title: Redox remodeling as an immunoregulatory strategy.
abstract: Activation and proliferation of T cells require a reducing extracellular microenvironment in the immune synapse that is provided by antigen presenting cells, especially dendritic cells. Stimulation of dendritic cells by T cells activates the NF-kappaB pathway in dendritic cells and induces an antioxidant response. It also enhances system x(c)(-)-dependent cystine uptake, leading to enhanced glutathione synthesis, export, and, finally, degradation to cysteine outside the cell. Accumulation of extracellular cysteine supports glutathione synthesis in T cells while also leading to a more reducing redox potential that is needed for T cell proliferation. Naturally occurring regulatory T cells, a suppressor subpopulation of T cells, prevent autoimmune diseases and maintain peripheral tolerance by suppressing self-reactive effector T cells. They also suppress beneficial immune responses to parasites, viruses, and tumors. However, their mechanism of suppression is still not fully understood. Recently, we have found that inhibition by regulatory T cells of dendritic cell-induced extracellular redox remodeling is a component of the regulatory T cell suppression mechanism. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of redox regulation and signaling in the adaptive immune system with a focus on T cell activation by dendritic cells. The role of regulatory T cells in perturbing redox remodeling by dendritic cells and its implications as a general regulatory T cell suppression mechanism are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5606, USA.
authors.forename: Zhonghua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ruma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banerjee
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species