Regulatory T cells induced by rAAV carrying the forkhead box P3 gene prevent autoimmune thyroiditis in mice.
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are immunosuppressive and help maintain peripheral immune tolerance. The forkhead/winged helix family member, Foxp3, has been shown to be a critical regulator of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. We demonstrate by quantitative real-time PCR that CD4+CD25+ T cells express higher levels of Foxp3 mRNA than other T cell populations. Recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying mouse Foxp3 gene under the control of the CMV promoter was generated and used to transduce CD4+CD25- T cells. These Foxp3-transduced T cells are similar to naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells which show anergy and immunosuppressive activity in vitro. Furthermore, these Foxp3-transduced T cells prevent autoimmune thyroiditis transferred by pathogenic T cells in vivo. Our data indicates that Foxp3-transduced CD4+CD25- T cells may open new therapeutic strategies for immune disorders.
Wang
Shengjun
S
Department of Immunology, School of Medical Technology, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu 12001, PR China. sjwjs@ujs.edu.cn
Xu
Huaxi
H
Wang
Yongzhong
Y
Ma
Jie
J
Mao
Chaoming
C
Shao
Qixiang
Q
Ma
Bin
B
Xu
Wenrong
W
Yang
Shengli
S
D000818:Animals; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger