CD6 Regulates CD4 T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation and Humoral Immunity During Murine Coronavirus Infection.

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the role of the T cell transmembrane receptor CD6 in regulating T cell activation during viral infection. The study found that CD6 deficient mice infected with a neurotropic murine coronavirus showed increased activation and expansion of CD4 T cells in the lymph nodes. Additionally, there was a preferential differentiation of CD4 T cells into T follicular helper cells, resulting in accelerated germinal center responses and the emergence of high affinity virus-specific antibodies. The study suggests that CD6 plays an immunoregulatory role in limiting CD4 T cell activation and deterring CD4 T follicular helper cell differentiation, thereby attenuating antiviral humoral immunity. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]