Transgenic mice to study T-cell receptor gene regulation and repertoire formation

Transgenic mice have been obtained with genes coding for an αβ T-cell receptor that recognizes the male-specific antigen H-Y in association with the Db class I major histocompatibility complex molecule. Most if not all of the T-cells express the β chain encoded by the transgene and show allelic exclusion of endogenous β genes. In contrast, the expression of the α transgene does not completely block rearrangement and formation of functional endogenous α genes. In H-2b transgenic female mice the transgenic T-cell receptor is functionally expressed on at least 30% of CD8+ peripheral T-lymphocytes as indicated by their ability to lyse male target cells. Also in transgenic H-2b male mice a large proportion of peripheral T-cells appear to express the transgenic receptor. However, these cells do not react with male target cells because they show only low level or no expression of CD8 cell interaction molecules. Tolerance is established in the male transgenic thymus through deletion of CD4+CD8+ immature thymocytes.Key words: transgenic mice, immune system, T-lymphocytes, T-cell receptor, tolerance, CD8 surface antigen, enhancer, gene rearrangement, allelic exclusion.

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Stringent V beta requirement for the development of NK1.1+ T cell receptor-alpha/beta+ cells in mouse liver.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.183.3.1277 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 183 (3) ◽

pp. 1277-1282 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

T Ohteki ◽

H R MacDonald

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Beta Cells ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Allelic Exclusion ◽

Stringent Requirement ◽

Major Subset ◽

Alpha Beta

The liver of C57BL/6 mice contains a major subset of CD4+8- and CD4-8- T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha/beta+ cells expressing the polymorphic natural killer NK1.1 surface marker. Liver NK1.1+TCR-alpha/beta+ (NK1+ T) cells require interaction with beta2-microglobulin-associated, major histocompatibility complex I-like molecules on hematopoietic cells for their development and have a TCR repertoire that is highly skewed to Vbeta8.2, Vbeta7, and Vbeta2. We show here that congenic C57BL/6.Vbeta(a) mice, which lack Vbeta8- expressing T cells owing to a genomic deletion at the Vbeta locus, maintain normal levels of liver NK1+ T cells owing to a dramatic increase in the proportion of cells expressing Vbeta7 and Vbeta2 (but not other Vbetas). Moreover, in C57BL/6 congenic TCR-V Vbeta3 and -Vbeta8.1 transgenic mice (which in theory should not express other Vbeta, owing to allelic exclusion at the TCR-beta locus), endogenous TCR-Vbeta8.2, Vbeta7, and Vbeta2 (but not other Vbetas) are frequently expressed on liver NK1+T cells but absent on lymph node T cells. Finally, when endogenous V beta expression is prevented in TCR-Vbeta3 and Vbeta8.1 transgenic mice (by introduction of a null allele at the C beta locus), the development of liver NK1+T cells is totally abrogated. Collectively, our data indicate that liver NK1+T cells have a stringent requirement for expression of TCR-Vbeta8.2, Vbeta7, or Vbeta2 for their development.

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Host Resistance and Immune Deviation in Pigeon Cytochromec T-Cell Receptor Transgenic Mice Infected withToxoplasma gondii

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.68.5.2713-2719.2000 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 68 (5) ◽

pp. 2713-2719 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carmen M. Collazo ◽

Carla Miller ◽

George Yap ◽

Sara Hieny ◽

Patricia Caspar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Intracellular Cytokine Staining ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Interleukin 12 ◽

Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to be mediated by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) produced by NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells. While studies of SCID mice have implicated NK cells as the source of the cytokine in acute infection, several lines of evidence suggest that IFN-γ production by CD4+ T lymphocytes also plays an important role in controlling early parasite growth. To evaluate whether this function is due to nonspecific as opposed to T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent stimulation by the parasite, we have examined the resistance toT. gondii infection of pigeon cytochrome ctransgenic (PCC-Tg) Rag-2−/− mice in which all CD4+ T lymphocytes are unreactive with the protozoan. When inoculated with the ME49 strain, PCC-Tg animals exhibited only temporary control of acute infection and succumbed by day 17. Intracellular cytokine staining by flow cytometry revealed that, in contrast to infected nontransgenic controls, infected PCC-Tg animals failed to develop IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells. Moreover, the CD4+ lymphocytes from these mice showed no evidence of activation as judged by lack of upregulated expression of CD44 or CD69. Nevertheless, when acutely infected transgenic mice were primed by PCC injection, the lymphokine responses measured after in vitro antigen restimulation displayed a strong Th1 bias which was shown to be dependent on endogenous interleukin 12 (IL-12). The above findings argue that, while T. gondii-induced IL-12 cannot trigger IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells in the absence of TCR ligation, the pathogen is able to nonspecifically promote Th1 responses against nonparasite antigens, an effect that may explain the immunostimulatory properties of T. gondii infection.

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Regulatory CD4+ T Cells Expressing Endogenous T Cell Receptor Chains Protect Myelin Basic Protein–specific Transgenic Mice from Spontaneous Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.188.10.1883 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 188 (10) ◽

pp. 1883-1894 ◽

Cited By ~ 234

Author(s):

Danyvid Olivares-Villagómez ◽

Yijie Wang ◽

Juan J. Lafaille

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Myelin Basic Protein ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Basic Protein ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Allelic Exclusion ◽

Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The development of T cell–mediated autoimmune diseases hinges on the balance between effector and regulatory mechanisms. Using two transgenic mouse lines expressing identical myelin basic protein (MBP)–specific T cell receptor (TCR) genes, we have previously shown that mice bearing exclusively MBP-specific T cells (designated T/R−) spontaneously develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas mice bearing MBP-specific T cells as well as other lymphocytes (designated T/R+) did not. Here we demonstrate that T/R− mice can be protected from EAE by the early transfer of total splenocytes or purified CD4+ T cells from normal donors. Moreover, whereas T/R+ mice crossed with B cell–deficient, γ/δ T cell–deficient, or major histocompatibility complex class I–deficient mice did not develop EAE spontaneously, T/R+ mice crossed with TCR-α and -β knockout mice developed EAE with the same incidence and severity as T/R− mice. In addition, MBP-specific transgenic mice that lack only endogenous TCR-α chains developed EAE with high incidence but reduced severity. Surprisingly, two-thirds of MBP-specific transgenic mice lacking only endogenous TCR-β chains also developed EAE, suggesting that in T/R+ mice, cells with high protective activity escape TCR-β chain allelic exclusion. Our study identifies CD4+ T cells bearing endogenous α and β TCR chains as the lymphocytes that prevent spontaneous EAE in T/R+ mice.

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Playing the Game Together: Coexpression of a Single Chain T Cell Receptor and a T Cell Receptor Constant-Alpha Domain Triggers Tumor Reactivity.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3716.3716 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3716-3716

Author(s):

Simone Thomas ◽

Ralf H. Voss ◽

Ratna Intan ◽

Renate Engel ◽

Juergen Kuball ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Surface Expression ◽

Target Cells ◽

Single Chain ◽

Double Chain ◽

Human T Cells

Abstract Grafting T cells by tumor-antigen specific T cell receptors (TCR) could trigger the initiation of effector function and redirect T cell cytotoxicity towards tumors. We utilized various HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice to bypass human MDM2- and p53-specific self-tolerance. In contrast to the use of HuCD8×A2Kb transgenic mice to generate an MDM2-specific CD8-dependent TCR, we generated a high-affinity, CD8-independent p53-specific TCR in single human A2.1 transgenic mice. The efficiency of double chain (dc) TCR modified T cells could be affected by the incorrect TCR α/β chain pairing between endogenous and transgenic TCR constructs to form hybrid TCR potentially leading to autoimmunity. To address this concern, chimeric A2.1-restricted peptide-specific murine single chain (sc) TCRs were constructed (Vα-Li-VβCβ) and retrovirally transduced into human T cells. Despite detectable surface expression, these chimeric receptors were not able to convey any MDM2- or p53-specific cytolytic activity. Therefore we developed a truncated TCR-alpha domain (Cα) comprising solely the TCRα signal peptide, the ecto-domain, the transmembrane region as well as the cytoplasmic tail and cotransduced these construct with the scTCRs. We anticipated that Cα would stabilize scTCR expression by interacting with the single chain beta chain. Indeed, this approach not only led to increased expression levels of the chimeric scTCRs, but also induced specific lysis of A2.1 positive MDM2 or p53 peptide-pulsed target cells as well as solid tumor cell lines. Recognition of malignant targets by p53 specific scTCR transduced CD4 and CD8-positive T cells was equivalent to that observed with double-chain p53 TCR gene modified effector cells. To test whether this concept is applicable to human TCRs as well, we constructed a human gp100-specific scTCR and a human Cα domain. In contrast to the gp100-specific double chain TCR, only a marginal expression pattern was observed for the human scTCR / Cα constructs. Introduction of an additional disulfide bond within the constant domains in order to stabilize TCR surface expression showed no effect. Since murine TCR are expressed on human T cells to a much higher extent, the human constant β-domain of the scTCR was replaced by murine Cβ. Comparable to the murine scTCR concept, the chimerized scTCR coexpressed with murine Cα demonstrated high cell surface expression and triggered cytotoxicity of malignant A2.1/gp100-positive targets. In summary, our results lay a commonly applicable conceptual basis for the construction of therapeutic scTCR to prevent recombination of natural and transgenic dcTCR alpha and beta chains.

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Self-reactive memory-phenotype CD8 T cells exhibit both MHC-restricted and non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity: a role for the T-cell receptor and natural killer cell receptors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2004-01-0150 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (7) ◽

pp. 2116-2123 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Salim Dhanji ◽

Soo-Jeet Teh ◽

Darryl Oble ◽

John J. Priatel ◽

Hung-Sia Teh

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Natural Killer ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Adaptor Protein ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Target Cells ◽

Lymphoid Tissues

Abstract We have recently shown that interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated CD8+CD44hi cells from normal mice express both adaptive and innate immune system receptors and specifically kill syngeneic tumor cells, particularly those that express NKG2D ligands. Here we show that CD8+ T cells from antigen-expressing H-Y T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice also exhibit characteristics of both T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Interaction with cognate self-antigen was required for the optimal expansion of these cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues. Although these cells possess a higher activation threshold relative to naive T cells, they can be activated by cytokine alone in vitro. They also undergo bystander proliferation in response to a bacterial infection in vivo. Interestingly, upon activation, the cells express the NKG2D receptor as well as the DNAX activation protein 12 (DAP12) adaptor protein. We provide evidence that NKG2D can act additively with the TCR in the killing of target cells, and it can also function as a directly activating receptor in non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted killing of target cells. These properties of CD8+ T cells from H-Y TCR transgenic mice are remarkably similar to CD8+CD44hi cells that are found in normal mice. The H-Y TCR transgenic mice provide a well-defined system for characterizing the developmental biology and function of these cells. (Blood. 2004;104:2116-2123)

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A dynamical model of TCRβ gene recombination: Coupling the initiation of Dβ-Jβ rearrangement to TCRβ allelic exclusion

10.1101/200444 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sébastien Jaeger ◽

Ricardo Lima ◽

Arnaud Meyroneinc ◽

Marie Bonnet ◽

Edgardo Ugalde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Biological System ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Allelic Exclusion ◽

Dna Rearrangement ◽

Gene Recombination

AbstractOne paradigm of random monoallelic gene expression is that of T-cell receptor (TCR)β allelic exclusion in T lymphocytes. However, the dynamics that sustain asymmetric choice in TCRβ dual allele usage and the production of TCRβ monoallelic expressing T-cells remain poorly understood. Here, we develop a computational model to explore a scheme of TCRβ allelic exclusion based on the stochastic initiation of DNA rearrangement [V(D)J recombination] at homologous alleles in T-cell progenitors, and thus account for the genotypic profiles typically associated with allelic exclusion in differentiated T-cells. Disturbances in these dynamics at the level of an individual allele have limited consequences on these pro1les, robust feature of the system that is underscored by our simulations. Our study predicts a biological system in which locus-specific, prime epigenetic allelic activation effects set the stage to both optimize the production of TCRβ allelically excluded T-cells and curtail the emergence of their allelically included counterparts.

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CD4+ T Cells from Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD)65-specific T Cell Receptor Transgenic Mice Are Not Diabetogenic and Can Delay Diabetes Transfer

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20011845 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 196 (4) ◽

pp. 481-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Kristin V. Tarbell ◽

Mark Lee ◽

Erik Ranheim ◽

Cheng Chi Chao ◽

Maija Sanna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Gad 65

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65 is an early and important antigen in both human diabetes mellitus and the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. However, the exact role of GAD65-specific T cells in diabetes pathogenesis is unclear. T cell responses to GAD65 occur early in diabetes pathogenesis, yet only one GAD65-specific T cell clone of many identified can transfer diabetes. We have generated transgenic mice on the NOD background expressing a T cell receptor (TCR)-specific for peptide epitope 286–300 (p286) of GAD65. These mice have GAD65-specific CD4+ T cells, as shown by staining with an I-Ag7(p286) tetramer reagent. Lymphocytes from these TCR transgenic mice proliferate and make interferon γ, interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-10 when stimulated in vitro with GAD65 peptide 286–300, yet these TCR transgenic animals do not spontaneously develop diabetes, and insulitis is virtually undetectable. Furthermore, in vitro activated CD4 T cells from GAD 286 TCR transgenic mice express higher levels of CTL-associated antigen (CTLA)-4 than nontransgenic littermates. CD4+ T cells, or p286-tetramer+CD4+ Tcells, from GAD65 286–300-specific TCR transgenic mice delay diabetes induced in NOD.scid mice by diabetic NOD spleen cells. This data suggests that GAD65 peptide 286–300-specific T cells have disease protective capacity and are not pathogenic.

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Recent advances in T-cell engineering for use in immunotherapy

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.9073.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 2344 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Preeti Sharma ◽

David M. Kranz

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Complex Molecule ◽

Major Histocompatibility Complex Molecule ◽

Human Leukocyte ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Single Chain ◽

Cell Therapies ◽

Recent Advances

Adoptive T-cell therapies have shown exceptional promise in the treatment of cancer, especially B-cell malignancies. Two distinct strategies have been used to redirect the activity of ex vivo engineered T cells. In one case, the well-known ability of the T-cell receptor (TCR) to recognize a specific peptide bound to a major histocompatibility complex molecule has been exploited by introducing a TCR against a cancer-associated peptide/human leukocyte antigen complex. In the other strategy, synthetic constructs called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that contain antibody variable domains (single-chain fragments variable) and signaling domains have been introduced into T cells. Whereas many reviews have described these two approaches, this review focuses on a few recent advances of significant interest. The early success of CARs has been followed by questions about optimal configurations of these synthetic constructs, especially for efficacy against solid tumors. Among the many features that are important, the dimensions and stoichiometries of CAR/antigen complexes at the synapse have recently begun to be appreciated. In TCR-mediated approaches, recent evidence that mutated peptides (neoantigens) serve as targets for endogenous T-cell responses suggests that these neoantigens may also provide new opportunities for adoptive T-cell therapies with TCRs.

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Circulating CD8 T Lymphocytes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals Have Impaired Function and Downmodulate CD3ζ, the Signaling Chain of the T-Cell Receptor Complex

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v91.2.585.585_585_594 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

pp. 585-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Linda A. Trimble ◽

Judy Lieberman

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Receptor Complex ◽

Cd8 T Lymphocytes ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Specific Cytotoxicity

Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have a high frequency of HIV-specific CD8 T lymphocytes, freshly isolated lymphocytes frequently lack detectable HIV-specific cytotoxicity. However, this effector function becomes readily apparent after overnight culture. To investigate reasons for T-cell dysfunction, we analyzed T-cell expression of the cytolytic protease granzyme A and of CD3ζ, the signaling component of the T-cell receptor complex. An increased proportion of CD4 and CD8 T cells from HIV-infected donors contain granzyme A, consistent with the known increased frequency of activated T cells. In 28 HIV-infected donors with mild to advanced immunodeficiency, a substantial fraction of circulating T cells downmodulated CD3ζ (fraction of T cells expressing CD3ζ, 0.74 ± 0.16 v 1.01 ± 0.07 in healthy donors; P < .0000005). CD3ζ expression is downregulated more severely in CD8 than CD4 T cells, decreases early in infection, and correlates with declining CD4 counts and disease stage. CD3ζ expression increases over 6 to 16 hours of culture in an interleukin-2–dependent manner, coincident with restoration of viral-specific cytotoxicity. Impaired T-cell receptor signaling may help explain why HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes fail to control HIV replication.

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