Mathematical modeling identifies Lck as a potential mediator for PD-1 induced inhibition of early TCR signaling

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 24;13(10):e0206232. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206232. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor that negatively regulates the functioning of T cell. Although the direct targets of PD-1 were not identified, its inhibitory action on the TCR signaling pathway was known much earlier. Recent experiments suggest that the PD-1 inhibits the TCR and CD28 signaling pathways at a very early stage ─ at the level of phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of TCR and CD28 receptors. Here, we develop a mathematical model to investigate the influence of inhibitory effect of PD-1 on the activation of early TCR and CD28 signaling molecules. Proposed model recaptures several quantitative experimental observations of PD-1 mediated inhibition. Model simulations show that PD-1 imposes a net inhibitory effect on the Lck kinase. Further, the inhibitory effect of PD-1 on the activation of TCR signaling molecules such as Zap70 and SLP76 is significantly enhanced by the PD-1 mediated inhibition of Lck. These results suggest a critical role for Lck as a mediator for PD-1 induced inhibition of TCR signaling network. Multi parametric sensitivity analysis explores the effect of parameter uncertainty on model simulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology
  • CD28 Antigens / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / metabolism
  • Models, Immunological*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)

Grants and funding

The work was supported by funding from the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology (India), grant no. EMR/2015/001899. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.