Immune-checkpoint protein VISTA critically regulates the IL-23/IL-17 inflammatory axis

Sci Rep. 2017 May 3;7(1):1485. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01411-1.

Abstract

V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA) is an inhibitory immune-checkpoint molecule that suppresses CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation when expressed on antigen-presenting cells. Vsir -/- mice developed loss of peripheral tolerance and multi-organ chronic inflammatory phenotypes. Vsir -/- CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were hyper-responsive towards self- and foreign antigens. Whether or not VISTA regulates innate immunity is unknown. Using a murine model of psoriasis induced by TLR7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ), we show that VISTA deficiency exacerbated psoriasiform inflammation. Enhanced TLR7 signaling in Vsir -/- dendritic cells (DCs) led to the hyper-activation of Erk1/2 and Jnk1/2, and augmented the production of IL-23. IL-23, in turn, promoted the expression of IL-17A in both TCRγδ+ T cells and CD4+ Th17 cells. Furthermore, VISTA regulates the peripheral homeostasis of CD27- γδ T cells and their activation upon TCR-mediated or cytokine-mediated stimulation. IL-17A-producing CD27- γδ T cells were expanded in the Vsir -/- mice and amplified the inflammatory cascade. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that VISTA critically regulates the inflammatory responses mediated by DCs and IL-17-producing TCRγδ+ and CD4+ Th17 T cells following TLR7 stimulation. Our finding provides a rationale for therapeutically enhancing VISTA-mediated pathways to benefit the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Imiquimod / administration & dosage
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-23 / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Psoriasis / chemically induced
  • Psoriasis / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Th17 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Vsir protein, mouse
  • Imiquimod