Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Over-expression Mutant IL-2 Enhance Treg
Function in CIA Mice
Abstract
Objectives: Research indicates that low doses of interleukin-2
(IL-2) can effectively mitigate RA symptoms by promoting Treg cells,
while high doses may enhance immune responses. Consequently, this study
employed mutated IL-2 to minimize its impact on CD8 +
T and NK cell activation while preserving its influence on Treg cells.
Methods: We constructed IL-2 mutants by overlap PCR and
assessed its impact on the proliferation and functionality of Treg cells
by flow cytometry and PCR. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of
mutated IL-2 and MSC on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice were
evaluated through the infusion of lentiviral-transfected mesenchymal
stromal cell (MSC) for CIA treatment and through pathological section
staining to assess inflammatory joint injury, cartilage destruction, and
osteoclast infiltration. Results: Mutant IL-2 demonstrated
targeted enhancement of both the proportion and proliferative activity
of Treg cells with a diminished capacity to stimulate the proliferation
of CD8 + T cells and NK cells relative to wild-type
IL-2. Moreover, MSC-mutant IL-2 significantly augmented the proportion
of Treg cells compared to either MSC or mutant IL-2 in isolation.
Treatment with MSC-mutant IL-2 infusion in CIA mice ameliorated
arthritis symptoms and reduced inflammatory infiltration and cartilage
damage in their joints. Conclusion: Mutant IL-2 enhances Treg
function and proliferation while exerting reduced effects on CD8
+ and NK cell activation. MSC expressing mutant IL-2
demonstrates therapeutic benefits in CIA by increasing the proportion of
Treg cells and reducing the proportion of CD8 + T
cells.