CD4+c-Met+Itgα4+ T cell subset promotes murine neuroinflammation

Objective: c-Met, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is the unique receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The HGF/c-Met axis is reported to modulate cell migration, maturation, cytokine production, and antigen presentation. Here, we report that CD4+c-Met+T cells are detected at increased levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: c-Met expression by CD4+T cells was analyzed mostly by flow cytometry and by immunohistochemistry from mice and human PBMCs. The in vivo role of CD4+c-Met+T cells was assessed in EAE. Results: CD4+c-Met+T cells found in the CNS during EAE peak disease are characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype skewed towards a Th1 and Th17 polarization, with enhanced adhesion and transmigration capacities correlating with increased expression of integrin α4 (Itgα4). The adoptive transfer of Itgα4-expressing CD4+Vα3.2+c-Met+T cells induces increased disease severity compared to CD4+Vα3.2+c-Met-T cells. Finally, CD4+c-Met+T cells are detected in the brain of MS patients, as well as in the blood with a higher level of Itgα4. These results highlight c-Met as an immune marker of highly pathogenic pro-inflammatory and pro-migratory CD4+T lymphocytes associated with neuroinflammation.