Ephrin B2 induces T cell costimulation

J Immunol. 2003 Jul 1;171(1):106-14. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.1.106.

Abstract

Eph kinases form the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and their ligands are ephrins (EFNs), which are cell surface proteins. Some Eph kinases and EFNs are expressed on T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells, but their functions in the immune system are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of EFNB2 on murine T cells. EFNB2 mRNA was expressed in the cortex of the thymus and white pulp of the spleen. At the protein level, it was expressed on T cells and monocytes/macrophages, but not on B cells. EFNB2Rs were expressed mainly on T cells. Solid-phase EFNB2 along with suboptimal anti-CD3 strongly stimulated T cell proliferation, with concomitant augmentation of IFN-gamma but not IL-2 or IL-4 secretion. The activity of cytotoxic T cells was also significantly enhanced in the presence of solid-phase EFNB2. These results indicate that EFNB2R cross-linking results in costimulation of T cells. EFNB2Rs were normally scattered on the T cell surface; after TCR cross-linking, they rapidly congregated to capped TCR complexes and then to patched rafts. This provides a morphological base for EFNB2Rs to participate in T cell costimulation. We also demonstrated that EFNB2R signaling led to augmented p38 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Our study shows that EFNB2 plays important roles in immune regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / physiology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / biosynthesis
  • B-Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / physiology
  • Ephrin-B2 / biosynthesis
  • Ephrin-B2 / genetics
  • Ephrin-B2 / physiology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immune Sera / pharmacology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Lymphocyte Activation / physiology*
  • Lymphokines / biosynthesis
  • Macrophages / enzymology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Monocytes / enzymology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Receptor, EphB2 / biosynthesis
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / enzymology
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / enzymology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / enzymology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD3 Complex
  • Ephrin-B2
  • Immune Sera
  • Lymphokines
  • Receptor, EphB2