Lipid raft membrane compartmentalization and membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family molecular scaffolds function in establishing cell polarity and organizing signal transducers within epithelial cell junctions and neuronal synapses. Here, we elucidate a role for the MAGUK protein, Dlgh1, in polarized T cell synapse assembly and T cell function. We find that Dlgh1 translocates to the immune synapse and lipid rafts in response to T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 engagement and that LckSH3-mediated interactions with Dlgh1 control its membrane targeting. TCR/CD28 engagement induces the formation of endogenous Lck–Dlgh1–Zap70–Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) complexes in which Dlgh1 acts to facilitate interactions of Lck with Zap70 and WASp. Using small interfering RNA and overexpression approaches, we show that Dlgh1 promotes antigen-induced actin polymerization, synaptic raft and TCR clustering, nuclear factor of activated T cell activity, and cytokine production. We propose that Dlgh1 coordinates TCR/CD28-induced actin-driven T cell synapse assembly, signal transduction, and effector function. These findings highlight common molecular strategies used to regulate cell polarity, synapse assembly, and transducer organization in diverse cellular systems.

Galectin-1 is an endogenous lectin with known T cell immunoregulatory activity, though the molecular basis by which galectin-1 influences Ag specific T cell responses has not been elucidated. Here, we characterize the ability of galectin-1 to modulate TCR signals and responses by T cells with well defined hierarchies of threshold requirements for signaling distinct functional responses. We demonstrate that galectin-1 antagonizes TCR responses known to require costimulation and processive protein tyrosine phosphorylation, such as IL-2 production, but is permissive for TCR responses that only require partial TCR signals, such as IFN-γ production, CD69 up-regulation, and apoptosis. Galectin-1 binding alone or together with Ag stimulation induces partial phosphorylation of TCR-ζ and the generation of inhibitory pp21ζ. Galectin-1 antagonizes Ag induced signals and TCR/costimulator dependent lipid raft clustering at the TCR contact site. We propose that galectin-1 functions as a T cell “counterstimulator” to limit required protein segregation and lipid raft reorganization at the TCR contact site and, thus, processive and sustained TCR signal transduction. These findings support the concept that TCR antagonism can arise from the generation of an inhibitory pp21ζ-based TCR signaling complex. Moreover, they demonstrate that TCR antagonism can result from T cell interactions with a ligand other than peptide/MHC.

Two years ago, we described the first droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system aimed at empowering all researchers with a tool that removes the substantial uncertainties associated with using the analogue standard, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). This system enabled TaqMan hydrolysis probe-based assays for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids. Due to significant advancements in droplet chemistry and buoyed by the multiple benefits associated with dye-based target detection, we have created a "second generation" ddPCR system compatible with both TaqMan-probe and DNA-binding dye detection chemistries. Herein, we describe the operating characteristics of DNA-binding dye based ddPCR and offer a side-by-side comparison to TaqMan probe detection. By partitioning each sample prior to thermal cycling, we demonstrate that it is now possible to use a DNA-binding dye for the quantification of multiple target species from a single reaction. The increased resolution associated with partitioning also made it possible to visualize and account for signals arising from nonspecific amplification products. We expect that the ability to combine the precision of ddPCR with both DNA-binding dye and TaqMan probe detection chemistries will further enable the research community to answer complex and diverse genetic questions.

IntroductionThe CD4 protein has many different functions in the development and activity of a T cell. CD4 has an important role in T-helper (Th)-cell development and response to antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II). It also serves as an adhesion molecule and a chemotactic receptor, and it has a role in cellular activation. CD4, a 58-kd transmembrane glycoprotein, is a member of the immunoglobulin family of receptors. 1 The extracellular 370-amino acid portion of CD4 is folded into 4 different domains, which are designated D1 to D4. 1 These domains are involved in a variety of interactions with other proteins, such as the T-cell receptor, MHC II,, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120. Engagement of CD4 plays an important role in the initiation of events that lead to activation of Th cells or recruitment of those cells to sites of inflammation. The cytoplasmic tail of the CD4 protein was shown to associate noncovalently with Lck, a Src-family protein tyrosine kinase. 2,3 Cross-linking of CD4 with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or stimulation of CD4 by IL-16 results in Lck tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of other cellular proteins. [4][5][6] These tyrosine phosphorylation events lead to modulation of cellular activation and functional responses. 7 CD4 expression is tightly regulated during the T-cell development process, and this control has an important role in T-cell maturation and function. The coordinate cell-surface expression of CD4 and CD8 and the subsequent down-regulation of either CD4 or CD8 are definitive markers of T-cell ontogeny. Furthermore, expression of one of these molecules on mature T cells is indicative of successful selection and commitment of these cells to either the Th or T-cytotoxic lineage. 8 However, previous ideas on the terminal differentiation of a cell into either a CD4 ϩ CD8 Ϫ Th cell or a CD4 Ϫ CD8 ϩ T-cytotoxic cell have been questioned. Several studies, including one of ours, found that activation of mature CD4 Ϫ CD8 ϩ (CD8 single-positive [SP]) T cells by costimulation 9,10 or superantigen stimulation 11 results in expression of CD4, which renders these cells susceptible to infection by HIV-1. [9][10][11] We previously found that CD45RA ϩ CD8 SP cells respond to costimulation with greater expression of CD4 than do CD45RO ϩ CD8 SP cells. 10 Thus, expression of CD4 can be modulated on T cells at more mature stages of development than was previously thought, suggesting that CD4 may be involved in mature CD8 T-cell function.The CD4 molecule was previously shown to function as a chemotactic receptor for both IL-16 and the viral surface glycoprotein HIV gp120 on CD4 ϩ Th cells. IL-16 specifically binds the D4 region, and gp120 binds the D1 region of CD4. 12,13 IL-16 is a 14-kd molecule that forms homotetramers, which are required for biologic activity. 14 This cytokine is produced by a variety of cells, including CD8 and CD4 T cells, eosinophils, mast cells, bronchial epithelial cells, synovial fibroblasts,...