Ncf1 (p47phox) is essential for direct regulatory T cell mediated suppression of CD4+ effector T cells.
BACKGROUND
Multiple mechanisms have been advanced to account for CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg)-mediated suppression of CD4+ effector T cells (Teffs) but none appear to completely explain suppression. Previous data indicates that Tregs may affect the microenvironment redox state. Given the inherent redox sensitivity of T cells, we tested the hypothesis that oxidants may mediate the direct suppression of Teffs by Tregs.


RESULTS
Tregs and Teffs were isolated from the spleens of wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice or Ncf1(p47phox)-deficient C57BL/6 mice which lack NADPH oxidase function. Teffs were labeled with CFSE and co-cultured with unlabeled Tregs at varying Treg:Teff ratios in the presence of anti-CD3/CD28 coated beads for 3 days in suppression assays. Treg-mediated suppression was quantified by flow cytometric analysis of CFSE dilution in Teffs. The presence of the antioxidants n-acetylcysteine (NAC) or 2-mercaptoethanol or inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium and VAS-2870) resulted in reduced WT Treg-mediated suppression. The observed suppression was in part dependent upon TGFβ as it was partially blocked with neutralizing antibodies. The suppression of Teff proliferation induced by exogenous TGFβ treatment could be overcome with NAC. Ncf1-deficient Teff were slightly but significantly less sensitive than WT Teff to suppression by exogenous TGFβ. Ncf1-deficient Tregs suppressed Ncf1-deficient Teff very poorly compared to wild type controls. There was partial but incomplete reconstitution of suppression in assays with WT Tregs and Ncf1-deficient Teff.


CONCLUSIONS
We present evidence that NADPH oxidase derived ROS plays a role in the direct Treg mediated suppression of CD4+ effector T cells in a process that is blocked by thiol-containing antioxidants, NADPH oxidase inhibitors or a lack of Ncf1 expression in Tregs and Teffs. Oxidants may represent a potential new target for therapeutic modulation of Treg function.
Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
Olga
O
Efimova
Philippe
P
Szankasi
Todd W
TW
Kelley
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D055633:Immune System Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C060505:neutrophil cytosolic factor 1
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