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Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) as an emerging determinant of the adaptive immune response

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 15, pages 1077–1079 (2018)Cite this article

The function and regulation of helper T-cell subsets (Th1, Th2, and Th17) are critical to both normal and pathophysiological host responses. Th1 cells are mainly responsible for phagocyte-mediated host defenses and are the main effectors of cell-mediated immunity, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, and chronic inflammation. In contrast, Th2 cells promote humoral immunity, allergic reactions, and eosinophil recruitment. In PLTP-deficient animals, an impaired Th1 response and an increased Th2 response were observed in isolated spleen mononuclear cells. The in vivo relevance of these observations was demonstrated through (i) the measurement of Th1 and Th2 cytokine plasma levels and (ii) the assessment of ear swelling and T-cell orientation in a delayed-type contact hypersensitivity model.

In our study, the total white blood cell count and the CD3+ cell subpopulations were not modified in a PLTP-deficient context, suggesting that PLTP does not induce modifications in leukocyte generation or egress from secondary lymphoid tissues; instead, PLTP specifically modulates the balance between Th1 and Th2 subtypes. Since no difference in T-cell polarization was observed when comparing isolated spleen CD4+ T cells to the total spleen mononuclear cell population, which was activated in vitro, the impact of PLTP deficiency on the Th1/Th2 balance is unlikely to be related to altered intrinsic properties of CD4+ T cells; instead, the effects likely result from cytokine milieu modifications caused by accessory cell secretions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34095, France

    Catherine Desrumaux

  2. Team ‘Environmental Impacts in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders’ (EiAlz), Inserm, U1198, Montpellier, F-34095, France

    Catherine Desrumaux

  3. EPHE, Paris, F-75007, France

    Catherine Desrumaux

  4. LipSTIC LabEx, Fondation de Coopération Scientifique Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, F-21000, France

    Catherine Desrumaux & Laurent Lagrost

  5. INSERM, LNC UMR1231, Dijon, F-21000, France

    Laurent Lagrost

  6. University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, LNC UMR1231, Dijon, F-21000, France

    Laurent Lagrost

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  1. Catherine Desrumaux
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Correspondence to Catherine Desrumaux.

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Desrumaux, C., Lagrost, L. Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) as an emerging determinant of the adaptive immune response. Cell Mol Immunol 15, 1077–1079 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-018-0036-9

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