Leukocyte cell surface enzymology: CD45 (LCA, T200) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase

Intestinal selenoprotein P in epithelial cells and in plasma cells

The micronutrient selenium and selenium-containing selenoproteins are involved in prevention of inflammation and carcinogenesis in the gut. Selenoprotein P (Sepp1), the plasma selenium transport protein, is secreted primarily from hepatocytes, but Sepp1 mRNA is also abundant in the intestine. By immunofluorescence analysis, we show that Sepp1 levels in epithelial cells of the rat jejunum increase along the crypt-to-villus axis. A different Sepp1 distribution pattern was observed in the rat colon, where the epithelial cells located at the base and at the top of the crypts were similarly positive for Sepp1. In addition, we found pronounced Sepp1 immunoreactivity in CD138-positive plasma cells scattered within the lamina propria of the colon. This hitherto unrecognized presence in terminally differentiated B-cells was corroborated by detection of Sepp1 in plasma cells residing in the rat spleen. Following supplementation with dietary selenium compounds, polarized intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells secreted Sepp1 into the culture medium across the basolateral membrane. Our data suggest that Sepp1 secreted from epithelial cells may support the intestinal immune system by providing immune cells (including plasma cells) with selenium for the biosynthesis of endogenous selenoproteins.

The Biology of CD45 and its Use as a Therapeutic Target

All mature hemopoietic lineage cells, with exclusion of platelets and mature erythrocytes, share the surface expression of a transmembrane phosphatase, the CD45 molecule. It is also present on hemopoietic stem cells and most leukemic clones and therefore presents as an appropriate target for immunotherapy with anti-CD45 antibodies. This short review details the biology of CD45 and its recent targeting for both treatment of malignant disorders and tolerance induction. In particular, the question of potential stem cell depletion for induction of central tolerance or depletion of malignant hemopoietic cells is addressed. Mechanisms underlying the effects downstream of CD45 binding to the cell surface are discussed.

CD44 microbeads accelerate HIV-1 infection in T cells

Super-paramagnetic CD44 MicroBeads (Miltenyi) designed for the isolation of infectious HIV-1 from dilute or difficult biological samples dramatically enhance the infectivity of bound HIV virions, even if the original viral suspension is merely incubated with beads. Infection of the CEM T cell line with the NL4-3 virus clone or primary human CD4 T cells with X4- and R5-tropic clones and a clade C primary virus isolate all showed accelerated p24 production and larger fractions of infected target cells. Effects could be detected very early; incubation of virus with the CD44 MicroBeads promoted higher levels of viral integration within the first infection cycle. In summary, CD44 MicroBeads provide the means not only to concentrate dilute viral samples, but also to directly facilitate within days rather than weeks the in vitro expansion of patient isolates independent of coreceptor usage and the performance of HIV replication assays that require a large fraction of infected primary T cells.

The glycosylation status of murine [corrected] postnatal thymus: a study by histochemistry and lectin blotting

During the intrathymic development, the fate of the thymocytes depends largely on variable expression of CD4/CD8 markers and T cell receptor protein expressions. In addition, changes of cell surface glycosylation status also affect the thymocyte maturation. In this study the glycosylation alterations in thymic tissues from 1, 9, 13 and 16 days old mice were evaluated by histochemical and lectin blotting techniques. With alcian blue (AB) at pH 5.7/periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stainings, it was shown that thymic microenvironments contained carboxlylated and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Strong positivity to AB at pH 2.5, which specific for sialomucins, was seen in some medullary thymocytes. Similarly, it was shown that with Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAL) medullary thymocytes, but not cortical ones, contained alpha(2 --> 3) linked sialic acid structures. On the other hand, while reaction with peanut agglutinin (PNA), which specific for core disaccharide galactose beta(1 --> 3) N-acetylgalactosamine, was only seen in cortical thymocytes, reaction with Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), which specific for terminal mannose residues, was seen in both cortex and medulla. However, Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA), which recognizes galactose beta(1 --> 4) N-acetylglucosamine, was not only cell-specific, but it was bound some thymic vessels. With lectin blotting studies, five glycoprotein bands of molecular weights approximately 39, approximately 54, 100, approximately 110 and approximately 212 were found which reacted with MAL, PNA and DSA as well as GNA. These results suggest that glycosylation patterns of cell surface glycoconjugates are modified during thymocyte selection processes of postnatal days.

Cell surface glycosylation diversity of embryonic thymic tissues

In the thymus, glycosylation status of many cell surface molecules changes during the thymocyte maturation and selection processes. In this study, we evaluated the glycosylation changes and possible relationships with programmed cell death in the thymic tissues from mouse embryos at the days 14 (E14), 15 (E15), 16 (E16), 17 (E17) and 18 (E18) of embryonic development. In order to determine glycosylation changes we used three different plant lectins: peanut agglutinin (PNA), Maackia amurensis leucoagglutinin (MAL or MAAI) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), which recognize core disaccharide galactose (1-3) N-acetylgalactosamine [Galbeta(1-->3)GalNAc], sialic acid linked (2-->3) to galactose [SAalpha(2-->3)Gal] and sialic acid linked to galactose [SAalpha(2-->6)Gal] structures, respectively. Our lectin histochemistry and lectin blotting studies indicated that glycosylation pattern was modified in thymocytes at the embryonic developmental stages analyzed. The immature cortical thymocytes were labeled by PNA, whereas medullary thymocytes were positive for MAL and SNA binding. Many medullary thymocytes exhibited alpha(2-->6)-linked sialic acid on their surface and this increased throughout the gestational stages. In the lectin blotting studies, different protein bands of various molecular weights were identified in thymocytes. Two of them were putatively identified as CD43 and CD45 glycoproteins. In addition, TUNEL (deoxynucleotdyltransferase-mediated dUDP nick end labeling) indicated that only PNA-positive cortical thymocytes were deleted in all embryonic stages. These results indicate that the glycosylation pattern was modified in thymocytes at all embryonic developmental stages, and these modifications can affect the T cell deletion, probably via the galectin-1 molecule in the embryonic thymus.

Sickle erythrocyte adherence to endothelium at low shear: role of shear stress in propagation of vaso-occlusion

Under venular flow conditions, sickle cell adherence to endothelium is mediated by cell adhesion molecules and adhesive proteins associated with inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial perturbation. Periodic and reduced blood flow are observed in sickle microcirculation during hematologic steady state, suggesting that blood flow is compromised in sickle microcirculation. We tested the hypothesis that low blood flow enhances adherence by quantifying sickle cell adhesion to endothelium under venular flow (1.0 dyne/cm(2) shear stress) and low flow (0.1 dyne/cm(2) shear stress), with and without addition of adhesion promoting agonists. Under low flow, sickle cell adherence to endothelium increases with contact time in the absence of endothelial activation or adhesive protein addition. In contrast, at venular shear stress, sickle cell adherence only occurs following endothelial activation with TNF-alpha or addition of thrombospondin. Analysis of these data with a mathematical model reveals that at low flow adherence is "transport-controlled," meaning that contact time between sickle cells and endothelium is a more important determinant of adherence than high-affinity receptor-ligand interactions. Low-affinity interactions are sufficient for adhesion at low flow. In contrast, at venular flow (1 dyne/cm(2) shear stress) adherence is "affinity-controlled," meaning that adherence requires induction of specific high-affinity receptor-ligand interactions. These findings demonstrate that in addition to activating factors and adherence proteins, microvascular shear stress is an important determinant of sickle cell adhesion to endothelium. This suggests that in vivo, erythrostasis is an important determinant of adhesion that can act either independently or concurrently with ongoing acute events to induce adhesive interactions and vaso-occlusion.

Age-related structural modulation of T lymphocyte-associated CD45 isoforms

A monoclonal antibody, specific to all conventional CD45 isoforms, was employed in two-dimensional (2D) sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting to investigate possible age-related differential expression of these isoforms among immature and mature thymocytes as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations in the periphery of newly-born, young and aged BALB/c mice. In young mice, and to a lesser degree in newly-born mice, intra-thymic maturation seemed to be paralleled by the capacity of thymocytes to synthesize distinct CD45 isoforms constituted by extensively heterogeneous acidic charge entities. Thymocyte maturation in aged mice, on the other hand, was characterized by minimal heterogeneity, as the observed pattern was essentially similar to the immature population in 2D blots. As inferred from comparisons of 2D blots of sialylated and desialylated forms of the CD45 complex, age-related differences in isoforms expressed by the CD4+ and the CD8+ T cell subpopulations in the periphery resided mainly in the degree of sialylation of the constituent isoforms. Given the potential of the differential sialylation state of CD45 in altering the recognition properties of lymphocytes, regulation of CD45 sialylation with age may add another level of complexity to the lymphocyte surface phenotype, which in turn may be implicated in cell-cell interaction mechanisms during lymphocyte maturation and senescence.

CD45-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production in monocytes is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent and nuclear factor-kappaB-independent

The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanisms involved in regulating monocyte/macrophage TNFalpha production are not yet fully understood but are thought to involve both soluble factors and cell/cell contact with other cell types. Ligation of certain cell surface receptors, namely CD45, CD44, and CD58, can induce the production of TNFalpha in monocytes. In this paper, we investigate further the signaling pathways utilized by cell surface receptors (specifically CD45) to induce monocyte TNFalpha and compare the common/unique pathways involved with that of lipopolysaccharide. The results indicate that monocyte TNFalpha induced upon CD45 ligation or lipopolysaccharide stimulation is differentially modulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB but similarly regulated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results demonstrate that both common and unique signaling pathways are utilized by different stimuli for the induction of TNFalpha. These observations may have a major bearing on approaches to inhibiting TNFalpha production in disease where the cytokine has a pathogenic role.

Circulating Vdelta1+ T cells are activated and accumulate in the skin of systemic sclerosis patients

OBJECTIVE

An increased percentage of Vdelta1+/gamma/delta T cells has been detected both in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study evaluated the subset distribution, activation status, and expression of cellular adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (CD54), very late activation antigen alpha4 (CD49d), and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1alpha (CD11a), on circulating gamma/delta T cells, as well as their presence in the skin of SSc patients.

METHODS

We studied 12 patients with SSc and 16 healthy volunteer donors. The distribution, activation status, and expression of cellular adhesion molecules were studied by flow cytometry; their presence in SSc patient skin was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We found that the percentages and absolute numbers of peripheral blood gamma/delta T cells, CD16, CD8, CD45RO, CD25, HLA-DR, CD54, and CD11a coexpression did not differ significantly from those of the controls. CD49d gamma/delta T cells were significantly increased in SSc patients (2.3%) compared with controls (0.5%). A marked increase in the ratio of Vdelta1+ cells to gamma/delta cells was observed in the patients (72%) compared with the controls (31%). The Vdelta1+ subset showed a significant expression of both HLA-DR (83% of total Vdelta1+ cells) and CD49d (90% of total Vdelta1+ cells) compared with the controls (20.5% and 60%, respectively). In the skin, the absolute numbers of gamma/delta T cells were found in striking amounts in perivascular areas, particularly in the early edematous phase of SSc (22.58 in patients and 0 in controls); the majority of gamma/delta T cells were Vdelta1+ (19 in patients and 0 in controls). In the advanced phase of SSc, Vdelta1+ T cells were also increased compared with controls (3.5 versus 0).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that Vdelta1+ T cells express both adhesion molecules and activation markers, and strongly support gamma/delta T cell homing to sites of inflammation. The increase in the Vdelta1 subset suggests a selective V gene subset expansion.

Expression of hematopoietic cell markers by retinal pigment epithelial cells

PURPOSE

We investigated the expression of various isoforms of the hematopoietic cell marker CD45 on retinal pigment epithelial cells in relation to their expression of CD68 and the cytokine-reactive intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). We also determined the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and IFN gamma on the expression of these molecules by RPE cells in culture.

METHODS

Monolayers of RPE cells between 3rd and 7th passages were cultured in the presence or absence of cytokines, followed by immunohistochemical staining for CD45 (170-220 kD), CD45RA (205 and 220 kD), CD45RO (180 kD), CD68 and ICAM-1, using the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. Total (membrane and cytoplasmic) expression of each of the three CD45 isoforms was determined by enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA).

RESULTS

The majority of RPE cells expressed all isoforms of CD45 on their membranes and the pattern of expression of these molecules was not modified by culture. The greatest intensity of membrane staining was consistently observed with antibodies to CD45RA (205 + 220 kD), while CD45 (170-220 kD) showed to be the predominant isoform within the whole cell, as judged by ELISA assays. Unlike the membrane expression of CD45, only 20% of RPE cells stained for the macrophage surface molecule CD68 following 4 h of culture, but progressive increase in the proportion of CD68 positive cells was observed by extending the culture to 24 and 48 h. Neither the expression of CD68 nor the various isoforms of CD45 were modified by incubation with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Staining for ICAM-1 was observed in 21-25% of RPE cells throughout the 48 h culture. However, incubation with 50 pg/ml of IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and IFN gamma caused a marked increase in the RPE cell expression of ICAM-1 following 4, 24 and 48 h culture.

CONCLUSIONS

The observations suggest that hematopoietic cell markers are constitutively expressed on RPE cells and that functions governed by these molecules are not influenced by pro-inflammatory signals. Expression of hematopoietic molecules by RPE cells may influence the macrophage-like properties of these cells and may also aid in the identification of RPE cells during pathological processes, particularly in the proliferative retinopathies, where these cells undergo phenotypic and functional changes.

In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells: immunophenotypic analysis of cultured embryoid bodies

The process of in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation and embryoid body development was monitored using a panel of antibodies against surface markers traditionally associated with embryonic tissue (Forssman, SSEA-1) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (Fall-3, HSA, Sca-1, Thy-1.2, ER-MP12, CD45, AA4.1, and c-kit). All markers with the exception of CD45 and AA4.1 were initially detected in cultures of undifferentiated ES cells. During the first 11 days of differentiation, distinct and reproducible patterns of surface expression were observed for each marker. Using the kinetic display of surface markers as a gauge of differentiation, perturbations in embryoid body development were detected in cultures supplemented with interleukin-11, a gp130-activating cytokine thought to affect embryonic stem cell differentiation. In the absence of exogenous cytokines, microbead immunoselected day 7 c-kit, ER-MP12, and CD45-positive embryoid body cells were enriched for hematopoietic progenitors as detected by methylcellulose colony assays, while no significant enrichment of hematopoietic progenitors was observed with Sca-1, Thy-1.2, Fall-3, and Forssman-immunoselected cells. These results indicate that the process of early embryoid body development is associated with a programmed sequence of cell surface marker display, concomitant with the development of phenotypically definable embryonic cell lineages.

Lineage- and differentiation stage-specific expression of LSM-1 (LPAP), a possible substrate for CD45, in human hematopoietic cells

CD45, a transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase, is found on almost all nucleated hematopoietic cells and plays a crucial role in lymphocyte activation and differentiation. We recently achieved isolation of the human LSM-1 (hLSM-1) gene, whose product is a possible substrate for CD45, and we raised antibodies against the hLSM-1 protein. hLSM-1 expression in hematopoietic cells was examined with Northern and Western blot, fluorescence-activated cell sorter, and immunocytochemical analyses. It was found that in the lymphoid lineage, T and B lymphocytes as well as NK cells expressed LSM-1, whereas terminally differentiated plasma cells did not. As for the myeloid lineage, immature myeloid cells expressed LSM-1, whereas terminally differentiated granulocytes and monocytes did not. In the erythroid lineage, normal erythroblasts expressed very low levels of LSM-1, while erythroid cell lines (K562 and HEL) did not. Megakaryocytes did not express LSM-1. Both CD34+/CD33- and CD34+/CD33+ hematopoietic progenitor cells weakly expressed LSM-1. These results showed that LSM-1 is expressed in a lineage- and differentiation stage-specific fashion.

CD45 isoforms expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells throughout life, from newborns to centenarians: implications for T cell memory

CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes show mutually exclusive expression of CD45RA or CD45R0, two isoforms of the common leukocyte antigen that seem to recognize so-called virgin/unprimed and memory/activated T cells. The expression of these isoforms has been studied by three colour cytofluorimetric analysis on CD4+ or CD8+ peripheral blood CD3+ cells from 22 healthy centenarians, analyzed in a context of 202 healthy donors 0-110 years old. An age-related unbalance of virgin and memory cells was found between CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. As expected, at birgh 95-99% of the CD3+ lymphocytes expressed the CD45RA isoform. A rapid increase of CD45R0+ cells was observed in the first 2-3 decades of life, this phenomenon being much more pronounced on CD4+ cells. Subsequently, the increase of the 'memory' compartment was much less rapid, so that in centenarians a consistent reservoire of CD45RA+ among CD4+ cells was still present (about 20%). In these exceptional individuals the percentage of CD45RA+ cells among CD8+ T lymphocytes was even higher (about 50%), and only slightly lower than that of young donors (about 55-60%). Thus, the main changes occurred at a different rate in CD4+ (about 20%). In these exceptional individuals the percentage of CD45RA+ cells among CD8+ T lymphocytes was even higher (about 50%), and only slightly lower than that of young donors (about 55-60%). Thus, the main changes occurred at a different rate in CD4+ and in CD8+ T cells, at an age of between 0 and 30 years, when the thymus is still functionally active. Interestingly, no difference in the usage of CD45 isoforms was observed within T cells bearing four different V beta-T cell receptor (TCR). The significance of this age-related unbalance is unknown. However, the presence of a great number of CD45RA+ T lymphocytes within the CD4+ and the CD8+ T cell subsets even in the peripheral blood of centenarians poses the problem of their origin (thymus? extrathymic sites?), of their functional role and of their lifespan. Moreover, the data on centenarians suggest that they may represent a very selected population where a slowing of immunosenescence occurs.

Inhibition of T cell mitogenesis by a novel anti-CD45R monoclonal antibody

CD45 consists of a major family of membrane glycoproteins which have protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and regulate early activation events, progression and maturation signals in leucocytes. Various isoforms of CD45 (Mr 180-240 kDa) regulate sets of intermolecular associations between different surface receptors, and appear to be differentially expressed on B and T cells (namely CD45RA, B or CD45RO). We describe a novel IgG2a mAb directed against restricted and unique CD45R modified epitopes expressed preferentially on peripheral blood T cells. This anti-CD45R antibody (I(2)4c) at concentrations of 50 and 200 ng/mL inhibited mitogenic T cell lectin and anti-CD3-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and blocked associated IL-2 secretion in vitro. Phorbol ester-stimulated mitogenesis was unaltered suggesting that the inhibition occurs independent of protein kinase C-mediated pathways. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation of purified cell lysates reveals that I(2)4c preferentially binds the higher Mr bands of CD45 expressed on T cells. Following T cell activation in vitro, the 190 kDa band became more predominant and an additional 130 kDa protein, possibly a proteolytic fragment was recognized. I(2)4c may inhibit T cell mitogenesis by direct effects on CD45R alone or by preventing interaction with other membrane-associated proteins and hence adhesive interactions with monocytes. Such interactions may however inhibit the initiation of signal transduction and, as a consequence, alter cellular activation by mitogenic lectins and anti-CD3 in vitro.

CD45 (leucocyte common antigen) expression in T and B lymphocyte subsets

CD45 is the dominant tyrosine phosphatase in haematopoietic cells and can modulate the effects of many other signaling molecules by dephosphorylation. The extracellular portion of CD45 has considerable variability due to differential splicing and glycosylation. This may allow for interactions with a variety of ligands expressed on interacting cells or on the same cell surface. Monoclonal anti CD45 antibodies that are reactive with epitopes that result from differential splicing and glycosylation can distinguish between cell populations that differ in maturation and function. These reagents can be used in the immunophenotyping of hematopoietic malignancies as well as in immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Several studies have shown that different anti CD45 reagents have different activating or inhibiting effects in vitro on a variety of T and B cell activation events. There are some indications that anti CD45 reagents can also selectively modify lymphocyte function in vivo. Such applications could potentially allow for the selective upregulation and down regulation of lymphocyte functions in a variety of immunologically mediated diseases.

Effects of monoclonal antibody against CD45RB on peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and on HLA-DR and adhesion molecule expression on thyrocytes of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

To evaluate the role of CD45 (especially that of the ectodomain region B) on immunocyte-thyrocyte signaling in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), we have examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against with CD45RB, termed MT3. MT3 was added to cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with AITD and was additionally injected into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice to which Graves' thyroid cells and intrathyroidal lymphocytes were engrafted. MT3 stimulated proliferation of PBMC when cultured for 2 to 3 days in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) and in normal controls (NC). However, when cultured for 7 days, the stimulation index [SI: counts per minute (cpm) with mAb/cpm without mAb] was lowered by MT3 in NC and GD patients. However, the mean SI was not lowered in patients with HT. In SCID mice, the concentrations of human immunoglobulin G, antithyroglobulin and antithyroperoxidase antibodies in sera were not significantly changed by injecting MT3. The expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on engrafted human thyrocytes decreased after the tissues were engrafted into the control mice to which vehicle alone was injected. However, in the mice injected with MT3, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression remained high or up-regulated by the injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of CD45 engagement by the B-cell receptor CD22

The B-cell receptor CD22 binds sialic acid linked alpha-2-6 to terminal galactose residues on N-linked oligosaccharides associated with several cell-surface glycoproteins. The first of these sialoglycoproteins to be identified was the receptor-linked phosphotyrosine phosphatase CD45, which is required for antigen/CD3-induced T-cell activation. In the present work, we examine the effect of interaction between the extracellular domain of CD45 and CD22 on T-cell activation. Using soluble CD22-immunoglobulin fusion proteins and T cells expressing wild-type and chimeric CD45 forms, we show that engagement of CD45 by soluble CD22 can modulate early T-cell signals in antigen receptor/CD3-mediated stimulation. We also show that addition of sialic acid by beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase to the CD22 molecule abrogates interactions between CD22 and its ligands. Together, these observations provide direct evidence for a functional role of the interaction between the extracellular domain of CD45 and a natural ligand and suggest another regulatory mechanism for CD22-mediated ligand engagement.

Human CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ T cells exhibit similar CD3/T cell receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling capacities but differ in response to co-stimulatory signals

CD45RA+ cells have been described to be less responsive to CD3/T cell receptor (TcR)-mediated activation than CD45R0+ T cells. To analyze the underlying mechanism of the differential responses we compared CD3/TcR-triggered tyrosine phosphorylation in the two subsets and studied the role of co-stimulatory signals provided either by accessory cells or pharmacologic activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester. Stimulation of purified CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ T cells with CD3/TcR antibodies induced similar patterns and intensities of tyrosine phosphorylation in the two subsets, but no proliferation. If accessory cells were used as the source of co-stimulatory signals, strong expression of the 55-kDa chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (CD25), significant IL-2 production and vigorous proliferation were observed in CD45R0+ cells, whereas CD45RA+ cells responded weakly. However, when CD3/TcR-mediated triggering was combined with activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester, CD45RA+ cells responded strongly. These data indicate that the transmembrane signaling capacity of the T cell receptor expressed by CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ cells is similar and, therefore, is presumably not responsible for the differential reactivities of the two subsets. It is more likely that co-stimulatory signals determine whether CD3/TcR-initiated activation results in strong or weak responses.

Differential expression and regulation of cytokine mRNAs in normal human CD45R T cell subsets

Cytokine mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)/PCR in extensively purified normal peripheral CD4+CD45R T cell subsets. Both CD45RA+ and CD45 RO+ populations produced mRNAs for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-2 receptor (alpha chain), IL-6 receptor and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-beta within 3-4 h of activation. Whilst IL-3 and RANTES were also expressed in both subsets, CD45RO+ cells were clearly the major producers of these cytokines. In contrast, mRNA transcripts for IL-1 alpha, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and the T cell receptor for IL-1 were almost exclusively induced in CD45RO+ T cells. A population of CD4+ T cells co-expressing intermediate levels of both CD45RA and CD45RO, namely CD45RA+/CD45RO+, appeared to be the major producers of IL-6. Addition of cycloheximide (CHx) 4 h after T cell activation resulted in substantial superinduction of IL-2 mRNA in the CD4+CD45RO+ population but had little effect on CD4+CD45RA+ cells. Taken together, these results show that normal CD4+CD45R T cell subsets exhibit distinct cytokine mRNA profiles and that these differ from the patterns displayed by Th1 and Th2 type T helper clones. Furthermore, they suggest for the first time that IL-2 mRNA turnover is differentially regulated in CD45R T cell subsets.

Rapid interferon-gamma-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of cytosolic and membranal proteins in HL-60 promyelocytic cells

The involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the early stages of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)-induced monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells was studied. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that IFN gamma induced rapid changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation of several endogenous cytosolic and membranal proteins. The most prominent of these polypeptides was a 84 kDa protein. In membranes, the IFN gamma-induced phosphorylation of this protein was detectable in 5 min, remained elevated for 3 h and declined thereafter, while a gradual decrease in the phosphotyrosine content was observed in cytosols. In parallel, a 40% increase in the phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity was detected in the later stages of IFN gamma treatment. Rapid changes in tyrosine phosphorylation were detected also in a 64 kDa protein. In contrast, 2-day exposure to IFN gamma was needed to potentiate significantly the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 36 kDa membranal polypeptide. These data support the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the early stages of IFN gamma-induced monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Expression of MRP14, 27E10, interferon-alpha and leukocyte common antigen by reactive microglia in postmortem human brain tissue

We have immunohistochemically investigated the localization of a panel of leukocyte-related molecules in postmortem human brain tissue from control subjects and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia constitutively express leukocyte common antigens (LCA) with CD45RB determinants. Depending on the state of activation, microglia become positive for the myeloid cell-specific calcium binding protein MRP14, LCA with CD45RO determinant, interferon-alpha, and an antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 27E10. In AD lesions, these cells are activated in a manner consistent with a chronic inflammatory state. The results of this study have shown further parallels in protein expression between activated microglia and activated leukocytes of the myeloid lineage.

Ethanol-specific impairment of T-lymphocyte activation is caused by a transitory block in signal-transduction pathways

BACKGROUND

Immune system derangement is characteristic of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. However, in vitro studies have never clarified the alcohol-induced T-lymphocyte dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine any discrete phenotypical and functional abnormalities and possible impairment in transmembrane signal-transduction pathways that, if present on lymphocytes of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, would also be reproducible after in vitro ethanol exposure of normal T cells.

METHODS

Lymphocytes from 25 patients were analyzed for their in vitro proliferative functions, intracellular Ca2+ fluxes, and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) generation. The same procedures were applied to normal T cells exposed in vitro to ethanol.

RESULTS

Lymphocytes failed to respond to anti-CD3 and anti-CD2 after in vitro stimulation, with decreased intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and IP3 generation but showed normal proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin. In vitro ethanol incubation of normal T lymphocytes resulted in rearrangement of the membrane CD45 antigen, favoring the expression of high-molecular-weight isoforms, and showed a poor blastogenic response to anti-CD3 and anti-CD2 with a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and IP3 production. After a 6-month period of ethanol withdrawal, some patients had normalization of phenotypic and functional alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

The T-lymphocyte response to specific polyclonal activators may be severely impaired in alcohol abusers. However, it seems reversible after a period of controlled ethanol withdrawal.

Selective activation of resting human gamma delta T lymphocytes by interleukin-2

In rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases we and others have found that gamma delta T cells express activation antigens, suggesting that they are involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. In this study we have stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal donors with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to see whether such a stimulus alone could activate gamma delta T cells. Short-term exposure (24-96 h) to rIL-2 selectively stimulated the gamma delta but not the alpha beta T cells to express activation antigens (CD69, CD25 and HLA-DR). Long-term culture (2 weeks) in rIL-2-containing medium caused a selective increase in the proportion of the gamma delta T cells and a corresponding reduction of the fraction of alpha beta T cells. Limiting dilution analysis revealed that approximately 1/60 of the gamma delta T cells responded to IL-2 in contrast to only 1/250 of the alpha beta T cells. Comparison of the expression of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha and beta chains showed that there was a similar expression of the alpha chain on gamma delta and alpha beta T cells whereas the relative density of the beta chain was more than twice as high on gamma delta T cells. Both the IL-2-induced proliferation of gamma delta T cells and the expression of activation antigens on these cells could be inhibited by an anti-IL-2R beta monoclonal antibody (mAb) but not by an anti-IL-2R alpha mAb. Expression of CD69 on gamma delta T cells was dependent neither on the presence of B cells, monocytes, nor alpha beta T cells. Finally, we found that the IL-2-induced expression of CD69 was inhibited by activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and by inhibition of the Src-family of the tyrosine protein kinase, but not by inhibition of protein kinase C or by activation of the CD45 associated tyrosine phosphatase. The ability of gamma delta T cells to be activated by IL-2 is a feature which they have in common with natural killer cells. Moreover, it may be possible that the expression of activation antigens on gamma delta T cells in inflammatory diseases is an epiphenomenon secondary to IL-2 produced by activated alpha beta T cells.

Comparative analysis of phosphotyrosyl polypeptides in normal and leukemic human T lymphocytes activated via CD3 or CD2

Phosphotyrosyl polypeptides induced following CD3- or CD2- specific antibody stimulation were analysed in different human T cell lines by immunoblotting or by immunoprecipitation of 32P-labelled cell lysates using a phosphotyrosine-specific monoclonal antibody. In Jurkat cells, resting peripheral T lymphocytes, T lymphoblasts, CD8+ T lymphoblasts and a CD4+ T cell clone, CD3 stimulation induced a strong but transient tyrosine phosphorylation of at least 15 polypeptides. However, in peripheral T cells and T blasts, the kinetics of phosphorylation were considerably slower than in Jurkat cells. The pattern of phosphotyrosyl polypeptides induced by CD3 stimulation was similar, although some differences were noted between normal T cells and Jurkat, especially at the level of the extent of phosphorylation. As had been previously reported for Jurkat T cells, a qualitatively similar tyrosine phosphorylation response was induced upon CD2 or CD3 stimulation in each of the analysed T cell populations, suggesting that CD3 and CD2 share a common pathway of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activation. In HPB. ALL leukemia T cells (which express very low levels of CD45), both CD3 and CD2 stimulation induced only very weak protein tyrosyl phosphorylation. However, a 50 kDa polypeptide, which was part of an inducible doublet in Jurkat or normal T lymphocytes, was constitutively tyrosyl-phosphorylated in the HPB. ALL line. These results suggest that there is a common pathway of early PTK activation following CD3- or CD2-mediated stimulation in mature T cells, whether they express surface CD4 or CD8, and also that the PTK may be differently regulated in different T cell populations leading to different kinetics or intensity of tyrosyl phosphorylation.

Dual expression of CD45RA and CD45RO isoforms on myelin basic protein-specific CD4+ T-cell lines in multiple sclerosis

Myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T-cell lines from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls were analyzed for the expression of CD45 isoforms and adhesion molecules. In the multiple sclerosis group, 22 of 24 MBP-specific T-cell lines were CD4+. Two distinct patterns were observed with regard to CD45 isoform expression. Pattern I showed dual expression of CD45 isoforms (CD4+CD45RA+CD45RO+CD29+) and Pattern II included cells with a single CD45 isoform (CD4+CD45RA-CD45RO+CD29+). All 10 cell lines from healthy controls were CD4+ and displayed Pattern II (CD4+CD45RA-CD45RO+CD29+). The dual expression of CD45 isoform in T-cell lines from MS was stable, did not represent a transition stage from CD45RA to CD45RO, and was cell-cycle independent. All cell lines from MS and controls expressed increased levels of LFA-1 (CD11a), LFA-2 (CD2), LFA-3 (CD58), ICAM-1 (CD54), and VLA-4 (CDw49d). These data show the presence of unique MBP-specific T cells (CD4+CD45RA+CD45RO+CD29+) that might play a role in the pathogenesis of MS.

A high proportion of the V delta 1+ synovial fluid gamma delta T cells in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients express the very early activation marker CD69, but carry the high molecular weight isoform of the leucocyte common antigen (CD45RA)

We have previously shown that gamma delta T cells in the synovial compartment of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) express activation antigens (CD69 and HLA-DR) and that they are predominantly of the V delta 1 subset. In this study we have analysed the expression of activation antigens (CD69 and HLA-DR) and different isoforms of the leucocyte common antigen (CD45RO and CD45RA) on the V delta 1 and the V delta 2 subsets of gamma delta T cells in paired samples of synovial fluid and peripheral blood of nine patients with JRA, and in the peripheral blood of five children with idiopathic scoliosis. In the synovial fluid of children with JRA, there were significantly more V delta 1+CD69+ and V delta 2+CD69+ cells compared with the peripheral blood of the same patients. In contrast, however, in the synovial fluid the V delta 1 and the V delta 2 subsets differed with respect to the expression of the two isoforms of the leucocyte common antigen. The majority of the V delta 1+ cells expressed the high molecular weight isoform (CD45RA+) while most of the V delta 2+ cells carried the low molecular weight variant (CD45RO+) of this molecule.

CD22-mediated stimulation of T cells regulates T-cell receptor/CD3-induced signaling

Interaction between B lymphocytes and other cell types is mediated in part by the B-cell adhesion molecule CD22. Recent work has suggested one of the T-cell ligands of B cells to be CD45RO, an isoform of the receptor-linked phosphotyrosine phosphatase CD45. Here we demonstrate direct interaction between CD22 and several isoforms of CD45, including CD45RO, and propose that the interaction may participate in regulation of lymphocyte signaling. Cross-linking of CD3 and CD22 T-cell ligands with anti-CD3 antibody and soluble CD22 is shown to block anti-CD3-induced intracellular calcium increase and to inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C gamma 1. These effects are consistent with those observed upon coligation of CD3 and CD45 with antibody, providing support to the possibility that ligand-mediated stimulation of CD45 may result in modulation of substrate phosphorylation and lymphocyte activation.

CD45RA-R0+ subset is the major population of dividing thymocytes in the human

CD45, or leukocyte common antigen, is expressed in different isoforms on different subsets of thymocytes, suggesting its involvement in the process of T cell development in the thymus. We report studies on CD45 isoform expression on human thymocytes at various stages of development using three-color flow cytometric analysis and cell cycle analysis. Among CD45R0+ cells 18.4% were in S+G2/M phase and represented more than 80% of the dividing cells in the thymus. Among the CD45R0- cells 10.9% were also in cell cycle. Because the CD45R0+ population is almost exclusively CD45RA-, the CD45RA-R0+ subset constitutes the major portion of dividing cells in the thymus. Both the CD1high and the CD3- populations were actively cycling. However, the former was almost 100% and the latter only 50% CD45RA-R0+. Dividing CD45RA-R0+ cells contain, therefore, many cells that have not yet expressed the CD3/T cell receptor complex and presumably have not yet undergone selective procedures. These results are hard to reconcile with the previously presented hypothesis that CD45R0 represents a marker for cells that are destined to die in the thymus. Instead, these results suggest an alternative possibility that CD45R0+ cells may contain cells that can mature and, thus, also constitute the thymic generative lineage.

Interleukin 6 induces myeloid differentiation of a human biphenotypic leukemic cell line

The human leukemic cell line B1, is characterized by a specific 4;11 chromosomal translocation, immature myeloid/pre-B biphenotypic features, expression of multiple cytokine receptors and IL-1-dependent autocrine growth regulation [Cohen et al. (1991) Blood 78, 94]. Exposure of B1 cells to low concentrations of IL-6 abolished the leukemic cells ability to form colonies in semi-solid medium and slowed down their proliferation rate in suspension. Associated with these changes in growth characteristics, the B1 cells differentiated along the myeloid lineage as judged by the induction of the myeloid-specific surface antigens CD33, CD13 and CD11b, as well as histochemical and morphological changes characteristic of myeloid cells. The induction of differentiation was specific to IL-6 since none of the other cytokines which inhibited B1 cell growth (IL-7, gamma IFN and TNF alpha) were able to induce myeloid or lymphoid differentiation in these cells. The IL-6-induced differentiation was completed over a two week period and was essentially irreversible. Together with the phenotypic changes, IL-6 induced the expression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (CD45) which may be associated with altered growth observed in IL-6-treated cells. Induction of terminal differentiation of leukemic cells by recombinant bioregulators has therapeutic implications and merits further study.

CD45 isoform expression during T cell development in the thymus

Various isoforms of leukocyte common antigen, or CD45, are expressed differentially on T cells at different stages of development and activation. We report studies on CD45 isoform expression on various subsets of human T cells using two- and three-color flow cytometry and cell depletion. Bone marrow cells that were depleted of CD3+ and HLA-DR+ cells were CD45RA-RO-. The earliest CD3-CD4-CD8-CD19- thymocytes were CD45RO- with 20%-30% CD45RA+ cells. The most prominent population of CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes were CD45RA-RO+. Even the CD4+CD8+ blasts were greater than 90% CD45RO+. About 80% of single-positive thymocytes (CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+) were also CD45RO+. Only 4.3% of CD4+ and 18% of CD8+ single-positive thymocytes were CD45RA+. In contrast, cord blood T cells which represent the stage that immediately follows single-positive thymocytes, contained 90% CD45RA+ cells. Thus, in terms of CD45 isoform expression, single-positive thymocytes are more like double-positive cells than cord blood T cells. These results suggest the following sequence of CD45 isoform switching during T cell development: CD45RA-RO- or RA+RO- (double-negative thymocytes)----RA-RO+ (double-positive and most single-positive thymocytes)----RA+RO- (cord blood T cells), the last switch from CD45RO to CD45RA occurring as a final step of maturation in the thymus.

The human thymic dendritic cell phenotype and its modification in culture

In order to extend our study of human thymic dendritic cells (DC) we have purified DC by density gradient separation followed by treatment with CD1 and CD2 mAb and antibody-coated immunobeads. The resulting population contains 60 to 75% brightly HLA-DR+ cells. Morphological and functional studies demonstrate that these cells share the common characteristics of dendritic cells. Extensive phenotypic analysis of the purified DC has been made using a panel of mAb. Cytofluorometric assays with mAb reactive with common leucocyte antigen confirm that the brightly HLA-DR+ cells are of mesenchymal origin. Thymic DC express HLA-DQ and HLA-class I antigens. They are also positive for the expression of CD45RA molecules and some express the ICAM-1 and the LFA-1 molecules. DC do not stain with a wide variety of anti-T, -B, and -monocyte or -M phi mAb and lack Fc gamma RIII, CR2, and CR3. Freshly isolated DC failed to stain with OKT6 mAb; however, they progressively acquire the CD1 molecule after a few days culture. The acquisition of CD1 molecule is selective since CD4, CD2, and HLA-ABC molecules are not upregulated under the same conditions. From phenotypic results, it was therefore possible to sort brightly HLA-DR+ or -DQ+ cells and so obtain greater than 90 to 95% purified human thymic DC. Such homogeneous DC populations are obviously of great interest for the study of thymic DC functions.

Phenotypical and biochemical characterization of a variant CD45R expression pattern in human leukocytes

As a result of a regulatory polymorphism a variant pattern of CD45R expression can be found in 8% of healthy individuals. We have previously reported that all resting T cells of these individuals react with CD45RA monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that are directed to the high-molecular mass isoforms (220 and 205 kDa) of the leukocyte common antigen (CD45). In addition, their T cells remain CD45RA+ after in vitro activation. In this report we studied the regulatory CD45R polymorphism in more detail. Flow cytometry studies revealed that CD45RA antigens are weakly expressed on normal monocytes but are absent from granulocytes. In individuals displaying the variant CD45R pattern both monocytes and granulocytes were CD45RA+. In controls and variant T cells CD45RA mAb precipitated two chains with molecular masses of about 220 and 205 kDa. In activated T cells from controls (CD45RA-) neither p220 nor the p205 chain of CD45RA could be detected. However, activated T cells from variant individuals (CD45RA+) did not express p220 but expressed p205 of CD45RA. These data indicate that there is a failure to down-regulate p205 CD45RA in individuals displaying the variant CD45R expression pattern. Since their T cells lost p220 CD45RA during activation the data also suggest that the two isoforms detected by CD45RA mAb can be regulated independently.

Signalling in human tumour infiltrating lymphocytes: The CD28 molecule is functional and is physically associated with the CD45R0 molecule

The CD28 T cell activation pathway was functional in human tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and can induce strong proliferation, lymphokine release and calcium mobilisation. Conversely, TIL responded poorly to stimulation via CD2, and CD28 did not synergise with CD2, which is at variance with that observed using peripheral lymphocytes from the same patients. On stimulation with anti-CD28 the monoclonal antibody, most TILs, which were CD3+, CD28+ and CD45R0+ at the beginning of culture, co-expressed both high (CD45RA) and low (CD45R0) molecular weight isoforms of CD45. CD28 was associated with the CD45R0 isoform at the cell surface of activated TIL, as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and immunoenzymatic assay. Thus CD28 can substitute for CD3 in TIL leading to the expansion of functional lymphocytes and to the amplification of antitumour immune response.

Reversal of CD45R isoform switching in CD8+ T cells

Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells express either CD45RA or CD45R0 isoform of CD45R in an exclusive way. Recent reports have shown that CD45RA+ T cells lose CD45RA and gain CD45R0 upon activation. This switching has been suggested to be irreversible although more recently, examples of reversal of CD45R isotype switching in CD4+ T cells have been reported. We report here that freshly isolated unprimed CD8+ T cells, when activated with PHA, temporarily lose CD45RA but reexpress an intermediate level of CD45RA 2-3 weeks after activation with PHA. This reversal seems to take place much more slowly in unprimed CD4+ T cells: the majority of CD4+ T cells that had lost CD45RA and gained CD45R0 remained CD45RA-CD45R0+ in 3 weeks after the stimulation. Also, long-term CD8+ CD45RA+ T cell lines stimulated with PHA or OKT3 showed even more rapid recovery of CD45RA while PPD-specific CD4+ T cell clones retained the original CD45R0 phenotype 3 weeks after stimulation with PPD or PHA.

Expression of CD45 isoforms by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B lymphocytes

CD45 is the most common protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) in the membrane of white blood cells, serving as a potent regulator of lymphocyte activation and signal transduction. While the amino acid sequence of the intracellular domain of the molecule is conserved, that of the extracellular domain occurs in multiple isoforms, each of the result of alternative mRNA splicing. In T lymphocytes, the lowest relative molecular mass (Mr) form, CD45RO, is associated with acquisition of memory function, whereas the highest Mr isoform, CD45RA, occurs in "naive" T cells. Recently, B cells were also found to express CD45RO following in vitro activation. In order to more fully characterize the expression of CD45 on activated B cells, we have studied its appearance on Epstein-Barr virus-transformed (EBV-t) cells and have found heterogeneous expression of CD45RO and CD45RA. CD45RO expression was unstable with eventual loss by some EBV-t lines, and loss followed by reappearance in others. CD45RA and CD45RO varied independently whereas CD45 remained stable and high, suggesting a fluctuation in other CD45 isoforms. Immunostaining for CD45RB indicates that a probable 190-kDa isoform may be responsible for this observation. A similar bidirectional reversible shifting between CD45RA and CD45RO on T-cell lines has also been reported by Rothstein et al. In contrast to some reports on normal B cells, neither CD45RA nor CD45RO expression was associated with PCA-1 expression. Further evidence that these EBV-t lines may not correspond to a well-defined stage of B-cell differentiation is provided by the observation that a disproportionate loss of CD20 compared to CD19 was noted for several lines. The basis for the CD45 isoform switching, or any functional difference(s) in the expressed isoforms, is not yet known for human B cells.

Altered expression of protein kinase C, lck, and CD45 in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-dependent leukemic T-cell variant that expresses a high level of interleukin-2 receptor

The compound 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is extremely toxic to the P13 subclone of the Jurkat human T-cell leukemia line. By selecting for growth in the presence of TPA, we have isolated two TPA-resistant variants of these cells, P13-50 and P13-5/A8. Studies of protein kinase C (PKC) enzyme activity, immunoblot analyses, and assays for PKC mRNAs indicate that both of these variants express lower levels of PKC than do the parental P13 cells. We suggest that this protects them from the toxic effects of TPA. The P13-5/A8 cells are of particular interest because not only are they resistant to TPA toxicity but they actually require TPA for optimal growth. These cells have a more profound decrease in PKC expression that do P13-50 cells. In addition, P13-5/A8 cells display very little, if any, surface expression of CD45, a receptor-linked tyrosine protein phosphatase, and lck, a lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase. On the other hand, they express a very high level of interleukin-2 receptor. A model is proposed that suggests that these cells are dependent on TPA because they have defects in both the PKC and tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathways, and that TPA compensates for these defects by providing a strong stimulus to the residual level of PKC. This variant may be useful for studying the interactions between tyrosine kinase and PKC pathways in controlling the various functions of T lymphocytes.

Blood T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy infants and children

Monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry are now used routinely in the diagnosis of many malignant diseases and primary and secondary immunodeficiency states. Technical advances have improved the identification of blood lymphocyte subsets and reliable normal values are now obtainable. Such values have been reported for adults but not for children. We report both absolute and percentage normal values for lymphocytes and their subsets in infants and children of different ages. Our findings show that the absolute and percentage values for most lymphocyte markers differ substantially not only between children and adults, but also between children from different age groups. In infants, erythroid cell contamination of Ficoll gradient-density isolated mononuclear cells must be removed to obtain reliable flow cytometry values.

Altered expression of protein kinase C, lck, and CD45 in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-dependent leukemic T-cell variant that expresses a high level of interleukin-2 receptor

The compound 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is extremely toxic to the P13 subclone of the Jurkat human T-cell leukemia line. By selecting for growth in the presence of TPA, we have isolated two TPA-resistant variants of these cells, P13-50 and P13-5/A8. Studies of protein kinase C (PKC) enzyme activity, immunoblot analyses, and assays for PKC mRNAs indicate that both of these variants express lower levels of PKC than do the parental P13 cells. We suggest that this protects them from the toxic effects of TPA. The P13-5/A8 cells are of particular interest because not only are they resistant to TPA toxicity but they actually require TPA for optimal growth. These cells have a more profound decrease in PKC expression that do P13-50 cells. In addition, P13-5/A8 cells display very little, if any, surface expression of CD45, a receptor-linked tyrosine protein phosphatase, and lck, a lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase. On the other hand, they express a very high level of interleukin-2 receptor. A model is proposed that suggests that these cells are dependent on TPA because they have defects in both the PKC and tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathways, and that TPA compensates for these defects by providing a strong stimulus to the residual level of PKC. This variant may be useful for studying the interactions between tyrosine kinase and PKC pathways in controlling the various functions of T lymphocytes.

Abnormalities in CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

In order to investigate whether deficient immunoglobulin production in common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) patients was related to defective T cells functions, phenotype and proliferative responses to mitogen of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were investigated in 9 patients with CVI. The results were compared to those of 12 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells in the patients were not different from those in the control group, but the numbers of CD4 T cells were decreased (511 +/- 237 vs 844 +/- 247/mm3; P less than 0.01). The decrease in CD4 T cells was due to a dramatic deficiency in the CD4+ CD45RA+ subset, observed as an absolute value of blood lymphocytes (126 +/- 91 vs 384 +/- 142; P less than 0.001) and as a percentage (9.0 +/- 7.1 vs 18.8 +/- 5.0; P less than 0.01). In contrast, the CD4+ CD29+ T cell subset was not different in CVI from those in the control group. Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between the number of percentages of CD4+ CD45RA+ blood T cells and the proliferative response of PBMC to PHA (respectively, P less than or equal to 0.02 and P = 0.05) and to Con A (P less than or equal to 0.02). The decrease of CD4+ CD45RA+ T cells could reflect an abnormality in the physiological status of T cells and could be of critical importance in the antibody deficiency.

Signal transduction by HLA-DR is mediated by tyrosine kinase(s) and regulated by CD45 in activated T cells

Recently, it was shown that HLA class II molecules on B cells and activated human T cells can transmit signals involving tyrosine phosphorylation of specific proteins, activation of the inositol phospholipid pathway, and release of cytosolic free Ca2+(Ca2+)i. The regulation of class II induced signals is poorly understood, however, and it remained unknown whether these pathways were coupled or activated independently. Here we show that a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK), herbimycin, abrogated DR-induced elevation of (Ca2+)i in activated human T cells. Genistein, belonging to another family of PTK inhibitors, had weaker but significant inhibitory effects on DR-induced (Ca2+)i responses. CD45 crosslinking with DR almost completely abrogated DR-induced (Ca2+)i responses and profoundly changed the PTK profiles. In contrast, CD4 crosslinking with DR enhanced the (Ca2+)i responses, but the inhibitory effect of CD45 dominated over the enhancing effect of CD4. These data indicate that PTK activation is obligatory for DR-induced (Ca2+)i responses, suggesting a linkage between these pathways in class II signal transduction. This conclusion is consistent with our observation that in activated human T cells, class II signals are up regulated by CD4, which is associated with p56lck, and down regulated by CD45, which is a tyrosine phosphatase.

The B lymphocyte adhesion molecule CD22 interacts with leukocyte common antigen CD45RO on T cells and alpha 2-6 sialyltransferase, CD75, on B cells

Functional maturation of B lymphocytes correlates with expression of the B lineage-specific cell surface glycoprotein CD22. Two CD22 polypeptides have been characterized and suggested to play a role in B cell-B cell interaction as well as in B cell adhesion to monocytes. In this work we provide evidence that CD22 is directly involved in the cognate interaction between B and T cells. One of the two CD22 polypeptides, CD22 beta, interacts with a specific ligand on a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that the T cell ligand of CD22 is CD45RO, an isoform of the leukocyte common antigen class of phosphotyrosine phosphatases associated with the helper T cell phenotype. We further demonstrate that CD22 recognizes a second ligand, CD75, expressed predominantly on activated B cells and shown to be a cell surface alpha 2-6 sialyltransferase.