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CD44-stimulated dendrite formation ('spreading') in activated B cells
L Santos-Argumedo1, P W Kincade, S Partida-Sánchez
1Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Surrey, México DF, Mexico.
Immunology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Activated B lymphocytes rapidly form dendrite processes when stimulated by anti-CD44 antibodies, a process crucial for cell interactions. This spreading enhances cell surface area, potentially influencing immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- B lymphocytes play a critical role in adaptive immunity.
- Cell surface molecules mediate lymphocyte activation and function.
- CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) NIM-R8 in lymphocyte activation.
- To identify the target molecule of NIM-R8 and its role in B cell morphology.
- To explore the implications of CD44-mediated B cell spreading in immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) NIM-R8 immobilized on plastic plates.
- Stimulated B lymphocytes with various activating agents including anti-IgM, interleukin-4 (IL-4), anti-CD38, lipopolysaccharide, and concanavalin A.
- Characterized the NIM-R8 target molecule using molecular weight (MW) analysis.
- Confirmed NIM-R8 as an antibody against murine CD44 and tested other CD44 mAbs.
Main Results:
- Insolubilized NIM-R8 mAb induced rapid and extensive dendrite process formation ('spreading') in activated B lymphocytes, but not resting B cells.
- NIM-R8 recognized a 90,000 MW surface glycoprotein (gp90) upregulated upon lymphocyte activation.
- NIM-R8 was identified as an antibody to murine CD44; other CD44 mAbs also induced B cell spreading.
- NIM-R8 mAb alone or with cytokines did not induce splenic lymphocyte proliferation.
Conclusions:
- The CD44 molecule mediates ligand-inducible spreading of activated B lymphocytes.
- This spreading phenomenon increases cell surface area, facilitating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
- CD44-mediated B cell spreading may be a key mechanism regulating activated lymphocyte responses.