JAK/STAT signaling pathway affects CCR5 expression in human CD4+ T cells

Sci Adv. 2024 Mar 22;10(12):eadl0368. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0368. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

Abstract

CCR5 serves as R5-tropic HIV co-receptor. Knocking out CCR5 in HIV patients, which has occurred <10 times, is believed important for cure. JAK/STAT inhibitors tofacitinib and ruxolitinib inhibit CCR5 expression in HIV+ viremic patients. We investigated the association of JAK/STAT signaling pathway with CCR5/CCR2 expression in human primary CD4+ T cells and confirmed its importance. Six of nine JAK/STAT inhibitors that reduced CCR5/CCR2 expression were identified. Inhibitor-treated CD4+ T cells were relatively resistant, specifically to R5-tropic HIV infection. Furthermore, single JAK2, STAT3, STAT5A, and STAT5B knockout and different combinations of JAK/STAT knockout significantly reduced CCR2/CCR5 expression of both RNA and protein levels, indicating that CCR5/CCR2 expression was positively regulated by JAK-STAT pathway in CD4+ T cells. Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) knockout affected CCR2/CCR5 gene expression, suggesting that SGK1 is involved in CCR2/CCR5 regulation. If cell surface CCR5 levels can be specifically and markedly down-regulated without adverse effects, that may have a major impact on the HIV cure agenda.

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / genetics
  • HIV Infections* / metabolism
  • HIV-1* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR5 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism
  • STAT Transcription Factors / genetics
  • STAT Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Janus Kinases
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • STAT Transcription Factors
  • CCR5 protein, human