Adjuvant-free IgG responses induced with antigen coupled to antibodies against class II MHC

The generation of strong serological responses to protein antigens in experimental animals usually requires the use of potent adjuvants, most of which cannot be used in human or veterinary vaccines because of deleterious side effects. Attempting to circumvent this problem, we have assessed an adjuvant-free antigen-delivery system based on the hypothesis that antigen coupled to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants should be 'targeted' onto antigen-presenting cells, thus facilitating recognition by helper T cells. We found that the biotin-binding protein avidin could generate a serological response in mice, without adjuvant, when injected coupled to a biotinylated anti-class II MHC mAb. Equivalent amounts of avidin mixed with the non-biotinylated form of the same mAb failed to elicit a response. A targeting effect was demonstrated at low levels of injected conjugate because only mice bearing the appropriate class II antigens responded. Responses were also seen with a protein antigen other than avidin, offering a new, adjuvant-free approach to subunit vaccine construction.

Elevated myc expression and c-myc amplification in spontaneously occurring B lymphoid cell lines

Recently, a minor subpopulation of murine B lymphocytes, Ly-1+ B cells, has been distinguished by its unique ontogeny, tissue distribution, and prominence in certain autoimmune and neoplastic B cell diseases. We have previously described a simple murine spleen culture system that results in the spontaneous and exclusive outgrowth of long-term Ly-1+ B cell lines (B Ly-1 cells). Here, we report that the immortal growth property of B Ly-1 cells correlates with a 10-45-fold elevation of steady-state myc RNA and 2-10-fold amplification of the c-myc locus. While c-myc amplification has been observed in malignant cell lines derived from several tissues of origin, its occurrence in lymphoid cells has not been previously reported. The consistent c-myc amplification in B Ly-1 cells may reflect a unique state of this locus in the Ly-1+ B lymphocyte lineage, and contribute to the spontaneous immortalization of this B cell population in vitro, and its apparent predilection for malignant transformation in vivo.

Immunogenetic analysis of tolerance induction in anti-alloantigen delayed type hypersensitivity responses by portal venous pre-inoculation with allogeneic cells

The present study investigates some of the immunogenetic bases for tolerance of anti-allo-delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses as induced by pre-inoculating allogeneic cells via portal venous (p.v.) route. BALB/c mice were injected with totally allogeneic C57BL/6 or H-2 incompatible BALB.B spleen cells via p.v. route. These mice not only failed to exhibit anti-H-2b DTH responses, but also abrogated the potential to generate H-2b-specific DTH responses as induced by the subsequent immunization with H-2b spleen cells via subcutaneous (s.c.) route. The p.v. presensitization with allogeneic spleen cells differing at either class I or class II of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) resulted in the tolerance induction of DTH responses to the respective allogeneic class I or class II MHC antigens. Moreover, the p.v. administration of the class I-positive allogeneic cell fraction depleted of class II-positive component into recipients differing at both class I and class II was capable of inducing anti-class I DTH tolerance. These results indicate that anti-allo-class I or class II DTH tolerance can be induced independently and that the existence of class II antigens on p.v.-presensitized cells is not necessarily required for the tolerance induction of anti-allo-class I DTH response.

An epitope on class II antigens that is maintained across species barriers and important in immunologic functions

Serological, functional, and chemical analyses of murine class II antigens were performed using a unique monoclonal antibody, 1E4, which was obtained from a rat-mouse hybridoma. 1E4, which is specific for a monomorphic determinant on HLA-DR antigens in humans and a polymorphic determinant on RT1-Da antigens in rats, detected class II antigens on the cells from mice carrying H-2 haplotypes of b, d, p, q, u, v, k, j, r, but not those with f or s haplotypes. Analysis of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that 1E4 monoclonal antibody recognized at least Ek/b, d, k and Ab, d molecules. 1E4 blocked the T cell proliferative responses to beef insulin and TGAL in B10 and BALB/c mice, as well as proliferative responses to GLT in BALB/c mice and to PPD in C3H/He mice, as had been demonstrated in other species. Furthermore 1E4 inhibited MLR to stimulator cells that expressed Ab, d or Ek/b, k, d molecules. Taken together, these findings indicate that an epitope detected by 1E4 on class II antigens has been well preserved across species barriers. This epitope may play a major role or be closely related to the functional site that is involved in recognition of nominal antigens by T cells.

Alterations of monoamines in specific central autonomic nuclei following immunization in mice

At the peak of an immune response (Day 4 following immunization) in mice, norepinephrine (NE) was selectively decreased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. At times before (Day 2) and after (Day 8) the peak immune response, no changes in NE were found in this nucleus. Decreases in NE were not seen in other hypothalamic sites or in the A1 cell group of the medulla, which sends noradrenergic projections to the hypothalamus, suggesting that the effect is selective and regional. Morphometric evaluation of varicosities revealed no alterations in density of catecholamine-containing varicosities in the PVN, further suggesting that the decrease in NE is a metabolic effect and not a loss or redistribution of fibers. NE also was decreased in the hippocampus on Day 2 at the rising phase of the immune response. In addition, alterations in serotonin levels were found in the brain during an immune response. Serotonin was decreased in the hippocampus on Day 2, was decreased in the PVN and supraoptic nucleus on Day 4, and was increased in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) on Day 2. These results support the presence of a functional link from the activated immune system to central autonomic nuclei interconnecting the hypothalamus, the limbic system, and the autonomic nervous system. In view of the role of the PVN in corticotropin-releasing factor secretion and regulation of autonomic outflow, evidence from lesion studies for hippocampal involvement in immune regulation, and a key role for NTS in regulation of autonomic outflow, the present findings reinforce the potential importance of these brain regions in reciprocal communication between the nervous and immune systems.

Monokines mediate decreased hepatic glucocorticoid binding in endotoxemia

The purpose of this study was to determine whether endotoxin decreased hepatic glucocorticoid binding by the action of mediator(s). Steroid binding in liver cytosol, plasma glucose levels, and plasma corticosterone levels were assayed in C3HeB/FeJ LPS normoresponsive and C3H/HeJ LPS hyporesponsive mice. In C3HeB/FeJ mice, endotoxin significantly depressed the maximum number of steroid binding sites (Bmax) to 30% of control. Plasma glucose levels were decreased to 50% of control, and plasma corticosterone levels increased 4-fold. No changes in these parameters were seen in C3H/HeJ mice given endotoxin, except for decreased plasma glucose levels at the highest dose of endotoxin. Decreased steroid binding was observed in C3H/HeJ mice 4-6 hours after receiving C3HeB/FeJ peritoneal exudate cells (elicited with thioglycolate) and endotoxin. No change in steroid binding was observed in C3H/HeJ mice that received C3H/HeJ peritoneal exudate cells and endotoxin. Mediator-rich plasma was produced in CF-1 mice by infecting them with 1 X 10(7) BCG and by challenging them with endotoxin (2 micrograms) 2 weeks later for 2 h. Transfer of BCG-endotoxin plasma to C3H/HeJ mice also resulted in decreased steroid binding and plasma glucose. These results indicate that perturbation of glucocorticoid action during endotoxin shock is mediated by soluble factor(s) other than endotoxin. A likely source of mediator(s) is the mononuclear phagocyte.

Macrophages from endotoxin-hyporesponsive (Lpsd) C3H/HeJ mice are permissive for vesicular stomatitis virus because of reduced levels of endogenous interferon: possible mechanism for natural resistance to virus infection

The C3H/HeJ mouse strain bears an autosomal gene defect, Lpsd, which results in a greatly diminished capacity to respond to endotoxin, the ubiquitous lipopolysaccharide derived from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria. These mice also exhibit greater susceptibility to a variety of viral and bacterial infections than syngeneic, fully lipopolysaccharide-responsive (Lpsn) mouse strains and possess macrophages with defects in differentiation which are reversed by treatment with exogenous interferon (IFN). To test directly the hypothesis that C3H/HeJ macrophages are deficient in endogenous IFN levels, macrophages from C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) and C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) mice were compared for sensitivity to vesicular stomatitis virus. At a multiplicity of infection of 0.1, C3H/OuJ macrophages were completely refractory to infection, whereas C3H/HeJ macrophages were permissive for replication, and infection resulted in 100% cytopathic effect. These findings were confirmed with a second inbred Lpsn and Lpsd strain pair. Levels of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase were significantly higher in Lpsn cells. C3H/HeJ macrophages, derived from bone marrow precursors under the influence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor, shown previously to induce IFN in macrophages, were as refractory as C3H/OuJ macrophages. Exposure of nonpermissive macrophages to anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibody prior to infection rendered cells permissive. Our findings suggest that endotoxin provides a primary stimulus for the maintenance of normal macrophage differentiation and innate resistance via the induction of endogenous IFN by macrophages.

The third component of complement (C3) bound to tumor target cells enhances their sensitivity to killing by activated macrophages

The third component of complement (C3) bound to P815 tumor cells enhanced their susceptibility to killing by Corynebacterium parvum-activated murine macrophages (M phi). Hemolytically active normal mouse serum and C5-deficient mouse serum were used to deposit complement (C) on P815 tumor cells, in the absence of exogenous antibody, by an alternative pathway mechanism. Cell-bound C3 was detected and was quantified by using a cellular enzyme-linked immunospecific assay. Activated M phi produced tumor cytolysis in a serum-free 16-hr 51Cr-release assay. The lysis of C-treated tumor cells was increased over targets treated with sera containing 10 mM EDTA, heat-inactivated mouse sera, or medium. In addition, C alone did not cause specific 51Cr release. M phi elicited by casein or PBS did not lyse any of the tumor targets tested. The increase in lysis was dependent on the dilution of serum used, and was strongly correlated with the amount of C3 detected on the tumor cells. The enhanced lysis was abrogated by incubating C3-bearing tumor cells with F(ab')2 fragments of a goat anti-mouse C3 antibody. C treatment did not alter the kinetics of tumor cell lysis, nor did it enhance the binding of the targets to effector cells. These results suggest that C may regulate M phi-mediated killing of tumor cells by increasing the lytic efficiency of M phi that are in contact with target-bound C3.

Interleukin 4 (IgG1 induction factor): a multifunctional lymphokine acting also on T cells

A cDNA encoding the murine interleukin 4 (IL4) (IgG1 induction factor/B cell-stimulating factor no. 1) was recently cloned (Noma et al., Nature 1986.319: 640; Lee et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1986. 83: 2061). In this report we tested recombinant IL 4 in various T cell assays. It was found that IL 4 activated the murine T cell line CTLL to increased DNA synthesis but not to growth. It also activated normal concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated T cells both to increased DNA synthesis and to growth. These T cell growth factor-like activities were not inhibitable by anti-IL 2 receptor antibodies. Evidence is given that both Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ T cells responded to IL 4. Finally, IL 4 acted synergistically with phytohemagglutinin or Con A on normal T lymphocytes as well as on thymocytes. These data, as well as those of others, imply that lymphokines have a broader range of activity than previously anticipated.

Lysis of fresh murine mammary tumor cells by syngeneic natural killer cells and lymphokine-activated killer cells

We have compared the ability of natural killer (NK) cells from two substrains of C3H mice that differ with respect to their susceptibility to the development of mammary adenocarcinomas to lyse fresh syngeneic mammary tumor cells. Single cell suspensions of mammary tumors from retired breeder females were used as targets in 22-h 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assays with syngeneic NK cells. Tumor cell suspensions were prepared by enzymatic digestion of finely minced tissue followed by centrifugation through a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Effector cells were prepared by passing spleen cells over nylon wool followed by centrifugation through Percoll fraction 7. Syngeneic NK cells had significant levels of lysis against 5/8 tumors studied. NK cells from low risk animals (C3Heb/FeJ) consistently demonstrated greater cytotoxicity against tumor cell preparations than did effectors from the high tumor substrain (C3H/OuJ). Study of cytocentrifuge preparations stained with Wright-Giemsa revealed that the two substrains were identical with respect to the number of azurophilic granules present in the cytoplasm of their NK cells. We have also shown that lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells can be generated from splenocytes in C3H mice. While LAK cells from both substrains were capable of lysing fresh syngeneic mammary tumor cells in vitro, LAK cells from the animals at high risk for the formation of mammary adenocarcinomas had greater cytotoxicity against tumor cell suspensions than LAK cells from the low tumor substrain.

Supplemental zinc (Zn2+) restores antibody formation in cultures of aged spleen cells. II. Effects on mediator production

In vitro antibody production to T-dependent erythrocyte antigens is depressed as a function of age. Supplementation of antibody-forming cultures with the essential trace element zinc restores the capacity of cells from immunodepressed, aged mice to generate an antibody response. Zn2+ produces maximal enhancement of immune function when it is added to the cultures within the first 24 h. Supernatants obtained from cultures supplemented with zinc from 0-24 h contain soluble, nondialyzable factors which support enhanced antibody production in fresh cultures of cells from aged mice. Interleukin 2 levels in the supernatants from Zn2+-supplemented cultures were not increased. However, the levels of interleukin 1 were increased approximately 300% over nonsupplemented controls and these increases corresponded with the ability of the supernatants to support antibody formation. Further studies showed that, in addition to enhancing the production of interleukin 1, Zn2+ enhanced the ability of concanavalin A-activated T cells from aged mice to produce B cell stimulatory factor-1.

The protective effect of beta 1-3D-glucan-derivatized plastic beads against Escherichia coli infection in mice

Pretreatment with beta-1,3-D-glucan-derivatized plastic beads conferred strong protection against Escherichia coli infection in mice. The protective effect showed a dose-response relationship to the amount of beads injected and was dependent on the time point of the injection relative to the infection with E. coli. A similar protection could be obtained in nude mice. Experiments with radioactively labelled bacteria as well as beads indicated a systemic effect of the beads. Macrophages extracted from animals treated with glucan plastic beads appeared highly stimulated. This was also true of cells that did not contain beads and presumably therefore not glucan, which seems to indicate a soluble stimulatory factor.

Delayed type hypersensitivity responses to the Qa-Tla region of the mouse major histocompatibility complex

We have elicited a small but significant delayed-type hypersensitivity response against the Qa-Tla region of H-2 following immunisation of C57BL/6 mice with cells from the congenic strain C57BL/6.Tlaa. Optimal responses were detected 14 days after immunisation with 10-40 X 10(6) cells. The significance of delayed type hypersensitivity to Qa-Tla is discussed in relation to the genetic loci which map to this region.

Variable regions of antibodies to synthetic polypeptides. II. Analysis of variable region genes encoding antibodies specific for (T,G)-A--L

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the synthetic polypeptide antigen (T,G)-A--L have been produced in two strains of mice, C57BL/10 and C3H.SW. The genes encoding the variable (V) regions of these antibodies have been studied by using the DNA hybridization technique of Southern, as well as by gene cloning and sequencing. Hybridization of DNA from 14 different cell lines with a kappa-chain probe revealed that the different cell lines used one of two different gene rearrangements to encode the recombined V region gene. There was a perfect correlation between light chain rearrangement, idiotype expression, and fine specificity. Hybridization analyses of the heavy chain revealed a more complex pattern. Seven hybridomas had the rearranged heavy chain V region genes on a 4.4 kb EcoRI restriction fragment. Others were found on restriction fragments that differed in length by several hundred base pairs. The recombined heavy chain V region genes were cloned from three different hybridoma cell lines secreting anti-(T,G)-A--L antibodies, all of which express the same idiotype and fine specificity pattern. Restriction mapping and sequencing indicate that all three utilize the same V gene, identified as the 186-2 germline gene. However, different D and J genes are used to encode each of the antibodies. In contrast to the results seen in other antigen systems, heavy chain D and J genes do not have a major influence on idiotype expression and fine specificity of antibodies to the synthetic polypeptide (T,G)-A--L.

Stimulation of B cell growth and differentiation by murine recombinant interleukin 1

Purified splenic B cells from C57BL/6 mice were separated into high-density (resting) and low-density (activated) B cells. Separated B cell populations were cultured at low cell densities (1 X 10(4) cells/well) with recombinant interleukin 1 (r-IL 1) alone or in combination with dextran sulfate (DXS) or anti-IgM monoclonal antibodies (alpha IgM mab), respectively, and proliferative responses were determined. R-IL 1 alone, as well as in synergy with alpha IgM mab or DXS, respectively, stimulated the growth of low-density B cells. Moreover, r-IL 1 and alpha IgM mab costimulated replication of high-density B cells. Separated B cell populations (1 X 10(5) cells/well) were cultured with r-IL 1 alone or in combination with DXS or alpha IgM mab, respectively, and the generation of plaque-forming cells was determined. R-IL 1 alone, as well as in synergy with DXS, stimulated the differentiation of low-density B cells into Ig-secreting cells. These findings suggest that r-IL 1 has B cell growth and differentiation factor activity and is operative on high- and low-density B cells. Thus, IL 1 may play an important role in B cell growth and maturation.

Ganglioside expression in macrophages from endotoxin responder and nonresponder mice

Peritoneal macrophage ganglioside patterns and ganglioside sialic acid content were compared for two congenic strains of mice having differing responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Resident macrophage ganglioside patterns from C3H/HeJ mice (endotoxin hyporesponsive) and C3H/HeN mice (endotoxin responsive) were similar. Macrophages elicited with phenol-extracted or butanol-extracted endotoxin showed distinctly more complex ganglioside patterns in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeJ macrophages showed distinct, but less complex changes when elicited with butanol-extracted endotoxin. As expected, there were minimal alterations induced by phenol-extracted endotoxin in the C3H/HeJ patterns. When injected with whole killed E. coli, both strains of mice exhibited complex ganglioside patterns; however, there were relative differences in the quantities of multiple gangliosides. Differences in ganglioside patterns were mirrored in the relative ratios of N-acetyl- to N-glycolylneuraminic acid. When macrophages were activated by administration of either endotoxin preparation, macrophage gangliosides from C3H/HeN mice always contained a higher proportion of N-acetylneuraminic acid compared with C3H/HeJ macrophage gangliosides. Oxidative metabolism of the macrophage populations was assessed by PMA-induced H2O2 release. This indicated that endotoxin activation produced an increase in PMA-induced H2O2 release as well as a shift of sialic acid class from the N-glycolyl type to the N-acetyl type. However, no direct correlation could be made between ganglioside composition, sialic acid content, and macrophage function. These data indicate that both ganglioside composition and sialic acid composition of macrophages are profoundly altered with endotoxin activation. The data further indicate that under conditions which C3H/HeJ mice respond to Gram-negative bacteria, their macrophage ganglioside patterns still differ from normal mice.

H-2, Ah, and aging: the immune response and the inducibility of P-450 mediated monooxygenase activities, xanthine oxidase, and lipid peroxidation in H-2 congenic mice on C57BL/10, C3H, and A strain backgrounds

The effects of beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF, 80 mg/kg i.p. for 2 consecutive days) on P-450-dependent and -independent enzymes, lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase were investigated in 9 strains of young (3-month-old) male mice. Three H-2 congenic strains on each of three different genetic backgrounds were studied. The backgrounds were C57BL/10 (abbreviated as B10), C3H, and A strain mice. The reported longevities (weeks) as expressed in 10th decile of survivorship are significantly different among the H-2 congenic strains on each of these backgrounds: it ranges from 155 to 170 weeks in B10, from 138 to 150 in C3H and from 114 to 134 in A background mice. The inducibility of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) with beta-NF was highest in B10, intermediate in C3H/He and non-inducible in other C3H mice and in all mice on the A strain background. Within the B10 background, inducibility of AHH varied widely among mice of different H-2 haplotypes: 549 +/- 34 (H-2k), 360 +/- 72 (H-2b) and 349 +/- 47 (H-2r) percent of the mean control values (n = 5; mean +/- S.D.), without change in activities of P-450-independent enzymes. In C3H mice the H-2k haplotype showed inducibility (213 +/- 34%), while other haplotypes, specifically H-2b and H-2j, did not. beta-NF increased the activities of xanthine oxidase in B10 and A background strains, without interbackground differences. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in A background strains and in an H-2 dependent manner. The relationship between Ah responsiveness and reported longevities of these nine strains is discussed.

Specificity to ovomucoid domains of human serum antibody from allergic patients: comparison with anti-ovomucoid antibody from laboratory animals

The reactivity of IgG and IgE antibodies from egg allergy patients to ovomucoid and its domain fragments was examined quantitatively, and compared with that of rabbit and mouse IgG anti-ovomucoid antibodies. The human antibodies reacted with the carbohydrate-containing domain fragments more strongly than the animal antibodies. In contrast, the human antibodies did not react with the carbohydrate-free third domain, whereas the animal antibodies definitely reacted. These results suggested that the sites and structures recognized by allergic individuals as ovomucoid antigenic determinants are not necessarily the same as those recognized by laboratory animals.

Suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to syngeneic testicular cells in mice: involvement of suppressor T cells which act at the induction stage

Suppressor cells for delayed footpad reaction (DFR) against syngeneic testicular cells (TC) were detected in the spleen cells of donor mice immunized intravenously (iv) with viable syngeneic TC. Cyclophosphamide (CY)-pretreated recipients were given spleen cells from donors iv, immunized subcutaneously (sc) with syngeneic TC, and the footpad reaction at 24 hr was elicited with syngeneic TC 6 days after immunization. DFR in the recipients was suppressed by the transfer of spleen suppressor cells. The suppressor cells induced were Thy-1+, CY-sensitive, adult thymectomy (ATx)-resistant and act only at the induction stage. They directly suppress the generation of effector T cells for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). When mice pretreated with CY were actively immunized with syngeneic TC, DFR could be provoked to a measurable level only when they were immunized sc. However, peritoneal exudate cells of those tolerant mice immunized sc without CY pretreatment or immunized iv with CY pretreatment also passively transferred DFR locally, suggesting the existence of effector T cells for DTH even in tolerant mice.

Characterization of the cellular basis for the inhibition of cytolytic effector cells by murine placenta

Direct suppression of cytolytic effector cell function by cells of the placenta may represent one mechanism that protects the "fetal allograft" from rejection by maternal transplantation immunity. Collagenase disaggregated murine placental cells block target cell lysis by natural killer, lymphokine-activated killer, and (CTL)-type killer cells. This inhibition is reversible and noncompetitive, similar to a previously described inhibitor of CTL found in spleens of mice undergoing an acute graft vs host (GVH) response. Velocity sedimentation separation of placental cells shows that the inhibitory activity is primarily associated with cells that cosediment with nucleated fetal erythrocytes. When these erythrocytes were lysed, an increased number of non-erythrocytic cells could be separated and under this circumstance, inhibitory activity was seen in association with either small white cells or fetal erythrocytes and with large white cells. There may be several cell populations in murine placenta that can inhibit cytolytic effector cells. The possible relevance of direct placental inhibition of cytolytic effectors to protection of the "fetal allograft" is discussed.

Regulatory mechanisms in cytotoxic T lymphocyte development. II. Dissociation of in vitro cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and suppressor T-cell activities with L-ornithine

L-ornithine was found to differentially affect the induction of allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and suppressor T cells (Ts). At a concentration of 10 mM, ornithine inhibited the development of CTL in a mixed-leukocyte culture (MLC). This same population of cells suppressed the generation of CTL when irradiated and cocultured with fresh syngeneic lymphocytes and alloantigen. Suppression was mediated by Lyt-1-2+ cells and was antigen specific. Suppression was abrogated when IL-2 (10 U/ml) was added to the cocultures, but could not be reversed by increasing the antigen dose. Ornithine was not toxic to CTL precursors but rather arrested their development. Cells from MLC plus ornithine developed CTL activity within 2 days of transfer to secondary cultures in the absence of ornithine. Development of CTL effector cells (CTLe) was augmented by but did not require exogenous IL-2. Generation of CTLe from the MLC plus ornithine population was radiation sensitive and could be inhibited by reexposure to ornithine, even in the presence of IL-2. Thus, Lyt-1-2+ T cells allostimulated in vitro in MLC plus ornithine and lacking CTL activity convey radiation-resistant, antigen-specific suppression.

Drug-induced in vitro tolerance to allogeneic antigens. I. Establishment of a tolerance induction system in a fully allogeneic murine combination

C3H/HeSlc (H-2k) spleen cells were cultured with mitomycin C (MMC)-treated C57BL/6CrSlc (H-2b) spleen cells for 2 days and incubated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for a further 9 hr. Thereafter, those C3H/He spleen cells were recultured with the same allogeneic cells for 5 days. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were profoundly suppressed, antigen-specifically, in such C3H/He spleen cells. In contrast, interleukin 2(IL-2) production was not impaired in the restimulating mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) with C57BL/6. Moreover, an adequate amount of exogenous IL-2 added to the restimulating MLC did not lead to a restoration of the depressed CMC. Suppressor cell activity in the CMC assay was not detected in the C3H/He spleen cells exposed to such a tolerance induction. These results suggest that the unresponsiveness to alloantigens in CMC and MLR was induced through a clonal deletion mechanism, and there may exist a 5-FU-resistant--thus less-proliferative--cell population that can produce IL-2 even after the tolerance induction.

Modification of the murine immune system by glucocorticosteroids: alterations of the tissue localization properties of circulating lymphocytes

Glucocorticosteroids have proven capable of suppressing both developing and ongoing immune responses via mechanisms that are not fully understood. Most investigations into the mechanisms of glucocorticosteroid-mediated immunosuppression have examined the direct effects of these agents on the lymphocyte itself. In this paper, we have analyzed the effects of glucocorticosteroids on the lymphocyte receptive capacity of lymph nodes and bone marrow in mice. These effects appear to be mediated via reversible changes in the capacity of steroid-treated vascular endothelial cells to interact with normal lymphocytes, and are both dose and time dependent. The most striking effects on lymphocyte localization were observed in mice given microgram quantities of glucocorticosteroids over a 6-day period via a continual release pellet. The direct exposure of lymphocytes to these drugs in vitro was shown to have no effect on their subsequent localization potential in vivo. Further studies revealed that the ability of antigen-sensitized effector lymphocytes to localize into sites of antigen deposition was also markedly depressed in mice pretreated with glucocorticosteroids. Therefore, steroids also appear to have effects on tissue associated endothelial cells which prevent the localization of sensitized effector lymphocytes into sites of active inflammation. Our observations have potential clinical implications, both in understanding the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticosteroids more fully, as well as suggesting that low-dose continual-release steroid administration may result in enhanced immunosuppression.

Suppression of the immune response to allogeneic histocompatibility antigens by a single exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Sensitization of C3H mice with allogeneic BALB/c spleen cells after a single exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation renders the mice incapable of generating an effective delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response against BALB/c cells. In addition to the depressed DTH response, spleen cells from the UV-irradiated mice are unable to proliferate to alloantigen in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). This inability to respond to alloantigen appears to be mediated by suppressor T cells, in that nylon-wool-nonadherent cells from the spleens of the UV-irradiated mice could suppress the MLR response of normal spleen cells to allogeneic spleen cells. In addition, the amount of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the supernatants of the suppressed MLR cultures was also decreased. In all cases, the observed suppression was specific for the antigen used to sensitize the UV-irradiated animals. These data suggest that UV radiation can be used as an agent to induce a selective suppression of immune reactivity against allogeneic cells.