Immune regulation in response to ConA-induced liver injury is mediated by regulatory T cells induced in dependence of IFNgamma

Introduction: A sublethal dose of concanavalin A (ConA) induces tolerance towards ConA hepatitis in mice within one week. Tolerance is mediated by IL-10 producing Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). This study is intended to elucidate the mechanism of the generation of tolerance mediating highly suppressive Tregs. Methods: The role of pro-inflammatory IFNγ in Treg priming and induction of ConA tolerance was investigated by analysis of T-bet expression in Tregs and by the usage of IFNγ KO mice. To test for conversion of naïve CD4+ T cells, CD4+GFP- T cells from DEREG (“DEpletion of REGulatory T cells“) mice were a…