CTLA-4+CD8+ T cells that encounter B7-2+ iris pigment epithelial cells express their own B7-2 to achieve global suppression of T cell activation.
Pigment epithelial (PE) cells cultured from the eye possess the novel property of suppressing TCR-dependent activation of T cells in vitro. Iris PE (IPE) cells accomplish this suppression by a direct cell contact mechanism in which B7-2 expressed by the PE cells interacts with CTLA-4 on responding T cells. Because CTLA-4 expression is constitutively expressed on a very small proportion of naive splenic T cells and since exposure of splenic T cells to IPE leads to global T cell suppression, we have inquired into the mechanism by which suppression is achieved. Using splenic T cells and IPE from donor mice with disrupted genes for CD80 (B7-1), CD86 (B7-2), CTLA-4, and/or CD28, we report that B7-2(+) IPE in the presence of anti-CD3 supported selectively the activation of CTLA-4(+) CD8(+) T cells that express their own B7-2 and secrete enhanced amounts of active TGFbeta. By contrast, activation of CTLA-4-negative T cells, especially CD4(+) cells, in these cultures was profoundly suppressed. Because global suppression of T cell activation in these cultures was obtained only when both IPE and T cells possessed B7-2 genes and expressed the costimulators as surface molecules, we propose that T cells activated in the presence of parenchymal cells from the eye (an immune privileged site) express B7-2 in a manner that equips them to suppress bystander T cells. Thus, B7-2 expression on T cells participates in their eventual ability to function as regulators in vitro.
Sugita
Sunao
S
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Ng
Tat Fong
TF
Schwartzkopff
Johannes
J
Streilein
J Wayne
JW
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007498:Iris / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C482586:BTLA protein, human; D017252:CD3 Complex; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; C497965:Cd86 protein, mouse; C556707:Ctla4 protein, mouse; D016207:Cytokines; D007106:Immune Sera; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic