Cyclosporin A-treated dendritic cells may affect the outcome of organ transplantation by decreasing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell proliferation

Biol Res. 2010;43(3):333-7. Epub 2010 Nov 30.

Abstract

One of the mechanisms for generation of tolerance involves immature dendritic cells (DCs) and a subpopulation of regulatory CD4+ CD25+ T lymphocytes (T REG). The purpose of this work was to analyze how Cyclosporine A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressive drug, may affect T REG proliferation. Purified and activated murine DCs obtained from bone marrow precursors differentiated with rGMCSF were co-cultured with purified CFSE-labeled T REG from OTII mice, and their phenotype and proliferation analyzed by flow cytometry. Our data indicate that DCs differentiated in the presence of CsA show an altered phenotype, with a lower expression of MHC-II and a lower activating capacity. Additionally, these CsA-treated DCs show decreased production of IL-2 and IL-12 and increased IL-10 secretion when stimulated with LPS, indicating an effect on the polarization of the immune response. Interestingly, CsA-treated DCs show an anti-tolerogenic effect since they reduce the proliferation of T REG cells from 72 to 47%. Further inhibition to a 24% of T REG proliferation was obtained as a direct effect of CsA on T REG. In conclusion, the anti-tolerogenic effect of CsA should be considered in the planning of immunosuppression in the context of clinical transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology*
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Organ Transplantation*
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interleukins
  • Cyclosporine