title: Induction of nuclear contour irregularity during T-cell activation via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex and CD2 antigens in the presence of phorbol esters.
abstract: To determine whether specific T-cell activation pathways could produce nuclear contour irregularity in normal human lymphocytes, purified T cells were stimulated in vitro and subsequently analyzed by electron microscopy. The degree of nuclear contour irregularity was determined with the use of a computerized planimeter. Stimulation via the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex using anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies induced Sézary-like morphology (nuclear contour indices > 6.5) in a significant portion (9% to 28%) of T cells derived from different normal donors. T-cell activation via CD2 antigens showed induction of Sézary-like nuclear morphology in a lower percentage of cells in comparison with stimulation via the TCR/CD3 complex. In contrast, mitogenic stimulation in vitro did not induce alterations of nuclear morphology in T cells. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that nuclear contour irregularity induced in vitro did not correlate with surface-antigen expression of T-cell subpopulations. The results indicate that Sézary-like morphology is associated with cell activation in normal human T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reinhold
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herpertz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kukel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oltermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uerlich
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kreysel
mesh_terms: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology*; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate