T-bet deficiency decreases susceptibility to experimental myasthenia gravis

Exp Neurol. 2009 Dec;220(2):366-73. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.09.022. Epub 2009 Oct 7.

Abstract

T-bet, a tissue-specific transcription factor, controls T helper 1 (Th1) cell differentiation and IFN-production. Given the reciprocal relationship between Th1 and other types of helper T cells, we hypothesized that T-bet impacts multiple helper and regulatory T (Treg) cells, thereby influencing the magnitude of autoimmune disease. We tested this hypothesis in an experimental model of autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) of mice. Myasthenia gravis (MG) and EAMG are T cell-driven, IgG autoantibody-mediated disorders that destroy muscles by attacking the target antigen acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or other antigens of skeletal muscle at neuromuscular junctions. We show that, compared to wild-type mice, AChR-primed T-bet(-/-) mice are less susceptible to EAMG. This phenotype is associated with a reduction of autoreactive Th1 cells and augmentation of Th2 and Th17 cells as well as an upregulation of Foxp3 expression by T-bet(-/-)CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells. Thus, in our model, T-bet not only specifies the Th1 lineage but also has a broad influence on autoreactive Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. These coordinated effects reduce the genesis of pathogenic antibodies and protect against B cell-mediated EAMG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites
  • Bromodeoxyuridine
  • CD4 Antigens / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Separation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / physiology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimetabolites
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21
  • Bromodeoxyuridine