Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) is released by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and is a potent chemoattractant factor for monocytes and T cells, also known for its ability to suppress HIV infection. At micromolar concentration, RANTES is able to activate leukocytes, and, paradoxically, to enhance HIV infection in vitro. These latter properties are dependent on its ability to self-aggregate. In order to understand further the mechanism of RANTES-induced activation, the effects of both aggregated and disaggregated RANTES on antigen-specific CD8+ clones were studied in comparison with the effects of specific antigens and in the presence of specific inhibitors of RANTES-mediated activation. We observed large amounts of RANTES aggregated on the cell surface, which led to cell activation, including up-regulation of cell surface markers, and secretion of IFN-γ and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β. Specific inhibitors of RANTES-induced activation, such as soluble glycosaminoglycans, MIP-1α and MIP-1β, acted by preventing the binding of RANTES on the cell surface. These studies suggest that RANTES acted more like a mitogen than an antigen-independent activator.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/intimm/12.8.1173

Type

Journal article

Journal

International Immunology

Publication Date

01/01/2000

Volume

12

Pages

1173 - 1182