Inhibition of human CD4(+)CD25(+high) regulatory T cell function.
CD4(+)CD25(+high) T cells are potent regulators of autoreactive T cells. However, it is unclear how regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+high) cells discriminate between desirable inflammatory immune responses to microbial Ags and potentially pathologic responses by autoreactive T cells. In this study, an in vitro model was created that allowed differential activation of regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+high) and responder CD4(+) T cells. If CD4(+)CD25(+high) regulatory cells were strongly activated, they maintained suppressive effector function for only 15 h, while stimulation with weaker TCR stimuli produced regulatory cells that were suppressive until 60 h after activation. In contrast, strongly activated CD4(+) responder T cells were resistant to regulation at all time points, while weakly stimulated CD4(+) cells were sensitive to suppression until 38 or 60 h after activation depending upon the strength of the stimulus. The extent of suppression mediated by CD4(+)CD25(+high) cells also depended on the strength of stimulation in an Ag-specific system. Thus, the stronger the TCR signal, the more rapidly and more completely the responder cells become refractory to suppression.
Baecher-Allan
Clare
C
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. callan@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Viglietta
Vissia
V
Hafler
David A
DA
D000941:Antigens; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053450:Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018448:Models, Immunological; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D053450:Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C491405:TNFRSF18 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10