PPAR-γ regulates the effector function of human T helper 9 cells by promoting glycolysis

T helper 9 (T(H)9) cells promote allergic tissue inflammation and express the type 2 cytokines, IL-9 and IL-13, as well as the transcription factor, PPAR-gamma. However, the functional role of PPAR-gamma in human T(H)9 cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that PPAR-gamma drives activation-induced glycolysis, which, in turn, promotes the expression of IL-9, but not IL-13, in an mTORC1-dependent manner. In vitro and ex vivo experiments show that the PPAR-gamma-mTORC1-IL-9 pathway is active in T(H)9 cells in human skin inflammation. Additionally, we find dynamic regulation of tissue glucose levels in acute allergic skin inflammation, suggesting that in situ glucose availability is linked to distinct immunological functions in vivo. Furthermore, paracrine IL-9 induces expression of the lactate transporter, MCT1, in T-H cells and promotes their aerobic glycolysis and proliferative capacity. Altogether, our findings uncover a hitherto unknown relationship between PPAR-gamma-dependent glucose metabolism and pathogenic effector functions in human T(H)9 cells.

Automated summary

It has been discovered that PPAR-gamma drives activation-induced glycolysis and promotes IL-9 expression, but not IL-13, in an mTORC1-dependent manner in human T(H)9 cells. The PPAR-gamma-mTORC1-IL-9 pathway is found to be active in T(H)9 cells in human skin inflammation. Furthermore, paracrine IL-9 induces the expression of the lactate transporter, MCT1, in T-H cells and promotes their aerobic glycolysis and proliferative capacity.