NRF2 is a spatiotemporal metabolic hub driving the polyfunctionality of Th2 cells in allergic asthma
Polyfunctional Th2 cells play a crucial role in triggering diverse pathogenic responses in allergic diseases by producing multiple cytokines. However, the precise mechanism underlying their polyfunctionality remains elusive. In this study, we elucidate the pivotal role of Nrf2 in polyfunctional Th2 cells during allergic asthma. We found that an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in immune cells infiltrating the lungs is necessary for the development of eosinophilic asthma. Deletion of the ROS sensor Nrf2 specifically in T cells, but not in dendritic cells, significantly abolished eosinophilia and polyfunctional Th2 cells in the airway. Mechanistically, Nrf2 intrinsic to T cells is essential for inducing optimal oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis capacity, thereby driving Th2 cell polyfunctionality, partially by inducing PPAR?, independently of IL-33. Treatment with an Nrf2 inhibitor leads to a substantial decrease in polyfunctional Th2 cells and subsequent eosinophilia in mice, and a reduction in the production of Th2 cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in asthmatic patients. These findings highlight the critical role of Nrf2 as a spatial and temporal metabolic hub that is essential for polyfunctional Th2 cells, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for allergic diseases. Overall design: We employed murine models of allergic asthma to study the role of Nrf2 in helper T cell immunity and allergic disorders. We disrupted the Nrf2 activity with a small molecule inhibitor or a conditional deletion of Nfe2l2 in T cells (CD4?Nrf2). Single cell RNA-seq was performed to screen for potential target pathways of Nrf2.