CD7 and CD28 are required for murine CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell homeostasis and prevention of thyroiditis

J Immunol. 2004 Jan 15;172(2):787-94. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.2.787.

Abstract

CD7 and CD28 are T cell Ig superfamily molecules that share common signaling mechanisms. To determine roles CD7 and CD28 might play in peripheral lymphocyte development and function, we have generated CD7/CD28-double-deficient mice. CD7- and CD28-single-deficient and CD7/CD28-double-deficient mice had normal levels of CD4 and CD8-single-positive T cells in thymus and spleen. However, CD28-deficient mice had decreased CD4+CD25+ T cells in spleen compared with wild-type mice, and CD7/CD28-double-deficient mice had decreased numbers of CD4+CD25+ T cells in both thymus and spleen compared with both wild-type and CD28-deficient mice. Functional studies demonstrated that CD4+CD25+ T cells from CD28-deficient and CD7/CD28-double-deficient mice could mediate suppression of CD3 mAb activation of CD4+CD25- wild-type T cells, but were less potent than wild-type CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells. Thyroiditis developed in aged CD7/CD28-double-deficient mice (>1 year) that was not seen in age-matched control mice or single CD7- or CD28-deficient mice, thus suggesting in vivo loss of T regulatory cells allowed for the development of spontaneous thyroiditis. Taken together, these data demonstrated collaborative roles for both CD7 and CD28 in determination of number and function of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in the thymus and peripheral immune sites and in the development of spontaneous thyroiditis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, CD7 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD7 / physiology*
  • B7-1 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD28 Antigens / genetics
  • CD28 Antigens / physiology*
  • CD3 Complex / pharmacology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Homeostasis / immunology*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphopenia / genetics
  • Lymphopenia / immunology
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland / pathology
  • Thyroiditis / genetics
  • Thyroiditis / immunology*
  • Thyroiditis / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD7
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD3 Complex
  • Cd86 protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Concanavalin A