Regulatory and effector T-cells are differentially modulated by Dexamethasone
- Pandolfi, Julieta Belen
- Baz, Placida
- Fernandez, Pablo Mariano
- Discianni Lupi, Ailen
- Payaslián, Florencia
- Billordo, Luis Ariel
- Fainboim, Leonardo
- Arruvito, Maria Lourdes
DOIAbstract
It is assumed that the ratio between effector T cells (Teff) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) controls the immune reactivity within the T-cell compartment. The purpose of this study was to investigate if Dexamethasone (Dex) affects Teff and Tregs subsets. Dex induced on Tregs a dose and time-dependent apoptosis which resulted in a relative increase of Teff. After TCR activation, Dex induced a strong proliferative inhibition of Teff, but a weaker proliferative inhibition on Tregs. These effects were modulated by IL-2, which not only restored the proliferative response, but also prevented Dex-induced apoptosis. The highest dose of IL-2 prevented apoptosis on all FOXP3 + CD4+ T cells. Meanwhile, the lowest dose only rescued activated Treg...