Dysregulated Lipid Metabolism Networks Modulate T-cell Function in People with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Altered cholesterol, oxysterol, sphingolipid, and fatty acid concentrations are reported in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue of people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and are linked to disease progression and treatment responses. CD4+ T cells are pathogenic in RRMS, and defective T cell function could be mediated in part by liver X receptors (LXRs) - nuclear receptors that regulate lipid homeostasis and immunity. RNA-sequencing and pathway analysis identified that genes within the ‘lipid metabolism’ and ‘signalling of nuclear receptors’ pathways were dysregulated in CD4+ T cells isolated from RRMS patients compared with healthy donors. While LXRB and genes associated with cholesterol metabolism were upregulated, other T cell LXR-target genes, including genes involved in cellular lipid uptake (inducible degrader of the LDL receptor, IDOL), and the rate-limiting enzyme for glycosphingolipid biosynthesis (UDP-glucosylceramide synthase, UGCG) were downregulated in T cells from patients with RRMS compared to healthy donors. Correspondingly, plasma membrane glycosphingolipids were reduced, and cholesterol levels increased in RRMS CD4+ T cells, an effect partially recapitulated in healthy T cells by in vitro culture with T cell receptor stimulation in the presence of serum from RRMS patients. Notably, stimulation with LXR-agonist GW3965 normalised membrane cholesterol levels, and reduced proliferation and IL17 cytokine production in RRMS CD4+ T-cells. Thus, LXR-mediated lipid metabolism pathways were dysregulated in T cells from patients with RRMS and could contribute to RRMS pathogenesis. Therapies that modify lipid metabolism could help restore immune cell function.