CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells protect the proinflammatory activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of CD4(+)CD25(+)forkhead box P 3 (Foxp3)(+) T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in protecting the activation and function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by proinflammatory stimulus and the mechanisms of it.

Methods and results: ECs play a major role in atherogenic initiation, changing their quiescence into activated phenotypes to support every phase of the inflammatory process. HUVECs were incubated alone, with Tregs or CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies for 48 hours, and then were stimulated with or without oxidized low-density lipoprotein/lipopolysaccharide for an additional 24 hours. Tregs are able to induce alternative expression of immune phenotypic markers of activated HUVECs by down modulating CD86 and to inhibit the adhesion molecule, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and proinflammatory cytokine (eg, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin 6), response of HUVECs to oxidized low-density lipoprotein/lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, Tregs downregulate proinflammatory factor nuclear factor-κB activation and induce resistance to suppression of anti-inflammatory factor Kruppellike factor 2 in HUVECs induced by a proinflammatory stimulus. Mechanism studies reveal that Treg-mediated suppression of HUVEC proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule expression impaired by oxidized low-density lipoprotein/lipopolysaccharide require cell contact by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and CD86 and by soluble factors (mainly interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β).

Conclusions: Tregs may exert their protective effects against atherogenesis in part through inducing an immune-inhibitory phenotype of ECs involving cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4-dependent cell-to-cell contact and also requiring soluble factors (mainly interleukin 10 and TGF-β).