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Published on: March 6, 2010
CD73 expression and fyn-dependent signaling on murine lymphocytes
Y Yamashita1, S W Hooker, H Jiang
1Immunobiology and Cancer Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
European Journal of Immunology
|November 10, 1998
Summary
The study characterizes CD73 (cluster of differentiation 73) in mice, revealing its expression on mature lymphocytes and its role in T cell signaling. CD73 also appears crucial for lymphocyte-stromal cell interactions in lymphoid tissues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD73, a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, possesses ecto-enzyme and signal transducing functions in human T lymphocytes.
- Murine CD73 distribution and function were previously uncharacterized due to a lack of specific antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the distribution and function of CD73 in murine lymphoid tissues.
- To investigate the role of CD73 in lymphocyte maturation, activation, and stromal interactions.
Main Methods:
- Development of the first monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for murine CD73.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of CD73 expression in murine lymphoid tissues.
- Analysis of T cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion upon CD73 ligation in Fyn-/- mice.
Main Results:
- CD73 expression increases with lymphocyte maturation in both T and B cells, particularly in isotype-switched B cells.
- CD73 ligation, in conjunction with PMA, induces T cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion, dependent on the tyrosine kinase Fyn.
- CD73 is highly expressed on thymic and lymphoid stromal cells, suggesting a role in lymphocyte-stromal interactions.
Conclusions:
- CD73 plays a conserved role in T cell activation and signal transduction, requiring Fyn kinase.
- CD73 expression on stromal cells indicates a potential function in modulating the local microenvironment for lymphocyte development and function.
- CD73's down-regulation after antibody cross-linking suggests ligand-mediated regulation.
