Stimulation of T cells via CD44 requires leukocyte-function-associated antigen interactions and interleukin-2 production.

This article reports the results of the analysis of the activation signals delivered to T and B cells by means of the CD44 molecule and an agonistic mAb, i.e., CB05 mAb, which is able to induce cell activation and aggregation upon binding. The functional effects culminate in T-cell proliferation in the presence of autologous accessory cells. Such effects are barely detectable in thymocytes, while B cells prove refractory to the action of the agonistic mAb. All of these events have been followed by the expression of surface activation markers, by the transcription of selected cytokine genes (IFN-gamma, IL-4, and GM-CSF), and by the secretion of IL-2. Cell activation via CD44 has been evaluated as to its relationship with CD3 and CD2 activation pathways, proving synergistic with the latter. The CD44 signaling is protein kinase dependent. Furthermore, the role of surface molecules as cosignals in the CD44 pathway has been analyzed, showing that CD11a (and its ligand CD54), HLA class I, and CD25 are instrumental in the implementation of (a) efficient activation/proliferation signals and (b) a potent cytotoxic potential.