Tyrosine phosphorylation and association with phospholipase C gamma-1 of the GAP-associated 62-kD protein after CD2 stimulation of Jurkat T cell.

Numerous substrates are tyrosine phosphorylated upon CD2 stimulation of human Jurkat T cells using a mitogenic pair of CD2 monoclonal antibodies, including the phospholipase C (PLC)gamma-1-p35/36 complex. Most of these substrates are identically tyrosine phosphorylated after CD3 ligation, suggesting that both stimuli share the same biochemical pathway. We show, however, in this report that a 63-kD protein is specifically phosphorylated on tyrosine residues after ligation of the CD2 molecule. The tyrosine phosphorylation of p63 can be induced independently of other substrates when using a single CD2 mAb recognizing the D66 epitope of the molecule. Importantly, this CD2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p63 can also occur in the absence of the CD3 zeta chain membrane expression, and is also distinct from the protein tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn. We demonstrate, moreover, that p63 is physically linked with PLC gamma-1 and p35/36 upon CD2 stimulation. Finally, we also show that a 62-kD protein coimmunoprecipitating with the p21ras GTPase activating protein (GAP) is heavily tyrosine phosphorylated only after CD2 stimulation. This ultimately suggests that p63 may represent in fact the 62-kD protein that associates with GAP after tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, these results demonstrate the occurrence in Jurkat cells of a tyrosine kinase pathway specifically coupled to the CD2 molecule. They also suggest a function of the p62-GAP-associated protein as a link between PLC gamma-1 and p21ras activation pathways after CD2 activation.

Helper or cytolytic functions can be selectively induced in bifunctional T cell clones.

By using bifunctional T cell populations, we have shown in this report that elicitation of helper versus cytolytic function depends on the stimulatory signal at the membrane. Interestingly enough, the transduction of these signals is likely to be achieved via different metabolic pathways. Thus, helper function is associated with intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and PLC activation, while cytolysis can occur even in the absence of detectable levels of these second messengers. These results indicate that selective activation through the same membrane-transducing molecule may orientate T cell function through qualitatively or quantitatively different second messengers. This would be an important part of immune regulation.

[Twinkling artifact on Doppler US: clinical presentations]. / L'artefact de scintillement en écho-Doppler et situations cliniques.

Twinkling artifact characterized by a rapidly fluctuating mixture of Doppler signals occurs behind a strongly reflecting granular interface such as urinary tract stones or gallstones. It may occurs in association with several clinical situations, and may sometimes be helpful for diagnosis while it may sometimes be a pitfall that must be recognized by the sonographer. After reviewing the technical nature of this artifact, several cases will be presented to illustrate the advantages and pitfalls related to this artifact.

Antigen recognition by helper T cells elicits a sequence of distinct changes of their shape and intracellular calcium.

BACKGROUND: Helper T-cell activation is initiated in vivo when the T-cell receptor complex recognizes an antigen fragment associated with MHC class II molecules on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell. In most previous studies of this phenomenon, T cells were stimulated not with antigen-presenting cells, but with CD3-specific antibodies. This approach provided considerable understanding of the cascade of molecular events triggered by T-cell receptor stimulation. However, the specific consequences of cell-cell interactions are still poorly understood. We therefore used a dual imaging system that provides simultaneous transmission and fluorescence images to study the morphological changes and variations of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) triggered in a human CD4+ antigen-specific T-cell clone in response to antigen presented by a class II-transfected murine fibroblast. RESULTS: T cells loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura-2 were individually monitored for half an hour following their contact with a monolayer of antigen-pulsed antigen-presenting cells. The response was found to have three distinct phases. During the first few minutes after contact, the T cell moves over the antigen-presenting cells, as if 'scanning' them. After several minutes, an oscillating [Ca2+]i response begins, accompanied by the immobilization of the cell and the retraction of pseudopodia. This rounding-up was probably Ca(2+)-dependent, as it could also be triggered by ionomycin or thapsigargin. Later during the [Ca2+]i response, the T cell becomes flattened and further elongated, suggesting increased adhesion to antigen-presenting cells. CONCLUSIONS: The physiological signal for T-cell activation, antigen recognition, is a three-step process reminiscent of the three steps previously observed in the interaction between neutrophils and endothelial cells. During these successive steps, a mobile, weakly interacting T cell is transformed into an immobile cell fully engaged in the activation pathway. Thus, antigenic recognition is not instantaneous, but evolves slowly by progressive amplification of the signal given by a few antigen molecules, eventually resulting in T-cell activation.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 glycoproteins gp120 and gp160 specifically inhibit the CD3/T cell-antigen receptor phosphoinositide transduction pathway.

The interference of the recombinant HIV-1 glycoproteins gp160 and gp120 with the CD3/T cell antigen receptor (TcR)-mediated activation process has been investigated in the CD4+ diphtheria toxoid-specific human P28D T cell clone. Both glycoproteins clearly inhibit the T cell proliferation induced in an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-free system by various cross-linked monoclonal antibodies specific for the CD3 molecule or the TcR alpha chain (up to 80% inhibition). Biochemical studies further demonstrate that exposure of the T cell clone to both glycoproteins (gps) specifically inhibits the CD3/TcR phospholipase C (PLC) transduction pathway, without affecting the CD3/TcR cell surface expression. Thus, inositol phosphate production, phosphatidic acid turnover, intracellular free calcium, and intracellular pH increase induced by CD3/TcR-specific MAbs are specifically impaired in gps-treated P28D T cells. Addition of purified soluble CD4 prevents binding of gps to T cells and overcomes all observed inhibitions. Maximal inhibitions are obtained for long-term exposure of the T cell clone to gps (16 h). No early effect of gps is observed. By contrast, gp160 and gp120 fail to suppress the CD2-triggered functional and biochemical P28D T cell responses. These results demonstrate that, in addition to their postulated role in the alteration of the interaction between CD4 on T lymphocytes and MHC class II molecules on APC, soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins may directly and specifically impair the CD3/TcR-mediated activation of PLC in uninfected T cells via the CD4 molecule.

The proline-rich region of Vav binds to Grb2 and Grb3-3.

Vav has structural features found in signaling proteins and is expressed only in hematopoietic cells. The recent development of mice Vav -/- has confirmed a major role of Vav in early blood cell development. We previously showed that Vav constitutively interacts with glutathione-S-transferase-Grb2. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments supported the idea of a complex formed by Vav-Grb2 in vivo. This complex is of potential interest in signaling of hematopoietic cells. In this work we localize the domains of Vav and Grb2 involved in this interaction. By the use of an in vivo genetic approach (the double hybrid system) and through in vitro experiments (glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins) we furnish evidence that the interaction between Vav and Grb2 involves the C-SH3 domain of Grb2 and the proline-rich region located in the N-SH3 of Vav. Furthermore this was confirmed by the use of both Vav and Sos derived proline-rich peptides which blocked the binding. In addition we show that Vav also interacts with Grb3-3, a naturally occurring Grb2 isoform wich lacks functional SH2 domain.

Normal Syk protein level but abnormal tyrosine phosphorylation in B-CLL cells.

One characteristic of B cells that accumulate during chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is their highly heterogeneous functional responses to B cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. Leukemic B cells with very poor responses have defective rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous substrates, especially phospholipase C (PLC)gamma, as well as a defective calcium elevation on BCR stimulation. This points to a defect in BCR-associated protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). We investigated whether a defect in Syk, a PTK that is pivotal in coupling BCR to downstream signaling events, could account for these alterations. Syk tyrosine phosphorylation triggered by BCR ligation was severely impaired in B-CLL cells with low calcium responses to anti-mu stimulation. Syk associations were also defective, as concomitant tyrosine phosphorylation of a Syk-associated 145 kDa protein comigrating with PLCgamma-2 was only detected in responding B-CLL cells. By contrast, we found similar expression of the kinase regardless of B-CLL cell responsiveness. These results are consistent with the possibility that very proximal BCR signaling elements in some B-CLL cells are unable to connect with downstream biochemical events dominated by tyrosine phosphorylation and the potential docking function of Syk PTK.

A human TCR-Ig chimeric protein used to generate a TCR alpha chain variable region-specific mAb.

In a recent report, a construction containing the alpha chain-variable region (V alpha) coding sequence of a cDNA clone derived from a diphtheria toxoid-specific human T cell (P28), fused to a human immunoglobulin kappa light chain constant region (Ck), was used stably to transfect a murine myeloma cell. In the present study, these transfected cells were employed as an immunogen to raise a mAb, termed 1C5V alpha, specific both for the V alpha Ck chimeric protein secreted by the transfectant and the P28 T cell antigen receptor-V alpha region. mAb 1C5V alpha specifically immunoprecipitates the V alpha Ck protein as a family of 32-35 kDa bands present in the 35S-methionine-labeled culture supernatant from the transfected cells. It specifically binds clone P28. Surface molecules recognized by mAb 1C5V alpha are physically linked to the CD3 molecules since cell treatment with either 1C5V alpha or anti-CD3 mAbs caused the simultaneous down-regulation of the CD3/TCR molecular complex. This link is further supported by immunoprecipitation experiments. Thus, both the 1C5V alpha and the anti-CD3 mAbs precipitate the 16-28 kDa CD3 molecules and the disulfide-linked form of P28 TCR from 125I-labeled P28 T cells. Studies performed in order to define whether a stimulus directly acting on the TCR-V alpha region may trigger the intracellular events observed during human T cell activation showed that (a) mAb 1C5V alpha efficiently triggers the phospholipase C transduction pathway revealed by an accelerated phosphoinositides turn-over and an increased production of phosphorylated derivatives of inositol phosphates; (b) mAb 1C5V alpha induces an up-regulation of IL2R mRNA, accompanied by a slight increase of IL2 and IFN alpha mRNA transcripts evidently amplified in the presence of PMA; (c) soluble mAb 1C5V alpha is strongly mitogenic together with PMA. These results provide the first evidence for the structural authenticity of a secreted water-soluble chimeric form of the variable region of a human TCR alpha chain. They further demonstrate that such chimeric proteins may be valuable tool to further dissect the various functional structure of the human TCR.

Nitrendipine-induced inhibition of calcium influx in a human T-cell clone: role of cell depolarization.

An increase in intracellular calcium concentration stimulated by anti-CD2 or CD3 antibodies has been measured with Fura-2 in P28 cells, a human CD4+ T cell clone. This intracellular calcium increase was sensitive to membrane potential changes, being increased when the cells were hyperpolarized and decreased when they were depolarized. The intracellular calcium increase was inhibited by nitrendipine (1-50 microM). Nitrendipine also induced a depolarization of the cells, due to the blockade of a potassium conductance. The inhibition of the calcium increase caused by nitrendipine could be partially reversed by hyperpolarizing the cells with valinomycin. It is concluded that the effects of nitrendipine on potassium channels may account for a large part of the inhibition that nitrendipine exerts on the calcium increase elicited by CD2 or CD3 stimulation.

Uridine as the only alternative to pyrimidine de novo synthesis in rat T lymphocytes.

Concanavalin A-induced proliferation of rat T-lymphocytes is completely inhibited by 10(-5) M pyrazofurin, a potent inhibitor of pyrimidine de novo synthesis, as judged by cell viability and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Proliferation is completely restored by 5 X 10(-5) M uridine. Cytidine, deoxycytidine, deoxyuridine and thymidine 10 X 10(-5) M each, fail to re-establish proliferation but produce an isotropic dilution of [3H]thymidine uptake in DNA. Bases (cytosine, uracil and thymine) neither restore proliferation nor induce isotopic dilution. The unexpected inability of cytidine to reverse de novo pyrimidine synthesis inhibition suggests a lack of cytidine deaminase activity in rat T-lymphocytes. This is confirmed by a direct sensitive radioisotopic assay (less than 0.001 nmol X min-1 X 10(-6) cells).

Identification of cross-reactive T cell restriction epitopes located on the DR7 beta 1 and DR beta 4 molecules.

L cell fibroblasts transfected with HLA class II cDNA clones isolated from a cDNA library produced from a DR7 homozygous cell line were used as antigen-presenting cells (APC) for three HLA DR-restricted, diphtheria toxoid-specific T-cell clones in order to assess the antigen-presenting ability of the transfectants and to define the class II restriction of each clone. Class II-expressing transfectants are capable of presenting antigen to antigen-specific T-cell clones, although the transfectants are less efficient at antigen presentation than conventional APC. Paraformaldehyde fixation of transfectants prior to antigen pulsing abrogated antigen presentation, demonstrating that the transfectants require antigen processing. Antigen presentation by transfectants is completely inhibited by CD4-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and one of four DR-specific mAb, whereas antigen presentation by conventional APC is only partially inhibited. Both the DR alpha:DR7 beta 1 and DR alpha:DR beta 4 (DR omega 53) molecules of the DR7 allotype serve as restriction elements for the diphtheria toxoid-specific T-cell clones. One clone is restricted by the DR7 beta 1 molecule, another clone by the DR beta 4(DR omega 53) molecule, and a third clone by a cross-reactive T cell epitope on DR7 beta 1 and DR beta 4(DR omega 53) molecules. The two DR beta 4(DR omega 53)-restricted clones react, however, differently with a panel of HLA-DR DR omega 53-positive human peripheral blood lymphocytes used as APC. Therefore the data presented here clearly document that the DR beta 4 (DR omega 53) chain may serve as restriction elements for DT-specific T-cell clones. They also provide the first evidence for functional cross-reactivity of the products of two different DR beta loci and in addition emphasize the high complexity of the supertypic HLA-DR omega 53 specificity.

Alternative splicing modulates autoinhibition and SH3 accessibility in the Src kinase Fyn.

Src family kinases are central regulators of a large number of signaling pathways. To adapt to the idiosyncrasies of different cell types, these kinases may need a fine-tuning of their intrinsic molecular control mechanisms. Here, we describe on a molecular level how the Fyn kinase uses alternative splicing to adapt to different cellular environments. Using structural analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, and functional analysis, we show how the inclusion of either exon 7A or 7B affects the autoinhibition of Fyn and how this changes the SH3-dependent interaction and tyrosine phosphorylation of Sam68, with functional consequences for the Sam68-regulated survival of epithelial cells. Our results illustrate a novel mechanism of evolution that may contribute to the complexity of Src kinase regulation.

LPS and specific T cell responses: interleukin 1 (IL 1)-independent amplification of antigen-specific T helper (TH) cell proliferation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction of endotoxin induces a significant potentiation of the antigen-specific proliferative response of T helper (TH) cell lines. This effect was obtained with LPS from different bacterial sources and reproduced with the lipid A moiety of endotoxin. Purified adherent spleen cells used as antigen-presenting cells (APC) support this LPS-enhanced TH cell proliferation. In addition, the effect of endotoxin on specific TH cell responses was found to be absolutely dependent on the interaction between TH lymphocytes and APC through antigen-specific recognition. Thus, it was not observed in the absence of specific antigen or when monoclonal antibodies against class II MHC products or against L3T4 antigens were used to inhibit the T cell-APC interaction. Similarly, it was found that APC from the B6.CH-2bm12 mutant do not support the LPS-mediated enhancing effect. Furthermore, interleukin 1 (IL 1) appears not to be involved in LPS-mediated enhancement, and this effect is not reproduced by muramyl dipeptide (MDP)-mediated activation of APC.

Antigen-specific helper T-cell clone supernatant is sufficient to induce both polyclonal proliferation and differentiation of small resting B lymphocytes.

Gradient-purified resting B lymphocytes can be polyclonally stimulated by antigen-specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted helper T lymphocytes as well as by antigen-activated helper T-cell supernatant. In contrast to what has been described so far, we show that helper T-cell supernatant (in the absence of any other added stimulus, such as that provided by anti-mu antibodies) is sufficient to induce both proliferation of resting B cells and their differentiation into IgM-secreting cells. The stimulation induced by the helper T-cell supernatant takes place in serum-free medium and is not MHC-restricted. Our findings strongly support the existence of a B-cell activating factor acting on the resting B cell and causing it to enter the G1 phase of the cell cycle in a MHC-unrestricted manner.

Calcium fluxes in T lymphocytes.

Mechanisms controlling Ca2+ fluxes through the plasma membrane of lymphocytes have been characterized in a human T-cell clone and in the Jurkat T-cell line. Due to endogenous buffers, about 1/125 of the Ca2+ ions that enter the cell are free. Ca2+ fluxes were estimated from the variations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) elicited by concentration jumps in extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o). Thapsigargin was used to inhibit Ca2+ uptake into intracellular stores and to stimulate Ca2+ entry. Ca2+ extrusion was strictly due to the activity of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPases since there was no detectable Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity in these cells. The rate of Ca2+ extrusion was mainly influenced by [Ca2+]i and less by [Ca2+]o but was insensitive to cell depolarization. In depolarized cells, thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ influx was reduced to 10% of the value measured in normally polarized cells, suggesting that depolarization not only reduces the electrochemical gradient for Ca2+ ions, but also inhibits Ca2+ permeation. When Ca2+ ions enter the cell, they bind to a site inside the channel, with a Kd of 3.3 mM. Stimulation of clonal T-cells with low concentrations of either anti-CD3 antibodies or thapsigargin elicited Ca2+ oscillations. Both the amplitude and the frequency of CD3-induced Ca2+ oscillations were sensitive to [Ca2+]o. These oscillations were immediately interrupted when extracellular Ca2+ was removed. The properties of Ca2+ oscillations in T lymphocytes suggest that they are mainly due to variations of Ca2+ influx, modulated by variations in [Ca2+]i.

Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release amplifies the Ca2+ response elicited by inositol trisphosphate in macrophages.

We have studied the rise in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) elicited in macrophages stimulated by platelet-activating factor (PAF) by using fura-2 measurements in individual cells. The [Ca2+]i increase begins with a massive and rapid release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. We have examined the mechanism of this Ca2+ release, which has been generally assumed to be triggered by inositol trisphosphate (IP3). First, we confirmed that IP3 plays an important role in the initiation of the PAF-induced [Ca2+]i rise. The arguments are 1) an increase in IP3 concentration is observed after PAF stimulation; 2) injection of IP3 mimics the response to PAF; and 3) after introduction of heparin in the cell with a patch-clamp electrode, the PAF response is abolished. Second, we investigated the possibility of an involvement of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) in the development of the Ca2+ response. Ionomycin was found to elicit a massive Ca2+ response that was inhibited by ruthenium red or octanol and potentiated by caffeine. The PAF response was also inhibited by ruthenium red or octanol and potentiated by caffeine, suggesting that CICR plays a physiological role in these cells. Because our results indicate that in this preparation IP3 production is not sensitive to [Ca2+]i, CICR appears as a primary mechanism of positive feedback in the Ca2+ response. Taken together, the results suggest that the response to PAF involves an IP3-induced [Ca2+]i rise followed by CICR.

Triggering of a sustained calcium response through a p56lck-dependent pathway by exogenous ganglioside GM1 in human T lymphocytes.

Various biologic effects induced by free external gangliosides, including cell-signaling events, have been described in several cell systems. We show in this report that free monosialoganglioside GM1, following its rapid and saturable binding to the cell membrane of human Jurkat T cells, triggers in a few seconds a sustained elevation of the intracellular free calcium concentration. It also induces in parallel the early tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous proteins, including phospholipase C gamma-1. Parallel experiments performed with asialo-GM1 or the ceramide part of the molecule do not reproduce these effects, demonstrating the prominent role played by the sialylated part of the ganglioside. A marked conversion of the T cell-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck to a slow migrating 60-kDa form is also found following GM1 addition. It is accompanied in the same time by an increased kinase activity in p56lck immunoprecipitates. Finally, the marked calcium response and tyrosine phosphorylations triggered by GM1 cannot be observed in a p56lck-negative T cell variant. Together these results demonstrate that the monosialoganglioside GM1 can behave as an authentic activation molecule on human T lymphocytes, likely through a p56lck tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway.

The intracellular Ca2+ concentration optimal for T cell activation is quite different after ionomycin or CD3 stimulation.

The relationship between the initial increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (measured at the single-cell level with an imaging system) and the ensuing proliferation was examined in a human T cell clone stimulated by a phorbol ester in combination with ionomycin, thapsigargin or an anti-CD3 mAb (monoclonal antibody against the CD3 molecule, UCHT1). From the responses to various ionomycin concentrations, one can define a range of [Ca2+]i values (400-900 nM) which appears optimal for T cell proliferation; lower [Ca2+]i values are suboptimal, higher values are cytotoxic. It was then examined if the [Ca2+]i requirements were similar following anti-CD3 stimulation. [Ca2+]i oscillations elicited by a concentration of UCHT1 (1/1,000) optimal for mitogenicity fall precisely within the 400-900 nM range. However, very low concentrations of UCHT1 (1/100,000) which evoke barely detectable [Ca2+]i responses still cause the cells to proliferate. The possibility that the lower [Ca2+]i requirements observed following anti-CD3 stimulation was due to [Ca2+]i oscillations was tested under conditions which prevented the appearance of these oscillations. It turns out that an oscillatory Ca2+ signal is not more mitogenic than a sustained augmentation of [Ca2+]i. Finally, it was examined if overstimulation via CD3 could have toxic consequences similar to those elicited after ionomycin overstimulation. Large transient [Ca2+]i responses can be observed following anti-CD3 stimulation in appropriate conditions, and namely in T cells pretreated with interleukin-2. These [Ca2+]i augmentations are not cytotoxic. A role for the plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump in the prevention of cytotoxicity can be demonstrated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The proto-oncogene Vav product is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in normal human immature T cells.

The proto-oncogene Vav product is markedly tyrosine-phosphorylated after the recruitment of various receptors of cells of hematopoietic origin, including mature T cells. Recent studies on Vav-deficient mice have clearly implicated the product of the proto-oncogene Vav in intrathymic T cell development. Vav tyrosine phosphorylation is probably crucial to connect early tyrosine kinase(s) to downstream molecular events leading to cell division and maturation that occur in the thymus. We investigated the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav in human thymocytes. Immunoblotting experiments demonstrate that, as in mature T cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav is induced following thymocyte stimulation through the T cell receptor. The main observation, however, is that an important fraction of cellular Vav is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in freshly isolated cells. This phenomenon takes place apparently both in the CD4+CD8+ and the more mature CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ thymocyte cell subsets. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed, moreover, that a small amount of Vav is engaged in the multimolecular complex that includes elements of the T cell receptor and the T cell specific ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase. Altogether, these data suggest that a critical pathway for T cell development in the human thymus likely involves the permanent activation of Vav in vivo.