Exchange Protein Directly Activated by cAMP (EPAC1) Modulates Regulatory T Cell-Mediated Immune Suppression

In this study we examined the role of the cAMP/EPAC1 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) axis in regulatory T-cell (Treg)-mediated immune suppression using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. Genetic deletion of EPAC1 in Treg and effector T-cells (Teff) synergistically attenuated Treg-mediated suppression of Teff. Mechanistically, EPAC1 inhibition enhanced activation of the transcription factor STAT3 and up-regulated SMAD7 expression while down-regulating expression of SMAD4. Consequently, CD4+T-cells were desensitized to TGF-β1, a cytokine employed by Treg cells to exert a broad inhibitory function within the immune system. Furthermore, deletion of EPAC1 led to production of significant levels of OVA-IgG antibodies in a low dose oral tolerance mouse mode. These in vivo observations are consistent with the finding that EPAC1 plays an important role in Treg-mediated suppression. More importantly, pharmacological inhibition of EPAC1 using an EPAC specific inhibitor recapitulates the EPAC1 deletion phenotype both in vivo and in vitro. Our results show that EPAC1 boosts Treg-mediated suppression, and identify EPAC1 as a target with broad therapeutic potential since Treg cells are involved in numerous pathologies including autoimmunity, infections, and a wide range of cancers.

Source: BJ Cell - October 23, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: M Almahariq, F Mei, H Wang, A T. Cao, S Yao, L Soong, J Sun, Y Cong, J Chen, X Cheng Tags: BJ Signal Source Type: research