The T cell CD6 receptor operates a multitask signalosome with opposite functions in T cell activation

To determine the respective contribution of the LAT transmembrane adaptor and CD5 and CD6 transmembrane receptors to early TCR signal propagation, diversification, and termination, we describe a CRISPR/Cas9-based platform that uses primary mouse T cells and permits establishment of the composition of their LAT, CD5, and CD6 signalosomes in only 4 mo using quantitative mass spectrometry. We confirmed that positive and negative functions can be solely assigned to the LAT and CD5 signalosomes, respectively. In contrast, the TCR-inducible CD6 signalosome comprised both positive (SLP-76, ZAP70, VAV1) and negative (UBASH3A/STS-2) regulators of T cell activation. Moreover, CD6 associated independently of TCR engagement to proteins that support its implication in inflammatory pathologies necessitating T cell transendothelial migration. The multifaceted role of CD6 unveiled here accounts for past difficulties in classifying it as a coinhibitor or costimulator. Congruent with our identification of UBASH3A within the CD6 signalosome and the view that CD6 constitutes a promising target for autoimmune disease treatment, single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with human autoimmune diseases have been found in the Cd6 and Ubash3a genes.

Automated summary

The study used a CRISPR/Cas9-based platform to investigate the roles of LAT, CD5, and CD6 in TCR signal propagation in mouse T cells. It was found that LAT and CD5 signalosomes have positive and negative functions, respectively, while the CD6 signalosome contains both positive and negative regulators of T cell activation. Furthermore, CD6 was shown to play a role in inflammatory pathologies and autoimmune diseases, with potential as a therapeutic target.