TRAF3 regulates the effector function of regulatory T cells and humoral immune responses

J Exp Med. 2014 Jan 13;211(1):137-51. doi: 10.1084/jem.20131019. Epub 2013 Dec 30.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) control different aspects of immune responses, but how the effector functions of Treg cells are regulated is incompletely understood. Here we identified TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) as a regulator of Treg cell function. Treg cell-specific ablation of TRAF3 impaired CD4 T cell homeostasis, characterized by an increase in the Th1 type of effector/memory T cells. Moreover, the ablation of TRAF3 in Treg cells resulted in increased antigen-stimulated activation of follicular T helper cells (TFH cells), coupled with heightened formation of germinal centers and production of high-affinity IgG antibodies. Although the loss of TRAF3 did not reduce the overall frequency of Treg cells, it attenuated the antigen-stimulated production of follicular Treg cells (TFR cells). TRAF3 signaling in Treg cells was required to maintain high level expression of inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), which in turn was required for TFR cell generation and inhibition of antibody responses. These findings establish TRAF3 as a mediator of Treg cell function in the regulation of antibody responses and suggest a role for TRAF3 in mediating ICOS expression in Treg cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Immunity, Humoral / immunology*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / immunology
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Oligonucleotide Probes / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / immunology
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3