TNF plays a crucial role in inflammation by signaling via T cell TNFR2

TNF, produced largely by T and innate immune cells, is potently proinflammatory, as are cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-17 produced by Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively. Here, we asked if TNF is upstream of Th skewing toward inflammatory phenotypes. Exposure of mouse CD4(+) T cells to TNF and TGF-beta generated Th17 cells that express low levels of IL-17 (ROR-gamma t(+)IL-17(lo)) and high levels of inflammatory markers independently of IL-6 and STAT3. This was mediated by the nondeath TNF receptor TNFR2, which also contributed to the generation of inflammatory Th1 cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of central nervous system-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) found an inflammatory gene expression profile similar to cerebrospinal fluid-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis. Notably, TNFR2-deficient CD4(+) T cells produced fewer inflammatory mediators and were less pathogenic in EAE and colitis. IL-1 beta, a Th17-skewing cytokine, induced TNF and proinflammatory granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in T cells, which was inhibited by disruption of TNFR2 signaling, demonstrating IL-1 beta can function indirectly via the production of TNF. Thus, TNF is not just an effector but also an initiator of inflammatory Th differentiation.