Diversity of regulatory CD4+ T cells controlling distinct organ-specific autoimmune diseases

Depletion of selected regulatory CD4(+) T cell subsets induces the spontaneous onset of various immune or autoimmune disorders. It is not clear, however, whether a given subset, notably CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, protects from a wide spectrum of immune disorders, or whether specialized subsets of regulatory T cells control each given disease or group of diseases. We report here, using diabetes prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, that depending on the regulatory T cells that are depleted, i.e., CD25(+), CD62L(+), or CD45RB(low), distinct immune diseases appear after transfer into NOD severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) recipients. Thus, reconstitution of NOD SCID mice with CD25(-) T cells induces major gastritis and late-onset diabetes, but no or mild colitis. Reconstitution with CD62L(-)T cells induces fulminant diabetes with no colitis or gastritis. Reconstitution with CD45RB(high) T cells induces major colitis with wasting disease and no or very moderate gastritis and diabetes. Major differences among the three regulatory T cell subsets are also seen in vitro. The bulk of suppressor cells inhibiting the proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in coculture is concentrated within the CD25+ but not the CD62L(+) or CD45RB(low) T cell subsets. Similarly, cytokine production patterns are significantly different for each regulatory T cell subset. Collectively, these data point to the diversity and organ selectivity of regulatory T cells controlling distinct autoimmune diseases whatever the underlying mechanisms.