The Journal of Experimental Medicine

Onoe, K; Fernandes, G; Good, RA

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.115pmid: 6985646

AKR mice were protected from lethal irradiation and established as long-lived chimeras by transplanting allogeneic C57BL/6 (B6) bone marrow that had been treated in vitro with anti-Thy-1 antiserum without complement. In these chimeras, which were designated B6 {arrow} AKR, virtually all the thymus and spleen cells were shown to be derived from the B6 donor; several immune functions studied in these chimeras were as follows: (a) The chimeric mice were tolerant of histocompatibility antigens of both donor and recipient strain and nearly fully reactive to antigens of third party, as revealed by Simonsen's splenomegaly assay. The tolerance of these chimeras could not be attributed to suppressor cells but was compatible with clonal depletion. (b) Proliferative responses to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and lipopolysaccharide as well as natural killer and antibody-dependent cell- mediated cytotoxicity activity of the chimeric mice was normal. (c) Plaque- forming cell (PFC) assays of antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) showed gross deficiency in the primary response of the B6 {arrow} AKR and AKR {arrow} B6 chimeras. By contrast, B6-H-2(k)(E(k)) {arrow} AKR H-2-compatible chimeras and AKR {arrow} AKR syngeneic marrow transplanted mice had normal primary PFC responses. PFC responses after secondary stimulation with SRBC, however, revealed vigorous direct plaque formation and substantial but somewhat smaller indirect plaque formation in the B6 {arrow} AKR chimeras. This observation favors operationally the concept of adaptive differentiation proposed by Katz et al. (44). (d) Analysis of ability of the chimeras to develop and express delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to contact sensitizer (2,4-dinitro-l-fluorobenzene DNFB) showed no apparent immunodeficiency of either chimeras to this form of immunization. Development of immunologic tolerance to DNFB, however, was grossly deficient in B6 {arrow} AKR chimeras but normal in AKR {arrow} AKR, B6 {arrow} B6, and E(k) {arrow} AKR chimeras. These findings indicate that full chimeras across major histocompatibility complex have considerable immunologic vigor even though primary immune responses that require histocompatibility between interacting cell types are initially defective.

Jandinski, J J; Li, J; Wettstein, P J; Frelinger, J A; Scott, D W

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.133pmid: 6444234

Trinitrophenylated syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-SC) are potent tolerogens of the anti-TNP plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in vivo and in vitro. This unresponsive state requires T cells for both its induction and maintenance. Because H-2K/D-restricted cytotoxic T cells are also induced by exposure to TNP-SC, we determined the role(s) of histocompatibility antigens (K, I, and D) in the suppression of the PFC response by TNP-SC. We treated syngeneic TNP-modified stimulator cells with antiserum directed at K-, I-, or D-region determinants and found that blocking of H-2K or D antigens on TNP-SC transformed these tolerogens into immunogens capable of eliciting an anti-TNP PFC response in the absence of extrinsic immunogens like TNP-polymerized flagellin. In H-2k or H-2a(k/d) mice, only H-2Kk needs to be blocked on the stimulator cells, whereas H-2K or D recognition was apparent in B10.A(4R) mice. These observations indicate that suppression of the PFC response by TNP-SC shows the same restriction in recognition as does the cytotoxic T-cell response. Furthermore, our results suggest that TNP-I-A is recognized by the helper cells in this system as the intrinsic antigen. When both TNP-K and TNP-I-A are present and available on the same stimulator cell, suppression (via modified K recognition) is dominant over help.

Shackelford, D A; Strominger, J L

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.144pmid: 6153110

Human HLA-DR antigens were immunoprecipitated from Nonidet P-40 extracts of 35Smethionine-labeled B lymphoblastoid cell lines and compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF). Two-dimensional (2-D) gel analyses, combining SDS-PAGE in the first dimension and IEF in the second dimension, revealed that the heavy (alpha) and light (beta) chains of each DRw specificity displays microheterogeneity of charge. However, the pattern of the heavy chain did not vary among different DRw specificities. In contrast, the light chains of different DRw types varied both in apparent size and charge distribution. Removal of sialic acids with neuraminidase or inhibition of glycosylation with tunicamycin reduced the microheterogeneity of both DR subunits. However, the heavy and light chains each still focused as two major bands, suggesting that other post-translational modifications contribute to the microheterogeneity or that there are two nonallelic DR-like molecules. After treatment with either neuraminidase or tunicamycin, the DR light chains, but not the heavy chains, were still structurally polymorphic. The DR light chains of serologically cross-reactive specificities displayed similar 2-D gel patterns suggesting that the structural polymorphism of the DR light chains is the basis for the serologically detected polymorphism of the HLA-DR antigens. Two additional polypeptides were observed in immunoprecipitates of DR antigens. These proteins, designated M1 and M2, both had a basic isoelectric point and were invariant among different cell lines. The protein M1 may be intracellular because it can not be immunoprecipitated from the cell surface.

Bennink, J R; Doherty, P C

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.166pmid: 6965305

Immunologically naive BALB/c (H-2d) and C57BL/6J (B6) (H-2b) T-cell populations can, after filtration to remove alloreactive precursor lymphocytes, be induced to respond to vaccinia virus presented in the context of H-2Kk when stimulated in an appropriate recipient. Exposure to vaccinia virus 6 wk previously completely abrogated the capacity of BALB/c T cells to interact with H-2Kk-vaccinia virus. This is also true for negatively selected B6 thoracic duct lymphocytes taken at 14 or 18 d, but not at 6 wk after immunization: the discrepancy is thought to reflect the progressive emergence of new T cells in the latter group. No evidence could be found for the operation of suppression, and the results are considered to indicate that T cells that interact with virus in the absence of the relevant H-2 antigen are tolerized. Whereas stimulation to effector function is H-2 restricted, induction of immune paralysis may be unrestricted. The capacity of T-cell populations to respond to virus presented in the context of allogeneic H-2 determinants thus depends upon previous antigenic experience.

Braun, J; Rosen, F S; Unanue, E R

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.174pmid: 6985647

Capping of membrane Ig was studied in lymphocytes treated with agents that interfere with adenosine metabolism. Treatment of murine or human B cells with combinations of coformycin, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, homocysteine, and adenosine impaired Ig capping. Inhibition of capping was also produced by 3-deazaadenosine, a specific inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. The inhibitors did not affect capping of the Thy-1 antigen or membrane sites reactive with antilymphocyte antibodies. Two patients with a hereditary deficiency in adenosine deaminase had impairment of Ig capping. Such an impairment was not found in lymphocytes of two other patients who had undergone successful bone marrow transplantation. It is known that the addition of a calcium ionophore results in activation of microfilament function and in disruption of Ig caps. The ionophore effect was not inhibited by the agents mentioned above. Our results suggest that the inhibition of Ig capping during aberrant adenosine metabolism may be caused by a methylation defect preceding the contracticle event that produces membrane reorganization.

Calderón, J; de Lourdes Muñoz, M; Acosta, H M

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.184pmid: 6243156

Polyspecific antibodies bound to Entamoeba induced surface redistribution of membrane components toward the uroid region. Capping of surface antigens was obtained with a single layer of antibodies in E. histolytica and E. invadens. This surface segregation progressed to a large accumulation of folded plasma membrane that extruded as a defined vesicular cap. A spontaneous release of the cap at the end of the capping process took place. These released caps contained most of the antibodies that originally bound to the whole cell surface. Two-thirds of radiolabeled antibodies bound to the surface of E. histolytica were released into the medium in 2 h. Successive capping induced by repeated exposure of E. invadens to antibodies produced conglomerates of folded surface membrane, visualized as stacked caps, in proportion to the number of antibody exposures. These results indicate the remarkable ability of Entamoeba to rapidly regenerate substantial amounts of plasma membbrane. The properties of surface redistribution, liberation of caps, and plasma membrane regeneration, may contribute to the survival of the parasite in the host during infection.

Schreier, M H; Andersson, J; Lernhardt, W; Melchers, F

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.194pmid: 6965306

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated B-cell blasts from C57BL/6J nu/nu spleen cells develop into IgM-secreting clones after stimulation by antigen-specific T-helper cells of C57BL/6J origin. Although induction of help is antigen-dependent, help itself acts polyclonally. 1 of 1--3 B-cell blasts is restimulated in a homologous fashion by LPS, or in a heterologous fashion by sheep erythrocyte (SRC)- or horse erythrocyte (HRC)-activated T-helper cells. The repertoire of activated B-cell blasts reflects the polyclonal nature of activation: approximately 1 in 1,000--3,000 restimulated B-cell blasts is specific for SRC, 1 in 300--1,000 is specific for HRC, and 1 in 100--300 specific for trinitrophenylated SRC (TNP30-SRC). B-cell blasts that are either H-2 compatible or H-2 incompatible with the antigen-activated T-cell help are stimulated polyclonally in similar high frequencies. Thus, neither antigen nor H-2 compatibility are required to stimulate a B-cell blast into the next cell cycle.

Berman, P W; Patrick, J

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.204pmid: 7350247

Mice from eight inbred strains were immunized with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) purified from Torpedo californica. All mice developed high concentrations of serum antibodies (10(-6) M) against the immunogen and approximately 80% possessed antibodies reactive with mouse nicotinic AChR. 33% of the mice immunized (n = 236) developed muscular weakness and flaccid paralysis. Behavioral, electrophysiological, and pharmacological similarities were found between the experimentally induced muscular weakness and the disease myasthenia gravis. Susceptibility to experimental myasthenia was found to be strain dependent in that the frequency of paralysis was much greater in some strains than others. The occurrence of muscular weakness and flaccid paralysis did not correlate with the concentration of antibodies reactive with T. californica or mouse AChR. Anti-receptor antibodies which increased the rate of AChR degradation on the mouse muscle cell line, BC3H-1, were found in the serum of both myasthenic and nonmyasthenic mice. 40% of the mice tested possessed antibodies reactive with antigenic determinants present on mouse receptor but not T. californica receptor. The occurrence of antibodies unique to mouse receptor did not correlate with myasthenia. Thus, myasthenia in the mouse does not occur simply as a consequence of the presence of antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic determinants of AChR. If anti-AChR antibodies are both necessary and sufficient for the induction of myasthenia, then these studies suggest that populations of a particular structure and/or specificity are required. It is anticipated that the mouse model of myasthenia gravis will permit the regulation of the anti-receptor immune response to be studied in detail.

Bona, C; Mond, J J; Paul, W E

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.224pmid: 6965307

CBA/N female mice, which express an X-linked defect in B-lymphocyte function, were mated with C3H/HeJ male mice, which are unresponsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The resulting F1 hybrid females were mated to C3H/HeJ males. Approximately one-half of the backcross (BC.1) males obtained from this mating expressed a more profound immunologic defect than either of the parental strains. Spleen cells from these mice were unresponsive to a series of B-cell mitogens including LPS prepared from Escherichia coli K235 and from E. coli 0111:B4, lipoprotein mitogen from E. coli, and Nocardia water-soluble mitogen (NWSM). They failed to give in vitro antibody responses to the thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigen trinophenylated Ficoll and most were unresponsive to the TI-1 antigens trinitrophenylated Brucella abortus, trinitrophenylated LPS, and trinitrophenylated NWSM. This synergistic defect in B-lymphocyte function depended on the presence of the CBA/N xid gene but the critical gene(s) from the C3H strain was not the defective Lps gene (Lpsd). These mice should provide a valuable tool for the elucidation of B-lymphocyte ontogeny, heterogeneity, and function.

Shaw, S; Shearer, G M; Biddison, W E

doi: 10.1084/jem.151.1.235pmid: 6153112

The present study compares human cytotoxic T-cell responses to two closely related viruses (type A and type B influenza) to understand the antigen-specific elements involved in HLA-linked genetic control of cytotoxic T-cell responses. The HLA antigens function as self antigens that are recognized by cytotoxic T cells sensitized against either virus. However, studies in an informative family indicate that in this family, the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type A influenza (A/HK) differ from the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type B influenza (B/HK). Similarly, population studies demonstrate that some (but not all) donors whose T cells recognized A/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2 failed to recognize B/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2. Thus, HLA-linked regulation must operate by a mechanism(s) that is specific both for the self HLA antigen and the viral antigen. Furthermore, these findings indicate that different HLA antigens may facilitate T-cell responses to different pathogens, which would result in an evolutionary advantage for HLA heterozygosity.