Human CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory, contact-dependent T cells induce interleukin 10-producing, contact-independent type 1-like regulatory T cells [corrected].
It has been recently demonstrated that regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) CD45RO(+) T cells are present in the peripheral blood of healthy adults and exert regulatory function similar to their rodent counterparts. It remains difficult to understand how the small fraction of these T cells that regulate via direct cell-to-cell contact and not via secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines could mediate strong immune suppression. Here we show that human CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells induce long-lasting anergy and production of interleukin (IL)-10 in CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. These anergized CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells then suppress proliferation of syngenic CD4(+) T cells via IL-10 but independent of direct cell contact, similar to the so-called type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells. This 'catalytic' function of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells to induce Tr1-like cells helps to explain their central role for the maintenance of immune homeostasis.
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91052 Erlangen, Germany.
Detlef
D
Dieckmann
Cord Henrik
CH
Bruett
Heidi
H
Ploettner
Manfred Bernhard
MB
Lutz
Gerold
G
Schuler
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D054562:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D054562:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1