Tolerogenic dendritic cells attenuate experimental autoimmune antimyeloperoxidase glomerulonephritis

Background Because of their capacity to induce antigen-specific immunosuppression, tolerogenic dendritic cells are a promising tool for treatment of autoimmune conditions, such as GN caused by autoimmunity against myeloperoxidase (MPO). Methods We sought to generate tolerogenic dendritic cells to suppress anti-MPO GN by culturing bone marrow cells with an NFkB inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) and exposing them to a pulse of MPO. After administering these MPO/BAY dendritic cells or saline to mice with established anti-MPO or anti–methylated BSA (mBSA) immunity, we assessed immune responses and GN. We also examined mechanisms of action of MPO/BAY dendritic cells. Results MPO/BAY dendritic cells decreased anti-MPO immunity and GN without inhibiting immune responses against mBSA; they also induced IL-10–producing regulatory T cells in MPO-immunized mice without affecting IL-10⁺ CD4⁺Foxp3² type 1 regulatory T cells or regulatory B cells. MPO/BAY dendritic cells did not inhibit anti-MPO immunity when CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ cells were depleted in vivo, showing that regulatory T cells are required for their effects. Coculture experiments with dendritic cells and CD4⁺Foxp3² or CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ cells showed that MPO/BAY dendritic cells generate Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells from CD4⁺Foxp3² cells through several pathways, and induce IL-10⁺ regulatory T cells via inducible costimulator (ICOS), which was confirmed in vivo. Transfer of MPO/BAY dendritic cell–induced regulatory T cells in vivo, with or without anti–IL-10 receptor antibody, demonstrated that they suppress anti-MPO immunity and GN via IL-10. Conclusions MPO/BAY dendritic cells attenuate established anti-MPO autoimmunity and GN in an antigen-specific manner through ICOS-dependent induction of IL-10–expressing regulatory T cells. This suggests that autoantigen-loaded tolerogenic dendritic cells may represent a novel antigen-specific therapeutic option for anti-MPO GN.