Expression and function of idiotypes of lymphocytes

T lymphocyte-mediated suppression of myeloma function in vitro. III. Regulation of antibody production in hybrid myeloma cells by T lymphocytes

To investigate the mechanisms by which T lymphocytes regulate myeloma function in vitro, the effects of regulatory T cells on antibody secretion by a hybrid myeloma cell line were examined. Suppressor T cells (Ts) specific for idiotypic determinants on M315 (IgA, lambda 2 anti-2,4-dinitrophenol and anti-2,4,6-trinitrophenol [TNP]) and MPC 11 (IgG2b, kappa) myeloma proteins inhibit antibody secretion by the appropriate parental myeloma cells. When cocultured with a hybrid cell line derived by fusion of MOPC 315 and MPC 11 myelomas, the idiotype-reactive Ts inhibit secretion of only the immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing the relevant idiotype. In contrast, syngeneic TNP-reactive cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) inhibit antibody secretion by TNP-binding MOPC 315 cells but not by MPC 11 cells in the presence of soluble TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and this inhibition probably represents a prelytic effect of the CTL. Such TNP-reactive CTL, in the presence of TNP-KLH, inhibit both IgA and IgG secretion by the MOPC 315-MPC 11 hybrid, which is consistent with a prelytic effect. Thus, myeloma hybrids are a useful tool for investigating the effector function of regulatory T cells. These results are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of action of regulatory T cells and their relevance to modulation of physiologic humoral immune responses.

Quantitative studies on T cell diversity. I. Determination of the precursor frequencies for two types of streptococcus A-specific helper cells in nonimmune, polyclonally activated splenic T cells

A limiting-dilution system is described that makes use of T cell growth factor T cell expansion and allows the determination of precursor frequencies for various regulatory and effector T cells in nonimmune, polyclonally, or specifically activated T cell populations. Two different sets, a frequent and a rare set, of T helper cell precursors with specificity for trinitrophenyl-group A streptococcal vaccine, could be identified: the frequent set is of the Lyt-123 phenotype, and is present at frequencies of from 1/1,000 to 1/6,000 splenic T cells. It is only active at low cell numbers, whereas it is completely inactivated at greater cell numbers, presumably by suppressor T cells of lower frequency but greater potency. The rare set is of the Lyt-1 phenotype, is present at frequencies of from 1/10,000 to 1/70,000, and is not sensitive to suppressor cells present within the tested cell numbers. We suggest that the frequent set contains primiary helper cell precursors, whereas the rare set contains helper T memory cells preselected by previous exposure to other antigens. The results are discussed with respect to other reports on the involvement of more than one set of helper cells in antibody production.

Idiotypic lymphocytes in the rabbit: occurrence and nature of idiotypic lymphocytes in normal and hyperimmunized rabbits

Rabbits were hyperimmunized with Micrococcus Pysodeicticus, leading to homogeneous antibody responses. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were taken from the rabbits before and monthly (during 3 months) after the start of the immunization. The cells were stored frozen. Lymphocytes were tested with anti-idiotypic conjugates for the presence of surface idiotypic structures. The nature of the idiotype-positive cells was determined with respect to the presence of IgM or T-cell antigenic determinants on their surface. A sharp rise and fall in the percentage of idiotypic lymphocytes was found, ranging between 1/40,000 and 1/1,000. Initially almost all idiotypic lymphocytes were IgM-positive. In the blood taken 2 months after the start of the immunization 20% of the idiotypic cells belonged to the T-cell population and 10% were negative for both IgM and T-cell antigenic determinants.

Selective suppression of the major idiotypic component of an antihapten response by soluble T cell-derived factors with idiotypic or anti-idiotypic receptors

Evidence is presented for the selective suppression of the major idiotypic component of the humoral response to the phenylarsonate hapten by soluble factors derived from T cells (TsF). The existence of TsF with anti-idiotypic receptors was also demonstrated. It was found that TsF with idiotypic and anti-idiotypic receptors coexist in cultures of spleen cells prepared from idiotypically suppressed, hyperimmunized mice. By gel filtration the molecular weight of each factor was found to be 50,000-100,000. Each is sensitive to trypsin and is bound to a column containing anti-H-2a antibodies. Evidence is discussed which suggests the possibility of mutual stimulation of suppressor T cells with idiotypic and anti-idiotypic receptors.

Monoclonal rat anti-major histocompatibility complex antibodies display specificity for rat, mouse, and human target cells

24 monoclonal rat antibodies are described that are reactive with determinants encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat. These hybridoma antibodies were derived by fusing mutant mouse myeloma cells to spleen cells from Lewis rats immunized with allogeneic Brown Norway cells. All 24 antibodies are cytotoxic for both Brown Norway target cells and target cells from the appropriate MHC congenic rats. Pattern of cytotoxicity and hemagglutination strongly suggest reactivity against class I (K or D equivalent) rat MHC determinants. Cytotoxic cross-reactivity patterns were generated for each monoclonal antibody on a panel of rat and mouse lymphoid cells and human peripheral T lymphocytes. A high degree of interspecies cross-reactivity was noted with approximately one-half of the antibodies positive on human and/or mouse target cells. 11 antibodies recognized polymorphic determinants in the mouse, and, by using target cells from MHC congenic mouse strains, it was shown that these determinants are encoded by genes within the H-2 complex. Finally, by considering the overall reactivity patterns of these monclonal antibodies on all target cells, one can show that these 24 antibodies represent a minimum of 14 antibody specificities.

Antigen receptors on major histocompatibility complex-restricted T lymphocytes. I. Preparation and characterization of syngeneic antisera against trinitrophenyl-activated T cell blasts and demonstration of their specificity for idiotypes on cytotoxic T lymphocytes

This paper describes the specificity of AKR anti-(a) [AKR anti-trinitrophenylated AKR (AKR-TNP)] [AKRa (AKRaAKR TNP)] antisera raised in syngeneic AKR mice against AKRaAKR-TNP cell populations enriched for H-2-restricted aTNP cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) by blast-cell isolation. The activity of the antisera resided in the Ig fraction. All antisera were shown to reproducibly react with AKRaAKR-TNP-CTL-containing cell populations in indirect immunofluorescence and all removed the major fraction of CTL in complement-dependent lysis causing a considerable depression of cell-mediated lympholysis. The antisera were nonreactive with alloreactive AKRaC57BL/6 CTL and other H-2-restricted AKR CTL against fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated AKR-target cells. It could be excluded that the antisera contained contaminating antibodies against TNP, TNP-neoantigenic determinants (NAD), or processed CTL-receptor-bound TNP-NAD, thus demonstrating specificity for determinants on T cell receptors of AKRaAKR-TNP CTL. These receptors were produced by the CTL themselves. These observations are interpreted to suggest that AKRa (AKRaAKR-TNP) antisera contain anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against specificity-associated determinants (idiotypes) on T cell receptors of H-2-restricted AKRaAKR-TNP CTL. The antisera provide a new tool to study the genetic control of idiotype expression on H-2-restricted CTL, the biochemistry of T cell receptors, and the regulation of the generation of H-2 restricted CTL on the idiotype level.

Basic strategies of the immune system in the regulation of antibody response

Three major regulatory mechanisms operating in the control of antibody response have been examined: 1. antibody feedback; 2. T cell regulation (I. regulatory interactions among T cell subsets, II. H-2 linked Ir gene control of T cell function, III. regulatory role of antigenic epitopes in T cell subsets induction); 3. idiotypic network. Analysis of the results of obtained in the lysozyme system together with available data in the literature have permitted the delineation of a model of antigen-triggered events involved in the regulation of antibody response. The basic feature of the proposed model is the integration of two major specific communication systems among lymphocytes engaged in the antibody response: antigen bridge and idiotypic complementarity.

Antibodies to immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions protect helper cells from specific suicide by radiolabeled antigen

The antigen-binding receptor of helper T cells was studied by radioactive antigen-caused suicide in vitro. Purified antibodies to immunoglobulin variable regions, obtained from sera of rabbits immunized with isolated VH and VL fragments of mouse myeloma proteins (MOPC 315, XRPC 25), were used to inhibit the binding of radiotoxic antigen. Anti-VH, but not anti-V lambda or anti-V chi inhibited suicide of carrier-primed cells.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. III. Induction of delayed type hypersensitivity to azobenzenearsonate with anti-cross-reactive idiotypic antibodies

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to p-azobenzenearsonate (ABA) can be induced in A/J mice with intravenous injection of minute amounts of anti-cross-reactive idiotypic (CRI) antibodies, providing that the animals have been pretreated 2 d earlier with low doses of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg). However intravenous injection of the F(ab')2 fragments of the anti-CRI antibodies or subcutaneous administration with anti-CRI antibodies induces comparable immunity in both cyclophosphamide-pretreated and normal nontreated animals. Furthermore adoptive transfer experiments indicate that lymph node cells taken from animals sensitized with anti-CRI 4 d earlier can adoptively transfer immunity to naive recipients. Transfer of immunity is mediated by a population of thymus-dependent (T) cells, which express idiotypic structures on their surface. Treatment of effector cells with either anti-theta serum or anti-idiotypic antibodies plus complement completely abrogated their ability to transfer immunity. In addition idiotype-bearing suppressor T cells induced with ABA-coupled spleen cells inhibit the development of ABA-specific DTH induced with anti-CRI antibodies. Genetic analysis revealed that the ability of anti-CRI antibodies to induce ABA-specific DTH was linked to Igh-1 heavy-chain allotype. Anti-idiotypic antibodies to the major CRI associated with anti-ABA antibodies in A/J mice failed to induce significant immunity in BALB/c mice (H-2d, Igh-1a). Nevertheless, they were able to induce significant immunity in C.AL20 mice (H-2d, Igh-1d) which possess a heavy-chain allotype similar to that of A/J mice.

Feedback suppression of the immune response in vitro. I. Activity of antigen-stimulated B cells

Feedback regulation of the primary humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) was studied in vitro. Whole spleen cells or spleen cell subpopulations were incubated with antigen for 4 d under Mishell-Dutton conditions (education) and the surviving cells tested for regulatory activity in fresh anti-SRBC spleen cell cultures assayed by measuring plaque-forming cells on day 4. The data indicate that (a) whole spleen cells educated with SRBC exert potent antigen-specific suppression in the assay culture, (b) surface Ig- (sIg-) cells (T cells) prepared by either nylon-wool separation or fractionation on rabbit anti-mouse-Ig-coated polystyrene Petri dishes failed to generate suppressive activity when educated alone, in 2-mercaptoethanol, or in the presence of additional macrophages, (c) surface Ig (sIg+) (B) cells educated alone also failed to generate suppressor cells, and (d) mixing sIg- (T) and sIg+, Lyt 123- (B) cells reconstituted the ability to induce suppressor cells under these conditions. The antigen-primed cell actually required to transfer suppression was also characterized by separating cells using anti-Ig coated dishes, by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and by anti-Lyt treatment. All these methods clearly identified sIg+ (B) and not sIg+ (T) cells as the important educated cells. It is concluded that under our conditions, T cell-dependent B cells triggered by antigen during primary in vitro cultures cause potent specific feedback suppression of humoral responses. Possible mechanisms for this suppression, including antigen blockade or anti-idiotypic responses, are discussed.

Three-receptor, clonal expansion model for selection of self-recognition in the thymus

The postulate is made that dual recognition by T lymphocytes is due to two types of receptor, one encoded by antibody genes and one by a distinct multigene family with simple rules for expression. This postulate leads to a model explaining ontogenic and evolutionary selection for self recognition, T lymphocyte effector function, the apparent high frequency of alloreactive T cells and immune response gene activity. The model is contrasted with previous explanations of self-recognition phenomena.

Hybridoma proteins expressing the predominant idiotype of the antiazophenylarsonate response of A/J mice

Hybridoma cell lines that secrete monoclonal antiazophenylarsonate antibodies were isolated from the fusion of A/J splenic lymphocytes with a myeloma cell line. A small percentage of these hybridoma proteins were recognized by rabbit antisera that detect the crossreactive idiotype characteristics of the antiazophenylarsonate response of A/J mice. The isotype, pI value, and amino-terminal sequences of four independently derived idiotype-positive hybridoma proteins were determined. These proteins were either of the IgG1 or IgG2a heavy chain class. For two mice tested, the majority of the idiotype in the immune serum was shown to be of the same isotype as the fusion-derived monoclonal antibodies. The pI values of the hybridoma proteins differed from one another and ranged from 6.9 to 7.6. Amino acid sequences of the heavy chains showed a significant degree of homology with each other, but each chain was unique in the framework or the first complementarity determining region (or both). A comparable pattern of sequence variation was evident for the light chains. The azophenylarsonate idiotype, therefore, appears to consist of a family of nonidentical but closely related molecules that are the product of more than one germline gene or the result of somatic mutation of a single germline gene.

Correlated expression of VH framework and VH idiotypic determinants on T helper cells and on functionally undefined T cells binding group A streptococcal carbohydrate

Antibodies to framework determinants of the VH and V lambda fragments of MOPC 315 and antisera to the VH idiotype determinants of the A 5 A antibody were used to analyze the antigen receptors of mouse T (and B) cells. This was done by using the antibodies as inhibitors in (a) an assay in which the binding of radiolabeled streptococcal carbohydrate (A-CHO) antigen by primed and unprimed T and B cells is determined and (b) an assay in which the helper activity of group A streptococcal vaccine-primed T cells is determined. The results suggest that the major proportion of primed and unprimed T cells binding A-CHO (70-90%) exhibit VH framework and VH idiotypic determinants. This population appears to include the helper T cells. A minor proportion of T cells (10-30%) express V lambda-related framework determinants and lack VH framework and VH idiotypic determinants. This population does not include T helper cells. Taken together, the data suggest that a subpopulation of T cells, including the helper cells, uses entire Ig VH regions as part of their antigen receptor system.

Suppression of T cells specific for the nonthymic parental H-2 haplotype in thymus-grafted chimeras

The mechanism of restriction of T-cell specificity by the genotype of the thymus in allogeneic and semiallogeneic chimeras was investigated. Lack of induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) directed against antigen in association with the nonthymic parental haplotype in naive cells adoptively transferred into chimeras suggests the existence of an in vivo suppressive mechanism. However, it was not possible to suppress the expression of DTH in sensitized cells transferred into chimeras, or to transfer this suppression to normal naive recipients.

Polyclonal activation of Ts cells with antiserum directed against an IGH-1 linked candidate for a T-cell receptor constant region marker

An anti-T cell serum raised in allotype congenic mice recognizes the product of a new locus coding for a heavy chain-linked polypeptide found on a subpopulation of T cells. Anti-Tsd raised in BALB/cAnN mice against selected C.AL-20 T cells reacts with a cell surface antigen in virgin animals that is found on 25% of mature thymocytes and Lyt-bearing T cells, but not on prothymocytes, Lyt1 T cells or B cells. The antigen is restricted to strains bearing the Ig-1d and Ig-1e heavy chain allotype haplotypes, and is expressed in the F1 animal. The antigen is unlinked in expression to the Lyt2, H-2, or kappa light chain loci. The antigen is not detected in the hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow and appears to mark only the mature peripheral pool of T cells. As previously reported, the antiserum blocks the binding of suppressor T cells to the cross-reactive idiotype for arsonate, while reagents specific for Fab, Fc and Ig were ineffective. It seems probable that the marker may represent a T cell constant region marker analogous to the Igh products on immunoglobulin. Antiserum against this marker induces in vivo triggering of Ts cells for a wide variety of T-dependent antigens. All subclasses of anti-hapten antibodies are suppressed; no affinity restrictions or clonotype specificity is observed in suppressed adult mice. Results suggest that precursor T cells regulating major serum idiotypes regulate individual idiotypes.

An immunologic network

The immune system is a complex network of molecules and cells specifically connected by the complementarity of receptors for antigen and receptors for receptors. The network includes multiple positive- and negative-feedback loops, which modulate the type, magnitude, and duration of responses. The great challenge is to devise ways to manipulate the system specifically to induce effective autoimmunity to cancer, to prevent allograft rejection, and to turn off undesirable responses in allergies and autoimmune diseases. Recognition of the immune system as a network helps to explain why these objectives are so difficult and why manipulation of multiple components to achieve desired regulation may be required. But presumably manipulation must be focused on connectivity between receptor for epitope and receptor for receptor to achieve a high degree of specific regulation.

A mature T lymphocyte subpopulation marker closely linked to the Ig-1 allotype Ch locus

An antiserum raised in BALB/c AnN mice against selected CAL.20 T cells reacts with a cell surface antigen in virgin animals that is found on 25% of mature thymocytes and Lyt-2-bearing T cells, but not on prothymocytes, Lyt-1 T cells or B cells. The antigen is restricted to strains carrying the Ig-1d or Ig-1e heavy chain allotype haplotypes. It is expressed in F1 mice. The antiserum blocks the binding of suppressor T cells to the cross-reacting idiotype for arsonate while reagents specific for Fab, Fc or Ig were ineffective. We suggest that the antigen described represents a determinant on the product of a new locus coding for a heavy chain-linked polypeptide found on a subpopulation of T cells.

Recognition of idiotypes in lymphocyte interactions. I. Idiotypic selectivity in the cooperation between T and B lymphocytes

Idiotypic restrictions are demonstrated in vitro for the cooperation between T and B lymphocytes with specificity for Group A streptococcal carbohydrate. T helper cells which have been primed in vivo with anti-idiotypic antibodies to the A5A idiotype and which are therefore essentially A5A idiotype-positive, cooperate only with A5A idiotype-positive B cells, even when mixtures of A5A idiotype-positive and A5A idiotype-negative B cells are present. Essentially A5A idiotype-negative T helper cells that have been primed in vivo with Group A streptococcal vaccine after in vivo suppression with anti-A5A idiotypic antibody are unable to cooperate with B cells which have been primed with anti-A5A idiotype antibody and which are therefore essentially A5A idiotype-positive. Mixtures of A5A idiotype-negative and A5A idiotype-positive T cells cooperate with both A5A idiotype-negative and A5A idiotype-positive B cells. Idiotypic restrictions could not be demonstrated for T and B cells recognizing carrier and hapten determinants, respectively, in experiments in which the cooperation of genetically VH-identical T and B cells was compared to the cooperation of genetically VH-different T and B cells. The data are discussed with respect to various models for the communication between T and B cells. It is proposed that for successful T-B cooperation, ordinarily two types of T helper cells are required, one recognizing the antigen and the other recognizing the idiotype of the B cell.