A role of Achaete-scute complex homolog 2 in T follicular regulatory cell development

T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, a subset of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, locate to the lymphoid follicle and germinal center (GC) and regulate antibody responses. Tfr cells express the functional molecules of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, including CXCR5 and Bcl6. CD25- mature Tfr cells differentiate from CD25+ Treg cells through CD25+ immature Tfr cells. Others and we have shown that Achaete-scute complex homolog 2 (Ascl2) plays a role in Tfh cell development; however, the role of Ascl2 in the development of Tfr cells remains unclear. Here, we found that Ascl2 was highly and preferentially expressed in CD25+ Tfr cells and CD25- Tfr cells, and that the differentiation from CD25+ Tfr cells to CD25- Tfr cells was impaired by the absence of Ascl2. Furthermore, the forced Ascl2 expression in Treg cells downregulated CD25 expression and suppressed IL-2-induced phosphorylation of STAT5, which is known to suppress CD25- Tfr cell development. Finally, we found that the downregulation of CD25 by Ascl2 in Treg cells is independent of Bach2, which also regulates CD25 downregulation in CD25+ Tfr cells. These results suggest that Ascl2 plays a vital role in developing Tfr cells, possibly by downregulating CD25 expression in a Bach2-independent mechanism.

Automated summary

The study found that Achaete-scute complex homolog 2 (Ascl2) is highly and preferentially expressed in CD25+ and CD25- T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells. The absence of Ascl2 impairs the differentiation from CD25+ Tfr cells to CD25- Tfr cells. Additionally, forced expression of Ascl2 in regulatory T (Treg) cells downregulates CD25 expression and suppresses IL-2-induced phosphorylation of STAT5, which inhibits the development of CD25- Tfr cells. These findings suggest that Ascl2 plays a vital role in Tfr cell development by downregulating CD25 expression in a Bach2-independent mechanism.