Analysis of two distinct B cell activation pathways mediated by a monoclonal T helper cell. I. MHC-restricted activation of B cells by an IL 2-dependent pathway

The present study was carried out to determine whether the MHC-restricted and MHC-unrestricted B cell activation pathways mediated by a single cloned Th cell are separable, and whether these two pathways are mediated by distinct mechanisms. It was demonstrated that the two B cell activating functions of a single cloned Th cell could be separated by their sensitivity to irradiation. It was shown that MHC-restricted B cell activation is mediated by a radiosensitive Th cell function, whereas MHC-unrestricted B cell activation is mediated by a radioresistant function of the same Th cell. In addition, it was shown that recombinant IL 2 can restore or replace the radiosensitive component of MHC-restricted cognate helper function.

T cell recognition of Mls. T cell clones demonstrate polymorphism between Mlsa, Mlsc, and Mlsd

The determinants encoded by the minor lymphocyte stimulating locus (Mls) are defined as determinants that induce strong T cell proliferative responses in primary mixed lymphocyte reactions. Although the Mls locus was originally described as having four alleles, a, b, c, and d, a number of recent observations have led several investigators to challenge the idea that Mls is truly a polymorphic system. To better define this system of determinants recognized at high frequency by T cells, the present studies were undertaken to evaluate the polymorphism of Mls products. In the present study, the in vitro proliferative responses of Mlsa- and Mlsc-specific T cell clones were employed to analyze Mls products. The identification of determinants recognized by Mlsa- and Mlsc-reactive clones was established by the pattern of responses to stimulators derived from congenic strains, recombinant inbred strains, and backcross mice. T cell clones and unprimed T cells gave concordant responses that confirmed the Mlsa or Mlsc specificity of the cloned populations. With the use of these two sets of Mls-specific T cell clones, the existence or absence of polymorphism of Mls-encoded gene products was examined. It was found that Mlsa-specific cloned T cells responded to Mlsa but not Mlsc stimulators, whereas Mlsc-specific clones responded to Mlsc but not Mlsa. This reciprocal pattern of specificity indicates that the Mls system as currently defined is therefore truly polymorphic. In addition, it was observed that both Mlsa- and Mlsc-specific clones were stimulated by Mlsd stimulators. In particular, the possibility that Mlsa and Mlsc are not alleles but products of different loci and that Mlsd strains are those that express both Mlsa and Mlsc is considered.

T cell recognition of Mls. T cell clones demonstrate polymorphism between Mlsa, Mlsc, and Mlsd

The determinants encoded by the minor lymphocyte stimulating locus (Mls) are defined as determinants that induce strong T cell proliferative responses in primary mixed lymphocyte reactions. Although the Mls locus was originally described as having four alleles, a, b, c, and d, a number of recent observations have led several investigators to challenge the idea that Mls is truly a polymorphic system. To better define this system of determinants recognized at high frequency by T cells, the present studies were undertaken to evaluate the polymorphism of Mls products. In the present study, the in vitro proliferative responses of Mlsa- and Mlsc-specific T cell clones were employed to analyze Mls products. The identification of determinants recognized by Mlsa- and Mlsc-reactive clones was established by the pattern of responses to stimulators derived from congenic strains, recombinant inbred strains, and backcross mice. T cell clones and unprimed T cells gave concordant responses that confirmed the Mlsa or Mlsc specificity of the cloned populations. With the use of these two sets of Mls-specific T cell clones, the existence or absence of polymorphism of Mls-encoded gene products was examined. It was found that Mlsa-specific cloned T cells responded to Mlsa but not Mlsc stimulators, whereas Mlsc-specific clones responded to Mlsc but not Mlsa. This reciprocal pattern of specificity indicates that the Mls system as currently defined is therefore truly polymorphic. In addition, it was observed that both Mlsa- and Mlsc-specific clones were stimulated by Mlsd stimulators. In particular, the possibility that Mlsa and Mlsc are not alleles but products of different loci and that Mlsd strains are those that express both Mlsa and Mlsc is considered.

The T cell repertoire for recognition of a phylogenetically distant protein antigen. Peptide specificity and MHC restriction of staphylococcal nuclease-specific T cell clones

Previous studies (1) have indicated that the repertoire of murine T cells specific for a potentially complex protein antigen is in fact specific for a limited number of antigenic epitopes on that antigen in association with a given Ia molecule. Since those studies generally analyzed responses to antigens that differ in only a few amino acids from homologous murine molecules, it was possible that tolerance to self proteins was responsible for the limited T cell repertoire seen in responses to closely related proteins. It was therefore of interest to determine whether T cell recognition of a structurally and phylogenetically more distant protein molecule would also show specificity for a limited number of immunodominant peptides on that molecule. A series of experiments was designed to study the antigen fine specificity and MHC restriction of T cell clones specific for the bacterially derived antigen staphylococcal nuclease (Nase). T cell clones generated in (H-2b X H-2a)F1 (B6AF1) T cells were shown to be specific for Nase and to be restricted by either Ab alpha Ab beta or Ek alpha Ek beta. The fine specificity of these clones was then analyzed using cyanogen bromide and tryptic fragments and a series of overlapping 20-amino-acid synthetic peptides corresponding to and spanning the entire sequence of the Nase molecule. Two Ab alpha Ab beta-restricted clones were highly responsive to peptide 91-110, and not to other synthetic Nase peptides. In contrast, seven Ek alpha Ek beta-restricted clones were consistently responsive to peptide 81-100 and not to 91-110 or to other Nase peptides. Certain of these Ek alpha Ek beta-restricted T cells expressed an interesting crossreactivity, in that they responded to peptide 51-70 as well as to 81-100, although the response to 51-70 was characterized by a markedly shifted dose-response curve, indicating a reduced efficiency of activation by this peptide. Analysis of the amino acid sequences of these regions indicates that this unexpected crossreaction may have a structural basis. A single Nase-specific T cell line generated from BALB/c T cells was, in contrast to any of the B6AF1 clones studied, responsive only to peptide 61-80 and not to other peptides, including 81-100 or 91-110. Collectively, these findings show that Nase-specific T cells are responsive to discrete Nase peptides. Moreover, the present findings suggest that in T cell recognition of a complex and highly foreign protein antigen, a limited number of peptide epitopes are preferentially recognized by T cells in association with a given Ia molecule.

Cross-reactive recognition by antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cells of a mitogen derived from Mycoplasma arthritidis is clonally expressed and I-E restricted

In order to determine whether or not the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded restriction element used by a T cell in the recognition of its primary antigen affected its ability to be cross-reactively stimulated by MAS (a soluble product of Mycoplasma arthritidis), a panel of cloned, soluble antigen-specific I-A- and I-E-restricted T cells were tested for their ability to cross-reactively recognize and respond to MAS. Initial studies indicated that all of the cloned T cells tested were capable of responding to MAS in the presence of genetically E alpha E beta-expressing (I-E+), but not E alpha E beta-non-expressing (I-E-) accessory cells (AC). However, subsequent studies demonstrated that the ability of most of these T cell clones to mount proliferative responses to MAS in the presence of I-E+ AC was dependent upon the presence of Lyt-1+2- T cells in the irradiated spleen cells which were used as AC sources. When T cell-depleted, I-E+ populations of spleen cells or an I-E+ antigen-presenting line (WEHI-5) were used as AC sources, only 6 of the 34 clones tested were found to be directly responsive to MAS. Subsequent to stimulation by MAS plus I-E product, these MAS-reactive T cell clones were capable of "recruiting" bystander T cells to proliferate. Finally, the ability of a given T cell clone to respond to MAS plus I-E product did not appear to be influenced by the restriction element used by that clone in its response to other antigens since both I-A-restricted and I-E-restricted T cell clones were responsive to MAS plus I-E in equivalent proportions. Thus, the data presented indicated that I-E-restricted T cell reactivity to MAS is a clonally expressed property of T cells that is independent of their conventional antigen specificities and MHC restriction patterns.

Cell-mediated immune responses to syngeneic tumors. I. Identification of two distinct CTL effector pathways which differ in antigen specificity, genetic regulation, and cell surface phenotype

It has been demonstrated previously that draining lymph nodes (DLN) from tumor-immunized mice contain a population of lymphoid cells that are capable of differentiating into functional antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) during in vitro culture. In the present studies, it was observed that DLN cells from either C57BL/10 (B10) or C3H mice that had been footpad-immunized with syngeneic tumor cells differentiated into CTL during a 4-day in vitro culture in the absence of added antigen. The specificity patterns of the CTL thus generated, however, were quite different in the two strains. DLN from B10 mice immunized with ultraviolet light-induced fibrosarcoma cells of B10 origin differentiated into CTL which were only capable of lysing target cells from the tumor used for immunization. Thus, the antitumor CTL which differentiate from B10 DLN appeared to be specific for the tumor-specific antigen (TSA) expressed by these tumor cells. In contrast, DLN from C3H mice immunized with a syngeneic ultraviolet light-induced fibrosarcoma differentiated into CTL which effectively lysed not only target cells from the immunizing tumor, but several other fibrosarcomas of both B10 and C3H origin, and which did not lyse normal nontumor targets. These C3H effectors thus appeared to be specific for a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) which is widely shared by a number of tumors. Cold target-blocking studies demonstrated that the CTL generated by C3H DLN cells contained a subpopulation of TSA-specific cells in addition to cross-reactive TAA-specific effectors. (B6 X C3H)F1 (B6C3F1) mice generated cross-reactive TAA-specific CTL in response to in vivo challenge with either B10 or C3H tumors, indicating that the ability to generate a TAA-specific CTL response behaves as a dominant trait of the responding mouse strain and not as a function of the tumor used for immunization. TSA-specific CTL and cross-reactive TAA-specific CTL were distinguishable on the basis of their cell surface phenotypes, because the TSA-specific CTL generated by B10 DLN cells were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2+, whereas TAA-specific B6C3F1 CTL were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2-; alloantigen-specific CTL generated from the same B6C3F1 lymph nodes were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cell-mediated immune responses to syngeneic tumors. I. Identification of two distinct CTL effector pathways which differ in antigen specificity, genetic regulation, and cell surface phenotype

It has been demonstrated previously that draining lymph nodes (DLN) from tumor-immunized mice contain a population of lymphoid cells that are capable of differentiating into functional antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) during in vitro culture. In the present studies, it was observed that DLN cells from either C57BL/10 (B10) or C3H mice that had been footpad-immunized with syngeneic tumor cells differentiated into CTL during a 4-day in vitro culture in the absence of added antigen. The specificity patterns of the CTL thus generated, however, were quite different in the two strains. DLN from B10 mice immunized with ultraviolet light-induced fibrosarcoma cells of B10 origin differentiated into CTL which were only capable of lysing target cells from the tumor used for immunization. Thus, the antitumor CTL which differentiate from B10 DLN appeared to be specific for the tumor-specific antigen (TSA) expressed by these tumor cells. In contrast, DLN from C3H mice immunized with a syngeneic ultraviolet light-induced fibrosarcoma differentiated into CTL which effectively lysed not only target cells from the immunizing tumor, but several other fibrosarcomas of both B10 and C3H origin, and which did not lyse normal nontumor targets. These C3H effectors thus appeared to be specific for a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) which is widely shared by a number of tumors. Cold target-blocking studies demonstrated that the CTL generated by C3H DLN cells contained a subpopulation of TSA-specific cells in addition to cross-reactive TAA-specific effectors. (B6 X C3H)F1 (B6C3F1) mice generated cross-reactive TAA-specific CTL in response to in vivo challenge with either B10 or C3H tumors, indicating that the ability to generate a TAA-specific CTL response behaves as a dominant trait of the responding mouse strain and not as a function of the tumor used for immunization. TSA-specific CTL and cross-reactive TAA-specific CTL were distinguishable on the basis of their cell surface phenotypes, because the TSA-specific CTL generated by B10 DLN cells were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2+, whereas TAA-specific B6C3F1 CTL were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2-; alloantigen-specific CTL generated from the same B6C3F1 lymph nodes were Thy-1.2+ Lyt-2.2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antigen-induced T suppressor cells regulate the autoreactive T helper-B cell interaction

The T suppressor (Ts) cell population that functions to regulate antigen-specific MHC-restricted T helper (Th)-B cell interactions also regulates the activation of B cells by cloned autoreactive Th cells. Activated Ts cells were generated by in vivo priming and restimulation in vitro with high concentrations of the specific priming antigen. Once generated, this Ts population inhibits the Th-dependent activation of primed B cells by both antigen-specific and autoreactive T cells in an antigen-nonspecific manner. This suppression requires the participation of both Lyt-1+2- and Lyt-1-2+ T cells. It was also demonstrated that accessory cells were required for the induction of Ts cells. Moreover, the generation of suppression was MHC-restricted and required the recognition by T cells of Ia antigens on accessory cells. These studies demonstrate that the same or a very similar Ts cell population can function to inhibit the activation of B cells by antigen-specific as well as autoreactive T cells.

Antigen-induced T suppressor cells regulate the autoreactive T helper-B cell interaction

The T suppressor (Ts) cell population that functions to regulate antigen-specific MHC-restricted T helper (Th)-B cell interactions also regulates the activation of B cells by cloned autoreactive Th cells. Activated Ts cells were generated by in vivo priming and restimulation in vitro with high concentrations of the specific priming antigen. Once generated, this Ts population inhibits the Th-dependent activation of primed B cells by both antigen-specific and autoreactive T cells in an antigen-nonspecific manner. This suppression requires the participation of both Lyt-1+2- and Lyt-1-2+ T cells. It was also demonstrated that accessory cells were required for the induction of Ts cells. Moreover, the generation of suppression was MHC-restricted and required the recognition by T cells of Ia antigens on accessory cells. These studies demonstrate that the same or a very similar Ts cell population can function to inhibit the activation of B cells by antigen-specific as well as autoreactive T cells.

Influence of helper T cells on the expression of a murine intrastrain crossreactive idiotype

The requirement for idiotype-specific helper T (Th) cells in the generation of a major intrastrain crossreactive idiotype was investigated. This idiotype, designated CRIA, is associated with a large proportion of anti-p-azobenzenearsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies in A/J mice. Secondary in vitro responses were studied. Using carrier-primed heterogeneous Th-cell populations, it was found that CRIA expression is determined by the mouse strain that provides the responding B cells and is independent of the strain of the Th cells functioning in vitro. Thus, A/J or A.BY (Ighe) B-plus-accessory-cell populations, primed in vivo to keyhole limpet hemocyanin-Ar (KLH-Ar), generated CRIA-dominant responses in vitro in the presence of KLH-Ar regardless of whether the KLH-primed Th cells were derived from CRIA+ strains (A/J or A.BY, Ighe) or CRIA- strains (B10.A or C57BL/10, Ighb). Further, when major histocompatibility complex-restricted, KLH-specific Th-cell clones were used, the CRIA dominance of the Ar-specific responses was again determined by the strain providing B plus accessory cells. Similar levels of expression of CRIA in Ar-specific antibodies were generated in the presence of heterogeneous or cloned Th cells. The results suggest that there is no absolute requirement for idiotype-specific Th cells in generating an Ar-specific secondary antibody response in vitro.

T cell regulation of B cell activation. Lyt-1+,2-T cells modify the MHC-restricted function of heterogeneous and cloned T suppressor cells

Previous studies have shown the existence of both heterogeneous Lyt-1-,2+ suppressor (Ts) cells and cloned Lyt-1+,2- Ts cells which, despite the difference in their Lyt phenotypes, functioned in a similar antigen-specific and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted fashion to suppress the antibody responses generated by cloned helper T (Th) cells and hapten-primed B cells. Our studies were carried out to assess in further detail the genetically restricted cell interactions that mediate this immune response suppression. We show that the activation of both heterogeneous and cloned Ts cells is antigen-specific and MHC-restricted under our experimental conditions. After appropriate activation, the effector function of both cloned Lyt-1+,2-Ts cells and heterogeneous Lyt-1-,2+ Ts cells was also antigen-specific. In contrast, once activated, Ts cells suppressed the responses generated by cloned Th cells and hapten-primed B cells in an MHC-unrestricted fashion. We also showed, however, that a population of unprimed Lyt-1+,2-T cells was able to significantly alter the genetic restriction requirements for Ts cell function. The activity of this population was itself MHC-restricted, and was observed only when the unprimed Lyt-1+,2-T cells shared the MHC restriction specificity of the cloned Th cells functioning in a given response. When these requirements were satisfied, Lyt-1+,2- T cells significantly modified the suppression mediated by both heterogeneous and cloned Ts cells, resulting in suppression that was then MHC restricted in its effector function as well as in its activation requirements. Thus, our findings suggest that the observed MHC restriction in Ts function is the result of a complex interaction involving Ts cells, Th cells, and an additional population of MHC-restricted Lyt-1+,2- T cells. This newly characterized activity of Lyt-1+,2- T cells functionally resembles that of an MHC-restricted contrasuppressor population that selectively blocks a pathway of MHC-unrestricted Ts activity, while leaving intact susceptibility to MHC-restricted Ts effects.

Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated by major histocompatibility complex-restricted as well as unrestricted activation pathways

It has previously been demonstrated that B cells can be activated through two distinct T helper (Th) cell-dependent pathways, one requiring both carrier-hapten linkage and MHC-restricted T-B interaction and the other requiring neither. In addition, it has been shown that different B cell subpopulations exist and that these subpopulations differ in their activation requirements. Previous studies demonstrated that resting B cells containing an Lyb-5+ subpopulation were activated by MHC-unrestricted T cell signals, whereas resting Lyb-5- B cells were activated only through MHC-restricted T-B interaction. It was suggested that this difference resulted from the ability of Lyb-5+ but not Lyb-5-B cells to respond to soluble MHC-unrestricted Th signals. Because Lyb-5+ B cells were responsive in these previous experiments to MHC-unrestricted Th signals, it could not be determined whether Lyb-5+ B cells were also responsive to MHC-restricted Th signals. Consequently, the present study was undertaken to directly address the question of whether Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated under appropriate conditions by MHC-restricted as well as unrestricted T cell-B cell interactions. It was found that unprimed normal B cells (containing Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5-B cells) but not unprimed xid-defective populations (Lyb-5- only) can be activated by cloned KLH-specific and MHC-restricted Th cells in response to either high or low concentrations of TNP-KLH. The IgM response of Lyb-5+-containing B cells to a high concentration of antigen (10 micrograms/ml) was MHC unrestricted, whereas the IgM response of unprimed Lyb-5+ B cells to a low concentration of antigen (0.001 micrograms/ml) was MHC restricted. Thus, unprimed Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated through both MHC-restricted and unrestricted pathways. It was further demonstrated that the activation requirements of Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cells differed even for MHC-restricted B cell activation.

Helper T cell requirements for T15 idiotype expression on phosphorylcholine-specific antibodies

The requirement for idiotype-specific T cells was investigated in the T15 idiotype-dominant T cell-dependent response of unprimed BALB/c and (BALB/c X C57BL/6)F1 B cells to phosphorylcholine (PC). It was first demonstrated that cloned keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T helper (Th) cells as well as heterogeneous KLH-primed Th populations were capable of generating PC-specific antibody responses in T-depleted unprimed B cell populations cultured in the presence of PC-KLH. The PC-binding antibody responses generated under these conditions were indistinguishable when assayed for carrier-hapten linkage requirements, immunoglobulin isotype (predominantly IgM) or PC affinity. Further, it was observed that the PC-binding antibodies which were generated in the presence of these two T cell populations expressed equivalently high levels of T15 idiotype. Assaying antibody and idiotype by either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or plaque-forming cell assay yielded similar results. Since monoclonal MHC-restricted, KLH-specific Th cells presumably lack any additional T cell populations, these results argue against an absolute requirement for anti-idiotypic Th cells in the generation of T15-dominant antibody responses.

Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated by major histocompatibility complex-restricted as well as unrestricted activation pathways

It has previously been demonstrated that B cells can be activated through two distinct T helper (Th) cell-dependent pathways, one requiring both carrier-hapten linkage and MHC-restricted T-B interaction and the other requiring neither. In addition, it has been shown that different B cell subpopulations exist and that these subpopulations differ in their activation requirements. Previous studies demonstrated that resting B cells containing an Lyb-5+ subpopulation were activated by MHC-unrestricted T cell signals, whereas resting Lyb-5- B cells were activated only through MHC-restricted T-B interaction. It was suggested that this difference resulted from the ability of Lyb-5+ but not Lyb-5-B cells to respond to soluble MHC-unrestricted Th signals. Because Lyb-5+ B cells were responsive in these previous experiments to MHC-unrestricted Th signals, it could not be determined whether Lyb-5+ B cells were also responsive to MHC-restricted Th signals. Consequently, the present study was undertaken to directly address the question of whether Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated under appropriate conditions by MHC-restricted as well as unrestricted T cell-B cell interactions. It was found that unprimed normal B cells (containing Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5-B cells) but not unprimed xid-defective populations (Lyb-5- only) can be activated by cloned KLH-specific and MHC-restricted Th cells in response to either high or low concentrations of TNP-KLH. The IgM response of Lyb-5+-containing B cells to a high concentration of antigen (10 micrograms/ml) was MHC unrestricted, whereas the IgM response of unprimed Lyb-5+ B cells to a low concentration of antigen (0.001 micrograms/ml) was MHC restricted. Thus, unprimed Lyb-5+ B cells can be activated through both MHC-restricted and unrestricted pathways. It was further demonstrated that the activation requirements of Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cells differed even for MHC-restricted B cell activation.

Expression of a microinjected porcine class I major histocompatibility complex gene in transgenic mice

A porcine class I major histocompatibility complex (SLA) gene has been introduced into the genome of a C57BL/10 mouse. This transgenic mouse expressed SLA antigen on its cell surfaces and transmitted the gene to offspring, in which the gene is also expressed. Skin grafts of such transgenic mice were rejected by normal C57BL/10 mice, suggesting that the foreign SLA antigen expressed in the transgenic mice is recognized as a functional transplantation antigen.

Antigen processing requirements for T cell activation: differential requirements for presentation of soluble conventional antigen vs cell surface MHC determinants

The present studies were undertaken to characterize the antigen-processing requirements involved in the responses to T cells to soluble antigen (antigen specific), to allogeneic cell surface MHC determinants (alloreactive), and to syngeneic MHC determinants (autoreactive). T cell clones were used that have dual cross-reactive specificities either 1) for self MHC plus soluble antigen and for allogeneic MHC products or 2) for syngeneic MHC and for allogeneic MHC, in order to permit comparison of the processing requirements for responses of the same T cell to distinct antigenic stimuli. The proliferative responses of antigen-specific, Ia-restricted T cell clones to soluble antigens were sensitive to treatment of antigen-presenting cells (APC) with 125 to 250 microM chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent previously shown to inhibit the processing of soluble antigens. In contrast, the same T cell clones were only minimally affected in their ability to respond to similarly chloroquine-treated APC expressing allogeneic MHC products. The responses of autoreactive T cell clones to syngeneic stimulating cells and their cross-reactive responses to allogeneic cells were both resistant to chloroquine treatment of stimulating cells. The failure of chloroquine to inhibit antigen presentation to autoreactive T cell clones suggests that these clones are specific for self Ia not associated with in vitro processed foreign antigen. Thus, chloroquine sensitivity distinguishes the in vitro antigen-processing requirements for presentation of the soluble antigens tested from the requirements for presentation of syngeneic or allogeneic cell surface MHC determinants to the same T cells.

Antigen processing requirements for T cell activation: differential requirements for presentation of soluble conventional antigen vs cell surface MHC determinants

The present studies were undertaken to characterize the antigen-processing requirements involved in the responses to T cells to soluble antigen (antigen specific), to allogeneic cell surface MHC determinants (alloreactive), and to syngeneic MHC determinants (autoreactive). T cell clones were used that have dual cross-reactive specificities either 1) for self MHC plus soluble antigen and for allogeneic MHC products or 2) for syngeneic MHC and for allogeneic MHC, in order to permit comparison of the processing requirements for responses of the same T cell to distinct antigenic stimuli. The proliferative responses of antigen-specific, Ia-restricted T cell clones to soluble antigens were sensitive to treatment of antigen-presenting cells (APC) with 125 to 250 microM chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent previously shown to inhibit the processing of soluble antigens. In contrast, the same T cell clones were only minimally affected in their ability to respond to similarly chloroquine-treated APC expressing allogeneic MHC products. The responses of autoreactive T cell clones to syngeneic stimulating cells and their cross-reactive responses to allogeneic cells were both resistant to chloroquine treatment of stimulating cells. The failure of chloroquine to inhibit antigen presentation to autoreactive T cell clones suggests that these clones are specific for self Ia not associated with in vitro processed foreign antigen. Thus, chloroquine sensitivity distinguishes the in vitro antigen-processing requirements for presentation of the soluble antigens tested from the requirements for presentation of syngeneic or allogeneic cell surface MHC determinants to the same T cells.

T cell responses to Mls determinants are restricted by cross-reactive MHC determinants

The studies presented here investigated the relationship between T cell recognition of MHC-encoded products and non-MHC-linked Mls determinants. The first aspect addressed whether Mls-reactive T cells recognize Mls-encoded products alone or in association with MHC-encoded determinants. Initial studies used Mlsa-specific T cell clones that were generated by repeated stimulation of C57BL/6 or B10.A(5R) spleen cells with DBA/2 lymphoid cells. These clones recognized Mlsa on cells expressing MHC products of the H-2b, H-2d, and H-2k haplotypes, but not the H-2q haplotype. Thus, these cloned T cells were found to recognize Mlsa products in association with public but demonstrably polymorphic H-2 determinants. The question of whether T cell clones that were specific for self-H-2 determinants (autoreactive) or soluble antigen plus syngeneic H-2 (antigen-specific) could also be stimulated by Mlsa determinants was also addressed. A substantial proportion of the antigen-specific or autoreactive T cell clones tested were stimulated by Mlsa determinants. Furthermore, stimulation of these clones by Mlsa was H-2 restricted. The pattern of H-2-restricted recognition of Mlsa by these clones was not distinguishable from that observed in the Mlsa-specific T cell clones, nor was it influenced by the primary specificity or H-2 restriction pattern of a given clone. Although these findings provide a means of explaining the observation that Mls-reactive T cells exist at extremely high precursor frequencies, they also raise questions regarding the nature of the receptor structures which are used by a single T cell in the recognition of two or more apparently distinct stimuli.

T cell responses to Mls determinants are restricted by cross-reactive MHC determinants

The studies presented here investigated the relationship between T cell recognition of MHC-encoded products and non-MHC-linked Mls determinants. The first aspect addressed whether Mls-reactive T cells recognize Mls-encoded products alone or in association with MHC-encoded determinants. Initial studies used Mlsa-specific T cell clones that were generated by repeated stimulation of C57BL/6 or B10.A(5R) spleen cells with DBA/2 lymphoid cells. These clones recognized Mlsa on cells expressing MHC products of the H-2b, H-2d, and H-2k haplotypes, but not the H-2q haplotype. Thus, these cloned T cells were found to recognize Mlsa products in association with public but demonstrably polymorphic H-2 determinants. The question of whether T cell clones that were specific for self-H-2 determinants (autoreactive) or soluble antigen plus syngeneic H-2 (antigen-specific) could also be stimulated by Mlsa determinants was also addressed. A substantial proportion of the antigen-specific or autoreactive T cell clones tested were stimulated by Mlsa determinants. Furthermore, stimulation of these clones by Mlsa was H-2 restricted. The pattern of H-2-restricted recognition of Mlsa by these clones was not distinguishable from that observed in the Mlsa-specific T cell clones, nor was it influenced by the primary specificity or H-2 restriction pattern of a given clone. Although these findings provide a means of explaining the observation that Mls-reactive T cells exist at extremely high precursor frequencies, they also raise questions regarding the nature of the receptor structures which are used by a single T cell in the recognition of two or more apparently distinct stimuli.

T cell regulation of B cell activation. An antigen-mediated tripartite interaction of Ts cells, Th cells, and B cells is required for suppression

To determine the requirements underlying the antigen specificity observed in T cell-mediated immune response suppression, cloned major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T suppressor (Ts) cells specific for keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and cloned MHC-restricted T helper (Th) cells specific for fowl gamma-globulin (FGG) were employed to study the regulation of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific B cell responses. Neither antigen bridging between Ts cells and Th cells (FGG=KLH) nor bridging between Ts cells and B cells (TNP-KLH) was sufficient to allow suppression; a mixture of FGG=KLH and TNP-KLH was also insufficient for suppression. In contrast, suppression was induced by KLH-specific Ts cells only when suppressor determinants (KLH), helper determinants (FGG), and B cell determinants (TNP) were covalently linked on the same molecule (TMP-FGG)=(TNP-KLH) or TNP-(FGG=KLH)). These findings imply that a tripartite antigen-mediated interaction of Ts cells, Th cells, and responding B cells is necessary for the mediation of this antigen-specific suppression.

T cell regulation of B cell activation. An antigen-mediated tripartite interaction of Ts cells, Th cells, and B cells is required for suppression

To determine the requirements underlying the antigen specificity observed in T cell-mediated immune response suppression, cloned major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T suppressor (Ts) cells specific for keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and cloned MHC-restricted T helper (Th) cells specific for fowl gamma-globulin (FGG) were employed to study the regulation of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific B cell responses. Neither antigen bridging between Ts cells and Th cells (FGG=KLH) nor bridging between Ts cells and B cells (TNP-KLH) was sufficient to allow suppression; a mixture of FGG=KLH and TNP-KLH was also insufficient for suppression. In contrast, suppression was induced by KLH-specific Ts cells only when suppressor determinants (KLH), helper determinants (FGG), and B cell determinants (TNP) were covalently linked on the same molecule (TMP-FGG)=(TNP-KLH) or TNP-(FGG=KLH)). These findings imply that a tripartite antigen-mediated interaction of Ts cells, Th cells, and responding B cells is necessary for the mediation of this antigen-specific suppression.

Recognition and response to alloantigens in vivo. II. Priming with accessory cell-depleted donor allogeneic splenocytes: induction of specific unresponsiveness to foreign major histocompatibility complex determinants

Although the role of non-T, non-B Ia+ accessory cells as the cells that stimulate alloreactive T cells in vitro has been carefully examined, the capacity of such accessory cells to trigger host T cells in vivo has been considerably less well studied. Therefore, to address the latter issue, this investigation compared the ability of accessory cell-containing and accessory cell-depleted donor cells to mediate in vivo negative and positive selection of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)-responsive peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). It was observed that both unseparated and accessory cell-depleted (Sephadex G-10-passed) allogeneic splenocytes, which expressed similar levels of Ia antigens as detected by flow cytometry, were equally efficient in inducing temporary specific unresponsiveness to alloantigens in host PBL 24 hr after donor cell injection. In contrast, 4 days after priming with unseparated major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-incompatible splenocytes, specific MLR hyperresponsiveness was detected in the PBL of these recipient mice, whereas specific hyporesponsiveness was consistently noted in animals injected with accessory-cell depleted splenocytes. PBL obtained from this latter group of mice continued to be specifically reduced in MLR proliferative capacity throughout the culture period and for at least 13 days after administration of accessory cell-depleted allogeneic splenocytes. Mixture of these MLR hyporesponsive and hyperresponsive PBL did not identify suppressor cells as responsible for the specifically lowered proliferative potential. These findings are discussed in the context of discrete signals required for T cell recognition and T cell activation.

Recognition and response to alloantigens in vivo. II. Priming with accessory cell-depleted donor allogeneic splenocytes: induction of specific unresponsiveness to foreign major histocompatibility complex determinants

Although the role of non-T, non-B Ia+ accessory cells as the cells that stimulate alloreactive T cells in vitro has been carefully examined, the capacity of such accessory cells to trigger host T cells in vivo has been considerably less well studied. Therefore, to address the latter issue, this investigation compared the ability of accessory cell-containing and accessory cell-depleted donor cells to mediate in vivo negative and positive selection of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)-responsive peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). It was observed that both unseparated and accessory cell-depleted (Sephadex G-10-passed) allogeneic splenocytes, which expressed similar levels of Ia antigens as detected by flow cytometry, were equally efficient in inducing temporary specific unresponsiveness to alloantigens in host PBL 24 hr after donor cell injection. In contrast, 4 days after priming with unseparated major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-incompatible splenocytes, specific MLR hyperresponsiveness was detected in the PBL of these recipient mice, whereas specific hyporesponsiveness was consistently noted in animals injected with accessory-cell depleted splenocytes. PBL obtained from this latter group of mice continued to be specifically reduced in MLR proliferative capacity throughout the culture period and for at least 13 days after administration of accessory cell-depleted allogeneic splenocytes. Mixture of these MLR hyporesponsive and hyperresponsive PBL did not identify suppressor cells as responsible for the specifically lowered proliferative potential. These findings are discussed in the context of discrete signals required for T cell recognition and T cell activation.

An analysis of functional T cell recognition sites on I-E molecules

The recognition of I-E molecules by antigen-specific T cells was studied to determine if one or multiple topographic sites on the I-E molecules can function as restricting elements for T cells. A panel of 14 I-Ek-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was used to inhibit T cell proliferation induced by antigens, the recognition of which was restricted by I-E-encoded determinants. These antibodies gave patterns of inhibition that were similar for three long-term antigen-specific T cell lines. Multiple distinct patterns of inhibition, however, were observed when a series of antigen-specific I-E-restricted T cell clones was studied. Differences were identified even among clones expressing apparently similar antigen specificities and MHC restriction. The observed inhibition by these antibodies appeared to be caused by specific steric or allosteric interference with T cell recognition of antigen and Ia. Based on the differences in patterns of inhibition, it was possible to infer the existence of distinct sites or conformations on the I-E molecule that are functionally involved in antigen-specific T cell recognition.

An analysis of functional T cell recognition sites on I-E molecules

The recognition of I-E molecules by antigen-specific T cells was studied to determine if one or multiple topographic sites on the I-E molecules can function as restricting elements for T cells. A panel of 14 I-Ek-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was used to inhibit T cell proliferation induced by antigens, the recognition of which was restricted by I-E-encoded determinants. These antibodies gave patterns of inhibition that were similar for three long-term antigen-specific T cell lines. Multiple distinct patterns of inhibition, however, were observed when a series of antigen-specific I-E-restricted T cell clones was studied. Differences were identified even among clones expressing apparently similar antigen specificities and MHC restriction. The observed inhibition by these antibodies appeared to be caused by specific steric or allosteric interference with T cell recognition of antigen and Ia. Based on the differences in patterns of inhibition, it was possible to infer the existence of distinct sites or conformations on the I-E molecule that are functionally involved in antigen-specific T cell recognition.