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Blood, 15 March 2005, Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 2421-2427.
Prepublished online as a Blood First Edition Paper on September 21, 2004; DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-07-2823.


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IMMUNOBIOLOGY

Adhesion of human T cells to antigen-presenting cells through SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction costimulates T-cell proliferation

Laura Piccio, William Vermi, Kent S. Boles, Anja Fuchs, Carey A. Strader, Fabio Facchetti, Marina Cella, and Marco Colonna

From the Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO; Department of Neurological Sciences, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, and "Dino Ferrari" Center, Milano, Italy; and Department of Pathology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Signal-regulatory proteins (SIRPs) are transmembrane glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that are expressed in the immune and central nervous systems. SIRP{alpha} binds CD47 and inhibits the function of macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes, whereas SIRP{beta}1 is an orphan receptor that activates the same cell types. A recently identified third member of the SIRP family, SIRP{beta}2, is as yet uncharacterized in terms of expression, specificity, and function. Here, we show that SIRP{beta}2 is expressed on T cells and activated natural killer (NK) cells and, like SIRP{alpha}, binds CD47, mediating cell-cell adhesion. Consequently, engagement of SIRP{beta}2 on T cells by CD47 on antigen-presenting cells results in enhanced antigen-specific T-cell proliferation.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Signal-regulatory proteins (SIRPs) comprise a family of transmembrane glycoproteins expressed in the immune and central nervous system (CNS).1-3 SIRPs are characterized by 3 homologous extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)–like domains (D1-D3) but have distinct transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains that transduce different signals. The prototypical member of the SIRP family, SIRP{alpha}, is expressed in macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), granulocytes, neurons, and astrocytes. SIRP{alpha} binds CD47,4-7 or integrin-associated protein, which is ubiquitously expressed and functions in cell adhesion and migration.8,9 SIRP{alpha}-CD47 binding, stimulation of cells with various growth factors, and cell-cell adhesion induce phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) in the cytoplasmic domain of SIRP{alpha}. Phosphorylated ITIMs recruit the SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatases SHP-21,10 and SHP-1,11,12 which inhibit tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling pathways. Thus, SIRP{alpha} is an inhibitory receptor that modulates macrophage and DC function,13-15 as well as signaling pathways induced by growth factors and cell adhesion.16-19 In addition, SIRP{alpha} mediates cell-cell adhesion in the immune system and CNS, supporting fusion of macrophages19; DC–T-cell interactions7; migration of DCs, monocytes, and neutrophils20-22; and neurite extension and synapse formation.17,18

A second member of the SIRP receptor family, SIRP{beta}1 is also expressed in myeloid cells.7 However, it does not bind CD47 and lacks cytoplasmic ITIMs capable of recruiting phosphatases and mediating inhibitory signals. In fact, SIRP{beta}1 contains a single basic lysine residue within the hydrophobic transmembrane domain that mediates association with an adapter protein, DAP12 or KARAP, which contains a cytoplasmic tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM).23-26 Thus, engagement of SIRP{beta}1 activates myeloid cells, leading to cytokine release, tyrosine phosphorylation, and calcium (Ca2+) mobilization.

A third member of the SIRP family, SIRP{beta}2, was recently identified.27 SIRP{beta}2 transcripts are variably expressed in many human tissues, including the brain, lung, and placenta, and are particularly abundant in liver. The predicted SIRP{beta}2 protein is highly homologous to SIRP{alpha} and SIRP{beta}1 in the extracellular domain, but lacks both cytoplasmic ITIMs and the transmembrane lysine required for association with DAP12. Thus, it is unclear whether and how SIRP{beta}2 mediates signaling; the ligand for SIRP{beta}2 is also unknown.

We investigated expression, specificity, and function of the SIRP{beta}2 protein and found that SIRP{beta}2 is quite distinct from SIRP{alpha} and SIRP{beta}1. SIRP{beta}2 is the only member of the SIRP family that is expressed on T cells, CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells, and all activated NK cells. SIRP{beta}2 does bind CD47, albeit with less affinity than SIRP{alpha}. This interaction mediates cell-cell adhesion, rather than inhibitory signals. The adhesion mediated by contact of SIRP{beta}2 on T cells with CD47 on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) promotes antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and costimulates T-cell activation.


    Materials and methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Cells

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from peripheral blood of healthy donors by Ficoll gradient centrifugation. CD56+ CD3- NK cells were separated from PBMCs by cell sorting and cultured in medium containing recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and irradiated feeder cells. CD47-deficient Jurkat T cells (Jurkat-CD470)28 were kindly provided by Bill Frazier (Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO).

cDNAs and transfectants

Full-length SIRP{alpha} (NM_080792 [GenBank] ), SIRP{beta}1 (NM_006065 [GenBank] ), and SIRP{beta}2 (NM_018556 [GenBank] ) cDNAs were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), cloned into pCDNA3 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) or pMX,29 and transfected into the murine T-cell hybridoma BW (BW-SIRP{alpha}, BW-SIRP{beta}1, BW-SIRP{beta}2). Expression of SIRPs on stably transfected cells was assessed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 148.23

SIRP-IgG fusion proteins

We expressed the 2 membrane distal immunoglobulin domains (D1D2) of SIRP{alpha}, SIRP{beta}1, and SIRP{beta}2 as C-terminus fusion proteins with the Fc portion of human IgG. SIRP cDNA fragments were amplified by PCR with the primer pairs indicated in Table 1 and cloned into pFLAG-CMV1 (Sigma, St Louis, MO) in frame with a cDNA fragment encoding the Fc portion of human IgG fusion proteins.30 SIRP-D1D2-IgG chimeric cDNAs were transiently expressed in 293 cells using Lipofectamine (Invitrogen) and secreted SIRP-IgG fusion proteins were purified from culture supernatant on protein A (Pharmacia Amersham, Uppsala, Sweden).


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Table 1.. Oligonucleotide primers for construction of SIRP-IgG fusion proteins

 

Antibodies

To obtain mAbs against SIRP{beta}1 (clone LSB1.50, mouse IgG1) and SIRP{beta}2 (clone LSB2.20, mouse IgG1), we immunized mice with SIRP{beta}1-D1D2-IgG and SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG, respectively. We selected hybridomas that specifically stained BW-SIRP{beta}1 or BW-SIRP{beta}2. mAb 148 has been described.23 The mAbs against CD2, CD4, CD8, CD3, CD20, and CD56 are mouse IgG2a and IgG2b (Beckman-Coulter Immunotech, Fullerton, CA and BD Biosciences, Mountain View, CA). The mAbs against human CD47 included a mouse IgG1 (B6H12; BD Biosciences) and a mouse IgG2b (36-61.3) generated in our laboratory. Primary antibodies were detected with biotin- or phycoerythrin (PE)–labeled goat antimouse IgG1 or IgG2a/b (Southern Biotechnology, Birmingham, AL), followed by streptavidin conjugated with allophycocyanin (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR).

Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence

Specimens from human tissues included reactive lymph nodes and thymuses removed for diagnostic purposes or during cardiac surgery. Cryostat sections of frozen specimens were air dried overnight at room temperature and fixed in acetone for 10 minutes before staining. SIRP{beta}2 was detected with mAb LSB2.20, followed by biotinylated anti-immunoglobulin multilinks secondary antibody (Biogenex, San Ramon, CA) and streptavidin-immunoperoxidase. In 2-color immunofluorescence, LSB2.20 was detected with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–conjugated isotype-specific antibody (Southern Biotechnology); CD3 (rabbit polyclonal; Dako, Glostrup, Denmark) and CD11c (LeuM5; BD Biosciences) were revealed with biotinylated secondary antibodies (Dako) followed by Texas red–conjugated streptavidin (Southern Biotechnology). Sections were examined with a fluorescence microscope Olympus BX60, equipped with a DP-70 Olympus digital camera (Olympus, Melville, NY). Images were acquired using analySIS Image Processing software (Soft Imaging System GmbH, Münster, Germany).

Immunoprecipitations

Cells were surface labeled with 1 mCi (37 MBq) 125I using the sulfosuccinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate method. Labeled cells were lysed in 1% Triton X-100, 100 mM Tris (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane)–HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 10 µg/mL aprotinin, and 10 µg/mL leupeptin. After overnight preclearing with protein G-Sepharose, lysates were incubated with mAb LSB2.20, mAb148, or isotype-matched control mAb at 4°C for 4 hours, and immune complexes were precipitated by addition of protein G-Sepharose for 1.5 hours. Precipitates were washed 3 times with lysis buffer, followed by a final wash with 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 15 mM NaCl, and then resuspended in reducing sample buffer. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis was performed according to a standard procedure. Gels were dried and exposed to autoradiography film (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, NJ) for 2 to 5 days.

Binding assay

SIRP-IgGs (100 µg/mL) were incubated with various cells for 10 minutes at 37°C and 30 minutes on ice in the presence or absence of antibodies against SIRPs and CD47. After one wash, binding of fusion proteins to cells was detected by flow cytometry using a biotinylated mouse antihuman IgG-Fc (BD Biosciences) followed by streptavidin conjugated with allophycocyanin (Molecular Probes).

Cell conjugations

BW-SIRP{beta}2 was labeled with carboxy-fluoresceindiacetate-succinimidylester (CFSE) (Molecular Probes). Jurkat and Jurkat-CD470 cells were stained with anti-CD45-allophycocyanin (Beckman-Coulter Immunotech) when conjugated with BW transfectants. Alternatively, Jurkat and Jurkat-CD470 were stained with Vibrant (Molecular Probes) and CFSE before conjugation. Various combinations of 2 of these cell types (2 x 105 of each) were mixed, spun down, and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes in the presence or absence of antibodies against SIRPs, CD47, or CD18 (HB203, mouse IgG1; American Type Culture Collection [ATCC], Manassas, VA). Conjugates were gently resuspended in a small volume of medium for flow cytometric analysis on a FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences).

T-cell assays

The CD4+ SIRP{beta}2+ T-cell clone V{beta}3{Phi} was generated from the peripheral blood of a healthy donor and selected for expression of T-cell receptor (TCR)–V{beta}3. This clone (5 x 104) was incubated with irradiated B-lymphoblastoid cells RPMI 8866 (105; kindly provided by Bice Perussia, Philadelphia, PA) that had been pulsed for 2 hours with serial dilutions of Staphylococcus enterotoxin E (SEE). Anti-CD47 mAb (B6H12), anti-SIRP{beta}2 (LSB2.20), or control mouse IgG was added to T/B-cell cocultures as indicated. After 48 hours, T-cell proliferation was measured by standard 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. Mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLCs) were performed by incubating 105 PBMCs from a healthy donor (responder) with graded numbers of allogeneic immature DCs (stimulators). Culture supernatants were collected after 4 days and interferon {gamma} (IFN-{gamma}) was measured by cytometric bead array (BD Biosciences). T-cell proliferation was measured by standard 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. For costimulation assays, CD4+ T cells were purified from human peripheral blood by anti-CD4 magnetic microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA) and plated on serial dilution of mAb anti-CD3 (OKT3; ATCC) and 50 µg/mL mAbs against SIRP{beta}2, CD28 (Beckman-Coulter Immunotech), or control IgG1 (anti-CD19; Beckman-Coulter Immunotech). T-cell proliferation was measured after 72 hours by standard 3H-thymidine incorporation assay.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
SIRP{beta}2 is expressed on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD56bright NK cells, and all activated NK cells

To obtain a SIRP{beta}2-specific mAb we immunized mice with a recombinant protein consisting of the 2 membrane-distal IgG domains of SIRP{beta}2 fused to the Fc portion of human IgG (SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG). Hybridoma supernatants were selected for their ability to stain BW transfectants expressing full-length SIRP{beta}2 (BW-SIRP{beta}2). The mAb LSB2.20 stained BW-SIRP{beta}2, but not BW-SIRP{beta}1 or BW-SIRP{alpha}, demonstrating absolute specificity for SIRP{beta}2 (Figure 1). mAb 148, which recognizes SIRP{alpha} and SIRP{beta}1,23 also stained BW-SIRP{beta}2 and hence has a broad specificity for all SIRPs (Figure 1). Using mAb LSB2.20, we evaluated the cellular distribution of SIRP{beta}2 in PBMCs. SIRP{beta}2 was detected on all T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as a few CD20+ cells, which may correspond to a B-cell subset. SIRP{beta}2 was not expressed on NK cells directly isolated from blood, with the exception of CD56bright NK cells in most donors. However, it was up-regulated on all NK cells upon activation in vitro with IL-2, feeder cells, and PHA (Figure 2). SIRP{beta}2 was also expressed on several T and NK cell lines, including Jurkat and NK92 (data not shown). In contrast, monocytes, DCs, and granulocytes did not express SIRP{beta}2 (data not shown).



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Figure 1.. Specificity of anti-SIRP mAbs. Staining of BW and BW-SIRP{beta}2, BW-SIRP{alpha}, BW-SIRP{beta}1 transfectants (gray profiles) with mAbs LSB2.20 (anti-SIRP{beta}2, left column), 148 (anti-pan SIRP, middle column), and LSB1.50 (anti-SIRP{beta}1, right column). Primary antibodies were detected with a PE-conjugated goat antimouse antibody. Thin solid lines represent background staining with mouse control IgG and secondary antibody.

 


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Figure 2.. Expression of SIRP{beta}2 in peripheral blood and activated NK cells. SIRP{beta}2 is expressed on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and a few CD20+ B cells. Notably, SIRP{beta}2 is expressed on a subset of CD56dim cells, which express CD3 and correspond to NKT cells (data not shown), but not on CD56dim resting NK cells. SIRP{beta}2 is also expressed on CD56bright cells, which do not express CD3 and correspond to an NK cell subset. PBMCs and activated NK cells were stained with antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD8, CD4, CD20, CD56 (all mouse IgG2a or IgG2b), and SIRP{beta}2 (mouse IgG1) followed by PE- and biotin-labeled goat antimouse IgG2a/b and IgG1 antibodies, respectively, and streptavidin-allophycocyanin. NK cells were activated in vitro with IL-2, PHA, and feeder cells and stained with anti-SIRP{beta}2 mAb.

 

Analysis of SIRP{beta}2 expression in human lymph nodes revealed that SIRP{beta}2 is mainly present in the paracortical T-cell area (Figure 3A), whereas only a few SIRP{beta}2+ cells were observed in the mantle and germinal center of B-cell follicles (Figure 3A). Two-color immunofluorescence analysis showed that these SIRP{beta}2+ cells coexpress CD3 and therefore correspond to T cells (Figure 3B-C). Examination of the paracortical area at high magnification revealed clustering of SIRP{beta}2+ T cells around interdigitating DCs, which did not express SIRP{beta}2 (Figure 3D). In the human thymus SIRP{beta}2+ lymphocytes were primarily located in the medulla, whereas no expression was detected on the majority of cortical thymocytes (Figure 3E). Thus, SIRP{beta}2 is selectively expressed on mature T lymphocytes that have undergone thymic selection.



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Figure 3.. Expression of SIRP{beta}2 in lymph nodes and thymus. (A) SIRP{beta}2 is mainly expressed in the paracortical area (PC) of lymph nodes with only sparse positive cells in the mantle and in the germinal center (GC) of B-cell follicles. (B-C) Two-color immunofluorescence of lymph nodes with mAbs anti-SIRP{beta}2 (B) (green) and anti-CD3 (red) (C). The large majority of lymph node SIRP{beta}2+ cells, including those found in the germinal center, coexpress CD3. (D) Two-color immunofluorescence of a lymph node shows diffuse expression of SIRP{beta}2 in lymphocytes of the T-cell area (green), clustered around scattered CD11c+ DCs (red). Cell-cell interactions between SIRP{beta}2+ lymphocytes and CD11c+ DCs appear as yellow dots (arrowheads and insert). HEV indicates high endothelial venule. (E) SIRP{beta}2+ lymphocytes are numerous in the thymic medulla (M) and scattered in the cortex (C). SIRP{beta}2 was detected by indirect immunoperoxidase technique and counterstaining with Meyer hematoxylin (A,E). Scale bars are 200 µm (A-C,E) and 100 µm (D). Magnification is 100 x (A-C,E) and 200 x (D).

 

We have previously shown that mAb 148 detects SIRP{alpha} and SIRP{beta}1 on monocytes, granulocytes, and DCs.23 Because mAb 148 recognizes SIRP{beta}2 on transfected cells (Figure 1), one would expect this mAb to stain peripheral T cells, as does mAb LSB2.20. However, we found that mAb 148 does stain monocytes, granulocytes, and DCs, but not T cells or Jurkat cells.23 This unexpected discrepancy between the staining patterns of mAbs LSB2.20 and 148 suggests that the SIRP{beta}2 protein expressed on T cells and activated NK cells may differ significantly from that expressed on BW transfectants, possibly due to cell-specific posttranslational modifications. On the other hand, SIRP{beta}2 may be expressed as an alternatively spliced form that lacks one of the predicted domains of the protein. Accordingly, analysis of SIRP{beta}2 transcripts by RT-PCR revealed that T-cell mRNA includes not only a SIRP{beta}2 full-length transcript, but also 2 alternatively spliced forms that lack either one or 2 membrane-proximal Ig domains (GenBank accession nos. AY748247 [GenBank] , AY748248 [GenBank] , and NM_080816 [GenBank] ).

To investigate if mAbs 148 and LSB2.20 detect different isoforms of SIRP{beta}2, we compared 148 and LSB2.20 immunoprecipitates from BW cells transfected with SIRP{beta}2. Moreover, we analyzed the biochemical characteristics of SIRP{beta}2 in a mutated Jurkat cell line, which lacks CD47 (Jurkat-CD470).28 This T-cell line expresses high levels of SIRP{beta}2, which are detected by LSB2.20 but not 148. In LSB2.20 immunoprecipitates, SIRP{beta}2 appeared as a broad cluster of approximately 45- to 50-kDa proteins, most likely reflecting heterogeneous glycosylation (Figure 4). Moreover, LSB2.20 immunoprecipitates included a sharp approximately 30-kDa protein, which may correspond to the alternatively spliced form of SIRP{beta}2 that lacks the membrane-proximal Ig domain and contains only one site for N-linked glycosylation (AY748247 [GenBank] and AY748248 [GenBank] ). In contrast, the mAb 148 only detected a major about 50-kDa protein (Figure 4). Thus, T cells express isoforms of SIRP{beta}2 that are preferentially recognized by the SIRP{beta}2-specific mAb LSB2.20 rather than the anti-SIRP mAb 148, which may explain why SIRPs were not previously detected on T cells and NK cells.



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Figure 4.. Differential biochemical features of SIRP{beta}2 detected by mAbs LSB2.20 and 148. LSB2.20 immunoprecipitates from BW-SIRP{beta}2 transfectants and Jurkat-CD470 reveal a broad cluster of approximately 45- to 50-kDa proteins, which may correspond to differentially glycosylated isoforms of SIRP{beta}2. Moreover, LSB2.20 immunoprecipitates include a 30-kDa protein, which may correspond to the alternatively spliced form of SIRP{beta}2, which lacks the membrane-proximal immunoglobulin domain and contains only one site for N-linked glycosylation (NCBI accession nos. AY748247 [GenBank] and AY748248 [GenBank] ). In contrast, the 148 immunoprecipitate from BW-SIRP{beta}2 cells reveals only a 50-kDa protein.

 

SIRP{beta}2 is a receptor for CD47

To investigate whether SIRP{beta}2 expressed on T cells and activated NK cells recognizes CD47 we tested the ability of a SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG fusion protein to bind the T-cell line Jurkat, which expresses CD47, and Jurkat-CD470 by flow cytometry. SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG bound Jurkat but not Jurkat-CD470; the binding was totally blocked by mAb B6H12 and 36-61.3, which recognize CD47, and partially inhibited by mAbs 148 and LSB2.20, which recognize SIRP{beta}2, corroborating the specificity of binding (Figure 5). Importantly, binding of SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG to Jurkat consistently yielded a lower median fluorescence intensity than did binding of SIRP{alpha}-D1D2-IgG in flow cytometry, suggesting that the affinity of SIRP{beta}2 for CD47 is lower that that of SIRP{alpha} (Figure 5). Of note, mAb 148 completely abrogated binding of SIRP{alpha}-D1D2-IgG to Jurkat but only partially reduced that of SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG, confirming its preferential recognition of SIRP{alpha} versus SIRP{beta}2. These results demonstrate that SIRP{beta}2 is a receptor for CD47, although it probably binds with lower affinity than SIRP{alpha}.



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Figure 5.. Soluble SIRP{beta}2 specifically binds cells expressing CD47. Gray profiles represent binding of SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG (left column) or SIRP{alpha}-D1D2-IgG (right column) to Jurkat (top row) and Jurkat-CD470 (middle row). Thin solid lines indicate background staining of Jurkat and Jurkat-CD470. (Bottom row) Bar graphs represent binding of SIRP{beta}2-D1D2-IgG (left panel) or SIRP{alpha}-D1D2-IgG (right panel) to Jurkat in the presence of mAbs against CD47 (maximal inhibition), SIRP{alpha} (148), SIRP{beta}2 (LSB2.20; partial inhibition), SIRP{beta}1 (LSB1.50), and control mAb (no inhibition). Bar graphs presented here represent one of 4 independent experiments with similar results. MFI indicates mean fluorescence intensity.

 

SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction mediates cell-cell adhesion

Because SIRP{beta}2 lacks a cytoplasmic domain with known signaling motifs or a transmembrane residue allowing association with DNAX activation protein 12 (DAP12)/killer cell activating receptor-associated protein (KARAP), its involvement in inhibitory or activating signaling is unlikely. Accordingly, we observed that antibodies against SIRP{beta}2 alone do not activate or inhibit NK cell–mediated lysis of Fc receptor–positive target cells in redirected cytotoxicity assays (data not shown). Given this, we hypothesized that SIRP{beta}2 may be involved in cell-cell adhesion rather than inhibitory or activating signaling.

To test this, we mixed BW cells transfected with SIRP{beta}2 (BW-SIRP{beta}2) with Jurkat or Jurkat-CD470. After 30 minutes of incubation at 37°C we measured formation of conjugates by 2-color flow cytometry. Under these conditions, BW-SIRP{beta}2 made abundant conjugates with Jurkat but not with Jurkat-CD470 (Figure 6A). Conjugate formation was partially blocked by anti-SIRP and anti-CD47 antibodies, confirming the specificity of the interaction. In contrast, antibodies against CD18 (Figure 6A) or CD11a (data not shown) did not significantly block cell conjugation, suggesting that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction mediates cell conjugation by a mechanism that is independent of leukocyte function–associated molecule-1 (LFA-1). To corroborate that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction mediates cell-cell adhesion, we compared the ability of Jurkat, which expresses both CD47 and SIRP{beta}2, and JurkatCD470, which expresses only SIRP{beta}2, to form conjugates either alone or in combination with each other. Jurkat-CD470 formed fewer conjugates with itself than when mixed with Jurkat, and fewer than Jurkat formed with itself (Figure 6B). We conclude that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interactions significantly contribute to adhesion of T cells to cells expressing CD47.



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Figure 6.. Conjugate formation between cells expressing SIRP{beta}2 and CD47. (A) BW-SIRP{beta}2 transfectants make conjugates with Jurkat but not with Jurkat-CD470. Conjugation is partially blocked by anti-CD47 and anti-SIRP antibodies, whereas no significant inhibition is observed with an antibody against CD18 ({beta}2 integrin). Percentages of conjugates are indicated next to the upper right quadrants. BW-SIRP{beta}2 was labeled with CFSE. Jurkat and Jurkat-CD470 were stained with anti-CD45-allophycocyanin. (B) The frequency of conjugation between Jurkat alone (top panel), Jurkat and JurkatCD470 (bottom panel), and Jurkat-CD470 alone (middle panel). Jurkat-CD470 forms fewer conjugates with itself than when mixed with Jurkat, and fewer than Jurkat forms with itself. Jurkat and Jurkat-CD470 were stained with Vibrant and CFSE before conjugation. Notably, Jurkat-CD470 cells express higher levels of SIRP{beta}2 than Jurkat cells (top histograms, gray profiles). This high expression of SIRP{beta}2 may allow Jurkat-CD470 cells to form as many conjugates with Jurkat cells as Jurkat forms with itself.

 

SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction enhances superantigen-dependent T cell-mediated proliferation and costimulates T-cell activation

To determine whether adhesion mediated by SIRP{beta}2-CD47 binding supports functional activation of T cells, we investigated its impact on superantigen-dependent T-cell proliferation. CD4+ T cells that express V{beta}3 actively proliferate in the presence of APCs pulsed with SEE. SEE binds major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II on APCs and V{beta}3 on T cells. Thus, we selected a T-cell clone that expresses V{beta}3 and SIRP{beta}2 (V{beta}3{Phi}). To distinguish the function of SIRP{beta}2 on T cells, we purposely chose APCs that express MHC class II and CD47 but not SIRP{beta}2 or other SIRPs, specifically the B-cell line RPMI 8866. In this experimental system, SIRB{beta}2-CD47 interaction is unidirectional, not bidirectional. V{beta}3{Phi} cells efficiently proliferated in the presence of RPMI 8866 pulsed with different concentrations of SEE (Figure 7A). T-cell proliferation was strongly inhibited by the anti-CD47 antibody and partially inhibited by the anti-SIRP{beta}2 mAb, consistent with the established abilities of anti-CD47 and anti-SIRP{beta}2 antibodies to block SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interactions (Figures 5 and 6A). Similarly, mAbs against SIRP{beta}2 and CD47 inhibited T-cell proliferation and T-cell secretion of IFN-{gamma} triggered by allogeneic immature DCs in mixed lymphocyte reactions (Figure 7B-C), indicating that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction is important in promoting not only T-cell proliferation but also cytokine secretion.



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Figure 7.. SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction enhances superantigen-mediated T-cell proliferation and costimulates T-cell activation. (A) The CD4+ SIRP{beta}2+ V{beta}3+ T-cell clone V{beta}3{Phi} was incubated with irradiated B lymphoblastoid cells RPMI 8866 that had been pulsed with serial dilutions of SEE (ng/mL). Anti-CD47 ({triangleup}), anti-SIRP{beta}2 ({circ}), or control mouse antibodies ({bullet}) were added to T/B-cell cocultures as indicated. T-cell proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. (B-C) Blockade of SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction with mAbs partially inhibits T-cell proliferation and IFN-{gamma} production triggered by allogeneic immature DCs in MLCs. Symbols represent same as in panel A; in addition, {blacksquare} indicates medium, and {diamond}, 148. (D) CD4+ T cells purified from peripheral blood were plated on serial dilution of anti-CD3 antibody (µg/mL) in the presence of fixed amounts of mAbs against SIRP{beta}2 ({triangleup}), CD28 ({circ}), or control IgG ({bullet}). T-cell proliferation was measured after 72 hours as described.

 

To further investigate the T-cell stimulatory function of SIRP{beta}2, we determined whether engagement of SIRP{beta}2 can enhance activation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of serial dilution of a TCR ligand. The anti-SIRP{beta}2 mAb enhanced the proliferation of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in the presence of suboptimal concentration of anti-CD3 (Figure 7D). Remarkably, ligation of SIRP{beta}2 was almost as effective as the engagement of CD28 in costimulating T-cell proliferation. Thus, we conclude that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction enhances superantigen-dependent T-cell proliferation and has a critical role as an accessory costimulatory molecule on T cells.


    Discussion
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 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Here we demonstrate that SIRP{beta}2 is a unique member of the SIRP receptor family; it is the only SIRP that has been detected on T cells and activated NK cells. Despite considerable homology among the SIRPs, previously established anti-SIRP antibodies failed to detect SIRP{beta}2 on T cells and NK cells. Accordingly, the newly generated mAb LSB2.20 specific for SIRP{beta}2 preferentially detected posttranslational modifications or alternative spliced forms of SIRP{beta}2 that may occur in T cells and NK cells, creating unique epitopes undetected by previously established anti-SIRP antibodies.

Remarkably, SIRP{beta}2 can bind CD47, providing T cells and NK cells with a cell surface molecule capable of interacting with CD47. Because SIRP{beta}2 lacks a cytoplasmic domain with known signaling motifs or a transmembrane residue allowing association with DAP12/KARAP, SIRP{beta}2 does not deliver activating or inhibitory signals on its own. SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction mediates strong cell-cell adhesion and supports T cell-APC contact, enhancing antigen presentation and consequent T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. In contrast, we did not detect a significant effect of SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction on CD8 T cell– or NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity (data not shown). This discrepancy may reflect the differential impact of SIRP{beta}2 on these disparate functions. T-cell proliferation requires sustained activation of T cells,31 and therefore SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interactions may significantly contribute to this process by stabilizing T cell-APC binding. In contrast, SIRP{beta}2-CD47 adhesion may be dispensable for the more transient interactions that mediate T cell– and NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity.32 Further insight might be provided by investigating the behavior of SIRP{beta}2 in the formation and stabilization of T-cell synapsis.33

SIRP{beta}2 enhanced T-cell proliferation induced by suboptimal concentration of T-cell receptor ligand. Whether SIRP{beta}2 acts as a costimulator similar to CD28 or synergizes with TCR signaling by other mechanisms is presently unknown. Interestingly, it has been shown that engagement of CD47 with some antibodies also results in augmentation of T-cell activation34,35 and that the costimulatory function of CD47 depends on its capacity to induce cell spreading.28 Thus, SIRP{beta}2 may facilitate T-cell activation by a similar mechanism. It is also possible that SIRP{beta}2-CD47 interaction promotes other functions of T cells and NK cells dependent on cell-cell adhesion, such as attachment to endothelial cells and transmigration into lymph nodes or peripheral tissues, as previously reported for SIRP{alpha}-CD47.20-22

The characterization of SIRP{beta}2 in this study provides strong evidence for structural and functional diversity of the SIRP receptors. To date, 3 SIRPs have been characterized, each with a different affinity for CD47 and distinct signaling properties. Whereas SIRP{alpha}4-7 and SIRP{beta}2 (this study) bind CD47, a soluble form of SIRP{beta}1 encompassing the 2-membrane distal IgG domains does not (data not shown). We showed that the binding of SIRP{alpha} to CD47 is stronger than that of SIRP{beta}2. These differences in specificity may depend on the diversity of SIRP extracellular domains. Moreover, 15 distinct SIRP cDNAs have been reported in the literature2 and 2 additional SIRP loci, called protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type substrate 1-like 2 (PTPNS1L2) and PTPNS1L3, have been annotated in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database.39 Thus, SIRP family diversity may be even broader than presently known, due to the additional SIRP genes and, possibly, polymorphisms of the SIRP{alpha}, SIRP{beta}1, and SIRP{beta}2 genes as well. Similar mechanisms of diversification have been observed for other immune gene loci, particularly those encoding KIRs, LILRs, and Ly49s.36,37 What selective pressure is responsible for evolution and diversification of SIRP molecules? One clue to this question is provided by the observation that poxviruses encode homologues of CD47.38 Thus, it is possible that the SIRP diversity reflects a sort of arms race between the host and poxviruses, in which viruses try to exploit or disrupt endogenous SIRP-CD47 interactions to elude immune responses, whereas the host counteracts this viral strategy by changing the specificity and function of endogenous SIRPs.


    Acknowledgements
 
We thank Susan Gilfillan and Bill Frazier for critically reading the manuscript; Francesca Gentili (supported by Fondazione Beretta, Brescia, Italy) for performing immunohistochemical analysis.


    Footnotes
 
Submitted July 21, 2004; accepted September 14, 2004.

Prepublished online as Blood First Edition Paper, September 21, 2004; DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-07-2823.

Supported by the National Institutes of Health grant U54AI057160 to the Midwest Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (MRCE). L.P. was partly supported by IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy.

An Inside Blood analysis of this article appears in the front of this issue.

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefore, and solely to indicate this fact, this article is hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734.

Reprints: Marco Colonna, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid, St Louis, MO 63110; e-mail: mcolonna{at}pathology.wustl.edu.


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 Results
 Discussion
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