Targeting Impaired Type I Interferon–IL-27 Signaling Rescues T Regulatory Cell Suppressive Function in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

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The study investigated why T regulatory (Treg) cells from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) show impaired suppressive function by performing single-cell RNA sequencing of ex vivo-sorted Tregs from RRMS patients and matched healthy controls, finding down-regulation of type I interferon (IFN) and IL-27 signaling pathways and reduced expression of both interferon-stimulated genes and suppressive mediators. The authors then tested whether activating the IFN pathway could rescue Treg function in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model using cGAMP-loaded microparticles to stimulate STING, observing EAE amelioration and increased Tregs expressing IL-27R, IL-10, TGF-β, and Granzyme B; this effect was abolished in Treg-specific IL-27R knockout mice, indicating IL-27 signaling dependence. In vitro, IL-27 stimulation of RRMS-derived Tregs restored type I IFN pathway gene expression and Treg suppressive/migration-related genes. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

T Regulatory T cells (Tregs) from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) exhibit impaired suppressive function, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of ex vivo- sorted Tregs from RRMS patients and matched healthy controls (HCs) revealed down-regulation of type I IFN (IFN) and IL-27 signaling pathways in RRMS Tregs. These Tregs showed reduced expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) ( ISG15, MX1, IFITM1, IFI44L, OAS1 ), as well as key mediators of Treg suppressive function ( LGALS3, CD81, FCRL3, CD7, CSTB ), all suggesting a key role of decreased IFN signaling in RRMS Treg dysfunction. To therapeutically target IFN signaling pathways and improve Treg suppressive functions, we used cGAMP-loaded microparticles (MPs) to activate the stimulator of IFN genes (STING) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). cGAMP-MP treatment ameliorated EAE via induction of Tregs expressing IL-27R, IL-10, TGF-b, and Granzyme B. This effect was abolished in Treg-specific IL-27R (Treg ΔIl27ra ) knockout mice, confirming that IL-27 signaling is essential for Treg suppression. In vitro IL-27 stimulation of RRMS-derived Tregs restored expression of IFN pathway genes ( IRF1, IFNGR, IFI16 ) and Treg suppressive genes ( ICOS, IKZF3, IL7R, TIGIT ). Thus, we propose that IL-27 pre-stimulation may restore their suppressive function and migration (via CCR6, CCR7, S100A11 and S1PR4 ) to the central nervous system (CNS) in future clinical trials. Significance Several studies have reported a role for type I IFN and IL-27 signaling in the induction of suppressive Tregs in autoimmune diseases. We report that RRMS Tregs have decreased expression of type I IFN and IL-27 signalling-related genes in comparison to HCs. The animal model of MS (EAE) was successfully treated with cGAMP-MPs, which, via induction of type I IFN, IL-27 and IL-10, restored Treg suppressive function. A scRNAseq study of Tregs from MS patients revealed that IL-27 in vitro stimulation normalized the expression of type I IFN genes and Treg suppressive genes. We propose that IL-27 pre-treatment may enhance Treg suppressive function and migration to the CNS in future clinical trials.
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Abstract T Regulatory T cells (Tregs) from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) exhibit impaired suppressive function, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of ex vivo-sorted Tregs from RRMS patients and matched healthy controls (HCs) revealed down-regulation of type I IFN (IFN) and IL-27 signaling pathways in RRMS Tregs. These Tregs showed reduced expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) (ISG15, MX1, IFITM1, IFI44L, OAS1), as well as key mediators of Treg suppressive function (LGALS3, CD81, FCRL3, CD7, CSTB), all suggesting a key role of decreased IFN signaling in RRMS Treg dysfunction. To therapeutically target IFN signaling pathways and improve Treg suppressive functions, we used cGAMP-loaded microparticles (MPs) to activate the stimulator of IFN genes (STING) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). cGAMP-MP treatment ameliorated EAE via induction of Tregs expressing IL-27R, IL-10, TGF-b, and Granzyme B. This effect was abolished in Treg-specific IL-27R (TregΔIl27ra) knockout mice, confirming that IL-27 signaling is essential for Treg suppression. In vitro IL-27 stimulation of RRMS-derived Tregs restored expression of IFN pathway genes (IRF1, IFNGR, IFI16) and Treg suppressive genes (ICOS, IKZF3, IL7R, TIGIT). Thus, we propose that IL-27 pre-stimulation may restore their suppressive function and migration (via CCR6, CCR7, S100A11 and S1PR4) to the central nervous system (CNS) in future clinical trials. Significance Several studies have reported a role for type I IFN and IL-27 signaling in the induction of suppressive Tregs in autoimmune diseases. We report that RRMS Tregs have decreased expression of type I IFN and IL-27 signalling-related genes in comparison to HCs. The animal model of MS (EAE) was successfully treated with cGAMP-MPs, which, via induction of type I IFN, IL-27 and IL-10, restored Treg suppressive function. A scRNAseq study of Tregs from MS patients revealed that IL-27 in vitro stimulation normalized the expression of type I IFN genes and Treg suppressive genes. We propose that IL-27 pre-treatment may enhance Treg suppressive function and migration to the CNS in future clinical trials. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

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