Pannemans K, Broux B, Goris A, Dubois B, Broekmans T, Van Wijmeersch B, Geraghty D, Stinissen P, Hellings N. HLA-E restricted CD8+ T cell subsets are phenotypically altered in multiple sclerosis patients.
Mult Scler 2014;
20:790-801. [PMID:
24144875 DOI:
10.1177/1352458513509703]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The importance of Qa-1 restricted CD8(+) T cells in regulating autoreactive T cell responses has been demonstrated in animal models for autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS).
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesize that their human variant, HLA-E restricted CD8(+) T cells, fulfills a similar regulatory role in man and that these cells are of importance in MS.
METHODS
A large cohort of MS patients and healthy controls was genotyped for the two known HLA-E polymorphisms. Flow cytometry was used to determine HLA-E expression kinetics and to phenotype HLA-E restricted CD8(+) T cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate HLA-E expression in the central nervous system (CNS) of MS patients.
RESULTS
HLA-E is upregulated on immune cells upon in vitro activation and this upregulation is polymorphism-dependent for T and B cells. T and B cells in lesions of MS patients show enhanced HLA-E expression. Furthermore, NKG2C(+)CD8(+) T cells of MS patients have a significantly lower Foxp3 expression, while NKG2A(+)CD8(+) T cells of MS patients produce higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to those of healthy individuals.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that the HLA-E system is altered in MS and could play a regulatory role in disease.
Collapse