Cutting edge: dependence of TCR antagonism on Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase activity.

The mechanism by which antagonist peptides inhibit T cell responses is unknown. Mice deficient in Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-1) have revealed its importance in the negative regulation of lymphocyte signaling. We investigated a possible role for SHP-1 in T cell antagonism and demonstrate, for the first time, a substantial increase in SHP-1 activity during antagonism of CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, the removal of functional SHP-1 prevents antagonism in these cells. Our data demonstrate that T cell antagonism occurs via a negative intracellular signal that is mediated by SHP-1.