Targeting cellular fatty acid synthesis limits T helper and innate lymphoid cell function during intestinal inflammation and infection

Mucosal Immunol. 2021 Jan;14(1):164-176. doi: 10.1038/s41385-020-0285-7. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

CD4+ T cells contribute critically to a protective immune response during intestinal infections, but have also been implicated in the aggravation of intestinal inflammatory pathology. Previous studies suggested that T helper type (Th)1 and Th17 cells depend on de novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis for their development and effector function. Here, we report that T-cell-specific targeting of the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), a major checkpoint controlling FA synthesis, impaired intestinal Th1 and Th17 responses by limiting CD4+ T-cell expansion and infiltration into the lamina propria in murine models of colitis and infection-associated intestinal inflammation. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of ACC1 by the natural compound soraphen A mirrored the anti-inflammatory effects of T-cell-specific targeting, but also enhanced susceptibility toward infection with C. rodentium. Further analysis revealed that deletion of ACC1 in RORγt+ innate lymphoid cells (ILC), but not dendritic cells or macrophages, decreased resistance to infection by interfering with IL-22 production and intestinal barrier function. Together, our study suggests pharmacological targeting of ACC1 as an effective approach for metabolic immune modulation of T-cell-driven intestinal inflammatory responses, but also reveals an important role of ACC1-mediated lipogenesis for the function of RORγt+ ILC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / genetics
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / drug effects*
  • Colitis / etiology
  • Colitis / metabolism
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids / biosynthesis*
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / etiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / metabolism
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / pathology
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / genetics
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Fatty Acids
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • Rorc protein, mouse
  • ACC1 protein, mouse
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase