Distinct IL-2 receptor signaling pattern in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

J Immunol. 2004 May 1;172(9):5287-96. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.9.5287.

Abstract

Despite expression of the high-affinity IL-2R, CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are hypoproliferative upon IL-2R stimulation in vitro. However the mechanisms by which CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells respond to IL-2 signals are undefined. In this report, we examine the cellular and molecular responses of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs to IL-2. IL-2R stimulation results in a G(1) cell cycle arrest, cellular enlargement and increased cellular survival of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells. We find a distinct pattern of IL-2R signaling in which the Janus kinase/STAT pathway remains intact, whereas IL-2 does not activate downstream targets of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Negative regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and IL-2-mediated proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells is inversely associated with expression of the phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10, PTEN.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Cell Survival / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology
  • Interleukin-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-2 / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Interleukin-2
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Pten protein, mouse