Transient accumulation of human mature thymocytes and regulatory T cells with CD28 superagonist in "human immune system" Rag2(-/-)gammac(-/-) mice

Blood. 2006 Jul 1;108(1):238-45. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-01-0190. Epub 2006 Mar 2.

Abstract

Efficient and quick reconstitution of T-cell compartments in lymphopenic patients is of great importance to prevent opportunistic infections, but remains difficult to achieve. Human T-cell proliferation in a T-cell-receptor (TCR)-independent manner is possible in vitro with superagonist anti-CD28 antibodies, and such molecules are therefore promising therapeutic tools. Here, we investigated the in vivo effects of superagonist anti-CD28 treatment on human developing and mature T cells, in the recently developed model of "human immune system" BALB/c Rag2(-/-)gammac(-/-) mice. Our results show that superagonist anti-CD28 treatment transiently induces a 7-fold increase in thymocyte numbers and up to 18-fold accumulation of mature thymocytes. The increased thymic production lead to transient accumulation of mature T cells in the periphery at the peak of treatment effect (day 6). In addition, long-term peripheral T-cell depletion was induced. Furthermore, the concomitant selective expansion and accumulation of suppressive CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells was induced in a transient manner. Superagonist anti-CD28 therapy could therefore be of clinical interest in humans, both for beneficial effect on thymic T-cell production as well as regulatory T-cell accumulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD28 Antigens
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Rag2 protein, mouse