The Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor Caldag Gefi Fine-Tunes Functional Properties of Regulatory T Cells

Using quantitative phosphopeptide sequencing of unstimulated versus stimulated primary murine Foxp3(+) regulatory and Foxp3(–) conventional T cells (Tregs and Tconv, respectively), we detected a novel and differentially regulated tyrosine phosphorylation site within the C1 domain of the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor CalDAG GEFI. We hypothesized that the Treg-specific and activation-dependent reduced phosphorylation at Y523 allows binding of CalDAG GEFI to diacylglycerol, thereby impacting the formation of a Treg-specific immunological synapse. However, diacylglycerol binding assays of phosphomutant C1 domains of CalDAG GEFI could not confirm this hypothesis. Moreover, CalDAG GEFI(–/–) mice displayed normal Treg numbers in thymus and secondary lymphoid organs, and CalDAG GEFI(–/–) Tregs showed unaltered in vitro suppressive capacity when compared to CalDAG GEFI(+/+) Tregs. Interestingly, when tested in vivo, CalDAG GEFI(–/–) Tregs displayed a slightly reduced suppressive ability in the transfer colitis model when compared to CalDAG GEFI(+/+) Tregs. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9-generated CalDAG GEFI(–/–) Jurkat T cell clones showed reduced adhesion to ICAM-1 and fibronectin when compared to CalDAG GEFI-competent Jurkat T cells. Therefore, we speculate that deficiency in CalDAG GEFI impairs adherence of Tregs to antigen-presenting cells, thereby impeding formation of a fully functional immunological synapse, which finally results in a reduced suppressive potential.