Uptake of apoptotic DC converts immature DC into tolerogenic DC that induce differentiation of Foxp3⁺ Treg

Abstract

DC apoptosis has been observed in patients with cancer and sepsis, and defects in DC apoptosis have been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms of how DC apoptosis affects immune responses, are unclear. In this study, we showed that immature viable DC have the ability to uptake apoptotic DC as well as necrotic DC without it being recognized as an inflammatory event by immature viable DC. However, the specific uptake of apoptotic DC converted immature viable DC into tolerogenic DC, which were resistant to LPS-induced maturation. These tolerogenic DC secreted increased levels of TGF-b1, which induced differentiation of naïve T cells into Foxp3 1 Treg. Furthermore, induction of Treg differentiation only occurred upon uptake of apoptotic DC and not apoptotic splenocytes by viable DC, indicating that it is specifically the uptake of apoptotic DC that gives viable immature DC the potential to induce Foxp3 1 Treg. Taken together, these findings identify uptake of apoptotic DC by viable immature DC as an immunologically tolerogenic event.Key words: Apoptosis . Autoimmunity . DC . Tolerance Introduction DC are professional antigen-presenting cells, which are well positioned in peripheral tissues to capture foreign antigens. DC are phagocytic and can ingest apoptotic cells, and hence are affected by the death of other cells in close proximity [1][2][3]. Clearance of apoptotic cells results in their removal from tissues, and provides protection from release of pro-inflammatory contents. Necrotic cells impact the immune response by acting as ''danger signals'', whereas apoptotic cells are cleared without an immunological response [3,4]. Studies have identified necrotic cells acting as adjuvants, whereas apoptotic cells have been reported as immunogenic [5][6][7] or immunosuppressive [8,9]. DC apoptosis in itself is an important event for maintenance of tolerance. Defects in DC apoptosis have been linked to the development of autoimmunity with systemic autoimmune diseases modeled in transgenic mice harboring defects in DC apoptosis [10] but not in mice with apoptosis defects in T and B cells [11][12][13]. However, it is unclear how defects in DC apoptosis 1022can trigger autoimmune responses. Furthermore, spontaneous DC apoptosis has been reported in sepsis as well as breast cancer patients with its significance being unclear [14][15][16]. Most patient deaths associated with sepsis occur at later time points and are associated with prolonged immunosuppression [17]. In this later stage, there is marked apoptosis of DC, with no effects on macrophage and neutrophil apoptosis. In addition, immunostimulants such as CpG DNA inhibit DC apoptosis [18], whereas the deficiency of pro-apoptotic Bim protein in DC results in autoimmunity [19].Immature DC have the ability to acquire protein complexes or soluble antigen using many different pathways such as macropinocytosis, endocytosis and even through ingestion of entire cells. Despite the importance of DC apoptosis in the immune response, studies ...

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