Regulation of T cell differentiation and function by ubiquitin-specific proteases

T cells play critical roles in immune responses to pathogens, autoimmunity, and antitumor immunity. During the past few decades, increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated the significance of protein ubiquitination in T cell-mediated immunity. Several E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) have been identified as either positive or negative regulators of T cell development and function. In this review, we mainly focus on the roles of DUBs (especially ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs)) in modulating T cell differentiation and function, as well as the molecular mechanisms. Understanding how T cell development and function is regulated by ubiquitination and deubiquitination will provide novel strategies for treating infection, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.