The presence of activated CD4(+) T cells is essential for the formation of colony-forming unit-endothelial cells by CD14(+) cells

J Immunol. 2008 Apr 1;180(7):5141-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.7.5141.

Abstract

The number of colony forming unit-endothelial cells (CFU-EC) in human peripheral blood was found to be a biological marker for several vascular diseases. In this study, the heterogeneous composition of immune cells in the CFU-ECs was investigated. We confirmed that monocytes are essential for the formation of CFU-ECs. Also, however, CD4(+) T cells were found to be indispensable for the induction of CFU-EC colonies, mainly through cell-cell contact. By blocking or activating CD3 receptors on CD4(+) T cells or blocking MHC class II molecules on monocytes, it was shown that TCR-MHCII interactions are required for induction of CFU-EC colonies. Because the supernatant from preactivated T cells could also induce colony formation from purified monocytes, the T cell support turned out to be cytokine mediated. Gene expression analysis of the endothelial-like colonies formed by CD14(+) cells showed that colony formation is a proangiogenic differentiation and might reflect the ability of monocytes to facilitate vascularization. This in vitro study is the first to reveal the role of TCR-MHC class II interactions between T cells and monocytes and the subsequent inflammatory response as stimulus of monocytic properties that are associated with vascularization.

MeSH terms

  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / immunology*
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Stem Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • Cytokines
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell