PI3Kγ Deficient NOD-Mice Are Protected from Diabetes by Restoring the Balance of Regulatory to Effector-T-Cells

PLoS One. 2017 Jan 12;12(1):e0169695. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169695. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

With a steady increase in its incidence and lack of curative treatment, type 1 diabetes (T1D) has emerged as a major health problem worldwide. To design novel effective therapies, there is a pressing need to identify regulatory targets controlling the balance of autoreactive to regulatory-T-cells (Tregs). We previously showed that the inhibition of the γ-subunit of the Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), significantly suppress autoimmune-diabetes. To further delineate the mechanisms and the selectivity of specific immune modulation by PI3Kγ-inhibition, we developed a new NOD mouse model of T1D lacking the γ-subunit of PI3K. Strikingly, the loss of PI3Kγ protected 92% of the NOD-mice from developing spontaneous diabetes. The NOD.PI3Kγ-/- mice are protected from insulitis secondary to a defect in CD4 and CD8 autoreactive-T-cells activation and survival. In addition, PI3Kγ-deficiency promoted Treg generation in-vitro and in-vivo. Furthermore, PI3Kγ-inhibitor (AS605240) inhibited proliferation and cytokine production of a human CD4+ T-cell clone specific for GAD555-567 peptide that was isolated from a patient with T1D. These studies demonstrate the key role of the PI3Kγ pathway in regulating autoimmune-diabetes and provide rationales for future devise of anti- PI3Kγ therapy in T1D.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / genetics*
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Thiazolidinediones / pharmacology

Substances

  • 5-quinoxalin-6-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione
  • Cytokines
  • Peptides
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinoxalines
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Pik3cg protein, mouse