Biology subjects

Heieis, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Heieis, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

O-GlcNAcylation and low glycolysis underpin Th2 polarization by dendritic cells

Activation of dendritic cells (DCs) is dependent on rewiring of their cellular metabolism. However, the metabolic requirements for DCs to prime T helper 2 (Th2) responses are still poorly understood. Using unbiased transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics we find that helminth antigen-conditioned human DCs suppress glycolysis while increasing hexosamine biosynthesis to fuel protein O-GlcNAcylation. Functionally, glycolytic inhibition of DCs selectively enhanced, while blocking O-GlcNAcylation impaired, Th2-priming capacity. In helminth infection and allergic challenge, Th2 responses were also attenuated in vivo in mice with specific deletion of O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) in CD11c-expressing cells. Mechanistically, through proteomic analysis and functional validation, we identified O-GlcNAcylation as a critical negative regulator of immune synapse formation by controlling cytoskeletal organization via Fascin-1 and Zyxin, thereby dampening TCR signalling to promote Th2 polarization. Altogether we reveal a novel metabolic program in DCs that governs Th2 polarization, that could potentially be harnessed to treat type 2 mediated inflammatory diseases.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

A Novel Cyclopropenyl Fatty Acid Library Reveals Tissue-Specific Preferences for Regulatory T Cell Uptake Through Click-Chemistry

The activation of T-cells is heavily shaped by the nutrients that are available during activation. Fatty acids can have highly pleiotropic effects in this process. On the one hand, they are essential for driving T-cell activation, yet on the other hand they can affect curtailed T-cell activation. These differences are likely dependent on the nature and absolute uptake of the fatty acids. Quantifying the uptake of specific FAs by individual cells and studying the effect on the phenotype of the cell is currently not possible with existing tools. Here we therefore use the live-cell compatible Inverse Electron-Demand Diels-Alder reaction combined with the synthesis of saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids carrying the 1-carbon cyclopropene click group. Single cell uptake studies of these various clickable FAs in primary immune cell mixtures show highly divergent uptake behaviour between different immune cells, with polyunsaturated fatty acids markedly preferred by all immune cells tested.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Metabolic sensor AMPK licenses CD103+ dendritic cells to induce Treg responses

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in promoting tolerance through priming of regulatory T cells (Treg). Several studies indicate DC tolerogenicity is dependent on catabolic metabolism. However, the role of AMP-activated Kinase (AMPK), a key energy and nutrient sensor driving catabolic metabolism, in this process is unclear. We found that human retinoic acid-induced tolerogenic CD103+ DCs (RA-DCs) display increased AMPK signaling. Interestingly, RA-DCs, but not vitamin-D3- or dexamethasone-induced tolerogenic DCs, required AMPK for Treg induction. Mechanistically, AMPK underpinned RA-driven tolerogenicity by promoting RALDH activity in a FoxO3-dependent manner. Correspondingly, mice deficient for AMPK in DCs (CD11c{Delta}AMPK1) harbored reduced frequencies of intestinal CD103+CD11b+ DCs with impaired RALDH activity. Importantly, upon infection with parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni, that elicits strong Th2 and Treg responses, CD11c{Delta}AMPK1 mice showed a defect in Treg accumulation and concomitantly, displayed an impaired ability to control Type 2 immunity-driven granulomatous inflammation against the parasite eggs. Together, our findings identify AMPK as a key regulator of tolerance by CD103+ DCs. SummaryDendritic cells (DCs) are critical for inducing tolerance. However, how metabolic cues control their tolerogenicity is still poorly understood. Patente et al demonstrate that AMPK is crucial for Treg induction by retinoic acid-primed tolerogenic CD103+ DCs.

immunology↗