Modulation of astrocyte phenotype in response to T-cell interaction.

We determined that T-cell astrocyte interaction modulates interleukin-10 (IL-10) production from both cell types. The impact of IL-10 on astrocytes was compared to IL-10 generated from T-cell-astrocyte interactions in vitro. We demonstrated that T-cells directly interact with astrocytes to upregulate gene expression and secretion of IL-10, confirmed by elevated STAT3p/STAT3 expression in astrocytes. IL-10 increased astrocytes proliferation. In addition, IL-10 treatment and CD4+ co-culture shifts primary astrocytes toward a more energetic phenotype. These findings indicate that direct interaction of CD4+ T-cells with astrocytes, activated the IL-10 anti-inflammatory pathway, altering astrocyte phenotype, metabolism, and proliferation.