CD4+CD25lowGITR+ cells: A novel human CD4+ T‐cell population with regulatory activity
Open Access
- 10 May 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in European Journal of Immunology
- Vol. 41 (8), 2269-2278
- https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201040943
Abstract
Treg subsets play a role in sustaining peripheral tolerance, are characterized by markers such as forkhead winged‐helix transcription factor (FOXP3) and CD25, and produce suppressive cytokines, such as IL‐10 and TGF‐β. Glucocorticoid‐induced TNF receptor family‐related (GITR) protein has been suggested to regulate Treg activity in mice. The aim of our study was to investigate GITR expression in human CD4+ T lymphocytes and its possible role in Treg function. Results indicate that a subset of CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood expresses GITR and low levels of CD25 (CD4+CD25lowGITR+). These cells show Treg features as they express FOXP3, IL‐10, TGF‐β and are anergic but, as opposed to natural Tregs, express low levels of CTLA‐4 and are CD127high. CD4+CD25lowGITR+ cells represent a low percentage of the CD4+ T‐cell population (0.32–1.74%) and are mostly memory cells. Functional experiments demonstrated that CD4+CD25lowGITR+ cells have relevant suppressive activity that depends on TGF‐β. Moreover, an anti‐GITR Ab inhibited their suppressive activity, as observed in CD4+CD25+ murine Tregs. Taken together, these data indicate that human CD4+CD25lowGITR+ cells represent a distinct Treg subpopulation.Keywords
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