Enhanced Requirement for TNFR2 in Graft Rejection Mediated by Low-Affinity Memory CD8+ T Cells during Heterologous Immunity

Abstract

The affinity of a TCR binding to peptide:MHC profoundly impacts the phenotype and function of effector and memory cell differentiation. Little is known about the effect of low-affinity priming on memory cell generation and function, which is particularly important in heterologous immunity, when microbe-specific T cells cross-react with allogeneic Ag and mediate graft rejection. We found that low-affinity-primed memory CD8(+) T cells produced high levels of TNF ex vivo in response to heterologous rechallenge compared with high-affinity-primed memory T cells. Low-affinity secondary effectors significantly upregulated TNFR2 on the cell surface and contained a higher frequency of TNFR2(hi) proliferating cells. Low-affinity-primed secondary effectors concurrently downregulated TNF production. Importantly, blockade of TNFR2 attenuated graft rejection in low- but not high-affinity-primed animals. These data establish a functional connection between TNF signaling and TCR-priming affinity and have implications for the immunomodulation of pathogenic T cell responses during transplantation.