RORα negatively regulates BCG-induced trained immunity

Abstract

Trained immunity is a long-lasting change in the responsiveness of innate immune cells, leading to a stronger response upon an unrelated secondary challenge. Epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic reprogramming contribute to the development of trained immunity. By investigating the impact of gene variants on trained immunity responses after Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination, we identified a strong association between polymorphisms in the RORA gene and BCG-induced trained immunity in PBMCs isolated from healthy human donors. RORα, encoded by the RORA gene in humans, is a nuclear receptor and a transcription factor, regulating genes involved in circadian rhythm, inflammation, cholesterol, and lipid metabolism. We found that natural RORα agonists in the circulation negatively correlate with the strength of trained immunity responses after BCG vaccination. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of RORα in human PBMCs led to higher cytokine production capacity and boosted trained immunity induction by BCG. Blocking RORα activity also resulted in morphological changes and increased ROS and lactate production of BCG-trained cells. Blocking lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and glycolysis with sodium oxamate reduced the cytokine production capacity of cells trained with a combination of BCG and the RORα agonist. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role of RORα in trained immunity, and its impact on human vaccination and diseases should be further investigated.