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Induction of MHC class I expression by the MHC class II transactivator CIITA.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-deficient cell lines were used to demonstrate that the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) can induce surface expression of MHC class I molecules. CIITA induces the promoter of MHC class I heavy chain genes. The site alpha DNA element is the target for CIITA-induced transactivation of class I. In addition, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-induced MHC class I expression also requires an intact site alpha. The G3A cell line, which is defective in CIITA induction, does not induce MHC class I antigen and promoter in response to IFNgamma. Trans-dominant-negative forms of CIITA reduce class I MHC promoter function and surface antigen expression. Collectively, these data argue that CIITA has a role in class I MHC gene induction.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The MHC-specific enhanceosome and its role in MHC class I and beta(2)-microglobulin gene transactivation.

The promoter regions of MHC class I and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) genes possess a regulatory module consisting of S, X, and Y boxes, which is shared by MHC class II and its accessory genes. In this study we show that, similar to MHC class II, the SXY module in MHC class I and beta(2)m promoters is cooperatively bound by a multiprotein complex containing regulatory factor X, CREB/activating transcription factor, and nuclear factor Y. Together with the coactivator class II transactivator this multiprotein complex drives transactivation of these genes. In contrast to MHC class II, the multiprotein complex has an additional function in the constitutive transactivation of MHC class I and beta(2)m genes. The requirement for all transcription factors in the complex and correct spacing of the binding sites within the SXY regulatory module for complex formation and functioning of this multiprotein complex strongly suggests that this complex can be regarded as a bona fide enhanceosome. The general coactivators CREB binding protein, p300, general control nonderepressible-5, and p300/CREB binding protein-associated factor exert an ancillary function in MHC class I and beta(2)m transactivation, but exclusively through the class II transactivator component of this enhanceosome. Thus, the SXY module is the basis for a specific enhanceosome important for the constitutive and inducible transactivation of MHC class I and beta(2)m genes.

Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein↗

Enhancement of MHC class I-stimulated alloresponses by TNF/TNF receptor (TNFR)1 interactions and of MHC class II-stimulated alloresponses by TNF/TNFR2 interactions.

In vivo TNF inhibition has been observed to ameliorate the disease process attributed to T cell-dependent immune responses such as those generated during graft-vs.-host disease. The present studies were designed to evaluate whether TNF/TNF receptor (TNFR)1 and TNF/TNFR2 interactions were involved in the generation of allospecific T cell responses. Splenic lymphocyte populations were obtained from TNFR1- or TNFR2-deficient B6 mice and from control B6 mice. These responder cells were cultured with irradiated MHC class II-disparate B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12) or MHC class I-disparate B6.C-H-2bm1 (bm1) or irradiated syngeneic stimulator cells for 3 days before assay of [3H]thymidine incorporation. IL-2 levels of the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) supernatants were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. With MHC class II-disparate bm12 stimulator cells, a significant reduction in T cell proliferation was observed utilizing TNFR2-deficient CD4+ responder T cells, but not when using TNFR1 -deficient CD4+ responder T cells. A significant decrease in proliferation of TNFR1-deficient CD8+ responder cells, but not of TNFR2-deficient CD8 responder T cells was observed after stimulation with MHC class I-disparate bm1 stimulator cells. IL-2 levels were lower in MLC utilizing MHC class I stimulators and TNFR1-deficient responders or MHC class II stimulators and TNFR2-deficient responders. These results indicate that TNF/TNFR2 interactions promote MHC class II-stimulated alloresponses, while TNF/TNFR1 interactions promote MHC class I-stimulated alloresponses.

Animals↗

Recombinant antibodies with MHC-restricted, peptide-specific, T-cell receptor-like specificity: new tools to study antigen presentation and TCR-peptide-MHC interactions.

The advent in recent years of the application of tetrameric arrays of class I peptide-MHC complexes now enables us to detect and study rare populations of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. However, available methods cannot visualize or determine the number and distribution of these TCR ligands on individual cells or detect antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in tissues. Here we describe a new approach that enables study of human class I peptide-MHC ligand-presentation as well as TCR-peptide-MHC interactions. Such studies are facilitated by applying novel tools in the form of peptide-specific, HLA-A2-restricted human recombinant antibodies directed toward a large variety of tumor-associated as well as viral T-cell epitope peptides. Using a large human antibody phage display library, a large panel of recombinant antibodies that are specific for a particular peptide-MHC class I complex in a peptide-dependent, MHC-restricted manner was isolated. These antibodies were used to directly visualize the specific MHC-peptide complex on tumor cells, antigen-presenting cells or virus-infected cells by flow cytometry. They enabled direct quantitation of the number of MHC-peptide complexes as well as in situ detection of the complex on the surface of APCs after naturally occurring active intracellular processing of the cognate antigen. These studies will enable also the development of a new class of targeting molecules to deliver drugs or toxins to tumor or virus-infected cells. Thus, we demonstrate our ability to transform the unique fine specificity but low intrinsic affinity of TCRs into high-affinity soluble antibody molecules endowed with a TCR-like specificity toward human tumor or viral epitopes. These molecules may prove to be crucial useful tools for studying MHC class I antigen presentation in health and disease as well as for therapeutic purposes in cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Animals↗

A single recessive non-MHC diabetogenic gene determines the development of insulitis in the presence of an MHC-linked diabetogenic gene in NOD mice.

To study the genetic control of insulitis in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we performed breeding studies in crosses of NOD with non-diabetic strains, ICR-L-line Ishibe (ILI), non-obese non-diabetic (NON) and C3H/He mice. The ILI mouse serologically shared the same MHC Class I and Class II as the NOD mouse. Insulitis was defined as islets invaded by lymphoid cells. Periductular, perivascular and peri-insular lymphoid cell infiltrations were often observed in NOD mice and appear to be the initial lesion leading to insulitis. Such lesions, however, were found in 1-year-old ICR, ILI, NON and Cataract Shionogi (CTS) mice of the NOD's sister strain. The lymphoid cells did not invade the islets in ICR, ILI, NON and CTS mice. The incidence of insulitis was 0% in F1 generations and 40% in female backcrosses (BC) [(ILI x NOD)F1 x NOD] at 9 weeks of age, 48 and 50% in BC[(NON x NOD)F1 x NOD] and BC[(C3H/He x NOD)F1 x NOD] at 1 year of age, respectively. Backcross animals were typed for the MHC to investigate correlation between the development of insulitis and MHC haplotypes. Among the backcross females with insulitis, approximately half the animals were heterozygous for MHC(non/nod) in BC[(NON x NOD)F1 x NOD] and MHC(k/nod) in BC[(C3H x NOD)F1 x NOD]. Among the backcross females with no insulitis, approximately half the animals were homozygous for MHC(nod/nod) in BC[(NON x NOD)F1 x NOD] and in BC[(C3H x NOD)F1 x NOD]. The results suggest that a single recessive non-MHC diabetogenic gene determines the development of insulitis regardless of NOD MHC homozygosity or heterozygosity.

Animals↗

MHC RFLP analyses in channel catfish full-sibling families: identification of the role of MHC molecules in spontaneous allogeneic cytotoxic responses.

Genes encoding MHC class I and II molecules have been identified in a number of fish species, including the channel catfish, but there is still a dearth of knowledge concerning their functional roles in teleost immune responses. This has in part been due to a lack of appropriate MHC class I and II matched and mismatched animals. To identify such animals, MHC segregation and linkage studies in the channel catfish were undertaken. The results of restriction fragment length polymorphism and fluorescent in situ hybridization studies showed that all the MHC class II genes are linked and most if not all MHC class I genes are linked. These studies also demonstrated that in catfish, as in other teleosts, MHC class I and II genes are not linked. Consequently, catfish matched and mismatched for MHC class I and II genes were identified and preliminary functional studies indicate that spontaneous non-specific allogeneic cytotoxic responses are likely mediated by differences in MHC class I, but not class II, region molecules.

Animals↗

Identification of MHC Ligands Through Allele-Guided Isolation Combined With Machine Learning for Improved MHC Assignment Using ARDisplay-I.

The isolation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ligands and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry is considered the gold standard for defining targets for T cell-based immunotherapies. However, as many targets of high tumor specificity are only presented at low abundance on the cell surface of tumor cells, the efficient isolation of these peptides is crucial for their successful detection. Here, we demonstrate how optimizing the MHC ligand isolation strategy, based on both the presenting MHC alleles and the individual peptide level, enhances the identification of specific MHC ligands. This ideally acknowledges not only the hydrophobicity but also the post-translational modifications of the respective MHC ligands. To further improve the identification and characterization of MHC ligands, we developed an MHC class I ligand prediction algorithm (ARDisplay-I) that outperforms current state-of-the-art tools when benchmarked against competitors such as netMHCpan 4.1, MixMHCpred, or MHCflurry. Implementing these strategies can augment the development of T cell receptor-based therapies by improving the identification of novel immunotherapy targets and enriching the resources available in the computational immunology field through a superior MHC presentation prediction algorithm.

Ligands↗

Ligation of MHC class II molecules differentially upregulates TNF beta gene expression in B cell lines of different MHC class II haplotypes.

Although the production of selected cytokines by B cells is important for their regulation, little is known about MHC class II-induced cytokine expression in these cells. We designed the present studies to investigate MHC class II-mediated TNF-beta gene expression in 19 EBV-transformed homozygote B cell lines at similar stage of differentiation but presenting different MHC class II haplotypes. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to PMA, engagement of MHC class II with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), a natural ligand, or with anti-HLA-DR mAb L243, stimulates TNF-beta gene expression in some but not all B cell lines. The differential stimulation of TNF-beta gene expression via MHC class II was not due to the cells MHC class II expression level, nor to their capacity to bind the ligands as evidenced by SEA binding affinity studies. Together these results demonstrate that ligation of MHC class II molecules can stimulate TNF-beta gene expression in a B cell line-dependent manner. The differential cytokine gene expression might be due to an influence of MHC class II haplotype either by a linkage disequilibrium with TNF-beta gene or by a differential association with effector or cell surface molecules.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

MHC-linked susceptibility to a bacterial infection, but no MHC-linked cryptic female choice in whitefish.

Non-random gamete fusion is one of several potential cryptic female choice mechanisms that have been postulated and that may enhance the survival probability of the offspring. Previous studies have found that gamete fusion in mice is influenced by genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. Here we test (i) whether there is MHC-dependent gamete fusion in whitefish (Coregonus sp.) and (ii) whether there is a link between the MHC and embryo susceptibility to an infection by the bacterium Pseudomonas fuorescens. We experimentally bred whitefish and reared sibships in several batches that either experienced or did not experience strong selection by P. fluorescens. We then determined the MHC class II B1 genotype of 1016 surviving larvae of several full sibships. We found no evidence for MHC-linked gamete fusion. However, in one of seven sibships we found a strong connection between the MHC class II genotype and embryo susceptibility to P. fluorescens. This connection was still significant after correcting for multiple testing. Hence, the MHC class II genotype can considerably influence embryo survival in whitefish, but gamete fusion seems to be random with respect to the MHC.

Animals↗

Coevolution of TCR-MHC interactions: conserved MHC tertiary structure is not sufficient for interactions with the TCR.

The specificity for self-MHC that is necessary for T cell function is a consequence of intrathymic selection during which T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) expressed by immature thymocytes are tested for their affinity for self-peptide:self-MHC. The germ-line-encoded segments of the TCR, however, are believed to have an innate specificity for structural features of MHC molecules. We directly tested this hypothesis by generating a transgenic mouse system in which the protein HLA-DM is expressed at the surface of thymic cortical epithelial cells in the absence of classical MHC molecules. The specialized intracellular function of HLA-DM has removed this MHC class II-like protein from the evolutionary forces that have been hypothesized to shape TCR-MHC interactions. Our study shows that a structural mimic of MHC class II is not sufficient to appropriately interact with the TCRs expressed by developing thymocytes. This result emphasizes the unique complementarity of TCR-MHC interactions that are maintained by the evolutionary pressures dictated by positive selection.

Animals↗

Autoimmune syndromes in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) congenic strains of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. The NOD MHC is dominant for insulitis and cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes.

The development of autoimmune diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse is controlled by multiple genes. At least one diabetogenic gene is linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the NOD and is most likely represented by the two genes encoding the alpha and beta chains of the unique NOD class II molecule. Three other diabetogenic loci have recently been identified in the NOD mouse and are located on chromosomes 1, 3, and 11. In addition to the autoimmune diabetes which is caused by destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, other manifestations of autoimmunity are seen in the NOD mouse. These include mononuclear cell inflammation of the submandibular and lacrimal glands, as well as the presence of circulating autoantibodies. To determine the effect of the non-MHC diabetogenic genes on the development of autoimmunity, we constructed the NOD.B10-H-2b (NOD.H-2b) strain, which possesses the non-MHC diabetogenic genes from the NOD mouse, but derives its MHC from the C57BL/10 (B10) strain. The NOD.H-2b strain does not develop insulitis, cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes, or spontaneous diabetes. It does, however, develop extensive lymphocytic infiltrates in the pancreas and the submandibular glands that are primarily composed of Thy 1.2+ T cells and B220+ B cells. In addition, autoantibodies are present in NOD.H-2b mice which recognize the "polar antigen" on the insulin-secreting rat tumor line RINm38. These observations demonstrate that the non-MHC genes in the NOD strain, in the absence of the NOD MHC, significantly contribute to the development of autoimmunity. The contribution of a single dose of the NOD MHC to autoimmunity was assessed with a (NOD x NOD.H-2b)F1 cross. Although only approximately 3% of F1 females developed spontaneous diabetes, approximately 50% of both female and male F1 mice developed insulitis, and 25% of females and 17% of males became diabetic after treatment with cyclophosphamide. These data demonstrate that the MHC-linked diabetogenic genes of the NOD mouse are dominant with decreasing levels of penetrance for the following phenotypes: insulitis greater than cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes greater than spontaneous diabetes.

Animals↗

Self-MHC class Ia (RT1-A(n)) protects cells co-expressing the activatory allogeneic MHC class Ib molecule (RT1-E(u)) from NK lysis.

We have previously shown activation of NK cells via recognition of an allogeneic, non-classical MHC class I molecule, RT1-E(u). In this study we investigated whether a self-MHC class I molecule could protect the allogeneic targets from being recognized and killed by the alloreactive NK (allo NK) cells. NK cells from BN (RT1 n) rats, primed in vivo by immunization with RT1(u)-expressing cells, manifested cytolytic activity against RT1(u)- as well as RT1(u/lv1)-expressing targets, but not against RT1(u/n)-expressing targets. The absence of cytolytic activity against semiallogeneic targets, i.e. targets expressing self-allotypes, was also valid for allo NK cells from alloimmunized F344 (RT1 (lv1)) rats. To analyze the ability of a distinct MHC class I molecule to protect target cells from NK lysis, Rat2 cells transfected with the activating allogeneic MHC class Ib, RT1-E(u) molecule were also transfected with the self-MHC class Ia, RT1-A1(n) molecule. The allo NK cells from BN rats immunized with RT1(u)-expressing cells were cytolytic against Rat2 transfected with the RT1-E(u) molecule. However, the allo NK cells manifested no cytolytic activity against double-transfected Rat2 cells, expressing the RT1-E(u) as well as the RT1-A1(n) molecule. We conclude that expression of a self-MHC class Ia (RT1-A) molecule protects targets from allo NK killing. Furthermore, the NK inhibition via recognition of the self-MHC class Ia molecule dominates over the activation via recognition of the allogeneic MHC class Ib molecule, RT1-E.

Animals↗

CpG DNA induces a class II transactivator-independent increase in class II MHC by stabilizing class II MHC mRNA in B lymphocytes.

Microbial products, such as CpG DNA and LPS, enhance class II MHC (MHC-II) expression and Ag presentation by dendritic cells, but this effect does not occur with macrophages and is largely unexplored in B cells. Although MHC-II expression is influenced by transcriptional regulation, which is governed by class II transactivator (CIITA) in all cells, microbial products enhance MHC-II expression by dendritic cells in part by increasing MHC-II protein stability. In this study, we show that the CpG-induced increase in MHC-II expression by B lymphocytes is not due to protein stabilization or changes in CIITA expression or activity, but instead is due to increased stability of MHC-II mRNA. This CIITA-independent mechanism adds a new layer of complexity to regulation of MHC-II and may increase T cell help for B cell Ab responses to microbial or vaccine Ags.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Three different MHC class I molecules bind the same CTL epitope of the influenza virus in a primate species with limited MHC class I diversity.

One of the most remarkable features of the MHC class I loci of most outbred mammalian populations is their exceptional diversity, yet the functional importance of this diversity remains to be fully understood. The cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) is unusual in having MHC class I loci that exhibit both limited polymorphism and sequence variation. To investigate the functional implications of limited MHC class I diversity in this outbred primate species, we infected five tamarins with influenza virus and defined the CTL epitopes recognized by each individual. In addition to an immunodominant epitope of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) that was recognized by all individuals, two tamarins also made a response to the same epitope of the matrix (M1) protein. Surprisingly, these two tamarins used different MHC class I molecules, Saoe-G*02 and -G*04, to present the M1 epitope. In addition, CTLs from one of the tamarins recognized target cells that expressed neither Saoe-G*02 nor -G*04, but, rather, a third MHC class I molecule, Saoe-G*12. Sequence analysis revealed that Saoe-G*12 differs from both Saoe-G*02 and -G*04 by only two nucleotides and was probably generated by recombination between these two alleles. These results demonstrate that at least three of the tamarin's MHC class I molecules can present the same epitope to virus-specific CTLs. Thus, four of the tamarin's 12 MHC class I molecules bound only two influenza virus CTL epitopes. Therefore, the functional diversity of cotton-top tamarin's MHC class I loci may be even more limited than their genetic diversity suggests.

Alleles↗

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein induces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the "resistant" Brown Norway rat: disease susceptibility is determined by MHC and MHC-linked effects on the B cell response.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by active immunization with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is an Ab-mediated, T cell-dependent autoimmune disease that replicates the inflammatory demyelinating pathology of multiple sclerosis. We report that disease susceptibility and severity are determined by MHC and MHC-linked effects on the MOG-specific B cell response that mediate severe clinical EAE in the EAE-resistant Brown Norway (BN) rat. Immunization with the extracellular domain of MOG in CFA induced fulminant clinical disease associated with widespread demyelination and with an inflammatory infiltrate containing large numbers of polymorphonuclear cells and eosinophils within 10 days of immunization. To analyze the effects of the MHC (RT1 system) we compared BN (RT1 n) rats with Lewis (LEW) (RT1 l) and two reciprocal MHC congenic strains, LEW.1N (RT1n) and BN.1L (RT1 l). This comparison revealed that disease severity and clinical course were strongly influenced by the MHC haplotype that modulated the pathogenic MOG-specific autoantibody response. The intra-MHC recombinant congenic strain LEW.1R38 demonstrated that gene loci located both within the centromeric segment of the MHC containing classical class I and class II genes and within the telomeric RT1.M region containing the MOG gene are involved in determining Ab production and disease susceptibility. This study indicates that the current T cell-centered interpretation of MHC-mediated effects on disease susceptibility must be reassessed in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases in which autoantibody is involved in disease pathogenesis.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Interleukin-2 augmented activation of tumor associated macrophage plays the main role in MHC class I in vivo induction in tumor cells that are MHC negative in vitro.

The contribution of tumor associated macrophage (TAM) to the induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression in vivo has not been reported precisely. In this study, we utilized Interleukin-2 (IL-2) cDNA-introduced B16 melanoma cells (B16/IL-2) and vehicle-alone control cells (B16/mock) to examine whether TAM could contribute to the induction of MHC class I on B16 cells in vivo. Interestingly, although B16/mock and B16/IL-2 did not express MHC class I in vitro, MHC class I was strongly expressed in vivo in B16/IL-2 in comparison to B16/mock. Although in vivo treatment of anti-NK1.1 antibody abolished MHC expression in B16/mock in vivo, the same treatment did not influence MHC expression in B16/IL-2. Interestingly, both anti-asialo GM1 and anti-CD11b treatment strongly decreased MHC expression in B16/IL-2. TAM expressed both asialo GM1 and CD11b antigen, and TAM recovered from B16/IL-2 produced interferon gamma (IFNgamma) 6 times more than that from B16/mock. In addition, TAM recovered from B16/IL-2 secreted 33.64 times more IFNgamma in response to in vitro administration of IL-2. Therefore, we checked whether or not IL-2 could influence the expression of IL-2 receptors. TAM recovered from IL-2 expressed middle affinity receptor of IL-2 (CD122 and CD132) while that from B16/mock expressed low affinity receptor (CD25 and CD132). Finally, we observed that B16 cells became apoptotic with IFNgamma treatment in vitro. These results suggested that IL-2 augmented activation of TAM would play the main role in induction of the MHC class I molecule through secretion of IFNgamma, and would contribute to the IFNgamma-mediated apoptosis induction in tumor cells.

Animals↗

Lymphocyte-mediated activation of cultured endothelial cells (EC). CD4+ T cells inhibit EC class II MHC expression despite secreting IFN-gamma and increasing EC class I MHC and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression.

Endothelial cells (EC) were cocultured with allogeneic PBL, CD4+ T cells, or CD8+ T cells, and the degrees of EC activation induced examined by determining patterns of endothelial class I and class II MHC and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. Coculture with PBL or CD8+ T cells uniformly increases class I MHC and ICAM-1 expression on all EC within a culture, but induces class II MHC expression on only a subpopulation(s) of EC. This heterogeneous EC response to coculture contrasts with the uniform class II expression on all EC induced by IFN-gamma in replicate wells. CD4+ T cells, when compared to equal numbers of unfractionated PBL or CD8+ T cells, are more effective at increasing class I MHC and ICAM-1 but are unable to induce class II MHC expression. The failure of CD4+ T cells to induce EC class II MHC Ag is not due to insufficient activation of the T cells, as PHA-activated CD4+ T cells also do not induce significant class II expression. In addition, conditioned media (CM) from CD4+ T cell/EC contain greater levels of immunoreactive IFN-gamma than do CM from PBL/EC cocultures. Rather, CD4+ T cells appear to actively inhibit the induction of EC class II Ag but not class I or ICAM-1 by IFN-gamma. Inhibition occurs at the time of induction, as CD4+ T cells are not capable of down-regulating previously induced class II Ag. CM from CD4+/EC (but not PBL/EC) cocultures also inhibits IFN-gamma induction of EC class II MHC expression. The inhibitory activity is generated during CD4+ T cell-EC cell contact, and is enhanced by PHA. The inhibitory activity(ies) of the CD4+/EC-CM is as yet unidentified, and is only minimally reversible by cocktails of neutralizing antibodies directed against TNF-alpha, TNF-beta (lymphotoxin), IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. In conclusion, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are each effective activators of EC, but the patterns of activation produced by these subsets are quite distinct, largely due to generation of a soluble inhibitor(s) of class II MHC induction during coculture of CD4+ T cells with EC.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Asymmetry in the recognition of antigen: self class II MHC and non-self class II MHC molecules by the same T-cell receptor.

One of the most puzzling observations in immunology is the very high frequency of T cells reactive to non-self MHC molecules. Earlier studies from our laboratory suggested that the same receptor on a cloned T-cell line recognized both self-class II MHC: antigen complexes and non-self class II MHC, the latter at a significantly lower affinity. This suggested that alloreactivity resulted from low affinity cross-reactions of the T-cell receptor to a ligand presented at high multiplicity. The present studies address the question of whether these two ligands are recognized symmetrically by this receptor, and of whether different subsites in the receptor recognize both classes of ligands equally. In the present studies, we have greatly extended our analysis of T-cell receptor recognition of antigen: self class II MHC and non-self class II MHC. Using Fab fragments of monoclonal anti-T-cell receptor antibodies as monovalent competitive antagonists of T-cell activation, the response of cloned H-2k T-cell line D10 to conalbumin: I-Ak and to the allogeneic ligands I-Ab,v,p,q was analyzed with monoclonal antibodies directed at 3 clonotypic epitopes and one on V beta. These studies confirmed our earlier finding that D10 activation by antigen: self class II MHC is more difficult to inhibit with clonotypic Fab fragments binding to three distinct clonotypic epitopes than are responses to non-self MHC. More importantly, the Fab fragment of anti-V beta monoclonal antibodies preferentially inhibit activation by antigen: self class II MHC, and do so more efficiently than expected, based on the numbers of molecules of Fab bound.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗