wk, and thymic Lyt-2-,L3T4+ T cell numbers and functions reappear before such cells are detectable in the spleen. Collectively, these findings suggest that development of the Lyt-2-,L3T4+ lineage of class II-specific T cells is entirely dependent on functional I-A-bearing APC cells in the thymus. In addition, the presence of normal levels of Lyt-2+,L3T4-T cells argues that generation of the two major subsets of T cells (i.e., Lyt-2+,L3T4- and Lyt-2-,L3T4+) occurs through separate events, involving unique sites of interactions between precursor T cells and nonlymphoid major histocompatibility complex-bearing thymus cells.

T cell receptor gamma/delta chain diversity.

The TCR-gamma and -delta chains of six murine hybridomas were compared by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional NEPHGE/SDS-PAGE analysis. This allowed the identification of three distinct gamma chains (gamma a, gamma b, and gamma c) and three distinct delta chains (delta a, delta b, and delta c). Four gamma/delta chain combinations (gamma a delta a, gamma b delta b, gamma b delta c, and gamma c delta a) were observed. These results indicate that multiple forms of the delta chain are expressed and suggest that the delta chains are encoded for by an Ig-like rearranging gene. This delta chain polymorphism significantly enhances the potential diversity of TCR-gamma/delta, which may be of importance for a better understanding of the putative ligand(s) recognized by this receptor.

Thymic requirement for clonal deletion during T cell development.

During T cell differentiation, self tolerance is established in part by the deletion of self-reactive T cells within the thymus (negative selection). The presence of T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha beta + T cells in older athymic (nu/nu) mice indicates that some T cells can also mature without thymic influence. Therefore, to determine whether the thymus is required for negative selection, TCR V beta expression was compared in athymic nu/nu mice and their congenic normal littermates. T cells expressing V beta 3 proteins are specific for minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mlsc) determinants and are deleted intrathymically due to self tolerance in Mlsc+ mouse strains. Here it is shown that V beta 3+ T cells are deleted in Mlsc+ BALB/c nu/+ mice, but not in their BALB/c nu/nu littermates. Thus, the thymus is required for clonal deletion during T cell development.

Peripheral clonal elimination of functional T cells.

A major mechanism for generating tolerance in developing T cells is the intrathymic clonal deletion of T cells that have receptors for those self antigens that are presented on hematopoietic cells. The mechanisms of tolerance induction to antigens not expressed in the thymus remain unclear. Tolerance to self antigens can be generated extrathymically through the induction of clonal nonresponsiveness in T cells with self-reactive receptors. A second mechanism of extrathymic tolerance was identified: clonal elimination of mature T cells with self-reactive receptors that had previously displayed functional reactivity.