Induction of regulatory T cells by macrophages is dependent on production of reactive oxygen species.
The phagocyte NAPDH-oxidase complex consists of several phagocyte oxidase (phox) proteins, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon activation. ROS are involved in the defense against microorganisms and also in immune regulation. Defective ROS formation leads to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) with increased incidence of autoimmunity and disturbed resolution of inflammation. Because regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress autoimmune T-cell responses and are crucial in down-regulating immune responses, we hypothesized that ROS deficiency may lead to decreased Treg induction. Previously, we showed that in p47(phox)-mutated mice, reconstitution of macrophages (Mph) with ROS-producing capacity was sufficient to protect the mice from arthritis. Now, we present evidence that Mph-derived ROS induce Tregs. In vitro, we showed that Mph ROS-dependently induce Treg, using an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. This finding was confirmed genetically: rat or human CGD Mph with mutated p47(phox) or gp91(phox) displayed hampered Treg induction and T-cell suppression. However, basal Treg numbers in these subjects were comparable to those in controls, indicating a role for ROS in induction of peripheral Tregs. Induction of allogeneic delayed-type hypersensitivity with p47(phox)-mutated Mph confirmed the importance of Mph-derived ROS in Treg induction in vivo. We conclude that NAPDH oxidase activity in Mph is important for the induction of Tregs to regulate T cell-mediated inflammation.
Kraaij
Marina D
MD
Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Savage
Nigel D L
ND
van der Kooij
Sandra W
SW
Koekkoek
Karin
K
Wang
Jun
J
van den Berg
J Merlijn
JM
Ottenhoff
Tom H M
TH
Kuijpers
Taco W
TW
Holmdahl
Rikard
R
van Kooten
Cees
C
Gelderman
Kyra A
KA
D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006105:Granulomatous Disease, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D000074662:NADPH Oxidase 2; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D017931:DNA Primers; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C056558:CYBB protein, human; D000074662:NADPH Oxidase 2; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C060505:neutrophil cytosolic factor 1