CD48 may serve as an accessory molecule for the activation of a subset of human γ/δ T cells

Caroline Flament, Kamel Bellagha, Alexandra Rosenthal-Allieri, Salem Chouaib, Fathia Mami-Chouaib

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    Abstract

    To further assess the role of CD48 in the interaction of human γ/δ T cells with their specific target, we generated two series of alloreactive clones, L and K. These clones express a V1-D-J1-C δ chain associated to V3- J2-C2 (L) or V2-J2-C2 (K) γ chain. Functionally they were CTLs able to lyse the sensitizing B-cell line E418. The cytotoxicity of the L and K clones toward E418 was inhibited by anti-CD48 mAb. That of the L clones was also inhibited by anti-HLA class I mAbs. Variation in L and K lysis profile was observed against a panel of CD48+ targets, further strengthening the argument that they display distinct specificities and suggesting that they do not recognize CD48. Heterogeneity in TCR gene segment usage, MHC-dependent recognition of E418 by the L clones, and resistance of some CD48+ targets strongly suggest that CD48 itself does not interact with L and K TCR. Transfection of CHO cells with CD48 induced killing by the K clones. This killing was inhibited by anti-CD48 mAbs. Taking into account the recent reports on CD48 as an accessory molecule, our results suggest that by binding to CD2 (and/or an unknown ligand), CD48 may serve to strengthen E/T interaction and may contribute to the activation of a minor subset of γ/δ T cells.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)82-92
    Number of pages11
    JournalHuman Immunology
    Volume46
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 1996

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