(Journal Article): Cutting edge: IL-2 is critically required for the in vitro activation of CD4+CD25+ T cell suppressor function.
 
Thornton AM, Donovan EE, Piccirillo CA, Shevach EM (Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA., athornton@niaid.nih.gov )
 
IN: J Immunol 2004; 172:6519-6523
Impact Factor(s) of J Immunol: 6.486 (2004), 6.702 (2003), 7.065 (2001)

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ABSTRACT: CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells are potent immunoregulatory cells that suppress TCR-induced proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro by a cell contact-dependent mechanism. Addition of IL-2 or anti-CD28 abrogates CD4(+)CD25(+)-mediated suppression of proliferation and has been assumed to "break suppression." We examined IL-2 mRNA by quantitative PCR in cocultures of mouse CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. Although IL-2 gene transcription was inhibited in the presence or absence of exogenous IL-2, the addition of anti-CD28 stimulated endogenous IL-2 production. Surprisingly, transcription of IL-2 mRNA was also restored in the cocultures in the presence of anti-IL-2. These results are most compatible with a model in which CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells do not suppress the initial activation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells, but mediate their suppressive effects following production of IL-2 by the responder cells resulting in both the expansion of the CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and the induction of their suppressor function.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original article

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