Metabolic Controls on Epigenetic Reprogramming in Regulatory T Cells.

Jingli Lu,Chengliang Zhang,Junjie Zhao,Yan Liang,Haiyang Meng,Ailing Zhang

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.728783

Abstract

Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3+)-expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells are a unique CD4+T cell subset that suppresses excessive immune responses. The epigenetic plasticity and metabolic traits of Treg cells are crucial for the acquisition of their phenotypic and functional characteristics. Therefore, alterations to the epigenetics and metabolism affect Treg cell development and function. Recent evidence reveals that altering the metabolic pathways and generation of metabolites can regulate the epigenetics of Treg cells. Specifically, some intermediates of cell metabolism can directly act as substrates or cofactors of epigenetic-modifying enzymes. Here, we describe the metabolic and epigenetic features during Treg cell development, and discuss how metabolites can contribute to epigenetic alterations of Treg cells, which affects Treg cell activation, differentiation, and function.

Highlights

Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3+)-expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that are essential for maintaining immune tolerance [1]
There is an intimate link between the metabolism of Treg cells and their epigenetic reprogramming, which in turn plays a coordinated role in their activation, differentiation, and suppressive function
As a relatively new area of research, it is not surprising that the studies discussed here have only scratched the surface of the metabolic control of epigenetics in Treg cells

Summary

Introduction

Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3+)-expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that are essential for maintaining immune tolerance [1]. Epigenetic regulation in Treg cells mainly includes DNA methylation, histone methylation and acetylation, which influences gene expression patterns in a coordinated manner. Histone acetylation is another important chromatin modification in Treg cells, which acts on targeted regions of chromatin to regulate specific gene transcription, or acts in a more global manner [63].

Results

Conclusion