Thymus exosomes-like particles induce regulatory T cells.
Exosomes released from different types of cells have been proposed to contribute to intercellular communication. We report that thymic exosome-like particles (ELPs) released from cells of the thymus can induce the development of Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells in the lung and liver. Thymic ELPs also induce the conversion of thymic CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells into Tregs. Tregs induced by thymic ELPs suppress the proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in vitro and in vivo. We further show that neutralization of TGF-beta in ELPs partially reverses thymic ELP-mediated induction of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in the lung and liver. This study demonstrates that thymic ELPs participate in the induction of Foxp3(+) Tregs. Also, TGF-beta of thymic ELPs might be required for the generation of Tregs in the peripheral tissues.
Wang
Gui-Jun
GJ
Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Liu
Yuelong
Y
Qin
Aijian
A
Shah
Spandan V
SV
Deng
Zhong-bin
ZB
Xiang
Xiaoyu
X
Cheng
Ziqiang
Z
Liu
Cunren
C
Wang
Jianhua
J
Zhang
Liming
L
Grizzle
William E
WE
Zhang
Huang-Ge
HG
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology*
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta