Cutting edge: developmental up-regulation of IFN-gamma-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase expression leads to reduced T cell sensitivity and less severe autoimmunity

Reactivity to self-peptide/MHC complexes is required for selection of the TCR repertoire in the thymus but can also promote autoimmunity. Reduced TCR sensitivity of mature T cells is thought to help control the autoreactivity in peripheral T cells. The molecular basis for reduced sensitivity of peripheral T cells is not known. We found that peripheral T cells, but not immature thymocytes, lacking IFN-gamma-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) display increased sensitivity to TCR ligation. GILT-/- peripheral T cells express reduced levels of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 and consequently display higher levels of reactive oxygen radicals and ERK1/2 phosphorylation following activation. The increased sensitivity of GILT-deficient T cells results in a more severe hyperglycemia associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. GILT expression levels progressively increase in T cells with maturation. These data suggest that regulation of GILT expression may be a mechanism of T cell differentiation-associated changes in sensitivity to TCR engagement.