Characteristics of immunosuppressive macrophages induced in spleen cells by Mycobacterium avium complex infections in mice

The profile of generation and characteristics of splenic macrophages (M phi s) which suppress the concanavalin A (Con A) mitogenic response of splenic T cells (designated as 'immunosuppressive M phi s') in host CBA/JN mice during the course of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection were investigated. In MAC-infected mice, reductions in some cellular functions of host splenic T cells, such as the Con A mitogenic response and mixed leucocyte reaction, were seen around 2 weeks after challenge of organisms, and this was accompanied by appearance of immunosuppressive M phi s in spleen cells. In this case, increase in immunosuppressive M phi activity was seen in terms of both activity per spleen and activity per individual M phi. In this phase of the infection, MAC-induced splenic M phi s showed a markedly increased ability to produce reactive oxygen radicals in response to phorbol myristate acetate. Thus, the expression of suppressor activity of MAC-induced M phi s seems to be closely linked to their activated state. A large proportion of the immunosuppressive M phi s exhibited suppressor activity dependent on prostaglandins and membrane functions related to microfilaments. It was also found that the generation of IL-2-reactive T cell populations in response to Con A was markedly inhibited by MAC-induced splenic M phi s, whereas they caused no significant reduction in the IL-2-producing ability of normal spleen cells.     

Characteristics of immunosuppressive macrophages induced in host spleen cells by Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in mice

The profile of generation and characteristics of immunosuppressive macrophages (M phi s), which suppress the ConA-mitogenic response of spleen cells (SPCs), in host CBA/JN mice during the course of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and M. tuberculosis (MT) infections were investigated. In both infections, a marked reduction in ConA mitogenic response of splenic T cells was seen around 2 weeks after infection, and this was accompanied by generation of potent immunosuppressive M phi s in the SPCs of infected mice. The suppressive activity was much stronger in MT-infected mice than in MAC-infected ones. In both infections, the large part of the suppressive M phi s exhibited suppressor activity that depended on the arachidonic acid cascade, particularly mediated by prostaglandins (PGs), and the remainder showed the suppressor action independent from PGs. The unique finding of this study is that the generation of IL-2 reactive T cell populations in SPCs in response to ConA signal was markedly inhibited by the MAC- and MT-induced immunosuppressive M phi s, whereas the suppressive M phi s failed to reduce the IL-2-producing ability of splenic T cells. In any case, the present results indicate a close similarity in immunosuppressive M phi s induced by MAC and MT infections.     

Antigen presentation by hapten-specific B lymphocytes. II. Specificity and properties of antigen-presenting B lymphocytes, and function of immunoglobulin receptors

The studies described in this paper were designed to examine the ability of hapten-binding murine B lymphocytes to present hapten-protein conjugates to protein antigen-specific, Ia-restricted T cell hybridomas. BALB/c B cells specific for TNP or FITC presented hapten-modified proteins (TNP-G1 phi, TNP-OVA, or FITC-OVA) to the relevant T cell hybridomas at concentrations below 0.1 microgram/ml. Effective presentation of the same antigens by B lymphocyte-depleted splenocytes, and of unmodified proteins by either hapten-binding B cells or Ig spleen cells, required about 10(3)-to 10(4)-fold higher concentrations of antigen. The use of two different haptens and two carrier proteins showed that this extremely efficient presentation of antigen was highly specific, with hapten specificity being a property of the B cells and carrier specificity of the responding T cells. The presentation of hapten-proteins by hapten-binding B lymphocytes was radiosensitive and was not affected by the depletion of plastic-adherent cells, suggesting that conventional APCs (macrophages or dendritic cells) are not required in this phenomenon. Antigen-pulsing and antibody-blocking experiments showed that this hapten-specific antigen presentation required initial binding of antigen to surface Ig receptors. Moreover, linked recognition of hapten and carrier determinants was required, but these recognition events could be temporally separated. Finally, an antigen-processing step was found to be necessary, and this step was disrupted by ionizing radiation. These data suggest a role for B cell surface Ig in providing a specific high-affinity receptor to allow efficient uptake or focusing of antigen for its subsequent processing and presentation to T lymphocytes.     

The role of dendritic cells as stimulators of minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus-specific T cell responses in the mouse. I. Differential capacity of dendritic cells to stimulate minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus-reactive T cell hybridomas and the primary anti-minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus mixed lymphocyte reaction

The response of T cells to minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus (Mls) determinants remains poorly understood with respect to the antigenic determinants responsible for T cell stimulation and the types of APC capable of stimulating the response. In this report, we demonstrate that highly purified dendritic cells (DC) as well as B cells have the capacity to stimulate Mls-specific responses. Unseparated spleen cells, purified DC, resting B cells, and activated B cells were compared for their capacity to stimulate several Mls-reactive T cell hybridomas. Whereas the entire panel of Mls-reactive T cell hybridomas was stimulated strongly by unseparated spleen cells and activated B cells, the hybridomas responded only weakly to purified DC or resting B cells. Activation of resting B cells with either B cell stimulatory factor-1 (1 day pre-treatment) or LPS/dextran (2 or 3 day pre-treatment) greatly augmented their Mls-stimulatory capacity. In contrast, the Mls-stimulatory capacity of DC was not augmented by a 1-day pre-treatment with either B cell stimulatory factor-1 or supernatant from the DC-induced primary anti-Mls-MLR. In the primary anti-Mls-MLR, both purified DC and LPS/dextran-stimulated B blasts were found to elicit vigorous T cell proliferative responses. Much weaker responses were elicited by unseparated spleen cells. The stimulation of the primary anti-Mls-MLR by purified DC was further confirmed by producing Mls-specific T cell clones which were preferentially stimulated by DC. Autologous (Mlsb) DC were found to markedly enhance the primary anti-Mls-MLR response to small numbers of Mlsa B blasts. Thus, DC possess other "accessory cell" properties that augment the primary anti-Mls-MLR despite the predicted low level of Mls determinant expression on DC based on the results obtained with Mls-reactive hybridomas. Possible accessory cell properties of DC relevant to this phenomenon are discussed.     

Functional analysis of cloned macrophage hybridomas. IV. Induction and inhibition of mixed lymphocyte responses

A series of macrophage (M phi) hybridomas were generated by fusion of drug-marked P388D1 (H-2d) tumor cells with CKB (H-2k) splenic adherent cells. The ability of this panel of cloned M phi hybridomas expressing various levels of surface Ia antigens to induce allogeneic mixed lymphocytes responses (MLR) was examined. All MLR stimulatory M phi hybridomas expressed surface Ia antigens. However, some Ia+ and all Ia- M phi hybridomas were unable to induce vigorous MLR responses. Furthermore, even after induction of surface Ia antigen expression with Con A supernatants (Con A Sn) or purified interferon-gamma, the nonstimulatory M phi hybridomas remained ineffective at inducing strong MLR proliferative responses. Furthermore, addition of the latter M phi hybridoma clones (both with and without Con A Sn treatment) to conventional MLR cultures resulted in inhibition of MLR responses. The series of inhibitory M phi hybridomas secreted normal levels of IL 1 upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. After surface Ia induction with Con A Sn, the inhibitory M phi hybridomas could stimulate secretion of IL 2 and expression of IL 2 receptors. Moreover, although they inhibited conventional MLR responses, IL 2 production and IL 2 receptor expression were not significantly inhibited. Addition of these M phi hybridomas 24 to 48 hr after initiation of MLR response also inhibited MLR proliferation. The results indicated that the group of inhibitory M phi hybridomas can inhibit MLR responses after IL 2 secretion and acquisition of IL 2 receptors. Finally, this inhibitory activity has been maintained during 1 yr of continuous in vitro culture, and the hybridomas represent a stable "homogeneous" subpopulation of inhibitory macrophages. Thus, the inhibitory phenotype appears to reflect arrest at a distinct differentiation stage.     

A novel role for macrophages: the ability of macrophages to tolerize B cells

We investigated the ability of macrophages (M phi) to present the tolerogen fluoresceinated sheep gamma-globulin (FL-SGG) to B cells. M phi pulsed with FL-SGG or murine FL-IgG2 were able to tolerize normal spleen B cells specifically as assessed by the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the antigens FL-Brucella abortus (FL-BrA) and FL-polymerized flagellin (FL-POL). Tolerance was not induced when M phi were pulsed with a variety of other FL antigens or the synthetic tolerogen FL-D-glutamic acid-D-lysine (FL-D[G,L]). The ability of M phi to tolerize B cells was not T cell-dependent, because populations of both T-depleted B cells and hapten-specific B cells were tolerizable. M phi-induced B cell tolerance did not exhibit genetic restriction with regard to the H-2 haplotype of the presenting M phi or the responding B cells. A variety of different types of peritoneal M phi, including normal resident M phi and those elicited by thioglycollate or concanavalin A (the latter are predominantly la+), could tolerize B cells after being pulsed with FL-SGG. We compared tolerogen-pulsed M phi to soluble tolerogen for the ability to tolerize B cells and found that tolerogen bound to M phi was more than 10 times as potent as an equivalent amount of soluble tolerogen. In contrast to the ability of M phi to present FL-SGG in a tolerogenic fashion to B cells, the P388AD lymphoid dendritic cell-like tumor line presented FL-SGG in an immunogenic mode to B cells. Tolerogen bound to P388AD cells could specifically augment a PFC response to both FL-BrA and FL-POL. We suggest that certain types of M phi may play a role in unresponsiveness by enhancing the tolerogenicity of soluble antigen, whereas other accessory cells may present the same moieties in an immunogenic fashion.     

Utilization of leucine methyl ester for the generation of hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies specific to tumor-associated antigens

In an attempt to obtain monoclonal antibodies specific to tumor-associated antigens. C3H/He mice were immunized with syngeneic MM2 tumor cells, and the primed spleen cells were fused with P3-X63-Ag8.653 myeloma cells. The outgrowth of hybridomas, however, was extremely low and monoclonal antibodies were not obtained. The reason for the low hybridoma growth was studied. It was found that MM2 cells used as the immunogen, the fusion partner myeloma cells and the resulting hybridomas shared at least one tumor-associated antigen, namely Q5 antigen. Because of this common antigen, cytotoxic cells, presumably cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which were lytic to the hybridomas, were induced during the culture for generation of the hybridomas. Removal of lysosome-rich cells, including cytotoxic T lymphocytes, from the primed spleen cells before the fusion by treatment with leucine methyl ester, a lysosomotropic agent, drastically improved the outgrowth of hybridomas. By this method, seven stable hybridoma clones producing monoclonal antibodies specific to tumor-associated antigens were obtained. Two of the seven clones were found to secrete monoclonal IgM species, which reacted with the extra-cellular region of the Q5 antigen. This procedure will be an option when production of monoclonal antibodies specific to cell-surface antigens is intended and outgrowth of hybridomas is unexpectedly low.     

Human anti-inflammatory macrophages induce Foxp3+ GITR+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, which suppress via membrane-bound TGFbeta-1

CD4(+) T cell differentiation and function are critically dependent on the type of APC and the microenvironment in which Ag presentation occurs. Most studies have documented the effect of dendritic cells on effector and regulatory T cell differentiation; however, macrophages are the most abundant APCs in the periphery and can be found in virtually all organs and tissues. The effect of macrophages, and in particular their subsets, on T cell function has received little attention. Previously, we described distinct subsets of human macrophages (pro- and anti-inflammatory, m phi1 and m phi2, respectively) with highly divergent cell surface Ag expression and cytokine/chemokine production. We reported that human m phi1 promote, whereas m phi2 decrease, Th1 activation. Here, we demonstrate that m phi2, but not m phi1, induce regulatory T cells with a strong suppressive phenotype (T(m phi2)). Their mechanism of suppression is cell-cell contact dependent, mediated by membrane-bound TGFbeta-1 expressed on the regulatory T cell (Treg) population since inhibition of TGFbeta-1 signaling in target cells blocks the regulatory phenotype. T(m phi2), in addition to mediating cell-cell contact-dependent suppression, express typical Treg markers such as CD25, glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR), and Foxp3 and are actively induced by m phi2 from CD25-depleted cells. These data identify m phi2 cells as a novel APC subset capable of inducing Tregs. The ability of anti-inflammatory macrophages to induce Tregs in the periphery has important implications for understanding Treg dynamics in pathological conditions where macrophages play a key role in inflammatory disease control and exacerbation.     

Regulation of immune responses by T cell subsets. Role of helper and suppressor T cells in the development and expression of MHC-restricted antibody responses to L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT) by (responder X responder)F1 spleen cells

The roles of helper and suppressor T cells in the development and expression of antibody responses to GAT were studied in (responder X responder)F1 mice immunized with parental GAT-M phi. Spleen cells from (B10 X B10.D2)F1 mice primed in vivo with B10 or B10.D2 GAT-M phi developed secondary in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses only when stimulated by GAT-M phi syngeneic with the GAT-M phi used for in vivo priming. By contrast, virgin F1 spleen cells developed comparable primary PFC responses to both parental GAT-M phi Co-culture of T cells from (B10 X B10.D2)F1 mice primed in vivo by B10 GAT-M phi with virgin (B10 X B10.D2)F1 spleen cells demonstrated the presence of suppressor cells that inhibited the primary response of virgin spleen cells stimulated by B10.D2 GAT-M phi. Spleen cells from (B10 X B10.D2)F1 mice primed in vivo with B10.D2 GAT-M phi had suppressor T cells that suppressed primary responses stimulated by B10 GAT-M phi. The suppressor T cell mechanism was composed of at least two regulatory T cell subsets. Suppressor-inducer T cells were Lyt-2-, I-J+ and must be derived from immune spleen cells. Suppressor-effector T cells can be derived from virgin or immune spleens and were Lyt-2+ cells. When the suppressor mechanism was disabled by treatment with 1000 rad gamma irradiation or removal of Lyt-2+ cells, Lyt-2-helper T cells from (B10 X B10.D2)F1 mice primed with B10 GAT-M phi provided radioresistant help to virgin F1 B cells stimulated by B10 but not B10.D2 GAT-M phi. Suppressor inducer Lyt-2-,I-J+ cells from B10 GAT-M phi-primed (B10 X B10.D2)F1 mice were separated from the primed Lyt-2-,I-J-helper T cells. In the presence of Lyt-2+ suppressor effector cells, the Lyt-2-,I-J+ suppressor-inducer suppressed the primary response of virgin spleen or virgin T plus B cells stimulated by both B10 and B10.D2 GAT-M phi. Therefore, suppressor T cells were able to suppress primary but not secondary GAT-specific PFC responses stimulated by either parental GAT-M phi. These results showed that immunization of (responder X responder)F1 mice with parental GAT-M phi results in the development of antigen-specific helper and suppressor T cells. The primed helper T cells were radioresistant and were genetically restricted to interact with GAT in association with the major histocompatibility complex antigens of the M phi used for in vivo priming.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Macrophage-hybridomas: generation, structure, and function

We report the generation of macrophage-hybridomas, obtained by somatic cell fusion between macrophage-enriched C3H.eB spleen cell population, and a drug-resistant MPC-11 myeloma cell line, designated as 4T00.1L1 clone. Screening for hybridomas possessing macrophage properties was carried out by assaying the presence of two macrophage-specific enzymes: lysozyme and nonspecific esterase. Two hybridomas, E2-7 and E2-10, were selected for further studies. We found that clones of E2-7 (E2-7.7) did not express Fc receptors but possessed cell-surface Ia molecules. In contrast, clones of E2-10 (E2-10.20) possessed Fc receptors but were devoid of Ia molecules. E2-7.7 did, however, express Fc receptors after mitomycin treatment, whereas E2-10.20 eliminated the expression of Fc receptors after treatment with mitomycin C. Opsonized erythrocytes were phagocytized by E2-10.20 cells, but not by E2-7.7. Phagocytosis was thus correlated with the possession of Fc receptors. Testing the response of KLH-primed lymph node cells to KLH-pulsed hybridoma cells, we found that E2-7.7 cells caused antigen-specific lymphoproliferative response, whereas E2-10.20 did not. Thus, antigens could be presented by E2-7.7 but not by E2-10.20 cells. The response was shown to be mediated by T but not by B lymphocytes. The difference in antigen-presenting capacity could not be attributed to differences in antigen uptake by the different hybridomas, because the two hybridomas manifested the same level of pinocytosis. Both hybridomas produced IL1. The differences in the properties of the two hybridomas may indicate that the normal partners represent two distinct subpopulations of macrophages. The segregation of functional properties among the hybridoma clones may lead to a clarification of the dependence of distinct functions on defined molecular structures.     

Modulation of macrophage activation and resistance by suppressor T lymphocytes in chronic murine Schistosoma mansoni infection

Activated macrophages (M phi) appear responsible for at least part of the concomitant resistance in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. We found that as murine S. mansoni progressed from acute (8 to 12 wk of infection) to chronic (16 to 24 wk) stages, acquired resistance decreased (57% resistance to challenge with cercariae at 8 wk vs 28% by 24 wk, p less than 0.05), as did macrophage activation (21% +/- 2 killing of schistosomula by 8 wk M phi vs 8% +/- 2 for 24 wk M phi, p less than 0.01). T cells from the spleens of 8 wk-infected mice were capable of activating M phi from naive animals when stimulated with worm antigens (24% +/- 2 killing vs 8% +/- 2 induced by normal T cells, p less than 0.01); T cells obtained from 24 wk-infected mice did not activate M phi (13% +/- 2 killing). Furthermore, T cells from 24 wk-infected animals suppressed activation of M phi by 8 wk T cells. The addition of 10(5) 24 wk T cells to 3 X 10(5) antigen-stimulated 8 wk T cells reduced subsequent M phi killing from 27% +/- 4 to 13% +/- 2 (p less than 0.05). Week 24 T cells (3 X 10(5] reduced this additionally to 9% +/- 1 (p less than 0.01), a value no greater than that of unstimulated M phi. The subpopulation of T cells responsible for suppression of M phi activation was Lyt-2+1- nonadherent T cells. Cyclophosphamide treatment of chronically infected mice resulted in enhanced resistance (41%), M phi activation (18% +/- 1 killing), and T cell activation of naive M phi (10% +/- 1 killing). Thus, during chronic S. mansoni infection, resistance to reinfection wanes in parallel to and perhaps because of development of suppressor T cells that interfere with T-dependent M phi activation.     

Presence of an antigen-specific T cell subset that forms IgE-suppressive factor and IgG-suppressive factor on antigenic stimulation

B6D2F1 mice were given three i.v. injections of ovalbumin (OA), and antigen-specific T cell clones were established from their spleen cells. One of the FcR+ T cell clones formed IgE-binding factors on incubation with OA-pulsed syngeneic macrophages. Neither soluble antigen nor macrophages alone induced factor formation. T cell hybridomas were constructed by fusion of the antigen-specific T cell clone with BW 5147 cells. Among 11 T cell hybridomas established, six clones produced IgE-binding factors on incubation with OA-pulsed BDF1 macrophages. Mouse IgE also induced the same hybridoma to form IgE-binding factors. The majority of IgE-binding factors formed by two T hybridomas and by those produced by the parent T cell clone had affinity for peanut agglutinin but for neither lentil lectin nor Con A. These hybridomas and the original T cell clone spontaneously released glycosylation-inhibiting factor, which inhibits the assembly of N-linked oligosaccharide(s) on IgE-binding factors. On antigenic stimulation, the T cell hybridomas produced both IgE-binding factors and IgG-binding factors. The IgE-binding factors consisted of three species with m.w. of 60,000, 30,000, and 15,000. Both the 60K and 15K IgE-binding factors selectively suppressed the IgE response of DNP-OA-primed rat mesenteric lymph node cells, whereas IgG-binding factors selectively suppressed the IgG response. The results indicate that antigen-primed FcR+ T cells produced IgE-suppressive factors and IgG-suppressive factors on antigenic stimulation. However, the T cell hybridomas were not committed to suppressive activity. When the hybridomas were stimulated by antigen in the presence of glycosylation-enhancing factor (GEF), the 60K, 30K, and 15K IgE-binding factors formed by the cells selectively potentiated the IgE response. IgG-binding factors formed by the cells in the presence of GEF failed to suppress the IgG response. It appears that antigen-specific FcR+ T cells regulate the antibody response through the formation of Ig-binding factors, but that the function of the cells could be switched from suppression to enhancement, depending on the environment of the cells.     

In vivo and in vitro activation of alveolar macrophages by recombinant interferon-gamma

In vivo administration of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) was previously shown to result in activation of the microbicidal activities of peritoneal macrophages (PM phi). Because macrophages at different anatomical sites vary in their functional capacities, we considered it of interest to determine whether administration of murine rIFN-gamma, either in vitro or in vivo, can enhance the microbicidal activity of resident alveolar macrophages (AM phi) and to compare the effects of rIFN-gamma on AM phi and PM phi. After incubation in vitro with rIFN-gamma, the antimicrobial activities of both murine AM phi and PM phi were enhanced, as assessed by their ability to inhibit replication of the intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This effect was dose dependent for AM phi over a range of 0.1 to 1 U/ml and for PM phi over a range of 0.5 to 1000 U/ml. In this assay, the minimum dosage required for in vitro activation of AM phi was one-half that required for activation of PM phi, suggesting a greater sensitivity of AM phi to the in vitro activity of rIFN-gamma. Macrophages from both anatomical sites were also activated when rIFN-gamma was administered in vivo. This effect was dose dependent over a range of 10(3) to 10(5) U/mouse. Freshly harvested AM phi and PM phi from mice injected 24 hr earlier with 10(4) U rIFN-gamma by either the i.v. or i.p. routes markedly inhibited intracellular multiplication of Toxoplasma. In contrast, AM phi and PM phi from control mice permitted fourfold to ninefold increases in numbers of intracellular Toxoplasma. The anti-toxoplasma activity of AM phi and PM phi gradually diminished over a period of 3 days when assayed at successive 24 hr periods after a single i.v. injection of rIFN-gamma. At 3 days after injection, a substantial loss of anti-toxoplasma activity was observed with PM phi as compared with controls; residual anti-toxoplasma activity was still demonstrable in AM phi at 3 days. These results demonstrate that in vitro as well as in vivo treatment with rIFN-gamma confers on AM phi an enhanced antimicrobial activity. These findings provide a rationale for evaluating rIFN-gamma in the treatment of pulmonary infections, especially those due to opportunistic pathogens against which AM phi play a major role in host defense.     

Interleukin 2 induces gamma-interferon production: participation of macrophages and NK-like cells

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) has been shown to be a potent stimulator of natural killer (NK) cells. In the present studies, partially purified mouse and human IL 2 preparations were also found to induce interferon (IFN) from mouse spleen cells. By the criteria of sensitivity to treatment at pH 2 and failure to be neutralized by a potent anti-alpha, beta IFN serum, the species of IFN produced was of type gamma. Cooperation between two types of cell, a macrophage and an NK-like cell, was required for IFN production by murine spleen cells treated with IL 2. The requirement for macrophages could be replaced with supernatant obtained by incubating macrophages for 24 hr with lymphokine preparations containing IL 2. Interestingly, mature T cells apparently played no role in the process. Furthermore, the beige (bg/bg) mutation, which severely impairs NK cell lytic activity, had no effect on the ability of NK-like cells to participate in IFN production. Cell fractionation experiments revealed no dissociation between the requirements for augmentation of NK cytotoxic activity and for IFN production, and it is concluded that at least a portion of the NK boosting induced by IL 2-containing preparations is mediated through gamma-IFN.     

Requirement for recognition of class II molecules and processed tumor antigen for optimal generation of syngeneic tumor-specific class I-restricted CTL

The roles of Class II-restricted L3T4+ T cells and of accessory cells (AC) during the in vitro generation of Class I-restricted Lyt-2+ cytotoxic T cells (CTL) specific for a Class II-negative syngeneic tumor cell line, FBL, was examined. Treatment of responder FBL-immune spleen cells with alpha L3T4 plus complement before culture, as well as the direct addition of alpha L3T4 to cultures, diminished the generation of FBL-specific CTL. The contribution of L3T4+ cells could be completely replaced by the addition of exogenous cytokines. The data demonstrate that the optimal generation of FBL-specific Lyt-2+ CTL requires the presence of L3T4+ cells, presumably to provide necessary lymphokines. FBL-specific CTL could not be generated from purified FBL-immune T cells in the absence of AC. Syngeneic Ia+ macrophages (M phi), added at the initiation of culture, restored the response of purified T cells. Pretreatment of M phi with ammonium chloride or chloroquine, or the addition of monoclonal alpha I-Ab antibody at the initiation of culture, inhibited the ability of M phi to reconstitute the CTL response. Finally, the addition of exogenous helper factors could replace M phi and reconstitute the FBL-specific response of AC-depleted immune T cells. These results suggest that during the generation of Lyt-2+ CTL to a syngeneic tumor expressing only Class I MHC antigens, Ia+ AC are required to biochemically process antigen released from the tumor cells and present this modified antigen to Class II-restricted T helper cells.     

Ultrastructure of tumor cell interaction with alveolar macrophages stimulated by vitamin A

F344 rats were given vitamin A for four consecutive days and then their alveolar macrophages (AM phi) were obtained by bronchopulmonary lavage of the lung. Compared with unstimulated AM phi, AM phi from rats given vitamin A had more numerous and longer cytoplasmic projections, and these projections had many knobs on their sides and tip. The AM phi became attached to syngeneic mammary adenocarcinoma cells at many focal points and the tumor cells then lost surface microvilli around the contact zones. Detachment of the knobs from the projections on AM phi was often observed in areas of close association between AM phi and tumor cells. The detached knobs were 250 nm in diameter, gave a positive reaction for acid phosphatase, and frequently became attached to the surface of tumor cells. Then, many of the tumor cells in the vicinity of AM phi exhibited cytolytic changes. It is concluded that the cytotoxicity of stimulated AM phi is due to their attachment to the surface of tumor cells and their release of particles with acid phosphatase activity into the narrow space between the cells, and then to uptake of these particles by susceptible tumor cells.     

Down-regulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte development by a minor stimulating locus-induced suppressor cascade that involves Lyt-1+ suppressor T cells, IA- macrophages, and their factors

Down-regulation of the development of CTL has been studied in mice both in vivo and in vitro. To generate CTL to hapten-altered self Ag in vivo, an immunization protocol has been used in which the host's Th cells are stimulated by a minor locus histocompatibility Ag (Mlsd) and its precursor CTL are activated by trinitrophenylated syngeneic spleen cells. Injecting the H-2 compatible Mls-disparate spleen cells along with the TNP-coupled self cells into the hind paws causes TNP-self specific CTL to appear in popliteal lymph nodes within 5 days. We have previously reported that inducing Ts cells by i.v. injecting Mlsd-bearing cells prevents in vivo generation of TNP-self specific CTL after immunization in this way. Here the induced Ts cell as well as the mechanism by which it functions have been further examined. The suppression was seen to extend to allogeneic as well as TNP-self Ag, provided the Mlsd-tolerized animal was reexposed to Mlsd-bearing cells at the time of immunization for CTL. By transferring the Mlsd-induced suppression adoptively we have learned that the splenic suppressor cell bears Thy-1.2 as well as Lyt-1.1 Ag and inhibits the generation of CTL at the afferent limb. In addition, Mlsd-induced PEC of Mlsd-tolerized mice, but not of normal mice, mediated suppression of development of CTL in vivo. The active cells within the tolerized PEC have been identified as T cells and macrophages (M phi). Furthermore, PEC from mice tolerized to Mlsd suppressed generation of CTL directed toward TNP-self targets in vitro. T cells and M phi separated from PEC of Mlsd-tolerized mice achieved suppression best in culture when present together. In addition, Lyt-1+ splenic cells from tolerized but not normal mice cooperated to down-regulate CTL generation in vitro with peritoneal M phi from either tolerized or normal mice. Supernatants of 24- to 72-h cultures of PEC from tolerized mice were suppressive of CTL generation when incorporated at 40 to 50% of culture volume. Supernatants of T cells from tolerized PEC or spleen were suppressive in culture only when M phi from normal mice were also present. To achieve suppression dialyzed supernatants of M phi from tolerized mice could replace the M phi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Signals involved in T cell activation. I. Phorbol esters enhance responsiveness but cannot replace intact accessory cells in the induction of mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation

The role of accessory cells (AC) in the initiation of mitogen-induced T cell proliferation was examined by comparing the effect of intact macrophages (M phi) with that of 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In high-density cultures, purified guinea pig T cells failed to proliferate in response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), or PMA alone. The addition of M phi to PHA or Con A but not PMA-stimulated cultures restored T cell proliferation. The addition of PMA to high-density T cell cultures stimulated with PHA or Con A also permitted [3H]thymidine incorporation, but was less effective than intact M phi in this regard. This action of PMA was dependent on the small number of AC contaminating the T cell cultures as evidenced by the finding that PMA could not support mitogen responsiveness of T cells that had been depleted of Ia-bearing cells by planning, even when these cells were cultured at high density. When PMA was added to T cell cultures supported by optimal numbers of M phi, catalase-reversible suppression of responses was noted. Even in cultures containing catalase, PMA failed to enhance responsiveness above that supported by optimal numbers of M phi. A low-density culture system was used to examine in greater detail the possibility that PMA could completely substitute for M phi in promoting T cells activation. In low-density cultures, mitogen-induced T cell proliferation required intact M phi. PMA could not support responses even in cultures supplemented with interleukin 1-containing M phi supernatants or purified interleukin 2 alone or in combination. Similar results were found in high-density cultures of T cells depleted of Ia-bearing cells. These results support a model of T cell activation in which AC play at least two distinct roles. The initiation of the response requires a signal conveyed by an intact M phi, which cannot be provided by either a M phi supernatant factor or PMA. The response can be amplified by additional M phi or M phi supernatant factors. PMA can substitute for M phi in this regard and can provide the signal necessary for amplification of T cell proliferation supported by small numbers of intact AC.     

Role of macrophages as modulators but not as autonomous accessory cells in the proliferative response of immune T cells to soluble antigen

The role of murine macrophages (M phi) and that of splenic dendritic cells (DC) were investigated in the antigen-specific proliferative response of memory T cells of mice primed with key-hole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) 6 weeks or more before. Peritoneal M phi, whether expressing Ia antigens or not, did not function as autonomous accessory cells (A cells). A-cell activity of the spleen adherent cell population, which comprised M phi in the majority and DC in the minority, was abolished by eliminating DC with a DC-specific monoclonal antibody and complement, and regained by the addition of a small number of DC. Though M phi did not function as autonomous A cells, they augmented the proliferative response in the presence of a small number of DC. This occurred not only in the presence of free antigen, but also when DC and/or M phi were pulsed with antigen. A culture supernatant of M phi having interleukin-1 activity was effective in enhancing the proliferation of T cells which responded to antigen-pulsed DC. On the other hand, interleukin-2 did not replace DC even in the presence of antigen-pulsed Ia+ M phi. We also investigated recently primed T cells, but no evidence was obtained in favor of the competence of M phi as autonomous A cells.     

Antigen presentation to T cell hybridomas by a macrophage cell line: an inducible function

We have investigated the ability of an Ia-, nonantigen-presenting macrophage tumor cell line, P388D, (H-2d), to present antigen to T cell hybridomas after incubation in a lymphokine-containing preparation. P388D, cells were incubated in microtiter wells with various concentrations of Con A-stimulated spleen cell supernatants. Antigen-specific stimulation of H-2d-restricted, KLH-specific T cell hybridomas was observed by P388D1 incubated with SUP.P388D1 cells incubated for 3 days in medium or control SUP did not present antigen. In addition, no stimulation of T hybridomas was seen by P388D1 in the inhibited by the appropriate monoclonal anti-Ia reagents. These results demonstrate that a macrophage tumor cell line can be induced to present antigen and provides for large numbers of readily available, homogeneous macrophages for studying the cellular biochemical requirements for antigen processing and presentation.