Extracellular NAD+ shapes the Foxp3+ regulatory T cell compartment through the ART2–P2X7 pathway

Abstract

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) play a major role in the control of immune responses but the factors controlling their homeostasis and function remain poorly characterized. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) released during cell damage or inflammation results in ART2.2–mediated ADP-ribosylation of the cytolytic P2X7 receptor on T cells. We show that T reg cells express the ART2.2 enzyme and high levels of P2X7 and that T reg cells can be depleted by intravenous injection of NAD+. Moreover, lower T reg cell numbers are found in mice deficient for the NAD-hydrolase CD38 than in wild-type, P2X7-deficient, or ART2-deficient mice, indicating a role for extracellular NAD+ in T reg cell homeostasis. Even routine cell preparation leads to release of NAD+ in sufficient quantities to profoundly affect T reg cell viability, phenotype, and function. We demonstrate that T reg cells can be protected from the deleterious effects of NAD+ by an inhibitory ART2.2-specific single domain antibody. Furthermore, selective depletion of T reg cells by systemic administration of NAD+ can be used to promote an antitumor response in several mouse tumor models. Collectively, our data demonstrate that NAD+ influences survival, phenotype, and function of T reg cells and provide proof of principle that acting on the ART2–P2X7 pathway represents a new strategy to manipulate T reg cells in vivo.