Back to Search
Start Over
IL-2 Mediates CD4+ T Cell Help in the Breakdown of Memory-Like CD8+ T Cell Tolerance under Lymphopenic Conditions.
- Source :
- PLoS ONE; 2010, Vol. 5 Issue 9, p1-10, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Background: Lymphopenia results in the proliferation and differentiation of naïve T cells into memory-like cells in the apparent absence of antigenic stimulation. This response, at least in part due to a greater availability of cytokines, is thought to promote anti-self responses. Although potentially autoreactive memory-like CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cells generated in a lymphopenic environment are subject to the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance, they can induce autoimmunity in the presence of antigen-specific memory-like CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T helper cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we studied the mechanisms underlying CD4 help under lymphopenic conditions in transgenic mice expressing a model antigen in the beta cells of the pancreas. Surprisingly, we found that the self-reactivity mediated by the cooperation of memory-like CD8<superscript>+</superscript> and CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T cells was not abrogated by CD40L blockade. In contrast, treatment with anti-IL-2 antibodies inhibited the onset of autoimmunity. IL-2 neutralization prevented the CD4-mediated differentiation of memory-like CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cells into pathogenic effectors in response to self-antigen cross-presentation. Furthermore, in the absence of helper cells, induction of IL-2 signaling by an IL-2 immune complex was sufficient to promote memory-like CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cell self-reactivity. Conclusions/Significance: IL-2 mediates the cooperation of memory-like CD4<superscript>+</superscript> and CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cells in the breakdown of cross-tolerance, resulting in effector cytotoxic T lymphocyte differentiation and the induction of autoimmune disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 59668313
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012659