(Journal Article): Homeostasis of peripheral CD4+ T cells: IL-2R alpha and IL-2 shape a population of regulatory cells that controls CD4+ T cell numbers.
 
Almeida AR., Legrand N, Papiernik M, Freitas A (Lymphocyte Population Biology, Unite de Recherche Associee Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1961, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.)
 
IN: J Immunol 2002; 169:4850-4860
Impact Factor(s) of J Immunol: 6.486 (2004), 6.702 (2003), 7.065 (2001)

Fulltext:    HTML  PDF

ABSTRACT: We show that the lymphoid hyperplasia observed in IL-2Ralpha- and IL-2-deficient mice is due to the lack of a population of regulatory cells essential for CD4 T cell homeostasis. In chimeras reconstituted with bone marrow cells from IL-2Ralpha-deficient donors, restitution of a population of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells prevents the chaotic accumulation of lymphoid cells, and rescues the mice from autoimmune disease and death. The reintroduction of IL-2-producing cells in IL-2-deficient chimeras establishes a population of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells, and restores the peripheral lymphoid compartments to normal. The CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells regulated selectively the number of naive CD4(+) T cells transferred into T cell-deficient hosts. The CD25(+)CD4(+)/naive CD4 T cell ratio and the sequence of cell transfer determines the homeostatic plateau of CD4(+) T cells. Overall, our findings demonstrate that IL-2Ralpha is an absolute requirement for the development of the regulatory CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells that control peripheral CD4 T cell homeostasis, while IL-2 is required for establishing a sizeable population of these cells in the peripheral pools.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original article

Articles citing this article:

• Thomas D, Zaccone P, Cooke A. The Role of Regulatory T Cell Defects in Type I Diabetes and the Potential of these Cells for Therapy. Rev Diabetic Stud 2005. 2: 9-18.
  » Diabetes OD » Reversal/Prevention of Diabete... » T1DM » Re-establishing Tolerance » Modifying Immunity » Journal Article