Biomedical subjects

J Banchereau

Publications and source records attributed to J Banchereau.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Human interleukin 4 down-regulates the surface expression of CD5 on normal and leukemic B cells.

CD5 is a pan-T cell antigen which is expressed on a minor subset of normal B lymphocytes and on most chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells (B-CLL). In this study, it is demonstrated that interleukin (IL) 4 down-regulates the surface expression of CD5 on tonsil B cells and B-CLL cells, but not on T cells. IL 4 inhibits both the spontaneous and the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced hyperexpression of CD5 on tonsil B cells. In contrast, IL 4 only suppresses the PMA-induced hyperexpression of CD5 on B-CLL, whereas the spontaneous CD5 expression is essentially unaffected. The IL 4 concentrations required to down-regulate CD5 are the same as those required to up-regulate CD23. The IL 4-mediated down-regulation of CD5 is an intrinsic property of this IL, since an anti-IL 4-neutralizing antiserum blocks this effect. Interferon (IFN)-gamma, which inhibits the IL 4 induced CD23 expression, does not block the IL 4-induced down-regulation of CD5. Recombinant IL 1 alpha, IL 2, IL 3, IL 5, IL 6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IFN-gamma and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor neither inhibit nor stimulate CD5 expression on B cells, therefore suggesting that the capacity to down-regulate CD5 expression on B cells is specific to IL 4.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

PubMed1989

Interleukin (IL) 4 counteracts the helper effect of IL2 on antigen-activated human B cells.

We tested the effect of interleukin (IL) 4 on the specific IgM antibody response induced by trinitrophenylated-polyacrylamide beads (TNP-PAA) in cultures of human B cells. T cell help was provided by exogeneous IL2. IL4 profoundly suppressed the response to optimal concentrations (50 U/ml) of IL2, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 6 U/ml. This was due neither to a shift in the kinetics nor to a switch to an IgG response. The production of anti-TNP antibody (as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the culture supernatant) was inhibited to the same extent as the generation of plaque-forming cells. The effect of IL4 was completely abolished by a neutralizing antibody toward IL4. Kinetic studies showed that IL4 had to be present during the first 48 h of culture to fully inhibit the response. The sequential stimulation of B cells by antigen and by IL2 showed that IL4 does not negatively interfere with signaling through membrane Ig but counteracts the effect of IL2 on antigen-activated B cells.

Antibody Formation↗

PubMed1989

Regulation by interleukin 2 of CD23 expression of leukemic and normal B cells: comparison with interleukin 4.

Recombinant interleukin (IL) 4 has been shown to be able to up-regulate low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII)-CD23 expression on B cells as well as on other human mononuclear cells. We demonstrate here that, in opposition with previous reports, recombinant IL2 also can up-regulate CD23 expression on B cells. This was first observed on CLL cells which represent a monoclonal proliferation of B cells arrested at an intermediate stage of activation. Cells of 5 out of 12 B-CLL studied display such an increase and all 5 proliferated, in vitro, directly in response to IL2. Similarly, upon triggering with anti-mu and IL2, normal tonsillar B lymphocytes also demonstrate an increase of CD23 expression but this was observed only on day 3. Interferon-gamma was able to inhibit this IL2-mediated up-regulation of CD23 on normal B cells but not on CLL-B cells; on those cells interferon-gamma was similarly unable to inhibit the IL4-mediated CD23 up-regulation. These results suggest that CD23 regulation is complex and related to the stage of activation and the cell type.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Activation of human B lymphocytes through CD40 and interleukin 4.

We have produced and characterized a new CD40 monoclonal antibody, mAb 89, which in the presence of anti-IgM antibodies co-stimulates to induce B cell proliferation. mAb 89 activates resting B cells as shown by an increase in cell volume and an enhanced subsequent proliferation of B cells in response to anti-IgM antibody. However, mAb 89 does not prepare B cells to respond to the growth-promoting activity of interleukin (IL) 2 or IL 4. Unlike IL 2 and IL 4, mAb 89 only weakly stimulates the proliferation of anti-IgM pre-activated B cells. Thus, the activating properties of anti-CD40 are likely to explain its co-stimulatory effect on B cells. Interestingly, the anti-CD40 mAb 89 was found to act in synergy with IL 4, but not with IL 2, in co-stimulation and restimulation assays. In this respect, anti-CD40 does not induce a significant increase of B cell surface IL 4 receptors while IL 4, but not IL 2, induces a twofold increase of the CD40 antigen expression. Thus the synergistic interaction between IL 4 and anti-CD40 may be related to the IL 4-dependent increase of CD40 antigen expression.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Human T lymphocytes expressing the C3b/C4b complement receptor type one (CR1, CD35) belong to Fc gamma receptor-positive CD4-positive T cells.

The phenotypic characteristics of human T lymphocytes expressing the C3b/C4b complement receptor type one (CR1, CD35) were investigated using dual-color surface immunofluorescence and cytofluorometric analysis of stained peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal individuals. Two to ten percent of PBMC coexpressed CR1 and the CD5, CD2, or CD3 antigen. CR1 was detected on a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes but not on CD8+ or on Leu-7+ lymphocytes. Costaining for CR1 and for the CD4 subpopulation markers anti-Leu-8, TQ1, OKT17, 2H4, and 4B4 indicated that CR1 on lymphocytes may be coexpressed with any of these phenotypic determinants. All CR1+ lymphocytes expressed Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma Rs) as assessed by their ability to bind biotinylated dimeric human IgG. The expression of CR1 was increased in mixed lymphocyte reaction with kinetics similar to those of HLA-DR antigen expression. Coexpression of CR1 and Fc gamma R+ may provide a subset of CD4+ lymphocytes with an enhanced ability to bind and respond to C3-bearing complexes of IgG and antigen.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Epitope mapping of recombinant human gamma interferon using monoclonal antibodies.

Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs B22, B27, 3-6, 32 and 35) specific for human recombinant IFN-gamma were characterized. These MAbs were used to set up quantitative sandwich ELISAs which allowed the detection of 1.25 ng/ml of IFN-gamma when diluted in normal human serum. Epitope mapping of the IFN-gamma molecule using these MAbs demonstrated that antibodies 3-6 and 32 which did not inhibit the biological activity of IFN-gamma recognized an epitope localized on the 15 C-terminal amino acids, suggesting that this portion of the molecule was not implicated in the biological activity of IFN-gamma. Sandwich ELISAs were performed using various pairs of MAbs. The level of reactivity obtained when antibodies B22 and B27 were used simultaneously as catcher and tracer was similar to the result obtained with two antibodies recognizing different epitopes. These results confirm that the IFN-gamma molecule is a dimer in solution and indicate that the two sites of the IFN-gamma dimeric molecule which are associated with the biological activity (epitope B22/B27) are fully exposed. In contrast, the C-terminus is only partially accessible to the antibodies 3-6/32, suggesting that the dimerization of IFN-gamma molecule results in the interaction of regions of the monomers that are homologous and adjacent to the C-terminus.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Lymphokine receptor interactions.

The VI International Lymphokine Workshop, focused on lymphokine receptor interactions and as expected, a large body of new information was released during this meeting. The molecular characterization of several new cytokines and preliminary characterization of their biological effects was reported and new biological activities of known cytokines were described. Important progress has been made on the molecular characterization of two cytokine receptors. Since the cytokine gene structure has been determined, the characterization of intracellular pathways controlling the expression of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes is now under way. Furthermore, several communications have demonstrated that cytokines represent potential major therapeutic agents for a wide array of diseases. Finally, the in-vivo study of human cytokines will be greatly facilitated by the development of mice reconstituted with a human immune system (scid-hu mouse).

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Analysis of the B-cell growth-promoting activity of human IL-4, the co-stimulatory assay with anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. Comparison with the B-cell growth-promoting activity of other lymphokines.

Human recombinant interleukin-4 (rIL-4) was assessed for its ability to promote the proliferative response of purified human B cells co-stimulated with submitogenic concentrations of soluble F(ab')2 fragments of anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies. The growth-promoting activity of rIL-4 was usually as potent as, or even more potent than, that of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2), and more potent than that of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma). Preincubation with rIL-4 did not cause enhancement of the proliferative response of B cells to the subsequent addition of rIL-4 and anti-IgM antibody. In contrast, the proliferative response of B cells preincubated with anti-IgM antibody and rIL-4 was potentiated by the subsequent addition of rIL-4. The simultaneous addition of rIFN-gamma and rIL-2 or rIFN-gamma and rIL-4 had an additive effect in comparison with the response induced by rIL-2 or rIL-4 alone, respectively, whereas simultaneous addition of rIL-2 and rIL-4 induced a response equal or lower than that stimulated by rIL-2 or rIL-4 alone. The addition of rIFN-gamma at the beginning of culture or preincubation of B cells with rIFN-gamma and anti-IgM antibody potentiated the proliferative response of B cells to the subsequent addition of either rIL-2 or rIL-4. Taken together, these data suggest that rIL-4 acts as a growth factor for activated human B cells and displays on such cells a growth-promoting activity similar to that of rIL-2.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1988

A monoclonal anti-IgE antibody against an epitope (amino acids 367-376) in the CH3 domain inhibits IgE binding to the low affinity IgE receptor (CD23).

We have produced three different mAb specific for human IgE-Fc. Their binding pattern to either heat-denatured IgE or a family of overlapping IgE-derived recombinant peptides and their ability to affect interaction of IgE with its low affinity receptor Fc epsilon R2/CD23 demonstrate that they recognize distinct epitopes on the IgE molecule. All three mAb were able to induce basophil degranulation as measured by the induction of histamine release. mAb 173 recognizes a thermolabile epitope in the CH4 domain. It does not affect the binding of IgE to Fc epsilon R2/CD23. mAb 272 recognizes a thermostable epitope that maps to a sequence of 36 amino acids (AA) spanning part of the CH2 and CH3 domain and it does not affect the binding of IgE to Fc epsilon R2/CD23. mAb 27 recognizes a thermolabile epitope located on a 10 AA stretch (AA 367-376) in the CH3 domain. This area contains one N-linked oligosaccharide (Asn-371), but the antibody is not directed against carbohydrate because it binds to Escherichia coli-derived IgE peptides. mAb 27 inhibits the binding of IgE to Fc epsilon R2/CD23 but is still capable of reacting with IgE already bound to Fc epsilon R2/CD23. These data suggest that upon binding to Fc epsilon R2/CD23, the IgE molecule engages one of two equivalent-binding sites close to the glycosylated area of the CH3 domain.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Interleukin 4 inhibits the proliferation but not the differentiation of activated human B cells in response to interleukin 2.

The combined effect of IL-4 and IL-2 on proliferation of anti-IgM antibody or Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I (SAC)-preactivated B cells was investigated. It was observed that in most cases, rIL-2 used at optimal concentration induced higher levels of tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) uptake than rIL-4 used at optimal concentration. When rIL-4 and rIL-2 were added together, it was repeatedly found that B cell proliferation induced by rIL-2 was significantly reduced and was, in most cases, comparable with the proliferation induced by rIL-4 alone. Cell cycle studies demonstrated that rIL-4 significantly reduced the number of cells entering S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle upon rIL-2 stimulation. B cell blasts preincubated for 24 or 48 h with rIL-4 displayed a reduced proliferation in response to rIL-2. In contrast, preculture of resting B cells with rIL-4 did not impair their subsequent proliferation in response to rIL-2 plus insolubilized anti-IgM antibody. This suggests that rIL-4 can only exert its inhibitory effect once B cells have received an activation signal. The differentiative activity of rIL-2 measured on B cell blasts preactivated for 2 d with SAC was not altered by rIL-4, which suggests that rIL-4 did not exert its inhibitory activity on rIL-2-induced B cell proliferation by enhancing rIL-2-mediated differentiation. Delayed addition of a neutralizing anti-IL-4 antiserum demonstrated that a period of contact of at least 24 h between IL-4 and B cell blasts was necessary for the development of the antagonistic effect of IL-4 on IL-2-mediated growth of activated B cells. These data demonstrate that IL-4 antagonizes the B cell growth-promoting effect of IL-2 without affecting the differentiation of preactivated B cells in response to IL-2.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed1988

IFN-gamma and prostaglandin E2 inhibit IL-4-induced expression of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on B lymphocytes through different mechanisms without altering binding of IL-4 to its receptor.

Human rIL-4 specifically induces the expression of the low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R2/CD23) on normal B cells and on the Burkitt lymphoma cell line Jijoye. IL-4 does not induce the generation of the second messenger cAMP in Jijoye cells. PGE2 (at 10(-7) M) was found to inhibit by 50% the IL-4 mediated Fc epsilon R2/CD23 induction on Jijoye cells. The PGE2 half maximum inhibitory concentration (1 nM) was comparable to that inducing a half maximal increase of intracellular cAMP (4nM PGE2). 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-3) M), forskolin (10(-5) M), and cholera toxin (100 ng/ml), which increase intracellular cAMP levels, also inhibited by 40 to 80% the IL-4 induced Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on Jijoye cells. PGE2 8-bromo-cAMP, forskolin, and cholera toxin also inhibited the IL-4-induced Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on normal B lymphocytes. Taken together these data suggest that PGE2 inhibits the IL-4 induced Fc epsilon R2/CD23 through an increase of intracellular cAMP. In contrast, IFN-gamma, which strongly inhibits IL-4-mediated Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on Jijoye cells, did not increase intracellular cAMP levels and thus probably acts through another mechanism. IFN-gamma and PGE2 did not inhibit binding of IL-4 to its receptor. It could be excluded that IFN-gamma and PGE2 were acting via an alteration/desensitization of the IL-4R inasmuch as 24 h pre-incubation of Jijoye cells with these agents affected neither the affinity of 125I-IL-4 for its receptor (Kd = 0.8 to 1.5 x 10(-10) M) nor the maximal number of binding sites per Jijoye cells (Bmax = 390 to 550). Furthermore, IFN-gamma and PGE2 did not affect the internalization and degradation of 125I-IL-4. These data demonstrate that PGE2 and IFN-gamma inhibit the IL-4-mediated induction of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on B lymphocytes via different mechanisms that do not alter the interaction of IL-4 with its receptor.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1988

Human recombinant IL-4 induces activated B lymphocytes to produce IgG and IgM.

In this report, we describe a novel biologic activity of IL-4 namely, its ability to induce activated human B cells to produce IgM. Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-activated blasts prepared from high density tonsil B cells were found to secrete IgG and IgM, but no IgE, when cultured in the presence of rIL-4. The differentiating activity of rIL-4 was totally blocked by a neutralizing anti-IL-4 antiserum, therefore demonstrating that the IgG/IgM-inducing activity of rIL-4 was an intrinsic property of IL-4. rIL-4 was only minimally inducing Ig production of blasts prepared from low density B cells, whereas it induced B cell blasts prepared from high density B cells to secrete a high amount of Ig. Delayed additions of the neutralizing anti-IL-4 antiserum demonstrated that a 48-h contact between IL-4 and B cell blasts was required for optimal Ig production. The IL-4-mediated IgG and IgM production was neither suppressed by IFN-gamma nor by anti-CD23 mAb 25, whereas these agents have been shown earlier to inhibit IgE production of enriched B cells cultured in the presence of IL-4. These data indicate that the IgG/IgM-inducing activity of IL-4 is not regulated like the IL-4-induced IgE production by enriched B cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

IgE production by normal human B cells induced by alloreactive T cell clones is mediated by IL-4 and suppressed by IFN-gamma.

Seven T cell clones were established from mixed leukocyte cultures in which PBMC from two healthy donors and from one patient suffering from the hyper-IgE syndrome were stimulated by the irradiated EBV-transformed B cell lines JY or UD53. Five of seven T cell clones, after activation by co-cultivation with JY or UD53 cells, induced a low degree of IgE production by normal blood B cells. In one experiment in which the normal B cells could activate the T cell clones directly, IgE production was also observed in the absence of the specific stimulator cells. IgE production was also obtained with supernatants of the T cell clones collected 4 to 5 days after activation by their specific stimulator cells. In addition, the supernatants induced IgG, IgA, and IgM synthesis. All seven clones produced variable concentrations of IL-4 and IFN-gamma. The clones FA-28 and BG-39, which failed to induce IgE synthesis, produced, compared with the other clones tested, relatively high quantities of IFN-gamma (4700 and 2500 pg/ml, respectively). These high levels of IFN-gamma accounted for the lack of induction of IgE synthesis, because in the presence of a polyclonal anti-IFN-gamma antiserum, supernatants of FA-10 and BG-39 induced significant IgE production. In addition, the low degree of IgE production induced by supernatants of two other T cell clones (FA28 and BG24) was 15- and 3-fold enhanced, respectively, in the presence of the anti-IFN-gamma antiserum. IgE synthesis by normal B cells was also induced by rIL-4, indicating that IL-4 present in T cell clone supernatants was responsible for induction of IgE production. This notion was supported by the finding that IgE production induced by supernatant of BG-24 was strongly inhibited by a polyclonal anti-IL-4 antiserum. In contrast, IgG and IgA production induced by supernatant of BG-24 were not significantly affected by the anti-IL-4 antiserum. Only a slight inhibition of IgM synthesis was observed. Collectively, our results indicate that both recombinant and naturally produced IL-4 induce normal human B cells to synthesize IgE. However, final IgE production induced by T cell clone supernatants is the net result of the inducing and suppressive effects of IL-4 and IFN-gamma respectively, that are secreted simultaneously by the T cell clones upon activation.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1988

Interleukin 4 counteracts the interleukin 2-induced proliferation of monoclonal B cells.

B cells from patients suffering from B-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) are susceptible to the effects of several interleukins. Using the cells from 12 different patients we show that IL-4 does not synergize with anti-mu antibody for the enhancement of DNA synthesis. Moreover IL-4 profoundly (90%) suppresses the response to IL-2 in the 10 patient responders to this interleukin. This suppression occurs whether IL-2 is used alone, in costimulation with anti-mu antibody, or in synergy with IFN-gamma. In no instance did IL-4 induce terminal differentiation. This negative effect of IL-4 can take place in monoclonal B-CLL cells where IL-4 enhances the expression of CD23. IL-4 does not interfere with the upregulation of CD25 by IL-2. Thus, IL-4 may display inhibitory effects on the proliferative response of selected B cell populations. The antagonism between IL-4 and IL-2 has important implications for the potential use of cytokines in the management of B-CLL patients.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1988

IL-4 is an essential factor for the IgE synthesis induced in vitro by human T cell clones and their supernatants.

The property of 109 CD4+ T cell clones (TCC) to induce IgE synthesis in vitro in human B cells was compared with their ability to produce IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma in their supernatants (SUP) after 24-h stimulation with PHA. A significant positive correlation was found between the property of TCC to induce or enhance spontaneous IgE synthesis and their ability to release IL-4. In contrast, there was an inverse relationship between the IgE helper activity of TCC and their ability to release IFN-gamma, whereas no statistical correlation between the property to induce IgE synthesis and to produce IL-2 was observed. The ability of PHA-SUP from 71 CD4+ TCC to induce IgE synthesis in B cells was also investigated. Twenty-nine SUP (all derived from TCC active on IgE synthesis) induced production of substantial amounts of IgE in target B cells. There was a correlation between the amount of IgE synthesized by B cells in response to these SUP and their IL-4 content. An even higher correlation was found between the IgE synthesis induced by these SUP and the ratio between the amount of IL-4 and IFN-gamma present in the same SUP. Like IL-4-containing SUP, rIL-4 also showed the ability to induce IgE production in B cells from both atopic and nonatopic donors. The addition to B cell cultures of anti-IL-4 antibody virtually abolished not only the IgE synthesis induced by rIL-4, but also that stimulated by TCC and their SUP. In contrast, the IgG synthesis induced by TCC SUP was not or only slightly inhibited by the anti-IL-4 antibody. These data indicate that IL-4 is an essential mediator for the IgE synthesis induced in vitro by human TCC and their SUP in the absence of a polyclonal activator, whereas IFN-gamma seems to exert a negative regulatory effect on the production of IgE.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[Decrease of erythrocyte receptors for the C3b fragment of complement in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

The number of C3b receptors (CR1) on erythrocytes (E) was measured, using a newly developed flow cytometry assay and a standard radioimmunoassay, in HIV-infected individuals and in a normal control population. The number of CR1/E was significantly decreased in symptomatic HIV-infected patients with ARC and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and was normal in asymptomatic carriers of anti-HIV antibodies. Decreased numbers of CR1/E correlated with the clinical severity of the HIV-related disease. A close correlation was found between results obtained with flow cytometry and those obtained with the radioimmuno-assay. Flow cytometric assessment of CR1/E may be of interest in large scale prospective clinical studies of HIV-infected subjects.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

PubMed1988

Regulation of Fc receptor for IgE (CD23) and class II MHC antigen expression on Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines by human IL-4 and IFN-gamma.

The effect of rIL-4 on the expression of low affinity receptor for the Fc part of IgE (Fc epsilon R2/CD23) and class II MHC antigens on Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines was investigated. Some of the BL lines contained low percentages of CD23 and HLA-DQ-positive cells, but virtually all cells expressed HLA-DR. IL-4 induced CD23 and class II MHC Ag expression on 7 of 9 BL. Optimal CD23 and class II MHC expression was observed after 48-72 h of incubation. Induction of CD23 and class II MHC Ag in the BL cell line BL2 by IL-4 was confirmed at the specific mRNA level. Significant activation of HLA-DQ mRNA was obtained after 6 h of incubation with IL-4 and gradually increased during prolonged incubation. Maximal induction of mRNA transcription occurred after 48 to 72 h. Optimal induction of HLA-DR and CD23 transcription in BL2 was also observed after 48 to 72 h. The induction of CD23 and class II MHC Ag seems to be specific for IL-4, because rIL-1, rIL-2, rIFN-gamma, recombinant granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, and a commercial source of low m.w. B cell growth factor were ineffective. In addition, the expression of class I MHC Ag, the transferrin receptor, CD38, CD25, CD10, CD20, and CD21 were not affected by IL-4. Interestingly, IFN-gamma and PGE2 suppressed the IL-4-induced membrane expression of CD23 and class II MHC Ag in a dose-dependent way. IFN-gamma also blocked IL-4-induced CD23 mRNA transcription in BL2 completely, whereas PGE2 (10(-7) M) was partially inhibitory. The induction of CD23 and class II MHC Ag by IL-4 required intact protein synthesis as shown by its inhibition by cycloheximide. These results indicate that the induction of CD23 and class II MHC Ag by IL-4 is regulated in a coordinated way.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1988

The low-affinity receptor for IgE (CD23) on B lymphocytes is spatially associated with HLA-DR antigens.

Two hybridomas that produce the mAbs 135 and 449 B4 were obtained that inhibited the binding of IgE to the Fc epsilon RL/CD23 on the EBV-transformed B cell line RPMI 8866. mAb 135 was obtained from a mouse immunized with RPMI 8866 cells, whereas mAb 449B4 was obtained from a mouse immunized with a partially purified preparation of Fc epsilon RL/CD23 obtained as the eluate of an IgE immunoabsorbent loaded with a soluble extract of RPMI 8866 cells. These two mAbs bound to Fc epsilon RL/CD23- cell lines and precipitated two polypeptides with 36,000 Mr and 28,000 Mr, which were the HLA-DR alpha and beta chains, respectively. Immunoprecipitation with mAb 135 of NP-40 lysates from dithio-bis(succinimidyl propionate) (DSP) crosslinked 125I-labeled RPMI 8866 or normal B cells incubated with rIL-4 showed three polypeptides with 42,000, 36,000, and 28,000 Mr. The 42,000 Mr polypeptide is identical to the Fc epsilon RL/CD23 since it could be precipitated by the anti-Fc epsilon RL/CD23 mAb 25 after resolubilization from the SDS-PAGE gel. Immunoprecipitations of the crosslinked cell extracts carried out with the anti-Fc epsilon RL/CD23 mAb 25 yielded the same three polypeptides. Furthermore, when RPMI 8866 or rIL-4 preincubated normal B cells were solubilized with a digitonin buffer, which prevents the dissociation of noncovalently linked polypeptide complexes, mAb 135 and mAb 25 precipitated complexes composed of three molecules with 42,000, 36,000, and 28,000 Mr. The well-characterized anti-HLA-DR mAb L243 was unable to block the binding of either IgE or mAb 135 to RPMI 8866 cells, although it could immunoprecipitate the complex (HLA-DR-Fc epsilon RL/CD23) from crosslinked cell lysates. Since mAb 135 and L243 were able to both bind the RPMI 8866 cells, it demonstrates that they bind to different epitopes of the HLA-DR complex, the mAb 135 epitope of the HLA-DR molecule being close to the IgE binding site of the Fc epsilon RL/CD23. These data demonstrated that the Fc epsilon RL/CD23 and HLA-DR antigens are spatially associated on the B cell membrane.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗