Chromatin bound by survivin regulates the glycolytic switch in interferon-γ producing CD4+ T cells

Upon activation, CD4+ T cells adapt metabolically to fulfill their effector function in autoimmunity. Here we show that nuclear survivin is essential for transcriptional regulation of glucose utilization. We found that the glycolytic switch in interferon (IFN) g–producing CD4+ cells is dependent on a complex of survivin with interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), and Smad3 and was reversed by survivin inhibition. Transcriptome analysis of CD4+ cells and sequencing of survivin-bound chromatin identified a hub of metabolism regulating genes whose transcription depended on survivin. Direct binding of survivin to IRF1 and SMAD3 promoted IRF1-mediated transcription, repressed SMAD3 activity, and lowered PFKFB3 production. Inhibiting survivin upregulated PFKFB3, restored glycolysis, and reduced glucose uptake, improving control over IFNg-dependent T-cell functions. Thus, IRF1-survivin-SMAD3 interactions are important for metabolic adaptation of CD4+ cells and provide an attractive strategy to counteract IFNg-dependent inflammation.