Redundant and specialized roles for diacylglycerol kinases α and ζ in the control of T cell functions

Gloss T lymphocytes patrol the body continuously, and they use antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) to scan and detect foreign peptides on the surface of infected or cancerous cells. When the TCR recognizes a foreign antigen, it sends signals that activate the T lymphocytes, enabling them to help other immune cells or to directly kill those cells that are infected or have become cancerous. T lymphocytes must discriminate correctly between self and foreign antigens because any failure to do so could lead them to destroy healthy cells, as occurs in autoimmune diseases, or to allow tumors to grow. The diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are enzymes that inhibit some of the signals needed for T cell activation; by characterizing them, we can better understand the mechanisms by which T lymphocytes distinguish between self and foreign antigens. This Review, which contains 5 figures and 105 references, highlights how the study of DGKs and the signals that they regulate is important because it will help scientists learn how to manipulate T cell responses for the treatment of diseases.