Dominant-negative zeta-associated protein 70 inhibits T cell antigen receptor signaling

Negative Regulation of Zap70 by Lck Forms the Mechanistic Basis of Differential Expression in CD4 and CD8 T Cells

Lck and Zap70, two non-receptor tyrosine kinases, play a crucial role in the regulation of membrane proximal TCR signaling critical for thymic selection, CD4/CD8 lineage choice and mature T cell function. Signal initiation upon TCR/CD3 and peptide/MHC interaction induces Lck-mediated phosphorylation of CD3 ITAMs. This is necessary for Zap70 recruitment and its phosphorylation by Lck leading to full Zap70 activation. In its native state Zap70 maintains a closed conformation creating an auto-inhibitory loop, which is relieved by Lck-mediated phosphorylation of Y315/Y319. Zap70 is differentially expressed in thymic subsets and mature T cells with CD8 T cells expressing the highest amount compared to CD4 T cells. However, the mechanistic basis of differential Zap70 expression in thymic subsets and mature T cells is not well understood. Here, we show that Zap70 is degraded relatively faster in DP and mature CD4 T cells compared to CD8 T cells, and inversely correlated with relative level of activated Zap70. Importantly, we found that Zap70 expression is negatively regulated by Lck activity: augmented Lck activity resulting in severe diminution in total Zap70. Moreover, Lck-mediated phosphorylation of Y315/Y319 was essential for Zap70 degradation. Together, these data shed light on the underlying mechanism of Lck-mediated differential modulation of Zap70 expression in thymic subsets and mature T cells.

CRASH-IT Switch Enables Reversible and Dose-Dependent Control of TCR and CAR T-cell Function

Adoptive transfer of genetically modified or donor-derived T cells can efficiently eradicate human tumors but is also frequently associated with major toxicity. There are several switches that can be used to kill the infused cell pool in the case of major toxicity, but the irreversible nature of these suicide switches means that the therapeutic effect is lost when they are used. To address this issue, we engineered a small-molecule responsive genetic safety switch that in the absence of drug robustly blocked cytotoxicity and cytokine expression of primary human T cells. Upon administration of drug, T-cell functions were restored in a reversible and titratable manner. We showed that this T-cell switch was universal, as it could be combined with endogenous or transduced T-cell receptors (TCR), as well as chimeric antigen receptors. The modular nature of the Chemically Regulated - SH2-delivered Inhibitory Tail (CRASH-IT) switch concept, in which inhibitory domains are brought to activating immune receptors in a controlled manner, makes it a versatile platform to regulate the activity of cell products that signal through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing receptors.

Light-Controlled Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes Exemplified by the Resting ZAP70 Interactome

Multiprotein complexes control the behavior of cells, such as of lymphocytes of the immune system. Methods to affinity purify protein complexes and to determine their interactome by mass spectrometry are thus widely used. One drawback of these methods is the presence of false positives. In fact, the elution of the protein of interest (POI) is achieved by changing the biochemical properties of the buffer, so that unspecifically bound proteins (the false positives) may also elute. Here, we developed an optogenetics-derived and light-controlled affinity purification method based on the light-regulated reversible protein interaction between phytochrome B (PhyB) and its phytochrome interacting factor 6 (PIF6). We engineered a truncated variant of PIF6 comprising only 22 amino acids that can be genetically fused to the POI as an affinity tag. Thereby the POI can be purified with PhyB-functionalized resin material using 660 nm light for binding and washing, and 740 nm light for elution. Far-red light-induced elution is effective but very mild as the same buffer is used for the wash and elution. As proof-of-concept, we expressed PIF-tagged variants of the tyrosine kinase ZAP70 in ZAP70-deficient Jurkat T cells, purified ZAP70 and associating proteins using our light-controlled system, and identified the interaction partners by quantitative mass spectrometry. Using unstimulated T cells, we were able to detect the known interaction partners, and could filter out all other proteins.

Downregulation of CD3ζ in NK Cells from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Confers a Proinflammatory Phenotype

Cytotoxic function and cytokine profile of NK cells are compromised in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD3ζ, an important molecule for NK cell activation, is downregulated in SLE T cells and contributes to their altered function. However, little is known about the role of CD3ζ in SLE NK cells. We studied CD3ζ levels and its contribution to cytotoxic, degranulation, and cytokine production capacity of NK cells from patients with SLE. Furthermore, we studied the human NK cell line, NKL, in which manipulation of CD3ζ levels was achieved using small interfering RNA and NK cells from Rag2 mice deficient in CD3ζ. We found reduced CD3ζ expression in NK cells from SLE patients independent of disease activity. Downregulation of CD3ζ expression in NK cells is mediated, at least in part, by Caspase 3, the activity of which is higher in NK cells from patients with SLE compared with NK cells from healthy donors. CD3ζ levels correlated inversely with natural cytotoxicity and the percentage of cells capable of producing the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF. In contrast, CD3ζ levels showed a direct correlation with levels of Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Experiments performed in CD3ζ-silenced NKL and CD3ζ-deficient NK cells from Rag2 mice confirmed the dependence of NK cell function on CD3ζ levels. Our results demonstrate a differential role for CD3ζ in natural cytotoxicity and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We conclude that downregulated CD3ζ confers a proinflammatory phenotype to SLE NK cells and contributes to their altered function in patients with SLE.

Maintenance of murine platelet homeostasis by the kinase Csk and phosphatase CD148

Src family kinases (SFKs) coordinate the initiating and propagating activation signals in platelets, but it remains unclear how they are regulated. Here, we show that ablation of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and receptor-like protein tyrosine-phosphatase CD148 in mice results in a dramatic increase in platelet SFK activity, demonstrating that these proteins are essential regulators of platelet reactivity. Paradoxically, Csk/CD148-deficient mice exhibit reduced in vivo and ex vivo thrombus formation and increased bleeding following injury rather than a prothrombotic phenotype. This is a consequence of multiple negative feedback mechanisms, including downregulation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)- and hemi-ITAM-containing receptors glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-Fc receptor (FcR) γ-chain and CLEC-2, respectively and upregulation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM)-containing receptor G6b-B and its interaction with the tyrosine phosphatases Shp1 and Shp2. Results from an analog-sensitive Csk mouse model demonstrate the unconventional role of SFKs in activating ITIM signaling. This study establishes Csk and CD148 as critical molecular switches controlling the thrombotic and hemostatic capacity of platelets and reveals cell-intrinsic mechanisms that prevent pathological thrombosis from occurring.

Src homology 2 domains enhance tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo by protecting binding sites in their target proteins from dephosphorylation

Phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-dependent signaling is critical for many cellular processes. It is highly dynamic, as signal output depends not only on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation rates but also on the rates of binding and dissociation of effectors containing phosphotyrosine-dependent binding modules such as Src homology 2 (SH2) and phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domains. Previous in vitro studies suggested that binding of SH2 and PTB domains can enhance protein phosphorylation by protecting the sites bound by these domains from phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation. To test whether this occurs in vivo, we used the binding of growth factor receptor bound 2 (GRB2) to phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a model system. We analyzed the effects of SH2 domain overexpression on protein tyrosine phosphorylation by quantitative Western and far-Western blotting, mass spectrometry, and computational modeling. We found that SH2 overexpression results in a significant, dose-dependent increase in EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, particularly of sites corresponding to the binding specificity of the overexpressed SH2 domain. Computational models using experimentally determined EGFR phosphorylation and dephosphorylation rates, and pTyr-EGFR and GRB2 concentrations, recapitulated the experimental findings. Surprisingly, both modeling and biochemical analyses suggested that SH2 domain overexpression does not result in a major decrease in the number of unbound phosphorylated SH2 domain-binding sites. Our results suggest that signaling via SH2 domain binding is buffered over a relatively wide range of effector concentrations and that SH2 domain proteins with overlapping binding specificities are unlikely to compete with one another for phosphosites in vivo.

Identification of Inhibitors of the Association of ZAP-70 with the T Cell Receptor by High-Throughput Screen

ZAP-70 is a critical molecule in the transduction of T cell antigen receptor signaling and the activation of T cells. Upon activation of the T cell antigen receptor, ZAP-70 is recruited to the intracellular ζ-chains of the T cell receptor, where ZAP-70 is activated and colocalized with its substrates. Inhibitors of ZAP-70 could potentially function as treatments for autoimmune diseases or organ transplantation. In this work, we present the design, optimization, and implementation of a screen for inhibitors that would disrupt the interaction between ZAP-70 and the T cell antigen receptor. The screen is based on a fluorescence polarization assay for peptide binding to ZAP-70.

Zap70 inhibits Syk-mediated osteoclast function

The αvβ3 integrin stimulates the resorptive capacity of the differentiated osteoclast (OC) by organizing its cytoskeleton via the tyrosine kinase, Syk. Thus, Syk-deficient OCs fails to spread or form actin rings, in vitro and in vivo. The Syk family of tyrosine kinases consists of Syk itself and Zap70 which are expressed by different cell types. Because of their structural similarity, and its compensatory properties in other cells, we asked if Zap70 can substitute for absence of Syk in OCs. While expression of Syk, as expected, normalizes the cytoskeletal abnormalities of Syk(-/-) OCs, Zap70 fails do so. In keeping with this observation, Syk, but not Zap70, rescues αvβ3 integrin-induced SLP76 phosphorylation in Syk(-/-) OCs. Furthermore the kinase sequence of Syk partially rescues the Syk(-/-) phenotype but full normalization also requires its SH2 domains. Surprisingly, expression of Zap70 inhibits WT OC spreading, actin ring formation and bone resorptive activity, but not differentiation. In keeping with arrested cytoskeletal organization, Zap70 blocks integrin-activated endogenous Syk and Vav3, SLP76 phosphorylation. Such inhibition requires Zap70 kinase activity, as it is abolished by mutation of the Zap70 kinase domain. Thus, while the kinase domain of Syk is uniquely required for OC function that of Zap70 inhibits it.

Glucosamine induces activated T cell apoptosis through reduced T cell receptor

Glucosamine (GlcN), like N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), is salvaged into the hexosamine pathway and is converted to UDP-GlcNAc. Golgi N-glycan branching enzymes produce N-glycans, using UDP-GlcNAc as a substrate, which attach to the T cell receptor (TCR) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). These findings suggest that GlcN exerts the immunoregulation through TCR signalling, which could be involved not only in cytokine production but also activated T cell apoptosis. In fact, a preliminary study showed that GlcN reduced the number of CD3+ T cells of NC/Nga mice with AD-like skin lesions. Therefore, whether apoptosis of T cells would be one of the potential molecular mechanisms of GlcN-induced immunosuppression was investigated. Cultured human primary along with Jurkat T cells and purified T cells from NC/Nga mice with or without Df-induced AD-like skin lesion were used for the study. Glucosamine treatment increased the number of T cells expressing β1,6GlcNAc-branched N-glycans, with reduced ZAP-70 phosphorylation and enhanced CTLA-4 expression. Glucosamine treatment reduced the number of activated T cells from both the human primary and Jurkat cells and the dermatitis-induced mice. The expression of FasL and activated caspases, particularly caspase-3, was increased, whereas the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and NF-κB was decreased by GlcN treatment. Therefore, in addition to down-regulating TCR signalling and promoting CTLA-4 expression, GlcN may also suppress T cell function by enhancing apoptosis of activated T cells, through both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signalling pathways, which were regulated by the inhibition of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB phosphorylation.

Monovalent and multivalent ligation of the B cell receptor exhibit differential dependence upon Syk and Src family kinases

The Src and Syk families of kinases are two distinct sets of kinases that play critical roles in initiating membrane-proximal B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. However, unlike in other lymphocytes, such as T cells, the "division of labor" between Src family kinases (SFKs) and Syk in B cells is not well separated because both Syk and SFKs can phosphorylate immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) present in proteins comprising the BCR. To understand why B cells require both SFKs and Syk for activation, we investigated the roles of both families of kinases in BCR signaling with computational modeling and in vitro experiments. Our computational model suggested that positive feedback enabled Syk to substantially compensate for the absence of SFKs when spatial clustering of BCRs was induced by multimeric ligands. We confirmed this prediction experimentally. In contrast, when B cells were stimulated by monomeric ligands that failed to produce BCR clustering, both Syk and SFKs were required for complete and rapid BCR activation. Our data suggest that SFKs could play a pivotal role in increasing BCR sensitivity to monomeric antigens of pathogens and in mediating a rapid response to soluble multimeric antigens of pathogens that can induce spatial BCR clustering.

Feedback circuits monitor and adjust basal Lck-dependent events in T cell receptor signaling

The Src family kinase Lck is crucial for the initiation of TCR signaling. The activity of Lck is tightly controlled to prevent erroneous immune activation, yet it enables rapid cellular responses over a range of sensitivities to antigens. Here, in experiments with an analog-sensitive variant of the tyrosine kinase Csk, we report that Lck in T cells is dynamically controlled by an equilibrium between Csk and the tyrosine phosphatase CD45. By rapidly inhibiting Csk, we showed that changes in this equilibrium were sufficient to activate canonical TCR signaling pathways independently of ligand binding to the TCR. The activated signaling pathways showed sustained and enhanced phosphorylation compared to that in TCR-stimulated cells, revealing a feedback circuit that was sensitive to the basal signaling machinery. We identified the inhibitory adaptor molecule Dok-1 (downstream of kinase 1) as a candidate that may respond to alterations in basal signaling activity. Our results also suggest a role for Csk in the termination or dampening of TCR signals.

Disruption of HLA-DR raft, deregulations of Lck-ZAP-70-Cbl-b cross-talk and miR181a towards T cell hyporesponsiveness in leprosy

Leprosy, a chronic human disease, results from infection of Mycobacterium leprae. Defective CMI and T cell hyporesponsiveness are the major hallmark of M. leprae pathogenesis. The present study demonstrates immunological-deregulations that eventually lead to T cell anergy/hyporesponsiveness in M. lepare infection. We firstly, evaluated the membrane fluidity and antigen-presenting-lipid-raft (HLA-DR) on macrophages of leprosy patients using fluorescence anisotropy and confocal microscopy, respectively. Increased membrane fluidity and raft-out localizations of over-expressed HLA-DR towards BL/LL pole are pinpointed as major defects, may be leading to defective antigen presentation in leprosy. Furthermore, altered expression and localization of Lck, ZAP-70, etc. and their deregulated cross talks with negative regulators (CD45, Cbl-b and SHP2) turned out to be the major putative reason(s) leading to T cell hyporesponsiveness in leprosy. Deregulations of Lck-ZAP-70 cross-talk in T cells were found to be associated with cholesterol-dependent-dismantling of HLA-DR rafts in macrophages in leprosy progression. Increased molecular interactions between Cbl-b and Lck/ZAP-70 and their subsequent degradation via ubiquitinization pathway, as result of high expression of Cbl-b, were turned out to be one of the principal underlying reason leading to T cell anergy in leprosy patients. Interestingly, overexpression of SHP2 due to gradual losses of miR181a and subsequent dephosphorylation of imperative T cell signaling molecules were emerged out as another important reason associated with prevailing T cell hyporesponsiveness during leprosy progression. Thus, this study for the first time pinpointed overexpression of Cbl-b and expressional losses of miR-181 as important hallmarks of progression of leprosy.

The integrin LFA-1 signals through ZAP-70 to regulate expression of high-affinity LFA-1 on T lymphocytes

The integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) controls many functions of T lymphocytes and is particularly essential during lymphocyte migration from blood into tissues. LFA-1 is considered to initiate "outside-in" signaling when bound to ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), but little is known about the proteins involved or where in the cell such LFA-1-mediated signaling might be operating. Here we show that LFA-1 is constitutively associated with the protein tyrosine kinases Lck and zeta chain-associated protein of 70 kDa (ZAP-70). When LFA-1 binds ICAM-1, both kinases become phosphorylated and the consequence of kinase activation is the conversion of intermediate- to high-affinity LFA-1 and an increase in close contact with ICAM-1. In the polarized T lymphocyte, phospho-ZAP-70 is concentrated within a region of high-affinity LFA-1 that includes talin and encompasses the lamella/lamellipodial interface as well as further back in the cell. Deficiency of ZAP-70 through inhibition or knockdown in T lymphocytes decreases the speed of migration on ICAM-1, as well as reducing firm adhesion under shear-flow conditions. Through its control of high-affinity LFA-1, the LFA-1/Lck/ZAP-70 complex is in position to initiate the rapid adhesion strengthening and migration necessary for T-lymphocyte responses when stimulated vasculature is encountered at sites of infection or injury.

Imaging T-cell receptor activation reveals accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated CD3ζ in the endosomal compartment

Phosphorylation of the T-cell receptor complex (TcR/CD3) mediates the survival and antigen-induced activation of T cells. TcR/CD3 phosphorylation is usually monitored using phospho-specific antibodies, which precludes dynamic measurements. Here, we have developed genetically encoded, live-cell reporters that enable simultaneous monitoring of the phosphorylation state and intracellular trafficking of CD3ζ, the major signal-transducing subunit of the TcR/CD3. We show that these reporters provide accurate readouts of TcR/CD3 phosphorylation and are sensitive to the local balance of kinase and phosphatase activities acting upon TcR/CD3. Using these reporters, we demonstrate that, in addition to the expected activation-dependent phosphorylation at the plasma membrane, tyrosine-phosphorylated CD3ζ accumulates on endosomal vesicles distinct from lysosomes. These results suggest that an intracellular pool of phosphorylated CD3ζ may help to sustain TcR/CD3 signaling after the receptor internalization.

Graded attenuation of TCR signaling elicits distinct autoimmune diseases by altering thymic T cell selection and regulatory T cell function

Mice with a mutation of the zeta-associated protein of 70 kDa gene (skg mutation) are genetically prone to develop autoimmune arthritis, depending on the environment. In a set of mice with the mutation, the amount of zeta-associated protein of 70 kDa protein as well as its tyrosine phosphorylation upon TCR stimulation decreased from +/+, skg/+, skg/skg, to skg/- mice in a stepwise manner. The reduction resulted in graded alterations of thymic positive and negative selection of self-reactive T cells and Foxp3(+) natural regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their respective functions. Consequently, skg/- mice spontaneously developed autoimmune arthritis even in a microbially clean environment, whereas skg/skg mice required stimulation through innate immunity for disease manifestation. After Treg depletion, organ-specific autoimmune diseases, especially autoimmune gastritis, predominantly developed in +/+, at a lesser incidence in skg/+, but not in skg/skg BALB/c mice, which suffered from other autoimmune diseases, especially autoimmune arthritis. In correlation with this change, gastritis-mediating TCR transgenic T cells were positively selected in +/+, less in skg/+, but not in skg/skg BALB/c mice. Similarly, on the genetic background of diabetes-prone NOD mice, diabetes spontaneously developed in +/+, at a lesser incidence in skg/+, but not in skg/skg mice, which instead succumbed to arthritis. Thus, the graded attenuation of TCR signaling alters the repertoire and the function of autoimmune T cells and natural Tregs in a progressive manner. It also changes the dependency of disease development on environmental stimuli. These findings collectively provide a model of how genetic anomaly of T cell signaling contributes to the development of autoimmune disease.

ZAP-70 enhances IgM signaling independent of its kinase activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We transduced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells lacking ZAP-70 with vectors encoding ZAP-70 or various mutant forms of ZAP-70 and monitored the response of transduced CLL cells to treatment with F(ab)(2) anti-IgM (anti-mu). CLL cells made to express ZAP-70, a kinase-defective ZAP-70 (ZAP-70-KA(369)), or a ZAP-70 unable to bind c-Cbl (ZAP-YF(292)) experienced greater intracellular calcium flux and had greater increases in the levels of phosphorylated p72(Syk), B-cell linker protein (BLNK), and phospholipase C-gamma, and greater activation of the Ig accessory molecule CD79b in response to treatment with anti-mu than did mock-transfected CLL cells lacking ZAP-70. Transfection of CLL cells with vectors encoding truncated forms of ZAP-70 revealed that the SH2 domain, but not the SH1 domain, was necessary to enhance intracellular calcium flux in response to treatment with anti-mu. We conclude that ZAP-70 most likely acts as an adapter protein that facilitates B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling in CLL cells independent of its tyrosine kinase activity or its ability to interact with c-Cbl.

Tonic B-cell and viral ITAM signaling: context is everything

The presence of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) makes immunoreceptors different from other signaling receptors, like integrins, G-coupled protein receptors, chemokine receptors, and growth factor receptors. This unique motif has the canonical sequence D/Ex(0-2)YxxL/Ix(6-8)YxxL/I, where x represents any amino acid and is present at least once in all immunoreceptor complexes. Immunoreceptors can promote survival, activation, and differentiation by transducing signals through these highly conserved motifs. Traditionally, ITAM signaling is thought to occur in response to ligand-induced aggregation, although evidence indicates that ligand-independent tonic signaling also provides functionally relevant signals. The majority of proteins containing ITAMs are transmembrane proteins that exist as part of immunoreceptor complexes. However, oncogenic viruses also have ITAM-containing proteins. In this review, we discuss what is known about tonic signaling by both cellular and viral ITAM-containing proteins and speculate what we might learn from each context.

A role of kinase inactive ZAP-70 in altered peptide ligand stimulated T cell activation

T cell activation signals induced by altered peptide ligands (APLs) are different from those induced by the original agonistic peptide. The characteristics of the former are partial phosphorylation of TCR-zeta and no tyrosine-phosphorylation of zeta-associated protein-70 (ZAP-70). To analyze further those signaling pathways, we introduced a dominant negative (DN) form of ZAP-70 into a human CD4(+) T cell clone in which fully and partially agonistic peptide ligands have been well characterized. We found that some over-expressed partially agonistic ligands (OPALs) induced T cell responses without tyrosine-phosphorylation and kinase activation of ZAP-70. However, those responses were inhibited in T cells expressing DN ZAP-70, which could associate with partially phosphorylated TCR-zeta. In OPAL-stimulated T cells, PLC-gamma1 was phosphorylated and it was suppressed by DN ZAP-70 expression, suggesting that the ZAP-70-TCR-zeta association mediates the activation of PLC-gamma1 leading to T cell responses even in the absence of kinase activation of ZAP-70.

Modulation of T cell function by TCR/pMHC binding kinetics

The interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the peptide-MHC complex (pMHC) at the interface between the T cell and the antigen presenting cell (APC) is the main event controlling the specificity of antigen recognition by T cells. It is thought that TCR/pMHC binding kinetics are critical for the selection of the T cell repertoire in the thymus, as well as the activation of mature T cells in the periphery. One of the binding parameters that conditions T cell activation by pMHC ligands is the half-life of the TCR/pMHC interaction. This kinetic parameter is highly significant for the regulation of T cell activation and therefore determines the capacity of T cells to respond against pathogen- and tumor-derived antigens, avoiding self-reactivity. Several studies support the notion that T cells are activated only by TCR/pMHC interactions that are above a threshold of half-life. pMHC complexes that bind TCRs with half-lives below that threshold behave as null or antagonistic ligands. However, since prolonged half-lives can also impair T cell activation, there seems to be a ceiling for the TCR/pMHC half life that leads to efficient activation of T cells. According to these observations, efficient T cell activation would require an optimal half-life of TCR/pMHC interaction. These kinetic restrictions for T cell activation are important to generate a protective adaptive immune response minimizing cross-reactivity against self-constituents. The nature of the TCR/pMHC interaction defines in the thymus whether a thymocyte develops into a mature T cell or is eliminated by apoptosis. In addition, the kinetics of TCR/pMHC binding can determine the type of response shown by mature T cells in the periphery. Although several studies have focused on the modulation of T cell function by the affinity of the TCR/pMHC interaction, the binding kinetics rules governing T cell activation remain poorly understood. Here we review recent data and propose a new model for the regulation of T cell function by TCR/pMHC binding kinetics.

Src-like adaptor protein regulates TCR expression on thymocytes by linking the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl to the TCR complex

The adaptor molecule SLAP and E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl each regulate expression of T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 on thymocytes. Here we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that both molecules function in the same pathway. TCR-CD3 expression was similar in the absence of SLAP and/or c-Cbl. SLAP and c-Cbl were found to interact, and their expression together downregulated CD3epsilon. This required multiple domains in SLAP and the ring finger of c-Cbl. Furthermore, expression of SLAP and c-Cbl together induced TCRzeta ubiquitination and degradation, preventing the accumulation of fully assembled recycling TCR complexes. These studies indicate that SLAP links the E3 ligase activity of c-Cbl to the TCR, allowing for stage-specific regulation of TCR expression.

Reference Systems for Kinase Drug Discovery: Chemical Genetic Approaches to Cell-Based Assays

Protein kinases play key roles in a number of diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Disregulation of kinase-based signal transduction networks results in aberrant cell differentiation, activation, proliferation, and invasion. The growing importance of kinases as a major class of drug targets across multiple large clinical indications, together with the large number of kinases in the genome (~518), has generated a critical need for technologies that enable the identification of potent and selective kinase inhibitors with good drug-like properties. In this review, we describe methods used for developing cell-based assays for kinase inhibitors, discuss advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and describe new chemical genetic methods as reference systems for establishing cell-based assays and their use for functional selectivity profiling of kinase inhibitors.

T cell receptor-independent basal signaling via Erk and Abl kinases suppresses RAG gene expression

Signal transduction pathways guided by cellular receptors commonly exhibit low-level constitutive signaling in a continuous, ligand-independent manner. The dynamic equilibrium of positive and negative regulators establishes such a tonic signal. Ligand-independent signaling by the precursors of mature antigen receptors regulates development of B and T lymphocytes. Here we describe a basal signal that controls gene expression profiles in the Jurkat T cell line and mouse thymocytes. Using DNA microarrays and Northern blots to analyze unstimulated cells, we demonstrate that expression of a cluster of genes, including RAG-1 and RAG-2, is repressed by constitutive signals requiring the adapter molecules LAT and SLP-76. This TCR-like pathway results in constitutive low-level activity of Erk and Abl kinases. Inhibition of Abl by the drug STI-571 or inhibition of signaling events upstream of Erk increases RAG-1 expression. Our data suggest that physiologic gene expression programs depend upon tonic activity of signaling pathways independent of receptor ligation.

In the absence of basal signaling, RAG activity is high at a time during T cell development when it is otherwise normally suppressed

Systematic identification of regulatory proteins critical for T-cell activation

BACKGROUND

The activation of T cells, mediated by the T-cell receptor (TCR), activates a battery of specific membrane-associated, cytosolic and nuclear proteins. Identifying the signaling proteins downstream of TCR activation will help us to understand the regulation of immune responses and will contribute to developing therapeutic agents that target immune regulation.

RESULTS

In an effort to identify novel signaling molecules specific for T-cell activation we undertook a large-scale dominant effector genetic screen using retroviral technology. We cloned and characterized 33 distinct genes from over 2,800 clones obtained in a screen of 7 x 108 Jurkat T cells on the basis of a reduction in TCR-activation-induced CD69 expression after expressing retrovirally derived cDNA libraries. We identified known signaling molecules such as Lck, ZAP70, Syk, PLC gamma 1 and SHP-1 (PTP1C) as truncation mutants with dominant-negative or constitutively active functions. We also discovered molecules not previously known to have functions in this pathway, including a novel protein with a RING domain (found in a class of ubiquitin ligases; we call this protein TRAC-1), transmembrane molecules (EDG1, IL-10R alpha and integrin alpha2), cytoplasmic enzymes and adaptors (PAK2, A-Raf-1, TCPTP, Grb7, SH2-B and GG2-1), and cytoskeletal molecules (moesin and vimentin). Furthermore, using truncated Lck, PLC gamma 1, EDG1 and PAK2 mutants as examples, we showed that these dominant immune-regulatory molecules interfere with IL-2 production in human primary lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified important signal regulators in T-cell activation. It also demonstrated a highly efficient strategy for discovering many components of signal transduction pathways and validating them in physiological settings.

Calcineurin/nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT)-activating and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing protein (CNAIP), a novel ITAM-containing protein that activates the calcineurin/NFAT-signaling pathway

We report in this study the identification and characterization of a novel protein that we designated as calcineurin/NFAT-activating and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing protein (CNAIP). The predicted 270-amino acid sequence contains an N-terminal signal peptide, an immunoglobin domain in the extracellular region, a transmembrane domain and an ITAM in the cytoplasmic tail. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that CNAIP was preferentially expressed in neutrophils, monocytes, mast cells, and other immune-related cells. Co-transfection of CNAIP expression constructs with luciferase reporter plasmids in HMC-1 cells resulted in activation of interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoters, which was mediated through the calcineurin/NFAT-signaling pathway. Mutation of either or both tyrosines in the ITAM abolished transcriptional activation induced by CNAIP, indicating that the ITAM is indispensable for CNAIP function in activating cytokine gene promoters. Thus, it is concluded that CNAIP is a novel ITAM-containing protein that activates the calcineurin/NFAT-signaling pathway and the downstream cytokine gene promoters.

Vav1 and Ly-GDI two regulators of Rho GTPases, function cooperatively as signal transducers in T cell antigen receptor-induced pathways

The Rho family GTPases are pivotal for T cell signaling; however, the regulation of these proteins is not fully known. One well studied regulator of Rho GTPases is Vav1; a hematopoietic cell-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor critical for signaling in T cells, including stimulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Surprisingly, Vav1 associates with Ly-GDI, a hematopoietic cell-specific guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor of Rac. Here, we studied the functional significance of the interaction between Vav1 and Ly-GDI in T cells. Upon organization of the immunological synapse, both Ly-GDI and Vav1 relocalize to T cell extensions in contact with the antigen-presenting cell. Ly-GDI is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following T cell receptor stimulation, and it associates with the Src homology 2 region of an adapter protein, Shc. In addition, the interaction between Ly-GDI and Vav1 requires tyrosine phosphorylation. Overexpression of Ly-GDI alone is inhibitory to NFAT stimulation and calcium mobilization. However, when co-expressed with Vav1, Ly-GDI enhances Vav1 induction of NFAT activation, phospholipase Cgamma phosphorylation, and calcium mobilization. Moreover, Ly-GDI does not alter the regulation of these phenomena when coexpressed with oncogenic Vav1. Since oncogenic Vav1 does not bind Ly-GDI, this suggests that the functional cooperativity of Ly-GDI and Vav1 is dependent upon their association. Thus, our data suggest that the interaction of Vav1 and Ly-GDI creates a fine tuning mechanism for the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways leading to NFAT stimulation.

Functional and phenotypic properties of peripheral T cells anergized by autologous CD3(+) depleted bone marrow cells

We have previously demonstrated that bone marrow cells (BMC) inhibit the generation of autologous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). It was also observed that CD3(+) cells obtained after 7 days of culture in the presence of autologous BMC could be used as inhibitors of EBV-CTL generation. In the present study, we examined these BMC induced regulator CD3(+) T cells with respect to phenotype, function, and T-cell activation pathways. We also questioned if the CD3(+) regulatory cell function is mediated by their direct effect on peripheral T cells or on the ability of antigen presenting cells (APC) to stimulate peripheral T cells. To answer this, CD3(+) cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cultured with either CD3-depleted BMC or with CD3-depleted PBL. The CD3(+) cells were then isolated with immunomagnetic beads, designated as T(BM) and T(PBL), and were compared in functional studies. There was an increase in the expression of CD25 on T(BM) cells. The T(BM) cells also expressed less CD122 and a decreased number of CD3 molecules per cell. Both T(BM) and T(PBL) cell populations responded to mitogen (PHA) to the same magnitude. However, when stimulated through the CD3 complex with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), the T(BM) cells had a significantly decreased response than did T(PBL). The addition of IL-2 to these latter cultures augmented, but could not fully restore, the response. Additionally, stimulation of T(BM) cells with allogeneic cells failed to produce cytotoxic T cells. These "anergized" T(BM) and "nonanergized" (control) T(PBL) cells were added as third-party cells to a CTL generating culture of autologous PBL stimulated with allogeneic cells. The T(BM) cells exhibited suppressor function and inhibited the generation of CTL, in contrast with T(PBL). The effect of T(BM) cells on direct and indirect antigen presentation pathways demonstrated that T(BM) primarily effected indirect, but not direct, alloantigen presentation. To further explore the cytoplasmic T-cell activation events that occurred after the coculture of the PBL T cells with BMC, the levels of zeta-associated protein 70 (ZAP70) and extracellular receptor-activated kinase (ERK) were determined. There was a decrease in ZAP70 levels in the T(BM), which correlated with its reduced expression of cell surface CD3 and the attenuated response to anti-CD3 mAb activation. However, the activity of ERK was equally expressed by T(BM) and T(PBL). It, therefore, appears that the culturing of peripheral T cells with (non-T) BMC anergizes these cells (which become refractory to stimulation through the T-cell receptors), and induces immune suppressor function. These in vitro observations may provide a mechanism by which infused donor BMC serve to downregulate T-cell immunity.

TCR engagement induces proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2) translocation to the T cell-APC interface independently of Pyk2 activity and in an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-mediated fashion

The relocation of kinases in T lymphocytes during their cognate interaction with APCs is essential for lymphocyte activation. We found that the proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2) is rapidly translocated to the T cell-APC contact area upon T cell-specific recognition of superantigen-pulsed APCs. Stimulation with anti-CD3-coated latex microspheres was sufficient for Pyk2 reorientation, and the coengagement of CD28 boosted Pyk2 redistribution. Nevertheless, Pyk2 translocation did not result in its recruitment to lipid rafts. Two results support that Pyk2 translocation was independent of its kinase activity. First, Lck activity was required for TCR-induced Pyk2 translocation, but not for TCR-induced Pyk2 activation. Second, a kinase-dead Pyk2 mutant was equally translocated upon TCR triggering. In addition, Lck activity alone was insufficient to induce Pyk2 reorientation and activation, requiring the presence of at least one intact immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). Despite the dependence on functional Lck and on phosphorylated ITAM for Pyk2 translocation, the ITAM-binding tyrosine kinase zeta-associated protein 70 (ZAP-70) was not essential. All these data suggest that, by translocating to the vicinity of the immune synapse, Pyk2 could play an essential role in T cell activation and polarized secretion of cytokines.

Tyrosine 315 determines optimal recruitment of ZAP-70 to the T cell antigen receptor

Recruitment of ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase to the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) is mediated by the binding of the SH2 domains of this enzyme to phosphorylated ITAM motifs in the CD3 and TCRzeta subunits. We have previously shown that the efficiency of both positive and negative thymocyte selection was decreased in knock-in mice expressing ZAP-70 mutated at Tyr315 (ZAP-70-Y315F), a residue laying in the interdomain B of this protein. Surprisingly, in these cells the amount of phosphorylated TCRzeta chain co-precipitating with ZAP-70-Y315F was significantly reduced compared to control mice. We report now that the binding affinity of ZAP-70-Y315F to phosphorylated ITAM is reduced as compared to the wild-type protein, whereas the intrinsic catalytic activity is untouched. Consequently, phosphorylated ITAM appear to be more accessible to protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) and can be readily dephosphorylated. We provide evidence suggesting that the defective ITAM binding induced by Tyr315 mutation is independent of the putative role of this residue as a binding site for Vav-1. Finally, we found that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway is impaired in ZAP-70-Y315F-expressing mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Tyr315 has an unsuspected structural role in ZAP-70 and may allosterically regulate the function of the nearby SH2 domains.

Zap-70-independent Ca(2+) mobilization and Erk activation in Jurkat T cells in response to T-cell antigen receptor ligation

The tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 has been implicated as a critical intermediary between T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation and Erk activation on the basis of the ability of dominant negative ZAP-70 to inhibit TCR-stimulated Erk activation, and the reported inability of anti-CD3 antibodies to activate Erk in ZAP-70-negative Jurkat cells. However, Erk is activated in T cells receiving a partial agonist signal, despite failing to activate ZAP-70. This discrepancy led us to reanalyze the ZAP-70-negative Jurkat T-cell line P116 for its ability to support Erk activation in response to TCR/CD3 stimulation. Erk was activated by CD3 cross-linking in P116 cells. However, this response required a higher concentration of anti-CD3 antibody and was delayed and transient compared to that in Jurkat T cells. Activation of Raf-1 and MEK-1 was coincident with Erk activation. Remarkably, the time course of Ras activation was comparable in the two cell lines, despite proceeding in the absence of LAT tyrosine phosphorylation in the P116 cells. CD3 stimulation of P116 cells also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLCgamma1) and increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors blocked CD3-stimulated Erk activation in P116 cells, while parental Jurkat cells were refractory to PKC inhibition. The physiologic relevance of these signaling events is further supported by the finding of PLCgamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation, Erk activation, and CD69 upregulation in P116 cells on stimulation with superantigen and antigen-presenting cells. These results demonstrate the existence of two pathways leading to TCR-stimulated Erk activation in Jurkat T cells: a ZAP-70-independent pathway requiring PKC and a ZAP-70-dependent pathway that is PKC independent.

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

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

Regulation of nuclear factor of activated T cells by phosphotyrosyl-specific phosphatase activity: a positive effect on HIV-1 long terminal repeat-driven transcription and a possible implication of SHP-1

Although protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors used in combination with other stimuli can induce interleukin 2 (IL-2) production in T cells, a direct implication of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) has not yet been demonstrated. This study reports that exposure of leukemic T cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to bis-peroxovanadium (bpV) PTP inhibitors markedly induce activation and nuclear translocation of NFAT. NFAT activation by bpV was inhibited by the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and cyclosporin A, as well as by a specific peptide inhibitor of NFAT activation. Mobility shift assays showed specific induction of the NFAT1 member by bpV molecules. The bpV-mediated NFAT activation was observed to be important for the up-regulation of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) and the IL-2 promoter; NFAT1 was demonstrated to be particularly important in bpV-dependent positive action on HIV-1 LTR transcription. The active participation of p56(lck), ZAP-70, p21(ras), and calcium in the bpV-mediated signaling cascade leading to NFAT activation was confirmed, using deficient cell lines and dominant-negative mutants. Finally, overexpression of wild-type SHP-1 resulted in a greatly diminished activation of NFAT by bpV, suggesting an involvement of SHP-1 in the regulation of NFAT activation. These data were confirmed by constitutive NFAT translocation observed in Jurkat cells stably expressing a dominant-negative version of SHP-1. The study proposes that PTP activity attenuates constitutive kinase activities that otherwise would lead to constant NFAT activation and that this activation is participating in HIV-1 LTR stimulation by PTP inhibition.

Ig-like transcript 2 (ILT2)/leukocyte Ig-like receptor 1 (LIR1) inhibits TCR signaling and actin cytoskeleton reorganization

Ig-like transcript 2 (ILT2)/leukocyte Ig-like receptor 1 (LIR1) is a receptor, specific for MHC class I molecules, that inhibits lymphoid and myeloid cells. Here, we analyzed the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ILT2 modulates T cell activation in primary CTLs and transfected T cell lines. We found that cross-linking with the TCR and the activity of Src tyrosine kinase p56(lck) were required for phosphorylation of ILT2 and subsequent recruitment of Src homology protein 1. In contrast, ILT2 triggering resulted in reduced phosphorylation of TCRzeta and linker for activation of T cells, which led to reduced TCRzeta-ZAP70 complex formation, as well as extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and 2 activation. Furthermore, ILT2 inhibited both superantigen and anti-TCR Ab-induced rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. The inhibitory effect mediated by ILT2 is probably concentrated at the APC-T cell interface because both TCR and ILT2 were strongly polarized toward the APC upon engagement by their specific ligands. Thus, ILT2 inhibits both signaling and cellular events involved in the activation of T cells.

LAT, the linker for activation of T cells: a bridge between T cell-specific and general signaling pathways

A key event in the regulation of the adaptive immune response is the binding of major histocompatibility complex-bound foreign peptides to T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) that are present on the cell surface of T lymphocytes. Recognition of the presence of cognate antigen in the host animal induces a series of biochemical changes within the T cell; these changes, in the context of additional signals from other surface receptors, ultimately result in massive proliferation of receptor-engaged T cells and the acquisition of effector and memory functions. Early studies established the importance of the activation of the enzymes phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), as well as the small molecular weight heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) Ras, in this process. These biochemical events are dependent on the activity of several protein tyrosine kinases that become activated immediately upon TCR engagement. An unresolved question in the field has been which molecules and what sequence of events tie together the early tyrosine phosphorylation events with the activation of these downstream signaling molecules. A likely candidate for linking the proximal and distal portions of the TCR signaling pathway is the recently described protein, LAT. LAT is a 36-kD transmembrane protein that becomes rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated after TCR engagement. Phosphorylation of LAT creates binding sites for the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of other proteins, including PLC-gamma1, Grb2, Gads, Grap, 3BP2, and Shb, and indirectly binds SOS, c-Cbl, Vav, SLP-76, and Itk. LAT is localized to the glycolipid-enriched membrane (GEM) subdomains of the plasma membrane by virtue of palmitoylation of two cysteine residues positioned near the endofacial side of the plasma membrane. Notably, in the absence of LAT, TCR engagement does not lead to activation of distal signaling events. This review examines the circumstances surrounding the discovery of LAT and our current understanding of its properties, and discusses current models for how LAT may be functioning to support the transduction of TCR-initiated, T cell-specific signaling events to the distal, general signaling machinery.

The 21- and 23-kD forms of TCR zeta are generated by specific ITAM phosphorylations

The T cell receptor (TCR) zeta subunit contains three immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) that translate effective extracellular ligand binding into intracellular signals by becoming phosphorylated into 21- and 23-kD forms. We report here that the 21-kD form of TCR zeta is generated by phosphorylation of the tyrosines in the second and third ITAMs, whereas the 23-kD form is formed by the additional phosphorylation of the membrane-proximal ITAM tyrosines. The stable formation of the 21- and 23-kD species requires the binding of the tandem SH2 domains of ZAP-70. We also report that TCR-mediated signaling processes can proceed independently of either the 21- or 23-kD species of TCR zeta.

T cell activation and the cytoskeleton

Ligation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulates protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), which regulate intracellular calcium and control the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes. PTKs activated by antigen receptors and costimulatory molecules also couple to phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and control the activity of Ras- and Rho-family GTPases. T cell signal transduction is triggered physiologically by antigen in the context of antigen presenting cells (APC). The formation of stable and prolonged contacts between T cells and APCs is not necessary to initiate T cell signaling but is required for effective T cell proliferation and differentiation. The stabilization of the T cell/ APC conjugate is regulated by intracellular signals induced by antigen receptors and costimulators. These coordinate the regulation of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton and organize a specialized signaling zone that allows sustained TCR signaling.

HPK1 is activated by lymphocyte antigen receptors and negatively regulates AP-1

The serine/threonine kinase HPK1 is a member of the germinal center kinase (GCK) family that has been implicated in the regulation of MAP kinase pathways. Here, we demonstrate the involvement of HPK1 in antigen receptor signaling. Engagement of the TCR or the BCR resulted in a marked induction of HPK1 catalytic activity. Subsequent analysis revealed that Src and Syk/ZAP-70 tyrosine kinases and the adaptor proteins LAT, SLP-76, BLNK, Grb2, and Grap are involved in HPK1 activation. Overexpression of HPK1 inhibited TCR activation of AP-1 and ERK2, whereas the kinase-inactive mutant of HPK1 potentiated these responses. Neither form of HPK1 affected PMA or v-Ras activation of AP-1 and ERK2. Thus, HPK1 is a negative regulator of the TCR-induced AP-1 response pathway.

Partially phosphorylated T cell receptor zeta molecules can inhibit T cell activation

The T cell receptor complex (TCR) zeta chain is constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated specifically at two of the six zeta immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) tyrosine residues in resting peripheral T cells. Further phosphorylation of zeta is induced by both agonist and antagonist ligands of the TCR, with agonists inducing complete phosphorylation of the zeta ITAM tyrosines. After antagonist stimulation, zeta phosphorylation is incomplete and generates discrete forms of partially phosphorylated ITAMs. Here, we mutate specific tyrosines in chimeric human CD8-zeta molecules to reflect phosphorylation in resting T cells as well as phosphorylation induced by agonist and antagonist ligands. We demonstrate that such partially phosphorylated TCR-zeta species can inhibit IL-2 production in T cell hybridomas and proliferation in T cell clones. This reveals a previously unrecognized, inhibitory function of partially phosphorylated ITAMs. These findings support the concept that TCR antagonism can arise through the generation of an inhibitory signal within the TCR complex and that constitutive zeta phosphorylation in resting T cells is an inhibitory signaling environment.

Temperature-sensitive ZAP70 mutants degrading through a proteasome-independent pathway. Restoration of a kinase domain mutant by Cdc37

CD8 deficiency is an autosomal recessive form of severe combined immunodeficiency diseases characterized by the absence of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and impaired T cell functions. We identified two novel mis-sense mutations in the zap70 genes of a CD8-deficiency patient. One mutation (P80Q) affects a residue in an SH2 domain and another (M572L) in the kinase subdomain XI. Both mutations cause a degradation of ZAP70 protein in a temperature-sensitive manner through an ATP-dependent and proteasome-independent pathway. We further demonstrated that Cdc37, a protein kinase-specific chaperone, bound to M572L but not P80Q mutant and restored the expression of the M572L mutant when overexpressed. The restoration of M572L mutant by Cdc37 required the function of HSP90. These results indicate that Cdc37 in conjunction with HSP90 functions as a molecular chaperone for a temperature-sensitive kinase domain mutant of ZAP70.

Adhesion to fibronectin promotes the activation of the p125(FAK)/Zap-70complex in human T cells

The beta1 integrins are a family of heterodimeric adhesion receptors involved in cell-to-cell contacts and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. Through their adhesive role, integrins participate in transduction of outside/inside signals and contribute to trigger a multitude of cellular events such as differentiation, cell activation, and motility. The fibronectin integrin receptors, alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1, can function as costimulatory molecules in T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent T-cell activation. In the current study the Jurkat T-cell line was used as a model system to investigate the TCR-independent role of cell adhesion to fibronectin in the activation of Zap-70, a central molecule in the signalling events in T cells. Upon adhesion to plastic immobilized fibronectin but not to bovine serum albumin (BSA) the phosphorylation of p125FAK, a protein kinase that localizes to focal adhesion sites, was induced. Moreover, clustering of fibronectin receptors led to the detection of a p125FAK/Zap-70 complex. Finally, while the complex between fak-B, another protein kinase localized to focal adhesion sites, and Zap-70 was detected in cells plated either on BSA or on fibronectin, the formation of the p125FAK/Zap-70 complex appeared specifically induced following fibronectin-mediated integrin clustering. These data suggest the existence of a high degree of specificity when the members of the beta1 integrin family mediate signalling pathways in T cells.

LFA-1 to LFA-1 Signals Involve ζ-Associated Protein-70 (ZAP-70) Tyrosine Kinase: Relevance for Invasion and Migration of a T Cell Hybridoma

We previously showed that LFA-1-dependent in vitro invasion and in vivo migration of a T cell hybridoma was blocked in cells overexpressing a truncated dominant-negative ζ-associated protein (ZAP)-70. The truncated ZAP-70 also blocked LFA-1-dependent chemotaxis through ICAM-1-coated filters induced by 1 ng/ml stromal cell-derived factor-1, but not LFA-1-independent chemotaxis induced by 100 ng/ml stromal cell-derived factor-1. This suggested that LFA-1 engagement triggers a signal that amplifies a weak chemokine signal and that dominant-negative ZAP-70 blocks this LFA-1 signal. Here we show that cross-linking of part of the LFA-1 molecules with Abs causes activation of free LFA-1 molecules (not occupied by the Ab) on the same cell, which then bind to ICAM-2 on other cells. This causes cell aggregation that was also blocked by dominant-negative ZAP-70. Thus, an LFA-1 signal involving ZAP-70 activates other LFA-1 molecules, suggesting that the chemokine signal can be amplified by multiple cycles of LFA-1 activation. The chemokine and the LFA-1 signal were both blocked by a phospholipase C inhibitor and a calpain inhibitor, suggesting that one of the amplified signals is the phospholipase C-dependent activation of calpain. Finally, we show that both Src-homology 2 domains are required for inhibition of invasion, chemotaxis, and aggregation by the truncated ZAP-70, suggesting that ZAP-70 interacts with a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) sequence. Remarkably, this is not an ITAM in the TCR/CD3 complex because this is not expressed by this T cell hybridoma.

Itk/Emt/Tsk activation in response to CD3 cross-linking in Jurkat T cells requires ZAP-70 and Lat and is independent of membrane recruitment

The Tec family tyrosine kinase, Itk has been implicated in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling, yet little is known about Itk regulation. Here, we investigate the role of the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 in regulating Itk. Whereas Itk was activated in Jurkat T cells in response to CD3 cross-linking, Itk activation was defective in the ZAP-70-deficient P116 Jurkat T cell line. Itk responsiveness to TCR engagement was restored in P116 cells stably transfected with ZAP-70 cDNA. ZAP-70 itself could not directly phosphorylate the Itk kinase domain, indicating an indirect regulation of Itk activity. No role was found for ZAP-70 in regulating Itk recruitment to the plasma membrane, an event that has been suggested to be rate-limiting for the activation of Tec family kinases. Indeed, Itk was found to be constitutively targeted to the membrane fraction in both Jurkat and P116 cells. Lat, a prominent in vivo substrate of ZAP-70 that mediates assembly of multimolecular signaling complexes at the plasma membrane of T cells was also found to be required for TCR-stimulated Itk activation. Itk could not be activated by CD3 cross-linking in a Lat-negative cell line, unless Lat expression was restored. Lat and Itk were observed to co-associate in response to CD3 cross-linking in Jurkat T cells, but not in P116 T cells. The Lat-Itk association correlated with Lat tyrosine phosphorylation, which was deficient in the P116 T cells. These data suggest that ZAP-70 and Lat play important, probably sequential, roles in regulating the activation of Itk following TCR engagement.

The oncogenic 70Z Cbl mutation blocks the phosphotyrosine binding domain-dependent negative regulation of ZAP-70 by c-Cbl in Jurkat T cells

T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement results in the activation of Src family (Lck and Fyn) and ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinases, leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular substrates including the complex adapter protein c-Cbl. Moreover, Cbl is tyrosine phosphorylated upon engagement of growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, and immunoreceptors and functions as a negative regulator of tyrosine kinase signalling pathways. Cbl associates via its phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain to the ZAP-70 pY292 negative regulatory phosphotyrosine. We recently demonstrated that the oncogenic Cbl mutant, 70Z Cbl, requires its PTB domain to upregulate NFAT in unstimulated Jurkat T cells. Here, we demonstrate that kinase-dead but not wild-type forms of Fyn, Lck, and ZAP-70 block 70Z Cbl-mediated NFAT activation. Moreover, 70Z Cbl does not upregulate NFAT in the ZAP-70-deficient P116 Jurkat T-cell line. The requirement for Fyn, Lck, and ZAP-70 is not due to tyrosine phosphorylation of 70Z Cbl, as mutation of all tyrosines in, or deletion of, the C-terminal region of 70Z Cbl (amino acids 655 to 906) blocks 70Z Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation but enhances 70Z Cbl-mediated NFAT activation. Further, 70Z Cbl does not cooperate with ZAP-70 Y292F to upregulate NFAT, indicating that 70Z Cbl and ZAP-70 do not activate parallel signalling pathways. Finally, the upregulation of NFAT observed upon ZAP-70 overexpression is blocked by Cbl in a PTB domain-dependent manner. We conclude that oncogenic 70Z Cbl acts as a dominant negative to block the PTB domain-dependent negative regulatory role of endogenous Cbl on ZAP-70, leading to constitutive ZAP-70 signalling and activation of transcription factors.

Tyrosine 319 in the interdomain B of ZAP-70 is a binding site for the Src homology 2 domain of Lck

T-cell antigen receptor-induced signaling requires both ZAP-70 and Lck protein-tyrosine kinases. One essential function of Lck in this process is to phosphorylate ZAP-70 and up-regulate its catalytic activity. We have previously shown that after T-cell antigen receptor stimulation, Lck binds to ZAP-70 via its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain (LckSH2) and, more recently, that Tyr319 of ZAP-70 is phosphorylated in vivo and plays a positive regulatory role. Here, we investigated the possibility that Tyr319 mediates the SH2-dependent interaction between Lck and ZAP-70. We show that a phosphopeptide encompassing the motif harboring Tyr319, YSDP, interacted with LckSH2, although with a lower affinity compared with a phosphopeptide containing the optimal binding motif, YEEI. Moreover, mutation of Tyr319 to phenylalanine prevented the interaction of ZAP-70 with LckSH2. Based on these results, a gain-of-function mutant of ZAP-70 was generated by changing the sequence Y319SDP into Y319EEI. As a result of its increased ability to bind LckSH2, this mutant induced a dramatic increase in NFAT activity in Jurkat T-cells, was hyperphosphorylated, and displayed a higher catalytic activity compared with wild-type ZAP-70. Collectively, our findings indicate that Tyr319-mediated binding of the SH2 domain of Lck is crucial for ZAP-70 activation and consequently for the propagation of the signaling cascade leading to T-cell activation.

SHP2-interacting transmembrane adaptor protein (SIT), a novel disulfide-linked dimer regulating human T cell activation

T lymphocytes express several low molecular weight transmembrane adaptor proteins that recruit src homology (SH)2 domain-containing intracellular molecules to the cell membrane via tyrosine-based signaling motifs. We describe here a novel molecule of this group termed SIT (SHP2 interacting transmembrane adaptor protein). SIT is a disulfide-linked homodimeric glycoprotein that is expressed in lymphocytes. After tyrosine phosphorylation by src and possibly syk protein tyrosine kinases SIT recruits the SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 via an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif. Overexpression of SIT in Jurkat cells downmodulates T cell receptor- and phytohemagglutinin-mediated activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) by interfering with signaling processes that are probably located upstream of activation of phospholipase C. However, binding of SHP2 to SIT is not required for inhibition of NF-AT induction, suggesting that SIT not only regulates NF-AT activity but also controls NF-AT unrelated pathways of T cell activation involving SHP2.