BTLA targeting modulates lymphocyte phenotype, function, and numbers and attenuates disease in nonobese diabetic mice

J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Jul;86(1):41-51. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1107753. Epub 2009 Apr 21.

Abstract

The novel coinhibitory receptor BTLA may have a regulatory role in maintaining peripheral tolerance; however, its role in autoimmune diabetes is unknown. In this study, we show that anti-BTLA mAb 6F7 selectively depleted pathogenic B and CD4+ T(H) cells; enhanced the proportion of cells with the forkhead box p3+ PD-1+CD4+ regulatory T phenotype; and increased the production of potentially protective (IL-10) and detrimental (IL-2, IFN-gamma) cytokines in NOD mice. As interactions between BTLA and PD-1 coinhibitory pathways have been described in the cardiac allograft model, we also investigated if these pathways may have significant interaction in autoimmune diabetes. Anti-BTLA inhibited anti-PD-1-potentiated total IL-12 (p40+p70) production, suggesting the possibility that anti-BTLA may have a greater effect in the setting of anti-PD-1-triggered diabetes. To test this, NOD mice at 4 and 10 weeks of age were treated with anti-BTLA mAb, anti-PD-1 mAb, both mAb, or isotype control and were monitored for diabetes development. Although anti-BTLA mAb delayed diabetes onset significantly in 10- but not 4-week-old NOD mice, anti-BTLA mAb attenuated anti-PD-1-induced diabetes in both age groups. Hence, strategies targeting BTLA+ lymphocytes or therapies enhancing the BTLA-negative cosignal may prove valuable in treating autoimmune diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / immunology*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-12 / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • BTLA protein, mouse
  • Pdcd1 protein, mouse
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12