PMCID
PMC13174687

Type 2 conventional dendritic cells and regulatory T cells form a barrier tissue circuit to control allergic inflammation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Chronic allergic diseases are driven by T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in barrier tissues. Despite their profound effects on tissue physiology, Th2 cells represent a rare cell population within tissues, suggesting mechanisms restraining Th2 cell expansion at barrier sites that remain ill defined. Using a murine model of allergic asthma, we demonstrate that effector Th2 cells promote cDC2 activation within the lungs, including expression of the CCR4 ligands that attract Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs). Selective deletion of in Tregs during the effector Th2 cell response led to increased lung Th2 cells, activated cDC2s, and allergic inflammation. Mechanistically, CCR4 promoted Treg trafficking efficiency and was required to specifically control tissue cDC2 co-stimulatory molecule expression. Lastly, in the airways of humans with allergy, the expression of the CCR4 ligands in activated cDCs correlated with Treg enrichment. In sum, we define a cDC2-Treg feedback circuit within a barrier tissue that restrains effector Th2 cell expansion, revealing a novel role for tissue cDC2s in controlling Th2 cell biology.

Year of Publication
2026
Journal
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Date Published
05/2026
ISSN
2692-8205
DOI
10.64898/2026.05.04.722795
PubMed ID
42146569
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