The role of SHIP1 in T-lymphocyte life and death

SHIP1 [SH2 (Src homology 2)-containing inositol phosphatase-1], an inositol 5-phosphatase expressed in haemopoietic cells, acts by hydrolysing the 5-phosphates from PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ and Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄, thereby negatively regulating the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathway. SHIP1 plays a major role in inhibiting proliferation of myeloid cells. As a result, SHIP1^−/− mice have an increased number of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages due to enhanced survival and proliferation of their progenitors. Although SHIP1 contributes to PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ metabolism in T-lymphocytes, its exact role in this cell type is much less explored. Jurkat cells have recently emerged as an interesting tool to study SHIP1 function in T-cells because they do not express SHIP1 at the protein level, thereby allowing reintroduction experiments in a relatively easy-to-use system. Data obtained from SHIP1 reintroduction have revealed that SHIP1 not only acts as a negative player in T-cell lines proliferation, but also regulates critical pathways, such as NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation, and also appears to remarkably inhibit T-cell apoptosis. On the other hand, experiments using primary T-cells from SHIP1^−/− mice have highlighted a new role for SHIP1 in regulatory T-cell development, but also emphasize that this protein is not required for T-cell proliferation. In support of these results, SHIP1^−/− mice are lymphopenic, suggesting that SHIP1 function in T-cells differs from its role in the myeloid lineage.