scholarly journals Small amounts of superantigen, when presented on dendritic cells, are sufficient to initiate T cell responses.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (2) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Bhardwaj ◽  
J W Young ◽  
A J Nisanian ◽  
J Baggers ◽  
R M Steinman

Dendritic cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for several primary immune responses and therefore provide an opportunity for evaluating the amounts of cell-associated antigens that are required for inducing T cell-mediated immunity. Because dendritic cells express very high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II products, it has been assumed that high levels of ligands bound to MHC products ("signal one") are needed to stimulate quiescent T cells. Here we describe quantitative aspects underlying the stimulation of human blood T cells by a bacterial superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). The advantages of superantigens for quantitative studies of signal one are that these ligands: (a) engage MHC class II and the T cell receptor but do not require processing; (b) are efficiently presented to large numbers of quiescent T cells; and (c) can be pulsed onto dendritic cells before their application to T cells. Thus one can relate amounts of dendritic cell-associated SEA to subsequent lymphocyte stimulation. Using radioiodinated SEA, we noted that dendritic cells can bind 30-200 times more superantigen than B cells and monocytes. Nevertheless, this high SEA binding does not underlie the strong potency of dendritic cells to present antigen to T cells. Dendritic cells can sensitize quiescent T cells, isolated using monoclonals to appropriate CD45R epitopes, after a pulse of SEA that occupies a maximum of 0.1% of surface MHC class II molecules. This corresponds to an average of 2,000 molecules per dendritic cell. At these low doses of bound SEA, monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD4, and CD28 almost completely block T cell proliferation. In addition to suggesting new roles for MHC class II on dendritic cells, especially the capture and retention of ligands at low external concentrations, the data reveal that primary T cells can generate a response to exceptionally low levels of signal one as long as these are delivered on dendritic cells.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (6) ◽  
pp. 1893-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Paglia ◽  
G Girolomoni ◽  
F Robbiati ◽  
F Granucci ◽  
P Ricciardi-Castagnoli

Dendritic cells (DC) can provide all the known costimulatory signals required for activation of unprimed T cells and are the most efficient and perhaps the critical antigen presenting cells in the induction of primary T cell-mediated immune responses. It is now shown that mouse cell lines with many of the features of DC can be generated using the MIB phi 2-N11 retroviral vector transducing a novel envAKR-mycMH2 fusion gene. The immortalized dendritic cell line (CB1) displays most of the morphologic, immunophenotypic, and functional attributes of DC, including constitutive expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, costimulatory molecules B7/BB1, heat stable antigen, intracellular adhesion molecule 1, and efficient antigen-presenting ability. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) proved to be effective in increasing MHC class II molecule expression and in enhancing presentation of native protein antigens. In comparison with macrophages, CB1 dendritic cells did not exhibit phagocytic and chemotactic activity in response to various stimuli and lipopolysaccharide activation was ineffective in inducing tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin 1 beta production. CB1 cells, pulsed with haptens in vitro and injected into naive mice were able to induce delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, further increased with pretreatment with GM-CSF, indicating that these cells may represent an immature, rather than a mature DC. The ability of CB1 to prime T cells in vivo could provide a tool to design novel immunization strategies.


1992 ◽  
Vol 176 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Vremec ◽  
M Zorbas ◽  
R Scollay ◽  
D J Saunders ◽  
C F Ardavin ◽  
...  

A new procedure for rapid isolation of dendritic cells (DC) was devised, involving collagenase digestion of tissues, dissociation of lymphoid-DC complexes, selection of light-density cells, then depletion of lymphocytes and other non-DC by treatment with a mixture of lineage-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and removal with anti-immunoglobulin-coupled magnetic beads. This enriched population (approximately 80% DC) was further purified when required by fluorescence-activated cell sorting for cells expressing high levels of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The isolated DC were characterized by immunofluorescent staining using a panel of 30 mAbs. Thymic DC were surface positive for a number of markers characteristic of T cells, but they were distinct from T-lineage cells in expressing high levels of class II MHC, in lacking expression of the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex, and having TCR beta and gamma genes in germline state. Splenic DC shared many markers with thymic DC, but were negative for most T cell markers, with the exception of CD8. A substantial proportion of DC from both thymus and spleen expressed CD8 at high levels, comparable with that on T cells. This appeared to be authentic CD8, and was produced by the DC themselves, since they contained CD8 alpha mRNA. Thymic DC presented both the CD8 alpha and beta chains on the cell surface (Ly-2+3+), although the alpha chain was in excess; the splenic DC expressed only the CD8 alpha chain (Ly-2+3-). It is suggested that the expression of CD8 could endow certain antigen-presenting DC with a veto function.


2017 ◽  
Vol 214 (11) ◽  
pp. 3417-3433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Chen ◽  
Lucia Poncette ◽  
Thomas Blankenstein

For thymic selection and responses to pathogens, T cells interact through their αβ T cell receptor (TCR) with peptide–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells. How the diverse TCRs interact with a multitude of MHC molecules is unresolved. It is also unclear how humans generate larger TCR repertoires than mice do. We compared the TCR repertoire of CD4 T cells selected from a single mouse or human MHC class II (MHC II) in mice containing the human TCR gene loci. Human MHC II yielded greater thymic output and a more diverse TCR repertoire. The complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) length adjusted for different inherent V-segment affinities to MHC II. Humans evolved with greater nontemplate-encoded CDR3 diversity than did mice. Our data, which demonstrate human TCR–MHC coevolution after divergence from rodents, explain the greater T cell diversity in humans and suggest a mechanism for ensuring that any V–J gene combination can be selected by a single MHC II.


2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 4999-5005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisaya K. Ono ◽  
Katsuhiko Omoe ◽  
Ken'ichi Imanishi ◽  
Yoshihiro Iwakabe ◽  
Dong-Liang Hu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In addition to two known staphylococcal enterotoxin-like genes (selj and selr), two novel genes coding for two superantigens, staphylococcal enterotoxins S and T (SES and SET), were identified in plasmid pF5, which is harbored by food poisoning-related Staphylococcus aureus strain Fukuoka 5. This strain was implicated in a food poisoning incident in Fukuoka City, Japan, in 1997. Recombinant SES (rSES) specifically stimulated human T cells in a T-cell receptor Vβ9- and Vβ16-specific manner in the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ antigen-presenting cells (APC). rSET also stimulated T cells in the presence of MHC class II+ APC, although its Vβ skewing was not found in reactive T cells. Subsequently, we examined the emetic activity of SES and SET. We also studied SElR to determine emetic activity in primates. This toxin was identified in previous studies but was not examined in terms of possession of emetic activity for primates. rSES induced emetic reactions in two of four monkeys at a dose of 100 μg/kg within 5 h of intragastric administration. In one monkey, rSET induced a delayed reaction (24 h postadministration) at a dose of 100 μg/kg, and in the other one, the reaction occurred 5 days postadministration. rSElR induced a reaction in two of six animals within 5 h at 100 μg/kg. On this basis, we speculate that the causative toxins of vomiting in the Fukuoka case are SES and SER. Additionally, SES, SER, and SET also induced emesis in house musk shrews as in the monkeys.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4467
Author(s):  
C. Coral Dominguez-Medina ◽  
Nicola L. Rash ◽  
Sylvain Robillard ◽  
Carl Robinson ◽  
Androulla Efstratiou ◽  
...  

Bacterial superantigens (sAgs) are powerful activators of the immune response that trigger unspecific T cell responses accompanied by the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Streptococcus equi (S. equi) and Streptococcus zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) produce sAgs that play an important role in their ability to cause disease. Strangles, caused by S. equi, is one of the most common infectious diseases of horses worldwide. Here, we report the identification of a new sAg of S. zooepidemicus, SpeS, and show that mutation of the putative T cell receptor (TCR)-binding motif (YAY to IAY) abrogated TCR-binding, whilst maintaining interaction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. The fusion of SpeS and SpeSY39I to six S. equi surface proteins using two different peptide linkers was conducted to determine if MHC class II-binding properties were maintained. Proliferation assays, qPCR and flow cytometry analysis showed that SpeSY39I and its fusion proteins induced less mitogenic activity and interferon gamma expression when compared to SpeS, whilst retaining Antigen-Presenting Cell (APC)-binding properties. Our data suggest that SpeSY39I-surface protein fusions could be used to direct vaccine antigens towards antigen-presenting cells in vivo with the potential to enhance antigen presentation and improve immune responses.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 196-196
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Sorvillo ◽  
Simon D van Haren ◽  
Wouter Pos ◽  
Eszter Herczenik ◽  
Rob Fijnheer ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 196 ADAMTS13 is a plasma metalloproteinase that regulates platelet adhesion and aggregation by virtue of its ability to process newly released ultra-large von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers on the surface of endothelial cells. Autoantibodies directed against ADAMTS13 prohibit the processing of VWF multimers initiating a rare and life-threatening disorder called acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). HLA-DRB1*11 has recently been identified as a risk factor for acquired TTP. This finding implies that formation of autoantibodies towards ADAMTS13 depends on appropriate presentation of ADAMTS13 derived peptides to CD4+ T-cells by antigen presenting cells. Here, we investigate endocytosis of recombinant ADAMTS13 by immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iDCs) using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Upon incubation of fluorescently labeled-rADAMTS13 with DCs, a time- and concentration dependent uptake of ADAMTS13 was observed. Endocytosis of ADAMTS13 was completely blocked upon addition of EGTA and mannan. We subsequently explored involvement of C-type lectins (CLRs) in the uptake of ADAMTS13 using specific blocking antibodies and siRNA silencing. We found that ADAMTS13 endocytosis was significantly decreased in cells treated with a monoclonal antibody directed towards macrophage mannose receptor (MR). Furthermore siRNA silencing of MR reduced the uptake of ADAMTS13 by dendritic cells. In vitro binding studies revealed that ADAMTS13 interacts with the carbohydrate recognition domains of MR. These data show that ADAMTS13 is internalized by iDCs in a MR-dependent manner. Antigen presenting cells continuously process endogenous and exogenous antigens into small peptides that are loaded on MHC class I or MHC class II for presentation to T lymphocytes. We have recently developed a method to analyze HLA-DR-presented peptide repertoires of dendritic cells pulsed with antigen (van Haren et al., 2011). Here, we addressed which ADAMTS13-derived peptides were presented on MHC class II alleles of a panel of both HLA-DRB1*11 positive and negative donors. Compared to previous studies with model antigens only a limited number of ADAMTS13-derived peptides were presented on MHC class II. Inspection of peptide-profiles obtained from DRB1*11 positive individuals revealed that two antigenic “core” peptides derived from the CUB1-2 domains of ADAMTS13 were presented by a DR11-positive donor. In addition to these immuno-dominant peptides several other peptides were also presented although with a markedly reduced efficiency. Our findings show that DRB1*11 expressing antigen presenting cells preferentially present antigenic “core” peptides derived from the CUB1-2 domains of ADAMTS13. We hypothesize that functional presentation of these peptides on HLA-DRB1*11 contributes to the onset of acquired TTP by stimulating low affinity self-reactive CD4+ T cells that have escaped negative selection in the thymus. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 216-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Segura ◽  
Carole Nicco ◽  
Bérangère Lombard ◽  
Philippe Véron ◽  
Graça Raposo ◽  
...  

Exosomes are secreted vesicles formed in late endocytic compartments. Immature dendritic cells (DCs) secrete exosomes, which transfer functional major histocompatibility complex (MHC)–peptide complexes to other DCs. Since immature and mature DCs induce different functional T-cell responses (ie, tolerance versus priming), we asked whether DC maturation also influenced the priming abilities of their exosomes. We show that exosomes secreted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–treated mature DCs are 50- to 100-fold more potent to induce antigen-specific T-cell activation in vitro than exosomes from immature DCs. In vitro, exosomes from mature DCs transfer to B lymphocytes the ability to prime naive T cells. In vivo, only mature exosomes trigger effector T-cell responses, leading to fast skin graft rejection. Proteomic and biochemical analyses revealed that mature exosomes are enriched in MHC class II, B7.2, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and bear little milk-fat globule–epidermal growth factor–factor VIII (MFG-E8) as compared with immature exosomes. Functional analysis using DC-derived exosomes from knock-out mice showed that MHC class II and ICAM-1 are required for mature exosomes to prime naive T cells, whereas B7.2 and MFG-E8 are dispensable. Therefore, changes in protein composition and priming abilities of exosomes reflect the maturation signals received by DCs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eytan Breman ◽  
Jurjen M. Ruben ◽  
Kees L. Franken ◽  
Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk ◽  
Dave L. Roelen ◽  
...  

In organ transplantation, alloantigens are taken up by antigen presenting cells and presented via the indirect pathway to T-cells which in turn can induce allograft rejection. Monitoring of these T-cells is of major importance; however no reliable assay is available to routinely monitor indirect allorecognition. Recently we showed that HLA monomers can be successfully used to monitor indirect allorecognition. Targeting antigens to endocytic receptors on antigen presenting cells may further enhance the presentation of antigens via HLA class II and improve the efficiency of this assay. In the current study we explored targeting of HLA monomers to either CD89 expressing monocytes or mannose receptor expressing dendritic cells. Monomer-antibody complexes were generated using biotin-labeled monomers and avidin labeling of the antibodies. We demonstrate that targeting the complexes to these receptors resulted in a dose-dependent HLA class II mediated presentation to a T-cell clone. The immune-complexes were efficiently taken up and presented to T-cells. However, the level of T-cell reactivity was similar to that when only exogenous antigen was added. We conclude that HLA-A2 monomers targeted for presentation through CD89 on monocytes or mannose receptor on dendritic cells lead to proper antigen presentation but do not enhance indirect allorecognition via HLA-DR.


1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (9) ◽  
pp. 1641-1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph A. Tripp ◽  
Ann Marie Hamilton-Easton ◽  
Rhonda D. Cardin ◽  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Frederick G. Behm ◽  
...  

The murine γ-herpesvirus 68 has many similarities to EBV, and induces a syndrome comparable to infectious mononucleosis (IM). The frequency of activated CD8+ T cells (CD62Llo) in the peripheral blood increased greater than fourfold by 21 d after infection of C57BL/6J (H-2b) mice, and remained high for at least a further month. The spectrum of T cell receptor usage was greatly skewed, with as many as 75% of the CD8+ T cells in the blood expressing a Vβ4+ phenotype. Interestingly, the Vβ4 dominance was also seen, to varying extents, in H-2k, H-2d, H-2u, and H-2q strains of mice. In addition, although CD4 depletion from day 11 had no effect on the Vβ4 bias of the T cells, the Vβ4+CD8+ expansion was absent in H-2IAb–deficient congenic mice. However, the numbers of cycling cells in the CD4 antibody–depleted mice and mice that are CD4 deficient as a consequence of the deletion of MHC class II, were generally lower. The findings suggest that the IM-like disease is driven both by cytokines provided by CD4+ T cells and by a viral superantigen presented by MHC class II glycoproteins to Vβ4+CD8+ T cells.


2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Sarter ◽  
Elisa Leimgruber ◽  
Florian Gobet ◽  
Vishal Agrawal ◽  
Isabelle Dunand-Sauthier ◽  
...  

Evidence has recently emerged that butyrophilins, which are members of the extended B7 family of co-stimulatory molecules, have diverse functions in the immune system. We found that the human and mouse genes encoding butyrophilin-2A2 (BTN2A2) are regulated by the class II trans-activator and regulatory factor X, two transcription factors dedicated to major histocompatibility complex class II expression, suggesting a role in T cell immunity. To address this, we generated Btn2a2-deficient mice. Btn2a2−/− mice exhibited enhanced effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, impaired CD4+ regulatory T cell induction, potentiated antitumor responses, and exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Altered immune responses were attributed to Btn2a2 deficiency in antigen-presenting cells rather than T cells or nonhematopoietic cells. These results provide the first genetic evidence that BTN2A2 is a co-inhibitory molecule that modulates T cell–mediated immunity.


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