HIF-1α- and hypoxia-dependent immune responses in human CD4+CD25high T cells and T helper 17 cells

The central oxygen sensitive transcription factor HIF-1α has been implicated in the differentiation of n(T(reg)) and Th17 cells and to orchestrate metabolic changes of activated T cells. However, data on the functional relevance of HIF-1α and Hox, in general, for nT(reg)-suppressive activity and T cell function in primary human cells are still missing. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of Hox and HIF-1α on human T(res), n(Treg), and Th17 cells. Under Hox, nT(reg)-mediated suppression of T(res) proliferation, CD25 expression, and secretion of IFN-γ were significantly reduced, whereas expression levels of VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-10 were significantly increased. In contrast to observations in mice, Th17 lineage commitment, as determined by RORγt expression, was not affected by activation or inhibition of HIF-1α expression using DMOG or YC-1 treatment, respectively. Nevertheless, the secretion of IL-17A was increased by DMOG and reduced by YC-1 under Th17-skewing conditions in a dose- dependent manner. In conclusion, Hox and HIF-1α substantially influence human T cell-mediated immune responses by modulation of nT(reg)-suppressive function and IL-17A secretion by Th17 cells.