TRAF3 is an intracellular adaptor protein that regulates lymphocyte function in a cell-type specific manner. In T cells, TRAF3 is required for signaling through the TCR, differentiation and function of invariant NK T cells, restraint of Treg differentiation, and T cell responses to immunization and infection. TRAF3 deficiency specific to T cells does not affect T cell survival, unlike TRAF3 deficiency in B cells, and CD4 and CD8 T cell numbers are normal; the defect lies, instead, in T cell function. Our goal is to understand how TRAF3 regulates TCR signaling, as well as how TRAF3 recruits and interacts with CD28 at the TCR.

Publications

Arke and Bishop, "TRAF family molecules in T cells: multiple receptors and functions." Journal of Leukocyte Biology (Nov 2019). doi: 10.1002/JLB.2MR1119-397R

Rogers, Shtanko, Stunz, Mallinge Arkee, et al, "CD40 signaling restricts RNA virus replication in macrophages, leading to rapid innate immune control of acute virus infection." Journal of Leukocyte Biology, in press.

Li H, Hostager BS, Arkee T, Bishop GA. Multiple mechanisms for TRAF3-mediated regulation of the T cell costimulatory receptor GITR. J Biol Chem. 2021 Sep;297(3):101097. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101097. Epub 2021 Aug 18. PMID: 34418432; PMCID: PMC8441216.