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C A Janeway

Publications and source records attributed to C A Janeway.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Control of T cell responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins by stimulator cell MHC class II polymorphism.

The bacterial toxic mitogens or superantigens are a family of related proteins that elicit potent T cell proliferative responses. These responses require APC that express MHC class II proteins, but they are not MHC restricted and they do not depend on a processing step, presumably because these mitogens bind directly to MHC class II molecules. These mitogens stimulate T cells by interacting in an unknown way with the portion of the TCR encoded by certain V beta gene segments. In this paper, we explore the importance of MHC class II polymorphism in T cell responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins. We find that certain MHC molecules present SEB to V beta 8-bearing T cells far better than others. These data suggest that one route of host defence against bacterial toxic mitogens may be to alter MHC class II molecules so that stimulation is inhibited.

Animals↗

Induction of autoreactive B cells allows priming of autoreactive T cells.

A novel mechanism for breaking T cell self tolerance is described. B cells induced to make autoantibody by immunization of mice with the non-self protein human cytochrome c can present the self protein mouse cytochrome c to autoreactive T cells in immunogenic form. This mechanism of breaking T cell self tolerance could account for the role of foreign antigens in breaking not only B cell but also T cell self tolerance, leading to sustained autoantibody production in the absence of the foreign antigen.

Animals↗

The use of the polymerase chain reaction to map CD4+ T cell epitopes.

CD4+ T cells recognize processed exogenous antigen in the form of peptides bound to syngeneic major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. We have developed a novel and convenient method to synthesize and map CD4+ T cell epitopes of cloned antigens using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-directed construction of genes expressing recombinant protein fragments. Unique restriction sites incorporated into the PCR primers were employed for the unidirectional cloning of gene fragments into a bacterial expression vector that can be induced to high-level expression. The bacterial lysate could be used directly in T cell proliferation assays. Overlapping recombinant fragments spanning the entire protein were generated and tested. The length of the sequence containing the epitope was further reduced by utilizing PCR to generate 3' truncations. Finally, a small number of overlapping peptides spanning a sequence of 39 amino acids were synthesized to identify a thirteen-amino acid peptide epitope within chicken transferrin that stimulates the T helper cell clone D10.G4.1. PCR-directed construction of fragments of antigen allows for optimal design of strategies for the mapping and analysis of CD4+ T cell epitopes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal antibodies against T cell receptor/CD3 complex induce cell death of Th1 clones in the absence of accessory cells.

We have used anti-T cell mAbs as mimic ligands to study the effects of TCR/CD3 ligation of Th1 clones in the presence or absence of accessory cells. Our results demonstrated that ligation of TCR/CD3 in the presence of accessory cells induces proliferation of Th1 clone, while the same ligation in the absence of accessory cells results in death. This effect is inhibited by cyclosporin A and by anti-IFN-gamma mAbs and is restored by adding exogenous recombinant IFN-gamma tb CsA treated cells. We propose a model which could provide a general framework to explain activation, clonal anergy as well as clonal deletion of T lymphocytes during thymic development and in the peripheral.

Animals↗

Regulatory responses in contact sensitivity: afferent suppressor T cells inhibit the activation of efferent suppressor T cells.

Two types of suppressor cells regulate the contact sensitivity (CS) response to picryl chloride (PCL). Afferent suppressor T cells (Ts-aff) inhibit the generation of CS responses to PCL, while efferent suppressor T cells (Ts-eff) inhibit the activity of Th 1 cells that mediate CS reaction. Intravenous injection of mice with TNP-substituted peritoneal exudate cells (TNP-PEC) induces Ts-eff cells that block the adoptive transfer of contact sensitivity. The induction of Ts-eff cells is prevented by the presence of Ts-aff cells, which in turn are induced by the injection of TNP-PEC coupled with antibodies of the IgG2a and IgG2b isotype (TNP-PEC-Ab). If an animal is injected with TNP-PEC prior to or simultaneously with TNP-PEC-Ab, it generates only Ts-aff cells, while if it is injected with TNP-PEC alone or TNP-PEC prior to TNP-PEC-Ab, it generates Ts-eff cells. Ts-aff cells effect only the generation of Ts-eff cells, as the addition of Ts-eff cells to assays for Ts-eff cells has no inhibitory effect on the suppressive effects of Ts-eff cells in adoptive transfer. Our experiments show that Ts-aff cells induced by TNP-PEC-Ab are phenotypically either Lyt 1+2- or Lyt 1-2+, but only the latter inhibit the generation of Ts-eff cells in vivo. The Ts-aff cells that inhibit Ts-eff activity adhere to the lectin Vicia villosa (VV), while Ts-eff cells are VV nonadherent. In addition, Ts-aff cells can prevent the generation of Ts-eff to linked haptens presented on the same PEC. It appears that a cascade of Ts cell interactions are involved in the regulation of CS responses.

Animals↗

Microbial induction of co-stimulatory activity for CD4 T-cell growth.

The activation of naive CD4 T cells by antigen is a critical step in the initiation of an immune response; it requires both ligation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the delivery of co-stimulatory factors by accessory cells. We have examined the role of syngeneic accessory cells in the response of purified normal CD4 T cells to anti-CD3 antibody as ligand. We show that the ability to deliver co-stimulatory signals is inducible in B cells by microbial products such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mitogenic influenza viruses, and synthetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-I:C) as a mimic of viral infection. LPS stimulation for 16 h allows the co-stimulatory activity of B cells to become resistant to paraformaldehyde fixation. LPS induction of fixation-resistant co-stimulator activity requires new protein synthesis, as it is inhibited by cycloheximide. Using the anti-CD45RB mAb 16A as marker for naive and memory CD4 T cells, we show that B cells activated by LPS and by poly-I:C can provide co-stimulatory signal to both naive and memory CD4 T cells. By contrast, zymosan particles, which are known to activate macrophages in a variety of assays, do not activate B cells to become co-stimulatory, but do induce this activity in macrophages. These data demonstrate that a variety of infectious agents or their constituents can induce accessory cells to become co-stimulatory for CD4 T cells. They are interpreted in light of a proposed role for two classes of recognition in the induction of the immune responses, specific recognition of antigens and non-specific recognition of infectious agents. These data support the contention that the immune system uses this mechanism to discriminate infectious non-self from non-infectious self.

Animals↗

Exclusive expression of MHC class II proteins on CD45+ cells in pancreatic islets of NOD mice.

The expression of MHC class II molecules on beta-cells of the pancreatic islet has been proposed to play a role in the genesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the NOD mouse. We investigated this by immunofluorescent double labeling of islet cells with anti-MHC and anti-CD45 to identify cells of hematopoietic origin. MHC class I expression increased with age on CD45- islet cells. MHC class II expression was not observed on CD45- islet cells at any age; the only cells in the islet that were MHC class II positive were also CD45+. This indicates that all MHC class II-positive cells in the islet are lymphoid cells that infiltrate the islet, whereas the islet endocrine cells express no MHC class II molecules. However, an increase in MHC class I expression occurred on beta-cells, and this may play a role in immunopathogenesis.

Animals↗

The co-receptor function of CD4.

CD4 is a critical component of the T cell receptor complex that recognizes peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. This can be observed at all stages of T cell development, activation, and function. CD4 has been termed a co-receptor to indicate that its most important activity is to bind the same peptide: self class II MHC complex as the T cell receptor and to transduce positive activating signals in conjunction with the T cell receptor. This behavior has been shown by several independent experimental systems: direct cross-linking of the T cell receptor to CD4, the inhibition of T cell activation by anti-CD4, the transfection of CD4 into CD4- T cells, and by the phenomenon of epitope interference, as described in this review. All of these approaches suggest that the participation of CD4 as a co-receptor in antigen: self class II MHC recognition potentiates activation by 100-fold. Given the complex nature of the ligand recognized by the T cell receptor, the co-receptor function of CD4 virtually eliminates the possibility of CD4 T cells recognizing peptides presented by class I MHC molecules, in keeping with many in vivo observations.

Animals↗

V beta selective elements: self and non-self.

Over the last four years, a number of potent T cell responses have been shown to be determined by that portion of the T cell receptor encoded in the V beta gene segment. Responses are essentially uninfluenced by junctional sequences in the beta-chain or by the nature of the alpha-chain. These responses also involve the class II MHC molecule expressed on a stimulating antigen presenting cell. The principle stimuli that have been studied are the polymorphic Mls loci in the mouse and a series of toxic proteins secreted by bacteria, now known as superantigens. Here, some aspects of stimulation by what we call V beta selective elements will be analyzed. The nature of stimulation by self V beta selective elements will be discussed and compared to that of non-self V beta selective elements. It will be shown that the similarities are extensive, including a preference for murine I-E molecules and a hierarchy in the effectiveness of murine I-A molecules in presenting V beta selective elements to certain T cell receptors.

Animals↗

Interferon gamma plays a critical role in induced cell death of effector T cell: a possible third mechanism of self-tolerance.

We have used anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as mimic ligands to study the effects of T cell receptor (TCR) ligation of cloned T helper type 1 cells in the presence or absence of accessory cells. Our results demonstrate that ligation of the TCR in the absence of accessory cells rapidly induces cell death. Cell death can be prevented by addition of spleen adherent cells, leading to strong clonal expansion. Induced cell death is inhibited by cyclosporin A and by anti-interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and is restored by adding exogenous recombinant IFN-gamma to cyclosporin A-treated cells. These results demonstrate that IFN-gamma plays a critical role in cell death induced by anti-TCR mAbs in the absence of costimulatory cells. We propose that induced cell death of active effector T cells provides a third mechanism of tolerance in addition to intrathymic deletion of developing autoreactive T cells and peripheral inactivation of mature, naive T cells.

Animals↗

A simple method for the radioactive iodination of CD4 molecules.

A method for the vectorial radioiodination of CD4 and other membrane proteins having few or no tyrosine residues in the extracytoplasmic domains is described. Incubation of the cells with sulfosuccinimidyl (hydroxyphenyl) propionate (sulfo-SHPP), a water-soluble derivative of the Bolton-Hunter reagent results in the coupling of hydroxyphenyl groups to free amino groups of cell surface proteins and these groups are then vectorially radioiodinated using 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 alpha,6 alpha-diphenylglycoluril (Iodogen). The method is highly efficient, gentle, fast, simple, and does not require the previous radiolabelling of the Bolton-Hunter reagent.

Animals↗

Transgenic mice demonstrate that epithelial homing of gamma/delta T cells is determined by cell lineages independent of T cell receptor specificity.

gamma/delta T cells with different TCR repertoires are compartmentalized in different epithelia. This raises the possibility that the TCR-gamma/delta directs homing of T cells to these epithelia. Alternatively, the signals that induce TCR-gamma/delta expression in developing T cells may also induce homing properties in such cells, presumably in the form of cell surface receptors. We have examined this issue by studying the homing of gamma/delta T cells in transgenic mice constructed with specific pairs of rearranged gamma and delta genes. In such mice, most gamma/delta T cells express the transgene-encoded TCR. We find that homing to both skin and gut epithelia is a property of T cells and is not determined by the type of gamma and delta genes used to encode their TCR. We also studied the effect of TCR replacement on the expression of Thy-1 and CD8 proteins on the gamma/delta T cells associated with gut epithelia. Our results show that the expression of the appropriate type of TCR-gamma/delta is not required for the Thy-1 expression by these T cells, suggesting that Thy-1 is not an activation marker. In contrast, CD8 expression by gut gamma/delta T cells seems to depend on the expression of the appropriate type of TCR.

Animals↗

Bacterial proteins that mediate the association of a defined subset of T cell receptor:CD4 complexes with class II MHC.

We have examined the responses of cloned T cell lines and of normal T cells to staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, and C1 (SEA, SEB, and SEC1). SEA, SEB, and SEC1 are all very potent mitogens for T cells in the presence of Ia+ APC. The minimal activating dose of all these SE varies from 1 to 100 ng/ml. As determined by mAb blocking of the responses of both normal T cells and cloned T cell lines, SEA required either the I-A or the I-E molecule on APC for stimulating T cells, whereas SEB required the I-E molecule predominantly over I-A molecule. The TCR:CD4 complex is also involved in the response to SE. The responses to SEB and SEC1 were inhibited by anti-V beta 8 antibody F23.1, whereas the response to SEA and to PHA was not affected by this antibody. Anti-CD4 effectively inhibited responses to all SE but not to PHA. The involvement of the TCR was also confirmed by flow microfluorimetry analysis of T cell blasts responding to SE and the responses of a panel of cloned T cell lines, both of which showed that V beta 8+ T cells preferentially responded to SEB, whereas V beta 8+ T cells failed to respond to SEA. By using fixed APC, it could be shown that processing is not required for the presentation of SE. Furthermore, pulsing experiments showed that SEB can bind to relevant sites on either B cells or T cells, whereas with conventional Ag only prepulsing of the APC has worked. In one case, SEB activates a cloned T cell line in the absence of APC, and this same clone also responds directly to anti-V beta 8 antibody. Thus, SEB appears to bring together V beta 8-expressing TCR with the I-E molecule, whereas SEA apparently has the same effect on TCR expressing different V beta with either the I-A or the I-E molecule, probably depending upon which TCR is bound. The close resemblance between T cell responses to SE and those to mixed-lymphocyte stimulating (Mls) locus suggests to us that a novel SE-like protein that binds both to class II MHC molecules on the APC surface and to V beta gene products on TCR could be the product of the Mls locus.

Animals↗

Molecular associations on the T cell surface correlate with immunological memory.

Different isoforms of CD45 are expressed on naive and memory CD4 T cells in the mouse, as revealed by an antibody to a set of isoforms of CD45 that utilize exon B, called CD45RB. Cloned TH1 and TH2 lines also differ for expression of isoforms detected by this antibody. Differential expression of CD45 isoforms correlates with different behavior of cell surface molecules involved in transmembrane signal transduction. On naive T cells, CD4, CD45 and the CD3/T cell receptor complex behave as independent entities. On memory T cells, these three molecules are stably associated on the T cell surface. Furthermore, on TH2 cells, which express intermediate levels of CD45RB, CD4 is stably associated with CD45 isoforms other than CD45RB, but this complex is not associated with the CD3/T cell receptor. These results lead us to propose that immunological memory in CD4 T cells consists of an altered structure of the T cell's specific signal transduction apparatus controlled by low-molecular weight CD45 isoforms. This altered receptor structure would allow the more sensitive triggering of the T cell characteristic of memory cells. The organization of multimolecular signal transduction systems may be a general means by which cells alter their physiological behavior, allowing the acquisition of new phenotypic characteristics.

Animals↗