Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule expression and regulation in human intracellular infection correlate with Th1 cytokine patterns.

Induction of Th1 cytokines, those associated with cell-mediated immunity, is critical for host defense against infection by intracellular pathogens, including mycobacteria. Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM, CD150) is a transmembrane protein expressed on lymphocytes that promotes T cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production. The expression and role of SLAM in human infectious disease were investigated using leprosy as a model. We found that SLAM mRNA and protein were more strongly expressed in skin lesions of tuberculoid patients, those with measurable CMI to the pathogen, Mycobacterium leprae, compared with lepromatous patients, who have weak CMI against M. leprae. Peripheral blood T cells from tuberculoid patients showed a striking increase in the level of SLAM expression after stimulation with M. leprae, whereas the expression of SLAM on T cells from lepromatous patients show little change by M. leprae stimulation. Engagement of SLAM by an agonistic mAb up-regulated IFN-gamma production from tuberculoid patients and slightly increased the levels of IFN-gamma in lepromatous patients. In addition, IFN-gamma augmented SLAM expression on M. leprae-stimulated peripheral blood T cells from leprosy patients. Signaling through SLAM after IFN-gamma treatment of Ag-stimulated cells enhanced IFN-gamma production in lepromatous patients to the levels of tuberculoid patients. Our data suggest that the local release of IFN-gamma by M. leprae-activated T cells in tuberculoid leprosy lesions leads to up-regulation of SLAM expression. Ligation of SLAM augments IFN-gamma production in the local microenvironment, creating a positive feedback loop. Failure of T cells from lepromatous leprosy patients to produce IFN-gamma in response to M. leprae contributes to reduced expression of SLAM. Therefore, the activation of SLAM may promote the cell-mediated immune response to intracellular bacterial pathogens.

Activation of toll-like receptors by microbial lipoproteins: role in host defense.

Conserved throughout evolution, mammalian toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in innate immune response to microbial pathogens. The TLRs mediate activation by microbial ligands, resulting in cytokine activation as well as other host defense mechanisms. Activation of TLRs also can result in tissue injury including manifestations of septic shock and host cell apoptosis. In this manner, the activation of mammalian TLRs in the context of infectious disease can contribute to host defense and immunopathology.

Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule is expressed on CD40 ligand-activated dendritic cells and directly augments production of inflammatory cytokines.

Dendritic cells (DC) comprise a key part of the innate immune system that, upon activation, profoundly influences the nature of the adaptive T cell response. In this study, we present evidence that signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM), a molecule first identified in activated T and B cells, is strongly up-regulated in DC activated through CD40, as well as in response to inflammatory stimuli, including polyinosinic polycytidylic acid and LPS. mRNA encoding both membrane-bound and soluble secreted isoforms of SLAM was detected in CD40 ligand-activated DC, comprising two of the four known SLAM isoforms. Expression of membrane-bound SLAM protein peaked at 12 h poststimulation with CD40 ligand, gradually returning to baseline levels after 6 days. SLAM up-regulation appears to be a direct result of the induction of DC maturation, as inflammatory cytokines released during this process do not affect SLAM expression. Functionally, engagement of SLAM enhances DC production of IL-12 and IL-8, while having no effect on production of IL-10. Because SLAM is involved in the activation of T cells, the expression of SLAM on DC may provide a bidirectional signaling mechanism in which interacting DC and T cells are simultaneously and synergistically activated to mount proinflammatory Th1 responses.

A role for IL-12 receptor expression and signal transduction in host defense in leprosy.

The generation of cell-mediated immunity against intracellular infection involves the production of IL-12, a critical cytokine required for the development of Th1 responses. The biologic activities of IL-12 are mediated through a specific, high affinity IL-12R composed of an IL-12Rbeta1/IL-12Rbeta2 heterodimer, with the IL-12Rbeta2 chain involved in signaling via Stat4. We investigated IL-12R expression and function in human infectious disease, using the clinical/immunologic spectrum of leprosy as a model. T cells from tuberculoid patients, the resistant form of leprosy, are responsive to IL-12; however, T cells from lepromatous patients, the susceptible form of leprosy, do not respond to IL-12. We found that the IL-12Rbeta2 was more highly expressed in tuberculoid lesions compared with lepromatous lesions. In contrast, IL-12Rbeta1 expression was similar in both tuberculoid and lepromatous lesions. The expression of IL-12Rbeta2 on T cells was up-regulated by Mycobacterium leprae in tuberculoid but not in lepromatous patients. Furthermore, IL-12 induced Stat4 phosphorylation and DNA binding in M. leprae-activated T cells from tuberculoid but not from lepromatous patients. Interestingly, IL-12Rbeta2 in lepromatous patients could be up-regulated by stimulation with M. tuberculosis. These data suggest that Th response to M. leprae determines IL-12Rbeta2 expression and function in host defense in leprosy.

Activation of toll-like receptors by microbial lipoproteins.

In Drosophila, the Toll family of proteins are central to innate defense against microbial pathogens. Conserved throughout evolution, mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in innate immunity. TLRs mediate activation by microbial ligands including lipoproteins, resulting in the activation of IL-12 and nitric oxide synthase. Microbial lipoproteins also induce host cell apoptosis. In this manner, the ability of microbial lipoproteins to activate TLRs can contribute to host defense and immunopathology during infection.

T-cell release of granulysin contributes to host defense in leprosy.

A novel mechanism by which T cells contribute to host defense against microbial pathogens is release of the antimicrobial protein granulysin. We investigated the role of granulysin in human infectious disease using leprosy as a model. Granulysin-expressing T cells were detected in cutaneous leprosy lesions at a six-fold greater frequency in patients with the localized tuberculoid as compared with the disseminated lepromatous form of the disease. In contrast, perforin, a cytolytic molecule that colocalizes with granulysin in cytotoxic granules, was expressed at similar levels across the spectrum of disease. Within leprosy lesions, granulysin colocalized in CD4+ T cells and was expressed in CD4+ T-cell lines derived from skin lesions. These CD4+ T-cell lines lysed targets by the granule exocytosis pathway and reduced the viability of mycobacteria in infected targets. Given the broad antimicrobial spectrum of granulysin, these data provide evidence that T-cell release of granulysin contributes to host defense in human infectious disease.

Microbial lipopeptides stimulate dendritic cell maturation via Toll-like receptor 2.

The ability of dendritic cells (DC) to initiate immune responses in naive T cells is dependent upon a maturation process that allows the cells to develop their potent Ag-presenting capacity. Although immature DC can be derived in vitro by treatment of peripheral blood monocytes with GM-CSF and IL-4, additional signals such as those provided by TNF-alpha, CD40 ligand, or LPS are required for complete maturation and maximum APC function. Because we recently found that microbial lipoproteins can activate monocytes and DC through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, we also investigated whether lipoproteins can drive DC maturation. Immature DC were cultured with or without lipoproteins and were monitored for expression of cell surface markers indicative of maturation. Stimulation with lipopeptides increased expression of CD83, MHC class II, CD80, CD86, CD54, and CD58, and decreased CD32 expression and endocytic activity; these lipopeptide-matured DC also displayed enhanced T cell stimulatory capacity in MLR, as measured by T cell proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion. The lipid moiety of the lipopeptide was found to be essential for induction of maturation. Preincubation of maturing DC with an anti-TLR2 blocking Ab before addition of lipopeptide blocked the phenotypic and functional changes associated with DC maturation. These results demonstrate that lipopeptides can stimulate DC maturation via TLR2, providing a mechanism by which products of bacteria can participate in the initiation of an immune response.

Induction of direct antimicrobial activity through mammalian toll-like receptors.

The mammalian innate immune system retains from Drosophila a family of homologous Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that mediate responses to microbial ligands. Here, we show that TLR2 activation leads to killing of intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both mouse and human macrophages, through distinct mechanisms. In mouse macrophages, bacterial lipoprotein activation of TLR2 leads to a nitric oxide-dependent killing of intracellular tubercle bacilli, but in human monocytes and alveolar macrophages, this pathway was nitric oxide-independent. Thus, mammalian TLRs respond (as Drosophila Toll receptors do) to microbial ligands and also have the ability to activate antimicrobial effector pathways at the site of infection.

The role of Toll-like receptors in host defense against microbial infection.

The Toll family of proteins is central to Drosophila host defense against microbial infection. Maintained throughout evolution, mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins that participate in innate immunity to bacteria in at least four ways. First, TLRs participate in the recognition of molecular patterns present on microorganisms. Second, TLRs are expressed at the interface with the environment, the site of microbial invasion. Third, activation of TLRs induces expression of co-stimulatory molecules and the release of cytokines that instruct the adaptive immune response. Fourth, activation of TLRs leads to direct antimicrobial effector pathways that can result in elimination of the foreign invader. The recent investigation of TLRs in these areas has provided new insights into mechanisms of innate immunity.

Granulysin, a T cell product, kills bacteria by altering membrane permeability.

Granulysin, a protein located in the acidic granules of human NK cells and cytotoxic T cells, has antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microbial pathogens. A predicted model generated from the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of a related protein, NK lysin, suggested that granulysin contains a four alpha helical bundle motif, with the alpha helices enriched for positively charged amino acids, including arginine and lysine residues. Denaturation of the polypeptide reduced the alpha helical content from 49 to 18% resulted in complete inhibition of antimicrobial activity. Chemical modification of the arginine, but not the lysine, residues also blocked the antimicrobial activity and interfered with the ability of granulysin to adhere to Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Granulysin increased the permeability of bacterial membranes, as judged by its ability to allow access of cytosolic ss-galactosidase to its impermeant substrate. By electron microscopy, granulysin triggered fluid accumulation in the periplasm of M. tuberculosis, consistent with osmotic perturbation. These data suggest that the ability of granulysin to kill microbial pathogens is dependent on direct interaction with the microbial cell wall and/or membrane, leading to increased permeability and lysis.

CTL-mediated killing of intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis is independent of target cell nuclear apoptosis.

Two subsets of human CTL have been defined based upon phenotype and function: CD4(-) CD8(-) double-negative (DN) CTL lyse susceptible targets via Fas-Fas ligand interaction and CD8(+) CTL via the granule exocytosis pathway. CD8(+) CTL, but not DN CTL, can mediate an antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected target cells that is dependent on cytotoxic granules that contain granulysin. We investigated the role of nuclear apoptosis for the antimicrobial effector function of CD1-restricted CTL using the caspase inhibitor N:-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone. We found that DN CTL-induced target cell lysis was completely dependent on caspase activation, whereas the cytolytic activity of CD8(+) CTL was caspase independent. However, both DN and CD8(+) CTL-induced nuclear apoptosis required caspase activation. More important, the antimicrobial effector function of CD8(+) CTL was not diminished by inhibition of caspase activity. These data indicate that target cell nuclear apoptosis is not a requirement for CTL-mediated killing of intracellular M. tuberculosis.

Activation of toll-like receptor 2 on human dendritic cells triggers induction of IL-12, but not IL-10.

Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are required for cell activation by bacterial lipoproteins (bLP) and LPS. Stimulation of monocytes with bLP and LPS results in a TLR-dependent induction of immunomodulatory genes leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this paper, we compared the expression and response of TLRs on monocytes and dendritic cells (DC). TLR2, but not TLR4, was detected on peripheral blood monocytes and DC, in lymphoid tissue CD1alpha+ DC as well as on in vitro monocyte-derived DC. Upon stimulation with bLP or LPS, monocytes produced IL-12 and IL-10 at similar levels, whereas monocyte-derived DC produced comparable levels of IL-12, but little IL-10. Greater than 90% of the bLP-induced production of IL-12 was blocked by anti-TLR2 mAb. Thus, DC express TLR2 and activation of this receptor by bLP provides an innate mechanism by which microbial pathogens preferentially activate cell-mediated immunity.

Molecular recognition of human CD1b antigen complexes: evidence for a common pattern of interaction with alpha beta TCRs.

Ag-specific T cell recognition is mediated through direct interaction of clonotypic TCRs with complexes formed between Ag-presenting molecules and their bound ligands. Although characterized in substantial detail for class I and class II MHC encoded molecules, the molecular interactions responsible for TCR recognition of the CD1 lipid and glycolipid Ag-presenting molecules are not yet well understood. Using a panel of epitope-specific Abs and site-specific mutants of the CD1b molecule, we showed that TCR interactions occur on the membrane distal aspects of the CD1b molecule over the alpha1 and alpha2 domain helices. The location of residues on CD1b important for this interaction suggested that TCRs bind in a diagonal orientation relative to the longitudinal axes of the alpha helices. The data point to a model in which TCR interaction extends over the opening of the putative Ag-binding groove, making multiple direct contacts with both alpha helices and bound Ag. Although reminiscent of TCR interaction with MHC class I, our data also pointed to significant differences between the TCR interactions with CD1 and MHC encoded Ag-presenting molecules, indicating that Ag receptor binding must be modified to accommodate the unique molecular structure of the CD1b molecule and the unusual Ags it presents.

Antimicrobial activity of MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells in human tuberculosis.

Studies of mouse models of tuberculosis (TB) infection have indicated a central role for MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells in protective immunity. To define antigens and epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) proteins that are presented by infected cells to CD8+ T cells, we screened 40 MTB proteins for HLA class I A*0201-binding motifs. Peptides that bound with high affinity to purified HLA molecules were subsequently analyzed for recognition by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We identified three epitopes recognized by CD8+ T cells from patients recovering from TB infection. Those three epitopes were derived from three different antigens: thymidylate synthase (ThyA(30-38)), RNA polymerase beta-subunit (RpoB(127-135)), and a putative phosphate transport system permease protein A-1 (PstA1(75-83)). In addition, CD8+ T cell lines specific for three peptides (ThyA(30-38), PstA1(75-83), and 85B(15-23)) were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal HLA-A*0201 donors. These CD8+ T cell lines specifically recognized MTB-infected macrophages, as demonstrated by production of IFN-gamma and lysis of the infected target cells. Finally, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes reduced the viability of the intracellular MTB, providing evidence that CD8+ T cell recognition of MHC class I-restricted epitopes of these MTB antigens can contribute to effective immunity against the pathogen.

A role for CD40-CD40 ligand interactions in the generation of type 1 cytokine responses in human leprosy.

The interaction of CD40 ligand (CD40L) expressed by activated T cells with CD40 on macrophages has been shown to be a potent stimulus for the production of IL-12, an obligate signal for generation of Th1 cytokine responses. The expression and interaction of CD40 and CD40L were investigated in human infectious disease using leprosy as a model. CD40 and CD40L mRNA and surface protein expression were predominant in skin lesions of resistant tuberculoid patients compared with the highly susceptible lepromatous group. IL-12 release from PBMC of tuberculoid patients stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae was partially inhibited by mAbs to CD40 or CD40L, correlating with Ag-induced up-regulation of CD40L on T cells. Cognate recognition of M. leprae Ag by a T cell clone derived from a tuberculoid lesion in the context of monocyte APC resulted in CD40L-CD40-dependent production of IL-12. In contrast, M. leprae-induced IL-12 production by PBMC from lepromatous patients was not dependent on CD40L-CD40 ligation, nor was CD40L up-regulated by M. leprae. Furthermore, IL-10, a cytokine predominant in lepromatous lesions, blocked the IFN-gamma up-regulation of CD40 on monocytes. These data suggest that T cell activation in situ by M. leprae in tuberculoid leprosy leads to local up-regulation of CD40L, which stimulates CD40-dependent induction of IL-12 in monocytes. The CD40-CD40L interaction, which is not evident in lepromatous leprosy, probably participates in the cell-mediated immune response to microbial pathogens.

Evidence for human CD4+ T cells in the CD1-restricted repertoire: derivation of mycobacteria-reactive T cells from leprosy lesions.

Both the CD4-CD8- (double negative) and CD4-CD8+ T cell lineages have been shown to contain T cells which recognize microbial lipid and glycolipid Ags in the context of human CD1 molecules. To determine whether T cells expressing the CD4 coreceptor could recognize Ag in the context of CD1, we derived CD4+ T cell lines from the lesions of leprosy patients. We identified three CD4+ Mycobacterium leprae-reactive, CD1-restricted T cell lines: two CD1b restricted and one CD1c restricted. These T cell lines recognize mycobacterial Ags, one of which has not been previously described for CD1-restricted T cells. The response of CD4+ CD1-restricted T cells, unlike MHC class II-restricted T cells, was not inhibited by anti-CD4 mAb, suggesting that the CD4 coreceptor does not impact positive or negative selection of CD1-restricted T cells. The CD4+ CD1-restricted T cell lines produced IFN-gamma and GM-CSF, the Th1 pattern of cytokines required for cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens, but no detectable IL-4. The existence of CD4+ CD1-restricted T cells that produce a Th1 cytokine pattern suggests a contributory role in immunity to mycobacterial infection.