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Biomedical subjects

J Cerny

Publications and source records attributed to J Cerny.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The repertoire diversity and magnitude of antibody responses to bacterial antigens in aged mice: I. Age-associated changes in antibody responses differ according to the mouse strain.

Aging influences the host immune responses in various ways. In aging mice we have studied the antibody responses to two unrelated bacterial antigens. Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a vaccine (Pn) and TNP coupled to Brucella abortus (TNP-BA). Aged animals (20-24 months old) of the C57BL/6 strain had markedly reduced numbers of IgM antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) to Pn as compared to young/adult mice (2-3 months old). In contrast, the anti-Pn IgM PFC responses of aged BALB/c mice were consistently higher than they were in the young/adult mice. The increased anti-Pn responses were not due to a nonspecific immunostimulation, because the responses of aged BALB/c mice to TNP-BA were lower as compared to the adults. However, the aged BALB/c mice responded relatively poorly to Pn challenge, and their IgG responses (as determined by ELISA plaque assay) demonstrated a very high individual variability. The clonotypic diversity of anti-Pn response in young BALB/c and C57BL/6 is limited, such that the majority of PFC produce antibody that express all idiotopes (Id) of the T15 immunoglobulin encoded in the VH-S107/Vk22 genes. In contrast, the PFC from aged mice are diverse, expressing incomplete T15 Id or none at all, suggesting that the antibodies are encoded by altered T15 genes and by different, non-T15 genes. Our data demonstrate that the age-related changes in the magnitude of antibody response to certain antigens are influenced by the host genetic make-up, and that the changes in magnitude and diversity of antibody response may be unrelated to each other.

Aging↗

[A period in the pediatric hospital of Iwiro, Zaire].

Medical students are allowed each year to perform abroad a two months period of instruction called "extra muros" training period in their last year of medical scholarship. Two students have chosen to work in the area of South Kivu (Zaïre) in participating to the health program of the CEMUBAC. Malnutrition and malaria were the most common illnesses they could deal with. They also were able to perceive the difficulties of a large public health program. The present report summarizes their feelings about that medical and personal training. Practical informations about administrative and financial conditions are also detailed.

Belgium↗

Antigen-binding repertoire and Ig H chain gene usage among B cell hybridomas from normal and autoimmune mice.

LPS-stimulated B cells were used to generate a panel of mAb that were a random sample of the preimmune repertoire of C57BL/6 and highly autoimmune, viable motheaten mice. These mAb were tested for reactivity to a number of "self" and foreign Ag. Binding that could be detected only at nM mAb concentrations or less was considered significant. We found that a surprisingly high number of the mAb bound one or more of the Ag tested, and many mAb bound more than a single Ag. Ag-induced mAb were likewise tested and found to have greatly reduced cross-reactivities. We found no significant differences, either in frequency of Ag binding or degree of cross-reactivity, between normal and autoimmune mice. Furthermore, the frequency with which a given Ag was bound by our panel of mAb was found to be proportional to the size of the Ag. The frequency with which individual VH gene families were expressed by our panel was consistent with a stochastic usage of VH genes in the preimmune repertoire. We interpret these data as showing that the preimmune repertoire is highly cross-reactive and that the activation of autoreactive clones in autoimmune animals is due to a defect in cellular regulation rather than a difference in repertoire.

Animals↗

[31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the stomach wall following proximal selective vagotomy].

The phosphate metabolism of the gastric wall after proximal selective vagotomy (PSV) was investigated by means of 31P-NMR spectroscopy. The destruction of metabolism has been found just after PSV resulting in a significant decrease of adenosine diphosphates and adenosine triphosphates. 4 and 7 days after PSV the progress of metabolism regeneration was detected, nevertheless with the retardation of high energy phosphates ischemic degradation. The results indicate not only a hydrochloric acid activity reduction but diminution of gastric mucosa protective factors, too. In experimental gastric ulcers no energy phosphates have been found suggesting a mucosa cells necrobiosis.

Animals↗

Regulation of idiotope expression. IV. Genetic linkage of two D region-dependent T15 idiotopes to the IgH allotype.

The idiotopic (Id) repertoire of antibody response to phosphocholine was studied in mouse strains with different IgH allotypes. The T15 idiotype-bearing (T15+) serum antibody and antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) were characterized with four monoclonal anti-Id that recognize distinct Id determinants on T15+ antibody encoded by VH-1 (of the S107 gene family), DH FL16.1, JH-1 and Vk22 germ-line genes. We have previously shown that expression of the Id designated AB1-2 and B36-82 depends on the third hypervariable loop (D region), whereas the other Id, MaId5-4 and B24-44, are influenced by VH structures outside of the D region. All four Id were expressed in the PC-response of all mouse strains tested, except the Ighj strains (C3H/HeJ, CBA/H-T6, PL/j), where the D region-dependent Id, AB1-2 and B36-82, were absent. The other Id, however, were normally expressed on individual PFC as well as the serum antibody of the Ighj strains. Expression of AB1-2 and B36-82 on 50% of PFC occurred in (BALB/c-Igha x C3H/HeJ-Ighj)F1 mice. The absence of Id correlated with a unique RFLP of the S107 gene family in Ighj strains. Finally, Id expression segregated with the appropriate RFLP pattern in individual (BALB/c x C3H/HeJ)F2 mice. These data demonstrate a selective genetic linkage of discrete T15 Id determinants, AB1-2 and B36-82 with the Igh allotype. By comparing these results with the available Ig sequences, we suggest that the Ighj allotype may be associated with an allelic form of the DH-FL16.1 segment which with VH-1, JH-1, and the Vk 22 code for the phosphocholine-specific antibody in the mouse.

Animals↗

Restricted idiotypic profile of anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies induced by carrier-specific helper T cell clones.

The primary antibody response of C57BL/6 mice to phosphorylcholine (PC) is dominated by immunoglobulins of the T15 idiotype family. Using monoclonal antibodies that define individual idiotopes (Id) of T15, it has been shown that the antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) arise from heterogeneous population of B cells that may express some but not all T15 Id. In the present study, we tested the ability of antigen (keyhole limpet hemocyanin, KLH)-specific CD4+ T cell clones (Th) to provide help for various T15 B cell subsets in response to PC-KLH in vitro. Four independently derived, KLH-specific Th clones were found to provide quantitative help (80-120 PFC/culture of 10(6) B cells) which was comparable to KLH-primed, unselected T cells. However, the response in the presence of the cloned T cells was idiotopically restricted: T15 idiotopes B24-44 and B36-75 were expressed on 60% to 90% PFC, whereas Id AB1-2 and B36-82 were not present (0%-20% PFC). All of these Id were highly expressed in cultures with KLH-primed, unselected splenic T cells. Evidently, the cloned Th cells provided help to only a subset of idiotypically distinct B cells. Bulk spleen T cells from unprimed donors by themselves did not provide any help for the primary response to PC-KLH. However, when these cells were added to the cultures containing B cells and KLH-specific Th clones, the repertoire of the response was fully restored, including the AB1-2/B36-82 Id (50%-80% PFC). These results suggest the existence of an auxiliary helper mechanism that may be required for activation of some B cells in addition to the antigen-specific Th cells.

Animals↗

Mapping of antibody specificities to VH gene families.

VH gene segments represent the products of the repeated duplication and subsequent diversification of a primordial V gene element. It is widely assumed that natural selection, operating via pathogens, has played the dominant role in this process. Here, we screen some 3.7 x 10(4) C mu+ colonies of mitogen-activated B cells for the production of antibodies specific for phosphorylcholine or hen egg lysozyme and expression of the VH X-24, S107, Q52, or J558 gene families. These gene families were expressed at frequencies proportional to their genomic complexity among both unselected and antigen-specific C mu+ colonies. Thus, the capacity to encode equivalent antibody-combining sites is dispersed uniformly among VH families. This result suggests that individual VH genes have not evolved to address specific antigens.

Animals↗

T-cells inhibit Friend murine leukemia virus infection of B-cells in vitro.

The ability of splenic T-cells to regulate Friend murine leukemia virus replication in lipopolysaccharide-activated target B-cells infected in vitro was investigated. Removal of the T-cell fraction from spleen cells resulted in an 8- to 10-fold enhancement in the number of productively infected cells in the remaining B-cell-enriched fraction, as compared with unseparated spleen cells, and the addition of increasing numbers of purified T-cells to isolated B-cells prior to infection resulted in a directly proportional reduction in the number of B-cells releasing infectious progeny virus. Separation of splenic T-cells into Lyt 2- and Lyt 2+ T-cells before addition to infected B-cell cultures resulted in inhibition of infection only with the Lyt 2- T-cells; Lyt 2+ T-cells did not inhibit infection, even at high 1:1 ratios. Similarly, separation of splenic T-cells into L3T4+ and L3T4- T-cells before addition resulted in inhibition by L3T4+ but not L3T4- T-cells. Also, cytotoxic treatment of splenic T-cells with monoclonal anti-L3T4 antibody and complement before addition to B-cell cultures destroyed the regulatory effects. Finally, depletion of macrophages from both T-cells and B-cells before infection and coculture had no effect on the ability of T-cells to regulate B-cell infection. Collectively these results demonstrate that L3T4+ T-cells can inhibit Friend murine leukemia virus replication in target B-cells. Culture of isolated splenic T-cells with Friend murine leukemia virus in vitro resulted in the induction of alpha/beta but not interferon-gamma synthesis and in some experiments interferon-containing supernatants from T-cell-virus cultures were able to mediate suppression of B-cell infection with Friend helper virus; the addition of antibody specific for interferon-alpha/beta to cultures inhibited the ability of T-cells to regulate B-cell infection.

Animals↗

Regulation of idiotype expression. II. The phenotypic diversity of T15 idiotype-bearing antibody to phosphorylcholine in response to T-dependent and T-independent antigens.

The idiotypic (Id) diversity of the immune response to phosphorylcholine (PC) was studied by immunization of mice with thymus-dependent (PC-keyhole limpet haemocyanin; PC-KLH) and thymus-independent (S. pneumoniae R36a; Pn) forms of the antigen. Mice with the BALB/c genetic background (BALB/c, C.B20, and BALB.B) were used because their response to PC is dominated by immunoglobulins encoded in VH-1 and V kappa 22 genes, which uniformly express the T15 idiotype. The actual repertoire of the antibody was determined by idiotypic markers (Id) defined with monoclonal antibodies designated AB1-2, B36-82, MaId5-4, and B24-44. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that these Id are present on T15 (VS107-1/V kappa 22) immunoglobulins only, but that they differentiate between somatic variants of the antibody molecules. We have measured the serum concentrations of these four Id after primary (1 degree), secondary (2 degree), and tertiary (3 degree) immunization; all of the Id activity was associated with the PC-binding antibody, as shown by specific immunoadsorbents. However, the levels of the Id-bearing (Id+) antibody did not correlate with each other. After immunization with PC-KLH, the AB1-2+ antibody declined precipitously, whereas the levels of B24-44 and B36-82 remained steady. A similar pattern of Id heterogeneity was seen at the level of direct antibody-plaque-forming cells from the spleen, suggesting that the idiotopic (clonal) diversification occurred already during the early IgM response. A significant portion of anti-PC antibody after the 3 degrees PC-KLH immunization was negative for all four Id, implying that the late response to the antigen involved distinct, T15-negative clones.

Animals↗

Properties of anti-idiotypic T cell lines propagated with syngeneic B lymphocytes. I. T cells bind intact idiotypes and discriminate between the somatic idiotypic variants in a manner similar to the anti-idiotopic antibodies.

We describe the development of T cell lines possessing a binding specificity for syngeneic T15 idiotopes (Id) expressed on phosphorylcholine (PC)-reactive Ig. The lines were obtained by cultivation of BALB/c splenic T cells with T15 Id+ stimulator cells BCg3R-1d, a BALB/c lymphoma transfected with genomic sequences mu and kappa with S107 (T15) variable regions. Resulting Thyl-2+, L3T4+ cell lines depend on the T15 Id+ BCg3R-1d cells for growth and demonstrate the ability to bind TEPC15, a S107 germline-encoded, PC-specific Ig alpha. The specificity of the 125I-TEPC15 binding was studied in a competitive RIA with various unlabeled Ig. The isolated H and L chains of TEPC15 failed to inhibit the 125I-TEPC15 binding, and the T15-, PC-binding proteins M603 (alpha) and M511 (alpha) inhibited the binding either poorly or not at all. Moreover, the T cell lines had a discriminatory binding specificity for various T15+ Ig that are somatic variants of TEPC15 and that differ from each other in discrete, conformational Id (epitopes) detectable with specific monoclonal anti-Id. The T cell lines could be grouped according to their binding patterns, which were comparable to the recognition patterns of certain monoclonal anti-Id. These data suggest the existence of T cells with specificity for serologically-defined determinants of syngeneic idiotypes.

Animals↗

Regulation of idiotope expression. III. H-2 influences the magnitude and the idiotypy of a T-independent antibody response in mice of certain genetic backgrounds.

Antibody response to the phosphocholine (PC) epitope on Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a (Pn), a T-independent Ag type 2, was studied in H-2 congenic mouse strains. The PC-specific antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) were enumerated in the spleen at various intervals after the primary Pn injection, and the proportion of PFC that produced antibody expressing the AB1-2 idiotope (Id) was determined by using the corresponding monoclonal anti-Id. AB1-2 is a cross-reactive Id, detectable on germline-encoded PC antibody of the T15 family, and on most, but not all, somatic variants of that antibody. The specific PFC responses in BALB/c (H-2d) and BALB.B (H-2b) strains were of comparable magnitude and most, if not all, PFC were ABl-1 Id-positive (AB1-2+). This was not the case in the responses of the B10D2 (H-2d) vs C57BL/10 (H-2b) strains and the D1.C (H-2d) vs D1.LP (H-2b) strains (on DBA/1 background). In each of these pairs, the H-2d mice were high responders, and the response was dominated by AB1-2 Id (greater than or equal to 80% AB1-2+ PFC at the peak, on day 5). The H-2b mice were low responders, and only a minor proportion of PFC (less than or equal to 30%) were AB1-2+; an increase of AB1-2+ was seen later in the response (d.10). The results of PFC assays were confirmed by measuring the PC-binding antibody and AB1-2 Id in the sera of D1.C and D1.LP mice immunized repeatedly with Pn. Moreover, D1.LP mice that had very low levels of AB1-2 Id had higher serum levels of antibody expressing two other T15 Id, B36-82, and B24-44. The B36-82 and B24-44 Id have been previously found on somatic variants of PC antibody expressed independently of the Ab1-2 Id. The concentrations of these two Id in D1.LP mice after repeated immunization approached those in D1.C. These results indicate that 1) the H-2 allelism may have a significant effect on TID antibody response in mice of a certain genetic background, but not in the BALB/c; and 2) the idiotypic repertoire of the response may be influenced by H-2 at the level of clonal variants of PC-reactive cells.

Alleles↗

Specific antigen/antibody complexes induce the in vivo production of a parallel set of nonantigen-binding idiotype-positive antibodies.

Immune complexes prepared with the polysaccharide antigen (PnC) extracted from Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a and two different PnC-specific antibodies were found to differ in their regulatory properties depending on the isotype of the antibody. Thus, complexes formed in antibody excess with TEPC15 (IgA) were suppressive whereas complexes formed with 96-G (IgG3) antibodies enhanced the IgM response to PnC. During the course of these studies, we found that little or no PnC-specific IgG antibody was induced during the response to PnC coupled to sheep red blood cells (PnC-SRBC). Interestingly, however, immunization with 96-G/PnC complexes either alone or with PnC-SRBC resulted in the induction of IgG3 antibodies that express the T15 idiotype (Id) but which do not bind PnC. This unique IgG3 response occurred after injection of 96-G/PnC complexes formed in antibody excess but not when complexes were formed in antigen excess. The Id+ nonspecific IgG3 response peaked on day 5 and could be activated with 96-G/PnC complexes but not with free PnC antigen. The Id+ nonspecific response was not due to polyclonal activation of IgG3 production since there was no difference in IgG3 levels in mice injected with 96-G/PnC complexes with those injected with PnC-SRBC. Finally, mice that had been suppressed for expression of the T15 Id by neonatal injection of anti-Id antibody were able to produce Id+-unspecific IgG3 antibody after immunization with 96-G/PnC complexes, further suggesting that Id+ IgG3 was produced by different clones than those that usually comprise the antibody response to PnC. The results suggest that the formation of IgG immune complexes during an immune response may result in stimulation of idiotypically related clones thus resulting in degeneracy of the immune response.

Animals↗

Reexpression of a T15 idiotope on variant immunoglobulins after the binding of another anti-idiotopic antibody.

The phosphorylcholine (PC)-binding myeloma protein TEPC15 (T15) contains several distinct idiotopic determinants that are detectable with monoclonal anti-idiotopic antibodies. This study focuses on one of these anti-idiotopes, designated B24-44, which binds to a site near the T15 paratope. Another anti-idiotope, B36-82, recognizes an idiotope that is distant from the paratope. Two PC-binding immunoglobulins, 7-22 and 140.7C6, that differ from T15 by one to three amino acids have selectively lost their reactivity with the anti-idiotope, B36-82. However, the B36-82 binding was restored when B24-44 was first allowed to react with these immunoglobulins. The binding of B24-44 as well as the restoration of the B36-82 site was specifically inhibited by PC-protein conjugates. Competition experiments suggested that the newly induced B36-82 determinant is in the same location as the B36-82 binding site on T15. These data indicate that the binding of anti-idiotopic determinants to an immunoglobulin can alter the protein structure and create new determinants.

Animals↗

Serologic and molecular characterization of the T15 idiotype--I. Topologic mapping of idiotopes on TEPC15.

The present study was designed to determine the minimum number of idiotopic determinants (Id) comprising the T15 idiotype and to construct a topological map of Id on the TEPC15 immunoglobulin molecule. Seven monoclonal anti-Id antibodies were used to map determinants by solid phase competition radioimmunoassay. The binding of some anti-Id to T15 was inhibited by phosphorylcholine-protein conjugates, while other anti-Id were not, suggesting that these anti-Id bind to different portions of T15 relative to the paratope. In addition, Id were mapped relative to one another in reciprocal competition assays between the anti-Id for binding to T15 coated plates. The topologic relationships between six Id were discerned by this method. A seventh binding site was identical or so close that it could not be discriminated. These studies suggest that the T15 idiotype is composed of at least six discrete overlapping Id whose locations range from the antigen binding region to the CH1 domain on TEPC15.

Animals↗

Serologic and molecular characterization of the T15 idiotype--II. Structural basis of independent idiotope expression on phosphorylcholine-specific monoclonal antibodies.

We examined the expression of T15 idiotopes (Id) on phosphorylcholine (PC)-binding monoclonal immunoglobulins and defined the structural correlates of these Id. The seven monoclonal anti-Id antibodies used as probes recognize distinct determinants that range from the antigen binding site to the CH1 domain on TEPC15. Competition between a series of PC-specific immunoglobulins and radiolabelled TEPC15 for binding to anti-Id in solid phase revealed a broad spectrum of idiotopic crossreactivity. A strong crossreactivity with TEPC15 was observed only in proteins possessing the VK22 light chain. Each of the seven discrete, overlapping T15 Id may be expressed independently of each other on PC-binding immunoglobulins, indicating a significant idiotopic heterogeneity among T15 B-cell clones. No correlation was found between the public (shared) expression of an Id and its position relative to the antigen-binding site. Variations in the primary sequences of PC-binding immunoglobulins were correlated with their effect on individual Id expression. Regions influencing the expression of three Id were localized on a computer display of the three-dimensional structure of the closely related PC-binding myeloma protein McPC603. These data show that some, but not all individual Id determinants may be influenced by amino acid substitutions in the first and third hypervariable loops.

Amino Acid Sequence↗