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Gut flora antigens are not important in the maintenance of regulatory T cell heterogeneity and homeostasis
Author(s) -
Min Booki,
Thornton Angela,
Caucheteux Stephan M.,
Younes SouheilAntoine,
Oh Keunhee,
HuLi Jane,
Paul William E.
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.200737236
Subject(s) - biology , foxp3 , cd44 , antigen , immunology , il 2 receptor , homeostasis , population , microbiology and biotechnology , in vivo , in vitro , t cell , immune system , genetics , medicine , environmental health
Abstract CD25 + regulatory T cells (Treg) are a heterogeneous population that exists as CD44 low and CD44 high cells. Here we report that while both CD44 low and CD44 high Treg are anergic and express similar levels of Foxp3, CD44 high Treg are highly proliferative in vivo and are more potent suppressors in vitro than CD44 low Treg. From analysis of the properties of Treg derived from germ‐free mice, it was concluded that peptide antigens derived from intestinal microorganisms are not essential for the generation, in vivo proliferation or suppressive activity of Treg. Our results suggest that gut flora antigens play little or no role in the heterogeneity and homeostatic regulation of Treg.