The Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell Defect in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficient Mice Is Associated with T Cell Hyperactivation during Intestinal Infection.

TitleThe Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell Defect in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficient Mice Is Associated with T Cell Hyperactivation during Intestinal Infection.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsWagage, S, Pritchard, GHarms, Dawson, L, Buza, EL, Sonnenberg, GF, Hunter, CA
JournalPLoS One
Volume10
Issue5
Paginatione0128335
Date Published2015
ISSN1932-6203
KeywordsAnimals, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors, Immunity, Innate, Interleukins, Intestinal Diseases, Mice, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3, Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon, T-Lymphocytes, Toxoplasma, Toxoplasmosis, Animal
Abstract

Intestinal infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii results in the translocation of commensal bacteria to peripheral organs and the development of a T cell response specific to the microbiota. In naïve mice, the recently described RORγt+ group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC) population plays a critical role in promoting intestinal barrier function and limiting responses to gut-resident commensal bacteria. Given this role for group 3 ILCs, studies were performed to evaluate whether these cells might influence the immune response to mucosal infection with T. gondii. Phenotypic characterization of RORγt+ ILCs in T. gondii infected mice revealed that this population decreased following challenge but the population that remained expressed costimulatory molecules and IL-22. One factor that influences the maintenance of RORγt+ ILCs is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, and Ahr-/- mice have a marked defect in the lamina propria group 3 ILC population. When Ahr-/- mice were challenged with T. gondii, they lost more weight than wild type controls. This disease course in Ahr-/- animals was associated with increased T cell responses to Toxoplasma antigen and crude commensal antigen preparations. Together, these data suggest that group 3 ILCs have a role in limiting T cell activation during intestinal infection.

DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0128335
Alternate JournalPLoS ONE
PubMed ID26010337
PubMed Central IDPMC4444139
Grant ListP30 CA016520 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI110201 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
T32 AI007532 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
NIHR01AI-110201 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States