title: The Novel PKCθ from Benchtop to Clinic.
abstract: The protein kinases C (PKCs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases involved in regulating multiple essential cellular processes such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Of particular interest is the novel, calcium-independent PKCθ which plays a central role in immune responses. PKCθ shares structural similarities with other PKC family members, mainly consisting of an N-terminal regulatory domain and a C-terminal catalytic domain tethered by a hinge region. This isozyme, however, is unique in that it translocates to the immunological synapse between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC) upon T cell receptor-peptide MHC recognition. Thereafter, PKCθ interacts physically and functionally with downstream effectors to mediate T cell activation and differentiation, subsequently leading to inflammation. PKCθ-specific perturbations have been identified in several diseases, most notably autoimmune disorders, and hence the modulation of its activity presents an attractive therapeutic intervention. To that end, many inhibitors of PKCs and PKCθ have been developed and tested in preclinical and clinical studies. And although selectivity remains a challenge, results are promising for the future development of effective PKCθ inhibitors that would greatly advance the treatment of several T-cell mediated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rouba
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9020-4386
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hage-Sleiman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Global University, P.O. Box 15-5085, Batrakiyye, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Asmaa B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hamze
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1496-317X
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Hadile
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9119-2201
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobeissy
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ghassan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dbaibo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011493:Protein Kinase C