T cell activation by antigen involves multiple sequential steps, including T cell receptor-microcluster TCR-(MC) formation, immunological synapse formation, and phosphorylation of mediators downstream of the TCR. The adaptor protein, Disc Large Homolog 1 (DLG1), is known to regulate proximal TCR signaling and, in turn, T cell activation, acting as a molecular chaperone that organizes specific kinases downstream of antigen recognition. In this study, we used knockdown and knockout technologies in human primary T cells and a human T cell line to demonstrate the role of DLG1 in proximal T cell signaling. High-end confocal microscopy was used for pictorial representation of T cell micro-clusters and colocalization studies. From all these studies, we could demonstrate that DLG1 functions even earlier than immunological synapse formation, to regulate T cell activation by promoting TCR-MC formation. Moreover, we found that DLG1 can act as a bridge between the TCR-ζ chain and ZAP70 while inhibiting binding of the phosphatase SHP1 to TCR-ζ. Together, these effects drive dysregulation of T cell activation in DLG1-deficient T cells. Overall, the activation and survival status of T cell is a critical determinant of effective vaccine response, and DLG1-mediated T cell signaling events can be a driving factor for improving vaccine-designing strategies.
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