TNFR2 ligation in human T regulatory cells enhances IL2-induced cell proliferation through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 13;8(1):12079. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30621-4.

Abstract

Human T regulatory cells (T regs) express high levels of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2). Ligation of TNFR2 with TNF, which can recognise both TNFR1 and TNFR2, or with a TNFR2-selective binding molecule, DARPin 18 (D18) activates canonical NF-κB signalling, assessed by IκBα degradation, and the magnitude of the response correlates with the level of TNFR2 expression. RNA-seq analysis of TNF- or D18-treated human T regs revealed that TNFR2 ligation induces transcription of NFKB2 and RELB, encoding proteins that form the non-canonical NF-κB transcription factor. In combination with IL2, D18 treatment is specific for T regs in (1) stabilising NF-κB-inducing kinase protein, the activator of non-canonical NF-κB signalling, (2) inducing translocation of RelB from cytosol to nucleus, (3) increasing cell cycle entry, and (4) increasing cell numbers. However, the regulatory function of the expanded T regs is unaltered. Inhibition of RelB nuclear translocation blocks the proliferative response. We conclude that ligation of TNFR2 by D18 enhances IL2-induced T regs proliferation and expansion in cell number through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism*
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelB / metabolism

Substances

  • IL2 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit
  • NFKB2 protein, human
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • RELB protein, human
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TNFRSF1B protein, human
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • Transcription Factor RelB