Transient Treg-cell depletion in adult mice results in persistent self-reactive CD4 T-cell responses

Abstract

Depletion of Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in adults results in chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease. However, the impact of transient Treg-cell depletion on self-reactive responses is poorly defined. Here, we studied the effect of transient depletion of Treg cells on CD4+ T-cell responses to endogenous self-antigens. Short-term ablation of Treg cells in mice resulted in rapid activation of CD4+ T cells, increased percentage of IFN-γ+ and Th17 cells in lymphoid organs, and development of autoimmune gastritis. To track self-reactive responses, we analyzed the activation of naïve gastric-specific CD4+ T cells. There was a dramatic increase in proliferation and acquisition of effe..