The class III kinase Vps34 promotes T lymphocyte survival through regulating IL-7Rα surface expression

IL-7Rα-mediated signals are essential for naive T lymphocyte survival. Recent studies show that IL-7Rα is internalized and either recycled to cell surface or degraded. However, how the intracellular process of IL-7Rα trafficking is regulated is unclear. In this paper, we show that Vps34, the class III PI3K, plays a critical role in proper IL-7Rα intracellular trafficking. Mice lacking Vps34 in T lymphocytes had a severely reduced T lymphocyte compartment. Vps34-deficient T lymphocytes exhibit increased death and reduced IL-7Rα surface expression, although three major forms of autophagy remain intact. Intracellular IL-7Rα in normal T lymphocytes at steady state is trafficked through either early endosome/multivesicular bodies to the late endosome-Golgi for surface expression or to the lysosome for degradation. However, Vps34-deficient T cells have mislocalized intracellular Eea1, HGF-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate, and Vps36 protein levels, the combined consequence of which is the inability to mobilize internalized IL-7Rα into the retromer pathway for surface display. Our studies reveal that Vps34, though dispensable for autophagy induction, is a critical regulator of naive T cell homeostasis, modulating IL-7Rα trafficking, signaling, and recycling.