Liposomes That Provide T-Dependent Help to Weak Antigens (T-Independent Antigens)

The design of an adjuvant for eliciting a thymus-dependent response to LPS, a well-defined thymus-independent antigen, is presented. Hybrid liposomes containing LPS and HA2 peptide from the hemagglutinin protein of influenza virus within the liposome bilayer were prepared (LPS/HA2 liposomes). The HA2 polypeptide contains epitopes recognized by T-helper lymphocytes and T-cytotoxic lymphocytes. Outbred mice immunized with LPS/HA2 liposomes produced anti-LPS-specific IgG responses. IgG subclass analysis indicated that IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies were produced by these animals. LPS liposomes (liposomes without HA2) stimulated a T-independent response only. This was demonstrated by the detection of IgG3 but not IgG1 or IgG2 in serum of mice immunized with LPS liposomes. These results support the concept that the simultaneous incorporation into liposomes of a polypeptide with T-cell recognition sites along with a T-independent antigen can lead to the generation of cognate T-cell help for the T-independent antigen. The synthesis and characterization of a neo-lipopolysaccharide T-independent antigen for incorporation in hybrid HA2 liposomes are also presented. Findings are discussed relative to the liposome model used and implications for development of vaccines for use in humans.     

Selective suppression by auto-anti-idiotypic antibody of B-cell idiotype repertoires generated after stimulation with the same hapten on T-dependent and T-independent carriers

In the present study, we investigated whether auto-anti-idiotypic antibody in the immune sera from old mice could recognize antitrinitrophenyl (TNP) plaque-forming cells (PFC) generated after stimulation with the T-dependent and T-independent forms of the hapten, TNP. Young and old C57BL/6J male mice were immunized with a variety of T-dependent (TNP-bovine gamma-globulin, TNP-BGG; TNP-keyhole Limpet hemocyanin, TNP-KLH; ovalbumin, OVA; bovine serum albumin, BSA; BGG) and T-independent (TNP-Brucella abortus, TNP-BA; TBP-Ficoll; TNP-polyacrylamide beads, TNP-PAA) antigens either in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or in soluble form. Splenic anti-TNP or antiprotein PFC responses were assayed for anti-idiotype-blocked, hapten- or protein-augmentable IgM, IgG and IgA PFC, 1-2 weeks after immunization. It was found that 8-month-old mice produced significantly a higher percentage of hapten augmentable (26-42%) IgM PFC response to T-independent antigens as compared with the 2-month-old mice (3-6% augmentation). Similarly, old mice produced a significantly higher percentage of hapten or protein augmentable (25-129%) IgG PFC response to T-dependent antigens as compared with the 2-month-old group (2-6% augmentation). The data support the view that age-related regulation of auto-anti-idiotypic antibody is a general phenomenon for immune responses to T-dependent and T-independent antigens. Hapten-reversible inhibition of plaque formation was used to determine whether anti-idiotypic antibody containing antisera from old mice could inhibit B-cell idiotype repertoires generated after stimulation with the same hapten, TNP, on T-dependent and T-independent carriers. Pools of immune sera from 8-month-old mice primed with T-dependent TNP-BGG or TNP-KLH antigens but not with T-independent TNP-PAA or TNP-BA antigens, or with the proteins OVA, BSA, or BGG selectively inhibited IgM, IgG, and IgA anti-TNP PFC from 2-month-old mice that were previously primed with either TNP-BGG or TNP-KLH. In contrast, immune sera from old mice primed with TNP on either T-dependent or T-independent carriers inhibited anti-TNP PFC from mice primed with T-independent TNP-PAA or TNP-BA antigens. Immune sera from old mice primed with OVA or BSA only inhibited the respective antiprotein PFC. The immune sera from young mice did not show any appreciable inhibition of PFC generated after stimulation by any of the antigens studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Hapten-IgG-induced suppression of the in vitro antibody response: role of hapten density and of antigenic challenge.

We have studied the suppression of the in vitro antibody response of mouse spleen cells to the trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten by conjugates of TNP-human IgG (TNP-HGG). Normal mouse spleen cells were incubated with conjugates of HGG and of HGG fragments, with different hapten densities. They were then challenged with either a T-dependent or a T-independent antigen. Highly substituted (12 mol of TNP/mol of HGG) conjugates induced a dose-dependent suppression, apparent after short-term incubation at 4 °C, of both T-dependent and T-independent responses. Conjugates of Fab′₂ and Fab′ were as suppressive as conjugates of IgG, whereas conjugates of albumin, aggregated IgG, and β2 microglobulin lacked suppressive activity. In contrast, the lightly substituted conjugates TNP₈-HGG and TNP₂-Fab′₂ induced a time-dependent suppression, affecting only the T-dependent response. This suggests that the suppressive effect of hapten-IgG conjugates is mediated by two different mechanisms according to the density of hapten on the IgG carrier. When these conjugates are used as tolerogens in the in vivo situation, both mechanisms would operate to a variable extent, and this could account for the remarkable tolerogenic properties of hapten-IgG conjugates.     

Minimum requirements for immunogenic and antigenic activities of homologs of a synthetic peptide of influenza virus hemagglutinin.

Synthetic peptides of increasing length and corresponding in sequence to the C-terminal end of the HA1 molecule of influenza virus were constructed and examined for their immunogenic and antigenic properties. Peptides containing at least the four C-terminal amino acids, when coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, were capable of eliciting antibody in BALB/c mice that bound to the 24-residue parent peptide H3 HA1 (305 to 328). In the absence of a carrier, the C-terminal decapeptide was the shortest peptide capable of eliciting antibody. The specificity of this antibody was indistinguishable from that of a monoclonal antibody to the parent peptide which recognizes an epitope encompassed by the C-terminal seven residues. All peptides containing at least the C-terminal four residues were able to inhibit completely the binding of this monoclonal antibody to the parent peptide. Taken together, these results indicate that (i) the tetrapeptide is capable of eliciting specific antibody when coupled to a carrier, (ii) this tetrapeptide possesses all of the antigenic information necessary to occupy the paratope of a monoclonal antibody elicited by the longer parent peptide, and (iii) the decapeptide contains all of the information necessary to elicit a specific immune response and therefore carries an epitope recognized by T cells as well as one recognized by B cells.     

Modification of Delivery System Enhances MHC Nonrestricted Immunogenicity of V3 Loop Region of HIV-1 gp120

A successful peptide vaccine for AIDS is desired to elicit T-helper and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses besides neutralizing antibodies. The V3 loop peptide of HIV-1 has been shown to contain the principal neutralizing domain, one of the most immunodominant regions, having both B-cell and T-cell determinants. In this study, the tip of the V3 loop region was mutated from GPGR to GPGQ based on the sequence of Indian isolates (CKRKIHIGPGQAFYT). To further enhance the immunogenicity of this epitope, two delivery systems of immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) and liposomes were used to incorporate the peptide. Mice of differing haplotypes, H-2^b, H-2^d, H-2^k and H-2^S, showed no MHC restriction when immunized with these formulations. The IgG levels as assessed by ELISA were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05 to P< 0.001) for even five-fold lower doses of the peptide in ISCOMs and liposomes as compared to the conventional alum-based preparation. The major subtype elicited was IgG2a/IgG2b, suggestive of a Th1-like response for all the formulations. Thus, it would appear that the same peptide incorporated in ISCOMs and liposomes selects a Th1 response and may therefore be important not only for neutralization but also for virus clearance.     

7S class-restricted hapten-specific paralysis by injection of thymus-independent hapten-carrier conjugate.

The shift from IgM anti-hapten antibody production to IgG anti-hapten antibody production, subsequent to challenge with a T-dependent conjugate, is inhibited in mice by preimmunization with the T-independent DNP-LE conjugate. The results suggest that DNP on levan triggers off 19A T-independent anti-hapten precursors and paralyzes 7S T-dependent anti-hapten precursors.     

Epitope-specific regulation. IV. In vitro studies with suppressor T cells induced by carrier/hapten-carrier immunization

Sequential immunization with a carrier molecule and a new epitope (hapten) conjugated to the carrier (carrier/hapten-carrier immunization) induces specific suppression for IgG antibody production to the new epitope (hapten) on the carrier. Once induced, this "epitope-specific" suppression persists and specifically suppresses subsequent in vivo IgG antibody responses to the hapten presented on the same or on an unrelated carrier molecule. In vitro studies presented here characterize the surface markers and specificity of suppressor T cells generated in carrier/hapten-carrier-immunized animals. Thus we show (1) that spleen cells from these donors suppress in vitro IgG anti-hapten antibody production by cocultured hapten-primed spleen cells; (2) that some but not all of the suppressor cells carry surface Lyt-2; (3) that at least some of the suppressor cells have receptors for the inducing hapten (DNP); and (4) that, unlike the suppression obtained in vivo, the in vitro suppression extends to IgG responses to unrelated carrier protein epitopes presented in association with the inducing hapten.     

IL-1 as adjuvant. Role of T cells in the augmentation of specific antibody production by recombinant human IL-1 alpha

Human rIL-1 alpha significantly enhanced splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) to SRBC in vitro and in vivo. A single i.p. injection was sufficient to produce a fivefold or greater increase in the generation of PFC in a primary response. IL-1 treatment resulted in an increased production of Ag-specific PFC, both in vitro and in vivo, in combination with suboptimal doses of Ag. When IL-1 was given with a primary dose of Ag in vivo, an enhanced IgG response occurred. IL-1 enhanced in vivo carrier priming for an anti-hapten PFC response, indicating increased Th activity. Furthermore, T cells from spleens of mice treated with IL-1 provided significantly more help in both carrier (SRBC)- and hapten (TNP)- specific PFC. The enhancement of PFC by IL-1 in vitro occurred even in the presence of an excess of neutralizing anti-IL-2 antibody. These results suggest that IL-1 may enhance T cell-dependent antibody production in part by increasing Th activity, and that the mechanism of IL-1 action in increasing antibody production involves pathways in addition to the induction of IL-2 secretion.     

Immune response to a molecularly defined internal image idiotope

A monoclonal anti-idiotope termed 87.92.6 mimics the neutralization/cell-attachment site of the reovirus type 3 hemagglutinin (HA3). The second complementarity determining regions of the VH and VL of 87.92.6 share sequence similarity with a determinant on the HA3. We have used synthetic peptides (termed VH, VL, and Reo peptides, respectively) to probe the immunologic significance of this sequence similarity. Antibodies specific for Reo peptide or VL peptide neutralized reovirus type 3 infectivity. Although Reo peptide was an effective immunogen by itself, free VL peptide or VH peptide were unable to elicit antibodies unless they were linked to each other (VH-VL peptide). Immunization with reo peptide, 87.92.6, or the HA3 elicited a specific lymphocyte proliferative response to VH peptide, indicating that VH peptide may bear an important TH determinant. As found previously for 87.92.6, VL peptide elicited a delayed-type hypersensitivity response specific for reovirus type 3. Reovirus type 3 specific cytolytic lymphocytes specifically lysed targets coated with VH-VL peptide, but not VH or VL peptide alone. These results suggest that immune cross-reactivity between an external Ag and an internal image antibody can be understood at the primary structural level. These observations may have important implications for understanding the development of autoantibodies, network interactions, and the regulation of immune responses.     

Potentiation of immune response against the RESA peptides of Plasmodium falciparum by incorporating a universal T-cell epitope (CS.T3) and an immunomodulator (polytuftsin), and delivery through liposomes.

Synthetic peptides representing repeat sequences of ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) of Plasmodium falciparum have shown poor immunogenicity and protection. In this study, the RESA peptides [(EENVEHDA)2 and (DDEHVEEPTVA)2] were chemically linked to a universal T-cell determinant, CS.T3, derived from the CS protein of P. falciparum. Polytuftsin (TKPR)40, a polymer of naturally occurring immunomodulator "tuftsin," was physically mixed with these conjugates. These preparations in alum and liposomes were immunized in four inbred strains of mice with different genetic backgrounds to study the humoral response. In the case of liposome-entrapped preparations, a 10 microg dose of antigen showed the optimum antibody response. Mice immunized with liposome containing RESA peptide(s)-CS.T3 conjugate along with polytuftsin showed the highest antibody levels in all the strains, whereas the RESA peptide(s) alone, adsorbed on alum or entrapped in liposomes, showed either poor or moderate antibody levels. The antibodies raised against liposome-entrapped preparations in both high-responder strain (SJL/J H-2s) and low-responder strain (FVB/J H-2q) showed 2 4-fold lower Kd values as compared to the alum adsorbed preparations, suggestive of high affinity antibodies. All the antigen preparations predominantly induced IgG2a and IgG2b isotype response, suggesting that the T-helper response involved is of the CD4 Thl type. The in vitro merozoite reinvasion inhibition assay showed 50-92% inhibition with sera raised against different antigen formulations. The highest percentage inhibition was observed with the RESA peptide-CS.T3 conjugate containing polytuftsin in liposomes. Thus, the incorporation of peptide antigens inside liposomes not only reduced the antigen dose by 5-fold but also elicited a high titre with high affinity antibodies and the inhibition of merozoites to RBC in vitro. Therefore, we conclude that the incorporation of these synthetic constructs in liposomes could be a useful strategy for the development of a subunit immunogen against malaria.     

Comments of R. Glück

Abstract

This paper discusses several liposomal approaches: A T-independent response against hapten or lipopolysaccharide by the addition of a T-epitope (HA2 molecule of influenza); the same response against a synthetic peptide-based vaccine; finally the first commercial liposomal hepatitis A vaccine is discussed.     

Identification of a neutralization epitope on the envelope gp46 antigen of human T cell leukemia virus type I and induction of neutralizing antibody by peptide immunization.

We have generated a number of mAb against various epitopes on the external envelope glycoprotein, gp46, of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) from a WKA rat immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the HTLV-I env gene. Among these mAb, one group of mAb, represented by a mAb designated LAT-27, could neutralize the infectivity of HTLV-I, as determined by a HTLV-I-mediated cell fusion inhibition assay. LAT-27 also interfered with transformation of normal T lymphocytes by HTLV-I in vitro. An antibody-binding assay using overlapping synthetic oligopeptides showed that LAT-27 bound specifically to 10-mer peptides that contained the gp46 amino acid sequence 191-196 (Leu-Pro-His-Ser-Asn-Leu). Antibodies from HTLV-I+ humans interfered with the binding of LAT-27 to gp46 Ag. Sera from rabbits immunized with a LAT-27-reactive peptide, 190-199, conjugated with OVA, but not sera from OVA-immunized rabbits, reacted with gp46 Ag and neutralized infectivity of HTLV-I. These results show that the HTLV-I neutralization epitope recognized by LAT-27 locates to the gp46 amino acids 191-196, and that immunization with a peptide containing the LAT-27 epitope can elicit an HTLV-I neutralizing antibody response.     

Thymus-dependent network responses to a monoclonal cross-reactive antiidiotypic antibody.

BALB/c mice were inoculated i.p. with a cross-reactive anti-Idiotypic mAb (designated FD5-1) in the absence of Ag or adjuvants. Injection with unmodified FD5-1 resulted in the induction of serum antibodies reactive with both FD5-1 (Ab3) and the hapten DNP (Ab1'). Endpoint titers of the Ab3 response showed an increase in serum IgM, which was dose-responsive to both the number of injections and the amount of FD5-1 antibody injected. The serum IgM Ab3 response was found to be thymus dependent and idiotypically specific for FD5-1. Athymic mice injected with FD5-1 were unable to produce a serum IgM Ab3 response, whereas their euthymic littermates produced strong Ab3 responses. Serum Ab3 responses and Ab1' were detectable only in the IgM isotype; no specific IgG responses were observed. Indeed, IgG recognized by FD5-1 appeared to be suppressed by FD5-1. Injection of mice with FD5-1 modulated serum IgM responses to DNP, (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP), 4-ethoxymethylene-2-phenyloxazol-5-one (OX), phosphorylcholine (PC), and alpha 1,3-dextran (DEX) in a thymus-dependent manner. FD5-1 injection induced IgM responses against DNP, (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP), 4-ethoxymethylene-2-phenyloxazol-5-one, and DEX but decreased IgM binding to PC. No detectable Ab1' responses to any of the aforementioned molecules were found when the same sera were probed for IgG. The specificity of serum Ab1' from FD5-1-injected mice was evaluated by antigenic inhibition. Binding of serum Ab1' to DNP-BSA was inhibitable by DNP-lysine, whereas equivalent concentrations of lysine alone had no inhibitory effect. The antigenic specificity of IgM from normal serum binding to PC-BSA was demonstrated by inhibition with free PC, and the binding of Ab1' from FD5-1-injected mice to DEX-coated plates was shown to be inhibitable by DEX. We have described in vivo network perturbation in adult BALB/c mice injected with anti-Id antibody in the absence of Ag or adjuvants. Our findings show that injection of the cross-reactive anti-Id FD5-1 can induce thymus-dependent Ag-specific responses. In two systems where FD5-1 functions as an anti-anti-anti-Id antibody (PC and DEX), thymus-dependent responses were also observed. FD5-1 injection suppressed antibodies binding to PC, whereas DEX-specific responses were induced.     

Protective immunity in mice vaccinated with the Schistosoma mansoni P-28-1 antigen

The P28-1 Ag induces a strong protective immunity toward Schistosoma mansoni infection in various experimental models. T lymphocytes of mice immunized with the recombinant P28-1 Ag were stimulated in vitro by schistosome Ag of different development stages and by three P28-1 Ag-derived synthetic peptides. The most significant stimulation was achieved with the 24-43 peptide. The use of two fragments of this peptide showed that the P28-1 T lymphocyte specificity concerned essentially the NH2 terminal sequence of the 24-43 peptide. Moreover, T lymphocytes specific for the 24-43 peptide were stimulated by both schistosome Ag and the recombinant P28-1 protein. The passive transfer of (Th + Ts) lymphocytes recovered from P28-1 Ag-immunized mice increased the IgG response to P28-1 and its peptides during infection but did not protect against a challenge infection, such as the passive transfer of anti-P28-1 sera. In contrast, P28-1 specific Th cell lines maintained in culture for 2 mo, passively transferred a strong protection (50%) to infected mice. Supernatants of P28-1-specific T cells obtained after stimulation with the corresponding Ag, were able to confer cytotoxic properties to platelets and macrophages. The presence of IFN-gamma for the cytotoxicity mediated by platelets and macrophage activating factor for the cytotoxicity mediated by macrophages in these supernatants is in a large part responsible for the parasite killing observed. Finally, a preliminary immunogenetic approach with H-2 congenic mice on BALB background showed that the P28-1 Ag T cell response was under the control of the MHC and that the H-2b haplotype determined a low response to P28-1 Ag and its peptides while H-2d and k haplotypes determined high responders.     

MHC class II-peptide complexes in dendritic cell lipid microdomains initiate the CD4 Th1 phenotype

We investigated differentiation of CD4 T cells responding to Ag presented by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC) in association with MHC class II (MHC II) molecules. Peptides encapsulated in liposomes opsonized by IgG were taken up by endocytosis. MHC II-peptide-specific T cells responding to this Ag were polarized to a Th1 cytokine profile in a CD40-, CD28-, MyD88-, and IL-12-dependent manner. Th2 responses were obtained from the same transgenic T cell population exposed to the same DC on which MHC-peptide complexes had dispersed for 48 h following uptake of FcR-targeted liposomes. DC that took up the same FcR-targeted liposomes and then were exposed to methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which chelates cholesterol and dissociates lipid microdomains, also stimulated Th2 differentiation. Incubation of T cells with DC incubated with peptides directly binding to MHC II resulted in Th2 responses, whether or not the DC were coincubated with opsonized liposomes as a maturation stimulus. CD4 Th1 polarization thus appears to depend on MHC II-peptide complex clustering in DC lipid microdomains and the time between peptide loading and T cell encounter.     

Enhancement of the antibody response to flavivirus B-cell epitopes by using homologous or heterologous T-cell epitopes.

We have been investigating the T-helper (Th)-cell response to the flavivirus envelope (E) glycoprotein. In our studies with Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus, we previously identified synthetic peptides capable of priming Th lymphocytes for an in vitro antivirus proliferative response (J. H. Mathews, J. E. Allan, J. T. Roehrig, J. R. Brubaker, and A. R. Hunt, J. Virol. 65:5141-5148, 1991). We have now characterized in vivo Th-cell priming activity of one of these peptides (MVE 17, amino acids 356 to 376) and an analogous peptide derived from the E-glycoprotein sequence of the dengue (DEN) 2, Jamaica strain (DEN 17, amino acids 352 to 368). This DEN peptide also primed the Th-cell compartment in BALB/c mice, as measured by in vitro proliferation and interleukin production. The failure of some MVE and DEN virus synthetic peptides to elicit an antibody response in BALB/c mice could be overcome if a Th-cell epitope-containing peptide was included in the immunization mixture. A more detailed analysis of the structural interactions between Th-cell and B-cell epitope donor peptides revealed that the peptides must be linked to observe the enhanced antibody response. Blockage or deletion of the free cysteine residue on either peptide abrogated the antibody response. The most efficient T-B-cell epitope interaction occurred when the peptides were colinearly synthesized. These Th-cell-stimulating peptides were also functional with the heterologous B-cell epitope-containing peptides. The Th-cell epitope on DEN 17 was more potent than the Th-cell epitope on MVE 17.     

Modulation of mouse complement receptors 1 and 2 suppresses antibody responses in vivo

A mAb, 7G6, that binds to mouse CR1 and CR2 and down-modulates their expression on splenic B cells in vivo, was used to determine whether a decrease in CR1 and CR2 expression affects antibody responses to different T-dependent and T-independent Ag. Injection of mice with the mAb 7G6 prior to immunization with FITC haptenated Salmonella typhimurium (SH5771), Salmonella montevideo (SH5770), SRBC, or Ficoll dramatically decreased subsequent antibody responses to FITC. Although both IgM and IgG primary antibody responses were affected similarly, the antibody levels were most inhibited during early phases of the response. In contrast, down-modulation of the CR did not affect memory antibody responses, because injection of mice with 7G6 before a second immunization with FITC-SH5771 had no effect on subsequent anti-FITC antibody production. Moreover, polyclonal in vivo activation of the mouse immune system by anti-mouse IgD antibodies was not affected by previous administration of 7G6, because anti-IgD-induced increases in Ia expression and serum IgG1 levels were not affected. Taken together, these observations suggest that CR1 and CR2 may play an important role in enhancing primary antibody responses to many T-dependent and T-independent Ag and may contribute to a host's response to naturally occurring antigens such as bacteria.     

Suppression of reaginic antibody formation. III. Relationship between immunogenecity and tolerogenicity of hapten-carrier conjugates.

From the study of the effect of epitope density on the immunogenicity of haptenated ovalbumin (DNP-OA) it was concluded that the lightly haptenated conjugate, DNP0-5-OA, induced, on the one hand, only low titers of anti-DNP hemagglutinating antibody and no reaginic antibodies to the hapten and, on the other, high reaginic and high hemagglutinating antibody responses to the carrier. The conjugate with a slightly higher degree of haptenation, i.e., DNP2.3-OA, induced both reaginic and hemagglutinating antibodies to both the hapten and the carrier. By contrast, the heavily haptenated conjugate, DNP20-OA, elicited reaginic and hemagglutinating antibodies only against the hapten but not against the carrier. Specific suppression of anti-hapten reaginic antibody formation had been achieved by treatment of mice with a tolerogen consisting of the hapten (DNP) conjugated covalently to isologous gamma globulins (MgammaG). The epitope density of the DNPx-MgammaG conjugates was shown to play a dominant role in determining whether or not the conjugate was tolerogenic. Thus, lightly haptenated conjugates (DNP0.5-MgammaG, DNP1.3-MgammaG or DNP1.9-MgammaG) were not tolerogenic, moderately haptenated conjugates (DNP4.2-MgammaG, DNP8-MgammaG, and DNP 14-MgammaG) were tolerogenic, and heavily haptenated conjugates (DNP32-MgammaG and DNP53-MgammaG) were immunogenic, being capable of priming the recipients for the DNP hapten. Further evidence for the nonimmunogenicity of DNP 8-MgammaG conjugate was inferred from its rate of clearance in tolerized and normal mice. Thus, the half-life of 125I-labeled DNP8-MgammaG in circulation was not significantly different for normal and tolerized mice; it was 3.7 and 3.5 days, respectively, which is within the range of data reported for clearance of normal MgammaG. These results suggest that DNP8-MgammaG was catabolized at a rate similar to that of nonconjugated, isologous MgammaG. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the localization of DNP8-MgammaG in identical difference in the localization of DNP8-MgammaG in identical organs (spleen, thymus, kidney, and liver) of normal and tolerized mice. All the multivalent DNPx-MgammaG conjugates were shown to be able to elicit passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction on i.v. challenge of rats which had been pre-sensitized i.d. with anti-DNP reaginic antibodies.     

Liposomes to Induce Potent Humorale Responses to T-Independent Antigens

Abstract

When liposomes are used to present haptens and T-independent antigens to the immune system the response is primarily of the IgM type. This response can be switched to a potent IgG type by the incorporation within the liposomal structure of either exogenous T-epitopes, immunostimulants, or both.

The capability of liposomes to co-present separate B-and T-epitopes and immunostimulants, without the necessity for covalent conjugation, thus makes them ideal candidates as carriers for vaccines where the immune response is limited to recognition of T-epitopes within the antigen.     

Potentiation of antibody responses by specific IgM: specificity and thymus dependency

Modulation of antibody responses induced by IgM directed against the immunogen was investigated. When IgM directed against ox erythrocytes (ORBC) was given together with trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ORBC, the subsequent antibody response to the carrier, ORBC, as well as the response to the hapten, TNP, was potentiated. In contrast, IgG with carrier specificity inhibited both responses. The hapten-specific potentiation was found in both direct and indirect plaques, and was antigen-dose dependent, i.e., no potentiation was found with the lowest antigen doses. The response to 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-labeled proteins was potentiated by a monoclonal IgM with specificity for the hapten. The effects were observed both in primary and secondary responses. One strict requirement for IgM potentiation to occur was observed. The determinant against which potentiation was achieved had to be physically linked to the determinant against which the IgM was directed, be it hapten or carrier determinants. Thus, irrelevant IgM-antigen complexes were incapable of potentiating the responses. Similar specificity requirements were found for IgG induced suppression of antibody responses. Experiments with nude mice and their euthymic littermates showed that IgM potentiation of antibody production is T-cell dependent. Furthermore, passive transfer of carrier-primed spleen cells together with antigen challenge suggests that IgM potentiation of secondary antibody responses is dependent on specific carrier-primed immune T cells.