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Biomedical subjects

A Aruffo

Publications and source records attributed to A Aruffo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

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

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

Antigens, CD

T-cell activation molecule 4-1BB binds to extracellular matrix proteins.

The recently isolated 4-1BB cDNA clone encodes a cell surface protein expressed by activated T cells. Its extracellular domain is homologous to members of the nerve growth factor receptor super family and its cytoplasmic domain contains a sequence homologous to the binding site for the T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck found in the cytoplasmic domains of CD4 and CD8 alpha. At present the function of 4-1BB is not known. We prepared a 4-1BB-immunoglobulin fusion protein (4-1BB Rg). This protein was used in immunohistochemical studies to identify tissues that express the 4-1BB ligand. 4-1BB Rg bound to virtually all tissues examined, suggesting that extracellular components might function as its ligands. To explore this possibility, 4-1BB was expressed in COS cells and found to mediate the binding of fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, and collagen VI but not of collagen I. The binding of extracellular matrix proteins to 4-1BB was not mediated by Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) or CS-1 amino acid sequences. Experiments with overlapping proteolytic fragments of fibronectin showed that 4-1BB interacts with multiple regions of fibronectin. The interaction between extracellular matrix proteins and 4-1BB was completely blocked by the anionic carbohydrate polymer fucoidan and was partially blocked by the anionic carbohydrate polymer dextran sulfate and the glycosaminoglycan heparin sulfate but was unaffected by desulfated heparin. These results suggest that carbohydrates may play a role in mediating the 4-1BB-extracellular matrix protein adhesion.

Animals

Characterization and cloning of a novel glycoprotein expressed by stromal cells in T-dependent areas of peripheral lymphoid tissues.

A novel glycoprotein (gp) expressed by stromal cells of peripheral lymphoid tissue has been characterized immunohistochemically, biochemically, and at the molecular level. This molecule, gp38, was identified with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) (clone 8.1.1) previously shown to react with a subpopulation of thymic epithelium. This mAb generated a reticular labeling pattern in medullary and paracortical areas of lymph nodes and in splenic white pulp. At the ultrastructural level, labeling by the 8.1.1 mAb was restricted to fibroblastic reticular stromal cells. Serial sections of lymph node and spleen labeled with anti-CD3, anti-B220, and 8.1.1 mAbs clearly showed that the 8.1.1+ cells were associated with T cell-dependent areas. In severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or Nu/Nu mice, splenic white pulp also exhibited reticular labeling with the 8.1.1 mAb in the absence of detectable numbers of T cells, indicating that the appearance of 8.1.1-reactive stromal cells in discrete areas of peripheral lymphoid tissue was T cell independent. The cDNA encoding this stromal cell molecule was cloned by direct expression in COS cells and found to encode a 172 amino acid sequence with the typical features of a type I integral membrane protein. COS cells transfected with the gp38 clone direct the expression of an approximately 38-kD protein that reacts with the 8.1.1 mAb but not with isotype-matched controls. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of 8.1.1 mAb but not with isotype-matched controls. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of 8.1.1 with proteins in the National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF) data base showed that gp38 is very closely related to the early response protein OTS-8 obtained from a cDNA library of tumor promoting agent (TPA)-induced murine osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1.

Amino Acid Sequence

Differential regulatory effects of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on costimulation by the CD28 counter-receptor B7.

Although ligation of the CD3/TCR complex initiates an activation signal in T cells, additional costimulatory signals generated during cell-to-cell interactions with APC transduced via ligation of CD11a/CD18 and CD28 by their specific counter-receptor intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and B7, respectively, are required for optimal T cell proliferation and cytokine synthesis. Using soluble IgC gamma 1 fusion proteins of these costimulatory counter-receptors, we have recently shown that unactivated resting CD4+ T cells and Ag-primed CD4+ T cells differ in their response to the costimulation by ICAM-1 and B7. Preferential proliferative responses of resting T and Ag-primed T cells to ICAM-1 and B7, respectively, prompted us to speculate that ICAM-1-induced signals may regulate coupling of the CD28 signaling pathway. Furthermore, both B7 and ICAM-1 are co-expressed on APC and thus, may co-regulate activation-driven maturation of T cells. In this study, we have examined regulatory effects of IgC gamma 1 fusion proteins of B7, ICAM-1, and ICAM-2 (a homologue of ICAM-1) on each other's costimulation. We first demonstrate that TCR-directed costimulation of resting CD4+ T cells with ICAM-1 (ICAM-1 priming) but not ICAM-2 induces increased responsiveness to B7. Priming of CD4+ T cells with ICAM-1 induced higher expression of both CD18 and CD28 than that with either B7 or ICAM-2. Cross-linking of CD28 induced faster and significantly higher cytoplasmic free calcium mobilization response in ICAM-1-primed CD4+ T cells than in resting, B7-primed, or ICAM-2-primed CD4+ T cells. B7 synergized with ICAM-1 but not ICAM-2 to augment proliferative responses of not only resting CD4+ T cells but also those that had been primed with either ICAM. Unlike resting or ICAM-2-primed CD4+ T cells, ICAM-1-primed CD4+ T cells efficiently proliferated in response to the synergistic costimulation of B7 and ICAM-2. In contrast, both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 inhibit B7-driven proliferation of Ag-primed CD4+ T cells. Thus, B7 and ICAM-1 exert contrasting regulatory effects on the proliferation of CD4+ T cells depending on their state of activation-induced maturation.

Antigens, CD

Interleukin-6 signal transducer gp130 mediates oncostatin M signaling.

Oncostatin M (OM) is a multifunctional cytokine that is structurally and functionally related to interleukin 6 (IL-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The specific receptor for OM has been demonstrated (by chemical cross-linking) to be a 150-kDa protein in a number of cell lines. The IL-6 signal transducer, gp130, is also an affinity converter for the LIF receptor. It does not bind to either IL-6 or LIF, but associates with the alpha subunits of the receptors and transduces the signals. We examined the possible involvement of gp130 in OM binding and signaling. We demonstrate that: (a) anti-gp130 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) block the inhibitory effect of OM on A375 cell growth, (b) the binding and cross-linking of 125I-OM to H2981 cells are completely abolished by anti-gp130 mAbs, (c) the cross-linked OM-receptor complex is immunoprecipitated by anti-gp130 mAbs, and (d) COS-7 cells transfected with the full-length cDNA encoding gp130 exhibit increased OM binding and cross-linking, which are also blocked by anti-gp130 mAbs. Therefore, we conclude that the 150-kDa OM binding protein previously characterized in a variety of cell lines is gp130. OM is the natural ligand for gp130 and gp130 mediates the biological responses of OM.

Animals

Chimeric L6 anti-tumor antibody. Genomic construction, expression, and characterization of the antigen binding site.

We report the cloning of the genomic variable region genes of the human carcinoma reactive murine monoclonal antibody L6 and their genetic linkage to human constant region exons to encode a human IgG1/kappa chimeric antibody. The chimeric protein was produced at levels greater than 20 micrograms/ml (enabling the initiation of clinical trials) and was found to have binding properties identical with that of the murine parent. The nucleic acid sequence of the variable regions was determined and found to be different than that previously reported (1). The deduced amino acid sequence was then used to generate a structural homology based three-dimensional model of the antibody binding site, which was found to share features with antibodies known to interact with a protein surface, but distinct from those that bind to carbohydrate epitopes. Biochemical analysis of binding between antibody and the in vitro-translated product of a cDNA clone that confers L6 immunoreactivity demonstrates that the antibody recognizes a protein epitope encoded by this transcript which requires the presence of membranes, but is unaffected by the removal of carbohydrate side chains.

Amino Acid Sequence

A 39-kDa protein on activated helper T cells binds CD40 and transduces the signal for cognate activation of B cells.

CD40 is a B-cell surface molecule that has been shown to induce B-cell growth upon ligation with monoclonal antibodies. This report shows that triggering via CD40 is essential for the activation of resting B cells by helper T cells (Th). A soluble fusion protein of CD40 and human immunoglobulin, CD40-Ig, inhibited the induction of B-cell cycle entry, proliferation, and differentiation by activated Th1 and Th2. The ligand for CD40 was identified as a 39-kDa membrane protein that was selectively expressed on activated Th. A monoclonal antibody specific for the 39-kDa protein inhibited CD40-Ig binding and also inhibited the activation of B cells by Th. These data indicate that the 39-kDa membrane protein expressed on activated Th is a binding protein for CD40 and functions to transduce the signal for Th-dependent B-cell activation.

Animals

Lymphocyte lineage-restricted tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins that bind PLC gamma 1 SH2 domains.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) or platelet-derived growth factor binding to their receptor on fibroblasts induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1 and stable association of PLC gamma 1 with the receptor protein tyrosine kinase. Similarly in lymphocytes, cross-linking of antigen receptors induces the formation of molecular complexes incorporating PLC gamma 1; however, associated kinase activity is thought to be mediated through cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase(s). In this report, we generated a fusion protein containing the SH2 domains of human PLC gamma 1 and human IgG1 heavy chain constant region to identify lymphocyte phosphoprotein-binding PLC gamma 1 SH2 domains following cellular activation. As in EGF- or platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated fibroblasts, PLC gamma 1 is coprecipitated in activated lymphocytes, complexed with associated tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. One of these, a 35/36-kDa protein found prominently in T cells and at lower levels in B cells, bound to the fusion protein in immunoprecipitation experiments. The fusion protein showed lineage restricted association with a 74-kDa phosphoprotein in T cells and a 93-kDa phosphoprotein in B cells. It bound to activated EGF receptor in fibroblasts as expected, and protein tyrosine kinase activity was precipitated from EGF-stimulated cells. However, PLC gamma 1-associated protein tyrosine kinase activity was not detected in activated lymphocytes. These data suggest that lymphocyte PLC gamma 1 SH2-binding proteins are cell lineage specific and may be transiently associated with activated PLC gamma 1.

Binding Sites

Cloning and expression of the tumor-associated antigen L6.

The L6 cell surface antigen, which is highly expressed on lung, breast, colon, and ovarian carcinomas, has attracted attention as a therapeutic target for murine monoclonal antibodies and their humanized counterparts. Its molecular nature has, however, remained elusive. Here we describe the expression cloning of a cDNA encoding the L6 antigen. COS cells transfected with this cDNA direct the expression of an approximately 24-kDa surface protein that reacts with the two anti-L6 monoclonal antibodies available. The predicted L6 peptide sequence is 202 amino acids long and contains three predicted NH2-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane regions, which are followed by a hydrophilic region containing two potential N-linked glycosylation sites and a COOH-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane region. The L6 antigen is related to a number of cell surface proteins with similar predicted membrane topology that have been implicated in cell growth. Two other members of this family of proteins, CD63 (ME491) and CO-029, are also highly expressed on tumor cells. The present findings should make it possible to further study the role of the L6-defined antigen in normal and neoplastic cells and to construct animal models for development of improved agents for active and passive cancer immunotherapy.

Amino Acid Sequence

Differential costimulatory effects of adhesion molecules B7, ICAM-1, LFA-3, and VCAM-1 on resting and antigen-primed CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Optimal proliferation of T cells although initiated via ligation of the CD3/TCR complex requires additional stimulation resulting from adhesive interactions between costimulatory receptors (R) on T cells and their counter-R on APC. At least four distinct adhesion molecules (counter-R) present on APC, B7, ICAM-1 (CD54), LFA-3 (CD58), and VCAM-1 have been individually shown to costimulate T cell activation. Because some of these molecules may be expressed simultaneously on APC, it has been difficult to examine relative contributions of individual counter-R during the induction of T cell proliferation. We have produced soluble IgC gamma 1 fusion chimeras (receptor globulins or Rg) of B7, ICAM-1, LFA-3, and VCAM-1 and compared their relative abilities to costimulate proliferation of resting or Ag-primed CD4+ T cells. When co-immobilized with mAb directed at TCR alpha beta or CD3 but not CD2 or CD28, each Rg induced proliferation of both resting and Ag-primed CD4+ cells. In contrast, similarly co-immobilized CD7 Rg or ELAM-1 Rg were ineffective. Resting CD4+ T cells produced more IL-2, expressed significantly higher levels of IL-2R alpha, and proliferated more efficiently when costimulated with either ICAM-1 Rg or VCAM-1 Rg than with B7 Rg or LFA-3 Rg. CD4+ CD45RO+ memory T cells proliferated more vigorously in response to the costimulation by each of the four Rg than CD4+ CD45RA+ naive T cells. In contrast with the behavior of resting CD4+ T cells, proliferation of Ag-preactivated CD4+ T cells was most efficient when costimulated by B7 Rg. The costimulatory effect of LFA-3 Rg on Ag-primed CD4+ T cells was weaker than that of B7 Rg but was significantly greater than that of either ICAM-1 Rg or VCAM-1 Rg. These results suggest that resting and Ag-primed CD4+ T cells preferentially respond by proliferation to different costimulatory counter-R. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 may be involved in the initiation of proliferation of Ag-responsive T cells, and B7 and LFA-3 may facilitate sustained proliferation of Ag-primed T cells. The cumulative costimulation by the above counter-R may facilitate optimal expression of various regulatory and effector functions of T cells.

Antigens, CD

CD2/LFA-3 ligation induces phospholipase-C gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation and regulates CD3 signaling.

Activation of T cells through the TCR/CD3 receptor complex with either specific Ag or antibody results in tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular protein substrates and phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C (PLC) signaling, leading to the generation of PI breakdown products and the mobilization of intracellular calcium. Stimulation of the T cell surface receptor CD2 similarly propagates early signals through phosphatidylinositol-PLC activation. Previous reports have shown that CD3 activation leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of the PLC isozyme PLC gamma 1. In this report, we investigated the potential similarity between CD3-induced signaling through PLC gamma 1 and that induced by CD2. We show that stimulation of CD2 receptors on T cells caused tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1. Cross-linking of CD2 with CD3 receptors augmented the phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1 on tyrosine, whereas ligation of the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase with CD2 receptors prevented PLC gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation. T cells stimulated by ligation of CD2 with its counter-receptor in the form of a soluble LFA-3/Ig fusion protein cross-linked on the cell surface, resulted in a low, but detectable level of PLC gamma 1 phosphorylation with prolonged kinetics, whereas that induced by cross-linking with anti-CD2 was stronger but transient. Co-ligation of LFA-3/Ig with suboptimal concentrations of anti-CD3 resulted in profound augmentation of PLC gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation, mobilization of intracellular calcium and T cell proliferation. To explore the relationship between CD3- and CD2-stimulated signaling, T cells were desensitized through 1 h incubation with anti-CD3. CD3 receptor modulation potently down-regulated CD2-induced PLC gamma 1 tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization. In contrast, PMA or ionomycin treatment did not alter CD2-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1, suggesting that tyrosine kinase inhibition by CD3 receptor modulation was not caused by signaling events downstream of PLC gamma 1. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that CD2 provides a potent co-stimulatory signal for CD3-induced T cell activation that is associated with tyrosine kinase(s) and PLC gamma 1.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte

Granule membrane protein 140 (GMP140) binds to carcinomas and carcinoma-derived cell lines.

The glycoproteins granule membrane protein 140 (GMP140), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1), and Leu-8 are members of a family of glycoprotein receptors (selectins or LEC-CAMs) that play an important role in adhesive interactions between circulating leukocytes and vascular endothelium. Recently it has been reported that ELAM-1 is able to mediate the binding of the colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 to cytokine-activated vascular endothelium, suggesting that tumor cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, a prerequisite for tumor extravasation and metastasis, is in part the result of adhesive interactions between blood-borne tumor cells and cell surface proteins expressed by vascular endothelium. Here, using an approach in which soluble immunoglobulin chimeras of the GMP140 and ELAM-1 receptors were prepared and used to carry out immunohistological studies, we establish that GMP140 binds to tumor cells in a variety of human carcinoma tissue sections (colon, lung, and breast), whereas ELAM-1 binds exclusively to tumor cells in colon carcinoma tissue sections. In addition, GMP140 was found to bind to the cell surface of a number of cell lines derived from various carcinomas but not from melanomas, whereas ELAM-1 bound only colon carcinoma cell lines. We further investigated the nature of the ligands of GMP140 and ELAM-1 on the surface of the carcinoma cells and found that the GMP140 ligand on the surface of tumor cells appears to be distinct from that expressed on the myeloid cell line HL-60. Neuraminidase treatment of a breast carcinoma cell line does not affect, or in some instances increases, GMP140 binding, whereas it completely abolishes GMP140 binding to HL-60 cells. On the other hand, the ligand of ELAM-1 on both the colon carcinoma and HL-60 cells is neuraminidase sensitive in accord with its identification as sialyl-CD15. Parallel results were obtained with neuraminidase-treated frozen carcinoma tissue sections. The present findings form the basis for investigating the role of GMP140 in tumor invasiveness and metastasis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Heat-stable antigen is a costimulatory molecule for CD4 T cell growth.

Optimal induction of clonal expansion by normal CD4 T cells requires a ligand that can engage the T cell receptor as well as functionally defined costimulatory activity on the same antigen-presenting cell surface. While the presence of effective costimulation induces proliferation, T cell receptor ligation in its absence renders T cells inactive or anergic. The molecular basis of this costimulatory activity remains to be defined. Here we describe a monoclonal antibody that can block the costimulatory activity of splenic accessory cells. Treatment with this antibody not only blocks the proliferation of CD4 T cells to a T cell receptor ligand, but also induces T cell nonresponsiveness to subsequent stimulation. Sequence analysis of the antigen recognized by this antibody indicates that it recognizes a protein that is identical to heat-stable antigen. Gene transfer experiments directly demonstrate that this protein has costimulatory activity. Thus, heat-stable antigen meets the criteria for a costimulator of T cell clonal expansion.

Animals

Intercellular adhesion molecule-2, a second counter-receptor for CD11a/CD18 (leukocyte function-associated antigen-1), provides a costimulatory signal for T-cell receptor-initiated activation of human T cells.

Activation of T cells often requires both activation signals delivered by ligation of the TCR and those resulting from costimulatory interactions between certain T cell surface accessory molecules and their respective counter-receptors on APC. CD11a/CD18 complex on T cells modulate the activation of T cells by interacting with its counter-receptors intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) (CD54) and/or ICAM-2 on the surface of APC. The costimulatory ability of ICAM-1 has been demonstrated. Using a soluble ICAM-2 Ig fusion protein (receptor globulin, Rg) we demonstrate the costimulatory effect of ICAM-2 during the activation of CD4+ T cells. When coimmobilized with anti-TCR-1 mAb ICAM-2 Rg induced vigorous proliferative response of CD4+ T cells. This costimulatory effect of ICAM-2 was dependent on its coimmobilization with mAb directed at the CD3/TCR complex but not those directed at CD2 or CD28. Both resting as well as Ag-primed CD4+ T cells responded to the costimulatory effects of ICAM-2. The addition of mAb directed at the CD11a or CD18 molecules almost completely inhibited the responses to ICAM-2 Rg. These results are consistent with the role of CD11a/CD18 complex as a receptor for ICAM-2 mediating its costimulatory effects. Stimulation of T cells with coimmobilized anti-TCR-1 and ICAM-2 resulted in the induction of IL-2R (CD25), and anti-Tac (CD25) mAb inhibited this response suggesting the contribution of endogenously synthesized IL-2 during this stimulation. These results demonstrate that like its homologue ICAM-1, ICAM-2 also exerts a strong costimulatory effect during the TCR-initiated activation of T cells. The costimulatory effects generated by the CD11a/CD18:ICAM-2 interaction may be critical during the initiation of T cell activation by ICAM-1low APC.

Antigen-Presenting Cells

GMP-140 (P-selectin/CD62) binds to chronically stimulated but not resting CD4+ T lymphocytes and regulates their production of proinflammatory cytokines.

GMP-140 (P-selectin), a 140-kDa granular membrane glycoprotein localized to the alpha granules of platelets and the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells, is thought to play an important role in adhesive interactions predominantly between granulocytes, platelets and vascular endothelial cells during inflammation. Although GMP-140 binds to granulocytes, its binding to lymphocytes has not been demonstrated. Using genetically engineered IgG C gamma 1 fusion protein of the extracellular domains of GMP-140, we demonstrate that GMP-140 binds to chronically antigen (Ag)-stimulated CD4+ T cells. Freshly isolated CD4+ T cells did not bind GMP-140, but priming and subsequent stimulation with alloantigen induced and gradually increased expression of GMP-140-reactive structures on their surface. T cells isolated from rheumatoid synovial fluids also exhibited strong binding to GMP-140. The binding of GMP-140 to primed T cells is not influenced by preactivation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, is almost completely abolished by pretreatment of T cells with neuraminidase or trypsin, and is also strongly inhibited by EDTA, the soluble sulfated glycans dextran sulfate, fucoidan, and heparin, but not by chondroitin sulfates. In spite of its strong binding to Ag-primed T cells, GMP-140 did not modulate the proliferative responses of these cells to various stimuli. However, GMP-140 in conjunction with anti-T cell receptor alpha beta monoclonal antibodies augmented the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor GM-CSF and inhibited the production of interleukin-8 by Ag-primed T cells without influencing their tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These results suggest that GMP-140 binds to chronically stimulated CD4+ T cells and differentially modulates their production of proinflammatory cytokines. The ability of Ag-primed T cells to bind GMP-140 may facilitate interactions with activated platelets and endothelial cells affecting the course of inflammation.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

The human T cell antigen gp39, a member of the TNF gene family, is a ligand for the CD40 receptor: expression of a soluble form of gp39 with B cell co-stimulatory activity.

Signals delivered to B cells via CD40 can synergize with those provided by other B cell surface receptors to induce B cell proliferation and antibody class switching as well as modulate cytokine production and cell adhesion. Recently, it has been shown that the ligand for CD40 is a cell surface protein of approximately 39 kDa expressed by activated T cells, gp39. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding human gp39, a type II membrane protein with homology to TNF, and the construction and characterization of a soluble recombinant form of gp39. COS cell transfectants expressing gp39 synergized with either anti-CD20 mAb or PMA to drive strong B cell proliferation and alone were able to drive B cells to proliferate weakly. In all cases the B cell proliferation induced by gp39-expressing COS cells was reduced to background levels by the addition of soluble CD40. Unlike gp39-expressing COS cells, recombinant soluble gp39 was not mitogenic alone and required co-stimulation to drive B cell proliferation. These results suggest that B cells require a second signal besides gp39-CD40 to drive proliferation and that soluble gp39 alone in a non-membrane bound form is able to provide co-stimulatory signals to B cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

PMN binding to P-selectin is inhibited by sulfatide.

The endothelial adhesion protein P-selectin binds to a ligand present on the surface of leukocytes. We have characterized the binding interaction between P-selectin and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in an in vitro assay. These studies have utilized a soluble chimeric protein termed receptor globulin (Rg), which consists of the lectin-EGF-CR-CR extracellular domains of P-selectin fused to a human immunoglobulin G Fc domain. The PMNs bound to immobilized Rg in a saturable and concentration-dependent manner. The binding was specific for the Rg, as preincubation of the cells with soluble Rg inhibited binding to immobilized Rg, and binding was dependent on the presence of free divalent cations. The PMNs expressed a ligand for both P-selectin and E-selectin but not for L-selectin. Previously it was shown that sulfatide is a ligand for P-selectin binding in transformed cells. We have demonstrated that the presence of sulfatide in the P-selectin-PMN adhesion assay inhibits binding in a dose-dependent manner.

Antigens, CD