EGFR promotes the apoptosis of CD4(+) T lymphocytes through TBK1/Glut1 induced Warburg effect in sepsis

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis-induced apoptosis leads to lymphopenia including the decrease of CD4(+) T cells thus favoring immunosuppression. OBJECTIVES: Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors significantly improve the survival rate of septic mice, the effect of EGFR on the function and metabolism of CD4(+) T cells in sepsis remained unknown. METHODS: CD4(+) T cells from septic mice and patients were assessed for apoptosis, activation, Warburg metabolism and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) expression with or without the interference of EGFR activation. RESULTS: EGFR facilitates CD4(+) T cell activation and apoptosis through Glut1, which is a key enzyme that controls glycolysis in T cells. EGFR, TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and Glut1 form a complex to facilitate Glut1 transportation from cytoplasm to cell surface. Both the levels of membrane expression of EGFR and Glut1 and the activation levels of CD4(+) T cells were significantly higher in patients with sepsis as compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that through its downstream TBK1/Exo84/RalA protein system, EGFR regulates Glut1 transporting to the cell surface, which is a key step for inducing the Warburg effect and the subsequent cellular activation and apoptosis of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and may eventually affect the immune functional status, causing immune cell exhaustion in sepsis.