Delta-like 1–mediated Notch signaling enhances the in vitro conversion of human memory CD4 T cells into FOXP3-expressing regulatory T cells

C Mota, V Nunes-Silva, AR Pires, P Matoso… - The Journal of …, 2014 - journals.aai.org
C Mota, V Nunes-Silva, AR Pires, P Matoso, RMM Victorino, AE Sousa, I Caramalho
The Journal of Immunology, 2014journals.aai.org
FOXP3-expressing regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for the prevention of autoimmunity
and were shown to be reduced and/or dysfunctional in several autoimmune diseases.
Although Treg-based adoptive transfer represents a promising therapy, the large cell
number required to achieve clinical efficacy constitutes an important limitation. Therefore,
novel strategies to generate bona fide in vitro–induced Treg (iTreg) are critical. In this study,
we report that human memory CD4 T cells can be efficiently converted into iTreg, and that …
Abstract
FOXP3-expressing regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for the prevention of autoimmunity and were shown to be reduced and/or dysfunctional in several autoimmune diseases. Although Treg-based adoptive transfer represents a promising therapy, the large cell number required to achieve clinical efficacy constitutes an important limitation. Therefore, novel strategies to generate bona fide in vitro–induced Treg (iTreg) are critical. In this study, we report that human memory CD4 T cells can be efficiently converted into iTreg, and that Delta-like 1 (DL1)–mediated Notch signaling significantly enhances this process. The iTreg generated in the presence of DL1 featured higher levels of Treg function–associated molecules and were efficient suppressors. Importantly, these iTreg displayed a stable phenotype in long-term cultures, even in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, DL1 potentiated FOXP3 acquisition by memory CD4 cells through the modulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway and of Foxp3 transcription. Our data demonstrate that iTreg can be efficiently induced from memory CD4 cells, a subset enriched in relevant specificities for targeting in autoimmune diseases, and that DL1 enhances this process. DL1 also enhanced the proliferation and Treg function–associated marker expression of ex vivo–stimulated human circulating FOXP3+ cells. Manipulation of the Notch signaling pathway constitutes a promising approach to boost the in vitro generation of iTreg and ex vivo Treg expansion, thus facilitating the establishment of effective Treg-based adoptive therapy in autoimmune diseases.
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