Smad7 controls resistance of colitogenic T cells to regulatory T cell-mediated suppression.

Background & Aims Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the maintenance of the gut immune homeostasis, and an intact transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is required for their function. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the TGF-β signaling is impaired because of high expression of the inhibitory molecule Smad7. Although no intrinsic defects in Tregs function have been shown in IBD, it is still unknown whether colitogenic T cells are susceptible to Treg-mediated suppression. In this study, we have investigated whether IBD mucosal CD4+ T cells are resistant to Tregs and whether Smad7 is involved in this process. Methods IBD lamina propria mononuclear cells …