Inhibition of two-pore channels in antigen-presenting cells promotes the expansion of TNFR2-expressing CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells.

Abstract

CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (T_regs) are pivotal for the inhibition of autoimmune inflammatory responses. One way to therapeutically harness the immunosuppressive actions of T_regs is to stimulate the proliferative expansion of TNFR2-expressing CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ T_regs via transmembrane TNF (tmTNF). Here, we report that two-pore channel (TPC) inhibitors markedly enhance tmTNF expression on antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, injection of TPC inhibitors including tetrandrine, or TPC-specific siRNAs in mice, increases the number of T_regs in a tmTNF/TNFR2-dependent manner. In a mouse colitis model, inhibition of TPCs by tetrandrine markedly attenuates colon inflammation by expansion of T_regs Mechanistically, we show that TPC inhibitors enhance tmTNF levels by disrupting surface expression of TNF-α-converting enzyme by regulating vesicle trafficking. These results suggest that the therapeutic potential of TPC inhibitors is mediated by expansion of TNFR2-expressing T_regs and elucidate the basis of clinical use in the treatment of autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.