Foxp3 expression in induced regulatory T cells is stabilized by C/EBP in inflammatory environments (2018)
Figure 5

Figure 5 - Significant attenuation of experimental autoimmune encephalitis by C/EBPβ-transduced iTreg cells

A CD4+ naïve T cells from Foxp3EGFP mice were transduced with control retrovirus (MIN) or retrovirus encoding C/EBPβ (MIN-C/EBPβ) and stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 for 2 d in the presence of TGF-β, anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-4 Abs. GFP+(Foxp3+) hNGFR+ T cells were sorted to high purity (0 hr) and restimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 for 2 d in the presence of IL-4, IL-6, IL-12 or none. Foxp3 expression was assessed based on GFP expression. Data are representative of two independent experiments with consistent results.

B Flow cytometry of CFSE-labeled CD45.1+CD4+ T cells stimulated 3 d alone or together with CD45.2+GFP(Foxp3)+NGFR+-sorted CD4+ naïve T cells from Foxp3EGFP mice transduced with control retrovirus (Min) or retrovirus encoding C/EBPβ and cultured for 3 d in the presence of TGF-β, anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-4 Abs. Histograms are gated for CD45.1+. The ratios shown are responder to suppressor. Data are representative of two independent experiments with consistent results.

C EAE disease course of RAG2-/- mice that received CD45.1+2D2CD4+ naive T cells alone or together with CD4+GFP/Foxp3+ iTreg cells from CD45.1-2D2CD4+GFP(Foxp3)+ naïve T cells transduced with either control retrovirus (MIN) or retrovirus encoding C/EBPβ, cultured in the presence of TGF-β, anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-4 Abs and sorted based on GFP/Foxp3 expression. The recipients were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (100 ug) 1 d after transfer. Data show mean ± s.e.m of the EAE clinical score of 9 (day 1 to day 11), 5 (day 12 to day 16) or 4 (day 17 to day 20) mice of each group.

D, E (D) The percentage of IL-17-producing cells in CD45.1+Vβ11+ CD4+ T cells in the spinal cords 11 days after transfer. (E) The absolute number of IL-17A+CD45.1+Vβ11+CD4+ T cells in the spinal cords 11 days after transfer. Each symbol represents an individual mouse. Small horizontal lines indicate the mean (error bars, s.d).

F Flow cytometry of Foxp3 staining of splenic cells. Histograms are gated for CD45.1-CD4+Vβ11+. Data are representative of two independent experiments with consistent results.

G Body weight of RAG-2-/- mice after transfer with 5 x 105 CD45.1+CD4+CD45RBhigh cells alone (circles) or with 2 x 105 FACS-sorted CD45.1-CD4+GFP(Foxp3)+NGFR+ cells transduced with control retrovirus (Min)(filled rectangles) or retrovirus encoding C/EBPβ (empty rectangles) and cultured for 2 d in the presence of TGF-β, anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-4 Abs. Each time point contains three mice in each group. Error bars represent mean ± s.e.m.

H Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the distal colons of mice (Scale bars, 200μm).

I Histological scores. Each symbol represents an individual mouse. Small horizontal lines indicate the mean (error bars, s.e.m).

J The percentage of Foxp3+ cells in CD45.1-CD4+ T cells in colonic lamina propria 11 weeks after transfer.

Data information: Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA (C-E) or, unpaired two-tailed t-test (G, I). (*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001; ns, not significant).