Citation

Repair of the lung epithelium after injury is a critical component for resolution; however, the processes necessary to drive epithelial resolution are not clearly defined. Published data demonstrate that Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) enhance alveolar epithelial proliferation after injury, and Tregs in vitro directly promote type II alveolar epithelial cell (AT2) proliferation in part by a contact-independent mechanism. Therefore, we sought to determine the contribution of Treg-specific expression of a growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor (Kgf), known to be important in lung repair. Data demonstrate that Tregs express Kgf and that Treg-specific expression of Kgf regulates alveolar epithelial proliferation during the resolution phase of acute lung injury and in a model of regenerative alveologenesis in vivo. In vitro experiments demonstrate that AT2 cells co-cultured with Tregs lacking Kgf have decreased rates of proliferation compared to AT2 cells co-cultured with wild-type Tregs. Moreover, Tregs isolated from lung tissue and grown in culture express higher levels of two growth factors important for lung repair, Kgf and amphiregulin, compared to Tregs isolated from splenic tissue. Lastly, Tregs isolated from human lung tissue can be stimulated ex vivo to induce Kgf expression. These studies provide mechanisms through which Tregs direct tissue reparative effects during resolution following acute lung injury, further supporting the emerging role of Tregs in tissue repair.