Evidence for extrathymic generation of regulatory T cells specific for a retinal antigen

Ophthalmic Research
Dale S GregersonScott W McPherson

Abstract

Thymic expression of a photoreceptor cell antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, is known to generate regulatory T cells (T(reg)) that prevent spontaneous autoimmune disease of the retina. However, the contribution of other endogenous, tissue-specific antigens (Ags) expressed in the retina to the generation of T(reg) is uncertain. Transgenic mice that express beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) in photoreceptor cells, together with beta-gal-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice, were used to study the induction of T(reg) in vivo. Transgenic expression of beta-gal on the arrestin promoter led to a spontaneous immunoregulatory response that inhibited the development of immune responses to beta-gal. The regulation was transferred by CD3+4+25+ T(reg). Several strategies were then used to show that beta-gal expressed in the retina supported spontaneous, thymus-independent T(reg) development. The endogenous T(reg) also differed from the T(reg) induced by Ag inoculation into the anterior chamber of the eye. These results demonstrate that retinal expression of very small amounts of a tissue-specific Ag can generate T(reg) in the periphery.

Citations

May 10, 2011·Progress in Retinal and Eye Research·Martin S ZinkernagelMariapia A Degli-Esposti
Dec 22, 2012·Ophthalmic Research·Dicle Hazirolan, Uwe Pleyer
Jan 6, 2012·The Journal of Immunology : Official Journal of the American Association of Immunologists·Neal D HeussDale S Gregerson
Apr 16, 2013·The Journal of Immunology : Official Journal of the American Association of Immunologists·Scott W McPhersonDale S Gregerson
Jun 23, 2009·The Journal of Immunology : Official Journal of the American Association of Immunologists·Dale S GregersonScott W McPherson

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