title: Triggering via the alternative CD2 pathway induces apoptosis in activated human T lymphocytes.
abstract: Activation of immature thymocytes or transformed (i.e. leukemic) T lymphocytes via CD3/T cell receptor (TcR) signaling can induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). Recent data indicate that anti-CD3/TcR monoclonal antibodies (mAb) also trigger apoptosis in activated (but not resting) mature peripheral LT cells. We now report that interleukin-2 (IL-2) dependent human polyclonal T cell lines as well as T cell clones undergo programmed cell death when triggered via the alternative CD2-dependent activation pathway. In the presence of exogenous IL-2, a pair of mitogenic anti-CD2 mAb suppressed the IL-2-driven proliferative response. Growth inhibition was associated with cell death and DNA fragmentation as revealed by propidium iodide staining and gel electrophoresis, respectively. Induction of apoptosis by anti-CD2 mAb was prevented by cyclosporine A and FK 506. We conclude that programmed cell death can be initiated in activated human T cells by signaling via the CD2 pathway.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Immunologie, Universität Heidelberg, FRG.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wesselborg
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Prüfer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schraven
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Meuer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kabelitz
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D016572:Cyclosporine; D004247:DNA; D016559:Tacrolimus