B7 costimulation antagonizes RORγt+ regulatory T cells and immune tolerance in the intestine.

TitleB7 costimulation antagonizes RORγt+ regulatory T cells and immune tolerance in the intestine.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2026
AuthorsLyu M, Sonnenberg GF
JournalJ Exp Med
Volume223
Issue6
Date Published2026 Jun 01
ISSN1540-9538
KeywordsAnimals, Antigen-Presenting Cells, B7-1 Antigen, B7-2 Antigen, CTLA-4 Antigen, Dendritic Cells, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Immune Tolerance, Intestines, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3, Signal Transduction, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Abstract

Regulatory T (Treg) cells that recognize dietary- or microbiota-derived antigens express RORγt and are essential for immune tolerance in the intestine. A recent paradigm shift found these cells require major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) on RORγt+ antigen-presenting cells (APCs) rather than conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) for signal one. Here, we evaluate signal two and unexpectedly find that costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) antagonize the generation of microbiota-specific RORγt+ Treg cells. Gain-of-function or loss-of-function therapeutics targeting B7 via CTLA-4 exert reciprocal effects on the generation of microbiota-specific RORγt+ Treg cells. This axis was independent of B7 on RORγt+ APCs but required MHCII on this cell type. Finally, CTLA4-Ig treatment restores microbiota-specific RORγt+ Treg cell generation and protects from experimental intestinal inflammation induced by pathobiont colonization with IL-10R signaling blockade. These results define that RORγt+ Treg cells are uniquely restrained by B7 costimulation, while CTLA4-Ig enhances immune tolerance in the intestine when acting cooperatively with RORγt+ APCs.

DOI10.1084/jem.20251094
Alternate JournalJ Exp Med
PubMed ID42030099
Grant ListR01AI143842 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01AI123368 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01AI145989 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
U01AI095608 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01AI162936 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R37AI174468 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01CA274534 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
K99CA290052 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
/ / Burroughs Wellcome Fund /
/ / Meyer Cancer Center Collaborative Research Initiative /
/ / Dalton Family Foundation /
/ / Linda and Glenn Greenberg /