香菇多糖对急性弓形虫感染小鼠Th应答调节作用的实验研究

目的 探讨香菇多糖(Lentinan,Lent)对急性弓形虫感染小鼠BALB/c Th1/Th2免疫应答调节效应的影响.方法 对RH强毒株感染的BALB/c小鼠进行不同时间点的香菇多糖预处理,动态观察用药后各组感染小鼠的生存率;在感染后第0、3、5、8和10天提取小鼠的脾细胞,ELISA法检测脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-10的分泌水平.结果 感染前6 d 1 mg/kg LNT用药组与药物未处理组相比显著提高了生存率;显著增强了Th1免疫应答中关键细胞因子IFN-γ和Th2免疫应答中关键细胞因子IL-10的分泌水平.结论 对急性弓形虫感染的BALB/c小鼠采用香菇多糖预处理之后能有效激发Th1/Th2型免疫应答的有效建立,对于抵抗弓形虫感染具有重要意义.     

CD4+CD25+T细胞在夏氏疟原虫感染鼠中的应答差异

为探讨CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)在夏氏疟原虫感染过程中的活化特点及其与疾病进展的相关性,用夏氏疟原虫分别感染BALB/c和DBA/2小鼠,Giemsa染色制备薄血膜,镜检计数红细胞感染率;以流式细胞术检测脾细胞悬液中Treg细胞百分含量;ELISA测定脾细胞培养上清IFN-γ水平。BALB/c小鼠原虫血症于感染后第8d达到峰值34.4%后迅速下降,于感染后第15d左右小鼠自愈;其IFN-γ水平和Treg细胞百分含量均在感染后第5d明显增加后开始下降(P<0.01);DBA/2小鼠原虫血症于感染后第9～11d一直维持在峰值38%左右,并在感染后约第10d小鼠死亡;其IFN-γ水平在感染后第3d明显升高后迅速回落(P<0.01),Treg细胞百分含量在感染后的前8d平稳升高,但于感染后第8～11d出现骤然上升。结果提示,CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞数量异常变化与宿主感染结局呈密切相关性。     

夏氏疟原虫感染过程中调节性B细胞的表达变化

调节性B细胞(regulatory B cells,Bregs)是近年来发现的通过分泌IL-10发挥免疫调节作用的B细胞,其在疟疾免疫应答中的作用尚不清楚。利用血液阶段夏氏疟原虫(Plasmodium chabaudi AS,P.c AS)感染的BALB/c小鼠,观察了感染过程中Bregs数量变化及其表面分子表达情况。结果显示,BALB/c小鼠感染P.c AS后红细胞感染率逐渐升高,于感染后第9天达到30%,多数小鼠死亡。脾组织细胞因子IL-10 mRNA水平在感染后显著升高,感染后第5天达到高峰,感染后第8天仍为正常小鼠的10倍左右。CD4+细胞中IL-10+细胞百分比和绝对数量在感染后第5天达到峰值,于感染后第8天回落至正常水平;而CD19+细胞中IL-10+细胞(Bregs)百分比在感染后持续上升,在感染后第8天达到CD19+细胞的5%左右;感染后第5天,脾中CD4+IL-10+细胞绝对数量高于CD19+IL-10+细胞,至感染后第8天,CD19+IL-10+细胞绝对数量显著高于CD4+IL-10+细胞(P﹤0.01),约90%Bregs为CD5-细胞。结果提示,P.c AS感染过程中Bregs显著活化,是感染1周后IL-10的主要产生细胞。     

BALB/c小鼠感染不同疟原虫CD4＋ Th应答和凋亡特点的比较研究

探讨不同疟原虫感染BALB/c小鼠的免疫应答特点。BALB/c小鼠经腹腔注射致死型约氏疟原虫（P.y17XL）和夏氏疟原虫（P.cAS）感染的红细胞,计数红细胞感染率;ELISA动态检测感染小鼠脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-4水平;流式细胞术检测脾中CD4＋T细胞凋亡数量。约氏疟原虫（P.y17XL）感染早期,小鼠原虫血症持续上升;IFN-γ和IL-4分泌水平仅在感染后第3天出现一过性有意义的升高,而且峰值较低;脾中CD4＋T细胞大量凋亡,小鼠全部死亡;而夏氏疟原虫（P.cAS）感染小鼠,原虫血症上升缓慢;IFN-γ分泌水平在感染后第5天达峰值;IL-4分泌水平在感染后第10天达峰值,且峰值较高维持时间较长;脾中CD4＋T细胞凋亡细胞于感染后8 d出现有意义升高,小鼠全部存活。抗疟保护性免疫有赖于Th1和Th2型免疫应答的有效建立和协调过渡,感染期间CD4＋T细胞凋亡的时相和数量可能是影响免疫应答的强度或引起宿主免疫抑制的原因,从而影响宿主疟原虫感染的结局。     

CD8~+CD122~+T细胞在脑缺血过程中作用的研究

目的:探讨CD8+CD122+T细胞在脑缺血过程中的作用及其机制。方法:线栓法建立小鼠大脑中动脉栓塞模型(MCAO);激光共聚焦显微镜检测小鼠脑缺血组织中CD8+CD122+T细胞浸润情况;流式细胞仪检测脑缺血组织中CD8+CD122+T细胞/CD3+T细胞的比例及脾和胸腺中CD8+CD122+T细胞数量变化;RT-PCR方法检测CD8+CD122+T细胞对氧糖剥夺(Oxygen-glucose deprivation,OGD)条件下星形胶质细胞表达TNF-α,IL-1β,IFN-γ的影响。结果:各时间点脑缺血组织中均有CD8+CD122+T细胞浸润,且随脑缺血时间延长,缺血侧脑组织中CD8+CD122+T细胞/CD3+T细胞比例逐渐增加,5 d和7 d组差异显著,与非缺血侧相比,P5d0.05,P7d0.05;MCAO小鼠脾及胸腺中CD8+CD122+T细胞呈现先增高后降低的趋势。星形胶质细胞经OGD处理后,与对照组相比,IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-1β表达显著增高,PIFN-γ0.01、PTNF-α0.001、PIL-1β0.01;CD122-blocked组与CD8+组相比,IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-1β表达明显增高,PIFN-γ0.05、PTNF-α0.05、PIL-1β0.01;CD8+组与HBSS组相比,IFN-γ表达降低,P0.05;IL-1β表达有降低的趋势。结论:CD8+CD122+T细胞在脑缺血过程中发挥保护性作用,其保护作用通过CD122抑制星形胶质细胞TNF-α,IL-1β,IFN-γ炎症因子表达实现的。     

小鼠沙眼衣原体肺感染过程中Treg细胞与Th17反应关系

[目的]对沙眼衣原体在BALB/c小鼠肺部感染过程中CD4+ CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)与Th17反应关系进行初步探讨.[方法]取6-8周龄的BALB/c小鼠,鼻腔吸入25 μL含5×103 IFU的沙眼衣原体鼠肺炎菌株(Chlamydia muridarum,Cm),建立沙眼衣原体小鼠肺感染模型.监测感染后不同时期小鼠体重变化;检测肺组织衣原体包涵体形成单位( IFU)及肺组织病理改变;利用流式细胞术检测Cm感染后小鼠体内Treg细胞百分率;ELISA检测肺组织上清液IL-6、TGF-β、IL-17、IL-2细胞因子的的表达;qRT-PCR检测KC( keratinocyte derived chemokine) mRNA和MIP-2( macrophage inflammatory protein-2)mRNA的表达差异.[结果]用5xl03 IFU Cm经鼻腔吸人感染后小鼠发生沙眼衣原体肺炎,表现为体重下降、肺组织大量炎症细胞浸润并可检测到衣原体繁殖.Cm感染后第3天,小鼠体内Treg细胞占CD4 +T细胞的百分比明显降,随后开始恢复,第7天恢复原来水平,一直持续到衣原体清除.TGF-β、IL-2的表达与Treg细胞动态变化一致.与Th17相关细胞因子IL-6、IL-17和Th17相关趋化因子KC、MIP-2的表达于第3天开始升高,至第7天达到最高水平,随后逐渐减少.[结论]在衣原体感染BALB/c小鼠过程中,Treg可能通过提供TGF-β并在IL-6帮助下促进Th17应答产生.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在自身免疫性肝炎发病中的作用

目的:比较自身免疫性肝炎(autoimmune hepatitis,AIH)患者与健康对照者(healthy controls,HCs)外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+Tregs)数量、免疫抑制功能的变化,探讨CD4+CD25+Tregs参与AIH发病的可能机制.方法:采用流式细胞仪检测8例AIH患者及15例健康对照组的外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs数量的百分比及绝时数量;采用共同培养方法检测AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs的免疫抑制功能的变化;实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-FQ-PCR)检删AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs中FoxP3mRNA的表达.结果:AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs数量明显低于HCs(p<0.01);混合淋巴细胞共同培养结果显示,AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs抑制功能明显低于HCs组(p<0.01);AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs的FoxP3 mRNA相对表达量显著降低,与HCs组比较有显著性差异(p<0.01).结论:CD4+CD25+Tregs细胞的数量的减少和Foxp3表达的降低所造成的CD4+CD25+Tregs细胞免疫抑制功能受损可能是AIH发病的一个因素.     

TCRαβ+3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺髓质细胞亚群的特性分析

CD4+CD8-及CD4-CD8+单阳性(SP)胸腺细胞是不均一的细胞群体,存在功能成熟的分化过程并同时伴随有表型的变化.为深入研究CD4+SP中的不同表型和不同功能状态的细胞群体,利用多种抗体加补体杀伤和细胞panning方法,分离得到小鼠3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺髓质细胞亚群.该群细胞为TCRαβ+CD69loHSAmed/lo,有15%的Qa-2分子表达.可接受Con A的刺激进行增殖应答并分泌IL-6,IL-4和IL-10等Th2型细胞因子及低水平的IFNγ,但不分泌IL-2.根据3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺细胞的表型和功能特点,推测该群细胞是正常的胸腺细胞亚群之一,处于CD4+SP成熟过程的中后期,是Th0向Th2转化的过渡型细胞.     

比较体外扩增调节性T细胞的两种方法

利用免疫磁珠法(immunomagnetic beads,MACS)从BALB/c小鼠脾脏中分别分离出CD4+CD25+Tregs(regulatory T cells)和CD4+T细胞,CD4+CD25+Tregs加入anti-CD3/CD28磁珠与1 000 U/m L IL-2体外扩增14 d;CD4+T细胞加入anti-CD3/CD28磁珠、100 U/m L IL-2和5 ng/m L重组人源性转化生长因子-β(transforming growth factor-β,TGF-β)体外扩增5 d。分析两种方法扩增后Tregs免疫抑制功能及数量。结果显示,两种方法扩增的Tregs免疫抑制功能无明显差别(P0.05),但是分别从大小相当的BALB/c小鼠脾脏所提取出的细胞中,通过CD4+T细胞扩增5 d可以得到(4.9±0.4)×107 Tregs,而通过CD4+CD25+Tregs扩增14 d只能得到(1.9±0.1)×107 Tregs(P0.05)。结果发现,通过两种方法扩增得到的Tregs免疫抑制功能无明显差异,但是通过CD4+T细胞扩增Tregs方法所需时间短,而且得到的细胞数量多。     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌脂多糖对CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞免疫抑制功能的影响

目的探讨牙龈卟啉单胞菌（Porphyromonas gingivalis,Pg）对CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞（regulatory T cells,Tregs）免疫抑制功能的影响。方法采用酚水法提取Pg ATCC 33277株脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）。免疫磁珠法分离BALB／c小鼠脾脏CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs并进行体外培养,同时给予不同剂量（0～500ng／ml）Pg—LPS干预,培养48h后收集细胞及上清液。Real-TimePCR法测定培养细胞Foxp3mRNA的表达,ELISA法分别测定细胞上清液中IL-10、TGF-β水平;采用体外淋巴细胞混合培养法对Pg-LPS干预后的CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs进行功能抑制试验。结果Pg-LPS干预不影响CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs分泌IL-10和TGF-β,但是能够显著上调CD4^＋CD25^＋TregsFoxp3mRNA的表达,增强其免疫抑制作用;当Ps—LPS浓度低于300ng／m1时,CD4^＋CD25^＋TregsFoxp3mRNA表达以及免疫抑制作用的增强与Ps—LPS浓度之间呈剂量-效应关系。结论Pg-LPS能够增强CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs的免疫抑制作用,这种免疫抑制增强效应可能与CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs Foxp3基因表达的上调有关,并且不具有抑制性细胞因子依赖性。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的作用机制及临床应用

免疫应答通常是机体对各种异源物质的重要防御机制.但有些免疫应答会造成机体的损伤.近来,大量研究发现免疫系统内存在一类CD4 CD25 调节性T淋巴(CD4 CD25 regulatory T cell,CD4 CD25 TReg),在阻止大量免疫介导的疾病中起重要作用.该文从自身免疫耐受、维持T细胞自稳态、肿瘤免疫等方面介绍这类细胞的免疫调节作用.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞

调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)是机体维持自身耐受的重要组成部分。CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞来源于胸腺,其主要功能是抑制自身反应性T细胞,并且其作用是通过直接的Treg-T效应细胞之间的相互接触方式来实现的。CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞可分泌多种抑制性细胞因子,但与其抑制功能关系并不明确,目前有证据表明GITR和Foxp3与CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞的抑制功能有关,并且Foxp3已作为CD4^ CD25^ Treg细胞的特异性标志。通过IL-10、TGF-β等抑制性细胞因子、imDC以及转基因技术可以产生具有免疫抑制功能的调节性T细胞。调节性T细胞在免疫相关性疾病、肿瘤免疫和抗感染免疫等方面具有重要意义。     

Non-regulatory CD8+CD45RO+CD25+ T-lymphocytes may compensate for the loss of antigen-inexperienced CD8+CD45RA+ T-cells in old age

The age-related decline in immune system functions is responsible for the increased prevalence of infectious diseases and the low efficacy of vaccination in elderly individuals. In particular, the number of peripheral naive T-cells declines throughout life and they exhibit severe functional defects at advanced age. However, we have recently identified a non-regulatory CD8+CD45RO+ CD25+ T-cell subset that occurs in a subgroup of healthy elderly individuals, who still exhibit an intact humoral immune response following influenza vaccination. Here, we demonstrate that CD8+CD45RO+CD25+ T-cells share phenotypic and functional characteristics with naive CD8+CD45RA+CD28+ T-cells from young individuals, despite their expression of CD45RO. CD8+CD45RO+ CD25+ T-cells also have long telomeres and upon antigenic challenge, they efficiently expand in vitro and differentiate into functional effector cells. The expanded population also maintains a diverse T-cell receptor repertoire. In conclusion, CD8+CD45RO+CD25+ T-cells from elderly individuals compensate for the loss of functional naive T-cells and may therefore be used as a marker of immunological competence in old age.     

Differential responses of CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD29+ subsets to activated CD8+ cells: enhanced stimulation of the CD4+CD45RA+ subset by cells from patients with multiple sclerosis.

To examine whether functionally different CD4+ cells respond uniformly to the immunoregulatory influences of allogeneic activated CD8+ cells (*CD8+), we subfractionated the CD4+ population into two subsets, based on the high expression of either CD45RA or CD29. We confirmed that the CD45RA+ cells proliferated poorly in response to soluble anti-CD3 mAb, compared to the vigorous response obtained with the CD29+ subset; the CD45RA+ cells were more responsive to stimulation with Con A. Using normal healthy controls, we found that whereas *CD8+ had a significant suppressive effect on the proliferation of the CD29+ subset, they augmented the mitogen-induced proliferative response of the CD45RA+ cells. We further demonstrated that *CD8+ derived from MS patients augmented the response of the CD45RA+ subset to a significantly higher degree compared to healthy age- and sex-matched controls. There were no significant differences between the degree of suppression exerted by the *CD8+ of either the MS or the control group on the CD29+ cells. These results demonstrate that helper/memory CD4+CD29+ cells are more sensitive to the suppressive influences of *CD8+ compared to the CD4+CD45RA+ subset. In addition, in MS, *CD8+ may contribute to a more pronounced "on" signal for virgin CD4+CD45RA+ cells, which might serve as a means to perpetuate the autoimmune disease process.     

Follicular lymphoma intratumoral CD4+CD25+GITR+ regulatory T cells potently suppress CD3/CD28-costimulated autologous and allogeneic CD8+CD25- and CD4+CD25- T cells

Regulatory T cells (T(R)) play a critical role in the inhibition of self-reactive immune responses and as such have been implicated in the suppression of tumor-reactive effector T cells. In this study, we demonstrate that follicular lymphoma (FL)-infiltrating CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are hyporesponsive to CD3/CD28 costimulation. We further identify a population of FL-infiltrating CD4+CD25+GITR+ T(R) that are significantly overrepresented within FL nodes (FLN) compared with that seen in normal (nonmalignant, nonlymphoid hyperplastic) or reactive (nonmalignant, lymphoid hyperplastic) nodes. These T(R) actively suppress both the proliferation of autologous nodal CD8+CD25- and CD4+CD25- T cells, as well as cytokine production (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2), after CD3/CD28 costimulation. Removal of these cells in vitro by CD25+ magnetic bead depletion restores both the proliferation and cytokine production of the remaining T cells, demonstrating that FLN T cell hyporesponsiveness is reversible. In addition to suppressing autologous nodal T cells, these T(R) are also capable of suppressing the proliferation of allogeneic CD8+CD25- and CD4+CD25- T cells from normal lymph nodes as well as normal donor PBL, regardless of very robust stimulation of the target cells with plate-bound anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs. The allogeneic suppression is not reciprocal, as equivalent numbers of CD25+FOXP3+ cells derived from either normal lymph nodes or PBL are not capable of suppressing allogeneic CD8+CD25- and CD4+CD25- T cells, suggesting that FLN T(R) are more suppressive than those derived from nonmalignant sources. Lastly, we demonstrate that inhibition of TGF-beta signaling partially restores FLN T cell proliferation suggesting a mechanistic role for TGF-beta in FLN T(R)-mediated suppression.     

Characterization of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ and IL-10-secreting CD4+CD25+ T cells during cure of colitis

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells can prevent and resolve intestinal inflammation in the murine T cell transfer model of colitis. Using Foxp3 as a marker of regulatory T cell activity, we now provide a comprehensive analysis of the in vivo distribution of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ cells in wild-type mice, and during cure of experimental colitis. In both cases, Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ cells were found to accumulate in the colon and secondary lymphoid organs. Importantly, Foxp3+ cells were present at increased density in colon samples from patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, suggesting similarities in the behavior of murine and human regulatory cells under inflammatory conditions. Cure of murine colitis was dependent on the presence of IL-10, and IL-10-producing CD4+CD25+ T cells were enriched within the colon during cure of colitis and also under steady state conditions. Our data indicate that although CD4+CD25+ T cells expressing Foxp3 are present within both lymphoid organs and the colon, subsets of IL-10-producing CD4+CD25+ T cells are present mainly within the intestinal lamina propria suggesting compartmentalization of the regulatory T cell response at effector sites.     

Analysis of the functional capabilities of CD3+CD4-CD8- and CD3+CD4+CD8+ human T cell clones

The functional capabilities of human peripheral blood CD3+CD4-CD8- and CD3+CD4+CD8+ T cell clones were examined. The clones were generated by culturing purified populations of CD3+CD4-CD8- and CD3+CD4+CD8+ T cells at limiting dilution (0.3 cell/well) in the presence of PHA, rIL-2, and irradiated PBMC as feeders. Twelve CD3+CD4-CD8- and 5 CD3+CD4+CD8+ clones were generated. Clonality was documented by analyzing TCR gamma- and beta-chain rearrangement patterns. All CD3+CD4-CD8- clones were stained by the TCR-delta 1 mAb that identifies a framework epitope of the TCR delta-chain, but not by mAb WT31 that identifies the TCR-alpha beta on mature T cells. In contrast, the CD3+CD4+CD8+ clones were all stained by WT31 and not by TCR-delta 1. All 17 clones were screened for various functional activities. Each secreted IL-2, IFN-gamma, and lymphotoxin/TNF-like factors when stimulated with immobilized mAb to CD3 (64.1), albeit in varying quantities. These clones secreted far less IL-2 and IFN-gamma than CD3+CD4+CD8- or CD3+CD4-CD8+ alpha beta expressing clones, but comparable amounts of lymphotoxin/TNF. All clones also functioned as MHC-unrestricted cytotoxic cells. This activity was comparable to that mediated by the CD3+CD4+CD8- or CD3+CD4-CD8+ alpha beta clones. Nine of 12 CD3+CD4-CD8- and 4 of 5 CD3+CD4+CD8+ clones were able to support B cell differentiation when activated by immobilized anti-CD3, but usually not as effectively as the CD3+CD4+CD8- or CD3+CD4-CD8+ alpha beta clones. The differences in the functional capabilities of the various clones could not be accounted for by alterations in the signaling capacity of the CD3 molecular complex as mAb to CD3 induced comparable increases in intracellular free calcium in each clone examined. When clones were stimulated with PWM, each suppressed B cell differentiation supported by mitomycin C-treated fresh CD4+ T lymphocytes. Suppression was dependent on the number of clone cells added to culture, but could be observed with as few as 12,500 cells per microtiter well. Phenotypic analysis of the clones revealed that all expressed CD29, CD11b, and the NKH1 surface Ag. These results demonstrate that the CD3+CD4-CD8- and CD3+CD4+CD8+ T cell clones exhibit many of the functional characteristics of mature T cells, although they produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma and provide help for B cell differentiation less effectively than CD3+CD4+CD8- and CD3+CD4-CD8+ alpha beta T cell clones.     

CD40L co-stimulation from CD8+ to CD4+ effector memory T cells supports CD4+ expansion

Effector memory T cells (T(EM)) have an important role in immunity against infection. However, little is known about the factors regulating T(EM) maintenance and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the role of direct interactions between CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells (TC) for human T(EM) expansion. Proliferation of separated or mixed CD4(+) and CD8(+)T(EM) populations was analyzed after polyclonal stimulation in vitro. Compared to each isolated subset mixed T(EM) populations showed increased proliferation and expansion of both CD4(+) and CD8(+)T(EM) subpopulations. Combined activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) memory T cells (Tmem) induced an increased expression of CD40L and CD40 on both populations. Subsequently, CD40/CD40L caused a bi-directional stimulation of CD40(+)CD4(+)T(EM) by CD40L(+)CD8(+)T(EM) and of CD40(+)CD8(+)T(EM) by CD40L(+)CD4(+)T(EM). Blocking of CD40L on activated CD8(+)T(EM) selectively inhibited proliferation of CD4(+)T(EM), while blocking of CD40L on CD4(+)T(EM) abrogated proliferation of CD8(+)T(EM). Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that the expression of CD40L is exploited on the one hand by CD8(+)T(EM) to increase the proliferation of activated CD4(+)T(EM) and on the other hand by CD4(+)T(EM) to support the expansion of activated CD8(+)T(EM). Thus, efficient T(EM) expansion requires bi-directional interactions between CD4(+) and CD8(+)T(EM) cells.     

CD8+CD122+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD4+ Tregs cooperatively prevent and cure CD4+ cell-induced colitis

We identified CD8(+)CD122(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and demonstrated their importance in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and in the recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In this paper, we show that CD8(+)CD122(+) Tregs effectively prevent and cure colitis in a mouse model. In our experiments, colitis was induced in lymphocyte-deficient RAG-2(-/-) mice by transferring CD4(+)CD45RB(high) cells that were excluded with CD4(+) Tregs. Cotransfer of CD8(+)CD122(+) cells clearly suppressed the development of colitis, and this suppressive effect was similar to that of CD4(+)CD45RB(low) cells that were mostly CD4(+) Tregs. CD8(+)CD122(+) cells obtained from IL-10(-/-) mice were unable to suppress colitis, indicating that IL-10 is an important effect-transmitting factor in the suppression of colitis. CD8(+)CD122(+) cells showed a suppressive effect when they were transferred 4 wk after CD4(+)CD45RB(high) cells, indicating the therapeutic potential of CD8(+)CD122(+) cells. A mixture of CD8(+)CD122(+) cells and CD4(+)CD45RB(low) cells was far more effective than single Tregs, indicating the synergistic effect of these Tregs. These overall findings demonstrate the potential role of CD8(+) Tregs, and possibly together with CD4(+) Tregs, in the medical care of inflammatory bowel disease patients.