Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell cross-priming is supported by CD4 T cell-derived IL-2

J Hepatol. 2017 May;66(5):978-986. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.12.015. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Abstract

Background & aims: Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are prominent liver-resident antigen (cross-)presenting cells. LSEC cross-priming of naïve CD8 T cells does not require CD4 T cell help in contrast to priming by dendritic cells (DC) but leads to the formation of memory T cells that is preceded by transient Granzyme B (GzmB) expression. Here we provide evidence for a so far unrecognized CD4 T helper cell function in LSEC-induced CD8 T cell activation.

Methods: Naïve CD8 T cells and differentiated T helper 1 (Th1) cells were stimulated by antigen-presenting LSEC, and GzmB expression in CD8 T cells was determined by flow cytometry. To identify molecular pathways mediating this GzmB expression, mechanistic proof-of-concept experiments were conducted using stimulatory anti-CD3 antibody together with Hyper-IL-6.

Results: We demonstrate that LSECs simultaneously function in antigen co-presentation to CD8 and CD4 T cells. Such co-presentation revealed a function of Th1 cells to increase GzmB expression in CD8 T cells after LSEC but not DC cross-priming. IL-2 released from Th1 cells was required but not sufficient for rapid GzmB induction in CD8 T cells. T cell receptor together with IL-6 trans-signaling was necessary for IL-2 to mediate rapid GzmB induction.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that LSECs can serve as a platform to facilitate CD4-CD8 T cell crosstalk enhancing the immune function of LSECs to cross-prime CD8 T cells. IL-6 trans-signaling-mediated responsiveness for IL-2 inducing sustained GzmB expression in CD8 T cells reveals unique mechanisms of CD4 T cell help and CD8 T cell differentiation through liver-resident antigen-presenting cells.

Lay summary: Our findings demonstrate that LSEC co-present antigen to CD8 and CD4 T cells and thereby enable CD4 T cell help for LSEC-priming of CD8 T cells. This CD4 T cell help selectively enhances the rapid upregulation of GzmB and effector function of LSEC-primed CD8 T cells thereby enhancing functional differentiation towards CD8 effector T cells.

Keywords: CD4 T cell help; IL-6 trans-signaling; LSEC; Liver primed T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Communication
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cross-Priming*
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology*
  • Granzymes / analysis
  • Interleukin-2 / physiology*
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Granzymes