CD28 controls differentiation of regulatory T cells from naive CD4 T cells.
CD28 is required for the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs; CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)) in the thymus and also contributes to their survival and homeostasis in the periphery. We studied whether and how CD28 and ICOS control the differentiation of Tregs from naive T cells. By using wild-type, CD28-, ICOS-, or CD28/ICOS-double knockout mice on C57BL/6 background as T cell sources, we found that CD28 is essential, whereas ICOS is dispensable, for the development and homeostasis of Tregs. Furthermore, the differentiation of Tregs from naive CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in vivo also depends on CD28. The requirement of CD28 for Treg differentiation was mediated by IL-2, because neutralization of IL-2 with its specific mAb-blocked Treg differentiation from wild-type CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and addition of IL-2 restored Treg differentiation from CD28(-/-) T cells. Other common gamma-chain cytokines, IL-4, IL-7, or IL-15, do not share such a role with IL-2. Although CD28 is required for the differentiation of Tregs from naive T cells, already generated Tregs do not depend on CD28 to exert their suppressive function. Our study reveals a new aspect of CD28 function in regulating T cell response.
Guo
Fei
F
Immunology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation Programs, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Iclozan
Cristina
C
Suh
Woong-Kyung
WK
Anasetti
Claudio
C
Yu
Xue-Zhong
XZ
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D041702:BALB 3T3 Cells; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D060889:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; C556694:Icos protein, mouse; D060889:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit