T Cell Vaccination Inhibits Th1Th17Tfh Frequencies and Production of Autoantibodies in Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to determine whether the regulatory role of T cell vaccination (TCV) is through inhibition of Th1/Th17/Tfh and production of autoantibodies on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

First, CIA mice were treated with TCV.

After disease onset, the incidence and severity of change in joint histopathology were evaluated.

Mice in the TCV-treated group showed less disease severity and less infiltration of inflammatory cells in the joint sections.

TCV decreased the frequencies of Th1/Th17/Tfh cells and related cytokines.

Reduction of IL-21 may be associated with both Tfh and Th17, which further influence B cell and T cell responses.

In addition, inhibition of Th1/Th17/Tfh frequencies led to the reduced expression of T-bet, RORα, RORγt, and Bcl6.

Lastly, the proliferation of type-II-collagen-(CII-) specific T cells and the production of anti-CII antibodies were inhibited in the TCV-treated group.

The results provide novel evidence that the therapeutic effects of TCV on CIA are associated with the inhibition of Th1/Th17/Tfh frequencies and autoantibodies production.