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Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cell subpopulations differ in their requirement for major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell recognition.

This report has examined the requirements for T helper (T(H)) cell recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants expressed by B cells for the activation of unprimed Lyb-5(+) and Lyb-5(-) B cell subpopulations . The generation of primary T(H) cell-dependent plaque-forming cell responses in vitro microculture required the presence of Lyb-5(+) B cells because B cell populations that were deprived, either genetically or serologically, of the Lyb-5(+) subpopulation were not activated in these responses. Cell-mixing experiments in which A X B {arrow} A chimeric T(H) cells were mixed with purified populations of parental accessory cells and parental B cells demonstrated that the in vitro activation of Lyb-5(+) B cells did not require T(H) cell recognition of B cell MHC determinants, although it did require T(H) cell recognition of accessory cell MHC determinants . In contrast to the failure of Lyb-5(-) B cells to be activated in primary T(H) cell-dependent responses in vitro microculture, isolated populations of Lyb-5(-) B cells were triggered by T(H) cells in vivo in short-term adoptive transfer experiments . By the use of A X B {arrow} A chimeric T(H) cells and parental strain B adoptive hosts, it was possible in vivo to distinguish genetically restricted T(H) cell recognition of B cells from genetically restricted T(H) cell recognition of accessory cells. Similar to the results obtained in vitro, the activation in vivo of unfractionated (Lyb-5(+) plus Lyb-5(-)) B cell populations did not require T(H) cell recognition of B cell MHC determinants . In contrast, in the same in vivo responses activation of isolated populations of Lyb-5(-) B cells did require T(H) cell recognition of B cell MHC determinants. The most straightforward interpretation of these experiments is that T(H) cell recognition of B cell MHC determinants is required for the activation of Lyb-5(-) B cells but is not required for the activation of Lyb-5(+) B cells . To better understand why T(H) cell activation of one B cell subpopulation is genetically restricted, whereas activation of another subpopulation is not, the response of Lyb-5(+) and Lyb-5(-) B cells to the soluble activating factors present in concanavalin A-induced spleen cell supernates (Con A SN) was examined. It was observed that Lyb-5(-) B cells, as opposed to Lyb-5(+) B cells, were unable to respond in microculture to the nonspecific T(H) cell- activating factors present in Con A SN, even though they were able to nonspecifically respond under the same conditions to trinitrophenyllipopolysaccharide. It was observed that the ability of B cell subpopulations to respond to nonspecific soluble T cell factors paralleled their ability to be activated by T(H) cells in a genetically unrestricted manner. Thus, the present experiments demonstrate that activation by T(H) cells of Lyb-5(-) B cells is MHC restricted, whereas activation of Lyb-5(+) B cells is not. These experiments suggest that one possible explanation for such differences is that activation of Lyb-5(+) B cells does not require direct interaction with T(H) cells because they can be activated by soluble activation signals that T(H) cells secrete.

Antibody-Producing Cells↗

Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations. Major histocompatibility complex-restricted and -unrestricted B cell responses are mediated by distinct B cell subpopulations.

The present study has evaluated the identity of the B cell subpopulations participating in T dependent antibody responses that differ in their requirements for major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell recognition. In vitro responses of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed T cells and trinitrophenyl (TNP)-primed B cells were studied to both low and high concentrations of the antigen TNP-KLH. It was first demonstrated that for responses to low concentrations of TNP-KLH, (A x B)F(1) {arrow} parent(A) chimeric helper T cells were restricted in their ability to recognize parent(A) but not parent(B) H-2 determinants expressed by both B cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC). In contrast, at higher antigen concentrations, helper T cells were not restricted in their interaction with B cells. It was then determined whether these observed differences in T cell recognition resulted from the activation of distinct B cell subpopulations with different activation requirements. At low concentrations of TNP-KLH it was demonstrated that Lyb-5(-) B cells were activated, and that it was thus the activation of the Lyb-5(-) subpopulation that required T cell recognition of B cell H-2 under these conditions. In contrast, responses to high concentration of antigen required the participation of Lyb-5(+) B cells, and these Lyb-5(+) B cells were activated by a pathway that required H-2- restricted T cell interaction with APC, but not with B cells. The findings presented here have demonstrated that Lyb-5(-) and Lyb-5(+) B cells constitute B cell subpopulations that differ significantly in their activation requirements for T cell-dependent antibody responses to TNP-KLH. In so doing, these findings have established that the function of genetic restrictions in immune response regulation is critically dependent upon the activation pathways employed by functionally distinct subpopulations of B, as well as T, lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Specificity of T cell clones for antigen and autologous major histocompatibility complex products determines specificity for foreign major histocompatibility complex products.

We have analyzed a panel of T cell clones that corecognize defined epitopes of the insulin molecule in association with Ia for their patterns of recognition of alloantigens. A striking correlation is observed between recognition of the I-Ab gene product and cow insulin alpha loop and recognition of I-Eu of the PL/J haplotype. These results are consistent with the notion that reactions to foreign major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products reflect molecular mimicry by foreign class II antigens of 'physiologic' complexes formed by autologous class II MHC molecules and antigen.

Animals↗

Polymorphism of human minor histocompatibility antigens: T cell recognition of human minor histocompatibility peptides presented by HLA-B35 subtype molecules.

To investigate the polymorphism of human minor histocompatibility (mH) antigens, PBLs from 23 Japanese individuals and 25 German individuals with HLA-B35 were studied by using four human mH antigen-specific, HLA-B35-restricted CTL clones. The CTL clones killed PHA-stimulated PBLs from all 23 Japanese individuals. On the other hand, they killed the PHA-stimulated PBLs from 19 of 25 German individuals and partially killed the PHA-stimulated PBLs from three German individuals (CTL weakly sensitive cell line); those from another three individuals (CTL-resistant cell line) were not killed by the CTL clones. All of three CTL weakly sensitive cell lines carry HLA-B*3503 molecules, whereas the three CTL-resistant cell lines carry HLA-B*3502, B*3507, and B*3508 molecules. The cytotoxicity of the CTL clones for three CTL weakly sensitive cell lines was enhanced by stimulation of human mH peptides isolated from HLA-B*3501 molecules purified from C1R-B*3501 cells. Small amounts of human mH peptides were isolated from B*3503 molecules purified from these three CTL weakly sensitive cell lines. Taken together, these results indicate that weak recognition by the CTL clones of three CTL weakly sensitive cell line results from a small amount of the human mH peptides presented by B*3503 molecules. The CTL-resistant cell line carrying B*3507 loaded with the human mH peptides was killed by four CTL clones, whereas the cell lines carrying B*3502 or B*3508 loaded with the peptides were not. The human mH peptides were not isolated from B*3507 molecules purified from the cell lines expressing this subtype, whereas small amounts of the human mH peptides were isolated from B*3502 and B*3508 molecules purified from the cell lines expressing the subtypes. These results indicate that failure of the CTL recognition of the cell line carrying B*3507 is due to a lack of human mH antigens in this cell line. The failure of the CTL recognition of the cell lines carrying B*3502 and B*3508 is not explained by only the amount of the human mH peptides binding to these B35 subtype molecules because the amount of the human mH peptides eluted from B*3502 and B*3508 molecules purified from the cell lines carrying these B35 subtypes is almost the same as that eluted from B*3503 molecules purified from the cell lines carrying B*3503.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Increased expression of human T lymphocyte virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax11-19 peptide-human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen A*201 complexes on CD4+ CD25+ T Cells detected by peptide-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted antibodies in patients with HTLV-I-associated neurologic disease.

Human T lymphocyte virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated chronic inflammatory neurological disease (HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP]) is suggested to be an immunopathologically mediated disorder characterized by large numbers of HTLV-I Tax-specific CD8+ T cells. The frequency of these cells in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid is proportional to the amount of HTLV-I proviral load and the levels of HTLV-I tax mRNA expression. As the stimulus for these virus-specific T cells are immunodominant peptide-human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) complexes expressed on antigen-presenting cells, it was of interest to determine which cells express these complexes and at what frequency. However, until now, it has not been possible to identify and/or quantify these peptide-HLA complexes. Using a recently developed antibody that specifically recognizes Tax11-19 peptide-HLA-A*201 complexes, the level of Tax11-19-HLA-A*201 expression on T cells was demonstrated to be increased in HAM/TSP and correlated with HTLV-I proviral DNA load, HTLV-I tax mRNA load, and HTLV-I Tax-specific CD8+ T cell frequencies. Furthermore, CD4+ CD25+ T cells were demonstrated to be the major reservoir of HTLV-I provirus as well as Tax11-19 peptide-HLA-A*201 complexes. These results indicate that the increased detection and visualization of peptide-HLA complexes in HAM/TSP CD4+ CD25+ T cell subsets that are shown to stimulate and expand HTLV-I Tax-specific CD8+ T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HTLV-I-associated neurological disease.

Antigens, CD↗

Coevolution of the major histocompatibility complex and the t-complex in the mouse. II. Modification of response to sharing of histocompatibility antigens.

Selective pressures imposed by high complementarity associations between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the t-complex on a locus that modifies the expression of prezygotic and postzygotic incompatibility are investigated through the analysis of a quantitative model. Sharing of MHC antigens between mates or between mother and offspring elicits weak inhibition of conception or gestation. In the presence of high complementarity associations between the MHC and the t-complex, weak incompatibility depresses the mean fitness of the population. Nevertheless, natural selection favors the enhancement of the expression of incompatibility if the number of antigens associated with the +-haplotype exceeds the number associated with the t-haplotype by a sufficient margin. Under absolute linkage between the modifier locus and the t-complex, the number associated with the +-haplotype need only be greater than the number associated with the t-haplotype. In the absence of linkage, a twofold difference is sufficient to ensure the initial increase of modifier alleles that intensify the expression of incompatibility.

Alleles↗

Resistance to chlamydial lung infection is dependent on major histocompatibility complex as well as non-major histocompatibility complex determinants.

Our previous work has shown that C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice have differential susceptibility to Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (C. muridarum) lung infection. C3H/HeN (H-2(k)) mice were found to be highly susceptible to C. muridarum infection with higher mortality and more severe morbidity compared to C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) mice. To examine the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes on host resistance to chlamydial lung infection, we compared MHC congenic mice, B6.H2k [C57BL/6 background, C3H MHC (H-2(k))] and C3H.H2b [C3H/HeN background, C57BL/6 MHC (H-2(b))] and their corresponding wild type C57BL/6 mice and C3H/HeN mice, respectively, in susceptibility to C. muridarum infection. We found that B6.H2k, C3H.H2b and C3H/HeN mice are more susceptible to chlamydial lung infection compared to the wild type C57BL/6 mice by showing more serious body weight loss, higher in vivo chlamydial growth and more severe pathologic changes. Congenic B6.H2k mice showed significantly lower levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma production compared to C57BL/6 as well as C3H/HeN and C3H.H2b mice. One the other hand, although congenic C3H.H2b mice displayed similar cytokine response to C57BL/6 mice, they were highly susceptible to C. muridarum infection. Overall, the results suggest that protection against chlamydial lung infection is both MHC and non-MHC gene dependent, and that the interaction between MHC and non-MHC elements may contribute to host resistance to chlamydial infection.

Animals↗

Progress in rhesus histocompatibility typing resulting from the Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop (1973).

The Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop permitted comparison of rhesus monkey alloantisera developed in various laboratories on a single common panel of related and unrelated monkeys. Analysis of the data permits the conclusion that at least nine specificities are recognized by more than one laboratory, including six at the first locus and three at the second locus.

Animals↗

Histocompatibility alloantigens in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Evidence for the influence of multiple genes in the major histocompatibility complex.

The frequency of HLA-A, B, and Cw antigens as well as the antigens expressed preferentially on B cells and monocytes (DRw and Ia-like) was examined in a normal population and two related disease populations, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. HLA antigens distinguishing the two disease populations were found. Psoriatic patients demonstrated an increase in frequency of HLA-A1, B17, and B13. Patients with psoriatic arthritis demonstrated an increased frequency of HLA-A26, B38, and DRw4. Antigens showing a common increase in frequency in the two disease populations were HLA-Cw6, DRw7, and Ia744. These results demonstrate genetic differences as well as similarities in the two populations of patients with the common clinical feature of psoriasis. In addition to the above analysis, we examined the association of individual alloantigens elevated in frequency in the diseased population. These same alloantigens were examined for association in the normal population. This analysis revealed HLA antigen associations in the two disease groups that differed from the association of several antigens in the normal population. The results suggest that at least two genetic factors, one mapping in the HLA-A, C-B region and one mapping in the HLA-B-DRw region are associated with the disease states. Thus, multiple factors controlled by genes in the major histocompatibility complex appear to contribute to the disease entities under investigation.

Arthritis↗

Modulation of major histocompatibility complex Class I molecules and major histocompatibility complex-bound immunogenic peptides induced by interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma treatment of human glioblastoma multiforme.

OBJECT: Little is known about the quantitative modulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I expression on human gliomas that is effected by interferons; even less is known about the immunogenic peptides that are accommodated in the peptide-binding motifs of MHC Class I alleles in these brain tumors. In this article the authors investigated the ability of interferon (IFN)alpha and IFNgamma to upregulate MHC Class I expression and to modulate acid-eluted Class I-bound peptides on human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells in vitro. METHODS: Early-passage primary human GBM cell cultures and U87MG GBM cells were incubated with varying doses of INFalpha or IFNgamma ranging between 0 and 2000 U/ml. Upregulation of MHC Class I expression was assayed by immunocytochemical analysis, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. Modulation of acid-eluted MHC Class I-bound peptides from the IFN-treated GBM cells was examined with the aid of mass spectroscopy. The in vitro expression of the MHC Class I molecule was upregulated by both IFNalpha and IFNgamma in a dose-dependent manner. Interferon-gamma exhibited a more potent effect on MHC Class I upregulation, peaking at 10 U/ml; whereas the effect of IFNalpha was less marked, reaching a plateau at 500 U/ml. In addition, a native peptide eluted from MHC Class I molecules of human GBM cells was identified and found to be consistently upregulated by IFN treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon-alpha and IFN-gamma can significantly upregulate the MHC Class I molecules that are expressed on the cell surface of human GBM cells as well as the potentially immunogenic peptides bound to the MHC. These results may help explain the molecular basis for increased immunogenicity with IFN treatment of human GBMs and might provide added insight into the design of future antitumor vaccines for human brain tumors.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Chromosomal localization of the major histocompatibility (B) complex (MHC) and its expression in chickens aneuploid for the major histocompatibility complex/ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid microchromosome.

By the cytogenetic method of trisomy mapping, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (B) was located on the microchromosome that also contains all of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rDNA) genes that are detected as a nucleolar organizer region. Crosses involving aneuploid chickens homozygous or heterozygous for particular B haplotypes yield an F1 of disomic, trisomic, and tetrasomic offspring suitable for studies of gene dosage effects and gene regulation. Studies to date show that MHC genes are expressed on each chromosome in aneuploid cells unlike the rDNA gene cluster, which is regulated to produce only diploid levels of mature rRNA. Biological effects of extra MHC chromosome dosage range from altered cell surface content of glycoproteins to altered growth potential of chickens. In addition, enhanced MHC-encoded cell surface products may influence the progression of B-cell differentiation and cell population dynamics in the developing bursa of Fabricius. Recent research shows a possible mechanism to account for the formation of unequal products in meiosis within the rDNA and MHC gene clusters. Unequal recombinational events may be promoted in the meiotic process in trisomic chickens.

Aneuploidy↗

Histocompatibility testing in dogs. I. A semi-micro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) technique for histocompatibility matching in dogs.

A semi-micro method for the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) test in dogs is described. Optimization of various factors influencing the test were invistigated. Discrimination between allogeneic and isogeneic cell mixtures was possible after 90 h or culture but a culture period of 144 h was found to be optimal. The method measures MLC identity or non-identity and can be used as a tool for histocompatibility testing of lymphocyte defined (LD) Antigens.

Animals↗

[Major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA) hammer- head ribozyme transfer inhibits major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) expression in Jukart cells].

OBJECTIVE: Graft versus host disease (GVHD), a major cause of graft failure in allo-hematopoietic cell transplantation, was associated with the presence of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), also called human leukocyte antigen (HLAII), on the tissues and organs of host. MHCII played a critical role in the induction of immune responses by presenting fragments of allo-antigenic peptides to CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes, then by resulting in CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes activation. Therefore, it was very important for compatibility of MHCII in allo-transplantation. But it was impossible to down-modulate MHCIIexpression directly. There were codominance and multiple allele for MHCII molecules which was owing to their complicated polymorphism, therefore it was difficult to repress every MHCII molecule expression. MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) was the major rate-limiting factor for both constitutive and inducible MHCIIexpression., and with rare exceptions, its expression paralleled that of MHCII transcripts. This study investigated the effect of anti-CIITA hammerhead ribozyme (Rz) on interferon (IFN)-gamma induced MHCII expression in Jukart cell line. METHODS: Three hammerhead Rz specific to 134, 218, 464 sites of CIITA gene were synthesized and named as Rz134, Rz218, Rz464, respectively. Then they were cloned into the EcoRI/BamHI of vector pGEM-7zf(+). CIITA target gene was obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted also into the pGEM-7zf(+) plasmid. The above recombinant plasmids were screened out by sequence analysis. Hammerhead Rz and their target RNA were transcribed and then mixed up and incubated in vitro. The cleavage products were analyzed by PAGE and silver-staining. Rz464 was selected as the one with the highest activity, and then inserted into the plasmid with internal ribosome entry site-enhanced green fluorescent protein (pIRES2-EGFP), pRz464. Stable transfectants of Jukart cell line with pRz464 (pRz464-J) were tested for classic MHCII (HLA-DR, DP, DQ) induction by recombinant human IFN-gamma. mRNA abundance of CIITA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: When induced with IFN-gamma, the expression of HLA-DR, DP, DQ in pRz464 positive (pRz464+) Jukart cells was 2.7%, 6.4% and 2.1%, respectively, and that in Jukart cells transfected by non-related ribozyme was 10.1%, 57.8% and 5.1%, respectively. Therefore, Rz464 suppressed IFN-gamma-induced up-regulation of HLA-DR, DP and DQ by 73.27%, 88.93% and 58.82%, respectively. Meanwhile, the mRNA content of CIITA was reduced significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CIITA hammerhead ribozyme transfer inhibited MHC-II expression in Jukart cells. The above result provided insight into the future application of anti-CIITA hammerhead ribozyme for the antigen-specific tolerance induction and anti-GVHD treatment in the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Differential induction by interferons of major histocompatibility complex-encoded and non-major histocompatibility complex-encoded antigens in human breast and ovarian carcinoma cell lines.

Treatment of cancer cells with interferons can modulate expression of cell surface antigens, particularly those of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). To examine the effect of recombinant gamma- and alpha-interferons on expression of non-MHC antigens, murine monoclonal antibodies have been used to quantitate 14 distinct tumor-associated cell surface antigens from five breast cancer cell lines and five ovarian cancer cell lines using a live cell radioimmunoassay. Both Class I and Class II MHC antigens could be augmented or induced with gamma-interferon. Significantly increased expression of MHC antigens was observed in nine of 10 cell lines with induction indices as high as 11-fold. When 17 non-MHC epitopes were measured on 10 cell lines, minimal (1.3-2.7-fold) induction was observed in 10 of the 170 instances evaluated. Expression of only two epitopes, 2G3 and 735B11, was increased on more than one cell line. On six cell lines expression of non-MHC epitopes could not be increased. Consequently, among many different cell surface determinants, interferons produced a highly selective augmentation or induction of MHC antigens, whereas augmentation or induction of other tumor-associated antigens was apparently restricted to a few epitopes.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Histocompatibility influence in allogeneic marrow transplantation therapy of murine viral leukemia. I.--Studies of the relative influence of major versus minor histocompatibility determinants.

The anti-leukemic effectiveness (GvL activity) and anti-host response (GvH response) of several allogeneic donor marrows were compared in lethally irradiated normal and Rauscher leukemia SJL/J recipients. Although both types of effects could be demonstrated, the degree of GvL activity did not parallel the severity of GvH response. The level of GvL activity of the donor marrow also appeared to be independent of sensitivity of the donors to the leukemia inducing Rauscher virus (RLV), as a high level of leukemia recurrence was found using marrow from RLV-resistant RF/J donors, while a lesser degree of recurrence occurred with the use of RLV-sensitive DBA-2J marrow. Analysis of the possible influence of major (MHC) and Minor (MiHL) histocompatibility loci suggested that GvL activity may be independent of the H-2 locus, and that the "a" alleles of the H-4 and H-13 loci may not be contributing to GvL effect. Likewise the "a" alleles of the H-7 and H-12 loci did not appear to affect the severity of GvH response. The possibly that GvL activity may be independent of th MHC, but governed by MiHL possibility different from those regulating GvH response might explain why in this and previous studies GvL activity could only be demonstrated following allogeneic marrow transplantation but did not appear to correlate with severity of GvH response.

Alleles↗

Pristane-induced arthritis in rats: a new model for rheumatoid arthritis with a chronic disease course influenced by both major histocompatibility complex and non-major histocompatibility complex genes.

We present a novel animal model for rheumatoid arthritis induced with a well defined synthetic adjuvant oil, pristane. Two weeks after a single intradermal injection of 150 microliters of pristane, the rats developed severe and chronic arthritis. The inflammation was restricted to the joints and involved pannus formation, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression, and T lymphocyte infiltration. The initial development as well as the chronic stage of pristane-induced arthritis was ameliorated by treatment with antibodies to the alpha beta-T-cell receptor showing that the disease is T cell dependent. Increased levels of interleukin in serum was seen after pristane injection but not during the chronic stage of arthritis. Joint erosions were accompanied by elevated serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. Comparison of MHC congenic LEW strains showed that the severity and chronicity of arthritis varied among the different MHC haplotypes. Rats with RT1f haplotype showed a significantly higher susceptibility to pristane-induced arthritis. A strong influence of non-MHC genes was also suggested by the variability of arthritis susceptibility among different strains with the same MHC haplotype; the most susceptible background was the DA and the least susceptible was the E3. Arthritis induced with a well defined nonimmunogenic adjuvant, with a disease course that closely resembles that of rheumatoid arthritis, makes a suitable animal model for future studies of the pathology and genetics of rheumatoid arthritis.

Animals↗

Interferon-induced expression of class II major histocompatibility antigens in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency syndrome.

Class II antigens encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are expressed by a variety of cell types and have a vital role in the cellular interactions required for an effective immune response. We have analyzed the regulation of HLA-DR, DP, and DQ class II antigen expression on cells of different lineage from an immunodeficient patient with the MHC class II deficiency syndrome. T and B lymphocytes, monocytes, and fibroblasts, which initially expressed no class II antigens, were treated with inductive stimuli that normally lead to enhanced expression of class II antigens. Monocytes, but not fibroblasts, cultured for 48-96 hr in the presence of recombinant gamma interferon expressed all three types of class II antigens. In contrast, T lymphocytes did not express class II antigens following their exposure to a variety of stimuli, including activation with phytohemagglutinin and culture in the presence of interleukin-2, transformation by the retrovirus HTLV-1 or HTLV-2, or exposure to the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. Similarly, class II antigens were not induced on B cells by cross-linkage of surface immunoglobulin molecules with anti-mu, exposure to Epstein-Barr virus, or treatment with soluble factors secreted by activated T cells. These results demonstrate that the regulation of class II MHC antigen expression by monocytes and lymphocytes is dissimilar and suggest that different regulatory genes are involved in the control of class II antigen expression by cells of different lineage.

Adult↗

Structure and expression of major histocompatibility complex-binding protein 2, a 275-kDa zinc finger protein that binds to an enhancer of major histocompatibility complex class I genes.

We have isolated a cDNA encoding a transcription factor that binds to the enhancer of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes. MHC-binding protein 2 (MBP-2) is a 275-kDa protein, containing two sets of widely separated zinc fingers and a stretch of highly acidic amino acids, a putative transactivation domain. The two zinc finger regions, when expressed individually as bacterial fusion proteins, bind with highest affinity to the MHC class I gene enhancer. Several proteins found in mammalian nuclear extracts bind the MHC class I enhancer in an electrophoresis mobility shift assay. Only one of these, a ubiquitously expressed factor, forming a slow-migrating retarded complex, can be supershifted by a MBP-2 antiserum. The same antiserum also precipitates a protein of greater than 250 kDa from COS cells transfected with a MBP-2 expression vector. Our data indicate that MBP-2 is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of MHC class I gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗