PD-1 has a unique capacity to inhibit allergen-specific human CD4+ T cell responses

Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 10;8(1):13543. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31757-z.

Abstract

T lymphocytes have a crucial role in initiating and promoting type I allergies. Their responses are tightly regulated by numerous activating and inhibitory signals provided by APCs. Here we have addressed the role of the major coinhibitory receptors PD-1, CTLA-4, BTLA and LAG-3 in allergen-specific CD4+ T cell responses. PBMCs of healthy individuals and 41 patients allergic to house dust mites, birch, grass or mugwort pollen were stimulated with allergenic extracts and expression of coinhibitory receptors on responding CD4+ T cells was assessed. Blocking antibodies to PD-1, CTLA-4, BTLA and LAG-3 were used to evaluate the role of coinhibitory pathways. Allergen-specific CD4+ T cells showed strong upregulation of PD-1, LAG-3 and CTLA-4 upon stimulation, whereas BTLA was downregulated. Blockade of PD-1 strongly enhanced proliferation and cytokine production (IL-10; TH1 cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α; TH2 cytokines IL-5, IL-13) of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells derived from allergic as well as non-allergic individuals. BTLA blockade enhanced proliferation but not cytokine production in response to house dust mite extract. Blocking LAG-3 was ineffective and surprisingly, we observed reduced proliferation and cytokine production in presence of a CTLA-4 antibody. Our results point to a unique potency of PD-1 pathways to dampen allergen-specific human T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD / drug effects
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / drug effects
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / blood
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein
  • Male
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, CD
  • BTLA protein, human
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Cytokines
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein
  • Lag3 protein, human