Cutting edge:: IL-4-induced protection of CD4+CD25- Th cells from CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell-mediated suppression

CD4(+) CD25(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells are a CD4+ T cell subset involved in the control of the immune response. In vitro, murine CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells inhibit CD4(+) CD25(-) Th cell proliferation induced by anti-CD3 mAb in the presence of APCs. The addition of IL-4 to cocultured cells inhibits CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cell-mediated suppression. Since all cell types used in the coculture express the IL-4R alpha chain, we used different combinations of CD4(+) CD25(-) Th cells, CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells, and APCs from wild-type IL-4R alpha(+/+) or knockout IL-4R alpha(-/-) mice. Results show that the engagement of the IL-4R alpha chain on CD4(+) CD25(-) Th cells renders these cells resistant to suppression. Moreover, the addition of IL-4 promotes proliferation of IL-4R alpha(+/+) CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells, which preserve full suppressive competence. These findings support an essential role of IL-4 signaling for CD4(+) CD25(-) Th cell activation and indicate that IL-4-induced proliferation of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells is compatible with their suppressive activity.