Open AccessAorta Regulatory T Cells with a Tissue‐Specific Phenotype and Function Promote Tissue Repair through Tff1 in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Author(s) -
Li Jingyong,
Xia Ni,
Li Dan,
Wen Shuang,
Qian Shirui,
Lu Yuzhi,
Gu Muyang,
Tang Tingting,
Jiao Jiao,
Lv Bingjie,
Nie Shaofang,
Hu Desheng,
Liao Yuhua,
Yang Xiangping,
Shi Guoping,
Cheng Xiang
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202104338
Subject(s) - foxp3 , abdominal aortic aneurysm , immune system , phenotype , aortic aneurysm , biology , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , immunology , medicine , pathology , aorta , aneurysm , gene , genetics , biochemistry , surgery
In addition to maintaining immune tolerance, Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) perform specialized functions in tissue homeostasis and remodeling. However, whether Tregs in aortic aneurysms have a tissue‐specific phenotype and function is unclear. Here, a special group of Tregs that potentially inhibit abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression are identified and functionally characterized. Aortic Tregs gradually increase during the process of AAA and are mainly recruited from peripheral circulation. Single‐cell TCR sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing demonstrate their unique phenotype and highly expressed trefoil factor 1 (Tff1). Foxp3 cre/cre Tff1 flox/flox mice are used to clarify the role of Tff1 in AAA, suggesting that aortic Tregs secrete Tff1 to regulate smooth muscle cell (SMC) survival. In vitro experiments confirm that Tff1 inhibits SMC apoptosis through the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathway. The findings reveal a tissue‐specific phenotype and function of aortic Tregs and may provide a promising and novel approach for the prevention of AAA.