Inhibition of effector function but not T cell activation and increase in FoxP3 expression in T cells differentiated in the presence of PP14.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It was published in: PLoS One

2010; 5(9): e12868.

The published version is available at DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012868. Copyright © PLoS One.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: T-helper polarization of naïve T cells is determined by a complex mechanism that involves many factors, eventually leading to activation of Th1, Th2, or Th17 responses or alternatively the generation of regulatory T cells. Placental Protein 14 (PP14) is a 28 kDa glycoprotein highly secreted in early pregnancy that is able to desensitize T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and modulate T cell activation.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Prolonged antigen-specific stimulation of T cells in the presence of PP14 resulted in an impaired secretion of IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-17 upon restimulation, although the cells proliferated and expressed activation markers. Furthermore, the generation of regulatory CD4(+)CD25(high)Foxp3(+) T cells was induced in the presence of PP14, in both antigen-specific as well as polyclonal stimulation. In accordance with previous reports, we found that the induction of FoxP3 expression by PP14 is accompanied by down regulation of the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest that PP14 arrests T cells in a unique activated state that is not accompanied with the acquisition of effector function, together with promoting the generation of regulatory T cells. Taken together, our results may elucidate the role of PP14 in supporting immune tolerance in pregnancy by reducing T cell effector functions along with augmenting Treg differentiation.

PubMed ID

20886106

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS