Intestinal dendritic cells specialize to activate transforming growth factor-β and induce Foxp3+ regulatory T cells via integrin αvβ8.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The intestinal immune system is tightly regulated to prevent responses against the many nonpathogenic antigens in the gut. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a cytokine that maintains intestinal homeostasis, in part by inducing Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) that suppress immune responses. TGF-β is expressed at high levels in the gastrointestinal tract as a latent complex that must be activated. However, the pathways that control TGF-β activation in the intestine are poorly defined. We investigated the cellular and molecular pathways that control activation of TGF-β and induction of Foxp3(+) Tregs in the intestines of mice to maintain immune homeostasis.

Methods

Subsets of intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) were examined for their capacity to activate

SUBMITTER: Worthington JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3507624 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature