Alkanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dimethylalkylammonium bromide) surfactants 9. Effect of the spacer carbon number and temperature on the enthalpy of micellization.

The enthalpies of dilution of micellar solutions of several 12-s-12 dimeric surfactants of the alkanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dodecyldi-methylammonium bromide) type, differing by the carbon number s of the alkanediyl spacer, and of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) have been measured calorimetrically, in a range of concentrations extending from well below to well above the critical micelle concentration (cmc). The results permitted the determination of the enthalpy of micellization, DeltaH degrees (M), of the investigated surfactants at 25 and 35 degrees C. The values of DeltaH degrees (M) were always negative and became more negative as the temperature was increased. The plot of -DeltaH degrees (M) against s showed a shallow minimum at about s=5 and a large decrease of -DeltaH degrees (M) going from 12-2-12 to 12- 4-12. This effect has been attributed to the contribution to DeltaH degrees (M) of the hindered rotation of the dodecyl chains around the spacer C-C bond for 12-2-12. This hindrance is shown to rapidly disappear when s is increased from 2 to above 4. The specific heats of micellization, the free energies of micellization, and the entropies of micellization (DeltaS degrees (M)) have been calculated using the DeltaH degrees (M) values and the reported cmc and micelle ionization degree data for 12-s-12 surfactants and DTAB. For all surfactants the results show that TDeltaS degrees (M)>-DeltaH degrees (M), indicating an entropy-driven micellization.

Overview of the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens.

The aim of the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens (CD workshop), supported by the Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), was to standardize the assignment of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reactive with porcine leukocyte differentiation antigens and to define new antibody clusters, using nomenclature in accordance with human and ruminant CD nomenclature, as agreed at the summary meeting of the Second International Swine CD Workshop in Davis, 1995: only mAb with proven reactivity for the orthologous porcine gene product or cross-reactivity for the human gene products, were given the full CD nomenclature, all other allocations were prefixed with "w". As in previous workshops, the overall organization was entrusted to the chair and first author, with support by the chair of the previous workshop and second author. In addition to the existing 26 pig leukocyte CD/SWC determinants established in previous workshops, this workshop established/confirmed another 11 CDs for pig leukocytes, identified by a total of 21 mAb: CD11R1 (2 mAb), CD11R2 (1 mAb), CD11R3 (4 mAb), wCD40 (1 mAb), wCD46 (4 mAb), wCD47 (3 mAb), wCD49d (1 mAb), CD61 (1 mAb), wCD92 (1 mAb), wCD93 (1 mAb) and CD163 (2 mAb).

Summary of the first round analyses of the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens.

The reactivity of 155 monoclonal antibodies submitted to the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens, together with 41 internal standards, was analysed by flow cytometry on 29 different pig cell targets as well as two human cell targets as a means of establishing suitable panels of monoclonal antibodies for more detailed clustering analyses by the various subsections of the workshop. Results were collected either without further gating, with gating based on FS/SS characteristics or with gating based on the co-expression of a reference antibody in two-colour flow cytometry. The CD or SWC reactivity of the internal standards had been established in previous workshops. Data sets were subsequently analysed by statistical clustering using the Leucocyte Typing Database IV software. The resulting 18 cluster groups were allocated to the appropriate second round sections of the workshop, after reviewing the overall cellular reactivity of each cluster as well as the specificity of known standards which clustered in a group.

A D-amino acid peptide inhibitor of NF-kappa B nuclear localization is efficacious in models of inflammatory disease.

The transcription factor NF-kappa B regulates many genes involved in proinflammatory and immune responses. The transport of NF-kappa B into the nucleus is essential for its biologic activity. We describe a novel, potent, and selective NF-kappa B inhibitor composed of a cell-permeable peptide carrying two nuclear localization sequences (NLS). This peptide blocks NF-kappa B nuclear localization, resulting in inhibition of cell surface protein expression, cytokine production, and T cell proliferation. The peptide is efficacious in vivo in a mouse septic shock model as well as a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, demonstrating that NF-kappa B nuclear import plays a role in these acute inflammatory disease models.

Construction, expression, and characterization of anticarcinoma sFv fused to IL-2 or GM-CSF.

Local production of cytokines by genetically engineered tumor cells decreases their tumorigenicity and elicits protective immune responses against the parental tumor cells. An alternative approach to elicit a therapeutic immune response is to use fusion proteins that can target tumor cells and simultaneously activate effector cells. Fusion proteins between human IL-2, murine or human GM-CSF, and sFv of antihuman carcinoma antibody L6 have been constructed, expressed in both COS and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and purified by affinity chromatography. The biologic activity of L6 sFV-hIL-2, L6 sFv-mGM-CSF, and L6 sFv-hGM-CSF was tested on human T cell blasts, factor-dependent FDCP-1, and TF-1 cells, respectively. The ability of soluble L6 sFv-hIL-2, L6 sFv-mGM-CSF, and L6 sFv-hGM-CSF to stimulate the proliferation of the indicator cells was found to be comparable to that of recombinant hIL-2, mGM-CSF, or hGM-CSF. Tumor cells coated with L6 sFV-mGM-CSF or L6 sFv-hGM-CSF were also tested in this way and were found to be potent stimulators, indicating that the cytokines were functionally active when bound to the tumor cell surface. This work demonstrates the feasibility of targeting sFv-cytokine fusion proteins for the activation of effector cells as an alternative to cytokine gene therapy.

Agonistic activity of a CD40-specific single-chain Fv constructed from the variable regions of mAb G28-5.

A single-chain Fv (sFv) was expressed from the variable regions of the CD40-specific mAb G28-5. The molecule bound CD40 with a high affinity (2.2 nM) and was a monomer in solution. Surprisingly, G28-5 sFv was a potent CD40 agonist that rapidly crosslinked CD40 on the cell surface but did not crosslink CD40-Ig in solution. G28-5 sFv was a more potent agonist than G28-5 IgG and was able to stimulate CD40 responses by B cells and monocytes. G28-5 IgG partially blocked, whereas G28-5 sFv augmented CD40 responses during stimulation with natural ligand (gp39-CD8 fusion protein). These results indicate that the functional activity of ligands built from the binding site of G28-5 is highly dependent upon the size and physical properties of the molecule both in solution and on the cell surfaces.

Intracellular CD22 rapidly moves to the cell surface in a tyrosine kinase-dependent manner following antigen receptor stimulation.

CD22 is a key accessory molecule for Ag receptor signaling in B cells that becomes tyrosine phosphorylated in the signaling process. CD22 associates with sIg and strongly amplifies sIg-induced signals. During B cell development, CD22 is initially expressed intracellularly, with surface expression appearing with IgD expression. We used confocal laser-scanning microscopy and flow cytometry to analyze CD22 translocation responses to signaling events. Cross-linking surface IgM (sIgM) induced rapid movement of CD22 to the cell surface in both Ramos and Daudi B cells, with a 50 to 100% increase in surface expression observed within 5 min of stimulation. The increase in CD22 surface expression was specific in that CD19 expression was not affected. Both cell surface and intracellular CD22 were directed toward the site of sIgM stimulation. Treatment with the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) also increased CD22 surface expression. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin A10 inhibited CD22 movement at concentrations that inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of CD22 and other cellular proteins. In contrast to the B cell lines, mature peripheral blood B cells contained very little intracellular CD22 and showed no significant increase in surface expression following sIgM stimulation. The rapid directed movement of intracellular CD22 provides a new mechanism to dynamically regulate Ag receptor signaling, as well as CD22-mediated adhesion.

Costimulation by CD28 sFv expressed on the tumor cell surface or as a soluble bispecific molecule targeted to the L6 carcinoma antigen.

Interaction of the CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) molecules on antigen presenting cells with the receptors CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells generates signals important in the regulation of immune responses. Because this receptor system involves multiple receptor-ligand interactions, determining the function for individual receptors has been difficult. One approach is the use of antibodies and their derivatives with singular specificity as substitute ligands to explore the activities of these molecules. We have constructed recombinant mono- and bi-specific sFv molecules specific for the CD28 receptor that are capable of binding and generating costimulatory signals to activate T cells. We demonstrate that these soluble molecules are capable of higher levels of costimulation than soluble CD80Ig at equivalent concentrations. We also constructed artificial adhesion receptors on the cell surface using two different CD28-specific sFvIgs fused to the CD80 cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains. In this report, we compared costimulation by a soluble bispecific (alpha CD28-alpha L6) single chain sFvIg fusion protein to that generated by L6 antigen positive (L6+) H3347 tumor cells transduced with cell surface expressed forms of alpha CD28 sFv's. We show that the bispecific protein can target potent CD28 costimulatory activity to L6+ tumor cells in vitro. We also show that transfection of the cell surface forms of the two different CD28 sFvIgs into H3347 tumor cells allows them to generate significant costimulatory signals to activated T cells. Finally, we demonstrate that tumor cell presentation of either the soluble bispecific or transduced cell surface sFv generate similar costimulatory effects resulting in T cell activation.

ZAP-70 and p72syk are signaling response elements through MHC class II molecules.

Ligation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens expressed on antigen-activated human CD4+ T-lymphocytes induces early signal transduction events including the activation of tyrosine kinases, the tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase-C gamma 1 and the mobilization of intracellular calcium. Similar responses have been observed in B-cells following stimulation of MHC class II molecules, including the increased production of intracellular cAMP. In this report, we demonstrate that the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase is a responsive signaling element following cross-linking of HLA-DR in class II+ T-cells, and that the homologous tyrosine kinase p72syk is stimulated in B-cells following ligation of class II antigens. Antibody mediated co-ligation of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3) with class II molecules resulted in augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP-70. Comparable to antibody induced receptor ligation, bacterial superantigen (SEA and SEB) treatment of HLA-DR+ T-cells stimulated ZAP-70 tyrosine phosphorylation, consistent with class II transmembrane signaling by ligation of HLA-DR and V beta in cis. Modulation of the TCR/CD3 led to abrogation of class II induced ZAP-70 tyrosine phosphorylation, but did not result in sequestering of ZAP-70 from the cellular cytoplasm. Hyperphosphorylated ZAP-70 was associated with TCR/CD3 zeta-chain following cross-linking of HLA-DR, suggesting a mechanism for the TCR/CD3-dependence of class II induced signals in alloantigen-activated human T-cells. In both tonsillar B-lymphocytes and B-cell leukemia lines, p72syk was rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following HLA-DR cross-linking. Tyrosine phosphorylation of p72syk induced through ligation of either the B-cell antigen receptor or class II molecules was potently inhibited by herbimycin A. MHC class II ligation on B-lymphocytes resulted in cell death, which was both qualitatively distinct from Fas-induced apoptosis and partially protected by herbimycin A pretreatment. Thus, ligation of MHC class II molecules expressed on human lymphocytes stimulates the ZAP-70/p72syk family of tyrosine kinases, leading functionally to a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway of receptor-induced cell death.

Lineage-specific induction of B cell apoptosis and altered signal transduction by the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV).

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is known to play key roles in lymphocyte signal transduction, and phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTP) can act as both positive and negative regulators of these lymphocyte signals. We sought to examine the role of PTP further in these processes by characterizing the effects of bis(maltolato)-oxovanadium(IV) (BMLOV), previously known to be a nontoxic insulin mimetic agent in vivo. BMLOV was found to be a potent phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. BMLOV induced cellular tyrosine phosphorylation in B cells in a pattern similar to that observed following antigen receptor stimulation, whereas little tyrosine phosphorylation was induced in T cells. In B cells, BMLOV treatment resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and phospholipase C gamma 2, while sIgM-induced signals were inhibited. By contrast, T cell receptor signals were moderately increased by BMLOV, and the cells displayed greater induction of IL-2 receptor without toxicity. The compound selectively induced apoptosis in B cell lymphoma and myeloid leukemia cell lines, but not in T cell leukemia or colon carcinoma cells. Interleukin-4 plus anti-CD40 antibody treatment of normal human peripheral B cells rescued the cells from BMLOV-induced death. These results suggest that phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitors can activate B cell signal pathways in a lineage-specific manner, resulting in desensitization of receptor-mediated signaling and induction of apoptosis.

Agonistic and antagonistic properties of CD40 mAb G28-5 are dependent on binding valency.

CD40 functional responses can be triggered by binding of mAb G28-5. Here we show that G28-5 induces partial CD40 responses and functions as a partial antagonist of natural CD40 ligand, gp39, by preventing gp39 binding. Fab fragments of G28-5 retain inhibitory activity but lose crosslinking-dependent stimulatory activity. The synergistic interaction of CD40 signals with PMA or CD20 show differential requirements for CD40 crosslinking and different sensitivity to cyclosporine A, suggesting that CD40 receptor may use different effector mechanisms for synergy with calcium-dependent CD20 signals or with calcium-independent signals from PMA. Activation of NF-kappa B occurred in RAJI cells by G28-5 or by gp39 treatment, and was CD40 crosslinking-dependent. These results suggest that activation of NF-kappa B is involved in some CD40 receptor signals and may be related to CD40 effects on stimulation or inhibition of apotosis.

The random inactivation of the X chromosome carrying the defective gene responsible for X-linked hyper IgM syndrome (X-HIM) in female carriers of HIGM1.

The molecular origin of X-linked hyper IgM syndrome has recently been identified as a defect in the ligand of CD40, gp39, a protein expressed on the surface of activated T cells. The availability of detailed pedigrees for three families with affected males allowed assessment of the random or nonrandom nature of the inactivation of the defective X chromosome as well as a determination of the origin of the mutation. X chromosome inactivation was studied because of the relevance to the ability to detect carriers of HIGM1 and the potential for phenotypic effect in the carriers. Using immunostaining, PCR, and DNA sequencing, we found that the defective gene for gp39 is not selectively inactivated. Even in the presence of extremely skewed inactivation, normal levels of serum Ig were found. In carriers in which the defective gene is predominantly expressed, staining alone revealed the carrier status reliably while cloning and sequencing of the cDNA was necessary when the normal gene was predominantly expressed. Unlike some other X-linked defects where extreme Lyonization may lead to disease, a small population of cells expressing the wild-type gp39 is sufficient to maintain normal humoral immunity and prevent the clinical symptoms of X-HIM.

CD40 ligand expression is defective in a subset of patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent bacterial infections due to failure of CVI B cells to differentiate in vivo into immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. We hypothesized that T-cell dysfunction resulting in abnormal contact-mediated B-cell activation may play a prominent role in the failure of CVI B cells to produce specific antibody. We have previously shown that B-cell proliferation and IgE production after stimulation with anti-CD40 and interleukin (IL) 4 were normal in 22 CVI patients evaluated, indicating that CVI B cells respond to signals delivered via CD40. Here we report that CD40 ligand (gp39) mRNA expression by activated lymphocytes from CVI patients (n = 31) as a group was significantly depressed (P < 0.0001) compared with normal controls (n = 32). gp39 mRNA expression by activated lymphocytes from 13 CVI patients fell below the normal control range. T-cell surface expression of functional gp39 protein was correspondingly low in those patients with gp39 mRNA levels below normal control range and normal in patients with gp39 mRNA levels within normal control range. In CVI patients as a group, gp39 mRNA levels correlated with IL-2 mRNA levels (P < 0.002, r = 0.6) and production (P < 0.001, r = 0.7) but not with gene expression or production of other lymphokines evaluated, suggesting an as-yet-undetermined association between gp39 and IL-2 gene regulation. Of the 13 patients whose activated T cells exhibited gp39 mRNA expression below the normal control range, 2 had normal T-cell-derived lymphokine production, whereas the remaining 11 exhibited broader T-cell dysfunction, resulting in IL-2 deficiency, and in some patients deficient production of other lymphokines as well, reflecting a heterogeneity in the underlying mechanisms leading to depressed gp39 expression in these patients. The observation that both gene and surface expression of gp39 by activated T cells is depressed in a subgroup of CVI patients suggests that inefficient signaling via CD40 may be responsible, in part, for failure of B-cell differentiation in these patients.

Beta 2-integrin LFA-1 signaling through phospholipase C-gamma 1 activation.

One of the beta 2-integrins found on hematopoietic cells is lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), a lymphocyte/myeloid cell-specific receptor that binds to members of the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) family on antigen-presenting cells. Stimulation of LFA-1 with antibodies or purified ICAMs induces augmentation of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)-directed T-cell responsiveness. In the present study, LFA-1 was shown to be linked to the tyrosine kinase signaling pathway that stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC-gamma 1). Integrin beta-chain (CD18) crosslinking independently induced downstream mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and potently costimulated TCR-induced Ca2+ flux with an increase in both amplitude and kinetics. beta 2-Integrin signaling through this pathway was completely inhibited by herbimycin A and was prevented by TCR modulation. Coligation of the TCR via antibody and LFA-1 with a counter-receptor in the form of a soluble ICAM-1/Rg fusion protein resulted in prolonged tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma 1. Monoclonal antibodies to both the alpha chain (CD11a) and the beta chain (CD18) of LFA-1 induced Ca2+ mobilization to different levels, suggesting epitope specificity for activation potential. In addition to PLC-gamma 1, tyrosine phosphorylation of an 80-kDa protein substrate was augmented following CD18 crosslinking but was not TCR-dependent. The beta 2-integrin LFA-1 on T cells is therefore directly linked to a tyrosine kinase pathway that stimulates signaling by phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC-gamma 1.

CD4, CD8 and the role of CD45 in T-cell activation.

CD4, CD8 and CD45 regulate the coupling of the T-cell receptor complex (CD3-TCR) to tyrosine kinase activation and phosphorylation of key substrates such as phospholipase C gamma 1. CD4 and CD8 contribute to activation signals through their cytoplasmic association with p56lck. Expression of the zeta-chain is required for functional synergy of the T-cell receptor with CD4 in the activation of phospholipase C gamma 1, which probably reflects an interaction between p56lck and zeta-associated kinase ZAP-70. CD45 expression is required for CD3-TCR signaling. CD45 may positively regulate signaling by dephosphorylating the carboxyl-terminal tyrosine of p56lck and p59fyn, and negatively regulate signaling by dephosphorylation of other TCR-associated substrates directly. One ligand for CD45 receptor has been identified as the B cell CD22 molecule. The positive and negative effects of CD45 are sensitive to the composition of CD45 in receptor complexes, and may be regulated by specific associations of CD45 isoforms with other receptors such as CD3-TCR, CD2 and CD4.

CD28 engagement by B7/BB-1 induces transient down-regulation of CD28 synthesis and prolonged unresponsiveness to CD28 signaling.

Costimulatory molecules on the APC regulate T cell growth by providing signals that regulate responses to TCR occupancy. One such molecule is B7/BB-1, which triggers a T cell activation pathway by binding the CD28 and/or CTLA-4 cell-surface molecules. Expression and signaling activity of CD28 have been shown to increase after T cell activation by various polyclonal activators. Here we show that CD28 expression and signaling activity in activated T cells decrease after ligand binding to CD28. Stimulation of CD28 on PHA- or PMA-activated T cells by cross-linked mAb 9.3 or by co-culture with B7+ Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells caused a marked reduction of CD28 mRNA levels within 4 h. The decrease in CD28 mRNA was transient, and by 24 h of CD28 stimulation, CD28 mRNA was found at approximately initial levels. In contrast, CTLA-4 mRNA levels were usually up-regulated by CD28 triggering. Cell-surface expression of CD28, but not CD2 or CD3, decreased by 12 to 24 h after addition of B7+ CHO cells, but returned to initial levels or higher by 48 h. The ability of CD28 cross-linking on PMA-activated CD4+ cells to trigger calcium mobilization was also reduced by treatment with B7+ CHO cells, and remained reduced even after cell-surface expression of CD28 returned to normal levels. Thus, engagement of the CD28 receptor by its natural ligand B7/BB-1 leads to a transient down-regulation of CD28 synthesis and a prolonged unresponsiveness to CD28 signaling. This represents a novel mechanism for regulation of costimulatory signals delivered by interactions of CD28 with the B7/BB-1 counter receptor.

The CD40 ligand, gp39, is defective in activated T cells from patients with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome.

The prominent role of the CD40 receptor in B cell responses led us to investigate the role of the gp39-CD40 interaction in a group of primary immunodeficient patients with defective antibody production. Here we report that patients with hyper-IgM syndrome (HIM) have a defective gp39-CD40 interaction. B cells from HIM patients express functional CD40, but their T cells do not bind CD40-Ig. These patients expressed normal levels of gp39 mRNA, but these mRNAs encode defective gp39 proteins owing to mutations in the extracellular domain of gp39. Soluble recombinant forms of gp39 containing these mutations were unable to bind CD40 and drive normal B cell proliferation. The gene encoding gp39 was mapped to Xq26, the X chromosome region where the gene responsible for HIM had previously been mapped. These data suggest that a defect in gp39 is the basis of X-linked HIM.

Superantigen and HLA-DR ligation induce phospholipase-C gamma 1 activation in class II+ T cells.

Bacterial enterotoxin superantigens bind directly to HLA class II molecules (HLA-DR) expressed on both APC and activated human T cells, and simultaneously bind to certain V beta chains of the TCR. In this report, we compared early T cell signaling events in human alloantigen-stimulated T cells when activated by HLA-DR ligation through antibody cross-linking or by direct enterotoxin superantigen binding. Both types of stimuli induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) and an increase in intracellular calcium concentration; however, superantigen-induced signaling was stronger than class II ligation alone. Antibody-mediated ligation of HLA-DR with CD3 resulted in augmented PLC gamma 1 activation and increased calcium mobilization, consistent with a mechanism of superantigen activity through a combination of class II and CD3/Ti signals. In addition, down-modulation of CD3 receptors with antibody demonstrated that superantigen-induced signaling events were CD3-dependent. Superantigen signaling was also class II-dependent, in that resting T cells were not responsive to direct enterotoxin stimulation. To address how early signal transducing activity correlated with T cell responsiveness, alloantigen-primed T cells were activated with immobilized class II-specific mAb or soluble superantigen. Both HLA-DR mAb-stimulated T cells and enterotoxin-treated T cells proliferated strongly in response to co-stimulation by a combination of CD28 receptor engagement and PMA addition. In addition, superantigen-induced growth was induced by CD28 receptor ligation with antibody or the B7 counter-receptor expressed on Chinese hamster ovary cells. Taken together, these results indicate that class II molecules expressed on activated T cells are directly coupled to the PLC gamma 1 signal transduction pathway, and that coligation of HLA-DR with CD3 augments T cell signaling comparable to that induced by enterotoxin superantigen. Thus, we suggest that superantigen-induced early signaling responses in activated T cells may be due in part to class II transmembrane signals induced when HLA-DR and V beta are ligated in cis.

The human T cell antigen gp39, a member of the TNF gene family, is a ligand for the CD40 receptor: expression of a soluble form of gp39 with B cell co-stimulatory activity.

Signals delivered to B cells via CD40 can synergize with those provided by other B cell surface receptors to induce B cell proliferation and antibody class switching as well as modulate cytokine production and cell adhesion. Recently, it has been shown that the ligand for CD40 is a cell surface protein of approximately 39 kDa expressed by activated T cells, gp39. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding human gp39, a type II membrane protein with homology to TNF, and the construction and characterization of a soluble recombinant form of gp39. COS cell transfectants expressing gp39 synergized with either anti-CD20 mAb or PMA to drive strong B cell proliferation and alone were able to drive B cells to proliferate weakly. In all cases the B cell proliferation induced by gp39-expressing COS cells was reduced to background levels by the addition of soluble CD40. Unlike gp39-expressing COS cells, recombinant soluble gp39 was not mitogenic alone and required co-stimulation to drive B cell proliferation. These results suggest that B cells require a second signal besides gp39-CD40 to drive proliferation and that soluble gp39 alone in a non-membrane bound form is able to provide co-stimulatory signals to B cells.