### CD96 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** CD96  
**Gene Description:** CD96 (also known as Tactile) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and encodes a type I membrane protein. It is expressed on activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and plays a key role in mediating the adhesive interactions of these immune cells during the late phases of the immune response. CD96 interacts with the ligands, such as PVR (Poliovirus Receptor), which promotes the adhesion of NK cells to target cells, facilitating immunological synapse formation and subsequent immune responses.

### 1. Associated Genes
The CD96 gene is implicated in various immune-related pathways and may have interactions with other genes, including:
- **CD226:** Works synergistically with CD96 in regulating T and NK cell activation and adhesion.
- **TIGIT:** This gene plays an opposing role along with CD96 in modulating immune responses, potentially acting as a checkpoint inhibitor in tumors.
- **LAG3:** Although primarily associated with T cell regulation and immune inhibition, it shares overlapping pathways in T cell signaling.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While specific studies directly correlating CD96 with aging or age-related diseases are limited, its role in immune responses suggests potential implications:
- **Immunosenescence:** Changes in T and NK cell functions, including altered expression levels of CD96, may contribute to the reduced immune response observed in aging. This can influence susceptibility to infections and diseases in older adults.
- **Cancer:** CD96's interaction with immune checkpoints and its role in tumor immunity make it a candidate for study in age-related cancers, as the immune system's effectiveness in combating tumors diminishes with age.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, there are no specific drugs that directly target CD96; however, it is involved in immune regulatory pathways where various immunotherapies may have indirect effects on its activity. Classifications of drugs that could influence CD96 responses include:
- **Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors:** Drugs like monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 may affect the outcome of CD96-mediated immune interactions by modulating overall immune responses.
- **Cytokines and Immune Modulators:** Agents that alter the immune environment can influence the activity of CD96-expressing cells.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
CD96 is involved in several important biological processes and pathways, including:
- **Immune Response:** CD96 plays a critical role in the immune adhesive interactions reinforcing immune responses, including T cell and NK cell activation.
- **Cell Adhesion:** CD96 promotes adhesion during immune synapse formation leading to enhanced cytotoxic activity against infected or malignant cells.
- **Signal Transduction Pathways:** May participate in various signaling pathways critical for T and NK cell function and survival, such as pathways activated by cytokines, integrins, and selectins during inflammatory responses.
- **Antigen Presentation:** While its exact role is less well characterized compared to other receptors, it may influence processes such as antigen recognition and presentation by interacting with professional antigen-presenting cells.

### Conclusion
The functional significance of the CD96 gene in immune responses and its potential connections to age-related immunological changes indicates its importance in health and disease. Further studies are necessary to elucidate its precise roles, interactions, and implications in clinical settings, especially concerning aging and cancer-related immune evasion.