| General information | Literature | Expression | Regulation | Mutation | Homolog | Interaction |
Basic Information | |
|---|---|
Gene ID | 4684 |
Name | NCAM1 |
Synonymous | neural cell adhesion molecule 1;NCAM1;neural cell adhesion molecule 1 |
Definition | antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 5.1H11|neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM |
Position | 11q23.1 |
Gene type | protein-coding |
Title | Abstract |
| Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging. | Degeneration of the thymus and severe contraction of the T cell repertoire with aging suggest that immune homeostasis in old age could be mediated by distinct effectors. Therefore, receptors expressed on T cells as they undergo senescence in vitro, as well as those displayed by circulating T cells during normal chronologic aging, were examined. Monitoring of T cells driven to senescence showed de novo induction of CD56, the prototypic receptor of NK cells. Analysis of fresh T cells in peripheral blood showed an age-dependent induction of CD56. These unusual T cells expressed high levels of Bcl2, p16, and p53, and had limited, or completely lost, ability to undergo cell division, properties consistent with senescence. CD56 cross-linking without TCR ligation on CD56(+) T cells resulted in extensive protein phosphorylation, NF-kappaB activation, and Bax down-regulation. CD56 cross-linking was also sufficient to drive production of various humoral factors. These data suggest that the immunologic environment in old age is functionally distinct, rather than being a dysfunctional version of that seen at a young age. CD56(+) T cells are unique effectors capable of mediating TCR-independent immune cascades that could be harnessed to enhance protective immunity in the elderly. |