The transcription factor FoxO1 sustains expression of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 and survival of antiviral CD8(+) T cells during chronic infection

Immunity. 2014 Nov 20;41(5):802-14. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.10.013. Epub 2014 Nov 13.

Abstract

Protein kinase B (also known as AKT) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) are central regulators of T cell differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Here, we show that during chronic murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, activation of AKT and mTOR are impaired in antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), resulting in enhanced activity of the transcription factor FoxO1. Blockade of inhibitory receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in vivo increased mTOR activity in virus-specific CTLs, and its therapeutic effects were abrogated by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. FoxO1 functioned as a transcriptional activator of PD-1 that promoted the differentiation of terminally exhausted CTLs. Importantly, FoxO1-null CTLs failed to persist and control chronic viral infection. Collectively, this study shows that CTLs adapt to persistent infection through a positive feedback pathway (PD-1?FoxO1?PD-1) that functions to both desensitize virus-specific CTLs to antigen and support their survival during chronic viral infection.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chronic Disease
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Granzymes / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / immunology*
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / virology
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / biosynthesis*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD28 Antigens
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxo1 protein, mouse
  • Pdcd1 protein, mouse
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Interferon-gamma
  • mTOR protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Granzymes
  • Gzmb protein, mouse
  • Sirolimus