Choline acetyltransferase–expressing T cells are required to control chronic viral infection

Abstract

ChAT-ty T cells fight viral infection The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in processes such as muscle contraction, neuron communication, and vasodilation. Along with neurons, a population of immunological T cells and B cells express the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of ACh production. However, the role of immune cell–derived ACh is unclear. Cox et al. report that the cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) induces ChAT expression in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection (see the Perspective by Hickman). T cell–specific deletion of ChAT strongly impaired vasodilation and trafficking of antiviral T cells into infected tissues, which undermined the effective control of a chronic viral infection. Thus, IL-21 plays a critical role during chronic infection. Furthermore, the findings reveal a cholinergic mechanism that can regulate immune cell migration into tissues. Science , this issue p. 639 ; see also p. 585