0000000000062112
AUTHOR
Edith Graulich
Interferon-α Suppresses cAMP to Disarm Human Regulatory T Cells
Abstract IFN-α is an antineoplastic agent in the treatment of several solid and hematologic malignancies that exerts strong immune- and autoimmune-stimulating activity. However, the mechanisms of immune activation by IFN-α remain incompletely understood, particularly with regard to CD4+CD25highFoxp+ regulatory T cells (Treg). Here, we show that IFN-α deactivates the suppressive function of human Treg by downregulating their intracellular cAMP level. IFN-α–mediated Treg inactivation increased CD4+ effector T-cell activation and natural killer cell tumor cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, repression of cAMP in Treg was caused by IFN-α–induced MAP–ERK kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated ki…
Suppressor activity of anergic T cells induced by IL-10-treated human dendritic cells: association with IL-2- and CTLA-4-dependent G1 arrest of the cell cycle regulated by p27Kip1.
We have previously shown that human IL-10-treated dendritic cells (DC) induce an antigen-specific anergy in CD4+ T lymphocytes. These anergic T cells are characterized by an inhibited proliferation, a reduced production of IL-2, and additionally display antigen-specific suppressor activity. In this study we investigated the mechanisms underlying the anergic state and regulatory function of these T cells. We did not observe enhanced rates of programmed cell death of anergic CD4+ suppressor T cells compared to T cells stimulated with mature DC. Cell cycle analysis by DNA staining and Western blot experiments revealed an arrest of anergic CD4+ T suppressor cells in the G1 phase. High levels of…
IL-10-Modulated Human Dendritic Cells for Clinical Use: Identification of a Stable and Migratory Subset with Improved Tolerogenic Activity.
Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of protective immune responses and tolerance to (self-)Ags. Therefore, the scientific rationale for the use of tolerogenic DC therapy in the fields of allergies, autoimmunity, and transplantation medicine is strong. In this study, we analyzed the tolerogenic capacity of IL-10–modulated DC (IL-10DC) subpopulations to identify a DC subset that combines potent immunosuppressive activities with valuable immune properties for clinical implementation. IL-10DCs consist of two phenotypically distinct subpopulations: CD83highCCR7+ IL-10DCs and CD83lowCCR7− IL-10DCs. Suppressor assays with activated effector T cells revealed that CD4+ regulatory T cel…
CD4(+) and CD8(+) anergic T cells induced by interleukin-10-treated human dendritic cells display antigen-specific suppressor activity.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10)–treated dendritic cells (DCs) induce an alloantigen- or peptide-specific anergy in various CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations. In the present study, we analyzed whether these anergic T cells are able to regulate antigen-specific immunity. Coculture experiments revealed that alloantigen-specific anergic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells suppressed proliferation of syngeneic T cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same effect was observed when the hemagglutinin-specific CD4+T-cell clone HA1.7 or tyrosinase-specific CD8+ T cells were cocultured with anergic T cells of the same specificity. Anergic T cells did not induce an antigen-independent bystander inhibition. Suppression was depe…
Cor a 1–reactive T cells and IgE are predominantly cross-reactive to Bet v 1 in patients with birch pollen–associated food allergy to hazelnut
Background IgE- and T-cell cross-reactivity contribute to the birch pollen–food syndrome. Objectives We performed a comprehensive analysis of T-cell cross-reactivity in primary cell cultures, facilitating the identification of allergen-specific T-cell subpopulations from individual patients. Methods Patients with birch pollen allergy and associated food allergy to hazelnuts, carrots, or both were analyzed for IgE cross-reactivity, T-cell responses, and T-cell cross-reactivity to recombinant Bet v 1.0101 (Bet v 1; birch), Cor a 1.0401 (Cor a 1; hazelnut), and Dau c 1.0104 (Dau c 1; carrot). A novel flow cytometry–based method using a 2-step staining process with fluorescent dyes was establis…
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase modulates maturation of human dendritic cells.
AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent APCs of the immune system. Understanding the intercellular and intracellular signaling processes that lead to DC maturation is critical for determining how these cells initiate T cell-mediated immune processes. NO synthesized by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is important for the function of murine DCs. In our study, we investigated the regulation of the arginine/NO-system in human monocyte-derived DCs. Maturation of DCs induced by inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF, IL-6, and PGE2) resulted in a pronounced expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) but only minimal levels of iNOS and endothelial NOS were detected in human mature DCs. In addition, …
Interferon-α Abrogates Tolerance Induction by Human Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells
Background Administration of interferon-α (IFN-α) represents an approved adjuvant therapy as reported for malignancies like melanoma and several viral infections. In malignant diseases, tolerance processes are critically involved in tumor progression. In this study, the effect of IFN-α on tolerance induction by human tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) was analyzed. We focussed on tolerogenic IL-10-modulated DC (IL-10 DC) that are known to induce anergic regulatory T cells (iTregs). Methodology/Principal Findings IFN-α promoted an enhanced maturation of IL-10 DC as demonstrated by upregulation of the differentiation marker CD83 as well as costimulatory molecules. IFN-α treatment resulted in an…
Activation of MAP kinase p38 is critical for the cell-cycle–controlled suppressor function of regulatory T cells
AbstractRegulatory T cells play an essential role in the control of self-tolerance and processes of adaptive immunity. Tolerogenic IL-10–modulated human dendritic cells (IL-10DCs) induce anergic T cells with strong suppressive properties (iTregs) that inhibit the activation of effector T cells. In this study, we evaluated the interaction between cell-cycle regulation and intracellular signaling in these iTregs. Analysis of signal transduction events revealed a down-regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and a nonactivation of extracellular-signal–regulated kinase (ERK) in contrast to a marked activation of p38 MAPK and the p38 effector MAPK-a…