| Abstract: | Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) are γδ T cells that normally reside in murine skin. They express on their surface the 2B4 molecule, a 66-kDa glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily thought to be associated with anti-tumor cytotoxicity by natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cells. Here, we show that ligation of surface 2B4 transduces cell activation signals in DETC. Treatment with anti-2B4 monoclonal antibodies triggers the secretion of interferon-γ and interleukin-2 by DETC lines, induces proliferation of resting DETC lines, amplifies anti-CD3-dependent proliferation of DETC freshly isolated from mouse skin; and up-regulates egr-1 and c-fos mRNA expression. These results indicate a unique pathway for DETC activation. |
