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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue
Published on: July 30, 2018
Surface membrane CD4 turnover in phorbol ester stimulated T-lymphocytes. Evidence of degradation and increased
B K Møller1, B S Andresen, E I Christensen
1Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
Down-regulation of surface membrane CD4 (smCD4) in phorbol ester stimulated T-cells resulted from internalization. Internalization (T1/2 = 15 min at 50 ng PMA/ml) was followed by degradation of CD4-bound antibodies. Degradation in unstimulated T-cells was comparatively insignificant. Release of degradation products was PMA dose-dependent and could be inhibited by methylamine. Uptake and degradation continued after maximal down-regulation of surface membrane CD4, and methylamine did not inhibit reappearance of smCD4 antigens. Metabolic labelling of T-cells further showed that ongoing synthesis rather than recycling contributed to an accelerated smCD4 turnover in activated cells.
