A Stat6/Pten Axis Links Regulatory T Cells with Adipose Tissue Function

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Stefanie Kälin
  • Maike Becker
  • Verena B Ott
  • Isabelle Serr
  • Fabian Hosp
  • Mohammad M H Mollah
  • Susanne Keipert
  • Daniel Lamp
  • Francoise Rohner-Jeanrenaud
  • Victoria K Flynn
  • Martin G Scherm
  • Lucas F R Nascimento
  • Katharina Gerlach
  • Vanessa Popp
  • Sarah Dietzen
  • Tobias Bopp
  • Purna Krishnamurthy
  • Mark H Kaplan
  • Manuel Serrano
  • Stephen C Woods
  • Philipp Tripal
  • Ralf Palmisano
  • Martin Jastroch
  • Matthias Blüher
  • Christian Wolfrum
  • Benno Weigmann
  • Anette-Gabriele Ziegler
  • Matthias H Tschöp
  • Carolin Daniel

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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCell Metabolism
Volume26
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)475-492.e7
ISSN1550-4131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Sep 2017
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Journal Article

ID: 184323941