Related Experiment Videos
CCR6 expression defines regulatory effector/memory-like cells within the CD25(+)CD4+ T-cell subset
Markus Kleinewietfeld1, Fabiola Puentes, Giovanna Borsellino
1Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Str 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
Blood
|December 23, 2004
Summary
Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) with CCR6 markers exhibit effector-memory functions. These memory-like Treg cells are found in blood and inflamed tissues, including the central nervous system, and are present in humans.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Regulatory CD25(+)CD4+ T cells (Treg cells) are crucial for maintaining peripheral tolerance.
- The memory phenotypes and functions of Treg cells remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of Treg cells regarding memory phenotypes.
- To identify specific markers and functions of memory Treg cells.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry to identify CCR6 expression on mouse Treg cells.
- In vitro restimulation assays to assess Treg cell function.
- Analysis of Treg cell populations in mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in human blood.
Main Results:
- A distinct subset of mouse Treg cells expresses the chemokine receptor CCR6.
- CCR6+ Treg cells display markers of activation and memory, functioning as effector-memory cells.
- These cells are generated in vivo, have a high turnover rate, and rapidly up-regulate IL-10 upon restimulation.
- CCR6+ Treg cells accumulate in the central nervous system during EAE and are present in humans, co-segregating with CD45RO.
Conclusions:
- CCR6+ Treg cells represent a population of regulatory effector-memory T cells (T(REM)) that migrate to inflamed tissues.
- This subset plays a role in controlling immune responses at sites of inflammation.
- The findings in mice are relevant to human memory T cell populations.