H-2 antigens incorporated into phospholipid vesicles elicit specific allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Different H-2 antigen-containing subcellular fractions were tested for their ability to elicit specific anti-H-2 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Intact cells and membrane vesicles were capable of eliciting strong anti-H-2 primary and secondary CTL responses. However, detergent-solubilized H-2 antigens partially purified with lentil lectin were greatly reduced in their capacity to elicit secondary anti-H-2 (CTLs) and at all amounts tested did not elicit a primary CTL response. Lentil lectin-purified H-2 antigens incorporated into egg lecithin plus cholesterol (30% w/w) vesicles elicited a strong secondary anti-H-2 CTL response and a low but significant primary anti-H-2 CTL response. The results also indicate that T-cell-defined specificities are closely associated with serologically defined private and public specificities.     

Recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes of Qa-2 antigens. Sensitivity of Qa-2 molecules to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C

Con A splenic lymphoblasts were incubated with phosphatidyl-inositol specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) derived from Bacillus thuringiensis and subsequently analyzed for Qa-2 Ag with the Qa-2 reactive mAb Qa-m2. This treatment completely removed Qa-2 detectable Ag on lymphoblasts from H-2d animals, indicating that these molecules are likely anchored to the cell membrane through phosphatidyl inositol (PI). Although exposure of lymphoblasts from H-2b mice to PIPLC greatly reduced Qa-2 expression, a subpopulation of cells retained a limited quantity of the Ag. Bulk cultured anti-Qa-2 CTL generated against the Qa-2 region from H-2b haplotype mice lysed Qa-2+ targets from B6.K2 (H-2b) and BALB/cJ (H-2d) animals. Pretreatment of these lymphoblast targets with PIPLC completely abolished lysis of the BALB/cJ target cells, whereas lysis of B6 targets was reduced only slightly. Anti-Qa-2 CTL clones tested against PIPLC-treated B6 target cells revealed two patterns of reactivity. One group of clones was unaffected in its ability to lyse PIPLC-pretreated targets and cross-reacted on Q6d/Ld molecules expressed on transfected L cells. A second group was unable to lyse PIPLC-pretreated lymphoblasts and cross-reacted on Q7d/Ld targets. These data suggest that H-2b-derived lymphoblasts express two different types of Qa-2 molecules with respect to PIPLC sensitivity; one type is sensitive to PIPLC and cross-reactive with Q7d, the other type is resistant to PIPLC and cross-reactive with Q6d. In contrast, H-2d lymphoblasts express only the PIPLC-sensitive type of molecules. It was also noted that bulk cultured anti-Qa-2 CTL more readily lysed H-2b target cells expressing a smaller quantity of PIPLC-resistant Ag than H-2d targets expressing a larger amount of PIPLC-sensitive Ag. Further, anti-Qa-2 CTL clones readily lysed PIPLC-treated target cells expressing very low levels of serologically detectable Qa-2. This suggests that recognition of class I molecules anchored to the membrane via a PIPLC-resistant linkage may more readily activate CTL for expression of lytic activity than molecules anchored through PI.     

Correlation of Qa-1 determinants defined by antisera and by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activated in H-2 identical, Qa-1 disparate mixed leukocyte cultures recognize H-2-nonrestricted target antigens indistinguishable by strain or tissue distribution from serologically defined Qa-1 antigens. Cloned Qa-l-specific CTL define determinants encoded by four Qa-1 genotypes; we used anti-Qa-1 sera in antibody blocking experiments to determine if these determinants reside on molecules recognized by Qa-1-specific antibodies. Antisera containing Qa-1.1-specific and TL-specific antibodies blocked recognition of two CTL-defined determinants associated with Qa-1 ^a . Although both Qa-1 and TL molecules are expressed on activated T cells from appropriate strains, our studies indicated that the CTL recognized Qa-1, not TL. In addition, anti-Qa-1.2 serum inhibited CTL recognition of Qa-1^b- and Qa-1^c-encoded determinants. Qa-1 ^d target cells are unique in that they express determinants recognized by anti-Qa-1^a CTL and by anti-Qa-1^b CTL. Killing of Qa-1 ^d targets by anti-Qa-1^a CTL was not inhibited by anti-Qa-1.1 serum, but was partially inhibited by anti-Qa-1.2 serum. Cytotoxicity of Qa-1 ^d cells by one anti-Qa-1^b CTL clone was inhibited by both anti-Qa-1.2 and anti-Qa-1.1 sera, indicating close association of both serological determinants with the determinants recognized by the CTL. Thus, all of the CTL-defined Qa-1 determinants resided on molecules recognized by Qa-1-specific antibodies, but anti-Qa-1^a CTL and Qa-1.1-specific antibodies did not have identical specificities.Abbreviations used in this paper B6 C57BL/6J - CAB concanavalin A stimulated lymphoblasts - CML cell-mediated lympholysis - CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte - NMS normal mouse serum - MHC major histocompatibility complex - MLC mixed leukocyte culture - MR maximum release - SMDM supplemented Mishell-Dutton medium - SR spontaneous release     

L3T4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for class I H-2 antigens are activated in primary mixed lymphocyte reactions

Thy-1+, L3T4+, Ly-2- cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) are generated in a primary anti-H-2d mixed lymphocyte reaction, by using responders depleted of Ly-2+ cells. In addition to expressing the L3T4 marker, as detected by anti-L3T4 antibody and complement-mediated elimination, the L3T4+ CTL are inhibited by L3T4 antibody. The observation of these L3T4+ CTL in cells recovered from primary mixed lymphocyte reactions confirms the previous reports. However it is demonstrated for the first time that a subpopulation of these are class I-specific by their specific inhibition with an antiserum to class I antigens. The class I specificity of the CTL was further shown by their ability to kill class II antigen negative P815 tumor cells. The lysis of this target cell by L3T4+ CTL was also specifically blocked by the class I antiserum. The data is consistent with the presence also of a class II-specific population of L3T4+ cytotoxic cells. The fact that a level of L3T4+ cell-mediated cytotoxic activity comparable to Ly-2+ cytolytic activity is generated in a primary mixed lymphocyte response, even though the precursor frequency of L3T4+ killer cells is 10 times lower than for Ly-2+ killers, is suggestive of their physiologic significance. It was also shown that the activation of these cells is not dependent on the presence of xenogeneic serum components or exogenous helper or mitogenic factors in the culture medium. The findings provide further evidence against both the phenotype-function and phenotype-major histocompatibility complex antigen specificity models of T cell diversity.     

Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by the H-2-encoded E molecules

Primary CML was generated in strain combinations 4R anti-2R, R107 anti-3R, 7R anti-9R, and GD anti-R101 — combinations differing only in the chromosomal interval between the I-A subregion and the Ss locus. No CML could be obtained in any of the reciprocal combinations of these strains. This unidirectionality of the CML reaction correlates with the expression or nonexpression of the E molecules encoded by this interval: the reaction occurred in combinations in which the responder strain lacked and the stimulator strain expressed the E molecules in the cell membrane. The CML reaction was positive when tested on LPS-stimulated blast cells but weak on Con A-stimulated blasts and negative on la-negative tumor cells. The reaction could partially be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to the Ia.m7 determinant presumably carried by the E chain; it was not inhibited by monoclonal antibodies specific for Ia determinants carried by the A molecule. Cytotoxic lymphocytes specific for a particular combination of E and E chains reacted with all cells expressing the particular E chain, no matter what the origin of the E chain associated with the E chain was. Attempts to generate cytotoxic lymphocytes specifically reactive with allotypic determinants on E chains failed. In F₁ hybrids expressing one type of E chain and two types of E chain, the single E chain was found to associate with both chains, producing two types of E molecule. We conclude from these experiments that the CML determinants detected in the strain combinations used are encoded by the same loci as those coding for the serologically detectable la determinants. The CML determinants are carried by the E chains; the E chain does not contribute in any way to the specificity of determinant recognition by the cytotoxic lymphocytes. No evidence for allotypic variation of the E chain as detected by the CML assay could be found in this study.     

Biology of cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. I. Generation and recognition of virus strains and H-2b mutants

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were induced in C57BL/6 and (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 mice after immunization with the Armstrong strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-Arm) and were cloned by limiting dilution in vitro. The cytotoxic activity of these clones was LCMV specific and H-2 restricted. All clones induced in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice with LCMV-Arm lysed target cells infected with each of five distinct strains of LCMV (Arm, Traub , WE, Pasteur, and UBC ), suggesting recognition of common regions of viral proteins in association with H-2b molecules. In contrast, one clone obtained from (B6 X D2)F1 mice and restricted to the H-2d haplotype only lysed cells infected with one of three strains of virus (Arm, Traub , WE) but not two others (Pasteur, UBC ), suggesting recognition of variable regions of viral proteins in the context of H-2d molecules. To assess the fine specificity for H-2 molecules, we tested H-2Kb-restricted CTL clones for their ability to kill LCMV-infected target cells bearing mutations in their H-2Kb, and we tested clones presumed to be restricted to the H-2Db region for their ability to all LCMV targets cells bearing a mutation in the H-2Db region. Several different patterns of killing of the mutant targets were observed, indicating that a number of different epitopes on the H-2b molecules were used as restricting determinants for LCMV antigen recognition by CTL. Thus, cross-reactive viral determinants were recognized in the context of several different restricting determinants. Mutations in the N or C1 domains of the H-2 molecule affected recognition by a single LCMV specific CTL clone. One implication of this result is that CTL recognize a conformational determinant on the H-2 molecule formed by the association of virus antigen(s) with H-2. An alternate explanation is that one site on the H-2 molecule is involved in the interaction of viral antigens with H-2, whereas another may serve as a binding site for the CTL receptor.     

Characterization of determinants encoded by four Qa-1 genotypes and their recognition by cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The alloantigens encoded by the four defined Qa-1 genotypes were characterized by cloned cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition. CTL clones specific for Qa-1a- and for Qa-1b-encoded antigens were generated. Examination of the reactivity of these clones with target cells from H-2r and H-2f strains provided the strongest evidence to date for the designation of the Qa-1c and Qa-1d genotypes, respectively, for these strains. Qa-1c-encoded antigens were recognized by most, but not all CTL clones that specifically lysed Qa-1b target cells, thus demonstrating that these antigens lack a Qa-1b-associated determinant. Similarly, Qa-1d encoded antigens were recognized by only half of the CTL clones that lysed Qa-1a target cells. In addition, one CTL clone that was cytotoxic for Qa-1b and Qa-1c target cells demonstrated low affinity, cross-reactive recognition of a Qa-1d encoded antigen. The reactivity patterns of the monoclonal CTL defined five Qa-1 determinants. Qa-1a, Qa-1b, and Qa-1d each encode multiple determinants. Two Qa-1d encoded determinants probably reside on different molecular species. Finally, large numbers of CTL clones tested on panels of target cells indicated that the Qa-1a strains expressed indistinguishable Qa-1.1 antigens and the Qa-1b strains expressed indistinguishable Qa-1.2 antigens. Therefore, additional polymorphism among these strains is improbable.     

Generation of cytotoxic T cells specific for minor histocompatibility antigens by cross challenge in vitro with H-2 disparate adherent cells

Although it is well known that an H-2-restricted cytotoxic T cell response to minor histocompatibility antigens (MIHA) can be primed in vivo with H-2 disparate spleen cells, it has not been previously possible to induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors (CTLp) in vitro by this type of challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that the inability to cross challenge in vitro is due to the existence of inhibitory effects that can be obviated by cell fractionation, and to insufficient priming in vivo. BALB/c CTLp (H-2d) that have been repeatedly primed in vivo with B10.D2 can be challenged in vitro with C57BL10/J (H-2b) or B10.BR (H-2k)-adherent cells to generate CTL able to lyse B10.D2 (H-2d) target cells. The H-2 restriction properties of the cross-challenged CTL specific for MIHA were analyzed by using the technique of cold target competition. Within the limits of detection in bulk cultures, the entire response appeared to be H-2 unrestricted, whether the cross challenge was with intact C57BL10/J-adherent cells, or with membrane fragments of C57BL10/J presented by BALB/c adherent cells. The frequency of CTLp responsive to cross challenge was analyzed by limiting dilution, with cold target competition at each cell number to establish the restriction properties of the MIHA-specific CTL induced. We were able to detect two subsets of H-2-unrestricted CTLp responsive to intact C57BL10/J-adherent cells; one present at high frequency (1/250 T cells) and subject to suppressive effects at high cell number, and a second present at lower frequency (1/9800 T cells). There appeared to be a relatively infrequent subset of H-2-restricted CTLp as well (1/52,500 T cells). The frequency of CTLp responsive to cross challenge is of comparable magnitude to the frequency of H-2-restricted CTLp responsive to H-2-matched cells bearing MIHA. These observations are discussed in relationship to immunodominance and clonal dominance effects in the response to MIHA.     

H-2 antigens incorporated into phospholipid vesicles interact specifically with allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Subcellular fractions containing different H-2 antigens were tested for their ability to inhibit specific T cell-target cell conjugate formation. H-2-containing membrane vesicles, lentil-lectin-purified H-2 antigens solubilized with detergent (referred to in the text as high-density fraction) or incorporated into lipid vesicles, inhibited T cell-target cell conjugate formation effectively and specifically. However, two- to threefold more protein was required to inhibit T cell-target cell conjugate formation when detergent-solubilized lentil-lectin-purified H-2 antigens were tested. This suggests that a lipid matrix is advantageous for interaction with anti-H-2 T-cell receptors. Experiments were also undertaken to demonstrate specific binding of liposomes containing ¹²⁵I-labeled H-2 antigen to anti-H-2-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The binding of the ¹²⁵I-labeled H-2-containing liposomes was saturable and was specifically inhibited by unlabeled H-2 antigens. Monospecific anti-H-2 sera specifically inhibited the binding of liposomes containing H-2 antigen to the CTLs. The results suggest that a specific interaction can occur between serologically defined H-2 antigens and the receptor of anti-H-2 CTLs.     

Anti H-2Dd alloreactivity mediated by herpes-simplex-virus specific cytotoxic H-2k T lymphocytes is associated with H-2Dk

Herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) specific, H-2k-restricted, immune cytotoxic T lymphocytes also lyse noninfected H-2d target cells. Genetic mapping studies revealed that HSV-specific Dk-restricted CTL cross-react with allogeneic targets expressing Dd alloantigens. Cold target inhibition experiments indicate that only a minority of HSV-specific CTL mediate cross-reactive cytolysis. The data give an example of where the phenomenon of H-2-restricted versus nonrestricted responsiveness is not due to distinct subsets of T cells but solely depends on the antigenic determinants recognized.     

Anti H-2Dd alloreactivity mediated by herpes-simplex-virus specific cytotoxic H-2k T lymphocytes is associated with H-2Dk

Herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) specific, H-2^k-restricted, immune cytotoxic T lymphocytes also lyse noninfected H-2^d target cells. Genetic mapping studies revealed that HSV-specific D^k-restricted CTL cross-react with allogeneic targets expressing D^d alloantigens. Cold target inhibition experiments indicate that only a minority of HSV-specific CTL mediate cross-reactive cytolysis. The data give an example of where the phenomenon of H-2-restricted versus nonrestricted responsiveness is not due to distinct subsets of T cells but solely depends on the antigenic determinants recognized.This work was supported by the SFB 107 and the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk.     

Target antigens for H-2-restricted vesicular stomatitis virus-specific cytotoxic T cells.

Cytotoxic thymus-derived lymphocytes from mice infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) are H-2 restricted and virus specific for the Indiana and New Jersey strains of VSV. VSV-Indiana-immune T cells can lyse target cells infected with the temperature sensitive (ts) mutant ts 045 about 30 times better when target cell infection occurs at the permissive rather than the non-permissive temperature. Since this mutant fails to express the glycoprotein at the cell surface when grown at the nonpermissive temperature, our results support the view that the viral glycoprotein is involved in defining the major target antigen for VSV-specific T cells. However, the tl 17 mutant that expresses a mutant glycoprotein at the cell surface was lysed, suggesting that the expressed mutated glycoprotein can cross-react with Indiana wild-type glycoprotein. Targets infected at the nonpermissive temperature with VSV ts G31 (mutant in the matrix protein) are still susceptible to T cell-mediated lysis but at a lower level of sensitivity. These results are compatible with the interpretation that for VSV-specific T cell lysis of infected target cells, the viral glycoprotein is a major target antigen and must be expressed, and that the matrix protein plays a lesser role, probably by indirectly influencing glycoprotein configuration at the cell surface.     

Clonal analysis of the anti-Qa-1 cytotoxic T lymphocyte repertoire: definition of the Qa-1d and Qa-1c alloantigens and cross-reactivity with H-2

To characterize the four common Qa-1 allelic products, we examined in detail the CTL-defined determinants encoded by Qa-1. In previous studies with anti-Qa-1 CTL and alloantisera, investigators have described antigenic determinants present on Qa-1a and Qa-1b antigens, but they have defined Qa-1c and Qa-1d exclusively by their cross-reactivity with Qa-1a and/or Qa-1b determinants. To delineate further the CTL-defined determinants encoded by Qa-1d, we generated CTL clones with Qa-1d specificity and demonstrated that the Qa-1d molecule expressed determinants that were not detected on Qa-1a, Qa-1b, or Qa-1c target cells. Other CTL clones derived from anti-Qa-1d MLC recognized new antigenic determinants on Qa-1c that cross-reacted with Qa-1d. Each of the four common Qa-1 phenotypes was shown to exhibit unique antigenic determinants. In addition, Qa-1d anti-Qa-1a and Qa-1d anti-Qa-1b CTL confirmed extensive cross-reactivity among these Qa-1 alloantigens. Analysis of CTL from these four immunizations also resulted in the isolation of Qa-1a-specific and Qa-1d-specific CTL clones that cross-reacted with H-2Df and H-2Ks, respectively.     

Class I H-2d-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize the neuraminidase glycoprotein of influenza virus subtype N1

Class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that recognize the neuraminidase (NA) glycoprotein of subtype N1 influenza A viruses have been demonstrated in BALB/c mice. Responses to NA were obtained only in protocols that use two in vivo inoculations of virus, including a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the NA of subtype N1 influenza virus (NA-VAC) to prime or boost. Restimulation in vitro was also required for CTL recognition of NA and strongly depended on the specific N1 virus used. Influenza viruses A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1), A/CAM/46 (H1N1), J1 (H3N1), and JAP/BEL (H2N1), but not A/Bellamy (H1N1) or MEM/BEL (H3N1) virus, were able to stimulate NA-specific memory T cells in vitro. Single or double in vivo inoculation of any of the N1 viruses or a single injection of NA-VAC failed to elicit restimulatable NA-specific CTL. Lysis of NA-VAC-infected cells at low effector/target ratios was comparable to that observed toward other influenza virus proteins known to be major targets of CTL in BALB/c mice, indicating that antigenic determinants of the subtype N1 NA molecule can be efficiently presented in the context of major histocompatibility complex class I.     

An H-2Ld hybrid molecule with a Qa-2 alpha-3 domain and phosphatidyl-inositol anchor is not recognized by H-2Ld-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Ld/Q7d, a hybrid molecule consisting of alpha-1 and alpha-2 domains from H-2Ld and alpha-3 and carboxy-end components from Q7d, was expressed on the surface of CRL-3A rat liver cells. This molecule retained serologic H-2Ld epitopes. The Ag is attached to the cell membrane through a phosphatidyl-inositol linkage, characteristic of Qa-2 molecules. Both bulk cultured and cloned H-2Ld alloreactive CTL as well as H-2Ld restricted vesicular stomatitis virus-specific CTL lyse CRL-3A cells which express H-2Ld but show little or no lytic activity on cells which express the Ld/Q7d hybrid. These cells also fail to act as cold target competitors for alloreactive anti-H-2Ld CTL. However, cells expressing Ld/Q7d are not resistant to CTL mediated lysis because they can be killed in the presence of lectin. These data indicate that recognition of polymorphic class I CTL epitopes in the alpha-1 and alpha-2 domains are influenced by the structure of the carboxy-end of the molecule.     

H-2K/H-2D and Mls and I region-associated antigens stimulate helper factor(s) involved in the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

This study examines the antigen that stimulate production or release of a soluble helper factor(s) involved in development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Antigens associated with the Mls locus, I and K/D regions of the MHC were all capable of stimulating responder cells in MLC to produce helper factor. These supernatant fluids were all capable of providing "help" for the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in MLC in which spleen cells are stimulated by allogeneic heat-treated thymocytes or splenocytes. Previous reports from our laboratory as well as others have shown that heat-treated cells do not stimulate a cytotoxic response. Heat-treatment of Mls, I, and H-2K/H-2D region incompatible stimulatory cells in MLC eliminated their ability to induce responder cells to produce helper factor, suggesting this is the mechanism whereby heat-treatment reduces the ability of cells to stimulate cell-mediated lympholysis (CML). The inability of supernatant fluids, from MLCs in which heat-treated cells were the stimulators, to assist in the generation of cytotoxic T cells did not appear to be the result of any suppressive factor induced by such treatment. Further, the antigens that stimulate pre-killer cells appear functionally distinct from those heat labile antigens (Mls, I, H-2K/H-2D associated) that stimulate helper factor production since heat-treated allogeneic cells served as stimulators of cytotoxicity provided helper activity was added to the MLC.     

The response of lymphocytes to H-2D and H-2K region antigens: I. Differential effect of cortisone acetate

Cell surface antigens controlled by separate portions of the H-2 region differentially stimulate lymphocytes. Cells responding to antigens controlled by loci in or near the H-2D region transform later (5 days) than cells responding to antigens controlled by loci in or near the H-2K region (3 days). Treatment of lymphocyte donors with cortisone acetate shows that lymphocytes responding to some H-2K-associated antigens are cortisone resistant and that lymphocytes responding to H-2D-associated antigens are cortisone sensitive. Parallels are drawn between these characteristics and the lymphocytes responsible for cellular and humoral immunity.