Interactions between CD8+ T cells and endothelial cells are important in both protective and pathologic immune responses. Endothelial cells regulate the recruitment of CD8 + T cells into tissues, and the activation of CD8 + T cells by antigen presentation and costimulatory signals. PD-L1 and PD-L2 are recently described B7-family molecules which bind to PD-1 on activated lymphocytes and down-regulate T cell activation. We found that PD-L1 is expressed on interferon-+ stimulated cultured human and mouse endothelial cells, while PD-L2 was found on stimulated human but not mouse endothelial cells. Expression was further upregulated by TNF- § . Antibody blockade of endothelial cell PD-L1 and PD-L2 enhanced endothelial cell costimulation of PHA-activated human CD8 + T cells. Antibody blockade of mouse endothelial cell PD-L1 enhanced both IFN-+ secretion and cytolytic activity of CD8 + T cells in response to endothelial cell antigen presentation. These results show that IFN-+ activated endothelial cells can inhibit T cell activation via expression of the immunoinhibitory PD-L1 and PD-L2 molecules. Endothelial expression of PD-ligands would allow activation and extravasation of T cells without excessive vessel damage. Our findings highlight a potentially important pathway by which endothelial cells down-regulate CD8 + T cellmediated immune responses.

Neuropilins (NRPs) are trans-membrane receptors involved in axon guidance and vascular development. Many growth factors and other signaling molecules bind to NRPs through a C-terminal, basic sequence motif (C-end Rule or CendR motif). Peptides with this motif (CendR peptides) are taken up into cells by endocytosis. Tumor-homing CendR peptides penetrate through tumor tissue and have shown utility in enhancing drug delivery into tumors. Here we show, using RNAi screening and subsequent validation studies, that NRP1-mediated endocytosis of CendR peptides is distinct from known endocytic pathways. Ultrastructurally, CendR endocytosis resembles macropinocytosis, but is mechanistically different. We also show that nutrient-sensing networks such as mTOR signaling regulate CendR endocytosis and subsequent intercellular transport of CendR cargo, both of which are stimulated by nutrient depletion. As CendR is a bulk transport pathway, our results suggest a role for it in nutrient transport; CendR-enhanced drug delivery then makes use of this natural pathway.

Background— PD-L1 and PD-L2 are ligands for the inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1), which is an important regulator of immune responses. PD-L1 is induced on cardiac endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions, but little is known about its role in regulating immune injury in the heart. Methods and Results— Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–mediated myocarditis was induced in mice, and the influence of PD-L1 signaling was studied with PD-L1/L2–deficient mice and blocking antibodies. During cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–induced myocarditis, the upregulation of PD-L1 on cardiac endothelia was dependent on T-cell–derived interferon-γ, and blocking of interferon-γ signaling worsened disease. Genetic deletion of both PD-1 ligands [ PD-L1/2 (−/−) ], as well as treatment with PD-L1 blocking antibody, transformed transient myocarditis to lethal disease, in association with widespread polymorphonuclear leukocyte–rich microabscesses but without change in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recruitment. PD-L1/2 (−/−) mice reconstituted with bone marrow from wild-type mice remained susceptible to severe disease, which demonstrates that PD-L1 on non–bone marrow–derived cells confers the protective effect. Finally, depletion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes reversed the enhanced susceptibility to lethal myocarditis attributable to PD-L1 deficiency. Conclusions— Myocardial PD-L1, mainly localized on endothelium, is critical for control of immune-mediated cardiac injury and polymorphonuclear leukocyte inflammation.