Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate 5-Kinases in the Regulation of T Cell Activation

Abstract

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate kinases (PIP5Ks) are critical regulators of T cell activation being the main enzymes involved in the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 is indeed a pivotal regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, thus controlling T cell polarization and migration, stable adhesion to antigen-presenting cells, spatial organization of the immunological synapse, and co-stimulation. Moreover, PIP2 also serves as a precursor for the second messengers inositol triphosphate, diacylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate, which are essential for the activation of signaling pathways regulating cytokine production, cell cycle progression, survival, metabolism, and differentiation. Here, we discuss the impact of PIP5Ks on several T lymphocyte functions with a specific focus on the role of CD28 co-stimulation in PIP5K compartimentalization and activation.

Introduction

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate kinases (PIP5Ks) are a family of isoenzymes that mediate the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate on the D5 position of the inositol ring, thus inducing the production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) (1) (Figure 1). PIP2 is a phospholipid located in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane that plays a pivotal role in several signaling processes, ranging from the regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics controlling cell migration and cell–cell adhesion to second messenger generation (2, 3). In T lymphocytes, PIP2 regulates the cytoskeleton reorganization events necessary for lymphocyte polarization and migration, the formation of stable T: antigen-presenting cell (APC) conjugates and the further clustering of TCR, co-stimulatory and signaling molecules at the immunological synapse (IS) (4). PIP2 also serves as a precursor for second messengers inositol triphosphate (IP3), diacylglycerol (DAG), and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) (Figure 1B), which are essential for the activation of the signaling pathways regulating efficient cytokine production, cell cycle progression, survival, and T cell metabolism (5).

Figure 1.

Structure and functions of PIP5Ks. (A) Schematic representation of human PIP5K (hPIP5K) isoforms with the conserved kinase core domain. (B) PIP5K isoforms phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) in the D5 position of the inositol ring to generate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 may be hydrolyzed by phospholipase C (PLC) to generate inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) second messengers or phosphorylated in the D3 position by class 1 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to generate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3). PIP2 may also directly interact with effector proteins.

Three PIP5K isoforms (α, β, and γ) and further splice variants have been identified (6–8). Primary T cells express all three PIP5K isoforms (9), with differential subcellular localizations, thus providing both temporarily and spatially regulated distinct pools of PIP2 (10–14).

This review illustrates the most relevant functional roles of the different PIP5K isoforms in T cell activation and highlights the molecules and mechanisms involved in their recruitment and activation.

PIP5K Structure and Activity Regulation

In both humans and mice, all PIP5K isoforms display further variation in their sequence by alternative splicing. Three PIP5Kα, four β, and one γ splice variants have been identified in humans (Figure 1A), and eight PIP5Kα, two β, and three γ splice variants are present in mice. All PIP5K isoforms and splice variants contain a highly conserved kinase domain of 330–380 amino acids with a subdomain, known as the activation loop, which regulates their activity and subcellular localizations (4). The variables N- and C-termini of PIP5K isoforms are also involved in the regulation of lipid kinase activity and in targeting PIP5Ks to specific cellular compartments (3). The last 28 aminoacids of human PIP5Kγ control the interaction of the kinase with talin during the adhesion to the extracellular matrix (15, 16). The C-terminal residues (440–562) of PIP5Kα regulate its localization at nuclear speckles (17). The 83 C-terminal amino acids of PIP5Kβ are essential for its polarization at the uropod (18), whereas the N-terminus controls PIP5Kβ targeting to the plasma membrane and its dimerization with other PIP5K isoforms (19).

Most of the proteins that regulate PIP5K activity belong to the Rho family of small GTPases, which are critical regulators of actin remodeling, vesicular trafficking, and signal transduction (20). In several cell types, Rho, Rac1, and Cdc42 have been reported to interact with all PIP5K isoforms and to activate them in a GTP-independent manner (10, 21).

In addition to Rho, the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPases have also been identified as upstream regulators of PIP5K activity at the plasma membrane. ARF GTPases regulate intracellular vesicle trafficking. In particular, ARF6 organizes cortical actin and regulates the traffic between the plasma membrane and the endosomal compartments (22). Several in vitro and in vivo studies have evidenced a direct role of the membrane-bound ARF6 in activating all PIP5K isoforms (23–25).

All PIP5K isoforms are stimulated by phosphatidic acid (PA), which is generated by phospholipase D (PLD), through the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (26, 27). For instance, both PIP5Kα and PIP5Kγ have been described to interact and colocalize with PLD2 at the membrane to stimulate cell adhesion (28, 29).

The activity of PIP5Ks is also regulated by phosphorylation on Ser/Thr and Tyr residues. For example, phosphorylation of PIP5Kβ at Ser214 (30) and PIP5Kγ at Ser264 (31) in the kinase homology domain have been described as inhibiting PIP5K activity. Phosphorylation of PIP5Kγ on Ser645 inhibits PIP5Kγ interaction with talin (32). Conversely, phosphorylation of tyr644 by Src kinase activates PIP5Kγ (33), whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of PIP5Kβ exerts inhibitory effects (34).

PIP5Ks and the Regulation of T Cell Polarization, Adhesion, and is Formation

Optimal T cell activation requires the recognition of peptide–MHC by TCR together with co-stimulatory signals, generally provided by counterreceptors expressed on the surface of APCs. CD28 may be considered the most important co-stimulatory molecule. By binding B7.1/CD80 and/or B7.2/CD86, expressed on the surface of activated APCs (i.e., macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes), CD28 delivers signals essential for optimal T cell expansion, differentiation, and effector functions (35).

Activation of T cells by APCs bearing the appropriate peptide–MHC complexes initiates with the polarization of membrane receptors and signaling molecules in specific cell locations and is governed by rapid cytoskeletal reorganization events. The dynamic and organization of actin cytoskeleton is tightly regulated by PIP2, which may directly interact with several actin-binding proteins (36), such as talin, vinculin, and filamin (37, 38), thus controlling the selective localization of scaffolding molecules linking the actin cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane (39). Already before interacting with APCs, T cells exhibit a polarized morphology with a leading edge enriched in actin filaments and an uropod enriched in ezrin, moesin, and vimentin filaments (40). The analysis of the distribution of different PIP5K isoforms in mouse T cells revealed that PIP5Kβ and PIP5Kγ90 are predominantly found at the distal pole and in the uropod, thus suggesting a role in adhesion during extravasation from the vasculature (9).

Upon encountering with an APC-bearing specific peptide–MHC complexes, T cells undergo rapid changes in cytoskeletal rearrangements, such as uropod retraction and a strong increase of actin polymerization at the T:APC contact zone. The accumulation of actin and actin-binding proteins in the T:APC contact zone is important for the formation of a stable T:APC conjugate that is necessary for the further clustering of TCR, co-stimulatory, and signaling molecules at the IS (41, 42). Stable conjugate formation requires the interaction between the T cell β2 integrin leukocyte functional antigen-1 (LFA-1) with its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on APCs. LFA-1 activity is regulated by the transition from a low-intermediate to a high-activation state that results in an increase of its affinity for ICAM-1 (43). PIP5Kγ has been described to selectively regulate the affinity of LFA-1 for ICAM-1 by acting downstream of Rho and Rac1 and favoring T cell arrest and stable adhesion (44). More detailed analysis of the role of PIP5Kγ isoforms in knockout mice revealed that CD4⁺ T cells from PIP5Kγ90-deficient mice have increased LFA-1 adhesion to ICAM-1 and T:APC conjugate formation, as well as increased proliferation and cytokine production in response to TCR and CD28 co-engagement (45). Consistent with these data, the two PIP5Kγ isoforms show different cellular localizations during T:APC interaction, with PIP5Kγ87 rapidly, but transiently recruited to the site of T:APC contacts and PIP5Kγ90 in the uropod (9).

Once LFA-1 has mediated a stable contact of T cells with APCs, sustained cytoskeleton rearrangement events occur for the relocalization of receptors, lipid rafts, and signaling complexes at the IS. In particular, the engagement of the TCR and co-stimulatory molecules at the IS promotes the organization of a signaling compartment by inducing cytoskeletal rearrangements and lipid raft accumulation (46–48). All these events are necessary for enhancing TCR-controlled signaling pathways (48–50).

As in other cell types, actin polymerization at the IS is regulated by the Rho family small G proteins, in particular Cdc42 (51), and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav1 (52–55). Following tyrosine phosphorylation and activation, Vav1 promotes the exchange of GDP to GTP and the activation of Cdc42. In the GTP-bound form, Cdc42 interacts with the neuronal Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) that, in turn, binds the actin-related protein (ARP) 2/3 complex to promote actin polymerization (56). The ARP2/3 complex cooperates with filamins in establishing cortical actin architecture (57). Filamin-A is predominantly expressed in the immune system and participates in T cell activation (58, 59). CD28 is the crucial determinant of T lymphocyte activation, as it promotes the cytoskeletal rearrangement events required for the organization of a signaling compartment at the IS (46, 59). CD28 binds and promotes the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Vav1 (60–62). CD28 also recruits filamin-A to the membrane, where filamin-A cooperates with Vav1 to integrate signaling pathways resulting in actin polymerization and lipid raft mobilization (59, 63).

Lipid rafts are cholesterol-/sphingolipid-enriched membrane domains, which provide a dynamic lipid environment where critical signaling proteins accumulate (64). Approximately, half of the PIP2 pool associates with membrane rafts (65, 66), which also exhibit locally regulated PIP2 turnover (67). Furthermore, WASP stabilization at the membrane depends on the interaction of its PH domain with PIP2, thus the activity of PIP5Ks is essential for TCR- and CD28-mediated actin reorganization. For instance, recent data from our group evidenced that human PIP5Kβ is recruited to the IS in a CD28-dependent manner and that PIP5Kβ is pivotal for both the recruitment of filamin-A and the accumulation of lipid rafts to the IS. We also demonstrated that PIP5Kβ cooperates with PIP5Kα and Vav1 in promoting actin polymerization and CD28 signaling functions in human T lymphocytes (Figure 2A) (60, 68, 69).

Figure 2.

CD28-induced regulation of PIP5Kα/β at the IS. (A) Following engagement by B7, human CD28 binds Vav1 that in turn favors the recruitment of PIP5Kα and PIP5Kβ. PIP5Kα generates PIP2 that favors the recruitment of the WASP/Cdc42/ARP2/3 complex, which, in turn, promotes actin polymerization. PIP5Kβ mediates the recruitment of filamin-A (FLN-A) and lipid rafts to the T:APC contact zone. (B) Upon TCR recognition of peptide–MHC complexes presented on the surface of APCs, Lck and Fyn phosphorylate CD3 and ζ chains, which bind ZAP-70. ZAP-70 phosphorylates LAT that in turn binds PLC-γ1. CD28 mediates the recruitment of Vav-associated PIP5Kα that generates PIP2. PLC-γ1 hydrolyzes PIP2 in IP3 and DAG. IP3 induces the activation of Ca²⁺/calcineurin (CN) and NF-AT. CD28 also binds class 1A PI3K that phosphorylates PIP2 and generates PIP3 that favors the recruitment and activation of Akt. Akt cooperates with DAG to activate PKCθ/CARMA1/Bcl10/MALT1 complex and NF-κB.

Interestingly, enough, recent data by Choudhuri et al. evidenced a novel function of TCR accumulation at the IS, which involves the TCR sorting and release in extracellular microvesicles that in turn deliver transcellular signals by engaging cognate peptide–MHC on APC (70). Similar mechanisms of exchange of molecules through exosomes and microvesicles during IS have been previously described (71). Since ARF6 and PIP5Ks are crucial regulators of the traffic of vesicles (23–25), it would be interesting to assess the role of PIP5Ks in regulating cell–cell communication through the microvesicles exchange at the IS.

PIP5Ks and the Regulation of the Calcineurin/NF-AT and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

One key role of PIP2 is to regulate TCR signaling by serving as a substrate for the generation of second messengers. TCR stimulation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) of CD3 and ζ chains, which in turn bind the Syk family tyrosine kinase Zap-70. Following activation by p56lck and/or p59fyn, Zap-70 phosphorylates the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) that binds and recruits to the membrane the phospholipase C γ1 (PLC-γ1) (72). PLCγ1 hydrolyzes PIP2 into DAG and IP3. While DAG remains in the cellular membrane and activates the RAS/protein kinase C (PKC) θ pathway (73, 74), soluble IP3 induces a strong increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ and the activation of the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent calcineurin. Calcineurin in turn dephosphorylates NF-AT transcription factors (NF-ATc1, c2, and c3 in lymphocytes), thus leading to their translocation into the nucleus, where they bind specific DNA response elements in the promoter of genes critical for T cell functions, such as the IL-2 gene (75). TCR stimulation alone is not sufficient to activate this pivotal signaling pathway and requires the co-engagement of CD28 co-stimulatory molecule (49, 76).

Initial studies by Zaru et al. demonstrated that PIP2 turnover induced by TCR engagement and CD28 co-stimulation was required for sustained Ca²⁺ increase (77). Furthermore, Singleton et al. showed that PIP2 accumulates at the IS during antigen recognition, where it is rapidly consumed by PLCγ1 (78). In response to several receptors, PIP5Kα isoform is recruited to the plasma membrane, where it provides the substrate PIP2 for PLCγ, thus inducing IP3 formation and Ca²⁺ mobilization (79–81). We extended these data to T lymphocytes, by demonstrating that CD28 co-stimulation regulates PIP2 turnover by recruiting and activating PIP5Kα at the IS, thus sustaining TCR-stimulated Ca²⁺ influx and NF-AT nuclear translocation and activation (Figure 2B) (68, 69).

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate 2 also serves as a substrate of PI3K. Although TCR stimulation has been shown to induce PI3K activation (82), CD28 is known to give a major contribution in activating PI3K (83). Indeed, CD28 short cytoplasmic tail contains an N-terminal YMNM motif that, following phosphorylation, binds the p85 subunit of class 1A PI3K (84–86). Class 1A PI3K phosphorylates PIP2 and generates PIP3 (87), which binds the PH domains of several molecules involved in T cell activation, such as phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), AKT, and Vav1 (88). PDK1 contributes to the canonical NF-κB pathway by associating with caspase recruitment domain membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein 1 (CARMA1) and leading to the membrane recruitment and activation of PKCθ (89, 90). The ternary complex CARMA1/Bcl10/mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) links TCR to the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKK) α/γ/β complex, thus leading to the phosphorylation-dependent degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) and activation of RelA/p50 or c-Rel/p50 dimers (74, 91, 92). CD28 co-segregates with PKCθ to a spatially unique subregion within the IS (93), where it favors the activation of CARMA1/Bcl10/MALT1 complex and IKKs (74). Furthermore, PDK1 recruitment to the membrane also leads to the phosphorylation and activation of Akt (94, 95), which in turn cooperates with PKCθ in stimulating the NF-κB cascade (Figure 2B) (96).

In addition to cooperate with TCR in inducing NF-κB activation, CD28 is also able to autonomously activate IKKα and a non-canonical NF-κB2-like cascade leading to the nuclear translocation and activation of RelA/p52 dimers (55, 97). This CD28 unique signaling to NF-κB converges to the selective regulation of the expression of several genes, including anti- and pro-apoptotic gene of Bcl-2 family (98), the LTR of HIV-1 virus (99), and pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokines (100, 101). The relevance of PIP5Kα in CD28-dependent NF-κB activation has been recently demonstrated by the impairment of CD28 autonomous signaling regulating NF-κB transcriptional activation and IL-8 gene transcription induced by a lipid-kinase-dead mutant of PIP5Kα in CD4⁺ T cells (60). The intracytoplasmic C-terminal PYAP motif of CD28 is essential for both NF-κB activation and PIP5Kα and β recruitment. Watanabe et al. reported that the substitution of the two proline residues in the C-terminal PYAP motif of murine CD28 strongly reduces NF-κB transcriptional activity (102). Yokosuka et al. further showed that this motif is involved in the recruitment of PKCθ to the IS and its colocalization with CD28 (93). More recently, we evidenced that this motif is also important for the activation of CD28-induced non-canonical NF-κB2-like cascade by binding and recruiting to the membrane IKKα and the IKKα activator NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) (63). Our findings that C-terminal PYAP is fundamental for both PIP5Kα and β recruitment strengthens the relevance of PIP5Ks in regulating NF-κB-dependent gene expressions in T lymphocytes.

Finally, PIP5Kα and PIP5Kγ have also been found into the nucleus in specific structures called interchromatin granule clusters or nuclear speckles, where they may regulate pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export (103).

Potential Role of PIP5Ks in the Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in T Cells

Another important contribution of class 1A PI3K in T cell activation and differentiation is the regulation of glucose metabolism (104). Indeed, upon antigen stimulation, T cells rapidly switch from a catabolic oxidative metabolic state to an anabolic glycolitic metabolic program. By phosphorylating PIP2, class 1A PI3K generates PIP3 lipids that recruit and activate the PDK1/Akt pathway. The PI3K/PDK1/Akt pathway triggers the translocation of the high-affinity glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) from the cytosol to the cell membrane, thus increasing glucose uptake and glycoslysis (105). PI3K/PDK1/Akt also activates the mammalian target of rapamycic complex 1 (mTORC1) that stimulates the activity of several transcription factors, which regulate the expression of genes involved in glycolysis. Moreover, mTORC1-induced upregulation of the glycolytic pathway also favors the differentiation of specific inflammatory Th cell subsets in the periphery (106), in particular, the Th1 and Th17 cell subsets (107), which play a pathogenetic role in several autoimmune diseases (108).

Due to its relevant role in activating class 1A PI3K and sustaining PIP3 levels, CD28 participates in T cell metabolism by enhancing TCR-mediated glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, and anabolic pathways (109). Moreover, since PIP2 is an essential limiting factor ensuring the activation of PI3K following CD28 engagement, PIP5Ks may be pivotal in regulating glucose metabolism in T cells. Understanding the role of PIP5Ks in the fine tuning of glucose metabolism in T cells may open new therapeutic approaches for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Interestingly, recent data from PIP5Kα knockout mice revealed faster glucose clearance and resistance to the development of obesity on high fat diet (110).

Concluding Remarks

The accumulation and consumption of PIP2 in a strictly defined spatiotemporal manner is essential for many cellular processes and, indeed, T lymphocyte triggering is finely tuned by PIP5Ks activity. Emerging studies linking alterations in the metabolism of PIP2 to immune-based diseases suggest that PIP5Ks may represent new therapeutic targets to modulate immunity and inflammation. Interestingly, a crucial role of PIP5Ks in regulating HIV infection has been recently demonstrated. The attachment of HIV-1 to T lymphocytes through CD4/CXCR4 complexes promotes PIP5Kα-dependent PIP2 production, which in turn induces the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, lipid raft mobilization, and clustering of viral receptors, thus finally leading to membrane fusion and viral core internalization (111). These results, together with the recent identification of one selective inhibitor of PIP5Kα that efficiently inhibits advanced prostate cancer progression (112), indicate that the investigation of PIP5K functions may open up new avenues to novel interesting therapeutic targets for several disorders.

Author Contributions

All authors listed have made substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Funding

The work was supported by “Progetto Ateneo” (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy), Multiple Sclerosis Italian Foundation (FISM-2011/R/36) to LT, and ERC Advanced Grant under grant agreement no. 322823 to AV.