Inhibition of the transcription factor Foxp3 converts desmoglein 3-specific type 1 regulatory T cells into Th2-like cells.
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe autoimmune bullous skin disorder and is associated with autoantibodies against desmoglein (Dsg)3 that are regulated by Th2 cells. Recently, Dsg3-specific type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1) were identified that are presumably critical for the maintenance of tolerance against Dsg3 because there is a much lower Dsg3-specific Tr1:Th2 ratio in the PV patients than in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to down-regulate the transcription factor Foxp3 in Dsg3-specific Tr1 using antisense oligonucleotides because Foxp3 is constitutively expressed by the Dsg3-specific Tr1. Antisense-treated Dsg3-specific Tr1 clones lost expression of Foxp3, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related receptor, and CTLA-4, and started to secrete IL-2, whereas the secretion of IL-5, TGF-beta, and IL-10 remained unchanged. Moreover, antisense treatment induced a proliferative response to Dsg3 of the formerly anergic Tr1 and abrogated their suppressor activity on Dsg3-specific Th2 cell clones. Thus, inhibition of Foxp3 mRNA expression in the Tr1 induced a Th2-like phenotype. In conclusion, Foxp3 expression is inherent to Tr1 function, and modulation of Foxp3 expression in autoaggressive Th2 cells may provide a novel therapeutic approach aimed at restoring tolerance against Dsg3 in PV.
Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. veldman@med.uni-marburg.de
Christian
C
Veldman
Andreas
A
Pahl
Stefan
S
Beissert
Wiebke
W
Hansen
Jan
J
Buer
Detlef
D
Dieckmann
Gerold
G
Schuler
Michael
M
Hertl
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D051184:Desmoglein 3 / Q000276:immunology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D051184:Desmoglein 3; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger