Absence of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells is associated with a loss of regulation leading to increased pathology in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice.
Helicobacter pylori induces symptomatic chronic gastritis in a subpopulation of infected individuals. The mechanism(s) determining the development and severity of pathology leading to symptoms are not fully understood. In a mouse model of H. pylori infection we analysed the influence of immunoregulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells on H. pylori colonization and gastritis. Athymic C57BL/6 nu/nu mice were reconstituted with (a) lymph node (LN) cells (b) LN cells depleted of CD25+ T cells (CD25(-) LN) or (c) not reconstituted at all. Mice were then infected orally with 3 x 10(8)H. pylori SS1 bacteria. At 2 and 6 weeks after the inoculation there was a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in H. pylori colonization in athymic mice transferred with CD25(-) LN cells compared to mice transferred with LN cells. Colonization was still reduced at 12 weeks after inoculation. Mice transferred with CD25(-) LN cells showed an earlier onset and increased severity of gastritis as compared to mice receiving LN cells. Splenic cells isolated from mice receiving CD25(-) LN cells produced the highest level of IFN-gamma on stimulation with H. pylori antigens in vitro, had a higher H. pylori-specific DTH response and increased infiltration of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in the gastric mucosa. Athymic mice not transferred with T cells had persistent high H. pylori colonization and displayed a normal gastric epithelium without inflammatory cells. In conclusion, CD4+CD25+ cells reduce immunopathology in H. pylori infection, possibly by reducing the activation of IFN-gamma producing CD4+ T cells, even at the expense of a higher H. pylori load in the gastric mucosa.
Raghavan
S
S
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. sukanya.raghavan@microbio.gu.se
Fredriksson
M
M
Svennerholm
A-M
AM
Holmgren
J
J
Suri-Payer
E
E
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000254:growth & development; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008819:Mice, Nude; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2