Purification of immunologically functional subsets of human Ia-like antigens on a monoclonal antibody (Q5/13) immunoadsorbent

Serologic and immunochemical asays have shown that the monoclonal antibody Q5/13 recognizes an antigenic determinant expressed on a subset of human Ia-like antigens. Testing with a panel of HLA typed B lymphoid cells has shown that this determinant is different from those defining the serologic polymorphism of HLA-DR antigens. The monoclonal antibody Q5/13 has been used to purify subsets of human Ia-like antigens, which are immunologically functional. These reagents should facilitate the characterization of structural and functional properties of human Ia-like antigens.     

Serologic and immunochemical characterization of the specificity of four monoclonal antibodies to distinct antigenic determinants expressed on subpopulations of human Ia-like antigens

Serologic and immunochemical assays showed that the monoclonal antibodies Q2/70, Q2/80, Q5/6, and Q5/13 react with human Ia-like antigens. Each monoclonal antibody recognizes distinct antigenic determinants that are different from those defining the serologic polymorphism of Ia-like antigens defined by conventional alloantisera and are expressed on subpopulations of Ia-like antigens. The determinants recognized by the MoAb Q2/70 and Q5/13 are expressed on all HLA-DR allospecificities tested, whereas those reacting with the MoAb Q2/80 and Q5/6 are not detectable on HLA-DR5 and HLA-DR7 allospecificities, respectively.     

IgG anti-lymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus react with surface molecules shared by peripheral T cells and a primitive T cell line

IgG anti-T cell autoantibodies are common in SLE serum, react preferentially with activated lymphocytes, and exert early-phase inhibitory effects on antigen-induced T cell proliferation. Little is known about the target molecules in this system, however, because the low titer and low avidity of the most interesting antibodies limit their utility in conventional immunoprecipitation analyses. Therefore, Western blotting was used to demonstrate binding of IgG in anti-T cell antibody-positive SLE sera to four surface membrane molecules shared by peripheral T cells and HSB-2 cells. Molecules of Mr 90,000 and 55,000 were particularly reactive: each target was stained by IgG anti-lymphocyte antibodies in 11 patient sera (approximately 85%) in the panel. Targets of Mr 37,000 and 105,000 were encountered less frequently (six of 13 and one of 13 patients, respectively). It is unlikely that alloantibodies contributed to the staining patterns observed because reactivity with the four targets was consistently present when cell preparations from multiple unrelated donors were examined. The target molecules were localized to the plasma membrane by whole cell absorption/elution experiments, by the failure of chromatin (DNA/histone) to absorb antibodies to these antigens, and through the use of purified membranes as substrate for Western blotting. With the possible exception of the 105,000 Mr molecule, which is a major target in the IgM anti-T cell antibody system, evidence for the existence of neoantigens as a basis for increased reactivity of SLE IgG with activated T cells was not obtained. The identity of the IgG antibody-reactive molecules with respect to known T cell antigens was not determined, although evidence against the existence of antibodies to Tac (IL 2 receptor) and the transferrin receptor was obtained in monoclonal antibody pre-clearing experiments. Nonetheless, the observation that a limited number of major IgG autoantibody target antigens on activated peripheral T cells are shared by HSB-2 cells, a primitive T cell line expressing few of the differentiation antigens characteristic of mature T cells, should provide a basis for more definitive characterization of antigens in this system in the future.     

Lens antigen development in chick embryos studied in vivo and in vitro by immunofluorescence.

Lens antigens, detected by immunofluorescence using rabbit antiserum against adult chick lens, appear in the chick embryo at stage 16. When eye rudiments are cultured in vitro, antigens developed; but they did not when optic cups were cultured but for a few cases. Isolated presumptive lens ectoderm from stage 4 did not develop antigens when cultured, but such ectoderm from stages 7--9 developed lens antigens and also showed lens structures. Stage 4 ectoderm could be induced to lens antigen development by alcohol-killed cups from stages 9--13. The experimental system can be used for in vitro studies on lens induction.     

The Kell protein of the common K2 phenotype is a catalytically active metalloprotease, whereas the rare Kell K1 antigen is inactive. Identification of novel substrates for the Kell protein

The Kell blood group is a highly polymorphic system containing over 20 different antigens borne by the protein Kell, a 93-kDa type II glycoprotein that displays high sequence homology with members of the M13 family of zinc-dependent metalloproteases whose prototypical member is neprilysin. Kell K1 is an antigen expressed in 9% of the Caucasian population, characterized by a point mutation (T193M) of the Kell K2 antigen, and located within a putative N-glycosylation consensus sequence. Recently, a recombinant, non-physiological, soluble form of Kell was shown to cleave Big ET-3 to produce the mature vasoconstrictive peptide. To better characterize the enzymatic activity of the Kell protein and the possible differences introduced by antigenic point mutations affecting post-translational processing, the membrane-bound forms of the Kell K1 and Kell K2 antigens were expressed either in K562 cells, an erythroid cell line, or in HEK293 cells, a non-erythroid system, and their pharmacological profiles and enzymatic specificities toward synthetic and natural peptides were evaluated. Results presented herein reveal that the two antigens possess considerable differences in their enzymatic activities, although not in their trafficking pattern. Indeed, although both antigens are expressed at the cell surface, Kell K1 protein is shown to be inactive, whereas the Kell K2 antigen binds neprilysin inhibitory compounds such as phosphoramidon and thiorphan with high affinity, cleaves the precursors of the endothelin peptides, and inactivates members of the tachykinin family with enzymatic properties resembling those of other members of the M13 family of metalloproteases to which it belongs.     

Uniformity of protective antigens among isolates of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Abstract. Gut membrane antigens were extracted from ten isolates of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus; the antigen extracts were probed with bovine antisera and three murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in Western blots and dot-ELISA. The antisera had been obtained from cattle which were vaccinated with larval and gut extracts of B.microplus , and which were subsequently protected (84% and 94% respectively) against challenge with B.microplus. One of the mAbs (QU13) has been demonstrated to precipitate protective antigens from the midgut of B.microplus. Gut antigens from all ten isolates displayed similar reactivity profiles against bovine antisera and also against mAbs in Western blots. The end-point titres of antigens in dot-ELISA showed four-fold variation between isolates against bovine antisera, and also against mAb QUI 3. Larval membrane antigen extracted from N-strain B.microplus reacted with QU13 in dot-ELISA, indicating that protective antigens are common to both larval and adult stages of B.microplus. It was concluded that protective antigens recognized by QUI3 and antigens recognized by sera from protected cattle were conserved between the ten isolates examined, and between life-cycle stages.     

Structural identity of the TL antigen homologues derived from strain 2 and strain 13 guinea pigs

Strain 2 and strain 13 guinea pig thymocytes have been shown to bear a molecule that by several criteria appears to be a homologue of the murine TL antigen. The existence of a TL polymorphism in the mouse system as evidenced by TL- strains and various TL phenotypes in TL+ strains prompted a study to determine if a similar polymorphism could be demonstrated in the guinea pig system. By using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the thymocytes of a third inbred strain, DHCBA, were shown to bear a TL antigen, and the TL antigens of strains 2 and DHCBA were shown to give identical patterns of spots. A biochemical comparison of the strain 2 and strain 13 TL antigen heavy chains by tryptic and chymotryptic peptide mapping demonstrated that these molecules have identical peptides. Thus, no polymorphism could be demonstrated within the guinea pig TL system for the three inbred strains studied. Comparative tryptic peptide mapping of the guinea pig TL and class I B.1+S antigens demonstrated 43% homology, significantly higher than that reported for murine H-2 and TL antigens. These results provide suggestive evidence that the gene duplication giving rise to the genes determining the class I and TL antigens may have occurred more recently in the guinea pig than in the mouse.     

Relation between HLA and schizophrenia in German couples

The authors, in studying some patients for schizophrenia, typed for HLA system themselves and their sibs. In 11/13 cases the sibs who differ for illness differ also for HLA; that fits with the hypothesis that HLA and schizophrenia genes lie on the same chromosome. But the case is more complex because one of 13 couples, two identical twins, differ for illness but not for HLA antigens.     

Streptococcal-related antigens stimulate production of IL6 and interferon-gamma by T cells from patients with Behcet's disease.

Greater attention has been recently paid to the role of certain strains of streptococcus as an etiologic agent of Beh?et's disease, in which T cell abnormalities are considered to be involved. We therefore examined whether T cells from patients with Beh?et's disease might to be stimulated by Streptococcus sanguis-related antigen (RRE KTH-1 antigens). T cells from 17 patients with Behcet's disease, but not those from 13 healthy individuals or from 13 patients with other rheumatic diseases, were stimulated to produce greater amounts of interleukin 6 (IL6) by addition of RRE KTH-1 antigens [stimulation index: 3.96 +/- 0.56 and 1.35 +/- 0.28 or 1.83 +/- 0.43 (mean +/- SEM), respectively]. The IL6 production by T cells required the presence of either fresh or paraformaldehyde-fixed monocytes. The enhancement of T cell IL6 production was not related to the presence of HLA-B51, which has been shown to be frequently associated with Beh?et's disease. These results indicate that T cells from patients with Beh?et's disease are stimulated by streptococcal antigens to produce IL6 through T cell-monocyte interactions in which binding of the antigens to monocytes, but not necessarily processing of the antigens by monocytes, is involved. Moreover, RRE KTH-1 antigens as well as Escherichia coli-derived antigens also enhanced the production of interferon-gamma by T cells from patients with Beh?et's disease. The data thus suggest that T cell hypersensitivity to several bacterial antigens may play a central role in the pathogenesis of Beh?et's disease.     

Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency: a study of the relationship between the Pi system and genetic markers.

Twenty-four members (4 generations) of a family with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency were studied in an attempt to determine the chromosomal location of the Pi system locus. Three alpha 1 antitrypsin alleles (PiM, PiI, and PiZ) and five phenotypes (MM, MZ, MI, IZ, and ZZ) were detected in family members. The quinacrine fluorescent banding technique was successfully utilized to reveal eight polymorphic chromosomal markers in family members. Eight red cell antigens and HL-A antigens were identified for each family member. No linkage between the Pi system and chromosomal markers, four polymorphic red cell antigens, and HL-A antigens was detected. On the basis of this family study, the Pi locus as defined by alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency does not appear to be on chromosomes 2, 3, 13, 14, 21, or 22 within measurable distance of the markers used.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: molecular identification and characterization of new members of the Tc13 family. Description of the interaction between the Tc13 antigen from Tulahuén strain and the second extracellular loop of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor

Trypanosoma cruzi Tc13 antigens belong to the trans-sialidase superfamily. Their sequences have been described only partially and, up to now, their physiological activity has not been elucidated. Here we present two new members of this family from the Tulahuén strain (Tc13 Tul) and the CL Brener clone (Tc13 CL), being the latter the first Tc13 sequence fully described. Alignment of all Tc13 sequences allowed us to define two sub-families that differ in the number of repeats and the presence or absence of the GPI addition site. Chromoblots demonstrate that Tc13 antigens are mainly located in chromosome III and its homologous. Pull down assays suggest that recombinant MBP-Tc13 Tul interacts with the second extracellular loop of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor. This is the first evidence that a Tc13 antigen acts as a ligand interacting with a neurotransmitter receptor. These observations might add some light to the development of chagasic pathology.     

Changes in surface antigens of HL-60 cells during differentiation in vitro

We have examined the pattern of binding of monoclonal antibodies OKM 1, FMC 10, FMC 12, FMC 13, FMC 17 and FMC 33 to human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) cells. We found that the expression of antigens detectable with FMC 17 and FMC 33 (specific for monocytes and macrophages) was increased by exposure of HL-60 cells to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 but not by exposure of HL-60 cells to 12-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The antigen detected with the OKM 1 antibody was highly induced by TPA. The expression of granulocyte-specific antigens detected by FMC 10 and FMC 13 was increased during induction of granulocytic maturation; these antigens were retained during monocyte-macrophage differentiation of HL-60 cells. We conclude that in some cases the expression of particular antigens during maturation of malignant cells proceeds normally while in other cases antigenic differences between leukaemic and normal cells at equivalent levels of maturation can be detected.     

Structure and genetics of Shigella O antigens

This review covers the O antigens of the 46 serotypes of Shigella, but those of most Shigella flexneri are variants of one basic structure, leaving 34 Shigella distinct O antigens to review, together with their gene clusters. Several of the structures and gene clusters are reported for the first time and this is the first such group for which structures and DNA sequences have been determined for all O antigens. Shigella strains are in effect Escherichia coli with a specific mode of pathogenicity, and 18 of the 34 O antigens are also found in traditional E. coli. Three are very similar to E. coli O antigens and 13 are unique to Shigella strains. The O antigen of Shigella sonnei is quite atypical for E. coli and is thought to have transferred from Plesiomonas. The other 12 O antigens unique to Shigella strains have structures that are typical of E. coli, but there are considerably more anomalies in their gene clusters, probably reflecting recent modification of the structures. Having the complete set of structures and genes opens the way for experimental studies on the role of this diversity in pathogenicity.     

Integral membrane proteins specific to the inner nuclear membrane and associated with the nuclear lamina

We obtained a monoclonal antibody (RL13) that identifies three integral membrane proteins specific to the nuclear envelope of rat liver, a major 75-kD polypeptide and two more minor components of 68 and 55 kD. Immunogold labeling of isolated nuclear envelopes demonstrates that these antigens are localized specifically to the inner nuclear membrane, and that the RL13 epitope occurs on the inner membrane's nucleoplasmic surface where the nuclear lamina is found. When nuclear envelopes are extracted with solutions containing nonionic detergent and high salt to solubilize nuclear membranes and pore complexes, most of these integral proteins remain associated with the insoluble lamina. Since the polypeptides recognized by RL13 are relatively abundant, they may function as lamina attachment sites in the inner nuclear membrane. Major cross-reacting antigens are found by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy in all rat cells examined. Therefore, these integral proteins are biochemical markers for the inner nuclear membrane and will be useful models for studying nuclear membrane biogenesis.     

Identification of the major histocompatibility complex in the ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus

Reciprocal immunization between parents of an Illinois family of ring-necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, resulted in antisera detecting two pairs of alloantigens segregating among 13 progeny. The four alloantigens were tentatively designated as 1 and 2, transmitted antithetically by the sire, and 3 and 4, transmitted antithetically by the dam. Genetic segregation occurring in second-generation progeny demonstrated that these two pairs of antigens belonged to a single genetic system. This alloantigen system was shown to correspond serologically to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chicken by cross-reactivity of the antigens of this system with specific subregional chicken MHC reagents, appropriately absorbed with erythrocytes of individual pheasants. These four haplotypes of the pheasant MHC were subsequently designated as MhcPhco-B1, MhcPhco-B2, MhcPhco-B3 and MhcPhco-B4. Traditional immunogenetic analysis of 30 pheasant families produced in this study disclosed a minimum of 14 pheasant haplotypes of this alloantigen system (MHC) to be segregating in the population under evaluation.     

The effect of alloantisera on antigen-induced T cell proliferation.

In the guinea pig, alloantisera raised by cross-immunization of strain 2 and strain 13 animals are capable of specifically inhibiting the in vitro proliferative response of (2 X 13)F1 T lymphocytes to those antigens the response to which is controlled by Ir genes linked to the genes controlling the alloantigens against which the serum is directed. However, in similar studies performed in the two parental strains, the responses to antigens not known to be under unigenic control were also markedly inhibited by the appropriate alloantisera. We have extended our studies of this "nonspecific" inhibitory effect of alloantisera on T cell proliferation and have demonstrated that the proliferative response of strain 2 and strain 13 T cells to a large number of antigens is markedly inhibited by anti-2 and anti-13 sera, respectively. Antisera to the B alloantigen, the product of a linked but distinct histocompatibility locus, which is present in both strain 2 and strain 13 animals, also produced a marked inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation. A number of possible explanations for the generalized inhibitory effect of alloantisera on T cell proliferation are discussed.     

T cell epitope characterization in tandemly repetitive Trypanosoma cruzi B13 protein

Proteins containing tandemly repetitive sequences are present in several immunodominant protein antigens in pathogenic protozoan parasites. The tandemly repetitive Trypanosoma cruzi B13 protein is recognized by IgG antibodies from 98% of Chagas' disease patients. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that lead to the immunodominance of the repeated sequences, and there is limited information on T cell epitopes in such repetitive antigens. We finely characterized the T cell recognition of the tandemly repetitive, degenerate B13 protein by T cell lines, clones and PBMC from Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy (CCC), asymptomatic T. cruzi infected (ASY) and non-infected individuals (N). PBMC proliferative responses to recombinant B13 protein were restricted to individuals bearing HLA-DQA1*0501(DQ7), -DR1, and -DR2; B13 peptides bound to the same HLA molecules in binding assays. The HLA-DQ7-restricted minimal T cell epitope [FGQAAAG(D/E)KP] was identified with an overlapping combinatorial peptide library including all B13 sequence variants in T. cruzi Y strain B13 protein; the underlined small residues GQA were the major HLA contact residues. Among natural B13 15-mer variant peptides, molecular modeling showed that several variant positions were solvent (TCR)-exposed, and substitutions at exposed positions abolished recognition. While natural B13 variant peptide S15.9 seems to be the immunodominant epitope for Chagas' disease patients, S15.4 was preferentially recognized by CCC rather than ASY patients, which may be pathogenically relevant. This is the first thorough characterization of T cell epitopes of a tandemly repetitive protozoan antigen and may suggest a role for T cell help in the immunodominance of protozoan repetitive antigens.     

Isoforms of the Lutheran/basal cell adhesion molecule glycoprotein are differentially delivered in polarized epithelial cells. Mapping of the basolateral sorting signal to a cytoplasmic di-leucine motif.

Lu and Lu(v13) are two glycoprotein (gp) isoforms that belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily and carry both the Lutheran (Lu) blood group antigens and the basal cell adhesion molecule epithelial cancer antigen. Lu (85 kDa) and Lu(v13) (78 kDa) gps, which differ only in the length of their cytoplasmic domain, are adhesion molecules that bind laminin. In nonerythroid tissues, the Lu/basal cell adhesion molecule antigens are predominantly expressed in the endothelium of blood vessel walls and in the basement membrane region of normal epithelial cells, whereas they exhibit a nonpolarized expression in some epithelial cancers. Here, we analyzed the polarization of Lu and Lu(v13) gps in epithelial cells by confocal microscopy and domain-selective biotinylation assays. Differentiated human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells exhibited a polarized expression of endogenous Lu antigens associated with a predominant expression of the Lu isoform at the basolateral domain of the plasma membrane and a very low expression of the Lu(v13) isoform at both the apical and basolateral domains. Analysis of transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells revealed a basolateral expression of Lu gp and a nonpolarized expression of Lu(v13) gp. Delivery of Lu(v13) to both apical and basolateral surfaces showed similar kinetics, indicating that this isoform is directly transported to each surface domain. A dileucine motif at position 608-609, specific to the Lu isoform, was characterized as a dominant basolateral sorting signal that prevents Lu gp from taking the apical delivery pathway.     

Serological studies on the major histocompatibility complex of new inbred strains of the guinea pig.

New inbred strains of guinea pigs, JY 1, JY 2, JY 3, JY 6, JY 9 and JY 10 have been established in this Institute. Serologic studies of guinea pig leukocyte antigens (GPLA antigens) were carried out in order to examine their major histocompatibility complex (GPLA complex). Antisera specific for Ia antigens were raised by cross-immunization of NIH strain 2 (NIH 2) and NIH strain 13 (NIH 13) guinea pigs, well known inbred guinea pigs. The sera identified four distinct Ia specificities, which were designated as Ia.2a, Ia2b, Ia.13a and Ia.13b. Six antigenic specificities different from the above Ia specificities were identified by sera obtained by appropriate immunization of the inbred guinea pigs and were designated as P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4, P.5 and P.6. Antigenic specificities of GPLA antigens recognized in inbred guinea pigs were : NIH 2 (Ia.2a, Ia.2b, P.1, P.2, P.O, P.4), NIH 13 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4), JY 1 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.5), JY 2 (Ia.2b, Ia.13b, P.3, P.4, P.6), JY 3 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.2, P.4, P.5), JY 6 (Ia.2b, Ia.13b, P.3, P.6), JY 9 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.4, P.5), JY 10 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.2, P.3, P.4, P.6), JY 9 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.4, P.5), JY 10 (Ia.13a, Ia.13b, P.2, P.3, P.4, P.6). The correspondence of these specificities to those already reported was discussed and the P.2 or P.4 was considered to be an additional specificity of GPLA antigens that have not been reported yet. As the new inbred strains of guinea pigs were thus found to possess characteristic GPLA complex, which differ from each other and from those of NIH 2 and NIH 13 strain, they should be useful for studies of roles of the major histocompatibility complex in the immune system.