FOXP3+CD4+CD25+ adaptive regulatory T cells express cyclooxygenase-2 and suppress effector T cells by a prostaglandin E2-dependent mechanism

J Immunol. 2006 Jul 1;177(1):246-54. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.1.246.

Abstract

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (T(R)) cells suppress effector T cells by partly unknown mechanisms. In this study, we describe a population of human suppressive CD4+CD25+ adaptive T(R) (T(R)(adapt)) cells induced in vitro that express cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and the transcription factor FOXP3. T(R)(adapt) cells produce PGE(2) and suppress effector T cell responses in a manner that is reversed by COX inhibitors and PGE(2) receptor-specific antagonists. In resting CD4+CD25- T cells, treatment with PGE(2) induced FOXP3 expression. Thus, autocrine and paracrine effects of PGE(2) produced by COX-2-positive T(R)(adapt) cells may be responsible for both the FOXP3+ phenotype and the mechanism used by these cells to suppress effector T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP / biosynthesis
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Dinoprostone / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / physiology*
  • Enterotoxins / pharmacology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Prostaglandin Antagonists / physiology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / antagonists & inhibitors
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / enzymology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / microbiology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / enzymology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / microbiology

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Enterotoxins
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prostaglandin Antagonists
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E
  • enterotoxin B, staphylococcal
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Dinoprostone