title: Fine-tuning of regulatory T cell function: the role of calcium signals and naive regulatory T cells for regulatory T cell deficiency in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The suppressor function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms underlying this deficiency are not fully understood. As Tregs counteract the sustained elevation of intracellular calcium, which is indispensable for full activation of conventional T cells (Tcons), we hypothesized that interference with this pathway might prompt MS-related Treg dysfunction. Using single-cell live imaging, we observed that Tregs rapidly reduce Ca(2+) influx and downstream signals in Tcons upon cell contact, yet differ in their potency to efficiently suppress several target cells at the same time. Strikingly, individual Tregs harboring a CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)CD45RA(+) naive phenotype suppressed significantly more adjacent Tcons than did CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)CD45RA(-) memory Tregs. Some constituents even completely failed to dampen Tcon Ca(2+) influx and were contained exclusively in the memory subset. In accordance with their more powerful suppressive performance, the Ca(2+) signature was considerably enhanced in naive Tregs in response to TCR triggering, compared with the memory counterparts. MS Tregs displayed a significantly diminished suppression of mean Ca(2+) influx in the sum of individual Tcons recorded. This reduced inhibitory activity was closely linked to decreased numbers of individual Tcons becoming suppressed by adjacent Tregs and, in turn, correlated with a marked reduction of naive subtypes and concomitant expansion of nonsuppressive memory phenotypes. We conclude that the superior achievement of naive Tregs is pivotal in maintaining Treg efficiency. As a consequence, MS Tregs become defective because they lack naive subtypes and are disproportionately enriched in memory cells that have lost their inherent downregulatory activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Marijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pfaff
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarius
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balint
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiendl
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wildemann
mesh_terms: D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017634:Self Tolerance; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D002118:Calcium