Enhanced proliferation and increased IFN-γ production in T cells by signal transduced through TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL, also called Apo2L), a novel member of TNF superfamily, induces apoptosis in transformed cell lines of diverse origin. TRAIL is expressed in most of the cells, and the expression is up-regulated in activated T cells. Four receptors for TRAIL have been identified, and there is complex interplay between TRAIL and TRAIL receptors in vivo. The actual biological function of TRAIL/TRAIL receptor is still not clear. Growing evidence has demonstrated that members of TNF superfamily transduce signals after engagement with their receptors. Cross-linking of TRAIL by plate-bound rTRAIL receptor, death receptor 4-Fc fusion protein enhanced T cell proliferation and increased IFN-gamma production in conjunction with immobilized suboptimal anti-CD3 stimulation in mouse splenocytes. The increase of T cell proliferation by death receptor 4-Fc was dose dependent, and this effect could be blocked by soluble rTRAIL proteins, indicating the occurrence of reverse signaling through TRAIL on T cell. The enhanced secretion of IFN-gamma mediated via TRAIL could be blocked by SB203580, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-specific inhibitor. Thus, in addition to its role in inducing apoptosis by binding to the death receptors, TRAIL itself can enhance T cell proliferation after TCR engagement and signal the augmentation of IFN-gamma secretion via a p38-dependent pathway. This provides another example of reverse signaling by a member of TNF superfamily. In conclusion, our data suggest that TRAIL can itself transduce a reverse signal, and this may shed light on the biological function of TRAIL.