Drug-induced autoantibody formation in mice: triggering by primed CD4+CD25- T cells, prevention by primed CD4+CD25+ T

Laura E Layland1, Marty Wulferink, Sabine Dierkes

  • 1Institut für umweltmedizinische Forschung an der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf gGmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Insights

CD4+CD25+ T suppressor cells prevent xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity by suppressing autoantibody formation. These cells may play a crucial role in managing drug-induced autoimmune reactions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Autoimmunity
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • CD4+CD25+ T suppressor (Ts) cells are known to prevent experimental autoimmune diseases.
  • The role of Ts cells in xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity remains largely unexplored.
  • Certain xenobiotics like procainamide, mercuric chloride, and gold(I) can trigger autoimmune reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and mechanism of CD4+CD25+ T suppressor cells in xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity.
  • To determine if CD4+CD25+ T cells can prevent the formation of autoantibodies induced by xenobiotics.
  • To explore the potential cross-reactivity of xenobiotic-primed T cells.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of IgG1 antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) in mice using procainamide, mercuric chloride, or gold(I).
  • Adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from xenobiotic-treated mice into recipients.
  • Administration of xenobiotic-primed CD4+CD25+ T cells into recipients treated with a different xenobiotic.
  • Transfer of CD4+CD25- T cells from xenobiotic-treated donors into untreated recipients.

Main Results:

  • Adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells completely prevented ANA formation in recipients treated with the same xenobiotic.
  • CD8+ T cell transfer was ineffective in preventing ANA formation.
  • Xenobiotic-primed CD4+CD25+ T cells partially prevented ANA formation in recipients treated with a different xenobiotic.
  • CD4+CD25- T cells from treated donors failed to suppress but induced de novo ANA formation in recipients.

Conclusions:

  • CD4+CD25+ T suppressor cells play a critical role in preventing xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity.
  • The findings suggest a mechanism involving T cell reactivity spreading from xenobiotic-induced neoantigens to self-antigens.
  • These results have implications for understanding and potentially treating drug-induced autoimmune diseases.

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