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Shen Z, vom Steeg LG, Patel MV, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Wira CR. Impact of aging on the frequency, phenotype, and function of CD4+ T cells in the human female reproductive tract. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1465124. [PMID: 39328419 PMCID: PMC11424415 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1465124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Since CD4+ T cells are essential for regulating adaptive immune responses and for long lasting mucosal protection, changes in CD4+ T cell numbers and function are likely to affect protective immunity. What remains unclear is whether CD4+ T cell composition and function in the female reproductive tract (FRT) changes as women age. Here we investigated the changes in the composition and function of CD4+ T cells in the endometrium (EM), endocervix (CX), and ectocervix (ECX) with aging. We observed a significant decrease in both the total number and percentage of CD4+ T cells in the EM with increasing age, particularly in the years following menopause. CD4+ T cells within the FRT predominantly expressed CD69. The proportion of CD69+CD4+ T cells increased significantly with increasing age in the EM, CX and ECX. The composition of T helper cell subsets within the EM CD4+ T cell population also showed age-related changes. Specifically, there was a significant increase in the proportion of Th1 cells and a significant decrease in Th17 and Treg cells with increasing age. Furthermore, the production of IFNγ by CD4+ T cells in the EM, CX, and ECX significantly decreased with increasing age upon activation. Our findings highlight the complex changes occurring in CD4+ T cell frequency, phenotype, and function within the FRT as women age. Understanding these age-related immune changes in the FRT is crucial for enhancing our knowledge of reproductive health and immune responses in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Landon G. vom Steeg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Mickey V. Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Marta Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- C. S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Charles R. Wira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
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2
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Al-Talib M, Dimonte S, Humphreys IR. Mucosal T-cell responses to chronic viral infections: Implications for vaccine design. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:982-998. [PMID: 38459243 PMCID: PMC11364786 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces that line the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts are the major interfaces between the immune system and the environment. Their unique immunological landscape is characterized by the necessity of balancing tolerance to commensal microorganisms and other innocuous exposures against protection from pathogenic threats such as viruses. Numerous pathogenic viruses, including herpesviruses and retroviruses, exploit this environment to establish chronic infection. Effector and regulatory T-cell populations, including effector and resident memory T cells, play instrumental roles in mediating the transition from acute to chronic infection, where a degree of viral replication is tolerated to minimize immunopathology. Persistent antigen exposure during chronic viral infection leads to the evolution and divergence of these responses. In this review, we discuss advances in the understanding of mucosal T-cell immunity during chronic viral infections and how features of T-cell responses develop in different chronic viral infections of the mucosa. We consider how insights into T-cell immunity at mucosal surfaces could inform vaccine strategies: not only to protect hosts from chronic viral infections but also to exploit viruses that can persist within mucosal surfaces as vaccine vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Talib
- Systems Immunity University Research Institute/Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, 5 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1UD, UK
| | - Sandra Dimonte
- Systems Immunity University Research Institute/Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Ian R Humphreys
- Systems Immunity University Research Institute/Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
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3
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Quinn Peters M, Domenjo-Vila E, Carlson M, Armistead B, Edlefsen PT, Gasper M, Dabee S, Whidbey C, Jaspan HB, Prlic M, Harrington WE. A non-invasive method to sample immune cells in the lower female genital tract using menstrual discs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.16.567469. [PMID: 38370684 PMCID: PMC10871271 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
T cells in the human female genital tract (FGT) 2 are key mediators of susceptibility to and protection from infection, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There is a critical need for increased understanding of the distribution and activation of T cell populations in the FGT, but current sampling methods require a healthcare provider and are expensive, limiting the ability to study these populations longitudinally. To address these challenges, we have developed a method to sample immune cells from the FGT utilizing disposable menstrual discs which are non-invasive, self-applied, and low-cost. To demonstrate reproducibility, we sampled the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) 3 of healthy, reproductive-aged individuals using menstrual discs over three sequential days. CVF was processed for cervicovaginal cells, and high parameter flow cytometry was used to characterize immune populations. We identified large numbers of live, CD45+ leukocytes, as well as distinct populations of T cells and B cells. Within the T cell compartment, activation and suppression status of T cell subsets were consistent with previous studies of the FGT utilizing current approaches, including identification of both tissue resident and migratory populations. In addition, the T cell population structure was highly conserved across days within individuals but divergent across individuals. Our approach to sample immune cells in the FGT with menstrual discs will decrease barriers to participation and empower longitudinal sampling in future research studies.
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4
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Peters MQ, Domenjo-Vila E, Carlson M, Armistead B, Edlefsen PT, Gasper M, Dabee S, Whidbey C, Jaspan HB, Prlic M, Harrington WE. A Noninvasive Method to Sample Immune Cells in the Lower Female Genital Tract Using Menstrual Discs. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:182-192. [PMID: 38386594 PMCID: PMC10916362 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells in the human female genital tract (FGT) are key mediators of susceptibility to and protection from infection, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There is a critical need for increased understanding of the distribution and activation of T cell populations in the FGT, but current sampling methods require a healthcare provider and are expensive, limiting the ability to study these populations longitudinally. To address these challenges, we have developed a method to sample immune cells from the FGT utilizing disposable menstrual discs which are noninvasive, self-applied, and low in cost. To demonstrate reproducibility, we sampled the cervicovaginal fluid of healthy, reproductive-aged individuals using menstrual discs across 3 sequential days. Cervicovaginal fluid was processed for cervicovaginal cells, and high-parameter flow cytometry was used to characterize immune populations. We identified large numbers of live, CD45+ leukocytes, as well as distinct populations of T cells and B cells. Within the T cell compartment, activation and suppression status of T cell subsets were consistent with previous studies of the FGT utilizing current approaches, including identification of both tissue-resident and migratory populations. In addition, the T cell population structure was highly conserved across days within individuals but divergent across individuals. Our approach to sample immune cells in the FGT with menstrual discs will decrease barriers to participation and empower longitudinal sampling in future research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Quinn Peters
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Eva Domenjo-Vila
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Marc Carlson
- Research Scientific Computing, Enterprise Analytics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Blair Armistead
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Paul T. Edlefsen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Melanie Gasper
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Smritee Dabee
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Martin Prlic
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Whitney E. Harrington
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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5
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Lingasamy P, Modhukur V, Mändar R, Salumets A. Exploring Immunome and Microbiome Interplay in Reproductive Health: Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Novel Diagnostic Tools. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:172-189. [PMID: 38262441 PMCID: PMC10846929 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between the immunome and microbiome in reproductive health is a complex and rapidly advancing research field, holding tremendously vast possibilities for the development of reproductive medicine. This immunome-microbiome relationship influences the innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby affecting the onset and progression of reproductive disorders. However, the mechanisms governing these interactions remain elusive and require innovative approaches to gather more understanding. This comprehensive review examines the current knowledge on reproductive microbiomes across various parts of female reproductive tract, with special consideration of bidirectional interactions between microbiomes and the immune system. Additionally, it explores innate and adaptive immunity, focusing on immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgM antibodies, their regulation, self-antigen tolerance mechanisms, and their roles in immune homeostasis. This review also highlights ongoing technological innovations in microbiota research, emphasizing the need for standardized detection and analysis methods. For instance, we evaluate the clinical utility of innovative technologies such as Phage ImmunoPrecipitation Sequencing (PhIP-Seq) and Microbial Flow Cytometry coupled to Next-Generation Sequencing (mFLOW-Seq). Despite ongoing advancements, we emphasize the need for further exploration in this field, as a deeper understanding of immunome-microbiome interactions holds promise for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for reproductive health, like infertility treatment and management of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vijayachitra Modhukur
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Reet Mändar
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Adapen C, Réot L, Menu E. Role of the human vaginal microbiota in the regulation of inflammation and sexually transmitted infection acquisition: Contribution of the non-human primate model to a better understanding? FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:992176. [PMID: 36560972 PMCID: PMC9763629 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.992176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human vaginal microbiota has a central role in the regulation of the female reproductive tract (FRT) inflammation. Indeed, on one hand an optimal environment leading to a protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI) is associated with a high proportion of Lactobacillus spp. (eubiosis). On the other hand, a more diverse microbiota with a high amount of non-Lactobacillus spp. (dysbiosis) is linked to a higher local inflammation and an increased STI susceptibility. The composition of the vaginal microbiota is influenced by numerous factors that may lead to a dysbiotic environment. In this review, we first discuss how the vaginal microbiota composition affects the local inflammation with a focus on the cytokine profiles, the immune cell recruitment/phenotype and a large part devoted on the interactions between the vaginal microbiota and the neutrophils. Secondly, we analyze the interplay between STI and the vaginal microbiota and describe several mechanisms of action of the vaginal microbiota. Finally, the input of the NHP model in research focusing on the FRT health including vaginal microbiota or STI acquisition/control and treatment is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Adapen
- Micalis Institute, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Louis Réot
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique et aux énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-Immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB)/Department of Infectious Disease Models and Innovative Therapies (IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Elisabeth Menu
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique et aux énergies Alternatives (CEA), Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-Immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB)/Department of Infectious Disease Models and Innovative Therapies (IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Mucosal Immunity and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control (MISTIC) Group, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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7
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Collins MK, McCutcheon CR, Petroff MG. Impact of Estrogen and Progesterone on Immune Cells and Host–Pathogen Interactions in the Lower Female Reproductive Tract. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:1437-1449. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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8
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Neuwirth T, Knapp K, Stary G. (Not) Home alone: Antigen presenting cell - T Cell communication in barrier tissues. Front Immunol 2022; 13:984356. [PMID: 36248804 PMCID: PMC9556809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.984356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Priming of T cells by antigen presenting cells (APCs) is essential for T cell fate decisions, enabling T cells to migrate to specific tissues to exert their effector functions. Previously, these interactions were mainly explored using blood-derived cells or animal models. With great advances in single cell RNA-sequencing techniques enabling analysis of tissue-derived cells, it has become clear that subsets of APCs are responsible for priming and modulating heterogeneous T cell effector responses in different tissues. This composition of APCs and T cells in tissues is essential for maintaining homeostasis and is known to be skewed in infection and inflammation, leading to pathological T cell responses. This review highlights the commonalities and differences of T cell priming and subsequent effector function in multiple barrier tissues such as the skin, intestine and female reproductive tract. Further, we provide an overview of how this process is altered during tissue-specific infections which are known to cause chronic inflammation and how this knowledge could be harnessed to modify T cell responses in barrier tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Neuwirth
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Knapp
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Stary
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Gholiof M, Adamson-De Luca E, Wessels JM. The female reproductive tract microbiotas, inflammation, and gynecological conditions. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:963752. [PMID: 36303679 PMCID: PMC9580710 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.963752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The intricate interactions between the host cells, bacteria, and immune components that reside in the female reproductive tract (FRT) are essential in maintaining reproductive tract homeostasis. Much of our current knowledge surrounding the FRT microbiota relates to the vaginal microbiota, where ‘health’ has long been associated with low bacterial diversity and Lactobacillus dominance. This concept has recently been challenged as women can have a diverse vaginal microbial composition in the absence of symptomatic disease. The structures of the upper FRT (the endocervix, uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries) have distinct, lower biomass microbiotas than the vagina; however, the existence of permanent microbiotas at these sites is disputed. During homeostasis, a balance exists between the FRT bacteria and the immune system that maintains immune quiescence. Alterations in the bacteria, immune system, or local environment may result in perturbances to the FRT microbiota, defined as dysbiosis. The inflammatory signature of a perturbed or “dysbiotic” FRT microbiota is characterized by elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cervical and vaginal fluid. It appears that vaginal homeostasis can be disrupted by two different mechanisms: first, a shift toward increased bacterial diversity can trigger vaginal inflammation, and second, local immunity is altered in some manner, which disrupts the microbiota in response to an environmental change. FRT dysbiosis can have negative effects on reproductive health. This review will examine the increasing evidence for the involvement of the FRT microbiotas and inflammation in gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis, infertility, and endometrial and ovarian cancer; however, the precise mechanisms by which bacteria are involved in these conditions remains speculative at present. While only in their infancy, the use of antibiotics and probiotics to therapeutically alter the FRT microbiota is being studied and is discussed herein. Our current understanding of the intimate relationship between immunity and the FRT microbiota is in its early days, and more research is needed to deepen our mechanistic understanding of this relationship and to assess how our present knowledge can be harnessed to assist in diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Gholiof
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Adamson-De Luca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- AIMA Laboratories Inc., Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jocelyn M. Wessels
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- AIMA Laboratories Inc., Hamilton, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jocelyn M. Wessels
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10
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Malko D, Elmzzahi T, Beyer M. Implications of regulatory T cells in non-lymphoid tissue physiology and pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954798. [PMID: 35936011 PMCID: PMC9354719 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Treg cells have been initially described as gatekeepers for the control of autoimmunity, as they can actively suppress the activity of other immune cells. However, their role goes beyond this as Treg cells further control immune responses during infections and tumor development. Furthermore, Treg cells can acquire additional properties for e.g., the control of tissue homeostasis. This is instructed by a specific differentiation program and the acquisition of effector properties unique to Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues. These tissue Treg cells can further adapt to their tissue environment and acquire distinct functional properties through specific transcription factors activated by a combination of tissue derived factors, including tissue-specific antigens and cytokines. In this review, we will focus on recent findings extending our current understanding of the role and differentiation of these tissue Treg cells. As such we will highlight the importance of tissue Treg cells for tissue maintenance, regeneration, and repair in adipose tissue, muscle, CNS, liver, kidney, reproductive organs, and the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Malko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Tarek Elmzzahi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Beyer
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Platform foR SinglE Cell GenomIcS and Epigenomics (PRECISE), Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) and University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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11
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Traxinger BR, Richert-Spuhler LE, Lund JM. Mucosal tissue regulatory T cells are integral in balancing immunity and tolerance at portals of antigen entry. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:398-407. [PMID: 34845322 PMCID: PMC8628059 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00471-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of CD4+ T cells that exert suppressive control over other immune cells. Tregs are critical for preventing systemic autoimmunity and maintaining peripheral tolerance, and yet they also assist in orchestration of immunity to pathogenic insult, wherein they limit collateral immunopathology and assist in facilitating a fine balance between immune tolerance and effector activity. Tregs have been extensively studied in lymphoid tissues, and a growing body of work has characterized phenotypically distinct Tregs localized in various nonlymphoid tissue compartments. These tissue Tregs can perform location-specific, alternative functions, highlighting their dynamic, context-dependent roles. Tregs have also been identified in mucosal tissues where specialized physiological functions are paramount, including helping the host to respond appropriately to pathogenic versus innocuous antigens that are abundant at mucosal portals of antigen entry. As in other tissue Treg compartments, mucosal Tregs in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts are distinct from circulating counterparts and can carry out mucosa-specific functions as well as classic suppressive functions that are the hallmark of Tregs. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding mucosal Tregs in both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna R Traxinger
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Laura E Richert-Spuhler
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Lund
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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