Astrocytes modulate the polarization of CD4+ T cells to Th1 cells.
T-cell characteristics are dynamic and influenced by multiple factors. To test whether cells and the environment in the central nervous system (CNS) can influence T-cells, we tested if culturing mouse CD4(+) T-cells on mouse primary astrocytes, compared with standard feeder cells, modified T-cell polarization to Th1 and Treg subtypes. Astrocytes supported the production of Th1 cells and Tregs, which was diminished by inflammatory activation of astrocytes, and glutamate accumulation that may result from impaired glutamate uptake by astrocytes strongly promoted Th1 production. These results demonstrate that astrocytes and the environment in the CNS have the capacity to regulate T-cell characteristics.
Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
Eléonore
E
Beurel
Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.
Laurie E
LE
Harrington
Department of Genetics, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
William
W
Buchser
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
Vance
V
Lemmon
Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
Richard S
RS
Jope
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology*