Murine monoclonal antibodies against HLA structures

A monoclonal antibody to the HLA-A3 alloantigen

Monoclonal antibody production recognizing the HLA-A3 antigen is described. The XI-23 antibody reacted with all of the 89 cell suspensions carrying the HLA-A3 antigen (100% cytotoxicity) among a total of 191 suspensions tested. No extra-reactivity or cross-reactivity was observed, particularly with that of HLA-A11. This antibody can thus be considered as a good HLA-typing reagent.

A recurrent idiotype on monoclonal anti-human Ia antibodies

We report a recurrent idiotype on a remarkably high fraction (4/19) of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for human Ia monomorphic determinants and elicited by separate immunizations. For three of them, the shared idiotype is associated with the antigen-combining site. These results indicate that the spectrum of mouse antibody responses to human Ia antigens may be based on recurrent idiotypes, suggesting a limited potential repertoire of murine monoclonal antibodies to human Ia antigens. Anti-idiotypic reagents might be helpful in dissecting this repertoire and to generate a mirror image of a human Ia antigenic map. Furthermore, antisera to the idiotype of antibodies specific for human Ia monomorphic determinants might help in elucidating the interactions between Ia molecules and receptors on immune cells.

Direct demonstration of an HLA-DR allotypic determinant on the low molecular weight (beta) subunit using a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for DR3

A murine monoclonal antibody directed against a human B cell surface antigen with the characteristics of HLA-DR is described. The antigen detected is tightly linked to HLA and is correlated with the alloantigen HLA-Dw/DR3. Reactivity with a fraction of Dw/DRw6 cells is also observed. The determinant recognized by this antibody has been shown to be present on the smaller molecular weight beta subunit of the HLA-DR antigen.

Selective blockade of human natural killer cells by a monoclonal antibody

A murine monoclonal antibody, 13.1, which blocks human natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis, has been developed. Hybridoma 13.1 was derived by fusion of NS-1 cells with spleen cells from mice immunized with an enriched population of NK cells. Supernatants of growing hybridomas were screened for their ability to block NK cell-mediated lysis of K562 targets. Antibody 13.1 is an IgG1 with a single light chain type and it does not fix complement. The 13.1 antigen is expressed on all peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with an antigen density approximately 1/30th that of HLA antigen heavy chain. Pretreatment and washing experiments revealed that inhibition of cytotoxicity occurred at the effector cell level only. Significant blocking was achieved with nanogram quantities of antibody and was not due to toxic effects on NK cells. Likewise, controls with other antibodies of the same subclass demonstrated that blocking was not a consequence of mere binding to NK cells. When a panel of 17 NK cell-susceptible targets was tested, the lysis of only 5 of these was blocked, namely K562, HL-60, KG-1, Daudi, and HEL, a human erythroleukemic cell line. The lysis of 12 human B cell and T cell line targets was not inhibited. In addition to the demonstration that the 13.1 antigen is a crucial cell surface structure involved in NK lysis, a heterogeneity of target cell recognition has been revealed that argues for the proposition that individual NK cells have multiple recognitive capabilities.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for human polymorphic cell surface antigens. I. Evaluation of methodologies. Report on a workshop

Five techniques, the direct and the antiglobulin enhanced cytotoxicity assays, indirect immunofluorescence, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the radioimmunoassay, were evaluated in a workshop to determine their utility in studies of the interactions of monoclonal antibodies with HLA antigens expressed on lymphocytes. Several well-defined antibodies, both cytotoxic and noncytotoxic, were tested against well-characterized human lymphoid cells. All the methods suffer from some deficiency. The enhanced cytotoxicity assay, however, is most useful as a routine screening tool because of its ease and simplicity; whereas, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is most useful when dissection of antigenic structure is sought because it yields information on the quantities of the antigenic determinants expressed on the cell surface without requiring radioactive reagents.

A monoclonal antibody recognizing a determinant common to HLA-A3 and A11

Spleen cells from a mouse immunized with an AML cell expressing HLA-A3 produced a hybridoma secreting an anti-HLA-A3, A11 monoclonal antibody, 26D3. By complement-dependent cytotoxicity at dilutions to 1:10(4) the ascites antibody lysed 13/13 A3, 15/15 A11, and 8 other lymphocytes from a panel of 98 donors. The 26 D3 immunoprecipitated a molecule consisting of subunits of 44,000 and 12,000 daltons. Monoclonality of the antibody was demonstrated by isoelectric focusing and protein A affinity chromatography.

Monoclonal antibody to HLA-A3

The monoclonal antibody GAP A3 detects the HLA allospecificity A3. Reactivity of the monoclonal was in exact concordance with the presence of the A3 antigen as defined by conventional alloantisera on a panel of 59 cells from individuals with well-characterized HLA antigens. Reactivity with GAP A3 segregated with HLA-A3 in a family where three of eight siblings inherited the paternal A3 antigen. GAP A3 precipitated appropriate 44,000- and 12,000-dalton bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gels under reducing conditions from an HLA-A3-positive, but not an HLA-A3-negative B lymphoblastoid cell line. Thus, by serological, familial, and biochemical criteria, GAP A3 defines the allospecificity HLA-A3.

Human amniochorion: tissue-specific markers, transferrin receptors and histocompatibility antigens

Human amniochorion was studied by immunofluorescence with the use of antisera to human trophoblast, amniotic epithelium and transferrin as well as with monoclonal antibodies to beta 2M and HLA. The results showed that cytotrophoblast of amniochorion, like its counterpart in placenta, manifests a trophoblast-specific membrane marker and lacks beta 2M and HLA. This tissue also did not react with antisera to amniotic epithelium, and unlike its placental counterpart no evidence for transferrin receptors could be obtained. Amniotic epithelium was found to lack trophoblast antigens, beta 2M, HLA and transferrin receptors, but contained a plasma membrane marker not found on any other extra-embryonic tissues. These results show that extra-embryonic cells with characteristic membrane markers fail to manifest histocompatibility antigens, almost as though they were mutually exclusive. This is supported by the observation that transformed amnion epithelial cells lose their unique surface antigens, react with monoclonal anti-beta 2M and acquire transferrin receptors, raising the possibility that the histocompatibility neutrality of extra-embryonic cells is maintained by the normal insertion of specific fetal markers into their plasma membranes.

Partial purification and some properties of BB7.2. A cytotoxic monoclonal antibody with specificity for HLA-A2 and a variant of HLA-A28

The purification and properties of a cytotoxic mouse monoclonal anti-HLA-A2 antibody are described. This antibody, BB7.2, can be used as an HLA-A2 typing reagent with little modification of current typing techniques. It also recognizes a low frequency variant of HLA-A28. BB7.2 provides an example of an antibody which requires bivalent attachment to a polymeric antigen, e.g., a cell, to produce a readily detectable complex. This is due to a high rate of dissociation of the complex formed between a single BB7.2 combining sites and HLA-A2. The consequences of this property were investigated and some complications for potential uses of such monoclonal antibodies are discussed.

Monoclonal rat anti-MHC alloantibodies detect HLA-linked polymorphisms in humans

Two monoclonal rat anti-MHC alloantibodies detect a polymorphic determinant expressed on the peripheral lymphocytes of normal human donors. The pattern of cytotoxicity observed with these antibodies correlated with the HLA type of the individual; no HLA-A-locus specificities showed significant associations, and all of the HLA-B-locus specificities showing significant association were members of the Bw6 supertype. Family studies established that the determinant detected by the monoclonal antibodies is linked to HLA. These studies therefore provide an alternative basis for the production of monoclonal antibodies to polymorphic HLA determinants based on the conservation of polymorphic MHC determinants between man and rats.

A hybridoma monoclonal antibody which reacts with cells carrying the HLA-A2 antigen: evidence for heterogeneity in the expression of HLA-A2

A monoclonal antibody, FMC 5, has been prepared against human lymphocytes and its reactivity examined. FMC 5 behaves, for the most part, as an anti-HLA-A2 typing serum. However, three small groups of discrepant types were identified, and each provides additional insight into the complexity of the MHC antigens. A small number (5/60) of donors typed as HLA-A2 did not react with FMC 5. A further group (6/35) were HLA-A2 and did react with FMC 5, but lysis was always incomplete in this group. Finally, 13/39 non-A2 donors gave various degrees of reactivity with FMC 5. Lysis in this group was usually incomplete and required a high antibody concentration.

HLA-DR-positive cells in large plaque (atrophic) parapsoriasis

The development of a monoclonal antibody directed against HLA DR (Ia-like) antigens of B cells and monocytes but not against normal peripheral human T cells suggested that this antibody might be used as a marker of B cells and monocytes in tissue sections. The T cell nature of large plaque (atrophic) parapsoriasis has recently been demonstrated by the immunoperoxidase technic. Immunoperoxidase examination of serial sections of tissues from two cases of large plaque parapsoriasis with one T cell antiserum, two monoclonal T cell antibodies, and one monoclonal reagent directed against HLA DR indicated that T cells in the cutaneous infiltrates were also HLA DR-positive. Evidence is accumulating that HLA DR positivity may be expressed by activated T cells. The findings here therefore suggest that many of the T lymphoid cells in two cases of large plaque (atrophic) parapsoriasis examined were activated in nature, and that HLA DR may not be a specific marker for B cells and monocytes in certain pathologic conditions. Caution should therefore presently be exercised in attempting to use this marker for the specific identification of B cells and monocytes in pathologic specimens, without simultaneous testing for T cell markers.

Binding of one monoclonal antibody to human Ia molecules can be enhanced by a second monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal anti-human Ia antibody, PTF 29, was tested for its ability to bind purified, 125I-labeled human Ia preparations. It was found that the binding level increases considerably in the presence of a second monoclonal antibody. Experimental conditions were selected under which only the binding of PTF 29 and not the binding of the second antibody could be determined. Under these conditions, it was found that "helped" PTF 29 binding has higher affinity and is exerted on a molecular subset different from that bound by PTF 29 alone. This phenomenon, while not easily accommodated in the present conceptual framework of the human Ia system, appears in itself interesting and may have more general implications.

Interaction of lactoferrin, monocytes, and T lymphocyte subsets in the regulation of steady-state granulopoiesis in vitro

Colony-stimulating activities (CSA) are potent granulopoietic stimulators in vitro. Using clonogenic assay techniques, we analyzed the degree to which mononuclear phagocytes and T lymphocytes cooperate in the positive (production/release of CSA) and feedback (inhibition of CSA production/release) regulation of granulopoiesis. We measured the effect of lactoferrin (a putative feedback regulator of CSA production) on CSA provision in three separate assay systems wherein granulocyte colony growth of marrow cells from 22 normal volunteers was stimulated by (a) endogenous CSA-producing cells in the marrow cells suspension, (b) autologous peripheral blood leukocytes in feeder layers, and (c) medium conditioned by peripheral blood leukocytes. The CSA-producing cell populations in each assay were varied by using cell separation techniques and exposure of isolated T lymphocytes to methylprednisolone or to monoclonal antibodies to surface antigens and complement. We noted that net CSA production increased more than twofold when a small number of unstimulated T lymphocytes were added to monocyte cultures. Lactoferrin's inhibitory effect was also T lymphocyte dependent. The T lymphocytes that interact with monocytes and lactoferrin to inhibit CSA production are similar to those that augment CSA production because their activities are neither genetically restricted not glucocorticoid sensitive, and both populations express HLA-DR (Ia-like) and T3 antigens but not T4 or T8 antigens. These findings are consistent with results of our studies on the mechanism of lactoferrin's inhibitory effect with indicate that mononuclear phagocytes produce both CSA and soluble factors that stimulate T lymphocytes to produce CSA, and that lactoferrin does not suppress monocyte CSA production, but does completely suppress production or release by monocytes of those factors that stimulate T lymphocytes to produce CSA. We conclude that mononuclear phagocytes and a subset of T lymphocytes exhibit important complex interactions in the regulation of granulopoiesis.

Demonstration in situ of "T" cells and "T" cell subsets in lichen planus using monoclonal antibodies

This report describes the in situ demonstration of "T" lymphocytes and "T" lymphocyte subsets in tissue sections using a case of lichen planus as a model. The technique utilized is the indirect immunoperoxidase method with monoclonal antibodies to "T" cells and "T" cell subsets. In the case examined a predominance of helper "T" cells was found. The potential application of this method in the immunopathology of skin and internal organs is discussed.

Monoclonal antibody identifies a new Ia-like (p29,34) polymorphic system linked to the HLA-D/DR region

The Ia antigens of the mouse are the basis for the genetic control of the immune response. The HLA-D/DR locus is considered to be the human counterpart of the Ia subregion of the murine major histocompatibility complex. The HLA-D/DR antigens are polymorphic, and eight well defined alleles have been identified using alloantisera. More recently, 'supertypic' antigens (MB and MT) have been defined which identify clusters of HLA-D/DR specificities. Little is known about the molecular basis for the cellular and serological polymorphism of the HLA-D/DR antigens, as alloantisera are usually of very low titre and heteroantisera frequently lack monospecificity. We present here the preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody which defines a new polymorphic system of the HLA-D/DR region. This and similar antisera should now begin to provide the reagents with which to correlate molecular structure with the functional repertoire of the human Ia-like antigens.

A xenogeneic monoclonal antibody recognizing specificities controlled by HLA-A and B alleles

In the present paper one reagent among the many prepared has been carefully studied. It is a xenogeneic monoclonal antibody, F10.13/13, obtained by immunizing mice with human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The splenocytes of the immunized mice were fused with a murine were fused with a murine myeloma and the supernatants of the resulting Ig-secreting hybridomas were tested against appropriate targets. --F10.13/13 behaves in a very peculiar manner from the serological point of view and we think that it reacts with maximal affinity with an epitope expressed most strongly on HLA glycoproteins controlled by genes B8, B7, and Aw19.

A supertypic HLA-DR specificity (DR4+5) defined by murine monoclonal antibody

The hybridoma technique was used to produce a monoclonal antibody specific for a polymorphic determinant on human la antigens. BALB/c mice were immunized with a B-lymphoblastoid cell line derived from an HLA-DR3/DR4 positive donor. Hybridoma culture supernates were screened in two stages by means of the microcytotoxicity assay. Supernates were first tested against the la-positive immunizing cell line and against la-negative cells. Cultures identified as producing antibody cytoxic for the immunizing cell line but not for la-negative cells were subcultured and the supernates then tested against a selected panel of HLA-D homozygous cell lines (HCL). In this manner, it was possible to identify a microwell of hybrid cells producing an antibody that reacted with a polymorphic HLA-DR determinant. Cells from this culture, designated 17.15, were cloned twice by limiting dilution. Specificity was evaluated with a panel of 39 HCL and B cells from 70 normal donors. Antibody 17.15 recognized a supertypic DR "4 + 5" specificity, which was also present on DRw9 and some DR7 positive cells. These findings suggest that the cross-reactivity groups DR "4 + 5" (MB-3) and DR "4 + 7" (MT-3) defined by alloantisera may share a common supertypic specificity that is recognized by monoclonal antibody 17.15.

Monoclonal antibodies defining serologically distinct HLA-D/DR related Ia-like antigens in man

Four monoclonal antisera-identifying antigens with the identical tissue distribution and molecular weight of previously described Ia-like antigens were characterized. Two of these antisera, I-1 and I-2, identified antigens expressed on the HLA-D/DR positive cells from all HLA heterozygous individuals. Further characterization on homozygous typing cells (HTC's) demonstrated that I-2 was not reactive with most Dw7 and Dw11 HTC's. Monoclonal antisera, termed I-LR1 and I-LR2, defined polymorphic Ia-like antigens that demonstrated restricted expression on cells from HLA heterozygous individuals. Antigen I-LR1 was expressed on cells from 60% of HLA heterozygotes and its reactivity with HTC's did not conform to any previously described monotypic or supertypic HLA-D/DR pattern. In contrast, I-LR2 was expressed on 40% of HLA heterozygotes and identified only HLA-DR3, 5 and 6 HTC's. Studies of families with HLA recombinants permitted the demonstration that the I-LR1 and I-LR2 antigens are tightly linked to the HLA-D/DR locus. These experiments permit the direct demonstration by immunoprecipitation, linkage studies, and MHC recombinant families that the p29,34 complex in man is closely linked to or is within the HLA-D/DR locus. These studies suggest that the human Ia-like antigens are more heterogeneous than previously demonstrated and that monoclonal antisera will be useful in further defining the structural, genetic, and functional characteristics of these molecules.

Analysis of HLA-DR polymorphism by two-dimensional peptide mapping

Two-dimensional peptide mapping was used to study the polymorphism of DR antigens, membrane glycoproteins composed of two chains, alpha and beta, and encoded by the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Four DR antigens were purified by immunoabsorption from four human lymphoblastoid cell lines homozygous at the DR locus. After labeling with 125I, alpha and beta chains were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate and digested with pepsin. Comparison of the peptide maps showed a marked degree of polymorphism among beta chains: only 43% of peptides were common to all four chains and 15-21% of the spots were unique to a given chain. By contrast, only a limited variability was observed among alpha chains. Homology was 75% for the four chains and the percentage of unique peptides was very low. DR7 did not possess even a single unique peptide. The limited variability among alpha chains and the lack of "private" peptides in one of them point to the conclusion that the beta chain is the unique carrier of the alloantigenic specificities. Higher homology within the known crossreactive groups was not observed, suggesting that the determinants responsible for crossreactivity are on different molecules. From a genetic point of view, because beta chains show allele-associated polymorphism, they are likely to be MHC encoded, whereas the minor differences among alpha chains do not allow a similar conclusion. The available data point to an analogy between these DR antigens and the mouse I-E/C antigens.

Modulation of expression of HLA components at the cell surface induced by anti-beta 2m reagents

Antibodies against lymphocytes surface components are able to rearrange profoundly the topography of the cell membrane with a differential modulation of surface antigens. Of particular interest is the effect of anti-beta 2m reagents, which are able to suppress completely the reactivity of epitopes carried by the two chains of the ABC dimers, while th expressivity of other antigens, such as DR, is significantly increased. These results have been obtained with immunoradiobinding under a variety of conditions, thus confirming the validity of the "bb" (beta 2m blanketing) test.

Quantitative analysis of cell surface HLA structures by means of monoclonal antibodies

Quantitative data on the binding of murine monoclonal antibodies ot whole human lymphoblastoid lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) are reported. Antibodies reacting with beta 2m or a common part of the HLA heavy chains and nonpolymorphic determinants of the DR dimer were used. The equilibrium constant (K) of the reaction and the total number of antigenic determinants was graphically estimated. For the above-mentioned antibodies, K ranged between 5 X 10(8) and 4 C 10(9) l/mole at 0 degrees C and progressively decreased with the increasing temperature. T cells expressed less HLA and beta 2M determinants than the B cells. The number of determinants per surface unit is higher on the B cell from PBL than on E.B. virus-transformed cell lines and is generally very low, suggesting that the complement-dependent cytotoxic activity is a phenomenon depending on membrane fluidity. A portion of beta 2m seems not to be bound to the HLA heavy chains on B cells as well as on T line surface, as already shown for Molt 4 line.