Transcription factor IRF-5 regulates lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in murine CD8⁺ T-cells during viral infection.

ABSTRACT: Exhaustion of CD8⁺ T-cells leads to their reduced immune functionality and is controlled by numerous transcription factors. Here we show that the transcription factor IRF-5 helps to limit functional exhaustion of murine CD8⁺ T-cells during the chronic stage of LCMV (CL13) viral infection. Our results suggest that T-cell inhibitory receptors and transcription factor TOX, which are implicated in dampening T-cell activation and promoting exhaustion, are upregulated in infected IRF-5-deficient CD8⁺ T-cells. In addition, these cells display a reduced capacity to produce cytokines and lower survival rates than wild-type cells. Our findings indicate that these effects are mediated by defective lipid metabolism, increased lipid peroxidation, enhanced mitochondrial

SUBMITTER: Mai LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12316916 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature