Extrathymic expression of Aire controls the induction of effective TH17 cell-mediated immune response to Candida albicans

Patients with loss of function in the gene encoding the master regulator of central tolerance AIRE suffer from a devastating disorder called autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1), characterized by a spectrum of autoimmune diseases and severe mucocutaneous candidiasis. Although the key mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmunity in patients with APS-1 are well established, the underlying cause of the increased susceptibility to Candida albicans infection remains less understood. Here, we show that Aire(+)MHCII(+) type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) could sense, internalize and present C. albicans and had a critical role in the induction of Candida-specific T helper 17 (T(H)17) cell clones. Extrathymic Rorc-Cre-mediated deletion of Aire resulted in impaired generation of Candida-specific T(H)17 cells and subsequent overgrowth of C. albicans in the mucosal tissues. Collectively, our observations identify a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism for effective defense responses against fungal infections. Abramson and colleagues show that Aire(+)MHCII(+) ILC3s sense, internalize and present Candida albicans and modulate the induction of C. albicans-specific T(H)17 cells.

Automated summary

Research has found that Aire(+)MHCII(+) type 3 innate lymphoid cells play a critical role in sensing and presenting Candida albicans, and they have a significant impact on the generation of Candida-specific T(H)17 cells.