PTPN2 restrains CD8+ T cell responses after antigen cross-presentation for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance in mice

•PTPN2 restrains CD8+ T cell differentiation after antigen cross-presentation.•PTPN2 deficiency allows for helper-independent CTL immunity to islet β cell antigens.•PTPN2-deficient CD8+ T cells promote type I diabetes.

Antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells is crucial for priming cytotoxic CD8+ T cells to invading pathogens and tumour antigens, as well as mediating peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. The protein tyrosine phosphatase N2 (PTPN2) attenuates T cell receptor (TCR) signalling and tunes CD8+ T cell responses in vivo. In this study we have examined the role of PTPN2 in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance after the cross-presentation of pancreatic β-cell antigens. The transfer of OVA-specific OT-I CD8+ T cells (C57BL/6) into RIP-mOVA recipients expressing OVA in pancreatic β-cells only results in islet destruction when OVA-specific CD4+ T cells are co-transferred. Herein we report that PTPN2-deficient OT-I CD8+ T cells transferred into RIP-mOVA recipients acquire CTL activity and result in β cell destruction and the development of diabetes in the absence of CD4+ help. These studies identify PTPN2 as a critical mediator of peripheral T cell tolerance limiting CD8+ T cell responses after the cross-presentation of self-antigens. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which PTPN2 SNPs might convert a tolerogenic CD8+ T cell response into one capable of causing the destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Moreover, our results provide insight into potential approaches for enhancing T cell-mediated immunity and/or T cell adoptive tumour immunotherapy.