A negative role for the interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) in human Foxp3+ TREG differentiation

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 25;14(4):e0215963. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215963. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The Tec kinases ITK (interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase) and RLK (resting lymphocyte kinase) are critical components of the proximal TCR/CD3 signal transduction machinery, and data in mice suggest that ITK negatively modulates regulatory T cell (TREG) differentiation. However, whether Tec kinases modulate TREG development and/or function in human T cells remains unknown. Using a novel self-delivery siRNA platform (sdRNA), we found that ITK knockdown in human primary naïve peripheral blood CD4 T cells increased Foxp3+ expression under both TREG and T helper priming conditions. TREG differentiated under ITK knockdown conditions exhibited enhanced expression of the co-inhibitory receptor PD-1 and were suppressive in a T cell proliferation assay. ITK knockdown decreased IL-17A production in T cells primed under Th17 conditions and promoted Th1 differentiation. Lastly, a dual ITK/RLK Tec kinase inhibitor did not induce Foxp3 in CD4 T cells, but conversely abrogated Foxp3 expression induced by ITK knockdown. Our data suggest that targeting ITK in human T cells may be an effective approach to boost TREG in the context of autoimmune diseases, but concomitant inhibition of other Tec family kinases may negate this effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Polarity
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / enzymology*
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th17 Cells / cytology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • emt protein-tyrosine kinase