Calvin B. Williams

Enteric defensins are essential regulators of intestinal microbial ecology.

Antimicrobial peptides are important effectors of innate immunity throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. In the mammalian small intestine, Paneth cell α-defensins are antimicrobial peptides that contribute to host defense against enteric pathogens. To determine if α-defensins also govern intestinal microbial ecology, we analyzed the intestinal microbiota of mice expressing a human α-defensin gene (DEFA5) and in mice lacking an enzyme required for the processing of mouse α-defensins. In these complementary models, we detected significant α-defensin-dependent changes in microbiota composition, but not in total bacterial numbers. Furthermore, DEFA5-expressing mice had striking losses of segmented filamentous bacteria and fewer interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing lamina propria T cells. Our data ascribe a new homeostatic role to α-defensins in regulating the makeup of the commensal microbiota.

Regulatory T Cells Dynamically Control the Primary Immune Response to Foreign Antigen

The population dynamics that enable a small number of regulatory T (TR) cells to control the immune responses to foreign Ags by the much larger conventional T cell subset were investigated. During the primary immune response, the expansion and contraction of conventional and TR cells occurred in synchrony. Importantly, the relative accumulation of TR cells at peak response significantly exceeded that of conventional T cells, reflecting extensive cell division within the TR cell pool. Transfer of a polyclonal TR cell population before immunization antagonized both polyclonal and TCR transgenic responses, whereas blocking TR cell function enhanced those responses. These results define an inverse quantitative relationship between TR and conventional T cells that controls the magnitude of the primary immune response. The high frequency of dividing TR cells suggests degenerate TCR specificity enabling activation by a broad spectrum of Ags.

A Central Role for Induced Regulatory T Cells in Tolerance Induction in Experimental Colitis

In addition to thymus-derived or natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells, a second subset of induced T regulatory (iTreg) cells arises de novo from conventional CD4+ T cells in the periphery. The function of iTreg cells in tolerance was examined in a CD45RBhighCD4+ T cell transfer model of colitis. In situ-generated iTreg cells were similar to nTreg cells in their capacity to suppress T cell proliferation in vitro and their absence in vivo accelerated bowel disease. Treatment with nTreg cells resolved the colitis, but only when iTreg cells were also present. Although iTreg cells required Foxp3 for suppressive activity and phenotypic stability, their gene expression profile was distinct from the established nTreg “genetic signature,” indicative of developmental and possibly mechanistic differences. These results identified a functional role for iTreg cells in vivo and demonstrated that both iTreg and nTreg cells can act in concert to maintain tolerance.

A Novel IL-10–Independent Regulatory Role for B Cells in Suppressing Autoimmunity by Maintenance of Regulatory T Cells via GITR Ligand

B cells are important for the regulation of autoimmune responses. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), B cells are required for spontaneous recovery in acute models. Production of IL-10 by regulatory B cells has been shown to modulate the severity EAE and other autoimmune diseases. Previously, we suggested that B cells regulated the number of CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Treg) in the CNS during EAE. Because Treg suppress autoimmune responses, we asked whether B cells control autoimmunity by maintenance of Treg numbers. B cell deficiency achieved either genetically (μMT) or by depletion with anti-CD20 resulted in a significant reduction in the number of peripheral but not thymic Treg. Adoptive transfer of WT B cells into μMT mice restored both Treg numbers and recovery from EAE. When we investigated the mechanism whereby B cells induce the proliferation of Treg and EAE recovery, we found that glucocorticoid-induced TNF ligand, but not IL-10, expression by B cells was required. Of clinical significance is the finding that anti-CD20 depletion of B cells accelerated spontaneous EAE and colitis. Our results demonstrate that B cells play a major role in immune tolerance required for the prevention of autoimmunity by maintenance of Treg via their expression of glucocorticoid-induced TNFR ligand.

The T reg /Th17 Cell Balance: A New Paradigm for Autoimmunity

Regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells are two recently described lymphocyte subsets with opposing actions. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that promote development of these cells from common precursors and the specific factors that impact their cell numbers and function. Altered regulation of this key developmental checkpoint may contribute to the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases by tipping the balance toward inflammation. We also present recent findings that suggest how the equilibrium between regulatory T cells and proinflammatory T helper subsets might be pharmacologically restored for therapeutic benefit.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 acts directly on the T lymphocyte vitamin D receptor to inhibit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable autoimmune neurodegenerative disease. Environmental factors may be key to MS prevention and treatment. MS prevalence and severity decrease with increasing sunlight exposure and vitamin D3 supplies, supporting our hypothesis that the sunlight‐dependent hormone, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25‐(OH)2D3), inhibits autoimmune T‐cell responses in MS. Moreover, 1,25‐(OH)2D3 inhibits and reverses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS model. Here, we investigated whether 1,25‐(OH)2D3 inhibits EAE via the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in T lymphocytes. Using bone marrow chimeric mice with a disrupted VDR only in radio‐sensitive hematopoietic cells or radio‐resistant non‐hematopoietic cells, we found that hematopoietic cell VDR function was necessary for 1,25‐(OH)2D3 to inhibit EAE. Furthermore, conditional targeting experiments showed that VDR function in T cells was necessary. Neither 1,25‐(OH)2D3 nor T‐cell‐specific VDR targeting influenced CD4+Foxp3+ T‐cell proportions in the periphery or the CNS in these studies. These data support a model wherein 1,25‐(OH)2D3 acts directly on pathogenic CD4+ T cells to inhibit EAE.

Phospholipase Cγ1 is essential for T cell development, activation, and tolerance

Phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) is an important signaling effector of T cell receptor (TCR). To investigate the role of PLCγ1 in T cell biology, we generated and examined mice with T cell–specific deletion of PLCγ1. We demonstrate that PLCγ1 deficiency affects positive and negative selection, significantly reduces single-positive thymocytes and peripheral T cells, and impairs TCR-induced proliferation and cytokine production, and the activation of ERK, JNK, AP-1, NFAT, and NF-κB. Importantly, PLCγ1 deficiency impairs the development and function of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, causing inflammatory/autoimmune symptoms. Therefore, PLCγ1 is essential for T cell development, activation, and tolerance.

Generation and Function of Induced Regulatory T Cells

CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential to the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. There are two major subsets of Treg cells, “natural” Treg (nTreg) cells that develop in the thymus, and “induced” Treg (iTreg) cells that arise in the periphery from CD4+ Foxp3− conventional T cells and can be generated in vitro. Previous work has established that both subsets are required for immunological tolerance. Additionally, in vitro-derived iTreg cells can reestablish tolerance in situations where Treg cells are decreased or defective. This review will focus on iTreg cells, drawing comparisons to nTreg cells when possible. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of iTreg cell induction, both in vivo and in vitro, review the Foxp3-dependent and -independent transcriptional landscape of iTreg cells, and examine the proposed suppressive mechanisms utilized by each Treg cell subset. We also compare the T cell receptor repertoire of the Treg cell subsets, discuss inflammatory conditions where iTreg cells are generated or have been used for treatment, and address the issue of iTreg cell stability.

CD8+ Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Are Induced during Graft-versus-Host Disease and Mitigate Disease Severity

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), in particular CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells, have been shown to play an important role in the maintenance of tolerance after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In the current study, we have identified a population of CD8+ Foxp3+ T cells that are induced early during graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), constitute a significant percentage of the entire Treg population, and are present in all major GVHD target organs. These cells expressed many of the same cell surface molecules as found on CD4+ Tregs and potently suppressed in vitro alloreactive T cell responses. Induction of these cells correlated positively with the degree of MHC disparity between donor and recipient and was significantly greater than that observed for CD4+-induced Tregs (iTregs) in nearly all tissue sites. Mice that lacked the ability to make both CD8+ and CD4+ iTregs had accelerated GVHD mortality compared with animals that were competent to make both iTreg populations. The absence of both iTreg populations was associated with significantly greater expansion of activated donor T cells and increased numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that secreted IFN-γ and IL-17. The presence of CD8+ iTregs, however, was sufficient to prevent increased GVHD mortality in the complete absence of CD4+ Tregs, indicating at least one functional iTreg population was sufficient to prevent an exacerbation in GVHD severity, and that CD8+ iTregs could compensate for CD4+ iTregs. These studies define a novel population of CD8+ Tregs that play a role in mitigating the severity of GVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

IL-10 Produced by Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) Controls Colitis and Pathogenic Ex-iTregs during Immunotherapy

“Natural” regulatory T cells (nTregs) that express the transcription factor Foxp3 and produce IL-10 are required for systemic immunological tolerance. “Induced” regulatory T cells (iTregs) are nonredundant and essential for tolerance at mucosal surfaces, yet their mechanisms of suppression and stability are unknown. We investigated the role of iTreg-produced IL-10 and iTreg fate in a treatment model of inflammatory bowel disease. Colitis was induced in Rag1−/− mice by the adoptive transfer of naive CD4+ T cells carrying a nonfunctional Foxp3 allele. At the onset of weight loss, mice were treated with both iTregs and nTregs where one marked subset was selectively IL-10 deficient. Body weight assessment, histological scoring, cytokine analysis, and flow cytometry were used to monitor disease activity. Transcriptional profiling and TCR repertoire analysis were used to track cell fate. When nTregs were present but IL-10 deficient, iTreg-produced IL-10 was necessary and sufficient for the treatment of disease, and vice versa. Invariably, ∼85% of the transferred iTregs lost Foxp3 expression (ex-iTregs) but retained a portion of the iTreg transcriptome, which failed to limit their pathogenic potential upon retransfer. TCR repertoire analysis revealed no clonal relationships between iTregs and ex-iTregs, either within mice or between mice treated with the same cells. These data identify a dynamic IL-10–dependent functional reciprocity between regulatory T cell subsets that maintains mucosal tolerance. The niche supporting stable iTregs is limited and readily saturated, which promotes a large population of ex-iTregs with pathogenic potential during immunotherapy.