Regulation of the expression of GARP/latent TGF-β1 complexes on mouse T cells and their role in regulatory T cell and Th17 differentiation

J Immunol. 2013 Jun 1;190(11):5506-15. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300199. Epub 2013 May 3.

Abstract

GARP/LRRC32 was defined as a marker of activated human regulatory T cells (Tregs) that is responsible for surface localization of latent TGF-β1. We find that GARP and latent TGF-β1 are also found on mouse Tregs activated via TCR stimulation; however, in contrast to human Tregs, GARP is also expressed at a low level on resting Tregs. The expression of GARP can be upregulated on mouse Tregs by IL-2 or IL-4 exposure in the absence of TCR signaling. GARP is expressed at a low level on Tregs within the thymus, and Treg precursors from the thymus concomitantly express GARP and Foxp3 upon exposure to IL-2. The expression of GARP is independent of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 loading into GARP and is independent of furin-mediated processing of pro-TGF-β1 to latent TGF-β1. Specific deletion of GARP in CD4(+) T cells results in lack of expression of latent TGF-β1 on activated Tregs. GARP-deficient Tregs develop normally, are present in normal numbers in peripheral tissues, and are fully competent suppressors of the activation of conventional T cells in vitro. Activated Tregs expressing GARP/latent TGF-β1 complexes are potent inducers of Th17 differentiation in the presence of exogenous IL-6 and inducers of Treg in the presence of IL-2. Induction of both Th17-producing cells and Tregs is caused preferentially by Tregs expressing the latent TGF-β1/GARP complex on their cell surface rather than by secreted latent TGF-β1.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation* / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation* / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Furin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / cytology*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins
  • Lrrc32 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Furin