Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Summary

With effector functions distinct from other T cell subsets, Th17 cells have been centrally implicated in inflammatory autoimmunity. This in vitro Th17 differentiation protocol provides a means to determine whether naïve CD4+ T lymphocytes can differentiate into Th17 cells, and to further examine their role in autoimmunity and host response.

Abstract

Th17 cells are a distinct subset of T cells that have been found to produce interleukin 17 (IL-17), and differ in function from the other T cell subsets including Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cells. Th17 cells have emerged as a central culprit in overzealous inflammatory immune responses associated with many autoimmune disorders. In this method we purify T lymphocytes from the spleen and lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice, and stimulate purified CD4+ T cells under control and Th17-inducing environments. The Th17-inducing environment includes stimulation in the presence of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies, IL-6, and TGF-β. After incubation for at least 72 hours and for up to five days at 37 °C, cells are subsequently analyzed for the capability to produce IL-17 through flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISAs. Th17 differentiated CD4+CD25- T cells can be utilized to further elucidate the role that Th17 cells play in the onset and progression of autoimmunity and host defense. Moreover, Th17 differentiation of CD4+CD25- lymphocytes from distinct murine knockout/disease models can contribute to our understanding of cell fate plasticity.

Introduction

CD4+ T lymphocytes (T cells) play a critical role in immune system-mediated defense against infectious microorganisms. Conversely, T cells are also intimately associated with the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. CD4+ T lymphocytes become activated through a combination of T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with cognate antigen/major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII) molecules, and CD28 receptor interactions with B7.1/B7.2 ligands¹⁵. In addition to the provision of TCR stimulation and CD28 co-stimulation, antigen-presenting cells also provide a cytokine environme....

Protocol

All animal use was conducted in accordance with protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

1. Preparation of Mixes and Media

1. Sterile PBS pH: 7.3 (1 L)
   0.23 g NaH₂PO₄
   1.15 g Na₂HPO₄
   9.0 g NaCl
   Take up volume with DI water. Sterilize with autoclave.
2. Cell Culture Media (100 ml)
   89 ml RPMI
   10 ml 10% FBS
   1 ml Antibiotic Antimycotic (ABAM) 100 μg 50 mM 2-mercaptoethanol (3.5 μg stock 2-mercaptoethanol into 96.5 μg PBS)
3. FA....

Results

This Th17 differentiation protocol begins with the removal of the spleen and the axillary, brachial, mesenteric, cervical, and inguinal lymph nodes. A representation of the locations of each can be found in Figures 2 and 3. Figures 1 and 5 both provide a visual representation of the methods described in this protocol.

This Th17 protocol focuses on differentiation from the CD4+CD25- T lymphocyte population. It is important to note how efficie.......

Discussion

Here we have described the protocol to achieve in vitro Th17 differentiation. The study of Th17 differentiation is important, as differentiation of T lymphocytes into the Th17 subset is critical for the effective elimination of human pathogens¹³. Conversely, IL17 production has been associated with autoimmune disease progression¹³. The method of Th17 differentiation is applicable to many research settings as it can be applied to numerous distinct murine models of immune regulation and autoi.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Reagent/Material
Sterile Polyestrene Petri Dish	Fisher Scientific	0875713A	60 mm x 15 mm
autoMACS Running Buffer	Miltenyi Biotec	130-091-221
Premium Microscope Slides, Frosted	Fisher Scientific	12-544-3	3" x 1"1 mm
5 ml 21G1 Latex Free Syringe and Needle	BD Biosciences	309632
Corning 15 ml Centrifuge Tubes	Sigma-Aldrich	CLS430791
Nylon 40 microns	Miami Aquaculture	Nylon 40/26
Microtest tissue culture plate 96 well U bottom	BD Biosciences	35-3077
Corning Costar 24 well cell culture plates	Sigma-Aldrich	CL3524
Eppendorf Tubes 1.5 ml	Fisher Scientific	05-408-129
Purified NA/LE Hamster Anti-Mouse CD3e	BD Biosciences	553057
Purified NA/LE Hamster Anti-Mouse CD28	BD Biosciences	553294
Mouse IL-6 Recombinant Protein	eBioscience	14-8061-62
TGFbeta	R&D Systems	240-B-002
Trypan blue solution 0.4 %	Sigma-Aldrich	66H2364
Pac Blue Rat Anti-Mouse CD4	BD Biosciences	558107
APC Rat Anti-Mouse CD8a	BD Biosciences	553035
PE Conjugated Anti-mouse CD25	eBioscience	E01155-516
Alexa Fluor 700 Rat Anti-mouse IL-17	BD Biosciences	560820
Intracellular Cytokine Staining Starter Kit-Mouse	BD Biosciences	51-2041AK (559311)
MACS CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell isolation kit, mouse	Miltenyi Biotec	130-091-221
ABAM	Cellgro	30-004-CI
RPMI	Corning, Cellgro	10-040-CM
B 2-Mercapt–thanol	MP Biomedical	194834	Hazardous
Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate (PMA)
Ionomycin Calcium Salt	Sigma-Aldrich	13909-1ML	Hazardous
Brefeldin A (BFA)	MP Biomedicals	159027
ELISA IL-17A Capture mAb	BD Biosciences	555068
ELISA IL-17A Detection mAb	BD Biosciences	555067
ELISA IL-17A Standard	eBioscience	14-8171-80
IL-2 ELISA Kit	BD Biosciences	555148
TMB Substrate Reagent Set	BD Biosciences	555214
Equipment
autoMACS Pro Cell Separator	Miltenyi Biotec	130-092-545
Sorvall Legend RT+ Centrifuge	ThermoScientific
Napco series 8000 WJ CO2 Incubator	ThermoScientific
PTC-200 Peltier Thermal Cycler	Biorad