A third signal that can be provided by IL-12 or type I IFN is required for differentiation of naive CD8 T cells responding to Ag and costimulation. The cytokines program development of function and memory within 3 days of initial stimulation, and we show here that programming involves regulation of a common set of ∼355 genes including T-bet and eomesodermin. Much of the gene regulation program is initiated in response to Ag and costimulation within 24 h but is then extinguished unless a cytokine signal is available. Histone deacetylase inhibitors mimic the effects of IL-12 or type I IFN signaling, indicating that the cytokines relieve repression and allow continued gene expression by promoting increased histone acetylation. In support of this, increased association of acetylated histones with the promoter loci of granzyme B and eomesodermin is shown to occur in response to IL-12, IFN-α, or histone deacetylase inhibitors. Thus, IL-12 and IFN-α/β enforce in common a complex gene regulation program that involves, at least in part, chromatin remodeling to allow sustained expression of a large number of genes critical for CD8 T cell function and memory.

The role that anergy, an acquired state of T cell functional unresponsiveness, plays in natural peripheral tolerance remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that anergy is selectively induced in fetal antigen-specific maternal CD4+ T cells during pregnancy. A naturally occurring subpopulation of anergic polyclonal CD4+ T cells, enriched in self antigen-specific T cell receptors, is also observed in healthy hosts. Neuropilin-1 expression in anergic conventional CD4+ T cells is associated with thymic regulatory T cell (Treg cell)-related gene hypomethylation, and this correlates with their capacity to differentiate into Foxp3+ Treg cells that suppress immunopathology. Thus, our data suggest that not only is anergy induction important in preventing autoimmunity, but it also generates the precursors for peripheral Treg cell differentiation.

Rheumatoid arthritis develops in association with a defect in peripheral CD4+ T cell homeostasis. T cell lymphopenia has also been shown to be a barrier to CD4+ T cell clonal anergy induction. We, therefore, explored the relationship between clonal anergy induction and the avoidance of autoimmune arthritis by tracking the fate of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI)-reactive CD4+ T cells in the setting of selective T cell lymphopenia. CD4+ T cell recognition of self GPI peptide/MHCII complexes in normal murine hosts did not lead to arthritis, and instead caused those T cells to develop a Folate receptor 4 (FR4)hi CD73hi anergic phenotype. In contrast, hosts selectively depleted of polyclonal Foxp3+ CD4+ T regulatory cells could not make GPI-specific CD4+ T cells anergic, and failed to control arthritis. This suggests that autoimmune arthritis develops in the setting of lymphopenia when Foxp3+ CD4+ T regulatory cells are insufficient to functionally inactivate all autoreactive CD4+ T cells that encounter self Ag.

SSc-specific antibodies may predict disease subset; however, the hierarchy of their prevalence differs across ethnic groups. This study provides the most extensive analysis to date on the relevance of autoantibodies in the diagnosis and clinical manifestations of SSc in Hispanic American patients.

During Ag stimulation of T cells, the recognition of B7 molecules by the CD28 costimulatory receptor increases the level of c-Fos, a component of the AP-1 transactivator known to bind the 5′ Il2 gene enhancer. In this study, we show that the costimulation of Fos transcription by CD28 is associated with increased binding of p300/CREB-binding protein (CBP) molecules at the Fos promoter, and is blocked by an adenoviral E1A molecular antagonist of p300/CBP. Furthermore, transcriptional activation by a C-terminal domain of CBP is strengthened when CD28 molecules are actively signaling. This increased amount and activity of p300/CBP molecules at the Fos gene correlated with higher histone H4 acetylation and RNA polymerase II association with the promoter. These data suggest a global mechanism whereby CD28 signaling influences the rate and intensity of new gene expression during Ag recognition via direct control over the coactivator function of p300/CBP.

T cell clonal anergy induction in lymphopenic nu/nu mice was found to be ineffective. Exposure to a tolerizing peptide Ag regimen instead induced aggressive CD4+ cell cycle progression and increased Ag responsiveness (priming). Reconstitution of T cell-deficient mice by an adoptive transfer of mature peripheral lymphocytes was accompanied by the development of a CD25+Foxp3+CTLA-4+CD4+ regulatory T cell population that acted to dampen Ag-driven cell cycle progression and facilitate the induction of clonal anergy in nearby responder CD25−CD4+ T cells. Thus, an early recovery of CD25+ regulatory T cells following a lymphopenic event can prevent exuberant Ag-stimulated CD4+ cell cycle progression and promote the development of clonal anergy.

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals of all ages and is triggered by immune response to gluten and related proteins. The disease is characterized by the presence of HLA-DQ2 and/or -DQ8 haplotypes, diverse clinical manifestations, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and production of several autoantibodies of which endomysial, tissue transglutaminase, and deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies are considered specific. Although antireticulin antibodies (ARA) have historically been used in the evaluation of CD, these assays lack optimal sensitivities and specificities for routine diagnostic use. This minireview highlights the advances in CD-specific serologic testing and the rationale for eliminating ARA from CD evaluation consistent with recommendations for diagnosis.

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