A molecular network regulating the proinflammatory phenotype of human memory T lymphocytes

Nat Immunol. 2020 Apr;21(4):388-399. doi: 10.1038/s41590-020-0622-8. Epub 2020 Mar 16.

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms that modulate helper T lymphocyte functions is crucial to decipher normal and pathogenic immune responses in humans. To identify molecular determinants influencing the pathogenicity of T cells, we separated ex vivo-isolated primary human memory T lymphocytes on the basis of their ability to produce high levels of inflammatory cytokines. We found that the inflammatory, cytokine-producing phenotype of memory T lymphocytes was defined by a specific core gene signature and was mechanistically regulated by the constitutive activation of the NF-κB pathway and by the expression of the transcriptional repressor BHLHE40. BHLHE40 attenuated the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, including miR-146a, a negative regulator of NF-κB activation and ZC3H12D, an RNase of the Regnase-1 family able to degrade inflammatory transcripts. Our data reveal a molecular network regulating the proinflammatory phenotype of human memory T lymphocytes, with the potential to contribute to disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • NF-kappa B / immunology
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B