TCR signaling by conventional CD4+ T cells is required for optimal maintenance of peripheral regulatory T cell numbers.
Immun Inflamm Dis
; 4(2): 148-154, 2016 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27891224
ABSTRACT
To maintain immune tolerance, regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers must be closely indexed to the number of conventional T cells (Tconvs) so that an adequate TregTconv ratio can be maintained. Two factors important in this process are the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation by major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II). Here, we report that in addition to TCR stimulation of Tregs themselves, the maintenance of Tregs also requires TCR signaling by Tconvs. We found that Tconvs produce IL-2 in response to self-peptide-MHC-II complexes and that Tconvs possessing more highly self-reactive TCRs express more IL-2 at baseline. Furthermore, selective disruption of TCR signaling in Tconvs led to a trend toward decreased expression of IL-2 and attenuated their ability to maintain Treg numbers. These data suggest that in order to maintain an adequate TregTconv ratio, Tregs are continuously indexed to self-peptide-MHC-II-induced TCR signaling of Tconvs. These results have implications in attempts to modulate immune tolerance, as Treg numbers adjust to the self-reactivity, and ultimately IL-2 production by the T cells around them.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos
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Linfócitos T Reguladores
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Tolerância Imunológica
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article