STAT3 regulates cytotoxicity of human CD57+ CD4+ T cells in blood and lymphoid follicles

Date

2018

Authors

AlShekaili, Jalila
Chand, Rochna
Lee, Cindy
Corley, Susan
Kwong, Kristy
Papa, Ilenia
Fulcher, David
Randall, Katrina
Leiding, Jennifer W
Ma, Cindy S.

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Volume Title

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Abstract

A subset of human follicular helper T cells (TFH) cells expresses CD57 for which no distinct function has been identified. We show that CD57+ TFH cells are universally PD-1hi, but compared to their CD57− PD-1hi counterparts, express little IL-21 or IL-10 among others. Instead, CD57 expression on TFH cells marks cytotoxicity transcriptional signatures that translate into only a weak cytotoxic phenotype. Similarly, circulating PD-1+ CD57+ CD4+ T cells make less cytokine than their CD57− PD-1+ counterparts, but have a prominent cytotoxic phenotype. By analysis of responses to STAT3-dependent cytokines and cells from patients with gain- or loss-of-function STAT3 mutations, we show that CD4+ T cell cytotoxicity is STAT3-dependent. TFH formation also requires STAT3, but paradoxically, once formed, PD-1hi cells become unresponsive to STAT3. These findings suggest that changes in blood and germinal center cytotoxicity might be affected by changes in STAT3 signaling, or modulation of PD-1 by therapy.

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Citation

Source

Scientific Reports

Type

Journal article

Book Title

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Access Statement

Open Access

License Rights

Creative Commons License (Attribution 4.0 International)

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