Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 Controls CD8 T Cell Memory Differentiation in a Foxo1-Dependent Manner

Upon infection, antigen-specific naive CD8 T cells are activated and differentiate into short-lived effector cells (SLECs) and memory precursor cells (MPECs). The underlying signaling pathways remain largely unresolved. We show that Rictor, the core component of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), regulates SLEC and MPEC commitment. Rictor deficiency favors memory formation and increases IL-2 secretion capacity without dampening effector functions. Moreover, mTORC2-deficient memory T cells mount more potent recall responses. Enhanced memory formation in the absence of mTORC2 was associated with Eomes and Tcf-1 upregulation, repression of T-bet, enhanced mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity, and fatty acid oxidation. This transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming is mainly driven by nuclear stabilization of Foxo1. Silencing of Foxo1 reversed the increased MPEC differentiation and IL-2 production and led to an impaired recall response of Rictor KO memory T cells. Therefore, mTORC2 is a critical regulator of CD8 T cell differentiation and may be an important target for immunotherapy interventions. [Display omitted] •mTORC2 deficiency promotes MPEC generation and reduces SLECs during Listeria infection•Primed mTORC2-deficient T cells have effector functions and produce higher IL-2 levels•mTORC2-deficient memory CD8 T cells mount more potent recall responses•mTORC2 deficiency promotes CD8 memory generation via nuclear accumulation of Foxo1 Zhang et al. demonstrate that mTORC2 deficiency favors CD8 T cell memory differentiation during the primary antigen-specific T cell response to Listeria infection. The effects result from higher Foxo1 transcriptional activity without dampening effector functions. They also show enhanced recall responses by mTORC2-deficient memory CD8 T cells.