IL-33 expands suppressive CD11b+ Gr-1(int) and regulatory T cells, including ST2L+ Foxp3+ cells, and mediates regulatory T cell-dependent promotion of cardiac allograft survival

J Immunol. 2011 Nov 1;187(9):4598-610. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100519. Epub 2011 Sep 26.

Abstract

IL-33 administration is associated with facilitation of Th2 responses and cardioprotective properties in rodent models. However, in heart transplantation, the mechanism by which IL-33, signaling through ST2L (the membrane-bound form of ST2), promotes transplant survival is unclear. We report that IL-33 administration, while facilitating Th2 responses, also increases immunoregulatory myeloid cells and CD4(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice. IL-33 expands functional myeloid-derived suppressor cells, CD11b(+) cells that exhibit intermediate (int) levels of Gr-1 and potent T cell suppressive function. Furthermore, IL-33 administration causes an St2-dependent expansion of suppressive CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs, including an ST2L(+) population. IL-33 monotherapy after fully allogeneic mouse heart transplantation resulted in significant graft prolongation associated with increased Th2-type responses and decreased systemic CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) cells. Also, despite reducing overall CD3(+) cell infiltration of the graft, IL-33 administration markedly increased intragraft Foxp3(+) cells. Whereas control graft recipients displayed increases in systemic CD11b(+) Gr-1(hi) cells, IL-33-treated recipients exhibited increased CD11b(+) Gr-1(int) cells. Enhanced ST2 expression was observed in the myocardium and endothelium of rejecting allografts, however the therapeutic effect of IL-33 required recipient St2 expression and was dependent on Tregs. These findings reveal a new immunoregulatory property of IL-33. Specifically, in addition to supporting Th2 responses, IL-33 facilitates regulatory cells, particularly functional CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs that underlie IL-33-mediated cardiac allograft survival.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control
  • CD11b Antigen / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Graft Survival / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myeloid Cells / cytology
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • Receptors, Chemokine / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / biosynthesis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • CD11b Antigen
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Gr-1 protein, mouse
  • Il33 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • ST2L protein, mouse