Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells control dendritic cells in inducing antigen-specific immunity to emerging SARS-CoV-2 antigens

Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which constitute about 5-10% of CD4(+)T cells expressing Foxp3 transcription factor and CD25(IL-2 receptor alpha chain), are key regulators in controlling immunological self-tolerance and various immune responses. However, how Treg cells control antigen-specific immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of transient breakdown of the immunological tolerance induced by Treg-cell depletion on adaptive immune responses against administered SARS-CoV-2 antigen, spike protein 1 (S1). Notably, without the use of adjuvants, transient Treg-cell depletion in mice induced anti-S1 antibodies that neutralized authentic SARS-CoV-2, follicular helper T cell formation and S1-binding germinal center B cell responses, but prevented the onset of developing autoimmune diseases. To further clarify the mechanisms, we investigated maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which is essential to initiate antigen-specific immunity. We found that the transient Treg-cell depletion resulted in maturation of both migratory and resident DCs in draining lymph nodes that captured S1-antigen. Moreover, we observed S1-specific CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells with interferon-gamma production. Thus, captured S1 was successfully presented by DCs, including cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cells. These data indicate that transient Treg-cell depletion in the absence of adjuvants induces maturation of antigen-presenting DCs and succeeds in generating antigen-specific humoral and cellular immunity against emerging SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Finally, we showed that SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific immune responses induced by transient Treg-cell depletion in the absence of adjuvants were compatible with those induced with an effective adjuvant, polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidyl acid (poly IC) and that the combination of transient Treg-cell depletion with poly IC induced potent responses. These findings highlight the capacity for manipulating Treg cells to induce protective adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 with activating antigen-presenting DCs, which may improve the efficacy of ongoing vaccine therapies and help enhance responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Author summaryTo challenge SARS-CoV-2 and emerging antigens, it is important to explore innovative approaches to induce effective adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2. To induce antigen-specific immunity, vaccines generally need adjuvants to activate dendritic cells (DCs) to present antigens to naive T cells. In this study, we focused on regulatory T (Treg) cells, which play a key role in maintaining self-tolerance and suppress important immune responses, and found that transient Treg-cell depletion without adjuvants induced protective SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific immunity. Upon transient Treg-cell depletion in mice, a single administration of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein 1 (S1) induced neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 and evaded the onset of autoimmune diseases. Transient Treg-cell depletion initiated maturation of S1-captured DCs in draining lymph nodes, which is a crucial step to initiate antigen-specific immunity. S1-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+)T cells that produced interferon-gamma were also induced. Furthermore, we showed that transient Treg-cell depletion induced antigen-specific immune responses similar to vaccination with an adjuvant and that the combination induced a heightened effect. Thus, transient breakdown of the immunological tolerance induced by Treg-cell manipulation stimulates an adaptive response by activating DCs, providing an innovative approach to the design of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.

Automated summary

This study showed that transient Treg-cell depletion without adjuvants in mice induced protective antigen-specific immunity to SARS-CoV-2, including the production of antibodies and cellular immune responses. The manipulation of Treg cells could activate antigen-presenting DCs, offering an innovative approach to vaccine design for SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.