Self and microbiota-derived epitopes induce CD4+ T cell anergy and conversion into CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory cells

Mucosal Immunol. 2021 Mar;14(2):443-454. doi: 10.1038/s41385-020-00349-4. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Abstract

The physiological role of T cell anergy induction as a key mechanism supporting self-tolerance remains undefined, and natural antigens that induce anergy are largely unknown. In this report, we used TCR sequencing to show that the recruitment of CD4+CD44+Foxp3-CD73+FR4+ anergic (Tan) cells expands the CD4+Foxp3+ (Tregs) repertoire. Next, we report that blockade in peripherally-induced Tregs (pTregs) formation due to mutation in CNS1 region of Foxp3 or chronic exposure to a selecting self-peptide result in an accumulation of Tan cells. Finally, we show that microbial antigens from Akkermansia muciniphila commensal bacteria can induce anergy and drive conversion of naive CD4+CD44-Foxp3- T (Tn) cells to the Treg lineage. Overall, data presented here suggest that Tan induction helps the Treg repertoire to become optimally balanced to provide tolerance toward ubiquitous and microbiome-derived epitopes, improving host ability to avert systemic autoimmunity and intestinal inflammation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clonal Anergy
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microbiota / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Autoantigens
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse