Conclusion
Our data support a suppressive role for CD4+ T cells against inflammation and collagen deposition, with protective effects in early-stage dermal wound healing. These data implicate adaptive immunity in the regulation of scarring phenotypes.
Objective
While tissue injury and repair are known to involve adaptive immunity, the profile of lymphocytes involved and their contribution to dermal scarring remain unclear. We hypothesized that restoration of T cell deficiency attenuates dermal scarring. Approach: We assessed the temporal-spatial distribution of T lymphocytes and their subtypes during the physiological dermal wound repair process in mice. Also, we compared the scarring outcomes between wild-type (WT) and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, which are lymphocyte deficient. Complementary gain-of-function experiments were performed by adoptively transferring lymphocyte subsets to validate their contribution to tissue repair in wounded SCID mice.
Results
CD4+ T lymphocytes were present within dermal wounds of WT mice beginning on day 1 and remained through day 30. Wounds of SCID mice exhibited accelerated closure, increased inflammation, limited neovascularization, and exacerbated scarring compared with WT mice. Conversely, transfer of either mixed B and T lymphocytes or CD4+ lymphocytes alone into SCID mice resulted in moderated healing with less inflammation, collagen deposition, and scarring than control SCID wounds. In contrast, transfer of other lymphocyte subsets, including helper T lymphocytes (CD3+CD4+CD25-), CD8+ T cells and B cells, or regulatory T lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+CD127low), did not reduce scar. Innovation: The finding that lymphocytes delay wound healing but reduce scar is novel and provides new insights into how dermal scarring is regulated.