title: Effects of Foxp3 gene modified dendritic cells on mouse corneal allograft rejection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of Foxp3 gene modified dendritic cells (Foxp3 + DC) on allogeneic T cells proliferation and to study the effect of Foxp3 + DC on corneal allograft rejection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lentivirus-Foxp3 was transfected into DC2.4 cells, as Foxp3 + DC cells. 42 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into: Group A (n = 6), normal group; Group B (n = 12), Group C (n = 12) and Group D (n = 12), allograft groups, were treated with normal saline, DC2.4, Foxp3 + DC by intraperitoneal injection, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, Foxp3 protein in the Foxp3 + DC cells increased significantly (P < 0.05); the expressions of CD80 and CD86 immunophenotypes of Foxp3 + DC cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05); IL-12 secretion reduced (P < 0.05), but IL-10 secretion was promoted (P < 0.05). The average transplant survival time in Group B was (14.833 ± 1.472) d, and Group C and Group D led to a statistically significant prolongation of transplant survival to (17.667 ± 1.366, 23.000 ± 2.000) d (P < 0.05) respectively. 14 d after transplantation, as compared with Group C and D, the expressions of IFN-γ in grafts markedly increased in Group B. 14 d after transplantation, as compared with Group B, the expressions of Foxp3 mRNA, IDO mRNA in grafts decreased remarkably in Group C and D (P < 0.05); as compared with Group C, the expressions of Foxp3 mRNA, IDO mRNA in grafts decreased remarkably in Group D (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foxp3 + DC cells reduce the expression of costimulatory factors, reduce the secretion of IL-12, promote IL-10 production and inhibit the stimulation of alloreactive T cell proliferation response capacity. Foxp3 + DC cells play important roles in inhibiting corneal allograft immune response and prolonging graft survival time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) 306th Hospital Beijing 100101, China ; Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) 306th Hospital Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Lian-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Air Force Beijing 100142, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences Beijing 100850, China.
authors.forename: Gen-Cheng
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) 306th Hospital Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) 306th Hospital Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Li-Qiang
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences Beijing 100850, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Huang
keywords: DC2.4; Foxp3; corneal transplantation; immune tolerance; lentivirus