MAIT cells detect and efficiently lyse bacterially-infected epithelial cells.

Mucosal associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are innate T lymphocytes that detect a large variety of bacteria and yeasts. This recognition depends on the detection of microbial compounds presented by the evolutionarily conserved major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class I molecule, MR1. Here we show that MAIT cells display cytotoxic activity towards MR1 overexpressing non-hematopoietic cells cocultured with bacteria. The NK receptor, CD161, highly expressed by MAIT cells, modulated the cytokine but not the cytotoxic response triggered by bacteria infected cells. MAIT cells are also activated by and kill epithelial cells expressing endogenous levels of MRI after infection with the invasive bacteria Shigella flexneri. In contrast, MAIT cells were not activated by epithelial cells infected by Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Finally, MAIT cells are activated in human volunteers receiving an attenuated strain of Shigella dysenteriae-1 tested as a potential vaccine. Thus, in humans, MAIT cells are the most abundant T cell subset able to detect and kill bacteria infected cells.

MR1B, a natural spliced isoform of the MHC-related 1 protein, is expressed as homodimers at the cell surface and activates MAIT cells.

The MHC-related 1 (MR1) protein is a monomorphic, evolutionarily conserved MHC class I-like molecule, which is necessary for the development and functions of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a new subset of innate-like lymphocytes. Multiple isoforms of the MR1 gene are naturally transcribed, but only the full-length MR1A has been analyzed so far. Using transfected cell lines expressing an alternative spliced transcript, MR1B, characterized by the absence of the α3 extracellular domain, we show that MR1B is transcribed and glycosylated but remains in an immature (endoglycosidase H-sensitive) state. MR1B mostly accumulates in the ER, without interacting with proteins of the peptide-loading complex such as tapasin. Interestingly, it is nevertheless found expressed at the cell surface, independently of ß2-microglobulin, in a homodimeric form. MR1B is functional as its overexpression induces MAIT cell activation in vitro in the presence of bacteria. Altogether, these data show that MR1B displays several remarkable features, and probably plays a physiological role complementary to MR1A with respect to MAIT cell development and/or function.

PD-L2 is expressed on activated human T cells and regulates their function.

T-cell activation and proliferation are regulated by cosignaling adhesion molecules involved in positive or negative signals. Programmed death (PD)-1 is one of immune inhibitory molecules that is expressed in activated T cells and is a promising target for immunotherapy. Both PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2 are expressed on antigen presenting cells (APCs) involved in the dialogue between a T cell and an APC. Here, we analysed the expression of these ligands, especially for PD-L2, on T cells. PD-L2 appears to be expressed on activated CD4 and CD8T cell subsets. Moreover, as PD-1 molecule, PD-L2 engagement at the surface of T cells is able to down-modulate cytokine production and cell proliferation. These observations indicate that PD-L2 is expressed following activation and is involved in the regulation of T cell function, highlighting the level of complexity in the T cell cosignaling network.

Human MAIT cells are xenobiotic-resistant, tissue-targeted, CD161hi IL-17-secreting T cells.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are very abundant in humans and have antimicrobial specificity, but their functions remain unclear. MAIT cells are CD161(hi)IL-18Rα(+) and either CD4(-)CD8(-) (DN) or CD8αß(int) T cells. We now show that they display an effector-memory phenotype (CD45RA(-)CD45RO(+)CD95(hi)CD62L(lo)), and their chemokine receptor expression pattern (CCR9(int)CCR7(-)CCR5(hi)CXCR6(hi)CCR6(hi)) indicates preferential homing to tissues and particularly the intestine and the liver. MAIT cells can represent up to 45% of the liver lymphocytes. They produce interferon-γ and Granzyme-B as well as high levels of interleukin-17 after phorbol myristate acetate + ionomycin stimulation. Most MAIT cells are noncycling cells (< 1% are Ki-67(+)) and express the multidrug resistance transporter (ABCB1). As expected from this phenotype, MAIT cells are more resistant to chemotherapy than other T-cell populations. These features might also allow MAIT cells to resist the xenobiotics potentially secreted by the gut bacteria. We also show that this population does not appear to have antiviral specificity and that CD8 MAIT cells include almost all the ABCB1(+)CD161(hi) CD8 T cells. Together with their already known abundance and antimicrobial specificity, the gut-liver homing characteristics, high expression of ABCB1, and ability to secrete interleukin-17 probably participate in the antibacterial properties of MAIT cells.

B and T lymphocyte attenuator is highly expressed on CMV-specific T cells during infection and regulates their function.

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), like its relative programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), is a receptor that negatively regulates murine T cell activation. However, its expression and function on human T cells is currently unknown. We report in this study on the expression of BTLA in human T cell subsets as well as its regulation on virus-specific T cells during primary human CMV infection. BTLA is expressed on human CD4(+) T cells during different stages of differentiation, whereas on CD8(+) T cells, it is found on naive T cells and is progressively downregulated in memory and differentiated effector-type cells. During primary CMV infection, BTLA was highly induced on CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells immediately following their differentiation from naive cells. After control of CMV infection, BTLA expression went down on memory CD8(+) cells. Engagement of BTLA by mAbs blocked CD3/CD28-mediated T cell proliferation and Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion. Finally, in vitro blockade of the BTLA pathway augmented, as efficient as anti-PD-1 mAbs, allogeneic as well as CMV-specific CD8(+) T cell proliferation. Thus, our results suggest that, like PD-1, BTLA provides a potential target for enhancing the functional capacity of CTLs in viral infections.

PD-L1 and PD-L2 differ in their molecular mechanisms of interaction with PD-1.

The programmed death-1 (PD-1) molecule is involved in peripheral tolerance and in the immune escape mechanisms during chronic viral infections and cancer. PD-1 interacts with two ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms of PD-1 interactions with its ligands by surface plasmon resonance and cell surface binding as well as the ability of the two ligands to compete for PD-1 binding. PD-L1 and PD-L2 bound PD-1 with comparable affinities, but striking differences were observed at the level of the association and dissociation characteristics. PD-L1, but not PD-L2, had a delayed interaction reminiscent of a phenomenon of conformational transition. These mechanisms were confirmed by using PD-L1 mAbs that delayed the dissociation of PD-L1 from PD-1. This mechanism was not restricted to PD-1 binding since PD-L1 behaved in a similar manner with its second ligand, CD80. Finally, we could demonstrate that PD-L1 and PD-L2 competed for PD-1 binding and conversely, an antagonist PD-1 mAb blocked both PD-L1 and PD-L2 binding to PD-1 and strongly enhanced T-cell proliferation. These data further emphasize the differential molecular mechanisms of interaction of PD-L1 and PD-L2 with PD-1, and suggest possible new approach for the therapy of chronic infection, cancer and transplantation.

Programmed death 1 is a marker of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) is a lymphoid receptor that negatively regulates immune responses. PD-1 expression was recently reported in some T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes, but the expression profile of PD-1 and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) in B-NHLs remains largely to be characterized. To investigate this issue, monoclonal antibodies against PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 were generated by immunization of balb-c mice. A series of 161 lymphoma tissue and 11 blood samples was analyzed using either immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry. In reactive lymph nodes, PD-1 was mainly expressed in follicular T cells. In B-NHLs, PD-1 was mainly expressed in reactive T cells; but expression was also noted in neoplastic B cells from small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL, 12/13), grade III follicular lymphoma (3/3), and diffuse large cell lymphoma (2/25). In contrast, neoplastic B cells from mantle cell lymphoma (0/11), marginal zone lymphoma (0/12), Burkitt lymphoma (0/3), and grade 1 to 2 follicular lymphoma (0/40) were PD-1 negative. PD-L1 and PD-L2 were negative in small B-cell lymphomas, including B-SLL. Flow cytometry showed that blood cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) also displayed PD-1 expression, which could be increased by CD40 stimulation. PD-1 expression in T-NHLs was restricted to the angioimmunoblastic subtype (8/8). These results show that PD-1 expression among B-NHLs is mainly associated with SLL/CLL and is influenced by activation of the CD40/CD40L pathway. Because the anti-PD-1.6.4 antibody works on paraffin sections, it represents a useful tool to differentiate SLL/CLL from other small B-cell lymphomas.