The β₁-adrenergic receptor links sympathetic nerves to T cell exhaustion.

ABSTRACT: CD8⁺ T cells are essential components of the immune response against viral infections and tumours, and are capable of eliminating infected and cancerous cells. However, when the antigen cannot be cleared, T cells enter a state known as exhaustion¹. Although it is clear that chronic antigen contributes to CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion, less is known about how stress responses in tissues regulate T cell function. Here we show a new link between the stress-associated catecholamines and the progression of T cell exhaustion through the β₁-adrenergic receptor ADRB1. We identify that exhausted CD8⁺ T cells increase ADRB1 expression and that exposure of ADRB1⁺ T cells to catecholamines suppresses their cytokine production and proliferation

SUBMITTER: Globig AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10871066 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature