Abstract

The non-catalytic region of tyrosine kinase (Nck) is proposed to play an essential

role in T cell activation. However, evidence based on functional and biochemical studies

has brought into question the critical function of Nck. Therefore, the aim of the present

work was to investigate the role of Nck in T cell activation. To study this, the human

Jurkat T cell line was used as a model for human T lymphocytes. The short interfering

(si) RNA targeting Nck1 gene was used with electroporation to knock-down Nck1

protein expression in Jurkat T cells. The results showed that knock-down of Nck1 in

Jurkat T cells caused a decrease in CD69 expression upon CD3ε/CD28 stimulation.

However, no significant alterations of CD69 was found upon phytohaemagglutinin

(PHA)/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation. In conclusion, the decreased Nck1

protein in Jurkat T cells resulted in impairment of TCR/CD3-mediated activation and

function.