A T cell receptor V beta segment that imparts reactivity to a class II major histocompatibility complex product

Anti-CD4 mediates clonal anergy during transplantation tolerance induction

Depletion of CD4+ cells using anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies leads to allograft tolerance. Here we show that anti-CD4-mediated tolerance to pancreatic islets of Langerhans transplanted from an A/J (IEk) donor to a diabetic C57B1/6 (B6) (IE-) recipient occurs in the absence of clonal deletion of the potentially IE-reactive V beta 11+ T cells. Instead, a state of clonal anergy is induced in both the CD4+V beta 11+ and CD8+V beta 11+ T cell subsets. This clonal anergy can be partially overcome in vitro by the addition of recombinant interleukin 2.

The kinetics of T cell antigen receptor expression by subgroups of CD4+8+ thymocytes: delineation of CD4+8+3(2+) thymocytes as post-selection intermediates leading to mature T cells

Cortical thymocytes from adult mice, separated on the basis of coexpression of CD4 and CD8 or of binding of high levels of peanut agglutinin (PNA), were subdivided according to the level of expression of the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex. The incidence of dividing cells in the resultant subpopulations was determined by DNA staining. Precursor-product relationships and the timing of TCR-CD3 acquisition were studied using continuous in vivo [3H]TdR labeling and radioautography. The extent of intrathymic selection for TCR specificity in the subpopulations was determined from the incidence of cells bearing V beta 6 or V beta 17a in different mouse strains. The majority of dividing CD4+8+ blast cells expressed extremely low levels of TCR-CD3, indicating that TCR expression and specificity selection generally occurred after division ceased. The [3H]TdR-labeling studies indicated that postdivision TCR expression was rapid, and that those nondividing cortical thymocytes which had not expressed significant levels of TCR by day 1, remained extremely low or negative for their entire 3.6-d lifespan. Small cortical thymocytes which expressed moderate levels of TCR-CD3, were predominantly an unselected population with a lifespan of 3.8 d. A small subgroup of CD4+8+ PNA+ cortical thymocytes expressing high levels of TCR-CD3 was identified as a nondividing intermediate between the small cortical thymocytes expressing moderate levels of TCR and mature medullary thymocytes. These intermediates showed a 1-d lag in [3H]TdR labeling, then a 3.4-d transit time. The cell flux through this intermediate subpopulation was approximately 10(6) cells/d, similar to the rate of turnover of mature thymocytes; thus, although only 3-4% of thymocytes progressed to this intermediate state, once reaching it most then progressed to full maturity. In accordance with this, the incidence of the V beta selection markers within the intermediate subpopulation indicated that both positive and negative selection had already occurred. Selection for TCR specificity in the systems studied appeared to take place among CD4+8+ thymocytes expressing intermediate levels of TCR.

Graft-versus-host resistance induced by class II major histocompatibility complex-specific T cell clones

Possible mechanisms of graft-vs.-host (GVH) resistance have been studied using a panel of seven class II major histocompatibility complex-specific T cell clones for elicitation and challenge. One clone recognized I-Ak,d,f, and expressed V beta 8.3 together with J beta 1.5. The remaining six clones were I-Ek specific and expressed V beta 15 rearranged to J beta 1.1 or J beta 1.3. The I-Ek-specific clones were also homologous to each other and different from the I-A-reactive one in the D and N regions. Four of the seven clones exhibited I-Ek-specific cytolytic activity. Each clone, when injected in sublethal numbers into appropriate recipients, could induce resistance to a subsequent lethal dose of any other clone in the panel. The resistance did not require sharing of either T cell receptor beta chains or antigen specificity, or MHC molecules by the eliciting and challenging clone. Cytolytic and noncytolytic clones were equally efficient in inducing GVH resistance. A prerequisite of resistance induction was the activation of eliciting clone subsequent to recognition of class II molecules in the host. Clones preactivated with high concentrations of recombinant interleukin 2, in vitro, could induce GVH resistance also in syngeneic hosts, suggesting that resistance induction was associated with the activated state of clone, rather than antigen recognition per se. In all instances of resistance, the challenging clones failed to induce vascular leakage, which was the cause of death in susceptible recipients (Lehmann, P. V., G. Schumm, D. Moon, U. Hurtenbach, F. Falcioni, S. Muller, and Z. A. Nagy. 1990. J. Exp. Med. 171:1485). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced resistance to vascular leakage did not provide crossresistance to GVH and vice versa, suggesting that interleukin 1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor alpha implicated in LPS resistance are not involved in GVH resistance. Although the mechanism remains unclear, the most likely explanation for GVH resistance in this system is either the downregulation of permeability increasing effect in the challenging clone, or an induced refractoriness of blood vessels to this effect.

Influence of I-E expression on induction of neonatal transplantation tolerance

Neonatal transplantation tolerance was one of the first experimental systems to reveal that tolerance could be achieved to non-self antigens in living animals. Functional and direct evidence (obtained by the use of monoclonal antibodies directed at T cell receptors specifically reactive with I-E molecules) confirm that tolerance is achieved, at least in part, via clonal elimination of developing thymocytes. In this report, we show that induction of tolerance of class I alloantigens in neonatal mice is governed by expression of I-E molecules. Neonatal I-E non-expressor mice proved to be highly resistant to the acquisition of class I tolerance if the donor inoculum expressed disparate class I antigens as well as I-E molecules. The spleens of the few class I-tolerant, I-E non-expressor mice that were generated were found to be depleted of I-E-reactive (RR315+) T cells, whereas no such depletion was observed in their neonatally injected, but non-tolerant littermates. By contrast we found no resistance to tolerance of I-A alloantigens when neonatal I-E non-expressor mice received injections of I-A-disparate, I-E-bearing donor cells. In these tolerant mice, splenic I-E-reactive T cells were readily detected in apparently normal amounts. These results indicate that lack of I-E expression in newborn mice confers resistance to tolerance induction to class I alloantigens, especially when the latter are expressed on donor cells that also display I-E molecules. The possible mechanisms operating to produce resistance to tolerance induction in neonatal mice are discussed, including the possibilities that (a) I-E may act as a restricting element during tolerance induction (an ontogenic process), and (b) the expression of I-E on H-2-disparate, I-E-expressing test skin allografts may provide a source of "help" for CD8+ cytotoxic T cell precursors, leading to graft rejection.

Analysis of the mechanism of graft-versus-host-like disease in B6 mice with transferred B6-lpr spleen cells

Irradiated C57BL/6(B6) mice, when they were injected with spleen cells of C57BL/6J-lpr/lpr(B6-lpr) mice, developed splenomegaly at 2 weeks post-transfer, but afterward displaced by GVH-like disease. At 2 weeks the enlarged spleen in the chimeric mice, designated as [B6-lpr----B6] chimera, contained about 70% of the total cell population as CD8-positive T cells. Spleen cells from [B6-lpr----B6] chimeras were unresponsive to Con A and LPS stimulation and suppressed the mitogenic response of B6, B6-lpr, and C3H spleen cells to Con A. However, they had no cytotoxic activity towards Con A blasts of B6 and B6-lpr spleen cells. The suppressor activity found in the [B6-lpr----B6] spleen cells was removed by pretreatment of them with anti-Thy-1.2 or anti-CD8(Lyt2.2) plus complement. The present experiment showed that enormous proliferation of CD8-positive suppressor T cells was induced in the [B6-lpr----B6] chimeras. These cells were probably responsible for the GVH-like lymphoid atrophy observed in these [B6-lpr----B6] chimeras.

Peripheral clonal elimination of functional T cells

A major mechanism for generating tolerance in developing T cells is the intrathymic clonal deletion of T cells that have receptors for those self antigens that are presented on hematopoietic cells. The mechanisms of tolerance induction to antigens not expressed in the thymus remain unclear. Tolerance to self antigens can be generated extrathymically through the induction of clonal nonresponsiveness in T cells with self-reactive receptors. A second mechanism of extrathymic tolerance was identified: clonal elimination of mature T cells with self-reactive receptors that had previously displayed functional reactivity.

Mechanisms of autoimmunity in the context of T-cell tolerance: insights from natural and transgenic animal model systems

There are a number of mechanisms which cooperate to produce and maintain T-cell tolerance. First, and perhaps most important, is the clonal deletion in the thymus of T cells with high affinity for self antigens. However, to ensure that a wide repertoire of T cells is available in the periphery to combat foreign antigens, the threshold of clonal deletion may be set low enough so that T cells whose TCR's have sub-threshold affinity for self antigens mature and migrate to the periphery. T cells which recognize self antigen-derived peptides not expressed or presented in the thymus will also fail to be deleted. For those self-reactive T cells which are not deleted in the thymus, other mechanisms may produce tolerance, including an undefined alteration of signalling pathways which produces clonal anergy, and lowering the avidity of the TCR for its ligand by downregulating coreceptor and accessory molecules. Active suppression of T-cell responses in another well-described phenomenon whose mechanism is undefined. From our observations with the model systems discussed here, we have observed three distinct mechanisms by which T-cell tolerance can be circumvented, allowing autoimmune phenomena to occur. These mechanisms may have relevance for different types of autoimmune diseases seen in humans. In gld mice, the autoimmune disease seems to be related to a global defect in T-cell differentiation and function, which allows for the expansion of autoimmune B cells. While we showed that clonal deletion of V beta-bearing T cells is appropriate in certain cases, aberrant lymphokine secretion by the abnormal T cells or disruption of immune system regulation are most probably responsible for allowing autoantibody production. While human lupus erythematosis shares much of the pathology of lpr and gld mice, there is no expansion of T cells with a similar phenotype in human lupus. There are environmental factors which must play a role in the development of human lupus, since the incidence of the disease does not follow an absolute genetic pattern. The escape from clonal deletion and subsequent reactivation of autoimmune T cells which we observed in V beta 8.1 TCR-transgenic mice can be a model for human autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes, in which T cells are directed against a specific autoantigen. According to this model, susceptibility loci for autoimmune disease such as the MHC would function by producing different repertoires of T cells which in some cases could gain autoreactivity following activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Expression of the human V beta 8 gene product preferentially correlates with class II major histocompatibility complex restriction specificity

We report that, in peripheral blood T cells, the V beta 8 gene product is much more represented on CD4+CD8- than on CD4-CD8+ lymphocytes. This skewing was observed in all individuals tested and with two independent strategies, one of which allows the selection of V beta 8+ T cells independently from their major histocompatibility complex-antigen specificity. Our data imply that the human V beta 8 gene product confers class II restriction specificity and that both the T cell receptor chains and CD4 molecule are involved in the selection of the T cell repertoire.

Resolution of hypervariable regions in T-cell receptor beta chains by a modified Wu-Kabat index of amino acid diversity

The Wu-Kabat variability coefficient is a well-established descriptor of the susceptibility of an amino acid position to evolutionary replacements. It conveniently highlights stretches of accentuated amino acid variation that, for example, in an antibody molecule account for most of the antigen contacts (complementarity-determining regions). Diverse opinion are held as to why the index yields unclear results when applied instead to the polypeptide sequences of the T-cell antigen receptor. We show that a simple modification enhances the resolving power of the index by increasing the weight on the frequency distribution of the amino acids in the formula. Application of the improved index to T-cell receptor beta chains highlights four unambiguous hypervariable regions, three of which are positioned similar to immunoglobulin complementarity-determining regions along the chain. In a Fab-like three-dimensional model of the T-cell receptor, the four hypervariable regions coincide with the four loops on the surface of the domain and form a contiguous area available for binding.

T-cell receptor and autoimmune disease

Since the genes encoding the TCR have been cloned, their structure, organization, pattern of rearrangement, diversification and expression in ontogeny have been classified. However, there are still many important questions to be addressed, such as the nature of thymic education, tolerance, the mechanism of MHC-restricted antigen recognition and the relation between TCR repertoire and autoimmunity. In the future, new approaches to study these issues, such as transgenic mice, X-ray crystallography, and severe combined immune deficiency mice reconstituted with human hematopoietic cells will lead to a more profound understanding of these questions. This will hopefully allow us to manipulate the immune response in different and more effective ways than are currently available.

V beta 17 gene polymorphism in wild-derived mouse strains: two amino acid substitutions in the V beta 17 region greatly alter T cell receptor specificity

Of 41 wild-derived mouse strains analyzed, 14 contained T cells bearing V beta 17 receptors in spite of the concomitant expression of I-E antigens. Reciprocal F1 and F2 hybrids of one of these strains, PWK, with laboratory strains revealed different patterns of V beta 17 T cell deletions from those observed with V beta 17 T cells from SJL, implying that the two V beta 17 regions are associated with recognition of distinct superantigens. The structures of the V beta 17 alleles differ by two amino acid substitutions, which lie together in an area distant from the predicted site of T cell receptor interaction with peptide-MHC complexes but overlapping with that implicated in V beta 8.2 recognition of Mls-1 superantigen. This demonstrates that the self-superantigen leading to V beta 17 T cell deletion varies with the allele of the receptor gene and confirms that T cell deletions by such ligands involve interactions with a region of the V beta domain that is distinct from the conventional combining site.

Expression of CD4 can confer major histocompatibility complex class II-associated superantigen reactivity upon a T cell receptor derived from a CD8-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone

It has been shown that reactivity against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-associated Mlsa determinants is mainly mediated by CD4+ V beta 6+ T cells. 3F9 is a CD8+ CTL clone which is specific for the alloantigen H-2Db. While 3F9 is V beta 6+, it is not Mlsa reactive, presumably because it does not express CD4. 3F9 utilizes the same T cell receptor (TcR) V alpha V beta combination as LB2, a CD4+ T helper clone specific for chicken red blood cells (cRBC)/I-Ab and yet differs from LB2 in the junctional sequences in both TcR chains. CD4+ CD8- and CD4-CD8- hybridomas expressing the 3F9 TcR were tested for reactivity against Mlsa and cRBC/I-Ab. Only the CD4+CD8- hybridomas were Mlsa reactive, and antibody inhibition studies revealed that this reactivity was both CD4 and MHC class II dependent. Therefore the expression of the CD4 molecule can make an MHC class I-restricted TcR Mlsa reactive. Neither type of hybridoma reacted against cRBC, thus the main difference in the antigen reactivity between 3F9 and LB2 lies in the TcR junctional regions.

T-cell receptor genes in tassel-eared squirrels (Sciurus aberti). I. Genetic polymorphism and divergence in the Abert and Kaibab subspecies

The role of environmental factors in the evolution and maintenance of diversity of antigen receptor gene families which participate in the immune response in mammals is inadequately understood. In order to elucidate the impact of these factors, we have undertaken the analysis of these gene families in the tassel-eared squirrel (Sciurus aberti) which has been separated into discrete subspecies by geographic barriers and whose food resources can be quantitated for estimating environmental quality. In this communication we describe the initial analysis of the complexity and polymorphism of sequences related to T-cell receptor (Tcr) alpha and beta chain genes in two subspecies, Sciurus aberti aberti (Abert) and Sciurus aberti kaibabensis (Kaibab) which have identical habitats and are separated by the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. Genomic blot analysis of 60 Abert and 62 Kaibab individuals collected over a 3-year period was performed with mouse Tcrb and Tcra cDNA probes. Sequences homologous to Tcrb-C, Tcrb-J1, and Tcrb-J2 genes were observed in all individuals from both subspecies; although Tcrb-J1 fragments were monomorphic. Tcrb-C and Tcrb-J2 fragments were polymorphic with both species- and subspecies-specific sequences. A single, monomorphic Tcra-C fragment was observed in addition to multiple Tcra-V fragments homologous to the mouse Tcra-V1 subfamily. Abert samples exhibited greater numbers of Tcra-V1 fragments as well as greater polymorphism than Kaibab samples. Heterozygosity estimates of Tcrb-C and Tcra-V1 sequences were determined for annually collected samples and compared with the yearly estimates of availability of hypogeous fungi, one of the major diet items of tassel-eared squirrels. In the Kaibab annual collections, Tcra-V1 heterozygosity declined with the decline in food resource, whereas heterozygosity of Tcrb-C sequences was inversely related to food resource. Similarly, a reduction in food resource for Abert squirrels in 1985 coincided with an increase in Tcrb-C heterozygosity in the same year. These results suggest that the diversity of gene families which participate in the immune response in mammals may be affected by environmental factors.

Selective anergy of V beta 8+,CD4+ T cells in Staphylococcus enterotoxin B-primed mice

The cellular basis of the in vitro and in vivo T cell responses to Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) has been investigated. The proliferation and cytotoxicity of V beta 8.1,2+,CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were observed in in vitro response to SEB. In primary cytotoxicity assays, CD4+ T cells from control spleens were more active than their CD8+ counterparts, however, in cells derived from SEB-primed mice, CD8+ T cells were dominant in SEB-specific cytotoxicity. In vivo priming with SEB abrogated the response of V beta 8.1,2+,CD4+ T cells despite the fact that these cells exist in significant number. This SEB-specific anergy occurred only in V beta 8.1,2+,CD4+ T cells but not in CD8+ T cells. These findings indicate that the requirement for the induction of antigen-specific anergy is different between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in post-thymic tolerance, and the existence of coanergic signals for the induction of T cell anergy is suggested.

Participation of a dominant cytotoxic T cell population defined by a monoclonal antibody in syngeneic anti-tumor responses

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones against a syngeneic Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia (FBL-3) were generated in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. A monoclonal antibody (mAb, N9-127) was then raised from spleen cells of a B6 mouse immunized syngenically against one of these CTL clones. This mAb detected the epitope (127Ep) of the T cell antigen receptor (TcR) on the immunizing CTL clone in tests of immunoprecipitation, specific blocking and proliferation, and induction of TcR-mediated nonspecific lysis of the clone. In addition, more than 10% of the FBL-3-specific CTL clones isolated independently from B6 mice were 127Ep+. Further investigations revealed that up to 30% of B6 anti-FBL-3 T cell blasts from mixed lymphocyte tumor cell cultures were positive for this epitope, and that its expression was confined to CD8+ T cells. This epitope was not detected in naive lymphoid cells from the spleen, lymph nodes or thymus or in T cell clones specific for tumors other than FBL-3. The FBL-3-specific CTL clones were next grouped into 127Ep+ and 127Ep- clones. Sequence analyses of the CTL clone used for immunization showed the rearrangements of V alpha 1J alpha 112-2 and V beta 10D beta 2.1J beta 2.7. Southern blot analysis of all the 127Ep+ CTL clones examined showed the same DNA rearrangement bands of both the TcR alpha and beta genes. These findings suggested that mAb N9-127 recognized the shared determinant of the TcR molecule which was expressed by the dominant CTL population in the response to FBL-3.

T cell receptor-mediated negative selection of autoreactive T lymphocyte precursors occurs after commitment to the CD4 or CD8 lineages

To identify the maturational stage(s) during which T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated positive and negative selection occurs, we followed the development of CD4+8- and CD4-8+ T cells from TCRlo CD4+8+ thymic blasts in the presence of different positive and negative selecting (major histocompatibility complex or Mls) elements. We describe novel lineage-committed transitional intermediates that are TCRmed CD4+8lo or TCRmed CD4lo8+, and that show evidence of having been positively selected. Furthermore, negative selection is not evident until after cells have attained one of the TCRmed transitional phenotypes. Accordingly, we propose that negative selection in normal mice occurs only after TCRlo CD4+8+ precursors have been positively selected into either the CD4 or CD8 lineage.

HLA-DR alleles differ in their ability to present staphylococcal enterotoxins to T cells

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) have been shown to bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II proteins and stimulate T cells in a V beta-specific manner, and these V beta specificities for various SEs have been well documented in mice and humans. This study was undertaken in order to examine the ability of human class II molecules to present SEs to human and murine T cell hybridomas. Using a panel of transfectants expressing individual HLA class II antigens, we have shown that HLA-DR alleles differ in their ability to bind and present SEs. Since the HLA-DR proteins share a common alpha chain, these results indicate that the polymorphic beta chain plays an important role in SE binding and presentation to T cells. In addition, we have shown that human class II isotypes markedly differ in their ability to present SEs. The results of this study should provide information on the region of MHC class II molecules that interacts with foreign, and perhaps self, super-antigens.

Characterization of the ligand(s) responsible for negative selection of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells: effects of a new Mls determinant

During T cell development, events occur that result in the generation of a T cell population capable of recognizing foreign antigens in association with self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products. However, selective events also occur during thymic education that result in the deletion of T cells expressing alpha/beta T cell receptors with high affinity for self determinants alone, i.e., potentially self-reactive T cells. Both MHC- and non-MHC-encoded self antigens appear to play critical roles in this negative selection of self-reactive T cells. We recently observed that T cells expressing V beta 5, V beta 11, V beta 12, or V beta 16 products are deleted in most strains of H-2k type, but not in congenic H-2b strains. In contrast, the H-2k strain C58/J deleted V beta 5+ and V beta 16+ T cells, but failed to delete T cells expressing V beta 11 or V beta 12. Based upon this observation, in the present study we have analyzed the genetic regulation of the ligands responsible for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells, and have tested the possibility that these ligands can function as strong alloantigens analogous to the known minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls)- and MHC-encoded antigens. Two major findings have resulted from these studies. First, the ligands recognized by V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells were regulated by both MHC- and multiple non-MHC-encoded genes. Correlation between expression of these two V beta s in backcross animals suggested that shared, though not necessarily identical, ligands mediate deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells. Second, the ligand for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells functions as a newly defined Mls alloantigen that stimulates primary proliferative responses in T cell populations from mice that express V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells.

Residues of the variable region of the T-cell-receptor beta-chain that interact with S. aureus toxin superantigens

The alpha beta T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) recognizes antigenic peptides in the context of self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The specificity of recognition of MHC plus antigen is generally determined by a combination of the variable elements of alpha- and beta-chains of the TCR. Several types of antigen, however, have been identified that, when bound to MHC molecules, stimulate T cells bearing particular variable-region beta-chain (V beta) elements irrespective of the other variable components of the TCR. These have been termed 'superantigens', and here we are concerned with one type of superantigen, the toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. T cells have been found that bear closely related members of the same V beta family but respond differently to S. aureus toxins; in particular, cells bearing the human V beta 13.2 element respond to toxin SEC2, whereas cells bearing human V beta 13.1 do not. We have now defined the residues of the V beta element responsible for this difference, and find that they reside in a region thought to lie on the side of the TCR molecule, away from the conventional antigen/MHC-binding site. The evolutionary conservation of this site may be due to its having an important role in some function of the TCR other than the binding of conventional antigen plus MHC.

In vivo regulation of the murine syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction

Previous work from this laboratory has suggested that a CD8+ T suppressor (Ts) cell network regulated the murine syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (SMLR). We have attempted to disrupt this network by the inoculation of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in vivo. Intraperitoneal inoculation of three mAbs resulted in a marked increase in the proliferation of CD4+, self-Ia-reactive splenic T cells in vitro to syngeneic, but not to allogeneic, spleen cells. Suppression was not limited to a specific mouse strain as the enhanced SMLR was reproducible following anti-CD8 treatment of three strains of mice. In vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells was not a prerequisite for enhancement of the SMLR as several mAb to CD8 augmented the SMLR independent of their capacity to cause CD8 T cell depletion. Moreover, enhancement of the SMLR could be mimicked in vitro by inclusion of anti-CD8 mAb in in vitro cultures of responder T cells and irradiated Ia+ syngeneic stimulators. Since the in vitro SMLR was enhanced following mAb treatment, it was expected that the in vivo SMLR would also be increased. However, no evidence of increased in vivo autoreactivity could be detected following in vivo treatment with anti-CD8 mAb, indicating that other mechanisms in addition to CD8+ regulatory T cells acted to regulate the in vivo activity of autoreactive T cells.

Preferential usage of the V beta 8 gene family by CD4-CD8-T cell lines derived from spleen

Receptors encoded by the V beta 8 gene family and identified by the F23.1 antibody are commonly expressed amongst the CD4-CD8-T cell lines isolated from spleen cells infected in vitro with the RadLV retrovirus. All but one out of 12 cell lines showed between 50 and 85% F23.1+ cells in the uncloned cell population which is noticably higher than the approximately 13% level amongst the Ig- normal spleen cell population. There was a high frequency (approximately 50%) of F23.1+ clones from five of these cell lines. The frequency of F23.1 binding cells in the Ig-, CD4/CD8-depleted spleen population is only 0.2%, which gives a precursor frequency in spleen of less than 0.002%. This reflects selective isolation of CD4-CD8- alpha beta+ cells which express V beta 8 gene products by this culture scheme. The requirement for RadLV in induction of these cell lines has been established, suggesting that this retrovirus may selectively stimulate CD4-CD8-F23.1+ T cells. These cells may represent an autoimmune subset present in peripheral lymphoid tissue.

Homogenous junctional sequence of the V14+ T-cell antigen receptor alpha chain expanded in unprimed mice

Nucleotide sequences of VJ (variable-joining) junctional regions of V14+ alpha-chain T-cell receptor genes show that most V alpha 14+ T cells use one alpha chain (V alpha 14J alpha 281 with a one-nucleotide N region, which is frequently used in keyhole limpet hemocyanin-specific suppressor T-cell hybridomas) in unprimed mice. Moreover, the frequency of this alpha-chain expression was greater than 1.5% of the total alpha chains found in laboratory strains, including B10 congenic mice. This is about 10(4) times higher than was expected. The V14J281 alpha-chain expression was relatively low but was significant in CD4+/CD8+ immature thymocytes and became quite high in mature single-positive T cells, implying that this alpha chain is selected during T-cell maturation. V14J281 expression increased with time after birth and reached a maximum at around 5 weeks of age. The ligand seems to be a self molecule and to be present in laboratory strains but to be absent in a wild mouse, Mus musculus molossinus, because bone marrow chimeras clearly showed that bone marrow cells derived from Mus musculus molossinus negative for this alpha chain raised V14J281-positive T cells in a C57BL/6 environment. The above results suggest that there are some selection mechanisms for this cell type other than those for conventional alpha beta T cells and also that the homogenous VJ junction of the V14J281 alpha chain plays a pivotal role in the selection of the T cell and its ligand reactivity.

Molecular analysis of the influences of positive selection, tolerance induction, and antigen presentation on the T cell receptor repertoire

Immunization of both B10.A and B10.S(9R) mice with pigeon cytochrome c (pcc) elicits T cells capable of proliferating to pcc presented on I-E major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire used by pcc-specific T cells from these two strains is markedly different, even for T cells recognizing very similar antigen/MHC complexes. Our current studies have been directed toward explaining this differential expression between MHC congenic strains of TCR gene elements capable of recognizing similar ligands. Analysis of the TCR repertoire of pcc-specific T cells from F1[B10.A x B10.S (9R)]----parent radiation chimeras has demonstrated that much of this difference is a result of the positive selection of T cells for MHC restriction specificity. Further analysis of T cell lines from F1 mice and from radiation chimeras stimulated in vitro with pcc on both B10.A and B10.S(9R) antigen-presenting cells has provided clear-cut examples of the influence of positive selection, tolerance induction and of both in vivo and in vitro antigen presentation on the shaping of the TCR repertoire for a protein antigen. This is the first molecular analysis of how positive selection, tolerance induction, and antigen presentation can combine to mold the TCR repertoire.

Identification of the region of T cell receptor beta chain that interacts with the self-superantigen MIs-1a

Superantigen-MHC complexes are known to stimulate T cells primarily via the V beta element of the T cell receptor. In this paper we identify a number of amino acid residues that define the region of a particular V beta element interacting with one of the self-superantigens, MIs-1a. These residues are predicted to lie on a beta-pleated sheet of the T cell receptor, away from the complementarity determining regions of the receptor, which are thought to interact with complexes of conventional peptide antigens and MHC. In support of this prediction, mutations affecting MIs-1a activity have no effect on the response to conventional antigen and MHC.

Tolerance in transgenic mice expressing major histocompatibility molecules extrathymically on pancreatic cells

Transgenic mice with defined expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins provide novel systems for understanding the fundamental question of T cell tolerance to nonlymphoid self components. The MHC class II I-E and I-A and class I H-2K molecules expressed specifically on pancreatic islet or acinar cells serve as model self antigens. In these systems, transgenic proteins are not detected in the thymus or other lymphoid tissues. Yet mice are tolerant to the pancreatic MHC products in vivo; this tolerance is not induced by clonal deletion. These studies have been aided by monoclonal antibodies specific for I-E-reactive T cells and indicate that clonal anergy may be an important mechanism of tolerance to peripheral proteins.

The role of the T cell receptor in positive and negative selection of developing T cells

Although many combinations of alpha beta T cell receptors are available to the T cells in any given organism, far fewer are actually used by mature T cells. The combinations used are limited by two selective processes, positive selection of T cells bearing receptors that will be useful to the host, and clonal elimination or inactivation of T cells bearing receptors that will be damaging to the host. The ways in which these two apparently contradictory processes occur, and the hypotheses that have been suggested to reconcile them, are discussed.

A role for clonal inactivation in T cell tolerance to Mls-1a

Clonal deletion plays a major part in the maintenance of natural self-tolerance in both normal and transgenic mice. Self antigens that are expressed in the thymus result in the physical elimination of autoreactive thymocytes at a particular stage in their development. For example, the majority V beta 6- and V beta 8.1-bearing T cells that recognize the minor lymphocyte-stimulating antigen, Mls-1a (ref. 10) , are clonally deleted in the thymuses of normal mice and transgenic mice expressing Mls-1a (refs 2, 3, 9). In contrast, a very different mechanism of tolerance involving the functional inactivation, but not elimination, of autoreactive cells, termed clonal inactivation or clonal anergy, has been implicated in some experimentally manipulated systems of tolerance. To test further the mechanisms involved in self-tolerance, we have generated transgenic mice expressing a V beta 8.1 beta chain on greater than 95% of peripheral T cells and have tested tolerance to Mls-1a in these mice. Surprisingly, a significant fraction of the CD4+ peripheral cells that survived deletion were non-responsive in vitro to any stimulus tested. Naturally occurring tolerance to a self antigen expressed in the thymus can thus be mediated by clonal anergy, as well as by clonal deletion.

Renewal rates of murine T-lymphocyte subsets

The proliferative dynamics of T-cell subsets in lymphoid organs of BALB/c mice have been evaluated by means of [3H]thymidine injections for up to 3 days, followed by FACS and autoradiography. In the thymus, cells positive for both CD4 and CD8 antigens were more rapidly renewed than single-positive cells. Cell populations showing strong expression of Thy-1 and weak expression of CD5 antigens were more rapidly renewed than populations with the opposite antigen expressions. The results obtained from the spleen and the lymph nodes indicated that the majority of T cells have life spans exceeding a few days, and comparable cell kinetics were found in the different T-cell subpopulations. Results obtained after injections of hydroxyurea, which causes elimination of cycling cells, paralleled the autoradiographic results.

Dynamics of positive and negative selection in the thymus: review and hypothesis

T cells recognize with a single receptor both a product of antigens processed by antigen presenting cells (APC1) and a self-marker molecule, encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC, a property termed MHC-restricted recognition of antigen). During their differentiation in the thymus, T cells "learn" what to regard as self-MHC molecules, and only the cells once able to recognize antigen in the context of self-MHC will be "positively selected" to exit the thymus. The cells, once capable of reacting to self molecules, do not exit the thymus. They are "negatively selected" (deleted). Both "positive" and "negative" selection depends on the T-cell-receptor (TCR) specificity. Furthermore, the TCR specificity determines the final phenotype of the mature T cells; namely, the cells with receptors specific for the MHC-class I molecule will acquire the CD4-CD8+ phenotype, while the cells with receptors specific for the MHC-class II molecule will acquire the CD4+CD8- phenotype. However, a few mature T cells in the periphery do not follow the rule: CD4 expression class II restriction and CD8 expression class I restriction. We believe that these T lymphocytes have a receptor with very high affinity for one class of MHC molecules and cross-react with another class of MHC molecules (with somewhat lower affinity). The majority of T lymphocytes with such receptors bind the thymic MHC molecule, for which they have the highest affinity. Since this affinity is too high for further differentiation, such clones are deleted in the thymus. However, a small fraction of these cells bind the alternative class of MHC molecules, due to cross-reactivity of their receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of T cell receptor V beta gene usage in primary mixed lymphocyte reactions: evidence for directive usage by different antigen-presenting cells and Mls-like determinants on T cell blasts

The usage of four different T cell receptor (TcR) V beta gene families within normal, non-primed T cell populations in response to various types of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in primary mixed lymphocyte reaction has been studied. We demonstrate that distinct patterns of V beta gene usage are obtained within a given T cell population in response to different types of APC with the same allo-H-2. When responder T cells are stimulated with one type of allogeneic APC, from various H-2-disparate mice, the same V beta gene preference is observed. Furthermore, when H-2- and Mls-mismatched APC gene used as stimulators, the Mls-associated V beta 6 and V beta 8.1 gene families are highly elevated in response to both B and T cell blasts from certain Mls-positive strains. The results demonstrate that different types of allogeneic APC have the capacity to generate biases in TcR V beta gene usage and imply that functional Mls-like determinants are presented by T cell blasts. The findings are discussed with respect to TcR-major histocompatibility complex interactions in allostimulation.

Autoreactive T cells in normal mice: unrestricted recognition of self peptides on dendritic cell I-A molecules by CD4-CD8- T cell receptor alpha/beta+ T cell clones expressing V beta 8.1 gene segments

CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) and CD4+CD8- T cell clones were derived from splenic precursors resistant to killing by anti-Thy-1, -CD5, -CD4 and -CD8 monoclonal antibodies and complement. Both DN and CD4+ clones express functional T cell receptor (TcR) alpha/beta and exhibit strong autoreactivity in vitro. DN cells can be induced to proliferate by dendritic cells (DC) of all haplotypes tested, although this activation is inhibited by antibodies specific for I-A determinants expressed on the stimulatory DC. In contrast, CD4+ clones only respond to syngeneic or I-Ad-compatible DC. Both DN and CD4+ autoreactive clones do not proliferate when cultured with class II+ H-2d normal or tumor macrophages and B cell lines or with class II-transfected L cells, suggesting that these cells recognize self peptides only present on the surface of DC. Despite their phenotype resembling that of immature thymocytes and their inability to interact directly with B lymphocytes, DN cloned T cells, like CD4+ T cells, exhibit nonspecific helper functions and can induce polyclonal B cell proliferation and differentiation. DN TcR alpha/beta+ peripheral T cells represent, like TcR gamma/delta+ lymphocytes, a new T cell subset physiological role whose remains to be defined.

Clonal deletion: a mechanism of tolerance in mixed bone marrow chimeras

The mechanism of antigen-specific immunologic unresponsiveness which results from lethal irradiation and mixed (syngeneic-allogeneic) bone marrow cell (BMC) reconstitution is unknown. To determine whether clonal deletion is the mechanism of tolerance in this model, monoclonal antibody (Mab) RR-4-4, specific for a T-cell receptor (V beta 6) reactive against the minor alloantigen MLsa, was employed. Six-week-old B10 mice (H-2b, Mlsb, Thyl.2) were tolerized to AKR antigens (H-2k, Mlsa, Thyl.1) by whole body irradiation (950 R) and iv infusion of T-cell-depleted (TCD) B10 BMC + non-TCD AKR BMC. Chimerism and antigen-specific tolerance were documented by flow microfluorometry (FMF), skin grafting, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and cell-mediated lympholysis. When tolerant B10 mice (n = 15) had accepted AKR skin grafts for greater than 100 days, these animals were studied for the presence of host V beta 6+ T cells using Mab RR-4-4. FMF revealed that 0-5% of host (B10) lymph node and spleen cells from chimeras were V beta 6+ while 15-20% of lymph node and spleen cells from control B10 mice expressed V beta 6. These data demonstrate that clonal deletion occurs in the lethal irradiation-mixed reconstitution model as evidenced by the near total elimination of Mlsa-reactive V beta 6+ T cells and suggest that it maybe a mechanism responsible for tolerance in adult mice.

The staphylococcal enterotoxins and their relatives

Staphylococcal enterotoxins and a group of related proteins made by Streptococci cause food poisoning and shock in man and animals. These proteins share an ability to bind to human and mouse major histocompatibility complex proteins. The complex ligand so formed has specificity for a particular part of T cell receptors, V beta, and by engaging V beta can stimulate many T cells. It is likely that some or all of the pathological effects of these toxins are caused by their ability to activate quickly so many T cells. It is also possible that encounters with such toxins have caused mice, at least, to evolve mechanisms for varying their T cell V beta repertoires, such that they are less susceptible to attack by the toxins.

Correlation between the V beta 4+ CD8+ T-cell population and the H-2d haplotype

The V beta 4+ T-cell population was examined with a newly established antibody, KT4, specific for V beta 4. Between 4.8% and 19.4% of CD3+ peripheral T cells from various inbred strains of mice or F1 hybrids expressed V beta 4. The CD4 T-cell population had higher numbers of V beta 4+ T cells (5.5%-20.6%) than the CD8 T-cell population (2.5%-10.7%). Deletion of certain V beta-expressing T cells due to the presence of the Mlsa antigen and/or the absence of certain Tcrb-V genes increased relative numbers of V beta 4+ T cells. The data suggest that V beta 4+ CD8+ T cells might be positively selected by H-2d molecules.

Cellular and molecular characteristics of transformed T cells from an antigen-specific T-cell line

An antigen-specific T-cell line which transforms into T-lymphoma cells in vitro but apparently not in vivo is described. Membrane markers, tumorigenicity and T-cell receptor (TcR) V alpha and V beta-gene usage of the in vitro transformed T-cell line were analysed to investigate whether the transformation event was poly-, oligo-, or monoclonal. The results indicate that the T lymphoma has no chromosome abnormalities, contains no tumour-inducing virus, can induce clone-specific immunity, and is oligoclonal with respect to TcR V alpha and V beta expression. The nature of the transformation event and clinical application of vaccination against T lymphomas is discussed. In addition, the expressed TcR V alpha and V beta repertoire of Con A T blasts was apparently not affected by the Igh-l or the MHC haplotype, as investigated in Igh-l and MHC congeneic C57Bl mice.

T-cell receptor beta-chain DNA polymorphism frequencies in healthy HLA-DR homozygotes

In view of numerous recent reports of T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain/disease associations with HLA-associated diseases, we tested the possibilities that associations might exist directly between these two gene complexes at the level of the germline DNA. We determined frequencies of five TCR-beta DNA polymorphisms in 33 HLA-DR2/2 homozygotes, 29 HLA-DR3/3 homozygotes and 42 HLA-DR4/4 homozygotes. The control population (n = 74) was chosen without "bias toward" their HLA-DR genes. We selected DR2, DR3 and DR4 homozygotes because they have been the most frequently involved in HLA-DR associated diseases. Our results indicate that the recent reports in the literature of TCR-beta/disease associations can not be explained by a significantly different distribution of TCR-beta genes in HLA-DR2+, -DR3+, or -DR4+ subpopulations. Our results also suggest that if co-evolution between TCR-beta and MHC haplotypes does exist, the selective pressures in recent generations have not been strong enough to significantly alter the germline TCR-beta gene frequencies in HLA-DR2+, -DR3+, or -DR4+ subpopulations.

T cell receptor V beta gene usage in a human alloreactive response. Shared structural features among HLA-B27-specific T cell clones

A strategy, based on using V beta family-specific oligonucleotides, was developed for specific amplification and direct sequencing of human TCR V beta genes. With this strategy, it was possible to undertake a structural analysis of TCRs from human T cell clones in specific responses. 12 HLA-B27-specific cytotoxic clones were examined. The results reveal a nonrandom use of V beta gene diversity in this alloreactive response in that: (a) the clones express a restricted number of V beta segments, including a subset of V beta families that are significantly more related to one another than to most other V beta families; (b) five of seven clones having a particular reaction pattern with HLA-B27 subtypes possess Alanine at the D-J junction; and (c) identical J beta segments are found associated in several instances with identical or highly homologous V beta gene segments. In addition, two new V beta 13 members are reported.

Preferential usage of V alpha 4 and V beta 10 T cell receptor genes by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein-specific H-2Db-restricted cytotoxic T cells

Correlations between the T cell receptor (TcR) V gene usage and the specificity of T cells have been primarily described for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted helper T cell responses. In the present study the TcR genes expressed by MHC class I-restricted murine cytotoxic T cells (CTL) specific for a major epitope of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), LCMV-GP2(275-289), were investigated. The TcR primary structure of an LCMV-GP2(275-289) specific H-2Db-restricted CTL clone has been determined. It uses a member of the V alpha 4 family joined to J alpha AN14.4 for the alpha chain and V beta 10 rearranged to D beta 2.1 and J beta 2.4 for its beta chain. Four other independent LCMV-GP2(275-289) specific H-2Db-restricted CTL clones also expressed V alpha 4 and V beta 10 gene elements. Furthermore, V alpha 4 and V beta 10 were preferentially expressed by polyclonal CTL of C57BL/6 origin specific for LCMV. These results suggest that both TcR V alpha and V beta regions are important for the recognition of the LCMV-GP2(275-289) epitope on H-2Db molecules.

The basic science of heart transplantation: important immune cell surface molecules

Fundamental research in immunology has led to significant advances in cardiac and other organ transplantation. Immunology has now entered the era of molecular biology and sophisticated techniques have been applied to an understanding of immunological events at a molecular level. Future progress in transplantation will be based on these advances in immunology. This is a review of recent work on the structure and action of cell surface molecules important in normal and abnormal functioning of the immune system. Present understanding does not permit a comprehensive description of immunology at the molecular level. However, the exciting developments taking place in fundamental immunological research hopefully will be a stimulus to new progress in cardiac and other organ transplantation.

Requirement for cotolerogenic gene products in the clonal deletion of I-E reactive T cells

T cells that express the T cell receptor V beta 5.2 domain react with the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule I-E, and V beta 5.2+ T cells are deleted in mouse strains that express I-E glycoproteins. By examination of genetically defined recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains, it was found that the deletion was dependent on the expression of I-E and one of a limited number of non-MHC gene products (cotolerogens). The gene encoding one of these cotolerogens maps to chromosome 12 and is linked to the endogenous provirus Mtv-9. These observations suggest that the I-E-mediated and minor lymphocyte-stimulating antigen (Mls)-mediated deletions of alpha beta T cells from the repertoire are similar; both require the expression of a class II MHC glycoprotein and a second non-MHC gene product.

Programmed death of autoreactive thymocytes

T lymphocytes bearing high-affinity T-cell receptors (TCR) for self-antigens are clonally deleted during thymus development. Several recent studies have identified variable domains of the beta-chain of the TCR that are specifically deleted in vivo in mouse strains that express major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in addition to poorly defined self-antigens, including those encoded by the Mls-1a and Mls-2a loci. Deletion of autoreactive cells in these systems occurs in the thymus, and antibody blocking experiments in vivo have implicated the phenotypically immature CD4+CD8+ 'cortical' subset as the target population for clonal deletion. Similarly, studies with transgenic mice bearing autoreactive TCR have provided independent evidence that clonal deletion occurs at the CD4+CD8+ stage of development. But none of these studies directly identified dying autoreactive cells, and the circumstances leading to deletion remain unclear. Here we report that neonatal thymus contains a significant population of phenotypically mature CD4+CD8- cells bearing autoreactive TCR. When placed in short-term culture, a large proportion (60%) of these autoreactive cells die selectively. Furthermore, their death can be prevented by inhibitors of macromolecule (RNA and protein) synthesis, as is the case for glucocorticoid-induced death of thymocytes. These data indicate that physiological clonal deletion of autoreactive cells involves 'programmed' cell death, and that it can occur in cells with a mature (CD4+CD8-) surface phenotype.

Intrathymic clonal deletion of V beta 6+ T cells in cyclophosphamide-induced tolerance to H-2-compatible, Mls-disparate antigens

When C3H (H-2k, Mls-1b) mice were primed intravenously with 10(8) viable spleen cells from AKR (H-2k, Mls-1a) and treated intraperitoneally with 200 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CP) 2 d later, not only a long-lasting skin allograft tolerance but also a tolerance in mixed lymphocyte reaction to Mls-1a-encoded antigens was established. The cellular mechanisms of CP-induced tolerance were examined by assessing the V beta 6-bearing T cells that are strongly correlated with reactivity to Mls-1a-encoded antigens bound to MHC class II molecules. At the relatively early stage (2 or 5 wk) after the CP treatment, CD4+-V beta 6+ T cells of C3H origin were preferentially eliminated in the lymph nodes of the tolerant mice, whereas CD8+-V beta 6+ T cells remained. On the other hand, neither CD4+CD8- nor CD4-CD8+ thymocytes bearing a high density of V beta 6 was detected in the chimeric thymus. Namely, in the thymus of the tolerant C3H mice, neither mixed chimerism nor the clonal deletion of the V beta 6-bearing T cells was observed on day 14, whereas both of them were observed on day 35. The clonal deletion and mixed chimerism in the thymus were lasting for greater than 10 wk after the CP treatment. Expression of V beta 6 on the peripheral T cells in the tolerant C3H mice gradually reduced in the process of time. These results strongly suggested that the clonal deletion in the thymus was one of the essential mechanisms in the CP-induced tolerance system.