Recent studies have revealed various Foxp3− regulatory T (Treg) cell subsets effectively protect mice from colitis. In the present study, we demonstrated that B cells induced a particular subset of regulatory T (Treg-of-B) cells, expressing programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), inducible costimulator (ICOS), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), and OX-40, did not express Foxp3. Treg-of-B cells produced abundant levels of IL-10 and low levels of IL-4 and TGF-β. Adoptive transfer of Treg-of-B cells protected mice from CD4+CD45RBhi T-cell-induced colitis, including infiltration of leukocytes, depletion of goblet cells, epithelial hyperplasia, and inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cytokines. These features were similar to IL-10-producing type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells; however, IL-10-deficient Treg-of-B cells maintained their suppressive function in vitro as well as in vivo, while the regulation of Tr1 cells depended on IL-10. In conclusion, Treg-of-B cells protected against experimental colitis through an IL-10-independent mechanism. We reported a novel subpopulation of regulatory T cells was different from conventional Foxp3+ Treg and IL-10-producing Tr1 cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.