CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T-cells inhibit the islet innate immune response and promote islet engraftment

Diabetes. 2006 Apr;55(4):1011-21. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.55.04.06.db05-1048.

Abstract

Early islet cell loss is a significant problem in clinical islet cell transplantation. Diverse stress stimuli induce innate immune responses in islets that contribute to beta-cell dysfunction, inflammation, and loss. Here, we show that cytokine-stimulated murine islets express multiple inflammatory chemokines that recruit T-cells and thereby impair islet function in vitro and in vivo. Both nonislet ductal and exocrine elements and the individual islet cellular components contribute to this innate immune response. CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T-cells inhibit islet chemokine expression through a cell contact-dependent, soluble factor-independent mechanism and inhibit effector T-cell migration to the islet. Regulatory T-cells can also migrate to stimulated islets. Cotransfer of regulatory T-cells with islets in a transplantation model prevents islet innate immune responses and inflammation and preserves normal architecture and engraftment. Regulatory T-cell inhibition of multiple components of innate immune responses may be a fundamental aspect of their function that influences ischemia-reperfusion injury and adaptive immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Chemokines / biosynthesis*
  • Chemokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / pharmacology
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2