Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CD8(+) T cell”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Decreases in alpha beta T cell receptor negative T cells and CD8 cells, and an increase in CD4+ CD8+ cells in active Hashimoto's disease and subacute thyroiditis.

We examined peripheral lymphocyte subsets in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, or subacute thyroiditis, in the active stage when possible. During destructive thyrotoxicosis arising from alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) negative T (WT31-CD3+) cells and CD8 (CD4-CD8+) cells decreased and those of CD4+CD8+ cells increased slightly, resulting in proportional increases in CD4 (CD4+CD8-) cells, non-T, non-B (CD5-CD19-) cells, and the CD4/CD8 cell ratio. Changes were similar in active subacute thyroiditis. During stimulative thyrotoxicosis in active Graves' disease, the numbers of such T lymphocyte subsets were not changed, but only the number of CD5+ B (CD5+CD19+) cells increased markedly, resulting in proportional decreases in total T (CD3+) cells, alpha beta+ TCR T (WT31+CD3+) cells, CD8 cells, and non-T, non-B cells. A serial study of some of the patients showed opposite changes in alpha beta TCR- T cells, the CD4/CD8 cell ratio, and CD5+ B cells between the active stages of Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases. alpha beta TCR- T cells were mostly gamma delta TCR+ T (IIF2+ CD3+) cells in these patients. These data suggest that alpha beta TCR-T (gamma delta TCR+ T), CD8, and CD4+ CD8+ cells are important in thyroid destruction in Hashimoto's disease and subacute thyroiditis, and that CD5+ B cells are important in thyroid stimulation in Graves' disease.

Adult↗

Suppression of immune responses by CD8 cells. II. Qa-1 on activated B cells stimulates CD8 cell suppression of T helper 2 responses.

We have investigated the role of MHC class I products and CD8 T cells in regulating Ab responses using beta2-microglobulin deficient (beta2m-/-) mice. Beta2m-/- mice produced stronger IgM and IgG responses than did control beta2m+/+ mice to both cellular and viral Ags. These Ab responses could be suppressed by infusion of activated B cells from beta2m+/+ mice. Further investigation showed that the beta2m-associated molecule on activated B cells that induced CD8 suppression was Qa-1 and that the Th2 component of CD4 cells was most affected by CD8-suppressive activity. Our findings suggest a novel pathway of Th inhibition in which B cell presentation of Qa-1-associated peptides stimulates CD8 suppressive activity.

Animals↗

Spontaneous proliferation of memory (CD45RO+) and naive (CD45RO-) subsets of CD4 cells and CD8 cells in human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection: distinctive patterns for HTLV-I versus HTLV-II.

Spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation (SLP) in vitro is a characteristic feature of about 50% of individuals infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II. Both CD4 cells and CD8 cells contribute to SLP in HTLV-I infection, whereas SLP in HTLV-II infection is usually restricted to CD8 cells. In this study, we asked if SLP was restricted to the memory (CD45RO+) cell subset of CD4 and CD8 cells in HTLV infection. Purified CD4 and CD8 cells were separated into CD45RO+ and CD45RO- populations by a modified panning technique, and spontaneous proliferation (SP) of the cell subsets was assessed. For all five HTLV-I-infected persons whose mononuclear cell cultures were SLP+, only CD45RO+ cells, but not CD45RO- cells, within CD4 and CD8 subsets showed SP. In contrast, five of six SLP+ HTLV-II+ individuals showed SP in both the CD45RO+ and the CD45RO- subsets of CD4 cells, and 10 of 12 SLP+ HTLV-II+ individuals showed SP of both the CD45RO+ and CD45RO- subsets of CD8 cells. Polymerase chain reaction studies showed that proviral genome was generally present in both CD45RO+ and CD45RO- subsets of CD4 and CD8 cells, regardless of HTLV type and SP activity. These findings show that SP of both CD4 and CD8 cells in HTLV-I infection is usually restricted to CD45RO+ memory cells, whereas in HTLV-II infection, both CD45RO+ memory and CD45RO- naive subsets of CD4 and CD8 cells may exhibit SP. It thus appears that HTLV-I infection and HTLV-II infection exhibit distinctive dysregulatory effects on memory and naive T cell subpopulations.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Differential expression of Fas antigen and Bcl-2 protein on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and monocytes.

Fas antigen and Bcl-2 protein are considered to be involved in cellular homeostasis. We precisely analyzed the expression of human Fas antigen and Bcl-2 protein on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and monocytes. The positivities of Fas antigen on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells increased with aging. In CD4+ T cells, the Fas-/CD45RO+ subpopulation was dominant compared with the Fas+/CD45RO- subpopulation. Conversely, in CD8+ T cells, the Fas+/CD45RO- subpopulation was dominant compared with the Fas-/CD45RO+ subpopulation. Monocytes exhibited high positivity of Fas antigen and low fluorescence intensity of Bcl-2 protein compared with T cells. These results suggest that Fas antigen acts in different processes of cellular homeostasis between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and that expression of Fas antigen and Bcl-2 protein is involved in homeostasis of monocytes as well as lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Plasma cell-CD8+ T cell co-enrichment distinguishes immunotherapy-responsive hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterised by significant racial disparities in incidence and outcomes, yet whether these reflect distinct tumour biology or differential distribution of molecular subtypes among immunotherapy patients remains unclear. METHODS: We characterised molecular heterogeneity among 46 patients with HCC of differing background population from the NCI-CLARITY cohort receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, using transcriptomic and genomic profiling, with validation across multiple independent cohorts. RESULTS: Differential expression analysis comparing African American versus non-African American patients identified 126 genes, of which 55 demonstrated tumour-specific expression across independent validation cohorts with paired tumour-normal samples. Consensus clustering revealed two molecular subtypes with no significant race association, indicating these clusters capture tumour-intrinsic biology rather than ancestry. The genomic landscape showed minimal differences between subtypes. A prognostic signature derived from these expression profiles demonstrated significant risk stratification in the NCI-CLARITY cohort and TCGA-LIHC, but not in Asian cohorts, suggesting population-specific applicability. Immune deconvolution revealed that the two subtypes represent distinct immune microenvironments: one subtype exhibited markedly elevated plasma cell infiltration with strong plasma cell-CD8+T cell correlation suggesting coordinated adaptive immunity, along with elevated tertiary lymphoid structure signatures. The other subtype showed regulatory T cell-macrophage correlation and enrichment for immune-excluded phenotypes. The immune-enriched subtype trended towards higher immunotherapy response rates. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular heterogeneity in HCC reveals distinct tumour-immune ecosystems that transcend racial classification. Tumour immune heterogeneity in HCC reflects distinct molecular patterns, with immune hot tumours characterised by elevated tertiary lymphoid structure signatures and enriched plasma cell and CD8+T cells. These patterns may serve as prognostic biomarkers for immunotherapy patient stratification and demonstrate the value of diverse cohort representation in identifying clinically relevant therapeutic targets.

Gastrointestinal Cancer↗

Neoplastic thymic epithelial cells of human thymoma support T cell development from CD4-CD8- cells to CD4+CD8+ cells in vitro.

Human thymoma is a thymic epithelial cell tumour which often contains a large number of immature T cells and is frequently associated with autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelial cells play key roles in the development and selection of T cells in the normal thymus, we hypothesized that the neoplastic thymic epithelial cells of thymoma may support T cell differentiation in the tumour. We characterized CD4-CD8- cells in thymoma and applied an in vitro reconstitution culture system using the CD4-CD8- cells and the neoplastic epithelial cells isolated from thymoma. CD34, a stem cell marker, was expressed on 29.9 +/- 12.2% of CD4-CD8- cells in thymoma. TCRgammadelta was expressed on 27.4 +/- 15.1% of CD4-CD8- cells and CD19, a B cell marker, was expressed on 14.1 +/- 23.1% of CD4-CD8- cells. CD4-CD8- cells expressed both IL-7R alpha-chain and common gamma-chain. Purified CD4-CD8- cells from thymomas were cultured with the neoplastic epithelial cells, and their differentiation into CD4+CD8+ cells via CD4 single-positive intermediates was observed within 9 days' co-culture in the presence of recombinant IL-7. Furthermore, we examined the reconstitution culture using CD34+CD4-CD8- cells purified from normal infant thymus. The CD34+CD4-CD8- cells in normal thymus also differentiated to CD4+CD8+ cells in the allogeneic co-culture with the neoplastic epithelial cells of thymoma. These results indicate that the tumour cells of thymoma retain the function of thymic epithelial cells and can induce differentiation of T cells in thymoma.

Adult↗

CD4+CD25+ cells regulate CD8 cell anergy in neonatal tolerant mice.

BACKGROUND: Injection of neonatal BALB/c mice with semi-allogeneic splenocytes leads to antigen-specific tolerance lasting into adulthood. Tolerant mice accept A/J skin grafts and fail to generate CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against A/J targets. Anergic CD8 T cells are present in tolerant mice, and CD4 regulatory cells function to maintain CD8 cell anergy. METHODS: Neonatal BALB/c mice were injected with 108 live CAF, splenocytes, and mice were deemed tolerant by accepting A/J grafts over 40 days. CD8 cell proliferation was measured by in vitro incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine coupled with fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Alloantigen-specific cytotoxicity was tested using 51Cr release assays of A/J or third-party targets. RESULTS: We demonstrate that A/J-specific anergic CD8 cells are present in neonatal primed mice that develop tolerance but not in neonatal primed mice that reject A/J skin grafts. Anergic CD8 cells show decreased proliferation and no CTL activity against A/J targets. Addition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to unfractionated cultures fails to restore CTL activity against A/J targets. However, addition of IL-2 to CD4-depleted cultures restores A/J-specific CD8 CTL activity. Removal of CD4+/CD25+ cells, but not CD4+/CD25- cells, also restores CD8 CTL activity against A/J in the presence, but not the absence, of IL-2. Moreover, when added back into cultures, purified CD4+/CD25+ cells from tolerant mice inhibit the generation of CD8 CTL against A/J targets. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that CD8 anergy is associated with the state of tolerance, and that CD4+CD25+ cells from tolerant mice function to maintain A/J-specific CD8 cell anergy in vitro.

Animals↗

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus replication in acutely infected CD4+ cells by CD8+ cells involves a noncytotoxic mechanism.

The mechanism by which CD8+ T cells from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals suppress HIV replication in acutely infected CD4+ T cells was investigated. Cytotoxicity was not involved, as the antiviral activity of the CD8+ cells did not correlate with the ability to lyse HIV-infected or uninfected CD4+ T cells. In addition, the frequency of HIV-infected CD4+ cells increased during coculture with CD8+ T cells even in the absence of detectable levels of virus replication. Moreover, separation of the CD4+ and CD8+ cells by a 0.4-micron-pore-size filter delayed HIV replication, indicating a role, at least in part, for a soluble factor. However, cell contact was required for optimal antiviral activity. These results extend further the observation on the mechanism of antiviral HIV activity by CD8+ cells from infected individuals. They support the conclusion that CD8+ cells can play a major role in preventing development of disease in HIV-infected individuals.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Suppression of the number of clonally expanding T cells by CD8+ cells as demonstrated by murine T-cell colony formation.

Clonally developing murine T cells in the form of T-cell colonies (TCC) in methylcellulose were used to investigate the interaction between polyclonally activated T cells. Only CD8+ T cells proliferate in the methylcellulose and form TCC after stimulation with PHA and IL-2. When the number of developing TCC was counted as a measure of developing clones, it was found that increased cell numbers in the cultures led to decreased percentages of TCC (Number of TCC per 100 seeded cells). This was found already at very low cell concentrations: 40 cells per ml culture, and was maintained at least up to 10,000 cells per culture. Cell sorting (FACS) of cells showed that the suppression of developing clones was mediated via a non-adherent, Thy-1+, CD8+ cell, present in lymph nodes, spleen and the thymic medulla. Such seemingly non-specific suppressor cells may be considered in the network regulation of the functionally mature T-cell population.

Animals↗

F(ab')2 anti-CD4 and intact anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies inhibit the accumulation of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells in the kidneys of lupus-prone NZB/NZW mice.

Murine lupus in NZB/NZW (B/W) mice is characterized by immune-complex glomerulonephritis and lymphocytic infiltration of several organs, including the kidney. We recently showed that treatment of B/W mice with F(ab')2 anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody retards autoimmunity by inhibiting the function of CD4+ cells and not by depleting them. To determine if treatment with F(ab')2 anti-CD4 prevented lymphocytic infiltration of kidneys or simply inhibited the function of the infiltrating lymphocytes, long-term survivors of treatment with F(ab')2 anti-CD4 and intact anti-CD4 were sacrificed for immunohistochemical analysis of their kidneys. Untreated B/W mice had large lymphocytic aggregates under the surface epithelium of the renal calyces. Most of these lymphocytes were CD4+ T cells, but CD8+ T cells and B cells were also present. In contrast, treatment with either intact anti-CD4 or F(ab')2 anti-CD4 substantially reduced, and in many cases prevented, the development of renal infiltrates. Treatment with either form of anti-CD4 not only inhibited renal infiltration by CD4+ T cells, but also prevented the accumulation of CD8+ T cells and B cells. These observations suggest a role for the CD4+ T cell in the accumulation of lymphocytes in target organs.

Animals↗

Enhanced in vivo sensitivity of in vitro interferon-treated B16 melanoma cells to CD8 cells and activated macrophages.

Mouse B16 melanoma cells maintained in vitro in the presence of interferon (IFN)-alpha become resistant to the in vitro antiproliferative effects of IFN-alpha. However, IFN-alpha-treated mice inoculated with these in vitro IFN-treated cells (B16 alpha res cells) have significantly increased life spans (ILS) and significantly higher cure rates than IFN-alpha-treated mice inoculated with B16 cells. This unexpectedly greater sensitivity of B16 alpha res cells to the in vivo antitumor effects of IFN-alpha was evaluated by in vivo cell depletion experiments. Depletion of either activated peritoneal macrophages or cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) reduced the ILS of IFN-treated B16 alpha res-inoculated mice to a level comparable to that of IFN-treated B16-inoculated mice. Depletion of natural killer (NK) cells did not affect the ILS for IFN-treated B16 alpha res-inoculated mice. These studies indicate that activated macrophage and CD8 cell function, but not NK cell function, is important for the enhanced antitumor effects induced by IFN-alpha against B16 alpha res cells. Macrophage killing was unlikely to be mediated by TNF-alpha or IL-1 as B16 and B16 alpha res cells were equally sensitive to TNF-alpha and insensitive to IL-1 in vitro. Further, H-2K antigen expression is significantly more readily inducible on B16 alpha res cells than on B16 cells, consistent with enhanced CD8-mediated killing due to increased MHC class I antigen expression.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effect of medical castration on CD4+ CD25+ T cells, CD8+ T cell IFN-gamma expression, and NK cells: a physiological role for testosterone and/or its metabolites.

The higher prevalence of autoimmune disease among women compared with men suggests that steroids impact immune regulation. To investigate how sex steroids modulate cellular immune function, we conducted a randomized trial in 12 healthy men aged 35-55 yr treated for 28 days with placebo, a GnRH antagonist, acyline to induce medical castration, or acyline plus daily testosterone (T) gel to replace serum T, followed by a 28-day recovery period. Serum hormones were measured weekly and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were collected biweekly for analyses of thymus-derived lymphocyte (T cell) subtypes and natural killer (NK) cells. Compared with the other groups and to baseline throughout the drug exposure period, men receiving acyline alone had significant reductions in serum T (near or below castrate levels), dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol (P < 0.05). Medical castration significantly reduced the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ T cells (P < 0.05), decreased mitogen-induced CD8+ T cell IFN-gamma expression, and increased the percentage of NK cells without affecting the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells and the expression of NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D or homing receptor CXCR1. No changes in immune composition were observed in subjects receiving placebo or acyline with replacement T. These data suggest that T and/or its metabolites may help maintain the physiological balance of autoimmunity and protective immunity by preserving the number of regulatory T cells and the activation of CD8+ T cells. In addition, sex steroids suppress NK cell proliferation. This study supports a complex physiological role for T and/or its metabolites in immune regulation.

Adult↗

Exogenous IL-10 overexpression reduces perforin production by activated allogenic CD8+ cells and prolongs cardiac allograft survival.

Perforin is a cytolytic mediator produced by cytotoxic T cells (CD8(+) cells) and natural killer cells. We previously reported that ex vivo IL-10 gene therapy induced apoptosis of allogenic infiltrative CD8(+) cells and significantly prolonged cardiac allograft survival. To further test the hypothesis that localized IL-10 overexpression in cardiac allografts may also effect the alloreactive CD8(+) T cell function by downregulating its perforin production, we used a rabbit functional heterotopic allograft heart transplant model. Human recombinant IL-10 gene complexed with liposome was intracoronary delivered into the cardiac allografts ex vivo. The percentage of apoptotic infiltrative CD8(+) cells in cardiac allografts was increased 6-fold in the gene therapy group vs. the control group, whereas the percentage of perforin-positive CD8(+) cells was decreased 2.9-fold (P < 0.01). Perforin expression level in the allograft myocardium of the gene therapy group was deceased 3.2-fold (P < 0.01). The amount of infiltrative perforin-positive CD8(+) cells and perforin expression level were inversely correlated with IL-10 transgene and protein expression level in the myocardium of cardiac allografts (P < 0.01), the percentage of apoptotic cardiac myocytes (P < 0.01), and the peak left ventricular systolic pressure of cardiac allografts (P < 0.01) but significantly correlated with the infiltrative T cell cytotoxicity (P < 0.01) and allograft rejection score (P < 0.01). These results suggest that localized IL-10 gene therapy prolongs cardiac allograft survival, at least in part, through downregulation of perforin production by activated allogenic CD8(+) T cells. Reduction of cytolytic function of cytotoxic effector cells prevents the apoptosis of cardiac myocytes.

Animals↗

Regulatory activity of the human CD8+ cell subset: a comparison of CD8+ cells from the intestinal lamina propria and blood.

This study was done to better define the immunoregulatory mechanisms in the human intestinal lamina propria (LP). Peripheral blood (PB) and LP cells were obtained from patients having intestinal resections. CD4+ and CD8+ cell subsets were isolated using hybridoma antibodies in a panning technique. Graded numbers of LP and PB CD8+ cells were added to cultures of autologous fresh B cells plus CD4+ cells plus pokeweed mitogen. After 10 days incubation in vitro, the supernatants were collected, and IgM and IgA synthesis was measured by isotype-specific sandwich ELISA. Both PB and LP CD8+ cells suppressed IgM and IgA synthesis by indicator cultures consisting of 5 X 10(4) B cells plus 5 X 10(4) CD4+ cells to a comparable extent. However, when these same CD8+ cells were added to indicator cultures of 5 X 10(4) B cells plus 10(5) CD4+ cells, PB CD8+ cells still suppressed, but LP CD8+ cells enhanced IgM and IgA synthesis. LP but not PB CD8+ cells also augmented IgM and IgA synthesis in cultures with suboptimal immunoglobulin synthesis. Despite these results, LP CD8+ cells were not able to provide help for B cell immunoglobulin synthesis when these two cell types were cultured together with pokeweed mitogen. The mechanism of immunoglobulin augmentation by LP CD8+ cells appeared to involve antagonism of a CD4+ rather than CD8+ suppressor cells. We conclude that functional heterogeneity is more evident within the LP CD8+ subset, with both suppressor and contra-suppressor activities demonstrable, with the latter representing a major activity in LP but not in PB CD8+ cells.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Lack of the CD8+ cell anti-HIV factor in CD8+ cell granules.

In HIV infection, CD8+ cells show cytotoxic and noncytotoxic anti-HIV activity. The latter function is mediated, at least in part, by a secreted antiviral protein, the CD8+ cell antiviral factor (CAF). Because antiviral effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes, reside in the exocytic granules of CD8+ T cells, we examined the possibility that granules contain CAF-like activity. CD8+ cells from HIV-infected individuals showing strong CAF-mediated antiviral activity were induced to release their granule constituents into culture media. Within 1 hour of stimulation, high levels of granzyme B (a primary granule constituent) were found in the culture fluids of previously activated CD8+ cells. The same culture fluids contained no or very low amounts of CAF activity, as measured with HIV-infected CD4+ cells. Maximal levels of CAF activity were not observed until 5 or 7 days after stimulation, consistent with typical CAF production kinetics. In addition, extracts of granules purified from antiviral CD8+ cells did not show any CAF activity, whereas the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells showed substantial levels of antiviral activity. These findings suggest that CAF does not reside at appreciable levels in the exocytic granules of antiviral CD8+ T cells.

CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

A functional CD8+ cell assay reveals individual variation in CD8+ cell antiviral efficacy and explains differences in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 proviral load.

The CD8+ lymphocyte response is a main component of host immunity, yet it is difficult to quantify its contribution to the control of persistent viruses. Consequently, it remains controversial as to whether CD8+ cells have a biologically significant impact on viral burden and disease progression in infections such as human immunodeficiency virus-1 and human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Experiments to ascertain the impact of CD8+ cells on viral burden based on CD8+ cell frequency or specificity alone give inconsistent results. Here, an alternative approach was developed that directly quantifies the impact of CD8+ lymphocytes on HTLV-I proviral burden by measuring the rate at which HTLV-I-infected CD4+ cells were cleared by autologous CD8+ cells ex vivo. It was demonstrated that CD8+ cells reduced the lifespan of infected CD4+ cells to 1 day, considerably shorter than the 30 day lifespan of uninfected cells in vivo. Furthermore, it was shown that HTLV-I-infected individuals vary considerably in the rate at which their CD8+ cells clear infected cells, and that this was a significant predictor of their HTLV-I proviral load. Forty to 50 % of between-individual variation in HTLV-I proviral load was explained by variation in the rate at which CD8+ cells cleared infected cells. This novel approach demonstrates that CD8+ cells are a major determinant of HTLV-I proviral load. This assay is applicable to quantifying the CD8+ cell response to other viruses and malignancies and may be of particular importance in assessing vaccines.

Adult↗

Mature dendritic cells can enhance CD8+ cell noncytotoxic anti-HIV responses: the role of IL-15.

The CD8+ cell noncytotoxic anti-HIV response (CNAR) is associated with a long-term healthy clinical state in HIV-infected individuals. Over time CNAR is reduced concomitant with progression to disease. In studies to evaluate whether the interaction between CD8+ cells and dendritic cells (DCs) could increase CNAR, CD8+ cells from individuals who showed a decrease in this antiviral activity were cocultured with monocyte-derived dendritic cells matured with CD40 ligand. After coculture with these mature DCs, the CD8+ cells showed an increase in CNAR greater than that observed with CD8+ cells costimulated with CD3/CD28 antibodies. This antiviral response appeared to be mediated primarily by production of interleukin-15 (IL-15) by the mature DCs. Purified IL-15 also enhanced CNAR, whereas IL-12 showed no substantial effect. These studies provide another potential approach by which the immune system in HIV infection could be restored by cytokine therapy, particularly IL-15 administration.

CD3 Complex↗

Suppression of immune responses by CD8 cells. I. Superantigen-activated CD8 cells induce unidirectional Fas-mediated apoptosis of antigen-activated CD4 cells.

Stimulation of mature CD4 cells through the TCR induces cellular activation and expansion that are often followed by clonal elimination by a form of apoptosis termed activation-induced cell death. This process of CD4 cell apoptosis is generally thought to reflect clonal suicide and to be independent of other cell types. Here we show that during the response to the superantigen Staphylococcal enterotoxin A, activated CD8 cells, but not activated CD4 cells, suppress the CD4 proliferative response. Suppression by CD8 cells reflects their ability to induce CD4 cell apoptosis via ligation of Fas. Moreover, although activated CD8 cells that express Fas ligand and Fas eliminate CD4 cells through a Fas-dependent mechanism, they are themselves resistant to Fas-dependent apoptosis. These findings indicate a fundamental difference between the two major T cell subsets with regard to sensitivity to Fas-dependent apoptosis, expression of Fas ligand, and mediation of suppressive activity following immunization with superantigen.

Animals↗