IL-27 Induces IFN/STAT1-dependent Genes and Enhances Function of TIGIT HIVGag-specific T cells

Overview

Journal iScience

Publisher Cell Press

Date 2022 Jan 10

PMID 35005538

Authors

Jie Cheng

Timothy G Myers

Callie Levinger

Princy Kumar

Jai Kumar

Bruktawit A Goshu

Alberto Bosque

Marta Catalfamo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

HIV-specific T cells have diminished effector function and fail to control/eliminate the virus. IL-27, a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine superfamily has been shown to inhibit HIV replication. However, whether or not IL-27 can enhance HIV-specific T cell function is largely unknown. In the present manuscript, we investigated the role of IL-27 signaling in human T cells by evaluating the global transcriptional changes related to the function of HIV-specific T cells. We found that T cells from people living with HIV (PLWH), expressed higher levels of STAT1 leading to enhanced STAT1 activation upon IL-27 stimulation. Observed IL-27 induced transcriptional changes were associated with IFN/STAT1-dependent pathways in CD4 and CD8 T cells. Importantly, IL-27 dependent modulation of T-bet expression promoted IFNγ secretion by TIGITHIV-specific T cells. This new immunomodulatory effect of IL-27 on HIV-specific T cell function suggests its potential therapeutic use in cure strategies.

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