VLA-1: a T cell surface antigen which defines a novel late stage of human T cell activation.
The VLA-1 protein complex defines a previously undescribed very late stage of activated T cell differentiation, following either alloantigen or mitogen activation. This protein appears after 2-3 weeks of activation, considerably later than the early T cell activation antigens such as the interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor, transferrin receptor, 4F2 antigen, T10 and HLA-DR, and has therefore been termed very late antigen-1 (VLA-1). Unlike the IL 2 receptor, VLA-1 expression does not require restimulation with antigen, and in fact, VLA-1 expression was high on T cells that had lost their IL 2 receptors. Expression of VLA-1 was found on all or nearly all long-term-activated T cells including T4+ and T8+ clones, bulk cultures, long-term T cells from adults and newborns and long-term T cells maintained in pure or crude IL 2 preparations. VLA-1 was also found on HTLV-1 infected T cell populations. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that the VLA-1 protein complex (210 000/130 000 Mr) can be co-expressed with another protein complex called VLA-2 (165 000/130 000 Mr) on the same T cell clones. However, co-expression was not obligatory because in some long-term cultures little or no VLA-2 was present relative to VLA-1. Because VLA-1 defines a novel late stage of T cell activation, being present on all or most all types of long-term activated T cells, and not on any other cell types in peripheral blood, it has unique potential as a marker for activated T cells in vivo and may provide a clue towards elucidating novel long-term T cell functions or growth requirements of this late stage of T cell differentiation.
Hemler
M E
ME
Jacobson
J G
JG
Brenner
M B
MB
Mann
D
D
Strominger
J L
JL
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007519:Isoantigens; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2