Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1984

Publication Title

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Department

Geisel School of Medicine

Abstract

Human T-cell clones and anti-T-cell-receptor antibodies (clonotypic) directed at surface receptors for antigen (T3-Ti molecular complex) as well as anti-interleukin 2 (IL-2) and anti-IL-2-receptor antibodies were utilized to investigate the mechanism by which alloantigens or antigen plus self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (i.e., physiologic ligand) trigger specific clonal proliferation. Soluble or Sepharose-bound anti-Ti monoclonal antibodies, like physiologic ligand, enhanced proliferative responses to purified IL-2 by inducing a 6-fold increase in surface IL-2 receptor expression. In contrast, only Sepharose-bound anti-Ti or physiologic ligand triggered endogenous clonal IL-2 production and resulted in subsequent proliferation. The latter was blocked by antibodies directed at either the IL-2 receptor or IL-2 itself. These results suggest that induction of IL-2 receptor expression but not IL-2 release occurs in the absence of T3-Ti receptor cross-linking. Perhaps more importantly, the findings demonstrate that antigen-induced proliferation is mediated through an autocrine pathway involving endogenous IL-2 production, release, and subsequent binding to IL-2 receptors.

Original Citation

Meuer SC, Hussey RE, Cantrell DA, et al. Triggering of the T3-Ti antigen-receptor complex results in clonal T-cell proliferation through an interleukin 2-dependent autocrine pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984;81(5):1509-1513. doi:10.1073/pnas.81.5.1509

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