Beta-catenin stabilization extends regulatory T cell survival and induces anergy in nonregulatory T cells

beta-catenin is a central molecule in the Wnt pathway. Expression of a stable form of beta-catenin on CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (T-reg) cells resulted in a marked enhancement of survival of these cells in vitro. Furthermore, stable beta-catenin-expressing CD4(+)CD25(+) T-reg cells outcompeted control T-reg cells in vivo, and the number of T-reg cells necessary for protection against inflammatory bowel disease could be substantially reduced when stable beta-catenin-expressing CD4(+)CD25(+) T-reg cells were used instead of control T-reg cells. Expression of stable beta-catenin on potentially pathogenic CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells rendered these cells anergic, and the beta-catenin-mediated induction of anergy occurred even in Foxp3-deficient T cells. Thus, through enhanced survival of existing regulatory T cells, and through induction of unresponsiveness in precursors of T effector cells, beta-catenin stabilization has a powerful effect on the prevention of inflammatory disease.