Increased Th1 bias in memory T cells corresponds with protection from reinfection in Plasmodium infection, and is regulated by T cell-intrinsic STAT3

Abstract

Hybrid Th1/Tfh cells (IFN-{gamma}+IL-21+CXCR5+) predominate in response to persistent infections; however, molecular regulation of their function is poorly defined. In infection with Plasmodium spp, an IFN-{gamma}+ T helper-1 (Th1) response controls initial parasitemia, while antibody and IL-21+CXCR5+ T follicular helper (Tfh) function effect final clearance. Here, we found that CD4-intrinsic Bcl6, Blimp-1 and STAT3 all regulate T-bet expression, which controls IFN-{gamma} expression. While Bcl6 and Blimp-1 regulate the level of CXCR5, only T-bet and STAT3 affected the functional bias of the Th1/Tfh phenotype. Infected mice with STAT3-deficient T cells produced less antibody, and more IFN-{gamma}+IL-21-CXCR5lo T cells, significantly increasing protection from re-infection. Conversely, reduced Th1 bias in re-infected T-bet KO was reflected in prolonged secondary parasitemia. In summary, each feature of hybrid Th1/Tfh population in Plasmodium infection is uniquely regulated and the cytokine bias of memory T cells can be modified to enhance the effectiveness of the response.