Th17-cell plasticity in Helicobacter hepaticus–induced intestinal inflammation (original) (raw)

A model of TH17-associated ileal hyperplasia that requires both IL-17A and IFNγ to generate self-tolerance and prevent colitis

Mucosal immunology, 2018

Homeostasis in the ileum, which is commonly disrupted in patients with Crohn's disease, involves ongoing immune responses. To study how homeostatic processes of the ileum impact CD4T cell responses, we used TCR transgenic tools to breed mice that spontaneously produced CD4T cells reactive to an antigen expressed in the ileum. At an early age, the ilea of these mice exhibit crypt hyperplasia and accumulate increased numbers of T17 cells bearing non-transgenic clonotypes. Half of these mice subsequently developed colitis linked to broad mucosal infiltration by T17 and T1 cells expressing non-transgenic clonotypes, chronic wasting disease and loss of ileal crypt hyperplasia. By contrast, adult mice with normal growth continued to exhibit T17-associated ileal crypt hyperplasia and additionally accumulated ileal-reactive Treg cells. Both IL-17A and IFNγ were protective, as their deficiency precluded ileal-reactive Treg accumulation and exacerbated colitic disease. IL-23R blockade pre...

Pathogenicity of in-vivo generated intestinal Th17 lymphocytes is IFNγ dependent

Journal of Crohn's & colitis, 2018

Th17 cells are crucially involved in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans. Nevertheless, pharmacological blockade of IL17A, the Th17 signature cytokine, yielded negative results in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and attempts to elucidate the determinants of Th17 cells pathogenicity in the gut have so far proved unsuccessful. Here, we aimed to identify and functionally validate the pathogenic determinants of intestinal IL-17-producing T cells. In-vivo generated murine intestinal IL-17-producing T cells were adoptively transferred into immunodeficient Rag1-/- recipients to test their pathogenicity. Human IL-17-, IFNγ/ IL-17 and IFNγ- actively secreting T cell clones were generated from lamina propria lymphocytes of CD patients. The pathogenic activity of intestinal IL-17-producing T cells against the intestinal epithelium was evaluated. IL-17-producing cells with variable colitogenic activity can be generated in-vivo by different experimental coliti...

Bacteria-triggered CD4+ T Regulatory Cells Suppress Helicobacter hepaticus-induced Colitis

Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2002

We have previously demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-10-deficient (IL-10 knockout [KO]) but not wild-type (WT) mice develop colitis after infection with Helicobacter hepaticus . Here, we show that infected recombination activating gene (RAG) KO mice develop intestinal inflammation after reconstitution with CD4 ϩ T cells from IL-10 KO animals and that the cotransfer of CD4 ϩ T cells from H. hepaticus -infected but not uninfected WT mice prevents this colitis. The disease-protective WT CD4 ϩ cells are contained within the CD45RB low fraction and unexpectedly were found in both the CD25 ϩ and the CD25 Ϫ subpopulations of these cells, their frequency being higher in the latter. The mechanism by which CD25 ϩ and CD25 Ϫ CD45RB low CD4 ϩ cells block colitis involves IL-10 and not transforming growth factor (TGF)-␤ , as treatment with anti-IL-10R but not anti-TGF-␤ monoclonal antibody abrogated their protective effect. In vitro, CD45RB low CD4 ϩ cells from infected WT mice were shown to produce IL-10 and suppress interferon-␥ production by IL-10 KO CD4 ϩ cells in an H. hepaticus antigen-specific manner. Together, our data support the concept that H. hepaticus infection results in the induction in WT mice of regulatory T cells that prevent bacteria-induced colitis. The induction of such cells in response to gut flora may be a mechanism protecting normal individuals against inflammatory bowel disease.

Circulating and Gut-resident Human Th17 Cells Express CD161 and Promote Intestinal Inflammation

Clinical Immunology, 2009

The C-type lectin-like receptor CD161, which has recently been described to promote T cell expansion, is expressed on a discrete subset of human CD4 T cells. The function of such cells, however, has remained elusive. We now demonstrate that CD161 + CD4 T cells comprise a circulating and gut-resident T helper 17 (Th17) cell population. During Crohn ' s disease (CD), these CD161 + cells display an activated Th17 phenotype, as indicated by increased expression of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, and IL-23 receptor. CD161 + CD4 T cells from CD patients readily produce IL-17 and interferon ␥ upon stimulation with IL-23, whereas, in healthy subjects, priming by additional infl ammatory stimuli such as IL-1 ␤ was required to enable IL-23 -induced cytokine release. Circulating CD161 + Th17 cells are imprinted for gut homing, as indicated by high levels of CC chemokine receptor 6 and integrin ␤ 7 expression. Supporting their colitogenic phenotype, CD161 + Th17 cells were found in increased numbers in the infl ammatory infi ltrate of CD lesions and induced expression of infl ammatory mediators by intestinal cells. Our data identify CD161 + CD4 T cells as a resting Th17 pool that can be activated by IL-23 and mediate destructive tissue infl ammation.

S1719 Regulation of Gut Inflammation and TH17 Cell Response By Interleukin-21

Gastroenterology, 2008

Interleukin (IL)-21, a T-cellderived cytokine, is overproduced in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its role in the pathogenesis of gut inflammation remains unknown. We here examined whether IL-21 is necessary for the initiation and progress of experimental colitis and whether it regulates specific pathways of inflammation. Methods: Both dextran sulfate sodium colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis were induced in wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice. CD4 ؉ CD25 ؊ T cells from wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice were differentiated in T helper cell (Th)17polarizing conditions, with or without IL-21 or an antagonistic IL-21R/Fc. We also examined whether blockade of IL-21 by anti-IL-21 antibody reduced IL-17 in cultures of IBD lamina propria CD3 ؉ T lymphocytes. Cytokines were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: High IL-21 was seen in wild-type mice with dextran sulfate sodium-and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis. IL-21-deficient mice were largely protected against both colitides and were unable to up-regulate Th17-associated molecules during gut inflammation, thus suggesting a role for IL-21 in controlling Th17 cell responses. Indeed, naïve T cells from IL-21-deficient mice failed to differentiate into Th17 cells. Treatment of developing Th17 cells from wild-type mice with IL-21R/Fc reduced IL-17 production. Moreover, in the presence of transforming growth factor-␤1, exogenous IL-21 substituted for IL-6 in driving IL-17 induction. Neutralization of IL-21 reduced IL-17 secretion by IBD lamina propria lymphocytes. Conclusions: These results indicate that IL-21 is a critical regulator of inflammation and Th17 cell responses in the gut.

Regulation of Gut Inflammation and Th17 Cell Response by Interleukin-21

Gastroenterology, 2008

Interleukin (IL)-21, a T-cellderived cytokine, is overproduced in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its role in the pathogenesis of gut inflammation remains unknown. We here examined whether IL-21 is necessary for the initiation and progress of experimental colitis and whether it regulates specific pathways of inflammation. Methods: Both dextran sulfate sodium colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis were induced in wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice. CD4 ؉ CD25 ؊ T cells from wild-type and IL-21-deficient mice were differentiated in T helper cell (Th)17polarizing conditions, with or without IL-21 or an antagonistic IL-21R/Fc. We also examined whether blockade of IL-21 by anti-IL-21 antibody reduced IL-17 in cultures of IBD lamina propria CD3 ؉ T lymphocytes. Cytokines were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: High IL-21 was seen in wild-type mice with dextran sulfate sodium-and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing colitis. IL-21-deficient mice were largely protected against both colitides and were unable to up-regulate Th17-associated molecules during gut inflammation, thus suggesting a role for IL-21 in controlling Th17 cell responses. Indeed, naïve T cells from IL-21-deficient mice failed to differentiate into Th17 cells. Treatment of developing Th17 cells from wild-type mice with IL-21R/Fc reduced IL-17 production. Moreover, in the presence of transforming growth factor-␤1, exogenous IL-21 substituted for IL-6 in driving IL-17 induction. Neutralization of IL-21 reduced IL-17 secretion by IBD lamina propria lymphocytes. Conclusions: These results indicate that IL-21 is a critical regulator of inflammation and Th17 cell responses in the gut.

TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) regulates Th17-mediated intestinal immunopathology in colitis

Mucosal Immunology, 2014

Gastrointestinal mucosa reserves abundant Th17 cells where host response to commensal bacteria maintains Th17-cell generation. Although functional heterogeneity and dynamic plasticity of Th17 cells appear to be involved in chronic inflammatory disorders, how their plasticity is regulated in intestinal mucosa is unknown. Here we show that innate TRIF signaling regulates intestinal Th17-cell generation and plasticity during colitis. Absence of TRIF in mice resulted in increased severity of experimental colitis, which was associated with aberrant generation of Th17 cells especially of interferon (IFN)-c-expressing Th17 cells in the lamina propria. The abnormal generation and plasticity of Th17 cells involved impaired expression of interleukin (IL)-27p28 by lamina propria macrophages but not dendritic cells. Treatment of TRIF-deficient mice with IL-27p28 during colitis reduced the number and IFN-c expression of Th17 cells in the intestine. In vitro, TRIF-deficient macrophages induced more Th17 cells than wild-type (WT) macrophages during coculture with WT naive T cells in response to cecal bacterial antigen. Many of Th17 cells induced by TRIF-deficient macrophages expressed IFN-c due to impaired expression of IL-27p28 by macrophages and defective activation of STAT1 in T cells. These results outline TRIF-dependent regulatory mechanism by which host response to intestinal bacteria maintains Th17-cell-mediated pathology during colitis.

Th17 Cell-Mediated Colitis Is Positively Regulated by Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 in a T Cell-Extrinsic Manner

Frontiers in Immunology

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are characterized by chronic, inflammatory gastrointestinal lesions and often require life-long treatment with immunosuppressants and repetitive surgical interventions. Despite progress in respect to the characterization of molecular mechanisms e.g. exerted by TNF-alpha, currently clinically approved therapeutics fail to provide long-term disease control for most patients. The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play important developmental as well as functional roles within multiple immune cells. In the context of colitis, a T cell-intrinsic role of IRF4 in driving immune-mediated gut pathology is established. Here, we conversely addressed the impact of IRF4 inactivation in non-T cells on T cell driven colitis in vivo. Employing the CD4+CD25− naïve T cell transfer model, we found that T cells fail to elicit colitis in IRF4-deficient compared to IRF4-proficient Rag1−/− mice. Reduced colitis activity in the a...