NAD+ Levels Control Ca2+ Store Replenishment and Mitogen-induced Increase of Cytosolic Ca2+ by Cyclic ADP-ribose-dependent TRPM2 Channel Gating in Human T Lymphocytes

Intracellular NAD(+) levels ([NAD(+)](i)) are important in regulating human T lymphocyte survival, cytokine secretion, and the capacity to respond to antigenic stimuli. NAD(+)-derived Ca2+-mobilizing second messengers, produced by CD38, play a pivotal role in T cell activation. Here we demonstrate that [NAD(+)] i modifications in T lymphocytes affect intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis both in terms of mitogen-induced [Ca2+](i) increase and of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store replenishment. Lowering [NAD(+)](i) by FK866-mediated nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibition decreased the mitogen-induced [Ca2+](i) rise in Jurkat cells and in activated T lymphocytes. Accordingly, the Ca2+ content of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores was greatly reduced in these cells in the presence of FK866. When NAD(+) levels were increased by supplementing peripheral blood lymphocytes with the NAD(+) precursors nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, the Ca2+ content of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores as well as cell responsiveness to mitogens in terms of [Ca2+](i) elevation were up-regulated. The use of specific siRNA showed that the changes of Ca2+ homeostasis induced by NAD(+) precursors are mediated by CD38 and the consequent ADPR-mediated TRPM2 gating. Finally, the presence of NAD(+) precursors up-regulated important T cell functions, such as proliferation and IL-2 release in response to mitogens.