RNF213 promotes Treg cell differentiation by facilitating K63-linked ubiquitination and nuclear translocation of FOXO1
Xiaofan Yang, Xiaotong Zhu, Junli Sheng, Yuling Fu, Dingnai Nie, Xiaolong You, Yitian Chen, Xiaodan Yang, Qiao Ling, Huili Zhang, Xiaomin Li, Shengfeng Hu
Abstract
Abstract Autoreactive CD4 + T helper cells are critical players that orchestrate the immune response both in multiple sclerosis (MS) and in other neuroinflammatory autoimmune diseases. Ubiquitination is a posttranslational protein modification involved in regulating a variety of cellular processes, including CD4 + T cell differentiation and function. However, only a limited number of E3 ubiquitin ligases have been characterized in terms of their biological functions, particularly in CD4 + T cell differentiation and function. In this study, we found that the RING finger protein 213 (RNF213) specifically promoted regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation in CD4 + T cells and attenuated autoimmune disease development in an FOXO1-dependent manner. Mechanistically, RNF213 interacts with Forkhead Box Protein O1 (FOXO1) and promotes nuclear translocation of FOXO1 by K63-linked ubiquitination. Notably, RNF213 expression in CD4 + T cells was induced by IFN-β and exerts a crucial role in the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-β for MS. Together, our study findings collectively emphasize the pivotal role of RNF213 in modulating adaptive immune responses. RNF213 holds potential as a promising therapeutic target for addressing disorders associated with Treg cells.