Regulation of expression of CD27, a T cell-specific member of a novel family of membrane receptors

R. de Jong, W. A. Loenen, M. Brouwer, L. van Emmerik, E. F. de Vries, J. Borst, R. A. van Lier

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Abstract

CD27 belongs to a newly defined family of transmembrane R, including the nerve growth factor R, two distinct TNF R and CD40. The function of CD27 is unknown, but on the basis of structural and functional properties, we postulate that it plays a role in the events subsequent to T cell activation, possibly as a cytokine R. We have analyzed the mechanisms underlying the regulation of CD27 protein expression. Membrane expression of CD27 strongly increases after T cell activation via the TCR/CD3 complex or the CD2 molecule. In contrast, direct stimulation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters markedly down-regulates CD27 surface expression. This down-regulation most likely does not result from CD27 phosphorylation, because both anti-CD3 mAb and PMA induce hyperphosphorylation of CD27 on serine residues. Rather, membrane expression seems to be regulated primarily at the RNA level. Stimulation of T cells with anti-CD3 mAb strongly increases steady state CD27 mRNA levels, whereas PMA treatment greatly reduces these transcript levels. Dissection of the TCR/CD3-induced signaling pathways showed that cytoplasmic cAMP as well as Ca2+ concentrations contribute to the increase of CD27 expression. These data indicate that upon Ag-specific T cell stimulation, membrane expression of CD27 is regulated at the RNA level through the joint action of distinct TCR/CD3-associated signaling pathways
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2488-2494
JournalJournal of immunology (Baltimore, Md.
Volume146
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 1991

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