Induction of Colonic Regulatory T Cells by Indigenous Clostridium Species

Overview

Journal Science

Specialty Science

Date 2011 Jan 6

PMID 21205640

Citations 1890

Authors

Koji Atarashi

Takeshi Tanoue

Tatsuichiro Shima

Akemi Imaoka

Tomomi Kuwahara

Yoshika Momose

Genhong Cheng

Sho Yamasaki

Takashi Saito

Yusuke Ohba

Tadatsugu Taniguchi

Kiyoshi Takeda

Shohei Hori

Ivaylo I Ivanov

Yoshinori Umesaki

Kikuji Itoh

Kenya Honda

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

CD4(+) T regulatory cells (T(regs)), which express the Foxp3 transcription factor, play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Here, we show that in mice, T(regs) were most abundant in the colonic mucosa. The spore-forming component of indigenous intestinal microbiota, particularly clusters IV and XIVa of the genus Clostridium, promoted T(reg) cell accumulation. Colonization of mice by a defined mix of Clostridium strains provided an environment rich in transforming growth factor-β and affected Foxp3(+) T(reg) number and function in the colon. Oral inoculation of Clostridium during the early life of conventionally reared mice resulted in resistance to colitis and systemic immunoglobulin E responses in adult mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach to autoimmunity and allergy.

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