scholarly journals Increase in inflammatory T cell subsets in atrial fibrillation: the missing link underlying inflammation in AF

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.E Dumitriu ◽  
P Dimou ◽  
S Kaur ◽  
S Dinkla ◽  
J.C Kaski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
T Lymphocyte ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Functional Assays

Abstract Background The precise role of inflammation in the development and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is yet to be fully uncovered. T lymphocytes have pivotal roles in orchestrating inflammation. Specialised subsets of lymphocytes either promote or prevent inflammation. We are investigating a unique subset of lymphocytes, the CD4+CD28null T cells that expand in patients with chronic inflammation. These cells secrete high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and have cytolytic function. CD4+CD28null T cells are normally maintained under control by regulatory T cells (Treg), a specialised subset of T lymphocytes with suppressive function that maintain immune homeostasis and prevent pathogenic immune responses. The role of CD4+CD28null and Treg cells has not been investigated in AF. Purpose We hypothesised that in AF the balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory T lymphocytes is skewed in favour of inflammatory T cells, which may sustain inflammation in AF. Methods Circulating CD4+CD28null T lymphocytes and Tregs were quantified by flow cytometry in paroxysmal and persistent AF patients and healthy controls (n=30). Inflammatory cytokines were quantified in serum and the function of T lymphocyte subsets was investigated using ex vivo functional assays. Results CD4+CD28null T lymphocytes were significantly increased in the circulation of AF patients compared to controls. Of note, a higher proportion of patients with persistent AF showed an increase in inflammatory CD4+CD28null T lymphocytes compared to patients with paroxysmal AF. A marked reduction in Treg cells was present in AF patients compared to controls. Functional assays showed that IL-7 and IL-15 cytokines were responsible for CD4+CD28null T lymphocyte expansion in AF patients. Conclusions We show that patients with AF have marked changes in T lymphocytes subsets: pro-inflammatory CD4+CD28null T cells increase significantly, whilst anti-inflammatory Tregs are significantly reduced. We show for the first time that the cytokines IL-7 and IL-15 are the main drivers of CD4+CD28null T cell expansion in AF patients. These novel findings may reveal novel therapeutic strategies (e.g. cytokine blockade) to re-establish the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms at work in AF to improve patient outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation

Abstract 252: Interleukin-27 Signaling Regulates Myeloid Cells Activation in Atherosclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iuliia Peshkova ◽  
Aliia Fatkhullina ◽  
Ekaterina Koltsova
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Mediators Of Inflammation ◽  
Antigen Presenting ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive plaque growth in the vessels. Cytokines are important mediators of inflammation and atherosclerosis. While pro-inflammatory cytokines were extensively investigated, little is known about the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines as to their ability to control vascular inflammation. We tested whether immunoregulatory IL-27R signaling is important to control inflammation in mouse models of atherosclerosis. We found that atherosclerosis-prone mice with hematopoietic deficiency of IL-27R ( Ldlr -/- mice reconstituted with bone marrow from Il27ra -/- ) or global deficiency ( Il27ra -/- x Apoe -/- ) developed significantly larger atherosclerotic lesions compared to controls. Atherosclerotic lesions in IL-27R deficient mice contained more CD45 + leukocytes and CD4 + T cells, which produced pro-atherogenic cytokines IL-17A and TNF-α. These cytokines normally suppressed by IL-27, regulated the expression of CCL2 and other chemokines, which in turn led to accumulation of myeloid CD11b + and CD11c + cells in atherosclerotic aortas. Using two-photon microscopy, we found enhanced interactions between antigen presenting cells and T cells in the aortas of IL-27R deficient mice accompanied by enhanced CD4 T cell proliferation. Moreover, macrophages in Il27ra -/- aortas also demonstrated enhanced ability to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1. The blockade of IL-1R signaling, however, strongly suppressed atherosclerosis progression in IL-27R deficient but not control mice, suggesting an important role of IL-27 in the regulation of IL-1 production in atherosclerosis. Overall, our data demonstrate that IL-27R signaling in atherosclerosis is required to control function of antigen presenting cells modulating subsequent T cell activation in the aortas. Moreover, it controls macrophage activation and pro-inflammatory myeloid cell-derived cytokine production. These mechanisms altogether curb pathogenic T cell lineage differentiation and, thus, atherosclerosis, suggesting potent anti-atherogenic role of IL-27.

T Lymphocytes: The “Cellular” Arm of Acquired Immunity in the Peritoneum

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Glik ◽  
Amos Douvdevani
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
Cell Population ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Acquired Immunity ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Cells

T cells are an important part of the acquired immune response and target specific antigen with their T cell receptor. The peritoneum is a special milieu within which T cells react. We describe briefly the anatomy important for T cell function. T cell biology including antigen presentation, T cell activation, and the different T cell subpopulations are reviewed. We also define innate and acquired immunity and describe the role of polymorphonuclear cells and peritoneal mesothelial cells in the regulation of leukocyte population recruitment during peritonitis. We focus particularly on peritoneal lymphocytes and compare them to the regular lymphocyte populations in the circulation. We illustrate the role of PMCs in antigen presentation and discuss the changes of CD4+ helper T cell subtypes (Th1 and Th2) during peritoneal dialysis. The role of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and their possible destructive role for the peritoneal membrane modified by advanced glycation end products are discussed. Polymorphonuclear cells play an important role in the regulation of inflammation and immunity. We describe their possible role in supporting T cells and particularly for generating memory CD8+ T cells by secretion of interleukin-15, a potent T cell growth factor. Light is shed on γδ T cells, a special T cell population that is able to recognize antigens without the restriction of antigen presentation. We end our review with a description of regulatory T cells. This cell population is extremely important in preventing autoimmunity and in the regulation of acquired immunity.

Function and expression of checkpoint inhibitors and immune agonists on immune cells in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and MM and tumor-specific T lymphocytes.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11577-11577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jooeun Bae ◽  
Brandon Nguyen ◽  
Yu-Tzu Tai ◽  
Teru Hideshima ◽  
Dharminder Chauhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

11577 Background: Characterization of expression and function of immune regulatory molecules in tumor microenvironment will provide the framework for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Methods: We evaluated the expression and functional impact of various immuno-regulatory molecules, PD-1, PDL-1, PDL-2, LAG3, TIM3, OX40 and GITR, on the CD138+ tumor cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and T cell subsets from patients with MGUS, SMM and active MM (newly diagnosed, relapsed, relapsed/refractory), and the myeloma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) induced with XBP1/CD138/CS1 peptides. Results: PDL-1/PDL-2 was more highly expressed on CD138+ myeloma cells in active MM than SMM or MGUS. G-type MDSC (CD11b+CD33+HLA-DRlowCD15+). Treg cells (CD3+CD4+/CD25+FOXP3+) numbers were increased and expressed higher levels of PD1/PD-L1 in active MM than in MGUS, SMM or healthy donors. Among the checkpoint molecules (PD-1, PDL-1, PDL-2, LAG3, OX40, GITR) evaluated, PD-1 showed the highest expression on CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+T cells in BMMC and PBMC from patients with active MM. Functionally, T cells from MM patients showed increased proliferation upon treatment with an individual immune agonist ( > 150%) or checkpoint inhibitor ( > 100%). Interestingly, each individual anti-checkpoint molecule induced proliferation of T cells expressing other checkpoint molecules. In addition, the blockade of PD1, LAG3 or TIM3 enhanced MM antigen-specific cytotoxicity, assessed by parameters including CD107a, granzyme B and IFN-g production, which was most prominent within the memory CTL subset of MM antigen-specific T cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrate an increased frequency of immune regulatory cells, which highly express checkpoint inhibitors in active MM. Direct stimulation with an immune agonist or blockade of a checkpoint inhibitor increased MM patients’ T cell proliferation and myeloma-specific CTL function, supporting development of combination immune regulatory therapies to improve patient outcome in MM.

scholarly journals FUNCTION OF MACROPHAGES IN ANTIGEN RECOGNITION BY GUINEA PIG T LYMPHOCYTES

1973 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 1213-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan M. Shevach ◽  
Alan S. Rosenthal
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
T Lymphocyte ◽  
Lymphocyte Transformation ◽  
Antigen Recognition ◽  
Histocompatibility Antigens ◽  
Recognition Sites

A number of recent studies have suggested that the main functional role of the product of the immune response (Ir) genes is in the process of antigen recognition by the T lymphocyte. The observation in the accompanying report that the interaction of macrophage-associated antigen with immune T lymphocytes requires that both cells share histocompatibility antigens raised the question as to whether the macrophage played a role in the genetic control of the immune response or even if the macrophage were the primary cell in which the product of the Ir gene is expressed. In the current study, parental macrophages were pulsed with an antigen, the response to which is controlled by an Ir gene lacking in that parent; these macrophages were then mixed with T cells derived from the (nonresponder x responder)F1 and the resultant stimulation was measured. No stimulation was seen when column-purified F1 lymph node lymphocytes were mixed with antigen-pulsed macrophages from the nonresponder parent. However, when the highly reactive peritoneal exudate lymphocyte population was used as the indicator cells, parental macrophages pulsed with an antigen whose Ir gene they lacked were capable of initiating F1 T-cell proliferation. The magnitude of stimulation was approximately 1/10 that seen when macrophages from either the responder parent or the F1 were used. In order to explain this observation, we hypothesize that antigen recognition sites on the T lymphocyte are physically related to a macrophage-binding site and both are linked to the serologically determined histocompatibility antigens. Thus, parental macrophages pulsed with an antigen, whose Ir gene they lack, activate F1 cells poorly because the recognition sites for the antigen are physically related to the macrophage-binding site of the responder parent while the main contacts between the cells are at the nonresponder binding sites. Experiments performed with alloantisera lend support to this hypothesis. Thus, when parental macrophages are pulsed with any antigen and added to F1 T cells, an alloantiserum directed against parental histocompatibility antigens reacts with both the lymphocyte and the macrophage and thereby inhibits macrophage-lymphocyte interaction and abolishes antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation. When the alloantisera are directed at determinants present solely on the T lymphocyte, they only inhibit the recognition of antigens controlled by the Ir gene linked to the histocompatibility antigen against which they are directed. We conclude from these studies that antigen recognition by the T lymphocyte is a complex multicellular event involving more than simple antigen binding to a specific lymphocyte receptor.

An emerging player in the adaptive immune response: microRNA-146a is a modulator of IL-2 expression and activation-induced cell death in T lymphocytes

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziella Curtale ◽  
Franca Citarella ◽  
Claudia Carissimi ◽  
Marina Goldoni ◽  
Nicoletta Carucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Activation Induced Cell Death

Abstract Activation of the T cell–mediated immune response has been associated with changes in the expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the role of miRNAs in the development of an effective immune response is just beginning to be explored. This study focuses on the functional role of miR-146a in T lymphocyte–mediated immune response and provides interesting clues on the transcriptional regulation of miR-146a during T-cell activation. We show that miR-146a is low in human naive T cells and is abundantly expressed in human memory T cells; consistently, miR-146a is induced in human primary T lymphocytes upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Moreover, we identified NF-kB and c-ETS binding sites as required for the induction of miR-146a transcription upon TCR engagement. Our results demonstrate that several signaling pathways, other than inflammation, are influenced by miR-146a. In particular, we provide experimental evidence that miR-146a modulates activation-induced cell death (AICD), acting as an antiapoptotic factor, and that Fas-associated death domain (FADD) is a target of miR-146a. Furthermore, miR-146a enforced expression impairs both activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production induced by TCR engagement, thus suggesting a role of this miRNA in the modulation of adaptive immunity.

scholarly journals Potensi Curcumin dan 4 Herbal Empon-Empon Dalam Memodulasi Kekebalan Sel T Terhadap Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Aryo Tedjo ◽  
Dimas Noor ◽  
Rudi Heryanto
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cellular Responses ◽  
Herbal Extracts ◽  
Memory T Cell ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Compound Database

Longer immunity to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is thought to occur through memory cellular responses by activity of specific T lymphocytes. However, most patients with Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) experienced a decrease in the number of T lymphocytes or lymphopenia. Agents that help maintain T cell counts such as Curcumin appear to have played an important role during the Covid-19 pandemic. Curcumin is known to provide a balance between T cell effectiveness and T cell autoaggressiveness, as well as restoring memory T cell function as observed in tumor-induced mice. The mixture of 4 herbal extracts of empon-empon which is commonly used as herbal medicine, namely temulawak, ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric, is thought to have the same effect as curcumin. This is known from the tracing of a plant-protein-compound database which shows that there are not many compounds other than curcumin that can modulate T cells. It is necessary to study the role of Curcumin and a mixture of 4 herbal empon-empon in modulating T cells in cases of infection by the SARS-Cov-2 antigen.

scholarly journals Expansion of a unique subpopulation of cytotoxic T cells that express a C alpha V delta 1 T-cell receptor gene in a patient with severe persistent neutropenia

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 3157-3163
Author(s):  
I Bank ◽  
M Book ◽  
L Cohen ◽  
A Kneller ◽  
E Rosental ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
T Lymphocyte ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Gene Segment ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Severe Neutropenia ◽  
Pcr Analysis

CD8+ T-lymphocyte populations may be expanded in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia and may be involved in suppression of granulopoiesis. In this report, we have analyzed the T-cell receptor (TCR) used by the T lymphocytes of a patient with chronic severe neutropenia. Using specific oligonucleotides in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify cDNA specific for the different families of the V alpha, V beta, and V delta TCR genes, and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to examine T-lymphocyte subsets and their TCR, a persistent expansion of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes and a reduced repertoire of TCR V alpha and V beta genes were found in the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) preparations. A predominant portion of the T lymphocytes expressed a unique TCR structure. Thus, we found that, despite the fact that 98% of the T cells expressed alpha beta TCR on the surface membrane and less than 2% expressed tau delta TCR, nonetheless, 40% to 60% of the T cells stained positively with anti V delta 1 MoAb. Using the PCR analysis, the V delta 1 gene segment was found to be rearranged to C alpha, rather than to C delta genes. The expanded C alpha V delta 1+ cells, which are found only rarely in normal PB, expressed CD8 and were cytotoxic, and the C alpha V delta 1 receptor was functional in cytotoxicity. This constitutes the first description of an expansion of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes expressing a functional “hybrid” C alpha V delta 1 gene in vivo, and suggests a pathogenic role for CD8+ C alpha V delta 1+ cells in some patients with idiopathic neutropenia.

scholarly journals Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin A-Stimulated Monocytes Mediate Regulatory T-Cell Accumulation through PD-L1 and Kynurenine

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Giesbrecht ◽  
Sandra Förmer ◽  
Aline Sähr ◽  
Klaus Heeg ◽  
Dagmar Hildebrand
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Exotoxin A ◽  
T Effector Cells

Bacterial superantigens (SAgs) are exotoxins that promote a fulminant activation of the immune system. The subsequent intense release of inflammatory cytokines often results in hypotension, shock, and organ failure with high mortality rates. In the current paradigm, the direct and simultaneous binding of SAgs with T-cell receptor (TCR)-bearing Vβ regions and conserved structures on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) induces the activation of both cell types. However, by crosslinking MHC class II molecules, APCs can be activated by SAgs independently of T lymphocytes. Recently, we showed that streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPEA) of Streptococcus pyogenes stimulates an immunogenic APC phenotype with upregulated costimulatory molecules and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, we revealed that SPEA triggers immunosuppressive programs in monocytes that facilitate the accumulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in in vitro monocyte/CD4+ T-cell cocultures. Immunosuppressive factors include anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10), co-inhibitory surface molecule programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), and the inhibitory indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)/kynurenine effector system. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of SPEA-stimulated monocyte-mediated accumulation of Tregs. Blood-derived monocytes from healthy donors were stimulated with SPEA for 48 h (SPEA-monocytes). For the evaluation of SPEA-monocyte-mediated modulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes, SPEA was removed from the culture through extensive washing of cells before adding allogeneic CD3/CD28-activated T cells. Results: In coculture with allogeneic CD4+ T cells, SPEA-monocytes mediate apoptosis of CD4+Foxp3− lymphocytes and accumulation of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs. PD-L1 and kynurenine are critically involved in the mediated cell death because blocking both factors diminished apoptosis and decreased the proportion of the CD25+/Foxp3+ Treg subpopulation significantly. Upregulation of PD-L1 and kynurenine as well as SPEA-monocyte-mediated effects on T cells depend on inflammatory IL-1β. Our study shows that monocytes activated by SPEA mediate apoptosis of CD4+Foxp3− T effector cells through PD-L1 and kynurenine. CD4+Foxp3+ T cells are resistant to apoptosis and accumulate in SPEA-monocyte/CD4+ T-cell coculture.

scholarly journals IL-10 Deficiency Accelerates Type 1 Diabetes Development via Modulation of Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells and Gut Microbiota in BDC2.5 NOD Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Huang ◽  
Qiyuan Tan ◽  
Ningwen Tai ◽  
James Alexander Pearson ◽  
Yangyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Spontaneous Diabetes ◽  
Nod Mice ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Diabetes Development

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β cells. BDC2.5 T cells in BDC2.5 CD4+ T cell receptor transgenic Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice (BDC2.5+ NOD mice) can abruptly invade the pancreatic islets resulting in severe insulitis that progresses rapidly but rarely leads to spontaneous diabetes. This prevention of diabetes is mediated by T regulatory (Treg) cells in these mice. In this study, we investigated the role of interleukin 10 (IL-10) in the inhibition of diabetes in BDC2.5+ NOD mice by generating Il-10-deficient BDC2.5+ NOD mice (BDC2.5+Il-10-/- NOD mice). Our results showed that BDC2.5+Il-10-/- NOD mice displayed robust and accelerated diabetes development. Il-10 deficiency in BDC2.5+ NOD mice promoted the generation of neutrophils in the bone marrow and increased the proportions of neutrophils in the periphery (blood, spleen, and islets), accompanied by altered intestinal immunity and gut microbiota composition. In vitro studies showed that the gut microbiota from BDC2.5+Il-10-/- NOD mice can expand neutrophil populations. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that the depletion of endogenous gut microbiota by antibiotic treatment decreased the proportion of neutrophils. Although Il-10 deficiency in BDC2.5+ NOD mice had no obvious effects on the proportion and function of Treg cells, it affected the immune response and activation of CD4+ T cells. Moreover, the pathogenicity of CD4+ T cells was much increased, and this significantly accelerated the development of diabetes when these CD4+ T cells were transferred into immune-deficient NOD mice. Our study provides novel insights into the role of IL-10 in the modulation of neutrophils and CD4+ T cells in BDC2.5+ NOD mice, and suggests important crosstalk between gut microbiota and neutrophils in type 1 diabetes development.

Coordinate expression and proliferative role of HOXB genes in activated adult T lymphocytes

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 4872-4877
Author(s):  
A Carè ◽  
U Testa ◽  
A Bassani ◽  
E Tritarelli ◽  
E Montesoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Rnase Protection ◽  
Activated T Lymphocytes

We investigated the expression of HOXB cluster genes in purified phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated T lymphocytes from normal adult peripheral blood by reverse transcription PCR and RNase protection. These genes are not expressed in quiescent T cells, except for barely detectable B1 RNA. After the PHA stimulus, HOXB gene activation initiates coordinately as a rapid induction wave in the 3'-->5' cluster direction (i.e., from HOXB1 through B9 genes). Thus, (i) expression of the foremost 3'-located B1 and B2 genes peaks 10 min after PHA addition and then rapidly declines, (ii) activation of B3, B4, and B5 begins 10 min after PHA addition and peaks at later times (i.e., at 120 min for B5), (iii) B6, B7, and B9 are expressed at a low level starting at later times (45 to 60 min), and (iv) B8 remains silent. Treatment of PHA-activated T lymphocytes with antisense oligonucleotides to B2 or B4 mRNA causes a drastic inhibition of T-cell proliferation and a decreased expression of T-cell activation markers (i.e., interleukin 2 and transferrin receptors). Similarly, treatment of CEM-CCRF, Peer, and SEZ627 T acute lymphocytic leukemia cell lines with anti-B4 oligomer markedly inhibits cell proliferation. Finally, T cells stimulated by a low dosage of PHA in the presence of 1 microM retinoic acid show a marked increase of both HOXB expression, particularly B2, and cell proliferation. These studies provide novel evidence on the role of HOX genes in adult cell proliferation. (i) Coordinate, early activation of HOXB genes from the 3'-->5' cluster side apparently underlies T-cell activation. (ii) The expression pattern in adult PHA-activated T cells is strikingly similar to that observed in retinoic acid-induced teratocarcinoma cells (A. Simeone, D. Acampora, L. Arcioni, P. W. Andres, E. Boncinelli, and F. Mavilio, Nature (London) 346:763-766, 1990), thus suggesting that molecular mechanisms underlying HOX gene expression in the earliest stages of development may also operate in activated adult T lymphocytes.

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