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A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: April 10, 2019
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FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells attenuate experimental necrotizing enterocolitis
Bridgette M Dingle1, Yuying Liu1, Nicole Y Fatheree1
1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
Plos One
|December 25, 2013
Summary
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for gut health. Enhancing Treg numbers can significantly reduce the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, improving survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal inflammatory condition affecting premature infants.
- FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are vital for maintaining gut homeostasis.
- The specific role of Tregs in preventing NEC remains unclear, despite observed reductions in NEC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ontogeny and function of Tregs in a rat model of NEC.
- To determine if adoptive transfer of Tregs can prevent or mitigate experimental NEC.
- To elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms by which Tregs exert their protective effects.
Main Methods:
- Established a rat model for experimental NEC induction.
- Characterized T cell and Treg populations in newborn rat pups using flow cytometry.
- Administered Tregs from adult rats to newborn pups before NEC induction and assessed clinical outcomes and immune markers.
Main Results:
- Newborn rats have limited Treg numbers, with an 8-fold reduction observed after NEC induction.
- Adoptive transfer of Tregs improved survival from 53% to 88% and reduced NEC incidence from 87% to 35%.
- Treg transfer modulated immune responses, decreasing CD80 expression on antigen-presenting cells and T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal Tregs may be insufficient to control the inflammation in NEC.
- Adoptive transfer of Tregs effectively attenuates NEC severity by modulating the immune response.
- Strategies aimed at augmenting Treg populations hold therapeutic promise for NEC management.
