Chimeric TCRs with an Ab-derived binding domain confer predefined specificity and MHC-independent target binding to T cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy. We investigated the impact of receptor binding affinity on the activation of grafted T cells. A series of anti-ErbB2 single-chain fragment binding domains with a Kd ranging from 3.2 × 10−7 to 1.5 × 10−11 M was linked to CD3ζ-derived immunoreceptors and expressed in human PBL. Solid phase bound ErbB2 protein triggered activation of receptor-grafted T cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activation threshold inversely correlated with the affinity of the receptor binding domain. The maximum level of cellular activation, however, was the same and independent of the binding affinity. Upon binding to ErbB2+ cells, T cells grafted with immunoreceptors carrying a single-chain fragment of Kd < 10−8 M were activated in a similar fashion against cells with different amounts of ErbB2 on the surface. T cells with a low affinity receptor (Kd > 10−8 M), however, were activated exclusively by cells with high amounts of ErbB2. In conclusion, recombinant immunoreceptors of higher affinity do not necessarily induce a more potent activation of T cells than low affinity immunoreceptors, but the higher affinity immunoreceptors exhibit less discrimination between target cells with high or low Ag expression levels.

Recombinant immunoreceptors with specificity for the carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA) can redirect grafted T cells to a MHC/Ag-independent antitumor response. To analyze receptor-mediated cellular activation in the context of CD28 costimulation, we generated: 1) CEA+ colorectal tumor cells that express simultaneously B7-1 and B7-2, and 2) CEA-specific immunoreceptors that harbor intracellularly the signaling moities either of CD28 (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD28), CD3ζ (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD3ζ), or FcεRIγ (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-γ). By retroviral gene transfer, we grafted activated T cells from the peripheral blood with these immunoreceptors. T cells that express the FcεRIγ or CD3ζ signaling receptor lysed specifically CEA+ tumor cells and secreted high amounts of IFN-γ upon receptor cross-linking, whereas anti-CEA-CD28 receptor-grafted T cells did not, indicating that CD28 signaling alone is not sufficient for efficient T cell activation. CD28 costimulation did not affect cytolysis by T cells equipped with γ- or ζ-signaling receptors, but enhanced both IFN-γ secretion and proliferation. CD28 costimulation, however, was required for efficient IL-2 secretion of anti-CEA-γ receptor-grafted T cells. Both purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells grafted with immunoreceptors required CD28 costimulation for complete T cell activation. We integrated both CD28 and CD3ζ signaling domains into one combined immunoreceptor molecule (BW431/26-scFv-Fc-CD28/CD3ζ) with dual signaling properties. T cells grafted with the combined CD28/CD3ζ signaling receptor secreted high amounts of IL-2 upon Ag binding without exogenous B7/CD28 costimulation, demonstrating that both MHC-independent cellular activation and CD28 costimulation for complete T cell activation can be delivered by one recombinant receptor molecule.

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DCs and macrophages both express the chemokine receptor CX 3 CR1. Here we demonstrate that its ligand, CX 3 CL1, is highly expressed in the murine kidney and intestine. CX 3 CR1 deficiency markedly reduced DC numbers in the healthy and inflamed kidney cortex, and to a lesser degree in the kidney medulla and intestine, but not in other organs. CX 3 CR1 also promoted influx of DC precursors in crescentic glomerulonephritis, a DC-dependent aggressive type of nephritis. Disease severity was strongly attenuated in CX 3 CR1-deficient mice. Primarily CX 3 CR1-dependent DCs in the kidney cortex processed antigen for the intrarenal stimulation of T helper cells, a function important for glomerulonephritis progression. In contrast, medullary DCs played a specialized role in inducing innate immunity against bacterial pyelonephritis by recruiting neutrophils through rapid chemokine production. CX 3 CR1 deficiency had little effect on the immune defense against pyelonephritis, as medullary DCs were less CX 3 CR1 dependent than cortical DCs and because recruited neutrophils produced chemokines to compensate for the DC paucity. These findings demonstrate that cortical and medullary DCs play specialized roles in their respective kidney compartments. We identify CX 3 CR1 as a potential therapeutic target in glomerulonephritis that may involve fewer adverse side effects, such as impaired anti-infectious defense or compromised DC functions in other organs.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the kidney and form an intricate network in the tubulointerstitium, suggesting that they may play an important role in interstitial infections such as pyelonephritis. Here, we optimized a murine pyelonephritis model by instilling uropathogenic Escherichia coli two times at a 3-hour interval, which produced an infection rate of 84%. By 3 hours after the second instillation, resident kidney DCs began secreting the chemokine CXCL2, which recruits neutrophilic granulocytes. During the time studied, DCs remained responsible for most of the CXCL2 production. Neutrophils began infiltrating the kidney 3 hours after the second instillation and phagocytozed bacteria. Macrophages followed 3 hours later and contributed much less to both CXCL2 production and bacterial phagocytosis. To investigate whether DCs recruit neutrophils into the kidney for antibacterial defense, we used CD11c.DTR mice allowing conditional depletion of CD11c(+) dendritic cells. The absence of CD11c(+) DCs markedly delayed neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the tubulointerstitial dendritic cell network serves an innate immune sentinel function against bacterial pyelonephritis.