scholarly journals T-cell activation is modulated by the 3D mechanical microenvironment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh S. Majedi ◽  
Mohammad Mahdi Hasani-Sadrabadi ◽  
Timothy J. Thauland ◽  
Song Li ◽  
Louis-S. Bouchard ◽  
...  

AbstractT cells recognize mechanical forces through a variety of cellular pathways, including mechanical triggering of the T-cell receptor (TCR) and mechanical triggering of the integrin LFA-1. We show here that T cells can recognize forces arising from the rigidity of the microenvironment. We fabricated 3D hydrogels with mechanical stiffness tuned to 4 kPa and 40 kPa and specially engineered be microporous independent of stiffness. We cultured T cells and antigen presenting cells within the matrices and studied activation by flow cytometry and live imaging. We found there was an augmentation of T-cell activation in the context of mechanically stiffer 3D material as compared to the softer material. In contrast, proliferation, activation markers, and migration were all diminished in T cells cultured in the softer material. These results show that T cells can sense their mechanical environment and amplify responses in the context of mechanical stiffness.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Gollmer ◽  
François Asperti-Boursin ◽  
Yoshihiko Tanaka ◽  
Klaus Okkenhaug ◽  
Bart Vanhaesebroeck ◽  
...  

Abstract CD4+ T cells use the chemokine receptor CCR7 to home to and migrate within lymphoid tissue, where T-cell activation takes place. Using primary T-cell receptor (TCR)–transgenic (tg) CD4+ T cells, we explored the effect of CCR7 ligands, in particular CCL21, on T-cell activation. We found that the presence of CCL21 during early time points strongly increased in vitro T-cell proliferation after TCR stimulation, correlating with increased expression of early activation markers. CCL21 costimulation resulted in increased Ras- and Rac-GTP formation and enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, MEK, and ERK but not p38 or JNK. Kinase-dead PI3KδD910A/D910A or PI3Kγ-deficient TCR-tg CD4+ T cells showed similar responsiveness to CCL21 costimulation as control CD4+ T cells. Conversely, deficiency in the Rac guanine exchange factor DOCK2 significantly impaired CCL21-mediated costimulation in TCR-tg CD4+ T cells, concomitant with impaired Rac- but not Ras-GTP formation. Using lymph node slices for live monitoring of T-cell behavior and activation, we found that G protein-coupled receptor signaling was required for early CD69 expression but not for Ca2+ signaling. Our data suggest that the presence of CCL21 during early TCR signaling lowers the activation threshold through Ras- and Rac-dependent pathways leading to increased ERK phosphorylation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (46) ◽  
pp. 12190-12195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafal M. Pielak ◽  
Geoff P. O’Donoghue ◽  
Jenny J. Lin ◽  
Katherine N. Alfieri ◽  
Nicole C. Fay ◽  
...  

Antigen discrimination by T cells occurs at the junction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell. Juxtacrine binding between numerous adhesion, signaling, and costimulatory molecules defines both the topographical and lateral geometry of this cell–cell interface, within which T cell receptor (TCR) and peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) interact. These physical constraints on receptor and ligand movement have significant potential to modulate their molecular binding properties. Here, we monitor individual ligand:receptor binding and unbinding events in space and time by single-molecule imaging in live primary T cells for a range of different pMHC ligands and surface densities. Direct observations of pMHC:TCR and CD80:CD28 binding events reveal that the in situ affinity of both pMHC and CD80 ligands for their respective receptors is modulated by the steady-state number of agonist pMHC:TCR interactions experienced by the cell. By resolving every single pMHC:TCR interaction it is evident that this cooperativity is accomplished by increasing the kinetic on-rate without altering the off-rate and has a component that is not spatially localized. Furthermore, positive cooperativity is observed under conditions where the T cell activation probability is low. This TCR-mediated feedback is a global effect on the intercellular junction. It is triggered by the first few individual pMHC:TCR binding events and effectively increases the efficiency of TCR scanning for antigen before the T cell is committed to activation.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (7) ◽  
pp. 3615-3625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Tian ◽  
Jani Lappalainen ◽  
Matti Autero ◽  
Satu Hänninen ◽  
Heikki Rauvala ◽  
...  

Abstract Intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) bind to leukocyte β2 integrins, which, among other functions, provide costimulatory signals for T-cell activation. ICAM-5 (telencephalin) is expressed in the somadendritic region of neurons of the mammalian brain. The receptor for ICAM-5 is the integrin LFA-1, a major leukocyte integ-rin expressed in lymphocytes and microglia. In conditions of brain ischemia, epilepsy, and encephalitis, the soluble form of ICAM-5 (sICAM-5) has been detected in physiologic fluids. Here, we report that sICAM-5 attenuates the T-cell receptor-mediated activation of T cells as demonstrated by the decreased expression of the activation markers CD69, CD40L, and CD25 (IL-2R). This effect is most clearly seen in CD45ROLow (naive), and not in CD45ROHigh (memory) T cells, and is most effective early in priming, but not in the presence of strong costimulatory signals. Furthermore, sICAM-5 promotes the mRNA expression of the cytokines TGF-β1 and IFN-γ, but not TNF. The formation of sICAM-5 is promoted by activated T cells through the cleavage of ICAM-5 from neurons. This suggests that ICAM-5 is involved in immune privilege of the brain and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.


2007 ◽  
Vol 204 (11) ◽  
pp. 2747-2757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia P. Yachi ◽  
Carina Lotz ◽  
Jeanette Ampudia ◽  
Nicholas R.J. Gascoigne

T cells are extremely sensitive in their ability to find minute amounts of antigenic peptide in the midst of many endogenous peptides presented on an antigen-presenting cell. The role of endogenous peptides in the recognition of foreign peptide and hence in T cell activation has remained controversial for CD8+ T cell activation. We showed previously that in a CD8+ T cell hybridoma, nonstimulatory endogenous peptides enhance T cell sensitivity to antigen by increasing the coreceptor function of CD8. However, others were not able to detect such enhancement in naive and activated CD8+ T cells. Here, we show that endogenous peptides substantially enhance the ability of T cells to detect antigen, an effect measurable by up-regulation of activation or maturation markers and by increased effector function. This enhancement is most pronounced in thymocytes, moderate in naive T cells, and mild in effector T cells. The importance of endogenous peptides is inversely proportional to the agonist activity of the stimulatory peptide presented. Unlike for CD4+ T cells, the T cell receptor of CD8+ T cells does not distinguish between endogenous peptides for their ability to enhance antigen recognition.


1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeling Cai ◽  
Hidehiro Kishimoto ◽  
Anders Brunmark ◽  
Michael R. Jackson ◽  
Per A. Peterson ◽  
...  

The requirements for inducing downregulation of α/β T cell receptor (TCR) molecules on naive major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted T cells was investigated with 2C TCR transgenic mice and defined peptides as antigen. Confirming previous results, activation of 2C T cells in response to specific peptides required CD8 expression on the responder cells and was heavily dependent upon costimulation provided by either B7-1 or ICAM-1 on antigen-presenting cells (APC). These stringent requirements did not apply to TCR downregulation. Thus, TCR downregulation seemed to depend solely on TCR/peptide/interaction and did not require either CD8 or B7-1 expression; ICAM-1 potentiated TCR downregulation, but only with limiting doses of peptides. TCR downregulation was most prominent with high affinity peptides and appeared to be neither obligatory nor sufficient for T cell activation. In marked contrast to T cell activation, TCR downregulation was resistant to various metabolic inhibitors. The biological significance of TCR downregulation is unclear, but could be a device for protecting T cells against excessive signaling.


2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth H. Hu ◽  
Manish J. Butte

Triggering of the T cell receptor (TCR) integrates both binding kinetics and mechanical forces. To understand the contribution of the T cell cytoskeleton to these forces, we triggered T cells using a novel application of atomic force microscopy (AFM). We presented antigenic stimulation using the AFM cantilever while simultaneously imaging with optical microscopy and measuring forces on the cantilever. T cells respond forcefully to antigen after calcium flux. All forces and calcium responses were abrogated upon treatment with an F-actin inhibitor. When we emulated the forces of the T cell using the AFM cantilever, even these actin-inhibited T cells became activated. Purely mechanical stimulation was not sufficient; the exogenous forces had to couple through the TCR. These studies suggest a mechanical–chemical feedback loop in which TCR-triggered T cells generate forceful contacts with antigen-presenting cells to improve access to antigen.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (20) ◽  
pp. 5610-5615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Lori Blanchfield ◽  
Victor Pui-Yan Ma ◽  
Rakieb Andargachew ◽  
Kornelia Galior ◽  
...  

T cells are triggered when the T-cell receptor (TCR) encounters its antigenic ligand, the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC), on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Because T cells are highly migratory and antigen recognition occurs at an intermembrane junction where the T cell physically contacts the APC, there are long-standing questions of whether T cells transmit defined forces to their TCR complex and whether chemomechanical coupling influences immune function. Here we develop DNA-based gold nanoparticle tension sensors to provide, to our knowledge, the first pN tension maps of individual TCR-pMHC complexes during T-cell activation. We show that naïve T cells harness cytoskeletal coupling to transmit 12–19 pN of force to their TCRs within seconds of ligand binding and preceding initial calcium signaling. CD8 coreceptor binding and lymphocyte-specific kinase signaling are required for antigen-mediated cell spreading and force generation. Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) mediated adhesion modulates TCR-pMHC tension by intensifying its magnitude to values >19 pN and spatially reorganizes the location of TCR forces to the kinapse, the zone located at the trailing edge of migrating T cells, thus demonstrating chemomechanical crosstalk between TCR and LFA-1 receptor signaling. Finally, T cells display a dampened and poorly specific response to antigen agonists when TCR forces are chemically abolished or physically “filtered” to a level below ∼12 pN using mechanically labile DNA tethers. Therefore, we conclude that T cells tune TCR mechanics with pN resolution to create a checkpoint of agonist quality necessary for specific immune response.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2956-2956
Author(s):  
Dagmar Bund ◽  
Raymund Buhmann ◽  
Hans-Jochem Kolb

Abstract Imatinib mesylate, a potent and selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, has been shown to induce durable haematological and major cytogenetic responses in a high percentage of CML patients. However in most patients the disease recurs, when imatinib is discontinued. In contrast, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered to be curative by the immune effect of donor T cells against CML progenitor cells. In this context, the role of imatinib is controversial; it may improve the results of ASCT by reducing the tumour load, it may also reduce the effect of donor lymphocyte transfusions (DLT) by impairing the function of T cells and the capacity of myeloid cells to present antigen. Patient derived CML-cells were studied for the stimulation of allogeneic HLA-matched and mismatched T-cells in the presence and absence of imatinib. In a 5 day culture the proliferative response of HLA-mismatched T cells was evaluated in presence of different concentrations of imatinib (0, 1, 2, or 5 micro M) and various responder-to-stimulator ratios. Thereby, proliferation was detected via a CFDA based assays and the activation profile (CD25, CD69) of the T-cells was determined by FACS. Cr51-release assays were performed after a 7 day culture of CML cells with HLA-matched T cells to test cytotoxicity of CD8+ T-cells. In addition, we characterized the antigen-presenting profile (CD14, CD33, HLA-DR, CD40, CD80, CD86, CD54, CD58) of the CML cells over a 5 day culture with and without imatinib. The presence of imatinib inhibited the proliferative capacity of allogeneic T-cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the expression of T cell activation markers was reduced in the presence of the different imatinib concentrations. Preincubation of CML cells with imatinib for 48 hours strengthened the effect on proliferation and activation of T cells. Moreover, imatinib impaired the cytotoxic function of T-cell (HLA-matched setting; CR51-release assay) also in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, the antigen-presenting profile of the myeloid leukemia cells was down regulated by increasing concentrations of imatinib. In summary, imatinib may interfere with the T cellular immune response and the antigen presenting profile on the CML cells in vitro. These results may have an impact on new strategies of treatment of CML with immunotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongde Ye ◽  
Timothy M. Gould ◽  
Huimin Zhang ◽  
Jun Jin ◽  
Cornelia M. Weyand ◽  
...  

AbstractMicroRNAs play an important role in the regulation of T cell development, activation, and differentiation. One of the most abundant microRNAs in lymphocytes is miR-181a, which controls T cell receptor (TCR) activation thresholds in thymic selection as well as in peripheral T cell responses. We previously found that miR-181a levels decline in T cells in the elderly. In this study, we identified TCF1 as a transcriptional regulator of pri-miR-181a. A decline in TCF1 levels in old individuals accounted for the reduced miR-181a expression impairing TCR signaling. Inhibition of GSK3ß restored expression of miR-181a by inducing TCF1 in T cells from old adults. GSK3ß inhibition enhanced TCR signaling to increase downstream expression of activation markers and production of IL-2. The effect involved the upregulation of miR-181a and the inhibition of DUSP6 expression. Thus, inhibition of GSK3ß can restore responses of old T cells by inducing miR-181a expression through TCF1.


1996 ◽  
Vol 184 (2) ◽  
pp. 753-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
X G Tai ◽  
Y Yashiro ◽  
R Abe ◽  
K Toyooka ◽  
C R Wood ◽  
...  

Costimulation mediated by the CD28 molecule plays an important role in optimal activation of T cells. However, CD28-deficient mice can mount effective T cell-dependent immune responses, suggesting the existence of other costimulatory systems. In a search for other costimulatory molecules on T cells, we have developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that can costimulate T cells in the absence of antigen-presenting cells (APC). The molecule recognized by this mAb, 9D3, was found to be expressed on almost all mature T cells and to be a protein of approximately 24 kD molecular mass. By expression cloning, this molecule was identified as CD9, 9D3 (anti-CD9) synergized with suboptimal doses of anti-CD3 mAb in inducing proliferation by virgin T cells. Costimulation was induced by independent ligation of CD3 and CD9, suggesting that colocalization of these two molecules is not required for T cell activation. The costimulation by anti-CD9 was as potent as that by anti-CD28. Moreover, anti-CD9 costimulated in a CD28-independent way because anti-CD9 equally costimulated T cells from the CD28-deficient as well as wild-type mice. Thus, these results indicate that CD9 serves as a molecule on T cells that can deliver a potent CD28-independent costimulatory signal.


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