A regulatory T cell Notch4–GDF15 axis licenses tissue inflammation in asthma

H Harb, E Stephen-Victor, E Crestani, M Benamar… - Nature …, 2020 - nature.com
H Harb, E Stephen-Victor, E Crestani, M Benamar, A Massoud, Y Cui, LM Charbonnier
Nature immunology, 2020nature.com
Elucidating the mechanisms that sustain asthmatic inflammation is critical for precision
therapies. We found that interleukin-6-and STAT3 transcription factor-dependent
upregulation of Notch4 receptor on lung tissue regulatory T (Treg) cells is necessary for
allergens and particulate matter pollutants to promote airway inflammation. Notch4
subverted Treg cells into the type 2 and type 17 helper (TH2 and TH17) effector T cells by
Wnt and Hippo pathway-dependent mechanisms. Wnt activation induced growth and …
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanisms that sustain asthmatic inflammation is critical for precision therapies. We found that interleukin-6- and STAT3 transcription factor-dependent upregulation of Notch4 receptor on lung tissue regulatory T (Treg) cells is necessary for allergens and particulate matter pollutants to promote airway inflammation. Notch4 subverted Treg cells into the type 2 and type 17 helper (TH2 and TH17) effector T cells by Wnt and Hippo pathway-dependent mechanisms. Wnt activation induced growth and differentiation factor 15 expression in Treg cells, which activated group 2 innate lymphoid cells to provide a feed-forward mechanism for aggravated inflammation. Notch4, Wnt and Hippo were upregulated in circulating Treg cells of individuals with asthma as a function of disease severity, in association with reduced Treg cell-mediated suppression. Our studies thus identify Notch4-mediated immune tolerance subversion as a fundamental mechanism that licenses tissue inflammation in asthma.
nature.com