PPAR-γ regulates the effector function of human T helper 9 cells by promoting glycolysis

• Published in: Nature communications 2023-04, Vol.14 (1), p.2471-2471, Article 2471
• Main Authors: Bertschi, Nicole L., Steck, Oliver, Luther, Fabian, Bazzini, Cecilia, von Meyenn, Leonhard, Schärli, Stefanie, Vallone, Angela, Felser, Andrea, Keller, Irene, Friedli, Olivier, Freigang, Stefan, Begré, Nadja, Radonjic-Hoesli, Susanne, Lamos, Cristina, Gabutti, Max Philip, Benzaquen, Michael, Laimer, Markus, Simon, Dagmar, Nuoffer, Jean-Marc, Schlapbach, Christoph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 13/106; 13/109; 13/21; 13/31; 13/51; 13/89; 38/88; 38/91; 631/250/127/1213; 631/250/2152; 631/250/256; 692/420/256; 96/1; 96/34; Aerobic capacity; Contact dermatitis; Glucose; Glucose - metabolism; Glycolysis; Helper cells; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunology; Inflammation; Inflammation - pathology; Interleukin 13; Interleukin 9; Interleukin-13 - metabolism; Lymphocytes T; Metabolism; multidisciplinary; Paracrine signalling; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors; PPAR gamma - genetics; PPAR gamma - metabolism; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; TOR protein; Transcription factors
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38233-x

T helper 9 (T H 9) cells promote allergic tissue inflammation and express the type 2 cytokines, IL-9 and IL-13, as well as the transcription factor, PPAR-γ. However, the functional role of PPAR-γ in human T H 9 cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that PPAR-γ drives activation-induced glycolysis, which, in turn, promotes the expression of IL-9, but not IL-13, in an mTORC1-dependent manner. In vitro and ex vivo experiments show that the PPAR-γ-mTORC1-IL-9 pathway is active in T H 9 cells in human skin inflammation. Additionally, we find dynamic regulation of tissue glucose levels in acute allergic skin inflammation, suggesting that in situ glucose availability is linked to distinct immunological functions in vivo. Furthermore, paracrine IL-9 induces expression of the lactate transporter, MCT1, in T H cells and promotes their aerobic glycolysis and proliferative capacity. Altogether, our findings uncover a hitherto unknown relationship between PPAR-γ-dependent glucose metabolism and pathogenic effector functions in human T H 9 cells. IL-9-producing helper T (T H 9) cells contribute to allergic inflammation. In this study, the authors demonstrate that the transcription factor PPAR-γ regulates T H 9 effector function by promoting glucose metabolism and mTOR signaling in human allergic contact dermatitis.