Selective in vivo antitumor effects of monoclonal anti-I-A antibody on B cell lymphoma

In a study of the biologic consequences of using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with specificity for I-A for the elimination of an I-A-bearing B cell lymphoma, it was found that, despite the presence of I-A on a number of normal cell types and the propensity of anti-I-A to induce modulation of I-A and I-E on normal cells in vivo, a substantial effect on lymphoma growth could be measured in mAb-treated hosts. Unlike I-A on normal cells, tumor I-A failed to modulate in vivo, and 50% of animals could be cured of lymphoma by multiple doses of anti-I-A mAb. With a sensitive spleen tumor colonization assay, it was shown that neither T lymphocytes nor natural killer cells were involved in tumor elimination by anti-I-A mAb. In addition, C3 depletion only minimally affected the ability of anti-I-A to inhibit tumor growth, suggesting that complement-dependent lysis of tumor cells was not a major mechanism. Spleen cells from long term survivors of tumor challenge and mAb treatment functioned normally as antigen-presenting cells and in the recognition of alloantigens, and serum Ig levels were somewhat higher than in untreated mice; thus, such therapy can be carried out without compromising the immune reactivity of long term survivors.     

Immunoregulatory activities of autoreactive T cells: an I-A-specific T cell clone mediates both help and suppression of antibody responses

We have derived a Ly-1+, 2-3- T cell clone that is specific for autologous I-A on activated but not on resting cells. After activation, this clone produces factors that induce purified (B + adherent) cells to secrete antibody in response to sheep red blood cells and type 2 T-independent antigens. Regulation of plaque-forming cell responses by this clone is dose dependent: low numbers enhance the plaque-forming cell response, whereas high numbers suppress the response. The inhibition observed with high doses is associated with cytolysis of I-A+ cells, and this can be blocked by the addition of anti-I-A antibodies. The physiologic significance of this novel cell type in regulating immune responses is discussed.     

Role of I-A molecules in early stages of B cell maturation.

The role of the Ia molecule in the early phase of B cell development remains controversial. In contrast to previous studies, we have detected minute amounts of Ia (I-A) molecule on early B lineage (B220+IgM-) cells from normal bone marrow, using ELISA. The presence of the I-A molecule even on pro-B cells was deduced from experiments in which a monoclonal anti-I-A antibody completely blocked the generation of pre-B cells from B progenitor (B220-) cells in stromal cell-dependent B cell culture. Inasmuch as this antibody did not inhibit the maturation of pre-B cells to IgM+ B cells in culture, the I-A molecule on early B lineage cells probably plays a role in their maturation. We also examined the role of the I-A molecule in early B cell development, using transgenic mice harboring the antisense DNA to I-A beta-chain gene. The amount of I-A molecule on splenic B cells from the young transgenic mice decreased in the presence of abundant amounts of the antisense RNA. B cell development was perturbed in spleen from the transgenic mice. Stromal cell-dependent B cell cultures from these mice clearly showed that the maturation of B lineage cells was delayed at a very early stage of development (B220- to B220+). We propose that the I-A molecule on early B lineage cells may play an essential role in their maturation.     

The Ia.2 epitope defines a subset of lipid raft-resident MHC class II molecules crucial to effective antigen presentation

Previous work established that binding of the 11-5.2 anti-I-A(k) mAb, which recognizes the Ia.2 epitope on I-A(k) class II molecules, elicits MHC class II signaling, whereas binding of two other anti-I-A(k) mAbs that recognize the Ia.17 epitope fail to elicit signaling. Using a biochemical approach, we establish that the Ia.2 epitope recognized by the widely used 11-5.2 mAb defines a subset of cell surface I-A(k) molecules predominantly found within membrane lipid rafts. Functional studies demonstrate that the Ia.2-bearing subset of I-A(k) class II molecules is critically necessary for effective B cell-T cell interactions, especially at low Ag doses, a finding consistent with published studies on the role of raft-resident class II molecules in CD4 T cell activation. Interestingly, B cells expressing recombinant I-A(k) class II molecules possessing a β-chain-tethered hen egg lysosome peptide lack the Ia.2 epitope and fail to partition into lipid rafts. Moreover, cells expressing Ia.2(-) tethered peptide-class II molecules are severely impaired in their ability to present both tethered peptide or peptide derived from exogenous Ag to CD4 T cells. These results establish the Ia.2 epitope as defining a lipid raft-resident MHC class II conformer vital to the initiation of MHC class II-restricted B cell-T cell interactions.     

Interferon inhibition of the primary in vitro antibody response to a thymus-independent antigen

Partially purified and crude mouse L cell interferon preparations inhibited the in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of mouse C57B1/6 spleen cells to the T-cell independent lipopolysaccharide antigen of Escherichia coli 0127. PFC responses of 5-day cultures were inhibited approximately 70–90% by 100–200 NIH reference units of interferon/culture. A similar inhibitory effect was obtained with spleen cells from athymic (nude) mice homozygous for the nu/nu allele. Spleen cultures depleted of adherent cells were also inhibited in their anti-0127 PFC response by interferon. Interferon, then, appears capable of inhibiting the PFC response to E. coli 0127 via direct action on B cells. Heating experiments along with the use of interferon preparations of different specific activities suggest that the inhibition was due to the interferon in the preparations.     

In vivo treatment with monoclonal anti-I-A antibodies: disappearance of splenic antigen-presenting cell function concomitant with modulation of splenic cell surface I-A and I-E antigens

A single injection of anti-I-Ak antibody (AB) into H-2k mice resulted in abrogation of splenic antigen-presenting cell (APC) function for protein antigen-primed T cells or alloantigen-specific T cells. Spleen cells from anti-I-A-treated mice are not inhibitory in cell mixing experiments when using cloned antigen-specific T cells as indicator cells, thus excluding a role for suppressor cells in the observed defect. Also, nonspecific toxic effects and carry-over of blocking Ab were excluded as causes for the defect. Experiments with anti-I-Ak Ab in (H-2b X H-2k)F1 mice showed abrogation of APC function for T cells specific for both parental I-A haplotypes. In homozygous H-2k mice, anti-I-Ak treatment not only abrogated APC function for I-Ak-restricted cloned T cells but also for I-AekE alpha k-restricted cloned T cells. FACS analysis of spleen cells from anti-I-Ak-treated (H-2b X H-2k)F1 mice revealed the disappearance of all Ia antigens (both I-A and I-E determined), whereas the number of IgM-bearing cells was unaffected. The reappearance of APC function with time after injection was correlated with the reappearance of I-A and I-E antigen expression. In vitro incubation of spleen cells from anti-I-A-treated mice led to the reappearance of Ia antigen expression and APC function within 8 hr. Thus, it appears that B cells (as determined by FACS analysis) and APC (as determined by functional analysis) behave similarly in response to in vivo anti-I-A Ab treatment. We interpret these findings as suggesting that in vivo anti-I-A treatment temporarily reduces the expression of Ia molecules through co-modulation on all Ia-bearing spleen cells, thereby rendering them incompetent as APC. Such modulation of Ia molecules does not occur when spleen cells are incubated in vitro with anti-I-A antibodies. These results imply that a primary defect purely at the level of APC in anti-I-A-treated mice may be responsible for the observed T cell nonresponsiveness when such mice are subsequently primed with antigen.     

Epitope-specific antibody feedback regulation of the humoral immune response against sheep erythrocytes in vitro: specific effects of anti-antigen antibody vs nonspecific T cell activities

Antibody formed during a 1st in vitro anti-SRBC PFC response had previously been shown to inhibit the formation of PFC when added to a 2nd, freshly established test culture. This effect was to a large extent restricted to test cultures containing B cells sharing VH genes with the B cells producing the initial antibody, and this suggested that anti-SRBC antibody acted via triggering of an anti-idiotypic antibody of TS response. In the present studies this system has been further characterized. First, such antibody feedback occurred in cultures of purified and anti-Lyt2 antiserum and complement-treated surface Ig-positive cells in which TH were substituted for by T-replacing factor. Thus, T cells were not required. Moreover, T cells were always nonspecifically activated in cultures containing FCS. Secondly, anti-idiotypic antibody-like activity was not detected in the sense that generation of inhibitory antibody was never found to be dissociated from generation of anti-SRBC antibody, and LPS-dependent anti-SRBC PFC responses were not inhibited. However, feedback inhibition of SRBC-dependent responses was reversed at increased SRBC concentrations. Thirdly, the feedback mechanism was highly epitope specific, whereas in vitro anti-SRBC PFC responses of different mouse strains (B6 vs BALB/c) were directed to a large extent against different epitopes. These data strongly suggest that VH-restricted inhibitory activity of antibody in this system is a manifestation of epitope specificity of the antibody feedback and not of idiotype specificity, i.e., that anti-SRBC antibody acts via masking of epitopes.     

Structure-based selection of small molecules to alter allele-specific MHC class II antigen presentation

Class II major histocompatibility molecules are the primary susceptibility locus for many autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes. Human DQ8 and I-A(g7), in the NOD mouse model of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, confers diabetes risk by modulating presentation of specific islet peptides in the thymus and periphery. We used an in silico molecular docking program to screen a large "druglike" chemical library to define small molecules capable of occupying specific structural pockets along the I-A(g7) binding groove, with the objective of influencing presentation to T cells of the autoantigen insulin B chain peptide consisting of amino acids 9-23. In this study we show, using both murine and human cells, that small molecules can enhance or inhibit specific TCR signaling in the presence of cognate target peptides, based upon the structural pocket targeted. The influence of compounds on the TCR response was pocket dependent, with pocket 1 and 6 compounds inhibiting responses and molecules directed at pocket 9 enhancing responses to peptide. At nanomolar concentrations, the inhibitory molecules block the insulin B chain peptide consisting of amino acids 9-23, endogenous insulin, and islet-stimulated T cell responses. Glyphosine, a pocket 9 compound, enhances insulin peptide presentation to T cells at concentrations as low as 10 nM, upregulates IL-10 secretion, and prevents diabetes in NOD mice. These studies present a novel method for identifying small molecules capable of both stimulating and inhibiting T cell responses, with potentially therapeutic applications.     

In vivo treatment with anti-I-A antibodies: differential effects on Ia antigens and antigen-presenting cell function of spleen cells and epidermal Langerhans cells

The in vivo activation of T cells by a variety of antigens can be inhibited by the administration of anti-I-A antibodies (Ab) at the time of antigen priming. This inhibition can partially be explained by the temporary loss of Ia molecules from Ia-bearing antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the spleen. In this study, the effects of i.p. injected monoclonal Ab specific for I-A glycoproteins of different H-2 haplotypes on Ia antigen expression and APC function of spleen cells and epidermal Langerhans cells were compared. It was found that anti-I-A Ab quickly bound to both spleen cell and Langerhans cell Ia antigens. Although spleen cell Ia antigens were modulated and thus temporarily disappeared, Ia antigen expression by epidermal Langerhans cells was not modulated. In functional studies, the capacity of spleen cells and epidermal cells from anti-I-A Ab treated vs control animals to function as APC for antigen-specific, I-A- or I-E-restricted T cell clones was tested. A single injection of anti-I-A Ab completely abolished the APC function of spleen cells as shown in several inbred mouse strains, F1 animals, and with the use of several different Ab and T cell clones. In contrast, Langerhans cell-dependent APC function of epidermal cells remained completely unaltered. Even multiple injections of high doses of Ab never caused any inhibition of Langerhans cell function. Experiments with anti-I-Ak or anti-I-Ad Ab in an (H-2k X H-2d)F1 animal showed abrogation of APC function of spleen cells, but again not of Langerhans cells. Thus in vivo anti-I-A Ab administration appears to differentially affect Ia antigen expression and APC function from spleen and epidermis: Ia antigens are modulated from spleen cells but not from epidermis, and APC function disappears in the spleen but not in the epidermis. The abrogation of splenic but not of Langerhans cell APC function with anti-I-A Ab will facilitate the dissection of the relative contributions of Langerhans cells as compared with other APC in the generation of cutaneous immune responses.     

T suppressor efferent circuit which affects contact sensitivity to picryl chloride: the late-acting, second nonspecific T suppressor factor bears I-A determinants which are responsible for the I-A genetic restriction in its interaction with its target cell

The T suppressor efferent circuit in the picryl (TNP) system, which inhibits the passive transfer of contact sensitivity, involves at least two antigen-nonspecific factors. The second nonspecific T suppressor factor (ns-2) bears I-A determinants of both the alpha and the beta chain as shown by affinity chromatography on immobilized anti-I-A monoclonal antibodies. Sequential absorption shows that the determinants of the alpha and beta chain occur on the same molecular complex. No absorption was obtained with anti-I-E antibody. There are two genetic restrictions associated with ns-2--the first is in its release from the second T suppressor efferent cell (on exposure to antigen) and the second is in its inhibitory interaction with its target cell. Both are MHC restricted and matching in I-A (but not I-E, or I-J) is sufficient. The question was asked whether the I-A of the ns-2 was directly responsible for the I-A genetic restriction in its action. F1 TsF was made in (H-2k X H-2b)F1 mice by injecting picrylated parental cells intravenously and triggering the release of ns-2 with the corresponding picrylated parental cells. Both I-Ak- and I-Ab-positive ns-2 were produced and were separated by affinity chromatography on immobilized anti-I-A monoclonal antibody. The I-A phenotype of these separated ns-2 of F1 origin determines the genetic restriction in their action; i.e., I-Ak+ ns-2 only inhibits passive transfer by H-2k cells and I-Ab+ ns-2 only acts on H-2b cells. In contrast, the I-A haplotype of the picrylated cell used to induce the Ts cell which makes ns-2 is unimportant. It was concluded that the I-A on the ns-2, and not a possible recognition site for I-A, serves as a restriction element. This finding suggests that ns-2 may act directly on the I-A-restricted T cell which mediates contact sensitivity.     

Activation requirements of cloned inducer T cells. I. Differential inhibition by anti-L3T4 or anti-I-A is determined by the accessory cell population

We have described a trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific inducer clone, clone Ly-1-T1, which responds to a variety of different stimuli, including a) soluble TNP-protein conjugates plus syngeneic (H-2d) spleen cells, b) TNP directly coupled to syngeneic or allogeneic spleen cells, and c) activated I-A identical B cells in the absence of nominal antigen. In the present study we used a panel of antibodies to investigate the recognition structures involved in the activation of clone Ly-1-T1 by these different stimuli. We show that allogeneic spleen cells must be conjugated by using relatively high concentrations of TNBS to be efficient stimulators of the clone. In contrast, syngeneic spleen cells conjugated by using a much wider range of concentrations will activate the clone. The response of the clone to TNP-coupled allogeneic spleen cells is inhibited by anti-L3T4 and anti-Ia antibodies. In contrast, stimulation of the clone with syngeneic spleen cells coupled by using the same concentrations of TNBS is not inhibited with either anti-Ia or anti-L3T4 antibody. The inhibition pattern observed with anti-Ia and anti-L3T4 antibodies was also determined by the nature of the accessory population used to present soluble TNP-protein conjugates. Anti-I-Ad antibodies blocked the activation of clone Ly-1-T1 by TNP-protein plus splenic adherent cells, indicating the involvement of polymorphic I-A determinants in this response. Anti-L3T4 antibody had little or no effect on this response, suggesting that a significant L3T4-Ia interaction is not required. Finally, the response of the clone to activated B cells in the presence or absence of TNP-protein is exquisitely sensitive to inhibition by anti-L3T4 as well as anti-I-A antibodies. The data suggest that the requirement for an L3T4-I interaction depends on the combination of antigen and accessory cell type used to stimulate the clone.     

Genetic control of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in mice. III. Ia molecules mediate cellular immune responsiveness to acetylcholine receptors

When MHC congenic and recombinant mice are inoculated with Torpedo acetylcholine receptors (AChR) with adjuvants, the magnitude of autoantibody responses to muscle AChR and the defect of neuromuscular transmission closely parallel in vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses to Torpedo AChR. All of these responses are controlled by gene(s) at the I-A subregion of the H-2 complex. Data presented in this report confirm in back-cross mice that T lymphocyte proliferative responses to AChR are controlled by a Mendelian dominant gene linked to H-2, at the I-A subregion. Lymphocyte responses were eliminated by blocking Ia antigens on lymph node cell surfaces with appropriate anti-I-A alloantisera and by removal of adherent cells. A spontaneous mutation at the I-A subregion in the B6 strain, which resulted in structural alteration of the A beta chain of Ia, converted high responsiveness to AChR to a state of low responsiveness. These data implicate a macrophage-associated Ia molecule in induction of autoimmune responses to AchR, probably in the presentation of AChR to helper T lymphocytes that thereby help B lymphocytes to differentiate into anti-AChR antibody-forming cells.     

The nature of the suppressive effect of interferon and interferon inducers on the in vitro immune response

Viral-induced interferon inhibition of the primary in vitro plaque-formong cell (PFC) response in the mouse (C57B1/6) involves a dynamic relationship between the nature of the antigen, the concentration of interferon added to antigen-stimulated cultures, and the time of addition of interferon relative to antigen addition. The PFC response to a thymus-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells) was more easily suppressed by viral-induced interferon than was that to a thymus-independent antigen (E. coli 0127 LPS), both in terms of inhibitory concentrations of interferon and the time at which the interferon could be added to cultures after antigen and still inhibit the PFC response. These differential effects of interferon could be related to the difference in cellular requirements (B and T lymphocytes) of the two antigens. Interferon was effective in inhibiting the in vitro PFC response of antigen-primed spleen cells, indicating that it can block the response of memory lymphocytes. By using interferon inducers as inhibitors of the in vitro PFC response, it was possible to show that at least two antigenically distinct interferons may be involved in suppressing the immune response. It is known that one type of interferon is induced by virus and synthetic double-stranded polyribonucleotides. The other type is stimulated by antigen and T cell mitogens. A model is proposed to explain the nature of these interferon inhibitory effects in terms of mediation of immune suppressor cell effects.     

Regulation of immune responses via genetically restricted cellular interactions. II. I-region-restricted cooperation between idiotypic and anti-idiotypic B lymphocytes

Immunization of BALB/c mice with MOPC-104E myeloma protein induced idiotype-specific enhancing cells which acted on anti-dextran antibody-producing cells. The enhancing cells have surface phenotypes of B cells. Using BALB/c H-2 congenic strains, it was found that the cooperation between anti-idiotypic-enhancing B lymphocytes and dextran-primed B lymphocytes was controlled by major histocompatibility gene complex. Here we have described the loci which restrict the successful cooperation between B lymphocytes, wherein it was revealed that the interaction was restricted to the I-A and I-E subregions in H-2k haplotype and the I-A subregion in H-2b haplotype. Utilizing several monoclonal antibodies specific for Ia antigens, it was revealed that the enhancing B lymphocyte activity was completely inhibited by the pretreatment of antibody-producing B cells with anti-Ia.7 in H-2d haplotype as well as H-2k, and with anti-I-A antibody in H-2b haplotype. The results suggest that the anti-idiotypic B-lymphocyte response to the self idiotype is under control of H-linked immune response (Ir) gene.     

Immune complex effects on murine macrophages. I. Immune complexes suppress interferon-gamma induction of Ia expression

We have studied the effects of immune complexes on the expression of macrophage surface proteins in vitro. Increased expression of the H-2 molecules I-A, I-E, and K on the macrophage membrane was induced by in vitro culture with crude lymphokine or interferon-gamma. Expression of all three of the molecules was additionally increased by stimulating the cultures with heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes. Addition of soluble immune complexes to the cultures did not have any effect on macrophage expression of these proteins. However, significant inhibition of lymphokine or interferon-gamma induction of I-A, I-E, and H-2K was observed when macrophages were cultured on plates to which immune complexes had been bound. This inhibition was dose dependent, required an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule with an intact Fc portion, did not require the presence of T cells, and occurred in the presence of indomethacin. Complexes containing IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgE, but not IgM or IgA, antibodies mediated the inhibitory effect.     

Effects of in vivo monoclonal anti-I-A antibody treatment in neonatal mice on intrathymic and peripheral class II antigen expression

Intrathymic, Ia-bearing antigen-presenting cells (APC) are believed to play an important role in the development of a mature, functional T-cell repertoire. We used chronic in vivo treatment of neonatal mice with anti-I-A monoclonal Ab (MAb) to examine the expression of I-A and I-E antigens on intrathymic and peripheral APC. Three weeks after continuous treatment with anti-I-A MAb, FACS analysis of unfractionated spleen cells revealed a 75-90% reduction in the number of I-A bearing cells. Splenic antigen-presenting capacity measured by the ability of unseparated or density gradient-enriched APC to stimulate I-A- or I-E-reactive T-cell hybridomas was also greatly reduced. In contrast to the expression of I-A and I-E molecules in the splenic APC, anti-I-A MAb treatment resulted in decreased thymic APC I-A expression without significant changes in I-E as measured by FACS analysis. This was confirmed in functional studies in which allo-I-A- or auto-I-A-reactive T-cell hybridomas could not be stimulated by treated thymic APC. Unlike splenic APC, anti-I-A-treated thymic APC did not differ significantly from normals in their ability to stimulate allo-I-E-reactive T hybridomas. This lack of linkage or comodulation of I-A and I-E expression on thymic but not splenic APC may allow us to study the role of I-A molecules and I-E molecules on the development and expansion of functional, mature T-cell repertoires.     

Modulation of human B cell immunoglobulin secretion by the C3b component of complement

The human C3b component of complement was found to inhibit the differentiation of human B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-secreting cells in vitro. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses were inhibited by C3-coated zymosan particles and by purified human C3b. C3b inhibited the PWM-driven responses in a dose-dependent fashion, and it was necessary for C3b to be present in the early phases of the cultures. C3b acted directly on B cells rather than on helper T cells because it inhibited the PFC responses of MNC depleted of T cells and subsequently stimulated with a T cell-independent Epstein Barr virus mitogen. Furthermore, C3b failed to stimulate the generation of suppressor lymphocytes and/or monocytes that might have been responsible for the inhibition of B cell responses. Our results indicate that C3b or its fragments exert negative modulatory effects on human B lymphocyte responses.     

Soluble factors in tolerance and contact sensitivity to DNFB in mice. VIII. Regulation of T suppressor cell function by autoreactive T helper cells

When cultured with DNP-labeled I-A+ cells, Lyt 2+ T suppressor cells (Ts) from 2,4,-dinitrobenzene sulfonate (DNBS)-tolerized mice are activated to synthesize and release a suppressor factor (SSF) which suppresses the transfer of contact sensitivity to DNFB. The signals required to activate the DNBS-primed Ts to produce SSF were studied in greater detail. As previously observed with fixed DNP-labeled spleen cell stimulators, the supernatants from cultures of DNBS-primed spleen cells and glutaraldehyde-fixed DNP-labeled P388D1 cell monolayers did not contain SSF. When the tolerant cells were harvested from these monolayers and were treated with IL-1, the Ts released the synthesized SSF. Synthesis and release of SSF required Ts recognition of DNP/class I MHC on the hapten-presenting cells followed by interaction with the costimulator IL-1. When the tolerant cells were cultured with fixed DNP-labeled I-A+ or I-A- stimulators to induce SSF synthesis, release was induced by adding either unlabeled or TNP-labeled unprimed spleen cells to the cultures. The release of SSF was blocked when the second stimulators were pretreated with anti-I-A antibody but not with anti-DNP or anti-class I MHC antibodies. These results indicate that the release of SSF by DNBS-primed Lyt 2+ Ts is regulated by the activity of a self-I-A-reactive (i.e., autoreactive) T cell in the tolerant spleen cell population.     

In vivo administration of anti-I-A antibody induces the internalization of B cell surface I-A and I-E without affecting the expression of surface immunoglobulin

Injection of a hybridoma anti-Ia antibody into adult mice results in a dramatic reduction in the expression of B cell sIa without affecting the expression of sIgD or sIgM. This anti-Ia-mediated modulation of B cell sIa occurs within 3 hr and attains it maximum effect within 18 hr after injection of antibody. There is a rapid reexpression of B cell Ia when such sIa- B cells are cultured in vitro. Culture of B cells in vitro with anti-Ia antibody has no discernible effect on the expression of B cell sIa, nor does it prevent the reexpression of sIa on sIa- B cells obtained from anti-Ia-injected mice. Injection of anti-I-A antibody suppresses the expression of both I-A and of I-E, and similarly, injection of anti-I-E suppresses the expression of B cell I-E and I-A antigens. When fluorescein-labeled monoclonal anti-I-A antibody is injected into mice, a significant fraction of B cell sIa can be demonstrated to be internalized by the B cell. The potential immunologic significance of this phenomena of anti-Ia-mediated modulation of B cell sIa is discussed.     

Deregulation of mouse antibody-forming cells by streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin II. Modification of spleen T-cell-complemented nude mouse PFC responses

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE), a toxic protein, secreted by Group A streptococci modifies antibody responses in two ways. It suppresses the early peak plaque-forming cell (PFC) and serum antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes (SE) and it engenders a late burst of PFC detected at 12–14 days. We have termed the late phase a deregulated response. This effect has been observed in rabbits and NIH (+/+ and +/nu) mice. NIH athymic nude (nu/nu) mice exhibit the early suppressed response but do not show the late phase. In reconstruction experiments to delineate the responsible target site of SPE we have conferred upon the nude or nude spleen cells in vitro, +/nu PFC responsiveness to SE by transfer of +/nu spleen cells in vivo or by supplementation with +/nu spleen cells in Marbrook cultures. When this is done, complementation of nude PFC responses and their ability to exhibit a deregulated response after SPE treatment is conferred coordinately. Pretreatment of donor cells with a B-cell inhibitory dose of X-ray or with a B-cell inhibitory dose of anti-Ig serum + C′ does not inhibit complementation of nude cells to +/nu responsiveness. Moreover, such donor suspensions when treated with SPE retain the ability to complement and to confer upon nude cells the ability to exhibit the late burst of PFC (a deregulated response). A similar pretreatment of the donor cell suspension with an anti-T-cell serum and C′, however, markedly inhibits both the adoptive complementation and the deregulation of the nude mouse PFC response. Thus, it is demonstrated that the target cell affected in this way by SPE is a T-cell. We presume from this evidence that SPE inhibits a T-cell which is involved in the regulation of antibody formation.