Narrowband ultraviolet B induces peripheral regulatory T cells to exert
antigen-specific immune suppression
Abstract
Background: Commonly used to treat inflammatory skin diseases,
narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to induce antigen-specific
immune suppression when combined with alloantigen immunization, but the
underlying mechanism remains elusive. Methods: We used
cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) to analyze the peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 19 psoriasis patients enrolled in UVB
trial. Mouse models of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced skin inflammation and
allogeneic skin transplantation were used to investigate the effects of
UVB on antigen-specific regulatory T cell (Treg) induction. We applied
bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)
methods to the analysis of mouse skin Tregs and PBMCs, respectively.
Results: CyTOF analysis revealed patients’ therapeutic response
to be determined by a cluster of CD4 + T cells
expressing T cell receptor (TCR)-activated and Treg-associated
molecules. In clinical trial and mouse models of skin inflammation and
allogeneic skin transplantation, UVB led to immunosuppressive phenotypes
through antigen-specific Treg induction. RNA-seq from mouse skin Tregs
showed that UVB enhanced gene expression associated with cell stability,
cellular location, and cell proliferation. When compiling with human
peripheral Tregs analyzed by scRNA-seq, we found similar gene expression
patterns involved in Treg differentiation, maintenance, and function.
Furthermore, scRNA-seq analysis also demonstrated that UVB inhibited
negative regulators of Treg development, thereby promoting CD4
+ T differentiation into Tregs, clonal expansion of
which was also noted. Conclusions: Our findings suggest UVB can
induce antigen-specific Tregs in a clinical setting, highlighting its
potential for broader immunosuppressive applications.