Stimulation of Fc gamma RIIIA results in phospholipase C-gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation and p56lck activation

Binding of ligand to the alpha subunit of Fc gamma RIIIA(CD16), expressed at the natural killer (NK) cell membrane in association with homo or heterodimers of proteins of the zeta family, results in phosphorylation of several proteins on tyrosine residues. We have analyzed the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of molecular events induced upon stimulation of Fc gamma RIIIA in NK cells and in T cells expressing the Fc gamma RIII alpha chain in association with endogenous zeta 2 homodimers and devoid of other (CD3, CD2) transducing molecules. Our data indicate that treatment of these cells with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors prevents not only Fc gamma RIIIA-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation but also phosphatidylinositol 4,5 diphosphate hydrolysis and increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, indicating a primary role of tyrosine kinase(s) in the induction of these early activation events. Occupancy of Fc gamma RIIIA by ligand results in phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation in NK cells and in Fc gamma RIIIA-transfected CD3-/CD2- T cells, and induces functional activation of p56lck in Fc gamma RIIIA alpha/zeta 2-transfected T cells, suggesting the possibility that the receptor-induced PLC-gamma 1 activation occurs upon phosphorylation of its tyrosine residues mediated by this kinase and is, at least in part, responsible for the signal transduction mediated via CD16 upon ligand binding.     

Coclustering CD45 with CD4 or CD8 alters the phosphorylation and kinase activity of p56lck

Antibody-mediated CD4 crosslinking results in increased tyrosine phosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity of the associated p56lck. Treatment with anti-CD4 and anti-Ig also induced the phosphorylation of p56lck in a CD45- mutant cell line, indicating that the increase in phosphotyrosine content of p56lck is not the result of being sequestered from CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase). Antibody-mediated coclustering of CD45 with CD4 inhibited the anti-CD4-induced phosphorylation of p56lck on tyrosine and the concomitant increase in in vitro kinase activity. Similar results were obtained when CD45 was coclustered with CD8 on cytotoxic T cell lines. These observations provide strong evidence that p56lck is a substrate for CD45 in vivo and provide an assay to study the regulation and specificity of CD45 PTPase activity.     

Physical and functional association of p56lck with Fc gamma RIIIA (CD16) in natural killer cells

The transmembrane receptor for immunoglobulin G immune complexes on natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages, Fc gamma RIIIA (CD16), mediates cellular activation through a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. We show that Fc gamma RIII crosslinking results in activation of the src-related kinase p56lck in NK cells and demonstrate a physical association of p56lck with Fc gamma RIIIA in immunoprecipitates from NK cells obtained using anti-Fc gamma RIII antibodies or immune complexes. Our studies show that the zeta chain, the signal transducing subunit of Fc gamma RIIIA and of T cell receptor, associates with p56lck and, in NK cells, is a substrate for this kinase. Such direct association of p56lck with the zeta subunit as confirmed by demonstrating the interaction in heterologous cells transfected with cDNA expressing p56lck and zeta. Our findings demonstrate both functional and physical association of p56lck with Fc gamma RIIIA, through direct interaction of the kinase with the zeta and/or the gamma signal transducer subunits of the receptor. These data suggest a possible mechanism by which activation via Fc gamma RIIIA occurs.     

Requirement for p56lck tyrosine kinase activation in T cell receptor- mediated thymic selection

The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase p56lck (Lck) serves as a fundamental regulator of thymocyte development by delivering signals from the pre-T cell receptor (pre-TCR) that permit subsequent maturation. However, considerable evidence supports the view that Lck also participates in signal transduction from the mature TCR. We have tested this conjecture by expressing a dominant-negative form of Lck under the control of a promoter element (the distal lck promoter) that directs high expression in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, mature thymocytes, and peripheral T cells, thereby avoiding, complications that result from the well-documented ability of dominant-negative Lck to block very early events in thymocyte maturation. Here we report that expression of the catalytically inactive Lck protein at twice normal concentrations inhibits thymocyte positive selection by as much as 80%, while leaving other aspects of cell maturation intact. This effect was studied in more detail in mice simultaneously bearing the male-specific H-Y alpha/beta TCR transgene and ovalbumin-specific DO10 alpha/beta TCR transgene, where even equimolar expression of the dominant-negative Lck protein substantially vitiated the positive selection process. Although deletion of H-Y alpha/beta thymocytes proceeded normally in male mice despite the presence of catalytically inactive Lck, modest inhibition of superantigen-mediated deletion was in some cases observed. These data further implicate Lck in the propagation of all TCR-derived signals, and indicate that even very modest deficiencies in the representation of functional Lck molecules could in humans, profoundly alter the character of the peripheral TCR repertoire.     

CD50 (intercellular adhesion molecule 3) stimulation induces calcium mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation through p59fyn and p56lck in Jurkat T cell line

The leukocyte differentiation antigen, CD50, has been recently identified as the intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3), the third counter-receptor of leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). This molecule seems to be specially involved in the adhesion events of the initial phases of the immune response. To characterize the role of CD50 in leukocyte interactions, the different molecular events induced after cross-linking of CD50 on T cell-derived Jurkat cell line have been analyzed. When cells were incubated with anti-CD50 mAbs and cross- linked with polyclonal goat anti-mouse immunoglobulins, a rise in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was observed. This increase in [Ca2+]i was mainly due to the uptake of extracellular Ca2+. This Ca2+ flux involved tyrosine phosphorylations and was further increased by CD3 costimulation. These data, together with those obtained by phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr) immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assays, suggested the involvement of protein-tyrosine kinases (PTK) in CD50 transduction pathways. By using specific antisera, the presence of p56lck and p59fyn protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) was clearly demonstrated in the CD50 immunoprecipitates. These findings suggest that the interaction of CD50 with its natural ligand (LFA-1) may result in T lymphocyte activation events, in which CD50 could play a very active role after antigen triggering.     

T cells from late tumor-bearing mice express normal levels of p56lck, p59fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3 zeta despite suppressed cytolytic activity

Loss of T cell-associated signal transduction molecules has recently been implicated in immune suppression in tumor-bearing hosts. In the present study, we have examined this and related phenomenon extensively in a large number of tumor-bearing mice, analyzed individually. Splenic T cells from tumor-bearing mice were isolated and characterized with respect to the following: (a) levels of three tyrosine kinases, p56lck, p59fyn, and ZAP-70; (b) expression of CD3-zeta; (c) alloreactive responses; and (d) antigen-specific responses. Contrary to recent reports, T cells from tumor-bearing mice were observed to express normal levels of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3-zeta. Further, T cells showed healthy alloreactive and antigen-specific responses until approximately 3 wk after post tumor challenge, when the tumors constituted approximately 20% of the body weight. Alterations with respect to some parameters were observed only in mice that had been bearing larger tumors for a considerably longer period. As human tumors are unlikely to grow to such large sizes (e.g., > 20% of the total body weight), the significance of the alterations in T cell expression of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, or CD3-zeta in the immune status of cancer patients is unclear. Altogether, these results indicate that alterations in T cell signal transduction molecules do not account for the profound tumor-specific suppression observed during tumor growth.     

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.     

Impaired T lymphocyte trafficking in mice deficient in an actin-nucleating protein, mDia1

Trafficking of immune cells is controlled by directed migration of relevant cells toward chemotactic signals. Actin cytoskeleton undergoes continuous remodeling and serves as machinery for cell migration. The mDia family of formins and the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)-Arp2/3 system are two major actin nucleating-polymerizing systems in mammalian cells, with the former producing long straight actin filaments and the latter producing branched actin meshwork. Although much is known about the latter, the physiological functions of mDia proteins are unclear. We generated mice deficient in one mDia isoform, mDia1. Although mDia1(-/-) mice were born and developed without apparent abnormality, mDia1(-/-) T lymphocytes exhibited impaired trafficking to secondary lymphoid organs in vivo and showed reduced chemotaxis, little actin filament formation, and impaired polarity in response to chemotactic stimuli in vitro. Similarly, mDia1(-/-) thymocytes showed reduced chemotaxis and impaired egression from the thymus. These results suggest that mDia1 plays a distinct role in chemotaxis in T lymphocyte trafficking.     

CD1-mediated gamma/delta T cell maturation of dendritic cells

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor fetal liver kinase 1 (flk1; VEGFR-2, KDR) is an endothelial cell-specific receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates physiological and pathological angiogenesis. We hypothesized that an active immunotherapy approach targeting flk1 may inhibit tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. To test this hypothesis, we first evaluated whether immune responses to flk1 could be elicited in mice by immunization with dendritic cells pulsed with a soluble flk1 protein (DC-flk1). This immunization generated flk1-specific neutralizing antibody and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell responses, breaking tolerance to self-flk1 antigen. Tumor-induced angiogenesis was suppressed in immunized mice as measured in an alginate bead assay. Development of pulmonary metastases was strongly inhibited in DC-flk1-immunized mice challenged with B16 melanoma or Lewis lung carcinoma cells. DC-flk1 immunization also significantly prolonged the survival of mice challenged with Lewis lung tumors. Thus, an active immunization strategy that targets an angiogenesis-related antigen on endothelium can inhibit angiogenesis and may be a useful approach for treating angiogenesis-related diseases.     

The SH3 domain of p56lck binds to proline-rich sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2

CD2, a cell surface glycoprotein expressed on T cells and natural killer cells, can couple to signaling pathways that result in T cell proliferation. An Src-like protein tyrosine kinase, p56lck, coprecipitates with CD2, and perturbation of CD2 by monoclonal antibodies results in an increase in the activity of p56lck, suggesting that an interaction with p56lck contributes to CD2-mediated signaling. Herein, we investigate the mechanism by which CD2 associates with p56lck. We demonstrate that CD2 and p56lck associate when coexpressed in nonlymphoid cells, that this association requires the cytoplasmic domain of CD2, and that the SH3 domain of p56lck mediates its interactions with CD2. Using truncation mutants of CD2, we identify two regions in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 involved in binding p56lck. Each region contains a proline-rich sequence that, in the form of a synthetic peptide, directly binds p56lck. Thus, proline-rich sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 allow this transmembrane receptor to bind to the SH3 domain of p56lck.     

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.     

The protein tyrosine kinase p56lck regulates thymocyte development independently of its interaction with CD4 and CD8 coreceptors [corrected] [published erratum appears in J Exp Med 1993 Sep 1;178(3):1135]

The lck gene encodes a lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase of the nonreceptor type that is implicated in signal transduction pathways emanating from the CD4 and CD8 coreceptors. Previous studies also support a role for p56lck in regulating T cell receptor beta gene rearrangements and, more generally, thymocyte development. Here we report that a mutant form of p56lck, which is incapable of interacting with CD4 or CD8, behaves indistinguishably from association-competent p56lck with respect to its ability to affect thymocyte maturation. The effects of p56lck remained specific in that the closely related src- family kinase p59hck was incapable of substituting for p56lck in arresting beta locus gene rearrangements. These data support the view that src-family kinases perform highly specialized and often nonoverlapping functions in hematopoietic cells, and that p56lck acts independently of its association with CD4 and CD8 to regulate thymocyte development.     

Ontogenic development and tissue distribution of V gamma 1-expressing gamma/delta T lymphocytes in normal mice

A hamster monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizing an epitope in the V gamma 1-J gamma 4-C gamma 4 chain of the gamma/delta T cell receptor has been generated. Using this mAb, we have quantitated the occurrence of V gamma 1-bearing gamma/delta T cells in the developing thymus and in the lymphoid organs and several epithelia of adult mice. The V gamma 1-expressing cells constitute a minor gamma/delta T cell subpopulation during fetal and early postnatal life, but they constitute a major population of gamma/delta T cells in the thymus and in the peripheral lymphoid organs in adult mice. In addition, we found that V gamma 1- bearing cells comprise a large proportion (15-60%) of the gamma/delta T cells present in the intestinal epithelium (i-IEL) in all strains of mice tested. V gamma 1+ i-IEL are present in athymic (nude) mice and in antigen-free mice, demonstrating that they can develop extrathymically and that their presence in the intestinal epithelium is independent of the antigenic load of the gut. Our results show that V gamma 1-bearing lymphocytes account for the largest population of gamma/delta T cells in the mouse. This population includes a thymus-dependent component that homes to the secondary lymphoid organs and a thymus-independent component that constitutes a major fraction of the gamma/delta i-IELs.     

HIV-induced apoptosis requires the CD4 receptor cytoplasmic tail and is accelerated by interaction of CD4 with p56lck

The roles of the CD4 receptor and the src kinase p56lck were examined in the process of HIV-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T lymphocytes. The presence of the CD4 cytoplasmic tail was found to be essential in delivering an apoptotic signal, and interaction of CD4 with p56lck potentiated HIV-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis, but not HIV replication, was abrogated by deleting the NH2-terminal intracytoplasmic tail of CD4, or by mutating the two critical cysteines in this tail that are responsible for CD4-p56lck interaction. Introduction of p56lck in C8166- 45 or MT-2 cells, CD4+ T cell lines deficient for this protein, greatly increased HIV-induced apoptosis and syncytium formation. The ability of p56lck to deliver an apoptotic signal did not depend on its kinase function, since a kinase-deficient mutant was as effective as its normal counterpart in inducing apoptosis, suggesting that p56lck may act as an adapter to anchor other proteins to transduce the death signal.     

多发性硬化患者T细胞克隆中CD3CD56双阳性细胞的分析

目的多发性硬化(MS)是一种器官特异的自身免疫病,病变侵犯中枢神经系统.MS不仅有T,B细胞介导,而且与脑淋巴瘤的发生有密切关系.方法本文用T细胞克隆技术,细胞表型分析技术和细胞毒活性分析经MBP抗原肽治疗的MS患者外周血的T,B淋巴细胞(另文发表).结果经MBP抗原肽诱导的T细胞克隆中有相当一部分T细胞系不仅高表达CD3CD56双阳性标志(NKT细胞),50.7%±4.9%,对照为6.0%和3.0%,而其他神经系统疾病分别是11.0%和20.0%,且这种双阳性细胞群不同于NK细胞能特异杀伤神经胶质瘤(59.7%±4.9%)而NK细胞仅为17.3%±4.5%,具有统计学差异.结论用MBP抗原肽诱导的T细胞克隆可用作疫苗治疗MS患者,而这种高表达CD3CD56双阳性标志(NKT细胞)对神经胶质瘤细胞较NK细胞潜在的更强的杀伤活性.至于其抗瘤机制正在研究之中.     

Interaction of mature CD3+CD4+ T cells with dendritic cells triggers the development of tertiary lymphoid structures in the thyroid

Ectopic expression of CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) in the thyroid leads to development of lymphoid structures that resemble those observed in Hashimoto thyroiditis. Deletion of the inhibitor of differentiation 2 (Id2) gene, essential for generation of CD3-CD4+ lymphoid tissue-inducer (LTi) cells and development of secondary lymphoid organs, did not affect formation of tertiary lymphoid structures. Rather, mature CD3+CD4+ T cells were critical for the development of tertiary lymphoid structures. The initial stages of this process involved interaction of CD3+CD4+ T cells with DCs, the appearance of peripheral-node addressin-positive (PNAd+) vessels, and production of chemokines that recruit lymphocytes and DCs. These findings indicate that the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures does not require Id2-dependent conventional LTis but depends on a program initiated by mature CD3+CD4+ T cells.     

Role of protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B in diabetes and obesity

Type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is reaching epidemic proportions in industrialized countries. Obesity is a major factor in this disease, since about 75% of obese individuals will develop type 2 diabetes. There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for these diseases. Recently, the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-1B has been shown to be a negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that inhibitors of this enzyme may be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Mice lacking PTP-1B are resistant to both diabetes and obesity.     

Complementary dendritic cell-activating function of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells: helper role of CD8+ T cells in the development of T helper type 1 responses

Dendritic cells (DCs) activated by CD40L-expressing CD4+ T cells act as mediators of "T helper (Th)" signals for CD8+ T lymphocytes, inducing their cytotoxic function and supporting their long-term activity. Here, we show that the optimal activation of DCs, their ability to produce high levels of bioactive interleukin (IL)-12p70 and to induce Th1-type CD4+ T cells, is supported by the complementary DC-activating signals from both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Cord blood- or peripheral blood-isolated naive CD8+ T cells do not express CD40L, but, in contrast to naive CD4+ T cells, they are efficient producers of IFN-gamma at the earliest stages of the interaction with DCs. Naive CD8+ T cells cooperate with CD40L-expressing naive CD4+ T cells in the induction of IL-12p70 in DCs, promoting the development of primary Th1-type CD4+ T cell responses. Moreover, the recognition of major histocompatibility complex class I-presented epitopes by antigen-specific CD8+ T cells results in the TNF-alpha- and IFN-gamma-dependent increase in the activation level of DCs and in the induction of type-1 polarized mature DCs capable of producing high levels of IL-12p70 upon a subsequent CD40 ligation. The ability of class I-restricted CD8+ T cells to coactivate and polarize DCs may support the induction of Th1-type responses against class I-presented epitopes of intracellular pathogens and contact allergens, and may have therapeutical implications in cancer and chronic infections.