Tyk2 tyrosine kinase expression is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial respiration in primary pro-B lymphocytes

Tyk2, a member of the Jak family of protein tyrosine kinases, is critical for the biological actions of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta). Although Tyk2(-/-) mice are phenotypically normal, they exhibit abnormal responses to inflammatory challenges in a variety of cells isolated from Tyk2(-/-) mice. The reported phenotypic alterations in both Tyk2-null cells and mice are consistent with the possibility that the expression of this tyrosine kinase may regulate mitochondrial function. We report here that Tyk2-null pro-B cells are markedly deficient in basal oxygen consumption and exhibit a significant decrease in steady-state cellular ATP levels compared to wild-type cells. Tyk2-null cells also exhibit impaired complex I, III, and IV function of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Reconstitution of Tyk2-null pro-B cells with either the wild type or a kinase-inactive mutant of Tyk2 restores basal mitochondrial respiration. By contrast, the kinase activity of Tyk2 is required for maintenance of both complex I-dependent mitochondrial respiration as well as induction of apoptosis in cells incubated with IFN-beta. Consistent with the role of Tyk2 in the regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3, expression of a constitutively active Stat3 can restore the mitochondrial respiration in Tyk2-null cells treated with IFN-beta. Finally, Tyk2(-/-) mice show decreased exercise tolerance compared to wild-type littermates. Our results implicate a novel role for Tyk2 kinase and Stat3 phosphorylation in mitochondrial respiration.