Dendritic cells signal T cells in the absence of exogenous antigen.
Interactions with self-major histocompatibility complex molecules on dendritic cells (DCs) are important for the survival of mature CD4+ T cells. We have followed the DC-mediated signal from the T cell surface to the nucleus and identified a pattern of activation that correlates with increased in vitro survival. This response is induced exclusively by DCs and is likely associated with a modulation of the T cell activation threshold. We have also found that DC-mediated activation results in antigen-independent cytokine gene expression, which points to a new role for DCs in shaping the cytokine milieu. Such antigen-independent activation of T cells may play a role in protective immunity, but may also induce and perpetuate autoimmune states such as multiple sclerosis.
Kondo
T
T
Cellular Immunology Section, Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1400, USA.
Cortese
I
I
Markovic-Plese
S
S
Wandinger
K P
KP
Carter
C
C
Brown
M
M
Leitman
S
S
Martin
R
R
D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
D000941:Antigens; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; C497261:ZAP70 protein, human