# Tissue Cytokine Sequestration and Immune Regulation in Autoimmunity

> **NIH NIH U01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $632,042

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
In healthy individuals, immune responses are resolved in part by Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Treg). In
individuals afflicted with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Treg function well ex vivo but fail to
prevent disease. This implicates in vivo impairments in Treg function in autoimmunity.
A critical factor that governs Treg homeostasis is the cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2). Unlike some cytokines that
circulate freely, IL-2 is mostly bound to the ECM, specifically to heparan sulfate (HS).
We have identified a heretofore ignored, fundamental role for HS-mediated IL-2 sequestration in Treg function
and stability in vivo. It is well-established that HS-containing proteoglycans (HSPGs) retain and slowly release
other cytokines and growth factors over time, thereby contributing to tissue remodeling after injury. We find
that inflammation increases the ability of tissues to retain IL-2. We also find that HS-bound IL-2 (HS/IL-2)
functions as a superagonist of IL-2R signaling, promoting the expansion and stability of Treg. Finally, we find
that heparanase (HPSE) and HS catabolism are required for Treg function in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that
Treg may use HPSE to strip IL-2 from HSPG within the extracellular matrix.
Conversely, HS/ IL-2 sequestration and acquisition may be impaired in autoimmunity. HS is abundant in
healthy pancreatic islets but disappears in the setting of autoimmune insulitis. Similarly, patterns of HSPGs are
deranged within white matter lesions in MS.
It may be possible to recapitulate HS/IL-2 signals therapeutically. Capitalizing on the tolerogenic properties
of HS/IL-2, we have developed synthetic mimetics of HS/IL-2 that expand Treg. Our vision is that these can be
conjugated to antigens and used to induce Treg and prevent MS and T1D.
In light of these exciting preliminary data, we hypothesize that HS/ IL-2 promotes Treg function and that this
pathway is impaired in autoimmunity. We will test this hypothesis in experiments with the following aims:
In Aim 1 we will evaluate ECM binding of cytokines in T1D and MS.
In Aim 2 we will elucidate how HS/IL-2 acts as a superagonist of IL-2R signaling.
In Aim 3 we will develop HS/IL-2 complexes that promote Treg induction and immune tolerance.
Together these Aims have the potential to transform our understanding of the mechanisms that promote
immune homeostasis in peripheral tissues.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9964650
- **Project number:** 5U01AI101984-09
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Paul L Bollyky
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $632,042
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9964650

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9964650, Tissue Cytokine Sequestration and Immune Regulation in Autoimmunity (5U01AI101984-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9964650. Licensed CC0.

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