TY - JOUR

T1 - Neuronal IFN-beta-induced PI3K/Akt-FoxA1 signalling is essential for generation of FoxA1(+)Treg cells

AU - Liu, Yawei

AU - Marin, Andrea

AU - Ejlerskov, Patrick

AU - Rasmussen, Louise Munk

AU - Prinz, Marco

AU - Issazadeh-Navikas, Shohreh

PY - 2017/4/24

Y1 - 2017/4/24

N2 - Neurons reprogramme encephalitogenic T cells (Tenc) to regulatory T cells (Tregs), either FoxP3(+)Tregs or FoxA1(+)Tregs. We reported previously that neuronal ability to generate FoxA1(+)Tregs was central to preventing neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mice lacking interferon (IFN)-β were defective in generating FoxA1(+)Tregs in the brain. Here we show that lack of neuronal IFNβ signalling is associated with the absence of programme death ligand-1 (PDL1), which prevents their ability to reprogramme Tenc cells to FoxA1(+)Tregs. Passive transfer-EAE via IFNβ-competent Tenc cells to mice lacking IFNβ and active induced-EAE in mice lacking its receptor, IFNAR, in the brain (Nes(Cre):Ifnar(fl/fl)) result in defective FoxA1(+)Tregs generation and aggravated neuroinflammation. IFNβ activates neuronal PI3K/Akt signalling and Akt binds to transcription factor FoxA1 that translocates to the nucleus and induces PDL1. Conversely, inhibition of PI3K/Akt, FoxA1 and PDL1 blocked neuronal ability to generate FoxA1(+)Tregs. We characterize molecular factors central for neuronal ability to reprogramme pathogenic T cells to FoxA1(+)Tregs preventing neuroinflammation.

AB - Neurons reprogramme encephalitogenic T cells (Tenc) to regulatory T cells (Tregs), either FoxP3(+)Tregs or FoxA1(+)Tregs. We reported previously that neuronal ability to generate FoxA1(+)Tregs was central to preventing neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mice lacking interferon (IFN)-β were defective in generating FoxA1(+)Tregs in the brain. Here we show that lack of neuronal IFNβ signalling is associated with the absence of programme death ligand-1 (PDL1), which prevents their ability to reprogramme Tenc cells to FoxA1(+)Tregs. Passive transfer-EAE via IFNβ-competent Tenc cells to mice lacking IFNβ and active induced-EAE in mice lacking its receptor, IFNAR, in the brain (Nes(Cre):Ifnar(fl/fl)) result in defective FoxA1(+)Tregs generation and aggravated neuroinflammation. IFNβ activates neuronal PI3K/Akt signalling and Akt binds to transcription factor FoxA1 that translocates to the nucleus and induces PDL1. Conversely, inhibition of PI3K/Akt, FoxA1 and PDL1 blocked neuronal ability to generate FoxA1(+)Tregs. We characterize molecular factors central for neuronal ability to reprogramme pathogenic T cells to FoxA1(+)Tregs preventing neuroinflammation.

U2 - 10.1038/ncomms14709

DO - 10.1038/ncomms14709

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28436428

VL - 8

JO - Nature Communications

JF - Nature Communications

SN - 2041-1723

M1 - 14709

ER -