Cross-differentiation from the CD8 lineage to CD4 T cells in the gut-associated microenvironment with a nonessential role of microbiota.

ABSTRACT: CD4 and CD8 T cell lineages differentiate through respective thymic selection processes. Here, we report cross-differentiation from the CD8 lineage to CD4 T cells, but not vice versa, predominantly in the large-intestine-associated microenvironment. It occurred in the absence or distal presence of cognate antigens. This pathway produced MHC-class-I-restricted CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T(reg) (CI-T(reg)) cells. Blocking T cell-intrinsic TGFβ signaling diminished CI-Treg populations in lamina propria, but it did not preclude the CD8-to-CD4 conversion. Microbiota were not required for the cross-differentiation, but the presence of microbiota led to expansion of the converted CD4 T cell population in the large intestine. CI-T(reg) cells did not promote tolerance to microbiota per se, but they regulated s

SUBMITTER: Lui JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4383668 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature