Reciprocal differentiation and tissue-specific pathogenesis of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in graft-versus-host disease

T Yi, Y Chen, L Wang, G Du, D Huang… - Blood, The Journal …, 2009 - ashpublications.org
T Yi, Y Chen, L Wang, G Du, D Huang, D Zhao, H Johnston, J Young, I Todorov, DT Umetsu…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2009ashpublications.org
In acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), naive donor CD4+ T cells recognize alloantigens
on host antigen-presenting cells and differentiate into T helper (Th) subsets (Th1, Th2, and
Th17 cells), but the role of Th subsets in GVHD pathogenesis is incompletely characterized.
Here we report that, in an MHC-mismatched model of C57BL/6 donor to BALB/c recipient,
WT donor CD4+ T cells predominantly differentiated into Th1 cells and preferentially
mediated GVHD tissue damage in gut and liver. However, absence of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in …
In acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), naive donor CD4+ T cells recognize alloantigens on host antigen-presenting cells and differentiate into T helper (Th) subsets (Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells), but the role of Th subsets in GVHD pathogenesis is incompletely characterized. Here we report that, in an MHC-mismatched model of C57BL/6 donor to BALB/c recipient, WT donor CD4+ T cells predominantly differentiated into Th1 cells and preferentially mediated GVHD tissue damage in gut and liver. However, absence of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in CD4+ T cells resulted in augmented Th2 and Th17 differentiation and exacerbated tissue damage in lung and skin; absence of both IL-4 and IFN-γ resulted in augmented Th17 differentiation and preferential, although not exclusive, tissue damage in skin; and absence of both IFN-γ and IL-17 led to further augmentation of Th2 differentiation and idiopathic pneumonia. The tissue-specific GVHD mediated by Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells was in part associated with their tissue-specific migration mediated by differential expression of chemokine receptors. Furthermore, lack of tissue expression of the IFN-γ–inducible B7-H1 played a critical role in augmenting the Th2-mediated idiopathic pneumonia. These results indicate donor CD4+ T cells can reciprocally differentiate into Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells that mediate organ-specific GVHD.
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