Transition in CD45 isoform expression during differentiation of normal and abnormal B cells

We have demonstrated a transition in the expression of CD45 isoforms, from the expression of the high molecular weight CD45R to the low molecular weight CD45 p180 isoform on normal and on monoclonal (possibly malignant) B cells undergoing differentiation into plasma cells. The differentiation into plasma cells was shown by the loss of CD20 and CD21 surface antigens, a reduced expression, but in our system not a complete loss, of CD19, and the expression of the plasma cell marker PCA-1. We used three-color immunofluorescence to demonstrate the shift from CD45R to CD45 p180 on CD19+CD20-CD21- cells in cultures of normal cells stimulated by pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Furthermore, tissue sections of extramedullary plasmacytomas, where plasma cells were defined by morphology and expression of cytoplasmic Ig, showed a complete loss of CD45R and CD45 p180 antigens, although the cells retained expression of CD45 common determinants. Finally, we have analysed PBMC from patients with Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia (WM) at various stages of disease, and demonstrated that the monoclonal B cell subset present in their peripheral blood is heterogeneous in the expression of CD45 isoforms, including cells bearing only CD45R, those with a transitional CD45R+CD45 p180+ phenotype, and those expressing only CD45 p180. Upon stimulation in vitro these cells show greatly increased expression of CD45 p180. The differential expression of CD45 isoforms within a clonal B cell subset in the blood of these patients suggests that the monoclonal B cells in WM represent a continuously differentiating lineage of CD45R+ mature B cells giving rise to CD45 p180+ pre-plasma cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Identical expression of CD45R isoforms by CD45RC+ 'revertant' memory and CD45RC+ naive CD4 T cells.

Naive and memory CD4 T cells are frequently defined by exon-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which stain (or not) high- or low-molecular-weight (MW) isoforms of the leucocyte common antigen CD45. The link between isoform and the naive/memory designation is complicated by the fact that CD4 T cells with a 'memory' phenotype (CD45RA-, RB-, RC-, or CD45RO+) may revert ('revertants') and re-express the high mw isoform (CD45RA+, RB+, RC+). Isoform expression also changes during normal T-cell development. Furthermore, the picture may be incomplete since an exon-specific mAb will not detect all possible isoforms on a cell. We have used molecular techniques to determine whether revertant CD4 memory T cells were different from naive T cells with respect to CD45R isoform expression. Using the anti-CD45RC mAb OX22 to purify rat lymphocyte subsets, CD45R isoform expression was examined at the mRNA level in CD4 T cells at different stages of development and compared with that of B cells and unseparated lymphocytes. B cells contained abundant message for the highest MW 3-exon isoform ABC, the 2-exon isoforms AB and BC, and the null isoform O. Both immature CD45RC- (i.e. CD4+8- 'single positive' thymocytes, and peripheral Thy-1+ recent thymic emigrants) and mature CD45RC- 'antigen-experienced' CD4 T cells had message for single-exons B, possibly C and for the O exon. In contrast, CD45RC+ CD4 T cells contained mRNA coding for ABC (low level), AB, BC, B, C (low level) and O (low level). Importantly, there was no difference between CD45RC+ T cells that had not seen antigen ('truly native') and CD45RC+ antigen-experienced revertant memory T cells. This observation has implications for understanding long-term immunological memory.     

The CD45 isoform B220 identifies select subsets of human B cells and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

The B220 isoform of CD45, a pan B-cell marker in mice, is expressed by only a subset of human B cells that do not express the memory B-cell marker CD27, suggesting that it is a differentiation-specific isoform of CD45. We examined normal human peripheral blood B cells, secondary lymphoid tissue, and a range of human B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders for the expression of B220 by flow cytometric immunophenotyping and immunohistochemical staining. We found that a subset of human B cells in peripheral blood is positive for B220 by flow cytometric immunophenotypic analysis. In reactive lymphoid tissues, B220 is expressed by B cells occupying the mantle zones and by a subpopulation of germinal center cells, but, in contrast, marginal zone B cells in the spleen do not express B220. Of 94 cases of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, 33 (35%) were positive for B220 by flow cytometric immunophenotypic analysis, including most cases of marginal zone lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. In contrast, all cases of precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma were negative for B220. Immunohistochemical staining for B220 correlated with flow cytometric analysis for all cases studied by both methods. Our data demonstrate that B220 is expressed in a select subset of normal, reactive B cells in a pattern that is consistent with a marker of naive B cells. However, this restricted expression pattern is not seen in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Discordance between the B220 expression patterns of normal mantle and marginal zone B cells and their respective neoplastic counterparts may aid in the distinction between normal and neoplastic proliferations at these anatomical sites.     

Negative regulation of apoptotic death in immature B cells by CD45

Cross-linking of membrane IgM receptor on B cells induces tyroslnephosphorylation within 1 mln. This biochemical alteration triggersa cascade of signaling events which ultimately leads to activationin mature B cells but growth arrest and cell death by apoptosisin immature B cells. To study the mechanisms underlying thebifurcation of signals, we chose to examine the role of receptor-typeprotein tyroslne phosphatase (PTP) CD45 using CD45^– clonesisolated from an immature B cell line WEHI-231. Here we reportthat in CD45^– clones, tyroslne phosphorylation was constltutlvelyinduced but not enhanced by antl-IgM stimulation and anti-lgM-lnducedCa²⁺ flux was slightly delayed but evidently prolonged. Further,the degree of growth arrest and DNA fragmentation induced byantl-IgM antibody was more evident in CD45^– clones thanthe parental cells. These results indicate that initial alterationsin signaling are effectively transduced into effector signalsand that IgM receptor-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis inimmature B cells are negatively regulated by CD45.     

Detection of restricted isoform expression and tyrosine phosphatase activity of CD45 in murine dendritic cells

CD45 is a cell surface transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase. It is expressed as distinct protein isoforms via alternative splicing of exons 4, 5 and 6. In T and B lymphocytes, CD45 is thought to play a critical role in antigen-dependent signaling through their respective antigen receptor complexes. However, the isoform expression and enzymatic activity of CD45 in other leukocytes remains largely unknown. Here, we examine the isoform expression and phosphatase activity of CD45 in murine dendritic cells (DC). Flow cytometric double-labeling analysis and biochemical analysis of purified splenic DC CD45 demonstrate that DC express both the CD45RB and CD45RO isoforms. Flow cytometric analyses of freshly isolated splenic DC and thymic DC also indicate the expression of CD45RB and CD45RO on these DC populations. In addition, we find that purified splenic DC CD45 possesses a high level of intrinsic tyrosine phosphatase activity. These data therefore establish the restricted isoform expression pattern of CD45 in murine DC and demonstrate that cells lacking specific antigen receptor complexes have active tyrosine phosphatase activity associated with CD45.     

Effect of activation of protein kinase C on CD45 isoform expression and CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in T cells

The T200/leukocyte common antigen (CD45) is a family of at least five large-molecular weight glycoproteins, which are differentially expressed on T cell subsets. The CD45 antigen consists of a variable heavily glycosylated exterior domain, a single membrane-spanning region, and a large cytoplasmic domain that has protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity. In this study, we examined the effects of activation of protein kinase C (PKC) on the phosphorylation and expression of CD45 isoforms and PTPase activity in human T cells. After activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), CD45RA expression rapidly increased within the first 24 h, whereas CD45R0 expression did not change within this time. However by 48 h, expression of CD45R0 also began to increase. Metabolic labeling showed that the rapid increment in CD45RA expression observed after PMA stimulation is primarily due to increased de novo synthesis of the 205-kDa and not the 220-kDa molecule. PMA treatment resulted in the phosphorylation of each CD45 isoform to a degree corresponding to its relative surface expression. Significantly, we found that the phosphorylation of CD45 by PKC activation down-regulated CD45 PTPase activity.     

Loss of activation-induced CD45RO with maintenance of CD45RA expression during prolonged culture of T cells and NK cells.

The results of the present study show that activation-induced changes in CD45RA and CD45RO expression on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are not unidirectional for all cells during a 5-week culture period. T cells and NK cells were generated from a resting subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) defined by sedimentation at Percoll high buoyant densities (p greater than 1.0640 g/ml) and unresponsiveness to IL-2. T cells were activated by a combination of PHA, sheep erythrocytes and IL-2-conditioned medium (IL-2-CM), and NK cells were activated by co-culture with gamma-irradiated malignant melanoma (MM-170) cells and IL-2-CM. Both T-cell and NK-cell cultures were maintained by subculture in IL-2-CM. NK cells and the CD45R(Abright)RO(dim/neg) subpopulation of T cells gained CD45RO following activation and this was accompanied by a two-fold decrease in CD45RA expression. In different cultures, CD45RO expression was not stable on 28-80% of T cells and 10-55% of NK cells. Cells with decreased CD45RO expression showed increased expression of CD45RA. Instability of CD45RO expression on cultured T cells and NK cells occurred at a time following the period of rapid cell growth when the cells were entering a quiescent phase. Both the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulation showed similar changes in CD45 isoform expression. In contrast to the results obtained with the CD45R(Abright)RO(dim/neg) resting T cells, the CD45RO(bright)RA(dim/neg) subpopulation of resting T cells when activated and cultured under identical conditions retained CD45RO expression and remained CD45RAdim/neg. Thus a significant proportion of resting CD45R(Abright)RO(dim/neg) T cells is not related in a differentiation sequence to resting CD45RObrightRAdim/neg T cells, and therefore resting CD45RAbrightROdim/neg T cells and resting NK cells may be heterogeneous with respect to their activation history.     

Monoclonal antibodies to epitope of CD45R (B220) inhibit interleukin 4-mediated B cell proliferation and differentiation.

A mAb, ALP-2, produced by immunizing rats with proliferating lymph node cells from MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice, had an inhibitory effect on recombinant interleukin 4 (rIL-4)-mediated proliferation and differentiation of murine B cells. Kinetic analysis revealed that the ALP-2 exerted these inhibitory effects at an early phase of B cell proliferation and differentiation. Nevertheless, the proliferative response of thymocytes to rIL-4 was not inhibited by ALP-2. In addition, ALP-2 inhibited neither the B cell proliferation induced by interleukin 2 nor the B cell differentiation by interleukin 5. Cross-inhibition experiments, together with immunoblotting analysis, revealed that the LP-2 recognized by ALP-2 appears to be an epitope of CD45R (B220) molecule(s), the isoform(s) of the Ly-5 antigen system. Epitope mapping analysis using CD45 gene transfectants showed that Lp-2 epitope is dependent upon the expression of the first alternatively spliced exon of CD45 gene. Functional studies showed that the mAb to an epitope of CD45R, RA3-2C2, but not RA3-6B2, had similar inhibitory effects on the IL-4-mediated proliferative response of B cells. These findings suggest that the CD45R molecules associated with Lp-2 and RA3-2C2 epitopes are probably related to a signal transduction provided by IL-4 in B cells. The possibility that different pathways are operative for IL-4-mediated signaling between B and T cells has to be considered.     

Ligation of CD45 and the isoforms CD45RA and CD45RB accelerates the rate of constitutive apoptosis in human eosinophils

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are important effector cells in asthma pathogenesis, and an understanding of the mechanisms involved in eosinophil apoptosis induction might thus be relevant to the resolution of asthmatic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the role of the common leukocyte antigen CD45 and the isoforms CD45RA, CD45RB, and CD45RO in human eosinophil apoptosis induction. METHODS: Immmunostaining and flow cytometry were used to assess CD45 and CD45 isoform expression by eosinophils purified with use of density gradients and immunomagnetic negative selection. Apoptosis induction was measured by binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled annexin V to eosinophils cultured for 20 hours alone or with saturating quantities of mAb against CD45, CD45RA, CD45RB, CD45RO, CD9, CD11b, and isotype-matched controls in the presence or absence of GM-CSF. RESULTS: Freshly isolated eosinophils had high expression of CD45 and CD45RO, modest expression of CD45RB, and low expression of CD45RA. Eosinophils cultured alone for 20 hours were found to be approximately 20% to 25% apoptotic. Incubation with mAb against CD45, CD45RA, and CD45RB resulted in significant (P <.005) enhancement (>100%) of their constitutive rate of apoptosis. Incubation with CD45RO, CD11b, CD9 mAb, or isotype controls had no significant effect on the rate of eosinophil constitutive apoptosis. The addition of GM-CSF inhibited eosinophil apoptosis but did not prevent CD45, CD45RA, or CD45RB mAb-dependent apoptosis induction. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that ligation of CD45, CD45RA, or CD45RB represents a novel pathway for the induction of apoptosis in human eosinophils.     

Abnormal CD45RC expression and elevated CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in LEC rat peripheral CD4+ T cells

LEG rats are known to show a maturational arrest in the development of CD4⁺8⁺ to CD4⁺8^? cells in the thymus. Despite the blockade of maturation of CD4⁺8^? thymocytes, CD4⁺ T cells were observed in peripheral lymphoid organs, and these cells exhibit a defect in interleukin-2 (IL-2) production upon concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Although peripheral CD4⁺ cells in normal rat highly expressed CD45RC (CD45RC^high), the level of CD45RC expression was low (CD45RC^low) in LEC rat peripheral CD4⁺ cells. However, CD4⁺ cells from both strains highly expressed CD45 when those cells were stained by pan-CD45 mAb, suggesting that LEC rat CD4⁺ cells are deficient in expression of the CD45RC isoform, but not of CD45 molecules. When backcross rats from (F344 × LEC)F₁ × LEC were examined, the phenotype for CD45 expression pattern in CD4⁺ cells was clearly correlated with IL-2 production level in response to Con A stimulation. Thus, CD45RC^low cells exhibit a defect in IL-2 production, while CD45RC^high cells show normal IL-2 production. Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity in the membrane fraction of LEC rat CD4⁺ cells was threefold higher than that of normal rat CD4⁺ cells. Con A stimulation led to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation levels, especially 100- and 40-kDa proteins, in normal rat CD4⁺ cells. In LEC rat CD4⁺ cells, however, the level of tyrosine phosphorylation in those proteins were very low. These results suggest that an elevated CD45 PTPase activity is responsive for a defect in IL-2 production in LEC rat peripheral CD4⁺ T cells.     

Co-expression of the CD45RA and CD45RO antigens on T lymphocytes in chronic arthritis

The site of T lymphocyte activation in chronic arthritis is unknown. Peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes from chronic arthritis patients are in a ‘naïve’ or non-activated state, as defined by expression of the CD45RA antigen and lack of HLA class II expression. In contrast, most synovial fluid (SF) T lymphocytes express a ‘memory’ or activated phenotype, as defined by the CD45RO antigen and high HLA class II expression. Following stimulation, naive cells lose CD45RA and gain CD45RO expression to become memory cells with a transitional stage of dual CD45RA, CD45RO antigen expression. To localize where this change in phenotype occurs we used dual colour immunofluorescence labelling to compare the percentage of dual CD45RA, CD45ROpositive T lymphocytes in PB and SF from chronic arthritic patients and from normal PB, assuming this population would be increased at the primary site of T lymphocyte activation. Expression of the intermediate and late activation marker. HLA-DR, was also analysed using dual colour immunofluorescence labelling. The percentage of dual positive T lymphocytes was similar between arthritic PB, SF. and normal PB, as was the density of both CD45RA and CD45RO antigens. Thus, CD45 isoform expression did not indicate where T lymphocytes were activated. However, we identified a previously unreported population of CD45RA⁺ CD45RO⁺ HLA-DR^- T lymphocytes in arthritic and normal PB. In SF, this population was absent, but a substantial number of dual CD45RA, CD45RO-positive HLA-DR⁺ T lymphocytes were identified. This population would not be predicted by the current model of T lymphocyte activation. Division of T lymphocytes into functional groups on the basis of CD45 isoform expression is likely to be more complicated than previously thought. Based on our findings we propose an alternative model of T lymphocyte differentiation.     

CD45RO+ memory T cells but not CD45RA+ naive T cells can be efficiently activated by remote co-stimulation with B7

Co-stimulatory signals are absolutely required for T cell activationafter TCR–MHC-peptide interaction. The most importantco-stimulatory signal known so far is mediated by the interactionof CD28 on T cells with B7 on APC. Here we demonstrate thatthe co-stimulatory signal from the B7 molecule does not necessarilyhave to come from the same cell which presents antigen. Titrationcurves obtained by limiting the amount of anti-CD3 mAb suggeststhat the same amount of TCR–CD3 cross-linking is requiredfor full T cell activation whether B7 is present on the sameor on another cell, but that the kinetics of T cell activationis slower when B7 is present on a separate cell from the primarysignal. Finally and most importantly we also show that CD45RO⁺memory T cells, but not CD45RA⁺ naive T cells, can be efficientlyactivated when B7 is expressed on bystander cells. These findingsimply that co-stimulatory activation requirements of B7 aremore stringent for naive than for memory T cells, which couldbe an important mechanism involved in the maintenance of self-tolerance.     

Expression of CD45 isoforms in lymph node reactive hyperplasia

The CD45 antigen family consists of multiple molecular isoforms ranging from 180 to 220 kDa. The highest Mr isoforms are recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) designated CD45RA, while those recognizing the low Mr isoforms are designated CD45RO. T cells expressing CD45RA are "naive" or unprimed, while those expressing CD45RO have "memory." Further, stimulation of CD45RA+ T cells induces an isoform switch to the CD45RA-/CD45RO+ phenotype. The present study examined this in vitro process by determining the in vivo CD45 isoform expression of T cells from human hyperplastic lymph nodes. Hyperplastic, as opposed to nonhyperplastic, lymph nodes exhibited the expected CD45 isoform switch from CD45RA+ to CD45RO+ T cells that has been described in vitro. The percentage of CD45RO+ T cells did not correlate with other parameters of lymphoid activation. Thus, CD45RO expression probably represents a marker of differentiation and acquisition of "memory" or late cellular activation.     

Age-related accumulation of LFA-1high cells in a CD8+CD45RAhigh T cell population

The differential expression of CD45 isoforms has been suggested as a marker for stages of post-thymic T cell development, that is, CD45RA+CD45R0^? T cells and CD45RA^?CD45R0⁺ T cells are supposed to be virgin and memory cells respectively. Recently, several adhesion molecules have been shown to be up-regulated on the cell surface of memory T cells, and have been suggested to serve as a memory marker. In this study, we investigated the levels of LFA-1 expression on T cells in various subpopulations defined by CD45 isoform expression in donors of various ages. In CD4⁺ T cells, the proportion of LFA-1^high cells among CD45RA^highCD45R0-T cells remained low in all age groups and did not show significant accumulation with age. CD4⁺CD45RA^?CD45R0^highTcells expressed LFA-1 at a higher level than CD4⁺CD45RA^highCD45R0^? T cells. Thus, the currently prevailing view that CD45RA and CD45R0 can be markers for virgin and primed cells was consistent with LFA-1 expression in CD4⁺ T cell population. In CD8⁺ T cells, however, CD45RA^highCD45R0^? T cells consisted of two distinct subpopulations, LFA-1^low and LFA-1^high cells, whereas CD45RA^?CD45R0^high T cells were almost exclusively LFA-1^high When CD29 expression was examined in place of LFA-1 expression, similar results were obtained; CD45RA^high CD45R0^? T cells consisted of two distinct subpopulations, CD29-^{to low} and CD^29high cells, while CD45RA-CD45R0^high T cells were mostly CD29^high. The proportion of LFA-1^high cells in the CD8+CD45RA^high T cell subpopulation increased significantly as a function of age (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). It ranged from 8% in a 14-year-old donor to 94% in a 79-year-old donor. Furthermore, the proportion of CD8⁺CD45RA^highLFA-1^high cells in the CD8⁺ T cell population increased significantly as a function of age (r = 0.85, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the proportion of LEA-1^high cells in CD8⁺CD45RA^? T cell subpopulation exceeded 90% in most donors irrespective of age. These results indicate that the CD8⁺CD45RA^highCD45R0^? T cell subpopulation contains a considerable number of LFA-1^high cells and CD29^high cells, phenotypically similar to previously activated cells. Thus, in terms of LFA-1 and CD29 expressions, the simple scheme that CD45RA is a marker of virgin cells is not applicable to the CD8⁺ T cell population.     

Dual expression of CD45RA and CD45RO isoforms on myelin basic protein-specific CD4+ T-cell lines in multiple sclerosis

Myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T-cell lines from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls were analyzed for the expression of CD45 isoforms and adhesion molecules. In the multiple sclerosis group, 22 of 24 MBP-specific T-cell lines were CD4+. Two distinct patterns were observed with regard to CD45 isoform expression. Pattern I showed dual expression of CD45 isoforms (CD4+CD45RA+CD45RO+CD29+) and Pattern II included cells with a single CD45 isoform (CD4+CD45RA–CD45RO+CD29+). All 10 cell lines from healthy controls were CD4+ and displayed Pattern II (CD4+CD45RA–CD45RO+CD29+). The dual expression of CD45 isoform in T-cell lines from MS was stable, did not represent a transition stage from CD45RA to CD45RO, and was cell-cycle independent. All cell lines from MS and controls expressed increased levels of LFA-1 (CD11a), LFA-2 (CD2), LFA-3 (CD58), ICAM-1 (CD54), and VLA-4 (CDw49d). These data show the presence of unique MBP-specific T cells (CD4+CD45RA+CD45RO+CD29+) that might play a role in the pathogenesis of MS.     

The Role of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase CD45 in Regulation of B Lymphocyte Activation

The transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 is expressed throughout B cell development and differentiation, with the exception of terminally differentiated plasma cells on which its expression is down regulated. Numerous studies using CD45-deficient B cell lines and CD45-deficient mice have clearly demonstrated that CD45 plays an important role in modulating the signal that is transduced via the B cell antigen receptor by regulating the phosphorylation state of Src family kinases. Spatial and temporal controls enable CD45 to promote B cell antigen receptor signal transduction by constitutively maintaining Src family kinases in a partially active state, such that the B cell is able to effectively respond to an antigenic challenge. Moreover, CD45 is required for optimal activation of Ca²⁺-dependent and MAP kinase-dependent signal transduction pathways in the B cell. The net result is that CD45 affects the B cell response by controlling the relative threshold of sensitivity to a given antigenic stimulus. Thus, CD45 expression and function is required for normal B cell development, tolerance induction, and responsiveness to antigen.     

Differential effects of CD45 CD45R and CD45R0 monoclonal antibodies in modulating human B cell activation.

We have examined the effect of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to different epitopes of the leucocyte common antigen (LCA), CD45, on anti-human immunoglobulin-primed B cell activation. Binding of MoAbs to restricted epitopes present on CD45 glycoproteins of 180 kD and 220 kD (designated CD45R0 and CD45R, respectively) was found to promote B cell proliferation in the presence of T cells. CD45 MoAbs reactive with 'public' determinants on all four constituent members of the LCA family (180, 190, 205, and 220 kD) had either little effect or inhibited the basal B cell response to anti-immunoglobulin priming. Simultaneous immunofluorescent analysis of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and the expression of CD19 (B cell specific) or CD2 (T cell specific) identified the majority of responder cells as B lymphocytes. CD45R MoAbs significantly enhanced the B cell response to sub-optimal concentrations of interleukin-2. CD45 and CD45R0 MoAbs failed to elicit a similar response. Antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor (anti-Tac) partially blocked the CD45R-driven, T cell-dependent B cell proliferation.     

CD4+ T cell hyper-responsiveness in CD45 transgenic mice is independent of isoform

The CD45 tyrosine phosphatase is required for T cell development and function by virtue of its role as a positive regulator of src family kinase activity. In addition, recent data have highlighted that CD45 also acts as a negative regulator of Lck function by dephosphorylation of critical tyrosine residues. Lck functionality and TCR responsiveness are elevated in transgenic mice expressing the CD45RO isoform at 'intermediate' (10-40% of wild type) levels, indicating that the expression level of CD45 is critical in determining the sensitivity of T cells to TCR stimulation. However, it is unclear whether such a phenotype is specific for the CD45RO isoform, typically expressed by activated T cells. In the present work, the roles of three isoforms of CD45, RO, RB and RABC, in thymocyte development, T cell responses and TCR signalling pathways were directly compared. The data demonstrate that expression of CD45RB or CD45RABC at intermediate levels also results in CD4(+) T cell hyper-reactivity, as previously published for CD45RO. These data emphasize the dual functions of CD45 as both a positive and a negative regulators of TCR signalling irrespective of specific isoform expression.     

Altered CD45 isoform expression affects lymphocyte function in CD45 Tg mice

Transgenic mice have been constructed expressing high (CD45RABC) and low (CD45R0) molecular weight CD45 isoforms on a CD45-/- background. Phenotypic analysis and in vivo challenge of these mice with influenza and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses shows that T cell differentiation and peripheral T cell function are related to the level of CD45 expression but not to which CD45 isoform is expressed. In contrast, B cell differentiation is not restored, irrespective of the level of expression of a single isoform. All CD45 trangenic mice have T cells with an activated phenotype and increased T cell turnover. These effects are more prominent in CD8 than CD4 cells. The transgenic mice share several properties with humans expressing variant CD45 alleles and provide a model to understand immune function in variant individuals.