1. Cross-Activation of Regulatory T Cells by Self Antigens Limits Self-Reactive and Activated CD8+ T Cell Responses
- Author
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Eunjung Cho, Seongeun Han, Hyeon Seok Eom, Sang-Jin Lee, Chungyong Han, Rohit Singh, Seon-Hee Kim, Bo-Mi Park, Byoung-Gie Kim, Young H. Kim, Byoung S. Kwon, Ki Taek Nam, and Beom K. Choi
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peripheral tolerance ,regulatory T cells ,CD8+ T cell ,self-antigen ,p53 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The interaction between regulatory T (Treg) cells and self-reactive T cells is a crucial mechanism for maintaining immune tolerance. In this study, we investigated the cross-activation of Treg cells by self-antigens and its impact on self-reactive CD8+ T cell responses, with a focus on the P53 signaling pathway. We discovered that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I-restricted self-peptides not only activated CD8+ T cells but also induced the delayed proliferation of Treg cells. Following HLA-A*0201-restricted Melan-A-specific (pMelan) CD8+ T cells, we observed the direct expansion of Treg cells and concurrent suppression of pMelan+CD8+ T cell proliferation upon stimulation with Melan-A peptide. Transcriptome analysis revealed no significant alterations in specific signaling pathways in pMelan+CD8+ T cells that were co-cultured with activated Treg cells. However, there was a noticeable upregulation of genes involved in P53 accumulation, a critical regulator of cell survival and apoptosis. Consistent with such observation, the blockade of P53 induced a continuous proliferation of pMelan+CD8+ T cells. The concurrent stimulation of Treg cells through self-reactive TCRs by self-antigens provides insights into the immune system’s ability to control activated self-reactive CD8+ T cells as part of peripheral tolerance, highlighting the intricate interplay between Treg cells and CD8+ T cells and implicating therapeutic interventions in autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.
- Published
- 2023
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