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The CD28 homodimer is thought to function as a signal transducing receptor during activation of T cells. Evidence is presented that the degree of aggregation of CD28 on the cell surface regulates two distinct CD28-associated signals. Binding of bivalent CD28 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 9.3 upregulates lymphokine production by messenger RNA (mRNA) stabilization, without direct initiation of lymphokine mRNA transcription. This signal was not dependent on inositol phospholipid production or activation of a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). In contrast, further crosslinking of CD28 on the cell surface rapidly induced formation of large amounts of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and increased cytoplasmic calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i), but did not stimulate PTK. CD28 crosslinking directly activated a subset of resting T cells, since CD25 (interleukin [IL]-2 receptor alpha chain) mRNA was rapidly induced in purified T cells, and proliferation, even without addition of exogenous IL-2, was sometimes observed. CD25 expression was detected on the cell surface of approximately 20% of CD4+ T cells. The degree of CD28 aggregation required for activation was investigated by preparing soluble 9.3 x 9.3 conjugates ranging in size from approximately 300 Kd to greater than 1,000 Kd, and comparing their function in T-cell proliferation assays with phorbol-12-myristate-13- acetate (PMA), anti-CD3, or IL-2. There was a correlation between conjugate size and proliferation with IL-2, whereas costimulation with PMA or CD3 was optimized at a lower degree of CD28 aggregation. The inositol phospholipid (InsP) generation and increase in [Ca2+]i after CD28 receptor aggregation appeared to proceed through a pathway different from the CD3/T-cell receptor (TCR) pathway since it was enhanced by pretreatment with PMA, while the InsP and [Ca2+]i signal from crosslinking CD3 was suppressed by PMA. Furthermore, the proliferation response to CD28 aggregation was resistant to inhibition by CD3 modulation. Thus, CD28 aggregation appears to trigger a phospholipase C activation pathway that differs from the CD3/TCR-linked pathway.

A single-chain Fv (sFv) was expressed from the variable regions of the CD40-specific mAb G28-5. The molecule bound CD40 with a high affinity (2.2 nM) and was a monomer in solution. Surprisingly, G28-5 sFv was a potent CD40 agonist that rapidly crosslinked CD40 on the cell surface but did not crosslink CD40-Ig in solution. G28-5 sFv was a more potent agonist than G28-5 IgG and was able to stimulate CD40 responses by B cells and monocytes. G28-5 IgG partially blocked, whereas G28-5 sFv augmented CD40 responses during stimulation with natural ligand (gp39-CD8 fusion protein). These results indicate that the functional activity of ligands built from the binding site of G28-5 is highly dependent upon the size and physical properties of the molecule both in solution and on the cell surfaces.

CD40 functional responses can be triggered by binding of mAb G28-5. Here we show that G28-5 induces partial CD40 responses and functions as a partial antagonist of natural CD40 ligand, gp39, by preventing gp39 binding. Fab fragments of G28-5 retain inhibitory activity but lose crosslinking-dependent stimulatory activity. The synergistic interaction of CD40 signals with PMA or CD20 show differential requirements for CD40 crosslinking and different sensitivity to cyclosporine A, suggesting that CD40 receptor may use different effector mechanisms for synergy with calcium-dependent CD20 signals or with calcium-independent signals from PMA. Activation of NF-kappa B occurred in RAJI cells by G28-5 or by gp39 treatment, and was CD40 crosslinking-dependent. These results suggest that activation of NF-kappa B is involved in some CD40 receptor signals and may be related to CD40 effects on stimulation or inhibition of apotosis.