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FOXK1 regulates effector T cell differentiation and function by repressing autophagy programs via the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway [Foxk1_ChIP-seq]

ABSTRACT: Upon T Cell Receptor (TCR) engagement, the Akt-mTOR signaling cascade initiates downstream events that orchestrate metabolic reprogramming in T cells through the coordinated activation of distinct transcription factors (TFs). Here, we demonstrate that Foxk1 is an integrating component of the Akt-mTOR signaling program, mediating T cell activation and differentiation. Foxk1 deficiency leads to impaired effector functions in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, associated with defects in metabolic reprogramming. We demonstrate that this is due to Foxk1’s ability to repress autophagy-related genes within hours following TCR stimulation. Conversely, overexpression or enforced nuclear localization of Foxk1 enhances effector-like phenotype of T cells, leading to better anti-tumor responses. Our results demonstrate the central role played by Foxk1 in initiating T cell activation and in shaping their differentiation trajectory.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE297724 | GEO | 2026/09/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway integrates diverse environmental inputs, including immune signals and metabolic cues, to direct T cell fate decisions1. Activation of mTOR, comprised of mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes, delivers an obligatory signal for proper activation and differentiation of effector CD4+ T cells2,3, whereas in the regulatory T cell (Treg) compartment, the Akt-mTOR axis is widely acknowledged as a crucial negative regulator of Treg de novo differentiation4-8 and population expansion9. However, whether mTOR signaling affects the homeostasis and function of Tregs remains largely unexplored. Here we show that mTORC1 signaling is a pivotal positive determinant of Treg function. Tregs have elevated steady-state mTORC1 activity compared to naïve T cells. Signals via T cell receptor (TCR) and IL-2 provide major inputs for mTORC1 activation, which in turn programs suppressive function of Tregs. Disruption of mTORC1 through Treg-specific deletion of the essential component Raptor leads to a profound loss of Treg suppressive activity in vivo and development of a fatal early-onset inflammatory disorder. Mechanistically, Raptor/mTORC1 signaling in Tregs promotes cholesterol/lipid metabolism, with the mevalonate pathway particularly important for coordinating Treg proliferation and upregulation of suppressive molecules CTLA-4 and ICOS to establish Treg functional competency. In contrast, mTORC1 does not directly impact the expression of Foxp3 or anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines in Tregs, suggesting a non-conventional mechanism for Treg functional regulation. Lastly, we provide evidence that mTORC1 maintains Treg function partly through inhibiting the mTORC2 pathway. Our results demonstrate that mTORC1 acts as a fundamental ‘rheostat’ in Tregs to link immunological signals from TCR and IL-2 to lipogenic pathways and functional fitness, and highlight a central role of metabolic programming of Treg suppressive activity in immune homeostasis and tolerance. We used microarrays to explore the gene expression profiles differentially expressed in regulatory T-cells from wild-type and CD4(cre) x Raptor(fl/fl) mice

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FOXK1 regulates effector T cell differentiation and function by repressing autophagy programs via the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway [Foxk1_ChIP-seq]

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