Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family proteins mediate many vital biological functions in growth, development and regulation of the immune system. TGF-β itself controls immune homeostasis and inflammation, including conversion of naïve CD4 T cells into Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the presence of IL-2 and T cell receptor ligands. The helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus exploits this pathway through a structurally novel TGF-β mimic (Hp-TGM), which binds to mammalian TGF-β receptors and induces Tregs. Here, we performed detailed comparisons of Hp-TGM with mammalian TGF-β. Compared to TGF-β, Hp-TGM induced greater numbers of Foxp3 Tregs (iTregs), with more intense Foxp3 expression. B... More
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family proteins mediate many vital biological functions in growth, development and regulation of the immune system. TGF-β itself controls immune homeostasis and inflammation, including conversion of naïve CD4 T cells into Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the presence of IL-2 and T cell receptor ligands. The helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus exploits this pathway through a structurally novel TGF-β mimic (Hp-TGM), which binds to mammalian TGF-β receptors and induces Tregs. Here, we performed detailed comparisons of Hp-TGM with mammalian TGF-β. Compared to TGF-β, Hp-TGM induced greater numbers of Foxp3 Tregs (iTregs), with more intense Foxp3 expression. Both ligands upregulated Treg functional markers CD73, CD103 and PD-L1, but Hp-TGM induced significantly higher CD39 expression than did TGF-β. Interestingly, in contrast to canonical TGF-β signalling through Smad2/3, Hp-TGM stimulation was slower and more sustained. Gene expression profiles induced by TGF-β and Hp-TGM were remarkably similar, and both types of iTregs suppressed T cell responses in vitro and EAE-driven inflammation in vivo. In vitro, both types of iTregs were equally stable under inflammatory conditions, but Hp-TGM-induced iTregs were more stable in vivo during DSS-induced colitis, with greater retention of Foxp3 expression and lower conversion to a ROR-γt phenotype. Altogether, results from this study suggest that the parasite cytokine mimic, Hp-TGM, may deliver a qualitatively different signal to CD4 T cells with downstream consequences for the long-term stability of iTregs. These data highlight the potential of Hp-TGM as a new modulator of T cell responses in vitro and in vivo.
