PPARγ negatively regulates T cell activation to prevent follicular helper T cells and germinal center formation

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 12;9(6):e99127. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099127. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism. Although studies of PPARγ ligands have demonstrated its regulatory functions in inflammation and adaptive immunity, its intrinsic role in T cells and autoimmunity has yet to be fully elucidated. Here we used CD4-PPARγKO mice to investigate PPARγ-deficient T cells, which were hyper-reactive to produce higher levels of cytokines and exhibited greater proliferation than wild type T cells with increased ERK and AKT phosphorylation. Diminished expression of IκBα, Sirt1, and Foxo1, which are inhibitors of NF-κB, was observed in PPARγ-deficient T cells that were prone to produce all the signature cytokines under Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th9 skewing condition. Interestingly, 1-year-old CD4-PPARγKO mice spontaneously developed moderate autoimmune phenotype by increased activated T cells, follicular helper T cells (TFH cells) and germinal center B cells with glomerular inflammation and enhanced autoantibody production. Sheep red blood cell immunization more induced TFH cells and germinal centers in CD4-PPARγKO mice and the T cells showed increased of Bcl-6 and IL-21 expression suggesting its regulatory role in germinal center reaction. Collectively, these results suggest that PPARγ has a regulatory role for TFH cells and germinal center reaction to prevent autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • I-kappa B Kinase / genetics
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Mice
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Sirtuin 1 / genetics
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • Bcl6 protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxo1 protein, mouse
  • PPAR gamma
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1