학술논문
Low-affinity TCR engagement drives IL-2-dependent post-thymic maintenance of naive CD4+ T cells in aged humans
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
van der Geest, Kornelis S. M.; Abdulahad, Wayel H.; Teteloshvili, Nato; Tete, Sarah M.; Peters, Jorieke H.; Horst, Gerda; Lorencetti, Pedro G.; Bos, Nicolaas A.; Lambeck, Annechien; Roozendaal, Caroline; Kroesen, Bart-Jan; Koenen, Hans J. P. M.; Joosten, Irma; Brouwer, Elisabeth; Boots, Annemieke M. H.
Source
The Aging Cell. Oct 01, 2015 14(5):744-753
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1474-9718
Abstract
SUMMARY: Insight into the maintenance of naive T cells is essential to understand defective immune responses in the context of aging and other immune compromised states. In humans, naive CD4+ T cells, in contrast to CD8+ T cells, are remarkably well retained with aging. Here, we show that low-affinity TCR engagement is the main driving force behind the emergence and accumulation of naive-like CD4+ T cells with enhanced sensitivity to IL-2 in aged humans. In vitro, we show that these CD45RACD25CD4 T cells can develop from conventional naive CD25CD4+ T cells upon CD3 cross-linking alone, in the absence of costimulation, rather than via stimulation by the homeostatic cytokines IL-2, IL-7, or IL-15. In vivo, TCR engagement likely occurs in secondary lymphoid organs as these cells were detected in lymph nodes and spleen where they showed signs of recent activation. CD45RACD25CD4+ T cells expressed a broad TCRVβ repertoire and could readily differentiate into functional T helper cells. Strikingly, no expansion of CD45RACD25CD8+ T cells was detected with aging, thereby implying that maintenance of naive CD4+ T cells is uniquely regulated. Our data provide novel insight into the homeostasis of naive T cells and may guide the development of therapies to preserve or restore immunity in the elderly.