Human macrophage-lymphocyte interaction in proliferation to soluble antigen: I. Specific deletion of lymphocyte proliferative activity on macrophage monolayers

The interaction between human T lymphocytes and autologous macrophages (Mφ) in the proliferative response to soluble antigen was investigated. The presence of Mφ was a requirement for maximal lymphocyte proliferation to tetanus toxoid antigen. Brief exposure of Mφ to TT resulted in “antigen-pulsed” Mφ which could stimulate proliferation by lymphocytes in the absence of free antigen. Taking advantage of the adherent nature of Mφ, monolayers of antigen-pulsed Mφ were used to specifically adsorb antigen-reactive lymphocytes. This immunoadsorption was manifested by a specific deletion of proliferative activity in the fraction of lymphocytes failing to bind to the monolayers.     

The CD4/CD8:p56lck complex in T lymphocytes: a potential mechanism to regulate T-cell growth

The CD4 and CD8 antigens on the surface of T cells appear to bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and I antigens, respectively. These receptors have also been found to regulate T cell growth in a manner independent of MHC recognition. In this report, we describe recent work showing that the CD4 and CD8 receptors are coupled to a protein-tyrosine kinase, p56lck, from T lymphocytes. The p56lck protein is a member of the src family, which plays a crucial role in the activation and transformation of various mammalian cells. The CD4/CD8:p56lck complex is catalytically active as shown by its ability to phosphorylate at 55-60 kDa. Two-dimensional, nonequilibrium gel electrophoresis demonstrated the similarity of p56lck associated with the CD4 and CD8 antigens. Detergents were found to vary in their ability to solubilize the CD4:p56lck complex in a catalytically active form. We further demonstrated by in vitro phosphorylation that members of the CD3 complex including the gamma, delta, and epsilon chains, as well as a putative zeta subunit can be phosphorylated at tyrosyl residues by the CD4/CD8:p56lck complex. Thus, this interaction may play an important role in the activation of T cells, and may mediate the cooperative interaction between the CD4/CD8 antigens and the Ti(TcR)/CD3 complex. This interaction also represents a possible precedent by which other members of the src family (c-src, c-yes, c-fgr, etc.) may be found to interact with mammalian growth receptors.     

Characterization of CD45 and CD45R monoclonal antibodies using transfected mouse cell lines that express individual human leukocyte common antigens

Five cell lines that express one of five isoforms of the human leukocyte common Ag (CD45) were established by transfecting a murine pre-B cell line with leukocyte common Ag cDNA constructs. Using these cell lines, the specificities of CD45 and CD45R mAb were examined. Of the 43 mAb tested, 25 antibodies recognized sequences common to all five isoforms, 16 antibodies recognized isoforms that include exon A encoded sequences, one antibody recognized isoforms that include exon B encoded sequences, and one antibody recognized only the isoform that does not include either exon A, B, or C encoded sequences.     

An enzyme that removes clathrin coats: purification of an uncoating ATPase

Uncoating ATPase, an abundant 70,000-mol-wt polypeptide mediating the ATP-dependent dissociation of clathrin from coated vesicles and empty clathrin cages, has been purified to virtual homogeneity from calf brain cytosol. Uncoating protein is present in cells in amounts roughly stoichiometric with clathrin. This enzyme is isolated as a mixture of monomers and dimers, both forms being active. ATP can support protein-facilitated dissociation of clathrin at micromolar levels; all other ribotriphosphates as well as deoxy-ATP are inactive. The clathrin that is released from cages consists of trimers (triskelions) in a stoichiometric complex with uncoating ATPase. These complexes with clathrin have little tendency to self-associate at neutral pH, and at acidic pH they interfere with the assembly of free clathrin. The possible existence and function of these complexes as clathrin carriers in cells would explain why uncoating protein is made in quantities equivalent to clathrin.     

Immunoregulatory human T lymphocytes triggered as a consequence of viral infection: clonal analysis of helper, suppressor inducer and suppressor effector cell populations

The regulatory functions of a series of human T cell clones specific for an autologous Epstein-Barr virus transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line were examined. Two T4+ T cell clones, termed AT4II and AT4IV, and one T8+ clone, AT8III, were maintained in culture for greater than or equal to 9 months and were characterized in detail. Both T4+ clones provided helper function for autologous B cell immunoglobulin production when added to unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, these same clones produced soluble inducer factors after specific antigenic stimulation. However, when AT4II, AT4IV and their subclones were tested on pokeweed mitogen stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, it was found that AT4IV provided help for immunoglobulin production whereas AT4II cells were strongly suppressive. This suppression by AT4II was indirect and required the presence of fresh, autologous, unirradiated T8+ cells. In contrast, the T8+ AT8III clone markedly inhibited Ig production by autologous B cells in the absence of any additional T8+ cells from peripheral blood and produced a soluble suppressor factor upon specific antigenic triggering. Thus, after stimulation with autologous Epstein-Barr virus transformed cells, at least three discrete regulatory human T cell populations can be defined at the clonal level: helper, inducer of suppression and suppressor effector clones.     

Selective inhibition of anti-nucleoside-specific antibody production by nucleoside-ricin A conjugate

The effect of the preincubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, from SLE patients, with nucleoside-ricin A conjugates on spontaneous A,G,C,T antibody production was examined. Enhanced spontaneous anti-nucleoside-specific antibody (anti-A,G,C,T antibody) production by SLE B cells was selectively inhibited by pretreatment in vitro with nucleosides conjugated to the ricin A chain. The selective suppression was demonstrated by the lack of suppression of the anti-DNP response or of polyclonal IgG production by pretreatment that did suppress anti-A,G,C,T production by the lymphocytes of eight patients with SLE. Furthermore, pretreatment of B cells, but not of T cells, with nucleoside-ricin A conjugates inhibited the A,G,C,T antibody response by these B cells. Thus, (A,G,C,T)-BGG-ricin A conjugates bind directly to the nucleoside-specific B cells via their antigen receptors. This demonstration of the selective elimination of B cells might have therapeutic applications in SLE.     

Science – A life fully lived: Joe Sodroski wins the 2006 Retrovirology Prize

The 2006 M Jeang Retrovirology Prize for HIV research has been awarded to Dr Joe Sodroski