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A Sette

Publications and source records attributed to A Sette.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Invariant chain distinguishes between the exogenous and endogenous antigen presentation pathways.

Class I MHC molecules acquire peptides from endogenously synthesized proteins, whereas class II antigens present peptides derived from extracellular compartment molecules. This dichotomy is due to the fact that the invariant chain associates with class II molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing binding of endogenous peptides. The mutually exclusive binding of peptide and invariant chain to class II molecules suggests that the invariant chain might play a part in autoimmune disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of an HSV-1/HSV-2 cross-reactive T cell determinant.

The results from a number of studies have documented that the HSV glycoprotein gD is an important target for neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, little is known about the Th cell determinants present on HSV that are required for anti HSV gD antibody production. In our study we have immunized BALB/c mice with a recombinant source of HSV-1 gD lacking the carboxyl-terminal 93 amino acids. T cell hybridomas produced from the immunized animals recognized a single antigenic peptide (amino acids 246-261) in the context of I-Ad. The determinant expressed by gD peptide 246-261 was generated and presented by both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected APC. Fine specificity analysis using truncated synthetic gD peptides revealed that the minimal amino acids recognized by the T hybrids were identical between HSV-1 and HSV-2. In addition, the minimal peptide-I-Ad binding analysis demonstrated that the minimal peptide sequence required for the binding to I-Ad and for T cell recognition contained two prolines. Thus, this important HSV antigenic determinant would not be expected to form an amphipathic alpha-helix and could therefore be missed by algorithms currently used to predict which amino acid sequences would be antigenic based on the propensity to form helices.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction in SJL/J mice by using a peptide with high affinity for IAs molecules.

Blocking of the Ag presenting function of MHC by peptides capable of high affinity binding to this molecule has been proposed as a potential immunotherapeutic intervention in MHC-associated diseases. Recent studies have used this strategy to prevent the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. However, because of the close structural relationship between the inhibitor and encephalitogenic peptides, the results of these previous studies have been difficult to interpret with regard to whether MHC blockade was the mechanism by which the inhibitory peptides functioned. In our study, we have determined the capacity of unrelated peptides capable of binding with high affinity to IAs in inhibiting the induction of EAE in SJL/J mice after immunization with the autoantigenic peptide PLP 139-151. Prevention of the disease was accomplished by two methods: 1) when inhibitor was administered together with the encephalitogenic peptide at the time of immunization, as in previous studies, and 2) when inhibitor was administered at a separate site from the autoantigen 1 day before the immunization with that Ag. Inhibition was due to binding of the inhibitor to IAs, as evidenced by the fact that a control peptide incapable of binding to this MHC had no effect on the course of the disease. The finding that inhibitor could also be efficacious when administered at a separate site has implications for potential use of such a strategy to reverse ongoing autoimmune diseases. The inhibitor had to be present during the time of Ag stimulation, and had no long term inhibitory effects, in that a secondary immune response to the encephalitogenic peptide was not inhibited in animals given the inhibitory peptide before the induction of a primary response. This is compatible with the conclusion that MHC blockade was, in fact, the mechanism of the inhibition, rather than as a result of any long term suppressive effects on immunoreactive T cells. Finally, not only did administration of the inhibitory peptide lead to a prevention of the induction of EAE, but it could also be shown to decrease the T cell proliferative response in vitro to the autoantigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel approach to the generation of high affinity class II-binding peptides.

We have found that if core regions crucial for class II binding are incorporated in multiple copies in the same peptide molecule ("reiterative motifs"), marked enhancement of the binding capacity occurs. Isotype specificity (IAd vs IEd binding capacities) is retained in all three antigenic determinants so far analyzed (lambda rep 12-26, OVA 323-339, and hen egg lysozyme 105-120). The mechanism involved in such an effect is not clear, but experiments involving introduction of a peptide spacer between two repeated core regions do not support the notion that the effect is mediated by cross-linking of more than one MHC molecule, favoring the possibility that conformational effects or distinct subsites of interaction on the MHC molecule may be involved. Based on reiterative structures, a peptide molecule composed of only two different amino acids (Ala and His) has been produced that still retains a very high binding affinity. An 125I-radiolabeled form of this peptide has been used to demonstrate that the high binding detected is mediated by the same binding site involved in the interaction of IAd and OVA 323-339. Inhibition of Ag presentation studies further supports the immunologic relevance of the phenomena observed. Finally, we observed naturally occurring clustered binding sites in proximity of immunodominant protein regions, raising the possibility that the phenomenon might have a physiologic counterpart.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the specificity of peptide binding to four DR haplotypes.

This study describes the establishment of a peptide-binding assay for purified, detergent-solubilized DR molecules. For each of the DR specificities and peptides studied, a unique pattern of interaction was observed. Excellent correlation was detected between the DR1-, 2-, 5-, and 52a-binding capacities and the known DR restrictions of a panel of synthetic peptides. This supports the immunologic relevance of the binding assay, and emphasizes the importance of determinant selection in defining the immune response of individuals. We have also examined the capacity of a panel of DR-restricted peptides to compete with one another for binding to DR1. The results obtained are compatible with a single peptide-binding site on DR molecules. The peptide-binding capacity of the four different DR types (DR1, DR2, DR5, and DR52a) has been further examined by testing a collection of 133 different peptides. This collection is unbiased with respect to previously known DR binding and restrictions, and includes peptides of eukaryotic, bacterial, and viral origins. It was found that: 1) approximately 15 to 35% of the peptides tested bound any given DR type; 2) DR-binding capacities appeared to correlate with each other, suggesting that different alleles of the DR isotype may recognize related structures on an Ag molecule; and 3) despite the statistical correlation between binding capacity of different DR types, approximately 50% of the peptides that were positive binders still were specific in that they could bind only one of the four DR molecules tested. Degenerate binding (i.e., binding to most or all the DR molecules tested) was detected in only a minority of the cases analyzed (approximately 25%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The minimal number of class II MHC-antigen complexes needed for T cell activation.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are exposed to large quantities of self and nonself antigens. It is not known what fraction of MHC molecules needs to be occupied by antigen to induce a T cell response. A quantitative study of naturally processed antigen indicated that T cells could be activated when only 0.03 percent of the total I-Ed purified from antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was occupied with antigen. B cells and macrophages processed hen egg lysozyme (HEL) with different efficiencies, but similar degrees of occupancy were required for T cell stimulation. Higher occupancy was needed for I-Ed-transfected L cells, possibly reflecting the requirement for other accessory molecules for efficient APC-T cell interaction.

Animals↗

The use of peptide analogs with improved stability and MHC binding capacity to inhibit antigen presentation in vitro and in vivo.

The identification of a core region for OVA 323-339, which is critical in determining binding to IAd, has enabled us to generate a series of analog peptides in which this core region was extended at both the N and C termini with different amino acid residues. When assessed for binding capacity, several peptides were shown to have increased affinity for IAd compared with the parent sequence, and in addition, some peptides had acquired binding specificities for class II MHC haplotypes not present for OVA 323-339. These peptides were next examined for their ability to inhibit T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. The correlation between binding and the ability to inhibit T cell activation in vitro was good. However, when assessed in vivo, it was clear that high Ia binding was not sufficient in itself to define the inhibitory capacity of a given peptide. That this discrepancy was due to differences in degradation of the core-extended peptides was suggested by 1) results from an inhibition of Ag presentation assay, in which the pulse period with Ag and inhibitor was extended to 20 h; and 2) direct analysis of peptide stability by using reverse phase HPLC. Finally, by protecting the peptide from degradation with N- and C-terminal substitutions of D-amino acids, the inhibitory capacity of an unstable core-extended peptide in vitro could be greatly enhanced. These data indicate that the core extension approach may be one method by which antagonists for MHC class II molecules may be generated.

Animals↗

Structural requirements for the interaction between class II MHC molecules and peptide antigens.

Previous work from our and other laboratories indicates that T cells recognize a complex between the MHC restriction element and peptide antigen fragments. This paper reviews the structural characteristics of the formation of such a complex. By analyzing in detail the interactions between purified IA(d) and IE(d) molecules and their peptide ligands, we found that some structural characteristics apply to both antigen-MHC interactions. In particular, we found: 1) each MHC molecule is capable of binding many unrelated peptides through the same peptide-binding site; 2) despite this permissiveness of binding, it is possible to define certain structural features of peptides that are associated with the capacity to bind to a particular MHC specificity (IA(d) or IE(d)); 3) IA(d) and IE(d) molecules recognize different and independent structures on the antigen molecule; 4) only about 10% of the single amino acid substitutions tested on two IA(d)- and IE(d)-binding peptides had significant effect on their MHC-binding capacities, while over 80% of these substitutions significantly impaired T cell recognition of the Ia-peptide complex; 5) based on the segregation between residues that are crucial for T cell activation and Ia binding, the easiest model for the antigen-Ia-T-cell-receptor complex pictures the antigen molecule sandwiched in a planar conformation between the MHC and the T cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of antigen presentation in vitro and in vivo by MHC antagonist peptides.

A series of analogue peptides have been generated, using as a template the core region of the OVA 323-339 peptide identified as critical in determining binding to I-Ad. Several of these "core extended" peptides had increased affinities for the I-Ad molecule compared to the native sequence, and were able to inhibit activation of an I-Ad-restricted T cell hybridoma in vitro. The induction of a T cell proliferative response to a peptide antigen could be inhibited by co-administration of core-extended peptide with antigen in the same adjuvant emulsion. Furthermore, inhibition also occurred when the inhibitor molecule was delivered separately one day before immunization. Finally, the induction of the autoimmune disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), in susceptible mice could be reduced by the administration of a core-extended peptide with high affinity for the appropriate class II molecule. These findings have implications for the use of MHC antagonists in the control and treatment of MHC-associated autoimmune conditions in humans.

Animals↗

Characterization of a naturally processed MHC class II-restricted T-cell determinant of hen egg lysozyme.

Compelling evidence indicates that T cells recognize complexes formed by major histocompatibility complex-encoded molecules and antigenic peptide fragments. This is based largely on the ability of small synthetic peptides to substitute for naturally processed antigen in stimulating T cells. Naturally processed fragments of exogenous antigen are thought to arise by limited proteolytic degradation of native antigen inside acidic compartments of antigen-presenting cells, but until now no physiologically processed antigen has been directly analysed. Here we report the characterization of physiologically processed antigen eluted from mouse class II major histocompatibility complex I-Ed molecules. The antigenic material corresponds to a previously described antigenic determinant of hen egg lysozyme (HEL 107-116) and has a relative molecular mass Mr of about 2,000. HPLC analysis identified at least two or three separate molecular species, suggesting limited, albeit significant, heterogeneity of naturally processed peptides. Finally, under our experimental conditions, it was calculated that a substantial proportion (10-40%) of I-Ed molecules were occupied by these HEL-derived antigenic determinants.

Animals↗

Structural requirements for the interaction between peptide antigens and I-Ed molecules.

We have analyzed the structural characteristics of the interaction between I-Ed molecules and their peptide ligands. It was found that unrelated good I-Ed binders share structurally similar "core" regions that were experimentally demonstrated to be crucial for binding to I-Ed molecules. Single amino acid substitution analogues of one good I-Ed binder, hen egg lysozyme 107-116, were analyzed for their capacity to bind to I-Ed molecules and to activate two different I-Ed-restricted T cell hybridomas. The results illustrate the great permissiveness of I-Ed-peptide interaction and the great specificity of T cell recognition. It was concluded from these analyses that basic residues on the peptide molecule play a crucial role in binding to I-Ed. This contrasts with the structural requirements for binding to the other Iad isotype, I-Ad, the crucial hydrophobic residues. Thus, different class II molecules of the same MHC haplotype may have rather distinct peptide binding specificities, thereby expanding the repertoire of possible immunogenic peptides presented for T cell recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Capacity of intact proteins to bind to MHC class II molecules.

Here we have demonstrated that denatured, but not native protein antigens can interact with Ia molecules. Thus, the failure of native antigens to be recognized as such by T cells appears to be at least in part due to a deficient antigen/Ia interaction. These results also support previous observations that some T cells can recognize denatured antigens without a further processing requirement. Moreover, a striking correlation was observed between the in vitro binding pattern of denatured proteins and the pattern of restriction of T cell responses elicited by immunization with the native antigen, raising the possibility that an unfolding step may actually occur early during in vivo processing and influence the final outcome of Ia-restricted T cell responses.

Animals↗

Effect of conformational propensity of peptide antigens in their interaction with MHC class II molecules. Failure to document the importance of regular secondary structures.

In an attempt to define some of the conformational requirements for binding of the antigenic peptide OVA 323-336 to purified IAd molecules, three distinct experimental approaches were applied. First, the effect of introducing proline or glycine residues within the region of OVA 323-336 crucial for its IAd binding capacity was analyzed. In most instances these substitutions had little or no effect, suggesting that neither alpha-helical nor beta-sheet regular structures may be strictly required for productive interaction with MHC molecules. Some of the same substitutions were also found to have no effect on the capacity of the peptide to stimulate OVA 323-336 specific T cell hybridomas, suggesting that regular structures such as alpha-helices or beta-sheets may not be strictly required for T cell stimulation, either. Second, we introduced, within the OVA 323-336 molecule, structural modifications predicted to alter its dipole characteristics and stabilize helical structures. No improvement of the IAd binding capacity was detected following these structural alterations. Surprisingly, some but not others of these analogs displayed increased antigenicity for OVA 323-336 specific T cell hybridomas. Third, a panel of analogs of OVA 323-336 were synthesized in which the crucial IAd binding core region was linked to non-native sequences of differing conformational propensities. When 22 such analogs were tested for IAd binding, it was found that these non-native sequences could drastically influence the binding capacity, but no correlation was found between their effect and their alpha-helical, beta-sheet, or beta-turn conformational propensity as calculated by the Chou and Fasman algorithm. In summary, all the data presented herein suggest that, at least in the case of OVA 323-336 and IAd, the propensity of the antigen molecule to form secondary structures such as alpha-helices, beta-sheets, or beta-turns does not correlate with its capacity to bind MHC molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural requirements and biological significance of interactions between peptides and the major histocompatibility complex.

Previous studies indicate that T cells recognize a complex between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction-element and peptide-antigen fragments. Two aspects of this complex formation are considered in this paper: (1) what is the nature of the specificity of the interactions that allows a few MHC molecules to serve as restriction elements for a large universe of antigens; and (2) what is the relative contribution of determinant selection (i.e. antigen-MHC complex formation) and T-cell repertoire in determining the capacity of an individual to respond to an antigen? By analysing single amino acid substitution analogues of a peptide antigen (Ova 325-335) as well as by analysing the structural similarities between unrelated peptides capable of binding to the same MHC molecule, we have been able to document the very permissive nature of the antigen-MHC interaction. Despite this permissiveness of binding, it is possible to define certain structural features of peptides that are associated with the capacity to bind to a particular MHC specificity. With respect to the question of the relative role of 'determinant selection' and 'holes in the T-cell repertoire' in determining immune responsiveness, we present data that suggest both mechanisms operate in concert with one another. Thus only about 30% of a collection of peptides that in sum represent the sequence of a protein molecule were found to bind to Ia. Although immunogenicity was restricted to those peptides that were capable of binding to Ia (i.e. determinant selection was operative), we found that about 40% of Ia-binding peptides were not immunogenic (i.e. there were also 'holes in the T-cell repertoire').

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural analysis of peptides capable of binding to more than one Ia antigen.

The Ia binding regions were analyzed for three unrelated peptide Ag (sperm whale myoglobin 106-118, influenza hemagglutinin 130-142, and lambda repressor protein 12-26) for which binding to more than one Ia molecule has previously been demonstrated. By determining the binding profile of three separate series of truncated synthetic peptides, it was found that in all three cases the different Ia reactivities mapped to largely overlapping regions of the peptides; although, for two of the peptides, the regions involved in binding the different Ia specificities were distinct. Moreover, subtle differences were found to dramatically influence some, but not other, Ia reactivities. Using a large panel of synthetic peptides it was found that a significant correlation exists between the capacity of peptides to interact with different alleles of the same molecule (i.e., IAd and IAk), but no correlation was found with the capacity of peptides to interact with different isotypes within the same haplotype (i.e., IAd and IEd). These data suggest that different alleles of the same MHC molecule may actually recognize closely related structures, whereas different isotypes may recognize unrelated, albeit non-mutually exclusive, structures on an Ag molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An Apple IIE microcomputer program for multiple non-independent comparisons by the Scheffe's test.

When more than two groups of observations from the same set of experimental data are compared and pairwise tested for equality of their means, appropriate statistical treatment of the data is required. The overall variation in the set of data must be considered, and also the statistical non-independence of each pairwise comparison must be taken into account. We describe a simple Apple IIE microcomputer program that applies the Scheffe's test for multiple comparisons. A numerical example and a sample output of this program are also included. The listing of the program is reported in the Appendix.

Analysis of Variance↗

Biologic significance and therapeutic implications of antigen/MHC interactions.

Synthetic analog peptides of chicken ovalbumin have been synthesized that have up to a 10-fold higher capacity to bind a particular MHC specificity (IAd) than the natural peptide. Some of these peptides were very efficient in inhibiting induction of both in vitro and in vivo immune responses. However, factors other than the ability to bind to MHC are also important in defining the capacity of a particular peptide to function in vivo. The finding that the antigen-presenting functions of MHC can be inhibited in vivo opens up the possibility of using this as a therapeutic approach to MHC-associated autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗