miR-20a inhibits TCR-mediated signaling and cytokine production in human naïve CD4+ T cells

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 17;10(4):e0125311. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125311. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Upon TCR stimulation by peptide-MHC complexes, CD4+ T cells undergo activation and proliferation. This process will ultimately culminate in T-cell differentiation and the acquisition of effector functions. The production of specific cytokines by differentiated CD4+ T cells is crucial for the generation of the appropriate immune response. Altered CD4+ T-cell activation and cytokine production result in chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. miRNAs have been shown to be important regulators of T-cell biology. In this study, we have focused our investigation on miR-20a, a member of the miR-17-92 cluster, whose expression is decreased in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. We have found that miR-20a is rapidly induced upon TCR-triggering in primary human naïve CD4+ T cells and that its transcription is regulated in a Erk-, NF-κB-, and Ca++-dependent manner. We have further shown that overexpression of miR-20a inhibits TCR-mediated signaling but not the proliferation of primary human naïve CD4+ T cells. However, miR-20a overexpression strongly suppresses IL-10 secretion and moderately decreases IL-2, IL-6 and IL8 production, which are crucial regulators of inflammatory responses. Our study suggests that miR-20a is a new player in the regulation of TCR signaling strength and cytokine production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • Cytokines
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • MIRN20a microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

The work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschung Gemeinschaft (DFG) to LS and BS (GRK1167/TP12), and to LS (SFB854/TP19). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.