T-cell senescence contributes to abnormal glucose homeostasis in humans and mice

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Mar 13;10(3):249. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1494-4.

Abstract

Chronic inflammation is a driving force for the development of metabolic disease including diabetes and obesity. However, the functional characteristics of T-cell senescence in the abnormal glucose homeostasis are not fully understood. We studied the patients visiting a hospital for routine health check-ups, who were divided into two groups: normal controls and people with prediabetes. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal controls and patients with type 2 diabetes was undertaken using microarray analysis. We also investigated the immunometabolic characteristics of peripheral and hepatic senescent T cells in the normal subjects and patients with prediabetes. Moreover, murine senescent T cells were tested functionally in the liver of normal or mice with metabolic deterioration caused by diet-induced obesity. Human senescent (CD28-CD57+) CD8+ T cells are increased in the development of diabetes and proinflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic molecules are highly expressed in senescent T cells from patients with prediabetes. Moreover, we demonstrate that patients with prediabetes have higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their senescent CD8+ T cells via enhancing capacity to use glycolysis. These functional properties of senescent CD8+ T cells contribute to the impairment of hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans. Furthermore, we found an increase of hepatic senescent T cells in mouse models of aging and diet-induced obesity. Adoptive transfer of senescent CD8+ T cells also led to a significant deterioration in systemic abnormal glucose homeostasis, which is improved by ROS scavengers in mice. This study defines a new clinically relevant concept of T-cell senescence-mediated inflammatory responses in the pathophysiology of abnormal glucose homeostasis. We also found that T-cell senescence is associated with systemic inflammation and alters hepatic glucose homeostasis. The rational modulation of T-cell senescence would be a promising avenue for the treatment or prevention of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activating Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Activating Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cellular Senescence / genetics
  • Cellular Senescence / immunology*
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / immunology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gluconeogenesis / immunology
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / blood
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / genetics
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / immunology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / immunology*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Prediabetic State / immunology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • ATF5 protein, human
  • Activating Transcription Factors
  • Cytokines
  • GDF15 protein, human
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15
  • Reactive Oxygen Species