Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Sela

Publications and source records attributed to M Sela.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Cellular basis of the genetic control of immune responses to synthetic polypeptides. II. Frequency of immunocompetent precursors specific for two distinct regions within (Phe, G)-Pro--L, a synthetic polypeptide derived from multichain polyproline, in inbred mouse strains.

DBA/1 mice are high responders to the (Phe, G) determinant of the synthetic polypeptide (Phe, G)-Pro--L, whereas SJL mice respond well to the Pro--L region of this macromolecule (6). In order to determine whether the phenomenon described above is related to the number of antigen-sensitive units detected for both specificities, and whether responses to these determinants can be transferred independently, graded and limiting inocula of spleen cells from SJL, DBA/1, and F(1) donors were injected into X-irradiated, syngeneic, recipient mice with (Phe, G)-Pro--L. By this approach, one antigen-sensitive unit specific for (Phe, G) was detected in 1.7 x 10(6) and 8.5 x 10(6) spleen cells from immunized and nonimmunized DBA/1 donors, respectively. In contrast, one (Phe, G) relevant precursor was detected in 20 x 10(6) SJL spleen cells, irrespective of whether the donors had been immunized. On the other hand, for the Pro--L specificity, one limiting splenic precursor was found in 1.3 x 10(6) and in 3.4 x 10(6) cells for immunized and nonimmunized SJL donors, respectively; whereas one response unit was estimated for this determinant in 9.4 x 10(6) and in 38 x 10(6) spleen cells from immunized and nonimmunized DBA/1 mice. The findings reported here indicate that the phenotypic expression of the genetic control(s) for immune responsiveness to different immunopotent regions of (Phe, G)-Pro--L is directly correlated with the number of immunocompetent response units detected in two inbred mouse strains. In the spleens of immunized F(1) donors, similar frequencies of one limiting precursor in 3.0 x 10(6) and in 2.8 x 10(6) cells were detected for (Phe, G) and Pro--L, respectively. The results of a chi-square test for independence of (Phe, G) and Pro--L responses in F(1) animals is compatible with the hypothesis that the transferred spleen cells limiting the response to (Phe, G)-Pro--L are restricted to generate antibodies specific for only one of the two determinants of this macromolecule.

Animals↗

Antibodies reactive with native lysozyme elicited by a completely synthetic antigen.

A synthetic peptide consisting of the aminoacid sequence of residues 64-82 of lysozyme, with alanine replacing cysteine as residue 76, was prepared by the solid-phase technique. Mild reduction followed by reoxidation in air of the deprotected peptide led to the formation of a closed loop containing an intrachain disulfide bond. A conjugate consisting of this "loop" attached to multi-poly(DL-alanyl)-poly(L-lysine) elicited, in rabbits and goats, the formation of antibodies capable of reacting with lysozyme and with the loop peptide prepared from it. These immunological interactions can be inhibited by either lysozyme or the loop peptide, but not by the performic acid-oxidized open-chain peptide. Thus, the antibodies elicited by the completely synthetic antigen show specificity toward the "loop" structure (residues 64-80) of native lysozyme.

Alanine↗

Cellular basis of the genetic control of immune responses to synthetic polypeptides. I. Differences in frequency of splenic precursor cells specific for a synthetic polypeptide derived from multichain polyproline ((T,G)-Pro--L) in high and low responder inbred mouse strains.

SJL mice are high responders to the synthetic multichain polypeptide antigen (T,G)-Pro--L, whereas DBA/1 mice are low responders (10, 11). In order to determine whether the genetic control of immune response can be correlated with the number of antigen-sensitive precursor cells, spleen cell suspensions from normal and immunized SJL and DBA/1 donor mice were transplanted into lethally X-irradiated syngeneic recipients (incapable of immune response) along with (T, G)-Pro--L. Anti-(T, G)-Pro--L responses (donor-derived) were assayed in the sera of the hosts 12-16 days later. By transplanting graded and limiting numbers of spleen cells, inocula were found which contained one or a few antigen-sensitive precursors reactive with the immunogen. Using this method to estimate the relative numbers of such cells for the high responder SJL strain, one precursor was detected in approximately 1.3 x 10(6) and approximately 7.2 x 10(6) spleen cells from immunized and normal donors, respectively. In contrast, one precursor was detected in about 30 x 10(6) spleen cells from low responder DBA/1 mice, irrespective of whether the donors had been immunized. These results indicate that the genetic control of immunity to the synthetic polypeptide antigen investigated is directly correlated to the relative number of precursor cells reactive with the immunogen in high and low responder strains.

Animals↗