Interleukin-1 and B7/CD28 interaction regulate interleukin-6 production by human T cells.

Production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by the Th2 subset of murine T cells supposedly contributes to regulation of humoral immunity. Little information exists on IL-6 production by human T cells. We examined the requirements for IL-6 production by purified human blood T cells, completely depleted of IL-6-producing monocyte-accessory cells. Immobilized anti-CD3 mAb alone (coated on the culture wells) was unable to induce IL-6 production, although it could induce production of IL-2 and TNF-alpha. Addition of rIL-1 beta as an accessory signal to anti-CD3-stimulated human T cells induced IL-6 mRNA expression and protein secretion, while IL-2, IL-4, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha did not have any effect. In the presence of IL-1 beta, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were able to produce IL-6. We also demonstrated that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or triggering of the CD28 molecule is an effective helper signal for IL-6 production by anti-CD3-stimulated T cells. Efficient CD28 ligation was done either by anti-CD28 mAb or by binding to its natural ligand B7/BB1, presented on the 3T6 mouse fibroblast cell line coexpressing transfected human Fc gamma RII (CD32) (to immobilize anti-CD3) and B7/BB1. Finally, we found that combinations of IL-1 beta with anti-CD28 mAb or PMA with anti-CD28 mAb were highly synergistic helper signals for IL-6 production. We conclude that IL-6 production by T cells is not induced by T cell receptor triggering alone, but different intracellular signaling pathways activated by IL-1 beta, CD28 ligation, or PMA efficiently coinduce IL-6 production.

Ligation of the CD5 or CD28 molecules on resting human T cells induces expression of the early activation antigen CD69 by a calcium- and tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism.

The CD5 and CD28 molecules on T lymphocytes can each exert an accessory role in T-cell activation. Ligands for CD5 and CD28 have been identified as CD72 and B7/BB1 respectively. The function of, and the signal transduction pathways coupled to CD28 have been the subject of extensive studies. In contrast, it is still debated whether CD5 functions as a receptor which directly transduces an independent signal to the T cell. In this paper, it is reported that culture of purified T cells in the presence of either immobilized anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (OKT1, Leu-1 or 10.2) or cross-linked anti-CD28 (9.3) mAb (but not of anti-LFA-1 alpha, anti-LFA-1 beta, or anti-CD7) induces expression of CD69, an early activation marker, in the absence of other activating stimuli. CD69 expression was consistently detectable after 3-24 hr on 20-50% of T cells, within both the CD4 and CD8 subsets. CD45RO- CD45RA+ naive T cells were more responsive than CD45RO+ CD45RA- memory T cells. In the presence of recombinant (r) interleukin-2 (IL-2), anti-CD5- or anti-CD28- induced CD69 expression was further up-regulated, more sustained and, as previously shown, succeeded by IL-2 responsiveness. Simultaneous cross-linking of both CD5 and CD28 enhanced CD69 expression above the levels obtained with optimal amounts of both ligands separately. In the presence of a submitogenic dose of the protein kinase C (PKC) activating agent phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), co-stimulation with anti-CD5 or anti-CD28 increased CD69 expression above that induced by PMA alone. Cross-linking of CD5 or CD28 induces an early rise of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+)]i) and both this rise and CD69 expression were inhibited by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-aminoethyl)-tetraacetate (EGTA). Pretreatment of the cells with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A also blocked CD69 expression. The data thus antigen-independent fashion. Moreover it is demonstrated that influx of Ca2+ and tyrosine kinase activity are involved in the signal transduction pathways of both receptors.

Changes in IgG Fc receptor expression induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment of THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells.

We studied changes in the three types of Fc gamma receptor (FcR) on the THP-1 human monocytic leukemia cells, after incubation with the phorbol ester, PMA, which has been shown to alter the expression of several genes in these cells. THP-1 cells constitutively express FcRI and FcRII, and PMA down-regulated the expression of both FcRI and FcRII. The FcRIII expression was not detected on either untreated or PMA-treated cells. Addition of PMA to THP-1 cells also resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of CD4 expression, as well as in an increased expression of activation-associated antigens. PMA treatment was followed by a progressive decrease in the steady state level of FcRI mRNA, while FcRII mRNA levels did not change, pointing to different regulatory mechanisms at the pre- and post-transcriptional level respectively. The FcRIII mRNA was undetectable. In order to further delineate the mechanism by which PMA induces alterations in FcR expression, we treated cells with stimulators of protein kinase C, of Ca2+ calmodulin-dependent kinase, and of protein kinase A. Since stimulation of none of these second messenger systems induced similar alterations in FcR expression as PMA we next tested the effects of PMA on differentiation and arrest of proliferation. The changes in FcR only occurred at PMA concentrations capable of inducing cell adherence and an arrest of proliferation, and showed a relatively slow time pattern. This suggested that the alterations in FcR expression may be linked to partial differentiation into a more macrophage-like cell. The changes in FcR expression could furthermore be reproduced by 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, another agent capable of differenting monocytes. In conclusion, PMA treatment of THP-1 cells decreases FcRI gene transcription and membrane expression and reduces membrane expression of FcRII. Both changes might be linked with an arrest of cell growth and induction of differentiation.

Differences in the stimulating capacity of immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies: variable dependence on interleukin-1 as a helper signal for T-cell activation.

Monoclonal antibodies to the CD3 antigen on human T lymphocytes have been shown to induce accessory cell-dependent T-cell activation. One function of the accessory cells is cross-linking of CD3 by Fc receptor-binding of the anti-CD3 antibodies. Whether additional accessory signals are still required when anti-CD3 is presented in immobilized form is controversial. In the present study we stimulated purified human T cells with several anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, which were immobilized by coating the culture wells with goat anti-mouse IgG. A first group of immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies (anti-Leu-4, UCHT1, anti-T3, WT32 and 64.1) induced vigorous T-cell proliferation in the complete absence of monocytes, even when anti-interleukin-1 beta antiserum was added to the cultures. Other immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies (OKT3, WT31) required interleukin-1 beta in order to induce T-cell proliferation. However, when OKT3 was immobilized by direct coating of the culture wells with OKT3, it was also able to induce accessory cell-independent production of interleukin-2 and T-cell proliferation. Interleukin-1 beta further enhanced the interleukin-2-dependent proliferative response and it could provide help to induce proliferation at doses of immobilized OKT3 which, by themselves, were insufficient for full T-cell activation. We conclude that the requirement for interleukin-1 beta to induce interleukin-2-dependent proliferation of T cells when stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies is not absolute, but depends on the CD3 epitope recognized, on the way of antibody presentation, on the antibody concentration and on other, still undefined, characteristics of the monoclonal antibodies used.

The anti-T cell monoclonal antibody 9.3 (anti-CD28) provides a helper signal and bypasses the need for accessory cells in T cell activation with immobilized anti-CD3 and mitogens.

CD28 is an antigen of 44 kDa which is expressed on the membrane of the majority of human T cells. The present study examines the functional effects of an anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb 9.3) on T cell activation induced with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb OKT3 or with mitogens, in the absence of accessory cells. To this end, we used blood resting T cells that were completely depleted of accessory cells (monocytes, B cells, and natural killer cells), and consequently did not respond to recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2), to immobilized OKT3, to PHA, or to Con A. Addition of mAb 9.3 to the cultures enhanced IL-2 receptor expression (Tac antigen) on PHA- or immobilized OKT3-stimulated T cells and induced IL-2 receptors on Con A-stimulated T cells. Moreover, addition of mAb 9.3 to cultures of T cells stimulated with PHA, Con A, or immobilized OKT3 resulted in IL-2 production. Soluble mAb 9.3 was a sufficient helper signal for T cell proliferation in response to PHA or immobilized OKT3. Crosslinking of mAb 9.3 by culture on anti-mouse IgG-coated plates enhanced the helper effect and was an essential requirement for the induction of T cell proliferation in response to Con A. No other anti-T cell mAb (anti-CD2, -CD4, -CD5, -CD7, -CD8) was found to provide a complete accessory signal for PHA or Con A stimulation of purified T cells. T cell proliferation induced by the combination of PHA and mAb 9.3 was strongly inhibited by the anti-IL-2 receptor mAb anti-Tac. In conclusion, mAb 9.3 can provide a signal bypassing monocyte requirement in T cell activation with immobilized OKT3, PHA, and Con A, resulting in an autocrine IL-2-dependent pathway of proliferation.

Human T cell activation induced by a monoclonal mouse IgG3 anti-CD3 antibody (RIV9) requires binding of the Fc part of the antibody to the monocytic 72-kDa high-affinity Fc receptor (FcRI).

The mitogenic activity of anti-CD3 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) depends on the ability of the mAb to interact with CD3 molecules on the T cells, and with Fc receptors (FcR) on monocytes. Two types of FcR with distinct specificity for murine (m) IgG subclasses are involved: a 72-kDa receptor (FcRI) binds mIgG2a and a 40-kDa receptor (FcRII) binds mIgG1. In this study we examined the mitogenic activity of mIgG3 anti-CD3 mAb RIV9. In cultures of human PBMC, the mAb induced T cell proliferation and interleukin 2 production. We found that subjects, unresponsive to mIgG2a anti-CD3 (e.g., OKT3), were also RIV9 nonresponders. In contrast, nonresponders to mIgG1 anti-CD3 (e.g., anti-Leu4) had a normal response to RIV9. Our results therefore suggested that anti-CD3 mAb of the mIgG2a and mIgG3 subclass bind to the same monocytic FcR. Human monomeric IgG, which has been shown to bind to FcRI only, blocked T cell proliferation induced by mIgG2a and mIgG3 anti-CD3, but had no effect on T cell proliferation induced by mIgG1 anti-CD3. In contrast, a mAb (IV.3) to FcRII, which blocks ligand binding of the receptor, blocked the mitogenic activity of mIgG1 anti-CD3 antibodies, but had no effect on T cell proliferation induced by mIgG3 anti-CD3 or by mIgG2a anti-CD3. Binding of RIV9 to FcR of responder monocytes could be demonstrated in immunofluorescence. Monocytes from the RIV9 nonresponder subjects however were unable to bind the Fc portion of this antibody. The binding of fluorescein (FITC)-conjugated mIgG3 or FITC-conjugated mIgG2a to responder monocytes could be inhibited by human monomeric IgG and by mIgG2a and mIgG3, but not by the mAb to FcRII. The results demonstrate that mIgG3 binds to FcRI on human monocytes and that this binding is needed for the mitogenic activity of mIgG3 anti-CD3.

Defect in the membrane expression of high affinity 72-kD Fc gamma receptors on phagocytic cells in four healthy subjects.

Three different receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcR) have been characterized on human leukocytes. We have identified four healthy members of one family, whose blood phagocytic cells lack functional 72 kD high-affinity FcRI. Their monocytes were unable to bind the Fc portion of mouse (m)-IgG2a and of monomeric human IgG, and they were unreactive with two anti-FcRI monoclonal antibodies. Thus, FcRI is either absent, expressed at very low density, or is so structurally altered as to be unable to bind both its ligand and the anti-FcRI antibodies. The failure to bind the Fc portion of mIgG2a underlies the previously reported inability of these monocytes to support T cell mitogenesis on OKT3 stimulation. FcRI was not inducible upon incubation of their monocytes or neutrophils in gamma interferon. However, their monocytes were able to bind aggregated human IgG, and to phagocytose IgG-coated particles in vitro. Both functions could be blocked with a monoclonal antibody to the 40-kD low-affinity FcRII and therefore apparently were mediated exclusively through FcRII. This also demonstrates that FcRII can mediate phagocytosis independently. Despite the FcRI defect, these subjects had no circulating immune complexes, no evidence of autoimmune pathology and no increased susceptibility to infections.

Direct demonstration of binding of anti-Leu 4 antibody to the 40 kDa Fc receptor on monocytes as a prerequisite for anti-Leu 4-induced T cell mitogenesis.

It has previously been demonstrated that about 30% of healthy Caucasian subjects are "nonresponders" in assays of the mitogenic activity of monoclonal mouse IgG1 (mIgG1) anti-CD3 antibodies (e.g., anti-Leu 4 and UCHT-1), and that this unresponsiveness is due to lack of monocyte helper function. In an immunofluorescence assay with fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, we studied the binding of phycoerythrin-conjugated anti-Leu 4 to monocytes from responders and nonresponders. Interaction was observed with monocytes from responders only, and was blocked by a murine monoclonal antibody (IV.3) directed to an epitope on the 40-kDa low affinity Fc receptor (FcRII). This indicates that the interaction represents binding of the Fc part of phycoerythrin-conjugated anti-Leu 4 to FcRII on responder monocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence with antibody IV.3 demonstrated, however, that monocytes from both responders and nonresponders express similar levels of FcRII. Thus, nonresponder monocytes apparently express a variant FcRII which is unable to bind the Fc part of mIgG1 antibodies. The anti-FcRII antibody completely blocked anti-Leu 4-induced (but not OKT3 (mIgG2a)-induced) T cell proliferation in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from responders. The results provide direct evidence that monocytes from anti-Leu 4 responders, but not monocytes from anti-Leu 4 non-responders, are able to bind the Fc part of mIgG1 to FcRII, and that this interaction with FcRII is essential for the mitogenic activity of mIgG1 anti-CD3 antibodies.

CD3 modulation inhibits pokeweed mitogen-induced T-cell help for immunoglobulin production.

The CD3 molecule is considered to be a signal transducer in the process of T-cell activation. Modulation of the CD3 molecule of peripheral blood T cells can be accomplished by incubation at 37 degrees C with UCHT-1, a mouse IgG1 anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, under experimental conditions avoiding T-cell activation. We have examined the effect of CD3 modulation on T-cell-dependent polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) production induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes. CD3 modulation strongly inhibited (greater than 80%) IgG and IgM production. This was due to inhibition of the production of soluble helper factors by the T cells, and not to induction of suppressor cells. These data support the concept that the CD3 molecule is an essential signal transducer in the process of PWM-induced helper T-cell activity, and that CD3 can function as a receptor transmitting negative signals to helper T cells.