ER-associated degradation adapter Sel1L is required for CD8+ T cell function and memory formation following acute viral infection

Cell Rep. 2024 May 28;43(5):114156. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114156. Epub 2024 Apr 29.

Abstract

The maintenance of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells underlies the efficacy of vaccines and immunotherapies. Pathways contributing to CD8+ T cell loss are not completely understood. Uncovering the pathways underlying the limited persistence of CD8+ T cells would be of significant benefit for developing novel strategies of promoting T cell persistence. Here, we demonstrate that murine CD8+ T cells experience endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress following activation and that the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) adapter Sel1L is induced in activated CD8+ T cells. Sel1L loss limits CD8+ T cell function and memory formation following acute viral infection. Mechanistically, Sel1L is required for optimal bioenergetics and c-Myc expression. Finally, we demonstrate that human CD8+ T cells experience ER stress upon activation and that ER stress is negatively associated with improved T cell functionality in T cell-redirecting therapies. Together, these results demonstrate that ER stress and ERAD are important regulators of T cell function and persistence.

Keywords: CD8 T cell; CP: Immunology; ER stress; ERAD; Myc; T cell memory; immunometabolism; protein homeostasis.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / immunology
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / pathology
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / virology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Sel1h protein, mouse
  • SEL1L protein, human