CD99 costimulation up-regulates T cell receptor-mediated activation of JNK and AP-1

Although CD28 is the principal T cell costimulatory molecule for the T cell receptor, a number of other cell surface proteins have costimulatory functions and perform specific roles in different contexts. Here we analyzed the mechanism of CD99 costimulation of the T cell receptor. Cooperation of CD99 engagement with suboptimal TCR/CD3 signals resulted in greatly enhanced CD4+ T cell proliferation. CD99 costimulation also led to elevated expression of CD25 and GM1 on the CD4+ T cell surface within 3 days. In Jurkat TAg cells, CD99 costimulation led to increased apoptosis compared to stimulation with CD3 or CD99 alone. CD99 costimulation also augmented activation of MAP kinases, especially of JNK, and increased AP-1 activation was also observed using a luciferase reporter assay. These results show that CD99 has a costimulatory function for T cells and acts by a mechanism distinct from CD28.