Identification of a human HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell subset in volunteers immunized with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strain Ty21a typhoid vaccine

J Immunol. 2004 Nov 1;173(9):5852-62. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.9.5852.

Abstract

Our previous studies in volunteers immunized with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) have suggested an important role for CD8+ T cells in host defense. In this study we describe a novel subset of nonclassical human HLA-E-restricted S. Typhi-specific CD8+ T cells derived from PBMC of Ty21a typhoid vaccinees. CD3+CD8+CD4-CD56- T cells effectively killed S. Typhi-infected targets regardless of whether they share classical HLA class I molecules with them, by a FAS-independent, granule-dependent mechanism, as evidenced by induction of granzyme B release and the blocking effects of concanamycin and strontium ions. The expression of HLA-E Ags, but not CD1-a, -b, or -c, on the membrane of S. Typhi-infected targets rendered them susceptible to lysis. Moreover, anti-HLA-E Abs partially blocked these responses. We also demonstrated that presentation of S. Typhi Ags via HLA-E could stimulate IFN-gamma production. Increases in the net frequency of IFN-gamma spot-forming cells were observed in the presence of targets coated with peptides that contain S. Typhi GroEL HLA-E binding motifs. These results demonstrate that HLA-E binds nonamer peptides derived from bacterial proteins and trigger CD8+-mediated lysis and IFN-gamma production when exposed to infected targets, raising the possibility that this novel effector mechanism might contribute to host defense against intracellular bacterial infections.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Blocking / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / enzymology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • CD3 Complex / biosynthesis
  • CD56 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / enzymology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / immunology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / microbiology
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic* / methods
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-E Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / immunology
  • Salmonella typhi / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / microbiology
  • Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD56 Antigen
  • HLA Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex