Myeloid-derived suppressor cells promote allograft survival by suppressing regulatory T cell dysfunction in high-risk corneal transplantation

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Highly inflamed and neovascularized corneal graft beds are known as high-risk environments for transplant survival. One of the primary factors leading to this rejection is reduction in the suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Our results show that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) counteract IL-6-mediated Treg dysfunction by expressing IL-10. Additionally, MDSC maintain FoxP3 stability and their ability to suppress IFN‐γ + Th1 cells. Administering MDSC to high-risk corneal transplant recipients demonstrates prolonged graft survival via promotion of Treg while concurrently suppressing IFN‐γ + Th1 cells. Moreover, MDSC-mediated donor-specific immune tolerance leads to long-term corneal graft survival as evidenced by the higher survival rate or delayed survival of a second-party C57BL/7 (B6) graft compared to those of third-party C3H grafts observed in contralateral low-risk or high-risk corneal transplantation of BALB/c recipient mice, respectively. Our study provides compelling preliminary evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of MDSC in preventing Treg dysfunction, significantly improving graft survival in high-risk corneal transplantation, and showing promising potential for immune tolerance induction.