Affinity-Based Selection of Regulatory T Cells Occurs Independent of Agonist-Mediated Induction of Foxp3 Expression

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Abstract
Natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells recognize self-peptides with high affinity, yet the understanding of how affinity influences their selection in the thymus is incomplete. We use altered peptide ligands in transgenic mice and in organ culture to create thymic environments spanning a broad range of ligand affinity. We demonstrate that the nTreg TCR repertoire is shaped by affinity-based selection, similar to conventional T cells. The effect of each ligand on the two populations is distinct, consistent with early nTreg cell lineage specification. Foxp3 expression is an independent process that does not rely on “high affinity” binding per se, but requires a high-potency agonistic interaction for its induction. The timing of ligand exposure, TGFβ signaling, and the organization of the thymic architecture are also important. The development of nTreg cells is therefore a multistep process in which ligand affinity, potency, and timing of presentation all play a role in determining cell fate.