Dual functions of Aire CARD multimerization in the transcriptional regulation of T cell tolerance

Abstract

The transcription factor Aire mediates tissue-specific antigen expression in the thymus for T cell central tolerance induction. Here the authors show that Aire, via its CARD domain, forms multimers that can misdirect Aire to PML bodies leading to the loss of Aire transcriptional activity and induction of autoimmunity.