Despite extensive mapping of long noncoding RNAs in immune cells, their function in vivo remains poorly understood. In this study, we identify over 100 long noncoding RNAs that are differentially expressed within 24 h of Th1 cell activation. Among those, we show that suppression of Malat1 is a hallmark of CD4 + T cell activation, but its complete deletion results in more potent immune responses to infection. This is because Malat1 2/2 Th1 and Th2 cells express lower levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. In vivo, the reduced CD4 + T cell IL-10 expression in Malat1 2/2 mice underpins enhanced immunity and pathogen clearance in experimental visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani) but more severe disease in a model of malaria (Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS). Mechanistically, Malat1 regulates IL-10 through enhancing expression of Maf, a key transcriptional regulator of IL-10. Maf expression correlates with Malat1 in single Ag-specific Th cells from P. chabaudi chabaudi AS-infected mice and is downregulated in Malat1 2/2 Th1 and Th2 cells. The Malat1 RNA is responsible for these effects, as antisense oligonucleotide-mediated inhibition of Malat1 also suppresses Maf and IL-10 levels. Our results reveal that through promoting expression of the Maf/IL-10 axis in effector Th cells, Malat1 is a nonredundant regulator of mammalian immunity.

The non-coding genome has previously been regarded as “junk” DNA; however, emerging evidence suggests that the non-coding genome accounts for some of the greater biological complexity observed in mammals. Research into long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has gathered speed in recent years, and a growing body of evidence has implicated lncRNAs in a vast range of cellular functions including gene regulation, chromosome organisation and splicing. T helper cells offer an ideal platform for the study of lncRNAs given they function as part of a complex cellular network and undergo remarkable and finely regulated gene expression changes upon antigenic stimulation. Using various knock down and RNA interaction studies several lncRNAs have been shown to be crucial for T helper cell differentiation, activation and function. Given that RNA targeting therapeutics are rapidly gaining attention, further understanding the mechanistic role of lncRNAs in a T helper context is an exciting area of research, as it may unearth a wide range of new candidate targets for treatment of CD4+ mediated pathologies.

Background: The human immune system provides remarkable protection from a plethora of pathogens, but can cause damage when activated for a prolonged time (as inpersistent infections) or against self (autoimmunity). Therefore, mechanisms of immune system downregulation and control are imperative. There is little data on how the immune system is controlled in healthy individuals. We recently described a novel population of white blood cells that constitutively produce the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Our objective was to further delineate the distribution of these cells in human and mouse models, as well as potential triggers for interleukin-10 production in vitro. Methods: Human and animal protocols were reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics board and animal care facilities, and informed consent was obtained from all human donors. The ex vivo percentage of peripheral blood CD36^+IL-10^+ mononuclear cells was assessed by intracellular flow cytometry in 10 healthy individuals. IL-10 production after exposure to twoCD36 ligands, thrombospondin and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) was measured at 8 hours. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes from BL/6 (n=5) and Balb/c (n=1) micewere assessed for CD36^+IL-10^+ cells ex vivo as well. Results: The percentage of CD36^+IL-10^+ cells in peripheral blood fromhealthy individuals ranges between 0.1% and 0.9%. The percentage was similar in mouse peripheral blood, with a range of 0.4%-1.1%. These cells were also found in mouse spleen at a higher frequency than peripherally (1.1-1.5%). Human CD36^+IL-10^+ cells have more IL-10 when exposed to thrombospondin, oxLDL. Conclusions: Our novel population of IL-10 producing cells is found not only in healthy humans, but also in lymphoid tissue and blood from pathogen free mice. This highlights the evolutionary conservation of the cell across species, and suggests an important homeostatic function. The physiologic ligands for CD36 are ubiquitous in circulation, and ourin vitro data suggests a link between CD36 ligation and IL-10 production. IL-10 is a known immune system modulator, and its production by these cells may help maintain homeostaticcontrol of the immune system.