Antibodies reactive with class II antigens encoded for by the major histocompatibility complex inhibit human B cell activation

Although class II antigens encoded by genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are important as recognition structures for immunoregulatory cell interactions, the precise functional role of these molecules in the biological responses of B lymphocytes is unknown. In the studies described here, we have examined the effects of six monoclonal antibodies reactive with human class II MHC antigens on B cell activation and proliferation. Peripheral blood IgM+ B cells purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) techniques were stimulated with anti-mu antibodies, protein A-bearing Staphylococcus aureus (SAC), or in T cell-dependent activation cultures. The B cell proliferative responses induced by these stimuli were inhibited 68 to 90% by low concentrations (1 to 5 micrograms/ml) of antibodies reactive with class II MHC antigens. Antibodies specific for DR and DQ antigens were both effective inhibitors of B cell proliferation. This inhibition was not due to the binding of antibody to B cell Fc-IgG receptors, because IgM and IgG anti-class II antibodies were equally potent as inhibitors. When responses of B cells fractionated on the basis of cell size by forward angle light scatter were analyzed, anti-DR and anti-DQ antibodies inhibited the proliferation of small, resting IgM+ cells induced by T-independent as well as T-dependent stimuli. Activation-dependent increases in B cell size and RNA synthesis were similarly inhibited. In contrast, the responses of large B cells (that had been preactivated in vivo) to T cell-derived B cell growth factors were not affected by anti-class II antibodies. These data suggest that class II MHC molecules do not serve merely as cellular interaction structures but also directly participate in early events of the B cell activation cascade that precede cell enlargement or increased RNA synthesis. After activation and expression of receptors for growth factors, however, B cell class II MHC antigens no longer mediate signals required for mitogenesis.     

Localized conformational changes induced in a class I major histocompatibility antigen by the binding of monoclonal antibodies

We describe two monoclonal antibodies, R3/47 and YR1/1, directed against different epitopes of the expressed rat class I major transplantation antigen RT1Aa, that interact with each other so that the binding of one antibody, YR1/1, is greatly enhanced by the binding of the other. The positive interaction between R3/47 and YR1/1 also occurs when using RT1Aa molecules solubilized from cell membranes in detergent. It is therefore unlikely that the molecular environment of the membrane contributes to the interaction. The ability of R3/47 to modify the YR1/1 determinant on the RT1Aa molecule is mediated without any significant loss of potency by highly purified monomeric Fab fragments. This result suggests that the binding of R3/47 to the RT1Aa molecule alters the YR1/1 determinant by initiating a propagated conformational change in the antigen.     

Characterization of stem cells and progenitors of hemopoiesis by cell sorting.

Cell sorting has been used as a method for characterizing hemopoietic stem cells and progenitors. Fluorescent antibody-surface labels and changes in fluorescence polarization induced by in vitro stimulation with potential hemopoietic regulators were used. As detected by significant enrichment of CFU-S (pluripotent stem cells) in fluorescence-activated cell sorting, some CFU-S bear 'unique antigens' recognized by rabbit anti-human brain sera, human anti-human sperm sera, and 129 anti-F9 serum, but not A . TH anti-A . TL (Ia) ascites. Significant changes in fluorescence polarization induced by in vitro stimulation of mouse bone marrow with potential hemopoietic regulators were also observed; further, progenitors of human T-lymphocyte colonies were observed to exhibit a significantly decreased mean polarization value after short-term stimulation with PHA-LCM (phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte conditioned medium).     

Characterization of the major histocompatibility complex class II genes in miiuy croaker

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has a central role in the adaptive immune system by presenting foreign peptide to the T-cell receptor. In order to study the molecular function and genomic characteristic of class II genes in teleost, the full lengths of MHC class IIA and IIB cDNA and genomic sequence were cloned from miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy). As in other teleost, four exons and three introns were identified in miiuy croaker class IIA gene; but the difference is that six exons and five introns were identified in the miiuy croaker class IIB gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of class IIA and class IIB had 26.3-85.7% and 11.0-88.8% identity with those of mammal and teleost, respectively. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that the MHC class IIA and IIB were ubiquitously expressed in ten normal tissues; expression levels of MHC genes were found first upregulated and then downregulated, and finally by a recovery to normal level throughout the pathogenic bacteria infection process. In addition, we report on the underlying mechanism that maintains sequences diversity among many fish species. A series of site-model tests implemented in the CODEML program revealed that positive Darwinian selection is likely the cause of the molecular evolution in the fish MHC class II genes.     

Analysis of human bone marrow with monoclonal antibodies

In order to study the antigenic phenotype of different hemopoietic cells, we used a series of monoclonal antibodies to investigate normal bone marrow in a standard immunofluorescence assay. The antibodies detected the following antigens: HLA-ABC, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m), HLA-DR (Ia), a lymphocyte subset and specific antigen (T and B) HuLy-m2, m3, T lymphocyte antigen (HuLy-m1), lymphocyte T200 antigen (HuLy-m4), a viral-associated antigen (HuLy-m5), and platelet-specific glycoproteins IIb-IIIa (HuPl-m1). The following results were obtained: (a) normoblasts were weakly HLA-ABC+, beta 2m+ and Ia-; all other lymphocyte and platelet antigens were not detected. (b) Myeloid cells at all stages of differentiation (promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and neutrophils) were HLA-ABC+; beta 2m+; HuLy-m1-, m2-, m3+/- (20%), m4+, m5+/- (20%); HuPl-m1-; in addition, promyelocytes and myelocytes were Ia+ but neutrophils and metamyelocytes were Ia-. (c) Lymphocytes were HLA-ABC+, beta 2m+, Ia+/- (20-30%), HuLy-m1+/- (40-50%), m2+/- (60-70%), m3+, m4+, m5+; Pl-m1-. (d) Platelets and megakaryocytes were HLA-ABC+; beta 2m+; Ia-; HuLy-m1+-, m2-, m3-, m4-, m5-, HuPl-m1+, and the putative "megakaryocyte precursors" were HuPl-m1+, Ia-, HuLy-m1-. The different cell types in bone marrow could readily be distinguished, particularly cells of the myeloid series (Ia and HuLy-m4, m5), lymphocytes (Ia and HuLy-m1, m2, m3), and platelets and their precursor cells (HuPl-m1). This simple method of defining cellular phenotypes in bone marrow has demonstrated the practicality of using monoclonal antibodies to identify marrow cells and should be of diagnostic value.     

A matrix approach to human class II histocompatibility antigens: Reactions of four monoclonal antibodies with the products of nine haplotypes

Three putative HLA-DC-specific monoclonal antibodies, Genox 3.53, BT3/4 and anti-Leu-10, and the HLA-DR-specific antibody, L243, were compared. Their interactions with molecules from homozygous cell lines expressing DR types 1 through 9 were studied. Indirect radioimmunoassays on 29 cell lines demonstrated that Genox 3.53 reactivity correlated with DR1, 2, 6; BT3/4 reactivity correlated with DR 1, 2, 4, 6, 8; and anti-Leu-10 reactivity correlated with DR1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. In addition, one of six DR3-positive cells and three DR7, DRw10-positive cells reacted with anti-Leu-10 and one of two DR9-positive cells reacted with BT3/4. Binding studies with soluble antigen and competitive radioimmunoassays demonstrated that all three antibodies reacted with the DC1 molecule. Preincubation with BT3/4 blocked anti-Leu-10 binding; Genox 3.53 and L243 did not. Genox 3.53 and L243 were only blocked by themselves. Serial immuno-precipitation showed anti-Leu-10 reacted with non-HLA-DR molecules from cells expressing DR types 1–6, 8 and 9. However, the molecules precipitated by anti-Leu-10 were characteristic class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Their and chains were of lower apparent molecular weight than the DR chains in all haplotypes. They also comigrated with the DC1 molecule precipitated by Genox 3.53. Serial immuno-precipitation also showed that anti-Leu-10 removed all Genox 3.53 reactive molecules from cell lysates, but Genox 3.53 removed only a subset of anti-Leu-10 reactive molecules. These studies show Genox 3.53, BT3/4, and anti-Leu-10 react exclusively with class II MHC molecules that are not HLA-DR, and most likely define different polymorphisms of DC molecules, the human equivalent of mouse I-A products.Abbreviations used in this paper BSA bovine serum albumin - PBS phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 - RIA radioimmunoassays - ¹²⁵I-RAM ¹²⁵I-labeled F(ab)₂ of rabbit anti-mouse IgG - NP40 Nonidet P40 OVA-LB, 0.1% ovalbumin/0.5% NP40, 10mM Tris pH 7.3, 1MM M9Cl₂ 0.5% phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - MHC major histocompatibility complex - KD kilodaltons     

Modulation of class I and class II histocompatibility antigens on human T cell lines by IFN-gamma

IFN-gamma is an immunomodulatory agent which is known to induce or enhance the expression of class II histocompatibility Ag (Ia Ag) on many lymphoid cells and cell lines of diverse origin. However, we have observed that IFN-gamma did not induce the expression of Ia Ag on Ia- human T cell lines. Neither did IFN-gamma enhance the expression of Ia Ag on Ia+ T cells. However, IFN-gamma was able to enhance the expression of class I histocompatibility Ag (HLA-A,B,C Ag) on a number of the T cell lines tested. Experiments with 125I-labeled IFN-gamma showed a relatively small degree of specific binding to these T cell lines. More extensive studies on two of the T cell lines demonstrated 1000 and 2600 IFN-gamma binding receptor sites/cell and binding affinities of 4.0 X 10(-10) M and 7.3 X 10(-10) M. Thus, although IFN-gamma can bind to human T cell lines and enhance class I histocompatibility Ag on these cells, IFN-gamma alone does not appear to regulate expression of class II histocompatibility Ag on T cell lines.     

Anti-immunoglobulin stimulation of human B lymphocytes is inhibited by anti-class II major histocompatibility complex antibodies

The effect of murine monoclonal antibodies binding monomorphic epitopes of Class II, HLA-DR molecules on responding human B lymphocytes stimulated by anti-immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies was studied. Goat F(ab')2 anti-human IgM coupled to Sepharose beads (insoluble), or in solution, was added to macrophage-depleted B cells in culture with, or without, anti-human HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies. The addition of monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibodies to anti-human IgM-stimulated B lymphocytes inhibited this T-independent B-cell proliferation by 82-94%. The role of Class II, HLA-DR molecules on B cells may therefore exceed that of antigen presentation alone, to include responding B-cell activation induced by anti-immunoglobulin.     

UH series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing major histocompatibility complex class II antigen(s) of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata)

Six mouse monoclonal antibodies were developed by immunization with a Japanese monkey cell line. These monoclonal antibodies, designated the UH series, reacted with large populations of peripheral B cells and monocytes, but not with T cells. The distribution of reactivities and the molecular weight of the membrane antigens recognized were similar to those of the HLA-DR monoclonal antibody; one inhibited the binding of HLA-DR. Human interferon-gamma induced increased expressions of all the UH antigen epitopes.     

Assembly of major histocompatibility complex class II subunits with invariant chain

The highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) polypeptides assemble in the ER with the assistance of invariant chain (Ii) chaperone. Ii binds to the peptide-binding pocket of MHCII heterodimers. We explored the mechanism how MHCII subunits attach to Ii. Expression with single alpha or beta subunits from three human HLA and two mouse H2 class II isotypes revealed that Ii co-isolates predominantly with the alpha polypeptide. Co-isolation with alpha chain requires the groove binding Ii-segment and depends on M91 of Ii. Immunoprecipitation of Ii from pulse chase labeled cells showed sequential assembly of alpha and beta chains.     

Molecular docking of superantigens with class II major histocompatibility complex proteins

The molecular recognition of two superantigens with class II major histocompatibility complex molecules was simulated by using protein– protein docking. Superantigens studied were staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in their crystallographic assemblies with HLA-DR1. Rigid-body docking was performed sampling configurational space of the interfacial surfaces by employing a strategy of partitioning the contact regions on HLA-DR1 into separate molecular recognition units. Scoring of docked conformations was based on an electrostatic continuum model evaluated with the finite-difference Poisson– Boltzmann method. Estimates of nonpolar contributions were derived from the buried molecular surface areas. We found for both superantigens that docking the HLA-DR1 surface complementary with the SEB and TSST-1 contact regions containing a homologous hydrophobic surface loop provided sufficient recognition for the reconstitution of native-like conformers exhibiting the highest-scoring free energies. For the SEB complex, the calculations were successful in reproducing the total association free energy. A comparison of the free-energy determinants of the conserved hydrophobic contact residue indicates functional similarity between the two proteins for this interface. Though both superantigens share a common global association mode, differences in binding topology distinguish the conformational specificities underlying recognition. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Domain structures of cell surface glycopeptides encoded by class I and class II beta genes of the major histocompatibility complex

Published sequence data of MHC genes, cDNAs and MHC products were analyzed for their sequence homologies. Alignment statistics revealed that class I gene products consist of four mutually homologous domains, and that class II beta gene products is composed of three mutually homologous domains. Not only extracellular domains but also newly discovered C-terminal shorter domains of class I and class II beta gene products were found to have evolved from a one-domain-long beta 2-microglobulin-like protein by repeated exon duplications and splittings.