Costimulatory effect of Fas in mouse T lymphocytes

• Published in: Molecules and cells 2000-12, Vol.10 (6), p.642-646
• Main Authors: Chun, D H, Jung, K C, Park, W S, Lee, I S, Choi, W J, Kim, C J, Park, S H, Bae, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies - pharmacology; Antigens, CD - pharmacology; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - pharmacology; CD28 Antigens - pharmacology; CD3 Complex - immunology; CD3 Complex - physiology; Cell Culture Techniques; fas Receptor - pharmacology; Female; Immunophenotyping; Lectins, C-Type; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Mice - immunology; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Up-Regulation - drug effects
• ISSN: 1016-8478
• DOI: 10.1007/s100590000024

To induce proper immune responses, T lymphocytes require two types of stimuli, antigen-specific and costimulatory signals. Among costimulatory molecules, CD28-engagement promotes the survival and proliferation of both naive and memory T cells. In addition, it is now believed that Fas may play a role in T cell activation in the human system. It is, however, controversial whether Fas can act as a costimulatory signal in the murine system. Thus, we investigated fundamental differences in the capacity to induce proliferation of T cells between Fas and CD28 in mice. Fas-mediated T cell proliferation was observed only with a full mitogenic dose of anti-CD3 antibodies, whereas CD28 engagement was able to enhance T cell proliferation in the presence of a suboptimal level of anti-CD3 antibody. Furthermore, Fas-engaged T cells showed faster response in the upregulation of CD25 and CD69 expression than CD28-engaged ones. Here, we report that Fas might play a role in mature T cell activation in the mouse system through a different mechanism from that in CD28 costimulation.