LDL receptor-mediated lipoprotein uptake fuels human CD4+ T cell polarization toward a c-MAF/IL-10- and FOXP3-driven phenotype

Human CD4+ T cells utilize nutrients, including lipids, to support their activation and polarization. Considering the pivotal role of lipoproteins in lipid transport, we reasoned that lipoprotein uptake and processing could effect CD4+ T cell function. Here, we demonstrate that activation of human CD4+ T cells induced expression of LDL receptor (LDLR) to facilitate LDLR-mediated endocytosis of LDL. Degradation of surface LDLR on CD4+ T cells with PCSK9 hampered activation and proliferation of the cells. Lipoprotein deprivation or blocking of lysosomal cholesterol egress impaired activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), affecting CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation. Furthermore, lipoprotein deprivation of cultured primary CD4+ T cells lead to reduced expression of c-MAF and FOXP3, key transcription factors for IL-10, accompanied by reduced IL-10 secretion. The pivotal role of LDLR-mediated lipoprotein uptake for mTORC1 activity, c-MAF and FOXP3 expression, and IL-10 secretion was confirmed using LDLR-dysfunctional CD4+ T cells from patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Our study offers valuable insights into the lipoprotein metabolism of human CD4+ T cells and their reliance on the LDLR pathway for activation and polarization, a feature that may be leveraged to modulate CD4+ T cell function.