Reprogramming of Th1 cells into regulatory T cells through rewiring of the metabolic status

Int Immunol. 2018 Jul 24;30(8):357-373. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxy043.

Abstract

T helper type 1 (Th1) cells form one of the most stable CD4 T-cell subsets, and direct conversion of fully differentiated Th1 to regulatory T (Treg) cells has been poorly investigated. Here, we established a culture method for inducing Foxp3 from Th1 cells of mice and humans. This is achieved simply by resting Th1 cells without T-cell receptor ligation before stimulation in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). We named the resulting Th1-derived Foxp3+ cells Th1reg cells. Mouse Th1reg cells showed an inducible Treg-like phenotype and suppressive ability both in vitro and in vivo. Th1reg cells could also be induced from in vivo-developed mouse Th1 cells. Unexpectedly, the resting process enabled Foxp3 expression not through epigenetic changes at the locus, but through metabolic change resulting from reduced mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. mTORC1 suppressed TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in Th1 cells, which was restored in rested cells. Our study warrants future research aiming at development of immunotherapy with Th1reg cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cellular Reprogramming*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Th1 Cells / cytology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism*