RESUMO
Although the fetal immune system is considered tolerogenic, preterm infants can suffer from severe intestinal inflammation, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Here, we demonstrate that human fetal intestines predominantly contain tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)+CD4+CD69+ T effector memory (Tem) cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of fetal intestinal CD4+ T cells showed a T helper 1 phenotype and expression of genes mediating epithelial growth and cell cycling. Organoid co-cultures revealed a dose-dependent, TNF-α-mediated effect of fetal intestinal CD4+ T cells on intestinal stem cell (ISC) development, in which low T cell numbers supported epithelial development, whereas high numbers abrogated ISC proliferation. CD4+ Tem cell frequencies were higher in inflamed intestines from preterm infants with NEC than in healthy infant intestines and showed enhanced TNF signaling. These findings reveal a distinct population of TNF-α-producing CD4+ T cells that promote mucosal development in fetal intestines but can also mediate inflammation upon preterm birth.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Feto/imunologia , Memória Imunológica/imunologia , Intestinos/imunologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologia , Animais , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/citologia , Células Epiteliais/imunologia , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Feminino , Feto/metabolismo , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Mucosa Intestinal/embriologia , Mucosa Intestinal/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Mucosa Intestinal/imunologia , Intestinos/embriologia , Intestinos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Gravidez , Células-Tronco/citologia , Células-Tronco/imunologia , Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Células Th1/imunologia , Células Th1/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
Gastrointestinal infections are a major cause for serious clinical complications in infants. The induction of antibody responses by B cells is critical for protective immunity against infections and requires CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells (TFH cells). We investigated the ontogeny of CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells in human intestines. While CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells were absent in fetal intestines, CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells increased after birth and were abundant in infant intestines, resulting in significant higher numbers compared to adults. These findings were supported by scRNAseq analyses, showing increased frequencies of CD4+ T cells with a TFH gene signature in infant intestines compared to blood. Co-cultures of autologous infant intestinal CXCR5+PD-1+/-CD4+ T cells with B cells further demonstrated that infant intestinal TFH cells were able to effectively promote class switching and antibody production by B cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that functional TFH cells are numerous in infant intestines, making them a promising target for oral pediatric vaccine strategies.