Regulatory T cell ablation causes acute T cell lymphopenia.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Regulatory T (Treg) cells enforce T cell homeostasis and maintain peripheral T cell tolerance. Here we report a previously unappreciated phenomenon of acute T cell lymphopenia in secondary lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid tissues triggered by Treg cell depletion that precedes the expansion of self-reactive T cells. Lymphopenia affects both neonates and adults indicating a dominant role of Treg cells in maintaining peripheral T cell numbers regardless of the developmental stage. The lymphopenia was neither triggered by caspase-dependent apoptosis nor macrophage-mediated clearance of T cells, nor diminished survival of naïve or recently activated T cells due to paucity of IL-7. It is possible that transient lymphopenia associated with congenital or acute Treg cell deficiency may contribute to the development of T cell mediated autoimmune disorders.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Moltedo, B; Hemmers, S; Rudensky, AY
Published Date
- 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 9 / 1
Start / End Page
- e86762 -
PubMed ID
- 24466225
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3900634
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1932-6203
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0086762
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States