The surface protein TIGIT suppresses T cell activation by promoting the generation of mature immunoregulatory dendritic cells

Nat Immunol. 2009 Jan;10(1):48-57. doi: 10.1038/ni.1674. Epub 2008 Nov 16.

Abstract

Here we have identified a surface protein, TIGIT, containing an immunoglobulin variable domain, a transmembrane domain and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif that was expressed on regulatory, memory and activated T cells. Poliovirus receptor, which is expressed on dendritic cells, bound TIGIT with high affinity. A TIGIT-Fc fusion protein inhibited T cell activation in vitro, and this was dependent on the presence of dendritic cells. The binding of poliovirus receptor to TIGIT on human dendritic cells enhanced the production of interleukin 10 and diminished the production of interleukin 12p40. Knockdown of TIGIT with small interfering RNA in human memory T cells did not affect T cell responses. TIGIT-Fc inhibited delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in wild-type but not interleukin 10-deficient mice. Our data suggest that TIGIT exerts immunosuppressive effects by binding to poliovirus receptor and modulating cytokine production by dendritic cells.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Virus
  • TIGIT protein, human
  • poliovirus receptor
  • Interleukin-10

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EU675310
  • GENBANK/EU675311