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L J Berg

Publications and source records attributed to L J Berg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Peripheral expression of Jak3 is required to maintain T lymphocyte function.

The Jak family tyrosine kinase, Jak3, is involved in signaling through cytokine receptors that utilize the common gamma chain (gammac), such as those for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. Recent studies of Jak3-deficient mice and humans have demonstrated that Jak3 plays a critical role in B and T lymphocyte maturation and function. The T lymphocyte defects in Jak3-deficient mice include a small thymus, a decrease in peripheral CD8+ cells, an increase in the surface expression of activation markers, and a severe reduction in proliferative and cytokine secretion responses to mitogenic stimuli. To determine whether the peripheral T lymphocyte defects result from aberrant maturation in the thymus or from the absence of Jak3 protein in peripheral T cells, we generated reconstituted mice that express normal levels of Jak3 protein in the thymus but lose Jak3 expression in peripheral T cells. Jak3 expression in the thymus restores normal T cell development, including CD8+, gammadelta, and natural killer cells. However, the loss of Jak3 protein in peripheral T cells leads to the Jak3-/- phenotype, demonstrating that Jak3 is constitutively required to maintain T cell function.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Regulatory intramolecular association in a tyrosine kinase of the Tec family.

The T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase Itk is a member of the Tec family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases, and is required for signalling through the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). The role of Itk in TCR signalling and the manner in which Itk activity is regulated are not well understood. Substrate binding and enzymatic activity of the structurally related Src kinases are regulated by an intramolecular interaction between the Src-homology-2 (SH2) domain and a phosphotyrosine. Although Itk also contains SH3, SH2 and tyrosine kinase domains, it lacks the corresponding regulatory phosphorylation site, and therefore must be regulated by an alternative mechanism. The proline-rich sequence adjacent to the SH3 domain of Tec family kinases contains an SH3 ligand, potentially allowing a different intramolecular interaction. By using multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance we have determined the structure of a fragment of Itk, confirming that these domains interact intramolecularly. Formation of this intramolecular SH3-ligand complex prevents the Itk SH3 domain and proline-rich region from interacting with their respective protein ligands, Sam68 and Grb-2. We believe that this structure represents the first example of an intramolecular interaction between an SH3 domain and a proline-rich ligand, and has implications for the regulation of Tec family kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

The role of Jak3 in lymphoid development, activation, and signaling.

Mutations in a number of lymphoid signaling molecules lead to immunodeficiencies in mice and humans. Among these, one very pleiotropic syndrome results from deficiencies in an array of cytokine signaling pathways utilizing a cytokine receptor common gamma chain, gammac, and the tyrosine kinase Jak3. Recent advances in our understanding of the role of gammac and Jak3 in lymphocyte development and function highlight the importance of cytokine receptor signaling pathways in regulating lymphoid homeostasis and responsiveness.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Genomic structure and promoter region of the murine Janus-family tyrosine kinase, Jak3.

Genomic DNA sequences encoding the murine Janus family tyrosine kinase Jak3 were isolated to determine the intron-exon structure of the gene and to investigate the phylogeny of Jak-family kinases. The murine Jak3 gene comprises approximately 15 kbp of genomic DNA and consists of 23 exons. The organization of sequences encoding the pseudo-kinase domain of Jak3 is similar to the intron-exon structure encoding catalytic domains of Src-family tyrosine kinases, whereas the pattern of introns-exons encoding the Jak3 kinase domain shows no structural similarity to that of other tyrosine kinase genes. Genomic analysis further indicates that alternative splicing gives rise to different forms of the murine Jak3 mRNA encoding different isoforms of the Jak3 protein. Analysis of Jak3 intron-exon structure also suggests that a mutation in the human JAK3 gene responsible for a severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) phenotype results from aberrant splicing of the JAK3 transcript. Finally, potential regulatory sequences in the upstream region of the murine Jak3 gene were analyzed and are discussed in relation to the known expression pattern of Jak3.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

Identification of Itk/Tsk Src homology 3 domain ligands.

The tyrosine kinase Itk/Tsk is a T cell specific analog of Btk, the tyrosine kinase defective in the human immunodeficiency X-linked agammaglobulinemia and in xid mice. T lymphocytes from Itk-deficient mice are refractory to mitogenic stimuli delivered through the T cell receptor (TCR). To gain insights into the biochemical role of Itk, the binding properties of the Itk SH3 domain were examined. An optimal Itk SH3 binding motif was derived by screening biased phage display libraries; peptides based on this motif bound with high affinity and selectivity to the Itk SH3 domain. Initial studies with T cell lysates indicated that the Itk SH3 domain bound Cbl, Fyn, and other tyrosine phosphoproteins from TCR-stimulated Jurkat cells. Under conditions of increased detergent stringency Sam 68, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein, and hnRNP-K, but not Cbl and Fyn, were bound to the Itk SH3 domain. By examining the ability of different SH3 domains to interact with deletion variants of Sam 68 and WASP, we demonstrated that the Itk-SH3 domain and the SH3 domains of Src family kinases bind to overlapping but distinct sets of proline-rich regions in Sam 68 and WASP.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMed1996

Homodimerization of interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain can induce intracellular signaling.

The possible role of homodimerization events in intracellular signal transduction triggered by the bipartite human interleukin-4 receptor was addressed. We generated cell lines functionally expressing derivatives of the two receptor subunits alpha and gamma, which allow for a specific and background-free experimental induction of intracellular homo- and heterodimers. A heterodimer of alpha and gamma released an intracellular signal, whereas a gamma-gamma homodimer did not. Unexpectedly, we found the intracellular domain of interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain to evoke cell proliferation and activation of tyrosine kinase Jak1 as well as of transcription factor Stat6 upon homodimerization. Both recruitment of the common gamma chain and activation of kinase Jak3 were shown to be dispensible for these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A new member of the Eph family of receptors that lacks protein tyrosine kinase activity.

Using a PCR-based screen to identify tyrosine kinases involved in T cell development, we have cloned a new member of the Eph-family of receptor tyrosine kinases (Mep, for murine eph-family protein). At the amino acid level Mep is 60% identical to the chicken embryonic kinase Cek9. Sequence analysis indicates that the predicted extracellular portion of Mep bears an Ig-like domain, a cysteine-rich region, and sequences homologous to fibronectin type III. The transmembrane region of Mep is followed by a kinase domain. Surprisingly, this kinase domain carries amino acid substitutions in the highly conserved consensus motifs found in all protein tyrosine kinases and known to be crucial for kinase activity. We demonstrate that a bacterial fusion protein of the Mep kinase domain does not have protein tyrosine kinase activity. Analysis of Mep mRNA levels in a variety of mouse tissues shows that Mep is highly expressed in thymus and brain. We have also isolated two additional Mep cDNA clones from thymocytes which are predicted to encode secreted forms of the Mep extracellular domain; mRNAs encoding these secreted isoforms are also expressed in mouse brain.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

Murine JAK3 is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic tissues and lymphocyte precursor cells.

To elucidate the role of cytokine receptor signal transduction in T-cell development, we have investigated the expression pattern and biochemical characteristics of the murine Janus family tyrosine kinase, JAK3. Previous studies have shown that JAK3 is expressed in lymphoid and myeloid tumor cell lines and in a small number of lymphoid tissues. To further characterize JAK3 expression, we used a quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach to compare JAK3 mRNA levels at multiple stages of T-cell differentiation and in a broad range of mouse tissues. These studies, in conjunction with analyses of JAK3 protein expression, show that the highest levels of JAK3 are in adult, 2-week-old, and fetal thymus, followed by somewhat lower levels in bone marrow, spleen, fetal liver, and adult CD4-CD8- thymocytes. We also show that different forms of JAK3 mRNA arise by alternative splicing. Finally, our biochemical studies show that the JAK3 kinase domain, but not the pseudo-kinase domain, has tyrosine kinase activity and, furthermore, that JAK3 kinase activity is abolished by an amino acid substitution of the conserved lysine in the kinase domain (K851R). These studies show that JAK3 expression is profoundly skewed to hematopoietic and lymphoid precursor cells, strongly suggesting a role for JAK3 in hematopoiesis and T- and B-cell development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

A TCR binds to antagonist ligands with lower affinities and faster dissociation rates than to agonists.

T lymphocyte activation is mediated by the interaction of specific TCR with antigenic peptides bound to MHC molecules. Single amino acid substitutions are often capable of changing the effect of a peptide from stimulatory to antagonistic. Using surface plasmon resonance, we have analyzed the interaction between a complex consisting of variants of the MCC peptide bound to a mouse class II MHC (Ek) and a specific TCR. Using both an improved direct binding method as well as a novel inhibition assay, we show that the affinities of three different antagonist peptide-Ek complexes are approximately 10-50 times lower than that of the wildtype MCC-Ek complex for the TCR, largely due to an increased off-rate. These results suggest that the biological effects of peptide antagonists and partial agonists may be largely based on kinetic parameters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Alterations in CD4 dependence accompany T cell development and differentiation.

Several studies have indicated that the necessity for co-receptor engagement during T cell activation depends on the avidity of the TCR-MHC interaction under investigation. Using thymocytes, naive T cells and a long-term T cell line isolated from 2B4 TCR transgenic mice, we have examined the role of the CD4 co-receptor on cells expressing the identical TCR at multiple stages of T cell maturation. When anti-CD4 Fab fragments were used to block CD4-MHC class II interactions, we found decreasing CD4 dependence as T cells matured. As a second approach to examining the role of the CD4 co-receptor, we generated I-Ek mutants defective in CD4 interactions. In the course of this study, we identified a new potential site for CD4 interaction in the beta1 domain of I-Ek. The new beta1 mutation and a mutation in the previously described CD4 binding site in the beta2 domain both interfere with stimulation of 2B4 thymocytes, but not mature T cells. Together these data demonstrate that the role of the CD4 co-receptor depends on the state of maturation of the T cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Defects in B lymphocyte maturation and T lymphocyte activation in mice lacking Jak3.

Biochemical studies of signaling mediated by many cytokine and growth factor receptors have implicated members of the Jak family of tyrosine kinases in these pathways. Specifically, Jak3 has been shown to be associated with the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor gamma chain, a component of the receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. Mice lacking Jak3 showed a severe block in B cell development at the pre-B stage in the bone marrow. In contrast, although the thymuses of these mice were small, T cell maturation progressed relatively normally. In response to mitogenic signals, peripheral T cells in Jak3-deficient mice did not proliferate and secreted small amounts of IL-2. These data demonstrate that Jak3 is critical for the progression of B cell development in the bone marrow and for the functional competence of mature T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

p56Lck and p59Fyn regulate CD28 binding to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, growth factor receptor-bound protein GRB-2, and T cell-specific protein-tyrosine kinase ITK: implications for T-cell costimulation.

T-cell activation requires cooperative signals generated by the T-cell antigen receptor zeta-chain complex (TCR zeta-CD3) and the costimulatory antigen CD28. CD28 interacts with three intracellular proteins-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), T cell-specific protein-tyrosine kinase ITK (formerly TSK or EMT), and the complex between growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 and son of sevenless guanine nucleotide exchange protein (GRB-2-SOS). PI 3-kinase and GRB-2 bind to the CD28 phosphotyrosine-based Tyr-Met-Asn-Met motif by means of intrinsic Src-homology 2 (SH2) domains. The requirement for tyrosine phosphorylation of the Tyr-Met-Asn-Met motif for SH2 domain binding implicates an intervening protein-tyrosine kinase in the recruitment of PI 3-kinase and GRB-2 by CD28. Candidate kinases include p56Lck, p59Fyn, zeta-chain-associated 70-kDa protein (ZAP-70), and ITK. In this study, we demonstrate in coexpression studies that p56Lck and p59Fyn phosphorylate CD28 primarily at Tyr-191 of the Tyr-Met-Asn-Met motif, inducing a 3- to 8-fold increase in p85 (subunit of PI 3-kinase) and GRB-2 SH2 binding to CD28. Phosphatase digestion of CD28 eliminated binding. In contrast to Src kinases, ZAP-70 and ITK failed to induce these events. Further, ITK binding to CD28 was dependent on the presence of p56Lck and is thus likely to act downstream of p56Lck/p59Fyn in a signaling cascade. p56Lck is therefore likely to be a central switch in T-cell activation, with the dual function of regulating CD28-mediated costimulation as well as TCR-CD3-CD4 signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of the polarization of T cells toward antigen-presenting cells by Ras-related GTPase CDC42.

The mechanisms by which cells rapidly polarize in the direction of external signals are not understood. Helper T cells, when contacted by an antigen-presenting cell, polarize their cytoskeletons toward the antigen-presenting cell within minutes. Here we show that, in T cells, the mammalian Ras-related GTPase CDC42 (the homologue of yeast CDC42, a protein involved in budding polarity) can regulate the polarization of both actin and microtubules toward antigen-presenting cells but is not involved in other T-cell signaling processes such as those which culminate in interleukin 2 production. Although T-cell polarization appears dispensable for signaling leading to interleukin 2 production, polarization may direct lymphokine secretion towards the correct antigen-presenting cell in a crowded cellular environment. Inhibitor experiments suggest that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for cytoskeletal polarization but that calcineurin activity, known to be important for other aspects of signaling, is not. Apparent conservation of CDC42 function between yeast and T cells suggests that this GTPase is a general regulator of cytoskeletal polarity in many cell types.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

Enhanced T cell maturation and altered lineage commitment in T cell receptor/CD4-transgenic mice.

The two mature subsets of T lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ cells arise from a common progenitor during development in the thymus. The differentiation of this progenitor cell into one of the two mature T cell subsets is determined by the specificity of the alpha beta TCR for MHC class I or class II molecules. Using a line of TCR-transgenic mice expressing an MHC class II-specific TCR, 2B4, we have examined the thymocyte subsets present in a selecting versus a nonselecting MHC background. Our results are consistent with the model that CD4 versus CD8 downregulation occurs stochastically. In an effort to confirm these findings, we examined T cell development in double-transgenic mice expressing high levels of a CD4-transgene plus the 2B4 TCR transgenes. Unlike the findings with MHC class I-specific TCR-transgenic models, peripheral T cells in these mice include a substantial fraction of MHC class II-specific (2B4+) T cells expressing CD8 plus the transgene-encoded CD4. In addition, analysis of both thymocytes and peripheral T cells in these double-transgenic mice indicate that CD4 overexpression also leads to a striking enhancement of T cell maturation in 2B4 TCR-transgenic mice. Together with the studies of others, these data support a stochastic model for CD4 versus CD8 lineage commitment of an MHC class II-specific TCR during T cell development in the thymus.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation of subunits of the T-cell receptor in living cells is spatially restricted.

Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (CALI) is a molecular photoablation technique that has been used to elucidate the in vivo roles of specific proteins in neural development. The interpretation of its effects on proteins in living cells relies on knowing how spatially restricted the CALI-induced damage is in vivo. To determine the spatial specificity of CALI in living cells, we have applied CALI to individual subunits of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex on the surface of 2B4 hybridoma cells in culture and have examined the consequent structural and functional integrity of the TCR-alpha, TCR-beta and CD3-epsilon. The CALI of TCR-beta resulted in the disruption of the beta subunit and also resulted in a small effect on antibody binding alone to the neighboring TCR-alpha but caused no effect on another subunit, CD3-epsilon. Reciprocal experiments directing CALI to TCR-alpha and CD3-epsilon gave consistent results. No effects other than a simple loss of function were observed for any of these CALI experiments. These data demonstrate the extent of CALI-induced damage within a multisubunit complex in living cells and provide greater confidence for the future application of this technique to understanding in vivo function of proteins during complex cellular processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A peptide antigen antagonist prevents the differentiation of T cell receptor transgenic thymocytes.

The developmental fate of an immature T cell is determined in the thymus. Depending on the specificity of its TCR, a thymocyte receives signals to either die or differentiate. We have used fetal thymic organ cultures derived from TCR transgenic mice to examine the role of MHC/peptide ligands in T cell selection. Single amino acid substituted peptide analogues of the Ag recognized by the transgenic TCR were examined for their ability to enhance or interfere with positive selection. We have identified a nonstimulatory peptide analogue that interferes with the differentiation of transgenic CD4+8+ thymocytes into CD4+8- cells. We also show that this peptide, substituted in a TCR contact residue, is a competitive antagonist for activation of the T cell hybridoma expressing the same TCR. These observations demonstrate a novel mechanism for tolerance induction in the thymus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Induction of autoimmune disease in mice by germline alteration of the T cell receptor gene expression.

Germline expression of rearranged TCR alpha-chain transgenes with the Ig H chain enhancer reproducibly elicits T cell-mediated autoimmune disease in the thyroid gland, gastric mucosa, Langerhans islets, salivary gland, ovaries, and testes in selected strains of normal mice. Multiple organs are destroyed in a single transgenic mouse and the same organ in transgenic strains with different MHC background, suggesting the transgene expression can elicit self-reactive T cell clones having different Ag specificities and MHC restrictions. Construction of this autoimmune-inducing TCR alpha EH transgene does not require particular V alpha J alpha gene segments or Ag specificities. Moreover, the autoimmune disease can be adoptively transferred to syngeneic normal mice by T cells expressing endogenous TCR alpha-chains. Taken together, these results indicate that the TCR alpha EH transgene expression does not suppress endogenous alpha-chain gene rearrangement and may trigger the expansion/activation of various self-reactive T cells expressing endogenous TCR alpha- and beta-chains. Furthermore, it appears that the transgene-induced autoimmune T cells are not deleted in the normal thymus or rendered anergic upon contact with the normal target self Ag, but can be controlled by a T cell-dependent mechanism, since transfer of the transgenic bone marrow cells to histocompatible SCID mice produces the same autoimmune disease as in the donors, and the autoimmune development in the SCID mice is effectively prevented by co-transfer of syngeneic nontransgenic T cells. This novel autoimmune model produced by genetic manipulation of the T cell lineage, not the target self Ag or the environment of T cell differentiation/selection, should be useful for elucidating the immunologic and genetic basis of autoimmune disease.

Age Factors↗