A role for histamine type II (H-2) receptor binding in production of the lymphokine, soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS)

Soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) is an immunosuppressive protein produced by human and murine suppressor cells activated by a variety of agents. Because histamine has been reported to activate suppressor cells, the possibility that it also induced SIRS production was investigated. Human lymphocytes treated with 10(-4) M histamine for less than 1 hr released a suppressive substance into culture supernatants that was physically, functionally and antigenically similar to human SIRS. Cimetidine and ranitidine, structurally distinct histamine type II (H-2) receptor antagonists, prevented histamine-induced SIRS production. In further experiments, suppression of human polyclonal IgM PFC responses by Con A and interferons, substances that activate the SIRS pathway, was inhibited by H-2 receptor antagonists. Activation of lymphocytes to produce SIRS by Con A or interferons was blocked by cimetidine or ranitidine. These data demonstrate that production of SIRS is induced by histamine, and raise the possibility that H-2 receptor binding may play a role in the SIRS pathway.     

Biological expressions of lymphocyte activation. V. Characterization of a soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) produced by concanavalin A-activated spleen cells.

Supernatant fluids from murine spleen cell cultures incubated with concanavalin A for 48 hr contain a factor(s), soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS), which suppresses plaque-forming cell responses to sheep erythrocytes by murine spleen cells in vitro. In the present studies, some of the biochemical and biophysical properties of SIRS were investigated. SIRS was non-dialysable; the suppressive activity was stable at 56 degrees C for 30 min, but was destroyed by treatment at 70 degrees C for 30 min, 80 degrees C for 10 min, or at pH 2. The suppressive activity was not absorbed by the stimulating antigen, SRBC, or antisera against murine IgG or mu-chain, suggesting that SIRS does not contain immunoglobulin determinants. Murine spleen and thymus, but not kidney cells, however, absorbed SIRS activity. Enzyme treatments revealed that SIRS was resistant to DNase and RNase, but was destroyed by trypsin and chymotrypsin. In gel filtration with Sephadex G-100, SIRS activity eluted in the fraction corresponding to m.w. in the range between 48,000 and 67,000. With polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, SIRS activity migrated in the region cathodal to albumin. Isopycnic centrifugation in a cesium chloride gradient suggested that SIRS is a glycoprotein. These supernatant fluids with SIRS activity were also found to contain macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). In the experiments using gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and isopycnic centrifugation to fractionate supernatant fluids, SIRS and MIF activity were found in the same fractions, and to date we have been unable to dissociate definitively SIRS activity from MIF activity.     

Identification and initial characterization of concanavalin A- and interferon-induced human suppressor factors: evidence for a human equivalent of murine soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS)

Human suppressor T cells activated by leukocyte interferon have properties similar to murine suppressor cells activated by interferon or by concanavalin A. Murine suppressor cells release a soluble mediator, soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS), which accounts, at least in part, for suppressive activity in murine systems. To compare and contrast murine and human suppressor pathways, we evaluated the suppression of human polyclonal plaque-forming cell responses by concanavalin A, by leukocyte interferon, and by immune interferon, or by suppressor cells activated by these agents. In each instance, suppressive activity was prevented by levamisole, ascorbic acid, catalase, or 2-mercaptoethanol, agents known to interfere with murine SIRS activity. Furthermore, concanavalin A, immune interferon, and leukocyte interferon induced T lymphocytes to release 110,000 to 150,000 m.w. proteins which suppressed responses only when added early in the culture period. As with murine SIRS, suppression by each of these human factors was inhibited by 2-mercaptoethanol, ascorbic acid, catalase, or levamisole. The reaction of human suppressor factors with H2O2 (10(-6) M) activated suppressor factors so that they suppress responses when added late in the culture period. Human suppressor factors were protease- and acid (pH 2)-sensitive. The similarities between these human suppressor factors and murine SIRS show the existence of a human SIRS pathway.     

Regulation of IgG1 and IgG2 subclass expression by adjuvant-activated splenic suppressor T cells

Spleen cells from mice immunized with different adjuvants are able to suppress secondary in vitro IgG plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses. The suppressive effect is mediated by Lyt-2-positive T cells. IgG subclasses are affected differentially depending on the number of T suppressor (Ts) cells added in the assays. At low Ts cell concentration IgG2a and IgG2b PFC responses are selectively inhibited. At higher Ts cell concentration IgG1 responses could also be completely inhibited, but IgA and IgM responses are not affected. Suppressor cells responsible for IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b suppression are never found in the draining lymph nodes of adjuvant-immunized animals.     

Activation of human B lymphocytes: XVI. Cellular requirements,interactions, and immunoregulation of pokeweed mitogen-induced total-immunoglobulin producing plaque-forming cells in peripheral blood

The optimal culture and assay conditions for the detection of spontaneously occurring and pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced polyvalent Ig (IgG + IgM + IgA) and individual Ig class-specific plaque-forming cells (PFC) in human peripheral blood have been described in detail. Culture conditions are critical, particularly with regard to cell density and batches of supplemental serum. Fetal calf serum is a much more supportive serum supplement for PWM-induced PFC than is human serum. The assay system is a modified reverse hemolytic PFC assay using staphylococcal protein A coupled to sheep red blood cells by the chromic chloride method. PFC are developed by rabbit anti-human polyvalent Ig or anti-human individual Ig class antisera. Human peripheral blood contains 468 (±78) spontaneously occurring Ig secreting PFC per 10⁶ lymphocytes at Day 0 and 20,500(± 1971) PWM-induced Ig secreting PFC after 6 days in culture. The response is T-cell dependent; however, T cells can be replaced by a soluble T-cell factor prepared from a 48-hr allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction supernatant. The relative dependence on monocytes is a reflection of the culture conditions employed. Under the conditions of round-bottom tubes which promote cell-to-cell contact, depletion of monocytes to 0 to 2% does not result in a diminution of PFC responses. In fact, under such conditions, in certain individuals monocytes are markedly suppressive such that removal of monocytes results in a substantial enhancement of PFC responses. This system is simple and reproducible and should prove extremely useful in the delineation of the mechanisms of B-cell triggering and immunoregulation in normals and in disease states.     

Inhibition of the in vitro 19S and 7S antibody response by immunoglobulin-binding factor (IBF) from alloantigen-activated T cells

A soluble factor secreted by alloantigen-activated mouse T cells which binds to the Fc fragment of IgG and inhibits complement activation by IgG (immunoglobulin-binding factor, IBF) suppressed the in vitro 19S and 7S antibody response by mouse spleen cells to T-dependent as well as T-independent antigens. IBF inhibited the 19S plaque response best when it was added late during PFC generation (between 48 and 72 hr). On the other hand, when it was left in cultures for up to 60 hr and then removed, antibody synthesis was not inhibited. However, its presence for only 2 hr starting after 72 hr of incubation was sufficient to inhibit PFC formation. The suppressive activity of IFB could be neutralized by adding aggregated mouse IgG prior to the critical stage around 72 hr. These data favour the view that IBF could be a suppressive T cell factor and point to the possibility that IBF may act on already triggered B cells during their final differentiation to active PFC.     

IgG recruiting component (GRC): B cell-derived signal for IgG antibody synthesis.

The B cell-derived soluble factor that has been described as an IgG-recruiting component (GRC) was investigated to: a) ascertain whether it is governed by genetic constraints, b) determine what triggers its synthesis, and c) identify its cellular target. GRC has been shown to be unrestricted by histocompatibility barriers since it enhanced IgG antibody production in mice of diverse genetic backgrounds. Further, we report that eliminating IgG-bearing cells from B cells to be immunized in vitro allows T cells-replacing factor (TRF) to increase the number of IgM but not IgG PFC. Thus, TRF appears to act on IgM-bearing cells by expanding the IgM PFC number. Adding GRC 48 hr after the addition of TRF to such IgG-depleted cells caused expression of IgG PFC. Hence, B cells lacking IgG but possessing IgM surface immunoglobulins appear to be those that are acted upon by GRC. These data indicate that in whole splenic cell populations, GRC is derived from IgG-bearing B cells that are stimulated by antigen and a component in TRF.     

Cell interactions in alveolar macrophage-mediated suppression of the immune response: an unusual suppressor pathway involving a population of T-cells that express Lyt-1, L3T4, and I-J

Studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that incubation of murine alveolar macrophages (AM) with SRBC-primed spleen cells (SC) results in suppression of the in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) response and that suppression is mediated by a soluble factor contained in supernatants obtained from cultures of AM and SC. In the present study, immunological techniques employing monoclonal antibody (MoAb) were used to isolate various T-cell subsets in order to determine the phenotype of the cells which interact with AM to produce suppression. Spleen cell populations depleted of Thy-1+-, Lyt-1+-, L3T4+-, or I-J+-bearing cells failed to generate suppressive supernatants when cultured with AM. Depletion of Lyt-2+ T-cells (the classical suppressor/effector subset) did not alter the ability of the remaining cell population to cooperate with AM for generation of suppressive supernatants. Direct suppression of the PFC response in cultures containing AM was abrogated after treatment of the spleen cells with anti-I-J, but not anti-Lyt-2 MoAbs. Reconstitution of the AM-mediated suppressive response with enriched populations of SC required the presence of T-cells which expressed Lyt-1, L3T4, and I-J. These results suggest the existence of an unusual suppressor pathway involving I-J restriction but which appears to be mediated by the interaction of AM with a population of T-cells that expresses surface markers characteristic of T-helper cells.     

Site of action of a soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) produced by concanavalin A-activated spleen cells.

The cellular site of action of SIRS, a soluble immune response suppressor released by Con A-activated spleen cells which suppresses antibody responses to heterologous erythrocytes by murine spleen cells in vitro, was investigated. Exposure of spleen cells to SIRS for 2 hr at 37 degrees C or 1 hr at 4 degrees C was sufficient to suppress 5-day antibody responses in vitro. Similar exposure of splenic or peritoneal exudate macrophages to SIRS also suppressed antibody responses by untreated splenic lymphoid cells; exposure of splenic lymphoid cells to SIRS was without effect. SIRS did not act via T cells which might have contaminated the macrophage preparations. SIRS-mediated suppression could be partially overcome by an excess of normal peritoneal exudate macrophages, but not by an excess of T or B cells. These data indicate that the target cell of SIRS activity is the macrophage. The results are discussed in the context of macrophage functions that could be affected by SIRS.     

Antipeptide antibody specific for the N-terminal of soluble immune response suppressor neutralizes concanavalin A and IFN-induced suppressor cell activity in an in vitro cytotoxic T lymphocyte response

Soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) is a nonspecific immunosuppressive lymphokine produced by Lyt-2+ lymphocytes after exposure to Con A, IFN-alpha, or IFN-gamma. The N-terminal 21 residues of SIRS have recently been elucidated and antisera specific for this sequence have been raised in rabbits by using a synthetic peptide coupled to an immunogenic carrier protein. In a series of experiments, we have established that this antiserum blocks the suppressive activity of Con A- or IFN-activated suppressor cells. These data establish that Con A- or IFN-activated suppressor cells exert some or all of their suppressive effects via SIRS. Further studies show that SIRS acts primarily during the induction of CTL and not at the effector phase. Last, we show that SIRS is not involved in the radiation-resistant Ag-specific suppressor cell circuit that can be induced during the in vitro MLR.     

Murine IgA binding factors (IgA-BF) suppressing IgA production: characterization and target specificity of IgA-BF

Chemical and functional properties of IgA binding factor(s) (IgA-BF) from both murine Con A-activated spleen cells and Fc gamma R+, Fc alpha R+ T hybridoma cells (T2D4) were studied. IgA-BF produced from the cells after preculture with IgA were purified with IgA-Sepharose. Purified IgA-BF inhibited the binding of IgA to Fc alpha R+ L5178Y T lymphoma cells, and class-specifically suppressed in vitro IgA synthesis of the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated murine spleen cells. Both IgA-specific suppressive activity and IgA binding activity of the factor(s) were co-fractionated between BSA and OVA in gel filtration analysis. SDS-PAGE analysis of IgA-BF biosynthetically labeled with [35S]methionine showed a specific band on 56,000. Suppressive activity of IgA-BF was absorbed with lentil-lectin-Sepharose and was eluted with 0.2 M alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. The suppressive activity obtained from T2D4 cells (H-2k) and BALB/c Con A blasts (H-2d) was absorbed with the corresponding anti-H-2 and anti-I-A column and recovered in the acid-eluate. The activity was not absorbed with the unrelated anti-H-2 column. Despite the presence of MHC products, IgA-BF from both cell sources equally suppressed IgA-specific responses of BALB/c (H-2d), C3H/He (H-2k), and C57BL/10 (H-2b) spleen cells. They also suppressed IgA production as well as IgA synthesis of PWM-stimulated culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes without affecting IgM and IgG responses. Suppression of murine and human IgA responses both in mouse and human were mediated by the molecules having the same Ia products, suggesting that there is no MHC, as well as species restriction, for the interaction between IgA-BF and their target cells. IgA-specific suppressive activity was absorbed with human B blastoid cells bearing surface IgA (Dakiki) but not with those bearing surface IgG (CESS) or murine and human T cell line cells (BW5147, L5178Y, HPB-ALL, and MOLT4), indicating that IgA-BF interact with B cells bearing IgA to suppress their differentiation.     

Functional differences between cells from MLR colonies grown in soft agar cultures

This report describes a method of growing soft agar colonies of human T lymphocytes activated in the MLR. Two types of colonies were demonstrated: lower colonies grew within the agar layer, and upper colonies grew on the surface of the agar layer. Three days of priming the lymphocytes in the MLR and the use of supernatants of day-3 MLR cultures to provide T cell colony growth factor were necessary for optimal colony formation. Lymphocytes obtained from colonies were grown in long-term (2 to 4 weeks) cultures to generate sufficient numbers of cells to be tested in different functional assays. Cells from both types of colonies exhibited PLT activity. Upper colony cells showed considerably higher CML activity than lower colony cells (mean percent cytotoxicity 37 +/- 5 vs 6 +/- 3). Cells from both types of colonies contained radiosensitive suppressor cell activity that inhibited the primary MLR. The suppressor cell effect of lower colony cells was specific for the original stimulator, but upper colony cells displayed nonspecific suppressive effects. For both types of colony cells, it appeared that suppressive effects were unrelated to the CML activity of these cells. These data suggest that the soft agar colony assay offers a promising approach to separate subpopulations of lymphocytes activated in the MLR.     

Sex-associated differences in the regulation of immune responses controlled by the MHC of the mouse

The immunologic potential of T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells (APC) from male and female mice were compared. Lymphocytes from female mice or from male mice that cannot produce and respond to testosterone (Tfm/y) were more reactive than male lymphocytes to alloantigens in MLR. Spleen cells from Tfm/y mice equipped with estrogen implants showed a higher responsiveness than control Tfm/y to alloantigens. The removal of suppressive adherent cells or the addition of T cell growth factor (TCGF) enhanced the proliferative activity of the cells in the MLR. The responsiveness of female cells to alloantigens, however, remained superior to that observed in male cells. Similarly, in the presence of TCGF, thymocytes from female mice react more effectively than male cells in MLR. In addition, Con A-stimulated spleen cells from female mice produce more interleukin 2 (IL 2) than do spleen cells from males or female mice treated with testosterone. Lymphocytes from immunized mice were tested for their ability to respond to soluble antigens (KLH and OVA) in vitro. Again, female immunocompetent cells respond more vigorously than male cells or cells originating in female mice with testosterone implants. APC from female spleen were more efficient than male APC in initiating a secondary response in primed lymphocytes from either males or female mice. Moreover, castration of male mice enhanced, and treatment of female mice with androgen reduced, the efficiency of antigen presentation. In conclusion, these data suggest that female cells are superior to male cells in immunologic functions that are known to be associated with reactions to and recognition of histocompatibility antigens, i.e., antigen presentation and MLR. Furthermore, our present data indicate that the differential reactivity of immunocytes between male and female mice depends on the hormonal balance of the animal.     

MLC-specific suppressor T lymphocytes in man. I. Their induction in vitro by soluble HLA-DR antigens

Human T lymphocytes precultured for 36 hr in the presence of soluble HLA-DR antigens suppress the MLR response of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes to allogeneic stimulating cells. The suppression is DR antigen-specific in that it appears that the MLR stimulating cell donor and the soluble suppressor-inducing antigen must share DR specificities. The soluble DR antigens were fractionated from the sera of normal donors using QAE-Sephadex chromatography and CNBr-activated Sepharose immunoadsorption. Similarly prepared HLA-A and -B antigens failed to induce suppressive activity. The suppressive activity of DR-antigen cultured T cells is resistant to mitomycin C treatment and, further, the antigen specificity is maintained with or without mitomycin C treatment. The kinetics of suppressor cell induction as well as the kinetics of suppression in the test MLR cultures are presented. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Effects of microwave exposure on the hamster immune system. IV. Spleen cell IgM hemolytic plaque formation

Microwave exposure has been reported to affect various components of the immune system. In this study, we examined the effect of a single whole-body exposure of hamsters to microwave (mw) energy (2.45 GHz; 5-25 mW/cm2; 1 h) on the IgM antibody (Ab) response of spleen cells to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). MW-exposed, sham-exposed, and cage-control hamsters were immunized with SRBC and plaque-forming cells (PFC) in spleens assayed using the direct hemolytic plaque assay. In cage-control hamsters the Ab response was highest between days 4 and 5, returning to baseline by day 9. MW exposure (25 mW/cm2 for 1 h) significantly augmented PFC response only on days 4 and 5 postimmunization, causing approximately a 4.3- and 3.5-fold increase over controls, respectively. Exposure to 15 mW/cm2 caused a lesser, but significant increase in PFC. Exposure to intensities below 15 mW/cm2 for 1 h did not produce any increase in Ab response. Immunization with different concentrations of SRBC following 1 h of 25 mW/cm2 MW exposure revealed a stimulation in PFC at all concentrations ranging from 5 X 10(7) to 5 X 10(8) SRBC. Pretreatment of hamsters with MW radiation prior to immunization showed that the animals retained an increased sensitivity to SRBC for as long as 4 days after MW exposure. In contrast, exposure of hamsters to MW energy on different days after immunization showed an effect of the PFC response only if given between 0 and 1 day after immunization. These results suggest that MW exposure augments the primary IgM response to SRBC by affecting some early event in the immune response process. The various possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed.     

Immunoregulatory pathways in adult responder mice. II. Regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses by GAT-specific suppressor factors present in GAT-tolerant adult responder mice

We studied the effects of T cell extracts from adult responder BALB/c mice tolerized with poly(Glu60Ala30Tyr10) (GAT)-coupled syngeneic spleen cells (GAT-SP) on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), T cell-proliferative (Tprlf), and plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses. Adult responder mice injected i.v. with GAT-SP develop Lyt-1-2+ suppressor T cells (Ts), which suppress the induction of GAT-specific DTH and PFC, but not Tprlf responses. Sonicates from these Ts contain an afferent-acting, soluble factor(s) (GAT-TsFdh) that specifically suppresses the same responses as the intact Ts (i.e., DTH and PFC, but not Tprlf). Immunosorbent chromatography studies were employed to determine the molecular nature of the suppressive material active on both cellular and humoral responses. In both assay systems, GAT-TsFdh was found to bear determinants encoded by the I subregion of the H-2 complex and a receptor(s) for GAT. BALB/c-derived GAT-TsFdh suppressed the induction of GAT DTH in syngeneic BALB/c and H-2-compatible B10.D2, but not in allogeneic C57BL/6 or CBA/Cum, suggesting a possible H-2 restriction in the suppression. It was also shown that one target of functional regulation by GAT-TsFdh is the T helper cell for DTH responses (DTH-Th). The results suggest that similar Ts and TsF regulate humoral and cell-mediated responses, perhaps by affecting a target common to both pathways (e.g., the T helper cell). The resistance of Tprlf responses to suppression by GAT-TsFdh indicates that the effector DTH-Th target is not a major component of the proliferative response. These data are discussed with respect to GAT-specific TsF-regulating PFC responses, which have been identified in nonresponders and in responders tolerized as neonates with GAT.     

Mechanisms subserving the bipotential actions of estrogen on ovarian cells: studies with a selective anti-estrogen, LY156758, and the sparingly metabolizable estrogen agonist, moxestrol

Estrogen exerts biphasic effects on progesterone biosynthesis by swine granulosa cells, such that initial transient inhibition is followed by delayed but sustained stimulation. We have tested the functional role of the estradiol receptor in these biphasic responses by utilizing the highly selective estrogen-receptor antagonist, LY156758, and the synthetic estrogen agonist, moxestrol. The acute inhibitory action of estradiol was mimicked in a dose-dependent action by moxestrol (half-maximally inhibitory dose: 54.3 +/- 25 ng/ml), but was not antagonized by LY156758. Rather, the antiestrogen alone significantly suppressed basal progesterone synthesis, and accentuated the suppressive effect of submaximally inhibitory doses of estradiol. Inhibition was accompanied by increased pregnenolone accumulation, with a consequently augmented ratio of pregnenolone to progesterone. Moreover, in cell-free sonicates of granulosa cells, LY156758 directly inhibited 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in a dose-dependent fashion, with half-maximal inhibition expressed at a drug concentration of 2.44 +/- 0.31 micrograms/ml compared with 85 +/- 19 ng/ml for estradiol. In addition, the combination of LY156758 and submaximally inhibitory doses of estradiol resulted in further suppression of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The sustained stimulatory phase of estrogen action was also mimicked by moxestrol in a dose-dependent fashion. However, in contrast to its acute inhibitory effects, longer-term treatment with LY156758 slightly enhanced basal progesterone accumulation, and effectively antagonized estradiol's stimulatory actions. In summary, our results with moxestrol demonstrate that both the inhibitory and the stimulatory actions of estradiol are effectively mimicked by this synthetic estrogen agonist. Results with the selective anti-estrogen LY156758 indicate a small degree of intrinsic estrogen agonist activity (approx 4% that of estradiol), which is reflected by its acute and direct inhibition of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. However, under longer-term conditions in which estradiol's stimulation of progesterone production is expressed, LY156758 significantly antagonizes estradiol's trophic actions. Accordingly, we suggest that the acute suppressive effects of estradiol on progesterone production are mediated predominantly by direct inhibition of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, while delayed stimulatory effects are transduced via estrogen-receptor mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Suppression of B cell responses by natural killer cells is mediated through direct effects on T cells

We examined the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to modulate T cell-dependent mitogen-induced B cell responses. Highly purified NK cells inhibited the polyclonal antibody responses of autologous pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated unfractionated mononuclear cells in a reverse hemolytic plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay. Investigation of the possible mechanism(s) of the suppressor activity of NK cells revealed that lysis of mitogen-stimulated cells was unlikely. Chromium-51 release cytotoxicity assays of PWM-stimulated mononuclear cells did not demonstrate lysis by NK cells. Additionally, the monoclonal antibody 13.3, which abrogates NK cell cytolysis, did not reverse NK cell-dependent suppression of PFC formation. The putative lytic molecule elaborated by NK cells, NK cytotoxic factor, did not suppress B cell responses, further supporting a nonlytic inhibitory mechanism. That NK cell-derived lymphokines such as IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, or IL-2 were uninvolved in the down-regulation of B cells was corroborated by the failure of antibodies to these mediators to reverse the suppression. NK cells did not suppress PFC formation when T cells were replaced by supernatants from PWM-stimulated T cells; additionally, NK cells had no effect on the generation of these necessary T cell factors. However, the coculture of T cells with NK cells resulted in the induction of suppressor activity within the T cell population suggesting that this was the mechanism of NK cell-mediated suppression of B cell responses.     

T cell hybridomas coexpressing Fc receptors (FcR) for different isotypes. II. IgA-induced formation of suppressive IgA binding factor(s) by a murine T hybridoma bearing Fc gamma R and Fc alpha R

T2D4 murine T hybridoma cells have previously been shown to express Fc receptors (FcR) for IgG (Fc gamma R) and for IgA (Fc alpha R) and to produce an IgG binding factor (IgGBF) that suppresses IgG and IgM responses. In the present work we report on the behavior of IgA bound to T2D4 cells and on the production of IgA binding factor (IgABF) and its ability to suppress IgA antibody production. A dose-dependent binding of MOPC315 IgA with anti-TNP activity by T2D4 cells was demonstrated by rosette formation with trinitrophenylated ox red blood cells (TNP-ORBC) and fixation of iodinated DNP-BSA. IgA bound to the cells disappeared after a short-term culture of 3 hr at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. Because this phenomenon was inhibited by 0.1% sodium azide and 100 microM dansylcadaverine, a transglutaminase inhibitor, Fc alpha R-IgA complexes seemed to be released by an active process involving receptor movement. In the culture supernatant of IgA-treated T2D4 cells, we detected a factor(s) that binds to IgA-Sepharose and competitively inhibits the binding of IgA to T2D4 cells. The factor (IgABF) failed to inhibit the rosette formation of Fc gamma R(+) cells with IgG-sensitized ORBC (EAox gamma), indicating that it binds specifically to IgA. IgABF was undetectable in the culture supernatants of untreated T2D4 cells of Fc alpha R(-) BW5147 T lymphoma cells used as parent cells for the establishment of the hybridoma. To study the effect of IgABF on antibody formation, culture filtrates of IgA-treated or untreated T2D4 cells were fractionated on IgA-Sepharose beads and were added to BALB/c spleen cells cultured with pokeweed mitogen. By use of a reverse plaque assay, it was shown that the IgA plaque-forming cell (PFC) response was suppressed by the acid eluate but not by the effluent of IgA-Sepharose beads incubated with the filtrates of IgA-treated T2D4 cell cultures. The suppression was IgA specific, because neither IgG nor IgM responses were suppressed by the eluate. As expected, there was no significant IgA suppressive activity in the acid eluates of the beads incubated with the culture filtrate of untreated T2D4 cells or IgA-treated BW5147 cells. IgA-specific suppressive activity proved to be due to IgA binding factor(s), because suppressive activity in the eluate was completely adsorbed by IgA-Sepharose but not by IgG- nor BSA-Sepharose.     

Pregnancy-associated growth factor. II. A T-dependent polyclonal activator of human adult peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL)

This study examined the ability of pregnancy-associated growth factor (PAGF), a substance found in crude human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to induce plaque-forming cells (PFC) in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). PAGF, 0.25 to 1 mg/ml, induced maximal PFC at 6 to 7 days as measured by the staphylococcal protein A-coupled SRBC reverse hemolytic plaque assay with a rabbit anti-human Ig antiserum. PAGF-induced PFC/culture ranged from 1800 to 39,000 with a mean of 11,524 in unfractionated PBL (N = 24), as compared to 540 to 77,840 with a mean of 17,303 for pokeweed (PWM) (N = 22). Comparison of PAGF- and PWM-induced PFC showed that both induced specific IgG, IgA, and IgM PFC. In most individuals, PAGF induced more IgM and PWM more IgG PFC. The kappa: lambda ratio was 1.5 for unstimulated PBL, and approximately 3.5 for PAGF and PWM. To see if PAGF was a T-dependent polyclonal activator of B cells, T and non-T populations were obtained by SRBC rosettes and negatively selected T4 and T8 cells by complement-mediated lysis of SRBC+(T) cells. Only the recombined subsets which included T4 cells and non-T cells supported PAGF- and PWM-induced PFC. These data indicate that PAGF, a substance derived from commercial extracts of pregnancy urine, is a T4-dependent polyclonal activator of normal human B cells.