Regulation of T cell alloimmunity by PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ

Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 16;8(1):951. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00982-x.

Abstract

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) γ and δ are preferentially enriched in leukocytes, and defects in these signaling pathways have been shown to impair T cell activation. The effects of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ on alloimmunity remain underexplored. Here, we show that both PI3Kγ -/- and PI3Kδ D910A/D910A mice receiving heart allografts have suppression of alloreactive T effector cells and delayed acute rejection. However, PI3Kδ mutation also dampens regulatory T cells (Treg). After treatment with low dose CTLA4-Ig, PI3Kγ -/- , but not PI3Κδ D910A/D910A , recipients exhibit indefinite prolongation of heart allograft survival. PI3Kδ D910A/D910A Tregs have increased apoptosis and impaired survival. Selective inhibition of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ (using PI3Kδ and dual PI3Kγδ chemical inhibitors) shows that PI3Kγ inhibition compensates for the negative effect of PI3Kδ inhibition on long-term allograft survival. These data serve as a basis for future PI3K-based immune therapies for transplantation.Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) γ and δ are key regulators of T cell signaling. Here the author show, using mouse heart allograft transplantation models, that PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ deficiency prolongs graft survival, but selective inhibition of PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ reveals alternative transplant survival outcomes post CTLA4-Ig treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / genetics
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / immunology*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Graft Survival / drug effects
  • Graft Survival / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Animal
  • Mutation
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / immunology*
  • Skin Transplantation*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transplantation Tolerance / drug effects
  • Transplantation Tolerance / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Abatacept
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Pik3cd protein, mouse
  • Pik3cg protein, mouse