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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Functional characteristics of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54) expressed on cytotoxic human blood
Abstract:
We have shown that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (CD54) positive cells are mainly responsible for the natural cytotoxic function of human blood lymphocytes. The evidences were the inhibition of cytotoxicity by anti-ICAM-1 (LB-2) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and the loss of lytic activity after removal of the ICAM-1+ cells. In addition, the cytotoxic potential of the separated ICAM-1- lymphocyte population after activation appeared in parallel with the expression of this molecule. The ICAM-1+ lymphocytes lysed both LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18 or Leu-CAMa) positive and negative cell lines, and pretreatment of the effectors with the LB-2 mAb also inhibited the lysis of LFA-1- targets. The results point to a yet unrecognized role of ICAM-1 on the lymphocytes. Kinetics experiments suggested that pretreatment of lymphocytes with alpha-ICAM-1 (LB-2) mAb did not inhibit the promptly established lytic interactions but influenced later events, recycling and/or recruitment of effectors. It is possible that the cytotoxic potential is regulated by contacts between the members of the lymphocyte population and that these events occur via their ICAM-1 and LFA-1. Exposure of lymphocytes to NK-sensitive targets for 16 hr elevated their cytotoxic potential. The function of activated lymphocytes was not inhibited by the LB-2 mAb.
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