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Identification and characterization of T reg–like cells in zebrafish

Regulatory T (T reg) cells are a specialized sublineage of T lymphocytes that suppress autoreactive T cells. Functional studies of T reg cells in vitro have defined multiple suppression mechanisms, and studies of T reg–deficient humans and mice have made clear the important role that these cells pla...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Kasheta, Melissa, Painter, Corrie A., Moore, Finola E., Lobbardi, Riadh, Bryll, Alysia, Freiman, Eli, Stachura, David, Rogers, Arlin B., Houvras, Yariv, Langenau, David M., Ceol, Craig J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Rockefeller University Press 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5716030/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29066577
http://dx.doi.org/10.1084/jem.20162084
Descripción
Sumario:Regulatory T (T reg) cells are a specialized sublineage of T lymphocytes that suppress autoreactive T cells. Functional studies of T reg cells in vitro have defined multiple suppression mechanisms, and studies of T reg–deficient humans and mice have made clear the important role that these cells play in preventing autoimmunity. However, many questions remain about how T reg cells act in vivo. Specifically, it is not clear which suppression mechanisms are most important, where T reg cells act, and how they get there. To begin to address these issues, we sought to identify T reg cells in zebrafish, a model system that provides unparalleled advantages in live-cell imaging and high-throughput genetic analyses. Using a FOXP3 orthologue as a marker, we identified CD4-enriched, mature T lymphocytes with properties of T reg cells. Zebrafish mutant for foxp3a displayed excess T lymphocytes, splenomegaly, and a profound inflammatory phenotype that was suppressed by genetic ablation of lymphocytes. This study identifies T reg–like cells in zebrafish, providing both a model to study the normal functions of these cells in vivo and mutants to explore the consequences of their loss.