The thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR-β) signaling controls pathogenic Th17 cells in autoimmune disease

The role of the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR-β) in the immune system remains poorly understood; although its effect on TGF-β signaling has been reported in nonimmune systems. Here, we report that Thrb is highly expressed in pathogenic CD4+ T cells that infiltrate the central nervous system during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and Thrb is exclusively expressed in IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) that develop both in vitro or in vivo. Sobetirome, a selective TR-β agonist, promoted pathogenic Th17 differentiation and IL-17 production in the presence of exogenous IL-1β. Conversely, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of TR-β reduced IL-17 production, further supporting a T cell-intrinsic role of TR-β. Because C75, an inhibitor of de novo lipogenesis, blocked Th17 cell differentiation by sobetirome, the influence of TR-β signaling on Th17 cell induction is likely to act via a de novo lipogenesis-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, blocking TR-βexpression by siRNA changed the balance of IL-10/IL-17 production in cultured splenocytes, favoring an IL-10 phenotype. In contrast, IL-10 production by T cells was attenuated by activating TR-β signaling with sobetirome. Finally, the manipulation of TR-β signaling altered the severity of autoimmune disease: blocking TR-β reduced passive EAE and enhancing TR-β increased active EAE. These effects were accompanied by corresponding changes in the IL-10/IL-17 balance in encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells. In summary, our results demonstrate that TR-β signaling controls pathogenic Th cell function and autoimmunity.