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Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
IL-1beta and IL-2 convert human Treg into T(H)17 cells
Florence Deknuydt1, Gilles Bioley, Danila Valmori
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, CLCC René Gauducheau, Saint Herblain, France.
Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|February 13, 2009
Summary
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can transform into pro-inflammatory T(H)17 cells under specific inflammatory conditions. This conversion, involving IL-2 and IL-1beta, links inflammation and autoimmunity by altering Treg function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain self-tolerance.
- Interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing T helper cells (T(H)17) are involved in inflammation and autoimmunity.
- Tregs and T(H)17 cells perform opposing immunological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential conversion of human natural Tregs into T(H)17 cells.
- To identify conditions and cellular components that induce Treg to T(H)17 cell conversion.
Main Methods:
- Human natural Tregs were cultured under T(H)17 polarizing conditions with IL-2.
- The role of antigen-presenting cells, specifically activated monocytes, was assessed.
- The involvement of IL-1beta and the transcription factor FOXP3 was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Tregs, including naive (NnTregs) and memory (MTregs) subsets, converted into T(H)17 cells when stimulated under T(H)17 polarizing conditions with IL-2.
- Activated monocytes were effective inducers of this conversion.
- The conversion process involved IL-1beta, FOXP3 downregulation, and loss of suppressive functions.
Conclusions:
- Under inflammatory conditions with IL-2, Tregs can be converted into pro-inflammatory T(H)17 cells.
- This plasticity establishes a functional link between Treg cells, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
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