Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Contribute to Susceptibility to Trypanosoma congolense Infection by Suppressing CD4+ T Cell Proliferation and IFN-γ Production

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of bone marrow–derived myeloid cells that have immune-suppressive activities. These cells have been reported to suppress T cell immunity against tumors as well as in some parasitic and bacterial infections. However, their role during Trypanosoma congolense infection has not been studied. Given that immunosuppression is a hallmark of African trypanosomiasis, we investigated the role of MDSCs in immunity to T. congolense infection. We found increased numbers of MDSCs in the spleen and liver of infected mice, which correlated with increased parasitemia. Depletion of MDSCs significantly increased the percentage of proliferating and IFN-γ–producing CD4 + T cells from the spleen of T. congolense– infected mice. Furthermore, MDSCs from T. congolense– infected mice directly suppressed CD4 + T cell proliferation in a coculture setting. This suppressive effect was abolished by the arginase-1 inhibitor, N ω -hydroxy-nor-l-arginine (nor-NOHA), indicating that MDSCs suppress CD4 + T cell proliferation and function in an arginase-1–dependent manner. Indeed, depletion of MDSCs during infection led to control of the first wave of parasitemia and prolonged survival of infected mice. This was also associated with increased CD4 + T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Taken together, our findings identify an important role of MDSCs in the pathogenesis of experimental T. congolense infection via suppression of T cell proliferative and effector cytokine responses in an arginase-1–dependent manner.