CD27 costimulation supports metabolic fitness of CD4+ T cells by enhancing de novo nucleotide and protein synthesis

T cells undergo many metabolic changes throughout the different phases of their response in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues. Cell metabolism meets demands for energy and biosynthesis, particularly during cell division and effector differentiation. As costimulatory receptors, CD28 and various TNF receptor (TNFR) family members shape T-cell clonal expansion, survival and effector functions and are important clinical targets. While CD28 is acknowledged as a metabolic regulator, little is known about how TNFRs shape T-cell metabolism. We here identify TNFR family member CD27 as a metabolic regulator in activated human CD4+ T cells. In the context of CD3 signaling and CD28 costimulation, CD27 proved to regulate specific metabolic functions, as determined by metabolomics and metabolic tracer experiments. CD27 costimulation supported upregulation of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway and the TCA cycle, increasing the use of glucose-derived carbon and glutamine-derived nitrogen as building blocks for de novo nucleotide synthesis. It also promoted uptake of amino acids (AAs) and modulated pathways of AA metabolism. Accordingly, CD27 costimulation boosted protein translation in CD3- and CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells, which proceeded via enhanced mTOR pathway activation. Remarkably, CD27, OX40 and 4-1BB all enhanced CD3-induced mTOR signaling, but only CD27 could overrule inhibitory PD-1 signaling. CD27 costimulation increased IL-2, IFNγ and TNFα production by CD3-activated CD4+ T cells, also in presence of PD-1 signaling. Next to previously defined beneficial effects of CD27 on activated T-cell survival and CTL differentiation and Th1 effector differentiation, these data support its essential contribution to T-cell metabolism and its relevance as a therapeutic target.