PREVENTION OF T-CELL ANERGY BY SIGNALING THROUGH THE GAMMA(C) CHAIN OF THE IL-2 RECEPTOR

When stimulated through their antigen receptor without requisite costi mulation, T cells enter a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. In this study, signaling through the common gamma chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-7 receptors in the presence of antigen was found to be sufficient to prevent the induction of ane rgy. After culture with IL-2, IL-4, or IL-7, Jak3 kinase was tyrosine- phosphorylated, which correlated with the prevention of anergy. Theref ore, a signal through the common gamma chain may regulate the decision of T cells to either clonally expand or enter a state of anergy.