Megan Joseph: How do T cells restrain their activation?

A new study which made the cover of Science Signaling in the 9th June edition identifies how the protein PTPN22 controls T cell cytoskeleton remodelling upon synapse formation and suggests that defects in this constraint mechanism may contribute to autoimmunity. 

The team applied live cell, 3D, and super resolution DNA-PAINT microscopy to visualize the immunological synapse showing that PTPN22 restricts actin remodelling and antigen sensitivity by interacting with the protein PSTPIP-1 at the plasma membrane. The PTPN22-PSTPIP-1 interaction links actin remodelling to T cell receptor clustering and antigen sensitivity upon T cell activation. This work lays the foundation for mechanistic investigation of PTPN22 mutants which are associated with over 16 different autoimmune diseases.  

Link to paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.ady6063

Link to Journal Cover: https://www.science.org/toc/signaling/19/941

Link to popular news article made about the paper: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/translational-medicine/t-cell-synapse-formation-is-restrained-by-ptpn22-pstpip1-signaling/?utm_campaign=41123468-GEN_Editorial%20Social&utm_content=379916944&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-1385856