Autoantigen specific IL-2 activated CD4+ CD25+T regulatory cells inhibit induction of experimental autoimmune neuritis

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) induced by peripheral nerve myelin (PNM) is self-limiting and reimmunization with PNM does not re-activate disease. This study showed inhibition of EAN by CD4(+) CD25(+)T cells both from sensitized hosts or from naive hosts after ex-vivo activation by PNM and rIL-2. Transfer of naive CD4(+) CD25(+)T cells has no effect on EAN, nor did naive CD4(+) CD25(+)T cells activated with rIL-2 and renal tubular antigen. Culture of naive CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg with rIL-2 and PNM induced mRNA for the IFN-gamma receptor. We showed naive CD4(+) CD25(+)T cells activated by specific auto-antigen and rIL-2 produced more potent antigen-specific Treg that may have therapeutic potential.