Project description:During chronic viral infection, the inflammatory function of CD4 T cells becomes gradually attenuated. Concurrently, Th1 cells progressively acquire the capacity to secrete the cytokine IL-10, a potent suppressor of antiviral T cell responses. To determine the transcriptional changes that underlie this T cell adaption process, we applied a single-cell RNA-sequencing approach and assessed the heterogeneity of IL-10-expressing CD4 T cells during chronic infection. Unexpectedly, our analyses revealed an IL-10-producing population with a robust Tfh-signature. Using IL-10 and IL-21 double-reporter mice, we further demonstrate that IL-10+IL-21+co-producing Tfh cells arise predominantly during chronic but not acute LCMV infection. Importantly, depletion of IL-10+IL-21+co-producing CD4 T cells or deletion of Il10 specifically in Tfh cells resulted in impaired humoral immunity and viral control. Mechanistically, B cell-intrinsic IL-10 signaling was required for sustaining germinal center reactions. Lastly, we demonstrate that IL-27 and type I IFNs differentially regulate the formation of this protective IL-10-producing Tfh subset. Thus, our findings elucidate a critical role for Tfh-derived IL-10 in promoting humoral immunity during persistent viral infection.
Project description:Comparison of transcriptome between PD1+CXCR5+ Tfh and PD1-CXCR5- non-Tfh compartments developed by control and Mef2d-RV OTII CD4 T cells
Project description:After activation, CD4+ helper T (Th) cells differentiate; into distinct effector subsets. Although chemokine; (C-X-C motif) receptor 5-expressing T follicular; helper (Tfh) cells are important in humoral immunity,; their developmental regulation is unclear. Here we; show that Tfh cells had a distinct gene expression; profile and developed in vivo independently of the; Th1 or Th2 cell lineages. Tfh cell generation was regulated; by ICOS ligand (ICOSL) expressed on B cells; and was dependent on interleukin-21 (IL-21), IL-6,; and signal transducer and activator of transcription; 3. However, unlike Th17 cells, differentiation of Tfh; cells did not require transforming growth factor; b (TGF-b) or Th17-specific orphan nuclear receptors; RORa and RORg in vivo. Finally, naive T cells activated; in vitro in the presence of IL-21 but not; TGF-b signaling preferentially acquired Tfh gene; expression and promoted germinal-center reactions; in vivo. This study thus demonstrates that Tfh is a; distinct Th cell lineage. Experiment Overall Design: Splenic CD4+CXCR5+ T cells were isolated from KLH-immunized mice and restimulated with anti-CD3 for 4 hours before total RNA preparation. Affymetrix gene chips were used to analyze their gene expression.
Project description:T follicular helper (TFH) cells promote affinity maturation of B cells in germinal centers (GCs), whereas T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells limit GC reaction. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels mediated by STIM and ORAI proteins is a fundamental signaling pathway in T lymphocytes. Here we show that SOCE is required for the differentiation and function of both TFH and TFR cells. Conditional deletion of Stim1 and Stim2 genes in T cells or Treg cells results in spontaneous autoantibody production and humoral autoimmunity. Conversely, antibody-mediated immune responses following viral infection critically depend on SOCE in TFH cells. Mechanistically, STIM1 and STIM2 control early TFR and TFH cell differentiation through NFAT-mediated IRF4, BATF and Bcl-6 expression. SOCE plays a dual role in GC response by controlling TFH and TFR cell function, thus enabling protective B cell responses and preventing humoral autoimmunity. RNAseq analyses of WT and Stim1Stim2 DKO follicular T cells and non-follicular T cells; 4-6 mice per cohort in duplicates. Mice were infected for 10 days with LCMV.
Project description:After activation, CD4+ helper T (Th) cells differentiate into distinct effector subsets. Although chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 5-expressing T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are important in humoral immunity, their developmental regulation is unclear. Here we show that Tfh cells had a distinct gene expression profile and developed in vivo independently of the Th1 or Th2 cell lineages. Tfh cell generation was regulated by ICOS ligand (ICOSL) expressed on B cells and was dependent on interleukin-21 (IL-21), IL-6, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. However, unlike Th17 cells, differentiation of Tfh cells did not require transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) or Th17-specific orphan nuclear receptors RORa and RORg in vivo. Finally, naive T cells activated in vitro in the presence of IL-21 but not TGF-b signaling preferentially acquired Tfh gene expression and promoted germinal-center reactions in vivo. This study thus demonstrates that Tfh is a distinct Th cell lineage.
Project description:Immune cells can metabolize fatty acids (FAs) to generate energy. The source of different fatty acid species, and their impacts on humoral immunity remains poorly understood. Here we report that proliferating B cells require increased amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) to maintain mitochondrial metabolism and mTOR activity, and to prevent excessive autophagy and endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress. Furthermore, B cell extrinsic Stearoyl-Coa desaturase (SCD) activity generates endogenous MUFA to support early B cell development and germinal center (GC) formation in vivo during immunization and influenza infection. Thus, SCD-mediated MUFA production is critical for humoral immunity.
Project description:T follicular helper (TFH) cells promote affinity maturation of B cells in germinal centers (GCs), whereas T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells limit GC reaction. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels mediated by STIM and ORAI proteins is a fundamental signaling pathway in T lymphocytes. Here we show that SOCE is required for the differentiation and function of both TFH and TFR cells. Conditional deletion of Stim1 and Stim2 genes in T cells or Treg cells results in spontaneous autoantibody production and humoral autoimmunity. Conversely, antibody-mediated immune responses following viral infection critically depend on SOCE in TFH cells. Mechanistically, STIM1 and STIM2 control early TFR and TFH cell differentiation through NFAT-mediated IRF4, BATF and Bcl-6 expression. SOCE plays a dual role in GC response by controlling TFH and TFR cell function, thus enabling protective B cell responses and preventing humoral autoimmunity.