Enhanced responsiveness of human memory T cells to CD2 and CD3 receptor-mediated activation.
Previous investigations have defined phenotypic differences between unprimed (naive) and antigen-primed (memory) T cells from human peripheral blood. We now report that memory T cells proliferate much more than naive cells when stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody or pairs of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies. Enhanced responsiveness to receptor-mediated triggering is a novel mechanism for T cells which could facilitate memory cell response to specific antigen. Furthermore, when triggered via either CD2 or CD3, memory T cells produce substantial amounts of interferon gamma while naive cells produce virtually none; this suggests that differentiation from naive to memory state is accompanied by a stable change in regulation of the gene for interferon-gamma. We conclude that naive and memory T cells are dramatically different in function as well as phenotype.
Sanders
M E
ME
Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda.
Makgoba
M W
MW
June
C H
CH
Young
H A
HA
Shaw
S
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D007371:Interferon-gamma