isolation-and-th17-differentiation-of-nave-cd4-t-lymphocytes

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Na&iuml;ve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Th17 cells are a distinct subset of T cells that have been found to produce interleukin 17 (IL-17), and differ in function from the other T cell subsets ...

The University of Florida

Although it is known that resident gut flora contribute to immune system function and homeostasis, their role in the progression of the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes (T1D) is poorly understood. Comparison of stool samples isolated from Bio-Breeding rats, a classic model of T1D, shows that distinct bacterial populations reside in spontaneous Bio-Breeding diabetes-prone (BBDP) and Bio-Breeding diabetes-resistant animals. We have previously shown that the oral transfer of Lactobacillus johnsonii strain N6.2 (LjN6.2) from Bio-Breeding diabetes-resistant to BBDP rodents conferred T1D resistance to BBDP rodents, whereas Lactobacillus reuteri strain TD1 did not. In this study, we show that diabetes resistance in LjN6.2-fed BBDP rodents was correlated to a Th17 cell bias within the mesenteric lymph nodes. The Th17 bias was not observed in the non-gut-draining axillary lymph nodes, suggesting that the Th17 bias was because of immune system interactions with LjN6.2 within the mesenteric lymph node. LjN6.2 interactions with the immune system were observed in the spleens of diabetes-resistant, LjN6.2-fed BBDP rats, as they also possessed a Th17 bias in comparison with control or Lactobacillus reuteri strain TD1-fed rats. Using C57BL/6 mouse in vitro assays, we show that LjN6.2 directly mediated enhanced Th17 differentiation of lymphocytes in the presence of TCR stimulation, which required APCs. Finally, we show that footpad vaccination of NOD mice with LjN6.2-pulsed dendritic cells was sufficient to mediate a Th17 bias in vivo. Together, these data suggest an interesting paradigm whereby T1D induction can be circumvented by gut flora-mediated Th17 differentiation.

Inhibition of type 1 diabetes correlated to a Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2-mediated Th17 bias.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1-deficient (SOCS1(-/-)) mice, which are lymphopenic, die <3 wk after birth of a T cell-mediated autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by leukocyte infiltration and destruction of vital organs. Notably, Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to be particularly potent in inhibiting inflammation-associated autoimmune diseases. We observed that SOCS1(-/-) mice were deficient in peripheral Tregs despite enhanced thymic development. The adoptive transfer of SOCS1-sufficient Tregs, CD4(+) T lymphocytes, or administration of SOCS1 kinase inhibitory region (KIR), a peptide that partially restores SOCS1 function, mediated a statistically significant but short-term survival of SOCS1(-/-) mice. However, the adoptive transfer of SOCS1-sufficient CD4(+) T lymphocytes, combined with the administration of SOCS1-KIR, resulted in a significant increase in the survival of SOCS1(-/-) mice both short and long term, where 100% death occurred by day 18 in the absence of treatment. Moreover, the CD4(+)/SOCS1-KIR combined therapy resulted in decreased leukocytic organ infiltration, reduction of serum IFN-Î³, and enhanced peripheral accumulation of Foxp3(+) Tregs in treated mice. These data show that CD4(+)/SOCS1-KIR combined treatment can synergistically promote the long-term survival of perinatal lethal SOCS1(-/-) mice. In addition, these results strongly suggest that SOCS1 contributes to the stability of the Foxp3(+) Treg peripheral population under conditions of strong proinflammatory environments.

Erin L. Collins

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science

The University of Florida

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Erin L. Collins

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Microbiology and Cell Science

The University of Florida

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science