Abrogation of Rbpj attenuates experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by inhibiting IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells

PLoS One. 2014 Feb 28;9(2):e89266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089266. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is an organ-specific T cell-mediated disease induced by immunizing mice with interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP). Autoaggressive CD4(+) T cells are the major pathogenic population for EAU. We investigated the contribution of Notch signaling in T cells to EAU pathogenesis because Notch signaling regulates various aspects of CD4(+) T cell functions. Rbpj is required for Notch signaling, and Rbpj deficiency in T cells inhibited EAU disease severity. The amelioration of EAU in T cell-specific Rbpj-deficient mice correlated with low levels of IL-22 production from CD4(+) T cells, although IRBP-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferation and Th17 differentiation were unaffected. Administration of recombinant IL-22 during the late phase, but not the early phase, of EAU increased EAU clinical scores in T cell-specific Rbpj-deficient mice. Notch inhibition in mice immunized with IRBP with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) suppressed EAU progression, even when GSI was administered as late as 13 days after IRBP immunization. Our data demonstrate that Rbpj/Notch-mediated IL-22 production in T cells has a key pathological role in the late phase of EAU, and suggest that Notch blockade might be a useful therapeutic approach for treating EAU.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Retinitis / genetics
  • Retinitis / metabolism*
  • Retinitis / therapy
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism
  • Uveitis / genetics
  • Uveitis / metabolism*
  • Uveitis / therapy

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • Interleukins
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins
  • interstitial retinol-binding protein