| First Author | Kuczma M | Year | 2011 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 187 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 248-57 |
| PubMed ID | 21642545 | Mgi Jnum | J:176183 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5288585 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.1003785 |
| Citation | Kuczma M, et al. (2011) Connexin 43 signaling enhances the generation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. J Immunol 187(1):248-57 |
| abstractText | Despite their importance for the functioning of the immune system, thymic development and peripheral maintenance of Foxp3(+) regulatory T (T(R)) cells are poorly understood. We have found that connexin 43 (Cx43), expressed by thymic T(R) cells progenitors, supports T(R) development. Mice with deletion of the Cx43 gene induced in T cells produce only few T(R) cells and had increased proportion of activated T cells in the lymph nodes, suggesting impaired peripheral tolerance. Reduction of the T(R) cell numbers was accompanied by increased presence of CD4(+)CD25(+)GITR(+)Foxp3(-) T cells, which did not produce inflammatory cytokines and lost suppressor function. These results strongly argue that we have discovered a novel signaling pathway, controlled by Cx43, that enhances the generation of T(R) cells. We propose that a possible mechanism of Cx43 activity is by regulating Foxp3 expression in T(R) lineage cells. |
