The cell and molecular mechanisms underlying CD28 costimulation

CD28 is a T cell surface molecule that can provide a second signal, when combined with immobilized TCR ligands, to induce naïve T activation. Costimulation results from the interaction of CD28 with its ligands CD80 (B7.1) and CD86 (B7.2) induced on activated antigen-presenting cells by activation of the innate immune system. We do not have a good molecular understanding of how CD28 mediates its costimulatory signals. Models and experimental evidence have suggested that CD28 either: 1) augments the magnitude of TCR signaling; or, 2) provides a unique signal, qualitatively distinct from that provided by the TCR. It is important to understand the molecular signaling pathways underlying costimulation since interrupting costimulation has been important clinically. A deeper insight into CD28 signaling pathways may enable the development of new therapeutics that would be useful in blocking the immune system. Very recent studies from my lab provide some new insights and suggest approaches and clues that will enable us identify previously unrecognized components of the CD28-regulated signaling pathways and permit a more complete understanding of CD28 signaling. These chemical-biology, genetic and proteomic studies lead us to hypothesize that an important consequence of CD28 costimulation is the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and this influences signals downstream of the TCR. We will explore this via the following specific aims: 1) Determine the mechanism by which costimulation modulates the actin cytoskeleton to facilitate PLCγ1 mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 in double positive (CD4+CD8+, DP) thymocytes and in more mature T cells; 2) Determine how CD28 overcomes a negative regulatory influence of Pyk2 and Cbl-b on T cell signaling leading to IL-2 production and T cell proliferation; and, 3) Using recently obtained phosphoproteomic data, we will identify key components of the pathway downstream of CD28 and those that modulate the actin cytoskeleton in response to CD28 costimulation.