Cross-linking of VLA/CD29 molecule has a co-mitogenic effect with anti-CD3 on CD4 cell activation in serum-free culture system

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Abstract
In this study, we demonstrated that antibodies reactive with a common β1 subunit (CD29) of the VLA family of antigens could synergize with CD3 but not CD2 in inducing CD4 cell proliferation in a serum‐free culture system. The extent of activation was similar to that obtained when CD4 cells were cultured with anti‐CD3 plus fibronectin. The proliferative response induced via the CD3‐CD29 pathway was associated with the interleukin (IL) 2 autocrine pathway, including IL2 production and IL2 receptor expression. Specifically, cross‐linking of VLA‐5, but not other members of the VLA family of antigens with the CD3 molecule induced strong CD4 cell activation. However, cross‐linking of CD3 with other cell surface antigens such as CD4 did not induce CD4 cell activation in this serum‐free culture system. The above results strongly suggest that the VLA/CD29 family of antigens may play an important role in regulating CD4 T cell activation via the CD3‐T cell receptor pathway.