The Link Between Seminal Cytokine Interleukin 18, Female Circulating Regulatory T Cells, and IVF/ICSI Success

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1034-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Nikolaeva ◽  
Alina Babayan ◽  
Elena Stepanova ◽  
Alla Arefieva ◽  
Tatiana Dontsova ◽  
...  

Seminal plasma (SP) is thought to be a crucial factor which affects the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in female reproductive tract during embryo implantation. We propose that seminal transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 is responsible for local accumulation of circulating Tregs, which manifests as changes in Treg frequency in peripheral blood, whereas seminal interleukin (IL) 18 interferes with TGF-β1-dependent cellular reactions. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether the frequency of circulating Tregs is associated with the levels of seminal cytokines and pregnancy establishment in women exposed to partner’s SP during in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. Twenty-nine women were exposed to SP via timed intercourse before the day of ovum pickup (day-OPU) and also subjected to intravaginal SP application just after OPU. Measurements of seminal TGF-β1 and IL-18 were made by FlowCytomix technology. The percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low+/ – Tregs among total circulating CD4+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry and the difference between Treg values on the day of embryo transfer and day-OPU was calculated. The percentage of Tregs on the day-OPU, identified as a predictive factor of clinical pregnancy after IVF/ICSI, showed a positive correlation with IL-18 concentration and content of this cytokine per ejaculate ( P < .001 and P < .004, respectively) and negative correlation with the TGF-β1/IL-18 ratio ( P < .014).These findings indicate that the adverse effect of seminal IL-18 excess on implantation may be realized by the prevention of postcoital TGF-β1-related migration of circulating Tregs, which clearly manifests as elevated level of Treg frequency in peripheral blood.

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Yu Wang ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Chang-Yu Li ◽  
Yong Jin ◽  
Xiong-Wen Lü ◽  
...  

This study was to investigate the effect of leflunomide on the immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Tregs) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. CIA was induced by collagen type II in Wistar rats. Immunofluorescence flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to determine the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA, respectively. Proliferation of T lymphocytes was assayed with MTT reagent, and the level of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the supernatant of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T lymphocytes was determined by ELISA kit. Our investigations demonstrated that inhibition of arthritis by leflunomide was related to changes in CD4+CD25+ Tregs. In addition, A771726, which is the active metabolite of leflunomide, promoted the differentiation of spleen lymphocytes into CD4+CD25+ Tregs, increased antiinflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 secretion, and adjusted the activity of Con A-induced lymphocytes in vitro.


2002 ◽  
Vol 196 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciriaco A. Piccirillo ◽  
John J. Letterio ◽  
Angela M. Thornton ◽  
Rebecca S. McHugh ◽  
Mizuko Mamura ◽  
...  

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells inhibit organ-specific autoimmune diseases induced by CD4+CD25−T cells and are potent suppressors of T cell activation in vitro. Their mechanism of suppression remains unknown, but most in vitro studies suggest that it is cell contact–dependent and cytokine independent. The role of TGF-β1 in CD4+CD25+ suppressor function remains unclear. While most studies have failed to reverse suppression with anti–transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in vitro, one recent study has reported that CD4+CD25+ T cells express cell surface TGF-β1 and that suppression can be completely abrogated by high concentrations of anti–TGF-β suggesting that cell-associated TGF-β1 was the primary effector of CD4+CD25+-mediated suppression. Here, we have reevaluated the role of TGF-β1 in CD4+CD25+-mediated suppression. Neutralization of TGF-β1 with either monoclonal antibody (mAb) or soluble TGF-βRII-Fc did not reverse in vitro suppression mediated by resting or activated CD4+CD25+ T cells. Responder T cells from Smad3−/− or dominant-negative TGF-β type RII transgenic (DNRIITg) mice, that are both unresponsive to TGF-β1–induced growth arrest, were as susceptible to CD4+CD25+-mediated suppression as T cells from wild-type mice. Furthermore, CD4+CD25+ T cells from neonatal TGF-β1−/− mice were as suppressive as CD4+CD25+ from TGF-β1+/+ mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ suppressor function can occur independently of TGF-β1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamato Sajiki ◽  
Satoru Konnai ◽  
Shinya Goto ◽  
Tomohiro Okagawa ◽  
Kosuke Ohira ◽  
...  

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) regulate immune responses and maintain host immune homeostasis. Tregs contribute to the disease progression of several chronic infections by oversuppressing immune responses via the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin-10. In the present study, we examined the association of Tregs with Mycoplasma bovis infection, in which immunosuppression is frequently observed. Compared with uninfected cattle, the percentage of Tregs, CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ T cells, was increased in M. bovis-infected cattle. Additionally, the plasma of M. bovis-infected cattle contained the high concentrations of TGF-β1, and M. bovis infection induced TGF-β1 production from bovine immune cells in in vitro cultures. Finally, we analyzed the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β1 on bovine immune cells. Treatment with TGF-β1 significantly decreased the expression of CD69, an activation marker, in T cells, and Th1 cytokine production in vitro. These results suggest that the increase in Tregs and TGF-β1 secretion could be one of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and that lead to increased susceptibility to other infections in terms of exacerbation of disease during M. bovis infection.


2003 ◽  
Vol 198 (8) ◽  
pp. 1179-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Kitani ◽  
Ivan Fuss ◽  
Kazuhiko Nakamura ◽  
Fumiyuki Kumaki ◽  
Takashi Usui ◽  
...  

Interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 are suppressor cytokines that frequently occur together during a regulatory T cell response. Here we used a one gene doxycycline (Dox)-inducible plasmid encoding TGF-β1 to analyze this association and test its utility. In initial studies, we showed that intranasal administration of this plasmid (along with Dox) led to the appearance of TGF-β1–producing cells (in spleen and lamina propria) and the almost concomitant appearance of IL-10–producing cells. Moreover, we showed that these cells exert Dox-regulated suppression of the T helper cell (Th)1-mediated inflammation in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid colitis. In subsequent in vitro studies using retroviral TGF-β1 expression, we established that IL-10 production by Th1 cells occurs after exposure to TGF-β1 from either an endogenous or exogenous source. In addition, using a self-inactivating retrovirus luciferase reporter construct we showed that TGF-β1 induces Smad4, which then binds to and activates the IL-10 promoter. Furthermore, intranasal TGF-β1 plasmid administration ameliorates bleomycin-induced fibrosis in wild-type but not IL-10–deficient mice, strongly suggesting that the amelioration is IL-10 dependent and that IL-10 protects mice from TGF-β1–mediated fibrosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that the induction of IL-10 by TGF-β1 is not fortuitous, but instead fulfills important requirements of TGF-β1 function after its secretion by regulatory T cells.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-lei Gao ◽  
Chun-xue Wang ◽  
Zi-yi Wang ◽  
Wen-jie Li ◽  
Yan-cun Liu ◽  
...  

Neuropilin (Nrp)-1 contributes to maintain the stability of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). We investigated the impact of Nrp-1 on the stability of CD4+CD25+ Tregs, and the underlying signaling pathways, in a sepsis model. Splenic CD4+CD25+ Tregs were treated with anti-Nrp-1, or transfected to silence Nrp-1 and ikkβ, or administered with PDTC, followed by rSema3A in sepsis simulation. After creation of a sepsis model in mice, anti-Nrp-1 was administered. Expression of foxp3- TSDR, apoptosis rate, Foxp-3/CTLA-4/TGF-β1, IL-10 and TGF-β1, and NF-κB signaling activity of CD4+CD25+ Tregs were determined. Sepsis simulation with or without rSema3A increased the stability of CD4+CD25+ Tregs, including an increase in the expression of Foxp-3/CTLA-4/TGF-β1, decrease in apoptosis and methylation of foxp3- TSDR, increase in the secretion of TGF-β1 and IL-10, and increase in the immunosuppressive effect on CD4+T lymphocytes. silencing of Nrp-1 or anti-Nrp-1 treatment interdicted LPS stimulation with or without a rSema3A-mediated effect. Sepsis simulation increased the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB, as well as the p-ikkβ/ikkβ and p-P65/P65 ratios in vitro and vivo. Silencing of ikkβ expression or PDTC treatment suppressed the stability of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in LPS-induced sepsis. Weakening Nrp-1 reduced the stability of CD4+CD25+ Tregs by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and could be a new target for immunoregulation in sepsis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 208 (12) ◽  
pp. 2489-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Sela ◽  
Peter Olds ◽  
Andrew Park ◽  
Sarah J. Schlesinger ◽  
Ralph M. Steinman

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) effectively suppress immunity, but it is not determined if antigen-induced T reg cells (iT reg cells) are able to persist under conditions of inflammation and to stably express the transcription factor Foxp3. We used spleen cells to stimulate the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) in the presence of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and retinoic acid. We found that the CD11chigh dendritic cell fraction was the most potent at inducing high numbers of alloreactive Foxp3+ cells. The induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells appeared after extensive proliferation. When purified from the MLR, iT reg cells suppressed both primary and secondary MLR in vitro in an antigen-specific manner. After transfer into allogeneic mice, iT reg cells persisted for 6 mo and prevented graft versus host disease (GVHD) caused by co-transferred CD45RBhi T cells. Similar findings were made when iT reg cells were transferred after onset of GVHD. The CNS2 intronic sequence of the Foxp3 gene in the persisting iT reg cells was as demethylated as the corresponding sequence of naturally occurring T reg cells. These results indicate that induced Foxp3+ T reg cells, after proliferating and differentiating into antigen-specific suppressive T cells, can persist for long periods while suppressing a powerful inflammatory disease.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3309-3309
Author(s):  
Dominik Wolf ◽  
Holger Rumpold ◽  
Christian Koppelstaetter ◽  
Guenther Gastl ◽  
Eberhard Gunsilius ◽  
...  

Abstract CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) are increased in the peripheral blood of cancer patients. It remains unclear whether this is due to redistribution or active proliferation. The latter would require the up-regulation of telomerase activity, whose regulation also remains unknown for Treg. We therefore isolated Treg and the respective CD4+CD25− control T-cell population from peripheral blood of cancer patients (n=23) and healthy age-matched controls (n=17). Analysis of their content of T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) revealed that the observed increase of Treg frequencies in peripheral blood is due to active cycling rather than to redistribution from other compartments (i.e. secondary lymphoid organs or bone-marrow), as Treg from cancer patients are characterized by a significant decrease of TREC content when compared to TREC content of Treg isolated from healthy age-matched controls. Surprisingly, despite their proven in vivo proliferation, telomere length is not further shortened in Treg from peripheral blood of cancer patients as shown by Flow-Fish, Real-Time PCR and Southern Blotting. Accodingly, telomerase activity of Treg was readily inducible in vitro by OKT3 together with IL-2. Notably, sorting of in vitro proliferating Treg using dilution of CFSE revealed a significant telomere shortening in Treg with high proliferative capacity (i.e. CFSElow fraction) under conditions of strong in vitro stimulatory growth conditions despite a high telomerase activity. Thus, under conditions of strong in vitro stimulation induction of telomerase seems to be insufficient to avoid progressive telomere shortening. In contrast, in actively proliferating peripheral blood Treg from patients with epithelial malignancies induction of telomerase activity is likely to compensate for further telomere erosion.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (12) ◽  
pp. 4594-4601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuko Mamura ◽  
WoonKyu Lee ◽  
Timothy J. Sullivan ◽  
Angelina Felici ◽  
Anastasia L. Sowers ◽  
...  

Abstract Tgf-β1-/- mice develop a progressive, lethal, inflammatory syndrome, but mechanisms leading to the spontaneous activation of Tgf-β1-/- T cells remain unclear. Here we show the disruption of CD28 gene expression accelerates disease in Tgf-β1-/- mice, and we link this increase in severity to a reduction in the number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. CD4+CD25+ T cells develop normally in Tgf-β1-/- mice and display characteristic expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), αEβ7 integrin, and Foxp3. Adoptive transfer of Tgf-β1-/- splenocytes to Tgf-β1+/+/Rag2-/- mice induced an autoimmune inflammatory disease with features similar to those of the Tgf-β1-/- phenotype, and disease transfer was accelerated by the depletion of Tgf-β1-/- CD4+CD25+ T cells from donor splenocytes. Cotransfer of Tgf- β1-/- CD4+CD25+ T cells clearly attenuated disease in Rag2-/- recipients of CD25+-depleted Tgf-β1-/- spleen and lymph node cells, but suppression was incomplete when compared with Tgf-β1+/+ CD4+CD25+ T cells. These data demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells develop in complete absence of endogenous transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression and that autocrine TGF-β1 expression is not essential for these cells to suppress inflammation in vivo. (Blood. 2004;103:4594-4601)


2002 ◽  
Vol 196 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Annunziato ◽  
Lorenzo Cosmi ◽  
Francesco Liotta ◽  
Elena Lazzeri ◽  
Roberto Manetti ◽  
...  

Phenotypic markers, localization, functional activities, and mechanisms of action in vitro of CD4+CD25+ T cells, purified from postnatal human thymuses, were investigated. These cells showed poor or no proliferation in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), and suppressed in a dose-dependent fashion the proliferative response to allogeneic stimulation of CD4+CD25− thymocytes. Virtually all CD4+CD25+ thymocytes constitutively expressed cytoplasmic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4, surface tumor necrosis factor type 2 receptor (TNFR2), and CCR8. They prevalently localized to perivascular areas of fibrous septa and responded to the chemoattractant activity of CCL1/I-309, which was found to be produced by either thymic medullary macrophages or fibrous septa epithelial cells. After polyclonal activation, CD4+CD25+ thymocytes did not produce the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, interferon γ, and only a very few produced IL-10, but all they expressed on their surface CTLA-4 and the majority of them also transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The suppressive activity of these cells was contact dependent and associated with the lack of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) α-chain (CD25) expression in target cells. Such a suppressive activity was partially inhibited by either anti–CTLA-4 or anti–TGF-β1, and was completely blocked by a mixture of these monoclonal antibodies, which were also able to restore in target T cells the expression of IL-2R α-chain and, therefore, their responsiveness to IL-2. These data demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ human thymocytes represent a population of regulatory cells that migrate in response to the chemokine CCL1/I-309 and exert their suppressive function via the inhibition of IL-2R α-chain in target T cells, induced by the combined activity of CTLA-4 and membrane TGF-β1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Michael Rudolph ◽  
Karina Guttek ◽  
Gabriele Weitz ◽  
Clara Antonia Meinke ◽  
Stefanie Kliche ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The adhesion and degranulation-promoting adapter protein (ADAP) is expressed in T cells, NK cells, myeloid cells, and platelets. The involvement of ADAP in the regulation of receptor-mediated inside-out signaling leading to integrin activation is well characterized, especially in T cells and in platelets. Due to the fact that animal studies using conventional knockout mice are limited by the overlapping effects of the different ADAP-expressing cells, we generated conditional ADAP knockout mice (ADAPfl/fl PF4-Cretg) (PF4, platelet factor 4). We observed that loss of ADAP restricted to the megakaryocytic lineage has no impact on other hematopoietic cells even under stimulation conditions. ADAPfl/fl PF4-Cretg mice showed thrombocytopenia in combination with reduced plasma levels of PF4 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). In vitro, platelets from these mice revealed reduced P-selectin expression, lower levels of TGF-β1 release, diminished integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and decreased fibrinogen binding after stimulation with podoplanin, the ligand of C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). Furthermore, loss of ADAP was associated with impaired CLEC-2-mediated activation of phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice lacking ADAP expression in platelets caused a more severe disease. In vivo administration of TGF-β1 early after T cell transfer reduced EAE severity in mice with loss of ADAP restricted to platelets. Our results reveal a regulatory function of ADAP in platelets in vitro and during autoimmune disease EAE in vivo.


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