Project description:Here, we report on experiments in double-transgenic mice, in which RFP is expressed in all Foxp3+ Treg cells, whereas Foxp3-dependent GFP expression is exclusively confined to intrathymically induced Foxp3+ Treg cells. This novel molecular genetic tool enabled us to faithfully track and characterize naturally induced Treg cells of intrathymic (RFP+GFP+) and extrathymic (RFP+GFP−) origin in otherwise unmanipulated mice. These experiments directly demonstrate that extrathymically induced Treg cells substantially contribute to the overall pool of mature Foxp3+ Treg cells residing in peripheral lymphoid tissues of steady-state mice. Furthermore, we provide evidence that intra- and extrathymically induced Foxp3+ Treg cells represent distinct phenotypic and functional sublineages.
Project description:Here, we report on experiments in double-transgenic mice, in which RFP is expressed in all Foxp3+ Treg cells, whereas Foxp3-dependent GFP expression is exclusively confined to intrathymically induced Foxp3+ Treg cells. This novel molecular genetic tool enabled us to faithfully track and characterize naturally induced Treg cells of intrathymic (RFP+GFP+) and extrathymic (RFP+GFPM-bM-^HM-^R) origin in otherwise unmanipulated mice. These experiments directly demonstrate that extrathymically induced Treg cells substantially contribute to the overall pool of mature Foxp3+ Treg cells residing in peripheral lymphoid tissues of steady-state mice. Furthermore, we provide evidence that intra- and extrathymically induced Foxp3+ Treg cells represent distinct phenotypic and functional sublineages. CD4+CD25+ RFP+GFP- and CD4+CD25+ RFP+GFP+ T cells from pooled lymph nodes and pooled spleens of 20 mice were FACS sorted for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays in duplicates.
Project description:Define the genetic profile of naturally occurring regulatory macrophages that express Foxp3 (MacRegs) compared to Foxp3 neg macrophages, to determine candidate genes responsible for their regulatory function. Compare this new cellular population with T regulatory cells.
Project description:The concept of immune regulation/suppression has been well-established. With thymus-derived CD4 CD25 regulatory T (TR) cells, it became clear that a variety of additional peripherally induced TR cells play vital roles in protection from many harmful immune responses including intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we have analyzed in vivo-induced Ag-specific CD4 TR cells with respect to their molecular and functional phenotype. By comparative genomics we could show that these Ag-specific TR cells induced by chronic Ag stimulation in vivo clearly differ in their genetic program from naturally occurring thymus-derived CD4 CD25 TR cells. This distinct population of induced TR cells express neither CD25 nor the TR-associated transcription factor Foxp3. Strikingly, CD25 is not even up-regulated upon stimulation. Despite the lack in Foxp3 expression, these in vivo-induced CD25 TR cells are able to interfere with an Ag-specific CD8 T cell-mediated intestinal inflammation without significant increase in CD25 and Foxp3 expression. Thus, our results demonstrate that in vivo-induced Ag-specific TR cells represent a distinct population of Foxp3 CD25 TR cells with regulatory capacity both in vitro and in vivo. Experiment Overall Design: To define the molecular signature of Ag-specific in vivo-induced dtg CD25 TR cells in comparison to naturally occurring CD25 TR cells, we performed comparative gene expression profiling by Affymetrix microarray analysis. Sorted splenic wild-type (WT) TR cells, stg TR cells, dtg CD25- TR cells, dtg CD25+ TR cells, in vitro-stimulated stg 16h TA cells, stg 3d TA cells as well as stg TN cells, were included in the experiment and analyses were performed in triplicates.
Project description:Define the genetic profile of naturally occuring regulatory macrophages that express Foxp3 (MacRegs) compared to Foxp3 neg macrophages, to determine candidate genes responsible for their regulatory function. Compare this new cellular population with Tregulatory cells. Two conditions were compared: Fresh CD11b+ F4/80+ FOXP3+ cells (3 independent isolates) and CD11b+ F4/80+ FOXP3- cells (3 independent isolates). MacRegs were also compared to CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs .
Project description:Expression analysis revealed that UBD is a down-stream element of Foxp3 in human activated regulatory CD4+ T cells (Treg). Experiment Overall Design: Comparison of expression profiles measured in naturally occuring regulatory T-cells (Treg), Foxp3 and UBD transformed Th cells versus their controls with respect to the observed regulatory phenotype.
Project description:Naturally occurring CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are currently intensively characterized because of their major importance in modulating host responses to tumors and infections, in preventing transplant rejection, and in inhibiting the development of autoimmunity and allergy. Originally, CD4+ T reg cells were identified exclusively by the constitutive expression of CD25, and many in vivo experiments have been performed using depleting antibodies directed against CD25. However, both the existence of CD25– T reg cells, especially within peripheral tissues, as well as the expression of CD25 on activated conventional T cells, which precludes discrimination between T reg cells and activated conventional T cells, limits the interpretation of data obtained by the use of anti-CD25 depleting antibodies. The most specific T reg cell marker currently known is the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3, which has been shown to be expressed specifically in mouse CD4+ T reg cells and acts as a master switch in the regulation of their development and function. To address the question of the in vivo role of T reg cells in immunopathology, we have generated bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)–transgenic mice termed depletion of regulatory T cell (DEREG) mice, which express a diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) enhanced GFP (eGFP) fusion protein under the control of the foxp3 locus, allowing both detection and inducible depletion of Foxp3+ T reg cells. The gene expression profile of both CD4+eGFP+FoxP3+ and CD4+eGFPnegFoxP3neg cells isolated from DEREG mice was here analyzed by micro array. Keywords: DEREG, FoxP3, FoxP3-EGFP, mouse, regulatory T cell, CD4 CD4+GFP+FoxP3+ and CD4+GFPnegFoxP3neg cells were isolated from DEREG mice by negative selection of CD4+ T cells (Invitrogen Kit) and subsequent FACS sorting for GFP+ and GFPneg cells. Purity was greater than 99 %. cRNA was prepared according to the Affymetrix Labeling Protocol, fragmented and hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Genome 430.
Project description:Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells are one of the regulatory T cell subsets that are characterized by the production of high amount of IL-10 and lack of FOXP3 expression. Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) is a CD4 homologue molecule and we have previously reported that LAG3 is expressed on IL-10 producing regulatory T cells. However, naturally occurring Tr1 cells in human secondary lymphoid tissue have not been detected. We identified CD4+CD25-LAG3+ T cells in human tonsil. We compared mRNA expression of five CD4+ T cell subsets in tonsil using microarray analysis (CD4+CD25-LAG3+ T cells, CD4+CD25-CXCR5+PD-1+ follicular helper T cells (TFH), CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+CD25-LAG3-CD45RO+ cells and CD4+CD25-LAG3-CD45RO- cells). A human tonsil was obtained from a patient undergoing routine tonsillectomy, and five tonsillar CD4+ T cell subsets were sorted (each 1 x 10^5 cells). There is no biological replication.
Project description:The concept of immune regulation/suppression has been well-established. With thymus-derived CD4 CD25 regulatory T (TR) cells, it became clear that a variety of additional peripherally induced TR cells play vital roles in protection from many harmful immune responses including intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we have analyzed in vivo-induced Ag-specific CD4 TR cells with respect to their molecular and functional phenotype. By comparative genomics we could show that these Ag-specific TR cells induced by chronic Ag stimulation in vivo clearly differ in their genetic program from naturally occurring thymus-derived CD4 CD25 TR cells. This distinct population of induced TR cells express neither CD25 nor the TR-associated transcription factor Foxp3. Strikingly, CD25 is not even up-regulated upon stimulation. Despite the lack in Foxp3 expression, these in vivo-induced CD25 TR cells are able to interfere with an Ag-specific CD8 T cell-mediated intestinal inflammation without significant increase in CD25 and Foxp3 expression. Thus, our results demonstrate that in vivo-induced Ag-specific TR cells represent a distinct population of Foxp3 CD25 TR cells with regulatory capacity both in vitro and in vivo. Keywords: cell type comparison