Dendritic cell Piezo1 directs the differentiation of TH1 and Treg cells in cancer

Y Wang, H Yang, A Jia, Y Wang, Q Yang, Y Dong… - elife, 2022 - elifesciences.org
Y Wang, H Yang, A Jia, Y Wang, Q Yang, Y Dong, Y Hou, Y Cao, L Dong, Y Bi, G Liu
elife, 2022elifesciences.org
Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in anti-tumor immunity by inducing T cell
differentiation. Herein, we found that the DC mechanical sensor Piezo1 stimulated by
mechanical stiffness or inflammatory signals directs the reciprocal differentiation of TH1 and
regulatory T (Treg) cells in cancer. Genetic deletion of Piezo1 in DCs inhibited the
generation of TH1 cells while driving the development of Treg cells in promoting cancer
growth in mice. Mechanistically, Piezo1-deficient DCs regulated the secretion of the …
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in anti-tumor immunity by inducing T cell differentiation. Herein, we found that the DC mechanical sensor Piezo1 stimulated by mechanical stiffness or inflammatory signals directs the reciprocal differentiation of TH1 and regulatory T (Treg) cells in cancer. Genetic deletion of Piezo1 in DCs inhibited the generation of TH1 cells while driving the development of Treg cells in promoting cancer growth in mice. Mechanistically, Piezo1-deficient DCs regulated the secretion of the polarizing cytokines TGFβ1 and IL-12, leading to increased TGFβR2-p-Smad3 activity and decreased IL-12Rβ2-p-STAT4 activity while inducing the reciprocal differentiation of Treg and TH1 cells. In addition, Piezo1 integrated the SIRT1-hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α)-dependent metabolic pathway and calcium-calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway to orchestrate reciprocal TH1 and Treg lineage commitment through DC-derived IL-12 and TGFβ1. Our studies provide critical insight for understanding the role of the DC-based mechanical regulation of immunopathology in directing T cell lineage commitment in tumor microenvironments.
eLife