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J Kappler

Publications and source records attributed to J Kappler.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The T-cell accessory molecule CD4 recognizes a monomorphic determinant on isolated Ia.

The membrane protein CD4 is commonly found on mature T cells specific for antigen in association with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC; Ia) proteins. This correlation has led to the suggestion that CD4 binds to a monomorphic region of the Ia molecule on the antigen-presenting cell (APC) and functions either by enhancing interaction between the T cell and the APC, or conversely, by transducing negative signals to the T cell. To address this hypothesis, we have made use of sublines from an unusual T hybrid that is class I MHC restricted but also CD4+. By incorporating purified MHC proteins into a planar membrane system, we show that different Ia molecules can greatly enhance the ability of a CD4+ but not a CD4- variant of this class I-restricted T hybrid to respond to isolated class I molecules. T-cell responses can be strongly augmented by the concurrent expression of CD4 on the T cell and any of four different Ia proteins on planar membranes, thus supporting the idea that CD4 binds to a monomorphic region of the Ia molecule and increases the avidity with which the T cell can interact with its target.

Animals↗

The T cell receptor.

The primary structure of T cell receptor proteins and genes is well understood. Immunologists are now trying to understand the properties of these interesting molecules. Evidence suggests that T cell alpha beta receptors recognize a complex of an antigen-derived peptide bound to one of the cell-surface products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. It is likely that alpha beta receptors and MHC proteins have coevolved to have some affinity for each other. During T cell development in the thymus, cells bearing self-reactive receptors are deleted by the mechanisms of tolerance, and cells are preferentially allowed to mature if they bear receptors that will be able to recognize antigen plus self-MHC after they have become full-fledged T cells. Some explanations for these phenomena have been tested, but no satisfactory theory can yet be proposed to account for them.

Animals↗

Thymocytes with the predicted properties of pre-T cells.

T cell receptor synthesis in thymocytes was examined by the differential immunoprecipitation of receptors from the surfaces and interiors of metabolically labeled newborn and adult thymocytes. Precipitated molecules were then analyzed for size, charge, and state of glycosylation. Our experiments identified cells within the thymic cortex that contained a large pool of cytoplasmic-free receptor beta chain. The beta chain in this pool was synthesized and degraded rapidly and bore only high-mannose N-linked oligosaccharides. This pool was found predominantly in cells that lacked surface alpha/beta receptors and appeared in ontogeny before cells expressing surface alpha/beta. These results are consistent with a model in which the progenitor of cells with surface alpha/beta expression is the T cell equivalent of the pre-B cell, which has rearranged and expressed beta chain, but not alpha chain.

Animals↗

Expression and role of the T cell receptor in early thymocyte differentiation in vitro.

Fetal thymus organ culture was used to study the expression and function of antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted receptors on thymocytes. Receptor gene rearrangement and expression occurred de novo in organ culture indicating that these events are induced in the thymus itself, presumably in response to thymus-derived stimuli. During organ culture a population of immature thymocytes expressing low levels of receptors developed first, and then diminished as mature thymocytes with high levels of receptor expression appeared. Continuous culture with antireceptor antibody modulated receptor from the surfaces of immature thymocytes, but did not prevent their appearance or accumulation. By contrast, appearance of receptor-bearing mature thymocytes was prevented in the presence of antireceptor antibody. These results indicate that the receptor is not essential for the generation of immature thymocytes but is involved in the selection or maintenance of mature cells from this pool.

Animals↗

The T cell repertoire may be biased in favor of MHC recognition.

The receptors of two T cell hybridomas that recognize class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, respectively, have been compared. In both cases these receptors are hybrid molecules formed as a result of cellular fusion. The receptors contain the same alpha chain, contributed by the tumor cell fusion partner, and related beta chains, contributed by the normal T cell component. Thus, surprisingly, the same alpha chain can contribute to recognition of class I and class II MHC molecules. Moreover, the finding that in two independent examples hybrid receptor molecules created randomly by in vitro cell fusion recognize MHC supports the theory that the T cell repertoire has an intrinsic affinity for MHC.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Synchronized rearrangement of T-cell gamma and beta chain genes in fetal thymocyte development.

Kinetics of mouse T-cell gamma gene rearrangements in ontogeny were determined as an approach to understanding the possible role of these genes in the development of fetal thymocytes. Two of these genes (C gamma 1 and C gamma 2) rearranged rapidly during days 14 to 17 of the gestational period in BALB/c mice. Moreover, these rearrangements seemed to be tightly synchronized with rearrangements of T-cell receptor beta chain genes in the same cells. It is suggested that the early transcriptional activity of gamma genes, which precedes that of beta chain genes, may not reflect the functional activation of these genes. Nevertheless, productive and therefore potentially functional gamma gene rearrangements precede surface expression of T-cell receptors in the thymus by 2 to 3 days, which is compatible with a role for gamma gene products in thymocyte development prior to antigen-specific stages.

Age Factors↗

The major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen receptor on T cells. IX. Role of accessory molecules in recognition of antigen plus isolated IA.

Antibody inhibition studies were done to determine which molecules on the surface of the T cell hybridomas other than their receptors for antigen plus IAd were involved in interaction with antigen-presenting B cells, with artificial IAd membranes on glass beads, or with anti-receptor antibodies coupled to Sepharose beads. We found that T cell LFA-1 was only involved when B cells were used to present antigen plus IAd, whereas T cell L3T4 was involved in the response of T cells to antigen plus IAd either on cells or in artificial membranes, but not if anti-receptor antibodies were used to stimulate the T cells. From these results we concluded that LFA-1 may be involved in the recognition of a ligand on cells that was not present in artificial membranes, but that L3T4 might interact with a nonpolymorphic portion of class II molecules present in both intact antigen-presenting cells and the antigen-presenting artificial membranes.

Animals↗

The role of LFA-1 in class II restricted, antigen-specific T-cell responses.

We have studied the role of the murine lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted responses of a panel of T-cell hybridomas to protein antigens. Monoclonal antibodies to LFA-1 showed a differential blocking effect in these responses that correlated with the overall "sensitivity" of a given hybrid to antigen and MHC as defined by other criteria already reported. This result differs completely from similar experiments in the CTL system where all clones regardless of their overall "avidity" for target cells are very sensitive to the blocking effects of anti-LFA-1. Further, we show that no blocking effects are observed in the response of our hybridomas when Class I or Class II transfected fibroblasts or cultured 3T3 fibroblasts are used as synthetic antigen presenting cells and the result is unaltered by preincubation of such cells with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).

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The role of the T-cell receptor in thymocyte maturation: effects in vivo of anti-receptor antibody.

The T-cell receptor, which recognizes antigen plus a product of the major histocompatibility complex, has been postulated to drive T-cell maturation in the thymus by engaging major histocompatibility complex proteins expressed on thymic stromal cells. We tested this idea by injecting neonatal animals with an anti-receptor antibody, KJ16, that binds to about 20% of T cells and is capable of blocking receptor function. In the presence of this antibody, mature T cells bearing the KJ16 epitope failed to develop. On the other hand, although the antibody could be shown to bind to receptors on cortical thymocytes, it did not prevent the rapid expansion or survival of the bulk of the KJ16+ cells in this population. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that most cortical thymocytes arise by a receptor-independent mechanism and that only a small proportion of these cells mature by a process dependent on receptor-major histocompatibility complex interactions.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetic evaluations with highly sophisticated analytical methods.

26 patients, aged between 53 and 72 years, with chronic myocardial insufficiency of different degrees, proved radiologically by an enlargement of the heart and a mean reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction by more than 50%, were subjected to 4 weeks of treatment with 3 x 60 drops/day Miroton, (Chemische) Werke Minden GmbH), a cardioactive glycoside mixture, following a washout phase of 4 weeks. The effect on end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was recorded and calculated by ECG-triggered radionuclide angiography both before, and after 2 and 4 weeks of medication with Miroton. On therapy with Miroton the EDV decreased by 4% after 14 days and by 18% after 4 weeks (compared to the baseline value of 126.8 ml). In contrast to this, the LVEF increased to 47.2% after 14 days and to 56% after 4 weeks (baseline value 43.7%). The inverse relation between EDV and LVEF shows a positive inotropic influence on the myocardium which was more pronounced in the last 2 weeks of treatment than in the first 2 weeks.

Kinetics↗

Genetic markers of the antigen-specific T cell receptor locus.

The restriction enzyme Eco RI reveals DNA cleavage sites that serve to distinguish the gene locus believed to encode the beta subunit of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted, antigen-specific receptor of the T cell in BALB/c mice from that of SJL/J mice. A monoclonal antibody, KJ16-133, also distinguishes BALB/c and SJL/J, because it recognizes an allotypic marker present on a cell-surface heterodimer believed to function as the MHC-restricted, antigen-specific T cell receptor. This study has shown that these two markers cosegregate in a set of BALB/c X SJL/J recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains, permitting the conclusion that they are linked to within 3 centimorgans of each other, and to the kappa locus on chromosome 6. The tight linkage between these independently derived, totally different T cell markers substantially strengthens the argument that they characterize the MHC-restricted antigen-specific receptor of the effector T cell.

Alleles↗

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on the gamma-interferon induction of antigen-presenting ability in P388D1 cells and on IL-2 production by T-cell hybridomas.

The effect of prostaglandin E2 on the gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma)-mediated induction of Ia expression and antigen-presenting activity in macrophage cell lines was studied. Using a lymphokine preparation obtained from the T-cell hybridoma FS7-20.6.18 (known to produce interferon) to induce the expression of Ia in P388D1 cells, the influence of PGE2 on this phenomenon was studied. Screening of the cell cultures by indirect immunofluorescence using an anti-I-Ad monoclonal antibody confirmed the inhibitory effect of PGE2 in the induction of I-Ad. However, the inhibition of the antigen-presenting ability of these cells, as measured by their capacity to stimulate interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by antigen-specific, I-region-restricted (Ag/I) T-cell hybridomas, was more difficult to demonstrate and was only evident when using low concentrations of Ia-inducing lymphokines or when using "low avidity" T-cell hybridomas. The latter were distinguished by the limited response (in the form of IL-2 production) that was observed when they were tested with P388D1 cells that had been induced with IFN-gamma. By contrast, PGE2 had profound inhibitory effects on the ability of T-cell hybridomas to secrete IL-2 in response to Ag/I or concanavalin A. These results suggest that although PGE2 inhibits the full induction of Ia on macrophages, it has little effect on the induction of Ag/I presentation by the same cells, probably because most T cells require relatively low levels of Ia on the surface of presenting cells. T-cell responses to Ag/I are inhibited, however, because of the effects of PGE2 on the T cells themselves.

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Expression of antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted receptors by cortical and medullary thymocytes in situ.

We have examined the distribution of the antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted receptor on mouse thymocytes in situ, using immunohistochemical techniques and the monoclonal antibody KJ16-133. This antibody reacts with the beta chain of the receptors on about 20% of peripheral murine T cells. Of the cortical thymocytes reacting with KJ16-133, cells with only cytoplasmic staining were most frequently observed. Such cytoplasmic staining was not observed in the medulla. Occasional cortical cells had low levels of surface expression, which was almost invariably patched in the region of contact with epithelial cell processes. KJ16-133+ medullary thymocytes had high levels of uniform surface labeling. These results suggest that thymic selection of MHC restriction and/or tolerance may occur in the cortex, where the receptors on maturing thymocytes interact with MHC proteins on epithelial cells.

Animals↗