title: Stepwise activation of T cells. Role of the calcium ionophore A23187.
abstract: The calcium ionophore A23187, at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml, is able to stimulate proliferation of freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes, CD4+-enriched cells, or CD8+-enriched cells as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. This proliferation is accompanied by an increase in interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression but not by a detectable up-regulation in (IL-2) production or the development of cytotoxicity. Proliferation can be blocked by anti-CD3, CD4, or CD8 monoclonal antibodies, but not by anti-Tac. If CD8+-enriched cells are activated for 3 days with A23187 and the blasts present on day 3 are sorted and returned to culture, they rapidly develop cytolytic activity in the presence of recombinant IL-2 but not recombinant interferon-gamma. CD4+ enriched cells, after activation with A23187, do not become cytotoxic in the presence of either recombinant IL-2 or recombinant interferon-gamma. These findings permit study of the stepwise maturation of T cells in this alternative pathway by using "minimal signals" that do not, by themselves and as used in these studies, stimulate precursor Tc to mature to full effector cytotoxic function. These findings are consistent with the model that A23187 drives T cells only part way along a pathway of maturation and that an additional second signal must be given to effect maturation of cytotoxic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory of Medicine/Pathology and Surgery, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gromo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Inverardi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Bach
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D000001:Calcimycin; D002118:Calcium