A role for CD44 in T cell development and function during direct competition between CD44+ and CD44- cells.
The role of CD44 in T cell biology remains incompletely understood. Although studies using anti-CD44 antibodies have implicated this cell adhesion molecule in a variety of important T cell processes, few T cell defects have been reported in CD44-deficient mice. We have assessed the requirement for CD44 in T cell development and mature T cell function by analyzing mice in which CD44(-/-) and WT cells were produced simultaneously. In mixed (CD44(-/-) + CD44(+/+)) bone marrow chimeras, production of CD44(-/-) T cells was shown to be reduced compared to WT cells due to inefficient intrathymic development. In addition, mature CD44(-/-) CD8(+) T cells generated a substantially lower response than WT T cells after infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, with the reduction in response apparent in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. Overall, these results demonstrate a poor capacity of CD44(-/-) T lineage cells to compete with WT cells at multiple levels, implicating CD44 in normal T cell function.
Graham
Victoria A
VA
The Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Marzo
Amanda L
AL
Tough
David F
DF
D000818:Animals; D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors