TSLP promotes GATA3-expressing effector regulatory T cells via DC2 derived from transitional DCs

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), initially described as a driver of type 2 helper T cell responses, can also act on dendritic cells (DCs) to promote the generation and accumulation of GATA3-expressing effector regulatory T (eT_reg) cells in the context of cutaneous melanoma. In this study, using an experimental mouse model with induced TSLP expression by epidermal keratinocytes combined with genetic tools, we find that TSLP drives GATA3⁺ eT_reg cells through a specific migratory DC population where the co-stimulatory molecule OX40L is required. By conducting transcriptomic identity, lineage-traced ontogeny, surface marker expression and functional studies, we identified and characterized this DC population. Our data demonstrated that TSLP acts on transitional dendritic cell-derived DC2 to promote GATA3⁺ eT_reg cells, thus uncovering a previously unrecognized tolerogenic axis in promoting immunosuppression, which is likely conserved in humans, across contexts of inflammation and cancer.