The class III kinase Vps34 promotes T lymphocyte survival through regulating IL-7Rα surface expression

IX McLeod, X Zhou, QJ Li, F Wang… - The Journal of …, 2011 - journals.aai.org
IX McLeod, X Zhou, QJ Li, F Wang, YW He
The Journal of Immunology, 2011journals.aai.org
IL-7Rα–mediated signals are essential for naive T lymphocyte survival. Recent studies show
that IL-7Rα is internalized and either recycled to cell surface or degraded. However, how the
intracellular process of IL-7Rα trafficking is regulated is unclear. In this paper, we show that
Vps34, the class III PI3K, plays a critical role in proper IL-7Rα intracellular trafficking. Mice
lacking Vps34 in T lymphocytes had a severely reduced T lymphocyte compartment. Vps34-
deficient T lymphocytes exhibit increased death and reduced IL-7Rα surface expression …
Abstract
IL-7Rα–mediated signals are essential for naive T lymphocyte survival. Recent studies show that IL-7Rα is internalized and either recycled to cell surface or degraded. However, how the intracellular process of IL-7Rα trafficking is regulated is unclear. In this paper, we show that Vps34, the class III PI3K, plays a critical role in proper IL-7Rα intracellular trafficking. Mice lacking Vps34 in T lymphocytes had a severely reduced T lymphocyte compartment. Vps34-deficient T lymphocytes exhibit increased death and reduced IL-7Rα surface expression, although three major forms of autophagy remain intact. Intracellular IL-7Rα in normal T lymphocytes at steady state is trafficked through either early endosome/multivesicular bodies to the late endosome-Golgi for surface expression or to the lysosome for degradation. However, Vps34-deficient T cells have mislocalized intracellular Eea1, HGF-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate, and Vps36 protein levels, the combined consequence of which is the inability to mobilize internalized IL-7Rα into the retromer pathway for surface display. Our studies reveal that Vps34, though dispensable for autophagy induction, is a critical regulator of naive T cell homeostasis, modulating IL-7Rα trafficking, signaling, and recycling.
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