Role of naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in experimental atherosclerosis

Objective - Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert suppressive effects on effector CD4 cells and downregulate experimental autoimmune disorders. We investigated the importance and potential role of Tregs in murine atherogenesis. Methods and Results - Tregs were investigated comparatively between aged and young apolipoprotein E - knockout (ApoE-KO) mice and age-matched C57BL/6 littermates. The effect of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) was tested on the functional suppressive properties of Tregs from ApoE-KO and C57BL/6 mice. Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(-) cells, and saline were infused into ApoE-KO mice to study their effects on atherogenesis. Treg numbers were reduced in atherosclerotic compared with nonatherosclerotic ApoE-KO mice. The functional suppressive properties of Tregs from ApoE-KO mice were compromised in comparison with those from their C57BL/6 littermates. Thus, oxLDL attenuated the suppressive properties of Tregs from C57BL/6 mice and more so in ApoE-KO mice. Transfer of Tregs from age-matched ApoE-KO mice resulted in significant attenuation of atherosclerosis compared with that after delivery of CD4(+)CD25(+/-) T cells or phosphate-buffered saline. Conclusions - CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs may play a protective role in the progression of atherosclerosis and could be considered a therapeutic tool if results from human studies can solidify observations in murine models.