SUMMARY Recent studies underscore the importance of myeloid cells in rendering distant organs hospitable for disseminating tumor cells to colonize. However, what enables myeloid cells to have an apparently superior capacity to colonize distant organs is unclear. Here we show that S1PR1-STAT3 upregulation in tumor cells induces factors that activate S1PR1-STAT3 in various cells in pre-metastatic sites, leading to pre-metastatic niche formation. Targeting either S1PR1 or STAT3 in myeloid cells disrupts existing pre-metastatic niches. S1PR1-STAT3 pathway enables myeloid cells to intravasate, prime the distant organ microenvironment and mediate sustained proliferation and survival of their own and other stromal cells at future metastatic sites. Analyzing tumor-free lymph nodes from cancer patients shows elevated myeloid infiltrates, STAT3 activity and increased survival signal.

Engagement of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) induces formation of signaling complexes mediated through the transmembrane adaptor protein, the linker for activation of T cells (LAT). LAT plays an important role in T cell development, activation, and homeostasis. A knock-in mutation at Tyr136, which is the phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1–binding site in LAT, leads to a severe autoimmune disease in mice. In this study, we show that CD4+CD25+ T reg cells that expressed Foxp3 transcription factor were nearly absent in both thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs of LATY136F mice. This defect was not a result of the autoimmune environment as LATY136F T reg cells also failed to develop in healthy LAT−/− mice that received mixed wild-type and LATY136F bone marrow cells. Moreover, adoptive transfer of normal CD4+CD25+ T reg cells protected neonatal LATY136F mice from developing this disease. These T reg cells effectively controlled expansion of CD4+ T cells in LATY136F mice likely via granzymes and/or TGF-β–mediated suppression. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Foxp3 conferred a suppressive function in LATY136F T cells. Our data indicate that the LAT–PLC-γ1 interaction plays a critical role in Foxp3 expression and the development of CD4+CD25+ T reg cells

Dysregulated inflammation in adipose tissue, marked by increased proinflammatory T-cell accumulation and reduced regulatory T cells (Tregs), contributes to obesity-associated insulin resistance. The molecular mechanisms underlying T-cell-mediated inflammation in adipose tissue remain largely unknown, however. Here we show a crucial role for signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in T cells in skewing adaptive immunity in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), thereby contributing to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and insulin resistance. Stat3 activity is elevated in obese VAT and in VAT-resident T cells. Functional ablation of Stat3 in T cells reduces DIO, improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and suppresses VAT inflammation. Importantly, Stat3 ablation reverses the high Th1/Treg ratio in VAT of DIO mice that is likely secondary to elevated IL-6 production, leading in turn to suppression of Tregs. In addition, Stat3 in T cells in DIO mice affects adipose tissue macrophage accumulation and M2 phenotype. Our study identifies Stat3 in VAT-resident T cells as an important mediator and direct target for regulating adipose tissue inflammation, DIO, and its associated metabolic dysfunctions.

The interaction between the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) with phospholipase C (PLC-γ1) is important for T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated Ca2+ signaling and MAPK activation. Knock-in mice harboring a mutation at the PLC-γ1 binding site (Y136) of LAT develop a severe lymphoproliferative syndrome. These mice have defective thymic development and selection and lack natural regulatory T cells, implicating a breakdown of both central and peripheral tolerance. To bypass this developmental defect, we developed a conditional knock-in line in which only LATY136F is expressed in mature T cells after deletion of the wildtype LAT allele. Analysis of LATY136F T cells indicated that the interaction between LAT and PLC-γ1 plays an important role in TCR-mediated signaling, proliferation, and IL-2 production. Furthermore, the deletion of LAT induced development of the lymphoproliferative syndrome in these mice. Although Foxp3+ natural Treg cells were present in these mice after deletion, they were unable to suppress the proliferation of conventional T cells. Our data indicated that the binding of LAT to PLC-γ1 is essential for the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells.