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A role for the immunological synapse in lineage commitment of CD4 lymphocytes

Nature volume 431, pages 527–532 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Activation of the naive T-helper lymphocyte (Thp) directs it down one of two major developmental pathways called Th1 and Th2. Signals transmitted by T cell, co-stimulatory and cytokine receptors control Thp lineage commitment but the mechanism by which these signals are integrated remains a mystery. The interferon-γ (IFNGR) and interleukin 4 (IL-4R) cytokine receptors, in particular, direct the earliest stages of T-helper commitment. Here we report that on engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) on Thp cells, rapid co-polarization of IFNGR with the TCR occurs within the developing immunological synapse. Thp cells from the intrinsically Th1-like C57BL/6 mouse strain have significantly more receptor co-polarization than Th2-prone BALB/c Thp cells. Remarkably, in the presence of IL-4, a cytokine required for Th2 differentiation, IFNGR co-polarization with TCR is prevented. This inhibition depends on Stat6, the transcription factor downstream of IL-4R that is required for Th2 differentiation. This cytokine receptor crossregulation provides an explanation for the effect of IL-4 in inhibiting Th1 differentiation. These observations suggest a scenario in which physical co-polarization of critical receptors directs the fate of the naive Thp, and offer a novel function for the immunological synapse in directing cell differentiation. They further suggest a new mechanism of membrane-bound signalling control by the physical disruption of large receptor-rich domains on signalling through a functionally antagonistic receptor.

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Figure 1: TCRβ and IFNGR colocalize at the immunological synapse.
Figure 2: IFNGR co-polarization and partial IL-2R co-polarization with the TCR after T cell activation.
Figure 3: B6 Thp display increased co-polarization of TCR and IFNGR compared to BALB/c Thp.
Figure 4: IL-4 impedes the co-polarization of IFNGR with TCR in a Stat6-dependent manner.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Shaw, G. Petsko, M. Grusby and G. Lord for thoughtful review of the manuscript, and G. Petsko for advice on the statistical analysis. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants. R.M. is a recipient of the Kelli and Gerald Ford Irvington Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115-6017, USA

    Roberto A. Maldonado & Laurie H. Glimcher

  2. Biological Engineering Division/Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA

    Darrell J. Irvine

  3. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA

    Robert Schreiber

  4. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA

    Laurie H. Glimcher

Authors
  1. Roberto A. Maldonado
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Correspondence to Laurie H. Glimcher.

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The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Figure 1

TCRß and IFNGR colocalize at the IS. (PDF 359 kb)

Supplementary Figure 2

Neither IFNγ or Stat1 are required for IFNGR/TCR copolarization. (PDF 1103 kb)

Supplementary Figure 3

Neither the presence of IL-4 nor absence of IFNγ induce IL-4R and TCR copolarization after Thp activation. (PDF 859 kb)

Supplementary Figure 4

The polarization of IFNGR and TCR is not increased in IL-4-deficient BALB/c Thp. (PDF 471 kb)

Supplementary Movie 1

Dynamics of Thp and DC coculture. (MP4 790 kb)

Supplementary Movie 2

4D observation of the dynamics of Thp activation and receptor motility in the presence of OVA protein/peptide-loaded DC. (MOV 2296 kb)

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Maldonado, R., Irvine, D., Schreiber, R. et al. A role for the immunological synapse in lineage commitment of CD4 lymphocytes. Nature 431, 527–532 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02916

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