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Duijn, J. van; Jong, M.J.M. de; Benne, N.; Leboux, R.J.T.; Ooijen, M.E. van; Kruit, N.; ... ; Slütter, B. (2020)

Tc17 CD8+ T-cells accumulate in murine atherosclerotic lesions, but do not contribute to early atherosclerosis development

Article / Letter to editor
CD8+ T-cells can differentiate into subpopulations that are characterized by a specific cytokine profile, such as the Tc17 population that produces IL-17. The role of this CD8+ T-cell subset in atherosclerosis remains elusive. In this study, we therefore investigated the contribution of Tc17 cells to the development of atherosclerosis.\nFlow cytometry analysis of atherosclerotic lesions from apoE-/- mice revealed a pronounced increase in RORγt+CD8+ T-cells compared to the spleen, indicating a lesion-specific increase in Tc17 cells. To study whether and how the Tc17 subset affects atherosclerosis, we performed an adoptive transfer of Tc17 cells or undifferentiated Tc0 cells into CD8-/-LDLr-/- mice fed a Western-type diet. Using flow cytometry, we showed that Tc17 cells retained a high level of IL-17A production in vivo. Moreover, Tc17 cells produced lower levels of IFN-γ than their Tc0 counterparts. Analysis of the aortic root revealed that the transfer of Tc17 cells did not...Show moreCD8+ T-cells can differentiate into subpopulations that are characterized by a specific cytokine profile, such as the Tc17 population that produces IL-17. The role of this CD8+ T-cell subset in atherosclerosis remains elusive. In this study, we therefore investigated the contribution of Tc17 cells to the development of atherosclerosis.\nFlow cytometry analysis of atherosclerotic lesions from apoE-/- mice revealed a pronounced increase in RORγt+CD8+ T-cells compared to the spleen, indicating a lesion-specific increase in Tc17 cells. To study whether and how the Tc17 subset affects atherosclerosis, we performed an adoptive transfer of Tc17 cells or undifferentiated Tc0 cells into CD8-/-LDLr-/- mice fed a Western-type diet. Using flow cytometry, we showed that Tc17 cells retained a high level of IL-17A production in vivo. Moreover, Tc17 cells produced lower levels of IFN-γ than their Tc0 counterparts. Analysis of the aortic root revealed that the transfer of Tc17 cells did not increase atherosclerotic lesion size, in contrast to Tc0-treated mice.\nThese findings demonstrate a lesion-localized increase in Tc17 cells in an atherosclerotic mouse model. Tc17 cells appeared to be non-atherogenic, in contrast to their Tc0 counterpart.\nCD8+ T-cells are present in high numbers in human atherosclerotic plaques, however their role in inflammation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains elusive. Our results indicate that the majority of CD8+ T-cells in atherosclerotic plaques of mice have lost their ability to produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and gain traits of IL-17-producing CD8+ T-cells (Tc17 cells). We show that this subset of CD8+ T-cells is less atherogenic then IFN-γ producing Tc1 cells.Show less
All authors
Duijn, J. van; Jong, M.J.M. de; Benne, N.; Leboux, R.J.T.; Ooijen, M.E. van; Kruit, N.; Foks, A.C.; Jiskoot, W.; Bot, I.; Kuiper, J.; Slütter, B.
Date
2020-10-16
Journal
Cardiovascular Research
Advanced Publication
Yes
DOI
doi:10.1093/cvr/cvaa286