title: Human T cell activation by OKT3 is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to CD44.
abstract: The CD44 molecule, also known as Hermes lymphocyte homing receptor, human Pgp-1, and extracellular matrix receptor III, has been shown to play a role in T cell adhesion and activation. Specifically, anti-CD44 mAb block binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules, inhibit T cell-E rosetting, and augment T cell proliferation induced by the CD2 or CD3-TCR pathways. We have characterized an anti-CD44 mAb (212.3) which immunoprecipitates a 90-kDa protein and is specific for CD44 as shown by peptide mapping and antibody competition studies. Interestingly, our studies with 212.3 demonstrate that this CD44-specific mAb completely inhibits T cell proliferation stimulated by the anti-CD3 mAb, OKT3. Inhibition is not a result of reduced cell viability, but is associated with 1) inhibition of IL-2 production, 2) inhibition of IL-2R expression, and 3) inhibition of OKT3-mediated increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels. In addition, 212.3 does not inhibit proliferation by the T cell mitogens PHA or PWM nor does it inhibit proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Similar to other anti-CD44 mAb, 212.3 also augments T cell proliferation induced by mAb directed against the T11(2) and T11(3) epitopes of CD2. Thus, these studies describe a novel CD44-specific mAb (212.3) that inhibits T cell activation by OKT3 by blocking early signal transduction. Furthermore, these studies suggest that "receptor cross-talk" between the CD3-TCR complex and CD44 may regulate T cell activation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Arthritis and Autoimmunity, Miles Research Center, West Haven, CT 06516.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Blue
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wunderlich
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Mierz
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Aune
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000502:physiology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016853:Muromonab-CD3; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D002118:Calcium