Interactomic inhibition of Eomes in the nucleus alleviates EAE via blocking the conversion of Th17 cells into non-classic Th1 cells

mTOR promotes an inflammatory response through the HIF1 signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis

The imbalance between T helper cell 17 （Th17）and regulatory T cells (Treg) cells leading to inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) can regulate the differentiation of T cells, but the specific pathway leading mTOR to regulate Th17/Treg cells in UC remains unclear. Our aim with this study was to investigate the effects of mTOR overexpression and silencing on the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) - Th17/Treg signaling pathway. To mimic a human study, we established a colon cancer epithelial cell line (HT-29) co-culture system with human CD4+ T cells, and we treated the cells with TNF-α. We observed the effects of mTOR on the HIF-Th17/Treg signaling pathway to determine whether mTOR is involved in the regulatory mechanism. Under the stimulation of TNF-α, the levels of HIF-1α in CD4+T cells were increased in the HT-29 co-culture with CD4+ T cells, promoting glycolysis, increasing the Th17 proportion, decreasing the Treg proportion, increasing the pro-inflammatory factors levels, and decreasing the anti-inflammatory factors levels. Moreover, after mTOR silencing, the HIF-1α level and cell glycolysis levels decreased, Th17 cell differentiation decreased, the pro-inflammatory factor levels decreased, and the anti-inflammatory factor levels increased. In contrast, mTOR overexpression lead to the opposite results.mTOR promotes inflammation by regulating the HIF signaling pathway during UC, and silencing mTOR may alleviate inflammation. An mTOR inhibitor is a potential therapeutic target for UC treatment.

Epigenetic regulation and T-cell responses in endometriosis – something other than autoimmunity

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma located outside the uterine cavity. This common, estrogen dependent, inflammatory condition affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged women and is a well-recognized cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the still unknown etiology of endometriosis, much evidence suggests the participation of epigenetic mechanisms in the disease etiopathogenesis. The main rationale is based on the fact that heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence are common triggers for hormonal, immunological, and inflammatory disorders, which play a key role in the formation of endometriotic foci. Epigenetic mechanisms regulating T-cell responses, including DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications, deserve attention because tissue-resident T lymphocytes work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ-specific environmental conditions. Thus, a failure to precisely regulate immune cell transcription may result in compromised immunological integrity of the organ with an increased risk of inflammatory disorders. The coexistence of endometriosis and autoimmunity is a well-known occurrence. Recent research results indicate regulatory T-cell (Treg) alterations in endometriosis, and an increased number of highly active Tregs and macrophages have been found in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. Elimination of the regulatory function of T cells and an imbalance between T helper cells of the Th1 and Th2 types have been reported in the endometria of women with endometriosis-associated infertility. This review aims to present the state of the art in recognition epigenetic reprogramming of T cells as the key factor in the pathophysiology of endometriosis in the context of T-cell-related autoimmunity. The new potential therapeutic approaches based on epigenetic modulation and/or adoptive transfer of T cells will also be outlined.