Dicer-dependent microRNA pathway safeguards regulatory T cell function

J Exp Med. 2008 Sep 1;205(9):1993-2004. doi: 10.1084/jem.20081062. Epub 2008 Aug 25.

Abstract

Regulatory T (T reg) cells are indispensable for preventing autoimmunity. Incumbent to this role is the ability of T reg cells to exert their suppressor function under inflammatory conditions. We found that T reg cell-mediated tolerance is critically dependent on the Dicer-controlled microRNA (miRNA) pathway. Depletion of miRNA within the T reg cell lineage resulted in fatal autoimmunity indistinguishable from that in T reg cell-deficient mice. In disease-free mice lacking Dicer in all T cells or harboring both Dicer-deficient and -sufficient T reg cells, Dicer-deficient T reg cells were suppressive, albeit to a lesser degree, whereas their homeostatic potential was diminished as compared with their Dicer-sufficient counterparts. However, in diseased mice, Dicer-deficient T reg cells completely lost suppressor capacity. Thus, miRNA preserve the T reg cell functional program under inflammatory conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Autoimmunity
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / physiology*
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics*
  • Endoribonucleases / physiology*
  • Immune System
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Inflammation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Dicer1 protein, mouse
  • Ribonuclease III
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases