Scientific Resources

T-bet is essential for natural regulatory T cells (nTreg) to regulate Th1 inflammation,but whether T-bet controls other Treg functions after entering the inflammatory site is unknown. In an islet allograft model,T-bet(-/-) nTreg,but not induced Treg,failed to prolong graft survival as effectively as wild-type Treg. T-bet(-/-) nTreg had no functional deficiency in vitro but failed to home from the graft to draining lymph nodes (dLN) as efficiently as wild type. T-bet regulated expression of adhesion- and migration-related molecules,influencing nTreg distribution in tissues,so that T-bet(-/-) nTreg remained in the grafts rather than migrating to lymphatics and dLN. In contrast,both wild-type and T-bet(-/-) CD4(+) conventional T cells and induced Treg migrated normally toward afferent lymphatics. T-bet(-/-) nTreg displayed instability in the graft,failing to suppress Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells and prevent their infiltration into the graft and dLN. Thus,T-bet regulates nTreg migration into afferent lymphatics and dLN and consequently their suppressive stability in vivo. View Publication

The youngest peripheral T cells (recent thymic emigrants [RTEs]) are functionally distinct from naive T cells that have completed postthymic maturation. We assessed the RTE memory response and found that RTEs produced less granzyme B than their mature counterparts during infection but proliferated more and,therefore,generated equivalent target killing in vivo. Postinfection,RTE numbers contracted less dramatically than those of mature T cells,but RTEs were delayed in their transition to central memory,displaying impaired expression of CD62L,IL-2,Eomesodermin,and CXCR4,which resulted in impaired bone marrow localization. RTE-derived and mature memory cells expanded equivalently during rechallenge,indicating that the robust proliferative capacity of RTEs was maintained independently of central memory phenotype. Thus,the diminished effector function and delayed central memory differentiation of RTE-derived memory cells are counterbalanced by their increased proliferative capacity,driving the efficacy of the RTE response to that of mature T cells. View Publication

Heterologous immunity is recognized as a significant barrier to transplant tolerance. Whereas it has been established that pathogen-elicited memory T cells can have high or low affinity for cross-reactive allogeneic peptide-MHC,the role of TCR affinity during heterologous immunity has not been explored. We established a model with which to investigate the impact of TCR-priming affinity on memory T cell populations following a graft rechallenge. In contrast to high-affinity priming,low-affinity priming elicited fully differentiated memory T cells with a CD45RB(hi) status. High CD45RB status enabled robust secondary responses in vivo,as demonstrated by faster graft rejection kinetics and greater proliferative responses. CD45RB blockade prolonged graft survival in low affinity-primed mice,but not in high affinity-primed mice. Mechanistically,low affinity-primed memory CD8(+) T cells produced more IL-2 and significantly upregulated IL-2Rα expression during rechallenge. We found that CD45RB(hi) status was also a stable marker of priming affinity within polyclonal CD8(+) T cell populations. Following high-affinity rechallenge,low affinity-primed CD45RB(hi) cells became CD45RB(lo),demonstrating that CD45RB status acts as an affinity-based differentiation switch on CD8(+) T cells. Thus,these data establish a novel mechanism by which CD45 isoforms tune low affinity-primed memory CD8(+) T cells to become potent secondary effectors following heterologous rechallenge. These findings have direct implications for allogeneic heterologous immunity by demonstrating that despite a lower precursor frequency,low-affinity priming is sufficient to generate memory cells that mediate potent secondary responses against a cross-reactive graft challenge. View Publication

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypical autoimmune disease that is among the few for which the target Ag and the pathogenic autoantibodies are clearly defined. The pathology of the disease is affected by autoantibodies directed toward the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Mature,Ag-experienced B cells rely on the action of Th cells to produce these pathogenic Abs. The phenotype of the MG Ag-reactive T cell compartment is not well defined; thus,we sought to determine whether such cells exhibit both a proinflammatory and a pathogenic phenotype. A novel T cell library assay that affords multiparameter interrogation of rare Ag-reactive CD4(+) T cells was applied. Proliferation and cytokine production in response to both AChR and control Ags were measured from 3120 T cell libraries derived from 11 MG patients and paired healthy control subjects. The frequency of CCR6(+) memory T cells from MG patients proliferating in response to AChR-derived peptides was significantly higher than that of healthy control subjects. Production of both IFN-γ and IL-17,in response to AChR,was also restricted to the CCR6(+) memory T cell compartment in the MG cohort,indicating a proinflammatory phenotype. These T cells also included an elevated expression of GM-CSF and absence of IL-10 expression,indicating a proinflammatory and pathogenic phenotype. This component of the autoimmune response in MG is of particular importance when considering the durability of MG treatment strategies that eliminate B cells,because the autoreactive T cells could renew autoimmunity in the reconstituted B cell compartment with ensuing clinical manifestations. View Publication

Upon infection,antigen-specific naive CD8 T cells are activated and differentiate into short-lived effector cells (SLECs) and memory precursor cells (MPECs). The underlying signaling pathways remain largely unresolved. We show that Rictor,the core component of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2),regulates SLEC and MPEC commitment. Rictor deficiency favors memory formation and increases IL-2 secretion capacity without dampening effector functions. Moreover,mTORC2-deficient memory T cells mount more potent recall responses. Enhanced memory formation in the absence of mTORC2 was associated with Eomes and Tcf-1 upregulation,repression of T-bet,enhanced mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity,and fatty acid oxidation. This transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming is mainly driven by nuclear stabilization of Foxo1. Silencing of Foxo1 reversed the increased MPEC differentiation and IL-2 production and led to an impaired recall response of Rictor KO memory T cells. Therefore,mTORC2 is a critical regulator of CD8 T cell differentiation and may be an important target for immunotherapy interventions. View Publication

Strategies to prevent organ transplant rejection whilst minimizing long-term immunosuppression are currently under intense investigation with regulatory T cells (Tregs) nearing clinical application. The clinical trial,ThRIL,recently commenced at King's College London,proposes to use Treg cell therapy to induce tolerance in liver transplant recipients,the success of which has the potential to revolutionize the management of these patients and enable a future of drug-free transplants. This is the first report of the manufacture of clinical grade Tregs from prospective liver transplant recipients via a CliniMACS-based GMP isolation technique and expanded using anti-CD3/CD28 beads,IL-2 and rapamycin. We report the enrichment of a pure,stable population of Tregs (textgreater95% CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)),reaching adequate numbers for their clinical application. Our protocol proved successful in,influencing the expansion of superior functional Tregs,as compared to freshly isolated cells,whilst also preventing their conversion to Th17 cells under pro-inflammatory conditions. We conclude with the manufacture of the final Treg product in the clinical research facility (CRF),a prerequisite for the clinical application of these cells. The data presented in this manuscript together with the much-anticipated clinical results from ThRIL,will undoubtedly inform the improved management of the liver transplant recipient. View Publication

The differentiation of effector CD8(+) T cells is a dynamically regulated process that varies during different infections and is influenced by the inflammatory milieu of the host. In this study,we define three signals regulating CD8(+) T cell responses during tuberculosis by focusing on cytokines known to affect disease outcome: IL-12,type I IFN,and IL-27. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras,we compared wild-type and cytokine receptor knockout CD8(+) T cells within the same mouse following aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Four weeks postinfection,IL-12,type 1 IFN,and IL-27 were all required for efficient CD8(+) T cell expansion in the lungs. We next determined if these cytokines directly promote CD8(+) T cell priming or are required only for expansion in the lungs. Using retrogenic CD8(+) T cells specific for the M. tuberculosis Ag TB10.4 (EsxH),we observed that IL-12 is the dominant cytokine driving both CD8(+) T cell priming in the lymph node and expansion in the lungs; however,type I IFN and IL-27 have nonredundant roles supporting pulmonary CD8(+) T cell expansion. Thus,IL-12 is a major signal promoting priming in the lymph node,but a multitude of inflammatory signals converge in the lung to promote continued expansion. Furthermore,these cytokines regulate the differentiation and function of CD8(+) T cells during tuberculosis. These data demonstrate distinct and overlapping roles for each of the cytokines examined and underscore the complexity of CD8(+) T cell regulation during tuberculosis. View Publication

The p110δ isoform of PI3K is known to play an important role in immunity,yet its contribution to CTL responses has not been fully elucidated. Using murine p110δ-deficient CD8(+) T cells,we demonstrated a critical role for the p110δ subunit in the generation of optimal primary and memory CD8(+) T cell responses. This was demonstrated in both acute viral and intracellular bacterial infections in mice. We show that p110δ signaling is required for CD8(+) T cell activation,proliferation and effector cytokine production. We provide evidence that the effects of p110δ signaling are mediated via Akt activation and through the regulation of TCR-activated oxidative phosphorylation and aerobic glycolysis. In light of recent clinical trials that employ drugs targeting p110δ in certain cancers and other diseases,our study suggests caution in using these drugs in patients,as they could potentially increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. These studies therefore reveal a novel and direct role for p110δ signaling in in vivo CD8(+) T cell immunity to microbial pathogens. View Publication

Canonically,immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediates allergic immune responses by triggering mast cells and basophils to release histamine and type 2 helper cytokines. Here we found that in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),IgE antibodies specific for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs),a type of cell of the immune system linked to viral defense,which led to the secretion of substantial amounts of interferon-α (IFN-α). The concentration of dsDNA-specific IgE found in patient serum correlated with disease severity and greatly potentiated pDC function by triggering phagocytosis via the high-affinity FcɛRI receptor for IgE,followed by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-mediated sensing of DNA in phagosomes. Our findings expand the known pathogenic mechanisms of IgE-mediated inflammation beyond those found in allergy and demonstrate that IgE can trigger interferon responses capable of exacerbating self-destructive autoimmune responses. View Publication

T cells reactive to β cell Ags are critical players in the development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Using a panel of diabetogenic CD4 T cell clones derived from the NOD mouse,we recently identified the β cell secretory granule protein,chromogranin A (ChgA),as a new autoantigen in type 1 diabetes. CD4 T cells reactive to ChgA are pathogenic and rapidly transfer diabetes into young NOD recipients. We report in this article that NOD.ChgA(-/-) mice do not develop diabetes and show little evidence of autoimmunity in the pancreatic islets. Using tetramer analysis,we demonstrate that ChgA-reactive T cells are present in these mice but remain naive. In contrast,in NOD.ChgA(+/+) mice,a majority of the ChgA-reactive T cells are Ag experienced. Our results suggest that the presence of ChgA and subsequent activation of ChgA-reactive T cells are essential for the initiation and development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. View Publication

Immunotherapy treatments for cancer are becoming increasingly successful,however to further improve our understanding of the T-cell recognition involved in effective responses and to encourage moves towards the development of personalised treatments for leukaemia immunotherapy,precise antigenic targets in individual patients have been identified. Cellular arrays using peptide-MHC (pMHC) tetramers allow the simultaneous detection of different antigen specific T-cell populations naturally circulating in patients and normal donors. We have developed the pMHC array to detect CD8+ T-cell populations in leukaemia patients that recognise epitopes within viral antigens (cytomegalovirus (CMV) and influenza (Flu)) and leukaemia antigens (including Per Arnt Sim domain 1 (PASD1),MelanA,Wilms' Tumour (WT1) and tyrosinase). We show that the pMHC array is at least as sensitive as flow cytometry and has the potential to rapidly identify more than 40 specific T-cell populations in a small sample of T-cells (0.8-1.4 x 10(6)). Fourteen of the twenty-six acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients analysed had T cells that recognised tumour antigen epitopes,and eight of these recognised PASD1 epitopes. Other tumour epitopes recognised were MelanA (n = 3),tyrosinase (n = 3) and WT1(126-134) (n = 1). One of the seven acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) patients analysed had T cells that recognised the MUC1(950-958) epitope. In the future the pMHC array may be used provide point of care T-cell analyses,predict patient response to conventional therapy and direct personalised immunotherapy for patients. View Publication

T-cell genome engineering holds great promise for cell-based therapies for cancer,HIV,primary immune deficiencies,and autoimmune diseases,but genetic manipulation of human T cells has been challenging. Improved tools are needed to efficiently knock out" genes and "knock in" targeted genome modifications to modulate T-cell function and correct disease-associated mutations. CRISPR/Cas9 technology is facilitating genome engineering in many cell types� View Publication