Biomedical subjects

Lawrence J Stern

Publications and source records attributed to Lawrence J Stern.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Major histocompatibility complex and T cell interactions of a universal T cell epitope from Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein.

A 20-residue sequence from the C-terminal region of the circumsporozoite protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is considered a universal helper T cell epitope because it is immunogenic in individuals of many major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes. Subunit vaccines containing T* and the major B cell epitope of the circumsporozoite protein induce high antibody titers to the malaria parasite and significant T cell responses in humans. In this study we have evaluated the specificity of the T* sequence with regard to its binding to the human class II MHC protein DR4 (HLA-DRB1*0401), its interactions with antigen receptors on T cells, and the effect of natural variants of this sequence on its immunogenicity. Computational approaches identified multiple potential DR4-binding epitopes within T*, and experimental binding studies confirmed the following two tight binding epitopes: one located toward the N terminus (the T*-1 epitope) and one at the C terminus (the T*-5 epitope). Immunization of a human DR4 volunteer with a peptide-based vaccine containing the T* sequence elicited CD4+ T cells that recognize each of these epitopes. Here we present an analysis of the immunodominant N-terminal epitope T*-1. T*-1 residues important for interaction with DR4 and with antigen receptors on T*-specific T cells were mapped. MHC tetramers carrying DR4/T*-1 MHC-peptide complexes stained and efficiently stimulated these cells in vitro. T*-1 overlaps a region of the protein that has been described as highly polymorphic; however, the particular T*-1 residues required for anchoring to DR4 were highly conserved in Plasmodium sequences described to date.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Noble metals strip peptides from class II MHC proteins.

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins are essential for normal immune system function but also drive many autoimmune responses. They bind peptide antigens in endosomes and present them on the cell surface for recognition by CD4(+) T cells. A small molecule could potentially block an autoimmune response by disrupting MHC-peptide interactions, but this has proven difficult because peptides bind tightly and dissociate slowly from MHC proteins. Using a high-throughput screening assay we discovered a class of noble metal complexes that strip peptides from human class II MHC proteins by an allosteric mechanism. Biochemical experiments indicate the metal-bound MHC protein adopts a 'peptide-empty' conformation that resembles the transition state of peptide loading. Furthermore, these metal inhibitors block the ability of antigen-presenting cells to activate T cells. This previously unknown allosteric mechanism may help resolve how gold(I) drugs affect the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and may provide a basis for developing a new class of anti-autoimmune drugs.

Allosteric Site↗

PubMed2006

CD8 T cells, like CD4 T cells, are triggered by multivalent engagement of TCRs by MHC-peptide ligands but not by monovalent engagement.

T cell activation is initiated by recognition of antigenic peptide presented in complex with MHC molecules on the surface of APCs. The mechanism by which this recognition occurs is still unclear, and many models exist in the literature. CD4 T cells have been shown to respond to soluble oligomers of activating class II MHC-peptide complexes, but not to soluble monomers. In determining the reactivity of CD8 T cells to soluble activating class I MHC-peptide complexes, a complicating phenomenon had been observed whereby peptide from soluble complexes was loaded onto cell surface MHCs on the T cells and re-presented to other T cells, clouding the true valency requirement for activation. This study uses soluble allogeneic class I MHC-peptide monomers and oligomers to stimulate murine CD8 T cells without the possible complication of peptide re-presentation. The results show that MHC class I monomers bind to, but do not activate, CD8 T cells whether the cells are in solution or adhered to a surface. Monomeric MHC class I binding can antagonize the stimulation triggered by soluble oligomers, a phenomenon also observed for CD4 T cells. Dimeric engagement is necessary and sufficient to stimulate downstream activation processes including TCR down-regulation, Zap70 phosphorylation, and CD25 and CD69 up-regulation, even in T cells that do not express the MHC coreceptor CD8. Thus, the valency dependence of the response of CD8 T cells to soluble MHC-peptide reagents is the same as previously observed for CD4 T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

MHC class II compartment subtypes: structure and function.

Reports from the past couple of years point to an emerging association of the biogenesis, composition and ultrastructural morphology of MHC class II compartments (MIICs) with their functions in antigen processing and loading. Growth factors and cytokines involved in dendritic cell maturation have been shown to regulate MIIC biogenesis, and the MHC-class-II-associated invariant chain chaperone has been reported to regulate endosomal morphology and vacuolation. Differences among ultrastructurally distinct MIICs have begun to be appreciated with regard to variation in antigen loading capacity and to polarization of MHC class II conformational variants among different compartments. Finally, the MIIC ultrastructure organizes the mechanism of MHC class II surface trafficking. Together, these findings begin to shed light on the connection between MIIC protein content, MIIC morphology and MHC class II-related antigen processing.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Probing the ligand-induced conformational change in HLA-DR1 by selective chemical modification and mass spectrometric mapping.

Peptide binding induces conformational changes in class II MHC proteins that have been characterized using a variety of hydrodynamic and spectroscopic approaches, but these changes have not been clearly localized within the overall class II MHC structure. In this study, empty and peptide-loaded complexes of HLA-DR1, a common class II MHC variant, were chemically modified using the side chain-specific chemical modifiers p-hydroxyphenylglyoxal (arginine), tetranitromethane (tyrosine), N-bromosuccinimide (tryptpophan), and NHS-biotin (lysine). Modified proteins were subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin and subsequent analysis by MALDI/MS. Three arginine residues and two lysine residues were differentially reactive, modified in the empty form but not the peptide-loaded form of the protein, indicating that the chemical reactivity of these regions differs in the two conformations. Three of the differential modifications were located on a single lateral face of the protein, indicating that this region is involved in the conformational change. Additionally, a number of lysine and tyrosine modification sites were present in both protein conformations. Overall, the pattern of reactivity is inconsistent with the idea that empty MHC molecules exist as molten globules or other partially unfolded intermediates, and suggests that the peptide-induced conformational change is localized to only a few regions of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Conformational variation of surface class II MHC proteins during myeloid dendritic cell differentiation accompanies structural changes in lysosomal MIIC.

Dendritic cells (DC), uniquely among APC, express an open/empty conformation of MHC class II (MHC-II) proteins (correctly folded molecules lacking bound peptides). Generation and trafficking of empty HLA-DR during DC differentiation are investigated here. HLA-DR did not fold as an empty molecule in the endoplasmic reticulum/trans-Golgi network, did not derived from MHC/Ii complexes trafficking to the cell surface, but was generated after invariant chain degradation within lysosomal-like MHC-II rich compartments (MIIC). In pre-DC, generated from monocytes cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, Lamp-1(+)MHC-II(+) compartments are predominantly electron dense and, in these cells, empty MHC-II molecules accounts for as much as 20% of total surface HLA-DR. In immature DC, generated in presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, empty HLA-DR reside in multilamellar MIIC, but are scarcely observed at the cell surface. Thus, the morphology/composition of lysosomal MIIC at different DC maturational stages appear important for surface egression or intracellular retention of empty HLA-DR. Ag loading can be achieved for the fraction of empty HLA-DR present in the "peptide-receptive" form. Finally, in vivo, APC-expressing surface empty HLA-DR were found in T cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Antagonism of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells by C-terminal truncation of a minimum epitope.

Antagonism of T cell responses by variants of the cognate peptide is a potential mechanism of viral escape from immune responses and may play a role in the ability of HIV to evade immune control. We show here a rarely described mechanism of antagonism by a peptide shorter than the minimum length epitope for an HIV p24-specific CD4+ T cell clone. The shorter antagonist peptide-MHC complex bound the T cell receptor (TCR), albeit with lower affinity than the full-length agonist peptide. Prior work showing the crystal structure of the peptide-MHC complex revealed a unique glycine hinge near the C-terminus of the agonist peptide, allowing the generation of full-length antagonist peptide lacking the hinge. These results confirm the dependence of productive TCR engagement on residues spilling out from the C-terminus of the MHC binding groove and show that partial engagement of the TCR with a truncated, low-affinity ligand can result in T cell antagonism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Proteomic analysis of microglia-derived exosomes: metabolic role of the aminopeptidase CD13 in neuropeptide catabolism.

Vesicle transport is a fundamental mechanism of communication in the CNS. In this study we characterized a novel type of vesicle released by murine brain microglial cells: microglial exosomes. Analysis of their protein content identified several enzymes, chaperones, tetraspanins, and membrane receptors previously reported in B cells and dendritic cell-derived exosomes. Additionally, microglia-derived exosomes expressed the aminopeptidase CD13 and the lactate transporter MCT-1. Exosomal CD13 was metabolically active in cleaving leucine- and methionine-enkephalins peptides by releasing the N-terminal tyrosine. Cleaved neuropeptides were unable to bind to the neuronal opioid receptor as assessed by cAMP response. Microglial exosomal vesicles may represent an important, previously unrecognized, cellular communication system in an organ in which cell motility is highly restricted.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

HLA-restricted epitope identification and detection of functional T cell responses by using MHC-peptide and costimulatory microarrays.

Identification of T cell epitopes is a vital but often slow and difficult step in studying the immune response to infectious agents and autoantigens. We report a spatially addressable technique for screening large numbers of T cell epitopes for both specific antigen recognition and functional activity induced. This system uses microarrays of immobilized, recombinant MHC-peptide complexes, costimulatory molecules, and cytokine-capture antibodies. The array elements act as synthetic antigen-presenting cells and specifically elicit T cell responses, including adhesion, secretion of cytokines, and modulation of surface markers. The method allows facile identification of pertinent T cell epitopes in a large number of candidates and simultaneous determination of the functional outcome of the interaction. Using this method, we have characterized the activation of human CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells responding to vaccinia, influenza, HIV-1, and Epstein-Barr viruses.

Antigen Presentation↗

PubMed2004

Induced fit of an epitope peptide to a monoclonal antibody probed with a novel parallel surface plasmon resonance assay.

Class II major histocompatibility complex proteins bind peptides for presentation to T-cells as part of the immune response process. Monoclonal antibody MEM-265 recognizes the peptide-free conformation of the major histocompatibility complex class II protein HLA-DR1 through specific binding to an epitope contained between residues 50-67 of the beta-chain. In previous work using alanine scanning (1), we identified residues Leu-53, Asp-57, Tyr-60, Trp-61, Ser-63, and Leu-67 as essential for specific recognition by MEM-265. The spacing of these residues approximates a 3.5-residue repeat, suggesting that MEM-265 may recognize the epitope in an alpha-helical conformation. In the folded, peptide-loaded DR1 structure, the beta-chain residues 50-67 contain a kinked alpha-helical segment spanning Glu-52-Ser-63 (2). However, the conformation of this segment in the peptide-free form is unknown. We have used a new surface plasmon resonance approach in a SpotMatrix format to compare the kinetic rates and affinities for 18 alanine scanning mutants comprising epitope residues 50-67. In addition to the six essential residues described previously, we found two additional residues, Glu-52 and Gln-64, that contribute by enhancing MEM-265 binding. By contrast, mutation of either Gly-54 or Pro-56 to an alanine actually improved binding to MEM-265. In essentially all cases peptide substitutions that either improve or reduce MEM-265 recognition could be traced to differences in the dissociation rate (k off). The kinetic details of the present study support the presence of a structural component in the antigenic epitope recognized by MEM-265 in the peptide-free form of major histocompatibility complex II DR1 beta-chain.

Alanine↗

PubMed2004

A hairpin turn in a class II MHC-bound peptide orients residues outside the binding groove for T cell recognition.

T cells generally recognize peptide antigens bound to MHC proteins through contacts with residues found within or immediately flanking the seven- to nine-residue sequence accommodated in the MHC peptide-binding groove. However, some T cells require peptide residues outside this region for activation, the structural basis for which is unknown. Here, we have investigated a HIV Gag-specific T cell clone that requires an unusually long peptide antigen for activation. The crystal structure of a minimally antigenic 16-mer bound to HLA-DR1 shows that the peptide C-terminal region bends sharply into a hairpin turn as it exits the binding site, orienting peptide residues outside the MHC-binding region in position to interact with a T cell receptor. Peptide truncation and substitution studies show that both the hairpin turn and the extreme C-terminal residues are required for T cell activation. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized mode of MHC-peptide-T cell receptor interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the empty conformation of HLA-DR1 reveal aspects of the conformational change associated with peptide binding.

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins bind peptides and present them at the cell surface for interaction with CD4+ T cells as part of the system by which the immune system surveys the body for signs of infection. Peptide binding is known to induce conformational changes in class II MHC proteins on the basis of a variety of hydrodynamic and spectroscopic approaches, but the changes have not been clearly localized within the overall class II MHC structure. To map the peptide-induced conformational change for HLA-DR1, a common human class II MHC variant, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing the beta subunit that are specific for the empty conformation. Each antibody reacted with the empty but not the peptide-loaded form, for both soluble recombinant protein and native protein expressed at the cell surface. Antibody binding epitopes were characterized using overlapping peptides and alanine scanning substitutions and were localized to two distinct regions of the protein. The pattern of key residues within the epitopes suggested that the two epitope regions undergo substantial conformational alteration during peptide binding. These results illuminate aspects of the structure of the empty forms and the nature of the peptide-induced conformational change.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Enhanced catalytic action of HLA-DM on the exchange of peptides lacking backbone hydrogen bonds between their N-terminal region and the MHC class II alpha-chain.

The class II MHC homolog HLA-DM catalyzes exchange of peptides bound to class II MHC proteins, and is an important component of the Ag presentation machinery. The mechanism of HLA-DM-mediated catalysis is largely obscure. HLA-DM catalyzes exchange of peptides of varying sequence, suggesting that a peptide sequence-independent component of the MHC-peptide interaction could be involved in the catalytic process. Twelve conserved hydrogen bonds between the peptide backbone and the MHC are a prominent sequence-independent feature of the MHC-peptide interaction. To evaluate the relative importance of these hydrogen bonds toward HLA-DM action, we prepared peptide variants that lacked the ability to form one or more of the hydrogen bonds as a result of backbone amide N-methylation or truncation, and tested their ability to be exchanged by HLA-DM. We found that disruption of hydrogen bonds involving HLA-DR1 residues alpha51-53, a short extended segment at the N terminus of the alpha subunit helical region, led to heightened HLA-DM catalytic efficacy. We propose that those bonds are disrupted in the MHC conformation recognized by HLA-DM to allow structural transitions in that area during DM-assisted peptide release. These results suggest that peptides or compounds that bind MHC but cannot form these interactions would be preferentially edited out by HLA-DM.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

A polymorphic pocket at the P10 position contributes to peptide binding specificity in class II MHC proteins.

Peptides bind to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins in an extended conformation. Pockets in the peptide binding site spaced to accommodate peptide side chains at the P1, P4, P6, and P9 positions have been previously characterized and help to explain the obtained peptide binding specificity. However, two peptides differing only at P10 have significantly different binding affinities for HLA-DR1. The structure of HLA-DR1 in complex with the tighter binding peptide shows that the peptide binds in the usual polyproline type II conformation, but with the P10 residue accommodated in a shallow pocket at the end of the binding groove. HLA-DR1 variants with polymorphic residues at these positions were produced and found to exhibit different side chain specificity at the P10 position. These results define a new specificity position in HLA-DR proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Exploration of the P6/P7 region of the peptide-binding site of the human class II major histocompatability complex protein HLA-DR1.

Crystal structures of the class II major histocompatibilty complex (MHC) protein, HLA-DR1, generally show a tight fit between MHC and bound peptide except in the P6/P7 region of the peptide-binding site. In this region, there is a shallow water-filled pocket underneath the peptide and between the pockets that accommodate the P6 and P7 side chains. We investigated the properties of this pocket with the idea of engineering substitutions into the corresponding region of peptide antigens to increase their binding affinity for HLA-DR1. We investigated d-amino acids and N-alkyl modifications at both the P6 and P7 positions of the peptide and found that binding of peptides to HLA-DR1 could be increased by incorporating an N-methyl substitution at position 7 of the peptide. The crystal structure of HLA-DR1 bound to a peptide containing a P7 N-methyl alanine was determined. The N-methyl group orients in the P6/P7 pocket, displacing one of the waters usually bound in this pocket. The structure shows that the substitution does not alter the conformation of the bound peptide, which adopts the usual polyproline type II helix. An antigenic peptide carrying the N-methyl modification is taken up by antigen-presenting cells and loaded onto endogenous class II MHC molecules for presentation, and the resultant MHC-peptide complexes activate antigen-specific T-cells. These results suggest a possible strategy for increasing the affinity of weakly immunogenic peptides that might be applicable to the development of vaccines and diagnostic reagents.

Alanine↗

PubMed2002

Examination of the highly diverse CD4(+) T-cell repertoire directed against an influenza peptide: a step towards TCR proteomics.

We combined several recent technological advances in immunology and molecular biology to identify and sequence a large number of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes specific for a particular antigen. We utilized class II MHC tetramers and interferon-gamma surface capture to isolate from samples of peripheral blood the population of CD4(+) T cells responding to a peptide derived from influenza hemagglutinin and restricted by HLA-DR1. Detailed analysis of hundreds of clones from three different patients revealed an extremely diverse repertoire, with little overlap between patients. We observed no dominant usage of particular Vbeta segments nor any clear CDR3 sequence motif in the responding T cells, but most of the clones appear to utilize acidic residues in the CDR1 and CDR3 regions, presumably to interact with the exposed basic residues in the MHC-peptide complex. This methodology could be expanded to a large scale to identify the generalized rules governing TCR-MHC engagement and factors which shape the T-cell repertoire after vaccination and in autoimmune pathologies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Soluble peptide-MHC monomers cause activation of CD8+ T cells through transfer of the peptide to T cell MHC molecules.

T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of CD4(+) T cells is known to require multivalent engagement of the TCR by, for example, oligomeric peptide-MHC complexes. In contrast, for CD8(+) T cells, there is evidence for TCR-mediated activation by univalent engagement of the TCR. We have here compared oligomeric and monomeric L(d) and K(b) peptide-MHC complexes and free peptide as stimulators of CD8(+) T cells expressing the 2C TCR. We found that the monomers are indeed effective in activating naive and effector CD8(+) T cells, but through an unexpected mechanism that involves transfer of peptide from soluble monomers to T cell endogenous MHC (K(b)) molecules. The result is that T cells, acting as antigen-presenting cells, are able to activate other naive T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Labeling antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells with class II MHC oligomers.

Class I MHC-peptide oligomers (MHC tetramers) have become popular reagents for the detection and characterization of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. Class II MHC proteins can be produced by expression in Escherichia coli followed by in vitro folding, or by native expression in insect cells; biotin can be introduced by site-specific chemical modification of cysteine, or by enzymatic modification of a peptide tag; and a variety of fluorescent streptavidin preparations can be used for oligomerization. Here we review methodologies for production of fluorescent oligomers of soluble class II MHC proteins and discuss their use in analysis of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. We explore the experimental conditions necessary for efficient staining of CD4(+) T cells using oligomers of class II MHC proteins, and we establish a standard protocol. Finally, we consider complications and challenges associated with these reagents, discuss the interpretation of staining results, and suggest future directions for investigation, in particular the use of MHC oligomers for the study of T cell avidity modulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗