Cell type-specific neural cell surface antigens.

Immunological methods have served to define several cell surface antigens that are differentially expressed among neural cell types and are developmentally regulated. These antigens have served as useful markers for cell identification and isolation of several neural cell types. The molecular nature and functional properties of almost all of these antigens are presently unknown.     

Immunological evidence of a common structure between Paramecium surface antigens and Trypanosoma variant surface glycoproteins

The surface antigens (SAgs) of Paramecium and the variant surface antigens (VSGs) of Trypanosoma can be purified in two distinct molecular forms: a soluble form (solubilized in dilute ethanolic solution in the case of Paramecium, or in water for Trypanosoma) and a membranal form, amphiphile (solubilized in SDS). In trypanosomes, the enzymatic conversion of the membrane form into the soluble form is accompanied by the unmasking of a particular immunological determinant, called cross-reacting determinant (CRD), which is located in the COOH-terminal phospho-ethanolamine glycopeptide. We demonstrate immunological homologies between Paramecium SAgs and Trypanosoma VSGs. A determinant corresponding to the CRD of VSGs is borne by the ethanol-soluble form of the SAgs and by two cross-reacting light chains also present in ethanolic cellular extracts (together with the soluble form), and not by the membranal form of SAgs. Furthermore, we show that the membranal form of Paramecium SAgs can be converted into soluble form and that this enzymatic conversion also yields cross-reacting light chains. We also demonstrate that the membranal form is the physiological form in paramecia stably expressing a given SAg.     

Immunological characterization of embryonic cell surface antigens recognized by antiblastocyst serum

Stage-specific cell surface antigens expressed during mouse preimplantation development and detected by a rabbit antiserum prepared against mouse blastocysts (A-BL₂) have been characterized by serological and biochemical techniques. Immunofluorescence, immunoradiolabeling, and complement-mediated cytotoxicity assays reveal the expression of A-BL₂ surface antigens beginning at the 4-cell stage and reaching a maximum at the 8-cell to morula stages. At earlier times in development A-BL₂ antigens are not detectable, and there is a decline in expression at the blastocyst stage. No antibody reactivity is detected against adult mouse tissues or teratocarcinoma cell lines. The presence of A-BL₂ antibodies during in vitro embryo culture interferes with normal development. Treatment of embryos with β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, but not other glycosidases, proteases, or lipases, results in a quantitative decrease in the binding of A-BL₂ antibodies to surface antigens. Immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic analyses of A-BL₂ antigens demonstrate specific antibody activity against a pair of embryonic glycoproteins of 65,000 to 70,000 daltons which can be metabolically labeled with ³⁵S-methionine and ³H-glucosamine. Tunicamycin treatment alters the form of the A-BL₂ immunoprecipitate to a single 60,000-dalton protein.     

Cell surface antigens coded for by the human chromosome 7

Human-mouse somatic cell hybrids, containing chromosome 7 from an SV40-transformed human cell line as the only human chromosome, were injected into the same inbred strain of mouse as the mouse parental cell, and the humoral immune response assayed. A cell-surface antigen(s) coded for by the chromosome 7 common to all human fibroblastic cell lines tested and also found on African green monkey kidney cell lines was demonstrated. No reactivity to SV40-induced TSTA was detected.Abbreviations used in this paper are as follows SV40 simian virus 40 - MEM minimal essential medium - FBS fetal bovine serum - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - C121 53-87 (1) clone 21 - Cl36 53-87-3 clone 36 - 52-62 52-62 (1) clone 5 subclone 9 - MSV murine sarcoma virus - T tumor - TSTA tumor-specific transplantation antigen - RIA radioimmunoassay - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - PBS⁺ PBS with sodium azide and FBS - IgG immunoglobulin - cpm counts per minute     

High-frequency antigens of human erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins, IV. Molecular properties of the U antigen

The nature of the common erythrocyte antigen U, that is absent from S-s-U-cells, which lack glycophorin B (Ss sialoglycoprotein), was investigated using six different antisera. The molecular features of a U-like antigen (Duclos), detected by a hitherto unique serum, were also studied. The U and Duclos antigens are complex in that they exhibit relationships with the MNSs and Rh blood group systems. Various fractionation, cleavage, or modification products of normal erythrocyte membranes were used in hemagglutination inhibition assays. Both, the U and Duclos antigens were found to represent labile structures that require lipids, at least for optimum expression of antigen activity. The antigens could be solubilized using conditions of Triton X-100 extraction that release glycophorin B, but solubilize the Rh antigens only to a small extent. Anti-U and anti-Duclos were also inhibited, albeit weakly, by glycophorin B-containing fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of Triton X-100 extracts. The residues approx. 33-39 of glycophorin B represent essential parts of the U antigen, as judged from proteolytic digestion and chemical modification. Conversely, the expression of Duclos activity seems to require a region of glycophorin B (C-terminal of the positions approx. 34-36) that could not be cleaved by various proteinases. Data obtained with anti-Duclos have to be interpreted with caution, since there is evidence that this serum might contain a mixture of antibodies.     

Polyvalent antigens stabilize B cell antigen receptor surface signaling microdomains

The B cell Ag receptor (BCR) can distinguish subtle differences in Ag structure and trigger differential responses. In this study, we analyzed the effects of Ag valency on the signaling and Ag-targeting functions of the BCR. Although both paucivalent and polyvalent Ags induced the redistribution of the surface BCR into polarized caps, polyvalent Ag-induced BCR caps persisted. Ganglioside G(M1), a lipid raft marker, and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, but not CD45 and transferrin receptor, were concentrated in BCR caps, suggesting BCR caps as surface-signaling microdomains. Prolonged BCR caps were concomitant with an increase in the level and duration of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and a reduction in BCR internalization and movement to late endosomes/lysosomes. Thus, Ag valency influences B cell responses by modulating the stability of BCR-signaling microdomains and BCR trafficking.     

Identification of cell surface dipeptidylpeptidase IV in human fibroblasts.

An antigen with dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity was identified at the surface of normal human fibroblasts. Hydrophobic interaction electrophoresis in phenyl-Sepharose revealed that the enzyme contained a hydrophobic domain, while lactoperoxidase-catalysed iodination with 125I of living cells indicated that the protein was located at the cell surface. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis with specific antibodies of acid-extracted or papain-treated cells showed a shift of the dipeptidylpeptidase IV peak to a faster mobility. The molecular properties of the fibroblast enzyme were clearly different from those described for dipeptidylpeptidase IV from other tissues and species. Fibroblast dipeptidylpeptidase IV contained two different disulphide-linked subunits, of apparent Mr values 125000 and 135000 (denatured and reduced). In gel filtration, an Mr of about 400000 was observed for the unreduced molecule. The enzymic properties of fibroblast dipeptidylpeptidase IV were very similar to those of the well-characterized pig kidney enzyme. Activity towards glycyl-L-prolyl-beta-naphthylamide was inhibited 50% by 0.023 mM-di-isopropylphosphorofluoridate. L-Alanyl-L-alanyl-beta-naphthylamide was hydrolysed ten times more slowly than glycyl-L-prolyl-beta-naphthylamide.     

Expression of a 33-kDa antigen Tm 1 on lymphocyte surface after modulation of cell surface antigens by IgM monoclonal antibody

The mAb Tm 1 was obtained from a fusion of SP2/O tumor cells with spleen cells from CF1 mouse immunized with T cells modulated by an IgM anti-CD3 mAb.mAb Tm 1 reacted with IgM anti-CD3 modulated T cells (66.6%) but not with unmodulated T cells (4.4%). Tm 1 was not expressed on T cells modulated with either IgG2a or IgG1 anti-CD3 mAb. Immunoprecipitation from 125I-labeled CD3-modulated T cells showed that Tm 1 Ag is a single polypeptide of 33 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions. Kinetic studies revealed that Tm 1 was detectable on T cells 10 min after incubation and maximally expressed after 4 h of incubation with IgM anti-CD3 mAb. CD3 expression was markedly modulated by this anti-CD3 mAb after the same period of incubation. Studies with cycloheximide revealed that Tm 1 expression on T cells does not require new protein synthesis. Tm 1 expression persisted long after CD3-reexpression 24 h later. Tm 1 was present on a small fraction of circulating T cells, B cells, and monocytes and absent from granulocytes, platelets, E, and thymocytes. Tm 1 was not expressed on T cells after various activation stimuli but was expressed on B cells upon activation. Additional studies indicate that IgM mAb against other T cell differentiation Ag and IgM mAb against B cell Ag also lead to the expression of Tm 1 on these cells. Thus, modulation of surface Ag by IgM mAb externalizes this cytoplasmic Ag. However, one exception has been noted. Purified mAb Tm 1 was not mitogenic and was unable to block either the T cell proliferation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate plus anti-CD3 mAb and other T cell stimuli, or the B cell proliferation induced by B cell mitogens. The role of Tm 1 on lymphocyte function remains to be determined.     

Identification of a macrophage-specific cell surface antigen.

A mouse-specific macrophage antigen (MSMA) was identified in NP-40 extracts of 125I-radiolabeled mouse preitoneal macrophages by using a rabbit anti-mouse macrophage serum (AMS) and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antigen was shown to have a m.w. of 83,000 daltons and was present on both normal and "activated" peritoneal macrophages. MSMA was also present on syngeneic adherent spleen cells, allogeneic peritoneal macrophages, a mouse macrophage cell line (P388D1), and exhibited some cross-reactivity with peritoneal macrophages from closely related species (rats and hamsters). MSMA was not present on nonadherent peritoneal exudate cells, spleen cells, erythrocytes, thymocytes, or bone marrow cells. Extensive absorptions of AMS with thymocytes and erytrocytes from mice were necessary to remove other antibodies that reacted with other mouse membrane antigens. An antiserum directed against a specific membrane antigen has great potential in elucidating structure-function relationships with regard to a number of macrophage activities.     

Biochemical analysis of two cell surface glycoprotein complexes, very common antigen 1 and very common antigen 2. Relationship to very late activation T cell antigens

Two mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb), AJ2 and J143, define two related human cell surface protein complexes, very common antigen 1 (VCA-1) and very common antigen 2 (VCA-2). In the present report, these complexes have been defined with respect to: (i) subunit arrangement; (ii) monoclonal antibody binding sites; (iii) carbohydrate content; (iv) homology to other cell surface protein complexes; and (v) possible functional roles. Analysis of the antigens from a human melanoma cell line, MeWo, reveals that VCA-1 is a noncovalently linked heterodimer of 170- and 140 (designated 1401)-kDa polypeptides. mAb AJ2 reacts with an epitope on the 1401-kDa polypeptide. VCA-2 is composed of the same 1401-kDa polypeptide as VCA-1 and another 170-kDa species; this 170-kDa species consists of a second distinct 140-kDa (designated 140(2)) and a 30-kDa polypeptide which are disulfide-bonded. Indirect evidence indicates that mAb J143 reacts with an epitope on this 170-kDa complex. Peptide mapping has shown that the complexes are members of a family of cell surface proteins that include antigens present on activated T cells (designated very late activation antigens). Since VCA-2 is found predominantly on the basal membrane of adherent cells and its expression increases 12-fold when HUT-102 lymphoblastoid cells are grown as an adherent cell culture, we suggest that VCA-2 plays a role in cellular adherence.     

Intergenic and interallelic exclusion inParamecium primaurelia: Immunological comparisons between allelic and non-allelic surface antigens

InParamecium, the expression of surface antigens is regulated in such a way that only one is generally present at the cell surface under given environmental conditions. Previous analyses have indicated that the surface antigen molecules play a key role in the control of their own expression. In order to characterize the structural particularities displayed by both allelic and non-allelic surface antigen molecules, immunological; comparisons were performed in vivo and in immunodiffusion on nine G and six D allelic surface antigens inParamecium primaurelia.Our results show: (1) it is possible to distinguish two regions in the surface antigen molecule; one accessible to antibodies in vivo, carrying specific immobilization determinants, the other not accessible to antibodies in vivo, carrying common determinants shared by all the antigens of the same allelic series. Antigens coded by different loci differ in both regions. (2) The specificity of immobilization determinants is not borne by a hypothetical carbohydrate component of the molecule but by the polypeptide chain itself. (3) In heterozygotes displaying allelic exclusion the parental surface antigen phenotypically excluded in vivo at the cell surface is not present in the cytoplasm. These data permit some interpretations concerning the mechanisms of intergenic and interallelic exclusion, on the basis of the structural differences between the different surface antigens.I thank Doctors M. Weiss and L. Sperling very much for improvements to the English.     

Interaction between various polymerized human albumins and hepatitis B surface antigen.

A variety of albumin polymers were prepared and tested for binding with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): synthetic polymers cross-linked by either glutaraldehyde or carbodiimide; heat-aggregated polymers made by heating albumin solutions at 60 degrees C for 10 h with or without albumin stabilizer; and polymers isolated from fresh or long-stored commercial therapeutic albumin solutions. A sensitive solid-phase, competitive-inhibition radioimmunoassay, which can detect as little as 10 ng of glutaraldehyde-cross-linked human albumin polymer (PHALB-G), was developed and used to measure binding. The binding of PHALB-G with HBsAg was 150- to 1,000-fold greater than that of any other albumin polymer. Glutaraldehyde-cross-linked bovine albumin polymer showed no binding. Albumin monomer and dimer fractions produced by glutaraldehyde treatment exhibited some binding, albeit much weaker than PHALB-G. As measured by a direct-binding assay with solid-phase PHALB-G, the attachment of HBsAg particles from sera positive for antibody to the e antigen was less efficient than that from sera positive for e antigen, even when all sera were tested at equal HBsAg concentrations. In protein blot experiments with radiolabeled albumin preparations, PHALB-G bound almost exclusively to HBsAg polypeptide P31 and showed no binding with the major polypeptides P23 and P26. None of the other radiolabeled albumin polymers was reactive. These results indicate that the interaction between PHALB-G and HBsAg is not due to polymerization of albumin per se, but rather is unique and site specific.     

Regulation of nuclear antigen expression on the cell surface of human monocytes.

The expression of cell surface nuclear Ag was studied by examining the binding of anti-histone mAb to viable human peripheral blood cells. Freshly isolated cells showed no binding of these mAb. However, in vitro culture in the presence of LPS induced a dose-dependent expression of cell surface nuclear Ag on monocytes (M3+ cells). The addition of IL-1 beta to cultures also induced expression of cell surface nuclear Ag, whereas IFN-gamma was without effect. Release of nuclear material into the supernatants over time was demonstrated by using a chromatin-specific sandwich ELISA. Analysis of the DNA in the released nuclear material demonstrated banding at multiples of 190 bp, suggesting the release of polynucleosomes. Although LPS was required for cell surface nuclear Ag expression, it did not affect the release of nuclear material into the supernatants. The ability of monocytes to bind exogenous chromatin was studied by adding biotinylated-chromatin to PBL and detection with FITC-avidin. Freshly isolated PBL bound no chromatin, but when PBL were cultured in the presence of LPS, monocytes bound chromatin in a saturable manner. The LPS induction of the capacity to bind exogenous chromatin was blocked by cycloheximide. These data suggest that monocyte activation is associated with the expression of a chromatin (?nucleosome)-binding receptor and that this receptor is capable of binding nuclear material released into the cellular milieu. Monocytes may thus provide an important mechanism for the removal of extracellular nuclear material at sites of cell death and/or inflammation. The binding of nuclear Ag to cell surfaces and potential abnormalities of this binding may play a role in the induction of antinuclear antibodies and/or tissue damage in diseases such as SLE.     

Cell surface human alpha-L-fucosidase.

The acid alpha-L-fucosidase is usually found as a soluble component of lysosomes where fucoglycoconjugates are degraded. In the present investigation, we have demonstrated the existence of a cell surface protein with enzymatic alpha-L-fucosidase activity that crossreacts specifically with a rabbit anti-(alpha-L-fucosidase) Ig. By different approaches, this alpha-L-fucosidase, which represents 10-20% of the total cellular fucosidase activity, was detected in all the tested human cells (hemopoietic, epithelial, mesenchymal). Two bands of approximately 43-49 kDa were observed, although theoretical data support the possibility of having the same genetic origin that the known 50 to 55-kDa Mr alpha-L-fucosidase. We speculate about an alternative traffic pathway for the plasma membrane alpha-L-fucosidase to work on the rapid turnover of glycoproteins.