Expression and function of SLAMF6 in CD8⁺ T lymphocytes of patients with severe aplastic anemia

This study investigated the expression status of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 6 (SLAMF6) in CD8⁺ T lymphocytes of patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and its association with the clinical indicators and immune status of the disease. The effects of SLAMF6 on the function and apoptosis of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes were also investigated. Levels of SLAMF6 and SLAM-associated protein in the CD8⁺ T lymphocytes of SAA patients were significantly lower than the normal controls, and they were positively correlated with hematopoietic-related indicators but negatively correlated with the levels of functional molecules of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. After blocking SLAMF6, CD8⁺ T lymphocyte functional molecule secretion was upregulated and RICD was downregulated in SAA patients, suggesting that SLAMF6, is involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of SAA by regulating CD8⁺ T lymphocyte functional molecule secretion and RICD levels. SLAMF6 may be a novel target for the regulation of CD8⁺ T lymphocyte homeostasis.