摘要
Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1D)is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic β cells.In addition to well-established pathogenic effector T cells,regulatory T cells(Tregs)have also been shown to be defective in T1D.Thus,an increasing number of therapeutic approaches are being developed to target Tregs.However,the role and mechanisms of TGF-β-induced Tregs(iTregs)in T1D remain poorly understood.Here,using a streptozotocin(STZ)-induced preclinical T1D mouse model,we found that iTregs could ameliorate the development of T1D and preserve β cell function.The preventive effect was associated with the inhibition of type 1 cytotoxic T(Tel)cell function and rebalancing the Treg/Tc1 cell ratio in recipients.Furthermore,we showed that the underlying mechanisms were due to the TGF-β-mediated combinatorial actions of mTOR and TCF1.In addition to the preventive role,the therapeutic effects of iTregs on the established STZ-T1D and nonobese diabetic(NOD)mouse models were tested,which revealed improved β cell function.Our findings therefore provide key new insights into the basic mechanisms involved in the therapeutic role of iTregs in T1D.
基金
supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFAO105803)
the general program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81770826)
the Science and Technology Plan Projects of Guangdong Province(2019B020227003)
the Key Special Projects of Medical and Health of Guangzhou City(202007040003)
the 5010 Clinical Research Projects of Sun Yatsen University(2015015).
