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MicroRNA-15b/16 Enhances the Induction of Regulatory T Cells by Regulating the Expression of Rictor and mTOR

Singh, Y; Garden, O A; Lang, F; Cobb, B S

Authors

Y Singh

O A Garden

F Lang

B S Cobb



Abstract

CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for controlling immune responses and preventing autoimmunity. Their development requires regulation of gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs). To understand miRNA function in Treg development, we searched for important miRNAs and their relevant target genes. Of the more abundantly expressed miRNAs in Tregs, only miR-15b/16, miR-24, and miR-29a impacted the production of in vitro-induced Tregs (iTregs) in overexpression and blocking experiments. miRNA mimics for these significantly enhanced the induction of iTregs in Dicer(-/-) CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-15b/16 in conventional CD4(+) T cells adoptively transferred into Rag2(-/-) mice increased the in vivo development of peripheral Tregs and diminished the severity of autoimmune colitis. In searching for targets of miR-15b/16, we observed that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was enhanced in Dicer(-/-) CD4(+) T cells, and its pharmacological inhibition restored induction of iTregs. Suppression of mTOR signaling is essential for induction of iTregs from naive CD4(+) T cells, and the mTORC2 component, Rictor, contained a functional target site for miR-15b/16. Rictor was more abundantly expressed in Dicer(-/-) T cells as was mTOR, and their expression was downregulated by the overexpression of miR-15b/16. This led to a reduction in mTOR signaling, as measured by phosphorylation of the downstream target, ribosomal protein S6. Finally, knockdown of Rictor by small interfering RNAs enhanced Treg induction in Dicer(-/-) CD4(+) T cells. Therefore, an important mechanism of miRNA regulation of Treg development is through regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway.

Citation

Singh, Y., Garden, O. A., Lang, F., & Cobb, B. S. (2015). MicroRNA-15b/16 Enhances the Induction of Regulatory T Cells by Regulating the Expression of Rictor and mTOR. Journal of Immunology, 195(12), 5667-5677. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1401875

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 9, 2015
Publication Date Dec 15, 2015
Deposit Date Nov 11, 2015
Journal JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
Print ISSN 0022-1767
Electronic ISSN 1550-6606
Publisher American Association of Immunologists
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 195
Issue 12
Pages 5667-5677
DOI https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1401875
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1399071
Publisher URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4671309/