CCR6 marks regulatory T cells as a colon-tropic, IL-10-producing phenotype

J Immunol. 2010 Sep 15;185(6):3295-304. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001156. Epub 2010 Aug 18.

Abstract

Expression of CCR6 and its ligand, CCL20, are increased in the colon of humans with inflammatory bowel diseases and mice with experimental colitis; however, their role in disease pathogenesis remains obscure. In this study, we demonstrate a role for CCR6 on regulatory T (Treg) cells in the T cell-transfer model of colitis. Rag2(-/-) mice given Ccr6(-/-)CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cells had more severe colitis with increased IFN-gamma-producing T cells, compared with the mice given wild-type cells. Although an equivalent frequency of induced/acquired Treg (iTreg) cells was observed in mesenteric lymph nodes and colon from both groups, the suppressive capacity of Ccr6(-/-) iTreg cells was impaired. Cotransfer studies of wild-type or Ccr6(-/-) Treg cells with CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cells also showed a defect in suppression by Ccr6(-/-) Treg cells. CCR6(+) Treg cells were characterized as Ag-activated and IL-10-producing in the steady-state and preferentially migrated to the colon during inflammation. Thus, we conclude that CCR6 expression on Treg cells was required for the full function of Treg cell-mediated suppression in the T cell-transfer model of colitis. CCR6 may contribute to the regulation of colitis by directing its function in Ag-specific, IL-10-producing iTreg cells to the inflamed colon.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Colitis / genetics
  • Colitis / immunology*
  • Colitis / pathology*
  • Colitis / prevention & control
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping*
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, CCR6 / deficiency
  • Receptors, CCR6 / genetics*
  • Receptors, CCR6 / physiology
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / immunology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / transplantation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*

Substances

  • CCR6 protein, human
  • CCR6 protein, mouse
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Rag2 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interferon-gamma