Foxp3-expressing sensitized Teff cells prolong survival of corneal allograft in corneal allograft transplantation mouse model

•Foxp3-sensi-Teff cell treatment prolonged the survival time of corneal allograft.•Foxp3-sensi-Teff cell treatment reduced percentage of CD4+ T cells.•Foxp3-sensi-Teff cell treatment decreased IL-2 and IFN-γ.•Foxp3-sensi-Teff cell treatment suppressed DTH response.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate whether Foxp3-expressing sensitized Teff cells could inhibit allograft rejection in corneal allograft transplantation mouse model.MethodsFoxp3-expressing sensitized Teff cells were constructed by transfection of retroviral expression plasmid expressing Foxp3 into the sensi-Teff cells from a Balb/c mouse immunized by C57BL/6(H2b) mouse splenocytes. Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: Four groups received tail vein injection of Foxp3-expressing sensitized Teff cells, or Foxp3-expressing Teff cells, or Treg cells or no intervention 1 day prior to corneal allograft transplantation. C57BL/6(H2b) was the donor mouse. The last group received corneal autograft transplantation. Corneal allograft survival time and percentage of CD4+ T cells were detected. ELISPOT and Footpad swelling test were used to measure IL-2 and IFN-γ, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, respectively.ResultsMice that had received an injection of Foxp3-expressing sensitized T cells prior to an allograft corneal transplantation, showed significantly longer survival time of corneal allograft, decreased percentage of CD4+ T cells, IL-2 and IFN-γ, and alleviated footpad swelling than the mice that had received either Foxp3-Teff or Treg cells.ConclusionFoxp3-sensi-Teff cell treatment that prolongs corneal allograft survival in the mouse model, might partly through suppressing CD4+ T cells, IL-2 and IFN-γ.