Induction of T cell anergy in the absence of CTLA-4/B7 interaction

J Immunol. 2000 Mar 15;164(6):2987-93. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.6.2987.

Abstract

Immunologic tolerance in T lymphocytes is maintained through both thymic and peripheral contributions. One peripheral tolerance mechanism is the induction of T cell anergy, a form of nonresponsiveness resulting from incomplete T cell activation, such as stimulation through the TCR in the absence of costimulation. Recent reports have suggested that engagement of the inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 by its B7 ligand is critical for the initiation of anergy. We tested the importance of CTLA-4 in anergy induction in primary T cells with an in vitro anergy system. Using both CTLA-4/B7-blocking agents and CTLA-4-deficient T cells, we found that T cell anergy can be established in the absence of CTLA-4 expression and/or function. Even in the absence of CTLA-4 signal transduction, T cells activated solely through TCR ligation lose the ability to proliferate as a result of autocrine IL-2 production upon subsequent receptor engagement. Thus, CTLA-4 signaling is not required for the development of T cell anergy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation / immunology
  • Antigens, Differentiation / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / pharmacology
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-1 Antigen / immunology
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cell Line
  • Clonal Anergy* / genetics
  • Clone Cells
  • Female
  • Immunoconjugates*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cd86 protein, mouse
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Abatacept