Soluble CD5 and CD6: Lymphocytic Class I Scavenger Receptors as Immunotherapeutic Agents

CD5 and CD6 are closely related signal-transducing class I scavenger receptors mainly expressed on lymphocytes. Both receptors are involved in the modulation of the activation and differentiation cell processes triggered by clonotypic antigen-specific receptors present on T and B cells (TCR and BCR, respectively). To serve such a relevant immunomodulatory function, the extracellular region of CD5 and CD6 interacts with soluble and/or cell-bound endogenous counterreceptors but also microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Evidence from genetically-modified mouse models indicates that the absence or blockade of CD5- and CD6-mediated signals results in dysregulated immune responses, which may be deleterious or advantageous in some pathological conditions, such as infection, cancer or autoimmunity. Bench to bedside translation from transgenic data is constrained by ethical concerns which can be overcome by exogenous administration of soluble proteins acting as decoy receptors and leading to transient “functional knockdown”. This review gathers information currently available on the therapeutic efficacy of soluble CD5 and CD6 receptor infusion in different experimental models of disease. The existing proof-of-concept warrants the interest of soluble CD5 and CD6 as safe and efficient immunotherapeutic agents in diverse and relevant pathological conditions.