Expression of MUC1 mucin on activated human T cells: implications for a role of MUC1 in normal immune regulation.
MUC1 mucin is expressed by normal and malignant epithelial cells and is thought to function through cell-cell interactions and transmembrane signal transduction events. Secreted cancer-associated MUC1 is immunosuppressive and inhibits human T-cell proliferation. We report here that newly synthesized MUC1 is expressed on the surface of mitogen-activated human T cells and is also found in soluble form in the supernatants from cultures of mitogen-activated human T cells. After removal of the mitogenic stimulus from the T-cell cultures, MUC1 expression is downregulated. The addition of anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody to mitogen-activated cultures partially inhibits the T-cell proliferative response. These data suggest that MUC1 serves an immunodulatory function for human T lymphocytes.
Agrawal
B
B
Biomira Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Krantz
M J
MJ
Parker
J
J
Longenecker
B M
BM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018396:Mucin-1; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins