Do CD2 and CD3-TCR T-cell activation pathways function independently?
T cells can be activated either through the CD3-T-cell receptor (TCR) complex or through CD2 (the sheep erythrocyte receptor) via an 'alternate' pathway. A number of studies have suggested that these pathways are linked. Here, Dieter Kabelitz discusses recent advances in understanding the mechanism of T-cell activation, focusing on findings that indicate that certain T cells do not express CD2. The identification of CD2-negative T cells opens a new approach for studying the interrelationship between CD3-TCR and CD2 T-cell activation pathways.
Kabelitz
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Institut für Immunologie, Universität Heidelberg, FRG.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic