BLIMP1 negatively regulates IL-2 signaling in T cells

Sci Adv. 2025 Jul 18;11(29):eadx8105. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx8105. Epub 2025 Jul 18.

Abstract

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) regulates immune homeostasis by fine-tuning the balance between effector and regulatory T (Treg) cells. To identify regulators of IL-2 signaling, we performed genome-wide CRISPR-knockout screening in IL-2-dependent cells derived from a patient with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) and found enrichment of single guide RNAs targeting PRDM1, which encodes B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1). BLIMP1 inhibits IL-2 production by T cells; however, its role in IL-2 signaling remains unknown. Here, we show that overexpressing Prdm1 down-regulated IL-2 signaling, whereas Prdm1-deficiency enhanced IL-2 signaling in mouse CD4+ T cells and Treg cells with augmented IL-2 signaling in T cells from influenza-infected mice and during adoptive T cell transfer-induced colitis. Deleting PRDM1 in human CD4+ T cells and Treg cells also increased IL-2 signaling. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells from patients with ATL expressed less BLIMP1 and had enhanced IL-2 signaling, whereas overexpressing PRDM1 in ATL cells suppressed IL-2 signaling. Thus, BLIMP1 inhibits IL-2 signaling during normal and pathophysiological responses, suggesting that manipulating BLIMP1 could have therapeutic potential.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1* / genetics
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • PRDM1 protein, human
  • Prdm1 protein, mouse