Affinity for self antigen selects Treg cells with distinct functional properties

Nat Immunol. 2016 Sep;17(9):1093-101. doi: 10.1038/ni.3522. Epub 2016 Aug 1.

Abstract

The manner in which regulatory T cells (Treg cells) control lymphocyte homeostasis is not fully understood. We identified two Treg cell populations with differing degrees of self-reactivity and distinct regulatory functions. We found that GITR(hi)PD-1(hi)CD25(hi) (Triple(hi)) Treg cells were highly self-reactive and controlled lympho-proliferation in peripheral lymph nodes. GITR(lo)PD-1(lo)CD25(lo) (Triple(lo)) Treg cells were less self-reactive and limited the development of colitis by promoting the conversion of CD4(+) Tconv cells into induced Treg cells (iTreg cells). Although Foxp3-deficient (Scurfy) mice lacked Treg cells, they contained Triple(hi)-like and Triple(lo)-like CD4(+) T cells zsuper> T cells infiltrated the skin, whereas Scurfy Triple(lo)CD4(+) T cells induced colitis and wasting disease. These findings indicate that the affinity of the T cell antigen receptor for self antigen drives the differentiation of Treg cells into distinct subsets with non-overlapping regulatory activities.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Autoimmunity
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clonal Selection, Antigen-Mediated
  • Colitis / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / transplantation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / transplantation
  • Wasting Syndrome / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Tnfrsf18 protein, mouse