Adoptive transfer of CD3⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ CD44^high memory T cells induces autoimmune pancreatitis in MRL/MpJ mice.

ABSTRACT: The immunopathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is poorly understood. Here, we have used MRL/MpJ mice, a model of spontaneous AIP, to address the role of cellular autoimmune processes in the initiation and progression of the disease. Therefore, different T cell subpopulations were adoptively transferred from sick to still healthy (but susceptible) MRL/MpJ mice. Unpurified splenocytes and CD3⁺ T cells both efficiently induced AIP, while CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells alone, as well as splenocytes from healthy mice, were insufficient to trigger the disease. Strikingly, CD4⁺ CD44^high memory T cells, although transferred at lower numbers than other T cells, also induced AIP in recipient mice. Employing a modified experimental design, we als

SUBMITTER: Ehlers L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5867153 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature