FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway

Abstract. Background:. Regulatory dendritic cell (DCreg) subset exhibits a unique capacity for inducing immune tolerance among the variety subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) within gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs). Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) is involved in the differentiation of...

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Main Authors: Na Li, Jingwei Mao, Haiying Tang, Xiaoyan Tan, Jian Bi, Hao Wu, Xiuli Chen, Yingde Wang, Yuanyuan Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-07-01
Series:Chinese Medical Journal
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003493
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author Na Li
Jingwei Mao
Haiying Tang
Xiaoyan Tan
Jian Bi
Hao Wu
Xiuli Chen
Yingde Wang
Yuanyuan Ji
author_facet Na Li
Jingwei Mao
Haiying Tang
Xiaoyan Tan
Jian Bi
Hao Wu
Xiuli Chen
Yingde Wang
Yuanyuan Ji
author_sort Na Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Background:. Regulatory dendritic cell (DCreg) subset exhibits a unique capacity for inducing immune tolerance among the variety subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) within gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs). Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) is involved in the differentiation of DCregs and the subsequent expansion of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) mediated by DCregs, though the precise mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Treg induced by DCreg and the role of FLT3L in this process. Methods:. DCregs were distinguished from other DC subsets isolated from GALTs of BALB/c mice through a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. The functions and mechanisms by which FLT3L promoted Treg expansion via DCregs were investigated in vitro through co-culture experiments involving DCregs and either CD4+CD25− T-cells or CD4+CD25+ T-cells. Additionally, an in vivo experiment was conducted using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. Results:. CD103+CD11b+ DC exhibited DCreg-like functionality and was identified as DCreg for subsequent investigation. Analysis of Foxp3+Treg percentages within a co-culture system of CD4+CD25− T-cells and DCregs, with or without FLT3L, demonstrated the involvement of the FLT3/FLT3L axis in driving the differentiation of precursor T-cells into Foxp3+ Tregs induced by DCregs. Cell migration and co-culture assays revealed that the FLT3/FLT3L axis enhanced DCreg migration toward Tregs via the Rho pathway. Additionally, it was observed that DCregs could promote Treg proliferation through the Notch pathway, as inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) suppressed Treg expansion within the co-culture system of DCregs and CD4+ T-cells or CD4+CD25+ T-cells. Furthermore, the FLT3/FLT3L axis influenced JAG1 expression in DCregs, indirectly modulating Treg expansion. In vivo experiments further established that FLT3L promoted DCreg expansion and restored Treg balance in DSS-induced colitis models, thereby ameliorating colitis symptoms in mice. Conclusion:. The FLT3/FLT3L axis is integral to the maintenance of DCreg function in Treg expansion.
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spelling doaj-art-5ee0f220a7b0418cba0523b32cd89e4a2025-08-20T03:55:48ZengWolters KluwerChinese Medical Journal0366-69992542-56412025-07-01138131595160610.1097/CM9.0000000000003493202507050-00012FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathwayNa Li0Jingwei Mao1Haiying Tang2Xiaoyan Tan3Jian Bi4Hao Wu5Xiuli Chen6Yingde Wang7Yuanyuan JiDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, ChinaAbstract. Background:. Regulatory dendritic cell (DCreg) subset exhibits a unique capacity for inducing immune tolerance among the variety subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) within gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs). Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) is involved in the differentiation of DCregs and the subsequent expansion of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) mediated by DCregs, though the precise mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Treg induced by DCreg and the role of FLT3L in this process. Methods:. DCregs were distinguished from other DC subsets isolated from GALTs of BALB/c mice through a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. The functions and mechanisms by which FLT3L promoted Treg expansion via DCregs were investigated in vitro through co-culture experiments involving DCregs and either CD4+CD25− T-cells or CD4+CD25+ T-cells. Additionally, an in vivo experiment was conducted using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. Results:. CD103+CD11b+ DC exhibited DCreg-like functionality and was identified as DCreg for subsequent investigation. Analysis of Foxp3+Treg percentages within a co-culture system of CD4+CD25− T-cells and DCregs, with or without FLT3L, demonstrated the involvement of the FLT3/FLT3L axis in driving the differentiation of precursor T-cells into Foxp3+ Tregs induced by DCregs. Cell migration and co-culture assays revealed that the FLT3/FLT3L axis enhanced DCreg migration toward Tregs via the Rho pathway. Additionally, it was observed that DCregs could promote Treg proliferation through the Notch pathway, as inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) suppressed Treg expansion within the co-culture system of DCregs and CD4+ T-cells or CD4+CD25+ T-cells. Furthermore, the FLT3/FLT3L axis influenced JAG1 expression in DCregs, indirectly modulating Treg expansion. In vivo experiments further established that FLT3L promoted DCreg expansion and restored Treg balance in DSS-induced colitis models, thereby ameliorating colitis symptoms in mice. Conclusion:. The FLT3/FLT3L axis is integral to the maintenance of DCreg function in Treg expansion.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003493
spellingShingle Na Li
Jingwei Mao
Haiying Tang
Xiaoyan Tan
Jian Bi
Hao Wu
Xiuli Chen
Yingde Wang
Yuanyuan Ji
FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
Chinese Medical Journal
title FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
title_full FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
title_fullStr FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
title_full_unstemmed FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
title_short FLT3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory T-cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut-associated lymphoid tissues through the Notch pathway
title_sort flt3 ligand regulates expansion of regulatory t cells induced by regulatory dendritic cells isolated from gut associated lymphoid tissues through the notch pathway
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003493
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