scholarly journals Neonatal castration affects intrathymic kinetics of T-cell differentiation and the spleen T-cell level

2007 ◽  
Vol 192 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Radojević ◽  
N Arsenović-Ranin ◽  
D Kosec ◽  
V Pešić ◽  
I Pilipović ◽  
...  

To test putative interdependence in the ontogenesis of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal and thymic–lymphatic axes, thymocyte differentiation and maturation was examined in neonatally castrated (Cx) adult rats. In the hypercellular thymi of Cx rats, the proportion of the least mature CD4−CD8−TCRαβ− triple negative (TN) thymocytes was reduced, while the proportions of all downstream double positive (DP) subsets (TCRαβ−, TCRαβlow and TCRαβhigh) were increased when compared with neonatally sham-castrated (Sx) adult rats. This suggested an accelerated thymocyte transition from the TN to DP TCRαβlow developmental stage accompanied by an increased positive/ reduced negative thymocyte selection. The increased thymocyte surface density of Thy-1, which is implicated in thymocyte hyposensitivity to negative selection, in Cx rats further supports the previous assumption. The finding that the proportions of both single positive (SP) TCRαβhigh thymocyte subsets were reduced, while their numbers were increased (CD4+CD8−) or unaltered (CD4−CD8+), coupled with results demonstrating an increased level of CD4−CD8+ cells without changes in that of CD4+8− cells in the spleen indicate: (i) accelerated differentiation and maturation of the positively selected DP TCRαβhigh thymocytes towards CD4−8+ TCRαβhigh cells followed by increased emigration of the mature cells and (ii) decelerated differentiation and maturation towards CD4+8−TCRαβhigh cells in Cx rats. Furthermore, the unaltered proportion of intrathymically developing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory cells in Cx rats, in light of putative hyposensitivity of thymocytes to negative selection suggesting reduced elimination of autoreactive cells, may provide a firm basis for understanding the reasons behind increased susceptibility of Cx rats to autoimmune disease induction.

2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (11) ◽  
pp. 1419-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuro Sasada ◽  
Maki Touma ◽  
Hsiu-Ching Chang ◽  
Linda K. Clayton ◽  
Jia-huai Wang ◽  
...  

The asymmetric disposition of T cell receptor (TCR) Cβ and Cα ectodomains creates a cavity with a side-wall formed by the rigid Cβ FG loop. To investigate the significance of this conserved structure, we generated loop deletion (βΔFG) and βwt transgenic (tg) mice using the TCR β subunit of the N15 CTL. N15βwt and N15βΔFG H-2b animals have comparable numbers of thymocytes in S phase and manifest developmental progression through the CD4−CD8− double-negative (DN) compartment. N15βΔFG facilitates transition from DN to CD4+8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes in recombinase activating gene (RAG)-2−/− mice, showing that pre-TCR function remains. N15βΔFG animals possess ∼twofold more CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes and lymph node T cells, consistent with enhanced positive selection. As an altered Vα repertoire observed in N15βΔFG mice may confound the deletion's effect, we crossed N15αβ TCR tg RAG-2−/− with N15βΔFG tg RAG-2−/− H-2b mice to generate N15αβ RAG-2−/− and N15αβ.βΔFG RAG-2−/− littermates. N15αβ.βΔFG RAG-2−/− mice show an 8–10-fold increase in DP thymocytes due to reduced negative selection, as evidenced by diminished constitutive and cognate peptide-induced apoptosis. Compared with N15αβ, N15αβ.βΔFG T cells respond poorly to cognate antigens and weak agonists. Thus, the Cβ FG loop facilitates negative selection of thymocytes and activation of T cells.


1992 ◽  
Vol 176 (3) ◽  
pp. 845-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
E J Jenkinson ◽  
G Anderson ◽  
J J Owen

We describe an in vitro system in which positive selection of developing T cells takes place on defined stromal cell preparations, which include major histocompatibility complex class II+ epithelial cells but exclude cells of bone marrow origin. In this system, maturation of double-positive T cell receptor negative (TCR-), CD4+8+ thymocytes into single-positive TCR+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells takes place together with the development of functional competence. As in vivo, this maturation is associated with the upregulation of TCR levels as cells progress from double-positive to single-positive status. We also show that class II+ epithelial cells in these cultures are less efficient than dendritic cells in mediating the deletion (negative selection) of V beta 8+ cells by the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B. For the first time, this approach provides a model in which the cellular interactions involved in both positive and negative selection can be studied under controlled in vitro conditions.


Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 4206-4217 ◽  
Author(s):  
CF Mojcik ◽  
DR Salomon ◽  
AC Chang ◽  
EM Shevach

Integrins represent a candidate group of cell surface receptors that may control the homing and population of the thymus by T-cell precursors and the subsequent migration of developing thymocytes through the thymic architecture. We have used multiparameter flow cytometric methods to characterize the expression of several members of the integrin family (alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 1, and alpha L beta 2) on thymocyte subpopulations and have correlated integrin expression with other well-defined thymocyte differentiation markers. alpha 4 beta 1 was expressed by all thymocytes, but expression was highest on CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) cells, high on CD+CD8+ double-positive (DP) cells, and lowest on mature single-positive (SP) cells, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, and alpha 6 beta 1 were present on 13%, 63%, and 26% of thymocytes, respectively, with maximal levels of expression on DN and SP cells, and low levels of expression on DP cells. Simultaneous analysis of alpha 4 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, and CD3 expression suggested a pathway of T-cell differentiation in the thymus in which the majority of the DN cells were alpha 4 beta 1hi alpha 5 beta 1hi, the DP cells alpha 4 beta 1hi alpha 5 beta 1lo/-, and the most mature SP cells were alpha 4 beta 1int. The stage-specific expression of integrins strongly implies their functional involvement during T-cell maturation in the thymus.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Gegonne ◽  
Qing-Rong Chen ◽  
Anup Dey ◽  
Ruth Etzensperger ◽  
Xuguang Tai ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe bromodomain protein BRD4 is a driver in both inflammatory diseases and cancers. It has multiple functions, contributing to chromatin structure and transcription through its intrinsic HAT and kinase activities. Despite the wide-ranging characterization of BRD4, little is known about its in vivo function. In the present study, we have examined the role of BRD4 in T cell development by conditional deletion at various stages of thymocyte differentiation. We found that BRD4 is critical for normal T cell development. Surprisingly, BRD4 selectively regulates the progression of immature CD8 single positive (ISP) thymocytes into quiescent DP thymocytes. In striking contrast, BRD4 deletion does not affect the extensive proliferation associated with the differentiation of double negative (DN) into ISP cells. Nor does it affect the maturation of double positive (DP) into conventional CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. These studies lead to the unexpected conclusion that BRD4 selectively regulates preselection ISP thymocytes.On-line SummaryImmature CD8 single-positive (ISP) thymocytes are identified as a molecularly-distinct thymocyte subpopulation, dependent on BRD4 for progression to the DP stage. DN and DP are BRD4-independent. These findings provide new insights into BRD4, a therapeutic target in inflammation and cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A586-A586
Author(s):  
Sara Schad ◽  
Andrew Chow ◽  
Heng Pan ◽  
Levi Mangarin ◽  
Roberta Zappasodi ◽  
...  

BackgroundCD4 and CD8 T cells are genetically and functionally distinct cell subsets of the adaptive immune system that play pivotal roles in immune surveillance and disease control. During development in the thymus, transcription factors ThPOK and Runx3 regulate the differentiation and maturation of these two lineages into single positive T cells that enter the periphery with mutually exclusive expression of either the CD4 or CD8 co-receptor.1–2 Despite our expectation that these two cell fates are fixed, mature CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) T cells have been described in the context of numerous immunological responses, including cancer, but their molecular and functional properties and therapeutic relevance remain controversial and largely unknown.3–5MethodsOur lab has identified and characterized a heterogenous DP T cell population in murine and human melanoma tumors comprised of CD4 and CD8 T cells re-expressing the opposite co-receptor and a parallel uptake in the opposite cell type’s phenotype and function. Using CD4 (Trp1) and CD8 (Pmel) transgenic TCR T cells specific to B16 melanoma antigens gp75 and gp100 respectively, we demonstrate the re-expression of the opposite co-receptor following adoptive T cell transfer in B16 melanoma tumor bearing mice.ResultsSpecifically, up to 50% of transferred CD4 Trp1 T cells will re-express CD8 to become a DP T cell in the tumor microenvironment. Further, these CD4 derived DP T cells upregulate CD8 lineage regulator Runx3 and cytolytic genes Gzmb, Gzmk, and Prf1 to become potent cytotoxic T cells. Alternatively, a subset of CD8 Pmel T cells differentiate into DP T cells characterized by the increased expression of CD4, ThPOK, and regulatory marker FoxP3 (figure 1). In addition, we utilized 10x single cell and ATAC sequencing to further characterize these divergent DP T cell populations among open repertoire T cells isolated from murine and human melanoma tumors.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the capability of single positive T cells to differentiate in response to antigen and local stimuli into novel T cell subsets with polyfunctional characteristics. The resulting cell subsets will potentially affect the tumor microenvironment in distinct ways. Our studies may inform therapeutic approaches to identify antigen specific T cells as well as innovative signaling pathways to target when genetically engineering T cells to optimize cytotoxic function in the setting of adoptive cell therapy.Ethics ApprovalThe human biospecimen analyses were approved by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center IRB #06-107ReferencesEllmeier W, Haust L & Tschismarov R. Transcriptional control of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor expression during T cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013;70:4537–4553.Luckey MA, et al. The transcription factor ThPOK suppresses Runx3 and imposes CD4+ lineage fate by inducing the SOCS suppressors of cytokine signaling. Nature Immunology 2014; 15, 638–645.Bohner P, et al. Double positive CD4(+)CD8(+) T Cells are enriched in urological cancers and favor T Helper-2 polarization. Front Immunol 2019; 10, 622.Nascimbeni M, Shin E-C, Chiriboga L, Kleiner DE & Rehermann B. Peripheral CD4(+)CD8(+) T cells are differentiated effector memory cells with antiviral functions. Blood 2004;104:478–486.Nishida K, et al. Clinical importance of the expression of CD4+CD8+ T cells in renal cell carcinoma. Int Immunol 2020;32:347–357.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-449
Author(s):  
Sowmya Angusamy ◽  
Tamer Mansour ◽  
Mohammed Abdulmageed ◽  
Rachel Han ◽  
Brian C. Schutte ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The adaptive immune system of neonates is relatively underdeveloped. The thymus is an essential organ for adaptive T cell development and might be affected during the natural course of oxygen induced lung injury. The effect of prolonged hyperoxia on the thymus, thymocyte and T cell development, and its proliferation has not been studied extensively. Methods: Neonatal mice were exposed to 85% oxygen (hyperoxia) or room air (normoxia) up to 28 days. Flow cytometry using surface markers were used to assay for thymocyte development and proliferation. Results: Mice exposed to prolonged hyperoxia had evidence of lung injury associated alveolar simplification, a significantly lower mean weight, smaller thymic size, lower mean thymocyte count and higher percentage of apoptotic thymocytes. T cells subpopulation in the thymus showed a significant reduction in the count and proliferation of double positive and double negative T cells. There was a significant reduction in the count and proliferation of single positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Conclusions: Prolonged hyperoxia in neonatal mice adversely affected thymic size, thymocyte count and altered the distribution of T cells sub-populations. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that prolonged hyperoxia causes defective development of T cells in the thymus.


2004 ◽  
Vol 199 (12) ◽  
pp. 1719-1724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batu Erman ◽  
Terry I. Guinter ◽  
Alfred Singer

During T cell development in the thymus, pre–T cell receptor (TCR) complexes signal CD4− CD8− (double negative [DN]) thymocytes to differentiate into CD4+ CD8+ (double positive [DP]) thymocytes, and they generate such signals without apparent ligand engagements. Although ligand-independent signaling is unusual and might be unique to the pre-TCR, it is possible that other TCR complexes such as αβ TCR or αγ TCR might also be able to signal the DN to DP transition in the absence of ligand engagement if they were expressed on DN thymocytes. Although αγ TCR complexes efficiently signal DN thymocyte differentiation, it is not yet certain if αβ TCR complexes are also capable of signaling DN thymocyte differentiation, nor is it certain if such signaling is dependent upon ligand engagement. This study has addressed these questions by expressing defined αβ TCR transgenes in recombination activating gene 2−/− pre-Tα−/− double deficient mice. In such double deficient mice, the only antigen receptors that can be expressed are those encoded by the αβ TCR transgenes. In this way, this study definitively demonstrates that αβ TCR can in fact signal the DN to DP transition. In addition, this study demonstrates that transgenic αβ TCRs signal the DN to DP transition even in the absence of their specific MHC–peptide ligands.


1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2279-2289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoseph Ghendler ◽  
Rebecca E. Hussey ◽  
Torsten Witte ◽  
Emiko Mizoguchi ◽  
Linda K. Clayton ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (8) ◽  
pp. 1039-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Winandy ◽  
Li Wu ◽  
Jin-Hong Wang ◽  
Katia Georgopoulos

T cell differentiation relies on pre–T cell receptor (TCR) and TCR signaling events that take place at successive steps of the pathway. Here, we show that two of these T cell differentiation checkpoints are regulated by Ikaros. In the absence of Ikaros, double negative thymocytes can differentiate to the double positive stage without expression of a pre-TCR complex. Subsequent events in T cell development mediated by TCR involving transition from the double positive to the single positive stage are also regulated by Ikaros. Nonetheless, in Ikaros-deficient thymocytes, the requirement of pre-TCR expression for expansion of immature thymocytes as they progress to the double positive stage is still maintained, and the T cell malignancies that invariably arise in the thymus of Ikaros-deficient mice are dependent on either pre-TCR or TCR signaling. We conclude that Ikaros regulates T cell differentiation, selection, and homeostasis by providing signaling thresholds for pre-TCR and TCR.


1992 ◽  
Vol 175 (5) ◽  
pp. 1307-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
N J Vasquez ◽  
J Kaye ◽  
S M Hedrick

To study the processes of thymic development, we have established transgenic mice expressing and alpha/beta T cell antigen receptor (TCR) specific for cytochrome c associated with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The transgenic TCR chains are expressed by most of the thymocytes in these mice, and these cells have been shown to efficiently mature in association with Ek- and Ab-encoded class II MHC molecules. This report describes a characterization of the negative selection of these transgenic thymocytes in vivo that is associated with the expression of As molecules. Negative selection by As molecules appears to result in the deletion of a late stage of CD4/CD8 double-positive thymocytes in that there is a virtual absence of transgenic TCR bearing CD4 single-positive thymocytes. This phenotype is accompanied by the appearance of CD4/CD8 double-negative thymocytes and peripheral T cells that are functionally antigen reactive. The process of negative selection has also been investigated using an in vitro culture system. Upon presentation of cytochrome c by Eb-expressing nonthymic antigen-presenting cells, there occurs an antigen dose-dependent deletion of the majority of CD4/CD8 double-positive thymocytes. In contrast, presentation of Staphylococcal enterotoxin A by Eb in vitro results in minimal deletion of double-positive thymocytes. In addition, we use this in vitro model to examine the effects of cyclosporin A on negative selection. In contrast to its effects on mature T cells, and the findings of others in vivo, cyclosporin A does not inhibit antigen-induced deletion of double-positive thymocytes. Finally, a comparison of the antigen dose responses for thymocyte deletion and for peripheral T cell activation indicates that double-positive thymocyte recognition is more sensitive than mature T cells to antigen recognition.


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