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Defining the transcriptome of T cells transduced with FOXP3fl or FOXP3d2

ABSTRACT: Rationale - Regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress immune responses and have been shown to attenuate atherosclerosis. The Treg cell lineage specification factor FOXP3 is essential for Treg cells’ ability to uphold immunological tolerance. In humans, FOXP3 exists in several different isoforms, however, their specific role is poorly understood. Objective - To define the regulation and functions of the two major FOXP3 isoforms, FOXP3fl and FOXP3Δ2, as well as to establish whether their expression is associated with ischemic atherosclerotic disease. Methods and Results - Human primary T-cells were transduced with lentiviruses encoding distinct FOXP3 isoforms. The phenotype and function of these cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, in vitro suppression assays and RNA-sequencing. We also assessed the effect of activation on Treg cells isolated from healthy volunteers. Treg cell activation resulted in increased FOXP3 expression that predominantly was made up of FOXP3Δ2. FOXP3Δ2 induced specific transcription of GARP, which functions by tethering the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-β to the cell membrane of activated Treg cells. RT-PCR was used to determine the impact of alternative splicing of FOXP3 in relation with atherosclerotic plaque stability in a cohort of over 150 patients that underwent carotid endarterectomy. Plaque instability was associated with a lower FOXP3Δ2 transcript usage, when comparing plaques from patients without symptoms and patients with occurrence of recent (<1 month) vascular symptoms including minor stoke, transient ischemic attack or amaurosis fugax. No difference was detected in total levels of FOXP3 mRNA between these two groups. Conclusions - These results suggest that activated Treg cells suppress the atherosclerotic disease process and that FOXP3Δ2 controls a transcriptional program that acts protectively in human atherosclerotic plaques.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE113010 | GEO | 2019/03/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Regression of atherosclerosis is an important clinical goal, however the pathways that mediate the resolution of atherosclerotic inflammation and reversal of plaques are poorly understood. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to be atheroprotective, however numbers of these immunosuppressive cells decrease with disease progression. Using multiple independent mouse models of atherosclerosis regression, we demonstrate that an increase in plaque Tregs is a common signature of regressing plaques. To test if Tregs are required for the resolution of atherosclerotic inflammation and plaque regression during lipid-lowering therapy, we combined CD25 monoclonal antibody (PC61 mAb)-mediated Treg depletion with single-cell RNA-sequencing of immune cells in the plaque and conventional analyses of atherosclerosis. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that Tregs from aortic plaques shared some similarity with splenic Tregs, but were distinct from skin and colon Tregs supporting recent findings of tissue-dependent Treg heterogeneity. Furthermore, Tregs from progressing plaques expressed markers of natural Tregs derived from the thymus, whereas Tregs in regressing plaques lacked Nrp1 and Helios expression, suggesting that they are induced in the periphery during lipid lowering. Treatment of atherosclerotic mice with PC61 mAb effectively depleted Tregs in the blood and peripheral tissues, including plaques, and blocked the regression of atherosclerosis induced by apoB anti-sense oligonucleotides. Morphometric analyses revealed that control antibody-treated mice showed a 40% decrease in plaque burden and macrophage content under regression conditions, whereas PC61 mAb-treated mice showed no change in plaque size or inflammatory cell content compared to baseline. Moreover, Treg depletion enhanced inflammatory signaling and blocked tissue reparative functions of macrophages in the regressing plaque, including M2-polarization, efferocytosis and sensing of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators. Together, these data establish essential roles for Tregs in the resolution of atherosclerotic inflammation and plaque remodeling during regression.

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Defining the transcriptome of T cells transduced with FOXP3fl or FOXP3d2

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