Affinity for self antigen selects Treg cells with distinct functional properties.

Abstract

How regulatory T cells (Treg cell) control lymphocyte homeostasis is not fully understood. Here we identify two Treg cell populations with differing degrees of self-reactivity and distinct regulatory functions. Triplehi (GITRhiPD-1hiCD25hi) Treg cell are highly self-reactive and control lympho-proliferation in peripheral lymph nodes. Triplelo (GITRloPD-1loCD25lo) Treg cells are less self-reactive and limit development of colitis by promoting conversion of CD4+ Tconv cells into induced Treg cells (iTreg cells). Although Foxp3-deficient (scurfy) mice lack Treg cells, they contain Triplehi-like and Triplelo-like CD4+ T cells with distinct pathological properties. Scurfy TriplehiCD4+T cells infiltrate the skin whereas scurfy TripleloCD4+T cells induce colitis and wasting disease. These findings indicate that T cell receptor affinity for self-antigens drives the differentiation of Tregs into distinct subsets with non-overlapping regulatory activities.