Dominant protection from HLA-linked autoimmunity by antigen-specific regulatory T cells

Nature. 2017 May 11;545(7653):243-247. doi: 10.1038/nature22329. Epub 2017 May 3.

Abstract

Susceptibility and protection against human autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Goodpasture disease, is associated with particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. However, the mechanisms underpinning such HLA-mediated effects on self-tolerance remain unclear. Here we investigate the molecular mechanism of Goodpasture disease, an HLA-linked autoimmune renal disorder characterized by an immunodominant CD4+ T-cell self-epitope derived from the α3 chain of type IV collagen (α3135-145). While HLA-DR15 confers a markedly increased disease risk, the protective HLA-DR1 allele is dominantly protective in trans with HLA-DR15 (ref. 2). We show that autoreactive α3135-145-specific T cells expand in patients with Goodpasture disease and, in α3135-145-immunized HLA-DR15 transgenic mice, α3135-145-specific T cells infiltrate the kidney and mice develop Goodpasture disease. HLA-DR15 and HLA-DR1 exhibit distinct peptide repertoires and binding preferences and present the α3135-145 epitope in different binding registers. HLA-DR15-α3135-145 tetramer+ T cells in HLA-DR15 transgenic mice exhibit a conventional T-cell phenotype (Tconv) that secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, HLA-DR1-α3135-145 tetramer+ T cells in HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR15/DR1 transgenic mice are predominantly CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) expressing tolerogenic cytokines. HLA-DR1-induced Treg cells confer resistance to disease in HLA-DR15/DR1 transgenic mice. HLA-DR15+ and HLA-DR1+ healthy human donors display altered α3135-145-specific T-cell antigen receptor usage, HLA-DR15-α3135-145 tetramer+ Foxp3- Tconv and HLA-DR1-α3135-145 tetramer+ Foxp3+CD25hiCD127lo Treg dominant phenotypes. Moreover, patients with Goodpasture disease display a clonally expanded α3135-145-specific CD4+ T-cell repertoire. Accordingly, we provide a mechanistic basis for the dominantly protective effect of HLA in autoimmune disease, whereby HLA polymorphism shapes the relative abundance of self-epitope specific Treg cells that leads to protection or causation of autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / immunology*
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / pathology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology*
  • Base Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Collagen Type IV / chemistry
  • Collagen Type IV / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • HLA-DR Serological Subtypes / immunology
  • HLA-DR1 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Molecular
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Collagen Type IV
  • Cytokines
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • HLA-DR Serological Subtypes
  • HLA-DR1 Antigen
  • HLA-DR15 antigen
  • Immunodominant Epitopes