Alternative Splicing of the Inhibitory Immune Checkpoint Receptor SLAMF6 Generates a Dominant Positive Form, Boosting T-cell Effector Functions

SLAMF6 is a homotypic receptor of the Ig-superfamily associated with progenitor-exhausted T cells. Here we show that in humans, SLAMF6 has three splice isoforms involving its V-domain. Although the canonical receptor inhibited T-cell activation through SAP recruitment, the short isoform SLAMF6(Delta 17-65) had a strong agonistic effect. The costimulatory action depended on protein phosphatase SHP1 and led to a cytotoxic molecular profile mediated by the expression of TBX21 and RUNX3. Patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade showed a shift toward SLAMF6(Delta 17-65) in peripheral blood T cells. We developed splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) designed to target the relevant SLAMF6 splice junction. Our ASOs enhanced SLAMF6(Delta 17-65) expression in human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and improved their capacity to inhibit human melanoma in mice. The yin-yang relationship of SLAMF6 splice isoforms may represent a balancing mechanism that could be exploited to improve cancer immunotherapy.

Automated summary

Different splice isoforms of SLAMF6 play different roles in regulating T cell activation and immune responses, with the short isoform SLAMF6(Delta 17-65) having an agonistic effect. Researchers found that by modulating specific splice isoforms of SLAMF6, it is possible to enhance the anti-tumor capacity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, suggesting a potential role in cancer immunotherapy.