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CD4‐mediated functional activation of human CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells
Author(s) -
Becker Christian,
Kubach Jan,
Wijdenes John,
Knop Jürgen,
Jonuleit Helmut
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.200636480
Subject(s) - biology , il 2 receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , t cell , genetics , immune system
Abstract Naturally occurring CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (CD25 + Tregs) constitute a specialized population of T cells that is essential for the maintenance of peripheral self‐tolerance. The immune regulatory function of CD25 + Tregs depends upon their activation. We found that anti‐CD4 antibodies activate the suppressive function of human CD25 + Tregs in a dose‐dependent manner. We demonstrate that CD4‐activated CD25 + Tregs suppress the proliferation of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, their IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production as well as the capacity of CD8 + T cells to re‐express CD25. By contrast, anti‐CD4 stimulation did not induce suppressive activity in conventional CD4 + T cells. These results identify CD4 as a trigger for the suppressive function of CD25 + Tregs and suggest a possible CD4‐mediated exploitation of these cells.