Rationale for Targeting CD6 as a Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases

CD6 is a 105-130 kDa surface glycoprotein expressed on the majority of T cells and a subset of B cells. The human cd6 gene maps to chromosome 11, and the expression of its protein product is tightly regulated. CD6 mediates cellular adhesion migration across the endothelial and epithelial cells. In addition, it participates in the antigen presentation by B cells and the subsequent proliferation of T cells. CD6 may bind in trans to surface glycoproteins (such as ALCAM and 3A11), or to microbial lipopolysaccharides, and may bind in cis to endogenous ligands (such as CD3 and CD5), and thereby deliver a costimulatory signal. Transinteractions are reinforced during autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis) and some cancers. Based on experimental data and on clinical results in RA and psoriasis, we believe that the recent humanized anti-CD6-specific mAb T1h may act as a regulator of the immunological response in addition to its function as an anti-T- and -B cell agent.