Artikel
Iris pigment epithelial cells hijack co stimulatory molecules to convert naïve T-cells into CTLA-4+, B7-expressing CD8+ regulators
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 22. September 2004 |
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Gliederung
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Objective
T-cells differentiate into regulatory cells if exposed to ocular pigment epithelia (PE), a mechanism that contributes to the immune privilege of the eye. The goal of this study was to determine the role of molecules of the B7 family expressed by PE during this process.
Methods
PE cells and splenic T-cells were derived from C57BL/6 mice and mice deficient in B7.1, B7.2, CTLA-4 and CD28. Naïve T cells were exposed to cultured PE cells in the presence or absence of stimulating anti-CD3 Abs, isolated and x-irradiated (PE Tregs). Proliferation of thereafter added T-cells (responder T-cells) plus anti-CD3 Abs was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Anti-B7.1/B7.2 Abs, recombinant CTLA-4 fusion protein, or anti-CTLA-4 Abs were included in the cultures in which naïve T-cells and iris PE (IPE) cells were present. Expression of B7.1 & B7.2 by IPE Tregs was assayed by RT-PCR.
Results
Naïve T-cells, with or without Tcr ligation, acquired the capacity to suppress bystander T cell activation when exposed to all types of PE. This effect was cell contact dependent if IPE Tregs were used and proved to be mediated by B7.1 & B7.2 molecules on IPE. Moreover, CTLA-4, as well as B7.1 & B7.2 expression on T cells were required to acquire the regulatory phenotype. IPE Tregs proved to be almost exclusively CD8+ that secreted active TGFβ.
Conclusions
IPE cells hijack immune co stimulatory molecules to inhibit T-cell pathogenesis in the ocular anterior segment by generating TGFβ-producing CD8+ T-cells. The latter contact and suppress bystander T-cells by similar mechanisms and help to control an overwhelming immune response in the eye.