CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells prevent arthritis associated with Borrelia vaccination and infection

CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells are a population of regulatory T cells associated with control of arthritis in anti-interleukin-17 antibody-treated Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged gamma interferon-deficient mice. Here, we present direct evidence that adoptive transfer of enriched CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells from these mice can prevent the development of arthritis in Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged mice. These findings establish a major role for CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T cells in the prevention of arthritis in Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged animals.