Cutting edge: TNFR-shedding by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells inhibits the induction of inflammatory mediators.
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells play an essential role in maintaining tolerance to self and nonself. In several models of T cell-mediated (auto) immunity, Treg cells exert protective effects by the inhibition of pathogenic T cell responses. In addition, Treg cells can modulate T cell-independent inflammation. We now show that CD4+CD25+ Treg cells are able to shed large amounts of TNFRII. This is paralleled by their ability to inhibit the action of TNF-alpha both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, Treg cells suppressed IL-6 production in response to LPS injection in mice. In contrast, Treg cells from TNFRII-deficient mice were unable to do so despite their unhampered capacity to suppress T cell proliferation in a conventional in vitro suppression assay. Thus, shedding of TNFRII represents a novel mechanism by which Treg cells can inhibit the action of TNF, a pivotal cytokine driving inflammation.
van Mierlo
Geertje J D
GJ
Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Scherer
Hans U
HU
Hameetman
Marjolijn
M
Morgan
Mary E
ME
Flierman
Roelof
R
Huizinga
Tom W J
TW
Toes
René E M
RE
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors