Figure 7. Dex Controls Treg Functions via the miR-342–3p-Rictor Axis.

(A and B) Naive CD4⁺ T cells isolated from Foxp3^GFP mice were nucleofected with control (NC) or miR-342–3p mimic, and then activated in vitro under iTreg conditions with or without Dex for 72 h.

(A) miR-342–3p and Rictor expression were determined by qPCR analysis.

(B) Foxp3^DTR mice induced for EAE and treated with DTx day 7 post induction were transferred with 2×10⁶ control or miR-342–3p mimic treated iTreg cells and daily treated with Dex on days 9–11 (arrows). The mice were daily monitored and scored for clinical diseases. n = 5–9 each group.

(C and D) Naive CD4⁺ T cells isolated from Foxp3^GFP mice were nucleofected with control or Rictor expression vectors and subsequently polarized under iTreg condition with or without Dex for 72 h.

(C) qPCR analysis of miR-342–3p, Rictor, Hk2, and Hif1a expression.

(D) Foxp3^DTR mice induced for EAE and treated with DTx day 7 post induction were transferred with 2×10⁶ control or Rictor overexpressing iTreg cells. Dex treatment was performed on days 9 through 11 as above (arrows). The mice were daily monitored and scored for clinical diseases. n = 6–10 each group. Data are the mean ± SD of two to three independent experiments. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001, as determined by Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test.