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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
TGF-beta-exposed plasmacytoid dendritic cells participate in Th17 commitment
Francis Bonnefoy1, Mélanie Couturier, Amandine Clauzon
1INSERM, Unité Mixte de Recherche 645, F-25020 Besançon Cedex, France.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) exposure reprograms plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to promote Th17 cell differentiation, not regulatory T cells (Tregs). This involves TGF-β/Smad signaling and increased IL-6 production, impacting autoimmune disease models.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is crucial for both regulatory T cell (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation.
- Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are implicated in Treg and Th17 commitment.
- The direct impact of TGF-β on pDCs and their subsequent T cell polarization capacity remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of TGF-β on pDCs.
- To determine if TGF-β-exposed pDCs can polarize naive CD4(+) T cells.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and in vivo relevance of TGF-β-modulated pDC function.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of pDCs with TGF-β.
- Assessment of T cell polarization (Th17 vs. Treg) by TGF-β-treated pDCs.
- Analysis of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway activation (Smad2 phosphorylation).
- Inhibition of TGF-β signaling using SD208 inhibitor.
- Measurement of IL-6 production by pDCs.
- Blocking of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor signaling.
- In vivo validation using a collagen-induced arthritis model.
Main Results:
- TGF-β-treated pDCs preferentially induced Th17 cell commitment, while suppressing Treg commitment.
- TGF-β treatment activated the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in pDCs, evidenced by Smad2 phosphorylation.
- Inhibition of TGF-β signaling abrogated the Th17-polarizing capacity of TGF-β-treated pDCs.
- TGF-β-treated pDCs exhibited increased synthesis and release of active TGF-β.
- TGF-β treatment significantly enhanced IL-6 production by pDCs, which was essential for Th17 commitment.
- In vivo, injection of TGF-β-treated pDCs exacerbated arthritis severity and increased pathogenic Th17 cell accumulation.
Conclusions:
- TGF-β exposure confers a novel ability on pDCs to promote Th17 cell differentiation, independent of Treg induction.
- The mechanism involves TGF-β/Smad signaling and augmented IL-6 production by pDCs.
- These findings highlight a critical role for TGF-β-modulated pDCs in Th17-driven pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases.
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