Recognition by CD8 on cytotoxic T lymphocytes is ablated by several substitutions in the class I alpha 3 domain: CD8 and the T-cell receptor recognize the same class I molecule

Mechanisms of induction of primary virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses

We have investigated the ability of various antigen-presenting cell (APC) types to induce primary anti-viral cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by single in vitro stimulation. Of these APC types, only dendritic cells (DC) and RMA-S lymphoma cells could induce primary CTL responses, but by divergent mechanisms. DC were capable of generating primary virus-specific CTL, either by presenting viral peptide or processed infectious virus. In contrast, RMA-S cells could not present endogenous antigen, e.g. after virus infection, but this cell line very efficiently presented exogenous viral peptides to induce primary virus-specific CTL in vitro. Spleen cells, lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell blasts or the non-mutated RMA cells did not have the ability to trigger unprimed T cells by single in vitro stimulation. We have investigated several characteristics important for primary CTL response induction by DC and RMA-S cells (summarized in Fig. 6). Primary CTL response induction by DC or RMA-S cells was blocked by anti-LFA-1 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). DC rapidly aggregated with unprimed T cells, which was independent of LFA-1 and CD8 molecules. RMA-S cells did not form conjugates with unprimed T cells. Despite their abundant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I cell-surface expression, DC did not bind much exogenously added viral peptide. In contrast, the MHC class I molecules on RMA-S cells bound a large quantity of exogenously administered peptide. Powerful adhesion by DC and high expression of relevant MHC/peptide complexes on RMA-S cells are important features in the initial contact with unprimed T lymphocytes. In a later stage of contact, both DC and RMA-S cells activate LFA-1 (and CD8) molecules at the T cell surface to strengthen and maintain the contact between T cell and APC.

Distinctive polymorphism at the HLA-C locus: implications for the expression of HLA-C

The HLA-C locus remains an enigma. The serological polymorphism is poorly defined, HLA-C molecules are expressed at the cell surface at about 10% the levels of HLA-A and -B, and their importance for antigen presentation to either CD8-bearing T cells or natural killer cells is unclear. Our understanding of HLA-C polymorphism has also lagged behind that of HLA-A and -B. We have applied the polymerase chain reaction to the characterization of cDNA encoding HLA-C antigens. Combining the recent results with previously characterized HLA-C alleles gives a data base of 26 sequences, which was used to analyze the nature of HLA-C polymorphism and compare it to the variation seen in HLA-A and -B. The sequences form 10 families of alleles that correlate well with the patterns of serological crossreactivity, including the C blanks, and all major HLA-C allelic families appear to have been sampled. The families further divide into two groups of HLA-C alleles defined on the basis of linked substitutions in the 3' exons. In comparison with HLA-A and -B, HLA-C alleles are more closely related to each other, there being less variation in residues of the antigen recognition site and more variation at other positions. In particular, the helix of the alpha 1 domain of HLA-C molecules is unusually conserved. Despite the reduced diversity in the antigen recognition site, it is evident that HLA-C genes have been the target of past selection for polymorphism. Within the antigen recognition site, it is the alpha 1 domain that is most diagnostic of HLA-C, whereas the alpha 2 domain is similar to that of HLA-B, the locus to which HLA-C is most closely related. In particular, conserved motifs in the alpha 1 helix and the conserved glycine at the base of the B pocket (position 45) provide a combination of features that is uniquely found in HLA-C molecules. We hypothesize that these features restrict the peptides bound by HLA-C molecules and in this manner reduce the efficiency of HLA-C assembly and expression at the cell surface. The overall picture HLA-C polymorphism obtained from this sampling of HLA-C alleles is unlikely to change as further alleles are characterized.

Requirement for CD8-major histocompatibility complex class I interaction in positive and negative selection of developing T cells

The interaction of the T cell surface glycoprotein CD8 with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on target cells is required for effective T cell activation. Mutations in the alpha 3 domain of the MHC class I molecule can disrupt binding to CD8, yet leave antigen presentation unaffected. Here we show that such a mutation can interfere with positive and negative selection of T cells bearing T cell receptors (TCRs) that interact specifically with the mutant class I molecule. Autoreactive T cells in male mice expressing a transgenic TCR specific for the male antigen H-Y and H-2Db were not deleted in the context of a transgenic Db molecule bearing a mutation at residue 227. Similarly, CD8+ cells were not positively selected in female mice expressing both the TCR and mutant class I transgenes. Endogenous MHC class I molecules were competent to bind CD8, but were unable to rescue the defect, indicating a requirement for coordinate recognition of antigen/MHC by a complex of the TCR and CD8 coreceptor for both positive and negative selection of thymocytes.

A cross-species functional interaction between the murine major histocompatibility complex class I alpha 3 domain and human CD8 revealed by peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The monomorphic cell surface glycoprotein CD8 acts as co-receptor in the recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I complexes by cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) by binding to the monomorphic alpha 3 domain of the class I molecule. Positions 227 and 245 in the class I alpha 3 domain appear to be especially important for this interaction. Recent reports suggest there is no interspecies recognition between CD8 and MHC class I. In this study, hybrid genes from human class I HLA-A0201 and murine class I H-2Kb were transfected into human and mouse cells and tested in Cr-release assays using HLA-A0201-restricted influenza A matrix peptide-specific CTL as effectors. Transfected cells expressing chimeric genes comprising the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains from HLA-A0201 together with the H-2Kb alpha 3 domain were lysed as effectively as wild-type HLA-A0201 and in both cases, killing was blocked by anti-CD8 antibody equally well. These results indicate that human CD8 can interact with the alpha 3 domain of murine class I to the same level as human class I.

CD8 surface levels alter the fate of alpha/beta T cell receptor-expressing thymocytes in transgenic mice

The mature T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is established on the basis of discriminative events involving binding of the TCR alpha and beta chains and CD4 or CD8 on immature thymocytes to major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/self-peptide complexes expressed in the thymus. To ask whether the strength of the interaction between a CD8/TCR complex and a MHC/self-peptide ligand plays a pivotal role in deciding the fate of a maturing thymocyte, we generated lines of transgenic mice that express distinct and elevated levels of CD8 alpha, approximately 2, 3, and 6-10 times. These lines were then crossed to a transgenic line expressing the class I-restricted TCR, 2C. We found that thymocytes expressing the 2C TCR in combination with the highest levels of CD8 were deleted on the H-2 Kb background that is normally positively selecting for the 2C TCR. In contrast, thymocytes coexpressing the 2C TCR and moderately elevated levels of CD8 were selected for maturation. These results demonstrate directly that CD8 levels can affect the developmental fate of a maturing thymocyte and argue in support of an affinity model for thymocyte selection.

Selective reactivity of CD8-independent T lymphocytes to a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-selected H-2Kb mutant altered at position 222 in the alpha 3 domain

To study the structural basis for specificity and affinity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes for major histocompatibility complex/peptide complexes, we have employed a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immunoselection approach to obtain H-2Kb structural mutants which are resistant to lysis by a Kb-specific alloreactive CTL clone. In this study we describe the Kb structural mutant, designated R8.60.14, recovered following immunoselection using the CD8-dependent CTL clone 60 as a selective agent. Although serologically unaltered with respect to Kb expression, R8.60.14 is not recognized by CD8-dependent, Kb-specific CTL. DNA sequence analysis revealed a single Glu----Lys amino acid substitution at position 222 in the Kb alpha 3-domain of this variant. To determine if a direct correlation exists between CD8 dependence of a Kb specific CTL and its failure to respond to R8.60.14, we examined the lytic response against R8.60.14 by CD8-independent, Kb-specific CTL obtained from long-term culture in the presence of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody, 3.155. CD8-independent CTL exhibit no difference in their response against the R8 parent and R8.60.14 variant. This study demonstrates unequivocally that Kb-specific recognition of R8.60.14 by CD8-independent CTL is unaltered, while the response by CD8-dependent CTL is completely abrogated. Thus, the sole basis for emergence of this variant in the CTL-mediated immunoselection approach used in this study resides in the alteration of a single CD8-binding site residue at position 222 in the Kb alpha 3 domain. The functional importance of this Glu222 residue for the interaction between the CD8 molecule on CD8-dependent CTL and the Kb alpha 3 domain is further reinforced by virtue of the recovery of the R8.60.14 variant on the basis of its resistance to lysis by a CD8-dependent CTL clone in this CTL-mediated immunoselection approach.

Tumorigenicity of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-cDNA-transfected L1210 lymphoma and its in vivo variants is modulated by changes in IL-2 expression; potential therapeutic implications

To study parameters that affect the tumorigenicity of L1210 lymphoma we have analyzed the structure of MHC class I antigens of this tumor. In addition this tumor was transfected with interleukin-2 (IL-2) cDNA in order to determine the effects of high concentrations of IL-2 within the tumor environment. The nucleotide sequence of the class I Kd, Dd and Ld mRNAs from this tumor showed that the encoded amino acid sequence of the corresponding antigens is normal, thus suggesting that the tumorigenicity of L1210 lymphoma is not due to defective antigen presentation to tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells. In contrast, induction of IL-2 expression by cDNA transfection led to loss of tumorigenicity of the IL-2-secreting tumor cells. However, a fraction of long-term-surviving mice developed progressively growing variant tumors that showed substantial decrease or loss of IL-2 expression. These results suggest that IL-2 secretion by tumors is suicidal but, because of tumor heterogeneity, IL-2-loss-variant tumors may arise that are able to escape the immune defenses of the host. The observed consistent loss of IL-2 expression in variant tumors implies that specific targeting of large quantities of IL-2 to tumor cells may be a valuable approach to immunotherapy of cancer. In addition we find that under specific gamma ray irradiation IL-2-secreting tumor cells lose their ability to multiply yet continue to secrete IL-2 at levels equivalent to those secreted by unirradiated cells. Such IL-2-secreting irradiated tumor cells were found to be superior immunogens in comparison to the irradiated parental tumor cells, suggesting their use as tumor vaccines.

Comparative analysis of core amino acid residues of H-2D(b)-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition epitopes in simian virus 40 T antigen

Simian virus 40 (SV40) tumor (T) antigen expressed in H-2b SV40-transformed cells induces the generation of Lyt-2+ (CD8+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), which are involved in tumor rejection, in syngeneic mice. Five CTL recognition sites on T antigen have been described by using mutant T antigens. Four of the sites (I, II, III, and V) are H-2Db restricted and have been broadly mapped with synthetic peptides of 15 amino acids in length overlapping by 5 residues at the amino and carboxy termini. The goal of this study was to define the minimal and optimal amino acid sequences of T antigen which would serve as recognition elements for the H-2Db-restricted CTL clones Y-1, Y-2, Y-3, and Y-5, which recognizes sites I, II, III, and V, respectively. The minimal and optimal residues of T antigen recognized by the four CTL clones were determined by using synthetic peptides truncated at the amino or carboxy terminus and an H-2Db peptide-binding motif. The minimal site recognized by CTL clone Y-1 was defined as amino acids 207 to 215 of SV40 T antigen. However, the optimal sequence recognized by CTL clone Y-1 spanned T-antigen amino acids 205 to 215. The T-antigen peptide sequence LT223-231 was the optimal and minimal sequence recognized by both CTL clones Y-2 and Y-3. Site V was determined to be contained within amino acids 489 to 497 of T antigen. The lytic activities of CTL clones Y-2 and Y-3, which recognize a single nonamer peptide, LT223-231, were affected differently by anti-Lyt-2 antibody, suggesting that the T-cell receptors of these two CTL clones differ in their avidities. As the minimal and optimal H-2Db-restricted CTL recognition sites have been defined by nonamer synthetic peptides, it is now possible to search for naturally processed H-2Db-restricted epitopes of T antigen and identify critical residues involved in processing, presentation, and recognition by SV40-specific CTL.

Peptide loading of empty major histocompatibility complex molecules on RMA-S cells allows the induction of primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses

The antigen processing-defective mutant cell line RMA-S expresses at the cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules devoid of peptide that can be efficiently loaded with exogenous immunogenic peptides. We now report that viral peptide-loaded RMA-S cells, unlike parental RMA cells, can induce primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in vitro, in a T helper cell-independent fashion. This was shown for an H-2Kb-binding peptide of Sendai virus nucleoprotein and an H-2Db-binding peptide of adenovirus type 5 E1A protein with responding spleen cells of C57BL/6 mice, the strain of origin of RMA and RMA-S cells. Primary Sendai peptide-induced CTL lyse both peptide-loaded and virus-infected cells. Pre-culture of RMA-S cells at low temperature (22 degrees - 26 degrees C), which increases the amount of empty MHC class I molecules at the cell surface, decreases the peptide concentrations required for the induction of primary CTL responses. Primary peptide-specific CTL responses induced by peptide-loaded RMA-S cells are CD4+ cell- and MHC class II+ cell-independent. CTL response induction is blocked by the presence of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody during culture. Direct peptide binding studies confirm the efficient loading of empty MHC molecules on RMA-S cells with peptide and show 2.5-fold more peptide bound per RMA-S cell compared to RMA cells. An additional factor explaining the difference in primary response induction between RMA and RMA-S cells is related to the CD8 dependence of these responses. MHC class I molecules occupied with irrelevant peptides (a majority present on RMA, largely absent on RMA-S) may interfere in the interaction of the CD8 molecule with relevant MHC/peptide complexes. The results delineate a novel strategy of peptide based in vitro immunization to elicit CD8+ cytotoxic T cell responses.

Gene conversion in the evolution of the human and chimpanzee MHC class I loci

Sixty-five DNA sequences from human and chimpanzee major histocompatibility complex class I loci were searched for statistical evidence of past gene conversion. Twenty-four potential conversions were detected; they were distributed across both variable and conserved portions of the gene, and involved both classical and non-classical loci. The majority spanned less than 100 bp, comparable in length to the conversions observed in spontaneous mutations in mice. Both within-locus and between-locus conversions were observed. Certain areas of the antigen recognition site appear to have been the target for multiple conversion events. The implications of these findings for the evolution of the class I multigene family are discussed.

Co-engagement of CD8 with the T cell receptor is required for negative selection

Although it is established that the CD8 and CD4 co-receptors are involved in T-lymphocyte recognition and activation in the periphery, it is less clear whether these molecules participate in thymic selection events. Analysis of thymic selection in mice transgenic for T cell-receptor genes or for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, or mice injected with antibodies against CD8, CD4 or MHC molecules, is consistent with the participation of CD8 and CD4 in thymic selection. But antibody-mediated crosslinking of surface receptors in thymic organ cultures has indicated that CD8 is not involved in thymic deletion. We show here that mice transgenic for a mutant MHC class I molecule that cannot interact with CD8 do not delete CD8-dependent T cells reactive with the wild-type molecule. This finding unequivocally establishes that for negative selection in the thymus, CD8 must interact with the same MHC class I molecule as the T cell receptor.

Heterozygosity at individual amino acid sites: extremely high levels for HLA-A and -B genes

The amino acid heterozygosities per site for HLA-A and -B loci are determined to be extremely high by combining population serotypic frequencies with amino acid sequences. For the 54 amino acid sites thought to have functional importance, the average heterozygosity per site is 0.301. Sixteen positions have heterozygosities greater than 0.5 at one or both loci and the frequencies of amino acids at a given position are very even, resulting in nearly the maximum heterozygosity possible. Furthermore, the high heterozygosity is concentrated in the peptide-interacting sites, whereas the sites that interact with the T-cell receptor have lower heterozygosity. Overall, these results indicate the importance of some form of balancing selection operating at HLA loci, maybe even at the individual amino acid level.

Programmed cell death of T cells signaled by the T cell receptor and the alpha 3 domain of class I MHC

As well as being activated or rendered unresponsive, mature T lymphocytes can be deleted, depending on the signals received by the cell. Deletion by programmed cell death (apoptosis) is triggered if a T cell that has received a signal through its T cell receptor complex also receives a signal through the alpha 3 domain of its class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Such a signal can be delivered by a CD8 molecule, which recognizes the alpha 3 domain, or by an antibody to this domain. Precursors of both cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL's) and T helper cells are sensitive to this signal but become resistant at some point before completing differentiation into functioning CTL's or T helper cells. Because CTL's carry CD8, they can induce cell death in T cells that recognize them. This pathway may be important in both removal of autoreactive T cells and immunoregulation.

CD8 independence and specificity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes restricted by HLA-Aw68.1

The crystal structure of the HLA-Aw68.1 antigen binding site revealed a negatively charged pocket centred on aspartic acid 74 (Garrett et al. 1989). Access to this '74 pocket' is blocked in HLA-Aw68.2 and HLA-Aw69 by two substitutions at positions 97 and 116. This key feature suggests that the Aw68.1-peptide-specific interactions may involve salt bridges between oppositely charged residues. In this paper, the influenza epitope recognized by virus-specific HLA-Aw68.1-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been defined in vitro with a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 89-101 of the nucleoprotein (NP). Amino acid substitutions of the peptide NP 89-101 showed that the arginine at position 99 is an anchor point of the peptide within the Aw68.1 antigen binding site. Consistent with this we find that neither HLA-Aw68.2 nor HLA-Aw69 positive cells can present peptide NP 89-101 to Aw68.1-restricted CTL. Our results therefore suggest a model in which presentation of NP 89-101 by HLA-Aw68.1 is dependent upon interaction of the positively charged arginine residue at position 99 of the peptide, with the negatively charged aspartic acid in the '74 pocket' of HLA-Aw68.1. We also show that influenza-virus-specific HLA-Aw68.1-restricted CTL are CD8 independent. This result is consistent with the low affinity of HLA-Aw68.1 for CD8 (Salter et al. 1989) and reveals a unique example of CD8-independent priming of CTL by natural infection with a common pathogen in humans.

Correlation between CD8 dependency and determinant density using peptide-induced, Ld-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We have taken advantage of some unique properties of H-2Ld to investigate the determinant density requirements for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) priming versus effector function and to correlate the determinant density requirements with CD8 dependency. In a previous study (Lie, W.-R., N. B. Myers, J. Gorka, R. J. Rubocki, J. M. Connolly, and T. H. Hansen. 1990. Nature [Lond.]. 344:439), we demonstrated that culturing normal cells with peptides known to be restricted by H-2Ld led to a two- to fourfold increase in surface Ld expression. In the present study, we demonstrate the generation of Ld-restricted, peptide-specific in vitro primary CTL by culturing spleen cells with murine cytomegalovirus or tum- peptide at concentrations previously shown to result in maximum induction of Ld expression. Target cells can be sensitized for recognition by these CTL with lower dose of peptide than are required for the primary sensitization. This demonstrates differences in the determinant density requirements for priming versus effector function. The in vitro primary CTL generated with peptide can weakly lyse target cells that express the determinant endogenously, and CTL lines and clones capable of strong lysis of endogenous expressors are easily obtained. In both cases, target cells treated with exogenous peptide are lysed better than target cells expressing antigen endogenously. This suggested that there are differences in the determinant density of peptide-fed versus endogenous targets. This interpretation was substantiated when it was observed that the level of lysis of target cells expressing endogenous determinants correlated inversely with the amount of peptide required to sensitize targets for recognition by various tum- -specific CTL clones. Furthermore, simultaneous titration of both the peptide used to treat target cells and the antibody to CD8 revealed that the various CTL clones analyzed displayed widely disparate CD8 dependencies. In each case, the CD8 dependency correlated inversely with the determinant density requirement. Therefore, CD8 dependency of CTL is relative, but shows an absolute and quantitative correlation with their dependency on determinant density. These findings suggest that under physiologic conditions, where only low determinant densities are likely to be encountered, all CTL clones will show at least partial CD8 dependency.

Adhesion versus coreceptor function of CD4 and CD8: role of the cytoplasmic tail in coreceptor activity

CD4 and CD8 play an important role in T-cell recognition and activation; however, their mechanisms of action are not well understood. We compare the effects of expressing CD4 and CD8 alpha either individually or together in a class II-restricted T-cell hybridoma. We also compare the effects of expressing truncated forms of CD4 or CD8 alpha that do not have a cytoplasmic tail and thus do not associate with the T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck, which has been implicated in T-cell activation. We demonstrate that, although CD4 and CD8 alpha can specifically enhance interleukin 2 secretion, maximal potentiation occurs with expression of CD4, which, unlike CD8, can bind to the same major histocompatibility complex protein as the T-cell receptor. Our data further indicate that the cytoplasmic tail and/or the associated p56lck are primarily significant for interleukin 2 secretion by the hybridomas we have examined when CD4 or CD8 can bind to the same major histocompatibility complex ligand as the T-cell receptor.

Strong xenogeneic HLA response in transgenic mice after introducing an alpha 3 domain into HLA B27

The pronounced response by mouse T cells to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens of the same species is characterized by a relatively large fraction of responding cells. Responses to MHC class I allelles of other species are, however, generally much weaker. T lymphocytes are positively selected on thymic MHC antigens, resulting in a T-cell repertoire with strong alloreactivity. This has been explained in terms of a mouse T-cell repertoire that is not efficiently selected for recognition of HLA molecules owing to the absence of HLA in mice. Here we show that mice transgenic for HLA mount a T-cell response against allogeneic HLA that is no better than in normal mice. We decided instead to test whether the mouse accessory molecule Lyt-2 on cytotoxic T lymphocytes could interact efficiently with the alpha 3 domain of HLA. To do this, we replaced the alpha 3 domain of HLA-B27 by a murine alpha 3 domain in a gene construct used to produce transgenic mice, and then used the spleen cells from these mice to stimulate normal mouse T cells. Under these conditions cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generated with the same frequency against xenogeneic HLA-B27 determinants as against allogeneic mouse class I antigens. These findings indicate that the normally weak xeno-MHC response is due to the inefficient interaction of the murine Lyt-2 accessory molecule with HLA class I, and not to limitations of the mouse T-cell repertoire.

Structure of class-I MHC molecules: HLA-B27 and disease

In this introductory article, the structure and function of HLA class-I molecules is discussed. The differences between HLA-B27 and the other class-I molecules are described. It is suggested that HLA-B27 contributes to autoimmune phenomena, but little is known about the actual autoimmune mechanisms that cause the B27-associated disease.