• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.173-178
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• 2007

Background: We studied the role for expression of CD40 and CD40L by CD4 and CD8 T cells in the generation of CD8 T cell response to minor histocompatibility antigen, H60. H60 is a cellular antigen to which CD8 responses require CD4 T cell help. Methods: CD40- or CD40L-deficient mice were adoptively transferred with normal CD4 or CD8 T cells or with memory CD4 or CD8 T cells, and were immunized with male H60 congenic splenocytes to induce CD8 T cell response to H60. Peripheral blood CD8 T cell from the immunized mice were stained with the H60 tetramer. Results: CD8 T cell response to H60 was not induced in both CD40- and CD40L-deficient mice. Adoptive transfer of $CD40^{+/+}$ CD8 T cells into CD40-deficient mice did not compensate the defect in inducing CD8 T cell response to H60, while the H60-specific CD8 T cells were activated in the CD40-deficient mice that were adoptively transferred with $CD40^{+/+}$ CD4 T cells. Adoptive transfer of $CD40L^{+/+}$ CD4 T cells into CD40L-deficient mice induced primary CD8 T cell response for H60 and the presence of $CD40L^{+/+}$ CD4 T cells was required even for memory CD8 T cells response to H60. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the CD40-CD40L interaction mediates the delivery of CD4 T cell help to naive and memory H60-specific CD8 T cells. While the expression of CD40L by CD4 T cells is essential, signaling through CD40 on CD8 T cells is not required for the induction of CD8 T cell response to H60.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.41.1-41.21
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• 2023

CD4 and CD8 T cells are key players in the immune response against both pathogenic infections and cancer. CD4 T cells provide help to CD8 T cells via multiple mechanisms, including licensing dendritic cells (DCs), co-stimulation, and cytokine production. During acute infection and vaccination, CD4 T cell help is important for the development of CD8 T cell memory. However, during chronic viral infection and cancer, CD4 helper T cells are critical for the sustained effector CD8 T cell response, through a variety of mechanisms. In this review, we focus on T cell responses in conditions of chronic Ag stimulation, such as chronic viral infection and cancer. In particular, we address the significant role of CD4 T cell help in promoting effector CD8 T cell responses, emerging techniques that can be utilized to further our understanding of how these interactions may take place in the context of tertiary lymphoid structures, and how this key information can be harnessed for therapeutic utility against cancer.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.153-163
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• 2010

Background: In addition to TCR and costimulatory signals, cytokine signals are required for the differentiation of activated CD8 T cells into memory T cells and their survival. Previously, we have shown that IL-12 priming during initial antigenic stimulation significantly enhanced the survival of activated CD8 T cells and increased the memory cell population. In the present study, we analyzed the mechanisms by which IL-12 priming contributes to activation and survival of CD8 T cells. Methods: We observed dramatically decreased expression of CD43 in activated CD8 T cells by IL-12 priming. We purified $CD43^{lo}$ and $CD43^{hi}$ cells after IL-12 priming and analyzed the function and survival of each population both in vivo and in vitro. Results: Compared to $CD43^{hi}$ effector cells, $CD43^{lo}$ effector CD8 T cells exhibited reduced cytolytic activity and lower granzyme B expression but showed increased survival. $CD43^{lo}$ effector CD8 T cells also showed increased in vivo expansion after adoptive transfer and antigen challenge. The enhanced survival of $CD43^{lo}$ CD8 T cells was also partly associated with CD62L expression. Conclusion: We suggest that CD43 expression regulated by IL-12 priming plays an important role in differentiation and survival of CD8 T cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2016

Unlike conventional T cells, innate CD8 T cells develop a memory-like phenotype in the thymus and immediately respond upon antigen stimulation, similar to memory T cells. The development of innate CD8 T cells in the thymus is known to require IL-4, which upregulates Eomesodermin (Eomes). These features are similar to that of virtual memory CD8 T cells and IL-4-induced memory-like CD8 T cells generated in the peripheral tissues. However, the relationship between these cell types has not been clearly documented. In the present study, IL-4-induced memory-like CD8 T cells generated in the peripheral tissues were compared with innate CD8 T cells in terms of phenotype and function. When an IL-4/anti-IL-4 antibody complex (IL-4C) was injected into C57BL/6 mice daily for 7 days, the Eomes^hiCXCR3⁺ CD8 T cell population was markedly increased in the peripheral lymphoid organs and blood. These cells were generated from naïve CD8 T cells or accumulated via the expansion of pre-existing CD44^hiCXCR3⁺ CD8 T cells. Initially, the majority of these CXCR3⁺ CD8 T cells expressed low levels of CD44, which was followed by the conversion to the CD44^hi phenotype. This conversion was associated with the acquisition of enhanced effector function. After discontinuation of IL-4C treatment, Eomes expression levels gradually decreased in CXCR3⁺ CD8 T cells. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that IL-4-induced memory-like CD8 T cells generated in the peripheral lymphoid tissues are phenotypically and functionally similar to the innate CD8 T cells generated in the thymus.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.19
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• 2020

Acute viral infection or vaccination generates highly functional memory CD8 T cells following the Ag resolution. In contrast, persistent antigenic stimulation in chronic viral infection and cancer leads to a state of T-cell dysfunction termed T-cell exhaustion. We and other have recently identified a novel subset of exhausted CD8 T cells that act as stem cells for maintaining virus-specific CD8 T cells in a mouse model of chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. This stem cell-like CD8 T-cell subset has been also observed in both mouse and human tumor models. Most importantly, in both chronic viral infection and tumor models, the proliferative burst of Ag-specific CD8 T cells driven by PD-1-directed immunotherapy comes exclusively from this stem cell-like CD8 T-cell subset. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms how CD8 T-cell subsets are regulated during chronic viral infection and cancer is required to improve the current immunotherapies that restore the function of exhausted CD8 T cells. In this review, we discuss the differentiation of virus-specific CD8 T cells during chronic viral infection, the characteristics and function of CD8 T-cell subsets, and the therapeutic intervention of PD-1-directed immunotherapy in cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

The gastrointestinal tract forms the largest surface in our body with constantly being exposed to various antigens, which provides unique microenvironment for the immune system in the intestine. Accordingly, the gut epithelium harbors the most T lymphocytes in the body as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous populations, distinct from the conventional mature T cells in the periphery. IELs arise either from pre-committed thymic precursors (natural IELs) or from conventional CD4 or CD8αβ T cells in response to peripheral antigens (induced IELs), both of which commonly express CD8α homodimers (CD8αα). Although lineage commitment to either conventional CD4 T helper (Th) or cytotoxic CD8αβ T cells as well as their respective co-receptor expression are mutually exclusive and irreversible process, CD4 T cells can be redirected to the CD8 IELs with high cytolytic activity upon migration to the gut epithelium. Recent reports show that master transcription factors for CD4 and CD8 T cells, ThPOK (Th-inducing BTB/POZ-Kruppel-like factor) and Runx3 (Runt related transcription factor 3), respectively, are the key regulators for re-programming of CD4 T cells to CD8 lineage in the intestinal epithelium. This review will focus on the unique differentiation process of IELs, particularly lineage re-commitment of CD4 IELs. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(1): 11-17]

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1995

Several studies showed that the immunological factors such as CD4+ cell number, CD4%, CD8+ cell number and CD4/CD8 ratio and the serological factors such as, ${\beta}^2$-microglobulin(${\beta}^2$-MG), neopterin, soluble CD4, and soluble CD8 are related to the risk of development of AIDS. Especially, the CD4+ cell counts have been used to monitor progresson of HIV disease, to stratify, and to follow patients in clinical trials. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCP) in USA has made the CD4+ cell count as a part of the classification of HIV disease. It is composed of 3 categories such as 1, 2, and 3 which asr $\geq$ 500/$mm^3$, 200/$mm^{3} $\geq$ and < 500/$mm^3$, and < 200/$mm^3$, respectively. In this study, to estimate the differences of immunological factors between HIV-infected and normal human groups in Korea, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio were measured in 185 HIV-infected subjects and 140 healthy adult subjects. The lymphocyte subsets such as CD4+ T and CD8+ T were analysed by flow cytometer(FACStar) with two-color immunofluorescent stain using monoclonal antibodies such as anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies. The absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+ T and CD8+ T and the CD4/CD8 ratio of HIV infected persons were $462\pm{277}/mm^3$, $18.2\pm7.7%$, $1,170\pm{534}/mm^3$, $47.0\pm10.6%$ and $0,43\pm0.26 whereas those of uninfected persons were $886\pm{299}mm^3$, $32.9\pm{7.0%}, 730{\pm}259/mm^3$, $26.8\pm6.4%$ and $1.31\pm0.46$(P<0.01). In addition, estimating the reference values of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets of Korean, the absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+ T and CD8+ T and the CD4/CD8 ratio of 140 healthy adults persons were measured and compared with those of foreigners. The reference ranges of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4％, CD8%, and the CD4/CD8 ratio and 1.31$\pm$0.46, respectively. The significant differences were not observed when compared with those of foreigners. However a little difference was observed in the percentages of CD4+ T and the absolute numbers of CD8+ T between the normal values of Korean and those of foreigners were $43.6\pm8.9%$, $560\pm{230}/mm^3$. This result can also be useful as a basic data for the treatment and surveillance of HIV-infected patients in Korea.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.118-125
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• 2012

CD40-CD40L-mediated help from CD4 T cells is essential to induce primary CD8 T cell responses specific to the non-inflammatory cell-based antigen H60. In this study, using H60 as a model antigen, we generated recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVVs) expressing the H60 CD8 epitope and investigated whether CD4 help was required to activate the CD8 T cell response specific to the virally expressed H60. The immune response after infection with rVVs expressing H60 was similar to that after immunization with H60 congenic splenocytes, with a peak frequency of H60-specific CD8 T cells detected in the blood on day 10 post-infection. A CD8 T cell response specific for virally derived H60 was not induced in CD4-depleted mice, but was in CD40-deficient mice. These results provide insights into the characterization of the CD8 T cell response specifically for antigens originating from cellular sources compared to viral sources.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Mahaenggamseok-tang-gagambang (MGTG) on CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (four a week) for asthma induction. Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations of MGTG (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extract and cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice lung was removed and analyzed CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometer. Results: Numbers of CD3+ T cells in lung of the MGTG groups (200, 400 mg/kg) were significantly decreased compared with that of control group. Numbers of CD4+ T cells in lung of the MGTG groups (200, 400 mg/kg) were significantly decreased compared with that of control group. Numbers of CD8+ T cells in lung of the MGTG groups (200, 400 mg/kg) were significantly decreased compared with that of control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that MGTG alleviated asthmatic hyperreactiviry through CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Further study of relative cytokines is expected.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.686-692
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• 2015

Cancer is subject to dynamic interactions between contrary immune reactions that drive both tumor growth and suppression. Forkhead box p3 positive T cells (Foxp3 positive T cells) might support tumor promotion, while CD8 positive T cells might protect the host. The present study examined the distributions of CD8- and Foxp3-positive T cells and CD8 positive T cells/ Foxp3 positive T cells ratio in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its precancerous lesions; it also compared this with data for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Iimmunohistochemical staining for CD8 and Foxp3 was conducted in 20 cases of SCC, Bowen's disease (BD), actinic keratosis (AK) and BCC. The BD and SCC cases exhibited significantly increased numbers of both CD8- and Foxp3-positive T cells in their advancing regions compared with the AK and BCC cases, and the BD cases exhibited significantly lower CD8 positive T cells / Foxp3 positive T cells ratio in these regions than did the AK and BCC cases. There was no significant difference in both T cells and the ratio between BD and SCC. The degree of both T cells infiltration differed between the advancing and central areas in SCC and BCC. Immune micro-environments differ between cutaneous squamous cell tumors and BCC and differ as well among tumor compartments.