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An urgent need exists to devise strategies to augment antiviral immune responses in patients with HIV who are virologically well controlled and immunologically stable on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The objective of this study was to compare the immunomodulatory effects of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-21 with IL-15 on CD8 T cells in patients with HIV RNA of less than 50 copies/mL and CD4 counts greater than 200 cells/mm.(3) Patient CD8 T cells displayed skewed maturation and decreased perforin expression compared with healthy controls. Culture of freshly isolated patient peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 5 hours to 5 days with IL-21 resulted in up-regulation of perforin in CD8 T cells,including memory and effector subsets and virus-specific T cells. IL-21 did not induce T-cell activation or proliferation,nor did it augment T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced degranulation. Treatment of patient PBMCs with IL-15 resulted in induction of perforin in association with lymphocyte proliferation and augmentation of TCR-induced degranulation. Patient CD8 T cells were more responsive to cytokine effects than the cells of healthy volunteers. We conclude that CD8 T cells of patients with HIV can be modulated by IL-21 to increase perforin expression without undergoing overt cellular activation. IL-21 could potentially be useful for its perforin-enhancing properties in anti-HIV immunotherapy. View Publication

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) plays a critical role in B cell maturation,yet its precise role in B cell differentiation into Ig-secreting cells (ISCs) remains unclear. In this study,we find that upon isolation human naive and memory B (MB) cells have prebound BAFF on their surface,whereas germinal center (GC) B cells lack detectable levels of prebound BAFF. We attribute their lack of prebound BAFF to cell activation,because we demonstrate that stimulation of naive and MB cells results in the loss of prebound BAFF. Furthermore,the absence of prebound BAFF on GC B cells is not related to a lack of BAFF-binding receptors or an inability to bind exogenous BAFF. Instead,our data suggest that accessibility to soluble BAFF is limited within GCs,perhaps to prevent skewing of the conventional B cell differentiation program. In support of this concept,whereas BAFF significantly enhances ISC differentiation in response to T cell-dependent activation,we report for the first time the ability of BAFF to considerably attenuate ISC differentiation of MB cells in response to CpG stimulation,a form of T cell-independent activation. Our data suggest that BAFF may be providing regulatory signals during specific T cell-independent events,which protect the balance between MB cells and ISCs outside GCs. Taken together,these data define a complex role for BAFF in humoral immune responses and show for the first time that BAFF can also play an inhibitory role in B cell differentiation. View Publication

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) results in the dissemination of virus to gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Subsequently,HIV-1 mediates massive depletion of gut CD4+ T cells,which contributes to HIV-1-induced immune dysfunction. The migration of lymphocytes to gut-associated lymphoid tissue is mediated by integrin alpha4beta7. We demonstrate here that the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 bound to an activated form of alpha4beta7. This interaction was mediated by a tripeptide in the V2 loop of gp120,a peptide motif that mimics structures presented by the natural ligands of alpha4beta7. On CD4+ T cells,engagement of alpha4beta7 by gp120 resulted in rapid activation of LFA-1,the central integrin involved in the establishment of virological synapses,which facilitate efficient cell-to-cell spreading of HIV-1. View Publication

Transcripts expressed in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have mechanistic and diagnostic importance in transplantation. We used microarrays to select CTL-associated transcripts (CATs) expressed in human CD4(+) CTL,CD8(+) CTL and NK cells,excluding transcripts expressed in B cells,monocytes and kidney. This generated three transcript sets: CD4(+)-associated,CD8(+)-associated and NK-associated. Surprisingly,many CATs were expressed in effector memory cells e.g. granzyme B/GZMB,interferon-gamma/IFNG. Transcript expression was very similar between CD4(+) and CD8(+) CTL. There were no transcripts highly selective for CD4(+) CTL or CD8(+) CTL: for example,cytotoxic molecule transcripts (perforin,granzymes,granulysin) were shared between CD8(+) CTL and CD4(+) CTL although expression remained higher in CD8(+) CTL. Transcripts that differentiated between CD8(+) CTL and CD4(+) CTL were primarily those shared between CD8(+) CTL and NK cells (e.g. NK receptors KLRC1,KLRC3,KLRD1,KLRK1). No transcripts could differentiate CD4(+) CTL from CD8(+) CTL but NK cell-associated transcripts could differentiate NK cells from CTL. This study serves as a foundation for the interpretation of CATs in rejecting allografts and highlights the extensive sharing of CATs among CD4(+) CTL,CD8(+) CTL and effector memory T cells. View Publication

The CD31(+) subset of human naive CD4(+) T cells is thought to contain the population of cells that have recently emigrated from the thymus,while their CD31(-) counterparts have been proposed to originate from CD31(+) cells after homeostatic cell division. Naive T-cell maintenance is known to involve homeostatic cytokines such as interleukin-7 (IL-7). It remains to be investigated what role this cytokine has in the homeostasis of naive CD4(+) T-cell subsets defined by CD31 expression. We provide evidence that IL-7 exerts a preferential proliferative effect on CD31(+) naive CD4(+) T cells from adult peripheral blood compared with the CD31(-) subset. IL-7-driven proliferation did not result in loss of CD31 expression,suggesting that CD31(+) naive CD4(+) T cells can undergo cytokine-driven homeostatic proliferation while preserving CD31. Furthermore,IL-7 sustained or increased CD31 expression even in nonproliferating cells. Both proliferation and CD31 maintenance were dependent on the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. Taken together,our data suggest that during adulthood CD31(+) naive CD4(+) T cells are maintained by IL-7 and that IL-7-based therapies may exert a preferential effect on this population. View Publication

The lack of natural killer (NK) cell-specific markers,as well as the overlap among several common surface antigens and functional properties,has obscured the delineation between NK cells and dendritic cells. Here,novel subsets of peripheral blood CD3/14/19(neg) NK cells and monocyte/dendritic cell (DC)-like cells were identified on the basis of CD7 and CD4 expression. Coexpression of CD7 and CD56 differentiates NK cells from CD56+ monocyte/DC-like cells,which lack CD7. In contrast to CD7+CD56+ NK cells,CD7(neg)CD56+ cells lack expression of NK cell-associated markers,but share commonalities in their expression of various monocyte/DC-associated markers. Using CD7,we observed approximately 60% of CD4+CD56+ cells were CD7(neg) cells,indicating the actual frequency of activated CD4+ NK cells is much lower in the blood than previously recognized. Functionally,only CD7+ NK cells secrete gamma interferon (IFNgamma) and degranulate after interleukin-12 (IL-12) plus IL-18 or K562 target cell stimulation. Furthermore,using CD7 to separate CD56+ NK cells and CD56+ myeloid cells,we demonstrate that unlike resting CD7+CD56+ NK cells,the CD7(neg)CD56+ myeloid cells stimulate a potent allogeneic response. Our data indicate that CD7 and CD56 coexpression discriminates NK cells from CD7(neg)CD56+ monocyte/DC-like cells,thereby improving our ability to study the intricacies of NK-cell subset phenotypes and functions in vivo. View Publication

Leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is known to be involved in immune reactions leading to allograft rejection. The role of deactivating LFA-1 in this context has not been investigated yet,although it is accepted that regulating LFA-1 activity is essential for T-cell function. Expressing LFA-1 locked in an active state in mice (LFA-1(d/d)) allowed us to investigate the in vivo function of LFA-1 deactivation for allograft rejection in a model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation. We provide in vivo evidence that regulating LFA-1 activity from an active to an inactive state controls antigen-specific priming and proliferation of T cells in response to allogeneic stimuli. Consequently,defective LFA-1 deactivation significantly prolonged cardiac allograft survival. Furthermore,reduced numbers of alloantigen-specific T cells and non-allo-specific innate immune cells within allografts of LFA-1(d/d) recipients indicate that expression of active LFA-1 impairs inflammatory responses involving all major leucocyte subpopulations. Taken together,our in vivo data suggest that LFA-1 deactivation is important for the formation of inflammatory lesions and rejection of cardiac allografts. Thus,the dynamic regulation of LFA-1 activity,rather than the mere presence of LFA-1,appears to contribute to the control of immune reactions inducing allogeneic transplant rejection. View Publication

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Although most novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines are designed for delivery via the muscle or skin for enhanced protection in the lung,it has remained poorly understood whether systemic vaccine-induced memory T cells can readily home to the lung mucosa prior to and shortly after pathogen exposure. We have investigated this issue by using a model of parenteral TB immunization and intravascular immunostaining. We find that systemically induced memory T cells are restricted to the blood vessels in the lung,unable to populate either the lung parenchymal tissue or the airway under homeostatic conditions. We further find that after pulmonary TB infection,it still takes many days before such T cells can enter the lung parenchymal tissue and airway. We have identified the acquisition of CXCR3 expression by circulating T cells to be critical for their entry to these lung mucosal compartments. Our findings offer new insights into mucosal T cell biology and have important implications in vaccine strategies against pulmonary TB and other intracellular infections in the lung. View Publication

Efforts to improve the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies and immune checkpoint therapies in myelogenous leukemia are desired. In this study,we evaluated the antileukemia activity of adoptively transferred polyclonal cancer antigen-reactive T cells deficient in the regulator diacylglycerol kinase zeta (DGKζ) with or without PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. In the C1498 mouse model of myeloid leukemia,we showed that leukemia was eradicated more effectively in DGKζ-deficient (DGKζ-/-) mice than wild-type mice. T cells transferred from DGKζ-deficient mice to wild-type tumor-bearing recipients conferred this benefit. Leukemia clearance was similar to mice treated with anti-PD-L1. Strikingly,we found that the activity of adoptively transferred DGKζ-/- T cells relied partly on induction of sustainable host T-cell immunity. Transferring DGKζ-deficient T cells increased the levels of IFNγ and other cytokines in recipient mice,especially with coadministration of anti-PD-L1. Overall,our results offered evidence that targeting DGKζ may leverage the efficacy of adoptive T-cell and immune checkpoint therapies in leukemia treatment. Furthermore,they suggest that DGKζ targeting might decrease risks of antigen escape or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Cancer Res; 77(20); 5676-86. textcopyright2017 AACR. View Publication

IL2 is an immunostimulatory cytokine for key immune cells including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Systemic IL2 supplementation could enhance NK-mediated immunity in a variety of diseases ranging from neoplasms to viral infection. However,its systemic use is restricted by its serious side effects and limited efficacy due to activation of T regulatory cells (Tregs). IL2 signaling is mediated through interactions with a multi-subunit receptor complex containing IL2Rα,IL2Rβ,and IL2Rγ. Adult natural killer (NK) cells express only IL2Rβ and IL2Rγ subunits and are therefore relatively insensitive to IL2. To overcome these limitations,we created a novel chimeric IL2-IL2Rβ fusion protein of IL2 and its receptor IL2Rβ joined via a peptide linker (CIRB). NK92 cells expressing CIRB (NK92CIRB) were highly activated and expanded indefinitely without exogenous IL2. When compared with an IL2-secreting NK92 cell line,NK92CIRB were more activated,cytotoxic,and resistant to growth inhibition. Direct contact with cancer cells enhanced the cytotoxic character of NK92CIRB cells,which displayed superior in vivo antitumor effects in mice. Overall,our results showed how tethering IL2 to its receptor IL2Rβ eliminates the need for IL2Rα and IL2Rβ,offering a new tool to selectively activate and empower immune therapy. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5938-51. textcopyright2017 AACR. View Publication

Fatty acid (FA) metabolism directly influences the functional capabilities of T cells in tumor microenvironments. Thus,developing tools to interrogate FA-uptake by T cell subsets is important for understanding tumor immunosuppression. Herein,we have generated a novel FA-Qdot 605 dye conjugate with superior sensitivity and flexibility to any of the previously commercially available alternatives. For the first time,we demonstrate that this nanoparticle can be used as a specific measure of fatty acid uptake by T cells both in-vitro and in-vivo. Flow cytometric analysis shows that both the location and activation status of T cells determines their FA uptake. Additionally,CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) uptake FA at a higher rate than effector T cell subsets,supporting the role of FA metabolism for Treg function. Furthermore,we are able to simultaneously detect glucose and fatty acid uptake directly within the tumor microenvironment. Cumulatively,our results suggest that this novel fluorescent probe is a powerful tool to understand FA utilization within the tumor,thereby providing an unprecedented opportunity to study T cell FA metabolism in-vivo. View Publication