| abstract |
When stimulated through the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex without requisite costimulation through the CD28/B7 interaction, T cells enter a state of antigen specific unresponsiveness or anergy. This invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that signaling through a common cytokine receptor gamma chain (e.g., interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-4 receptor, interleukin-7 receptor) prevents the induction of T cell anergy. This gamma chain has been found to be associated with a JAK kinase having a molecular weight of about 116 kD (as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and signaling through the gamma chain induces phosphorylation of the JAK kinase. Accordingly, methods for stimulating or inhibiting proliferation by a T cell which expresses a cytokine receptor gamma chain are disclosed. |