Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Gene Ther 2015 Oct;22(10):781-92

Enhanced T cell activation and differentiation in lymphocytes from transgenic mice expressing ubiquitination-resistant 2KR LAT molecules.

Rodriguez-Peña AB, Gomez-Rodriguez J, Kortum RL, Palmer DC, Yu Z, Guittard GC, Wohlfert EA, Silver PB, Misplon JA, Sommers CL, Feigenbaum L, Epstein SL, Caspi RR, Belkaid Y, Restifo NP, Samelson LE, Balagopalan L

Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is critical for the propagation of T cell signals upon T Cell Receptor (TCR) activation. Previous studies demonstrated that substitution of LAT lysines with arginines (2KR LAT) resulted in decreased LAT ubiquitination and elevated T cell signaling, indicating that LAT ubiquitination is a molecular checkpoint for attenuation of T cell signaling. To investigate the role of LAT ubiquitination in vivo, we have generated transgenic mice expressing WT and ubiquitin-defective 2KR LAT. Upon TCR stimulation of T cells from these mice, proximal signaling and cytokine production was elevated in 2KR versus WT LAT mice. Enhanced cytolytic activity as well as T helper responses were observed upon LAT expression which were further elevated by 2KR LAT expression. Despite greater T effector function, WT or 2KR LAT expression did not have any effect on clearance of certain pathogens or tumors. Our data support the model that lack of tumor clearance is due to increased differentiation and acquisition of effector phenotype that is associated with suboptimal immunity in an immunotherapy model. Thus, our data further reinforces the role of LAT ubiquitination in TCR signaling and uncovers a novel role for LAT in driving T cell differentiation.