scholarly journals GPR120 MAINTAINS INTESTINAL HOMEOSTASIS THROUGH REGULATION OF CD4+ T CELL IL-10 PRODUCTION

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S33-S33
Author(s):  
Wenjing Yang ◽  
Suxia Yao ◽  
Sara Dann ◽  
Yingzi Cong
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Intestinal Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Production ◽  
Severe Colitis ◽  
Long Chain

Abstract Irregular CD4+ effector T cell responses play an essential role in the intestinal inflammation, while IL-10 produced by effector T cells limits their pathogenesis to maintain the intestinal homeostasis. Dietary free fatty acids are actively involved in regulating immune responses, and mammalian G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120, a receptor for long-chain fatty acids, has been implicated in metabolic syndrome. However, the effect of GPR120 on intestinal homeostasis is still unknown. Here, we showed that deficiency of GPR120 resulted in more severe colitis in mice induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and Citrobacter Rodentium. Interestingly, CD4+ T cells expressed a high level of GPR120, and mice specifically lacking GPR120 in CD4+ T cells were more susceptible to DSS-induced colitis. Besides, GPR120-deficient CD45Rbhi CD4+ cells are more colitogenic in Rag-/- mice, in which IL-17 and IFNg producing CD4+ T cells were increased but IL-10 production by CD4+ T cells was reduced. Furthermore, CpdA, the GPR120 agonist, promoted CD4+ T effector cell production of IL-10 through upregulating Blimp1 and inducing glycolysis, which were regulated by mTOR pathway. Besides, docosahexaenoic acid, a dietary long-chain fatty acid, also upregulated the IL-10 production in CD4+ T cells. Additionally, GPR120 agonist-treated Th1 effector cells induced less severe colitis, whereas this protection was absent in Blimp1-deficient Th1 cells. Importantly, oral administration of CpdA protected mice against intestinal inflammation. Thus, our findings demonstrate the roles of dietary fatty acids receptor GPR120 in regulating intestinal CD4+ T cell production of IL-10 and intestinal homeostasis.

scholarly journals IL10-Deficiency in CD4+ T Cells Exacerbates the IFNγ and IL17 Response During Bacteria Induced Colitis

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1259-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Seiffart ◽  
Julia Zoeller ◽  
Robert Klopfleisch ◽  
Munisch Wadwa ◽  
Wiebke Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Intestinal Homeostasis ◽  
Crypt Hyperplasia

Background/Aims: IL10 is a key inhibitor of effector T cell activation and a mediator of intestinal homeostasis. In addition, IL10 has emerged as a key immunoregulator during infection with various pathogens, ameliorating the excessive T-cell responses that are responsible for much of the immunopathology associated with the infection. Because IL10 plays an important role in both intestinal homeostasis and infection, we studied the function of IL10 in infection-associated intestinal inflammation. Methods: Wildtype mice and mice deficient in CD4+ T cell-derived or regulatory T cells-derived IL10 were infected with the enteric pathogen Citrobacter (C.) rodentium and analyzed for the specific immune response and pathogloy in the colon. Results: We found that IL10 expression is upregulated in colonic tissue after infection with C. rodentium, especially in CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Whereas the deletion of IL10 in regulatory T cells had no effect on C. rodentium induced colitis, infection of mice deficient in CD4+ T cell-derived IL10 exhibited faster clearance of the bacterial burden but worse colitis, crypt hyperplasia, and pathology than did WT mice. In addition, the depletion of CD4+ T cell-derived IL10 in infected animals was accompanied by an accelerated IFNγ and IL17 response in the colon. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that CD4+ T cell-derived IL10 is strongly involved in the control of C. rodentium-induced colitis. Interference with this network could have implications for the treatment of infection-associated intestinal inflammation.

scholarly journals 1885. T-helper 1 (Th1) Production of Interferon Gamma (IFNγ) Is Directly Inhibited by TGFβ Within Pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculous (Mtb) Granulomas

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S52-S53
Author(s):  
Benjamin H Gern ◽  
Kristin Adams ◽  
Caleb Stoltzfus ◽  
Courtney Plumlee ◽  
Michael Gerner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Th1 Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Production

Abstract Background CD4 T-cell production of IFNɣ is essential to prevent dissemination of pulmonary Mtb, though is less effective at controlling infection within the lung. Because T cells are most effective in the context of direct interactions with Mtb-infected cells, we sought to determine the location of CD4 T-cell antigen sensing and IFNɣ production within granulomas. Methods We used a murine ultra-low-dose aerosol infection, developed by our lab, where most mice are infected by a single bacillus, resulting in a solitary granuloma that is more similar to human granulomas. We examined the lungs of wild-type mice 35 days later for patterns of T-cell activation with quantitative confocal imaging. This analysis was next performed following adoptive co-transfer of Th1 polarized Mtb-specific cells and control cells of irrelevant specificity (OVA). To determine the effect of TGFβ on IFNɣ production, we examined mice that lack the TGFβR on T cells (TGFβR.KO). Finally, we examined whether this effect was Th1 cell-intrinsic with an adoptive transfer of Th1-polarized Mtb-specific cells with (Tg.WT) and without (Tg.KO) the TGFβR. Results Despite many CD4 T cells localizing to the granuloma and undergoing T-cell receptor (TCR) activation (pS6), IFNɣ production was not significantly increased in the granuloma compared with a distal lung site (Figure 1). This pattern of localization and activation was found to be similar in the Mtb-specific (but not control) Th1 cells (Figure 2). In contrast, CD4 T cells from TGFβR.KO mice produced more IFNɣ within the granuloma (Figure 3). Lastly, Tg.KO cells transferred into wild-type mice produced increased IFNɣ compared with Tg.WT, mirroring the findings in TGFβR.KO mice (Figure 4). Conclusion CD4 T cell production of IFNɣ is decreased within the granuloma, where it can be most effective, despite evidence of ongoing TCR stimulation in Mtb-specific cells. We have shown that by alleviating the effects of TGFβ signaling, even terminally-differentiated Mtb-specific Th1 cells can produce more IFNɣ within the granuloma. While this modest increase suggests that there are additional mechanisms at play which warrant further exploration, these findings have the potential to guide immunotherapeutic development, especially given that TGFβ inhibitors are already in phase III clinical trials for other purposes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.

scholarly journals Inducible colitis-associated glycome capable of stimulating the proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 209 (13) ◽  
pp. 2383-2394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Nishida ◽  
Kiyotaka Nagahama ◽  
Hirotsugu Imaeda ◽  
Atsuhiro Ogawa ◽  
Cindy W. Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Expansion ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Glycan Structure ◽  
T Cell Expansion ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

Immune responses are modified by a diverse and abundant repertoire of carbohydrate structures on the cell surface, which is known as the glycome. In this study, we propose that a unique glycome that can be identified through the binding of galectin-4 is created on local, but not systemic, memory CD4+ T cells under diverse intestinal inflammatory conditions, but not in the healthy state. The colitis-associated glycome (CAG) represents an immature core 1–expressing O-glycan. Development of CAG may be mediated by down-regulation of the expression of core-2 β1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) 1, a key enzyme responsible for the production of core-2 O-glycan branch through addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to a core-1 O-glycan structure. Mechanistically, the CAG seems to contribute to super raft formation associated with the immunological synapse on colonic memory CD4+ T cells and to the consequent stabilization of protein kinase C θ activation, resulting in the stimulation of memory CD4+ T cell expansion in the inflamed intestine. Functionally, CAG-mediated CD4+ T cell expansion contributes to the exacerbation of T cell–mediated experimental intestinal inflammations. Therefore, the CAG may be an attractive therapeutic target to specifically suppress the expansion of effector memory CD4+ T cells in intestinal inflammation such as that seen in inflammatory bowel disease.

scholarly journals Reduced immune-regulatory molecule expression on human colonic memory CD4 T cells in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Dillon ◽  
Tezha A. Thompson ◽  
Allison J. Christians ◽  
Martin D. McCarter ◽  
Cara C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
T Cell Immunity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Cell Immunity ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

Abstract Background The etiology of the low-level chronic inflammatory state associated with aging is likely multifactorial, but a number of animal and human studies have implicated a functional decline of the gastrointestinal immune system as a potential driver. Gut tissue-resident memory T cells play critical roles in mediating protective immunity and in maintaining gut homeostasis, yet few studies have investigated the effect of aging on human gut T cell immunity. To determine if aging impacted CD4 T cell immunity in the human large intestine, we utilized multi-color flow cytometry to measure colonic lamina propria (LP) CD4 T cell frequencies and immune-modulatory marker expression in younger (mean ± SEM: 38 ± 1.5 yrs) and older (77 ± 1.6 yrs) adults. To determine cellular specificity, we evaluated colon LP CD8 T cell frequency and phenotype in the same donors. To probe tissue specificity, we evaluated the same panel of markers in peripheral blood (PB) CD4 T cells in a separate cohort of similarly aged persons. Results Frequencies of colonic CD4 T cells as a fraction of total LP mononuclear cells were higher in older persons whereas absolute numbers of colonic LP CD4 T cells per gram of tissue were similar in both age groups. LP CD4 T cells from older versus younger persons exhibited reduced CTLA-4, PD-1 and Ki67 expression. Levels of Bcl-2, CD57, CD25 and percentages of activated CD38+HLA-DR+ CD4 T cells were similar in both age groups. In memory PB CD4 T cells, older age was only associated with increased CD57 expression. Significant age effects for LP CD8 T cells were only observed for CTLA-4 expression, with lower levels of expression observed on cells from older adults. Conclusions Greater age was associated with reduced expression of the co-inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 on LP CD4 T cells. Colonic LP CD8 T cells from older persons also displayed reduced CTLA-4 expression. These age-associated profiles were not observed in older PB memory CD4 T cells. The decline in co-inhibitory receptor expression on colonic LP T cells may contribute to local and systemic inflammation via a reduced ability to limit ongoing T cell responses to enteric microbial challenge.

scholarly journals The Impact of Exercise Serum on Selected Parameters of CD4+ T Cell Metabolism

Immuno ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-131
Author(s):  
Jana Palmowski ◽  
Kristina Gebhardt ◽  
Thomas Reichel ◽  
Torsten Frech ◽  
Robert Ringseis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Autologous Serum ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
The Impact

CD4+ T cells are sensitive to peripheral changes of cytokine levels and metabolic substrates such as glucose and lactate. This study aimed to analyze whether factors released after exercise alter parameters of human T cell metabolism, specifically glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. We used primary human CD4+ T cells activated in the presence of autologous serum, which was collected before (CO) and after a 30-min exercise intervention (EX). In the course of activation, cells and supernatants were analyzed for cell viability and diameter, real-time oxygen consumption by using PreSens Technology, mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes and complexes of the electron transport chain by real-time PCR, glucose, and lactate levels in supernatants, and in vitro differentiation by flow cytometry. EX did not alter T cell phenotype, viability, or on-blast formation. Similarly, no difference between CO and EX were found for CD4+ T cell activation and cellular oxygen consumption. In contrast, higher levels of glucose were found after 48 h activation in EX conditions. T cells activated in autologous exercise serum expressed lower HK1 mRNA and higher IFN-γ receptor 1. We suggest that the exercise protocol used was not sufficient to destabilize the immune metabolism of T cells. Therefore, more intense and prolonged exercise should be used in future studies.

scholarly journals Infection of HLA-DR1 Transgenic Mice with a Human Isolate of Influenza A Virus (H1N1) Primes a Diverse CD4 T-Cell Repertoire That Includes CD4 T Cells with Heterosubtypic Cross-Reactivity to Avian (H5N1) Influenza Virus

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (13) ◽  
pp. 6566-6577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Richards ◽  
Francisco A. Chaves ◽  
Andrea J. Sant
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Avian Influenza Virus ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Ns1 Protein ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT The specificity of the CD4 T-cell immune response to influenza virus is influenced by the genetic complexity of the virus and periodic encounters with variant subtypes and strains. In order to understand what controls CD4 T-cell reactivity to influenza virus proteins and how the influenza virus-specific memory compartment is shaped over time, it is first necessary to understand the diversity of the primary CD4 T-cell response. In the study reported here, we have used an unbiased approach to evaluate the peptide specificity of CD4 T cells elicited after live influenza virus infection. We have focused on four viral proteins that have distinct intracellular distributions in infected cells, hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), nucleoprotein, and the NS1 protein, which is expressed in infected cells but excluded from virion particles. Our studies revealed an extensive diversity of influenza virus-specific CD4 T cells that includes T cells for each viral protein and for the unexpected immunogenicity of the NS1 protein. Due to the recent concern about pandemic avian influenza virus and because CD4 T cells specific for HA and NA may be particularly useful for promoting the production of neutralizing antibody to influenza virus, we have also evaluated the ability of HA- and NA-specific CD4 T cells elicited by a circulating H1N1 strain to cross-react with related sequences found in an avian H5N1 virus and find substantial cross-reactivity, suggesting that seasonal vaccines may help promote protection against avian influenza virus.

scholarly journals Isolevuglandin-Modified Cardiac Proteins Drive CD4+ T Cell Activation in the Heart and Promote Cardiac Dysfunction

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Njabulo Ngwenyama ◽  
Annet Kirabo ◽  
Mark Aronovitz ◽  
Francisco Velázquez ◽  
Francisco Carrillo-Salinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Myocardial Oxidative Stress

Background: Despite the well-established association between T cell-mediated inflammation and non-ischemic heart failure (HF), the specific mechanisms triggering T cell activation during the progression of HF and the antigens involved are poorly understood. We hypothesized that myocardial oxidative stress induces the formation of isolevuglandin (IsoLG)-modified proteins that function as cardiac neoantigens to elicit CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) activation and promote HF. Methods: We used transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice to trigger myocardial oxidative stress and T cell infiltration. We profiled the TCR repertoire by mRNA sequencing of intramyocardial activated CD4+ T cells in Nur77 GFP reporter mice, which transiently express GFP upon TCR engagement. We assessed the role of antigen presentation and TCR specificity in the development of cardiac dysfunction using antigen presentation-deficient MhcII -/- mice, and TCR transgenic OTII mice that lack specificity for endogenous antigens. We detected IsoLG-protein adducts in failing human hearts. We also evaluated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IsoLGs in eliciting T cell immune responses in vivo by treating mice with the antioxidant TEMPOL, and the IsoLG scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) during TAC, and ex-vivo in mechanistic studies of CD4+ T cell proliferation in response to IsoLG-modified cardiac proteins. Results: We discovered that TCR antigen recognition increases in the left ventricle (LV) as cardiac dysfunction progresses, and identified a limited repertoire of activated CD4+ T cell clonotypes in the LV. Antigen presentation of endogenous antigens was required to develop cardiac dysfunction since MhcII -/- mice reconstituted with CD4+ T cells, and OTII mice immunized with their cognate antigen were protected from TAC-induced cardiac dysfunction despite the presence of LV-infiltrated CD4+ T cells. Scavenging IsoLGs with 2-HOBA reduced TCR activation and prevented cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, cardiac pressure overload resulted in ROS dependent dendritic cell accumulation of IsoLG-protein adducts which induced robust CD4+ T cell proliferation. Conclusions: Collectively, our study demonstrates an important role of ROS-induced formation of IsoLG-modified cardiac neoantigens that lead to TCR-dependent CD4+ T cell activation within the heart.

scholarly journals 739 Intratumor childhood vaccine-specific CD4+ T cell recall helps antitumor CD8 T cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A770-A770
Author(s):  
Michael Brown ◽  
Zachary McKay ◽  
Yuanfan Yang ◽  
Darell Bigner ◽  
Smita Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Antitumor Efficacy ◽  
Polio Vaccine ◽  
Recall Antigen ◽  
Childhood Vaccine

BackgroundPVSRIPO, a recombinant poliovirus derived from the live-attenuated Sabin oral polio vaccine strain, is being tested in multi-institutional phase II clinical trials for recurrent glioblastoma (NCT04479241) and unresectable, PD-1 refractory melanoma (NCT04577807) in combination with PD1 blockade. PVSRIPO capsid is identical to the Sabin vaccine strain and >99% identical to the inactivated Polio vaccine (IPOL, Salk), against which public health mandated childhood vaccination is near universal. In non-vaccinated mice, PVSRIPO mediates antitumor efficacy in a replication-dependent manner via engaging innate inflammation and antitumor T cells. Accordingly, it is anticipated that pre-existing immunity to PVSRIPO impedes antitumor therapy. However, recent evidence indicates that immunological 'recall', or reactivation of memory T cells, may mediate anti-tumor effects.MethodsThe impact of prior polio vs control (KLH) vaccination on intratumor viral replication, tumor inflammation, and overall tumor growth after intratumor PVSRIPO therapy was assessed in murine tumor models. The role of polio capsid and tetanus recall antigens in mediating intratumor inflammation and antitumor efficacy was similarly studied in mice non-permissive to PVSRIPO infection. To mechanistically define antitumor effects of polio recall, B cell and CD8 T cell knockout mice were used, in addition to adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells from vaccinated mice. Intratumor polio or tetanus recall antigen therapy was performed after OT-I transfer (OVA-specific T cells) in the B16-OVA melanoma model to gauge antitumor T cell activity. Lastly, the inflammatory effects of polio and tetanus antigens was tested in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).ResultsDespite curtailing intratumor viral replication, prior polio vaccination in mice potentiated subsequent antitumor efficacy of PVSRIPO. Intratumor recall responses induced by polio and tetanus antigens also delayed tumor growth. Recall antigen therapy was associated with marked intratumor influx of eosinophils, conventional CD4+ T cells, and increased expression of IFN-g, TNF, and Granzyme B in tumor infiltrating T cells. The antitumor efficacy of polio recall antigen was mediated by CD4+ T cells, partially depended upon CD8+ T cells, and was impaired by B cells. Both polio and tetanus recall antigen therapy bolstered the antitumor function of tumor-specific OT-I CD8+ T cells. Polio and tetanus antigens induced CXCL10 and type I/II/III IFNs in PBMCs in vitro.ConclusionsChildhood vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells hold cancer immunotherapy potential. In the context of PVSRIPO therapy, antitumor and inflammatory effects of polio vaccine-specific CD4+ T cell recall supersedes inhibitory effects of attenuated intratumor viral replication, and represents a novel mechanism of action.Ethics ApprovalThe animal work described in this study was approved by the Duke University IACUC.

CD4+ T cells specific for glycoprotein B from cytomegalovirus exhibit extreme conservation of T-cell receptor usage between different individuals

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 2053-2061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Crompton ◽  
Naeem Khan ◽  
Rajiv Khanna ◽  
Laxman Nayak ◽  
Paul A. H. Moss
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Clonal Selection ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Extreme Conservation

Antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells often demonstrate extreme conservation of T-cell receptor (TCR) usage between different individuals, but similar characteristics have not been documented for CD4+ T cells. CD4+ T cells predominantly have a helper immune role, but a cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell subset has been characterized, and we have studied the cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell response to a peptide from human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B presented through HLA-DRB*0701. We show that this peptide elicits a cytotoxic CD4+ T-cell response that averages 3.6% of the total CD4+ T-cell repertoire of cytomegalovirus-seropositive donors. Moreover, CD4+ cytotoxic T-cell clones isolated from different individuals exhibit extensive conservation of TCR usage, which indicates strong T-cell clonal selection for peptide recognition. Remarkably, this TCR sequence was recently reported in more than 50% of cases of CD4+ T-cell large granular lymphocytosis. Immunodominance of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells thus parallels that of CD8+ subsets and suggests that cytotoxic effector function is critical to the development of T-cell clonal selection, possibly from immune competition secondary to lysis of antigen-presenting cells. In addition, these TCR sequences are highly homologous to those observed in HLA-DR7+ patients with CD4+ T-cell large granular lymphocytosis and implicate cytomegalovirus as a likely antigenic stimulus for this disorder.

IL-6 enhances CD4 cell motility by sustaining mitochondrial Ca2+ through the noncanonical STAT3 pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (37) ◽  
pp. e2103444118
Author(s):  
Felipe Valença-Pereira ◽  
Qian Fang ◽  
Isabelle J. Marié ◽  
Emily L. Giddings ◽  
Karen A. Fortner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Motility ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Noncanonical Pathway ◽  
Cd4 Cell ◽  
Intrinsic Effect

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is known to regulate the CD4 T cell function by inducing gene expression of a number of cytokines through activation of Stat3 transcription factor. Here, we reveal that IL-6 strengthens the mechanics of CD4 T cells. The presence of IL-6 during activation of mouse and human CD4 T cells enhances their motility (random walk and exploratory spread), resulting in an increase in travel distance and higher velocity. This is an intrinsic effect of IL-6 on CD4 T-cell fitness that involves an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+. Although Stat3 transcriptional activity is dispensable for this process, IL-6 uses mitochondrial Stat3 to enhance mitochondrial Ca2+-mediated motility of CD4 T cells. Thus, through a noncanonical pathway, IL-6 can improve competitive fitness of CD4 T cells by facilitating cell motility. These results could lead to alternative therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases in which IL-6 plays a pathogenic role.

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