TGF-β and Eomes control the homeostasis of CD8+ regulatory T cells.

TGF-β and Eomes control the homeostasis of CD8+ regulatory T cells.:

TGF-β and Eomes control the homeostasis of CD8+ regulatory T cells.

J Exp Med. 2021 Jan 04;218(1):

Authors: Mishra S, Liao W, Liu Y, Yang M, Ma C, Wu H, Zhao M, Zhang X, Qiu Y, Lu Q, Zhang N

Abstract

In addition to Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells (CD4+ T reg cells), Foxp3- CD8+ regulatory T cells (CD8+ T reg cells) are critical to maintain immune tolerance. However, the molecular programs that specifically control CD8+ but not CD4+ T reg cells are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that simultaneous disruption of both TGF-β receptor and transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes) in T cells results in lethal autoimmunity due to a specific defect in CD8+ but not CD4+ T reg cells. Further, TGF-β signal maintains the regulatory identity, while Eomes controls the follicular location of CD8+ T reg cells. Both TGF-β signal and Eomes coordinate to promote the homeostasis of CD8+ T reg cells. Together, we have identified a unique molecular program designed for CD8+ T reg cells.



PMID: 32991667 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]