[PDF][PDF] A Stat6/Pten axis links regulatory T cells with adipose tissue function

S Kälin, M Becker, VB Ott, I Serr, F Hosp, MMH Mollah… - Cell metabolism, 2017 - cell.com
S Kälin, M Becker, VB Ott, I Serr, F Hosp, MMH Mollah, S Keipert, D Lamp…
Cell metabolism, 2017cell.com
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with metabolic defects and adipose tissue
inflammation. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) control tissue homeostasis by counteracting
local inflammation. However, if and how T cells interlink environmental influences with
adipocyte function remains unknown. Here, we report that enhancing sympathetic tone by
cold exposure, beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) stimulation or a short-term high-calorie
diet enhances Treg induction in vitro and in vivo. CD4+ T cell proteomes revealed higher …
Summary
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with metabolic defects and adipose tissue inflammation. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) control tissue homeostasis by counteracting local inflammation. However, if and how T cells interlink environmental influences with adipocyte function remains unknown. Here, we report that enhancing sympathetic tone by cold exposure, beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) stimulation or a short-term high-calorie diet enhances Treg induction in vitro and in vivo. CD4+ T cell proteomes revealed higher expression of Foxp3 regulatory networks in response to cold or ADRB3 stimulation in vivo reflecting Treg induction. Specifically, Ragulator-interacting protein C17orf59, which limits mTORC1 activity, was upregulated in CD4+ T cells by either ADRB3 stimulation or cold exposure, suggesting contribution to Treg induction. By loss- and gain-of-function studies, including Treg depletion and transfers in vivo, we demonstrated that a T cell-specific Stat6/Pten axis links cold exposure or ADRB3 stimulation with Foxp3+ Treg induction and adipose tissue function. Our findings offer a new mechanistic model in which tissue-specific Tregs maintain adipose tissue function.
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