Bone marrow is a reservoir for CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells that traffic through CXCL12/CXCR4 signals

Cancer Res. 2004 Nov 15;64(22):8451-5. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-1987.

Abstract

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate peripheral T-cell homeostasis and contribute to self-tolerance. Their homeostatic and pathologic trafficking is poorly understood. Under homeostatic conditions, we show a relatively high prevalence of functional Tregs in human bone marrow. Bone marrow strongly expresses functional stromal-derived factor (CXCL12), the ligand for CXCR4. Human Tregs traffic to and are retained in bone marrow through CXCR4/CXCL12 signals as shown in chimeric nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces human bone marrow CXCL12 expression in vivo, associated with mobilization of marrow Tregs to peripheral blood in human volunteers. These findings show a mechanism for homeostatic Treg trafficking and indicate that bone marrow is a significant reservoir for Tregs. These data also suggest a novel mechanism explaining reduced acute graft-versus-host disease and improvement in autoimmune diseases following G-CSF treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism*
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology*
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC / metabolism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • DNA Primers
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor