TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Akt and Foxo transcription factors negatively regulates induced regulatory T cell differentiation

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pivotal cytokine in the differentiation of regulatory T cells, and Foxo transcription factors positively regulate this process. On the other hand, the function of Foxo transcription factors is negatively regulated by PI3K/Akt signaling, which is activated by TGF-β in many types of cells; yet the role of TGF-β in Akt activity and its downstream substrates in CD4+ T cells, including Foxo transcription factors, remains to be determined. Herein, we demonstrate that TGF-β selectively induces Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 but not at Thr308 in a class IA PI3K-dependent manner in CD4+ T cells, resulting in the phosphorylation and inhibition of Foxo transcription factors and negatively regulating the differentiation of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). These observations reveal a novel negative regulatory mechanism involving Akt and Foxo transcription factors induced by TGF-β in the iTreg differentiation process.