title: Antigen-dependent proliferation of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo.
abstract: The failure of CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) to proliferate after T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation in vitro has lead to their classification as naturally anergic. Here we use Tregs expressing a transgenic TCR to show that despite anergy in vitro, Tregs proliferate in response to immunization in vivo. Tregs also proliferate and accumulate locally in response to transgenically expressed tissue antigen whereas their CD25- counterparts are depleted at such sites. Collectively, these data suggest that the anergic state that characterizes CD25+ Tregs in vitro may not accurately reflect their responsiveness in vivo. These observations support a model in which Treg population dynamics are shaped by the local antigenic environment.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, University of Birmingham Medical School, Vincent Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom. L.S.Walker@bham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lucy S K
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chodos
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eggena
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dooms
authors.forename: Abul K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Abbas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017635:Clonal Anergy / Q000276:immunology; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C499311:RAG2 protein, human; C499308:Rag2 protein, mouse; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; C064655:V(D)J recombination activating protein 2