CD46 signaling in T cells: linking pathogens with polarity.

CD46 is a cell surface protein that regulates complement activity and is utilized as a receptor by numerous viral and bacterial pathogens that infect humans. CD46 is not just an entry site for pathogens, but can affect various cellular activities in response to pathogen binding that can have profound consequences for the host response to infection. The study of CD46 signaling in T cells has emerged as an exciting area of research that is shedding new light on how pathogens might manipulate the host immune response. This review will focus on our current understanding of CD46 signaling in T cell polarity and how this might influence disease outcome.