Biomedical subjects

H Spits

Publications and source records attributed to H Spits.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Proteasome subunits encoded by the major histocompatibility complex are not essential for antigen presentation.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules bind and deliver peptides derived from endogenously synthesized proteins to the cell surface for survey by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. It is believed that endogenous antigens are generally degraded in the cytosol, the resulting peptides being translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum where they bind to MHC class I molecules. Transporters containing an ATP-binding cassette encoded by the MHC class II region seem to be responsible for this transport. Genes coding for two subunits of the '20S' proteasome (a multicatalytic proteinase) have been found in the vicinity of the two transporter genes in the MHC class II region, indicating that the proteasome could be the unknown proteolytic entity in the cytosol involved in the generation of MHC class I-binding peptides. By introducing rat genes encoding the MHC-linked transporters into a human cell line lacking both transporter and proteasome subunit genes, we show here that the MHC-encoded proteasome subunit are not essential for stable MHC class I surface expression, or for processing and presentation of antigenic peptides from influenza virus and an intracellular protein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed1992

IL-10 is produced by subsets of human CD4+ T cell clones and peripheral blood T cells.

Murine IL-10 has been reported originally to be produced by the Th2 subset of CD4+ T cell clones. In this study, we demonstrate that human IL-10 is produced by Th0, Th1-, and Th2-like CD4+ T cell clones after both Ag-specific and polyclonal activation. In purified peripheral blood T cells, low, but significant, levels of IL-10 were found to be produced by the CD4+CD45RA+ population, whereas CD4+CD45RA- "memory" cells secreted 5- to 20-fold higher levels of IL-10. In addition, IL-10 was produced by activated CD8+ peripheral blood T cells. Optimal induction of IL-10 was observed after activation by specific Ag and by the combination of anti-CD3 mAb and the phorbol ester tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate, whereas the combination of calcium ionophore A23187 and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate acetate was a poor inducer of IL-10 production. Kinetic studies indicated that IL-10 was produced relatively late as compared with other cytokines. Maximal IL-10 mRNA expression in CD4+ T cell clones and purified peripheral blood T cells was obtained after 24 h, whereas maximal IL-10 protein synthesis occurred between 24 h and 48 h after activation. No differences were observed in the kinetics of IL-10 production among Th0, Th1-, and Th2-like subsets of CD4+ T cell clones. The results indicate a regulatory role for IL-10 in later phases of the immune response.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

Expression of cytoplasmic CD3 epsilon proteins in activated human adult natural killer (NK) cells and CD3 gamma, delta, epsilon complexes in fetal NK cells. Implications for the relationship of NK and T lymphocytes.

NK cells have been defined as CD3-, CD16+, and/or CD56+ lymphocytes that mediate MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity against certain tumors and virus-infected cells. Although CD3 epsilon transcripts have been detected in some NK clones, it has generally been thought that NK cells do not express CD3 proteins other than zeta which is associated with CD16 (Fc gamma RIII). We demonstrate that adult peripheral blood NK cell lines and clones express cytoplasmic CD3 epsilon proteins, but not CD3 delta or gamma. CD3 epsilon proteins were detected by immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence using antiserum directed against the cytoplasmic domain of CD3 epsilon. Although resting, adult peripheral blood NK cells have essentially undetectable levels of CD3 epsilon protein, expression was increased substantially after activation. In contrast to adult NK cells, NK cell clones established from human fetal liver express CD3 gamma, delta, and epsilon protein subunits that associate and form CD3 epsilon, gamma and CD3 epsilon, delta complexes in the cytoplasm, but are apparently unable to be transported to the cell surface. These results indicate that expression of CD3 gamma delta epsilon subunits is not restricted to T lymphocytes and supports the possibility that NK and T cells may be derived from common origins.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

Human fetal liver-derived CD7+CD2lowCD3-CD56- clones that express CD3 gamma, delta, and epsilon and proliferate in response to interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-3, IL-4, or IL-7: implications for the relationship between T and natural killer cells.

Cells from fetal liver or fetal and adult bone marrow that are membrane (m)CD3 negative and have not rearranged TCR genes but express CD3 proteins in their cytoplasm are considered to be committed T-cell progenitors. Recent findings question whether CD3 is T-cell specific because fetal natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to express cCD3 delta and epsilon proteins. To further examine the relationship between T and NK cells, we generated mCD3-cCD3+ clones from fetal liver. Two stable clones, FL412 and FL508, isolated from different donors, were selected on the basis of absence of the NK cell marker CD56. These clones shared a common phenotype of CD7+CD2lowCD3-CD4-CD8-CD5-CD6-CD11b+CD16-CD56 -. Like fetal NK clones, these clones expressed cytoplasmic CD3 delta and epsilon transcripts and proteins. However, the clones exhibited no or very low levels of cytotoxic activity against K562, JY, or Daudi, which were lysed efficiently by fetal NK clones. TCR beta, gamma, and delta genes in these clones were in germline configuration. Furthermore, both FL412 and FL508 responded not only to interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, or IL-7, but also to IL-3 with proliferation. These results suggest that FL412 and FL508 retained some characteristics of a putative T or NK precursor in the fetal liver and may be useful for analyses of this poorly defined cell type.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

CD40 is functionally expressed on human thymic epithelial cells.

CD40 is a prominent B cell Ag also found on certain epithelial cells and on carcinomas. In this report, we analyzed CD40 distribution in the human thymus. CD40 was not found on the majority of CD45-positive thymocytes, but was present in a CD45-negative stromal cell population. Immunohistology showed CD40 expression on cortical thymic epithelial cells (TEC), medullary TEC, thymic interdigitating cells, and thymic B cells. CD40 was not found on thymocytes, endothelial cells, or on the fibroblasts of the septae. Expression of CD40 was specifically maintained on cultured TEC and not found on cultured thymic fibroblasts. IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, significantly up-regulated the membrane expression of CD40 on cultured TEC. The regulation of CD40 was similar to that of ICAM-1, and contrasted with that of MHC class II Ag, which could only be induced by IFN-gamma but not by IL-1, TNF, or IL-4. Northern blot analysis showed the presence of a 1.4-kb mRNA transcript for CD40 in TEC, which was up-regulated by IL-1 and IFN-gamma. Cross-linking of CD40 at the surface of human TEC in the absence of IL-1 stimulation failed to induce cytokine secretion. Triggering of TEC with anti-CD40 mAb in conjunction with IFN-gamma and IL-1 stimulation increased granulocyte-macrophage CSF secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was visible as early as 24 h after triggering, occurred in the absence of cellular proliferation, and was specific for CD40 since triggering of other TEC membrane Ag such as ICAM-1 or MHC class I molecules had no effect to increase cytokine production in TEC. These data demonstrate that CD40 is expressed and is a functional molecule at the surface of the epithelial cells of the thymus.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

Ontogeny of human natural killer (NK) cells: fetal NK cells mediate cytolytic function and express cytoplasmic CD3 epsilon,delta proteins.

Natural killer (NK) cells have been defined as CD3 epsilon-, CD16+ and/or CD56+ lymphocytes that mediate major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity against certain tumors and virus-infected cells. Unlike T lymphocytes, NK cells do not rearrange or productively express T cell antigen receptor genes. Moreover, NK cells from adults have been reported to not express CD3 gamma, delta, or epsilon proteins on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm. Nonetheless, NK cells have been shown to share a number of antigenic and functional similarities to T cells that suggest the possibility of common origins. In this report, we demonstrate that functional NK cells exist in liver at early stages of human embryonic development. Freshly isolated fetal NK cells mediated MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive targets and acquired the ability to lyse NK-resistant tumors after overnight culture in interleukin 2. Unlike adult NK cells, freshly isolated fetal liver NK cells and clones derived from these cells, as well as a subset of cord blood NK cells, express substantial levels of CD3 delta and CD3 epsilon proteins in the cytoplasm. Expression of CD3 epsilon and CD3 delta transcripts and cytoplasmic proteins in fetal NK clones was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. These findings support the concept that NK and T cells may arise from a common progenitor that expresses components of the CD3 complex. Alternatively, it is possible that the cytoplasmic CD3 delta, epsilon+ fetal NK cells represent a distinct subpopulation of NK cells that is predominant in the fetus, but replaced by the cytoplasmic CD3 delta,epsilon- adult NK cell population after embryogenesis.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

Membranes of activated CD4+ T cells expressing T cell receptor (TcR) alpha beta or TcR gamma delta induce IgE synthesis by human B cells in the presence of interleukin-4.

In the present study it is demonstrated that human B cells can be induced to switch to IgE production following a contact-mediated signal provided by activated T cell receptor (TcR) gamma delta+, CD4+ and TcR alpha beta+, CD4+ T cell clones and interleukin (IL)-4. The signal provided by these T cell clones was antigen nonspecific, indicating that the TcR alpha beta/CD3 or TcR gamma delta/CD3 complexes were not involved in these T-B cell interactions. Activated TcR alpha beta+, CD8+, and TcR gamma delta+, CD4-CD8-, or resting CD4+ T cell clones were ineffective. Intact TcR alpha beta+ or TcR gamma delta+, CD4+ T cell clones could be replaced by plasma membrane-enriched fractions isolated from these activated CD4+ T cell clones. In contrast, membranes isolated from resting TcR alpha beta+, CD4+, TcR gamma delta+, CD4+ T cell clones or an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cell line (EBV-LCL) failed to provide the costimulatory signal that, in addition to IL-4, is required for induction of IgE synthesis. As described for intact CD4+ T cells, CD4+ T cell membranes induced purified surface IgM+ B cells to switch to IgG4- and IgE- but not to IgA-producing cells, excluding the possibility of a preferential outgrowth of IgG4- and IgE-committed B cells. The membrane activity was inhibited by protease or heat treatment. Induction of IgE synthesis by B cells co-cultured with both TcR alpha beta+, CD4+ and TcR gamma delta+, CD4+ T cell clones and membrane preparations of these cells was blocked by anti-class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) monoclonal antibodies (mAb), whereas various anti-CD4 mAb had differential blocking effects. Murine L cells, or EBV-LCL transfected with CD4 could not replace CD4+ T cell clones. These results indicate that, although CD4 and class II MHC antigens are required for productive CD4+ T cell clone-B cell interactions, an additional signal, provided by a membrane associated (glyco)protein that is induced by activation of both TcR alpha beta and TcR gamma delta, CD4+ T cells, is needed for induction of IgE production in the presence of IL-4.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1992

The developmental relationship between NK cells and T cells.

NK cells and T cells share many features, suggesting that they have a common origin. Here, Lewis Lanier and colleagues describe recent studies of fetal ontogeny and thymic development that provide support for this hypothesis, and propose an integrated scheme for NK-cell and T-cell development.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Interleukin-10.

Despite the short history of interleukin-10, accumulated evidence indicates that this interleukin plays a major role in suppressing immune and inflammatory responses. Yet interleukin-10 also maintains cell viability and acts as a cofactor to promote the growth of lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro. Here we review the present knowledge on the structure and function of interleukin-10.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Differential effects of IL-4 and IL-10 on IL-2-induced IFN-gamma synthesis and lymphokine-activated killer activity.

Culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with IL-2 stimulates synthesis of cytokines and generation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity. Both IL-4 and IL-10 [cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor (CSIF)] inhibit IL-2-induced synthesis of IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by human PBMC. However, unlike IL-4, IL-10 inhibits neither IL-2-induced proliferation of PBMC and fresh natural killer (NK) cells, nor IL-2-induced LAK activity. Moreover, IL-4 inhibits IL-2-induced IFN-gamma synthesis by purified fresh NK cells, while in contrast the inhibitory effect of IL-10 is mediated by CD14+ cells (monocytes/macrophages). IL-10 inhibits TNF-alpha synthesis by monocytes or monocytes plus NK cells, but not by NK cells alone. These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-10 act on NK cells via distinct pathways, and that IL-2-induced cytokine synthesis and LAK activity are regulated via different mechanisms.

Humans↗

PubMed1992

Functional characterization of human IL-10.

Rapid progress has been made over the past two years in the characterization of the biological activities of interleukin-10. Interleukin-10, produced by T cells, B cells, macrophages/monocytes and keratinocytes, alters profoundly the morphology, the expression of MHC class II antigens and the production of cytokines by monocytes which in turn can affect a variety of immunological responses including antigen specific proliferation and cytokine production of both soluble and allo-antigens by T cells, cytokine production by natural killer cells and immunoglobulin production by B cells. IL-10 also directly affects the function and growth of T cells, B cells and mast cells. These characteristics indicate that IL-10 has strong anti-inflammatory activities and may act as a general suppressor factor of immune reactions with consequences for transplantation, tolerance, cancer therapy and infectious diseases.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

PubMed1991

A novel beta 4, alpha 6 integrin-associated epithelial cell antigen involved in natural killer cell and antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte cytotoxicity.

Efficient immune responses require interactions between cell adhesion molecules on lymphocytes and counter-receptors on antigen presenting cells or target cells. While target-specific receptors or ligands have not been identified for natural killer (NK) cells, cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in the interaction between NK cell effectors and tumor cell targets. Herein, we describe monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a carcinoma cell line that efficiently block the cytolytic activity of interleukin 2-activated NK cell lines and clones. L280 mAb reacts with secretory epithelial cells in normal human tissues, but does not react with hematopoietic cells or other tissue types. Biochemical analysis revealed that L280 mAb immunoprecipitates the beta 4, alpha 6 integrin, as well as a novel 98-kD glycoprotein, and probably reacts with a carbohydrate epitope on these molecules. Involvement of the L280 antigen in cellular immunity is not restricted to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. L280 mAb also efficiently inhibits alloantigen-specific cytotoxicity against Colo-205 cells mediated by human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 alloantigen specific alpha beta-TCR+ and gamma delta-TCR+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. Additionally, we demonstrate that L280 mAb blocks cytotoxicity mediated by influenza peptide-specific HLA-restricted CTL clones. These data indicate that the antigen recognized by L280 mAb is important in both NK and CTL function, and that an as yet unidentified receptor for this epithelial antigen is present on both NK and T lymphocytes. The restricted expression of L280 antigen indicates that this molecule may be important in immune reactions in epithelial tissues.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1991

IL-1, IL-4, and IFN-gamma differentially regulate cytokine production and cell surface molecule expression in cultured human thymic epithelial cells.

We investigated the response of purified and cloned human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) to IL-1, IL-4, and IFN-gamma stimulation in vitro. IL-1 alpha strongly up-regulated the production of granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), granulocyte CSF (G-CSF), IL-6, and IL-8, as measured by specific immunoenzymetric assays and by increased steady state mRNA levels. IL-4 or IFN-gamma did not induce these cytokines in TEC but in a sustained and dose-dependent manner down-regulated the IL-1-induced GM-CSF protein and mRNA levels. Only IFN-gamma, and not IL-4, suppressed the IL-1-induced G-CSF and IL-8 production, as shown at both the protein and mRNA levels. The inhibition was dose dependent, sustained for at least 96 h, and more pronounced for G-CSF than for IL-8. In contrast, both IL-4 and IFN-gamma enhanced the IL-1-induced IL-6 production. IL-4 and IFN-gamma had additive effects to increase IL-6 secretion and to more completely suppress the IL-1-induced GM-CSF. Analyses of cell surface molecules showed that intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression on TEC was increased by IL-1 or IFN-gamma. IL-4 slightly down-regulated constitutive ICAM-1 levels but did not significantly modify the levels of expression induced by either IL-1 or IFN-gamma. MHC class II expression was induced by IFN-gamma but not by IL-1 or IL-4. The combination of IL-1 and IL-4 with IFN-gamma did not alter the levels of class II MHC Ag induced by IFN-gamma. In conclusion, TEC cytokine production and cell surface molecule expression are differentially regulated via a complex cytokine network. Our data suggest that developing T cells provide, in part, the signals controlling the function of their supporting stroma.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1991

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and viral IL-10 strongly reduce antigen-specific human T cell proliferation by diminishing the antigen-presenting capacity of monocytes via downregulation of class II major histocompatibility complex expression.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and viral IL-10 (v-IL-10) strongly reduced antigen-specific proliferation of human T cells and CD4+ T cell clones when monocytes were used as antigen-presenting cells. In contrast, IL-10 and v-IL-10 did not affect the proliferative responses to antigens presented by autologous Epstein-Barr virus-lymphoblastoid cell line (EBV-LCL). Inhibition of antigen-specific T cell responses was associated with downregulation of constitutive, as well as interferon gamma- or IL-4-induced, class II MHC expression on monocytes by IL-10 and v-IL-10, resulting in the reduction in antigen-presenting capacity of these cells. In contrast, IL-10 and v-IL-10 had no effect on class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression on EBV-LCL. The reduced antigen-presenting capacity of monocytes correlated with a decreased capacity to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ in the responder T cell clones. The diminished antigen-presenting capacities of monocytes were not due to inhibitory effects of IL-10 and v-IL-10 on antigen processing, since the proliferative T cell responses to antigenic peptides, which did not require processing, were equally well inhibited. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of IL-10 and v-IL-10 on antigen-specific proliferative T cell responses could not be neutralized by exogenous IL-2 or IL-4. Although IL-10 and v-IL-10 suppressed IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-6 production by monocytes, it was excluded that these cytokines played a role in antigen-specific T cell proliferation, since normal antigen-specific responses were observed in the presence of neutralizing anti-IL-1, -IL-6, and -TNF-alpha mAbs. Furthermore, addition of saturating concentrations of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha to the cultures had no effect on the reduced proliferative T cell responses in the presence of IL-10, or v-IL-10. Collectively, our data indicate that IL-10 and v-IL-10 can completely prevent antigen-specific T cell proliferation by inhibition of the antigen-presenting capacity of monocytes through downregulation of class II MHC antigens on monocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1991

Staphylococcal exotoxins deliver activation signals to human T-cell clones via major histocompatibility complex class II molecules.

We investigated whether staphylococcal exotoxins (SEs), in addition to their capacity to induce T-cell activation restricted by the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain variable region, can deliver an activation signal to human T-cell clones through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Eleven human T-cell clones (9 alpha beta TCR and 2 gamma delta TCR clones) of different antigenic specificities were tested for their capacity to proliferate in response to toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) and two SEs, SEA and SEB. In the absence of accessory cells, only 4 alpha beta TCR clones were stimulated to proliferate, each by a single SE, and to mobilize intracellular free Ca2+ in response to that SE, events indicative of TCR engagement and, presumably, recognition restricted by the beta-chain variable region. In the presence of accessory cells, each of the 11 T-cell clones was stimulated to proliferate by any one of the three SEs tested. This apparently TCR-unrestricted SE-mediated polyclonal proliferation of T-cell clones occurred in the absence of an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ and was not dependent on the presence of MHC class II expression on accessory cells. In contrast, SE-mediated polyclonal proliferation did not occur in 3 alpha beta TCR clones derived from an MHC class II-deficient patient. Furthermore, all of the three SEs induced the proliferation of 4 natural-killer-cell clones, suggesting that expression of TCR/CD3 complex is not essential for SE-mediated polyclonal proliferation of activated lymphocytes. These results indicate that MHC class II molecules transduce activation signals to human T- and natural-killer-cell clones.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMed1991

Selection of a human T helper type 1-like T cell subset by mycobacteria.

Mycobacteria elicit a cellular immune response in their hosts. This response usually leads to protective immunity, but may sometimes be accompanied by immunopathology due to delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). A striking example in man is tuberculoid leprosy, which is characterized by high cellular immunity to Mycobacterium leprae and immunopathology due to DTH. Skin lesions of patients suffering from this disease have the characteristics of DTH reactions in which macrophages and CD4+ T lymphocytes predominate. In animal models, it has been shown that DTH responses are associated with the presence of a particular subset of CD4+ T cells (T helper type 1 [Th1]) that secrete only certain cytokines, such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and lymphotoxin, but no IL-4 or IL-5. We studied the cytokine release of activated M. leprae-reactive CD4+ T cell clones derived from tuberculoid leprosy patients. These T cell clones, which were reactive with mycobacterial heat shock proteins, exhibited a Th1-like cytokine secretion pattern with very high levels of IFN-gamma. Half of these clones secreted low levels of IL-4 and IL-5, but the ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-4 and IL-5 was much higher than that of T cell clones reactive with nonmycobacterial antigens. A Th1-like cytokine secretion pattern was also observed for T cell clones and polyclonal T cell lines from control individuals that recognized both heat shock and other mycobacterial antigens. The levels of IFN-gamma secreted by these clones were, however, significantly less than those of patient-derived T cell clones. This Th1-like pattern was not found with T cell clones from the same patients and healthy individuals generated in the same manner, but reactive with nonmycobacterial antigens. Our data thus indicate that mycobacteria selectively induce human T cells with a Th1-like cytokine secretion profile.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Functional and phenotypic differences between CD4+ and CD4- T cell receptor-gamma delta clones from peripheral blood.

CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cells comprise a very small subset of TCR-gamma delta+ T cells. CD4+ TCR gamma delta+ T cell clones were established to study the phenotypical and functional characteristics of these cells. Thirty-four CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones were established after sorting CD4+ T cells from a pre-expanded TCR-gamma delta+ T cell population. These clones as well as the CD4- TCR-gamma delta+ T cells from the same donor used V gamma 2 and V delta 2. In a second cloning experiment CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cells were cloned directly from freshly isolated TCR-gamma delta+ T cells using a cloning device coupled to a FACS sorter. Forty-three clones were obtained, which all expressed CD4 and TCR-gamma delta. Eleven of these clones used V delta 1 and three of them coexpressed V gamma 2. The other CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones used both V delta 2 and V gamma 2. CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones expressed CD28 irrespective of the V gamma or V delta usage, and were CD11b negative. Three CD4-CD8+ TCR-gamma delta+ clones expressed CD8 alpha but not CD8 beta and were CD11b positive. CD28 expression among CD4-CD8+ and CD4-CD8- was variable but lower than on CD4+ T cell clones. CD4- TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones using V gamma 2 and V delta 2 specifically lyse the Burkitt lymphoma cell line Daudi and secrete low levels of IFN-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF upon stimulation with Daudi. In contrast, most CD4+ T cell clones that use V gamma 2 and V delta 2 had a very low lytic activity against Daudi cells and secrete high levels of IFN-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF after stimulation with Daudi cells. The NK-sensitive cell line K562 was killed efficiently by the CD4- TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones, but not by CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones, and could not induce cytokine secretion in CD4+ or CD4- T cell clones. CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cell clones, but not the CD4- clones, could provide bystander cognate T cell help for production of IgG, IgM, and IgA in the presence of IL-2 and IgE in the presence of IL-4. Thus, CD4+ TCR-gamma delta+ T cells are similar to CD4+ TCR-alpha beta+ T cells in their abilities to secrete high levels of cytokines and to provide T cell help in antibody production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1991

Natural killer cell clones can efficiently process and present protein antigens.

NK cell clones obtained from three different donors were tested for their ability to present soluble proteins to Ag-specific T cell clones. All NK clones were CD2+CD3-CD56+, whereas the expression of CD16 varied from clone to clone. The NK cell clones were able to process and present tetanus toxoid (TT) to TT-specific T cell clones in a class II HLA restricted manner. The capacity of NK cell clones to function as APC was also observed using the house dust mite allergen Der p I and the Der p I-derived peptide Val89-Cys117. As with EBV-transformed B cell line, NK cell clones could present the peptide 3-13 derived from the 65-kDa heat shock protein of Mycobacterium leprae, but they were unable to present the whole M. leprae Ag. Freshly isolated NK cells, IL-2-activated NK cells, and NK cell lines expanded in vitro could also process and present TT. The ability of the different NK populations to act as accessory cells correlated with their levels of class II HLA expression. These data demonstrate that NK cell clones can efficiently function as APC, however they may be restricted in the types of Ag that they can process.

Allergens↗