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STAT4 Regulates the CD8 + Regulatory T Cell/T Follicular Helper Cell Axis and Promotes Atherogenesis in Insulin-Resistant Ldlr -/- Mice.

Authors :
Taghavie-Moghadam PL
Waseem TC
Hattler J
Glenn LM
Dobrian AD
Kaplan MH
Yang Y
Nurieva R
Nadler JL
Galkina EV
Source :
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) [J Immunol] 2017 Nov 15; Vol. 199 (10), pp. 3453-3465. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Oct 20.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome and diabetic conditions support atherosclerosis, but the exact mechanisms for accelerated atherogenesis remain unclear. Although the proinflammatory role of STAT4 in atherosclerosis and diet-induced insulin resistance (IR) was recently established, the impact of STAT4 on atherogenesis in conditions of IR is not known. In this study, we generated Stat4 <superscript>-/-</superscript> Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice that were fed a diabetogenic diet with added cholesterol (DDC). DDC-fed Stat4 <superscript>-/-</superscript> Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice demonstrated improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and a 36% reduction in atherosclerosis compared with Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> controls. Interestingly, we detected a reduction in T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and plasma B cells but a sharp elevation in CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> regulatory T cells (Tregs) in spleens and aortas of Stat4 <superscript>-/-</superscript> Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice compared with Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice. Similarly, STAT4 deficiency supported CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Treg differentiation in vitro. STAT4-deficient CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Tregs suppressed Tfh cell and germinal center B cell development upon immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin, indicating an important role for STAT4 in CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Treg functions in vivo. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of Stat4 <superscript>-/-</superscript> Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Tregs versus Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Tregs resulted in a significant reduction in plaque burden and suppression of Tfh cell and germinal center B cells in DDC-fed Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> recipients. STAT4 expression in macrophages (MΦs) also affected the Tfh/CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Treg axis, because conditioned media from Stat4 <superscript>-/-</superscript> Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> MΦs supported CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Treg differentiation, but not Tfh cell differentiation, in a TGF-β-dependent manner. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which STAT4 supports atherosclerosis in IR Ldlr <superscript>-/-</superscript> mice via STAT4-dependent MΦs, as well as cell-intrinsic suppression of CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> Treg generation and functions and maintenance of Tfh cell generation and the accompanying humoral immune response.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1550-6606
Volume :
199
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
29055004
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1601429