scholarly journals Intravenous Arginine Administration Benefits CD4+ T-Cell Homeostasis and Attenuates Liver Inflammation in Mice with Polymicrobial Sepsis

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Chiu-Li Yeh ◽  
Sharon Angela Tanuseputero ◽  
Jin-Ming Wu ◽  
Yi-Ru Tseng ◽  
Po-Jen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Liver Inflammation ◽  
Aortic Lymph Node ◽  
Inos Inhibitor

This study investigated the effects of a single dose of arginine (Arg) administration at the beginning of sepsis on CD4+ T-cell regulation and liver inflammation in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into normal control (NC), sham (SH), sepsis saline (SS), and sepsis Arg (SA) groups. An inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) inhibitor was administered to additional sepsis groups to evaluate the role of NO during sepsis. Sepsis was induced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The SS and SA groups received saline or Arg (300 mg/kg body weight) via tail vein 1 h after CLP. Mice were euthanized at 12 and 24 h post-CLP. Blood, para-aortic lymph nodes, and liver tissues were collected for further measurement. The findings showed that sepsis resulted in decreases in blood and para-aortic lymph node CD4+ T-cell percentages, whereas percentages of interleukin (IL)-4- and IL-17-expressing CD4+ T cells were upregulated. Compared to the SS group, Arg administration resulted in maintained circulating and para-aortic lymph node CD4+ T cells, an increased Th1/Th2 ratio, and a reduced Th17/Treg ratio post-CLP. In addition, levels of plasma liver injury markers and expression of inflammatory genes in liver decreased. These results suggest that a single dose of Arg administered after CLP increased Arg availability, sustained CD4+ T-cell populations, elicited more-balanced Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg polarization in the circulation and the para-aortic lymph nodes, and attenuated liver inflammation in sepsis. The favorable effects of Arg were abrogated when an iNOS inhibitor was administered, which indicated that NO may be participated in regulating the homeostasis of Th/Treg cells and subsequent liver inflammation during sepsis.

scholarly journals CD4 T Cell Responses in Lung Tissue and Their Role in Th2 Protective Immunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Marina Catherine Goudie Harvie
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Tissue ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

<p>The acquisition of protective immunity is a critical feature of the immune system. It is the unique ability of the adaptive immune response to generate and maintain long-lived antigen specific memory cells, which is the key to preventing reinfection and achieving the goal of protective immunity. The importance of secondary lymphoid tissue (such as lymph nodes) as a site of effector CD4 T cell responses and the generation, dissemination and maintenance of memory CD4 T cells is well accepted. However, a key research area needing investigation is the basic biology of the CD4 T cell, particularly the recirculation, distribution and maintenance of CD4 T cells at sites throughout the body. To address these issues we used Nippostrongylus brasiliensis as a model of CD4 mediated protective immunity, combined with G4/IL-4 reporter mice. We show that the lung environment is critical for the priming of CD4 T cells and conferring protective immunity. In contrast to others we find no protective role for the CD4 T cell population of the skin and only a minor role for the population within the gut. In a separate study we used the drug fingolimod (FTY720) to block the cellular trafficking between lymph node and lung tissue during immune responses. Interestingly, our findings show that protection against N. brasiliensis infection is maintained when CD4 T cell recirculation between the lung and lymph node is blocked. Furthermore, we reveal that peripheral lung residing CD4 T cells are sufficient for conferring protective immunity in the N. brasiliensis model, generating support for the model of effector lymphoid tissue. When N. brasiliensis experienced CD4 T cells were localised to the lung by intranasal adoptive transfer they were able to confer protection against infection in otherwise naive animals, as early as 48 hours post infection. The most striking finding of this work is the discovery that memory CD4 T cells residing in the lung that are sufficient to confer protection against reinfection. Identifying the factors in the lung and lymph node that induce and support this CD4 T cell subset will be an important area of future research given its high relevance to the design of vaccines against parasite infections.</p>

scholarly journals Lymph node stromal cells acquire peptide–MHCII complexes from dendritic cells and induce antigen-specific CD4+ T cell tolerance

2014 ◽  
Vol 211 (6) ◽  
pp. 1153-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Dubrot ◽  
Fernanda V. Duraes ◽  
Lambert Potin ◽  
Francesca Capotosti ◽  
Dale Brighouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Mhcii Expression ◽  
Lymph Node Stromal Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs), and more recently lymph node stromal cells (LNSCs), have been described to tolerize self-reactive CD8+ T cells in LNs. Although LNSCs express MHCII, it is unknown whether they can also impact CD4+ T cell functions. We show that the promoter IV (pIV) of class II transactivator (CIITA), the master regulator of MHCII expression, controls endogenous MHCII expression by LNSCs. Unexpectedly, LNSCs also acquire peptide–MHCII complexes from DCs and induce CD4+ T cell dysfunction by presenting transferred complexes to naive CD4+ T cells and preventing their proliferation and survival. Our data reveals a novel, alternative mechanism where LN-resident stromal cells tolerize CD4+ T cells through the presentation of self-antigens via transferred peptide–MHCII complexes of DC origin.

scholarly journals CD4 T Cell Responses in Lung Tissue and Their Role in Th2 Protective Immunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Marina Catherine Goudie Harvie
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Tissue ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

<p>The acquisition of protective immunity is a critical feature of the immune system. It is the unique ability of the adaptive immune response to generate and maintain long-lived antigen specific memory cells, which is the key to preventing reinfection and achieving the goal of protective immunity. The importance of secondary lymphoid tissue (such as lymph nodes) as a site of effector CD4 T cell responses and the generation, dissemination and maintenance of memory CD4 T cells is well accepted. However, a key research area needing investigation is the basic biology of the CD4 T cell, particularly the recirculation, distribution and maintenance of CD4 T cells at sites throughout the body. To address these issues we used Nippostrongylus brasiliensis as a model of CD4 mediated protective immunity, combined with G4/IL-4 reporter mice. We show that the lung environment is critical for the priming of CD4 T cells and conferring protective immunity. In contrast to others we find no protective role for the CD4 T cell population of the skin and only a minor role for the population within the gut. In a separate study we used the drug fingolimod (FTY720) to block the cellular trafficking between lymph node and lung tissue during immune responses. Interestingly, our findings show that protection against N. brasiliensis infection is maintained when CD4 T cell recirculation between the lung and lymph node is blocked. Furthermore, we reveal that peripheral lung residing CD4 T cells are sufficient for conferring protective immunity in the N. brasiliensis model, generating support for the model of effector lymphoid tissue. When N. brasiliensis experienced CD4 T cells were localised to the lung by intranasal adoptive transfer they were able to confer protection against infection in otherwise naive animals, as early as 48 hours post infection. The most striking finding of this work is the discovery that memory CD4 T cells residing in the lung that are sufficient to confer protection against reinfection. Identifying the factors in the lung and lymph node that induce and support this CD4 T cell subset will be an important area of future research given its high relevance to the design of vaccines against parasite infections.</p>

scholarly journals Reduced immune-regulatory molecule expression on human colonic memory CD4 T cells in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Dillon ◽  
Tezha A. Thompson ◽  
Allison J. Christians ◽  
Martin D. McCarter ◽  
Cara C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
T Cell Immunity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Immunity ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

Abstract Background The etiology of the low-level chronic inflammatory state associated with aging is likely multifactorial, but a number of animal and human studies have implicated a functional decline of the gastrointestinal immune system as a potential driver. Gut tissue-resident memory T cells play critical roles in mediating protective immunity and in maintaining gut homeostasis, yet few studies have investigated the effect of aging on human gut T cell immunity. To determine if aging impacted CD4 T cell immunity in the human large intestine, we utilized multi-color flow cytometry to measure colonic lamina propria (LP) CD4 T cell frequencies and immune-modulatory marker expression in younger (mean ± SEM: 38 ± 1.5 yrs) and older (77 ± 1.6 yrs) adults. To determine cellular specificity, we evaluated colon LP CD8 T cell frequency and phenotype in the same donors. To probe tissue specificity, we evaluated the same panel of markers in peripheral blood (PB) CD4 T cells in a separate cohort of similarly aged persons. Results Frequencies of colonic CD4 T cells as a fraction of total LP mononuclear cells were higher in older persons whereas absolute numbers of colonic LP CD4 T cells per gram of tissue were similar in both age groups. LP CD4 T cells from older versus younger persons exhibited reduced CTLA-4, PD-1 and Ki67 expression. Levels of Bcl-2, CD57, CD25 and percentages of activated CD38+HLA-DR+ CD4 T cells were similar in both age groups. In memory PB CD4 T cells, older age was only associated with increased CD57 expression. Significant age effects for LP CD8 T cells were only observed for CTLA-4 expression, with lower levels of expression observed on cells from older adults. Conclusions Greater age was associated with reduced expression of the co-inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 on LP CD4 T cells. Colonic LP CD8 T cells from older persons also displayed reduced CTLA-4 expression. These age-associated profiles were not observed in older PB memory CD4 T cells. The decline in co-inhibitory receptor expression on colonic LP T cells may contribute to local and systemic inflammation via a reduced ability to limit ongoing T cell responses to enteric microbial challenge.

scholarly journals The Impact of Exercise Serum on Selected Parameters of CD4+ T Cell Metabolism

Immuno ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-131
Author(s):  
Jana Palmowski ◽  
Kristina Gebhardt ◽  
Thomas Reichel ◽  
Torsten Frech ◽  
Robert Ringseis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Autologous Serum ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
The Impact

CD4+ T cells are sensitive to peripheral changes of cytokine levels and metabolic substrates such as glucose and lactate. This study aimed to analyze whether factors released after exercise alter parameters of human T cell metabolism, specifically glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. We used primary human CD4+ T cells activated in the presence of autologous serum, which was collected before (CO) and after a 30-min exercise intervention (EX). In the course of activation, cells and supernatants were analyzed for cell viability and diameter, real-time oxygen consumption by using PreSens Technology, mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes and complexes of the electron transport chain by real-time PCR, glucose, and lactate levels in supernatants, and in vitro differentiation by flow cytometry. EX did not alter T cell phenotype, viability, or on-blast formation. Similarly, no difference between CO and EX were found for CD4+ T cell activation and cellular oxygen consumption. In contrast, higher levels of glucose were found after 48 h activation in EX conditions. T cells activated in autologous exercise serum expressed lower HK1 mRNA and higher IFN-γ receptor 1. We suggest that the exercise protocol used was not sufficient to destabilize the immune metabolism of T cells. Therefore, more intense and prolonged exercise should be used in future studies.

scholarly journals Infection of HLA-DR1 Transgenic Mice with a Human Isolate of Influenza A Virus (H1N1) Primes a Diverse CD4 T-Cell Repertoire That Includes CD4 T Cells with Heterosubtypic Cross-Reactivity to Avian (H5N1) Influenza Virus

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (13) ◽  
pp. 6566-6577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Richards ◽  
Francisco A. Chaves ◽  
Andrea J. Sant
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Avian Influenza Virus ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Ns1 Protein ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT The specificity of the CD4 T-cell immune response to influenza virus is influenced by the genetic complexity of the virus and periodic encounters with variant subtypes and strains. In order to understand what controls CD4 T-cell reactivity to influenza virus proteins and how the influenza virus-specific memory compartment is shaped over time, it is first necessary to understand the diversity of the primary CD4 T-cell response. In the study reported here, we have used an unbiased approach to evaluate the peptide specificity of CD4 T cells elicited after live influenza virus infection. We have focused on four viral proteins that have distinct intracellular distributions in infected cells, hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), nucleoprotein, and the NS1 protein, which is expressed in infected cells but excluded from virion particles. Our studies revealed an extensive diversity of influenza virus-specific CD4 T cells that includes T cells for each viral protein and for the unexpected immunogenicity of the NS1 protein. Due to the recent concern about pandemic avian influenza virus and because CD4 T cells specific for HA and NA may be particularly useful for promoting the production of neutralizing antibody to influenza virus, we have also evaluated the ability of HA- and NA-specific CD4 T cells elicited by a circulating H1N1 strain to cross-react with related sequences found in an avian H5N1 virus and find substantial cross-reactivity, suggesting that seasonal vaccines may help promote protection against avian influenza virus.

scholarly journals Isolevuglandin-Modified Cardiac Proteins Drive CD4+ T Cell Activation in the Heart and Promote Cardiac Dysfunction

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Njabulo Ngwenyama ◽  
Annet Kirabo ◽  
Mark Aronovitz ◽  
Francisco Velázquez ◽  
Francisco Carrillo-Salinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Myocardial Oxidative Stress

Background: Despite the well-established association between T cell-mediated inflammation and non-ischemic heart failure (HF), the specific mechanisms triggering T cell activation during the progression of HF and the antigens involved are poorly understood. We hypothesized that myocardial oxidative stress induces the formation of isolevuglandin (IsoLG)-modified proteins that function as cardiac neoantigens to elicit CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) activation and promote HF. Methods: We used transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice to trigger myocardial oxidative stress and T cell infiltration. We profiled the TCR repertoire by mRNA sequencing of intramyocardial activated CD4+ T cells in Nur77 GFP reporter mice, which transiently express GFP upon TCR engagement. We assessed the role of antigen presentation and TCR specificity in the development of cardiac dysfunction using antigen presentation-deficient MhcII -/- mice, and TCR transgenic OTII mice that lack specificity for endogenous antigens. We detected IsoLG-protein adducts in failing human hearts. We also evaluated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IsoLGs in eliciting T cell immune responses in vivo by treating mice with the antioxidant TEMPOL, and the IsoLG scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) during TAC, and ex-vivo in mechanistic studies of CD4+ T cell proliferation in response to IsoLG-modified cardiac proteins. Results: We discovered that TCR antigen recognition increases in the left ventricle (LV) as cardiac dysfunction progresses, and identified a limited repertoire of activated CD4+ T cell clonotypes in the LV. Antigen presentation of endogenous antigens was required to develop cardiac dysfunction since MhcII -/- mice reconstituted with CD4+ T cells, and OTII mice immunized with their cognate antigen were protected from TAC-induced cardiac dysfunction despite the presence of LV-infiltrated CD4+ T cells. Scavenging IsoLGs with 2-HOBA reduced TCR activation and prevented cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, cardiac pressure overload resulted in ROS dependent dendritic cell accumulation of IsoLG-protein adducts which induced robust CD4+ T cell proliferation. Conclusions: Collectively, our study demonstrates an important role of ROS-induced formation of IsoLG-modified cardiac neoantigens that lead to TCR-dependent CD4+ T cell activation within the heart.

scholarly journals 739 Intratumor childhood vaccine-specific CD4+ T cell recall helps antitumor CD8 T cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A770-A770
Author(s):  
Michael Brown ◽  
Zachary McKay ◽  
Yuanfan Yang ◽  
Darell Bigner ◽  
Smita Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Antitumor Efficacy ◽  
Polio Vaccine ◽  
Recall Antigen ◽  
Childhood Vaccine

BackgroundPVSRIPO, a recombinant poliovirus derived from the live-attenuated Sabin oral polio vaccine strain, is being tested in multi-institutional phase II clinical trials for recurrent glioblastoma (NCT04479241) and unresectable, PD-1 refractory melanoma (NCT04577807) in combination with PD1 blockade. PVSRIPO capsid is identical to the Sabin vaccine strain and >99% identical to the inactivated Polio vaccine (IPOL, Salk), against which public health mandated childhood vaccination is near universal. In non-vaccinated mice, PVSRIPO mediates antitumor efficacy in a replication-dependent manner via engaging innate inflammation and antitumor T cells. Accordingly, it is anticipated that pre-existing immunity to PVSRIPO impedes antitumor therapy. However, recent evidence indicates that immunological 'recall', or reactivation of memory T cells, may mediate anti-tumor effects.MethodsThe impact of prior polio vs control (KLH) vaccination on intratumor viral replication, tumor inflammation, and overall tumor growth after intratumor PVSRIPO therapy was assessed in murine tumor models. The role of polio capsid and tetanus recall antigens in mediating intratumor inflammation and antitumor efficacy was similarly studied in mice non-permissive to PVSRIPO infection. To mechanistically define antitumor effects of polio recall, B cell and CD8 T cell knockout mice were used, in addition to adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells from vaccinated mice. Intratumor polio or tetanus recall antigen therapy was performed after OT-I transfer (OVA-specific T cells) in the B16-OVA melanoma model to gauge antitumor T cell activity. Lastly, the inflammatory effects of polio and tetanus antigens was tested in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).ResultsDespite curtailing intratumor viral replication, prior polio vaccination in mice potentiated subsequent antitumor efficacy of PVSRIPO. Intratumor recall responses induced by polio and tetanus antigens also delayed tumor growth. Recall antigen therapy was associated with marked intratumor influx of eosinophils, conventional CD4+ T cells, and increased expression of IFN-g, TNF, and Granzyme B in tumor infiltrating T cells. The antitumor efficacy of polio recall antigen was mediated by CD4+ T cells, partially depended upon CD8+ T cells, and was impaired by B cells. Both polio and tetanus recall antigen therapy bolstered the antitumor function of tumor-specific OT-I CD8+ T cells. Polio and tetanus antigens induced CXCL10 and type I/II/III IFNs in PBMCs in vitro.ConclusionsChildhood vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells hold cancer immunotherapy potential. In the context of PVSRIPO therapy, antitumor and inflammatory effects of polio vaccine-specific CD4+ T cell recall supersedes inhibitory effects of attenuated intratumor viral replication, and represents a novel mechanism of action.Ethics ApprovalThe animal work described in this study was approved by the Duke University IACUC.

scholarly journals Mucosal immune stimulation with HSV-2 and polyICLC boosts control of viremia in SIVΔNef vaccinated rhesus macaques with breakthrough SIV infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meropi Aravantinou ◽  
Olga Mizenina ◽  
Thilo Brill ◽  
Jessica Kenney ◽  
Christine Timmons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Hiv Vaccine ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Siv Infection ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTDevelopment of an effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine is among the highest priorities in the biomedical research agenda. Adjuvants enhance vaccine efficacy, but in the case of HIV, strong or inappropriate immune activation may undermine protection by increasing HIV susceptibility. Co-infection with immunomodulatory pathogens may also impact vaccine efficacy. In the rhesus macaque rectal SIVΔNef live attenuated vaccine model, we utilized a low virulence HSV-2 infection and the double-stranded RNA viral mimic polyICLC as tools to probe the effects of distinct types of immune activation on HIV vaccine efficacy and explore novel correlates of protection from wild type SIV. Rectally administered HSV-2 and polyICLC impacted the protection conferred by mucosal SIVΔNef vaccination by favoring partial protection in animals with breakthrough infection following virulent SIV challenge (“Controllers”). However, SIVΔNef persistence in blood and tissues did not predict protection in this rectal immunization and challenge model. Non-controllers had similar SIVΔNef viremia as completely protected macaques, and while they tended to have less replication competent SIVΔNef in lymph nodes, controllers had no recoverable virus in the lymph nodes. Non-controllers differed from protected macaques immunologically by having a greater frequency of pro-inflammatory CXCR3+CCR6+ CD4 T cells in blood and a monofunctional IFNγ-dominant CD8 T cell response in lymph nodes. Controller phenotype was associated with heightened IFNα production during acute SIV infection and a greater frequency of CXCR5+ CD4 T cells in blood pre-challenge despite a lower frequency of cells with the T follicular helper (Tfh) cell phenotype in blood and lymph nodes. Our results establish novel correlates of immunological control of SIV infection while reinforcing the potential importance of T cell functionality and location in SIVΔNef efficacy. Moreover, this work highlights that triggering of mucosal immunity can aid mucosal vaccine strategies rather than undermine protection.AUTHOR SUMMARYAn efficacious HIV vaccine is essential to contain the HIV pandemic. Vaccine-mediated protection from HIV may be either enhanced or obstructed by mucosal immune activation; thus, the impact of adjuvants and underlying co-infections that lead to immune activation needs to be evaluated. Using the SIV macaque model, we set out to study the impact of underlying infection with HSV-2 or treatment with the adjuvant polyICLC on rectal immunization with the live attenuated vaccine SIVΔNef. We found that neither stimulus impacted complete protection from SIV; however, the combination of HSV-2 and polyICLC improved control of infection in animals that were not completely protected. Compared with non-controller macaques, controllers had less inflammatory T cells before SIV challenge as well as greater gene expression of IFNα and more functional SIV-specific T cells after infection. The results add to our understanding of the mechanisms of SIVΔNef protection and demonstrate that mucosal immune activation does not necessarily undermine protection in mucosal vaccination against HIV.

CD4+ T cells specific for glycoprotein B from cytomegalovirus exhibit extreme conservation of T-cell receptor usage between different individuals

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 2053-2061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Crompton ◽  
Naeem Khan ◽  
Rajiv Khanna ◽  
Laxman Nayak ◽  
Paul A. H. Moss
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Clonal Selection ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Extreme Conservation

Antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells often demonstrate extreme conservation of T-cell receptor (TCR) usage between different individuals, but similar characteristics have not been documented for CD4+ T cells. CD4+ T cells predominantly have a helper immune role, but a cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell subset has been characterized, and we have studied the cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell response to a peptide from human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B presented through HLA-DRB*0701. We show that this peptide elicits a cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell response that averages 3.6% of the total CD4+ T-cell repertoire of cytomegalovirus-seropositive donors. Moreover, CD4+ cytotoxic T-cell clones isolated from different individuals exhibit extensive conservation of TCR usage, which indicates strong T-cell clonal selection for peptide recognition. Remarkably, this TCR sequence was recently reported in more than 50% of cases of CD4+ T-cell large granular lymphocytosis. Immunodominance of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells thus parallels that of CD8+ subsets and suggests that cytotoxic effector function is critical to the development of T-cell clonal selection, possibly from immune competition secondary to lysis of antigen-presenting cells. In addition, these TCR sequences are highly homologous to those observed in HLA-DR7+ patients with CD4+ T-cell large granular lymphocytosis and implicate cytomegalovirus as a likely antigenic stimulus for this disorder.

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