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

Clone-specific T cell receptor antagonists of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytotoxic T cells

A previous report showed that the proliferative response of helper T cells to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigens can be inhibited by analogues of the antigen, which act as T cell receptor (TCR) antagonists. Here we define and analyze peptide variants that antagonize various functions of class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. Of 64 variants at individual TCR contact sites of the Kb-restricted octamer peptide ovalbumin257-264 (OVAp), a very high proportion (40%) antagonized lysis by three OVAp-specific CTL clones. This effect was highly clone specific, since many antagonists for one T cell clone have differential effects on another. We show that this inhibition of CTL function is not a result of T cell-T cell interaction, precluding veto-like phenomena as a mechanism for antagonism. Moreover, we present evidence for direct interaction between the TCR and antagonist-MHC complexes. In further analysis of the T cell response, we found that serine esterase release and cytokine production are susceptible to TCR antagonism similarly to lysis. Ca2+ flux, an early event in signaling, is also inhibited by antagonists but may be more resistant to the antagonist effect than downstream responses.

Autoimmunity and selected environmental factors of disease induction

Autoimmune diseases may be induced by physical and/or chemical environmental factors. A review of the available literature on mercuric chloride, iodine, silicone, anilides, L-tryptophan, vinyl chloride, and canavanine suggests three general mechanisms by which they may induce disease. First, oxidative damage probably is a frequent process involved in disease induction and pathogenesis. Second, certain compounds also may generate antigen-specific immune responses that could then cross-react with self-tissues. Other xenobiotics might bind to self-tissues and increase self-tissue immunogenicity. Third, physical and chemical agents may also modulate the immune system. Finally, in response to controversies surrounding the influence of human activities on global climate changes, the immunosuppressive effects of ozone and ultraviolet radiation are discussed.

Programmed cell death in AIDS-related HIV and SIV infections

One of the difficulties in understanding the complex pathology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is to explain the progressive depletion of the CD4 helper T cell population and consequently the destruction of the immune system. Although cytopathic effects of HIV are observed in vitro, they cannot in vivo account for CD4 T cell depletion because relatively few cells are productively infected. Thus immunological mechanisms must be envisaged. We have found that peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals are primed for a suicide process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD). DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis was enhanced by stimulation of lymphocytes with ionomycin, a known inducer of apoptosis in suitably primed cells. Identification of the T cell subpopulations programmed for apoptosis indicated that both CD4+ and CD8+ cells died when cultured without stimulation or when polyclonally stimulated with ionomycin. Activation-induced cell death was also observed after stimulation with self-MHC class II-dependent superantigens, namely bacterial toxins from Staphylococcus (SEB), Streptococcus (ETA), and Myocoplasma (MAM) and under these conditions the CD4+ T cells were preferentially affected. To explore whether new macromolecular synthesis were required for apoptosis, various known inhibitors of apoptosis such as cycloheximide, cyclosporin A, Zn2+, or EGTA were tested. Activation-induced apoptosis was found sensitive to these inhibitors, indicating an active mechanism, but apoptosis observed in nonstimulated cultures was not, suggesting that these cells already contained the complete machinery for death. Prevention of apoptosis could be obtained in the presence of a mixture of cytokines and the minimal signal necessary for this prevention was IL-1 alpha and IL-2. Finally, a correlation between PCD and AIDS-pathogenesis was suggested by the comparison of lymphocytes from lentivirus-infected primates suceptible (SIV-infected macaques) and resistant (HIV-infected chimpanzees) to AIDS. Altogether our results suggest that, during HIV or SIV infection, PCD may contribute in vivo to the deletion of reactive T cells after antigenic stimulation.

T cell repertoire and autoimmune diseases

Self-reactivity and autoimmunity are processes related to the breakage of self-tolerance that can be distinguished by their different clinical outcome and are widely accepted cornerstones of immunology. The finding that several potentially autoaggressive cells contribute to the repertoire of healthy individuals has stimulated a great deal of experimental work aimed at understanding the mechanisms that prevent autoimmune pathology. In this review we will consider the basic principles, and our present knowledge of the rules that preside over the interplay of the immune system with self-components. One viewpoint stresses the importance of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and non-MHC genes in determining genetic predisposition to develop autoimmune phenomena. At a different level there is a strong interest in understanding the mechanisms of processing and presentation of self antigens, especially during ontogeny. Another topic of major interest concerns the interaction between MHC genes and the T cell receptor (TcR) complex as well as the identification of TcR V genes that are preferentially expressed by autoimmune T cells. All of these aspects are evaluated in the context of tolerance based on deletion and anergy. Finally we will propose a general model of autoimmunity based on the most recent findings concerning the biological activity of exogenous superantigens.

Age-related changes of T cell subsets in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes of mice

Age-related changes in T cell subsets were examined in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IEL), which contain unique T cells differentiating extrathymically. In 2-month-old mice bred under conventional condition, i-IEL consisted of a large number of CD4-CD8 alpha/alpha+ cells bearing either T cell receptor (TcR)alpha/beta or TcR gamma/delta and only a few CD4+CD8 alpha- cells. In aged mice (6 months old and 24 months old), unique CD4+CD8 alpha/alpha+ i-IEL bearing TcR alpha/beta increased in number and conversely the proportion of TcR gamma/delta+ i-IEL was decreased. Such an increase in number of CD4+CD8 alpha/alpha+ cells was detected in i-IEL from aged (14-months old) nude mice, but not in aged (14 months old) germ-free mice, suggesting that a significant fraction of TcR alpha/beta T cells such as CD4+CD8 alpha+ i-IEL can develop along an extrathymic pathway under the influence of intestinal microflora with age.

Bacterial superantigens mediate T cell deletions in the mouse severe combined immunodeficiency-human liver/thymus model

The ability to analyze T cell receptor (TCR) thymic repertoire shaping in humans by self and foreign ligands is hampered by the lack of suitable models. We recently documented that the mouse severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)-human fetal liver/thymus model recapitulates the TCR V beta gene repertoire of human thymocytes. Here, we show that an exogenous superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, administered to such mice induces clonal deletions in both CD4+8- and CD8+4- cells involving the same human V beta clones that are selected in vitro by this toxin. This model, therefore, may allow comprehensive studies into the effects of microbial and other agents on human T cell thymic selection processes in a biologically relevant setting.

Particular HLA-DQ molecules play a dominant role in determining susceptibility or resistance to type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Genes in the HLA complex are by far the most important in determining genetic predisposition or resistance to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. In this review evidence is presented that the HLA genes mainly involved are those encoding some particular HLA-DQ molecules. Both among Black, Caucasian and Japanese subjects particular cis or trans encoded DQ molecules are significantly associated with susceptibility, while others are associated with resistance. A varying degree of susceptibility or resistance seems to be conferred by these DQ molecules, where those determining resistance are dominant over those determining susceptibility. The degree of genetic predisposition to develop Type 1 diabetes carried by an individual would therefore be the result of his or her particular combination of DQ molecules. A primary association to particular DQ molecules explains previously found associations to other HLA complex genes by linkage disequilibrium. Some mechanisms by which particular DQ molecules may determine susceptibility or resistance are also discussed. Potential islet beta-cell reactive CD4+ T-cells may escape negative selection (deletion) in the thymus, but normally become anergized or remain ignorant extra-thymically. However, under particular circumstances they may be triggered. The DQ molecules associated with Type 1 diabetes susceptibility may preferentially bind and present triggering and/or beta-cell derived peptides to such T cells, causing beta-cell destruction. The finding that particular DQ molecules determine susceptibility may lead to new methods of preventing development of Type 1 diabetes in susceptible individuals.

Requirement for tyrosine kinase p56lck for thymic development of transgenic gamma delta T cells

The Src-related protein tyrosine kinase p56lck is essential for antigen-specific signal transduction and thymic maturation of T cells that have an alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR), presumably by physical association with CD4 or CD8 molecules. To evaluate the requirement for p56lck in the development of T cells that have gamma delta TCRs, which generally do not express CD4 or CD8, p56lck mutant mice were bred with TCR gamma delta transgenic mice. Few peripheral cells that carried the transgenes could be detected in p56lck-/- mice, although 70 percent of thymocytes were transgenic. Development of transgenic gamma delta+ thymocytes was blocked at an early stage, defined by interleukin-2 receptor alpha expression. However, extrathymic development of CD8 alpha alpha+ TCR gamma delta+ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes appeared to be normal. Thus, p56lck is crucial for the thymic, but not intestinal, maturation of gamma delta T cells and may function in thymic development independently of CD4 or CD8.

Phenotypic and functional analysis of positive selection in the gamma/delta T cell lineage

Recent evidence suggests that T cells expressing gamma/delta antigen receptors (T cell receptor [TCR]) are subject to positive selection during development. We have shown that T cells expressing a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-specific gamma/delta TCR transgene (tg) are not positively selected in class I MHC-deficient, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) gene knockout mice (tg+ beta 2m-). In this report, we examine phenotypic and functional parameters of gamma/delta positive selection in this transgenic model system. TCR-gamma/delta tg+ thymocytes of mature surface phenotype (heat stable antigen-, CD5hi) were found in beta 2m+ but not in beta 2m- mice. Moreover, subsets of tg+ thymocytes with the phenotype of activated T cells (interleukin [IL]2R+, CD44hi, or Mel-14lo) were also present only in the beta 2m+ mice. Cyclosporine A, which blocks positive selection of TCR-alpha/beta T cells, also inhibited gamma/delta tg+ T cell development. These results support the idea that positive selection of TCR-gamma/delta requires active TCR-mediated signal transduction. Whereas tg+ beta 2m+ thymocytes produced IL-2 and proliferated when stimulated by alloantigen, TCR engagement of tg+ beta 2m- thymocytes by antigen induced IL-2R expression but was uncoupled from the signal transduction pathway leading to IL-2 production and autocrine proliferation. Overall, these results demonstrate significant parallels between gamma/delta and alpha/beta lineage development, and suggest a general role for TCR signaling in thymic maturation.

Thymic T cell anergy in autoimmune nonobese diabetic mice is mediated by deficient T cell receptor regulation of the pathway of p21ras activation

Thymic T cell anergy, as manifested by thymocyte proliferative unresponsiveness to antigens expressed in the thymic environment, is commonly believed to mediate the acquisition of immunological self-tolerance. However, we previously found that thymic T cell anergy may lead to the breakdown of tolerance and predispose to autoimmunity in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Here, we show that NOD thymic T cell anergy, as revealed by proliferative unresponsiveness in vitro after stimulation through the T cell receptor (TCR), is associated with defective TCR-mediated signal transduction along the PKC/p21ras/p42mapk pathway of T cell activation. PKC activity is reduced in NOD thymocytes. Activation of p21ras is deficient in quiescent and stimulated NOD T cells, and this is correlated with a significant reduction in the tyrosine phosphorylation of p42mapk, a serine/threonine kinase active downstream of p21ras. Treatment of NOD T cells with a phorbol ester not only enhances their p21ras activity and p42mapk tyrosine phosphorylation but also restores their proliferative responsiveness. Since p42mapk activity is required for progression through to S phase of the cell cycle, our data suggest that reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of p42mapk in stimulated NOD T cells may abrogate its activity and elicit the proliferative unresponsiveness of these cells.

Normal T cell receptor V beta usage in a primary immunodeficiency associated with HLA class II deficiency

The human T cell receptor was studied using an anchored-polymerase chain reaction (A-PCR) and hybridization with V beta-specific oligonucleotide probes, together with the few anti-V beta monoclonal antibodies (mAb) available. After confirming the semiquantitative and reproducible nature of the A-PCR technique, we assessed the complete V beta repertoire in sorted CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte populations from three normal donors. These experiments confirmed the absence of V beta-restricted deletions in human peripheral cells, in contrast to several mouse strains. This feature makes it difficult to study negative selection in man, given the apparent absence of an endogenous superantigen corresponding to the Mls system in the mouse. To investigate human V beta repertoire shaping, we studied V beta usage in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from children with an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by defective expression of human leukocyte antigen class II molecules. An initial study using anti-V beta monoclonal antibodies failed to show significant abnormalities in V beta usage. Four patients analyzed using the A-PCR method all had a polyclonal V beta repertoire, suggesting normal positive selection and raising questions as to the importance of V beta major histocompatibility complex (MHC) interactions and the role of thymic MHC density in shaping the V beta repertoire.

Effect of accessory cells on stimulation of murine T-cell leukemia with antibodies to the CD3/T cell antigen receptor complex

Stimulation of EL4 and RL male 1 leukemia cells in vitro with immobilized anti-CD3 epsilon monoclonal antibody (mAb) (145-2C11) or anti-TCR beta mAb (H57-597) in the absence of accessory cells induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and caused growth inhibition. The growth inhibition was, however, transient and the tumors started to grow again within 5 days in immobilizing plates treated with antibodies at concentrations of 2.5-100 micrograms/ml. Addition of mitomycin C-treated accessory cells to the culture inhibited IL-2 production and resulted in augmented and persistent growth inhibition. No recovery of tumor growth was observed. Furthermore, DNA from EL4 and RL male 1 leukemia cells stimulated with anti-CD3/TCR mAbs was fragmented even in the absence of accessory cells, but fragmentation was much greater in the presence of accessory cells. Marginal and high expression of the bcl-2 gene were observed in EL4 and RL male 1, respectively, indicating that apoptosis of these leukemias mediated by signalling through the CD3/TCR complex has no direct relationship with expression of the bcl-2 gene.

Ethanol increases apoptotic cell death of thymocytes in vitro

Exposure of animals to ethanol causes thymic atrophy in adults and fetuses. Whether direct effects of ethanol contribute to thymic atrophy or whether indirect effects are entirely responsible is at present unknown. In the normal animal, large numbers of thymocytes undergo a physiological form of cell death referred to as "apoptosis." To determine if ethanol affects the process of apoptosis, studies were undertaken in which mouse thymocytes were cultured overnight in the presence or absence of ethanol. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed by flow cytometric quantitation of apoptotic nuclei, by fluorometric measurement of DNA fragments, and by gel electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragments. Ethanol in concentrations of 0.2% to 0.8% produced significantly higher levels of apoptosis than were seen in control cultures. The DNA fragmentation was characterized as apoptotic on the basis of inhibition by aurintricarboxylic acid (an inhibitor of nucleases) and by the presence of characteristic oligonucleosomal-sized fragments of DNA. The effect of ethanol on apoptosis was additive to that induced by immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. CD4+CD8+ cells underwent apoptosis as indicated by reduction in CD4 and CD8 surface antigen expression. An inhibitor of protein kinases (H-7) reduced the DNA degradation induced by ethanol and by anti-CD3. These results suggest that direct effects of ethanol contribute to thymic atrophy in alcohol-consuming animals.

Elimination of self-reactive B lymphocytes proceeds in two stages: arrested development and cell death

In transgenic mice, self-reactive B lymphocytes are eliminated if they encounter membrane-bound self antigens during their development within the bone marrow. We show here that two separate and sequential events, arrested development and cell death, bring about B cell elimination. Developmental arrest is an early outcome of antigen binding in immature B cells, blocks acquisition of adhesion molecules and receptors important for B cell migration and activation, and is rapidly reversible by removal of antigen. Death of the arrested B cells occurs within 1 to 3 days and can be delayed by expression of a bcl-2 transgene, which results in escape of large numbers of self-reactive B cells from the bone marrow but fails to override the developmental arrest. These findings define a novel pathway for B cell elimination, involving an initial stage vulnerable to breakdown in autoimmune disease.

Major histocompatibility complex-specific recognition of Mls-1 is mediated by multiple elements of the T cell receptor

We have recently shown that recognition of the mouse mammary tumor virus 9-associated superantigen (vSAG-9) by murine V beta 17+ T cells is strongly influenced by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II haplotype of the presenting cells, resulting in a form of MHC-restricted recognition. This finding was unexpected, because T cell recognition of another well-characterized retroviral superantigen, minor lymphocyte-stimulating antigen 1 (Mls-1), had been shown to be independent of the MHC haplotype of the presenting cell. To determine whether recognition of vSAG-9 and Mls-1 is fundamentally different, we undertook an extensive analysis of MHC haplotype influences on vSAG-9 and Mls-1 recognition by panels of T cell hybridomas. Our results show that, although most hybridomas recognized Mls-1 regardless of the MHC haplotype of the presenting cells, as previously described by others, some hybridomas exhibited unique patterns of MHC fine specificity. Thus, T cell recognition of vSAG-9 and Mls-1 is not fundamentally different, but the apparent differences can be explained in terms of frequency. The MHC fine specificity of individual Mls-1-reactive hybridomas was influenced by both V beta and non-V beta T cell receptor (TCR) elements. First, the influence of the V beta element was apparent from the observation that V beta 8.2+ hybridomas were significantly more MHC specific in their recognition of Mls-1 than V beta 8.1 hybridomas. Second, a role for the TCR alpha chain was implicated from the distinct patterns of fine specificity of Mls-1 reactivity among a panel of transgenic hybridomas that expressed an identical beta chain (V beta 8.1D beta 2J beta 2.3C beta 2). Sequence analysis revealed that junctional residues of the TCR alpha chain and/or V alpha/J alpha combinations influenced the MHC haplotype fine specificity for Mls-1. Third, D beta J beta influences were implicated, in that the transgenic hybridomas expressed distinctive patterns of Mls-1 fine specificity not represented among V beta 8.1+ nontransgenic hybridomas. The findings that T cell recognition of endogenous superantigen is MHC specific, and that this specificity correlates with non-V beta elements of the TCR, support the hypothesis that there is a direct interaction between the TCR and either polymorphic residues of the MHC class II molecule or haplotype-specific dominant peptides presented by class II.

The set of naturally processed peptides displayed by DR molecules is tuned by polymorphism of residue 86

The response to tetanus toxoid (TT) was studied in immune donors that carry two alleles of DR5 that differ only at DR beta residue 86: DRB1*1101 (G86, abbreviated 1101) and DRB1*1104 (V86, abbreviated 1104). A large number of TT-specific T cell clones was isolated and the epitopes recognized in association with 1101 and 1104 were mapped. We found that two epitopes (p2 and p32) can be recognized in association with both 1101 and 1104 while three epitopes (p23, p27 and p30) are recognized in association with 1101, but never in association with 1104. The sets of naturally processed self peptides displayed by 1101 and 1104 were characterized using alloreactive T cell clones. We found that all 1104 alloreactive clones recognize both 1104 and 1101, while approximately 30% of the alloreactive 1101 clones fail to recognize 1104. Thus it is apparent that both naturally processed TT and self peptides displayed on 1104 molecules represent a fraction of those displayed on 1101 molecules. The mechanism responsible for this differential presentation was investigated by comparing the capacity of 1101 and 1104 antigen-presenting cells to present TT or synthetic peptides to specific T cells and by measuring the binding of these peptides to DR molecules. Three sets of results suggest that V86 acts as a constraint to the binding of naturally processed peptides: (i) all 1104-restricted or alloreactive T cell clones recognize TT- or allo-epitopes presented by 1101 as well, thus ruling out a major effect of V86 as a residue determining T cell restriction specificity; (ii) presentation of naturally processed peptides correlates in general with the capacity of long synthetic peptides to bind to 1101 or 1104 and (iii) while the naturally processed p30 epitope discriminates between 1101 and 1104, a short synthetic peptide binds equally well to and is comparably recognized in association with both 1101 and 1104. Taken together these results suggest that the natural polymorphism at residue 86 might be a molecular switch that finely tunes the complexity of the peptide collection presented on DR molecules.

Molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes and other autoimmune diseases

Autoimmunity is a fascinating and complex phenomenon. The various mechanisms such as self tolerance, genetic and environmental regulation of the autoimmune phenotype, which govern the susceptibility to autoimmune disease were discussed at a recent workshop. Here, Ron Gill and Kathryn Haskins report on the new advances in this area.

Immune discrimination of self and nonself: a unified theory for the induction of self tolerance among thymocytes and mature peripheral T cells

A comprehensive model of immunological self tolerance is described which is based on the unique tenet that interactions between T cell antigen receptors (TcR) and specific MHC ligands may vary in efficacy (the ability of an MHC ligand to catalyze TcR-mediated activation). Based on this postulate, two interrelated mechanisms are described to explain how self tolerance is induced among immature thymocytes and mature peripheral T cells, respectively. In the thymus, APC apparently present a diverse array of self MHC ligands (complexes of self peptides and MHC glycoproteins) to clonotypic T cells. According to the first mechanism, immature thymocytes that efficaciously bind specific MHC ligands undergo TcR-mediated activation and programmed cell death whereas those that nonefficaciously bind MHC ligands are not activated and thereby escape negative selection. The latter T cells undergo positive selection and eventually constitute the mature T cell repertoire. This model of thymic selection ensures that interactions of mature T cells with self in peripheral tissues are predominantly nonefficacious. According to the second mechanism, clonotypically diverse T cells and individual APC comprise an integrative unit that measures antigenic complexity of the local environment as a basis to enable or disable immunogenic responses by mature T cells. T cells recognize efficacious MHC ligands (E) via the TcR/CD3 complex but are also able to detect nonefficacious MHC ligands (N) by conserved signal transduction pathways that are initiated upon cell-cell contact with APC. Clonotypic T cells relay E or N signals by conserved feedback pathways back to APC. APC integrate and compare large numbers of E or N signals to derive an E/N ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of non-inherited maternal HLA antigens on occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis

Many HLA-associated diseases occur in patients not carrying the putative predisposing antigen. The suggestion that this might be due to disease heterogeneity is not sufficiently supported by available data. We hypothesise that HLA-DR4-associated genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis is due to an effect of DR4 on T-cell receptor repertoire expression and that the presence of antigen in the mother is capable of producing this effect in her children, even when DR4 is not inherited by them. To investigate this possibility we HLA typed 94 rheumatoid arthritis patients and their parents and 86 control families. An increased frequency, compared with controls, of non-inherited maternal HLA-DR4 was found predominantly in the mothers of DR4-negative patients. Unexpectedly, we also found an increased frequency of non-inherited maternal HLA-DR6 and a decreased frequency of non-inherited maternal HLA-DR3 in the mothers of DR4-positive patients. The results of our analyses are consistent with our hypothesis.

Developmental regulation of a murine T-cell-specific tyrosine kinase gene, Tsk

Protein-tyrosine kinases have been implicated in signal transduction in T lymphocytes after stimulation of many cell-surface molecules, including the T-cell antigen receptor, CD4, CD8, CD2, CD5, and CD28. Yet the identities of many of these tyrosine kinases remain unknown. We have isolated a murine tyrosine kinase gene, called Tsk for T-cell-specific kinase, that appears to be exclusively expressed in T lymphocytes. The Tsk cDNA clone encodes a polypeptide of 70 kDa, which is similar in sequence to both the src and abl families of tyrosine kinases. Sequence comparisons also indicate that Tsk contains one src-homology region 2 domain and one src-homology 3 domain but lacks the negative regulatory tyrosine (src Tyr-527) common to src-family kinases. In addition, Tsk expression is developmentally regulated. Steady-state Tsk mRNA levels are 5- to 10-fold higher in thymocytes than in peripheral T cells and increase in the thymus during mouse development from neonate to adult. Furthermore, Tsk is expressed in day 14 fetal thymus, suggesting a role for Tsk in early T-lymphocyte differentiation.

Thymic depletion and peripheral activation of class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cells by soluble peptide in T-cell receptor transgenic mice

Injection of mice transgenic for a class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted T-cell receptor with a soluble peptide antigen from influenza virus nucleoprotein results in clonal depletion of double-positive immature thymocytes in the thymus and activation of mature T cells in the periphery, accompanied by a transient up-regulation of the T-cell receptor and CD3 and CD8 coreceptor molecules.

Changes in heat shock protein synthesis and heat sensitivity during mouse thymocyte development

Heat shock protein synthesis was examined in mouse thymocytes at three stages of development: early embryonic thymocytes, which are CD4-CD8-, adult thymocytes, which are primarily CD4+CD8+, and mature spleen T cells, which are CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+. After either a 41 degrees C or 42 degrees C heat shock, the synthesis of the major heat-inducible protein (hsp68) was elevated during the first hour of recovery but then decreased abruptly in thymocytes from adult mice. In contrast, the synthesis of hsp68 continued for up to 4 h after heating embryonic mouse thymocytes or mature spleen T cells. The more rapid termination of the heat shock response in the adult thymocytes was not the result of either less heat damage or more rapid repair since the recovery of general protein synthesis was more severely delayed in these cells. As well, the double positive CD4+CD8+ cells were more sensitive to hyperthermia than either the double negative CD4-CD8- or single positive CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ cells. Exposure of fetal thymus organ cultures to elevated temperature revealed that the double negative thymocytes were able to survive and differentiate normally following a heat shock treatment that was lethal for the double positive thymocytes. Exposure of thymocytes from adult mice to elevated temperatures induced apoptotic cell death. This was evident by the cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized fragments. Quantitation of the extent of DNA fragmentation and the number of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry demonstrated that the extent of apoptotic cell death was related to the severity of the heat stress. Double positive (CD4+CD8+) thymocytes are selected on the basis of their T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). Most of these cells are negatively selected and die within the thymus by an active process of cell deletion known as apoptosis. Restricting hsp synthesis in response to stress might be essential during developmental processes in which cell maturation is likely to result in death rather than functional differentiation.

Antiviral immune responses of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-infected mice lacking CD8+ T lymphocytes because of disruption of the beta 2-microglobulin gene

Mice infected intracerebrally with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM virus) develop a characteristic central nervous system disease and usually die. If the intravenous or intraperitoneal route is used, the infection leads to less severe clinical signs and the virus is eliminated. Illness and virus clearance are immunological phenomena, which are assumed to be caused exclusively by CD8+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, of the two phases of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction caused by inoculation of the virus into the mouse's foot, only the first is mediated by CD8+ cells, whereas the second is mediated by CD4+ cells. We have examined LCM virus-specific immune responses in mice devoid of CD8+ T lymphocytes as a result of disruption of the beta 2-microglobulin gene. As expected, the virus persisted but footpad swelling did not occur, although intracerebral infection resulted in CD4+ T-lymphocyte-mediated illness and antiviral antibodies were produced. Different results had been obtained by Fung-Leung et al. (W.-P. Fung-Leung, T. M. Kündig, R. M. Zinkernagel, and T. W. Mak, J. Exp. Med. 174:1425-1429, 1991), who, is essentially identical experiments but with mice lacking CD8+ T lymphocytes as a result of disruption of the Lyt-2-encoding gene, recorded control of the infection and development of a local delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. We consider these differences important, because they provide us with clues that may help to understand the mode of action of the CD8+ T cells in cell-mediated antiviral immunity.

Compartmentalization of the peripheral immune system

The periphery of the immune system--as opposed to the central lymphoid organs--contains inhomogeneously distributed B and T cells whose phenotype, repertoire, developmental origin, and function are highly divergent. Nonconventional lymphocytes bearing a phenotype that is rare in the blood, spleen, or lymph nodes of undiseased individuals are encountered at high frequency in different localizations, e.g., alpha/beta TCR+CD4-CD8- cells in the bone marrow and gut epithelium, particular invariant gamma/delta TCR+CD4-CD8 alpha+CD8 beta- and gamma/delta TCR+CD4-CD8 alpha-CD8 beta- T cells in various epithelia, or CD5+ B cells in the peritoneum. The antigen receptor repertoire is different in each localization. Thus, different gamma/delta TCR gene products dominant in each site, and the proportion of cells expressing transgenic and endogenous alpha/beta TCR and immunoglobulin gene products follows a gradient, with a maximum of endogenous gene expression in the peritoneum, intermediate values in other peripheral lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes), and minimum values in thymus and bone marrow. Forbidden T cells that bear self-superantigen-reactive V beta gene products are physiologically detected among alpha/beta TCR+CD4-CD8- lymphocytes of the bone marrow, as well as in the gut. Violating previous ideas on self-tolerance preservation, self-peptide-specific gamma/delta T cells are present among intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and CD5+ B cells produce low-affinity crossreactive autoantibodies in a physiological fashion. It appears that, in contrast to the bulk of T and B lymphocytes, certain gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cells found in the periphery, as well as most CD5+ B cells, do not depend on the thymus or bone marrow for their development, respectively, but arise from different, nonconventional lineages. In addition to divergent lineages that are targeted to different organs guided by a spatiotemporal sequence of tissue-specific homing receptors, local induction or selection processes may be important in the diversification of peripheral lymphocyte compartments. Selection may be exerted by local antigens, antigen-presenting cells whose function varies in each anatomical localization, cytokines, and cell-matrix interactions, thus leading to the expansion and maintenance of some clones, whereas others are diluted out or deleted. The spatial compartmentalization of lymphocytes in different microenvironments has major functional consequences and leads to a partial fragmentation of immunoregulatory circuits at the local level. Lymphocytes residing in certain antigen-exposed compartments are likely to combat tissue-specific pathogens or self-proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hormones in self tolerance and autoimmunity: a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis?

Recent studies indicate that pituitary hormones play an important role in immunoregulation. The evidence that endocrine abnormalities are associated with, and may contribute to the development of autoimmune disease is reviewed and discussed. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis show a number of endocrine abnormalities that indicate altered pituitary function. The decreased bioactivity of prolactin and possible inadequate glucocorticoid response to inflammation found in patients may have an etiological role in rheumatoid arthritis. The further clarification of the possible role of endocrine factors in the etiology of autoimmune disease is needed urgently.

Differential expression of T cell receptor variable beta genes on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells: influence by sex linked genes?

We examined the expression of seven V alpha or V beta T cell receptor (TCR) segments on human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Confirming previously published results, we found a preferential expression of four V segment gene products on CD4+ T cells. One of these markers (V beta 6.7) was constantly expressed on more CD4+ T cells than CD8+ T cells. None of the analyzed blood samples showed a complete deletion of T cells expressing a particular V beta gene segment. In addition, our data provide the first evidence that genes on sex chromosomes may influence the formation of the human T cell repertoire. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells expressing V beta 12 gene products was always > or = 1 in female donors, whereas approximately 30% male donors exhibited more CD8+V beta 12+ T cells than CD4+V beta 12+ T cells.

T-cell repertoire in a strain of transgenic C57BL/6 mice with the HLA-DRA gene on the X-chromosome

We have established a strain of transgenic mice in which the HLA-DRA gene was integrated into the X-chromosome and the xenogeneic mixed isotype molecule, DR alpha E beta b, was expressed in a cell type-specific manner, although the transgenic DRA gene contained only 268 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region. The DR alpha E beta b molecules expressed in the transgenic mice functioned as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II to select T-cell repertoire, and to stimulate mixed lymphocyte reaction. In female transgenic mice homozygous for HLA-DRA (DR alpha-B6-F-homo) and male transgenic mice (DR alpha-B6-M), DR alpha E beta b molecules were expressed in almost all of the MHC class II Ab-positive cells. In contrast, the expression of DR alpha E beta b molecules in female transgenic mice hemizygous for HLA-DRA (DR alpha-B6-F-hemi) was found only in part of the Ab positive cells, and the proportion of cells expressing the DR alpha E beta b molecules varied due to random inactivation of one of the X-chromosomes. Clonal deletions of the T cells and mature thymocytes bearing Tcrb-V5 and Tcrb-V11, which are eliminated from the peripheral repertoire in mice expressing self-superantigen and MHC class II E molecules, were incomplete in DR alpha-B6-F-hemi as compared with those in DR alpha-B6-F-homo, and were correlated with the proportion of DR alpha E beta b-positive spleen cells. These observations suggested that the number of bone marrow-derived cells expressing DR alpha E beta b molecules was critical for clonal deletions of Tcrb-V5+ and Tcrb-V11+ T cells in the thymus.

MHC class I-deficient mice

A great deal has already been learned from the analysis of beta 2m-mutant mice, but it is clear that a great deal remains to be learned. A significant (though unanticipated) problem with this model system is that it is functionally leaky: residual functional class I expression can be detected in beta 2m- mice, and small numbers of functional CD8+ lymphocytes are present in the animals. In many cases, this has frustrated the initial attempts at obtaining immediate definitive resolution of important questions regarding the function of class I molecules. This has occurred primarily in instances in which the class I-deficient mice fail to express an expected phenotype--for example, in studies showing that beta 2m- mice make adequate protective immune responses against certain intracellular pathogens, and are able to reject some allogeneic tissues with a relatively normal pace. On the other hand, it appears that combining the use of beta 2m- mice with other methods (for example, antibody-mediated depletion of CD8+ T cells) is usually adequate to circumvent these difficulties. It remains to be seen whether other better class I deficiencies can be engineered--for example, large deletions of class I genes or mutations in transcription factors essential for class I gene expression. The extent of immunocompetence of beta 2m- mice was somewhat surprising. It was widely expected that class I-deficient mice would be exquisitely sensitive to many viral infections, though the results indicate that sensitivity varies dramatically with the virus and conditions of infection. However, it appears that in lieu of one major arm of the immune system, compensatory immune mechanisms are in many cases able to deal with infection. Similar conclusions are developing from the analysis of several other recently generated mutant mice. Nevertheless, the results indicate a very important role for class I-directed responses in clearing infections mediated by various viral and parasitic agents, particularly in the case of more severe conditions of infection. Although the class I-deficient mice were initially considered primarily a vehicle for analysis of the role of CD8+ T cells, evidence is accumulating that they manifest deficiencies in several other types of lymphocytes, including NK cells, TCR alpha beta+CD4-CD8- cells, and a subset of TCR gamma delta+ cells. This has been a boon for analysis of the development of these cells, but at the same time it has created difficulties in assigning a biological effect of the mutation to a specific lymphocyte deficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

No restriction of intrathyroidal T cell receptor V alpha families in the thyroid of Graves' disease

Recently it has been reported that the intrathyroidal T cells in Graves' disease display restriction in V alpha T cell receptor (TcR) gene family usage, although this is not found with TcR V beta gene families in the same individuals. We have performed a qualitative analysis of TcR V alpha family usage in 12 patients with Graves' disease by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of RNA extracted from isolated, unstimulated intrathyroidal lymphocytes and from snap-frozen whole thyroid specimens. No restriction was observed, with 10-15 V alpha gene families being amplified in all cases. The pattern of usage was similar to that in peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from normal subjects (n = 3) and from patients with Graves' disease (n = 3), as well as that present in the thyroids of patients with non-autoimmune toxic multinodular goitre (n = 4). These results indicated that there is no marked restriction of the unselected intrathyroidal T cell population in patients with Graves' disease who have been treated with antithyroid drugs.

Functional double-negative T cells in the periphery express T cell receptor V beta gene products that cause deletion of single-positive T cells

A proportion of peripheral T cells lack surface expression of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptor molecules and hence are designated as " double negative" (DN). Most DN T lymphocytes express the gamma/delta T cell receptor (TcR), but a minor fraction of them, in both humans and mice, express the alpha/beta TcR. Whereas alpha/beta+ DN T lymphocytes are infrequent (< 1%) in conventional lymphoid organs (spleen, blood, lymph node), they account for two-thirds of the T cells residing in adult bone marrow. Analysis of the TcR V beta repertoire expressed by peripheral DN T cells revealed a high frequency of cells bearing autoreactive TcR that cause deletion of "single-positive" (SP) (CD4+CD8-or CD4-CD8+) T cells. Peripheral DN cells thus represent a cell type that is relatively resistant to clonal deletion. Furthermore, such cells have not been inactivated (anergized) in vivo since they proliferate and secrete interleukins in response to cross-linking by monoclonal antibodies specific for these V beta gene products that are deleted in SPT cells. These results might help to understand the association of peripheral expansion of DN cells and development of autoimmune diseases.

T cell tolerance and antigen presenting cell function in the thymus

B7 expression appears much more extensive than previously recognized with anti-human B7 reagents on human leucocyte populations: it is extremely high on splenic and thymic DC, moderate on macrophages and activated B cells, and low on resting B cells. Additionally, B7 is entirely undetectable on any thymic epithelial cells belonging to a panel of transformed cell lines and T cells, but its expression on epithelial cells in situ is still under investigation. This expression pattern is consistent with the hierarchy of costimulatory signal activity among these cell types, with DC being the most effective, and epithelial cells (like other cells of non-hemopoietic origin) not at all. Future studies will investigate to which extent B7 is involved in clonal deletion, i.e., the selection process dependent on self-antigen presentation by DC and B cells.

Role of HLA genes in predisposition to develop insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or type I diabetes, is the end result mainly of a T-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells. Genetical and environmental factors are both of importance in the pathogenesis. Genes in the HLA complex seem to be the most important genetical factors. Among Blacks, Caucasoids and Orientals, IDDM susceptibility is associated with some particular combinations of DQA1 and DQB1 genes in cis or trans position. This strongly argues that susceptibility is primarily associated to the corresponding HLA-DQ molecules themselves. However, weaker contributions by other genes in the HLA complex cannot be excluded. Similarly, a dominant protection is strongly associated with some other DQ molecules, in particular HLA-DQ6, in all three ethnic groups. The function of HLA-DQ (and other class II) molecules is to present peptide-fragments of antigens to CD4+ T cells (mainly helper T cells). Thus, the recognition of certain islet beta cell derived peptides by self-reactive CD4+ T cells, may be an initial event in the pathogenesis. The DQ molecules involved in IDDM susceptibility or protection may exert their function either during thymic development of potential self-reactive CD4+ T cells, or by preferential presentation of certain beta-cell derived peptides to CD4+ T cells, or both. The finding that certain DQ molecules as such confer IDDM susceptibility may lead to new methods to prevent IDDM, for example by using blocking peptide analogues.

CD45RA and CD45RBhigh expression induced by thymic selection events

CD45 is a protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in T and B cell signaling. While peripheral T cells switch CD45 isoforms upon activation, events leading to exon switching during T cell development in the thymus have not been determined. The expression of high molecular weight isoforms of CD45 was examined on thymocytes from nontransgenic and T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice. All thymocytes from nontransgenic mice were CD45RB+ as assessed by staining with MB23G2, an anti-CD45RB-specific monoclonal antibody. Interestingly, there was a small population (1-3%) of thymocytes that displayed a higher intensity of staining with MB23G2, CD45RBhigh. CD45RBhigh thymocytes were found in all subsets defined by CD4 and CD8 expression and were also present within the TCR-alpha/beta high population. To analyze whether or not CD45 expression correlated with thymic selection events, expression of CD45RBhigh and a second isoform, CD45RA, was examined on thymocytes from H-Y and 2C TCR transgenic mice and found to correlate with positive and negative selection events but did not occur in nonselecting backgrounds. CD45RA and CD45RBhigh upregulation was also not observed in transgenic mice backcrossed into CD8-deficient mice, a scenario in which there is no positive selection of transgene-expressing thymocytes. These data suggest that modulation of CD45 isoform expression may be involved in thymic selection events.

Sequence analyses of three immunoglobulin G anti-virus antibodies reveal their utilization of autoantibody-related immunoglobulin Vh genes, but not V lambda genes

Accumulated sequence analyses of the antibody repertoire have revealed that most autoantibodies and developmentally regulated antibodies share a small set of germline Ig-variable region (V) genes. The findings have prompted speculation that certain autoantibodies are of developmental importance and may be instrumental in maintaining homeostasis of the adult antibody repertoire. In order to evaluate this hypothesis critically, it is first necessary to determine the V gene usage in human antibodies against foreign substances. Unfortunately, only a few such antibodies have had their heavy and light chains characterized. To rectify the situation, we adapted the anchored polymerase chain reaction to clone and analyze rapidly the expressed V genes for three anti-virus IgG antibodies. The results show that all three heavy chain V (Vh) genes are highly homologous to the known autoantibody-related Vh genes. In contrast, two light chain V (VL) genes of the V lambda 1 subgroup are similar to a non-autoantibody-related germline V lambda 1 gene. Taken together with the reported Vh and VL sequences of several antibodies against viruses and bacteria, the data show that many antipathogen antibodies may use the same small set of Vh genes that encode autoantibodies, but diverse VL genes that are distinct from autoantibody-related VL genes. Thus, only a small portion of the potentially functional germline Vh genes are used recurrently to generate most antibodies in a normal antibody repertoire, regardless of their reactivities with either self or non-self.

Similarity between fluorescein-specific T-cell receptor and antibody in chemical details of antigen recognition

A computer-generated model of the single-chain variable V alpha V beta fragment of the RFL3.8 T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for fluorescein served as a starting point for mutagenesis aimed at identification of its antigen-contacting residues. Selected backbone segments of the model representing regions of prominent sequence similarity between antibodies and TCRs were least-squares superimposed onto the corresponding segments of the crystallographically resolved 4-4-20 antibody complexed with its antigen, fluorescein. The superimposition placed the antibody-bound fluorescein molecule close to a cavity on the surface of the TCR model formed by the complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops. Some of the TCR cavity forming loops displayed sequence motifs related to canonical CDR loops previously found in antibodies. Six putative amino acid contacts were identified and single-chain TCRs with mutations at each of these positions were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, refolded, and assayed for fluorescein binding. Five of the six mutations resulted in a loss of detectable binding. These RFL3.8 antigen combining site residues are distributed among the beta 3, alpha 1, and alpha 2 CDR loops and show striking chemical similarity to the known fluorescein contact residues on 4-4-20. Thus, antibodies and TCRs are similar both in their overall architecture and in the chemical details of specific antigen recognition.

Restricted junctional usage of T cell receptor V beta 2 and V beta 13 genes, which are overrepresented on infiltrating T cells in the lips of patients with Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clonality of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta 2- and V beta 13-positive T cells, which are predominantly expressed in the lips of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

The junctional sequences of complementary DNA clones encoding TCR V beta 2 and V beta 13 genes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction. Forty-one V beta 2 and 45 V beta 13 clones established from the lips of 3 SS patients were sequenced.

RESULTS

The V beta 2/J beta 2.3 pair was enriched in 2 of the 3 patients (44% and 46% of the clones, respectively), and the V beta 13/J beta 2.1 sequence was dominant in 2 of the 3 (23% and 45%). These pairs were not used preferentially in peripheral blood lymphocytes from the same patients.

CONCLUSION

Infiltrating V beta 2- and V beta 13-positive T cells from the lips of all 3 patients with SS were polyclonal, but the junctional usage of cells from 2 lip samples was restricted, compared with cells from peripheral blood. This suggests that not all expanded cells from the lips of SS patients are stimulated by superantigens.

Adaptive cellular interactions in the immune system: the tunable activation threshold and the significance of subthreshold responses

A major challenge for immunologists is to explain how the immune system adjusts its responses to the microenvironmental context in which antigens are recognized. We propose that lymphocytes achieve this by tuning and updating their responsiveness to recurrent signals. In particular, cellular anergy in vivo is a dynamic state in which the threshold for a stereotypic mode of activation has been elevated. Anergy is associated with other forms of cellular activity, not paralysis. Cells engaged in such subthreshold interactions mediate functions such as maintenance of immunological memory and control of infections. In such interactions, patterns of signals are recognized and classified and evoke selective responses. The robust mechanism proposed for segregation of suprathreshold and subthreshold immune responses allows lymphocytes to use recognition of self-antigens in executing physiological functions. Autoreactivity is allowed where it is dissociated from uncontrolled aggression.

Rat thymic epithelium positively selects mouse T cells with specificity for rat MHC class II antigens but fails to induce detectable tolerance in the mouse T cells to the rat MHC antigens

BALB/c (H-2d) nude mice were grafted with allogeneic AKR/J (H-2k) or xenogeneic (ACI-N rat, RT1av1) fetal thymuses which were depleted of hemopoietic cells by incubating with 2'-deoxyguanosine (2'dGuo) in vitro prior to grafting. The nylon-wool-passed LN T cells from nude mice grafted with 2'dGuo-treated AKR/J thymus showed a poor proliferative response to B10BR (H-2k) stimulator cells, confirming that mouse thymic epithelium has the capacity to induce tolerance against the mouse MHC antigens on the thymic epithelium. On the other hand, the nylon-wool-passed LN T cells from nude mice grafted with untreated or 2'dGuo-treated ACI/N rat thymus showed significant proliferative responses to ACI/N, which can be blocked by anti-rat MHC class II mAb, whereas the nylon-wool-passed LN T cells from nude mice grafted with syngeneic thymus hardly responded to the xenogeneic stimulator cells. These results suggest that rat thymic stromal cells including thymic epithelium can not induce detectable tolerance in mouse T cells to rat MHC antigens; but rat thymic epithelium may positively select mouse T cells with specificity for rat MHC class II antigens, resulting in a mouse T cell repertoire with strong xeno-reactivity.

CD4 expression is differentially required for deletion of MLS-1a-reactive T cells

Clonal deletion of thymocytes expressing potentially self-reactive T cell receptors (TCRs) occurs during thymocyte ontogeny. Mice deficient for CD4 expression provide a unique model system to study the contribution of the CD4 molecule in negative selection of T cells reactive against the major histocompatibility complex class II-associated retroviral self-superantigen, Mls-1a. In the presence of Mls-1a determinants, mature CD8+ T cells expressing V beta 6, 8.1, and 9 were deleted in CD4-deficient mice, thus demonstrating that TCR affinity for Mls-1a is sufficient for deletion and that a signal through CD4 was not required. However, in instances where the TCR affinity for Mls-1a is low, as in the case of V beta 7+ T cells, CD4 expression was required for clonal deletion. These results demonstrate that for Mls-1a-mediated clonal deletion of T cells, the requirement for the accessory or coreceptor function of CD4 depends on the affinity of the TCR.

Induction of tolerance to autoimmune diabetes with islet antigens

The development of T cell tolerance to self-antigens is imparted principally through negative selection events during thymic ontogeny. However, this tolerance may be limited to antigens that are expressed in the thymus, and additional mechanisms are probably required to regulate autoimmune responses to tissue-specific antigens. Autoimmune diabetes can be induced experimentally by treating susceptible stains of mice with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ). In this report we show that transplantation of isolated islets of Langerhans into the thymuses of adult C57BL/KsJ mice will induce tolerance to the subsequent induction of autoimmune diabetes. This tolerance is tissue specific and thymus dependent. It was not induced by thymic transfer of adrenal tissue or by kidney transfer of islets. Furthermore, depletion of mature T cells was required and the tolerant state was abrogated by the adoptive transfer of normal splenocytes. It is interesting that pretreatment of the islets with STZ enhanced their ability to induce tolerance, and suggests that antigen shedding induced by tissue damage may facilitate transfer of islet antigens to tolerizing cells in the thymus. These findings indicate that thymic tolerance specific for tissue can be stimulated to occur in the presence of atopic tissue-specific intrathymic antigens. Elimination of disease-related T cells in the absence of global immunosuppression represents a novel approach for the prevention of autoimmune disease.

Differential expression of Op18 phosphoprotein during human thymocyte maturation

Op18 (also termed prosolin/stathmin) is a highly conserved 18-kD cytosolic phosphoprotein expressed in low levels in mature resting G0 lymphocytes, but induced in late G1 and S phases after entry into the cell cycle. In addition to its induction in normal proliferating lymphocytes, Op18 has been found to occur at high levels in acute leukemias and in neuroendocrine tissue. The presence and rapid phosphorylation of Op18 after stimulation of proliferating cells correlates with subsequent functional responses of the cells, and, therefore, Op18 has been suggested to play a key role in signal transduction. The pattern of expression of Op18 during lymphoid development is of interest in view of its high levels of expression in acute leukemias, representing cells arrested at an immature stage, thus raising the possibility that Op18 may be regulated differently in mature and immature lymphoid cells. We report here that immature human thymocytes bearing the cortical double positive phenotype (CD4+CD8+) constitutively express high levels of Op18 protein. In contrast, in mature single positive thymocytes (CD3+CD4+ or CD3+CD8+), Op18 protein is expressed at a lower level, comparable to that seen in peripheral blood T cells. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that most of the cells in the double positive thymocyte population expressing high levels of Op18 were noncycling and arrested in G0. Furthermore, there was no correlation between Op18 levels and the proportion of cycling cells in double positive thymocyte populations isolated from different thymuses. Interestingly, although Op18 protein levels did not increase any further after mitogenic stimulation of double positive thymocytes, an increase in Op18 phosphorylation was observed, thus coupling of Op18 phosphorylation to cell activation remained intact. Our results show that during lymphoid maturation Op18 expression is uncoupled from cell proliferation. These data also suggest that the ordered expression of proliferation-associated genes seen in mature T cells may be disrupted during T cell maturation.

Cellular and peptide requirements for in vitro clonal deletion of immature thymocytes

Thymocytes from DO10 T-cell-receptor transgenic mice undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death, when chicken ovalbumin-(323-339) peptide is administered in vivo. Using DO10 mice thymocytes, we have now developed a simple in vitro model system that recapitulates the in vivo clonal-deletion process. When transgenic thymocytes were cocultured with fibroblasts, B cells, or thymic nurse cell lines (all bearing I-Ad) in the presence of chicken ovalbumin-(323-339), deletion of the transgenic TCR+CD4+CD8+ thymocytes was seen within 8-20 hr. Thymocytes designed to bear I-Ad on their surface could mediate the deletion themselves. Thus, thymocyte clonal deletion entirely depends on the stage at which the thymocytes are vulnerable to the onset of apoptosis, rather than on the nature of the peptide antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, thymic nurse cell line TNC-R3.1 could cause deletion, strongly suggesting that some thymic epithelial/stromal components are potentially capable of participating in negative selection. In all cases examined, little deletion could be induced at a peptide concentration less than 10 nM, thus defining the minimum amount of peptide antigen required for negative selection. The peptide-dependent in vitro negative-selection system will allow further dissection of the molecular and cellular processes involved in clonal deletion due to apoptosis in the thymus.