title: APC activation restores functional CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in NOD mice that can prevent diabetes development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Defects in APC and regulatory cells are associated with diabetes development in NOD mice. We have shown previously that NOD APC are not effective at stimulating CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory cell function in vitro. We hypothesize that failure of NOD APC to properly activate CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory cells in vivo could compromise their ability to control pathogenic cells, and activation of NOD APC could restore this defect, thereby preventing disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To test these hypotheses, we used the well-documented ability of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), an APC activator, to prevent disease in NOD mice. Phenotype and function of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory cells from untreated and CFA-treated NOD mice were determined by FACS, and in vitro and in vivo assays. APC from these mice were also evaluated for their ability to activate regulatory cells in vitro. We have found that sick NOD CD4(+)CD25(+) cells expressed Foxp3 at the same percentages, but decreased levels per cell, compared to young NOD or non-NOD controls. Treatment with CFA increased Foxp3 expression in NOD cells, and also increased the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells infiltrating the pancreas compared to untreated NOD mice. Moreover, CD4(+)CD25(+) cells from pancreatic LN of CFA-treated, but not untreated, NOD mice transferred protection from diabetes. Finally, APC isolated from CFA-treated mice increased Foxp3 and granzyme B expression as well as regulatory function by NOD CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in vitro compared to APC from untreated NOD mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that regulatory T cell function and ability to control pathogenic cells can be enhanced in NOD mice by activating NOD APC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Health Sciences Center (HSC), Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Jean N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Manirarora
authors.forename: Michele M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kosiewicz
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Parnell
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000494:pharmacology; D053804:Granzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains / Q000378:metabolism; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D010641:Phenotype; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; C091367:alpha E integrins; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D053804:Granzymes