Activated human CD4 T cells express transporters for both cysteine and cystine

TY - JOUR

T1 - Activated human CD4 T cells express transporters for both cysteine and cystine

AU - Levring, Trine Bøegh

AU - Hansen, Ann Kathrine

AU - Nielsen, Bodil Lisbeth

AU - Kongsbak, Martin

AU - von Essen, Marina Rode

AU - Woetmann, Anders

AU - Odum, Niels

AU - Bonefeld, Charlotte Menné

AU - Geisler, Carsten

PY - 2012/2/14

Y1 - 2012/2/14

N2 - Because naïve T cells are unable to import cystine due to the absence of cystine transporters, it has been suggested that T cell activation is dependent on cysteine generated by antigen presenting cells. The aim of this study was to determine at which phases during T cell activation exogenous cystine/cysteine is required and how T cells meet this requirement. We found that early activation of T cells is independent of exogenous cystine/cysteine, whereas T cell proliferation is strictly dependent of uptake of exogenous cystine/cysteine. Naïve T cells express no or very low levels of both cystine and cysteine transporters. However, we found that these transporters become strongly up-regulated during T cell activation and provide activated T cells with the required amount of cystine/cysteine needed for T cell proliferation. Thus, T cells are equipped with mechanisms that allow T cell activation and proliferation independently of cysteine generated by antigen presenting cells.

AB - Because naïve T cells are unable to import cystine due to the absence of cystine transporters, it has been suggested that T cell activation is dependent on cysteine generated by antigen presenting cells. The aim of this study was to determine at which phases during T cell activation exogenous cystine/cysteine is required and how T cells meet this requirement. We found that early activation of T cells is independent of exogenous cystine/cysteine, whereas T cell proliferation is strictly dependent of uptake of exogenous cystine/cysteine. Naïve T cells express no or very low levels of both cystine and cysteine transporters. However, we found that these transporters become strongly up-regulated during T cell activation and provide activated T cells with the required amount of cystine/cysteine needed for T cell proliferation. Thus, T cells are equipped with mechanisms that allow T cell activation and proliferation independently of cysteine generated by antigen presenting cells.

U2 - 10.1038/srep00266

DO - 10.1038/srep00266

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22355778

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 2

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 266

ER -