Regulation of T cell survival through coronin-1-mediated generation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and calcium mobilization after T cell receptor triggering

T cell homeostasis is essential for the functioning of the vertebrate immune system, but the intracellular signals required for T cell homeostasis are largely unknown. We here report that the WD-repeat protein family member coronin-1, encoded by the gene Coro1a, is essential in the mouse for T cell survival through its promotion of Ca²⁺ mobilization from intracellular stores. Upon T cell receptor triggering, coronin-1 was essential for the generation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate from phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. The absence of coronin-1, although it did not affect T cell development, resulted in a profound defect in Ca²⁺ mobilization, interleukin-2 production, T cell proliferation and T cell survival. We conclude that coronin-1, through activation of Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores, is an essential regulator of peripheral lymphocyte survival.