The complete primary structure of HLA-Bw58

Serological studies indicate that HLA-B17 molecules are unusually cross-reactive with products of the HLA-A locus. In particular, a mouse monoclonal antibody MA2.1 defines an epitope that is shared by HLA-A2 and the two subtypes (Bw57 and Bw58) of B17. To investigate these relationships at the structural level, we have isolated a gene coding for Bw58 from the WT49 B cell line. The gene was transfected into mouse L cells and its protein product was characterized with a panel of monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies. The nucleotide sequence of 3520 base pairs of DNA encompassing the seven exons coding for Bw58 and associated introns was determined. The deduced protein sequences for Bw58 and eight other HLA-A,B,C molecules were compared. In the first polymorphic domain (alpha 1), Bw58 is unusual in that it is as homologous to HLA-A locus products as to HLA-B locus products. In the second polymorphic domain (alpha 2), Bw58 has greater homology to B locus products. In the alpha 1 domain of Bw58, small segments of amino acid and nucleotide sequence homology with A2 (residues 62-65) and with Aw24 (residues 75-83) are found in the major region of polymorphic diversity (residues 62-83). These similarities provide structural correlates for the serological relationships between Bw58 and A locus molecules, with residues 62-65 possibly being involved in the MA2.1 epitope. From comparisons of four HLA-A and four HLA-B sequences, there is a difference in the patterns of variation for A and B locus molecules. For B locus molecules there is greater variation in the alpha 1 domain than in the alpha 2 domain. For A locus molecules, variation in the two domains is similar and like that for B locus alpha 2 domains. In comparison to other HLA-A,B,C genes, novel inverted repeat sequences were found in the nucleotide sequence of HLA-Bw58. These sequences flank the putative RNA splicing sites at the 3' end of the exons encoding the alpha 2 and alpha 3 protein domains.     

Interesting relations in the HLA system

There exists no absolute binding between the antigens HLA-Cw 2, Cw 3 and Cw 4, on the one hand, and HLA-B 27, HLA-B 15 and HLA-Bw 35, on the other hand. Even if 91% of human beings with HLA Cw 4 will simultaneously have the antigen HLA-Bw 35, another antigen as HLA-B 27 or HLA-B 15 can be identified in approximately 55% of individuals with HLA-Cw 2 and Cw 3. In this connection, the joint presence of some pairs of cross-reacting HLA antigens (A 2 and A 28, B 5 and Bw 35, B 7 and B 27, B 8 and B 14, B 12 and Bw 2) could be proved and their frequency be determined. 2 cases of a simultaneous presence of two subtypes of HLA-A 10 antigen, A 25 and A 26, could be found in family examinations. Moreover, two atypical bindings of anti-HLA-Bw 4 and anti-HLA-Bw 6 cytotoxins with HLA antigens could be identified: 7,49% of HLA-Bw 35 positive lymphocytes no positive response with anti-HLA-B 4 and 1,69% of HLA-B 12 with anti-HLA Bw 6. The importance of the findings for determining HLA in practice is discussed.     

Allodeterminants and evolution of a novel HLA-B5 CREG antigen, HLA-B SNA.

A novel HLA-B5 CREG gene, HLA-B SNA was cloned and the primary structure was determined. The sequence data showed that HLA-B SNA was identical to HLA-B51 except the alpha 1 domain in which one amino acid substitution at residue 74 and 5 amino acid substitutions associated with the Bw4/Bw6 epitopes were observed between these Ag. The comparison with other HLA-B locus genes suggested that HLA-B SNA evolved from HLA-B51 by gene exchange or recombination at the exon 2 between HLA-B51 and B8. A total of 10 of 14 HLA-B51-specific CTL clones showed significantly weak or no recognition of HLA-B SNA Ag. They also gave the same degree of a lysis of Hmy2CIR cells expressing the HLA-B35/51 chimeric Ag composed of the alpha 1 domain of HLA-B35 and other domains of HLA-B51 as that of Hmy2CIR cells expressing the HLA-B SNA Ag. These results demonstrated that amino acid substitutions within positions 77-83 associated with the HLA-Bw4/Bw6 epitopes have an influence on recognition of the HLA-B SNA antigen by HLA-B51-specific CTL.     

A novel HLA-B27 allele maps B27 allospecificity to the region around position 70 in the alpha 1 domain.

There are six known HLA-B alleles that share the HLA-B27 allospecificity, yet differ by one to six amino acid substitutions. Each of these B27 alleles can be readily assigned by one of the six representative IEF patterns. Two unrelated individuals, LH and HS, express B27 Ag that appear to be identical by IEF, but an HLA-B27 alloreactive CTL clone I-73 was found to react differently with these cells, suggesting these B27 molecules are not identical. We sequenced polymerase chain reaction-amplified B27 cDNA clones obtained from HS and compared its deduced amino acid sequence (B27-HS) with the B27 sequence of LH (B27-LH) which was previously designated the B*2701 allele. B27-HS and B27-LH differ by eight amino acids; three in alpha 1 domain and five in alpha 2 domain. These amino acid substitutions of B27-HS altered T cell recognition but not the B27 serologic epitope or IEF pattern. B27-HS differs from the six known B27 alleles by five to eight amino acid substitutions, and thus it represents the seventh allele of the HLA-B27 Ag family. This novel B27 allele might have been derived from a gene conversion event. Previously, two amino acid residues at positions 70 and 97 were suggested to be specific for B27 Ag family. B27-HS now reveals that Lys at position 70 is specific for B27 but Asn at position 97 is not. We propose that the region around position 70 might be crucial in determining the B27 serologic epitope and possibly in peptide Ag binding. This study also demonstrates that class I molecules of the same Ag specificity sharing an indistinguishable IEF pattern are not necessarily identical, and indicates that only the definitive determination of primary structure would identify all the class I alleles that are functionally relevant in regard to alloreactivity, T cell restriction, and disease association.     

HIV Control through a Single Nucleotide on the HLA-B Locus

Genetic variation within the HLA-B locus has the strongest impact on HIV disease progression of any polymorphisms within the human genome. However, identifying the exact mechanism involved is complicated by several factors. HLA-Bw4 alleles provide ligands for NK cells and for CD8 T cells, and strong linkage disequilibrium between HLA class I alleles complicates the discrimination of individual HLA allelic effects from those of other HLA and non-HLA alleles on the same haplotype. Here, we exploit an experiment of nature involving two recently diverged HLA alleles, HLA-B*42:01 and HLA-B*42:02, which differ by only a single amino acid. Crucially, they occur primarily on identical HLA class I haplotypes and, as Bw6 alleles, do not act as NK cell ligands and are therefore largely unconfounded by other genetic factors. We show that in an outbred cohort (n = 2,093) of HIV C-clade-infected individuals, a single amino acid change at position 9 of the HLA-B molecule critically affects peptide binding and significantly alters the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes targeted, measured directly ex vivo by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay (P = 2 × 10⁻¹⁰) and functionally through CTL escape mutation (P = 2 × 10⁻⁸). HLA-B*42:01, which presents multiple Gag epitopes, is associated with a 0.52 log₁₀ lower viral-load set point than HLA-B*42:02 (P = 0.02), which presents no p24 Gag epitopes. The magnitude of this effect from a single amino acid difference in the HLA-A*30:01/B*42/Cw*17:01 haplotype is equivalent to 75% of that of HLA-B*57:03, the most protective HLA class I allele in this population. This naturally controlled experiment represents perhaps the clearest demonstration of the direct impact of a particular HIV-specific CTL on disease control.     

Serologic cross-reactivities poorly reflect allelic relationships in the HLA-B12 and HLA-B21 groups. Dominant epitopes of the alpha 2 helix.

Previous analysis has emphasized the correlation between primary structures of class I HLA molecules and their patterns of serologic cross-reactivity. Here we describe the structures of two serologic groups of HLA-B alleles for which this is not the case. HLA-B45, an allele associated with black populations, is serologically paired with B44 in the B12 group; its structure, however, is divergent from that of B44 but closely related to B50. The BN21 (B*4005) allele is associated with native Americans and is serologically grouped with B50 in the B21 group; its structure, however, is more closely related to alleles of the B40 group. The B44 and B45 serologically cross-reactive molecules differ at seven functional positions of the Ag recognition site; the B50 and BN21 molecules differ at four such residues. These differences are predicted to alter peptide presentation and be capable of eliciting strong alloreactive T cell responses. For these pairs of B12 and B21 Ag, serology appears dominated by epitopes formed by short sequences of the alpha 2 helix which have been shuffled by recombination between alleles. The implications of these results for HLA matching in transplantation are discussed.     

Comparison of the structure of HLA-Bw47 to HLA-B13 and its relationship to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency is strongly associated with HLA-Bw47. This rare HLA allele and the HLA-B13 allele are both found in positive genetic linkage disequilibrium with HLA-A3, -Cw6, -DR7 and also display serological cross-reactivity. To investigate the relationship between these two alleles at the structural level, the nucleotide sequences of the HLA-B13 and HLA-Bw47 genes have been determined. They differ by 28 nucleotides, resulting in 14 amino acid substitutions: 5 in the 1 domain, 8 in the 2 domain, and 1 in the transmembrane region. Comparison of HLA-Bw47 nucleotide sequence with other HLA-B sequences shows a segment of 228 by identical with B44 in the a 1 domain and a segment of 218 by identical with B27 in the a2 domain, but only a 91 by segment of identity with B13 in the al domain. The complex pattern of substitutions and their degree of divergence indicate that HLA-B13 and HLA-Bw47 alleles are not related by a simple mutational event.     

Genetic and serological heterogeneity of the supertypic HLA-B locus specificities Bw4 and Bw6

Gene cloning and sequencing of theHLA-B locus split antigens B38 (B16.1) and B39 (B16.2) allowed localization of their subtypic as well as their public specificities HLA-Bw4 or-Bw6 to the α-helical region of the α 1 domain flanked by the amino acid positions 74–83. Comparison of their amino acid sequences with those of otherHLA-B-locus alleles established HLA-Bw6 to be distinguished by Ser at residue 77 and Asn at residue 80. In contrast, HLA-Bw4 is characterized by at least seven different patterns of amino acid exchanges at positions 77 and 80–83. Reactivity patterns of Bw4-or Bw6-specific monoclonal antibodies reveal two alloantigenic epitopes contributing to the HLA-Bw4 or-Bw6 specificity residing next to the region of highest diversity of the α 1 domain.     

The structure ofHLA-B35 suggests that it is derived fromHLA-Bw58 by two genetic mechanisms

The primary structure ofHLA-B51 andHLA-Bw52 suggested thatHLA-B51 was derived fromHLA-Bw52 by the combination of a genetic exchange withHLA-B8 and a point mutation. To investigate the evolution of theHLA-B5 cross reactive group, theHLA-B35 gene was cloned and the primary structure was determined.HLA-B35 is identical toHLA-Bw58 except in the α₁ domain. The α₁ domain ofHLA-B35 except Bw4/Bw6-associated amino acids is identical to that ofHLA-B51 ^*, which was suspected to be an intermediate gene betweenHLA-B51 andHLA-Bw52. These data suggest thatHLA-B35 has evolved fromHLA-Bw58 in two steps; an in vivo replacement of the α₁ domain withHLA-B51 and genetic exchange with one of theHLA-Bw6 genes. These three genes andHLA-Bw58 are postulated to share a common ancestor.     

Differential transport requirements of HLA and H-2 class I glycoproteins

Transport of human and mouse major histocompatibility complex class I glycoproteins has been examined in a transport deficient B-lymphoblastoid cell line × T-lymphoblastoid cell line (B-LCL × T-LCL) hybrid, 174 × CEM. T2 (T2). This cell line expresses no detectable endogenous HLA-B5 and reduced levels of HLA-A2 on its surface although these molecules are synthesized. In order to study this defect further, either HLA-Bw58 or HLA-B7 genomic clones were transfected into T2. Metabolic labeling and immune precipitation demonstrated biosynthesis of the Bw58 or 137 glycoprotein. However, like the endogenous HLA-B5 molecule, neither HLA-Bw58 nor HLA-B7 was expressed at the cell surface. The cloned genes were properly expressed on the surface of C1R, a control B-LCL. To determine if mouse class I alleles had the same transport requirements as the human class I glycoproteins, either mouse H-2D ^p or H-2K ^b class I genes were introduced into T2. Surprisingly, the H-2 class I glycoproteins were transported to the cell surface normally. These data suggest a fundamental difference between human and mouse histocompatibility antigens in their requirements for intracellular transport.     

HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw52 differ by only two amino acids which are in the helical region of the alpha 1 domain

Genes encoding the serologically cross-reactive HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw52 molecules were isolated and the exons sequenced. HLA-B51 genes obtained from Caucasian and Oriental individuals were identical. HLA-Bw52 differs from HLA-B51 by four nucleotide substitutions in exon 2 encoding the alpha 1 domain. These comprise one isolated silent substitution in codon 23 and a cluster of three coding substitutions in codons 63 and 67. Amino acid substitutions of N----E at position 63 and F----S at position 67 are the only differences between HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw52 and these residues are postulated to form HLA-B51 specific epitopes. HLA-B51 could have been formed from HLA-Bw52 by the combination of a genetic exchange with HLA-B8 and a point mutation. Similarity of HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw52 with HLA-Bw58 suggest they also share a common ancestor.     

Analysis of active and inactive complement C4 complotypes associated with subtypes of HLA-B17 in different racial groups.

HLA-A, B, and C antigens and the HLA-linked markers BF, C2, and C4 were determined in 1,799 unrelated Caucasians, 140 North American blacks, 140 Chinese, and 66 Japanese. One allele of the C4A locus (Rodgers), C4A*6, was found to code for a functionally inactive product in HLA-B17 (Bw57)-positive individuals, but for a functionally active product in HLA-B37- or HLA-B27-positive individuals. Further studies revealed that the functionally inactive C4A*6 gene product was found only in one subtype of HLA-B17, namely, 17.1 (Bw57, long). In addition, it was found that the frequency of the other subtype of HLA-B17, namely, 17.2(Bw58, short) varies greatly in different populations and that HLA-Bw58 is associated with either C4A*3,B*1 or C4A*3,B*Q0.     

Polymorphic sites away from the Bw4 epitope that affect interaction of Bw4+ HLA-B with KIR3DL1

KIR3DL1 is a polymorphic, inhibitory NK cell receptor specific for the Bw4 epitope carried by subsets of HLA-A and HLA-B allotypes. The Bw4 epitope of HLA-B*5101 and HLA-B*1513 is determined by the NIALR sequence motif at positions 77, 80, 81, 82, and 83 in the alpha(1) helix. Mutation of these positions to the residues present in the alternative and nonfunctional Bw6 motif showed that the functional activity of the Bw4 epitopes of B*5101 and B*1513 is retained after substitution at positions 77, 80, and 81, but lost after substitution of position 83. Mutation of leucine to arginine at position 82 led to loss of function for B*5101 but not for B*1513. Further mutagenesis, in which B*1513 residues were replaced by their B*5101 counterparts, showed that polymorphisms in all three extracellular domains contribute to this functional difference. Prominent were positions 67 in the alpha(1) domain, 116 in the alpha(2) domain, and 194 in the alpha(3) domain. Lesser contributions were made by additional positions in the alpha(2) domain. These positions are not part of the Bw4 epitope and include residues shaping the B and F pockets that determine the sequence and conformation of the peptides bound by HLA class I molecules. This analysis shows how polymorphism at sites throughout the HLA class I molecule can influence the interaction of the Bw4 epitope with KIR3DL1. This influence is likely mediated by changes in the peptides bound, which alter the conformation of the Bw4 epitope.     

Expression of an HLA-Bw6-related specificity by the HLA-Cw3 molecule

Radioimmunoassay of HLA-transformed mouse L cells expressing A3, A24, B7, or Cw3 HLA class I molecules with a set of monomorphic monoclonal antibodies distinguishes between A3–A24 and B7-Cw3 patterns of reactivity. Analyses with Bw6-specific monoclonal antibodies and a human alloantiserum demonstrate the expression by the HLA-Cw3 molecules of a Bw6 public specificity related to but not identical with that expressed by the HLA-B7 molecules. Exon-shuffling experiments and inhibition studies of monoclonal antibody cell-surface fixation indicate that similar parts of B7 and Cw3 molecules account for their serological cross-reactivity.Abbreviations used in this paper ₂-m beta-2 microglobulin - EBV Epstein-Barr virus - mAb monoclonal antibody - PBS-BSA phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 0.2% bovine serum albumin - PBL peripheral blood lymphocyte - RIA radioimmunoassay     

Immunofixation for C2 typing: C2 allotypes in Spaniards in relation to HLA,Bf and C4

Summary C2 typing is performed by immunofixation with anti-C2 antiserum instead of by a hemolytic overlay. This method gives sharp band definition, is less cumbersome than the hemolytic overlay, gel files are easily made, and it also enables one to describe putative new nonhemolytic variants. C2 allele frequencies were studied in a sample of the normal Spanish population and were found to be similar to other Caucasoids. HLA-Bw62,-Cw3, and-DR4 were significantly associated with C2 B. Concordantly, the only C2^*B extended HLA haplotype found in family material was Bw62-Cw3-Bw6-(DR4)-Bf^*S-C2^*B-C4A^*3 B^*2-(GLO^*1). C4A^*4 B^*2 and C4A^*4 B^*4 are not found within the same haplotype together with C2^*B and Bw62 or Bw22 respectively, nor do other C2^*B haplotypes occur with common HLA-B alleles. These results may favour the hypothesis that the Bw62-C2^*B haplotype is produced by one mutation arising in the Bw62-C2^*C haplotype and that subsequent crossovers can explain other C2^*B haplotypes (including Bw22-C2^*B).     

An interesting case of defective HLA phenotype

In a 27 years old man whose parents had HLA phenotypes A 9/B 7, Bw 16 and Al/B 17, B 18 only HLA-B 18 could be reliably identified in lymphocytes by means of microlymphocytotoxic tests. It is probable that HLA-Bw 16 was also present in the lymphocytes of this test person. Even by applying the neutralisation test, the HLA antigens A 1 and a 9 could not be detected in the test person's serum. The cause for the existence of the defective HLA phenotype is discussed.     

The alpha 1/alpha 2 domains of class I HLA molecules confer resistance to natural killing

The expression of transfected HLA class I Ag has previously been shown to protect human target cells from NK-mediated conjugation and cytolysis. In this same system, transfected H-2 class I Ag fail to impart resistance to NK. In this study, we have mapped the portion of the HLA class I molecule involved in this protective effect by exploiting this HLA/H-2 dichotomy. Hybrid class I genes were produced by exon-shuffling between the HLA-B7 and H-2Dp genes, and transfected into the class I Ag-deficient B-lymphoblastoid cell line (B-LCL) C1R. Only those transfectants expressing class I Ag containing the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the HLA molecule are protected from NK, suggesting the "protective epitope" is located within these domains. Since a glycosylation difference exists between HLA and H-2 class I Ag within these domains (i.e., at amino acid residue 176), the role of carbohydrate in the class I protective effect was examined. HLA-B7 mutant genes encoding proteins which either lack the normal carbohydrate addition site at amino acid residue 86 (B7M86-) or possess an additional site at residue 176 (B7M176+) were transfected into C1R. Transfectants expressing either mutant HLA-B7 Ag were protected from NK. Thus, carbohydrate is probably not integral to a class I "protective epitope." The potential for allelic variation in the ability of HLA class I Ag to protect C1R target cells from NK was examined in HLA-A2, A3, B7, and Bw58 transfectants. Although no significant variation exists among the HLA-A3, B7, and Bw58 alleles, HLA-A2 appears unable to protect. Comparison of amino acid sequences suggests a restricted number of residues which may be relevant to the protective effect.     

The primary structure of HLA-A32 suggests a region involved in formation of the Bw4/Bw6 epitopes

All HLA-B locus molecules have either the Bw4 or Bw6 epitopes. In addition, the Bw4 epitope is found on HLA-Aw23, Aw24, and A32, and Bw6 is also found on HLA-Cw3. The structural basis for these determinants and the evolution of their distribution among products of the HLA-B locus has been a long standing puzzle. To identify residues that may be involved in these determinants, we have cloned a gene for A32 and sequenced the protein encoding exons. Comparison of the predicted protein sequence with other HLA-A,B,C sequences identified residues 79 through 83 of the alpha 1 domain as having a pattern of polymorphic substitution that correlates with the presence and absence of the Bw4 and Bw6 epitopes.     

Selective loss of HLA-A or HLA-B antigen expression in colon carcinoma

A panel of colorectal carcinomas has been examined immunohistologically with mAb specific for allodeterminants of HLA-A or HLA-B, and with mAb reactive with HLA-A,B,C framework determinants or beta 2-microglobulin. Out of 85 carcinomas, 5 cases were completely negative for all class I Ag in the tumor cell population. Fifteen cases exhibited a differential expression of HLA-A and HLA-B products in all tumor cells or in a subset. Such tumor cells showed strong staining with monomorphic HLA antibodies but failed to stain with certain allospecific mAb. Negativity of tumor cells was scored only when normal stromal cells within the tumor mass were clearly labeled, indicating expression of the particular allodeterminant(s) in the given tissue. Four carcinomas showed a selective loss of HLA-A2 or a non-A2 HLA-A allospecificity in all tumor cells or a major subset, whereas HLA-B Ag were expressed. Seven cases showed a selective loss of the HLA-Bw6 superspecificity in the tumor cell population; HLA-Bw4 and HLA-A Ag were present. Three cases exhibited a combined loss of HLA-A2 and HLA-Bw6 Ag, with non-A2 HLA-A and HLA-Bw4 Ag being expressed. A further case was HLA-Bw6/Bw4 negative in a major tumor cell subset and HLA-A negative in the complementary minor subset. The results show that a considerable proportion of colorectal carcinomas is heterogeneous with regard to HLA-A and HLA-B expression. The reasons for the appearance of tumor subsets with complete loss of class I Ag or selective loss of only HLA-A or HLA-B Ag are not clear, but it is conceivable that some of them arose because they have escaped immunoselection.     

Sharing of MHC haplotypes among apparently unrelated patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

From the study of HLA, complement, and glyoxalase I alleles in 82 Venezuelan individuals belonging to 19 families of mixed ethnic origin having 20 affected newborns with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) deficiency, a total of 38 disease haplotypes and 53 nondisease haplotypes were found. Of the pathological haplotypes 47 % were found to share the HLA-B39 or -Bw62 specificities, 55 % of them in combination with the BFS, C2C, C4A4, C4B2 (SC42) complotype. The frequencies of HLA-B39 and -Bw62 among the affected haplotypes were 29 and 18% as compared with 6 and 0 % among the nondisease haplotypes of the same families. Statistical associations (P < 0.01) with salt-wasting adrenal hyperplasia were found with the SC42 complotype and with the combination SC42, HLA-B39. These results are markedly different from those reported in the literature which show an association at the population level among many Caucasoid samples of HLA-Bw47 and the extended haplotype (HLA-Bw47, DR7, FC91, 0) with the salt-wasting form of the disease. Furthermore, four of the unrelated patients reported here were homozygous for all the major histocompatibility complex loci tested, while three others were homozygous for at least two HLA loci. Analysis of the geographical origin of the grandparents indicated clustering of the deficiency carrier HLA haplotypes. This observation, together with the fact that there is an excess of homozygotes among the patients in Venezuela, strongly suggests that salt-wasting 21-OH deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia is mostly the result of a founder effect of relatively few independent mutations and, thus, of identity by descent of a few abnormal alleles at the 21-OHB locus in most cases. The mutation marked by HLA-Bw47 was not observed in this population.