TGF-β and IL-21 cooperatively stimulate activated CD8+ T cells to differentiate into Tc17 cells

Hsin Wei Chen, Jy Ping Tsai, Tsung You Yao, Chia Ling Hsieh, I. Hua Chen, Shin Jen Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

TGF-β together with IL-21 or IL-6 can drive the differentiation of naïve CD8+ T cells into IL-17-producing CD8+ T cells. These IL-17-producing CD8+ T cells are termed Tc17 cells. Tc17 cells preserve plasticity under various conditions in vitro and in vivo. IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells are termed Tc1 cells. However, Tc1 cells are considered relatively stable. In the present study, we show that the combination of TGF-β plus IL-21, but not IL-6, converts Tc1 cells into Tc17 cells; this conversion is associated with elevated RORα, RORγt, and Batf mRNA levels. These results indicate that Tc1 cells are skewed to the Tc17 cell phenotype under TGF-β plus IL-21-polarizing conditions. Furthermore, IL-6R is expressed on naïve, but not activated, CD8+ T cells. In contrast, IL-21R is expressed on both naïve and activated CD8+ T cells. Thus, differential expression profiles of IL-6R and IL-21R on naïve and activated CD8+ T cells may be one mechanism by which TGF-β plus IL-21, but not IL-6, can drive activated CD8+ T cells to differentiate into IL-17-producing cells. Taken together, these results provide a novel viewpoint for the plasticity of Tc1 cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-27
Number of pages5
JournalImmunology Letters
Volume174
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • IL-21
  • IL-6
  • T cell plasticity
  • TGF-β
  • Tc1
  • Tc17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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