ovalbumin and Alopecia

To explore the interactions between regulatory T cells and pathogenic effector cytokines, we have developed a model of a T cell-mediated systemic autoimmune disorder resembling graft-versus-host disease. The cytokine responsible for tissue inflammation in this disorder is interleukin (IL)-17, whereas interferon (IFN)-gamma produced by Th1 cells has a protective effect in this setting. Because of the interest in potential therapeutic approaches utilizing transfer of regulatory T cells and inhibition of the IL-2 pathway, we have explored the roles of these in the systemic disease. We demonstrate that the production of IL-17 and tissue infiltration by IL-17-producing cells occur and are even enhanced in the absence of IL-2. Regulatory T cells favor IL-17 production but prevent the disease when administered early in the course by suppressing expansion of T cells. Thus, the pathogenic or protective effects of cytokines and the therapeutic capacity of regulatory T cells are crucially dependent on the timing and the nature of the disease.

Topics: Adoptive Transfer; Alopecia; Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Body Weight; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Disease Models, Animal; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Graft vs Host Disease; Inflammation; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-4; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Transgenic; Ovalbumin; Skin; T-Box Domain Proteins; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory