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A ligand for human CD48 on epithelial cells

C J Ianelli1, C M Edson, D A Thorley-Lawson

  • 1Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|October 23, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a novel ligand for human CD48 on epithelial cells, challenging previous understanding. This discovery suggests CD48 may mediate lymphocyte-epithelial cell interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • CD48, an immunoglobulin superfamily member, shares homology with CD58.
  • In rodents, CD48 binds CD2, but human CD48 ligand remained elusive.
  • Previous research indicated CD58 as the human CD2 ligand.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the ligand for human CD48.
  • To investigate the role of CD48 in cell adhesion.
  • To explore the interaction between CD48 and epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a decameric, soluble CD48 IgM fusion protein to detect epithelial cell binding.
  • Employed monomeric CD48 immobilized on plastic dishes for binding assays.
  • Generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the identified ligand to block CD48 binding.
  • Investigated the role of CD44 in CD48-epithelial cell interactions.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated the presence of a CD48 ligand on epithelial cells.
  • Confirmed that epithelial cells bind to both soluble and immobilized CD48.
  • Monoclonal antibodies against the ligand effectively blocked CD48 binding to epithelial cells.
  • Showed that CD44, specifically its glycosaminoglycan binding site, plays an auxiliary role in CD48 binding.
  • Found no interaction between human CD48 and CD2.

Conclusions:

  • Human CD48 functions as an adhesion molecule by binding to a ligand on epithelial cells.
  • CD44 assists in the binding of epithelial cells to CD48.
  • This interaction suggests a novel role for CD48 in lymphocyte-epithelial cell communication.

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