Human regulatory T cells induce T-lymphocyte senescence

J Ye, X Huang, EC Hsueh, Q Zhang… - Blood, The Journal …, 2012 - ashpublications.org
J Ye, X Huang, EC Hsueh, Q Zhang, C Ma, Y Zhang, MA Varvares, DF Hoft, G Peng
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2012ashpublications.org
Regulatory T (Treg) cells have broad suppressive activity on host immunity, but the fate and
function of suppressed responder T cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we
report that human Treg cells can induce senescence in responder naive and effector T cells
in vitro and in vivo. Senescent responder T cells induced by human Treg cells changed their
phenotypes and cytokine profiles and had potent suppressive function. Furthermore, Treg-
mediated molecular control of senescence in responder T cells was associated with …
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells have broad suppressive activity on host immunity, but the fate and function of suppressed responder T cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we report that human Treg cells can induce senescence in responder naive and effector T cells in vitro and in vivo. Senescent responder T cells induced by human Treg cells changed their phenotypes and cytokine profiles and had potent suppressive function. Furthermore, Treg-mediated molecular control of senescence in responder T cells was associated with selective modulation of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling and cell-cycle–regulatory molecules p16, p21, and p53. We further revealed that human Treg-induced senescence and suppressor function could be blocked by TLR8 signaling and/or by specific ERK1/2 and p38 inhibition in vitro and in vivo in animal models. The results of the present study identify a novel mechanism of human Treg cell suppression that induces targeted responder T-cell senescence and provide new insights relevant for the development of strategies capable of preventing and/or reversing Treg-induced immune suppression.
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