Human leukocyte antigen class I-restricted immunosuppression by human CD8+ regulatory T cells requires CTLA-4-mediated interaction with dendritic cells.

We previously reported autoreactive CD8(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) that were expanded and cloned from human peripheral blood by coculture with autologous dendritic cells (DC). Here we demonstrate that these CD8(+) Tregs require human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-class I restricted activation and then mediate cell-contact-dependent suppression of CD4(+) T cells. CD8(+) Tregs interacted with DC to suppress T-cell responses but DC were not irreversibly altered by this interaction because they could subsequently stimulate CD4(+) T cells normally. The ability of DC to form conjugates with CD4(+) T cells was reduced in the presence of CD8(+) Tregs. Suppression was blocked by Abs to CD80 and CTLA-4, implicating CTLA-4:CD80 interactions in the function of CD8(+) Tregs. CD8(+) Tregs rapidly express very high levels of surface CTLA-4 following activation compared with conventional T cells. Related to this, the expression of TRAT1 mRNA (T-cell receptor interacting molecule, or TRIM) was highly upregulated in microarray analysis of CD8(+) Tregs compared with conventional cytotoxic or nonregulatory CD8(+) T cells. TRIM acts to chaperone CTLA-4 transport to the cell surface; this function would be required to account for the phenotypic and functional properties of CD8(+) Tregs.

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