Injury induces early activation of T-cell receptor signaling pathways in CD4+ regulatory T cells

Shock. 2011 Mar;35(3):252-7. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0b013e3181f489c5.

Abstract

Although it is known that injury enhances the regulatory activity of CD4 regulatory T cells (Tregs), the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for injury-induced Treg activation remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate and compare injury-induced T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling in Tregs, non-Tregs, and CD8 T cells. Specifically, we used phospho-flow cytometry to measure the expression and phosphorylation of ZAP-70, protein kinase C θ, nuclear factor of activated T cells, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β in FoxP3 Tregs versus FoxP3 non-Tregs versus CD8 T cells. Groups of male C57BL/6J mice underwent burn or sham injury, and lymph nodes and spleens were harvested at early time points-15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min-to measure TCR signaling. As early as 15 min after burn injury, we observed a significant upregulation and phosphorylation of ZAP-70, protein kinase C θ, nuclear factor of activated T cells, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β in Tregs prepared from injury-site-draining lymph nodes. Burn injury did not activate TCR signaling in Tregs from the spleen or in CD4 non-Tregs and CD8 T cells. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that burn injury activates TCR signaling in Tregs, but not non-Tregs or CD8 T cells. These findings suggest that injury provides an early TCR-activating signal to Tregs and supply new insights into how injury influences the adaptive immune system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Burns / immunology*
  • Burns / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / genetics
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / genetics
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
  • Zap70 protein, mouse
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • protein kinase C zeta
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3