scholarly journals Lenalidomide Treatment Restores In Vivo T Cell Activity in Relapsed/Refractory FL and DLBCL

Blood ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 729-729
Author(s):  
Cedric Menard ◽  
Joelle Dulong ◽  
Tien Tuan Nguyen ◽  
Nadège Bescher ◽  
Maelle Latour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
Immune Synapse ◽  
Anti Cd20

Abstract The immunostimulatory properties of lenalidomide have been mostly described in vitro while in vivo studies performed in multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia have reported a poorly characterized T-cell activation. A better understanding of lenalidomide kinetics and mechanisms of action is mandatory to optimize its combination with other immunotherapeutic agents in particular for the treatment of non Hodgkin lymphomas. We undertook a thorough immune monitoring of patients enrolled in the French multicenter clinical trial GALEN (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01582776) addressing the tolerance and efficacy of the association of lenalidomide and obinutuzumab, a glycoengineered type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas. A 1-week interval between the start of lenalidomide and the first infusion of obinutuzumab was planned, allowing an assessment of the effect of lenalidomide alone on immune-related parameters separately from the combinatorial therapy. Serial blood samples were collected in 44 patients (16 DLBCL and 28 FL) to investigate T, B, NK, and myeloid subsets. In addition, in vitro functional assays were designed to address T cell functional features (proliferation, immune synapse, activity of regulatory T cells (Treg)). In the context of the association with obinutuzumab, we first checked that CD20 expression was not affected on circulating malignant and normal B cells (p=0.43 and 0.8; respectively). Interestingly, upon 1 week of lenalidomide treatment, normal B cells, unlike malignant B cells, upregulated MHC class II (p<0.001 versus 0.16; respectively) while both increased the expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86 (p=0.001 and 0.002; respectively). More importantly, the T-cell capacity to mount a functional immune synapse with malignant B cells was restored in 5/6 relapsed/refractory patients (p<0.001) and we confirmed that this stood true for 6 FL patients at diagnosis (p<0.001). In addition, T cell proliferation was strongly increased in vivo as measured by Ki67 staining (p<0.001) but also upon TCR stimulation ex vivo (p=0.002). This immunostimulatory effect could not be ascribed to a blockade of Treg inhibitory potential by lenalidomide as effector T-cell proliferation was similarly enhanced upon in vitro Treg depletion before and after lenalidomide treatment (p=0.02). In addition, T-cell activation was associated with a reshaping of memory T-cell distribution with the central memory subset dropping in favor of effector cells (p<0.001 and 0.002 respectively). This restoration of T-cell functions was paralleled by the induction of activation markers on T cells such as HLA-DR, CD137, PD-1, and Tim-3 (p<0.001 for all markers). Finally, immune stimulation was not confined to T cells as NK cells also upregulated CD137 (p<0.001) but not PD-1 (p=0.53) expression. We also investigated the myeloid compartment including circulating MDSC and monocytes, both being putative precursors of tumor-associated macrophages. Within 1 week of lenalidomide, patients experienced a decrease of monocytes subsets count and an upregulation of the activation marker and Fcg receptor CD64 (p=0.006). Of note, preliminary experiments showed that, at least in some cases, in vitro exposure of macrophages to lenalidomide could enhance anti-CD20-mediated phagocytosis of tumor cells. Some of these immunological parameters were transiently modulated and returned to baseline levels upon lenalidomide washout but others were restored long term in particular the immune synapse score and memory T cell counts. We herein report for the first time early in vivo T cell activation by lenalidomide in relapse FL/DLBCL through a detailed phenotypic analysis strengthened by innovative functional assays. The study of T cells heterogeneity at the transcriptomic level is underway and the correlation of these immunomodulatory properties with clinical data is also currently being addressed. Our results will help build new and more relevant lenalidomide-based immunotherapeutic approaches. (This study was supported by research grants from Celgene and Roche companies) Disclosures Menard: Celgene: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy. Lamy: Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Morschhauser: Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy. Tarte: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novimmune: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy.

ATG5 Dependent Autophagy Uncouples T Cell Functions and Modulates Experimental Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
Katherine Oravecz-Wilson ◽  
Corinne Rossi ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Tomomi Toubai ◽  
Hiroya Tamaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
Apoptotic Proteins

Abstract ATG5 is a key protein that regulates autophagy, a vital cellular process whose role in various immune cells is poorly understood. A recent report showed that the deficiency of autophagy gene Atg16l1 in host DCs increased graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Nevertheless, the direct role of autophagy in regulating T cell alloreactivity after bone marrow transplant (BMT) is unknown. In order to investigate the role of autophagy in T cells, we first analyzed the changes in autophagosome marker LC3 upon WT T cell activation. TCR stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28, increased cytosolic LC3-I and its membrane-bound LC3-II form. Interestingly, we found that the upregulation of LC3 was predominant in dividing cells, which lead us to hypothesize that autophagy is essential for T cell proliferation. Therefore we next explored if the deficiency in autophagy impaired T cell proliferation utilizing B6 T cell-specific ATG5 knockout (ATG5 KO T cell) mouse and hydroxychloroquine (CQ, a known inhibitor of autophagy). As hypothesized, when compared with WT controls, both CQ treated WT T cells and the ATG5 KO T cells, in vitro, demonstrated a significant decrease in proliferation as demonstrated by 3H-thymidine incorporation and CFSE staining (p<0.0001) and were associated with a failure to upregulate LC3. These effects were observed after anti-CD3/CD28 TCR stimulation as well as following allogenic stimulation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from BALB/c mice. The reduction in T cell proliferation was accompanied by a significant increase in apoptosis (p<0.0001). However it was not associated with a decrease in T-helper (TH) signature cytokines (IFNγ, IL-2, IL-17, IL-4) suggesting no impact on T cell differentiation. Furthermore ATG5 deficiency also did not alter T cell activation as determined by upregulation of NFAT and ZAP70. Thus lack of autophagy lead to the decrease survival of T cell along with decreased proliferation after TCR stimulation but did not affect TH differentiation and T cell activation. Given the in vitro observations, we hypothesized that ATG5 KO T cells would also induce less GVHD following allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Utilizing clinically relevant MHC-mismatched B6 → BALB/c BMT model, we lethally irradiated (800cGy) WT-BALB/c mice and transplanted 5x106 T cell-depleted bone marrow from WT-B6 mice along with 0.5x106 splenic T cells purified from ATG5 KO or WT- B6 mice. WT-BALB/c TCD BM and T cells were used for syngeneic controls. Consistent with in vitro results, ATG5 KO T cells showed decreased proliferation in vivo but showed no difference in Th1/Th17 differentiation. Allogenic animals transplanted with ATG5 KO T cells also showed a significantly improved survival (p=0.001) and reduced GVHD severity (p=0.03). Phenotypic analyses prior to BMT showed that ATG5 KO T cells show decreased CD62L and an increased expression of CD44. Because naïve (CD62L+CD44-) T cells are critical for GVHD, we next explored if the observed improvement in GVHD could be due to a decreased population of these naïve T cells in the transplant inoculum of ATG5 KO animals. Therefore, using the same BMT model and design, we transplanted WT-BALB/c mice 0.5x106 isolated splenic CD62L+ T cells only from either ATG5 KO or WT-B6 animals and observed that GVHD mortality was reduced in the allo-recipients of ATG5 KO T cells compared with WT T cells (p=0.005). To determine the potential molecular mechanism, we next hypothesized that upon activation ATG KO T cells may show alterations in pro and anti-apoptotic proteins. We observed that ATG5 KO failed to increase Bcl-2 level and showed a decrease in Bcl-XL level upon TCR stimulation compared to WT T cells. In contrast to the relative lack of anti-apoptotic proteins, they displayed similar levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins BIM, Bak and Bax. These results suggest that an imbalance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors is likely a cause for the reduced T cell expansion by ATG5 KO T cells. Our results collectively demonstrate that inhibition of autophagy decreases T cell expansion but not its differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore contrary to the aggravation of GVHD when autophagy is targeted in host DCs, it mitigated GVHD when targeted in donor T cells. Thus the net impact of manipulating autophagy after allogeneic BMT on GVHD is dependent on which immune cell subsets are being targeted. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 2. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Immunomodulatory effects of different intravenous immunoglobulin preparations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Colado ◽  
Esteban Enrique Elías ◽  
Valeria Judith Sarapura Martínez ◽  
Gregorio Cordini ◽  
Pablo Morande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Immunoglobulin Preparations

AbstractHypogammaglobulinemia is the most frequently observed immune defect in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although CLL patients usually have low serum levels of all isotypes (IgG, IgM and IgA), standard immunoglobulin (Ig) preparations for replacement therapy administrated to these patients contain more than 95% of IgG. Pentaglobin is an Ig preparation of intravenous application (IVIg) enriched with IgM and IgA (IVIgGMA), with the potential benefit to restore the Ig levels of all isotypes. Because IVIg preparations at high doses have well-documented anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, we aimed to evaluate the capacity of Pentaglobin and a standard IVIg preparation to affect leukemic and T cells from CLL patients. In contrast to standard IVIg, we found that IVIgGMA did not modify T cell activation and had a lower inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation. Regarding the activation of leukemic B cells through BCR, it was similarly reduced by both IVIgGMA and IVIgG. None of these IVIg preparations modified spontaneous apoptosis of T or leukemic B cells. However, the addition of IVIgGMA on in vitro cultures decreased the apoptosis of T cells induced by the BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax. Importantly, IVIgGMA did not impair venetoclax-induced apoptosis of leukemic B cells. Overall, our results add new data on the effects of different preparations of IVIg in CLL, and show that the IgM/IgA enriched preparation not only affects relevant mechanisms involved in CLL pathogenesis but also has a particular profile of immunomodulatory effects on T cells that deserves further investigation.

scholarly journals Siplizumab, an Anti-CD2 Monoclonal Antibody, Induces a Unique Set of Immune Modulatory Effects Compared to Alemtuzumab and Rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Binder ◽  
Felix Sellberg ◽  
Filip Cvetkovski ◽  
Erik Berglund ◽  
David Berglund
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
Allogeneic Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction ◽  
Dependent Cell

Antibodies are commonly used in organ transplant induction therapy and to treat autoimmune disorders. The effects of some biologics on the human immune system remain incompletely characterized and a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action may provide useful insights for their clinical application. The goal of this study was to contrast the mechanistic properties of siplizumab with Alemtuzumab and rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (rATG). Mechanistic assay systems investigating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell phagocytosis and complement-dependent cytotoxicity were used to characterize siplizumab. Further, functional effects of siplizumab, Alemtuzumab, and rATG were investigated in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Changes in T cell activation, T cell proliferation and frequency of naïve T cells, memory T cells and regulatory T cells induced by siplizumab, Alemtuzumab and rATG in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction were assessed via flow cytometry. Siplizumab depleted T cells, decreased T cell activation, inhibited T cell proliferation and enriched naïve and bona fide regulatory T cells. Neither Alemtuzumab nor rATG induced the same combination of functional effects. The results presented in this study should be used for further in vitro and in vivo investigations that guide the clinical use of immune modulatory biologics.

scholarly journals TRPM2 Is Not Required for T-Cell Activation and Differentiation

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels C. Lory ◽  
Mikolaj Nawrocki ◽  
Martina Corazza ◽  
Joanna Schmid ◽  
Valéa Schumacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Activation Markers

Antigen recognition by the T-cell receptor induces a cytosolic Ca2+ signal that is crucial for T-cell function. The Ca2+ channel TRPM2 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 2) has been shown to facilitate influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the plasma membrane of T cells. Therefore, it was suggested that TRPM2 is involved in T-cell activation and differentiation. However, these results are largely derived from in vitro studies using T-cell lines and non-physiologic means of TRPM2 activation. Thus, the relevance of TRPM2-mediated Ca2+ signaling in T cells remains unclear. Here, we use TRPM2-deficient mice to investigate the function of TRPM2 in T-cell activation and differentiation. In response to TCR stimulation in vitro, Trpm2-/- and WT CD4+ and CD8+ T cells similarly upregulated the early activation markers NUR77, IRF4, and CD69. We also observed regular proliferation of Trpm2-/- CD8+ T cells and unimpaired differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th1, Th17, and Treg cells under specific polarizing conditions. In vivo, Trpm2-/- and WT CD8+ T cells showed equal specific responses to Listeria monocytogenes after infection of WT and Trpm2-/- mice and after transfer of WT and Trpm2-/- CD8+ T cells into infected recipients. CD4+ T-cell responses were investigated in the model of anti-CD3 mAb-induced intestinal inflammation, which allows analysis of Th1, Th17, Treg, and Tr1-cell differentiation. Here again, we detected similar responses of WT and Trpm2-/- CD4+ T cells. In conclusion, our results argue against a major function of TRPM2 in T-cell activation and differentiation.

scholarly journals Modulating p56Lck in T-Cells by a Chimeric Peptide Comprising Two Functionally Different Motifs of Tip fromHerpesvirus saimiri

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jean-Paul Vernot ◽  
Ana María Perdomo-Arciniegas ◽  
Luis Alberto Pérez-Quintero ◽  
Diego Fernando Martínez
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Chimeric Peptide ◽  
Vector Targeting

The Lck interacting protein Tip ofHerpesvirus saimiriis responsible for T-cell transformation bothin vitroandin vivo. Here we designed the chimeric peptide hTip-CSKH, comprising the Lck specific interacting motif CSKH of Tip and its hydrophobic transmembrane sequence (hTip), the latter as a vector targeting lipid rafts. We found that hTip-CSKH can induce a fivefold increase in proliferation of human andAotussp. T-cells. Costimulation with PMA did not enhance this proliferation rate, suggesting that hTip-CSKH is sufficient and independent of further PKC stimulation. We also found that human Lck phosphorylation was increased earlier after stimulation when T-cells were incubated previously with hTip-CSKH, supporting a strong signalling and proliferative effect of the chimeric peptide. Additionally, Lck downstream signalling was evident with hTip-CSKH but not with control peptides. Importantly, hTip-CSKH could be identified in heavy lipid rafts membrane fractions, a compartment where important T-cell signalling molecules (LAT, Ras, and Lck) are present during T-cell activation. Interestingly, hTip-CSKH was inhibitory to Jurkat cells, in total agreement with the different signalling pathways and activation requirements of this leukemic cell line. These results provide the basis for the development of new compounds capable of modulating therapeutic targets present in lipid rafts.

scholarly journals Inhibition of T cell activation in vivo with mixtures of monoclonal antibodies specific for I-A and I-A/E molecules.

1981 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Sprent ◽  
E A Lerner ◽  
J Bruce ◽  
F W Symington
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Marked Contrast ◽  
Sheep Erythrocytes

(CBA x B6)F1 (Iak x Iab) T cells were activated to sheep erythrocytes in irradiated F1 mice in the presence of various monoclonal anti-Ia reagents and then tested for their capacity to collaborate with B cells from B10.BR (I-Ak, I-Ek) (kk), B10.A(4R) (kb), and B10 (bb) mice. Anti-I-Ak antibodies blocked the generation of help for B10.A(4R) B cells, but not B10.BR or B10 B cells. An anti-I-Ab antibody blocked help for B10 B cells, but not for B10.BR or B10.A(4R) B cells. An antibody (Y-17) specific for I-Ak/Ek and I-Ab/Ek molecules, but not for I-Ak or I-Ab molecules, failed to impair the generation of help for B10.BR, B10.A (4R), or B10 B cells. In marked contrast to injecting each antibody separately, a mixture of anti-I-Ak and anti-I-Ak,b/Ek (Y-17) antibodies virtually abolished the generation of help for B10.BR B cells. A mixture of anti-I-Ak and anti-I-Ab antibodies effectively blocked help for (4R x B10)F1 B cells, i.e., cells expressing hybrid I-A molecules. These two antibodies only marginally impaired help for (CBA x B6)F1 B cells. To block help for (CBA x B6)F1 B cells required selection in the presence of a cocktail of anti-I-Ak, anti-I-Ab, and anti-I-Ak,b/Ek antibodies. The implications of these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Abortive Proliferation of Rare T Cells Induced by Direct or Indirect Antigen Presentation by Rare B Cells In Vivo

1998 ◽  
Vol 187 (10) ◽  
pp. 1611-1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Townsend ◽  
Christopher C. Goodnow
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Antigen Presenting Cells ◽  
Antigen Presenting

Antigen-specific B cells are implicated as antigen-presenting cells in memory and tolerance responses because they capture antigens efficiently and localize to T cell zones after antigen capture. It has not been possible, however, to visualize the effect of specific B cells on specific CD4+ helper T cells under physiological conditions. We demonstrate here that rare T cells are activated in vivo by minute quantities of antigen captured by antigen-specific B cells. Antigen-activated B cells are helped under these conditions, whereas antigen-tolerant B cells are killed. The T cells proliferate and then disappear regardless of whether the B cells are activated or tolerant. We show genetically that T cell activation, proliferation, and disappearance can be mediated either by transfer of antigen from antigen-specific B cells to endogenous antigen-presenting cells or by direct B–T cell interactions. These results identify a novel antigen presentation route, and demonstrate that B cell presentation of antigen has profound effects on T cell fate that could not be predicted from in vitro studies.

T cell-T cell activation in multiple sclerosis

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Lindsey ◽  
RH Kerman ◽  
JS Wolinsky
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
In Vitro Proliferation

Activated T cells are able to stimulate proliferation in resting T cells through an antigen non-specific mechanism. The in vivo usefulness of this T cell-T cell activation is unclear, but it may serve to amplify immune responses. T cell-T cell activation could be involved in the well-documented occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations following viral infections. Excessive activation via this pathway could also be a factor in the etiology of MS. We tested the hypothesis that excessive T cell-T cell activation occurs in MS patients using in vitro proliferation assays comparing T cells from MS patients to T cells from controls. When tested as responder cells, T cells from MS patients proliferated slightly less after stimulation with previously activated cells than T cells from controls. When tested as stimulator cells, activated cells from MS patients stimulated slightly more non-specific proliferation than activated cells from controls. Neither of these differences were statistically significant We conclude that T cell proliferation in response to activated T cells is similar in MS and controls.

scholarly journals Signaling function of PRC2 is essential for TCR-driven T cell responses

2018 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 1101-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-Werner Dobenecker ◽  
Joon Seok Park ◽  
Jonas Marcello ◽  
Michael T. McCabe ◽  
Richard Gregory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ◽  
Histone Lysine Methyltransferases

Differentiation and activation of T cells require the activity of numerous histone lysine methyltransferases (HMT) that control the transcriptional T cell output. One of the most potent regulators of T cell differentiation is the HMT Ezh2. Ezh2 is a key enzymatic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which silences gene expression by histone H3 di/tri-methylation at lysine 27. Surprisingly, in many cell types, including T cells, Ezh2 is localized in both the nucleus and the cytosol. Here we show the presence of a nuclear-like PRC2 complex in T cell cytosol and demonstrate a role of cytosolic PRC2 in T cell antigen receptor (TCR)–mediated signaling. We show that short-term suppression of PRC2 precludes TCR-driven T cell activation in vitro. We also demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of PRC2 in vivo greatly attenuates the severe T cell–driven autoimmunity caused by regulatory T cell depletion. Our data reveal cytoplasmic PRC2 is one of the most potent regulators of T cell activation and point toward the therapeutic potential of PRC2 inhibitors for the treatment of T cell–driven autoimmune diseases.

scholarly journals Allergen-Induced C5a/C5aR1 Axis Activation in Pulmonary CD11b+ cDCs Promotes Pulmonary Tolerance through Downregulation of CD40

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantina Antoniou ◽  
Fanny Ender ◽  
Tillman Vollbrandt ◽  
Yves Laumonnier ◽  
Franziska Rathmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
C5a Receptor ◽  
The Impact

Activation of the C5/C5a/C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) axis during allergen sensitization protects from maladaptive T cell activation. To explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms, we analyzed the impact of C5aR1 activation on pulmonary CD11b+ conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in the context of house-dust-mite (HDM) exposure. BALB/c mice were intratracheally immunized with an HDM/ovalbumin (OVA) mixture. After 24 h, we detected two CD11b+ cDC populations that could be distinguished on the basis of C5aR1 expression. C5aR1− but not C5aR1+ cDCs strongly induced T cell proliferation of OVA-reactive transgenic CD4+ T cells after re-exposure to antigen in vitro. C5aR1− cDCs expressed higher levels of MHC-II and CD40 than their C5aR1+ counterparts, which correlated directly with a higher frequency of interactions with cognate CD4+ T cells. Priming of OVA-specific T cells by C5aR1+ cDCs could be markedly increased by in vitro blockade of C5aR1 and this was associated with increased CD40 expression. Simultaneous blockade of C5aR1 and CD40L on C5aR1+ cDCs decreased T cell proliferation. Finally, pulsing with OVA-induced C5 production and its cleavage into C5a by both populations of CD11b+ cDCs. Thus, we propose a model in which allergen-induced autocrine C5a generation and subsequent C5aR1 activation in pulmonary CD11b+ cDCs promotes tolerance towards aeroallergens through downregulation of CD40.

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