Slc6a13 deficiency promotes Th17 responses during intestinal bacterial infection

Mucosal Immunol. 2019 Mar;12(2):531-544. doi: 10.1038/s41385-018-0111-7. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Abstract

The γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic system shapes the activation and function of immune cells. The present study was conducted to explore the regulation of GABA transporter (GAT)-2 on the differentiation of Th17 cells. Here we found that Th17 cells show higher abundance of GAT-2, and have distinct cellular metabolic signatures, such as the GABA shunt pathway, as compared to naïve T cells. GAT-2 deficiency had little effect on the metabolic signature in naïve T cells, but impaired the GABA uptake and GABA shunt pathway in Th17 cells. GAT-2 deficiency had little effect on T cell development and peripheral T cell homeostasis; however, its deficiency promoted Th17 cell differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, GAT-2 deficiency promoted differentiation of Th17 cells through activation of GABA-mTOR signaling. In a mouse model of intestinal infection and inflammation, GAT-2 deficiency promoted Th17 responses. Collectively, GAT-2 deficiency promotes Th17 cell responses through activation of GABA-mTOR signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Citrobacter rodentium / physiology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / immunology*
  • GABA Agents / immunology*
  • GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis
  • Intestines / immunology*
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • GABA Agents
  • GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a13 protein, mouse
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases