Induction of nuclear contour irregularity during T-cell activation via the
T-cell receptor/CD3 complex and CD2 antigens in the presence of phorbol
esters
U Reinhold, M Herpertz, S Kukel, I Oltermann, M Uerlich and HW Kreysel
Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Germany.
To determine whether specific T-cell activation pathways could produce
nuclear contour irregularity in normal human lymphocytes, purified T cells
were stimulated in vitro and subsequently analyzed by electron microscopy.
The degree of nuclear contour irregularity was determined with the use of a
computerized planimeter. Stimulation via the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3
complex using anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies induced Sezary-like morphology
(nuclear contour indices > 6.5) in a significant portion (9% to 28%) of
T cells derived from different normal donors. T- cell activation via CD2
antigens showed induction of Sezary-like nuclear morphology in a lower
percentage of cells in comparison with stimulation via the TCR/CD3 complex.
In contrast, mitogenic stimulation in vitro did not induce alterations of
nuclear morphology in T cells. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that
nuclear contour irregularity induced in vitro did not correlate with
surface-antigen expression of T- cell subpopulations. The results indicate
that Sezary-like morphology is associated with cell activation in normal
human T cells.
Volume 83,
Issue 3,
pp. 703-706,
02/01/1994
Copyright © 1994 by The American Society of Hematology
