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Induction of regulatory T cells by the immunomodulating cytokines α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone and transforming growth factor‐β2
Author(s) -
Namba Kenichi,
Kitaichi Nobuyoshi,
Nishida Tomomi,
Taylor Andrew W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.72.5.946
Subject(s) - transforming growth factor , biology , immunology , melanocyte stimulating hormone , antigen , autoimmunity , autoimmune disease , cytokine , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , hormone , antibody
Recently, we have reported that the cytokines α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGF‐β2) work in synergy to induce the activation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. When we used α‐MSH and TGF‐β2 to generate ocular autoantigen‐specific Treg cells and adoptively transferred them into mice susceptible to experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), there was suppression in the incidence and severity of EAU. Specificity to a retinal autoantigen was required for the Treg cells to suppress EAU. When stimulated, these Treg cells produced TGF‐β1, and their production of interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐10, and IL‐4 was suppressed. Also, the Treg cells are suppressed in their proliferative response. Our results demonstrate that α‐MSH with TGF‐β2 induce Treg cells that can subdue a tissue‐specific autoimmune response. This also promotes the possibility of using these immunomodulating cytokines to purposely induce antigen‐specific Treg cells to prevent and suppress autoimmune disease.