Characterization and sequencing of a 40-amino-acid peptide from human thyroglobulin inducing experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.

We previously demonstrated that: a) a cytotoxic T cell hybridoma (HTC2) was able to induce lysis of syngeneic macrophages pulsed with either porcine thyroglobulin (pTg) or the tryptic fragments (TF) from pTg less than 10 kDa (M(r)) and that b) these low M(r) pTg TF included pathogenic epitopes because their injection into CBA/J mice induces thyroid lymphocytic infiltration typical of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. Therefore the biochemical analysis of the TF preparation from pTg less than 10 kDa M(r) was undertaken and the characterized peptides were tested for their ability to be recognized or not by HTC2 cells. The sequencing of the selected peptides showed a 70% sequence homology with a portion of human thyroglobulin (hTg). The lack of a published sequence of pTg led us to synthesize a 40-amino acid peptide (F40D) similar to that portion of hTg. This F40D peptide was able to generate lymphocytic infiltrations in CBA/J mice thyroid glands, as was the native pTg molecule. Although the lymphocytic infiltrations were similar in the pTg or F40D-immunized mice, auto-antibodies to pTg or to hTg were only detectable in mice immunized with pTg. In contrast, autoantibodies levels to F40D peptide were significantly increased in serum from mice in which EAT had been induced by the F40D peptide. This highly hydrophobic peptide shows a M(r) of 4,492 kDa; it is located at the end of the second-third of the thyroglobulin molecule and up to now represents a unique sequence from the hTg molecule inducing experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.     

Characteristics of cytotoxic thyroglobulin-specific T cell hybridomas

Clones of cytotoxic thyroid-specific T cell hybridomas were generated by fusion of thyroglobulin-primed, "in vitro"-boosted CBA lymph node cells with the AKR-derived lymphoma cell line BW 5147. One hundred and thirty one clones were obtained. Among them, 15 were able to induce the lysis of 51Cr-labeled syngeneic thyroid epithelial cells after 5 h of incubation at 37 degrees C. Two T cell clones, HTC1 and HTC2, were further studied. These clones, which exhibit cell surface characteristics of cytotoxic cells, were specific for only syngeneic thyroid cells (allogeneic thyroid cells or syngeneic epithelial cells were never lysed by these hybridomas). Moreover, by using Ag-pulsed syngeneic macrophages as targets, syngeneic cytotoxicity was shown to be specific for thyroglobulin and not for a nonrelated Ag. The lysis obtained with these autoreactive thyroid-specific T cell clones is restricted to class I major histocompatibility Ag. This property is assessed by both the blocking of syngeneic cytotoxicity toward thyroid epithelial cells or thyroglobulin-pulsed macrophages only by anti-class I mAb and by the detection of specific lysis of target cells exclusively when effector hybrid cells and target thyroid epithelial cells or thyroglobulin-pulsed macrophages shared at least class I major histocompatibility Ag.     

Thyroxine-binding antibodies inhibit T cell recognition of a pathogenic thyroglobulin epitope

Thyroid hormone-binding (THB) Abs are frequently detected in autoimmune thyroid disorders but it is unknown whether they can exert immunoregulatory effects. We report that a THB mAb recognizing the 5' iodine atom of the outer phenolic ring of thyroxine (T4) can block T cell recognition of the pathogenic thyroglobulin (Tg) peptide (2549-2560) that contains T4 at aa position 2553 (T4(2553)). Following peptide binding to the MHC groove, the THB mAb inhibited activation of the A(k)-restricted, T4(2553)-specific, mouse T cell hybridoma clone 3.47, which does not recognize other T4-containing epitopes or noniodinated peptide analogues. Addition of the same THB mAb to T4(2553)-pulsed splenocytes largely inhibited specific activation of T4(2553)-primed lymph node cells and significantly reduced their capacity to adoptively transfer thyroiditis to naive CBA/J mice. These data demonstrate that some THB Abs can block recognition of iodine-containing Tg epitopes by autoaggressive T cells and support the view that such Abs may influence the development or maintenance of thyroid disease.     

The pathogenic Th17 cell response to major schistosome egg antigen is sequentially dependent on IL-23 and IL-1β

CBA/J mice infected with the helminth Schistosoma mansoni develop severe CD4 T cell-mediated hepatic granulomatous inflammation against parasite eggs associated with a robust Th17 cell response. We investigated the requisites for Th17 cell development using novel CD4 T cells expressing a transgenic TCR specific for the major Sm-p40 egg Ag, which produce IL-17 when stimulated with live schistosome eggs. Neutralization of IL-23 or blockade of the IL-1 receptor, but not IL-6 neutralization, abrogated egg-induced IL-17 secretion by transgenic T cells, whereas exogenous IL-23 or IL-1β reconstituted their ability to produce IL-17 when stimulated by syngeneic IL-12p40-deficient dendritic cells. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that IL-17 production was initiated by IL-23 and amplified by IL-1β. Significantly, schistosome-infected IL-12p40-deficient or IL-1R antagonist-treated CBA/J mice developed markedly reduced hepatic immunopathology with a dampened egg Ag-specific IL-17 response. These results demonstrate that the IL-23-IL-1-IL-17 axis has a central role in the development of severe schistosome egg-induced immunopathology.     

Nude mice produce a T cell-derived antigen-binding factor that mediates the early component of delayed-type hypersensitivity

The elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in mice is caused by the sequential action of two different T cells. An early-acting, DTH-initiating T cell produces an Ag-specific T cell factor, that is analogous to IgE antibody and initiates DTH by sensitizing the local tissues for release of the vasoactive amine serotonin. In picryl chloride or oxazolone contact sensitivity, this T cell factor is Ag-specific, but MHC unrestricted. We, therefore, hypothesized that DTH-initiating T cells are primitive T cells with Ag receptors that can bind Ag without MHC restriction. In order to characterize the origin of this DTH-initiating T cell and the conditions that are necessary for its development, we contact-sensitized various strains of immunodeficient mice. Surprisingly, we found that the early phase of DTH was present in athymic nude mice. In contrast, the early component of DTH was absent in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. These mice lack T and B cells, but have NK cells. These findings suggested that the early component of DTH was not caused by NK cells, and was caused by cells belonging to a lineage from a rearranging gene family. The early component of DTH in nude mice was Ag specific, was caused by MHC unrestricted Thy-1+ T cells, and was mediated by Ag-binding, Ag-specific T cell factors. We found that DTH-initiating, T cell-derived, Ag-binding molecules from nude mice and normal CBA/J mice had the same functional properties. The early component of DTH was elicited in two different systems (contact sensitivity and SRBC-specific DTH) in two strains of nude mice (BALB/c athymic nudes and CByB6F1/J-nu) from two different suppliers, but not in BALB/c and athymic nudes from a third supplier. From these findings we concluded that DTH-initiating T cells, which produce IgE-like Ag-specific T cell factors, are present in some strains of athymic nude mice and thus are relatively thymic independent T cells.     

Processing and presentation of self and foreign antigens by the renal proximal tubule.

The renal proximal tubule (PT) in many ways resembles an APC. The PT is one of the few epithelial cells in the body reported to constitutively express the class II MHC molecules required to present Ag to CD4+ T cells. We questioned whether the PT could function as an APC in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence cytometry demonstrated that the normal CBA/J PT constitutively expressed low levels of class II MHC and that this expression was markedly augmented by either IFN-gamma or systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection. Functionally, the PT from normal CBA/J mice also stimulated T cell hybridomas when cultured in vitro with Ag, and this ability was markedly up-regulated by both IFN-gamma as well as L. monocytogenes infection. To prove that the PT constitutively processed and presented self Ag in vivo, freshly isolated PT from mice transgenic for human alpha 1-antitrypsin were cultured with the appropriate T cell hybridoma in the absence of exogenous Ag. Strong stimulation of the T cell hybridoma occurred. Our data show that the renal proximal tubule processes and presents foreign Ag both in vitro and in vivo, and that it constitutively processes and presents the self Ag hAAT in vivo. These results have important implications for the understanding of renal interstitial autoimmune diseases as well as the interstitial nephritis that occurs in response to foreign Ag.     

CD4+ T cells from lupus-prone mice avoid antigen-specific tolerance induction in vivo

Activated T cells in spontaneous lupus presumably bypass normal tolerance mechanisms in the periphery, since thymic tolerance appears intact. To determine whether such T cells indeed avoid in vivo peripheral tolerance mechanisms, we assessed their activation and recall responses after in vivo Ag stimulation in the absence of exogenously supplied costimulatory signals. Naive CD4(+) AND (transgenic mice bearing rearranged TCR specific for pigeon cytochrome c, peptides 88-104) TCR-transgenic T cells, specific for pigeon cytochrome c, from lupus-prone Fas-intact MRL/Mp+(Fas-lpr) and from H-2(k)-matched control CBA/CaJ and B10.BR mice (MRL.AND, CBA.AND, and B10.AND, respectively) were adoptively transferred into (MRL x CBA)F(1) or (MRL x B10)F(1) recipients transgenically expressing membrane-bound pigeon cytochrome c as a self-Ag. MRL.AND and control CBA.AND and B10.AND-transgenic T cells were activated and divided after transfer, indicating encounter with their cognate Ag; however, T cells from CBA.AND and B10.AND mice were impaired in their ability to proliferate and produce IL-2 after challenge with pigeon cytochrome c in ex vivo recall assays, a typical phenotype of anergized cells. By contrast, MRL.AND T cells proliferated more, and a significantly higher percentage of such cells produced IL-2, compared with control T cells. This observation that MRL T cells avoided anergy induction in vivo was confirmed in an in vitro system where the cells were stimulated with an anti-CD3 in the absence of a costimulatory signal. These experiments provide direct evidence that CD4(+) T cells from Fas-intact lupus-prone MRL mice are more resistant than nonautoimmune control cells to anergy induction. Anergy avoidance in the periphery might contribute to the characteristic finding in lupus of inappropriate T cell activation in response to ubiquitous self-Ags.     

Delayed clearance of filarial infection and enhanced Th1 immunity due to modulation of macrophage APC functions in xid mice.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) mutant CBA/N mice show delayed clearance of injected microfilaria (mf) compared with wild-type CBA/J mice. Anti-mf T cells from CBA/N mice make relatively more IFN-gamma than those from CBA/J mice. The anti-mf T cell proliferative responses are also greater in CBA/N mice. This CBA/N immune phenotype is not restricted to filarial Ags, because immunization with pure proteins also yields T cell responses of greater proliferative magnitude skewed away from Th2 cytokines in CBA/N compared with CBA/J mice. The increased magnitude of CBA/N T cell proliferative responses is reflected in increases in both precursor frequencies and clonal burst sizes of responding Ag-specific T cells, and is independent of the source of re-stimulating APCs. Transfer of CBA/J peritoneal resident cells (PRCs) into CBA/N mice before pure protein immunization leads to a wild-type immune phenotype in the recipient CBA/N mice, with a reduction in the proliferative response and a relative decrease in the IFN-gamma produced. When wild-type PRC subpopulations are similarly transferred, the wild-type immune phenotype is transferred by macrophages rather than by B cells. Transfer of wild-type PRCs into CBA/N mice before injection of mf also causes similar changes in the anti-mf T cell responses and enhances the clearance of mf. Thus, Btk is involved in critical macrophage APC functions regulating priming of T cells, and can modulate these responses in pathophysiologically relevant fashion in vivo.     

The role of cellular proliferation in the induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) in mice

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) can be induced in susceptible strains of mice by injection of mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) and adjuvant. Lymphocytes from immunized mice develop a proliferative response to MTg which generally correlates with the development of EAT. We utilize a cell transfer system wherein spleen cells from CBA/J mice primed with MTg and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo are activated by culture with MTg in vitro to transfer EAT to naive recipients. In vivo priming of CBA/J mice is required to develop an antigen specific proliferative response to MTg. This response is optimal between 48 and 90 hr of culture at an MTg concentration of 125-250 micrograms/ml. The correlation between proliferation and transfer of EAT is not absolute as primed Balb/c X CBA/J F1 and AKR lymphocytes do not proliferate detectably in response to MTg but can be activated to transfer EAT; primed Balb/c lymphocytes neither proliferate nor transfer EAT. Proliferation per se is not sufficient to activate cells to transfer EAT as culture with nonspecific mitogens is not effective in activating primed CBA/J spleen cells to transfer EAT. However, lymphoblasts generated during in vitro culture of primed CBA/J spleen cells with MTg are responsible for transfer of EAT; small lymphocytes are ineffective. We conclude that antigen specific proliferation in response to MTg is essential in activating lymphocytes in vitro to transfer EAT.     

Delineation of five thyroglobulin T cell epitopes with pathogenic potential in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) is a T cell-mediated disease that can be induced in mice after challenge with thyroglobulin (Tg) or Tg peptides. To date, five pathogenic Tg peptides have been identified, four of which are clustered toward the C-terminal end. Because susceptibility to EAT is under control of H-2A(k) genes, we have used an algorithm-based approach to identify A(k)-binding peptides with pathogenic potential within mouse Tg. Eight candidate synthetic peptides, varying in size from 9 to 15 aa, were tested and five of those (p306, p1579, p1826, p2102, and p2596) were found to induce EAT in CBA/J (H-2(k)) mice either after direct challenge with peptide in adjuvant or by adoptive transfer of peptide-sensitized lymph node cells (LNCs) into naive hosts. These pathogenic peptides were immunogenic at the T cell level, eliciting specific LNC proliferative responses and IL-2 and/or IFN-gamma secretion in recall assays in vitro, but contained nondominant epitopes. All immunogenic peptides were confirmed as A(k) binders because peptide-specific LNC proliferation was blocked by an A(k)-specific mAb, but not by a control mAb. Peptide-specific serum IgG was induced only by p2102 and p2596, but these Abs did not bind to intact mouse Tg. This study reaffirms the predictive value of A(k)-binding motifs in epitope mapping and doubles the number of known pathogenic T cell determinants in Tg that are now found scattered throughout the length of this large autoantigen. This knowledge may contribute toward our understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis.     

Suppression of cytotoxic lymphocyte responses in vitro by soluble products of alloantigen-activated spleen cells.

Suppression of in vitro cytotoxic lymphocyte (CL) responses was mediated by soluble factor(s) produced when in vivo alloantigen-activated suppressor cells were re-exposed to alloantigen in vitro. Elaboration of suppressor factor (SF) was T cell dependent and was optimal 7 days after alloantigen injection. Suppressor factor failed to inhibit CL generation when alloantigen-primed cells rather than normal spleen cells were used as responders. Moreover, SF added at day 3 of incubation rather than at culture initiation was also ineffective, suggesting that suppression probably occurs during antigen induction or early differentiation. Additionally, suppression was abrogated by the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. Studies combining SF and CL responder cells from a variety of H-2 disparate mouse sdrains revealed that suppression of CL responses: 1) was not alloantigen specific; 2) did not require H-2 homology between responder and suppressor strains; and 3) could not be demonstrated with CBA/J mice. Although CBA/J CL responses were not suppressed by any SF preparation, allo-sensitized CBA/J spleen cells did elaborate SF that inhibited BALB/c CL responses.     

Nasal Flt3 ligand cDNA elicits CD11c+CD8+ dendritic cells for enhanced mucosal immunity

The embryo expresses paternal Ags foreign to the mother and therefore has been viewed as an allograft. It has been shown that anergic T cells generated by blocking of the CD28/B7 costimulatory pathway with anti B7-1 and anti B7-2 mAbs can be transferred as suppresser cells to prevent allograft rejection. Little is known, however, about the in vivo function of anti-B7-treated T cells after their transfer into abortion-prone mice in the maintenance of materno-fetal tolerance. In the present study, abortion-prone CBA/J females mated with DBA/2 males were administered anti-B7-1 and anti-B7-2 mAbs on day 4 of gestation (murine implantation window). The anti-B7-treated T cells subsequently were adoptively transferred into abortion-prone CBA/J mice. We demonstrated that costimulation blockade with anti-B7 mAbs at the time of implantation resulted in altered allogeneic T cell response and overcame increased maternal rejection to the fetus in the CBA/JxDBA/2 system. The transferred anti-B7-treated T cells appeared to be regulatory, decreasing responsiveness and generating clonal deviation in maternal recipient T cells. The transferred CFSE-labeled T cells were found to reside in the spleen and uterine draining lymph nodes, and a few were localized to the materno-fetal interface of the maternal recipient. Our findings suggest that the anti-B7-treated T cells not only function as potent suppresser cells, but also exert an immunoregulatory effect on the maternal recipient T cells, which cosuppresses maternal rejection to the fetus. This procedure might be considered potentially useful for fetal survival when used as an immunotherapy for human recurrent spontaneous abortion.     

A new monoclonal antibody detects a developmentally regulated mouse ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase on T cells: subset distribution, inbred strain variation, and modulation upon T cell activation

ADP-ribosylation of membrane proteins on mouse T cells by ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase(s) (ARTs) can down-regulate proliferation and function. The lack of mAbs against mouse ARTs has heretofore prevented analysis of ART expression on T cell subsets. Using gene gun technology, we immunized a Wistar rat with an Art2b expression vector and produced a novel mAb, Nika102, specific for ART2.2, the Art2b gene product. We show that ART2.2 is expressed as a GPI-anchored protein on the surface of mature T cells. Inbred strain-dependent differences in ART2.2 expression levels were observed. C57BL/6J and C57BLKS/J express the Ag at high level, with up to 70% of CD4+ and up to 95% of CD8+ peripheral T cells expressing ART2.2. CBA/J and DBA/2J represent strains with lowest expression levels. T cell-deficient mice and NZW/LacJ mice with a defective structural gene for this enzyme were ART2.2 negative. In the thymus, ART2.2 expression is restricted to subpopulations of mature cells. During postnatal ontogeny, increasing percentages of T cells express ART2.2, reaching a peak at 6-8 wk of age. Interestingly, ART2.2 and CD25 are reciprocally expressed: activation-induced up-regulation of CD25 is accompanied by loss of ART2.2 from the cell surface. Nika102 thus defines a new differentiation/activation marker of thymic and postthymic T cells in the mouse and should be useful for further elucidating the function of the ART2.2 cell surface enzyme.     

Isolation of self antigen-reactive cells from inflamed islets of nonobese diabetic mice using CD4high expression as a marker.

The low precursor frequency of Ag-reactive CD4+ T cells has been a barrier to the study of CD4+ T cell responses to conventional Ags as well as CD4+ T cell responses to autoantigens recognized during the course of an autoimmune disease. We have recently reported that all "conventional Ag" reactive CD4+ T cells are contained within the subpopulation expressing high levels of the CD4 molecule, termed CD4high. We have identified a CD4high population in the islets of Langerhans of prediabetic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice that is extremely potent in transferring disease. As few as 500 CD4high islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cells transferred insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus to CD8 reconstituted NOD-SCID mice within 30 days of transfer. In contrast, CD4high T cells isolated from either NOD spleen or salivary glands did not transfer insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus into similar CD8-reconstituted NOD-SCID recipients. These data indicate that the precursor frequency of NOD islet-reactive, pathogenic CD4+ T cells is much higher in the prediabetic NOD pancreas than in these other organs. The islet-infiltrating CD4high T cells displayed selected memory markers, by cell surface analysis, and displayed a Th 1 phenotype by RNase protection assay, but had a marked decrease in IL-4 mRNA determined by quantitative real time PCR when compared with the less pathogenic CD4normal islet-infiltrating T cells. Use of the CD4high marker to select Ag activated T cells represents a tool to isolate and study pathogenic CD4+ T cells from autoimmune lesions in which the Ag has not been previously defined.     

Suppressive substance produced by T cells from mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. III. Genetic restriction and further characterization

Earlier papers in this series reported that the culture supernatant of splenic L3T4+, Lyt-2- T cells from susceptible CBA mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi contain a SS3 that can inhibit the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to a wide range of Ag. The SS is a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 to 60 kDa and is distinct from T. cruzi Ag, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3 or IFN-gamma. It also has no effect on Th cells for antibody, cytotoxic T cells or immediate-type hypersensitivity. In this paper, we report that SS can suppress the induction of proliferating T cells but not the presentation of Ag to a cloned T cell line (D10). It also has no effect on the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity in vitro. SS is produced by a number of inbred mouse strains irrespective of their susceptibility to infection with T. cruzi (BALB/c, highly susceptible; CBA, susceptible; C57BL/10, resistant) but only CBA mice are sensitive to the suppressive action of SS. This is so whether the SS is derived from CBA, BALB/c, or C57BL/10. The sensitivity to SS is not a feature of the H-2k haplotype inasmuch as B10.BR and BALB/k mice (also H-2k) do not respond to SS. Attempts to purify SS with a range of biochemical techniques substantially enriched the specific activity but failed to produce a substance visualizable by analytical gel electrophoresis. IEF chromatography revealed SS activity spanning a pH range from 6 to less than 4. This suggests that SS is likely to be a minor heterogeneous component of the suppressive supernatant. The genetically highly restricted nature of its action is intriguing and may explain some of the contradictory reports in the literature on this subject.     

Murine B7 antigen provides a sufficient costimulatory signal for antigen-specific and MHC-restricted T cell activation.

We have previously shown that the murine B7 (mB7) molecule, when expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells in stable fashion, can costimulate with anti-CD3 mAb or Con A to induce T cell activation. We have now derived, by gene transfection, Chinese hamster ovary cell lines that express the I-Ad molecule, either alone or in context with mB7. We have analyzed these transfectants for their capacity to present Ag to murine CD4+ T lymphocytes. I-Ad/mB7-double transfectants were able to stimulate mixed lymphocyte reactions and to present peptide Ag to specific T cells. Chinese hamster ovary cells that expressed only the I-Ad molecule were not able to stimulate T cell proliferation in these systems. Thus, the mB7 protein is a sufficient costimulatory molecule for the physiologic, Ag-dependent/MHC-restricted activation of murine CD4+ T cells. Stimulation of T cell bulk cultures resulted predominantly in the production of IL-2 and not of IL-4. The costimulatory activity of mB7 is not, however, restricted to the IL-2-secreting subset. We have identified one IL-4-secreting T cell clone, CDC35, which is responsive to mB7 triggering. Finally, we present experiments that suggest that mB7 and peptide/MHC complexes need to be expressed on the same cell for optimal induction of T cell activation.     

Synergistic effects of the xid gene in X chromosome congenic mice. I. Inability of C3.CBA/N mice to respond to thymus-dependent antigens in adoptive transfer assays

The xid gene, which causes a B lymphocyte immune defect in CBA/N mice, has been bred onto the C3H/HeN background. The resulting X chromosome congenic mice (C3.CBA/N) exhibit immunologic defects that are much more profound than the defect exhibited by CBA/N mice; thus, the B cells from C3.CBA/N mice not only fail to respond to thymus-independent (TI) type 2 antigens such as TNP-Ficoll, but they fail to respond in vitro to TI-type 1 antigens such as TNP-Brucella abortus (BA) and B cell mitogens such as LPS and Nocardia water-soluble mitogen. In this paper we show that the synergistic defect seen in C3.CBA/N B cells is also elicited in adoptive transfer assays to thymus-dependent (TD) antigens such as TNP-KLH and PC-KLH, antigens to which both parental strains respond. Thus, the secondary adoptive transfer response of C3.CBA/N spleen cells is generally less than 5% of the immune response produced by CBA/N or C3H/HeN spleen cells. This synergistic defect is restricted to the C3.CBA/N B cells, since C3.CBA/N T cells can provide help to CBA/N B cells that is equivalent to the help obtained with CBA/N T cells. The low responsiveness of C3.CBA/N spleen cells to TD antigens, which is elicited in adoptive transfer assays, is not seen when the intact animal is immunized with antigen in CFA; this, intact C3.CBA/N mice produce anti-PC-KLH and anti-TNP-KLH responses only slightly lower than the responses of CBA/N mice to these same antigens. In contrast, when these mice are immunized with phenol-extracted LPS, a TI-type 1 antigen, their antibody responses are severely depressed. These data suggest that under conditions in which T cell help may be limiting or in which the intact physiology of the T and B cells has been disrupted, C3.CBA/N B cells demonstrate profound immunologic impairment; however, when adequate T cell help is available and the splenic architecture is not disrupted, their immune responses appear to progress in a normal fashion.     

In situ analysis of T cell subset composition in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis after adoptive transfer of activated spleen cells

T cells from genetically susceptible mice developing experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) proliferate in response to restimulation with mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) in vitro. The in vitro-activated cells adoptively transfer EAT as well as differentiate into cells cytotoxic for syngeneic thyroid monolayers. To examine the kinetics of T cell subset infiltration and distribution in situ after adoptive transfer, we applied the avidin-biotin-peroxidase labeling technique to thyroid sections, utilizing rat monoclonal antibodies followed by a biotinylated rabbit anti-rat antibody. Female CBA donor mice were immunized with MTg and lipopolysaccharide. Their spleen cells were obtained 7 days later, cultured with MTg, and transferred into recipient mice. The thyroids were removed on Days 7, 10, and 14 after transfer and serially sectioned. The early phase of transferred EAT showed a higher percentage of L3T4+ cells compared to Lyt-2+ cells, yielding a ratio of 2.3 and total T cells of about 35%. By Day 10, both T cell subsets had increased to a total of about 56%. However, the relative increase was greater in the Lyt-2+ subset; the nearly doubled percentage was statistically significant, resulting in a downward shift in the subset ratio to 1.7. Little change in the in situ distribution was seen on Day 14. The percentages of F4/80+ (macrophage) population in lesions examined on Days 10 and 14 were fairly constant and B cell involvement was minimal. These findings illustrate the pathogenic role of both T cell subsets in adoptively transferred EAT and the time-dependent changes in their relative proportions leading to thyroid gland destruction.     

Specific neonatally induced tolerance to Mls locus determinants

Neonatal injection of CBA/HT6T6 (H-2k, Mlsb) mice with adult, Mls-incompatible (CBA/J [H-2k, Mlsd] X CBA/HT6T6)F1 spleen cells results in the abrogation of cell proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL 2) production in bulk mixed lymphocyte cultures, when spleen cells from the inoculated mice are tested at 6 to 8 wk of age with stimulator cells expressing the Mlsd of the tolerizing inoculum. In limiting dilution assays, this tolerant state was manifested in a 25- to 550-fold (280-fold average) decrease in the frequency of precursors of Mlsd-responsive IL 2-producing T cells. Tolerance was specific in that the frequencies of precursors of IL 2-producing cells responding to Con A, allogeneic H-2d, and self-Ia were not affected. The observed low frequency of Mls-responsive cells was due neither to extensive chimerism resulting in the dilution of Mlsd-responsive cells by the nonresponsive F1 cells of the inoculum, nor to the action of suppressor cells. These findings indicate that neonatal injection of Mls-incompatible spleen cells produces a state of specific tolerance by a clonal deletion or inactivation mechanism. This specific tolerance supports the view that 1) the Mls locus encodes or regulates the expression of defined alloantigenic determinants and 2) Mls-incompatible responder mice have specific receptors for Mls determinants on clonally distributed IL 2-producing responder T cells.     

Induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in mice with in vitro activated splenic T cells

Spleen cells from CBA/J or SJL mice sensitized with mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could be activated in vitro with MTg to transfer experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) to normal syngeneic recipients. EAT induced by these transferred cells was similar in incidence and severity to EAT induced by active immunization of mice with MTg and adjuvant and cells from EAT-resistant Balb/c mice could not be activated to induce EAT. The specific antigen MTg was required both for initial sensitization of the mice and for activation of spleen cells in vitro. The cells that were active in transferring EAT to mice were shown to be T cells. Removal of B cells from the cultured spleen cells had no effect on the ability of the cells to induce EAT.