Rapid T-cell receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of p120, an Fyn/Lck Src homology 3 domain-binding protein.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins is the earliest identifiable event following T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation and is essential for activating downstream signaling machinery. Two Src-family protein-tyrosine kinases, the TCR-associated p59fyn (Fyn) and the CD4/8-associated p56lck (Lck), have emerged as the likely mediators of early tyrosine phosphorylation in T cells. Here, we show direct binding of a 120-kDa TCR-induced phosphotyrosyl polypeptide, p120, to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of Fyn, Lck, and p60src (Src) but not other proteins. While binding of p120 to Fyn SH2 domain was phosphotyrosine-dependent as expected, its binding to the SH3 domain was independent of tyrosine phosphorylation, as shown by lack of competition with a phosphotyrosyl competitor peptide. In contrast, an SH3-specific proline-rich peptide completely abolished p120 binding to SH3. p120 was tyrosine-phosphorylated within 10 sec following stimulation of Jurkat cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, with maximal phosphorylation at 30 sec. Importantly, p120 was found associated with Fyn and Lck proteins in unstimulated Jurkat cells and served as an in vitro substrate for these kinases. These results provide evidence for a role of the SH3 domains of Fyn and Lck in the recruitment of early tyrosine-phosphorylation substrates to the TCR-associated tyrosine kinases.     

Src-homology 3 domain of protein kinase p59fyn mediates binding to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in T cells.

The Src-related tyrosine kinase p59fyn(T) plays an important role in the generation of intracellular signals from the T-cell antigen receptor TCR zeta/CD3 complex. A key question concerns the nature and the binding sites of downstream components that interact with this Src-related kinase. p59fyn(T) contains Src-homology 2 and 3 domains (SH2 and SH3) with a capacity to bind to intracellular proteins. One potential downstream target is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). In this study, we demonstrate that anti-CD3 and anti-Fyn immunoprecipitates possess PI 3-kinase activity as assessed by TLC and HPLC. Both free and receptor-bound p59fyn(T) were found to bind to the lipid kinase. Further, our results indicate that Src-related kinases have developed a novel mechanism to interact with PI 3-kinase. Precipitation using GST fusion proteins containing Fyn SH2, SH3, and SH2/SH3 domains revealed that PI 3-kinase bound principally to the SH3 domain of Fyn. Fyn SH3 bound directly to the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase as expressed in a baculoviral system. Anti-CD3 crosslinking induced an increase in the detection of Fyn SH3-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Thus PI 3-kinase is a target of SH3 domains and is likely to play a major role in the signals derived from the TCR zeta/CD3-p59fyn complex.     

T-cell antigen CD28 interacts with the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by a cytoplasmic Tyr(P)-Met-Xaa-Met motif.

The T-cell antigen CD28 provides a costimulatory signal that is required for T-cell proliferation. T-cell receptor zeta/CD3 engagement without CD28 ligation leads to a state of nonresponsiveness/anergy, thereby implicating CD28 in the control of peripheral tolerance to foreign antigens or tumors. A key unresolved question has concerned the mechanism by which CD28 generates intracellular signals. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is a lipid kinase with Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain(s) that binds to the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), an interaction that is essential for signaling by growth factor. In this study, we demonstrate that CD28 binds to PI 3-kinase by means of a Y(P)MXM motif within its cytoplasmic tail. CD28-associated PI 3-kinase was detected by lipid kinase and HPLC analysis as well as by reconstitution experiments with baculoviral-expressed p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. CD28 bound directly to the p85 subunit without the need for the associated p110 subunit. Site-directed mutagenesis and peptide competition analysis using Y(P)-MXM-containing peptides showed that PI 3-kinase bound to a Y(P)MXM motif within the CD28 cytoplasmic tail (residues 191-194). Mutation of the Y191 within the motif resulted in a complete loss of binding, while mutation of M194 caused partial loss of binding. Binding analysis showed that the CD28 Y(P)-MXM motif bound to the p85 C- and N-terminal SH2 domains with an affinity comparable to that observed for PDGF-R and insulin receptor substrate 1. In terms of signaling, CD28 ligation induced a dramatic increase in the recruitment and association of PI 3-kinase with the receptor. CD28 is likely to use PI 3-kinase as the second signal leading to T-cell proliferation, an event with implications for anergy and peripheral T-cell tolerance.     

The Src homology 2 domain of the protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck mediates both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions.

A key event in signaling by many cell surface receptors is the activation of Src-like protein-tyrosine kinases and the assembly of protein complexes at the plasma membrane mediated by Src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains. p56lck is a Src-related protein-tyrosine kinase which has SH2 and SH3 domains and is involved in T-cell signaling and oncogenic transformation. Here we demonstrate that purified recombinant SH2 and HSH3/SH2 domains of p56lck can mediate intermolecular interactions with a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins present in lysates of NIH 3T3 cells transformed by a constitutively activated form of p56lck (p56lckF505). Two of the interacting tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were identified as the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the GTPase-activating protein of p21ras. Using a synthetic phosphopeptide corresponding to the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of p56lck (amino acids 494-509), purified recombinant Lck SH2 domain, and differentially phosphorylated forms of p56lck we provide evidence that the SH2 domain of p56lck can also mediate intramolecular interactions with the phosphorylated carboxyl terminus. Together these results suggest that the SH2 domain of p56lck has a dual function: (i) it can mediate intermolecular interactions with cellular proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine and thus might be involved in building up signaling complexes at the plasma membrane and (ii) it can bind to the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of p56lck in an intramolecular fashion and thereby might be involved in the regulation of its intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the regulatory tyrosine residue 505 might serve as a switch between these two functions.     

Analysis of the interaction of ZAP-70 and syk protein-tyrosine kinases with the T-cell antigen receptor by plasmon resonance.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 17-amino acid immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), conserved in each of the signaling subunits of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR), mediates the recruitment of ZAP-70 and syk protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) to the activated receptor. The interaction between the two tandemly arranged Src-homology 2 (SH2) domains of this family of PTKs and each of the phosphotyrosine-containing ITAMs was examined by real-time measurements of kinetic parameters. The association rate and equilibrium binding constants for the ZAP-70 and syk SH2 domains were determined for the CD3 epsilon ITAM. Both PTKs bound with ka and Kd values of 5 x 10(6) M-1.sec-1 and approximately 25 nM, respectively. Bindings to the other TCR ITAMs (zeta 1, zeta 2, gamma, and delta ITAMs) were comparable, although the zeta 3 ITAM bound approximately 2.5-fold less well. Studies of the affinity of a single functional SH2 domain of ZAP-70 provided evidence for the cooperative nature of binding of the dual SH2 domains. Mutation of either single SH2 domain decreased the Kd by > 100-fold. Finally, the critical features of the ITAM for syk binding were found to be similar to those required for ZAP-70 binding. These data provide insight into the mechanism by which the multisubunit TCR interacts with downstream effector molecules.     

Signalling molecules and cytokine production in T cells of multiple myeloma-increased abnormalities with advancing stage

T-cell immune dysfunction in patients with malignant tumours has been attributed to the altered expression of components of the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex and their associated intracellular protein tyrosine kinases. In this study, four-colour flow cytometry was applied to study the surface bound molecules TCRalphabeta, CD28, CD152 and CD154 involved in T-cell signalling and the signal transduction molecules CD3zeta, p56lck, p59fyn, ZAP-70 and phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3-k) as well as the intracellular cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-2 as a functional read-out of non-stimulated and superantigen (staphylococcus enterotoxin B)-stimulated blood T cells of multiple myeloma (MM) patients at different stages of the disease. Multiple abnormalities were demonstrated in the CD4 and CD8 populations, both under non-stimulated and superantigen-stimulated conditions. There was a marked reduction, particular in advanced stage MM, in the proportion of CD4 and CD8 cells expressing CD28, CD152, CD3zeta, p56lck, ZAP-70 and PI3-k. The level of intracellular T-cell cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4) was normal or increased in non-stimulated cells but activation-induced cytokine production was impaired. These results illustrated profound and multiple T-cell signalling defects, from the surface and down-stream, consistent with involvement of a master T-cell function, especially in advanced stage MM. These data should be taken into consideration when developing immune-based therapeutic approaches and when applying new emerging technologies that aim to restore T-cell functions.     

CD5 acts as a tyrosine kinase substrate within a receptor complex comprising T-cell receptor zeta chain/CD3 and protein-tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn.

T-cell antigens including CD2, CD4, CD6, CD8, and CD28 serve as coreceptors with the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex in control of T-cell growth. The molecular basis by which these antigens fulfill this role has remained a major issue. An initial clue to this question came with our finding that the sensitivity of in vitro kinase labeling (specifically using protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck) allowed detection of a physical association between CD4-p56lck and the TCR/CD3 complexes. Another T-cell antigen, CD5, is structurally related to the macrophage scavenger receptor family and, as such, can directly stimulate and/or potentiate T-cell proliferation. In this study, we reveal that in Brij 96-based cell lysates, anti-CD5 antibodies coprecipitated TCR zeta chain (TCR zeta)/CD3 subunits as well as the protein-tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn. Conversely, anti-CD3 antibody coprecipitated CD5, p56lck, and p59fyn. Indeed, anti-CD5 and anti-CD3 gel patterns were virtually identical, except for a difference in relative intensity of polypeptides. Anti-CD4 coprecipitated p56lck, p32, and CD3/TCR zeta subunits but precipitated less CD5, suggesting the existence of CD4-TCR zeta/CD3 complexes distinct from the CD5-TCR zeta/CD3 complexes. Consistent with the formation of a multimeric CD5-TCR zeta/CD3 complex, anti-CD5 crosslinking induced tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous T-cell substrates, similar to those phosphorylated by TCR zeta/CD3 ligation. Significantly, as for TCR zeta, CD5 was found to act as a tyrosine kinase substrate induced by TCR/CD3 ligation. The kinetics of phosphorylation of CD5 (t1/2 = 20 sec) was among the earliest of activation events, more rapid than seen for TCR zeta (t1/2 = 1 min). CD5 represents a likely TCR/CD3-associated substrate for protein-tyrosine kinases (p56lck or p59fyn) and an alternative signaling pathway within a multimeric TCR complex.     

T-cell receptor-induced phosphorylation of the zeta chain is efficiently promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk

Engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) results in the activation of Lck/Fyn and ZAP-70/Syk tyrosine kinases. Lck-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling motifs (ITAMs) in the CD3-zeta subunits of the TCR is an initial step in the transduction of signaling cascades. However, zeta phosphorylation is also promoted by ZAP-70, as TCR-induced zeta phosphorylation is defective in ZAP-70-deficient T cells. We show that this defect is corrected by stable expression of ZAP-70, but not Syk, in primary and transformed T cells. Indeed, these proteins are differentially coupled to the TCR with a 5- to 10-fold higher association of ZAP-70 with zeta as compared to Syk. Low-level Syk-zeta binding is associated with significantly less Lck coupled to the TCR. Moreover, diminished coupling of Lck to zeta correlates with a poor phosphorylation of the positive regulatory tyr352 residue of Syk. Thus, recruitment of Lck into the TCR complex with subsequent zeta chain phosphorylation is promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk. Importantly, the presence of ZAP-70 positively regulates the TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk. The interplay between Syk and ZAP-70 in thymocytes, certain T cells, and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, in which they are coexpressed, will therefore modulate the amplitude of antigen-mediated receptor signaling.     

Src-induced activation of inducible T cell kinase (ITK) requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity and the Pleckstrin homology domain of inducible T cell kinase

The Tec family of tyrosine kinases are involved in signals emanating from cytokine receptors, antigen receptors, and other lymphoid cell surface receptors. One family member, ITK (inducible T cell kinase), is involved in T cell activation and can be activated by the T cell receptor and the CD28 cell surface receptor. This stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of ITK can be mimicked by the Src family kinase Lck. We have explored the mechanism of this requirement for Src family kinases in the activation of ITK. We found that coexpression of ITK and Src results in increased membrane association, tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of ITK, which could be blocked by inhibitors of the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) as well as overexpression of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. Removal of the Pleckstrin homology domain (PH) of ITK resulted in a kinase that could no longer be induced to localize to the membrane or be activated by Src. The PH of ITK was also able to bind inositol phosphates phosphorylated at the D3 position. Membrane targeting of ITK without the PH recovered its ability to be activated by Src. These results suggest that ITK can be activated by a combination of Src and PI 3-kinase.     

Modification of Ser59 in the unique N-terminal region of tyrosine kinase p56lck regulates specificity of its Src homology 2 domain.

During T-cell activation, Ser59 in the unique N-terminal region of p56lck is phosphorylated. Mutation of Ser59 to Glu59 mimics Ser59 phosphorylation, and upon CD4 crosslinking, this mutant p56lck induces tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins distinct from those induced by wild-type p56lck. Mutant and wild-type p56lck have similar affinities for CD4 and similar kinase activities. In glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, the p56lck Src homology 2 (SH2) domain with the SH3 domain and the unique N-terminal region (including Ser59) has a different binding specificity for phosphotyrosyl proteins than the SH2 domain alone. Either deletion of the unique N-terminal region or mutation of Ser59 to Glu59 in the fusion protein reverts the phosphotyrosyl protein binding specificity back to that of the SH2 domain alone. These results suggest that phosphorylation of Ser59 regulates the function of p56lck by controlling binding specificity of its SH2 domain.     

CD28 is associated with and induces the immediate tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the Tec family kinase ITK/EMT in the human Jurkat leukemic T-cell line.

T lymphocytes require two signals to be activated. The antigen-specific T-cell receptor can deliver the first signal, while ligation of the T-cell surface molecule CD28 by antibodies or its cognate ligands B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 has been demonstrated to be sufficient for the delivery of the second signal. Signaling via CD28 and the T-cell receptor results (i) in their costimulation of T cells to produce numerous lymphokines including interleukin 2 and (ii) in the prevention of anergy induction. Little is known about the pathway by which CD28 mediates its signals except that protein-tyrosine phosphorylation is involved. We show here in human Jurkat cells that the Tec-family protein-tyrosine kinase ITK/EMT (p72ITK/EMT) is associated with CD28 and becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated and activated within seconds of CD28 ligation. This tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT is rapid (within 30 sec), occurs in the absence of LCK activation, and precedes tyrosine phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor VAV. Secondary crosslinking of CD28 is unnecessary for the induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT. Thus, tyrosine phosphorylation of p72ITK/EMT may represent one of the earliest events in CD28 signaling. This demonstrates that a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases, similar to members of the Src and Syk families, plays a role in the activation of T cells. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that p72ITK/EMT, and by analogy other members of the Tec family, responds to extracellularly generated signals.     

PI 3-kinase activation in BCR/abl-transformed hematopoietic cells does not require interaction of p85 SH2 domains with p210 BCR/abl

BCR/abl is a chimeric oncogene implicated in the pathogenesis of human chronic myelogenous leukemia. Expression of the BCR/abl gene induces hematologic malignancies in transgenic mice and transformation of interleukin-3-dependent hematopoietic cells. The mechanism of BCR/abl- mediated transformation of hematopoietic cells is poorly understood and involves activation of at least two signaling pathways, p21ras and PI 3- kinase. Here we report that PI 3,4-P2 and PI 3,4,5-P3, the enzymatic products of PI 3-kinase, accumulate in metabolically labeled transformed hematopoietic cells, in contrast to our previous report on the lack of accumulation of PI 3-kinase products in nontransformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts that express p210 BCR/abl. Transformed cells also have increased PI 3-kinase activity in total cell extracts and membrane fractions. Activation of PI 3-kinase occurs by occupancy of SH2 domains of PI 3-kinase regulatory subunit, p85, by phosphorylated YXXM motifs. Therefore, we investigated whether BCR/abl binds to p85 and whether this binding is mediated by interaction of p85 SH2 domains with YXXM motif of BCR/abl. Association of p210 BCR/abl with p85 in immune complexes and with p85 SH2 domains was evident in hematopoietic cells that express the wt p210 BCR/abl. However, the binding of BCR/abl to p85 SH2 domains was abolished in cells expressing mutant, temperature- sensitive (ts) p210 BCR/abl in which the tyrosine in the YXXM motif of p210 BCR/abl was replaced by histidine. Despite lack of direct interaction with p85 SH2 domains, expression of ts p210 BCR/abl resulted in rapid, time-dependent activation of total and membrane- associated PI 3-kinase and increased PI 3-kinase activity in anti-P-tyr and anti-abl immunoprecipitates. These data suggest that BCR/abl- induced activation of PI 3-kinase in hematopoietic cells does not require binding of p85 SH2 domains to BCR/abl gene product and involves interaction with other tyrosine phosphorylated intermediate proteins.     

Strong CD28 costimulation suppresses induction of regulatory T cells from naive precursors through Lck signaling

CD28 costimulation is required for the generation of naturally derived regulatory T cells (nTregs) in the thymus through lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) signaling. However, it is not clear how CD28 costimulation regulates the generation of induced Tregs (iTregs) from naive CD4 T-cell precursors in the periphery. To address this question, we induced iTregs (CD25(+)Foxp3(+)) from naive CD4 T cells (CD25(-)Foxp3(-)) by T-cell receptor stimulation with additional transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ) in vitro, and found that the generation of iTregs was inversely related to the level of CD28 costimulation independently of IL-2. Using a series of transgenic mice on a CD28-deficient background that bears wild-type or mutated CD28 in its cytosolic tail that is incapable of binding to Lck, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), or IL-2-inducible T-cell kinase (Itk), we found that CD28-mediated Lck signaling plays an essential role in the suppression of iTreg generation under strong CD28 costimulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that T cells with the CD28 receptor incapable of activating Lck were prone to iTreg induction in vivo, which contributed to their reduced ability to cause graft-versus-host disease. These findings reveal a novel mechanistic insight into how CD28 costimulation negatively regulates the generation of iTregs, and provide a rationale for promoting T-cell immunity or tolerance by regulating Tregs through targeting CD28 signaling.     

Molecular dissection of the signaling and costimulatory functions of CD150 (SLAM): CD150/SAP binding and CD150-mediated costimulation.

CD150 signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM), a T/B/dendritic cell surface glycoprotein, is a costimulatory receptor involved in T-cell activation and is also a receptor for measles virus. CD150-induced signal transduction is controlled by SAP/SH2D1A, the gene that is aberrant in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This report shows that CD150 colocalizes with the T-cell receptor (TCR) following CD3 triggering in human peripheral blood T cells and is rapidly and reversibly tyrosine phosphorylated on TCR cross-linking. The Src-like kinases Lck and Fyn phosphorylate tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic tail of CD150. The results demonstrate that the SAP protein has 2 modes of binding to CD150. Binding to the motif Thr-Ile-Tyr281Ala-Gln-Val occurs in a phosphotyrosine-independent fashion and to the motif Thr-Val-Tyr327Ala-Ser-Val in a phosphotyrosine-dependent manner. Within both SAP binding motifs the threonine residue at position -2 to tyrosine is essential to stabilize the interaction irrespective of tyrosine phosphorylation, a feature unique to the SAP SH2 domain. A leucine residue, Leu278, further stabilizes nonphospho binding of SAP to Tyr281 of CD150. SAP blocking of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 occurs primarily on Tyr281 of CD150 because SHP-2 requires both Tyr281 and Tyr327 for binding to CD150, and SAP binds to nonphosphorylated Tyr281. CD150 exhibits lateral mobility, segregating into intercellular contacts. The lateral mobility and homophilic clustering of CD150 between neighboring cells is not dependent on SAP/CD150 interaction.     

Activation-dependent phosphorylation of the T-lymphocyte surface receptor CD28 and associated proteins.

CD28 is a costimulatory receptor that can provide the second signal necessary for T-cell activation and function in response to stimulation through the T-cell antigen receptor/CD3 complex. We found that a distinct array of proteins was phosphorylated on tyrosine following stimulation with anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody, as detected by immune-complex kinase assays. Anti-CD28 stimulation of in vitro kinase activity was detergent-dependent, occurring in immune complexes prepared with Brij 96 but not Nonidet P-40. Pretreatment of cells with low concentrations of phorbol ester increased the activation-independent phosphorylation of proteins in CD28 immune complexes. Reimmunoprecipitation studies indicated that the cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinases Lck and Fyn were associated with CD28. CD28 itself was phosphorylated both in vitro and in vivo in an activation-dependent manner, as detected by nonreducing/reducing SDS/PAGE analyses. The activation-stimulated phosphorylation of CD28 may play a key role in signaling through this receptor.     

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene activates protein-tyrosine kinases Fyn and Lck in the HPB-ALL human T-cell line and increases tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1, formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and mobilization of intracellular calcium.

Previous studies have shown that the immunosuppressive and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) impairs Ca(2+)-dependent transmembrane signaling in human and murine lymphocytes. The purpose of the present studies was to analyze potential mechanisms of immunosuppression by DMBA and to examine effects on Ca2+ homeostasis and antigen-receptor signaling in human T cells. DMBA produced a rapid and sustained increase in Ca2+ levels in HPB-ALL cells by release of cytoplasmic Ca2+. DMBA also inhibited anti-CD3/CD4 mobilization of Ca2+ in HPB-ALL cells, with half-maximal inhibition occurring at approximately 4 hr. Thus, the kinetics for initial Ca2+ mobilization and inhibition of the anti-CD3/CD4 response differed. The rapid rise in intracellular Ca2+ induced by DMBA alone was accompanied by a rapid but transient increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1. The pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation induced by DMBA in HPB-ALL cells was remarkably similar to that induced by anti-CD3/CD4 activation. Thus, DMBA-induced phosphorylation may mimic antigen-receptor activation in T cells, which may lead to alterations in antigen responsiveness. The mechanism of DMBA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 may have been due to an increase in protein-tyrosine kinase activity, since it was found that DMBA produced a > 2-fold increase in the activity of the T-cell receptor-associated Src-family kinases Fyn and Lck. The kinetics of activation of protein-tyrosine kinases demonstrated that Fyn activity was increased within 10 min of exposure to DMBA, whereas maximal Lck activation required 30 min. Thus, it is likely that the Fyn kinase or other protein-tyrosine kinases may be responsible for the early tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1, which results in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate release and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.     

The murine c-fgr gene product associated with Ly6C and p70 integral membrane protein is expressed in cells of a monocyte/macrophage lineage.

The c-fgr gene is a member of the Src family of protooncogene tyrosine kinases. A monoclonal antibody (2H2) that recognizes the specific region of the N-terminal domain of the murine c-fgr gene product (Fgr) has been established. With an immune complex kinase assay in a monocytic leukemia cell line, 2H2 monoclonal antibody was shown to precipitate a 59-kDa protein that corresponds in molecular mass to murine Fgr. Fgr was expressed highly in lymph nodes, slightly in spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes, and barely in the thymus and was not detected in bone marrow. In the presence of a mild detergent, Fgr was coimmunoprecipitated with a 70-kDa protein (p70) or with p70 plus several other molecules that were expressed on the cell-surface membrane of macrophage tumor cell lines PU5-1.8 and J774.1, respectively. By contrast, Fgr was not coimmunoprecipitated with a low-affinity receptor for the Fc portion of IgG that is associated with human Fgr. The molecule was also coimmunoprecipitated with the Ly6C molecule from a macrophage cell line (J774.1) that showed protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Peptide mapping revealed that this kinase activity was derived from Fgr. The similarity of relationship between this intramembrane p70 and/or Ly6C and cytoplasmic Fgr to relationships previously reported between T-cell antigen receptor complex, including CD4 and CD8 coreceptors, and Lck or Fyn in T cells and between surface IgM and Lyn or Blk in B cells, suggests that the Fgr and p70 or Ly6C are, indeed, associated with each other and in the murine system may be responsible for recognition of extracellular substances (either cellular or noncellular) and for signal transduction in cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage.     

Induction of autoimmune disease in CTLA-4-/- mice depends on a specific CD28 motif that is required for in vivo costimulation

CTLA-4-deficient mice develop a lethal autoimmune lymphoproliferative disorder that is strictly dependent on in vivo CD28 costimulation. Nevertheless, it is not known whether there is a specific site on the CD28 molecule that is required for induction of autoimmunity. Using CTLA-4-deficient mice expressing CD28 molecules with various point mutations in the CD28 cytosolic tail, the present study documents that in vivo costimulation for induction of autoimmune disease strictly requires an intact C-terminal proline motif that promotes lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase Lck binding to the CD28 cytosolic tail, because point mutations in C-terminal proline residues (Pro-187 and Pro-190) completely prevented disease induction. In contrast, in vivo costimulation for disease induction did not require either an intact YMNM motif or an intact N-terminal proline motif, which, respectively, promote phosphoinositide 3-kinase and IL2-inducible T cell kinase binding to the CD28 cytosolic tail. Thus, in vivo CD28 costimulation for induction of autoimmune disease is strictly and specifically dependent on an intact C-terminal proline motif that serves as a lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine Lck kinase binding site in the CD28 cytosolic tail.     

CD28 provides T-cell costimulation and enhances PI3K activity at the immune synapse independently of its capacity to interact with the p85/p110 heterodimer

Activation of PI3K is among the earliest signaling events observed in T cells after conjugate formation with antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The relevant PI3K catalytic isoform and relative contribution of the TcR and CD28 to PI3K activity at the immune synapse have not been determined unequivocally. Using a quantitative imaging-based assay, we show that the PI3K activity at the T cell-APC contact area is dependent on the p110delta, but not the p110gamma, isoform of PI3K. CD28 enhanced PIP3 production at the T-cell synapse independently of its YMNM PI3K-recruitment motif that instead was required for efficient PKC recruitment. CD28 could partially compensate for the lack of p110delta activity during T-cell activation, which indicates that CD28 and p110delta act in parallel and complementary pathways to activate T cells. Consistent with this, CD28 and p110delta double-deficient mice were severely immune compromised. We therefore suggest that combined pharmaceutic targeting of p110delta activity and CD28 costimulation has potent therapeutic potential.