Hyperactive PI3Kδ predisposes naive T cells to activation via aerobic glycolysis programs

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS) is an autosomal-dominant combined immunodeficiency disorder resulting from pathogenic gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the PIK3CD gene. Patients with APDS display abnormal T cell homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which PIK3CD GOF contributes to this feature remain unknown. Here, with a cohort of children with PIK3CD GOF mutations from multiple regions of China and a corresponding CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited mouse model, we reported that hyperactive PI3K delta disrupted T-Naive cell homeostasis in the periphery by intrinsically promoting the growth, proliferation, and activation of T-Naive cells. Our results showed that PIK3CD GOF resulted in loss of the quiescence-associated gene expression profile in naive T cells and promoted naive T cells to overgrow, hyperproliferate and acquire an activated functional status. Naive PIK3CD GOF T cells exhibited an enhanced glycolytic capacity and reduced mitochondrial respiration in the resting or activated state. Blocking glycolysis abrogated the abnormal splenic T cell pool and reversed the overactivated phenotype induced by PIK3CD GOF in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that enhanced aerobic glycolysis is required for PIK3CD GOF-induced overactivation of naive T cells and provide a potential therapeutic approach for targeting glycolysis to treat patients with APDS as well as other immune disorders.

Automated summary

This study reveals that hyperactive PI3K delta disrupts T-Naive cell homeostasis by promoting their growth and activation, shedding light on the mechanism behind T cell imbalance in patients with APDS. Targeting glycolysis could potentially serve as a therapeutic approach to reverse the overactivation of naive T cells induced by PIK3CD GOF mutations, offering a new treatment strategy for APDS and other immune disorders.