A unique CD44 monoclonal antibody identifies a new T cell activation pathway.

We have identified a new T cell activation pathway mediated by the lymphocyte homing receptor/CD44 molecule, 8B2.5, a local monoclonal antibody (mAb), which recognizes two glycoproteins of 85 and 220 kDa with wide tissue distribution, is shown by sequential immunoprecipitations and competitive antibody-binding inhibition experiments with several CD44 reference mAb to recognize the CD44 molecule. The 8B2.5 mAb, but not reference CD44 mAb, is able to induce resting peripheral blood lymphocytes to proliferate in the presence of phorbol esters. This proliferation is monocyte dependent but Fc independent and results from 8B2.5 mAb binding to CD44 molecules both expressed by both T cells and monocytes. In the absence of monocytes, proliferation can be restored by solid-phase 8B2.5 mAb, or, to a lesser extent, by adding interleukin 2. Although CD3 and CD44 surface molecules are found physically independent, T cell activation via the CD44 pathway is inhibited by CD3 modulation. In addition to the direct role of CD44 molecules in T cell proliferation, CD44 mAb can up- or- down-regulate the CD3 and CD28 pathways, depending on the presence of monocytes. These results suggest that T cell and monocyte binding to high endothelial venule or extracellular matrix proteins could further promote clonal expansion of resting T cells migrating in certain specific anatomic sites.