The CD3 zeta cytoplasmic domain mediates CD2-induced T cell activation

CD2 Immunobiology

The glycoprotein CD2 is a costimulatory receptor expressed mainly on T and NK cells that binds to LFA3, a cell surface protein expressed on e.g., antigen-presenting cells. CD2 has an important role in the formation and organization of the immunological synapse that is formed between T cells and antigen-presenting cells upon cell-cell conjugation and associated intracellular signaling. CD2 expression is upregulated on memory T cells as well as activated T cells and plays an important role in activation of memory T cells despite the coexistence of several other costimulatory pathways. Anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies have been shown to induce immune modulatory effects in vitro and clinical studies have proven the safety and efficacy of CD2-targeting biologics. Investigators have highlighted that the lack of attention to the CD2/LFA3 costimulatory pathway is a missed opportunity. Overall, CD2 is an attractive target for monoclonal antibodies intended for treatment of pathologies characterized by undesired T cell activation and offers an avenue to more selectively target memory T cells while favoring immune regulation.

Phosphoproteomics of CD2 signaling reveals AMPK-dependent regulation of lytic granule polarization in cytotoxic T cells

Understanding the costimulatory signaling that enhances the activity of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) could identify potential targets for immunotherapy. Here, we report that CD2 costimulation plays a critical role in target cell killing by freshly isolated human CD8⁺ T cells, which represent a challenging but valuable model to gain insight into CTL biology. We found that CD2 stimulation critically enhanced signaling by the T cell receptor in the formation of functional immune synapses by promoting the polarization of lytic granules toward the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). To gain insight into the underlying mechanism, we explored the CD2 signaling network by phosphoproteomics, which revealed 616 CD2-regulated phosphorylation events in 373 proteins implicated in the regulation of vesicular trafficking, cytoskeletal organization, autophagy, and metabolism. Signaling by the master metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was a critical node in the CD2 network, which promoted granule polarization toward the MTOC in CD8⁺ T cells. Granule trafficking was driven by active AMPK enriched on adjacent lysosomes, revealing previously uncharacterized signaling cross-talk between vesicular compartments in CD8⁺ T cells. Our results thus establish CD2 signaling as key for mediating cytotoxic killing and granule polarization in freshly isolated CD8⁺ T cells and strengthen the rationale to choose CD2 and AMPK as therapeutic targets to enhance CTL activity.

Effect of size and silica coating on structural, magnetic as well as cytotoxicity properties of copper ferrite nanoparticles

Copper ferrite nanoparticles, synthesized by conventional sol-gel method were calcined at different temperatures. The magnetic, structural, morphological and cytotoxicity analyses of the uncalcined and calcined nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated and compared. Formation of tetragonal structure of CuFe₂O₄ NPs was observed in XRD patterns. On increasing the temperature, better crystallinity and increased crystallite size were also observed. In the FTIR spectra, bonds corresponding to CH, OH and carboxylate groups gradually disappeared with increasing temperature, while peak corresponding to FeO existed more prominently. NPs calcined at 300 °C (Cu3) exhibited the highest magnetic saturation and lowest retentivity, thereby indicating its superparamagnetic behaviour. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity values were obtained by invitro MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) assay, Cell Titer assay and Cell Flow Cytometry with Propidium Iodide. NPs calcined at 300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C exhibited non-toxicity at all the concentrations. Based on magnetic and biocompatibility analyses, Cu3 NPs were found to be the most suitable one to investigate the influence of silica coating on its surface. Presence of silica was confirmed by XRD pattern, FTIR spectrum, SEM and HRTEM micrographs as well as SAED pattern. In M-H curve, superparamagnetic behaviour of the CuFe₂O₄ core was retained but with reduced magnetic saturation due to magnetically dead layer of silica. An increase in cellular viability was witnessed in case of silica coated CuFe₂O₄ NPs as compared to uncoated NPs, thus reflecting on its enhanced biocompatibility. Nanosized, superparamagnetic and highly biocompatible characteristics make silica coated CuFe₂O₄ NPs a potential claimant for biomedical applications.

Signals Controlling Lytic Granule Polarization at the Cytotoxic Immune Synapse

Cytotoxic immunity relies on specialized effector T cells, the cytotoxic T cells, which are endowed with specialized cytolytic machinery that permits them to induce death of their targets. Upon recognition of a target cell, cytotoxic T cells form a lytic immune synapse and by docking the microtubule-organizing center at the synaptic membrane get prepared to deliver a lethal hit of enzymes contained in lytic granules. New insights suggest that the directionality of lytic granule trafficking along the microtubules represents a fine means to tune the functional outcome of the encounter between a T cell and its target. Thus, mechanisms regulating the directionality of granule transport may have a major impact in settings characterized by evasion from the cytotoxic response, such as chronic infection and cancer. Here, we review our current knowledge on the signaling pathways implicated in the polarized trafficking at the immune synapse of cytotoxic T cells, complementing it with information on the regulation of this process in natural killer cells. Furthermore, we highlight some of the parameters which we consider critical in studying the polarized trafficking of lytic granules, including the use of freshly isolated cytotoxic T cells, and discuss some of the major open questions.

Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy of cancer using chimeric antigen receptor-grafted T cells

Harnessing the power of the immune system to target cancer has long been a goal of tumor immunologists. One avenue under investigation is the modification of T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Expression of such a receptor enables T-cell specificity to be redirected against a chosen tumor antigen. Substantial research in this field has been carried out, incorporating a wide variety of malignancies and tumor-associated antigens. Ongoing investigations will ensure this area continues to expand at a rapid pace. This review will explain the evolution of CAR technology over the last two decades in addition to detailing the associated benefits and disadvantages. The outcome of recent phase I clinical trials and the impact that these have had upon the direction of future research in this field will also be addressed.

Mechanistic basis of pre–T cell receptor–mediated autonomous signaling critical for thymocyte development

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) is crucial for early T cell development and is proposed to function in a ligand-independent way. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the autonomous signals remains elusive. Here we show that the pre-TCR complex spontaneously formed oligomers. Specific charged residues in the extracellular domain of the pre-TCR alpha-chain mediated formation of the oligomers in vitro. Alteration of these residues eliminated the ability of the pre-TCR alpha-chain to support pre-TCR signaling in vivo. Dimerization but not raft localization of CD3epsilon was sufficient to simulate pre-TCR function and promote beta-selection. These results suggest that the pre-TCR complex can deliver its signal autonomously through oligomerization of the pre-TCR alpha-chain mediated by charged residues.

Molecular mimicry of the antigen receptor signalling motif by transmembrane proteins of the Epstein-Barr virus and the bovine leukaemia virus

BACKGROUND

Many transmembrane proteins of eukaryotic cells have only a short cytoplasmic tail of 10 - 100 amino acids, which has no obvious catalytic function. These tails are thought to be involved either in signal transduction or in the association of transmembrane proteins with the cytoskeleton. We have previously identified, in the cytoplasmic tails of components of B and T lymphocyte antigen receptors, an amino-acid motif that is required for signalling. The same motif is also found in the cytoplasmic tails of two viral proteins: the latent membrane protein, LMP2A, of Epstein Barr virus and the envelope protein, gp30, of bovine leukaemia virus. Interestingly, both viruses can activate infected B lymphocytes to proliferate, as does signalling by the B-cell receptor.

RESULTS

In this study, we show that the cytoplasmic tails of the two viral proteins, and the cytoplasmic tail of the B-cell receptor immunoglobulin-alpha chain, when linked to CD8 in chimeric transmembrane proteins, can transduce signals in B cells. Cross-linking of these chimeric receptors activates B-cell protein tyrosine kinases and results in calcium mobilization. Furthermore, these cytoplasmic sequences are also protein tyrosine kinase substrates and may interact with cytosolic proteins carrying SH2 protein-protein interaction domains.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that viral transmembrane proteins can mimic the antigen-induced stimulation of the B-cell antigen receptor and thus can influence the activation and/or survival of infected B lymphocytes.

T-cell-mediated autoimmunity: novel techniques to characterize autoreactive T-cell receptors

Histological samples of autopsy or biopsy tissue provide the best available evidence that autoreactive T cells are involved in the immunopathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. However, morphology alone does not provide information on the antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) of these cells, let alone on their antigen specificity. In this review article we discuss a number of emerging possibilities for identifying TCR sequences directly from biopsy tissue. We also review the methods for expressing presumably autoreactive TCR molecules and speculate on how the expressed TCR might be used to identify target antigens. Such information should eventually provide new insights into disease pathogenesis which lead to better therapies.

Are major histocompatibility complex molecules involved in the survival of naive CD4+ T cells?

The exact role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the peripheral survival of naive T cells is controversial, as some studies have suggested that they are critically required whereas others have suggested that they are not. Here we controlled for some of the features that differed among the earlier studies, and analyzed both the survival and expansion of naive CD4⁺ T cells transferred into MHC syngeneic, allogeneic, or MHC negative environments. We found that naive T cells transferred into MHC negative or allogeneic environments often fail to survive because of rejection and/or competition by natural killer (NK) cells, rather than failure to recognize a particular MHC allele. In the absence of NK cells, naive CD4⁺ T cells survived equally well regardless of the MHC type of the host. There was, however, an MHC requirement for extensive space-induced “homeostatic” expansion. Although the first few divisions occurred in the absence of MHC molecules, the cells did not continue to divide or transit to a CD44^hi phenotype. Surprisingly, this MHC requirement could be satisfied by alleles other than the restricting haplotype. Therefore, space-induced expansion and survival are two different phenomena displaying different MHC requirements. Memory CD4⁺ T cells, whose survival and expansion showed no requirements for MHC molecules at all, dampened the space-induced expansion of naive cells, showing that the two populations are not independent in their requirements for peripheral niches.

Herpesvirus saimiri replaces ZAP-70 for CD3- and CD2-mediated T cell activation

The protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 plays a pivotal role involved in signal transduction through the T cell receptor and CD2. Defects in ZAP-70 result in severe combined immunodeficiency. We report that Herpesvirus saimiri, which does not code for a ZAP-70 homologue, can replace this tyrosine kinase. H. saimiri is an oncogenic virus that transforms human T cells to stable growth based on mutual CD2-mediated activation. Although CD2-mediated proliferation of ZAP-70-deficient uninfected T cells was absent, we could establish H. saimiri-transformed T cell lines from two unrelated patients presenting with ZAP-70 deficiencies. In these cell lines, CD2 and CD3 activation were restored in terms of [Ca(2+)](i), MAPK activation, cytokine production, and proliferation. Activation-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of zeta remained defective. The transformed cells expressed very high levels of the ZAP-70-related kinase Syk. This increased expression was not observed in the primary T cells from the patients and was not due to the transformation by the virus because transformed cell lines established from control T cells did not present this particularity. In conclusion, wild type H. saimiri can restore CD2- and CD3-mediated activation in signaling-deficient human T cells. It extends our understanding of interactions between the oncogenic H. saimiri and the infected host cells.

CD2 stimulation leads to the delayed and prolonged activation of STAT1 in T cells but not NK cells

OBJECTIVE

T lymphocytes can be activated by soluble factors such as cytokines or through direct cell-cell interactions. Although cytokine receptors are known to signal through STAT family transcription factors, the mechanisms by which other cell-surface molecules, such as CD2, transduce signals is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine whether stimulation of T cells through CD2 recapitulates aspects of cytokine-induced T-cell activation by use of STAT transcription factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T cells were treated with anti-CD2 antibodies or cells bearing the natural CD2 ligand CD58, after which signaling through STAT transcription factors was assessed.

RESULTS

Stimulation of CD2 on primary T lymphocytes leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of STAT1. In contrast to stimulation by cytokines, the activation of STAT1 in response to CD2 ligation is delayed and does not involve Jak kinases. Furthermore, while STAT phosphorylation induced by cytokines is generally transient, STAT1 phosphorylation following CD2 stimulation persists for a period of days. Transcription of key target genes such as IRF1 and c-fos proceeds with delayed kinetics following CD2 stimulation, suggesting that this unique pattern of STAT activation may lead to a distinct cellular response following CD2 ligation. This pathway appears to be restricted to T cells, as stimulation of CD2 on NK cells does not lead to STAT1 activation.

CONCLUSION

Stimulation of T cells through cell-surface molecules such as CD2 involves activation of STAT transcription factors, thus recapitulating elements of cytokine signaling.

T cell receptor-dependent activation of human lymphocytes through cell surface ganglioside GT1b: implications for innate immunity

Gangliosides form a component of the glycosphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains recently shown to play an important role in receptor signal transduction. Specific gangliosides also serve as receptors for binding and internalization of bacterial toxins. In the course of characterizing the basis of the native tetanus toxin (TTx) reactivity of a human gamma delta T cell clone, we observed that transfer of the TCR was required to impart TTx reactivity on a TCR-negative recipient T cell. However, the reconstitution of toxin reactivity could be achieved regardless of the antigen specificity of the TCR chains. Further analysis showed that the T cell recognition of native TTx was dependent on the presence of its ganglioside receptor, GT1b, on the T cell surface. Incorporation of exogenous GT1b into plasma membrane conferred TTx reactivity on otherwise non-reactive T cells provided these cells expressed the TCR. Finally, reconstitution of TCR-negative Jurkat T cells with a CD8-CD3zeta chain chimera demonstrated that the cytoplasmic region of the CD3zeta chain was sufficient to couple ganglioside-mediated TTx binding to T cell activation. These data reveal a novel mode of TCR-dependent reactivity to a bacterial toxin that could mobilize a large subset of T cells, thus representing a form of innate immunity. Given the possibility that endogenous ligands may bind to cell surface gangliosides, regulation of their levels and topology on the cell surface may constitute an immunoregulatory mechanism.

Priming of CD2-induced p62Dok tyrosine phosphorylation by CD3 in Jurkat T cells

T lymphocyte activation is triggered through the CD3-TCR complex or the CD2 molecule. Beside common biochemical events, we previously showed that a 62-kDa protein associated with PLCgamma-1 and p21RasGAP was specifically tyrosine phosphorylated after CD2 stimulation in Jurkat T cells. We demonstrated here that it was identical to p62Dok, a docking protein highly phosphorylated in human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and in murine abl-transformed B cells. Mainly, we showed that p62Dok tyrosine phosphorylation was strengthened by the functional interplay between CD3 and CD2. Primary stimulation of Jurkat cells via CD3 suppressed most of the subsequent CD2-dependent phosphorylation events, except p62Dok tyrosine phosphorylation, which was on the contrary strongly increased. Kinetic studies indicated that a short treatment with anti-CD3 was sufficient to amplify the CD2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p62Dok. By contrast, CD2-induced PLCgamma-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium response progressively diminished. Finally, enhanced amounts of tyrosine phosphorylated p62Dok were recruited to p21RasGAP and PLCgamma-1 after CD2 stimulation in CD3-activated cells. CD3 stimulation is known to enhance CD2 avidity for its ligand and to induce the binding of the CD2AP protein to the CD2 cytoplasmic tail. Our results suggest that the CD3-TCR complex rapidly primes the CD2 pathway to activate one of its specific components, p62Dok.

Differential requirement of ZAP-70 for CD2-mediated activation pathways of mature human T cells

This study addresses the role of the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 in CD2-mediated T cell activation. Patients lacking ZAP-70 have few mature CD8+ T cells and high numbers of CD4+ T cells that are nonfunctional upon TCR triggering. Such a patient with a homozygous deletion in the zap-70 gene that resulted in the complete absence of ZAP-70 protein expression has been identified. Expression of the tyrosine kinases Lck, Fyn, and Syk was normal. The patient's T cells were activated with two different pairs of mitogenic mAbs. CD2-induced phosphorylation of the zeta-chain and influx of Ca2+ was defective in the ZAP-70-deficient T cells, whereas CD2-induced phosphorylation of several other proteins, including Syk, was not affected. CD2-induced proliferation as well as production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was abrogated in ZAP-70-deficient T cells, whereas PMA plus ionomycin induced normal activation of these cells. Together, this study shows that CD2-activation triggers ZAP-70-dependent and -independent pathways. Deletion of ZAP-70 affected CD2- and CD3-mediated proliferation and cytokine production in a similar way, suggesting that one of the different CD2 pathways converges with a CD3 pathway at or upstream of the activation of ZAP-70.

Interelationship between CD3 and CD28 pathways in a murine T cell thymoma

It is well known that the CD28 costimulatory signal is important to complement T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3-initiated T cell activation, but the mechanism by which these two distinct signaling pathways are integrated is not clearly understood. In our laboratory, we dispose of a murine T cell hybridoma transfected with human CD28 molecule which is able to produce IL-2 in response to stimulation, suggesting that the signal transduction machinery coupled to the CD28 molecule is capable of triggering effector functions. Nevertheless, the action of three immunosuppressive agents previously shown in our model, suggested an interaction between the CD3 and CD28 pathways. We confirmed here this hypothesis by transfecting the cDNA of the human CD28 molecule in the BW5147 thymoma which lacks CD3 surface expression. Stimulation of the human CD28 did not lead to IL-2 secretion while the restoration of the TCR/CD3 complex re-established the functionality of this costimulatory molecule. These data demonstrate that the IL-2 production induced by the CD28 activation pathway is dependent of the TCR/CD3 complex cell surface expression and suggest the formation of a functional membrane complex between the CD3 and CD28 molecules. The molecular basis of the functional dependence of CD28 signaling on the TCR/CD3 complex is presently unknown. Nonetheless, we showed that some early events induced by CD28 stimulation, such as PI3-kinase association, are independent of the TCR/CD3 complex expression.

The mouse tumor cell lines EL4 and RMA display mosaic expression of NK-related and certain other surface molecules and appear to have a common origin

As a potential means for facilitating studies of NK cell-related molecules, we examined the expression of these molecules on a range of mouse tumor cell lines. Of the lines we initially examined, only EL4 and RMA expressed such molecules, both lines expressing several members of the Ly49 and NKRP1 families. Unexpectedly, several of the NK-related molecules, together with certain other molecules including CD2, CD3, CD4, CD32, and CD44, were often expressed in a mosaic manner, even on freshly derived clones, indicating frequent switching in expression. In each case examined, switching was controlled at the mRNA level, with expression of CD3zeta determining expression of the entire CD3-TCR complex. Each of the variable molecules was expressed independently, with the exception that CD3 was restricted to cells that also expressed CD2. Treatment with drugs that affect DNA methylation and histone acetylation could augment the expression of at least some of the variable molecules. The striking phenotypic similarity between EL4 and RMA led us to examine the state of their TCRbeta genes. Both lines had identical rearrangements on both chromosomes, indicating that RMA is in fact a subline of EL4. Overall, these findings suggest that EL4 is an NK-T cell tumor that may have retained a genetic mechanism that permits the variable expression of a restricted group of molecules involved in recognition and signaling.

Mechanisms of T-cell activation by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I

The interactions between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and the cellular immune system can be divided into viral interference with functions of the infected host T cell and the subsequent interactions between the infected T cell and the cellular immune system. HTLV-I-mediated activation of the infected host T cell is induced primarily by the viral protein Tax, which influences transcriptional activation, signal transduction pathways, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. These properties of Tax may well explain the ability of HTLV-I to immortalize T cells. It is not clear, though, how HTLV-I induces T-cell transformation (interleukin-2 [IL-2] independence). Recent evidence suggests that Tax may promote the G1- to S-phase transition, although this may involve additional proteins. A role for other viral proteins that may constitutively activate the IL-2 receptor pathway has also been suggested. By virtue of their activated state, HTLV-I-infected T cells can nonspecifically activate resting, uninfected T cells via virus-mediated upregulation of adhesion molecules. This may favor viral dissemination. Moreover, the induction of a remarkably high frequency of antiviral CD8(+) T cells does not appear to eliminate the infection. Indeed, individuals with a high frequency of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells have a high viral load, indicating a state of chronic immune system stimulation. Thus, while an activated immune system is needed to eradicate the infection, the spread of the HTLV-I is also accelerated under these conditions. A detailed knowledge of the molecular interactions between virus-specific CD8(+) T cells and immunodominant viral epitopes holds promise for the development of specific antiviral therapy.

TCRzeta is transported to and retained in the Golgi apparatus independently of other TCR chains: implications for TCR assembly

It is generally assumed that TCR assembly occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and ER retention/degradation signals have been identified in several of the TCR chains. These signals are probably responsible for retention of incompletely assembled TCR complexes and free TCR chains in the ER. This study focused on the intracellular localization and transport of partially assembled TCR complexes as determined by confocal microscopy analyses. We found that none of the TCR chains except for TCRzeta were allowed to exit the ER in T cell variants in which the hexameric CD3gammaepsilonTi alphabetaCD3 deltaepsilon complex was not formed. Interestingly, TCRzeta was exported from the ER independently of other TCR chains and was predominantly located in a compartment identified as the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, in the TCRzeta-negative cell line MA5.8, the hexameric CD3gammaepsilonTi alphabetaCD3 deltaepsilon complex was allowed to exit the ER and was also predominantly located in the Golgi apparatus. However, neither hexameric TCR complexes nor TCRzeta chains were efficiently expressed at the cell surface without the other. The observations that TCRzeta and hexameric TCR complexes are transported from the ER to the Golgi apparatus independently of each other and that these partial TCR complexes are unable to be efficiently expressed at the cell surface suggest that final TCR assembly occurs in the Golgi apparatus.

CD2 signalling induces phosphorylation of CREB in primary lymphocytes

Promoter sequences responsive to cyclic AMP (cAMP) are found in a number of cellular genes, and bind transcription factors of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor-1 (ATF-1) family. We have used a human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) model of cAMP response element (CRE) transcription to investigate the influence of lymphocyte activation on transcription from homologous regions in the viral promoter. We previously demonstrated increased HTLV-1 transcription following CD2 but not CD3 receptor cross-linking. We hypothesized that this increased viral transcription was mediated, in part, through the phosphorylation of CREB. Therefore, we investigated CD2 and CD3 receptor-mediated signalling in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). CD2, but not CD3, cross-linking increased cAMP detected by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approximately fourfold. CD2 cross-linking concurrently increased phosphorylation of CREB detected by immunoblot assay eightfold. Consistent with post-translational regulation, no change in total level of CREB protein was observed. Phosphorylation of CREB occurred through a herbimycin A and Rp-cAMP-sensitive pathway, suggesting phosphorylation required antecedent activation of both protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and protein kinase A (PKA). Both CD2 and CD3 cross-linking increased binding of nuclear proteins to a radiolabelled CRE oligonucleotide probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggesting that lymphocyte activation enhances binding independently of phosphorylation of CREB at serine 133. These data indicate specific modulation of the CREB/ATF-1 family of transcription factors by the CD2 signalling pathway and suggest CD2 receptor modulation of CRE-mediated transcription following ligand engagement (e.g. cell-to-cell contact).

Uncoupling Activation-Dependent HS1 Phosphorylation from Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells Transcriptional Activation in Jurkat T Cells: Differential Signaling Through CD3 and the Costimulatory Receptors CD2 and CD28

CD3, CD2, and CD28 are functionally distinct receptors on T lymphocytes. Engagement of any of these receptors induces the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of a shared group of intracellular signaling proteins, including Vav, Cbl, p85 phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and the Src family kinases Lck and Fyn. Ligation of CD3 also induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1, a 75-kDa hematopoietic cell-specific intracellular signaling protein of unknown function. We have examined changes in HS1 phosphorylation after differential stimulation of CD3, CD2, and CD28 to elucidate its role in T cells and to further delineate the signaling pathways recruited by these receptors. Unlike ligation of CD3, stimulation with anti-CD28 mAb or CHO cells expressing the CD28 ligands CD80 or CD86 did not lead to tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1 in Jurkat T cells. Additionally, no tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1 was induced by mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 mAbs capable of activating the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells). Costimulation through CD28 and/or CD2 did not modulate the CD3-dependent phosphorylation of HS1. In vivo studies indicated that CD3-induced HS1 phosphorylation was dependent upon both the Src family tyrosine kinase Lck and the tyrosine phosphatase CD45, did not require MEK1 kinase activity, and was regulated by protein kinase C activation. Thus, although CD3, CD28, and CD2 activate many of the same signaling molecules, they differed in their capacity to induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1. Furthermore, activation-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1 was not required for NFAT transcriptional activation.

Qualitative and Quantitative Effects of CD28/B7-Mediated Costimulation on Naive T Cells In Vitro

The CD28/B7 system provides costimulatory signals necessary for optimal T cell activation. We have examined the effects of blocking B7.1 and/or B7.2 in an in vitro system using TCR transgenic T cells specific for myelin basic protein. Activation of naive T cells was found to be B7.2 dependent and not dependent on the presence of B7.1 molecules. However, increasing the strength of signal through the TCR using peptide analogues with higher affinity for MHC compensated for blockade of B7.2 molecules, suggesting that signal 1 alone can be sufficient for the activation of naive T cells. The role of B7 molecules in the differentiation of T cells was further investigated by restimulating T cells with fresh APC and peptide in B7-sufficient conditions. A down-regulation of IL-2 and IFN-γ production by T cells primed in the presence of anti-B7.2 mAb was partially overcome when high affinity peptide analogues were used to restimulate T cells. In contrast, a significant down-regulation of the differentiation of cells producing Th-2 cytokines was observed in the presence of anti-B7 Abs. Differentiation of IL-4-secreting cells was influenced by both B7.1 and B7.2, while IL-5 secretion was totally dependent on B7.2. These results suggest that B7-mediated costimulation is essential for the development of Th-2-associated cytokines, the absence of which cannot be overcome by increasing the strength of the signal through the TCR.

A p56lck-independent pathway of CD2 signaling involves Jun kinase

The p56 Src family non-receptor tyrosine kinase has been shown to be critical for T lymphocyte differentiation and activation. Hence in the absence of p56, T cell receptor triggered activation does not occur. We now provide evidence for a CD2-based signaling pathway which, in contrast to that of the T cell receptor, is independent of p56. CD2-mediated interleukin-2 production occurs via activation of Jun kinase in cell lines lacking p56. Jun kinase then facilitates the binding of c-Jun/c-Fos heterodimers to the AP-1 consensus site and the subsequent transcriptional activity of the interleukin-2 promoter. These data elucidate differences between TCR and CD2 signaling pathways in the same T cells.

Serine 16 of Stathmin as a Cytosolic Target for Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase II After CD2 Triggering of Human T Lymphocytes

We investigated specific signaling events initiated after T cell triggering through the costimulatory surface receptors CD2 and CD28 as compared with activation via the Ag receptor (TCR/CD3). We therefore followed the phosphorylation of stathmin, a ubiquitous cytoplasmic phosphoprotein proposed as a general relay integrating diverse intracellular signaling pathways through the combinatorial phosphorylation of serines 16, 25, 38, and 63, the likely physiologic substrates for Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinases, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), and protein kinase A, respectively. We addressed the specific protein kinase systems involved in the CD2 pathway of T cell activation through the analysis of stathmin phosphorylation patterns in exponentially growing Jurkat T cells, as revealed by phosphopeptide mapping. Stimulation via CD2 activated multiple signal transduction pathways, resulting in phosphorylation of distinct sites of stathmin, the combination of which only partially overlaps the CD3- and CD28-induced patterns. The partial redundancy of the three T cell activation pathways was evidenced by the phosphorylation of Ser25 and Ser38, substrates of MAP kinases and of the cdk family kinase(s), respectively. Conversely, the phosphorylation of Ser16 of stathmin was observed in response to both CD2 and CD28 triggering, but not CD3 triggering, with a kinetics compatible with the lasting activation of CaM kinase II in response to CD2 triggering. In vitro, Ser16 of recombinant human stathmin was phosphorylated also by purified CaM kinase II, and in vivo, CaM kinase II activity was indeed stimulated in CD2-triggered Jurkat cells. Altogether, our results favor an association of CaM kinase II activity with costimulatory signals of T lymphocyte activation and phosphorylation of stathmin on Ser16.

Association of p59(fyn) with the T lymphocyte costimulatory receptor CD2. Binding of the Fyn Src homology (SH) 3 domain is regulated by the Fyn SH2 domain

Human CD2 is a 50-55-kDa cell surface receptor specifically expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes and NK cells. Stimulation of human peripheral blood T cells with mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is sufficient to induce interleukin-2 production and T cell proliferation in the absence of an antigen-specific signal through the T cell receptor. CD2 has been shown previously to associate physically with the Src family protein-tyrosine kinases p56(lck) and p59(fyn). We now report that stimulation of T cells with mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 mAbs enhanced the association of the Fyn polypeptide with the CD2 complex, whereas stimulation with single anti-CD2 mAb had minimal effect. Using glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, we found that CD2 bound to the Src homology (SH) 3 domain of Fyn. Interestingly, the CD2-Fyn association was negatively regulated by the Fyn SH2 domain; CD2 bound poorly to GST fusion proteins expressing both the SH2 and SH3 domains of Fyn. However, the inhibitory effect of the Fyn SH2 domain on binding of the Fyn SH3 domain to CD2 was relieved by peptides containing a phosphorylated YEEI sequence that bound directly to the Fyn SH2 domain. In addition, we found that the ability of the Fyn SH2 domain to precipitate tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, including the CD3zeta chain, was enhanced after T cell stimulation with mitogenic pairs of CD2 mAbs. Finally, overexpression of a mutated Fyn molecule, in which the ability of the Fyn SH2 domain to bind phosphotyrosine-containing proteins was abrogated, inhibited CD2-induced transcriptional activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), suggesting a functional involvement of the Fyn SH2 domain in CD2-induced T cell signaling. We thus propose that stimulation through the CD2 receptor leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins, including CD3zeta itself, which in turn bind to the Fyn-SH2 domain, allowing the direct association of the Fyn SH3 domain with CD2 and the initiation of downstream signaling events.

Differential immunosuppressive activity of monoclonal CD2 antibodies on allograft rejection versus specific antibody production

CD2 is a co-stimulatory receptor involved in T cell activation. Here we report on immunosuppressive effects of three mouse CD2 monoclonal antibodies (OX34, OX54, OX55) directed against non-overlapping epitopes of the rat CD2 receptor on various modes of T cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Although non-ligand-blocking OX54 and OX55, in concert, activated T cells through CD2 in vitro, they individually suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and significantly prolonged allograft survival after rat heart transplantation in vivo. Phenotype analysis revealed that OX55 significantly down-modulated CD2 in vivo, whereas OX54 depleted T cells. Graft rejection coincided with re-expression of CD2 and clearance of OX55 from serum, whereas T cell depletion by OX54 outlasted the period of graft survival. The most suppressive antibody, OX34, down-modulated CD2 and inhibited T cell activation through the TCR or CD2 and the MLR and prolonged median allograft survival time from 7 days in controls to 45 days in the absence of any additional treatment. Graft survival was clearly dose dependent and correlated with the duration of CD2 down-modulation and the presence of circulating CD2 antibody in serum. Importantly, the specific antibody production to a T cell-dependent antigen as demonstrated by immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin in vivo remained unaffected after treatment with OX34. These results demonstrate the pivotal role of CD2 signaling in mediating allogeneic immune reactions after vascularized organ transplantation while allowing specific humoral immune responses in vivo.

The transmembrane region of CD2-associated signal-transducing proteins is crucial for the outcome of CD2-mediated T-cell activation

Signalling through the CD2 molecule was shown previously to employ similar signalling molecules as the T-cell receptor (TCR). Here, we show that CD2-mediated signalling is strongly influenced by the expressed transmembrane region of the employed signal-transducing molecule. We used TCR-negative cells expressing chimeric fusion proteins that consist of human interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor alpha-chain-derived sequences (hCD25) fused to mouse-specific zeta-chain segments (hCD25-zeta). One set of TCR-negative cell lines expressed the hCD25-derived extracellular part fused to mouse-specific transmembrane and cytoplasmic zeta-protein sequences ('TZZ'). The second type of cell lines expressed the hCD25-derived extracellular and transmembrane portions fused to the mouse-specific zeta-chain cytoplasmic segment ('TTZ'). After cross-linking the hCD25-zeta molecules with specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb), all TCR-negative cell lines produced similar amounts of IL-2. Cross-linking with stimulating pairs of CD2-specific mAb, however, led to IL-2 production only in cell lines expressing the zeta-chain-specific transmembrane segment. Co-cross-linking of CD25 and CD2 molecules resulted in an effective stimulation of both TZZ- and TTZ-expressing cell lines. Moreover, TTZ- and TZZ-expressing cell lines differed in their pattern of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins after stimulation with hCD25-specific mAb. Thus, although CD2 and TCR molecules share signalling components and pathways, the fine tuning of CD2 co-receptor function appears to be regulated in part by transmembrane regions of signal-transducing molecules like the TCR-associated zeta-chain.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD3-epsilon subunit of the T cell antigen receptor mediates enhanced association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in Jurkat T cells

T cell receptor signaling results both in T cell proliferation and apoptosis. A key enzyme at the intersection of these downstream pathways is phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI 3-kinase). In a previous report, we showed that the p85alpha subunit of the PI 3-kinase preferentially associated with the CD3-zeta membrane-proximal immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif of the zeta chain (zetaA-ITAM) (Exley, M., Varticovski, L., Peter, M., Sancho, J., and Terhorst, C. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 15140-15146). Here, we demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3-epsilon can recruit the PI 3-kinase enzyme in a T cell activation-dependent manner. In vivo studies with Jurkat cells stably transfected with a CD8-CD3-epsilon chimera (termed CD8-epsilon) shows that ligation of endogenous CD3-epsilon or CD8-epsilon by specific antibodies induces tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3-epsilon or CD8-epsilon, respectively. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation correlates with increased binding of p85alpha PI 3-kinase and recruitment of PI 3-kinase enzymatic activity to CD3-epsilon or CD8-epsilon proteins. Mutagenesis studies in COS-7 cells, transiently transfected with CD8-epsilon, p85alpha, and Fyn cDNAs in various combinations, show that both Tyr170 and Tyr181 within the CD3-epsilon-ITAM are required for efficient binding of p85alpha PI 3-kinase. Thus, replacement of Tyr170 by Phe (Y170F), or Tyr181 by Phe (Y181F) significantly reduces binding of p85alpha PI 3-kinase, whereas it does not affect binding of Fyn. Further in vitro experiments suggest that a direct binding of the tandem SH2 domains of p85alpha PI 3-kinase to the two phosphorylated tyrosines in a single CD3-epsilon-ITAM may occur. The data also support a model in which a single CD3 subunit can recruit distinct effector molecules by means of TCR-mediated differential ITAM phosphorylation.

The receptor function of CD2 in human CD2 transgenic mice is based on highly conserved associations with signal transduction molecules

The activation of human T cells via CD2 in response to mitogenic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) typically requires that one mAb is specific for an epitope within the N-terminal Ig domain of CD2 and the other for a partially hidden epitope. We have examined the proliferative response of human T cells and human CD2 (huCD2) transgenic murine T cells to two novel CD2 monoclonal antibodies, AICD2.M1 and AICD2.M2, and have partially mapped the epitopes of these and other mitogenic CD2-specific monoclonal antibodies by way of recognition of CD2:CD58 chimeric proteins possessing either the N-terminal or the membrane proximal immunoglobulin domains of CD2. To understand the molecular basis of proliferation in huCD2 transgenic murine T cells, the interactions of huCD2 with signaling proteins in murine T cells were analyzed. The transgenic huCD2 molecule was found to interact with the murine tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn and the CD3-epsilon and zeta chains of the TCR/CD3 signaling complex and to coimmunoprecipitate tyrosine phosphatase activity. These molecular associations resemble the situation in human T cells and suggest that human CD2 couples to the same signal transduction pathways in humans and transgenic mice.

CD2-mediated signaling in T cells lacking the zeta-chain-specific immune receptor tyrosine-based activation (ITAM) motif

T lymphocytes can be activated via the T cell receptor (TCR) or by triggering through a number of other surface structures, including the CD2 co-receptor molecule. Signaling through the CD2 molecule was shown previously to be dependent on the TCR-associated zeta-chain. Here, we show that CD2-induced activation also functions in T cells which express zeta-chains lacking a functional immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). TCR-positive T cells that express only the transmembrane part of the zeta-chain protein and thus lack a functional zeta-derived ITAM readily produce interleukin (IL)-2 when cross-linked with CD2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb). TCR-negative T cell hybridomas expressing minimal receptors consisting of an extracellular CD25 and an intracellular zeta-chain-derived segment were effectively stimulated via CD2-specific mAb. For CD2-mediated co-stimulation of TCR-negative cells, two zeta-chain-derived ITAM were sufficient to induce IL-2 when the CD2 molecules were co-cross-linked with the chimeric CD25-zeta molecules. Taken together, our results show that CD2-induced signaling does not necessarily employ the zeta-chain in TCR-positive cells and that CD2-dependent co-stimulation in TCR-negative cells can be mediated via two functional zeta-chain-derived ITAM.

Functional analysis of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-mediated signal transduction: the two YxxL segments within a single CD3zeta-ITAM are functionally distinct

Functional analysis of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) derived from the membrane-proximal ITAM of CD3zeta demonstrates that mutations at either the tyrosine or leucine residues in the N-terminal YxxL segment of the ITAM abolish all signal transduction functions of this ITAM. In contrast, mutations at the tyrosine or leucine residues in the C-terminal YxxL segment abrogate signals for interleukin (IL)-2 production but do not prevent tyrosine phosphorylation of the N-terminal tyrosine of the ITAM, lck association with the ITAM, activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 or calcium mobilization. Cross-linking of chimeric receptors containing a C-terminal YxxL leucine mutation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP70 but without stable binding to the phosphorylated ITAM. These results indicate that the two YxxL segments in an ITAM are functionally distinct and that both are essential for ZAP70 binding and IL-2 production. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP70 per se is not sufficient to trigger the downstream events leading to IL-2 production. Substitution of an alanine for the bulky side chain at the Y+1 position of the N-terminal YxxL segment reduces the receptor cross-linking requirement necessary to achieve cellular activation and the absolute dependence on lck in this process. Our results reveal that both the number of ITAM as well as the specific amino acid residues within a single ITAM determine the extent of chimeric receptor cross-linking required to trigger tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signaling events.

Signaling via the CD2 receptor enhances HTLV-1 replication in T lymphocytes

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is considered the etiologic agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and several chronic progressive immune-mediated diseases. Approximately 1-4% of infected individuals develop disease, generally decades following infection. Increased proviral transcription, mediated by the viral 40-kDa trans-activating protein, Tax, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HTLV-1-associated diseases. Since the HTLV-1 promoter contains sequences responsive to cyclic AMP and protein kinase C, we hypothesized that lymphocyte activation signals initiated through the TCR/CD3 complex or CD2 receptor promote viral replication in HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes. We demonstrate that mAbs directed against the CD2, but not the CD3 receptor increase viral p24 capsid protein 1.5- to 5.7-fold in CD2/CD3+ HTLV-1-infected cell culture supernatants. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a 2.5- to 4-fold increase in all species of viral mRNA following CD2 cross-linking of OSP2/4 cells, an immortalized HTLV-1 cell line. Consistent with transcriptional regulation, reporter gene activity increased approximately 11-fold in CD2-stimulated Jurkat T cells cotransfected with a Tax-expressing plasmid and a CAT reporter gene construct under control of the HTLV-1 promoter. These data suggest a possible physiologic mechanism, whereby CD2-mediated cell adhesion and lymphocyte activation may promote viral transcription in infected lymphocytes.

Jun NH2-terminal kinase is constitutively activated in T cells transformed by the intracellular parasite Theileria parva

When T cells become infected by the parasite Theileria parva, they acquire a transformed phenotype and no longer require antigen-specific stimulation or exogenous growth factors. This is accompanied by constitutive interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-2 receptor expression. Transformation can be reversed entirely by elimination of the parasites using the specific drug BW720c. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase and jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, which play a central role in the regulation of cellular differentiation and proliferation and also participate in the regulation of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor gene expression. T. parva was found to induce an unorthodox pattern of mitogen-activated protein kinase expression in infected T cells. JNK-1 and JNK-2 are constitutively active in a parasite-dependent manner, but have altered properties. In contrast, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 is not activated even though its activation pathway is functionally intact. Different components of the T cell receptor (TCR)-dependent signal transduction pathways also were examined. The TCRzeta or CD3epsilon chains were found not to be phosphorylated and T. parva-transformed T cells were resistant to inhibitors that block the early steps of T cell activation. Compounds that inhibit the progression of T cells to proliferation, however, were inhibitory. Our data provide the first example, to our knowledge, for parasite-mediated JNK activation, and our findings strongly suggest that T. parva not only lifts the requirement for antigenic stimulation but also entirely bypasses early TCR-dependent signal transduction pathways to induce continuous proliferation.

The function of costimulatory molecules and the development of IL-4-producing T cells

The development of IL-4-producing effector T cells during a type 2 immune response requires signaling through B7 ligands, but probably not CD40 ligands. Here, William Gause and colleagues review the still controversial role of CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells, and B7-1 and B7-2 on antigen-presenting cells, and provide a model to incorporate recent findings.

The T-cell receptor associated zeta-chain is required but not sufficient for CD26 (dipeptidylpeptidase IV) mediated signaling

CD26 or dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) is a cell surface protease involved in T-cell activation. Triggering or costimulation of T-cells via CD26 was shown to be dependent on the expression of the T-cell receptor (TCR) associated zeta-chain with at least one functional immune receptor tyrosine based activation motif (ITAM). Here we tested T-cell lines expressing chimeric proteins (hCD25-zeta) consisting of human IL-2 receptor-alpha chain derived extracellular sequences (hCD25) fused to mouse-specific zeta-chain segments, for their capacity to transfer CD26 mediated signals. Although these 'minimal receptor' expressing T-cell lines were capable of transmitting signals from other costimulatory molecules (e.g. CD2), crosslinking of CD26 did not induce IL-2 secretion. Co-cross-linking of hCD25 and CD26 molecules, however, resulted in the stimulation of the T-cells. Thus, although the zeta-chain is a prerequisite for CD26 mediated signaling events, the sole expression of zeta-protein as a signaling molecule is not sufficient for CD26 mediated triggering but permits CD26 induced costimulation in TCR negative cells.

Differential interaction of the CD2 extracellular and intracellular domains with the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and the zeta chain of the TCR/CD3/zeta complex

T cell activation via CD2 requires interaction of CD2 with several signaling molecules. To investigate the structural requirements for an association of CD2 with the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and the zeta chain of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3/zeta complex, we have expressed in mouse EL4 T cells a series of human CD2 chimeric and mutant proteins. Chimeric proteins in which the CD2 transmembrane and/or cytoplasmic domains were deleted or exchanged with analogous regions of CD4, CD28 or CD58 retained association with high levels of murine CD45 phosphatase activity, suggesting that the CD2 extracellular domain largely controls interaction with CD45. To a lesser extent, the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 was also shown to interact with CD45, as demonstrated by an increase in co-immunoprecipitated phosphatase activity observed following replacement of the CD58 cytoplasmic domain with that of CD2. In contrast, the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 was found to be responsible for the majority of CD2 interaction with the zeta chain of the TCR/CD3/zeta complex. Deletion of the CD2 cytoplasmic domain, excluding the first three amino acids, removed virtually all CD2 associated zeta chain and approximately sevenfold higher levels of zeta chain were found in association with a CD58/58/2 chimera than with control human CD58 wild type. This study suggests that the CD2 extracellular and intracellular domains are differentially involved in regulating T cell activation through interaction with the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and the zeta chain of the TCR/CD3/zeta complex.

Transgene-encoded human CD2 acts in a dominant negative fashion to modify thymocyte selection signals in mice

CD2 is a cell surface glycoprotein present on all T cells which has been shown to function as an adhesion and signaling molecule. Expressed early in T cell development, human CD2 (HCD2) has been suggested to play a role during thymopoiesis. However, the relevance of CD2 in T cell development has been called into question recently, as neither disruption of the CD2 gene nor anti-CD2 antibody treatment of fetal thymic organ cultures in mouse were shown to have any discernible consequences. We have expressed HCD2 at high levels in transgenic mice and found a profound effect of the transgene on thymocyte differentiation. Transgenic thymuses are considerably reduced in cell number as a consequence of increased apoptosis of double-positive (DP) thymocytes in the cortex. The remaining DP cells have up-regulated levels of T cell receptor (TCR) and are resistant to apoptosis mediated by administration of antigen. These effects are dependent on the cytoplasmic domain of HCD2, as mice expressing comparable levels of a tailless HCD2 transgene have a normal phenotype. The HCD2 cytoplasmic domain contains several regions of identity with mouse CD2 and can interact effciently with mouse intracellular signaling machinery. These results suggest there is considerable cross-talk between CD2 and TCR on developing thymocytes with consequences for the stimulation threshold of mature T cells.

CD4-dependent and -independent association of protein tyrosine kinases to the T cell receptor/CD3 complex of CD4+ mouse T lymphocytes

Tyrosine phosphorylation of different substrates is the earliest intracellular signal detected after T cell receptor (TcR) ligation. Several tyrosine kinases have been detected associated to the CD3-TcR complex in stimulated or unstimulated cells, including p56lck, p59fyn and ZAP-70. We have observed, in one mouse T helper CD4 T cell line, that most TcR- or CD3-associated tyrosine kinase activity comes from CD4:p56lck (Diez-Orejas, R., Ballester, S., Feito, M. J., Ronda, M., Ojeda, G., Criado, G., Portolés, P. and Rojo, J. M., EMBO J. 1994. 13: 90). To analyze whether this is a major way of tyrosine kinase association to the TcR in normal CD4+ T cells, we examined the nature and mode of association of tyrosine kinases to the TcR complex in normal spleen CD4+ T lymphocytes. Our results show that, in normal CD4+ T lymphocytes, as in CD4+ T cell lines, there is a stable and readily detectable association between CD4:p56lck and the TcR/CD3 complex, as determined by in vitro kinase activity in immunoprecipitates from cell lysates. However, TcR/CD3 complexes from nature CD4+ lymphocytes have detectable amounts of p56lck associated in a CD4-independent manner, as shown by immunodepletion of the lysates with anti-CD4 antibodies. In addition, TcR/CD3 also bind p59fyn regardless of the presence of CD4. Conversely, we have observed that CD4 co-precipitates small quantities of p56fyn in a TcR/CD3-independent manner. Overall, our data suggest the existence of different possible molecular complexes between TcR/CD3, CD4 and their attending kinases, as well as some quantitative and qualitative differences between CD4+ T cells and CD4+ T cell lines in kinase association to the TcR/CD3 complex.

Specific interaction of topoisomerase II beta and the CD3 epsilon chain of the T cell receptor complex

T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex is composed of six different subunits: TCR alpha and TCR beta and CD3 gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, and CD3 eta. Antigen recognition signals are transduced from TCR to the cytoplasm through the cytoplasmic domain of the CD3 chains. To understand the downstream signal transduction pathways, we cloned genes encoding proteins capable of binding to CD3 epsilon with a probe of glutathione S-transferase fused to the cytoplasmic region of CD3 epsilon. One of these clones was found to encode topoisomerase II beta (topoII beta). The binding region of CD3 epsilon is located within the N-terminal 12 amino acids containing the motif of a basic amino acid cluster. A similar motif was found in the gamma chain of Fc receptors (FcR gamma) but not in the CD33 eta chain, and indeed, FcR gamma but not CD3 eta bound to topoII beta. The binding region of topoII beta was determined to be the C terminus. Since this region appears to be the regulatory region of the enzymatic activity, the binding of CD3 epsilon might affect the function of topoII beta. Although topoII beta is localized mainly in the nucleus and CD3E is a membrane protein, we demonstrated the presence of CD3 epsilon in the nuclear fraction of thymocytes, which increased upon T cell activation. The specific interaction in cells was evidenced by co-immunoprecipitation of topoII beta and CD3E from the nuclear fraction of T cells. The possible function of this interaction is discussed.

Age-related defects in CD2 receptor-induced activation in human T-cell subsets

It is well documented that the proliferative capacity of T cells declines with advancing age. There are, however, conflicting data as to the role of the accessory cell and whether or not this loss in responsiveness extends to all T-cell stimuli and to all T cells. We report here on the capacity of subpopulations of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells from the healthy aged to proliferate in response to anti-CD2 receptor-induced activation in the complete absence of accessory cells by using various exogenous cofactors as second signals. These costimulatory factors included phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-7 and the monoclonal antibodies, anti-CD28 and anti-CD44. Under these conditions, the proliferative responsiveness of CD4+CD45RO+ T cells from the aged was found to be comparable to young control cells for all stimuli tested, except anti-CD2 plus IL-7. This suggests that signal transduction pathways involving CD2, except IL-7-mediated events, are essentially intact in 'old' memory CD4+ T cells. On the other hand, several cofactors, namely IL-2, IL-6, IL-7 and to a lesser extent IL-1 beta and PMA, failed to support adequately CD2-induced activation in 'old' CD4+CD45RA+ T cells suggesting severe and multiple signalling deficiencies in this subset.

Differential regulation of accessory mitogenic signaling receptors by the T cell antigen receptor

In addition to the antigen receptor, resting T cells express a number of receptors that can be stimulated to generate proliferative signals. These "accessory" receptors require co-expression of the T cell receptor (TCR), suggesting that they channel their signals via secondary activation of the signal transduction function of the CD3-TCR complex. Little is known about how different receptors control each other's function when one or more stimuli are presented at the same time. In order to study the regulation of accessory receptors by the CD3-TCR and vice versa, we have investigated the activation of the CD2 cell adhesion molecule receptor and the pertussis toxin receptor, a 43 kDa plasma membrane protein. Both receptors can activate signal transduction pathways in T cells similar to that of the CD3-TCR, including increases in Ca2+ and phosphatidylinositol turnover. They are also similar in that they utilize the antigen receptor to transmit their signals to the cell since CD3-TCR(-) mutants cannot be activated via either CD2 or the toxin receptor. We have previously shown that submaximal stimulation of the CD3-TCR blocks second messenger generation and proliferation in response to pertussis toxin. This heterologous desensitization was unidirectional since activation of the toxin receptor had no effect on CD3-TCR function. Here we extend these studies to show that activation of both CD2 and the toxin receptor led to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of three similar proteins. Submaximal stimulation of the CD3-TCR completely inhibited toxin receptor-stimulated tyrosine protein kinase activity but did not desensitize CD2 function as determined by activation of tyrosine protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, CD2 stimulation did not lead to desensitization of the pertussis toxin receptor. These data support a system of complex regulatory relationships between different signaling receptors and suggest a model for signal integration and inter-receptor cross-talk in T cell activation.

Initiation of signal transduction by receptor aggregation: role of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases

Receptors which induce immune system effector function bear similar intracellular sequences and respond to aggregation through a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. The mechanism by which receptor aggregation leads to cell activation is poorly understood, but recent experiments with chimeric receptors and kinases have begun to simplify the analysis.

The cytoplasmic tail of the T cell receptor zeta chain is required for signaling via CD26

The protease dipeptidylpeptidase IV (CD26) provides an alternative activation pathway for T lymphocytes and is involved in several aspects of T cell function. Activation via CD26 requires the expression of the T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 complex. Here we have investigated the role of the TcR zeta chain for T cell activation via CD26. T cell hybridomas expressing TcR with various deletions in the CD3 zeta chain were transfected with a CD26 cDNA and the response of the transfected cells to anti-CD26 monoclonal antibodies was tested. Our data show that the zeta chain is essential and that at least one YXXL motif in the cytoplasmic tail of the zeta chain is required for CD26-mediated signaling. Other TcR components do not replace the zeta chain.

Identification of a novel dimeric phosphoprotein (PP29/30) associated with signaling receptors in human T lymphocytes and natural killer cells

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of in vitro phosphorylated proteins coprecipitated by CD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) from Brij58 lysates of resting human T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells resulted in the identification of a novel 29/30-kD disulfide-linked dimer (pp29/30). Comparative two-dimensional analysis of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD8 immunoprecipitates revealed that pp29/30 associates with these signaling receptor complexes but not with CD18, CD27, and CD29 in human T lymphocytes. Analysis of CD2 immunoprecipitates prepared from T cell antigen receptor/CD3-modulated T lymphocytes indicated that pp29/30 preferentially associates and comodulates with the human T cell antigen receptor (TCR). Since tyrosine phosphorylated pp29/30 selectively interacts with the Src homology type 2 domains (SHZ) of the protein tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn but not ZAP70 the present data suggest that pp29/30 represents a novel signaling receptor associated phosphoprotein likely involved in the activation of human T lymphocytes and NK cells.

Delineation of a T-cell activation motif required for binding of protein tyrosine kinases containing tandem SH2 domains

To define the T-cell receptor signal transduction motif, we have transfected human and murine T-cell lines with a chimeric receptor consisting of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of human CD8 alpha and the membrane-proximal portion of CD3 zeta containing at its C terminus either an 18-amino acid segment (NQLYNELNLGRREEYDVL) or alanine-scanning point mutant derivatives. Crosslinking of the extracellular domain of the chimera is sufficient to initiate Ca2+ flux, interleukin 2 production, and tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including the chimera. Subsequently, the chimera becomes associated with several tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, among them the 70-kDa protein tyrosine kinase ZAP70. Mutational data identify the T-cell activation motif as Y(X)2L(X)7Y(X)2L and show that each of the four designated residues is necessary for the above activation events. Recombinant protein containing the two tandem SH2 domains derived from ZAP70 binds to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the above 18-amino acid motif but only when both tyrosines are phosphorylated; in contrast, little or no binding is observed to monophosphorylated or nonphosphorylated analogues. These results imply that after receptor crosslinking in T cells, and by inference also in B cells and mast cells, the motif is phosphorylated on both tyrosine residues, thereafter serving as a docking site for protein tyrosine kinases containing tandem SH2 domains.

Identification of a signaling complex involving CD2, zeta chain and p59fyn in T lymphocytes

CD2 is a cell surface receptor molecule which has been implicated in cell-cell adhesion and signaling functions in T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. The mechanism by which extracellular stimuli induce CD2-regulated signal transduction events is largely unknown. However, there is increasing evidence that in cells of hematopoietic origin several receptor-mediated signaling mechanisms involve transmembrane polypeptides related to the CD3 zeta chain and the activation of protein tyrosine kinases. We have therefore investigated the potential involvement of zeta chain and src family protein tyrosine kinases in signal transduction pathways initiated by CD2. Using in vitro kinase assays on CD2 immunoprecipitates from detergent lysates of T lymphocytes, we identified a complex consisting of CD2, zeta chain and the src family kinases p59fyn and p56lck. Furthermore, using double indirect immunofluorescence combined with capping techniques, we have revealed such complexes in viable T lymphocytes. These findings provide evidence for a multimolecular signaling complex consisting of at least CD2, zeta chain and p59fyn in T lymphocytes and suggest a critical role for this complex in the initiation of CD2-mediated cellular activation by regulating the activation of intracellular signaling molecules.

Tyrosine phosphorylation and association with phospholipase C gamma-1 of the GAP-associated 62-kD protein after CD2 stimulation of Jurkat T cell

Numerous substrates are tyrosine phosphorylated upon CD2 stimulation of human Jurkat T cells using a mitogenic pair of CD2 monoclonal antibodies, including the phospholipase C (PLC)gamma-1-p35/36 complex. Most of these substrates are identically tyrosine phosphorylated after CD3 ligation, suggesting that both stimuli share the same biochemical pathway. We show, however, in this report that a 63-kD protein is specifically phosphorylated on tyrosine residues after ligation of the CD2 molecule. The tyrosine phosphorylation of p63 can be induced independently of other substrates when using a single CD2 mAb recognizing the D66 epitope of the molecule. Importantly, this CD2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p63 can also occur in the absence of the CD3 zeta chain membrane expression, and is also distinct from the protein tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn. We demonstrate, moreover, that p63 is physically linked with PLC gamma-1 and p35/36 upon CD2 stimulation. Finally, we also show that a 62-kD protein coimmunoprecipitating with the p21ras GTPase activating protein (GAP) is heavily tyrosine phosphorylated only after CD2 stimulation. This ultimately suggests that p63 may represent in fact the 62-kD protein that associates with GAP after tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, these results demonstrate the occurrence in Jurkat cells of a tyrosine kinase pathway specifically coupled to the CD2 molecule. They also suggest a function of the p62-GAP-associated protein as a link between PLC gamma-1 and p21ras activation pathways after CD2 activation.

Separable portions of the CD2 cytoplasmic domain involved in signaling and ligand avidity regulation

Effective T cell immune responses require the molecular interplay between adhesive and signaling events mediated by the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) and other cell surface coreceptor molecules. In this report, we have distinguished between the role of regulated adhesion and transmembrane signaling in coreceptor function using the T cell glycoprotein CD2. By binding its ligands on antigen-presenting cell (APC), CD2 serves both to initiate signal transduction events and to promote cellular adhesion. Furthermore, the avidity of CD2 for one ligand, CD58 (LFA-3), is regulated by TCR signaling. We have expressed wild type CD2 and a series of mutated CD2 molecules in an antigen-specific murine T cell hybridoma. Structure-function studies using these stably transfected cell lines identify two structurally and functionally distinct regions of the 116 amino acid (aa) cytoplasmic domain. One region is required for CD2-mediated signal transduction, and a separate COOH-terminal 21 aa portion is required for CD2 activity regulation. Cell lines expressing CD2 molecules lacking the cytoplasmic segment required for CD2-initiated IL-2 production retain the ability to upregulate CD2 avidity. Conversely, cell lines expressing CD2 mutants lacking the cytoplasmic segment required for avidity regulation retain the ability to initiate CD2-specific signaling. In antigen-specific T cell responses, basal binding of CD2 to its ligands enhances antigen responsiveness only minimally, whereas regulated avidity and transmembrane signaling are both required for optimal coreceptor function. Taken together, these studies demonstrate the independent contributions of regulated adhesion and intracellular signaling in CD2 coreceptor function.

Transmembrane signalling through the T-cell-receptor-CD3 complex

Recent data support the existence of activation motifs within different subunits of the T-cell-receptor-CD3 complex. This architecture generates a receptor composed of discrete modules, each capable of being coupled to an effector pathway. Although new T-cell specific protein tyrosine kinases have recently been identified, the nature of the proximal non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase linking the T-cell receptor complex to essential signalling effectors remains unknown. Developmentally regulated differences in T-cell-receptor-CD3 assembly or stability may lead to the expression of isoforms displaying different sets of activation motifs. Whether this may be the basis of differential signalling during T-cell development is still a matter of speculation.