IL-15 transpresentation promotes both human T-cell reconstitution and T-cell-dependent antibody responses in vivo

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Apr 12;108(15):6217-22. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1019167108. Epub 2011 Mar 28.

Abstract

Cytokine immunotherapies targeting T lymphocytes are attractive clinical interventions against viruses and tumors. In the mouse, the homeostasis of memory α/β CD8(+) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells is significantly improved with increased IL-15 bioavailability. In contrast, the role of "transpresented" IL-15 on human T-cell development and homeostasis in vivo is unknown. We found that both CD8 and CD4 T cells in human immune system (HIS) mice are highly sensitive to transpresented IL-15 in vivo, with both naïve (CD62L(+)CD45RA(+)) and memory phenotype (CD62L(-)CD45RO(+)) subsets being significantly increased following IL-15 "boosting." The unexpected global improvement in human T-cell homeostasis involved enhanced proliferation and survival of both naïve and memory phenotype peripheral T cells, which potentiated B-cell responses by increasing the frequency of antigen-specific responses following immunization. Transpresented IL-15 did not modify T-cell activation patterns or alter the global T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity. Our results indicate an unexpected effect of IL-15 on human T cells in vivo, in particular on CD4(+) T cells. As IL-15 promotes human peripheral T-cell homeostasis and increases the frequency of neutralizing antibody responses in HIS mice, IL-15 immunotherapy could be envisaged as a unique approach to improve vaccine responses in the clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-15 / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-15 / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Interleukin-15
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Interleukin-15