Gene transfer and gene analysis in normal T lymphocytes

Excerpt

The activation of T lymphocytes requires the correct combination of T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated and costimulatory signals. Following the recognition of MHC-bound antigen by TCR, the interaction of CD28 with B7-1 and B7-2 molecules on antigen presenting cells is required to trigger IL-2 production which stimulates T-cell proliferation. TCR binding in the absence of CD28 costimulation can cause clonal deletion or T-cell anergy. The pathways that co-ordinate the signals between TCR and CD28 stimulation have not been elucidated. One impediment to the study of T-cell activation has been the inability to deliver efficiently exogenous DNAs to normal, unstimulated T cells. Much of the information on receptor-initiated intracellular signaling mechanisms has been gathered from transfection studies in tumor cell lines or from normal T lymphocytes previously activated in vitro. To facilitate the study of these signaling cascades, the authors have developed novel methods for transient transfection of nondividing, normal T cells. …