Chronic Pancreatitis Is Associated With Disease-Specific Regulatory T-Cell Responses

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Hubertus Schmitz-Winnenthal - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Dong Ho Kim Pietsch - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Simon Schimmack - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Andreas Bonertz - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Florian Udonta - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Yingzi Ge - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Luis Galindo - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Sebastian Specht - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Christine Volk - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Kaspar Zgraggen - , Clinic Beau-Site (Author)
  • Moritz Koch - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Markus W. Büchler - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Philipp Beckhove - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)

Abstract

Background & Aims: Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by alternating phases of acute inflammation and quiescent disease. Involvement of T-cell responses has been suggested, but pancreatitis-specific T cells have not been described. Methods: We characterized T-cell responses against pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma-associated antigens, and tetanus toxoid in the bone marrow, blood, and/or pancreatitis lesions of patients with pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and healthy individuals. T cells were functionally characterized by antigen-dependent secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (Il)-4, and IL-10, which indicate type 1, type 2, or regulatory T-cell responses, respectively. Regulatory T cells were characterized by multicolor flow cytometry. Isolated regulatory T cells were tested for their capacity to recognize pancreatitis-associated antigens and to suppress conventional T cells in an antigen-dependent manner. T cell-derived cytokines in tissue lesions were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Chronic pancreatitis patients showed similar to pancreatic cancer patients and healthy individuals type 1 T-cell responses against tetanus toxoid; however, they exhibited strong IL-10-based T-cell responses against pancreatitis-associated but not pancreatic carcinoma-associated antigens. T cells from pancreatic cancer patients responded to pancreatic cancer-associated but not pancreatitis-associated antigens with IFN-γ secretion. Pancreatitis-specific IL-10 responses were mediated by IL-10+IFN-γ-FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, which were expanded in the blood, bone marrow, and pancreatitis lesions and possessed the potential to suppress the proliferation of autologous conventional T cells in an antigen-specific manner. Pancreatitis lesions, in comparison with pancreatic carcinomas, contained increased concentrations of IL-10 and reduced levels of IFN-γ, suggesting pancreatitis-specific activity of regulatory T cells in situ. Conclusions: Chronic pancreatitis is associated with disease-specific regulatory T-cell responses.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1178-1188
Number of pages11
JournalGastroenterology
Volume138
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Carcinoma, Regulatory T Cells