Nanoparticle-mediated delivery of IL-2 to T follicular helper cells protects BDF1 mice from lupus-like disease
- Resource Type
- research-article
- Authors
- Ferretti, Concetta; Horwitz, David A.; Bickerton, Sean; La Cava, Antonio
- Source
- Rheumatology and Immunology Research. 2(3):185-193
- Subject
- autoimmunity
systemic lupus erythematosus
T follicular helper (TFH) cells
T cells
Original Article
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2719-4523
We recently reported that poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with interleukin (IL)-2 and targeted to T cells inhibited the development of lupus-like disease in BDF1 mice by inducing functional T regulatory cells (Tregs). Here we show that the protection from disease and the extended survival of BDF1 mice provided by IL-2-loaded NPs targeted to T cells is not only due to an induction of Tregs but also contributed by an inhibition of T follicular helper (TFH) cells. These results identify a dual protective activity of IL-2 in the control of lupus autoimmunity, namely the inhibition of effector TFH cells, in addition to the previously known induction of Tregs. This newly recognized activity of IL-2 delivered by NPs can help better explain the beneficial effects of low-dose IL-2 immunotherapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and might be considered as a new strategy to slow disease progression and improve outcomes in lupus patients.