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Itk is not essential for CD28 signaling in naive T cells

Cheng-Rui Li1, Leslie J Berg

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The Tec family tyrosine kinase, Itk, is not essential for CD28 signaling in T cells. Studies show CD28 costimulation and signaling function effectively even without Itk in primary naive CD4+ T cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • The Tec family tyrosine kinase, Itk, plays a known role in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling.
  • Previous studies suggested a potential role for Itk in CD28 signaling, with some data indicating a negative regulatory function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To thoroughly investigate the role of Itk in CD28-mediated responses in primary T cells.
  • To determine if Itk is essential for CD28 signaling and costimulation of TCR signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CD28-mediated responses in naive CD4+ T cells from Itk knockout (Itk-/-) mice.
  • Examination of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta phosphorylation upon CD28 stimulation alone.

Main Results:

  • CD28 signaling functions efficiently in the absence of Itk.
  • CD28-mediated costimulation of TCR signaling is not impaired in Itk-/- T cells.
  • Akt and GSK-3beta phosphorylation downstream of CD28 occurs normally without Itk.

Conclusions:

  • Itk is not essential for CD28 signaling in primary naive CD4+ T cells.
  • The findings challenge previous implications of Itk in CD28 signaling pathways.

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