CD 161 ++ CD 8 + T cells, including the MAIT cell subset, are specifically activated by IL ‐12+ IL ‐18 in a TCR ‐independent manner

1High expression of CD161 by CD8+ T cells defines the overlapping Tc17 and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell populations. Both subsets are thought to develop from a pool of precommitted CD161 high expressing T cells. Human MAIT cells comprise up to ∼5% of the total T-cell population, compared with ∼0.1% invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells (Vα24-Jα18+), and dominate the CD161++CD8+T cell population within adult peripheral blood, representing up to 95% of this population. Thus, these cells represent a major innate-like T lymphocyte population within the human body.

2MAIT cells express a semi-invariant TCR, composed of the invariant variable-α chain 7.2 (Vα7.2)-Jα33. They are restricted to the evolutionarily conserved, nonpolymorphic MHC-related protein (MR) 1. Evidence from a number of groups has suggested that the source of the MR1 ligand is bacterial. Recently, Kjer-Nielsen et al. demonstrated that the riboflavin metabolite, rRL-6-CH2OH, was able to stabilize MR1 and activate MAIT cells, suggesting that MAIT cells are specific for riboflavin-producing microorganisms.

3CD161++CD8+ T cells, and the MAIT cell subset, are found at potential sites of pathogen entry within epithelia, in particular lamina propria, as well as in high numbers in the liver. The MAIT cell subset has been associated with protection from bacterial infections in a number of mouse models: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium abscessus, and BCG. Furthermore, in humans, MAIT cells have also been observed within the lungs of tuberculosis patients.

4CD161++CD8+ T cells have also been implicated in a number of inflammatory settings independent of bacterial infection. They are enriched within the livers of patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. CD161++CD8+ T cells have been found in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis and have been suggested to have a pathogenic role. Moreover, Tc17 cells are thought to play an important role orchestrating skin inflammation in murine models of psoriasis.

5Overall, there is strong evidence that CD161++CD8+ T cells, including the MAIT cell subset, have an important role in inflammation, even in the absence of bacterial infection. However, the mechanism(s) driving the activation of these cells is not clear.

6Given the high expression of the IL-18 receptor observed on the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population, we hypothesized that CD161++CD8+ T cells, including the MAIT cell subset, could be activated by cytokine stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18, as has been reported with NK cells. Here, we demonstrate that not only could this population express IFN-γ in response to cytokine stimulation, but it was also the primary T-cell population to do so. Furthermore, we demonstrate that bacteria, including nonriboflavin metabolizing species, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists could indirectly activate CD161++CD8+ T cells via this mechanism.

7Initially, we confirmed the previous findings that CD161++CD8+ T cells expressed a significantly higher level of IL-18Rα compared with other CD8+T cell subsets. Indeed, CD161++CD8+ T cells expressed significantly higher IL-18Rα levels compared with either CD161+ (p ≤ 0.001) or CD161− subpopulations (p ≤ 0.001, Fig.1A and B). Interestingly, the level of expression was also almost threefold higher than on NK cells (p ≤ 0.001).

8It is well established that the combination of IL-12 and IL-18 induces IFN-γ expression by murine NK cells and T cells. Therefore, we asked if CD161++CD8+ T cells were more sensitive to IL-12+IL-18 stimulation compared with the other T-cell subsets. Surprisingly, only the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population responded robustly to stimulation (mean approximately 50%) (Fig.1C and D). While both CD161+CD8+ T-cell and CD161+CD4+ T-cell populations made limited responses (mean response ≤ 10%), CD161−CD8+ T-cell and CD161−CD4+ T-cell populations did not respond. Stimulation with either IL-12 or IL-18 alone did not induce IFN-γ expression from any T-cell subset (Fig.1E).

9In adults, MAIT cells dominate the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population, representing approximately 87% of the total population (Fig.3A). They express a semi-invariant TCR and are restricted to MR1. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of MR1. Therefore, we investigated whether the stimulation of CD161++CD8+ T cells by IL-12+IL-18 was MR1 dependent.

10First, PBMCs were stimulated with either IL-12+IL-18 or E. coli in the presence or absence of the MR1 blocking-antibody, clone 26.5 (Fig.2A). Anti-MR1 did not affect the ability of the cells to respond IL-12+IL-18, but reduced IFN-γ expression induced by E. coli (p = 0.0135).

11Next, to confirm that IL-12+IL-18 stimulation was truly TCR independent, PBMCs were stimulated with either IL-12+IL-18 or anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 beads in the presence or absence of inhibitors cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of TCR signaling, and SB203580, a p38-MAPK inhibitor (Fig.2B). Cyclosporin A did not inhibit IFN-γ expression induced by IL-12+IL-18, but did significantly inhibit IFN-γ expression by anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 beads (p = ns and p = 0.001 respectively). In contrast, the p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), which inhibits IL-12+IL-18 signaling, inhibited IL-12+IL-18-induced IFN-γ expression (p = 0.001), but not anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 stimulation. Thus, IL-12+IL-18-induced IFN-γ production was independent of TCR signaling.

12As IL-12+IL-18-induced IFN-γ production was independent of MR1 and TCR signaling, we questioned whether IL-12+IL-18 responsiveness was a characteristic specific to the MAIT cells, or to the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population as a whole. T cells possessing the Vα7.2 TCR dominate the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population in adult peripheral blood, ranging from approximately 70–95% in healthy individuals (Fig.3A).

13We assessed IL-18Rα expression and found significantly higher levels of expression on Vα7.2+CD161++CD8+ T cells compared with the smaller Vα7.2−CD161++CD8+ T-cell subset (p = 0.0091, Fig.3B). However, this difference did not result in increased sensitivity to IL-12+IL-18 stimulation as both subsets responded equally to IL-12+IL-18 stimulation (Fig.3C). Furthermore, titration of IL-18 did not reveal the MAIT cell subgroup to be more sensitive to lower IL-18 concentrations compared with either the Vα7.2−CD161++CD8+ T-cell or NK-cell populations (Fig.3D). This was true both in terms of the percentage of cells responding and the levels of IFN-γ expressed by each cell (as determined by the geometric MFI).

14Therefore, the ability to respond to IL-12+IL-18 is TCR independent. Furthermore, this is a characteristic of all CD161++CD8+ T cells, and is not restricted to just the Vα7.2+CD161++CD8+ T-cell (MAIT cell) subpopulation.

15The key characteristic of MAIT cells is their ability to respond to bacterial infection via MR1. However, exposure of antigen presenting cells (APCs), such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs), to bacteria results in the expression of a wide range of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-18. Thus, the total CD161++CD8+ T-cell population has the potential to respond indirectly to a wide range of microbial infections.

16Using the THP-1 cell line as APCs, we first explored the contribution of MR1 and IL-12+IL-18 to the activation of CD161++CD8+ T cells by bacteria. When THP-1 cells were cultured overnight with paraformaldehyde-fixed E. coli and then cocultured with CD8+T cells for 5 h, activation was specific to CD161++CD8+ T cells and was predominantly MR1 mediated (Fig.4A and C). Blocking with anti-MR1 inhibited all IFN-γ expression, while anti-IL-12 plus anti-IL-18 blocking antibodies had no effect. However, when CD8+ T cells were cocultured with THP-1 cells and E. coli for 20 h, both MR1 and IL-12+IL-18 signaling contributed to IFN-γ expression, as blockade of either pathway reduced IFN-γ expression by ∼50%. Moreover, when THP-1 cells were exposed to paraformaldehyde-fixed Enterococcus faecalis, a species unable to synthesize riboflavin, only anti-IL-12+IL-18 blocked IFN-γ expression at either time point and again this was specific to the CD8+CD161++ T cells (Fig.4B and D), although the size of the response was much lower.

17The differing ability of E. coli and E. faecalis treated THP1 cells to induce IFN-γ production from the CD161++CD8+ T cells was reflected in the amount of IL-12 and IL-18 secreted.

18Treatment with E. coli resulted in considerably greater production of IL-12 compared to treatment with E. faecalis.

19After a 20 h culture, the addition of 2 × 106 and 2 × 107 E. coli per 105 THP-1 cells resulted in a mean IL-12 concentration of 2170 and 1872 pg/mL respectively. However, E. faecalis, at equal MOIs, only induced a mean IL-12 concentration of 81 and 253 pg/mL, respectively (Supporting Information Fig. 2A). However, no difference was observed in their ability to induce IL-18 (Supporting Information Fig. 2B).

20Bacteria are large complex microorganisms that can trigger a number of different pathogen recognition receptors, such as TLRs. TLRs are potent activators of the immune system and induce a number of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-18. To test the importance of each TLR individually, we stimulated THP-1 cells with agonists to TLR 1–9 for 24 h, washed the cells extensively, and cocultured them with CD8+ T cells for 16 h. Only coculture with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (TLR4 agonist) treated THP-1 cells stimulated IFN-γ production by CD161++CD8+ T cells (Fig.5A). This could be blocked by anti-IL-12 plus anti-IL-18 blocking-antibodies, but not by anti-MR1 (Fig.5B).

21The inability of the THP-1 cells, stimulated with the other TLR agonists, to activate CD161++CD8+ T cells could reflect the TLRs expressed by this cell line. Therefore, we tested PBMCs with the different TLR agonists and assessed IFN-γ production by the CD161++CD8+T cell population. Unexpectedly, only the presence of the TLR8 agonist, ssRNA40, induced IFN-γ expression by the CD161++CD8+ T cells. This was not blocked by anti-MR1 (p ≤ 0.01, Fig.5C). However, again both IL-12 and IL-18 were required for activation (Fig.5D).

22IFN-γ expression, induced by both TLR4 and TLR8 agonists, was restricted to the CD161++CD8+ T cell subset (Supporting Information Fig.3A and B). This is consistent with the previous IL-12+IL-18 stimulation data (Fig.1D).

23To demonstrate that the response was TLR8 dependent, PBMCs were cultured with the TLR8 agonist plus the vacuolar-type H+ ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin A1. Bafilomycin A1 significantly inhibited expression of IFN-γ by the CD161++CD8+ T cells (p ≤ 0.01, Fig.5E).

24Furthermore, the expression of the active form of IL-18 requires caspase-1 and the inflammasome. To confirm the involvement of caspase-1, PBMCs were cultured with the TLR8 agonist and the caspase inhibitor Z-WEHD. This resulted in a significant reduction of IFN-γ production by the CD161++CD8+ T cells (p ≤ 0.05, Fig.5E).

25A number of studies have suggested that CD161++CD8+ T cells, and the MAIT cell subset, are associated with viral and autoimmune inflammatory conditions. This has raised the question of whether these cells actively contribute to inflammation and if so by what mechanism. In this study, we have demonstrated that CD161++CD8+ T cells, including both Vα7.2+ MAIT cells and Vα7.2− cells, are able to produce IFN-γ in an MR1-independent fashion in response to IL-12 plus IL-18. This provides a mechanism by which these cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease.

26IL-18 was first identified as IFN-γ inducing factor by Okamura et al. in 1995. When combined with IL-12, IL-18 has been shown to be potent inducer of IFN-γ in human NK cells and, to a more limited extent, in human T cells. In this study, we have shown that the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population is the major T-cell population that produced IFN-γ in response to IL-12+IL-18 stimulation. Furthermore, the response to IL-12+IL-18 was TCR independent and was not restricted to the Vα7.2+ MAIT cell subpopulation, but was a characteristic of the entire CD161++CD8+ T-cell population (both Vα7.2+ and Vα7.2−). Although the MAIT cell subset expressed higher level of IL-18Rα compared to the CD161++CD8+ Vα7.2− T-cell population, they did not show a greater sensitivity to IL-18 stimulation. The higher levels of IL-18Rα could be a reflection of a more activated state of the MAIT cells, as they also express higher levels of CD69 (data not shown). However, the IL-18 receptor is a heterodimer comprising IL-18Rα and IL-18β chains. Thus, the lack of an associated increase in sensitivity may be due to the levels of expression of the IL-18β chain, which has been shown to be essential for signaling.

27IL-12 and IL-18 are proinflammatory cytokines expressed by monocytes, macrophages, and DCs in response to a range of pathogenic stimuli. Using THP-1 cells as APCs, we demonstrated that both E. coli and E. faecalis induce sufficient IL-12 and IL-18 to activate CD161++CD8+ T cells. In the case of E. coli, which contains the riboflavin synthetic pathway and is able to activate MAIT cells via MR1, early activation (5 h) was solely MR1 dependent, while with longer coincubation (20 h) both TCR stimulation and IL-12+IL-18 contributed to activation. In contrast, activation by E. faecalis, which lacks the riboflavin synthetic pathway and does not activate MAIT cells via MR1, was solely dependent on IL-12+IL-18. The weaker stimulation seen with E. faecalis, compared to E. coli, may reflect the differing abilities of the bacteria to induce cytokine production, in particular IL-12. Of note, a recent study in mice demonstrated that MAIT cells were able to control intracellular growth of BCG in an IL-12-dependent, MR1-independent manner, suggesting that TCR-independent activation may play the dominant role in MAIT cell effector function in vivo. In contrast to mice, we found that human MAIT cells require both IL-12 and IL-18 stimulation for TCR-independent activation.

28TLR stimulation has also been reported to induce production of IL-12 and IL-18. Using the THP-1 model, we demonstrated that LPS, a TLR4 agonist, but not other TLR agonists, was able to stimulate IFN-γ production by the CD161++CD8+ T-cell population in an IL-12+IL-18-dependent, MR1-independent manner. This is consistent with the stronger response observed to E. coli than to E. faecalis, which lacks LPS. Alternatively, TCR stimulation may allow the CD161++CD8+ T cells to respond more vigorously to IL-12+IL-18, as suggested by the partial blockade in response at 20 h with the MR-1 blocking antibody. Furthermore, that CD161++CD8+ T cells responded to E. faecalis in an IL-12+IL-18-dependent manner suggests that THP1s can produce IL-12+IL-18 to stimuli other than TLR4 agonists, such as combinations of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Indeed, when a TLR agonist panel was tested on PBMCs, the TLR8 agonist was the most potent indirect activator of CD161++CD8+ T cells. Again, activation was dependent upon IL-12+IL-18 production. These data differ from those presented by Le Bourhis et al., who showed that murine bone marrow (BM) derived DCs, stimulated with LPS, were unable to activate MAIT cells in an overnight coculture, although a reduction in response to E. coli was seen at lower multiples of infection with MyD88−/− BMDCs. This contrasts with Chua et al., who showed that BCG-mediated MAIT cell activation was dependent upon IL-12 production by infected macrophages. These results are most likely due to differences in cytokines induced by different TLR agonists, or a difference in the response by the APCs involved. For example, Humann et al. demonstrated that murine BMDCs were unable to express IL-18 in response to LPS stimulation, although they were able to with L. monocytogenes stimulation. Furthermore, it has not been reported whether murine MAIT cells express IL-18R. Therefore, differences between the data presented here and previous reports may reflect the different APCs used, as well as the ability of murine MAIT cells to respond to IL-12+IL-18. Overall, this suggests that in vivo, TCR-independent mechanisms of CD161++CD8+ T-cell activation will be dependent upon the interactions of local APCs and PAMPs.

29Interestingly, in our model, IL-12+IL-18-induced IFN-γ expression by the CD161++CD8+ T cells was only seen at the 20 to 24 h time point, and not after 5 h. The lack of early IL-12+IL-18-induced IFN-γ is consistent with previous findings in NK cells and has been suggested to be due to the upregulation of transcription factors, such as IκBξ. Furthermore, this highlights the 5 h THP1 model as a useful tool for probing the MR1-dependent activation of MAIT cells.

30TCR-independent activation of CD161++CD8+ T cells provides a mechanism by which this population can respond to a wide range of pathogens, including those that do not provide a ligand for MR1. This is of particular interest for the MAIT cell populations, as the ability to respond to TLR8 agonist-induced IL-12 and IL-18 suggests that, in addition to the antibacterial role, they may play an important role in antiviral responses, as has been suggested for invariant NKT cells in in vivo infection models. Interestingly, both HBV and HCV infections have been associated with IL-12 and IL-18 expression. We have previously shown CD161++CD8+ T cells are depleted in blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C, while Tc17 cells were enriched in the liver. Future studies to investigate the role of CD161++CD8+ T-cell activation by IL-12 and IL-18 in context of viral infections, such as with hepatitis C virus, would be of particular interest.

31Overall, this study demonstrates that CD161++CD8+ T cells, including the MAIT cell population it encompasses, are able to respond directly to the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-18. This implicates this cell population in a range of infectious and noninfectious inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, their ability to specifically respond to TLR8 agonist-induced cytokines, IL-12 and IL-18, suggests that in addition to their antibacterial role, they could play an important role in antiviral responses. Detailed studies on the role and activation of CD161++CD8+ T cells in both autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and infectious disease may reveal potential novel therapeutic targets.

32PBMCs were prepared from whole blood leukocyte cones, obtained locally from the NHS Blood and Transplant UK, by layering onto Lymphoprep (Axis Shield) gradients.

33CD8+T cells were isolated from PBMCs by positive selection with anti-CD8 magnetic beads (Miltenyi Biotech) using an AutoMacsPro or MS columns (both Miltenyi Biotech). Purities achieved were ≥85%.

34PBMCs, or isolated CD8+ T cells, were stimulated for 24 h with IL-12 (Miltenyi Biotech) and/or IL-18 (R&D Systems Europe) at 50 ng/mL unless otherwise stated, or anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 beads (Miltenyi Biotech). Inhibitors used are as follows: 100 ng/mL cyclosporin A (Sigma-Aldrich), 5 μM SB203580 (Sigma-Aldrich), 10 nM bafilomycin A1 (Sigma Aldrich), or 10 μM Z-WEHD (R&D Systems). TLR agonists (Source Bioscience, UK) Pam3CSK4, HKLM, Poly(I:C), LPS E. coli K12, Flagellin S. typhimurium, FSL-1, Imiquimod, ssRNA40/Lyovec, and ODN2006 were used at 1 μg/mL.

35THP-1 cells (ECACC, UK) were incubated with paraformaldehyde-fixed E. coli (DH5α, Invitrogen) or E. faecalis (clinical isolate, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford—species identity confirmed by MALDI-ToF) at 25 bacteria per cell. Isolated CD8+ T cells were either added at the beginning (20 h coculture) or following overnight incubation (5 h coculture).

36Blocking antibodies against IL-12p70 (R&D Systems Europe), IL-12p40/70 (eBioscience), and IL-18 (MBL International, USA) were used at 5 μg/mL, and against MR1 at 10μg/mL unless otherwise stated (clone 26.5, described).

37Antibodies/dyes used were as follows: viability dye Live/Dead fixable-Near-IR (Invitrogen), CD3-eFluor450 (eBioscience), CD3-PECy7 (eBioscience), CD4-VioGreen (clone BW135/80, Miltenyi Biotech), CD8 V450 (BD), IL-18Rα-PE (Biolegend), CD161-APC (Miltenyi Biotech), IFN-γ-FITC (Miltenyi Biotech), Vα7.2-PE or -FITC (Biolegend). Gating strategy is shown in Supporting Information Fig. 1. All data were acquired on a MACSQuant (Miltenyi Biotech) and analyzed on FlowJo (Tree Star Inc.).

38Cell culture supernatants, from THP-1 cells cultured for 20 h in the presence of either E. coli or E. faecalis at the indicated MOIs, were analyzed for total IL-12 (IL-12+p40 human ELISA kit, Invitrogen) and IL-18 (Invitrogen) ELISA detection kits, following the manufactures instructions.

39All graphs and statistical analysis were completed using Prism software version 6 (Graph Pad, San Diego, CA, USA). Statistical significance was assessed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni's multiple comparison test or a paired t-test.