CLNS1A regulates genome stability and cell cycle progression to control CD4 T cell function and autoimmunity

Pathogenic CD4 T cells drive autoimmunity in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Through a forward genetic screen, we identified chloride nucleotide-sensitive channel 1A (CLNS1A) as a key regulator of inflammation in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. CLNS1A is expressed in several subsets of CD4 T cells, including pathogenic T helper 17 (pT_H17) cells. Deletion of Clns1a in T cells resulted in DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, impaired T cell proliferation, and effector function, thereby protecting mice from both EAE and IBD. We found that CLNS1A interacts with protein arginine methyl transferase 5 (PRMT5). Moreover, CLNS1A regulates symmetric histone dimethylation and the expression of genes involved in DNA repair, replication, and cell cycle progression. Thus, CLNS1A plays an important role in CD4 T cells by promoting genome stability and cell cycle progression.