Neuropilin-1highCD4⁺CD25⁺ Regulatory T Cells Exhibit Primary Negative Immunoregulation in Sepsis

Mediators Inflamm. 2016:2016:7132158. doi: 10.1155/2016/7132158. Epub 2016 Apr 27.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) appear to be involved in sepsis-induced immune dysfunction; neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) was identified as a surface marker for CD4(+)CD25(+)Tregs. In the current study, we investigated the negative immunoregulation of Nrp-1(high)CD4(+)CD25(+)Tregs and the potential therapeutic value of Nrp-1 in sepsis. Splenic CD4(+)CD25(+)Tregs from cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse models were further segregated into Nrp-1(high)Tregs and Nrp-1(low)Tregs; they were cocultured with CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. The expression of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor-3 (Foxp-3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), membrane associated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β(m+)), apoptotic rate, and secretive ability [including TGF-β and interleukin-10 (IL-10)] for various types of Tregs, as well as the immunosuppressive ability of Tregs on CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells, were determined. Meanwhile, the impact of recombinant Nrp-1 polyclonal antibody on the demethylation of Foxp-3-TSDR (Treg-specific demethylated region) was measured in in vitro study. Sepsis per se markedly promoted the expression of Nrp-1 of CD4(+)CD25(+)Tregs. Foxp-3/CTLA-4/TGF-β(m+) of Nrp-1(high)Tregs were upregulated by septic challenge. Nrp-1(high)Tregs showed strong resilience to apoptosis and secretive ability and the strongest immunosuppressive ability on CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the recombinant Nrp-1 polyclonal antibody reduced the demethylation of Foxp-3-TSDR. Nrp-1(high)Tregs might reveal primary negative immunoregulation in sepsis; Nrp-1 could represent a new potential therapeutic target for the study of immune regulation in sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neuropilins / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Sepsis / immunology
  • Sepsis / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp1 protein, mouse
  • IL10 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Neuropilins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10