: A productive T lymphocyte response to antigen requires the activation of two signaling pathways, involving signals generated by the interactions between the T-cell receptor (TCR) with antigenic peptide presented on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and the signal mediated by the binding of the accessory receptor CD28 with its ligand B7. Although the requirement for CD28 co-stimulation has been the subject of intensive and extensive investigation, the molecular nature of this co-stimulatory signal is unknown. Some models have identified distinct kinase cascades initiated by either the ICR or CD28, while other models have focused on the convergence of TCR/CD28 signals on particular kinase cascades. One pathway which can mediate the synergistic responses that characterize CD28 co-stimulation is the MAP kinase (ERK) cascade. The activation of the MAP kinase ERK following CD28 co-stimulation is required for IL-2 production and proliferation of responding T lymphocytes. ERK activation in T lymphocytes is regulated by two antagonistic small G proteins: Ras and Rap1. Ras activation is required for ERK activation, while Rap1 antagonizes Ras signaling. Antigen recognition by T-cells in the absence of CD28 co-stimulation is characterized by impaired ERK activation and both decreased IL-2 production and diminished proliferation. This functional unresponsiveness results in the inability to respond to subsequent co-stimulatory signals and is termed clonal anergy. Rap1 is constitutively activated in certain states of I cell anergy or this unresponsiveness may account for the diminished ERK activity and decreased IL-2 production seen in anergic T-cells. In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that Rap1 is activated by ICR ligation in normal I cells and consequently limits I cell activation through the ICR in the absence of co-stimulation. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that CD28 co-stimulation achieves increased ERK activation, IL-2 production and proliferation by blocking Rap1 activation.
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