Nonredundant roles of IL-10 and TGF-β in suppression of immune responses to hepatic AAV-factor IX gene transfer

Mol Ther. 2011 Jul;19(7):1263-72. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.33. Epub 2011 Mar 8.

Abstract

Hepatic gene transfer using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has been shown to efficiently induce immunological tolerance to a variety of proteins. Regulatory T-cells (Treg) induced by this route suppress humoral and cellular immune responses against the transgene product. In this study, we examined the roles of immune suppressive cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the development of tolerance to human coagulation factor IX (hF.IX). Interestingly, IL-10 deficient C57BL/6 mice receiving gene transfer remained tolerant to hF.IX and generated Treg that suppressed anti-hF.IX formation. Effects of TGF-β blockade were also minor in this strain. In contrast, in C3H/HeJ mice, a strain known to have stronger T-cell responses against hF.IX, IL-10 was specifically required for the suppression of CD8(+) T-cell infiltration of the liver. Furthermore, TGF-β was critical for tipping the balance toward an regulatory immune response. TGF-β was required for CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg induction, which was necessary for suppression of effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses as well as antibody formation. These results demonstrate the crucial, nonredundant roles of IL-10 and TGF-β in prevention of immune responses against AAV-F.IX-transduced hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Factor IX
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Factor IX