Excess generation and activation of naturally arising memory-phenotype CD4⁺ T lymphocytes are inhibited by regulatory T cells in steady state.

ABSTRACT: Conventional CD4⁺ T lymphocytes consist of naïve, foreign antigen-specific memory, and self-antigen-driven memory-phenotype (MP) cell compartments at homeostasis. We recently showed that MP cells tonically proliferate in response to self-antigens and differentiate into the T-bet⁺ subset in steady state. How excess proliferation and differentiation of MP cells are inhibited remains unclear. Given immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs), it is possible that they are also involved in inhibition of spontaneous MP cell activation. Here we show using Foxp3-diphtheria toxin receptor-transgenic mice that both MP and naïve CD4⁺ T cells spontaneously proliferate and differentiate into Th1 cells upon acute Treg depletion. At an early time point post T

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11361994 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature