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pubmed:abstractText |
Estrogen [17-beta-estradiol (E2)] is a potent driver of the FoxP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) compartment. Recently, Tregs were further characterized by intracellular expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule, programmed death-1 (PD-1). To clarify the role of PD-1 versus FoxP3 in E2-enhanced Treg suppression, we evaluated both markers and functional suppression in wild-type, estrogen receptor knockout (ERKO) mice and PD-1 KO mice. We demonstrate that intracellular PD-1 expression is also E2 sensitive, since E2 treatment increased intracellular PD-1 levels in CD4+FoxP3+ cells, and PD-1 expression and Treg suppression were reduced in ERKO mice. Surprisingly, PD-1 KO mice retained normal levels of FoxP3 expression, but Tregs from these mice lacked functional suppression. However, E2 pre-treatment of PD-1 KO mice partially restored functional Treg suppression without enhancing FoxP3 expression. Thus, functional Treg suppression in immunized mice without E2 pre-treatment was more closely linked to PD-1 expression than to FoxP3 expression. However, although enhanced PD-1 expression was E2 dependent, functional suppression was still enhanced by E2 pre-treatment in the absence of PD-1. These data clearly demonstrate that E2 can affect multiple regulatory elements that influence Treg suppression, including both PD-1-dependent and PD-1-independent pathways.
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pubmed:affiliation |
Neuroimmunology Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, R&D-31, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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pubmed:publicationType |
Journal Article,
Comparative Study,
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.,
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't,
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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