Regulatory T cells selectively control CD8+ T cell effector pool size via IL-2 restriction Journal Article


Authors: Kastenmuller, W.; Gasteiger, G.; Subramanian, N.; Sparwasser, T.; Busch, D. H.; Belkaid, Y.; Drexler, I.; Germain, R. N.
Article Title: Regulatory T cells selectively control CD8+ T cell effector pool size via IL-2 restriction
Abstract: Regulatory T cells (Treg) are key players in maintaining immune homeostasis but have also been shown to regulate immune responses against infectious pathogens. Therefore, Treg are a promising target for modulating immune responses to vaccines to improve their efficacy. Using a viral vector system, we found that Treg act on the developing immune response early postinfection by reducing the extent of dendritic cell costimulatory molecule expression. Due to this change and the lower IL-2 production that results, a substantial fraction of CD8+ effector T cells lose CD25 expression several days after activation. Surprisingly, such Treg-dependent limitations in IL-2 signaling by Ag-activated CD8+ T cells prevent effector differentiation without interfering with memory cell formation. In this way, Treg fine-tune the numbers of effector T cells generated while preserving the capacity for a rapid recall response upon pathogen re-exposure. This selective effect of Treg on a subpopulation of CD8+ T cells indicates that although manipulation of the Treg compartment might not be optimal for prophylactic vaccinations, it can be potentially exploited to optimize vaccine efficacy for therapeutic interventions.
Journal Title: Journal of Immunology
Volume: 187
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0022-1767
Publisher: The American Association of Immunologists, Inc  
Date Published: 2011-09-15
Start Page: 3186
End Page: 3197
Language: English
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101649
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3169715
PUBMED: 21849683
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 2 November 2011" - "CODEN: JOIMA" - "Source: Scopus"
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