TIM4 Regulates the Anti-Islet Th2 Alloimmune Response

Cell Transplant. 2015;24(8):1599-1614. doi: 10.3727/096368914X678571. Epub 2014 Mar 7.

Abstract

The role of the novel costimulatory molecule TIM4 in anti-islet response is unknown. We explored TIM4 expression and targeting in Th1 (BALB/c islets into C57BL/6 mice) and Th2 (BALB/c islets into Tbet(-/-) C57BL/6 mice) models of anti-islet alloimmune response and in a model of anti-islet autoimmune response (diabetes onset in NOD mice). The targeting of TIM4, using the monoclonal antibody RMT4-53, promotes islet graft survival in a Th1 model, with 30% of the graft surviving in the long term; islet graft protection appears to be mediated by a Th1 to Th2 skewing of the immune response. Differently, in the Th2 model, TIM4 targeting precipitates graft rejection by further enhancing the Th2 response. The effect of anti-TIM4 treatment in preventing autoimmune diabetes was marginal with only minor Th1 to Th2 skewing. B-Cell depletion abolished the effect of TIM4 targeting. TIM4 is expressed on human B-cells and is upregulated in diabetic and islet-transplanted patients. Our data suggest a model in which TIM4 targeting promotes Th2 response over Th1 via B-cells. The targeting of TIM4 could become a component of an immunoregulatory protocol in clinical islet transplantation, aiming at redirecting the immune system toward a Th2 response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity*
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / mortality
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / surgery
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery
  • Female
  • Graft Survival / immunology
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Middle Aged
  • Survival Rate
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Transcriptome
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Membrane Proteins
  • TIM-4 protein, mouse