Direct interactions with HDL promote regulatory T cells survival

Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr, Cincinnati OH

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Abstract

Abstract Regulatory T cells (Treg) control both innate and adaptive immune responses and are essential to curb exacerbated inflammatory processes. Notably, Treg limit vascular endothelial injury and prevent pulmonary hypertension in human cohorts and animal models. Treg also appear dysfunctional in several metabolic diseases, including obesity and its diabetic complications. Interestingly, Treg were recently shown to mediate their survival through distinct metabolic pathways than effector T cells, relying more on fatty acid oxidation than glycolysis for energy generation. Treg take up externally derived fatty acids to support these high rates of fatty acid oxidation, but the involved molecules and pathways involved are not known. Thus understanding the interaction between Treg and lipids would provide novel insight into Treg biology. High-density lipoproteins have anti-inflammatory properties, which could be at least partially mediated by an effect of HDL on Treg. For example, intra-peritoneal injection of HDL into LDLR-/- mice increased splenic Treg counts. In addition, we recently showed in normocholesterolemic adults treated with statins that Treg frequency positively correlated with HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) levels, but not with those of LDL-c or triglycerides. Although these data strongly suggest that HDL-c promote Treg accrual, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In particular, it is not clear whether HDL exert their effects on Treg homeostasis directly or indirectly. Our preliminary studies suggest the hypothesis that HDL interact directly with Treg, which enhances their survival through increased metabolic activity. Indeed, we showed that in vitro incubation of purified human Treg with HDL, but not LDL, significantly improved Treg survival. In contrast, HDL did not affect the survival of memory and naïve CD4+ T cells. Supporting a direct effect of HDL on Treg, we found that Treg bind, and then internalize, HDL significantly more than their naïve and memory counterparts. Significantly increased expression of the Scavenger Receptor class B (SR-BI/II) on Treg compared to other CD4+ T cell subsets appeared critical for this preferential uptake, as a blocking anti-SR-BI/II Ab abolished the HDL pro-survival effect. Mechanistically, we found that HDL uptake increased Treg metabolism, notably Treg mitochondrial activity, and that blocking fatty acid oxidation also abolished the HDL pro-survival effect. However, key gaps in knowledge remain. Notably, the pathways involved in HDL internalization by Treg and the molecular mechanisms by which HDL promote increased metabolic activity remain poorly understood. It is also not established whether HDL interactions may modify Treg functionality. Finally, we do not know which HDL component(s) is/are operational for Treg survival, although our preliminary data identified apoA-I as a prime candidate. In this proposal, we will address these gaps in knowledge through 2 Aims. In Sp. Aim 1, we will (1) study the role of the SR-BI/II-mediated pathway in HDL internalization; (2) decipher the molecular mechanisms by which HDL promote Treg survival; and (3) determine whether HDL interactions modify Treg functionality. In Sp. Aim 2, we will identify the HDL component(s) that is/are operational for Treg survival. We will use 2 complementary approaches, first testing the role of apoA-I in enhanced Treg survival, using reconstituted apoA-I HDL particles or conversely, apoA-I devoid particles, and then using proteomics to identify the HDL components that mediate their effect on Treg.