RORγt+ APCs require a distinct cis-regulatory element to instruct tolerance to dietary antigens.

TitleRORγt+ APCs require a distinct cis-regulatory element to instruct tolerance to dietary antigens.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2026
AuthorsZhao J, Hao J, Chen J, Lyu M, Liu H, Li N, Song P, Wang W, Chu C, Sonnenberg GF, Guo X
JournalNat Commun
Volume17
Issue1
Date Published2026 Feb 21
ISSN2041-1723
KeywordsAnimals, Antigen-Presenting Cells, Antigens, Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit, Diet, Female, Immune Tolerance, Intestinal Mucosa, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3, Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Abstract

Oral tolerance represents a hallmark of intestinal mucosal immunity to prevent inflammatory responses to harmless natural antigens, such as dietary components or commensal organisms. According to recent studies, RORγt+ antigen-presenting cell (APC) contributes to intestinal homeostasis, including oral tolerance, through inducing microbiota- and dietary antigen-specific Tregs. Here we identify a cis transcriptional regulatory element that distinguishes RORγt+ APCs from other of RORγt+ cell types. This sequence within Rorc gene loci, OCR369 governs RORγt expression in ILC3s and other RORγt+ APCs, but not T cells, through interaction with RUNX3 and formation of chromatin loops. OCR369 deletion results in a significant reduction of RORγt+ APCs in mLN around the weaning period and ILC3s in mLN and intestines of adult mice, accompanied by a decrease in RORγt+ Tregs and spontaneous inflammation in the small intestine. Mechanistically, the reduction in RORγt+ APCs, including both DC-like cells and MHCII+ ILC3s, impairs the development of both dietary antigen-specific and microbiota-specific RORγt+ Tregs and results in the loss of oral tolerance, thereby increasing allergy susceptibility. Thus, our findings identify a specific regulatory mechanism for RORγt expression in RORγt+ APCs and underscore the pivotal role of these cell types in mediating oral tolerance and maintaining intestinal health.

DOI10.1038/s41467-026-69886-z
Alternate JournalNat Commun
PubMed ID41723158
PubMed Central IDPMC13036028
Grant List32530036, 32170872, 82122030 and 31821003 / / National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) /
Z210015 / / Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (Beijing Natural Science Foundation) /