Role of interleukin 2 on gene expression in lymph node Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory (Treg) and conventional T (Tconv) cells
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ABSTRACT: Interleukine 2 (IL-2) is still one of the most interesting cytokines in T cell biology with its ability to control immune homeostasis by maintaining the functional identity of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expansion of activated conventional T (Tconv) cells. Yet, how IL-2 exactly enables Treg cells to suppress autoreactive Tconv cells and to maintain their identity is unclear. Using a mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we report that Treg cells that only receive low IL-2 signals keep Il2ramut/mut but not WT Tconv cells “in check”, suggesting equal IL-2 signals in Treg and Tconv cells is essential to safeguard immune homeostasis. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT Treg cells support a model in which IL-2 "locks in” Treg cell identity and functions in vivo by controlling their genome-wide chromatin accessibility.
Project description:Interleukine 2 (IL-2) is still one of the most interesting cytokines in T cell biology with its ability to control immune homeostasis by maintaining the functional identity of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expansion of activated conventional T (Tconv) cells. Yet, how IL-2 exactly enables Treg cells to suppress autoreactive Tconv cells and to maintain their identity is unclear. Using a mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we report that Treg cells that only receive low IL-2 signals keep Il2ramut/mut but not WT Tconv cells “in check”, suggesting equal IL-2 signals in Treg and Tconv cells is essential to safeguard immune homeostasis. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT Treg cells support a model in which IL-2 "locks in” Treg cell identity and functions in vivo by controlling their genome-wide chromatin accessibility.
Project description:Interleukine 2 (IL-2) is still one of the most interesting cytokines in T cell biology with its ability to control immune homeostasis by maintaining the functional identity of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expansion of activated conventional T (Tconv) cells. Yet, how IL-2 exactly enables Treg cells to suppress autoreactive Tconv cells and to maintain their identity is unclear. Using a mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we report that Treg cells that only receive low IL-2 signals keep Il2ramut/mut but not WT Tconv cells “in check”, suggesting equal IL-2 signals in Treg and Tconv cells is essential to safeguard immune homeostasis. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT Treg cells support a model in which IL-2 "locks in” Treg cell identity and functions in vivo by controlling their genome-wide chromatin accessibility.
Project description:Interleukine 2 (IL-2) is still one of the most interesting cytokines in T cell biology with its ability to control immune homeostasis by maintaining the functional identity of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expansion of activated conventional T (Tconv) cells. Yet, how IL-2 exactly enables Treg cells to suppress autoreactive Tconv cells and to maintain their identity is unclear. Using a mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we report that Treg cells that only receive low IL-2 signals keep Il2ramut/mut but not WT Tconv cells “in check”, suggesting equal IL-2 signals in Treg and Tconv cells is essential to safeguard immune homeostasis. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT Treg cells support a model in which IL-2 "locks in” Treg cell identity and functions in vivo by controlling their genome-wide chromatin accessibility.
Project description:Interleukine 2 (IL-2) is still one of the most interesting cytokines in T cell biology with its ability to control immune homeostasis by maintaining the functional identity of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expansion of activated conventional T (Tconv) cells. Yet, how IL-2 exactly enables Treg cells to suppress autoreactive Tconv cells and to maintain their identity is unclear. Using a mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we report that Treg cells that only receive low IL-2 signals keep Il2ramut/mut but not WT Tconv cells “in check”, suggesting equal IL-2 signals in Treg and Tconv cells is essential to safeguard immune homeostasis. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT Treg cells support a model in which IL-2 "locks in” Treg cell identity and functions in vivo by controlling their genome-wide chromatin accessibility.
Project description:Cognate antigen signals control CD8+ T cell priming, expansion size and effector versus memory cell fates, however, it is not clear whether they can also modulate the functional features of memory CD8+ T cells. We observed that OT-I cells that were primed with weak cognate antigen signals incorporate more cytokine signals, leading to a hypothesis that CD8+ T cells that receive weak TCR signals require cytokine signals to form functional memory. Using a previously described mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we conducted a comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT OT-I memory cells that were primed with strong (Lm-Ova N4) versus weak (Lm-Ova T4). RNA seq data showed that both TCR and IL-2 priming signals have minimal effect on gene expression in resting memory CD8 T cells, but they significantly modify the epigenetic landscape of the memory CD8 T cells. These findings have important contributions to the current understanding of how priming signals program memory CD8 T cells in vivo.
Project description:Cognate antigen signals control CD8+ T cell priming, expansion size and effector versus memory cell fates, however, it is not clear whether they can also modulate the functional features of memory CD8+ T cells. We observed that OT-I cells that were primed with weak cognate antigen signals incorporate more cytokine signals, leading to a hypothesis that CD8+ T cells that receive weak TCR signals require cytokine signals to form functional memory. Using a previously described mouse model in which IL-2 signaling via its high affinity receptor CD25 is selectively impaired, the “Il2ramut/mut” mouse, we conducted a comparative analysis of gene expression and epigenetic landscape of Il2ramut/mut and WT OT-I memory cells that were primed with strong (Lm-Ova N4) versus weak (Lm-Ova T4). RNA seq data showed that both TCR and IL-2 priming signals have minimal effect on gene expression in resting memory CD8 T cells, but they significantly modify the epigenetic landscape of the memory CD8 T cells. These findings have important contributions to the current understanding of how priming signals program memory CD8 T cells in vivo.
Project description:The CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cell lineage comprises thymus-derived (t)Treg cells and peripherally induced (p)Treg cells. As a model for Treg cells, studies employ TGF-β-induced (i)Treg cells generated from CD4+ conventional T (Tconv) cells in vitro. Here, we describe the relationship of iTreg cells to tTreg and Tconv cells. Proteomic analysis revealed that iTreg, tTreg and Tconv cell populations each have a unique protein expression pattern. iTreg cells had very limited overlap in protein expression with tTreg cells, regardless of cell activation status and instead shared signaling and metabolic proteins with Tconv cells. tTreg cells had a uniquely modest response to CD3/CD28-mediated stimulation. As a benchmark, we used a previously defined proteomic signature that sets ex vivo naïve and effector phenotype Treg cells apart from Tconv cells and includes unique Treg cell properties (Cuadrado et al., Immunity, 2018). This Treg cell core signature was largely absent in iTreg cells. We also used a proteomic signature that distinguishes ex vivo effector Treg cells from Tconv cells and naïve Treg cells. This effector Treg cell signature was partially present in iTreg cells. In conclusion, iTreg cells are distinct from tTreg cells and share limited features with ex vivo Treg cells at the proteomic level.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for immune homeostasis but inhibit immune rejection of cancer. Strategies to disrupt Treg-mediated cancer immunosuppression have been met with limited clinical success, but the underlying mechanisms for this failure are poorly understood. By modeling Treg-targeted immunotherapy in mice, we find that a subset of CD4+ Foxp3- conventional T (Tconv) cells with potent suppressive function undergoes activation and expansion upon depletion of Foxp3+ Treg cells and limits therapeutic efficacy. We noted that Foxp3- Tconv cells within tumors adopt a Treg-like transcriptional profile upon Treg depletion and acquire suppressive function. This is attributable to a Th2-like subset of CD4+ Tconv cells marked by expression of (C-C motif) receptor 8 (CCR8) and enriched in Treg-associated transcripts. CCR8+ Tconv cells are found in mouse and human tumors. Upon Treg depletion, CCR8+ Tconv cells undergo systemic and intratumoral activation and expansion, resulting in IL-10 dependent suppression of anti-tumor immunity. Consequently, conditional deletion of Il10 within T cells augments anti-tumor efficacy upon Treg-depletion in mice, and antibody blockade of IL-10 signaling synergizes with Treg depletion to overcome treatment resistance. These findings reveal a secondary layer of immunosuppression by Tconv cells released upon therapeutic Treg depletion and suggest that broader consideration of suppressive function within the T cell lineage is required for development of effective Treg-targeted therapies.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for immune homeostasis but inhibit immune rejection of cancer. Strategies to disrupt Treg-mediated cancer immunosuppression have been met with limited clinical success, but the underlying mechanisms for this failure are poorly understood. By modeling Treg-targeted immunotherapy in mice, we find that a subset of CD4+ Foxp3- conventional T (Tconv) cells with potent suppressive function undergoes activation and expansion upon depletion of Foxp3+ Treg cells and limits therapeutic efficacy. We noted that Foxp3- Tconv cells within tumors adopt a Treg-like transcriptional profile upon Treg depletion and acquire suppressive function. This is attributable to a Th2-like subset of CD4+ Tconv cells marked by expression of (C-C motif) receptor 8 (CCR8) and enriched in Treg-associated transcripts. CCR8+ Tconv cells are found in mouse and human tumors. Upon Treg depletion, CCR8+ Tconv cells undergo systemic and intratumoral activation and expansion, resulting in IL-10 dependent suppression of anti-tumor immunity. Consequently, conditional deletion of Il10 within T cells augments anti-tumor efficacy upon Treg-depletion in mice, and antibody blockade of IL-10 signaling synergizes with Treg depletion to overcome treatment resistance. These findings reveal a secondary layer of immunosuppression by Tconv cells released upon therapeutic Treg depletion and suggest that broader consideration of suppressive function within the T cell lineage is required for development of effective Treg-targeted therapies.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for immune homeostasis but inhibit immune rejection of cancer. Strategies to disrupt Treg-mediated cancer immunosuppression have been met with limited clinical success, but the underlying mechanisms for this failure are poorly understood. By modeling Treg-targeted immunotherapy in mice, we find that a subset of CD4+ Foxp3- conventional T (Tconv) cells with potent suppressive function undergoes activation and expansion upon depletion of Foxp3+ Treg cells and limits therapeutic efficacy. We noted that Foxp3- Tconv cells within tumors adopt a Treg-like transcriptional profile upon Treg depletion and acquire suppressive function. This is attributable to a Th2-like subset of CD4+ Tconv cells marked by expression of (C-C motif) receptor 8 (CCR8) and enriched in Treg-associated transcripts. CCR8+ Tconv cells are found in mouse and human tumors. Upon Treg depletion, CCR8+ Tconv cells undergo systemic and intratumoral activation and expansion, resulting in IL-10 dependent suppression of anti-tumor immunity. Consequently, conditional deletion of Il10 within T cells augments anti-tumor efficacy upon Treg-depletion in mice, and antibody blockade of IL-10 signaling synergizes with Treg depletion to overcome treatment resistance. These findings reveal a secondary layer of immunosuppression by Tconv cells released upon therapeutic Treg depletion and suggest that broader consideration of suppressive function within the T cell lineage is required for development of effective Treg-targeted therapies.