Frontiers in Immunology (Dec 2018)

mPGES-1-Mediated Production of PGE2 and EP4 Receptor Sensing Regulate T Cell Colonic Inflammation

  • Damian Maseda,
  • Damian Maseda,
  • Amrita Banerjee,
  • Elizabeth M. Johnson,
  • Mary Kay Washington,
  • Hyeyon Kim,
  • Ken S. Lau,
  • Leslie J. Crofford,
  • Leslie J. Crofford

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02954
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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PGE2 is a lipid mediator of the initiation and resolution phases of inflammation, as well as a regulator of immune system responses to inflammatory events. PGE2 is produced and sensed by T cells, and autocrine or paracrine PGE2 can affect T cell phenotype and function. In this study, we use a T cell-dependent model of colitis to evaluate the role of PGE2 on pathological outcome and T-cell phenotypes. CD4+ T effector cells either deficient in mPGES-1 or the PGE2 receptor EP4 are less colitogenic. Absence of T cell autocrine mPGES1-dependent PGE2 reduces colitogenicity in association with an increase in CD4+RORγt+ cells in the lamina propria. In contrast, recipient mice deficient in mPGES-1 exhibit more severe colitis that corresponds with a reduced capacity to generate FoxP3+ T cells, especially in mesenteric lymph nodes. Thus, our research defines how mPGES-1-driven production of PGE2 by different cell types in distinct intestinal locations impacts T cell function during colitis. We conclude that PGE2 has profound effects on T cell phenotype that are dependent on the microenvironment.

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