CD103 integrin identifies a high IL-10-producing FoxP3 regulatory T-cell population suppressing allergic airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND

Although FoxP3 regulatory T (Treg) cells constitute a highly heterogeneous population, with different regulatory potential depending on the disease context, distinct subsets or phenotypes remain poorly defined. This hampers the development of immunotherapy for allergic and autoimmune disorders. The present study aimed at characterizing distinct FoxP3 Treg subpopulations involved in the suppression of Th2-mediated allergic inflammation in the lung.

METHODS

We used an established mouse model of allergic airway disease based on ovalbumin sensitization and challenge to analyze FoxP3 Tregs during the induction and resolution of inflammation, and identify markers that distinguish their most suppressive phenotypes. We also developed a new knock-in mouse model (Foxp3 Cd103 ) enabling the specific ablation of CD103 FoxP3 Tregs for functional studies.

RESULTS

We found that during resolution of allergic airway inflammation in mice >50% of FoxP3 Treg cells expressed the integrin CD103 which marks FoxP3 Treg cells of high IL-10 production, increased expression of immunoregulatory molecules such as KLRG1, ICOS and CD127, and enhanced suppressive capacity for Th2-mediated inflammatory responses. CD103 FoxP3 Tregs were essential for keeping allergic inflammation under control as their specific depletion in Foxp3 Cd103 mice lead to severe alveocapillary damage, eosinophilic pneumonia, and markedly reduced lifespan of the animals. Conversely, adoptive transfer of CD103 FoxP3 Tregs effectively treated disease, attenuating Th2 responses and allergic inflammation in an IL-10-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies a novel regulatory T-cell population, defined by CD103 expression, programmed to prevent exuberant type 2 inflammation and keep homeostasis in the respiratory tract under control. This has important therapeutic implications.