Selection of cross-reactive T cells by commensal and food-derived yeasts drives cytotoxic T_H1 cell responses in Crohn's disease.

ABSTRACT: Aberrant CD4⁺ T cell reactivity against intestinal microorganisms is considered to drive mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. The disease-relevant microbial species and the corresponding microorganism-specific, pathogenic T cell phenotypes remain largely unknown. In the present study, we identified common gut commensal and food-derived yeasts, as direct activators of altered CD4⁺ T cell reactions in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Yeast-responsive CD4⁺ T cells in CD display a cytotoxic T helper cell (T_H1 cell) phenotype and show selective expansion of T cell clones that are highly cross-reactive to several commensal, as well as food-derived, fungal species. This indicates cross-reactive T cell selection by repeated encounter w

SUBMITTER: Martini GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10579100 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature