Human T cell activation by OKT3 is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to CD44.

The CD44 molecule, also known as Hermes lymphocyte homing receptor, human Pgp-1, and extracellular matrix receptor III, has been shown to play a role in T cell adhesion and activation. Specifically, anti-CD44 mAb block binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules, inhibit T cell-E rosetting, and augment T cell proliferation induced by the CD2 or CD3-TCR pathways. We have characterized an anti-CD44 mAb (212.3) which immunoprecipitates a 90-kDa protein and is specific for CD44 as shown by peptide mapping and antibody competition studies. Interestingly, our studies with 212.3 demonstrate that this CD44-specific mAb completely inhibits T cell proliferation stimulated by the anti-CD3 mAb, OKT3. Inhibition is not a result of reduced cell viability, but is associated with 1) inhibition of IL-2 production, 2) inhibition of IL-2R expression, and 3) inhibition of OKT3-mediated increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels. In addition, 212.3 does not inhibit proliferation by the T cell mitogens PHA or PWM nor does it inhibit proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Similar to other anti-CD44 mAb, 212.3 also augments T cell proliferation induced by mAb directed against the T11(2) and T11(3) epitopes of CD2. Thus, these studies describe a novel CD44-specific mAb (212.3) that inhibits T cell activation by OKT3 by blocking early signal transduction. Furthermore, these studies suggest that "receptor cross-talk" between the CD3-TCR complex and CD44 may regulate T cell activation.     

Association of human lymph node homing receptor (Leu 8) with the TCR/CD3 complex.

Cross-linking of the human homologue of the murine MEL-14 lymph node homing receptor (Selectin-1, LECAM-1, Leu 8) on both T and B cells results in modification of cell function. To investigate this phenomenon, we performed studies to determine if the Leu 8 molecule influences T cell activation via the TCR/CD3 complex. In initial studies, we treated T cells with immobilized anti-CD3 (OKT3 mAb) in the presence or absence of immobilized Leu 8 mAb. We found that although Leu 8 mAb alone had no effect on T cell proliferation, this antibody markedly augmented immobilized OKT3 mAb-induced proliferation. In further studies, we immunoprecipitated surface radioiodinated T cell lysates with OKT3 and Leu 8 mAb to determine if molecules in the TCR/CD3 complex associate with Leu 8 molecules. Although Leu 8 mAb immunoprecipitated only a single protein of approximately 80 kDa from T cell lysates treated with Nonidet P-40 under reducing condition, it coimmunoprecipitated additional proteins of 48, 42, 28, 24, and 22 kDa from T cell lysates treated with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. These additional proteins were identified as the alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-, and epsilon-chains of the TCR/CD3 complex by one-dimensional and two-dimensional diagonal SDS-PAGE. Densitometric scanning showed that, on average, 18% of the TCR/CD3 complex associates with Leu 8. In a final study, we showed by immunoblotting analysis using anti-zeta peptide antibody that Leu 8 mAb coimmunoprecipitates the zeta-chain of CD3. These results indicate that the human lymph node homing receptor homologue (Leu 8) participates in the activation of T cells, probably via its association with the TCR/CD3 complex.     

Monoclonal antibodies directed to different epitopes in the CD3-TCR complex induce different states of competence in resting human T cells.

After the initial stages of activation, T cells are not able to proliferate on their own but become competent to proliferate in response to exogenously added lymphokines. In the present study we compared the capacity of mAb directed to CD3 (OKT3, Leu4, UCHT1) or to common epitopes on the alpha/beta T-cell receptor (BMA 031, BMA 032) to induce competence in purified resting T cells. Stimulation with either soluble anti-CD3 or anti-alpha/beta TCR mAb rendered cells competent to progress to DNA synthesis in response to exogenous IL-2. In contrast, only soluble BMA 031 and BMA 032 were able to induce responsiveness to IL-4; anti-CD3 mAb had either to be immobilized or used in combination with anti-CD28 mAb to induce responsiveness to IL-4. Further, BMA 031-induced IL-4 responsiveness was selectively found in the CD45RA+ T cell subset. Analysis of early activation events revealed that the capacity of soluble BMA 031 and BMA 032 to induce responsiveness to IL-4 did not correlate with the ability of these mAb to increase the level of cytosolic Ca2+ or to induce detectable tyrosine phosphorylation. On the other hand, soluble Leu4 (anti-CD3) triggered an increase in both intracellular Ca2+ and tyrosine phosphorylation but was unable to induce IL-4 responsiveness. These data indicate that the induction of IL-2 and IL-4 responsiveness requires different sets of activation signals which can be induced by stimulating different epitopes in the CD3-TCR complex. This supports the concept that distinct activation pathways are coupled to the CD3-TCR complex.     

Stimulation via the CD3 and CD28 molecules induces responsiveness to IL-4 in CD4+CD29+CD45R- memory T lymphocytes

Although both IL-2 and IL-4 can promote the growth of activated T cells, IL-4 appears to selectively promote the growth of those helper/inducer and cytolytic T cells which have been activated via their CD3/TCR complex. The present study examines the participation of CD28 and certain other T cell-surface molecules in inducing T cell responsiveness to IL-4. Purified small high density T cells were cultured in the absence of accessory cells with various soluble anti-human T cell mAb with or without soluble anti-CD3 mAb and their responsiveness to IL-4 was studied. None of the soluble anti-T cell mAb alone was able to induce T cell proliferation in response to IL-4. A combination of soluble anti-CD3 with anti-CD28 mAb but not with mAb directed at the CD2, CD5, CD7, CD11a/CD18, or class I MHC molecules induced T cell proliferation in response to IL-4. Anti-CD2 and anti-CD5 mAb enhanced and anti-CD18 mAb inhibited this anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 mAb-induced T cell response to IL-4. In addition, anti-CD2 in combination with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb induced modest levels of T cell proliferation even in the absence of exogenous cytokines. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF were each unable to replace either anti-CD3 or anti-CD28 mAb in the induction of T cell responsiveness to IL-4, but both IL-1 and TNF enhanced this response. The anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 mAb-induced response to IL-4 was exhibited only by cells within the CD4+CD29+CD45R- memory T subpopulation, and not by CD8+ or CD4+CD45R+ naive T cells. When individually cross-linked with goat anti-mouse IgG antibody immobilized on plastic surface, only anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb were able to induce T cell proliferation. These results indicate that the CD3 and CD28 molecules play a crucial role in inducing T cell responsiveness to IL-4 and that the CD2, CD5, and CD11a/CD18 molecules influence this process.     

A functionally unique anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with basal keratinocytes

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 147, 446, and 454 each recognize different epitopes of CD3. The CD3 epitope recognized by mAb 446 is functionally unique for the T cell. In contrast to mAb 147 and 454, mAb 446 induces modulation of surface CD3 with delayed kinetics and, hence, is impaired in inducing a refractory state in the T cell to subsequent anti-CD3-induced helper function. MAb 446 (but not other anti-CD3 mAb, including mAb 147, 454, OKT3, and anti-Leu4) recognizes a cytoplasmic determinant within basal keratinocytes. Extraction of keratinocytes with nonionic detergent and 2 M NaCl abolished subsequent staining with mAb 446 but enhanced subsequent staining with anti-keratin mAb, suggesting that this cross-reactive determinant is not keratin. Immunoprecipitation of internally labeled keratinocytes with the anti-CD3 mAb 147 and 446 failed to reveal specific bands, whereas these same mAb immunoprecipitated specific bands from internally labeled CD3+ Jurkat cells corresponding to previously identified CD3 subunits, suggesting that the cross-reactive determinant in keratinocytes is also not CD3. The cross-reactivity is not species specific, in that mAb 446 stained a mouse keratinocyte line, nor is it absolutely keratinocyte specific, in that mAb 446 stained one of the two nonkeratinocyte human epithelial cell lines tested. This study raises the possibility that perturbation of unique CD3 epitopes may have unique effects on T cell surface events and subsequent activation and function.     

Activation of human thymocytes by antibodies to the CD3/T-cell receptor complex: triggering of different epitopes results in different signals.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the CD3/T cell receptor (TcR) complex were analyzed for their ability to activate human thymocytes. In addition to mAb detecting epitopes on the CD3 complex (OKT3, BMA 030) the activation potential of recently developed mAb against common epitopes on the alpha/beta T-cell receptor (anti-TcR mAb: BMA 031, BMA 032) was evaluated. Several differences were observed between the two types of mAb: (a) Binding of the tested anti-CD3 mAb to thymocytes resulted in a rapid increase in the level of cytoplasmic free calcium ions [Ca2+]i, whereas no significant changes in [Ca2+]i were detected in thymocytes stimulated with BMA 031 or BMA 032. (b) Induction of effective proliferation induced by mAb OKT3 depended on exogenous IL-2 and in addition on the presence of accessory cells or phorbol-ester. Proliferation induced by BMA 031 only required exogenous IL-2. (c) OKT3 but not BMA 031 inhibited proliferation of thymocytes induced via the CD2 molecule. These studies indicate that anti-CD3 and anti-TcR mAb transduce different signals in thymocytes. Since the two types of mAb are directed to the same molecular complex the observed differences also support the idea that there are functionally different compartments in the CD3/TcR complex which may activate different signaling pathways.     

Trispecific F(ab')3 derivatives that use cooperative signaling via the TCR/CD3 complex and CD2 to activate and redirect resting cytotoxic T cells.

To investigate whether the retargeting of resting CTL can benefit from cooperative signaling between the TCR/CD3 complex and various accessory molecules, such as CD2, CD4, CD5, and CD8, we have constructed a series of trispecific F(ab')3 derivatives. Each derivative was designed to engage effector T lymphocytes with two Fab' arms, and tumor cells with a single Fab' arm. They were constructed by selective coupling of three mAb Fab' fragments, primarily via their hinge-region sulfhydryl groups, using the cross-linker o-phenylenedimaleimide. En route to the production of trispecific F(ab')3 antibodies a range of bispecific F(ab')2 derivatives was first prepared which could bind simultaneously to two different receptor molecules on T cells. Bispecific derivatives containing specificities for (CD2 (T11(1)) x CD3), (CD3 x CD4), (CD3 x CD8) or two epitopes on CD2, ((T11(1) x (T11(3)), all yielded two to three times the uptake of [3H]thymidine with fresh PBMC to that seen with intact IgG from anti-CD3 (OKT3). The exception to these findings was a bispecific F(ab')2 derivative with specificities for (CD3 x CD5) which caused slightly less proliferation than the control reagent, OKT3 IgG. When these bispecific antibodies were converted into trispecific antibodies (TsAb) by the addition of a Fab' from anti-CD37 they were then all able to retarget resting, unprimed, T cells from fresh PBMC for lysis of CD37+ tumor cells. However, the cytotoxic activity of these reagents fell into two distinct groups: group one, containing (anti-CD3 x anti-CD4 x anti-CD37), (anti-CD3 x anti-CD5 x anti-CD37), and (anti-CD3 x anti-CD8 x anti-CD37), gave minimal lysis and behaved in a similar way to the BsAb, (anti-CD3 x anti-CD37), i.e., no evidence of cooperative signaling for lysis; and group two, containing (anti-T11(1) x anti-CD3 x anti-CD37) and (anti-T11(1) x anti-T11(3) x anti-CD37), which were highly cytotoxic and gave up to 80% specific 51Cr-release. The failure of group one TsAb, in particular (anti-CD3 x anti-CD8 x anti-CD37) which should recruit CD8+ CTL, to give efficient lysis despite having anti-T cell arms that were mitogenic as a bispecific antibody, indicates that the cooperative signaling for proliferation is probably distinct from the signal(s) provided by group two TsAb that activate for both proliferation and lysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Down-regulation of cell surface CD4 molecule expression induced by anti-CD4 antibodies in human T lymphocytes.

Antigenic modulation was defined as the down-regulation of a cell surface antigen expression induced by exposure to specific antibody. We investigated the modulation of CD4 surface expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes incubated in vitro with anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Modulation of surface CD4 was achieved at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C, with five different murine anti-CD4 mAbs of IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses, with different epitope specificities. Modulation was dose dependent with a maximum at nonsaturating mAb concentration. It was reversible upon culture in mAb-free medium. It was accelerated and amplified in the presence of monocytes or after cross-linking of anti-CD4 mAbs. It could be induced with solid phase anti-CD4 mAbs, but not with soluble F(ab')2 fragments. Its magnitude was identical on all CD4+ lymphocytes. It was associated with a moderate down-regulation of CD2 and CD3 but not of CD8 and HLA class I surface expression. Modulation was slightly augmented by addition of inhibitors of the endosome/lysosome pathway but not by protein synthesis inhibitors. The anti-CD4 mAb initially bound to cell surface was no longer detectable after 24 hr of culture. Most of surface CD4 proteins complexed with antibody were rapidly internalized and transiently replaced by CD4 from an intracytoplasmic pool and then no longer were expressed. CD4 mRNA was moderately decreased in cells incubated with anti-CD4 mAb while beta-actin and beta 2-microglobulin mRNAs remained at stable levels. It was concluded that down-regulation of CD4 surface expression induced by anti-CD4 mAb concerned only a part of CD4 molecules and was associated with a decreased synthesis. The delay required to achieve maximal modulation is likely to reflect exhaustion of the intracytoplasmic recycling pool of CD4 molecules.     

CD3.TCR1, a human CD3 epitope expressed on viable gamma/delta lymphocytes exclusively.

T lymphocytes express either the alpha/beta or the gamma/delta receptor (TCR) in a mutually exclusive fashion. Both structures are associated on the cell membrane with the CD3 proteins which are thought to transduce signals resulting from antigen recognition. The CD3 complex is present in both alpha/beta and gamma/delta cells and includes at least five proteins (designated gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta and eta). We have developed here a novel mAb, anti-CD3.TCR1, which immunoprecipitates the CD3 molecules from both alpha/beta and gamma/delta cells lysates following solubilization with Triton X-100. While the SDS-PAGE migration profile of the material recognized by either anti-CD3.TCR1 or anti-OKT3 are superimposable in both cell types, this mAb recognizes viable untreated gamma/delta T lymphocytes exclusively. These findings further support the view that molecular interactions within the TCR/CD3 protein complex are distinct in the two T lymphocyte populations.     

Induction of human T cell proliferation by a monoclonal antibody to CD5.

A mouse mAb, TS 43, which recognized the human CD5 molecule, was found to induce the proliferation of human peripheral blood T cells. TS 43 mAb precipitated from 125I-radiolabeled T cells a 67-kDa band, which comigrated with the 67-kDa band precipitated by the anti-CD5 mAb OKT1. Preclearing of cell lysates with OKT1 mAb abolished the capacity of TS 43 mAb to precipitate radiolabeled material from T cell lysates. Furthermore, a mouse T cell hybridoma transfected with human CD5 was stained by TS 43 mAb. T cell proliferation mediated by TS 43 mAb was monocyte dependent, and was accompanied by IL-2R expression and by IL-2 synthesis. T cell activation by TS 43 mAb involved a rise in intracellular calcium level (CA2+)i and was dependent on the expression of the TCR/CD3 complex because no rise in (Ca2+)i was observed in a TCR-beta-deficient Jurkat T cell mutant. This study indicates that CD5 should be added to the list of surface molecules that can signal T cells to proliferate.     

Expression of CD5 regulates responsiveness to IL-1

The role of the CD5 surface molecule in T cell responsiveness to IL-1 was examined. A CD5-mutant Jurkat cell line was generated from a CD5+ parent cell line. This CD5- mutant subclone was infected with a defective retrovirus containing the CD5 cDNA and/or the neo gene encoding G418 resistance. The CD5+ wild type Jurkat produced IL-2 in response to anti-CD3 mAb, OKT3, cross-linked to a solid surface. IL-2 production was enhanced by co-culture with IL-1 or anti-CD5 Mab. Neither the CD5- mutant nor the CD5- G418-resistant infectant responded to anti-CD5 mAb or to IL-1. Responsiveness to IL-1 was restored by cell surface expression of CD5 in the CD5+ infectant. Both the CD5+ wild type Jurkat and the CD5+ infectant responded equivalently to purified IL-1, IL-1 alpha and rIL-1 beta. Optimal concentrations of IL-1 and anti-CD5 mAb had an additive effect on the enhancement of IL-2 production stimulated with cross-linked anti-CD3 mAb suggesting that IL-1 and CD5 act through distinct, complementary pathways to augment T cell activation. The correlation of CD5 expression and specific binding of rIL-1 beta was examined in these cell lines. Both the specific binding (at 4 degrees C) and subsequent internalization (at 37 degrees C) of 125I labeled rIL-1 beta was equivalent in the CD5+ infectant and the CD5+ wild type Jurkat cell, whereas specific binding of 125I-labeled rIL-1 beta was markedly decreased in the CD5-G418-resistant infectant. These observations strongly suggest that cell surface expression of CD5 regulates binding of and responsiveness to IL-1.     

Differences in surface phenotype between cytolytic and non-cytolytic CD4+ T cells. MHC class II-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes lack Leu 8 antigen and express CD2 in high density

A number of cell surface molecules are differentially expressed on functionally distinct subsets of CD4+ T cells. However, to date CD4+ T cells capable of becoming CTL have not been shown to be phenotypically distinct from other CD4+ T cells, and in the current study we examined the ability of Leu 8+ and Leu 8- CD4+ subpopulations to become cytotoxic effectors after their stimulation with allogeneic lymphoblastoid cell lines. Although CD4+, Leu 8+ cells proliferated more vigorously than CD4+, Leu 8- cells in primary cultures stimulated with allogeneic LCL, the CD4+, Leu 8- population was the major source of cytotoxic effectors, killing targets with specificity for their class II MHC alloantigens. In most subjects, CD4+ precursors of CTL were distinguished not only by their lack of Leu 8 expression but also by their relatively high density of CD2, LFA-1, and LFA-3, molecules known to mediate non-specific cell-to-cell adhesion and postulated to be markers of immunologic memory. The absence of Leu 8 does not appear to be a reliable memory cell marker, however, because Leu 8+ as well as Leu 8-, CD4+ cells from PPD skin test positive subjects responded to the recall Ag, PPD. During 3 mo of continuous culture with allogeneic stimulators, Leu 8- cells retained their cytolytic activity and remained unreactive with anti-Leu 8 mAb, whereas Leu 8+ cells remained non-cytolytic and reactive with anti-Leu 8, suggesting that under the conditions used the Leu 8 phenotype is relatively stable. PHA or anti-CD3 mAb enhanced non-specific killing by alloantigen-stimulated CD4+,Leu 8- lines but failed to unmask any cytolytic potential in CD4+,Leu 8+ lines. We conclude that MHC class II-specific cytolytic CD4+ T cells can be distinguished from non-cytolytic CD4+ cells on the basis of their surface phenotype, and that most CD4+ CTL are contained within the Leu 8- subpopulation.     

Anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies enhance phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate-induced activation of human T cells

Evidence exists which indicates that the T cell differentiation molecule CD4 may interact with nonpolymorphic determinants of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens on accessory cells to stabilize the formation of a ternary complex formed by the T cell receptor (CD3-TcR), antigen, and MHC class II restriction element. However, there is also evidence which suggests alternative or additional functional roles of CD4 in the delivery of signals to T cells independent of MHC class II recognition. In the present study, we examined different anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for their ability to influence lymphocyte proliferation induced by phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA). We found that the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to PMA could be enhanced by some anti-CD4 mAbs (OKT4, OKT4A) but not by others (G17-2). This enhancement was due neither to a direct action of the mAbs on the monocytes nor to intercellular crosslinking through an Fc-Fc receptor interaction. We also found that the binding of anti-CD did not influence the down-regulation of CD4 expression induced by PMA, ruling out any correlation between increased stimulation and CD4 modulation. Our results, taken together with those recently published on the ability of a soluble anti-CD4 mAb (B66) to induce lymphocyte activation by itself, provide evidence that CD4 antigen plays a positive functional role in T cell stimulation in addition to stabilizing the antigen-antigen receptor interaction.     

Lysis of fresh solid tumor targets in the presence of Con A is mediated primarily by Leu 7+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes: blocking by the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and comparison with recombinant interleukin 2-induced lysis by natural killer cells

We investigated the lysis of fresh human solid tumor cells by peripheral blood T lymphocytes in the presence of lectins and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Addition of certain lectins (Con A, PHA, or WGA) directly into the 4-hr 51Cr-release assay caused significant lysis of (P less than 0.001) noncultured solid tumor targets by enriched populations of granular lymphocytes (GL). Significant levels (P at least less than 0.001) of Con A- or PHA-dependent solid tumor lysis by GL-enriched lymphocytes were observed in 32 of 39 donors (82%) and 14 of 20 donors (70%), respectively. In contrast, the addition of other lectins (PNA, PWM, or LPS) or anti-CD3 mAb did not cause cytotoxicity. The levels of Con A-dependent lysis were comparable to those of interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced lysis by Leu 11b+ natural killer (NK) cells. The presence of lectins at the effector phase, but not of recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2), was required for the lysis of solid tumor targets. Both Con A-dependent and rIL-2-induced lysis were totally inhibited by treatment of the effector cells with the lysosomotropic agent L-leucine methyl ester (LeuOMe). Effector cells responsible for Con A-dependent lysis of solid tumors expressed T3 (CD3), T8 (CD8), and Leu 7 antigens, but lacked T4 (CD4) and Leu 11 (CD16) antigens as determined by both negative and positive cell selection studies. Con A-dependent lysis was inhibited at the effector phase by anti-CD3 (OKT3 or anti-Leu 4) or anti-CD2 (OKT11) mAb. On the basis of their phenotype (Leu 7+ CD3+ CD8+ CD16-), we hypothesize that these effector cells may contain a population of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) generated in vivo against autologous modified cells that can lyse fresh solid tumor target cells under conditions where the recognition requirements for the CTL are bypassed by lectin approximation.     

Crosslinking of the CD5 antigen on human T cells induces functional IL2 receptors.

CD5 is a 67-kDa antigen that is expressed on the membrane of the majority of human T cells, and on a subset of B cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that anti-CD5 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) can provide a helper signal for T cell activation through the TCR/CD3 complex. We now demonstrate that when CD5 is crosslinked by immobilized anti-CD5 mAb in the absence of other activating stimuli, the T cells proliferate in response to recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL2) (but not to rIL4). Four different anti-CD5 mAb (anti-Leu1, 10.2, anti-T1, and OKT1) had a similar effect. IL2 responsiveness could be induced with immobilized anti-CD5 mAb in cultures of purified T cells, but was enhanced by the addition of monocytes, by monocyte culture supernatant, or by the combination of IL1 and IL6. Staining with an anti-IL2 receptor (p55) mAb demonstrated expression of IL2 receptors on about 10% of the anti-CD5-stimulated T cells. Both virgin (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) T cells were responsive. Our data provide further evidence for the involvement of CD5 in T cell activation.     

CD4 changes conformation upon ligand binding.

Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been shown to block the binding site for both HIV gp120 and mAb anti-Leu 3a on CD4. We have unexpectedly found that brief treatment with > or = 1 micrograms/ml ATA rapidly disengages another mAb, OKT4E, after it has been bound to CD4 on human PBL. OKT4E is specific for a discontinuous epitope overlapping the MHC class II-binding region in the N-terminal CD4 domain. Interestingly, among 10 other mAb tested, only anti-Leu 8, specific for a leukocyte homing receptor is also quickly released from the cells by ATA treatment. Disengagement of the OKT4E mAb is also seen on a CD4-positive cell line (HPB-ALL) and with recombinant soluble CD4 (sCD4) bound to immobilized OKT4E. In all of these cases, disengagement is prevented if OKT4E is cross-linked, or the Leu 3a site is blocked by the mAb, but not by gp120. Photobleaching fluorescence resonance energy transfer (pFRET) measurements suggest that OKT4E is released as an indirect consequence of ATA-evoked conformational changes of CD4. Similar changes were detected as a result of gp120 binding to PBL. These data raise the possibility of a novel type of immunomodulation: induced disengagement of a bound ligand from its Ag.     

Anti-CD3 and phorbol myristate acetate regulation of MHC unrestricted T cell cytotoxicity. Lack of a requirement for CD3/T cell receptor complex expression during tumor cell lysis

The effects of anti-CD3 mAb on MHC-unrestricted cytotoxic activity of NK depleted PHA-activated human T cells were examined. Anti-CD3 mAb had variable effects on killing of K562 or Daudi targets. Whereas lower concentrations of OKT3 often inhibited lysis of either target, higher concentrations (greater than 1 micrograms/ml) frequently increased K562 killing and always augmented Daudi lysis. However, lysis of the renal cell carcinoma, Cur, was consistently inhibited by OKT3 over a broad concentration range. Such variable effects were not related to differential regulation of heterogeneous subsets of effector cells, as similar patterns of OKT3-mediated modulation of tumor cell lysis by T cell clones was also observed. Another IgG2a anti-CD3 mAb, 64.1, and either F(ab')2 fragments of OKT3 or intact OKT3 in the presence of aggregated human Ig were found to inhibit lysis of Cur, K562, and Daudi targets consistently. Additional experiments were carried out to determine whether modulation of CD3 accounted for the inhibitory effects of the anti-CD3 mAb. PMA was noted to cause modulation of CD3 from the surface of PHA or alloantigen-activated T cells, and the combination of anti-CD3 and PMA caused even more marked modulation of CD3. Whereas preincubation with PMA and/or anti-CD3 decreased alloantigen-specific cytotoxic T cell function in relative proportion to the loss of CD3 expression, no consistent relationship between CD3 expression and the capacity of PHA-activated T cells to kill Cur targets was noted. PMA alone caused no consistent alteration of Cur lysis. Moreover, in the presence of PMA, anti-CD3 mAb caused no significant inhibitory effect on Cur lysis, in spite of increased modulation and in some cases virtual total loss of surface CD3 expression. These findings indicate that when FcR interactions are prevented, anti-CD3 mAb consistently inhibit MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity by PHA-activated T cells. Despite this, the data support the conclusion that CD3/TCR complex interactions with target cells are not required for either target cell recognition or triggering of lysis by MHC-unrestricted cytotoxic T cells.     

Potentiation of transmembrane signaling by cross-linking of antibodies against the beta chain of the T cell antigen receptor of JURKAT T cells.

Three monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2D1, 3B9, and 3B12 were produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with JURKAT cells. These mAb induce comodulation of the TCR/CD3 complex expressed on JURKAT cells, but do not react with the CD3- JURKAT variant, J.RT3.T3.1. Immunoprecipitation studies with detergent-solubilized JURKAT cell lystes indicate that these mAb react with proteins having characteristics of the TCR molecules. Their low reactivity with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lack of reactivity with other CD3+ T cell lines suggest that they may be anti-idiotypic mAb. Results from binding inhibition assays, reactivity with PBMC, and generation of transmembrane signals suggest that these three anti-TCR mAb recognized different epitopes on the TCR beta chain of JURKAT cells. Although the three mAb are capable of inducing the production of inositol phosphates and cytosolic free Ca2+ increase in JURKAT cells, their stimulatory capacities vary and are lower than that observed by anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3) stimulation. However, crosslinking these mAb with rabbit antimouse immunoglobulins potentiates the stimulatory response to comparable levels induced by OKT3. These mAb could be useful as tools to study V beta 8+ T cells in relation to antigen-specific activation.     

Role of CD2 in regulation of CD3- LGL function.

CD2 is a differentiation marker present on T cells and NK cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can be activated by antibodies directed against the CD3/T-cell receptor complex and CD2 structures; however, the role of CD2 in regulation of CD3- large granular lymphocyte (LGL) functions has only recently been studied. Anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may be either augmenting or inhibitory and T-cell activation via the CD2 molecule occurs only when mAb binds defined combinations of the CD2 epitopes. Since LGL can be activated by a single stimulus (e.g., IL-2) to proliferate, produce IFN gamma, and increase their cytolytic potential, these functions were chosen to examine the effects of the anti-CD2 mAb and its combinations. Anti-CD2 mAb (D66, GT2, and X11-1) were incubated with LGL for various times in the absence or presence of IL2 and IFN gamma production was monitored. Single anti-CD2 mAb treatment demonstrated minimal augmentation of IFN gamma production. However, combinations of anti-CD2 (9.6) and the other anti-CD2 mAb resulted in a significant, synergistic enhancement of the IFN gamma production. Anti-CD2 mAb treatment appeared to inhibit production generated by optimal doses of IL-2 (1,000 U/ml). The effect of anti-CD2 mAb on IFN gamma production parallel their effects on LGL NK and LAK activity. These data suggested that mAb against the CD2 molecule were important in regulating LGL functions in the absence of a functional CD3 receptor in LGL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Efficiency of T cell triggering by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with potential usefulness in bispecific mAb generation

 T cell triggering can be achieved by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the CD3/TcR complex. In the presence of appropriate costimulation and/or progression factors, such triggering permits the generation of effector cells for immunotherapy protocols involving the redirection of T cell lysis against tumor cells by mAbs bispecific for anti-CD3/anti-tumor cells (bs-mAbs). Focusing our analysis on the clinically relevant bs-mAb OC/TR, we found that bs-mAbs generated with the same anti tumor specificity, but two other anti-CD3 mAbs, TR66 and OKT3, have the same and a significantly lower lytic potential, respectively, compared with that of OC/TR. To evaluate the relevance of the anti-CD3 component, we examined several anti-CD3 mAbs with respect to binding parameters and the ability to trigger T lymphocytes. Competitive binding assays suggested that all anti-CD3 mAbs recognized the same or overlapping epitopes, although mAbs BMA030 and OC/TR bound with lower avidity than did αCD3 (the bivalent anti-CD3 mAb produced by the hybrid hybridoma OC/TR), TR66 and OKT3, as determined by measurement of the affinity constants. In all lymphocyte populations examined, which included resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), activated PBMC and T cell clones, OKT3, BMA033 and OC/TR failed to mobilize Ca²⁺ without cross-linking, whereas αCD3, in both murine and murine-human chimeric versions, TR66 and BMA030, did not require cross-linking. The ability to induce CD3 modulation was associated in part with the induction of Ca²⁺ fluxes. Despite the differences in the behavior of these mAbs in triggering the events that precede proliferation, all of them ultimately led to expression of the IL-2 receptor and to proliferation in T cells in the presence of accessory cells. Our data suggest that anti-CD3 mAbs that bind more rapidly (strong Ca²⁺ mobilizers) and more tightly under physiological conditions are good candidates for retargeting T cells in the bs-mAb clinical application. Received: 2 January 1997 / Accepted: 6 February 1997