scholarly journals The Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Induces Conversion of Effector T Cells into Treg Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Taylor ◽  
Darren J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Population ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Regulatory Activity ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Specific Antigens ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) has an important role in modulating immunity and homeostasis. The production of IFN-γby effector T cells is suppressed byα-MSH, while TGF-βproduction is promoted in the same cells. Suchα-MSH-treated T cells have immune regulatory activity and suppress hypersensitivity, autoimmune diseases, and graft rejection. Previous characterizations of theα-MSH-induced Treg cells showed that the cells areCD4+T cells expressing the same levels of CD25 as effector T cells. Therefore, we further analyzed theα-MSH-induced Treg cells for expression of effector and regulatory T-cell markers. Also, we examined the potential forα-MSH-induced Treg cells to be from the effector T-cell population. We found that theα-MSH-induced Treg cells areCD25+  CD4+T cells that share similar surface markers as effector T cells, except that they express on their surface LAP. Also, theα-MSH treatment augments FoxP3 message in the effector T cells, andα-MSH induction of regulatory activity was limited to the effectorCD25+T-cell population. Therefore,α-MSH converts effector T cells into Treg cells, which suppress immunity targeting specific antigens and tissues.

Abstract 424: Effector T Cells Induce Cardiac Fibroblasts Transition to Myofibroblasts & Contribute to Pressure Overload Induced Cardiac Fibrosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania A Nevers ◽  
Ane Salvador ◽  
Francisco Velazquez ◽  
Mark Aronovitz ◽  
Robert Blanton
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Naive T Cells ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
Naïve T Cells

Background: Cardiac fibrogenesis is a major pathogenic factor that occurs in heart failure (HF) and results in contractile dysfunction and ventricular dilation. Recently, we showed that T cell deficient mice (TCRα -/- ) do not develop cardiac fibrosis (CF) and have preserved cardiac function in the thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model of pressure overload (PO). Specifically, CD4 + T cells are activated in the cardiac draining lymph nodes and infiltrate the LV, where the Th1 and Th17 effector T cell signature transcription factors are significantly upregulated as compared with control mice. However, the T cell subsets involved and the mechanisms by which they contribute to CF and pathogenesis of non-ischemic HF remains to be determined. Thus, we hypothesize that heart infiltrated effector T cells perpetuate the fibrotic response by regulating the differentiation and activation of extracellular matrix-producing cardiac myofibroblasts. Methods and Results: Naïve or effector T cells differentiated in vitro or isolated from mice undergoing TAC or Sham surgery were co-cultured with adult C57BL/6 cardiac fibroblasts (CFB). In contrast with naïve T cells, effector T cells and PO activated T cells strongly adhered to CFB and mediated fibroblast to myofibroblasts transition as depicted by immunofluorescence expression of SMAα. Effector T cell supernatants only slightly mediated this transition, indicating that effector T cells direct contact with CFB, rather than cytokine release is required to mediate CFB transformation. Adoptive transfer of effector, but not naïve T cells, into TCRα -/- recipient mice in the onset of TAC resulted in T cells infiltration into the left ventricle and increased CF. Conclusions: Our data indicate that CD4+ effector T cells directly interact with CFB to induce CF in response to PO induced CF. Future studies will determine the adhesion mechanisms regulating this crosstalk and evaluate the pro-fibrotic mechanisms induced and whether this is a T effector cell specific subset. These results will provide an attractive tool to counteract the inflammatory/fibrotic process as an alternative option for the treatment of CF in non- ischemic HF.

scholarly journals Graded RhoA GTPase Expression in Treg Cells Distinguishes Tumor Immunity From Autoimmunity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid W. Kalim ◽  
Jun-Qi Yang ◽  
Vishnu Modur ◽  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Th17 Cell ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Cell Plasticity ◽  
Cell Homeostasis

RhoA of the Rho GTPase family is prenylated at its C-terminus. Prenylation of RhoA has been shown to control T helper 17 (Th17) cell-mediated colitis. By characterizing T cell-specific RhoA conditional knockout mice, we have recently shown that RhoA is required for Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation and Th2/Th17 cell-mediated allergic airway inflammation. It remains unclear whether RhoA plays a cell-intrinsic role in regulatory T (Treg) cells that suppress effector T cells such as Th2/Th17 cells to maintain immune tolerance and to promote tumor immune evasion. Here we have generated Treg cell-specific RhoA-deficient mice. We found that homozygous RhoA deletion in Treg cells led to early, fatal systemic inflammatory disorders. The autoimmune responses came from an increase in activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and in effector T cells including Th17, Th1 and Th2 cells. The immune activation was due to impaired Treg cell homeostasis and increased Treg cell plasticity. Interestingly, heterozygous RhoA deletion in Treg cells did not affect Treg cell homeostasis nor cause systemic autoimmunity but induced Treg cell plasticity and an increase in effector T cells. Importantly, heterozygous RhoA deletion significantly inhibited tumor growth, which was associated with tumor-infiltrating Treg cell plasticity and increased tumor-infiltrating effector T cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that graded RhoA expression in Treg cells distinguishes tumor immunity from autoimmunity and that rational targeting of RhoA in Treg cells may trigger anti-tumor T cell immunity without causing autoimmune responses.

scholarly journals PTCy ameliorates GVHD by restoring regulatory and effector T-cell homeostasis in recipients with PD-1 blockade

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (23) ◽  
pp. 4081-4094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuntaro Ikegawa ◽  
Yusuke Meguri ◽  
Takumi Kondo ◽  
Hiroyuki Sugiura ◽  
Yasuhisa Sando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
T Cell Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Homeostasis ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
Key Points

Key Points PD-1 blockade exacerbated GVHD by altering the homeostasis of Tregs and effector T cells after HSCT. PTCy ameliorated GVHD after PD-1 blockade by restoring the homeostatic balance of T-cell subsets.

Tumor-Targeted Human CD4+ CD25hi Regulatory T Cells Effectively Inhibit T Cell –mediated Rejection of CD19+ Tumors in An in Vivo xenotransplant Tumor Model

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3901-3901
Author(s):  
James Lee ◽  
Michel Sadelain ◽  
Renier J. Brentjens
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
Human T Cells ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity

Abstract The genetic targeting of human T cells to selected tumor antigens offers a novel means to investigate human immunobiology and treat cancer. T cells may be genetically modified to target specific antigens through the introduction of genes encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). We have previously demonstrated that human T cells targeted in this manner to the CD19 antigen, expressed on normal B cells as well as most B cell tumors, eradicate systemic human CD19+ B cell malignancies in SCID-Beige mice. However, in the clinical setting, the anti-tumor efficacy of these T cells may be impaired by endogenous suppressive elements of the host immune system, including CD4+ CD25hi Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Significantly, Tregs are often increased in the blood and infiltrate the tumor of cancer patients which has been correlated with poor patient outcome and ineffective anti-tumor immunity. In order to study the in vivo impact of Tregs on adoptive therapy with CD19 targeted effector T cells, we developed a murine model wherein human Tregs, similarly targeted to the tumor, are infused prior to adoptive transfer of targeted cytotoxic T cells. To do so, we initially isolated natural Tregs from healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Isolated Tregs were subsequently modified to express CARs through retroviral gene transfer. Subsequently, CAR+ Tregs were rapidly expanded either by activation on NIH-3T3 fibroblasts modified to express CD19 and the CD80 costimulatory ligand (3T3(CD19/CD80)), or non-specifically using CD3/CD28 antibodycoated magnetic beads. Expanded CAR+ Tregs exhibited potent suppressive function in vitro inhibiting both effector T cell proliferation as well as cytotoxicity. In vivo, CAR+ Tregs specifically traffic to established tumor in SCID-Beige mice. Significantly, injection of CD19-targeted Tregs into SCID-Beige mice bearing established human CD19+ tumors at 24 hours prior to infusion with CD19-targeted effector T cells, completely abrogated effector T cell function even at Treg:Teff ratios as low as 1:8. We further found that full suppression was dependant both on Treg localization to the tumor site as well as in vivo activation through the CAR. Finally, we show that a pre-conditioning regimen with low-dose cyclophosphamide, which failed to eradicate tumor, was able to reverse the CAR+ Treg mediated inhibition and restore the anti-tumor activity by the targeted effector T cells. In conclusion, we have developed a robust model ideally suited to the study of in vivo Treg-Teff interactions. Furthermore, the data generated from this model to date have significant implications with respect to the application of adoptive T cell therapies in the clinical setting. Namely, the presence of endogenous Tregs at the site of tumor is likely to significantly compromise the anti-tumor activity of adoptively transferred tumor targeted T cells. This inhibition may be reversed by preconditioning regimens designed to eradicate endogenous Tregs. The findings presented here should be considered in the design of future clinical trials utilizing T cell-based adoptive therapies of cancer.

Generation and biochemical analysis of human effector CD4 T cells: alterations in tyrosine phosphorylation and loss of CD3ζ expression

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 3851-3859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Krishnan ◽  
Vishal G. Warke ◽  
Madhusoodana P. Nambiar ◽  
Henry K. Wong ◽  
George C. Tsokos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Effector T Cell

Human effector T cells have been difficult to isolate and characterize due to their phenotypic and functional similarity to the memory subset. In this study, a biochemical approach was used to analyze human effector CD4 T cells generated in vitro by activation with anti-CD3 and autologous monocytes for 3 to 5 days. The resultant effector cells expressed the appropriate activation/differentiation markers and secreted high levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ) when restimulated. Biochemically, effector CD4 T cells exhibited increases in total intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation and effector-associated phosphorylated species. Paradoxically, these alterations in tyrosine phosphorylation were concomitant with greatly reduced expression of CD3ζ and CD3ε signaling subunits coincident with a reduction in surface T-cell receptor (TCR) expression. Because loss of CD3ζ has also been detected in T cells isolated ex vivo from individuals with cancer, chronic viral infection, and autoimmune diseases, the requirements and kinetics of CD3ζ down-regulation were examined. The loss of CD3ζ expression persisted throughout the course of effector T-cell differentiation, was reversible on removal from the activating stimulus, and was modulated by activation conditions. These biochemical changes occurred in effector T cells generated from naive or memory CD4 T-cell precursors and distinguished effector from memory T cells. The results suggest that human effector T-cell differentiation is accompanied by alterations in the TCR signal transduction and that loss of CD3ζ expression may be a feature of chronic T-cell activation and effector generation in vivo.

scholarly journals Targeting of Cdc42 GTPase in regulatory T cells unleashes anti-tumor T cell immunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid W Kalim ◽  
Jun-Qi Yang ◽  
Mark Wunderlich ◽  
Vishnu Modur ◽  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
T Cell Immunity ◽  
Cell Plasticity ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
Cell Immunity

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance through inhibiting effector T cell function. In the tumor microenvironment, Treg cells are utilized by tumor cells to counteract effector T cell-mediated tumor killing. Targeting Treg cells may thus unleash the anti-tumor activity of effector T cells. While systemic depletion of Treg cells can cause excessive effector T cell responses and subsequent autoimmune diseases, controlled targeting of Treg cells may benefit cancer patients. Here we show that Treg cell-specific heterozygous deletion or pharmacological targeting of Cdc42 GTPase does not affect Treg cell numbers but induces Treg cell plasticity, leading to anti-tumor T cell immunity without detectable autoimmune reactions. Cdc42 targeting potentiates an immune checkpoint blocker anti-PD-1 antibody-mediated T cell response against mouse and human tumors. Mechanistically, Cdc42 targeting induces Treg cell plasticity and unleashes anti-tumor T cell immunity through carbonic anhydrase I-mediated pH changes. Thus, rational targeting of Cdc42 in Treg cells holds therapeutic promises in cancer immunotherapy.

scholarly journals Novel Multi-Target Immunosuppressive Approach for Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 3611-3611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Blaine Russell ◽  
Brandon P Theall ◽  
Lisandra Hernandez ◽  
Hannah M Wavering ◽  
Vesna Jurecic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Aplastic Anemia ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Effector T Cell ◽  
New Therapy

Abstract Aplastic Anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated form of acquired bone marrow failure (BMF), which is life-threatening in its severe form (SAA). Fundamental pathological features of AA include development and expansion of auto-reactive effector T cells, effector T cell-mediated apoptosis of all hematopoietic cells (including progenitors and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)), BM aplasia, pancytopenia, depletion of HSCs, and severe reduction and functional impairment of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Current standard treatments for AA include: (1) immuno-suppressive therapy (IST) with cyclosporine A (CyA) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) which targets all T cells, and (2) allogeneic or matched unrelated donor BM transplant. While IST remains a standard treatment modality, it is not very effective in treating already ongoing and relapsed AA or SAA. There is really no effective therapy for patients with refractory and relapsed AA who are ineligible for BMT. Among different pathophysiological features of AA, IST targets only the effector T cells, and is much more effective in the early than later stages of AA. Moreover, the combination of IST with other immunosuppressive agents (mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus etc.) or growth factors does not improve the response or survival of AA patients. Since the incidence of AA is on the rise, there is an urgent need for more efficient new therapies that can attenuate the progression and severity of AA in patients with refractory and relapsed AA who are waiting for or are not candidates for BMT. The complex immune and hematological pathophysiology of AA requires new multipurpose treatment approaches. Accumulating evidence shows that β2 integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) negatively regulates T cell responses and activation, attenuates inflammation, and facilitates the maintenance of tolerance to self-antigens. For example, activated Mac-1 significantly reduces the T cell-activating capacity of dendritic cells (DCs), represses DC cross-priming of cytotoxic T cells, negatively regulates NK cell activation and function, suppresses differentiation of Th17 T cells which are associated with AA and other autoimmune diseases, ameliorates experimental autoimmune hepatitis, and negatively regulates BCR signaling and maintains autoreactive B cell tolerance. For that reason, Mac-1 is an attractive molecular target for new immune-modulating therapies of autoimmune diseases. Using the clinically relevant mouse SAA model we have evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Leukadherins (LA1-LA3), novel small molecule agonists and activators of Mac-1, as a novel multipurpose immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory approach to treat AA. The present studies have demonstrated that administration of LA1 safely and significantly (1) suppresses expansion of effector T cells, (2) decreases effector T cell-mediated apoptosis of target BM cells, (2) reduces BM aplasia, (3) minimalizes the loss of HSCs and progenitors, and (4) attenuates the severity of SAA. Furthermore, prolonged treatment of developing SAA with LA1 has therapeutic effects since it not only attenuates the progression and severity of SAA, but also converts otherwise fatal SAA into a survivable disease in mouse SAA models. To begin to address mechanism for these findings we found that LA1 treatment significantly reduces the antigen presenting capacity and T cell activating capacity of DCs. Importantly, in vivo LA1 treatment significantly increases the population of regulatory T cells (Tregs) which may also contribute to the above effects of LA1 on SAA. Simultaneous targeting of multiple pathophysiological features of AA underscores the clinically relevant potential of LA1 treatment as a novel promising multi-target immunosuppressive therapy that can safely and efficiently attenuate the severity of AA and reduce the need for BMT. We are also further evaluating the potential of LA1 treatment combined with IST or in vivo Treg expansion approaches (low dose rIL-2 therapy) to safely and more effectively attenuate the progression and severity of AA in pre-clinical mouse SAA models. These studies will provide an important platform for further translational and clinical testing of LAs as: (1) New therapy to manage ongoing AA in patients who are not responding to IST and are not candidates for BMT, (2) New therapy for relapsed AA, and/or (3) Adjuvant therapy for AA patients who are undergoing IST and are awaiting BM transplant. Disclosures Levy: Allergan: Consultancy.

Effect of paclitaxel and carboplatin on tumor-reactive T cells and the efficacy of PD-1 blockade.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
Yiyi Yan ◽  
Roxana Stefania Dronca ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
Svetomir Markovic ◽  
Haidong Dong
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Cell Population ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Healthy Donor ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cell ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
Immunoregulatory Mechanisms

65 Background: The addition of chemotherapy to immune checkpoint inhibitors has been explored clinically in solid tumors in order to overcome one of the challenges of immunotherapy: clinical outcomes are variable, with only a subset of patients achieving durable responses. Further understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanisms of chemotherapy in the setting of immunotherapy is crucial for the development of optimal combinatorial chemo-immunotherapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: Metastatic melanoma (MM) patients who failed anti-PD-1 single therapy were subsequently treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin in addition to PD-1 blockade. Using peripheral blood (PB) from MM patients and healthy donor, the phenotypic and functional changes in T cells induced by chemotherapy, in the setting of PD-1 blockade, were examined. Results: Paclitaxel and carboplatin, in combination with PD-1 blockade, were able to induce significant clinical responses in a subset of MM patients who were resistant to anti-PD-1 therapy alone. In patients who responded to this combination, a subset of tumor-reactive effector T cells (CD8+CD11a+PD1+GranzymeB+) survived the treatment, with increased frequency after the addition of chemotherapy. This T cell population preserved its effector phenotype, although ongoing PD-1 blockade was needed to improve its anti-tumor activity. In vitro experiments, using CD8+CD11a+PD1+GranzymeB+isolated from healthy donor PB, also demonstrated its ability to survive chemotherapy treatment. In addition, after cultured with chemotherapy, this T cell subset demonstrated higher cytotoxic T cell functions as well as increased chemotherapy efflux. Conclusions: Chemotherapy regulates a subset of tumor-reactive effector T cells (CD8+CD11a+PD1+GranzymeB+) and increases clinical efficacy of PD-1 blockade. This novel effector T cell population underlies the key cellular and molecular immunoregulatory mechanisms of chemotherapy. It serves as a meaningful marker to measure these collaborative effects and to develop the optimal chemo-immunotherapy strategy to improve clinical responses to current immune checkpoint blocking agents.

Juzentaihoto Exerts Anti-Allergic Effects by Inhibiting Effector T-Cell Activation and Inducing and/or Activating Regulatory T Cells in a Murine Model of Contact Hypersensitivity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Atsushi Tsuge ◽  
Sho Yonekura ◽  
Satomi Watanabe ◽  
Yuta Kurosaki ◽  
Shinsuke Hisaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Contact Hypersensitivity ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Effector T Cell

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Juzentaihoto (JTT) is a Kampo prescription that has been used clinically for treating skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis in Japan. We have previously studied the anti-allergic effects of JTT on 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice and demonstrated that it significantly suppresses ear swelling in a dose-dependent manner. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-allergic actions of JTT is obscure. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We investigated the mechanism underlying the anti-allergic effects of JTT using a TNCB-induced murine CHS model and adoptive cell transfer experiments. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We showed that the anti-allergic effects of JTT are due to inhibition of effector T-cell activation and induction and/or activation of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, ex vivo experiments confirmed the effect of JTT on the activation of effector T cells and regulatory T cells, as interferon-γ production decreased, whereas interleukin (IL)-10 production increased, in the cultured lymphocytes obtained from 5% TNCB-sensitized mice treated with anti-CD3ε and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies. Flow cytometry showed that the CD4<sup>+</sup>CD25<sup>+</sup>Foxp3<sup>+</sup>, CD4<sup>+</sup>CD25<sup>+</sup>Foxp3<sup>−</sup>, and CD8<sup>+</sup>CD122<sup>+</sup> cell population increased after oral administration of JTT. Finally, the anti-allergic effect of JTT by inducing and/or activating regulatory T cells (Tregs) was confirmed to be mediated by IL-10 through in vivo neutralization experiments with anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibodies. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> We suggested that JTT exerts anti-allergic effects by regulating the activation of effector T cells and Tregs involved in murine CHS model.

Alloreactive CD8+ Effector T Cells Proliferate and Persist Upon Chronic Exposure to Alloantigens through Reactivation of Stem Cell Transcriptional Programs.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2444-2444
Author(s):  
Koji Kato ◽  
Shuaiying Cui ◽  
Rork Kuick ◽  
Shin Mineishi ◽  
Elizabeth Hexner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
T Cell Proliferation ◽  
Effector T Cell

Abstract Abstract 2444 Poster Board II-421 Alloreactive effector T cells are the central to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In GVHD host antigens are never cleared and alloreactive effector T cells are continuously generated over a period of several months or longer, but their suppression and control have proven to be difficult in practice. Using mouse models of GVHD directed against minor histocompatibility antigens (miHAs), we demonstrate that alloreactive effector T cells proliferate and persist upon chronic exposure to alloantigens via reactivation of stem cell transcriptional programs normally expressed in embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells. Many activated stem cell genes in effector T cells were distinct from those in memory T cells and were maintained at high levels upon T cell receptor activation, suggesting a specific role in chronically activated effector T cells. One of these genes, Ezh2, encodes a chromatin modifying enzyme essential to the proliferation, survival and differentiation of stem cells, was upregulated in CD8+ effector T cells upon antigenic stimulation and downregulated when the antigen was withdrawn. Pharmacologically inactivation of EZH2 with 3-Deazaneplanocin A inhibited effector T cell proliferation and survival. Silencing Ezh2 independently validated that Ezh2 was important for regulating effector T cell proliferation and expression of many stem cell genes. To further evaluate whether alloreactive CD8+ effector T cells obtained stem cell-like properties, e.g. the ability to self-renew to continually generate effector cells, we adoptively transferred highly purified miHA H60-specific (H60+) CD8+ effector T cells into secondary allogeneic and congenic recipients, respectively. As compared to congenic recipients, allogeneic recipients had 80-fold more proliferating H60+CD8+ effector T cells. These donor H60+CD8+ effector T cells expressed high levels of CD122, CD69, CXCR3, PD1, IFNγ and Granzyme B, required miHA H60 stimulation to sustain their replication with effector function and expression of stem cell genes, and caused severe GVHD in secondary allogeneic recipients. These results indicate that stem cell transcriptional programs expressed in embryonic and neural stem cells may play important roles in effector T cells. Among these stem cell genes, Ezh2 emerges as an important therapeutic target in modulating alloreactive T cell-mediated GVHD. Disclosures: Zhang: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Research Funding; Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document