Gene expression by autoreactive T-helper 17 cells with or without CD28 signal

Auto-reactive IL-17 producing helper T cells (Th17) are long-lived, and occasionally produce effector T cells in chronic autoimmune diseases. Despite its importance, mechanisms underlying persistence and effector differentiation of Th17 is not fully understood. We established a Th17 dependent chronic skin inflammation model in mice, and showed that abatacept (CTLA-4 Ig), a CD28 antagonist completely prevented development of dermatitis. In vivo tracking of Th17 showed that CD28 blockade selectively inhibited an appearance of IL-7R-negative effector-phenotype T cells, but allowed survival and proliferation of IL-7R+ memory-phenotype cells. Here we characterize transcriptome between (1) Th17 stimulated with or without CD28 signal in vitro, (2) IL-7R positive and negative Th17 in vivo and (3) Th17 cells from mice treated with or without CTLA-4 Ig in vivo.