Iron uptake via the transferrin receptor (CD71) is a pivotal mechanism for T cell proliferation. Yet, it is incompletely understood if targeting of CD71 also affects the differentiation and functional polarization of primary human T cells. In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of iron ingestion with blocking mAbs against CD71 induces nonproliferating T cells, which release high amounts of IL-2. Targeting of CD71 with blocking or nonblocking mAbs did not alter major signaling pathways and the activation of the transcription factors NF-κB, NFAT, or AP-1 as analyzed in Jurkat T cells. Growth arrest in iron-deficient (Fe-def) T cells was prevented upon addition of exogenous iron in the form of ferric ammonium citrate but was not reversible by exogenous IL-2. Surprisingly, protein synthesis was found to be intact in Fe-def T cells as demonstrated by comparable levels of CD69 upregulation and cytokine production with iron-sufficient T cells upon stimulation with CD3 plus CD28 mAbs. Indeed, high amounts of IL-2 were detectable in the supernatant of Fe-def T cells, which was accompanied with a reduced cell surface expression of IL-2R. When we used such Fe-def T cells in allogeneic MLRs, we observed that these cells acquired an accessory cell function and stimulated the proliferation of bystander T cells by providing IL-2. Thus, the results of our study demonstrate that iron deprivation causes nonproliferating, altruistic T cells that can help and stimulate other immune cells by providing cytokines such as IL-2.
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