Ligation of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens (MHC-I) prevents apoptosis induced by Fas or SAPK/JNK activation in T-lymphoma cells

Early apoptosis in Jurkat T-lymphoma cells was induced by agonistic anti-Fas Ab or by anisomycin which activates the stress kinases SAPK/JNK. Apoptosis was inhibited by ligation of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens (MHC-I). MHC-I ligation induced upregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and stabilized the mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim). MHC-I ligation also prevented downregulation of Bcl-2 and destabilization of Deltapsim induced by anti-Fas Ab treatment or anisomycin exposure. Studies on three different Jurkat cell mutants deficient for src p56(lck), ZAP-70 kinase, or TCR/CD3 gamma-chain showed that the cells undergo apoptosis after Fas ligation. Anisomycin exposure induced apoptosis in the src p56(lck)-deficient cell line but not in the two other mutant cell lines. Simultaneous cross-linking of MHC-I and Fas ligation inhibited apoptosis in the ZAP-70 kinase and the TCR/CD3 gamma-chain mutants, but did not protect the src p56(lck)-deficient cells. Similarly, MHC-I ligation did not protect anisomycin-treated src p56(lck)-deficient cells against apoptosis. These data suggest that MHC-I-induced inhibition of apoptosis depends on intact src p56(lck) activity, but not on major secondary messenger molecules associated with TCR signaling. Overall the results support the idea that signal transduction by MHC-I molecules is involved in homeostatic processes of importance for T-cell survival and death.     

Cellular stimulation via CD95 involves activation of phospho-inositide-3-kinase

 Several distinct intracellular pathways have been recently shown to be activated during CD95/Fas/APO-1-mediated apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that CD95 ligation induces a rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3-K) in Jurkat T lymphocytes or CD95-sensitive glioma cells. Experiments using p56lck-deficient or p56lck-reconstituted Jurkat clones and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PI-3-K by CD95 depends on expression of Src-like tyrosine kinases, in particular p56lck. PI-3-K stimulation seems to be critical for CD95 receptor signalling since, first, inhibition of PI-3-K prevents CD95-mediated apoptosis and, second, CD95 receptor ligation fails to induce tyrosine phosphorylation or activation of PI-3-K in CD95-resistant glioma cells. Thus, PI-3-K activation may be an early signalling event during CD95-induced apoptosis, and failure to stimulate PI-3-K may predict tumor cell resistance to CD95-triggered apoptosis. Received: 14 May 1997 / Received after revision: 28 October 1997 / Accepted: 29 October 1997     

Both T cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex and CD2 increase the tyrosine kinase activity of p56lck. CD2 can mediate TcR-CD3-independent and CD45-dependent activation of p56lck.

T cell activation by triggering the T cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex leads to a dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. To date, there has been no direct evidence on the identity of the tyrosine kinase activity implicated in this signaling pathway. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of human T cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody increases tyrosine kinase activity of p56lck. This extends our previous findings which demonstrated the involvement of p56lck kinase activity in the CD2 signal transduction pathway. The results from peripheral blood lymphocytes and Jurkat cell line showed in both cases an early and transient change in the specific activity of p56lck, followed by a shift to a higher apparent molecular mass. Therefore, to test directly the role of TcR-CD3 in CD2-induced activation of p56lck, we utilized mutant variants of the Jurkat cell line lacking in cell surface TcR-CD3. We found that cell surface expression of TcR-CD3 is not required for the activation of p56lck via CD2 but is necessary for the appearance of the reduced-electrophoretic-mobility form of p56lck observed after CD2 triggering. By isolating CD45- mutants from Jurkat cells, we observed that surface expression of the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 is required in order to increase p56lck activity following CD2 stimulation, while CD4-induced activation of the kinase remained unchanged. These data provide evidence for a specific functional linkage between CD2 and p56lck, in which CD45 may play an essential role.     

Inhibition of CD28-mediated natural cytotoxicity by KIR2DL2 does not require p56(lck) in the NK cell line YT-Indy.

CD28 functions as a cytotoxicity activation receptor in the NK cell line YT-Indy. To analyze the requirement of p56(lck) kinase in the function of killer inhibitory receptors, we transfected the p56(lck) negative YT-Indy cell line with the cl43 gene encoding for KIR2DL2. Pervanadate treatment revealed KIR2DL2 phosphorylation in YT-Indy-cl43, as well as SHP1/SHP2 recruitment. YT-Indy-cl43 cells were inhibited in their ability to lyse target cells expressing HLA-Cw3, a ligand for KIR2DL2. This inhibition was blocked by anti-KIR2DL2 or anti-HLA class I mAb. CD28 crosslinking on YT-Indy-cl43 enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1. The simultaneous ligation of KIR2DL2 with mAb resulted in a decrease in CD28-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 confirming that dephosphorylation of this protein is involved in the KIR2DL2-induced inhibition of CD28-mediated cytotoxicity. As YT-Indy-cl43 did not express detectable levels of p56(lck), these results indicate that this kinase is not required for transmitting the negative signals generated by KIR2DL2 ligation.     

Ligation of HLA class II molecules promotes sensitivity to CD95 (Fas antigen,APO-1)-mediated apoptosis

CD95 (Fas antigen/APO-1) is up-regulated in activated lymphocytes, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) to CD95 induces apoptosis. HLA class II molecules play a key role in antigen presentation, ligation of which induces signal transduction. We examined 18 lymphoid cell lines (15 B cell and 3 T cell lines) to investigate the effects of ligation of HLA class II molecules on CD95-mediated apoptosis. All of the five immature B cell lines were sensitive to anti-CD95 mAb, and ligation of HLA class II molecules promoted CD95-mediated apoptosis. In seven B-blastoid cell lines, two Burkitt lines were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb in spite of high expression of CD95. In three of five non-Burkitt B-blastoid lines, CD95-mediated apoptosis was augmented by treatment with anti-HLA class II mAb, while the other two lines lacking CD95 were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb. Three plasmacytic cell lines showed CD95-mediated apoptosis, but enhancement by anti-HLA class II mAb was slight in one cell line and was not observed in the other two lines. Out of three HLA class II antigen-positive T cell lines, CD95-mediated apoptosis was observed to some degree in one cell line but was not promoted by the treatment with anti-HLA class II mAb, and the other two cell lines were resistant to anti-CD95 mAb. Ligation of HLA class II molecules did not alter CD95 expression in the five cell lines examined, except Su-DHL-4 originated from a follicular lymphoma, which showed slight up-regulation. Taken together, ligation of HLA class II molecules apparently promotes CD95-mediated apoptosis in immature B cells and non-Burkitt B blasts. These findings highlight the role of HLA class II molecules in CD95-mediated apoptosis, which may facilitate rapid clearance of functionally useless cells from the immune system and might be involved in negative selection of B cells.     

CD4-independent signal transduction through the T-cell receptor (TCR/CD3).

The membrane-bound CD4 glycoprotein has been proposed to act like a co-receptor along with the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3) during ligand recognition and cell activation. Due to its association with the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) p56lck, CD4 is believed to transduce a signal and support CD3 activation of T cells. In this study we have shown that CD3 ligation on murine T-cell hybridomas induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins, including phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1), both in the presence as well as in the absence of CD4-linked p56lck. Furthermore, using HPB clones deficient in CD3/PTK association, it has been found that the presence of CD4/p56lck does not overcome the defect in signalling. Not even co-aggregation of CD4 with CD3 triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in these cells. Together, the present results indicate that CD3-linked PTK(s) plays a primary role in the induction of signalling through TCR/CD3, and the presence of CD4/p56lck is neither necessary nor sufficient to elicit these events. In the light of these results a possible role for CD4 in antigen presentation has been proposed.     

Ligation of either CD2 or CD28 rescues CD4+ T cells from HIV-gp120-induced apoptosis

Temporal or quantitative imbalance in signals delivered to T cells via T cell antigen receptor (TCR), the CD4 co-receptor, and accessory molecules can lead to anergy, apoptosis, or both. This has been observed following ligation of CD4 by HIV gp120 prior to TCR occupancy. The ability of molecules such as CD2 and CD28, interacting with their ligands LFA-3 and B7, to provide signals that protect T cells from the induction of anergy, has been reported. Here, we demonstrate that ligation of CD2 and CD28 in conjunction with TCR occupancy rescue T cells that have been programmed for apoptotic death by prior CD4 ligation to gp120. This appears to be the result of augmented interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 release by the T cells following these molecular interactions. In conclusion, our results suggest that an impairment of antigen-presenting accessory cell functions could favor gp120-mediated apoptosis in HIV-uninfected cells.     

Signal transduction by the major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.

Ligation of cell surface major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) proteins by antibodies, or by their native counter receptor, the CD8 molecule, mediates transduction of signals into the cells. MHC-I-mediated signaling can lead to both increased and decreased activity of the MHC-I-expressing cell depending on the fine specificity of the anti-MHC-I antibodies, the context of CD8 ligation, the nature and cell cycle state of the MHC-I-expressing cell and the presence or absence of additional cellular or humoral stimulation. This paper reviews the biochemical, physiological and cellular events immediately after and at later intervals following MHC-I ligation. It is hypothesized that MHC-I expression, both ontogenically and in evolution, is driven by a cell-mediated selection pressure advantageous to the MHC-I-expressing cell. Accordingly, in addition to their role in T-cell selection and functioning, MHC-I molecules might be of importance for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis not only within the immune system, but also in the interplay between the immune system and other organ systems.     

Determination of the tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the T cell transmembrane glycoprotein CD5

Studies of CD5-deficient mice indicate that the transmembrane glycoprotein CD5 negatively regulates antigen receptor-mediated signals in thymocytes, lymph node T cells and B1a cells. CD5 contains four tyrosine residues in its cytoplasmic domain and is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following antigen receptor ligation. Recently it has been proposed that CD5 function is dependent on the recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 to tyrosine-phosphorylated CD5 and subsequent dephosphorylation of signaling molecules. In this study we investigated the requirements for, and sites of, CD5 tyrosine phosphorylation. Using a T cell line deficient in the tyrosine kinase p56(lck) and the same cell line reconstituted with this kinase, we show that p56(lck) expression is required for efficient CD5 tyrosine phosphorylation. Using tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides corresponding to CD5 cytoplasmic sequences we also show that the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of p56(lck) binds prominently to pY429SQP, with 30-fold less affinity to pY463DLQ and not to pY441PAL. A number of murine CD5 Y --> F and deletion mutants were expressed in Jurkat T cells. The Y441F mutant was tyrosine phosphorylated at levels comparable to wild-type, but the Y429F and Y463F mutants were phosphorylated at lower levels. Two deletion mutants, which contain only one tyrosine residue (Y378) located at the interface of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, were not tyrosine phosphorylated, suggesting that Y378 is not readily available for phosphorylation. Taken together these results suggest that both Y429 and Y463 can recruit p56(lck), and that these residues are the only prominent sites for CD5 tyrosine phosphorylation.     

CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase and p56lck protein tyrosine kinase: a functional complex crucial in T cell signal transduction.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins is observed very early during T cell activation. p56lck, a non-receptor src-like protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) which is associated with the intracellular domains of CD4 and CD8 co-receptors, has been implicated in these early signal transduction events. Furthermore, recent experiments indicate that the receptor phosphotyrosine phosphatase, CD45, might be important in the regulation of p56lck PTK activity and that its expression is required for the generation of second messenger molecules following TCR triggering. Here, using co-capping experiments and double indirect immunofluorescence microscopy in functional human T lymphocytes, a specific co-distribution of a significant fraction of p56lck with CD45, but not with several other cell surface proteins, has been revealed. This is the first demonstration of a physical interaction between a receptor phosphotyrosine phosphatase and a PTK under physiologically relevant conditions. In addition, after antibody-induced capping of CD4, both a co-localization of p56lck and CD4, and concomitantly a significant increase in intracellular phosphotyrosine at the sites of CD4 caps were observed. In strong contrast to these results, co-clustering of CD4 with CD45 did not result in any detectable intracellular phosphotyrosine at the cap sites. These data indicate that CD45 can act on CD4-associated phosphoproteins in viable human T lymphocytes. Further, this provides evidence that p56lck PTK is a substrate of CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase in vivo and thereby supports the idea that CD45 is an early regulator of T cell activation involved in the modulation of the coupling of receptor-triggered events to intracellular signalling pathways.     

MUC1 (CD227) interacts with lck tyrosine kinase in Jurkat lymphoma cells and normal T cells

MUC1 (CD227) is a large transmembrane epithelial mucin glycoprotein, which is aberrantly overexpressed in most adenocarcinomas and is a target for immune therapy for epithelial tumors. Recently, MUC1 has been detected in a variety of hematopoietic cell malignancies including T and B cell lymphomas and myelomas; however, its function in these cells is not clearly defined. Using the Jurkat T cell lymphoma cell line and normal human T cells, we demonstrate that MUC1 is not only expressed in these cells but is also phosphorylated upon T cell receptor (TCR) ligation and associates with the Src-related T cell tyrosine kinase, p56lck. Upon TCR-mediated activation of Jurkat cells, MUC1 is found in the low-density membrane fractions, where linker of T cell activation is contained. Abrogation of MUC1 expression in Jurkat cells by MUC1-specific small interfering RNA resulted in defects in TCR-mediated downstream signaling events associated with T cell activation. These include reduction in Ca2+ influx and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, leading to a decrease in CD69 expression, proliferation, and interleukin-2 production. These results suggest a regulatory role of MUC1 in modulating proximal signal transduction events through its interaction with proteins of the activation complex.     

Interactions between the tyrosine kinases p56lck,p59fyn and p50csk in CD4 signaling in T cells

Interaction of the CD4 co-receptor with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules during antigen presentation results in enhancement of antigen receptor signaling. The synergism between the two receptors is believed to result from the juxtaposition of the CD4-associated tyrosine kinase p56lck with the cytoplasmic domains of CD3 complex components. Here, we report that cross-linking of CD4 on the surface of Jurkat cells using monoclonal antibodies results in activation of the CD3-associated kinase p59fyn. Co-cross-linking of CD4 and CD3 results in synergistic activation of p59fyn. The p59fyn kinase is also hyperactive in a Jurkat cell line stably transfected with a constitutively active p56lck mutant, indicating that p56lck mediates CD4 activation of p59fyn. In support of this hypothesis, expression of a dominant inhibitory mutant of p59fyn blocks CD4 signals involved in gene activation. In addition, the p59fyn dominant inhibitor mutant blocks gene-activating signals induced by expression of a constitutively active mutant of p56lck. Overexpression of the regulatory kinase p50csk, which attenuates TcR signaling by inactivation of p59fyn, inhibits signaling from the constitutively active form of p56lck. Taken together, these data suggest that CD4/p56lck enhancement of TcR signaling is, at least in part, mediated by activation of p59fyn, and may be regulated by p50csk.     

Conversion of p56(lck) to p60(lck) in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes is dependent on co- stimulation through accessory receptors: involvement of phospholipase C, protein kinase C and MAP-kinases in vivo

Activation of T cells requires co-stimulation of the TCR and accessory receptors like CD2, CD4, CD8, CD11a or CD28. Engagement of the TCR without co-stimulation results in anergy / apoptosis. Here we show that induction of the shift of the tyrosine kinase p56lck from 56 kDa to apparent 60 kDa in resting human peripheral blood T cells (PBT) is strictly dependent on co-stimulation through both TCR and accessory receptors. In contrast, triggering of the TCR alone is only sufficient to induce the lck shift in preactivated cells like T cell clones or the T lymphoma line Jurkat. Our studies predict an involvement of a phospholipase C isoform which surprisingly acts downstream of a phorbolester-sensitive, H7-insensitive protein kinase C. Inhibition of the lck shift in vivo by U73122, a specific inhibitor of phospholipase C, correlates with reduced activation of the MAP-kinases ERK1 / 2. Moreover, the MEK1-specific inhibitor PD98059 blocks the lck shift in vivo. These findings demonstrate that activation of the MEK1-ERK1 / 2 pathway is required for lck conversion in vivo. The lck shift is not inducible by co-stimulation through acidic sphingomyelinase or ceramides which even prevent ERK2 activation in PBT. Moreover, it is resistant to treatment with W7, KN62 and cyclosporin A.     

Biochemical analysis of the CD45-p56(lck) complex in Jurkat T cells lacking expression of lymphocyte phosphatase-associated phosphoprotein

In human and mouse lymphocytes the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45, a key molecule involved in T cell activation, non-covalently associates with the tyrosine kinase p56(lck) and lymphocyte phosphatase-associated phosphoprotein (LPAP), a 32 kDa phosphoprotein of unknown function. In order to gain insight into the function of LPAP we have generated an LPAP-deficient Jurkat variant by means of antisense strategies. Analysis of the CD45-p56(lck) molecular complex in this cell line revealed that loss of LPAP does not alter the expression or the enzymatic activity of CD45 or p56(lck). In addition, the association between CD45 and p56(lck) is not affected in LPAP-deficient T cells. These data suggest that LPAP does not regulate the enzymatic activity of CD45 or p56(lck) and is not required for the association between these two proteins. In order to identify polypeptides that preferentially associate with LPAP we established a Jurkat variant expressing a chimeric receptor which was composed of the extracellular portion of the human HLA-A2.1 molecule and the full-length LPAP protein. Comparative two-dimensional analysis of CD45 and HLA-A2 immunoprecipitates obtained from these cells following metabolic labeling resulted in the identification of a 43 kDa protein that preferentially associates with LPAP under mild detergent conditions.      

Interaction of CD4:lck with the T cell receptor/CD3 complex induces early signaling events in the absence of CD45 tyrosine phosphatase.

Antibody-mediated ligation of the CD3/T cell antigen receptor (TcR) activates phospholipase C (PLC) via a tyrosine kinase signaling pathway that requires expression of the transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase CD45. In normal T cells, CD3-mediated PLC activation is significantly augmented by co-ligation of CD3 with the CD4 co-receptor; however, unlike CD3-associated tyrosine kinases, antibody-induced activation of the CD4-associated tyrosine kinase p56lck does not require CD45 expression. To explore the role of CD45 in the CD3 and CD4 activation pathways further, we examined the effect of CD3/CD4 cross-linking on tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C in CD45- mutant cells of the T cell leukemia line HPB.ALL. In accord with previous observations, anti-CD3 stimulation of the CD45-deficient cells failed to activate tyrosine kinases, or PLC as measured by mobilization of intracellular calcium. However, we show here that ligation of CD3 with CD4 leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1 and elevation in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in CD45- cells that is in excess of that seen in CD45+ cells. Since CD4 stimulation alone did not activate PLC, a component of the CD3 signaling pathway must be independent of CD45. Anti-CD4-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of CD4-associated lck was also enhanced in CD45- cells, suggesting that increased lck activation compensates for the defect in CD3/TcR signaling, such that interaction of the CD3 signaling pathway with the CD4-associated pathway activates PLC even in the absence of CD45. The data demonstrate that the requirement for CD45 in coupling CD3/TcR to the PI-PLC activation cascade is not absolute, but rather substantiates a role for CD45 in modifying molecular interactions that control T cell activation.     

Ligation of the T cell co-stimulatory receptor CD28 activates the serine-threonine protein kinase protein kinase B

The intracellular signaling pathways activated upon ligation of the co-stimulatory receptor CD28 remain relatively ill-defined, although CD28 ligation does result in the strong association with, and activation of, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. The downstream effector targets of the CD28-activated PI 3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway remain poorly defined, but recent evidence from other systems has shown that Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) is a major target of PI 3-kinase and have indicated that a major function of PKB is the regulation of cell survival events. Given the strong coupling of CD28 to PI 3-kinase and the known protective effects of both CD28 and PI 3-kinase against apoptosis in different cell models, we investigated the effects of CD28 on PKB activation. We demonstrate that ligation of CD28 by either anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies or the natural ligand B7.1, results in the marked activation of PKB in both the leukemic T cell line Jurkat and freshly isolated human peripheral blood-derived normal T lymphocytes. Our data suggest therefore, that PKB may be an important intracellular signal involved in CD28 signal transduction and demonstrate CD28 coupling to downstream elements of a signaling cascade known to promote cell survival.     

Simultaneous cross-linking of CD6 and CD28 induces cell proliferation in resting T cells.

In the present study, we showed that simultaneous ligation of the monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against CD6 and CD28 induces T-cell proliferation in purified resting T lymphocytes in the absence of T-cell receptor (TCR) occupancy. No cell proliferation was observed when the mAb were cross-linked alone or used simultaneously in the soluble form. T-cell proliferation mediated through CD6/CD28 is accompanied by the up-regulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNA and expression of IL-2 receptors on the cell surface. In the presence of IL-2-neutralizing mAb the proliferative response of the T cell induced through CD6/CD28 was inhibited dose dependently. Cross-linking mAb to CD6 and CD28 alone or together did not down-regulate the CD3/TCR complex. T-cell proliferation mediated through CD6/CD28 was only partially blocked by the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporin A (CsA), whereas anti-CD28-induced T-cell proliferation in the presence of the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), was unaffected. In sharp contrast T-cell proliferation mediated by anti-CD6 in the presence of TPA was efficiently blocked by CsA. In addition, two protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, GF 109203X and H-7 dose-dependently inhibited T-cell proliferation mediated through CD6/CD28, suggesting that PKC activation may be involved. Furthermore, there was a marked differential dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the PKC inhibitors on T-cell proliferation mediated by the co-ligation of anti-CD6 or anti-CD28 in the presence of anti-CD3, with the former being more sensitive to PKC inhibition. Taken collectively, our results suggest that T-cell activation can occur through an antigen-independent pathway by cross-linking the accessory molecules, CD6 and CD28, and that these two cell surface antigens may have distinct signalling pathways.     

The CD45 tyrosine phosphatase regulates Campath-1H (CD52)-induced TCR-dependent signal transduction in human T cells

Campath-1H, a humanized mAb undergoing clinical trials for treatment of leukemia, transplantation and autoimmune diseases, produces substantial lymphocyte depletion in vivo.The antibody binds to CD52, a highly glycosylated molecule attached to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Cross-linked Campath-1H is known to activate T cells in vitro. We have investigated the molecular basis for these effects by comparing the protein tyrosine phosphorylation signals induced by Campath-1H and the CD3 mAb OKT3 in primary T cells, and in CD45(+)TCR(+), CD45(-)TCR(+) and CD45(+)TCR(-) Jurkat subclones transfected with CD52. Our results show that Campath-1H triggers similar tyrosine phosphorylation events as OKT3 in both primary T cells and in the CD45(+)TCR(+) Jurkat sub-clone, albeit at quantitatively lower levels. However, no phospholipase C gamma 1 activation nor calcium signals were detected in response to CD52 ligation. The CD52-mediated induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was absolutely dependent upon the expression of both the TCR and the CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase at the cell surface. Cross-linking of Campath-1H was essential for signal transduction in all cells investigated. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to demonstrate CD52 homo-association at the cell surface in Jurkat T cells in a TCR- and CD45-independent manner, and CD52-TCR association in CD45(+)TCR(+) cells. We propose a model to explain the activating effects of Campath-1H in which CD52 mAb cross-linking causes the trapping of TCR polypeptides within molecular complexes at the cell surface, thereby inducing signals via the TCR by a process which depends on the CD45-mediated regulation of the p56(lck) and p59(fyn) tyrosine kinases.