GSE130979: CCL21 Expression in Beta Cells Induces Antigen-Expressing Stromal Cell Networks in the Pancreas and Prevents Autoimmune Diabetes in Mice

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GROUP CONDITION SAMPLES
Pancreatic Islets
GSM3758175 GSM3758176 GSM3758177 GSM3758178 GSM3758181 GSM3758182 GSM3758187 GSM3758188 GSM3758189 GSM3758190
GSM3758171 GSM3758172 GSM3758173 GSM3758174 GSM3758179 GSM3758180 GSM3758183 GSM3758184 GSM3758185 GSM3758186
Skin Draining Lymph Nodes
GSM3758195 GSM3758196 GSM3758197
GSM3758191 GSM3758192 GSM3758193 GSM3758194
Description

Submission Date: May 09, 2019

Summary: Tumors induce tolerance towards their antigens by producing the chemokine CCL21, leading to the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs). Ins2-CCL21 transgenic, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice express CCL21 in pancreatic β-cells and do not develop autoimmune diabetes. We investigated by which mechanisms CCL21 expression prevented diabetes. Islet infiltrates of 4 week-old Ins2-CCL21 mice were enriched in naïve CD4+ T cells and compartmentalized within networks of CD45- gp38+ CD31- fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC)-like stromal cells. Importantly, 12 week-old Ins2-CCL21 NOD islets contained FRC-like cells with enhanced expression of β-cell autoantigens and gene expression profiles consistent with regulatory, anti-inflammatory properties and increased contractility. Consistently, transgenic mice harbored fewer autoreactive T cells and higher proportion of Tregs in the islets. Using adoptive transfer and islet transplantation models, we demonstrate that the formation of TLOs in Ins2-CCL21 transgenic islets is critical for regulation of autoimmunity and while the effect is systemic, the induction may be mediated locally by lymphocyte trafficking through TLOs. Overall, our findings suggest that CCL21 promotes TLOs that differ from inflammatory TLOs associated with islets in T1D in that they resemble lymph nodes, contain FRC-like cells expressing β-cell autoantigens and are able to induce systemic and antigen-specific tolerance leading to diabetes prevention. These findings suggest that CCL21 may be exploited for novel immunoregulation approaches to treat autoimmune diabetes.

GEO Accession ID: GSE130979

PMID: 31371518

Description

Submission Date: May 09, 2019

Summary: Tumors induce tolerance towards their antigens by producing the chemokine CCL21, leading to the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs). Ins2-CCL21 transgenic, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice express CCL21 in pancreatic β-cells and do not develop autoimmune diabetes. We investigated by which mechanisms CCL21 expression prevented diabetes. Islet infiltrates of 4 week-old Ins2-CCL21 mice were enriched in naïve CD4+ T cells and compartmentalized within networks of CD45- gp38+ CD31- fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC)-like stromal cells. Importantly, 12 week-old Ins2-CCL21 NOD islets contained FRC-like cells with enhanced expression of β-cell autoantigens and gene expression profiles consistent with regulatory, anti-inflammatory properties and increased contractility. Consistently, transgenic mice harbored fewer autoreactive T cells and higher proportion of Tregs in the islets. Using adoptive transfer and islet transplantation models, we demonstrate that the formation of TLOs in Ins2-CCL21 transgenic islets is critical for regulation of autoimmunity and while the effect is systemic, the induction may be mediated locally by lymphocyte trafficking through TLOs. Overall, our findings suggest that CCL21 promotes TLOs that differ from inflammatory TLOs associated with islets in T1D in that they resemble lymph nodes, contain FRC-like cells expressing β-cell autoantigens and are able to induce systemic and antigen-specific tolerance leading to diabetes prevention. These findings suggest that CCL21 may be exploited for novel immunoregulation approaches to treat autoimmune diabetes.

GEO Accession ID: GSE130979

PMID: 31371518

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