Malt1 Protease Is Critical in Maintaining Function of Regulatory T Cells and May Be a Therapeutic Target for Antitumor Immunity

The study concluded that Malt1 protease was crucial for the function and homeostasis of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and targeting Malt1 could enhance antitumor immunity. Experiments showed that mice with Treg-specific deletion or inactivation of Malt1 developed severe autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders, including hair loss, due to Treg dysfunction. The research indicated that Malt1's proteolytic activity regulated Treg effector genes and was essential for maintaining Treg cell identity and suppressive function. These findings suggested that Malt1 could be a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy by modulating Treg activity to improve antitumor immune responses.