Interleukin-33 activates regulatory T cells to suppress innate γδ T cell responses in the lung

Nat Immunol. 2020 Nov;21(11):1371-1383. doi: 10.1038/s41590-020-0785-3. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Abstract

Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the interleukin (IL)-33 receptor ST2 mediate tissue repair in response to IL-33. Whether Treg cells also respond to the alarmin IL-33 to regulate specific aspects of the immune response is not known. Here we describe an unexpected function of ST2+ Treg cells in suppressing the innate immune response in the lung to environmental allergens without altering the adaptive immune response. Following allergen exposure, ST2+ Treg cells were activated by IL-33 to suppress IL-17-producing γδ T cells. ST2 signaling in Treg cells induced Ebi3, a component of the heterodimeric cytokine IL-35 that was required for Treg cell-mediated suppression of γδ T cells. This response resulted in fewer eosinophil-attracting chemokines and reduced eosinophil recruitment into the lung, which was beneficial to the host in reducing allergen-induced inflammation. Thus, we define a fundamental role for ST2+ Treg cells in the lung as a negative regulator of the early innate γδ T cell response to mucosal injury.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Interleukin-33 / metabolism*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Biomarkers
  • Il1rl1 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33