Anti-CD28 Antibody [CD28.2] - Low endotoxin, Azide free (A86496)

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors plays important roles in many biologic processes, including the development and function of the immune and vascular systems. Cells usually express more than one NFAT member, raising the question of whether NFATs play overlapping roles or if each member has selective functions. Using mRNA knock-down, we show that NFATc3 is specifically required for IL2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene expression in transformed and primary T cells and for T-cell proliferation. We also show that NFATc3 regulates COX2 in endothelial cells, where it is required for COX2, dependent migration and angiogenesis in vivo. These results indicate that individual NFAT members mediate specific functions through the differential regulation of the transcription of target genes. These effects, observed on short-term suppression by mRNA knock-down, are likely to have been masked by compensatory effects in gene-knockout studies.

We have previously reported the production of hepatitis C virus-like particles (HCV-LP) using a recombinant baculovirus containing the cDNA of the HCV structural proteins (core, E1, and E2). These particles resemble the putative HCV virions and are capable of inducing strong and broad humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Here we present evidence on the immunogenicity of HCV-LP and the effects of novel adjuvant systems in a nonhuman primate model, the baboon. Three groups of four baboons were immunized with HCV-LP, HCV-LP and adjuvant AS01B (monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21), or HCV-LP and the combination of AS01B and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 10105. After four immunizations over an 8-month period, all animals developed HCV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses including antibodies to HCV structural proteins and gamma interferon(+) (IFN-gamma(+))CD4(+) and IFN-gamma(+)CD8(+) T-cell responses. The immunogenicity of HCV-LP was only marginally enhanced by the use of adjuvants. The overall HCV-specific immune responses were broad and long lasting. Our results suggest that HCV-LP is a potent immunogen to induce HCV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in primates and may be a promising approach to develop novel preventive and therapeutic modalities.

TCR and CD28 costimulatory receptor-cooperative induction of T cell IL-2 secretion is dependent upon activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Using yeast-hybrid technology, we cloned a novel CD28 cytoplasmic tail (CD28 CYT) interacting protein, MAP kinase phosphatase-6 (MKP6), which we demonstrate inactivates MAP kinases. Several lines of evidence indicate that MKP6 plays an important functional role in CD28 costimulatory signaling. First, in human peripheral blood T cells (PBT), expression of MKP6 is strongly up-regulated by CD28 costimulation. Second, transfer of dominant-negative MKP6 to PBT with the use of retroviruses primes PBT for the secretion of substantially larger quantities of IL-2, specifically in response to CD28 costimulation. A similar enhancement of IL-2 secretion is observed neither in response to TCR plus CD2 costimulatory receptor engagement nor in response to other mitogenic stimuli such as phorbol ester and ionomycin. Furthermore, this hypersensitivity to CD28 costimulation is associated with CD28-mediated hyperactivation of MAP kinases. Third, a retroviral transduced chimeric receptor with a CD28 CYT that is specifically unable to bind MKP6 costimulates considerably larger quantities of IL-2 from PBT than a similar transduced chimeric receptor that contains a wild-type CD28 CYT. Taken together, these results suggest that MKP6 functions as a novel negative-feedback regulator of CD28 costimulatory signaling that controls the activation of MAP kinases.

Because Langerhans cells (LC) in peripheral tissues are generally "immature" cells with poor lymphostimulatory activity, the contribution of immune responses initiated by LC to the pathogenesis of pulmonary LC histiocytosis (LCH) has been uncertain. In this study we demonstrate that LC accumulating in LCH granulomas are phenotypically similar to mature lymphostimulatory dendritic cells present in lymphoid organs. LC in LCH granulomas intensely expressed B7-1 and B7-2 molecules, whereas normal pulmonary LC and LC accumulating in other pathologic lung disorders did not express these costimulatory molecules. The presence of B7+ LC in LCH granulomas was associated with the expression in these lesions, but not at other sites in the lung, of a unique profile of cytokines (presence of GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta and the absence of IL-10) that is known to promote the in vitro differentiation of LC into cells expressing a lymphostimulatory phenotype. Finally, LCH granulomas were the only site where CD154-positive T cells could be identified in close contact with LC intensely expressing CD40 Ags. Taken together, these results strongly support the idea that an abnormal immune response initiated by LC may participate in the pathogenesis of pulmonary LCH, and suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at modifying the lymphostimulatory phenotype of LC may be useful in the treatment of this disorder.

The ability of NK cells to kill tumor cells is controlled by a balance between activating and inhibitory signals transduced by distinct receptors. In murine tumor models, the costimulatory molecule B7.1 not only acts as a positive trigger for NK-mediated cytotoxicity but can also overcome negative signaling transduced by MHC class I molecules. In this study, we have evaluated the potential of human B7.1-CD28 interaction as an activating trigger for human blood NK cells. Using multiparameter flow cytometric analysis and a panel of different CD28 mAbs, we show that human peripheral blood NK cells (defined by CD56+, CD16+, and CD3- surface expression) express the CD28 costimulatory receptor, with its detection totally dependent on the mAb used. In addition, the level of CD28 varies among individuals and on different NK cell lines, irrespective of CD28 steady-state mRNA levels. By performing Ab binding studies on T cells, our data strongly suggest that binding of two of the anti-CD28 Abs (clones 9.3 and CD28.2) is to a different epitope to that recognized by clones L293 and YTH913.12, which is perhaps modified in the CD28 molecule expressed by the NK cells. We also show that B7.1 enhances the NK-mediated lysis of NK-sensitive but not of NK-resistant tumor cells and that this increased lysis is dependent on CD28-B7 interactions as shown by the ability of Abs to block this lysis. Coculture of the B7.1-positive NK-sensitive cells also led to the activation of the NK cells, as determined by the expression of CD69, CD25, and HLA class II.

Stimulation of the human T-cell line, Jurkat, by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the CD28 molecule leads to sustained increases in intracellular levels of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i); the initial rise in Ca2+ comes from internal stores, followed by Ca2+ entry into the cells. The CD28 molecule also appears to activate polyphosphoinositide (InsPL)-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity in Jurkat cells, as demonstrated by PtdInsP2 breakdown, InsP3 and 1,2-diacylglycerol generation and PtdIns resynthesis. We also observed that interleukin-2 (IL2) production induced via CD28 triggering was sensitive to a selective protein kinase C inhibitor. Of the four other anti-CD28 mAbs (CD28.2, CD28.4, CD28.5, CD28.6) tested, only one (CD28.5) was unable to generate any InsPL-specific PLC or IL2 secretion. However, the cross-linking of cell-bound CD28.5 with anti-mouse Ig antibodies led to an increase in [Ca2+]i. CD28-molecule clustering in itself appears to be a sufficient signal for induction of PLC activity.

A panel of eight different CD28 mAbs was used to analyse the structure-function relationships of the CD28 molecule. The results of binding inhibition experiments show a complex and heterogeneous pattern of inhibition; however a subgroup of mAbs was identified, namely CD28.1, CD28.3, and CD28.5, which exhibited almost identical inhibition profiles. To test the hypothesis that the different binding specificities are related to functionally distinct subregions of the CD28 molecule, the ability of each mAb to (i) induce IL-2 release and (ii) increase intracellular calcium [(Ca2+)i] in Jurkat T cells was analysed. The results show that the mAbs CD28.1, CD28.3, and CD28.5 are almost totally unable to induce IL-2 release, and their ability to increase (Ca2+)i is relatively low. All other mAbs are able to induce a marked (Ca2+)i rise, however they strongly differ in their ability to induce IL-2 release. Such differences cannot be explained by differences in the isotypes or binding kinetics of the mAbs. These results imply the existence of functionally distinct subregions on the CD28 molecule. In addition, the (Ca2+)i rise may be associated with either high or low IL-2 secretion following CD28 triggering.