%0 Journal Article
%T Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) differentially depletes na ve and memory T cells and permits memory-type regulatory T cells in nonobese diabetic mice
%A Xia Chang-Qing
%A Chernatynskaya Anna V
%A Wasserfall Clive H
%A Wan Suigui
%J BMC Immunology
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-2172-13-70
%X Background ATG has been employed to deplete T cells in several immune-mediated conditions. However, whether ATG administration affects na ve and memory T cell differently is largely unknown. The context and purpose of the study In this study, we assessed how murine ATG therapy affected T cell subsets in NOD mice, based on their regulatory and na ve or memory phenotype, as well as its influence on antigen-specific immune responses. Results Peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells post-ATG therapy declined to their lowest levels at day 3, while CD4+ T cells returned to normal levels more rapidly than CD8+ T cells. ATG therapy failed to eliminate antigen-primed T cells. CD4+ T cell responses post-ATG therapy skewed to T helper type 2 (Th2) and possibly IL-10-producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells. Intriguingly, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were less sensitive to ATG depletion and remained at higher levels following in vivo recovery compared to controls. Of note, the frequency of Foxp3+ Tregs with memory T cell phenotype was significantly increased in ATG-treated animals. Conclusion ATG therapy may modulate antigen-specific immune responses through inducing memory-like regulatory T cells as well as other protective T cells such as Th2 and IL-10-producing Tr1 cells.
%K Anti-thymocyte globulin
%K Na ve and memory T cells
%K Regulatory T cells
%K T helper cell
%K Autoimmune diabetes
%K Nonobese diabetic mouse
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/13/70