Abstract
Il2 allelic variation in non-obese diabetic mice imparts marked resistance to type 1 diabetes. IL-2 is pivotal for the fitness and homeostasis of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, and the Idd3B6 locus augments IL-2 production by effector T cells, which in turn enhances the potency of Treg cell functions. Given the important role dendritic cells (DCs) play in Treg cell-mediated tolerance induction, we hypothesized that DCs from Idd3B6 congenic mice contribute to increased Treg cell activity. Here, we observed that CD11c+ DCs, harboring protective Idd3B6 genes, are endowed with the capacity to secrete IL-2, enabling them to preferentially promote Treg cell functions in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that Il2 gene variation may imprint DCs to favor T-cell regulation of autoimmunity.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported from the grants of CIHR (MOP67211) and CDA (#GA-3-05-1898-CP). C.A.P. holds the Canada Research Chair.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.