Quantitative Contribution of CD4 and CD8 to T Cell Antigen Receptor Serial Triggering

CD4 and CD8 are thought to function as coreceptors by binding to the cognate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules recognized by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and initiating the signal transduction cascade. We report that during T cell–antigen-presenting cell interaction, triggered TCRs and coreceptors are downregulated and degraded with identical kinetics. This coordinated disappearance takes place whenever the TCR is triggered, even when the coreceptor does not engage the cognate MHC molecule and is the consequence of binding of the coreceptor-associated Lck to ZAP-70. The interaction of coreceptor and cognate MHC molecules is dispensable when T cells are stimulated by optimal ligands, but becomes crucial when suboptimal ligands are used. In the latter case the coreceptor increases the efficiency of TCR triggering without changing the activation threshold or the quality of the T cell response.     

ZAP-70 protein promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of T cell receptor signaling motifs (ITAMs) in immature CD4(+)8(+) thymocytes with limiting p56(lck)

As a result of interaction with epithelial cells in the thymic cortex, immature CD4(+)8(+) (double positive, DP) thymocytes express relatively few T cell receptors (TCRs) and contain diminished numbers of coreceptor-associated p56(lck) (lck) PTK molecules. As a result, TCR signal transduction in DP thymocytes is significantly impaired, despite its importance for repertoire selection. We report here that, in DP thymocytes, tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR signaling motifs (ITAMs) by lck, an early event in TCR signal transduction, is dependent upon ZAP-70 protein independent of ZAP-70's kinase activity. Furthermore, the dependence on ZAP-70 protein for ITAM phosphorylation diminishes as available lck increases. Importantly, ZAP-70's role in ITAM phosphorylation in DP thymocytes is not limited to protecting phosphorylated ITAMs from dephosphorylation. Rather, this study indicates that ZAP-70 protein augments ITAM phosphorylation in DP thymocytes and so compensates in part for the relative deficiency of coreceptor-associated lck.     

Lck regulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the T cell receptor subunits and ZAP-70 in murine thymocytes

The Src-family and Syk/ZAP-70 family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are required for T cell receptor (TCR) functions. We provide evidence that the Src-family PTK Lck is responsible for regulating the constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the TCR zeta subunit in murine thymocytes. Moreover, ligation of the TCR expressed on thymocytes from Lck-deficient mice largely failed to induce the phosphorylation of TCR- zeta, CD3 epsilon, or ZAP-70. In contrast, we find that the TCR-zeta subunit is weakly constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in peripheral T cells isolated from Lck-null mice. These data suggest that Lck has a functional role in regulation of TCR signal transduction in thymocytes. In peripheral T cells, other Src-family PTKs such as Fyn may partially compensate for the absence of Lck.     

Requirement for tyrosine residues 315 and 319 within zeta chain-associated protein 70 for T cell development

Engagement of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) induces the transphosphorylation of the zeta chain-associated protein of 70,000 Mr (ZAP-70) protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) by the CD4/8 coreceptor associated Lck PTK. Phosphorylation of Tyr 493 within ZAP-70's activation loop results in the enzymatic activation of ZAP-70. Additional tyrosines (Tyrs) within ZAP-70 are phosphorylated that play both positive and negative regulatory roles in TCR function. Phosphorylation of Tyr residues (Tyrs 315 and 319) within the Interdomain B region of the ZAP-70 PTK plays important roles in the generation of second messengers after TCR engagement. Here, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of these two Tyr residues also play important roles in mediating the positive and negative selection of T cells in the thymus.     

Dissociation of Intracellular Signaling Pathways in Response to Partial Agonist Ligands of the T Cell Receptor

The T cell receptor (TCR) is a versatile receptor able to generate different signals that result in distinct T cell responses. The pattern of early signals is determined by the TCR binding kinetics that control the ability of the ligand to coengage TCR and coreceptor. Coengagement of TCR and CD4 results in an agonist signaling pattern with complete tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR subunits, and recruitment and activation of ZAP-70. In contrast, TCR engagement without CD4 coengagement causes a partial agonist type of signaling, characterized by distinct phosphorylation of TCR subunits and recruitment but no activation of ZAP-70. The pathways triggered by partial agonist signaling are unknown. Here, we show that agonists cause association of active lck and active ZAP-70 with p120-GTPase–activating protein (p120-GAP). These associations follow engagement of CD4 or CD3, respectively. In contrast, partial agonists do not activate lck or ZAP-70, but induce association of p120-GAP with inactive ZAP-70. Despite these differences, both agonist and partial agonist signals activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, MAPK activation by partial agonists is transient, supporting a kinetic, CD4-dependent model for the mechanism of action of variant TCR ligands. Transient MAPK activation may explain some of the responses to TCR partial agonists and antagonists.     

Reconstitution of T cell receptor signaling in ZAP-70-deficient cells by retroviral transduction of the ZAP-70 gene

A variant of severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID) with a selective inability to produce CD8 single positive T cells and a signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4+ cells has recently been shown to be the result of mutations in the ZAP-70 gene. T cell receptor (TCR) signaling requires the association of the ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase with the TCR complex. Human T cell leukemia virus type I- transformed CD4+ T cell lines were established from ZAP-70-deficient patients and normal controls. ZAP-70 was expressed and appropriately phosphorylated in normal T cell lines after TCR engagement, but was not detected in T cell lines from ZAP-70-deficient patients. To determine whether signaling could be reconstituted, wild-type ZAP-70 was introduced into deficient cells with a ZAP-70 retroviral vector. High titer producer clones expressing ZAP-70 were generated in the Gibbon ape leukemia virus packaging line PG13. After transduction, ZAP-70 was detected at levels equivalent to those observed in normal cells, and was appropriately phosphorylated on tyrosine after receptor engagement. The kinase activity of ZAP-70 in the reconstituted cells was also appropriately upregulated by receptor aggregation. Moreover, normal and transduced cells, but not ZAP-70-deficient cells, were able to mobilize calcium after receptor ligation, indicating that proximal TCR signaling was reconstituted. These results indicate that this form of SCID may be corrected by gene therapy.     

Evidence for differential intracellular signaling via CD4 and CD8 molecules

Although both the CD4 and CD8 molecules enhance antigen responsiveness mediated by the T cell receptor (TCR), it is not known whether CD4 and CD8 initiate similar or different intracellular signals when they act as coreceptors. To characterize the early signals transmitted by CD4 and CD8, both CD4 and CD8 alpha were expressed in the same murine T cell hybridoma. In the double positive transfectants, CD4 and CD8 associated with equal amounts of p56lck (Lck), and both molecules enhanced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production equivalently when cross-linked with suboptimal levels of anti-TCR antibody. However, in an in vitro kinase assay, cross-linking CD4 initiated fourfold greater kinase activity compared with CD8 cross-linking. In the same assay, when CD4 or CD8 was cross-linked to the TCR, novel phosphorylated proteins were found associated with the TCR/CD4 complex but not with the TCR/CD8 complex. Consistent with this data, antiphosphotyrosine immunoblotting revealed greater tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates after TCR/CD4 cross-linking compared with TCR/CD8 cross-linking. Additionally, a specific protein kinase C inhibitor (RO318220) inhibited CD8-mediated enhancement of IL-2 production far more effectively than CD4-mediated enhancement. Thus, it appears that CD8 alpha may depend more on a protein kinase C-mediated signaling pathway, whereas CD4 may rely on greater tyrosine kinase activation. Such differential signaling via CD4 and CD8 has implications for thymic ontogeny and T cell activation.     

Knock-in mutation of the distal four tyrosines of linker for activation of T cells blocks murine T cell development.

The integral membrane adapter protein linker for activation of T cells (LAT) performs a critical function in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction by coupling the TCR to downstream signaling pathways. After TCR engagement, LAT is tyrosine phosphorylated by ZAP-70 creating docking sites for multiple src homology 2-containing effector proteins. In the Jurkat T cell line, the distal four tyrosines of LAT bind PLCgamma-1, Grb2, and Gads. Mutation of these four tyrosine residues to phenylalanine (4YF) blocked TCR-mediated calcium mobilization, Erk activation, and nuclear factor (NF)-AT activation. In this study, we examined whether these four tyrosine residues were essential for T cell development by generating LAT "knock-in" mutant mice that express the 4YF mutant protein under the control of endogenous LAT regulatory sequences. Significantly, the phenotype of 4YF knock-in mice was identical to LAT(-/)- (null) mice; thymocyte development was arrested at the immature CD4(-)CD8(-) stage and no mature T cells were present. Knock-in mice expressing wild-type LAT protein, generated by a similar strategy, displayed a normal T cell developmental profile. These results demonstrate that the distal four tyrosine residues of LAT are essential for preTCR signaling and T cell development in vivo.     

ZAP-70 binding specificity to T cell receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs: the tandem SH2 domains of ZAP-70 bind distinct tyrosine-based activation motifs with varying affinity

Engagement of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) results in activation of several tyrosine kinases leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of protein substrates and activation of multiple biochemical pathways. TCR- mediated activation of the src-family kinases, Lck and Fyn, results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the TCR zeta and CD3 chains. The site of phosphorylation in these chains is the tyrosine-based activation motif (TAM), a 15-16 amino acid module containing two tyrosine residues. Tyrosine-phosphorylated TAMs serve as targets for binding of the zeta- associated protein (ZAP-70) tyrosine kinase via its tandem SH2 domains. This binding correlates with activation of ZAP-70, a critical event in T cell activation. To further define the structural requirements for ZAP-70 interaction with the TCR, we developed a binding assay using immobilized glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the NH2- and/or COOH-terminal SH2 domains of ZAP-70, and soluble synthetic peptides with the sequence of the cytoplasmic region of the TCR zeta chain (TCR zeta cyt) or individual TCR zeta and CD3 epsilon TAM motifs. Direct binding studies demonstrated that the tandem ZAP-70 SH2 domains bind phosphorylated, but not nonphosphorylated, TCR zeta cyt. The NH2- terminal ZAP-70 SH2 domain also binds to TCR zeta cyt but with 100-fold lower affinity. No binding was observed with the COOH-terminal ZAP-70 SH2 domain. Similar studies demonstrated that the ZAP-70 tandem SH2 domain can bind a TCR zeta 3 TAM peptide in which both tyrosine residues are phosphorylated: Little or no binding was observed with peptides phosphorylated at only one tyrosine residue, or a nonphosphorylated peptide. Binding of the tandem SH2 domains to the other two TCR zeta TAM peptides and to a CD3 epsilon TAM peptide was also observed. All four doubly tyrosine phosphorylated TAM peptides cross-compete with each other for binding to the tandem SH2 domains of ZAP-70. The affinity of these peptides for the tandem SH2 construct demonstrated a hierarchy of TAM zeta 1 > or = TAM zeta 2 > TAM epsilon > or = TAM zeta 3. The results provide further evidence that the ZAP-70 interaction with the TCR requires prior phosphorylation of both tyrosine residues within a TAM motif. Binding of ZAP-70 to phospho-TAMs is notable for the high level of cooperativity between the two SH2 domains, which individually demonstrate low affinity interaction with the ligand. The cooperativity ensures higher affinity for the doubly phosphorylated ligand. Affinity differences of as much as 30-fold indicates a significant specificity of interaction of ZAP-70 SH2 domains for different phospho-TAMs.     

Absence of ZAP-70 prevents signaling through the antigen receptor on peripheral blood T cells but not on thymocytes

Recently, a severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome with a deficiency of CD8+ peripheral T cells and a TCR signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4+ T cells was associated with mutations in ZAP-70. Since TCR signaling is required in developmental decisions resulting in mature CD4 (and CD8) T cells, the presence of peripheral CD4+ T cells expressing TCRs incapable of signaling in these patients is paradoxical. Here, we show that the TCRs on thymocytes, but not peripheral T cells, from a ZAP-70-deficient patient are capable of signaling. Moreover, the TCR on a thymocyte line derived from this patient can signal, and the homologous kinase Syk is present at high levels and is tyrosine phosphorylated after TCR stimulation. Thus, Syk may compensate for the loss of ZAP-70 and account for the thymic selection of at least a subset of T cells (CD4+) in ZAP-70-deficient patients.     

T cell receptor engagement leads to phosphorylation of clathrin heavy chain during receptor internalization

T cell receptor (TCR) internalization by clathrin-coated vesicles after encounter with antigen has been implicated in the regulation of T cell responses. We demonstrate that TCR internalization after receptor engagement and TCR signaling involves inducible phosphorylation of clathrin heavy chain (CHC) in both CD4+ and CD8+ human T cells. Studies with mutant Jurkat T cells implicate the Src family kinase Lck as the responsible enzyme and its activity in this process is influenced by the functional integrity of the downstream signaling molecule ZAP-70. CHC phosphorylation positively correlates with ligand-induced TCR internalization in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CHC phosphorylation as a result of basal Lck activity is also implicated in constitutive TCR endocytosis by CD4+ T cells. Remarkably, irreversible CHC phosphorylation in the presence of pervanadate reduced both constitutive and ligand-induced TCR internalization in CD4+ T cells, and immunofluorescence studies revealed that this inhibition affected the early stages of TCR endocytosis from the plasma membrane. Thus, we propose that CHC phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are involved in TCR internalization and that this is a regulatory mechanism linking TCR signaling to endocytosis.     

CD8 beta chain influences CD8 alpha chain-associated Lck kinase activity

The CD8 molecule plays an important role in the differentiation of CD8+ T cells in the thymus and in their normal function in the periphery. CD8 exists on the cell surface in two forms, the alpha alpha homodimer and the alpha beta heterodimer. Recent studies indicate an important role for the CD8 beta chain in thymic development of CD8+ T cells and suggest that signaling via CD8 alpha beta may be distinct from CD8 alpha alpha. To better understand these differences, we introduced the CD8 beta gene into a T cell hybridoma which only expressed the CD8 alpha alpha homodimer. In the parent hybridoma, cross-linking of the CD8 alpha chain led to minimal enhancement of CD8-associated Lck tyrosine kinase activity. In the CD8 beta+ transfectants, several observations suggested that CD8 beta modifies CD8 alpha-associated Lck tyrosine kinase activity: (a) in in vitro kinase assays, antibody- mediated crosslinking of CD8 alone, or CD8 cross-linking with the TCR, resulted in 10-fold greater activation of Lck kinase activity, compared to cells expressing CD8 alpha alpha alone; (b) in vivo, markedly enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins was observed upon CD8 cross-linking with the TCR in CD8 alpha beta- expressing cells, compared to cells expressing CD8 alpha alpha alone; and (c) Lck association with CD8 alpha was stabilized by the coexpression of CD8 beta. Thus, the differential Lck kinase activation and tyrosine phosphorylation seen with CD8 alpha alpha vs. CD8 alpha beta may reflect the unique signaling capabilities of the CD8 beta molecule. These differences in signaling may, in part, account for the diminished ability to generate CD8 single positive thymocytes in mice bearing a homozygous disruption of the CD8 beta gene.     

Tetracycline-controllable selection of CD4(+) T cells: half-life and survival signals in the absence of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules

A system that allows the study, in a gentle fashion, of the role of MHC molecules in naive T cell survival is described. Major histocompatibility complex class II-deficient mice were engineered to express Ealpha chains only in thymic epithelial cells in a tetracycline (tet)-controllable manner. This resulted in tet-responsive display of cell surface E complexes, positive selection of CD4(+)8(-) thymocytes, and generation of a CD4(+) T cell compartment in a class II-barren periphery. Using this system, we have addressed two unresolved issues: the half-life of naive CD4(+) T cells in the absence of class II molecules (3-4 wk) and the early signaling events associated with class II molecule engagement by naive CD4(+) T cells (partial CD3 zeta chain phosphorylation and ZAP-70 association).     

Restricting Zap70 expression to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes reveals a T cell receptor-dependent proofreading mechanism controlling the completion of positive selection

Although T cell receptor (TCR) signals are essential for intrathymic T cell-positive selection, it remains controversial whether they only serve to initiate this process, or whether they are required throughout to promote thymocyte differentiation and survival. To address this issue, we have devised a novel approach to interfere with thymocyte TCR signaling in a developmental stage-specific manner in vivo. We have reconstituted mice deficient for Zap70, a tyrosine kinase required for TCR signaling and normally expressed throughout T cell development, with a Zap70 transgene driven by the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene enhancer, which is active in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes but inactive in CD4(+) or CD8(+) single-positive (SP) thymocytes. In such mice, termination of Zap70 expression impaired TCR signal transduction and arrested thymocyte development after the initiation, but before the completion, of positive selection. Arrested thymocytes had terminated Rag gene expression and up-regulated TCR and Bcl-2 expression, but failed to differentiate into mature CD4 or CD8 SP thymocytes, to be rescued from death by neglect or to sustain interleukin 7R alpha expression. These observations identify a TCR-dependent proofreading mechanism that verifies thymocyte TCR specificity and differentiation choices before the completion of positive selection.     

LIME: a new membrane Raft-associated adaptor protein involved in CD4 and CD8 coreceptor signaling

Lymphocyte membrane rafts contain molecules critical for immunoreceptor signaling. Here, we report identification of a new raft-associated adaptor protein LIME (Lck-interacting molecule) expressed predominantly in T lymphocytes. LIME becomes tyrosine phosphorylated after cross-linking of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors. Phospho-LIME associates with the Src family kinase Lck and its negative regulator, Csk. Ectopic expression of LIME in Jurkat T cells results in an increase of Csk in lipid rafts, increased phosphorylation of Lck and higher Ca2+ response to CD3 stimulation. Thus, LIME appears to be involved in regulation of T cell activation by coreceptors.     

Physical dissociation of the TCR-CD3 complex accompanies receptor ligation

During antigen recognition by T cells, CD4 and the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3/zeta complex are thought to interact with the same major histocompatibility complex II molecule in a stable ternary complex. Evidence has suggested that the association of CD4 with TCR/CD3/zeta requires the interaction of the protein tyrosine kinase p56lck with CD4. We have taken a biochemical approach to understand the mechanism by which p56lck and, in particular, its src homology (SH) 2 domain contributes to the association of CD4 with TCR/CD3/zeta during activation. We have previously shown that the p56lck SH2 domain binds directly to tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70. Here we formally demonstrate the in vivo association of p56lck with the homologous protein tyrosine kinases Syk and ZAP-70 after CD3 stimulation of Jurkat cells. A tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide containing the sequence predicted to be optimal for binding to the SH2 domain of src family kinases specifically competes for this association, indicating that tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 and Syk bind to p56lck by an SH2- mediated interaction. We also show that the same peptide is able to compete for the activation-dependent TCR/CD4 association in Jurkat cells. Moreover, ZAP-70 and CD4 cocap only after CD3 stimulation in human T lymphoblasts. We propose that the interaction of the p56lck SH2 domain with zeta-associated tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 and/or Syk enables CD4 to associate with antigen-stimulated TCR/CD3/zeta complexes.     

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.     

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex regulates early T cell development and consists of a heterodimer of the TCR-beta subunit in association with the pre-TCR-alpha chain. Notably, in contrast to alpha/beta-expressing T cells, several studies suggested that the TCR- zeta chain is not stably associated with this pre-TCR complex. To examine the proximal signaling processes mediated by the pre-TCR complex and the role of the TCR-zeta chain in these processes, we stimulated pre-TCR-expressing cells and analyzed the interactions of the TCR/CD3 invariant chains with the Syk/ZAP-70 family of protein tyrosine kinases. Stimulation of the pre-TCR complex led to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta chains, as well as the phosphorylation and association of ZAP-70 and Syk with phosphorylated CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta. These results demonstrate that the pre-TCR complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit and to the ZAP-70 and Syk protein tyrosine kinases.     

Familial CD8 deficiency due to a mutation in the CD8 alpha gene.

CD8 glycoproteins play an important role in both the maturation and function of MHC class I-restricted T lymphocytes. A 25-year-old man, from a consanguineous family, with recurrent bacterial infections and total absence of CD8(+) cells, was studied. Ab deficiencies and ZAP-70 and TAP defects were ruled out. A missense mutation (gly90-->ser) in both alleles of the immunoglobulin domain of the CD8 alpha gene was shown to correlate with the absence of CD8 expression found in the patient and two sisters. Conversely, high percentages of CD4(-)CD8(-)TCR alpha beta(+) T cells were found in the three siblings. A novel autosomal recessive immunologic defect characterized by absence of CD8(+) cells is described. These findings may help to further understanding of the role of CD8 molecules in human immune response.     

CD8beta endows CD8 with efficient coreceptor function by coupling T cell receptor/CD3 to raft-associated CD8/p56(lck) complexes.

The extraordinary sensitivity of CD8+ T cells to recognize antigen impinges to a large extent on the coreceptor CD8. While several studies have shown that the CD8beta chain endows CD8 with efficient coreceptor function, the molecular basis for this is enigmatic. Here we report that cell-associated CD8alphabeta, but not CD8alphaalpha or soluble CD8alphabeta, substantially increases the avidity of T cell receptor (TCR)-ligand binding. To elucidate how the cytoplasmic and transmembrane portions of CD8beta endow CD8 with efficient coreceptor function, we examined T1.4 T cell hybridomas transfected with various CD8beta constructs. T1.4 hybridomas recognize a photoreactive Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite (PbCS) peptide derivative (PbCS (4-azidobezoic acid [ABA])) in the context of H-2K(d), and permit assessment of TCR-ligand binding by TCR photoaffinity labeling. We find that the cytoplasmic portion of CD8beta, mainly due to its palmitoylation, mediates partitioning of CD8 in lipid rafts, where it efficiently associates with p56(lck). In addition, the cytoplasmic portion of CD8beta mediates constitutive association of CD8 with TCR/CD3. The resulting TCR-CD8 adducts exhibit high affinity for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide. Importantly, because CD8alphabeta partitions in rafts, its interaction with TCR/CD3 promotes raft association of TCR/CD3. Engagement of these TCR/CD3-CD8/lck adducts by multimeric MHC-peptide induces activation of p56(lck) in rafts, which in turn phosphorylates CD3 and initiates T cell activation.