Activation of CD8+ Regulatory T Cells by Human Placental Trophoblasts

Abstract

Abstract The immunological basis by which a mother tolerates her semi-allogeneic fetus remains poorly understood. Several mechanisms are likely to contribute to this phenomenon including active immune regulation by regulatory T cells. In this article, we report that human placental trophoblasts activate a clonal population of CD8+ T cells with regulatory function. These cells are not MHC class I restricted, but require costimulation through a member of the carcinoembryonic Ag family present on early gestation trophoblasts. These regulatory T cells express the mucosal markers CD101 and CD103 and display selective usage of the TCR gene Vβ9. CD8+ T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of pregnant mothers (16–28 wk) also demonstrate expansions in the same Vβ family (Vβ9), signaling a possible role for these cells in preventing fetal rejection in vivo. We have previously characterized a subset of CD8+ regulatory T cells activated by the combination of the nonclassical class I molecule CD1d and a costimulatory molecule of the carcinoembryonic Ag family present on the intestinal epithelium. These data support the concept that distinct regulatory T cell populations exist at different sites and may be regulated locally by unique restriction elements, costimulatory signals, and Ags.