Uniform high frequency expression of autoantibody-associated crossreactive idiotypes in the primary B cell follicles of human fetal spleen

At 23 wk of gestation, the fetal spleen contains follicles of lymphocytes that coexpress B cell differentiation antigens, surface Ig, and the 67-kD pan-T lymphocyte antigen, CD5 (Leu-1). Such cells are thought to represent the normal equivalent cells of B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This B cell leukemia is distinctive in that high proportions of patients have leukemic cells that express sIg bearing one or more crossreactive idiotypes (CRIs) that commonly are found on IgM autoantibodies. We performed immunohistochemical studies on fetal spleen at 23 wk of gestation using a panel of mAbs specific for autoantibody-associated CRIs. We find that high proportions (5-17%) of the lymphocytes within each follicle react with any one of the anti-CRI mAbs. Furthermore, there is little variation between primary follicles in the proportions of cells that express a particular CRI. Using a cocktail of four anti-CRI mAbs, we detect autoantibody-associated CRIs on approximately one-third of the lymphocytes within each of the primary B cell follicles. These data indicate that the many of the Igs produced during early B cell development may be structurally related to IgM autoantibodies and to Ig expressed in CLL and related CD5 B cell malignancies. Furthermore, these studies suggest that the repertoire of Ig V genes expressed in each primary B cell follicle may be representative of the total restricted Ig V gene repertoire expressed during early B cell ontogeny.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibits DNA synthesis initiation in the absence of NAD

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (ADPRP) is a nuclear enzyme that transfers ADP-ribose from NAD+ to diverse nuclear proteins. Previously, the function of ADPRP was considered to relate exclusively to its catalytic activity. However, recent experiments have shown that ADPRP is actually an abundant DNA-binding protein, and that the potential catalytic activity of the enzyme is more than 100-fold greater than the measured rates of NAD+ turnover in intact cells. To better understand the role of ADPRP, we have used highly purified ADPRP and a monospecific autoantibody to examine the effects of ADPRP on in vitro DNA synthesis in the presence or absence of NAD+ substrate. The data show that DNA synthesis initiation is blocked by ADPRP and that auto-poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation reverses the process by diminishing the DNA binding capacity of the protein. These results suggest that ADPRP actually is a structural DNA binding protein, whose catalytic activity serves to modulate its interaction with DNA.

Regulation of rheumatoid factor synthesis

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with high titers of IgM and IgG autoantibodies against IgG (rheumatoid factors, RF) and is prevalent in individuals with the HLA haplotypes Dw4, Dw14 and DR1. Our investigations have aimed to determine the molecular genetic basis for RF autoantibody synthesis in people, in an effort to understand eventually how RF production may become improperly regulated in rheumatoid patients. The results have defined several cross-reactive idiotypes on the heavy and light chains of RFs that are serologic markers for specific immunoglobulin variable region genes. These autoantibody associated genes are highly conserved in human populations and are preferentially rearranged and expressed during early B cell development, and in certain lymphoproliferative diseases. They may be associated with a B cell subpopulation that is important for the processing and presentation to T cells of protein antigens trapped in immune complexes. These RF-associated idiotypes are eventually lost during the T cell dependent antibody diversification that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis. The stimuli for the diversification have not been clearly established. However, the rheumatoid arthritis disease susceptibility determinant on the beta-1 chain of individuals with the HLA Dw4, Dw14 or DR1 haplotypes is reproduced by the gp110 protein of the Epstein-Barr virus, and is a potent stimulus for T cell proliferation. Moreover, anti-gp110 antibodies are abundant in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thus, it is possible that their continual binding and processing of gp110-IgG immune complexes by RF precursor B cells in the joints and other extravascular sites may lead to the emergence of self-reactive T cells that can trigger anti-IgG autoantibody synthesis in the absence of an external antigen.

Developmentally restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene expressed at high frequency in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

During fetal development, murine and human B-lineage cells rearrange and express a highly restricted set of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes (VH genes). We noted that a VH gene of the restricted human fetal repertoire, designated 51p1, potentially could encode the VH region of two human IgM rheumatoid factor proteins. These rheumatoid factors share a cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) defined by reactivity with G6, a murine monoclonal antibody that recognizes an antibody heavy chain determinant present on many human IgM autoantibodies, particularly rheumatoid factors. Recently, we found that the G6 CRI also is expressed frequently by neoplastic CD5 (Leu1) B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma. However, neoplastic CD5-negative B cells from patients with lymphomas of follicular center cell origin rarely express this CRI. Here, we report that G6-reactive leukemic cells from two unrelated CLL patients express a VH gene that shares greater than 99% homology with a rearranged VH gene previously isolated from the leukemic cell DNA of another CLL patient and that is identical to VH 51p1. Using the polymerase chain reaction, we find that this VH gene is rearranged, and presumably expressed, in the genomic DNA of all examined cases of G6-reactive CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma. Thus these data indicate that the autoantibody-associated G6 CRI is a serologic marker for a conserved and developmentally restricted VH1 gene that is expressed at high frequency in CD5 B-cell malignancies and early B-cell ontogeny.

A highly informative probe for two polymorphic Vh gene regions that contain one or more autoantibody-associated Vh genes

Efforts to determine the role of specific Ig variable region (V) genes in human autoimmune responses have been hampered by the lack of suitably polymorphic probes. Recently we isolated a heavy chain V (Vh) gene, designated Humhv3005, that is 99% homologous to the 1.9III Vh gene and can encode an anti-DNA antibody. To study the relation between these two genes, different DNA fragments from the isolated Humhv3005 clone were used to probe Southern blots of human genomic DNA. A 1.6-kb Eco RI fragment (designated hv3005/E1.6) was found to hybridize with only one band in Eco RI-digested DNA, and with two major bands in Bam HI-digested DNA. Importantly, the sizes of the latter two bands were indistinguishable from the corresponding Bam HI fragment sizes of the isolated hv3005 clone and the isolated 1.9III clone, respectively. Population and family studies with the hv3005/E1.6 probe revealed five different hybridization patterns of these two characteristic bands, which defined nine possible genotypes for two human Ig Vh gene loci. Together the data demonstrate that hv3005/E1.6 is a highly informative probe for an autoantibody-associated Vh gene(s), and should prove useful in elucidating the role of Ig Vh genes in autoimmune diseases.

Susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis maps to a T-cell epitope shared by the HLA-Dw4 DR beta-1 chain and the Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein gp110

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with the HLA antigen HLA-DR4. Disease susceptibility maps to the amino acid sequence QKRAA located in the third hypervariable region of the DR beta-1 chain. This region is thought to be a site of recognition for the T-cell antigen receptor. We searched for an antigen in the human environment that could induce T-cell recognition of this sequence. An analysis of protein and DNA databases revealed that the Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein gp110, which is encoded by the BALF4 open reading frame, contains the sequence QKRAAQRAA, which is highly homologous to the rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility determinant. Experiments using antibodies to synthetic peptides showed that the QKRAA determinant is expressed on the gp110 protein. Humans with serologic evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection had serum antibodies to gp110 and peripheral blood T cells that recognized peptides from gp110 and HLA-Dw4 encompassing the QKRAA determinant.

Synovium as a source of interleukin 6 in vitro. Contribution to local and systemic manifestations of arthritis

Synovial inflammation is often associated with systemic changes, such as increased levels of acute phase proteins and hypergammaglobulinemia, which cannot be explained by the cytokines described in synovial fluids and synoviocyte secretions. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has recently been characterized as a mediator of multiple inflammatory responses. This cytokine promotes T and B lymphocyte growth and differentiation, and acute phase protein synthesis. We therefore examined IL-6 production by human synoviocytes and its presence in synovial fluids. In vitro, synoviocytes spontaneously released IL-6, which was increased by IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Synoviocyte-derived IL-6 activity was able to induce hybridoma-plasmacytoma proliferation, and immunoglobulin and acute-phase protein synthesis. The synovial fluids from patients with diverse arthropathies contained IL-6 activity, but higher levels were present in inflammatory arthropathies than in osteoarthritis. These results demonstrate that synoviocytes are a potent source of IL-6, which can contribute to important manifestations of inflammatory arthropathies.

Characterization of four homologous L chain variable region genes that are related to 6B6.6 idiotype positive human rheumatoid factor L chains

A significant proportion of monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) from patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia express a KIIIa L chain-associated cross-reactive idiotype, termed 6B6.6. Previously, we reported the isolation from a patient with a monoclonal RF of a Vk gene, termed Humkv328, whose deduced amino acid sequence differs by three and seven residues from the L chains of the 6B6.6-positive RF Les and Pom, respectively. To further delineate the genetic basis of the 6B6.6 cross-reactive idiotype, we isolated from the same patient another Vk gene, termed Humkv329, which differs from kv328 by only three bases over a stretch of 1331 nucleotides sequenced. However, kv329 has a stop codon at amino acid position 94, and is thus a pseudogene. Therefore, we screened a second genomic library from an unrelated individual and isolated two potential function Vk genes (i.e., Humkv328h2 and Humkv328h5) which are highly homologous to Humkv328. All three potential functional Vk genes differ from each other by one to six bases over a 1331-bp stretch and all encode the same Vk region amino acid sequence. Among the six bases by which Humkv328h5 differs from Humkv328, two are in the conserved pentadecanucleotide region, which is known to be important in the regulation of k L chain transcription. In the future it will be important to ascertain the potential association of polymorphisms in the conserved pentadecanucleotide region with RF associated autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases.

Characterization of four homologous L chain variable region genes that are related to 6B6.6 idiotype positive human rheumatoid factor L chains

A significant proportion of monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) from patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia express a KIIIa L chain-associated cross-reactive idiotype, termed 6B6.6. Previously, we reported the isolation from a patient with a monoclonal RF of a Vk gene, termed Humkv328, whose deduced amino acid sequence differs by three and seven residues from the L chains of the 6B6.6-positive RF Les and Pom, respectively. To further delineate the genetic basis of the 6B6.6 cross-reactive idiotype, we isolated from the same patient another Vk gene, termed Humkv329, which differs from kv328 by only three bases over a stretch of 1331 nucleotides sequenced. However, kv329 has a stop codon at amino acid position 94, and is thus a pseudogene. Therefore, we screened a second genomic library from an unrelated individual and isolated two potential function Vk genes (i.e., Humkv328h2 and Humkv328h5) which are highly homologous to Humkv328. All three potential functional Vk genes differ from each other by one to six bases over a 1331-bp stretch and all encode the same Vk region amino acid sequence. Among the six bases by which Humkv328h5 differs from Humkv328, two are in the conserved pentadecanucleotide region, which is known to be important in the regulation of k L chain transcription. In the future it will be important to ascertain the potential association of polymorphisms in the conserved pentadecanucleotide region with RF associated autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases.

Profound toxicity of deoxyadenosine and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine toward human monocytes in vitro and in vivo

Deoxyadenosine is known to be toxic to both proliferating and resting lymphocytes that lack adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity. We now show that human monocytes are also highly sensitive in vitro to nanomolar concentrations of deoxyadenosine plus the ADA inhibitor deoxycoformycin, and to the ADA-resistant analogue 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA). Monocytes exposed to deoxyadenosine or to CdA in vitro accumulate massive DNA damage detectable within 1 hour. The DNA damage in monocytes exposed to CdA is associated with a decrease in protein synthesis and with inhibitions of phagocytosis and IL-6 secretion. However, unlike lymphocytes with similar DNA damage, the monocytes show no significant NAD or ATP depletion until cell viability declines. The selective toxicity of CdA to monocytes was confirmed by in vivo studies. In almost all patients receiving CdA infusion chemotherapy for cutaneous lymphoma, the blood monocytes counts fell to near 0 during one week of therapy. Our results suggest that CdA and related compounds may have potential clinical use in the therapy of immune disorders associated with monocyte/macrophage activation.

Utilization of 2'-deoxynad for ADP-ribose transfer reactions

2'-deoxyNAD was examined as a substrate for both mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions. 2'-deoxyNAD is a substrate for the diphtheria toxin-catalyzed mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation of elongation factor-2, inactivating its function to enhance protein synthesis. On the other hand, 2'-deoxyNAD is a poor substrate for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. 2'-deoxyNAD was not synthesized intracellularly from deoxyATP, even when deoxyATP content was markedly increased by incubation of cells with deoxyadenosine and an adenosine deaminase inhibitor. 2'-deoxyNAD, because of its specificity, could be a quite useful reagent for the investigation of cellular mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory mediators augment IL-6 secretion by human endothelial cells

The interaction between human endothelial cells and leukocytes during immunologic and inflammatory responses is in part mediated through the release of soluble mediators. We report that cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells secrete IL-6 when stimulated with LPS. This effect was inhibited by polymyxin-B. The monokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha were also potent inducers of IL-6, whereas lymphotoxin was only effective at much higher concentrations. Endothelial cell supernatant IL-6 was active as hybridoma-plasmacytoma growth factor and as B-cell stimulating factor. Endothelial IL-6 activity was neutralized by a specific anti-IL-6 antibody and by immunoprecipitation it was shown to be identical in size to human fibroblast-derived IL-6. As IL-6 is possibly an important regulator of host defense responses, production of this cytokine by endothelial cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immunologic diseases.

Human autoantibodies to poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase recognize cross-reactive epitopes associated with the catalytic site of the enzyme

The factors responsible for the production of autoantibodies against self-components are not well understood. We have identified monospecific human autoantibodies to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (ADPRP) in the sera of rheumatic patients. Since this nuclear enzyme has been extensively characterized, and its entire structure is known, we could investigate in detail the epitope specificity of the human autoantibodies, and their effects on the biological functions of the enzyme. All sera with autoantibodies to ADPRP recognized the NAD-binding domain of the enzyme, as demonstrated by either immunoblotting or immunoprecipitation of partially proteolyzed ADPRP. The autoantibodies also inhibited the catalytic activity of the purified enzyme, as measured by the transfer of ADP-ribose from [32P]NAD to either histones or to ADPRP itself. Because comparative structural analyses have shown that the active sites of enzymes are often conserved during evolution, we tested the ability of the autoantibodies to react with ADPRP from lower eukaryotes. The human autoantibodies reacted with ADPRP in cellular extracts from mammalian, avian, amphibian, arthropod, and protozoan cells, and also inhibited the catalytic activity of the various enzymes. Collectively, these experiments indicate that the human autoantibodies to ADPRP recognize a distinct group of evolutionarily conserved antigenic determinants that are closely related to the catalytic site of the enzyme. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the epitope selectivity of human autoantibodies to ADPRP is influenced by cross-reactive antigens in the external environment.

Characterization of two immunoglobulin VH genes that are homologous to human rheumatoid factors

We isolated a VH1 germline gene (Humhv1263) that is closely related to the heavy chains of 2 human rheumatoid factors (RF), Bor and Kas. We also found that the 783 rearranged VH1 gene is actually 91-93% homologous to Bor and Kas, and it differs from a VH1 complementary DNA (51P1) by only a single base. Thus, 783 is likely to be the unmutated form of a germline VH gene that may encode the heavy chains of RF Bor and Kas and several other human monoclonal RF.

Studies of HIV infection and the development of Epstein-Barr virus-related B cell lymphomas following transfer of human lymphocytes to mice with severe combined immunodeficiency

Mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (C.B-17 scid, hereafter SCID) accept xenografts of adult human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). The transplanted human PBL expand in number and survive for at least thirteen months and have been shown to reconstitute human immune function at both the T and B cell levels. Human immunoglobulin production is restored, and secondary antibody responses to antigens such as tetanus toxoid can be induced. All SCID mice reconstituted with 50 x 10(6) or more PBL from donors with evidence of exposure to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have developed human B cell lymphomas at 8-16 weeks after PBL engraftment, whereas mice reconstituted with PBL from EBV-seronegative donors fail to develop tumors. These tumors involve both lymphatic and non-lymphatic organs, and histologically they resemble large cell or immunoblastic lymphomas. The tumors are associated with high levels of human immunoglobulin secretion and serum electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal immunoglobulin banding patterns. Analysis of tumor DNA shows the presence of EBV genomes and oligoclonal patterns of immunoglobulin JH gene rearrangement. Taken together, these observations suggest an EBV-related proliferation of B lymphocytes leading to the rapid appearance of oligoclonal B cell malignancies following transfer of B lymphocytes from "normal" donors to SCID mice. SCID mice reconstituted with PBL from EBV-seronegative donors have been infected with the LAV-1 strain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Virus has been recovered from most infected animals by co-culture of mouse tissue with human T lymphoblasts. Some mice with high virus titers have developed an acute wasting syndrome and depletion of human T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory mediators augment IL-6 secretion by human endothelial cells

The interaction between human endothelial cells and leukocytes during immunologic and inflammatory responses is in part mediated through the release of soluble mediators. We report that cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells secrete IL-6 when stimulated with LPS. This effect was inhibited by polymyxin-B. The monokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha were also potent inducers of IL-6, whereas lymphotoxin was only effective at much higher concentrations. Endothelial cell supernatant IL-6 was active as hybridoma-plasmacytoma growth factor and as B-cell stimulating factor. Endothelial IL-6 activity was neutralized by a specific anti-IL-6 antibody and by immunoprecipitation it was shown to be identical in size to human fibroblast-derived IL-6. As IL-6 is possibly an important regulator of host defense responses, production of this cytokine by endothelial cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immunologic diseases.

Distinct patterns of heavy chain variable region subgroup use by human monoclonal autoantibodies of different specificity

Using a panel of antibodies specific for H and L chain variable region subgroups, a panel of human monoclonal cold agglutinin (CA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) autoantibodies were analyzed. The vast majority of the two types of autoantibodies utilized VkIII L chains, many of which probably derive from the Humkv325 gene. However, while most RFs (77%) utilized VHI H chains, all the CAs used VHII subgroup H chains. These results are consistent with a model of autoantibody generation, wherein binding specificity is H chain defined in a set of antibodies that use a multipotential L chain.

A 16/6 idiotype-positive anti-DNA antibody is encoded by a conserved VH gene with no somatic mutation

Recently, the heavy chain of 16/6 idiotype-positive human anti-DNA antibodies was found to be similar, but not identical, to the VH26 gene. We resequenced the VH26 gene and found that its coding sequence is actually identical to the complementary DNA sequence of the anti-DNA antibodies previously described. Together with the previous data, our findings demonstrate that some human autoantibodies are encoded directly by immunoglobulin V region genes, and that these V region genes are remarkably conserved in populations.

Synthesis of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides by enzymatic trans-glycosylation

Recently, several pyrimidine and purine 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides have been shown to inhibit the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV), the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). These compounds are usually prepared by reduction of the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleosides. The present experiments demonstrate that 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides can also be made by enzymatic trans-glycosylation, using the trans-N-deoxyribosylase from Lactobacillus helveticus. The broad specificity of this enzyme makes it possible to synthesize for metabolic studies radiochemically pure 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides, using diverse purine and pyrimidine base acceptors.