Waddington, KE;
Robinson, GA;
Rubio-Cuesta, B;
Chrifi-Alaoui, E;
Andreone, S;
Poon, K-S;
Ivanova, I;
... Pineda-Torra, I; + view all
(2021)
LXR directly regulates glycosphingolipid synthesis and affects human CD4+ T cell function.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
, 118
(21)
, Article e2017394118. 10.1073/pnas.2017394118.
Preview |
Text
PNAS_SI_Appendix-V6.pdf - Accepted Version Download (4MB) | Preview |
Preview |
Text
Jury_PNAS-Main Manuscript_vR-V9.pdf - Accepted Version Download (442kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The liver X receptor (LXR) is a key transcriptional regulator of cholesterol, fatty acid, and phospholipid metabolism. Dynamic remodeling of immunometabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism, is a crucial step in T cell activation. Here, we explored the role of LXR-regulated metabolic processes in primary human CD4+ T cells and their role in controlling plasma membrane lipids (glycosphingolipids and cholesterol), which strongly influence T cell immune signaling and function. Crucially, we identified the glycosphingolipid biosynthesis enzyme glucosylceramide synthase as a direct transcriptional LXR target. LXR activation by agonist GW3965 or endogenous oxysterol ligands significantly altered the glycosphingolipid:cholesterol balance in the plasma membrane by increasing glycosphingolipid levels and reducing cholesterol. Consequently, LXR activation lowered plasma membrane lipid order (stability), and an LXR antagonist could block this effect. LXR stimulation also reduced lipid order at the immune synapse and accelerated activation of proximal T cell signaling molecules. Ultimately, LXR activation dampened proinflammatory T cell function. Finally, compared with responder T cells, regulatory T cells had a distinct pattern of LXR target gene expression corresponding to reduced lipid order. This suggests LXR-driven lipid metabolism could contribute to functional specialization of these T cell subsets. Overall, we report a mode of action for LXR in T cells involving the regulation of glycosphingolipid and cholesterol metabolism and demonstrate its relevance in modulating T cell function.
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
