
pmid: 23911408
Leprosy is a chronic human disease that results from infection of Mycobacterium leprae. T reg cells have been shown to have important implications in various diseases. However, in leprosy, it is still unclear whether T regs can mediate immune suppression during progression of the disease. In the present study, we have proposed the putative mechanism leading to high proportion of T reg cells and investigated its significance in human leprosy. High levels of TGF-β followed by adaptation of FoxP3(+) naive and memory (CD4(+)CD45RA(+)/RO(+)) T cells were observed as the principal underlying factors leading to higher generation of T reg cells during disease progression. Furthermore, TGF-β was found to be associated with increased phosphorylation-mediated-nuclear-import of SMAD3 and NFAT towards BL/LL pole to facilitate FoxP3 expression in these cells, the same as justified after using nuclear inhibitors of SMAD3 (SIS3) and NFAT (cyclosporin A) in CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in the presence of TGF-β and IL-2. Interestingly, low ubiquitination of FoxP3 in T reg cells of BL/LL patients was revealed to be a major driving force in conferring stability to FoxP3 which in turn is linked to suppressive potential of T regs. The present study has also pinpointed the presence of CD4(+)CD25(+)IL-10(+) sub class of T regs (Tr1) in leprosy.
Adult, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cell Nucleus, Male, Adolescent, NFATC Transcription Factors, Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit, Acetylation, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Middle Aged, Isoquinolines, Leprosy, Cyclosporine, Humans, Interleukin-2, Leukocyte Common Antigens, Female, Phosphorylation, Immunosuppressive Agents
Adult, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cell Nucleus, Male, Adolescent, NFATC Transcription Factors, Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit, Acetylation, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Middle Aged, Isoquinolines, Leprosy, Cyclosporine, Humans, Interleukin-2, Leukocyte Common Antigens, Female, Phosphorylation, Immunosuppressive Agents
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