TRAF6 is a T cell–intrinsic negative regulator required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis

CG King, T Kobayashi, PJ Cejas, T Kim, K Yoon… - Nature medicine, 2006 - nature.com
CG King, T Kobayashi, PJ Cejas, T Kim, K Yoon, GK Kim, E Chiffoleau, SP Hickman…
Nature medicine, 2006nature.com
TRAF6 has a key role in the regulation of innate immune responses by mediating signals
from both TNF receptor and interleukin-1 receptor/Toll-like receptor superfamilies. Here we
show that T cell–specific deletion of TRAF6 unexpectedly results in multiorgan inflammatory
disease. TRAF6-deficient T cells exhibit hyperactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
(PI3K)-Akt pathway compared with wild-type T cells and, as a result, become resistant to
suppression by CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. These data identify a previously …
Abstract
TRAF6 has a key role in the regulation of innate immune responses by mediating signals from both TNF receptor and interleukin-1 receptor/Toll-like receptor superfamilies. Here we show that T cell–specific deletion of TRAF6 unexpectedly results in multiorgan inflammatory disease. TRAF6-deficient T cells exhibit hyperactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway compared with wild-type T cells and, as a result, become resistant to suppression by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. These data identify a previously unrecognized role for TRAF6 in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, and suggest the presence of a T cell–intrinsic control mechanism to render responder T cells susceptible to tolerizing signals.
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