Distinctive role of CCR7 in migration and functional activity of naive- and effector/memory-like Treg subsets

Foxp3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Treg play a fundamental role in the maintenance of self tolerance and the control of inflammatory reactions. Previous data demonstrated a division of labor between naive- and effector/memory-like Treg subsets, which is largely based on their lymph node-recirculating and inflammation-seeking migration behavior, respectively. The chemokine receptor CCR7 is expressed on both types of Treg subsets, albeit at different levels. Whether it fulfills similar or distinct roles in these subsets has not been studied so far. We here show that the recirculation of naive-like Treg through LN and, to some extent, the gut is dependent on CCR7. Lack of CCR7 not only prevents recirculation, but also almost completely abolishes the ability of naive-like Treg to control the priming phase of an immune response. In contrast, CCR7 deficiency in effector/memory-like Treg promotes their accumulation in inflamed sites, compatible with a role of CCR7 for exit from the tissue. Local Treg accumulation was accompanied by an enhanced suppression of inflammation. Together, our findings provide conclusive evidence that CCR7 expression on Treg differentially controls in vivo function of the naive- and effector/memory-like subsets.