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Liu PC, Li JB, Huang YP, Zhang M, Yu SJ, Wu R. Overexpression of regulatory T cells in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: friend or foe? Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1244424. [PMID: 38239620 PMCID: PMC10794536 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1244424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the role of regulatory T cells in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 136 women who had experienced two or more miscarriages before 24 weeks of gestation for no obvious reason from May 2018 to October 2021. The basic clinical data of the patients and expression of lymphocyte subsets such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and natural killer cells (NKs) by flow cytometry were collected to explore the risk factors of pregnancy outcome in URPL patients. Results A total of 136 URPL patients were enrolled in this study. Eventually, 50 patients attained clinical pregnancy. The median age was 31.8 ± 4.6 years in patients with clinical pregnancy. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that Tregs was associated with the pregnancy outcomes of patients with URPL (odds ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.80). More importantly, a U-shaped association was found between Tregs and pregnancy outcome (p < 0.001), with either higher or lower Tregs levels adversely affecting pregnancy outcome. Conclusion Tregs levels that are either too high or too low can harm pregnancy outcomes. It was expected to be a very promising quantitative biomarker for predicting pregnancy outcomes in URPL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rui Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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2
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Arulraj T, Binder SC, Robert PA, Meyer-Hermann M. Germinal Centre Shutdown. Front Immunol 2021; 12:705240. [PMID: 34305944 PMCID: PMC8293096 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Germinal Centres (GCs) are transient structures in secondary lymphoid organs, where affinity maturation of B cells takes place following an infection. While GCs are responsible for protective antibody responses, dysregulated GC reactions are associated with autoimmune disease and B cell lymphoma. Typically, ‘normal’ GCs persist for a limited period of time and eventually undergo shutdown. In this review, we focus on an important but unanswered question – what causes the natural termination of the GC reaction? In murine experiments, lack of antigen, absence or constitutive T cell help leads to premature termination of the GC reaction. Consequently, our present understanding is limited to the idea that GCs are terminated due to a decrease in antigen access or changes in the nature of T cell help. However, there is no direct evidence on which biological signals are primarily responsible for natural termination of GCs and a mechanistic understanding is clearly lacking. We discuss the present understanding of the GC shutdown, from factors impacting GC dynamics to changes in cellular interactions/dynamics during the GC lifetime. We also address potential missing links and remaining questions in GC biology, to facilitate further studies to promote a better understanding of GC shutdown in infection and immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theinmozhi Arulraj
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sebastian C Binder
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philippe A Robert
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael Meyer-Hermann
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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3
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Kang GH, Lee S, Choi DB, Shin D, Kim J, Yang H, Bae H. Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Modulating Regulatory T Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12100609. [PMID: 32977607 PMCID: PMC7598180 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by lipids and calcareous accumulations in the vascular wall due to an inflammatory reaction. Recent reports have demonstrated that regulatory T (Treg) cells have an important role as a new treatment for atherosclerosis. This study suggests that bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) may be a potential therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis by inducing Treg cells. We examined the effects of bvPLA2 on atherosclerosis using ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-/Foxp3DTR mice. In this study, bvPLA2 increased Treg cells, followed by a decrease in lipid accumulation in the aorta and aortic valve and the formation of foam cells. Importantly, the effect of bvPLA2 was found to depend on Treg cells. This study suggests that bvPLA2 can be a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis.
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4
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Jansen MAA, Spiering R, Ludwig IS, van Eden W, Hilkens CMU, Broere F. Matured Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Effectively Inhibit Autoantigen Specific CD4 + T Cells in a Murine Arthritis Model. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2068. [PMID: 31555285 PMCID: PMC6724516 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) are a promising treatment modality for diseases caused by a breach in immune tolerance, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Current medication for these diseases is directed toward symptom suppression but no real cure is available yet. TolDC-based therapy aims to restore immune tolerance in an antigen-specific manner. Here we used a mouse model to address two major questions: (i) is a maturation stimulus needed for tolDC function in vitro and in vivo and is maturation required for functioning in experimental arthritis and (ii) can tolDCs modulate CD4+ T cell responses? To answer these questions, we compared matured and immature dexamethasone/vitamin D3-generated tolDCs in vitro. Subsequently, we co-transferred these tolDCs with naïve or effector CD4+ T cells to study the characteristics of transferred T cells after 3 days with flow cytometry and Luminex multiplex assays. In addition, we tested the suppressive capabilities of tolDCs in an experimental arthritis model. We found that tolDCs cannot only modulate naïve CD4+ T cell responses as shown by fewer proliferated and activated CD4+ T cells in vivo, but also effector CD4+ T cells. In addition, Treg (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) expansions were seen in the proliferating cell population in the presence of tolDCs. Furthermore, we show that administered tolDCs are capable to inhibit arthritis in the proteoglycan-induced arthritis model. However, a maturation stimulus is needed for tolDCs to manifest this tolerizing function in an inflammatory environment. Our data will be instrumental for optimization of future tolDC therapies for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon A A Jansen
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Spiering
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence (RACE), Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,NIHR-Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Long-Term Conditions, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Irene S Ludwig
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Willem van Eden
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Catharien M U Hilkens
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence (RACE), Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,NIHR-Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Long-Term Conditions, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Femke Broere
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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5
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Kleinman AJ, Sivanandham R, Pandrea I, Chougnet CA, Apetrei C. Regulatory T Cells As Potential Targets for HIV Cure Research. Front Immunol 2018; 9:734. [PMID: 29706961 PMCID: PMC5908895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a key component of the immune system, which maintain a delicate balance between overactive responses and immunosuppression. As such, Treg deficiencies are linked to autoimmune disorders and alter the immune control of pathogens. In HIV infection, Tregs play major roles, both beneficial and detrimental. They regulate the immune system such that inflammation and spread of virus through activated T cells is suppressed. However, suppression of immune activation also limits viral clearance and promotes reservoir formation. Tregs can be directly targeted by HIV, thereby harboring a fraction of the viral reservoir. The vital role of Tregs in the pathogenesis and control of HIV makes them a subject of interest for manipulation in the search of an HIV cure. Here, we discuss the origin and generation, homeostasis, and functions of Tregs, particularly their roles and effects in HIV infection. We also present various Treg manipulation strategies, including Treg depletion techniques and interventions that alter Treg function, which may be used in different cure strategies, to simultaneously boost HIV-specific immune responses and induce reactivation of the latent virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Kleinman
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ranjit Sivanandham
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ivona Pandrea
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Claire A Chougnet
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati University, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Cristian Apetrei
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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6
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Volk V, Reppas AI, Robert PA, Spineli LM, Sundarasetty BS, Theobald SJ, Schneider A, Gerasch L, Deves Roth C, Klöss S, Koehl U, von Kaisenberg C, Figueiredo C, Hatzikirou H, Meyer-Hermann M, Stripecke R. Multidimensional Analysis Integrating Human T-Cell Signatures in Lymphatic Tissues with Sex of Humanized Mice for Prediction of Responses after Dendritic Cell Immunization. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1709. [PMID: 29276513 PMCID: PMC5727047 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice transplanted with human cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) became a powerful experimental tool for studying the heterogeneity of human immune reconstitution and immune responses in vivo. Yet, analyses of human T cell maturation in humanized models have been hampered by an overall low immune reactivity and lack of methods to define predictive markers of responsiveness. Long-lived human lentiviral induced dendritic cells expressing the cytomegalovirus pp65 protein (iDCpp65) promoted the development of pp65-specific human CD8+ T cell responses in NOD.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom-Il2rγtm1Wj humanized mice through the presentation of immune-dominant antigenic epitopes (signal 1), expression of co-stimulatory molecules (signal 2), and inflammatory cytokines (signal 3). We exploited this validated system to evaluate the effects of mouse sex in the dynamics of T cell homing and maturation status in thymus, blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. Statistical analyses of cell relative frequencies and absolute numbers demonstrated higher CD8+ memory T cell reactivity in spleen and lymph nodes of immunized female mice. In order to understand to which extent the multidimensional relation between organ-specific markers predicted the immunization status, the immunophenotypic profiles of individual mice were used to train an artificial neural network designed to discriminate immunized and non-immunized mice. The highest accuracy of immune reactivity prediction could be obtained from lymph node markers of female mice (77.3%). Principal component analyses further identified clusters of markers best suited to describe the heterogeneity of immunization responses in vivo. A correlation analysis of these markers reflected a tissue-specific impact of immunization. This allowed for an organ-resolved characterization of the immunization status of individual mice based on the identified set of markers. This new modality of multidimensional analyses can be used as a framework for defining minimal but predictive signatures of human immune responses in mice and suggests critical markers to characterize responses to immunization after HSC transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery Volk
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas I Reppas
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philippe A Robert
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Loukia M Spineli
- Institute of Biostatistics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bala Sai Sundarasetty
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Theobald
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneider
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Laura Gerasch
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Candida Deves Roth
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Klöss
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics and GMP Core Facility IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics and GMP Core Facility IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Haralampos Hatzikirou
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Meyer-Hermann
- Department of Systems Immunology, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Renata Stripecke
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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7
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Sontag ED. A Dynamic Model of Immune Responses to Antigen Presentation Predicts Different Regions of Tumor or Pathogen Elimination. Cell Syst 2017; 4:231-241.e11. [PMID: 28131824 PMCID: PMC5323365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The immune system must discriminate between agents of disease and an organism's healthy cells. While the identification of an antigen as self/non-self is critically important, the dynamic features of antigen presentation may also determine the immune system's response. Here, we use a simple mathematical model of immune activation to explore the idea of antigen discrimination through dynamics. We propose that antigen presentation is coupled to two nodes, one regulatory and one effecting the immune response, through an incoherent feedforward loop and repressive feedback. This circuit would allow the immune system to effectively estimate the increase of antigens with respect to time, a key determinant of immune reactivity in vivo. Our model makes the prediction that tumors growing at specific rates evade the immune system despite the continuous presence of antigens indicating disease, a phenomenon closely related to clinically observed "two-zone tolerance." Finally, we discuss a plausible biological instantiation of our circuit using combinations of regulatory and effector T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo D Sontag
- Department of Mathematics and Center for Quantitative Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.
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8
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Rodríguez-Perea AL, Arcia ED, Rueda CM, Velilla PA. Phenotypical characterization of regulatory T cells in humans and rodents. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 185:281-91. [PMID: 27124481 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs ) constitute a fascinating subpopulation of CD4(+) T cells due to their ability to limit the immune response against self and non-self antigens. Murine models and antibodies directed against surface and intracellular molecules have allowed elucidation of the mechanisms that govern their development and function. However, these markers used to their classification lack of specificity, as they can be expressed by activated T cells. Similarly, there are slight differences between animal models, in steady state and pathological conditions, anatomical localization and strategy of analysis by flow cytometry. Here, we revised the most common markers utilized for Treg typification by flow cytometry such as CD25, forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) and CD127, along with our data obtained in different body compartments of humans, mice and rats. Furthermore, we revised and determined the expression of other molecules important for the phenotypical characterization of Treg cells. We draw attention to the drawbacks of those markers used in chronic states of inflammation. However, until a specific marker for the identification of Tregs is discovered, the best combination of markers will depend upon the tissue or the degree of inflammation from which Tregs derive.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rodríguez-Perea
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - E D Arcia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - C M Rueda
- Clinical Laboratory, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - P A Velilla
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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9
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Heat Shock Protein 60 in Eggs Specifically Induces Tregs and Reduces Liver Immunopathology in Mice with Schistosomiasis Japonica. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139133. [PMID: 26418003 PMCID: PMC4587937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasitic helminths need to suppress the host immune system to establish chronic infections. Paradoxically, immunosuppression induced by the worm also benefits the host by limiting excessive inflammation and tissue damage, which remains the major cause leading to serious morbidity and mortality. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key immune regulators of this mutualism. The successive rise in Tregs during schistosome infection plays a critical role in immunoregulation. We and others previously showed that Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) egg antigens (SEA) induce Tregs both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we identified that SjHSP60 derived from SEA significantly induces Tregs in vivo and in vitro. However, the contribution of SjHSP60 in SEA to Treg induction and the related mechanisms of the Treg induction have not yet been identified. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we showed that S. japonicum stress protein HSP60 (SjHSP60) was constitutively and extensively expressed in eggs of S. japonicum. SjHSP60 specially induced Tregs in vivo and in vitro without inducing other CD4+ T sub-populations including Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. Furthermore, we showed that the SjHSP60-depleted SEA almost lost the ability in vitro and displayed a significant impaired ability to induce Tregs in vivo. Finally, our study illustrated that the mechanisms of SjHSP60-mediated induction of Tregs are through both conversion of CD4+CD25- T cells into CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and expansion of preexisting CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in a TLR4-dependent manner. Conclusions/Significance Collectively, our findings identify SjHSP60 as a major parasitic contributor of Treg induction in S. japonicum egg antigens, which not only contributes to the better understanding of the mechanism of immunoregulation during helminth infection, but also suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for control of immunopathology, allergic and autoimmune diseases.
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