Double-negative T cells remarkably promote neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke

H Meng, H Zhao, X Cao, J Hao… - Proceedings of the …, 2019 - National Acad Sciences
H Meng, H Zhao, X Cao, J Hao, H Zhang, Y Liu, M Zhu, L Fan, L Weng, L Qian, X Wang…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019National Acad Sciences
CD3+ CD4− CD8− T cells (double-negative T cells; DNTs) have diverse functions in
peripheral immune-related diseases by regulating immunological and inflammatory
homeostasis. However, the functions of DNTs in the central nervous system remain
unknown. Here, we found that the levels of DNTs were dramatically increased in both the
brain and peripheral blood of stroke patients and in a mouse model in a time-dependent
manner. The infiltrating DNTs enhanced cerebral immune and inflammatory responses and …
CD3+CD4CD8 T cells (double-negative T cells; DNTs) have diverse functions in peripheral immune-related diseases by regulating immunological and inflammatory homeostasis. However, the functions of DNTs in the central nervous system remain unknown. Here, we found that the levels of DNTs were dramatically increased in both the brain and peripheral blood of stroke patients and in a mouse model in a time-dependent manner. The infiltrating DNTs enhanced cerebral immune and inflammatory responses and exacerbated ischemic brain injury by modulating the FasL/PTPN2/TNF-α signaling pathway. Blockade of this pathway limited DNT-mediated neuroinflammation and improved the outcomes of stroke. Our results identified a critical function of DNTs in the ischemic brain, suggesting that this unique population serves as an attractive target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
National Acad Sciences