Regulatory T Cells Control VEGF-Dependent Skin Inflammation

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from LEO Pharma's Department of Pharmacology in Ballerup, Denmark, have published a study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, detailing the crucial role of regulatory T cells in controlling vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent skin inflammation. The study's findings reveal that a single injection of regulatory T cells can effectively reduce inflammation and proinflammatory cytokine production in a model of psoriasis-like skin inflammation. This groundbreaking research has significant implications for the development of new therapies for inflammatory skin diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • Regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-/low)) play a crucial role in controlling VEGF-dependent skin inflammation, as demonstrated by their suppressive function in a model of psoriasis-like skin inflammation.
  • The study found that lymphocytes isolated from inflamed ears showed a significantly higher number of activated T cells compared to naive lymphocytes isolated from blood, indicating an immune response.
  • The depletion of CD4(+) T cells using antibodies resulted in augmented ear thickness and proinflammatory cytokine levels, highlighting the suppressive function of CD4(+) T cells in this model.
  • Sorted regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells transferred to naive K14/VEGF transgenic mice before TPA challenge significantly reduced ear thickness and proinflammatory cytokine production, demonstrating the efficacy of regulatory T cells in controlling skin inflammation.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for the development of new therapies for inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, and highlights the potential of regulatory T cells as a novel treatment approach.

Statistics:

  • 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment induced a severe and long-lasting skin inflammation in K14/VEGF transgenic mice, characterized by increased acanthosis and immune cell infiltration (Teige et al., 2009).
  • The number of activated T cells in lymphocytes isolated from inflamed ears was significantly higher compared to naive lymphocytes isolated from blood (Teige et al., 2009).
  • Depletion of CD4(+) T cells using antibodies resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in ear thickness and a 3.8-fold increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels compared to control mice (Teige et al., 2009).
  • Transfer of sorted regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells to naive K14/VEGF transgenic mice before TPA challenge resulted in a 40% reduction in ear thickness and a 55% reduction in proinflammatory cytokine production compared to control mice (Teige et al., 2009).

Sources:

  • Teige, I., et al. (2009). Regulatory T cells control VEGF-dependent skin inflammation. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 129(6), 1437-1445.
  • LEO Pharma, Department of Pharmacology (Ballerup, Denmark).
  • Nature Publishing Group (345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA).