Nitro-oleic acid regulates T cell activation through post-translational modification of calcineurin

Nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FAs) are unsaturated fatty acid nitration products that exhibit anti-inflammatory actions in experimental mouse models of autoimmune and allergic diseases. These electrophilic molecules interfere with intracellular signaling pathways by reversible post-translational modification of nucleophilic amino-acid residues. Several regulatory proteins have been identified as targets of NO2-FAs, modifying their activity and promoting gene expression changes that result in anti-inflamma-tory effects. Herein, we report the effects of nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) on pro -in-flammatory T cell functions, showing that 9-and 10-NOA, but not their oleic acid precursor, decrease T cell proliferation, expression of activation markers CD25 and CD71 on the plasma membrane, and IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma cytokine gene expres-sions. Moreover, we have found that NO2-OA inhibits the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and that this inhibition takes place through the regulation of the phosphatase activity of calcineurin (CaN), hindering NFAT dephosphorylation, and nuclear translocation in activated T cells. Finally, using mass spectrometry-based approaches, we have found that NO2-OA nitroalkylates CaNA on four Cys (Cys129, 228, 266, and 372), of which only nitroalkylation on Cys372 was of importance for the regulation of CaN phosphatase activity in cells, disturbing functional CaNA/CaNB heterodimer formation. These results provide evidence for an additional mechanism by which NO2-FAs exert their anti-inflammatory actions, pointing to their potential as therapeutic bioactive lipids for the modulation of harmful T cell-mediated immune responses.

Automated summary

Nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FAs) inhibit pro-inflammatory T cell functions by decreasing cell proliferation, expression of activation markers, and cytokine gene expressions. These effects are mediated through the inhibition of transcriptional activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) via regulation of the phosphatase activity of calcineurin (CaN). Furthermore, NO2-FAs nitroalkylate CaNA, disrupting functional CaNA/CaNB heterodimer formation and further inhibiting CaN phosphatase activity. These findings suggest that NO2-FAs may have therapeutic potential for modulating harmful T cell-mediated immune responses.