Alternative pathway activation of T cells by binding of CD2 to its cell-surface ligand.
Activation of resting T lymphocytes is initiated by the interaction of cell-surface receptors with their corresponding ligands. In addition to activation through the CD3 (T3)-Ti antigen-receptor complex1, recent experiments have demonstrated induction of T-cell proliferation through the CD2 (T11) molecule2–4, traditionally known as the erythrocyte(E)-receptor, through which T cells can bind red blood cells (RBC)5–7. This 'alternative pathway' of T-cell activation2 was observed in vitro in response to combinations of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to distinct epitopes of CD2, such as mAbs against T112 plus T113 (ref. 2). The physiological importance of this activation pathwa…