Abstract
β-catenin is a central molecule in the Wnt pathway. Expression of a stable form of β-catenin on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells resulted in a marked enhancement of survival of these cells in vitro. Furthermore, stable β-catenin-expressing CD4 +CD25+ Treg cells outcompeted control T reg cells in vivo, and the number of Treg cells necessary for protection against inflammatory bowel disease could be substantially reduced when stable β-catenin-expressing CD4+CD25+ T reg cells were used instead of control Treg cells. Expression of stable β-catenin on potentially pathogenic CD4 +CD25- T cells rendered these cells anergic, and the β-catenin-mediated induction of anergy occurred even in Foxp3-deficient T cells. Thus, through enhanced survival of existing regulatory T cells, and through induction of unresponsiveness in precursors of T effector cells, β-catenin stabilization has a powerful effect on the prevention of inflammatory disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 162-169 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Nature Medicine |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |