Terminal differentiation and persistence of effector regulatory T cells essential for the prevention of intestinal inflammation [bulk ATAC-seq]
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ABSTRACT: Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a specialized CD4+ T cell lineage with essential anti-inflammatory functions. Recent studies of the adaptations of Treg cells to non-lymphoid tissues which enable their specialized immunosuppressive and tissue supportive functions raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of these adaptations and whether they represent stable differentiation or reversible activation states. Using novel genetic tools, we characterized the transcriptional programs of distinct colonic effector Treg cell types. We found that attenuated T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and acquisition of substantial TCR independent functionality appears to facilitate the terminal differentiation of a population of colonic effector Treg cells distinguished by stable expression of immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Functional studies revealed that this subset of effector Treg cells, but not their expression of IL-10, was indispensable for preventing colitis. These findings suggest core features of terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues and their function therein.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a specialized CD4+ T cell lineage with essential anti-inflammatory functions. Recent studies of the adaptations of Treg cells to non-lymphoid tissues which enable their specialized immunosuppressive and tissue supportive functions raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of these adaptations and whether they represent stable differentiation or reversible activation states. Using novel genetic tools, we characterized the transcriptional programs of distinct colonic effector Treg cell types. We found that attenuated T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and acquisition of substantial TCR independent functionality appears to facilitate the terminal differentiation of a population of colonic effector Treg cells distinguished by stable expression of immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Functional studies revealed that this subset of effector Treg cells, but not their expression of IL-10, was indispensable for preventing colitis. These findings suggest core features of terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues and their function therein.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a specialized CD4+ T cell lineage with essential anti-inflammatory functions. Recent studies of the adaptations of Treg cells to non-lymphoid tissues which enable their specialized immunosuppressive and tissue supportive functions raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of these adaptations and whether they represent stable differentiation or reversible activation states. Using novel genetic tools, we characterized the transcriptional programs of distinct colonic effector Treg cell types. We found that attenuated T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and acquisition of substantial TCR independent functionality appears to facilitate the terminal differentiation of a population of colonic effector Treg cells distinguished by stable expression of immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Functional studies revealed that this subset of effector Treg cells, but not their expression of IL-10, was indispensable for preventing colitis. These findings suggest core features of terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues and their function therein.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a specialized CD4+ T cell lineage with essential anti-inflammatory functions. Recent studies of the adaptations of Treg cells to non-lymphoid tissues which enable their specialized immunosuppressive and tissue supportive functions raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of these adaptations and whether they represent stable differentiation or reversible activation states. Using novel genetic tools, we characterized the transcriptional programs of distinct colonic effector Treg cell types. We found that attenuated T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and acquisition of substantial TCR independent functionality appears to facilitate the terminal differentiation of a population of colonic effector Treg cells distinguished by stable expression of immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Functional studies revealed that this subset of effector Treg cells, but not their expression of IL-10, was indispensable for preventing colitis. These findings suggest core features of terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues and their function therein.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a specialized CD4+ T cell lineage with essential anti-inflammatory functions. Recent studies of the adaptations of Treg cells to non-lymphoid tissues which enable their specialized immunosuppressive and tissue supportive functions raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of these adaptations and whether they represent stable differentiation or reversible activation states. Using novel genetic tools, we characterized the transcriptional programs of distinct colonic effector Treg cell types. We found that attenuated T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and acquisition of substantial TCR independent functionality appears to facilitate the terminal differentiation of a population of colonic effector Treg cells distinguished by stable expression of immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Functional studies revealed that this subset of effector Treg cells, but not their expression of IL-10, was indispensable for preventing colitis. These findings suggest core features of terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues and their function therein.
Project description:While unique subsets of Treg cells have been described in some non-lymphoid tissues, their relationship to Treg cells in secondary lymphoid organs and circulation remains unclear. We have identified a recirculating and highly suppressive effector Treg cell subset that expresses the α2 integrin, CD49b, and exhibits a unique tissue distribution. We used TCR sequencing to ask whether CD49b+ activated Treg cells and CD49b− activated Treg cells represent stable states of Treg cell differentiation instructed by distinct TCR repertoires. We did not find a pattern of clonotypes that was specific to either subset, suggesting that essentially all CD49b− Treg cells could give rise to CD49b+ cells. These results shed light on the identity and development of a functionally potent subset of mature effector Treg cells that recirculate through and survey peripheral tissues.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells can facilitate transplant tolerance and attenuate autoimmune- and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, it is clinically relevant to stimulate Treg cell expansion and function in vivo and to create therapeutic Treg cell products in vitro. We report that TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) is a unique costimulus for naïve, thymus-derived (t)Treg cells from human blood that promotes their differentiation into non-lymphoid tissue (NLT)-resident effector Treg cells, without Th-like polarization. In contrast, CD28 costimulation maintains a lymphoid tissue (LT)-resident Treg cell phenotype. We base this conclusion on transcriptome and proteome analysis of TNFR2- and CD28-costimulated CD4+ Treg cells and conventional T (Tconv) cells, followed by bioinformatic comparison with published transcriptomic Treg cell signatures from NLT and LT in health and disease, including autoimmunity and cancer. These analyses illuminate that TNFR2 costimulation promotes Treg cell capacity for survival, migration, immunosuppression and tissue regeneration. Functional studies confirmed improved migratory ability of TNFR2-costimulated tTreg cells. Flow cytometry validated the presence of the TNFR2-driven Treg cell signature in effector/memory Treg cells from the human placenta as opposed to blood. Thus, TNFR2 can be exploited as driver of NLT-resident Treg cell differentiation for adoptive cell therapy or antibody-based immunomodulation in human disease.
Project description:The differentiation and homeostasis of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is strictly controlled by T cell receptor (TCR) signals; however, the molecular regulators of these processes are incompletely known. Here we found that Bach2 was a key regulator of Treg cell differentiation and homeostasis downstream of TCR signalling. Bach2 prevented premature differentiation of fully suppressive effector (e)Treg cells, limited IL-10 production and was required for the development of peripherally induced (p)Treg cells in the gastrointestinal tract. We found that Bach2 attenuated TCR signalling-induced and IRF4-dependent Treg cell differentiation programs. Deletion of IRF4 promoted inducible Treg cell differentiation and rescued pTreg cell differentiation in the absence of Bach2. In turn, loss of Bach2 normalised eTreg cell differentiation of IRF4-deficient Treg cells. Mechanistically, Bach2 counteracted DNA-binding activity of IRF4 and limited chromatin accessibility, thereby attenuating IRF4-dependent transcriptional programs. Thus, Bach2 balanced TCR signalling induced transcriptional activity of IRF4 to maintain Treg cell homeostasis.
Project description:The differentiation and homeostasis of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is strictly controlled by T cell receptor (TCR) signals; however, the molecular regulators of these processes are incompletely known. Here we found that Bach2 was a key regulator of Treg cell differentiation and homeostasis downstream of TCR signalling. Bach2 prevented premature differentiation of fully suppressive effector (e)Treg cells, limited IL-10 production and was required for the development of peripherally induced (p)Treg cells in the gastrointestinal tract. We found that Bach2 attenuated TCR signalling-induced and IRF4-dependent Treg cell differentiation programs. Deletion of IRF4 promoted inducible Treg cell differentiation and rescued pTreg cell differentiation in the absence of Bach2. In turn, loss of Bach2 normalised eTreg cell differentiation of IRF4-deficient Treg cells. Mechanistically, Bach2 counteracted DNA-binding activity of IRF4 and limited chromatin accessibility, thereby attenuating IRF4-dependent transcriptional programs. Thus, Bach2 balanced TCR signalling induced transcriptional activity of IRF4 to maintain Treg cell homeostasis.
Project description:The differentiation and homeostasis of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is strictly controlled by T cell receptor (TCR) signals; however, the molecular regulators of these processes are incompletely known. Here we found that Bach2 was a key regulator of Treg cell differentiation and homeostasis downstream of TCR signalling. Bach2 prevented premature differentiation of fully suppressive effector (e)Treg cells, limited IL-10 production and was required for the development of peripherally induced (p)Treg cells in the gastrointestinal tract. We found that Bach2 attenuated TCR signalling-induced and IRF4-dependent Treg cell differentiation programs. Deletion of IRF4 promoted inducible Treg cell differentiation and rescued pTreg cell differentiation in the absence of Bach2. In turn, loss of Bach2 normalised eTreg cell differentiation of IRF4-deficient Treg cells. Mechanistically, Bach2 counteracted DNA-binding activity of IRF4 and limited chromatin accessibility, thereby attenuating IRF4-dependent transcriptional programs. Thus, Bach2 balanced TCR signalling induced transcriptional activity of IRF4 to maintain Treg cell homeostasis.
Project description:The differentiation and homeostasis of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is strictly controlled by T cell receptor (TCR) signals; however, the molecular regulators of these processes are incompletely known. Here we found that Bach2 was a key regulator of Treg cell differentiation and homeostasis downstream of TCR signalling. Bach2 prevented premature differentiation of fully suppressive effector (e)Treg cells, limited IL-10 production and was required for the development of peripherally induced (p)Treg cells in the gastrointestinal tract. We found that Bach2 attenuated TCR signalling-induced and IRF4-dependent Treg cell differentiation programs. Deletion of IRF4 promoted inducible Treg cell differentiation and rescued pTreg cell differentiation in the absence of Bach2. In turn, loss of Bach2 normalised eTreg cell differentiation of IRF4-deficient Treg cells. Mechanistically, Bach2 counteracted DNA-binding activity of IRF4 and limited chromatin accessibility, thereby attenuating IRF4-dependent transcriptional programs. Thus, Bach2 balanced TCR signalling induced transcriptional activity of IRF4 to maintain Treg cell homeostasis.