The Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell Defect in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficient Mice Is Associated with T Cell Hyperactivation during Intestinal Infection

PLoS One. 2015 May 26;10(5):e0128335. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128335. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Intestinal infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii results in the translocation of commensal bacteria to peripheral organs and the development of a T cell response specific to the microbiota. In naïve mice, the recently described RORγt+ group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC) population plays a critical role in promoting intestinal barrier function and limiting responses to gut-resident commensal bacteria. Given this role for group 3 ILCs, studies were performed to evaluate whether these cells might influence the immune response to mucosal infection with T. gondii. Phenotypic characterization of RORγt+ ILCs in T. gondii infected mice revealed that this population decreased following challenge but the population that remained expressed costimulatory molecules and IL-22. One factor that influences the maintenance of RORγt+ ILCs is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, and Ahr-/- mice have a marked defect in the lamina propria group 3 ILC population. When Ahr-/- mice were challenged with T. gondii, they lost more weight than wild type controls. This disease course in Ahr-/- animals was associated with increased T cell responses to Toxoplasma antigen and crude commensal antigen preparations. Together, these data suggest that group 3 ILCs have a role in limiting T cell activation during intestinal infection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / deficiency*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Intestinal Diseases / immunology
  • Intestinal Diseases / metabolism
  • Intestinal Diseases / parasitology*
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / deficiency*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / metabolism

Substances

  • Ahr protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Interleukins
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Rorc protein, mouse