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A 21-mer synthetic peptide of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, TSST-1[58-78], activates T cells by binding to MHC class II and by an MHC unrestricted xenostimulatory pathway.

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) is a "superantigen" which binds to MHC class II molecules and induces a polyclonal stimulation of T cells. In this communication by using a FACS technique and a 21-mer synthetic peptide from the primary sequence of TSST-1 (KGEKVDLNTKRTKKSQHTSEG), designated TSST-1(58-78), we demonstrated binding of the peptide only to cells bearing MHC class II. The proliferative effect of TSST-1(58-78) on human T cells was shown to be inhibited much more by anti-HLA-DR than by anti-HLA class I antibody. Furthermore, human monocytes were able to present TSST-1(58-78) to a mouse VSV specific T cell clone by a xenostimulatory mechanism. These data indicate this peptide to contain an active site of the TSST-1 holotoxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cutting edge: a single MHC anchor residue alters the conformation of a peptide-MHC complex inducing T cells that survive negative selection.

We generated transgenic mice that expressed hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) under a class II MHC promoter. The A7 line expressed HEL with a point mutation in the Asp(52) residue, the main anchor amino acid responsible for the selection of the chemically dominant family of peptides (52-60) by I-A(k) molecules. Mice expressing HEL with Ala(52) were completely unresponsive when immunized with the same protein, i.e., HEL A52. However, the same mice immunized with wild-type HEL elicited T cells that recognized a conformation of the 52-61 core sequence uniquely different between Asp(52) and Ala(52) containing peptides. Importantly, some T cells also recognized the HEL A52 peptide given exogenously but not the same peptide processed from HEL A52 protein. Thus, a core MHC anchor residue influences markedly the specificity of the T cells. We discuss the relevance of these findings to autoimmunity and vaccination with altered peptides.

Alanine↗

Hydrogen bond integrity between MHC class II molecules and bound peptide determines the intracellular fate of MHC class II molecules.

MHC class II molecules associate with peptides through pocket interactions and the formation of hydrogen bonds. The current paradigm suggests that the interaction of side chains of the peptide with pockets in the class II molecule is responsible for the formation of stable class II-peptide complexes. However, recent evidence has shown that the formation of hydrogen bonds between genetically conserved residues of the class II molecule and the main chain of the peptide contributes profoundly to peptide stability. In this study, we have used I-A(k), a class II molecule known to form strong pocket interactions with bound peptides, to probe the general importance of hydrogen bond integrity in peptide acquisition. Our studies have revealed that abolishing hydrogen bonds contributed by positions 81 or 82 in the beta-chain of I-A(k) results in class II molecules that are internally degraded when trafficked through proteolytic endosomal compartments. The presence of high-affinity peptides derived from either endogenous or exogenous sources protects the hydrogen bond-deficient variant from intracellular degradation. Together, these data indicate that disruption of the potential to form a complete hydrogen bond network between MHC class II molecules and bound peptides greatly diminishes the ability of class II molecules to bind peptides. The subsequent failure to stably acquire peptides leads to protease sensitivity of empty class II molecules, and thus to proteolytic degradation before export to the surface of APCs.

Animals↗

An MHC class Ib-restricted TCR that cross-reacts with an MHC class Ia molecule.

TCR transgenic 6C5 T cells recognize an insulin B chain epitope presented by the nonclassical class I MHC molecule, Qa-1(b). Positive selection of these T cells was shown previously to require Qa-1(b). Despite dedicated specificity for Qa-1(b), evidence presented in the current study indicates that 6C5 T cells can cross-recognize a classical class I molecule. Clonal deletion was observed unexpectedly in 6C5.H-2(bxq) mice, which do not express I-E MHC class II molecules and thus should not be subject to superantigen-mediated negative selection. 6C5 T cells were observed to respond in vivo and in vitro to spleen cells from allogeneic H-2(q) mice, and specificity was mapped to D(q). Evidence was obtained for direct recognition of D(q), rather than indirect presentation of a D(q)-derived peptide presented by Qa-1(b). Polyclonal CD8(+) T cells from class Ia-deficient K(b)D(b-/-) mice reacted in vitro to allogeneic spleen cells with an apparent frequency comparable to conventional class Ia-restricted T cells. Our results provide a clear example of a Qa-1-specific TCR that can cross-react with a class Ia molecule and evidence supporting the idea that this may be a common property of T cells selected by class Ib molecules.

Animals↗

The murine family of gut-restricted class Ib MHC includes alternatively spliced isoforms of the proposed HLA-G homolog, "blastocyst MHC".

The gastrointestinal tract is populated by a multitude of specialized immune cells endowed with receptors for classical (class Ia) and nonclassical (class Ib) MHC proteins. To identify class I products that engage these receptors and impact immunity/tolerance, we studied gut-transcribed class Ib loci and their polymorphism in inbred, outbred, and wild-derived mice. Intestinal tissues enriched in epithelial cells contained abundant transcripts of ubiquitously expressed and preferentially gut-restricted Q and T class I loci. The latter category included the "blastocyst Mhc" gene, H2-Bl, and its putative paralog, Tw5. Expression of H2-Bl was previously detected only at the maternal/fetal interface, where it was proposed to induce immune tolerance via interactions with CD94/NKG2A receptors. Analysis of coding region polymorphism performed here revealed two major alleles of H2-Bl with conserved residues at positions critical for class I protein folding and peptide binding. Both divergent alleles are maintained in outbred and wild mice under selection for fecundity and pathogen resistance. Surprisingly, we found that alternative splicing of H2-Bl mRNA in gut tissues is prevalent and allele-specific. It leads to strain-dependent expression of diverse repertoires of canonical and noncanonical transcripts that may give rise to distinct ligands for intestinal NK cell, T cell, and/or intraepithelial lymphocyte receptors.

Alternative Splicing↗

Ex vivo characterization of allo-MHC-restricted T cells specific for a single MHC-peptide complex.

Alloreactive T cells are thought to be a potentially rich source of high-avidity T cells with therapeutic potential since tolerance to self-Ags is restricted to self-MHC recognition. Given the particularly high frequency of alloreactive T cells in the peripheral immune system, we used numerous MHC class I multimers to directly visualize and isolate viral and tumor Ag-specific alloreactive CD8 T cells. In fact, all but one specificities screened were undetectable in ex vivo labeling. In this study, we report the occurrence of CD8 T cells specifically labeled with allo-HLA-A*0201/Melan-A/MART-1(26-35) multimers at frequencies that are in the range of 10(-4) CD8 T cells and are thus detectable ex vivo by flow cytometry. We report the thymic generation and shaping of tumor Ag-specific, alloreactive T cells as well as their fate once seeded in the periphery. We show that these cells resemble their counterparts in HLA-A*0201-positive individuals, based on their structural and functional attributes.

Adult↗

Functional epitope analysis of the human CD4 molecule. The MHC class II-dependent activation of resting T cells is inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CD4 regardless whether or not they recognize epitopes involved in the binding of MHC class II or HIV gp120.

This study was designed to define regions on the human CD4 molecule important for the class II-dependent activation of resting, polyclonal CD4 T cells. With the use of mAb to known epitopes on CD4, we assayed the degree of CD4 saturation and functional effects on T cell activation over a range of antibody concentrations in parallel titration experiments. This approach allows a quantitative comparison of different reagents, regardless of parameters such as affinity for CD4. In sharp contrast to results reported for preactivated T cells and CD4 transfected T cell hybridomas, all 22 CD4 mAb tested did inhibit proliferative responses of freshly isolated CD4 T cells to MHC class II Ag. At the lowest saturating concentration of each antibody, T cell proliferation was reduced by 45 to 82%. Inhibition did not depend on antibody-induced modulation of CD4 expression. Strikingly, no correlation was found between the functional effects and the specificity of the mAb for different epitopes on CD4, such as the putative binding sites for MHC class II or HIV glycoprotein gp120.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The structure and function of MHC molecules. Possible implications for the control of tumor growth by MHC-restricted T cells.

We briefly survey recent basic progress on the structure and function of MHC molecules. We call attention on a number of remaining unanswered questions, and focus on a few points which we think might be of importance in immune surveillance against tumors mediated by MHC restricted T cells. In particular, we discuss the possible peptidic nature of certain tumor antigens. Following these lines, we mention a recent approach for the in vivo activation of specific CTL.

Animals↗

The human MHC-restricted cellular response to herpes simplex virus type 1 is mediated by CD4+, CD8- T cells and is restricted to the DR region of the MHC complex.

The nature of the in vitro human cytotoxic T-cell responder population to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) was studied. In 5-day HSV-1-stimulated cultures that contained MHC-restricted activity, two phenotypically distinct populations of cells were present that were capable of lysing HSV-1-infected B cell lines in a 5-h 51Cr-release assay. The first was CD4+, CD8-, CD16- cell typical of class II-restricted T cells, whereas the other population bore a CD4-, CD8-, CD16+ NK-cell phenotype. Elimination of the NK cell fraction from bulk cultures by using anti-CD16 plus C frequently resulted in cell populations that killed in an Ag-specific, HLA-DR-restricted fashion. In some cases the anti-CD16-pretreated cultures retained a killing population that was unrestricted to MHC products. In no instance were any cytotoxic T cells that were restricted to class I Ag in evidence. Limiting dilution analysis of precursor frequency indicated that about 1 in 4000 to 1 in 8000 cells from peripheral blood are specific for HSV-1 in seropositive individuals. Comparisons of HLA class I-matched and HLA class II-matched targets with the autologous target by using limiting dilution analysis yielded results entirely consistent with those obtained in the bulk culture assay system.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Epidermal lesions of the GVHR: evaluation of the role of different MHC and non MHC loci and of the Ly-2+ and L3T4+ T lymphocytes.

Irradiated mice (750 rad) were injected with T-depleted bone marrow cells (BMC) and T lymphocytes in various combinations of T/host incompatibility. The epidermis was examined histologically and the incidence of two basic epidermal lesions of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), the epidermal cell necrosis (ECN) and the lichenoid hyperplastic reaction (LR), were evaluated by a semi-quantitative evaluation. During the acute phase of GVH reaction (GVHR) (days 15 to 25), there was an obvious increase in ECN in reactions elicited by minor loci, whole major histocompatability complex (MHC) differences, or a MHC class I or II difference only. Allogeneic effect without T lymphocyte/epidermis incompatibility did not induce a significant incidence of ECN. Neither depletion of the Ly-2+ nor that of the L3T4+ T lymphocyte subset by treatment with monoclonal antibody (performed in vitro, before injection or also by treatment of the recipient) did prevent the occurrence of ECN, indicating that both T lymphocyte subsets are capable of initiating the epidermal cell damage. The LR was due mainly to the T lymphocytes of the L3T4+, Ly-2- helper phenotype. During chronic GVHR (after 35 days) elicited by either Ly-2+ or L3T4+ lymphocytes, ECN and LR were no longer evident, but the number of epidermal cells and especially the number of replicating cells among the epidermal cells were markedly reduced.

Animals↗

Sheep MHC class II molecules. II. Identification and characterization of four distinct subsets of sheep MHC class II molecules.

A panel of seven monoclonal antibodies, sequential immunoprecipitation and two-dimensional NEPHGE/SDS-PAGE analyses were used to identify and characterize subsets of sheep MHC class II molecules. Using sequential immunoprecipitation four distinct subsets of class II molecules were identified by the monoclonal antibodies SBU.II 28-1, 37-68, 38-27 and 42-20, while another monoclonal antibody, SBU.II 49-1, recognized all four subsets of class II molecules. These four subpopulations of sheep class II molecules displayed different two-dimensional gel profiles and, using splenocytes from four outbred sheep, the class II molecules recognized by SBU.II 28-1, 37-68 and 42-20 showed structurally detectable allelic polymorphism in their beta polypeptides, but no detectable variation in their alpha polypeptides. In contrast, the class II molecules recognized by SBU.II 38-27 showed allelic variation in both their alpha and beta polypeptides. Two-dimensional (2-D) gel analyses of non-glycosylated class II molecules immunoprecipitated by SBU.II 49-1 suggested that approximately 10-12 different class II molecules were expressed by a single sheep. The results of this study show that sheep express class II molecules that can be divided into four structurally and serologically distinct subsets, and provide additional evidence for the subdivision of the sheep MHC class II genetic region into at least three distinct subregions.

Animals↗

Genetics of the spontaneous diabetic syndrome. Interaction of MHC and non-MHC-associated factors.

The occurrence of the spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetic syndrome in the rat is the result of several genetic susceptibilities. There is a requirement for the u haplotype of the rat major histocompatibility complex (MHC), RT1. More specifically this requirement is for genes mapping to the right of the RT1 A locus, which codes for class I products. Furthermore, u haplotypes from inbred strains other than the BB rat can provide this permissive u haplotype. Diabetes occurs in animals with either one or two u haplotype and the diabetic syndrome is similar in its characteristics. In addition to the requirement for the MHC genes, there are abnormalities of the immune system of the various diabetes-prone strains, which are present in animals that develop overt disease. These abnormalities segregate independently of the RT1 and interaction between the susceptibilities is necessary for the manifestation of the complete clinical syndrome.

Alleles↗

Increased number of CD4-CD8+ MHC class II-specific T cells in MHC class II-deficient mice.

Targeted disruption of the A beta-encoding gene of H2b mice abolishes major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression and results in a failure to develop CD4+8- T cells. Besides this major effect, the lack of class II expression affects the level of T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD4 expression on differentiating thymocytes. Moreover, there is no class II-mediated negative selection of thymocytes. All this could result in TCR repertoire changes of the CD4-8+ T-cell subpopulation, which apparently develops normally in these mice. To test this hypothesis, the class II reactivity of CD4-8+ T cells from class II-deficient (class II0) mice was analysed. It was found that CD4-8+ T cells from class II0 but not from class II-expressing mice developed a significant level of cytotoxicity against class II-expressing target cells. These results demonstrate an influence of MHC class II molecules on the TCR repertoire of CD4-8+ T cells.

Animals↗

Protection from T helper cell-mediated graft-versus-host disease by the presence of an MHC class I alloantigen is associated with perturbation of MHC class II-restricted responses by class I-derived peptides.

Lethal graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) develops after transfer of CTL-depleted spleen and bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 (B6) mice to irradiated MHC class II disparate (B6xbm12)F1 recipients. Onset of lethal GVHD is significantly delayed in (bm1xbm12)F1 recipients of the same donor inoculum despite the additional MHC class I disparity (H-2Kbm1). To investigate the basis of this protective effect, hybridomas were generated from T cells activated in vivo during GVHD in both strain combinations. T cells from B6-->(B6xbm12)F1 mice generated a significantly higher frequency of B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12)-specific T hybridomas (110/178, 62%) than T cells from B6-->(bm1xbm12)F1 mice (102/218, 47%). Some bm12-specific T hydridomas exhibited lesser responses to (bm1xbm12)F1 than to (B6xbm12)F1 APC. Moreover, bm1 peptides spanning a 14-amino acid region that includes the three amino acids that differ from H-2Kb were found to inhibit responses of some bm12-specific T hybridomas and to decrease significantly responses of splenic B6 CD4+ T cells to bm12 APC. Notably, the frequency of bm12-reactive hybridomas susceptible to inhibition by bm1 peptides generated from B6-->(B6xbm12)F1 mice was significantly greater than that generated from B6-->(bm1xbm12)F1 mice. Additional analysis using L cell transfectants indicated that hybridomas responding to the bm12 mutation at position 70 alone were rarely inhibited by bm1 peptides. The data indicate that expression of bm1-derived peptides can influence the frequency and specificity of alloreactive CD4+ T cells stimulated in vivo and thus may alter the course of GVHD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pretransplant detection of human minor histocompatibility antigen-specific naive and memory interleukin-2-secreting T cells within class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted CD8+ and class II MHC-restricted CD4+ T-cell subsets.

Recent studies have shown that host-reactive interleukin-2 (IL-2)-secreting donor T lymphocytes (TI) are critically involved in the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplantation (BMT). To further characterize the responding TI, we determined the frequency of pretransplant IL-2-secreting TI-precursors (TI-p) between eight HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ-identical sibling donor-host pairs in both the graft-versus-host (GVH) and the host-versus-graft (HVG) direction. High frequencies of pretransplant host-reactive donor TI-p (1/18,000 to 1/49,000) were detectable in five patients with grade II acute GVHD. Donor-reactive host TI-p (1/3,700 to 1/31,000) were observed in previously in vivo primed (n = 5) and unprimed (n = 1) patients. In two pairs tested after previous in vivo priming, pretransplant donor-reactive host TI-p were highly enriched within the CD45RO+ memory T-cell subset. Previously unprimed host-reactive donor TI-p occurred in almost equal frequencies within CD45RO+ and CD45RO- T cells. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets contributed in comparable frequencies to host- and donor-reactive TI-p. Recognition of minor histocompatibility (mH) antigens by CD8+ TI-p appeared to be class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted, whereas CD4+ TI-p operated in a class II (HLA-DR) MHC-restricted fashion. Even between oligonucleotide-defined HLA-DPB1-disparate sibling donor-host pairs (n = 3), either responding T-cell subset was found to recognize cellularly defined mH antigens. These data indicate that various T-cell subsets contribute to host- and donor-reactive IL-2-secreting TI in allogeneic sibling BMT.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

The MHC influences acute graft versus host disease in MHC matched adults undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

To determine whether the MHC plays an antigen non-specific role in the development of acute GVHD, the prevalence of acute GVHD in relation to MHC genotype was examined in 51 adult patients undergoing allogeneic BM grafting. The majority of patients received grafts from HLA-identical siblings. HLA-B7 haplotypes were associated with a decreased risk of acute GVHD (2 of 15, p = 0.005) whereas HLA-B44 haplotypes were associated with a higher risk of acute GVHD (11 of 14, p = 0.02). As these alleles have been reported previously as having opposite effects in relation to inflammatory mediators, these findings may have important implications with respect to donor selection and patient management.

Acute Disease↗

Expression of MHC-I and MHC-II antigens in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with viral myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.

In situ expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II antigens were examined in endomyocardial biopsy samples from 35 patients with viral myocarditis (VMC) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Increased expressions of these 2 antigens were observed on endocardia, capillary endothelia, dentritic and mononuclear cell membranes. The expression of sarcolemma was also found in specimens of VMC and DCM. Thus the abnormal expression of MHC is a new marker of autoimmune reactivity directed against cardiac structures.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of donor mice with an alpha beta T-cell receptor monoclonal antibody induces prolonged T-cell nonresponsiveness and effectively prevents lethal graft-versus-host disease in murine recipients of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched and MHC-mismatched donor marrow grafts.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the administration of high doses of an anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (H57-597) to donor animals could induce a state of T-cell nonresponsiveness and prevent the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in murine recipients of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched (B10.BR[H-2k] --> AKR/J[H-2k]) and mismatched (B10.BR[H-2k] --> DBA/2[H-2d]) marrow grafts. Transplantation of H57-597-treated B10.BR T cells into irradiated AKR or DBA mice resulted in protection from GVHD, which was otherwise lethal in transplanted recipients receiving untreated T cells. The administration of H57-597-treated T cells did not compromise alloengraftment in either strain combination and was found to accelerate donor T-cell reconstitution in recipients of MHC-matched marrow grafts. Optimal protection for GVHD was dependent on the duration of antibody exposure in donor mice. T cells from donor exposed to antibody for only 1 day caused lethal GVHD, whereas exposure for at least 4 days was necessary to abrogate graft-versus-host reactivity. The ability of antibody treatment to protect against the development of GVHD could not be ascribed to the antibody-induced production of Th2 cytokines, the induction of a T- or non-T-suppressor cell population, or the preferential depletion of CD4+ T cells by H57-597. Donor T cells exposed to H57-597 antibody were detectable in recipients for up to 5 weeks after transplantation, indicating that these cells were not eliminated in the host immediately after bone marrow transplantation and contributed to enhanced donor T-cell reconstitution. Moreover, in B10.BR --> DBA chimeras that did not have any clinical evidence of GVHD, potentially MIs-reactive donor-derived Vbeta6+ T cells were present in the spleens of recipients at comparable numbers to normal mice but appeared functionally nonresponsive in vivo. These data strongly suggested that protection from GVHD was due to the fact that antibody treatment resulted in a state of prolonged T-cell anergy that persisted despite the presence of potential costimulatory signals in the recipient. This observation is of potential clinical significance in that it shows that the prevention of GVHD can be accomplished without posttransplantation immunosuppression or the need for in vitro or in vivo T-cell depletion.

Animals↗