Structural evidence that the small subunit found associated with the TL antigen is beta 2-microglobulin

The role of MHC class Ib-restricted T cells during infection

Even though major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia and many Ib molecules have similarities in structure, MHC class Ib molecules tend to have more specialized functions, which include the presentation of non-peptidic antigens to non-classical T cells. Likewise, non-classical T cells also have unique characteristics, including an innate-like phenotype in naïve animals and rapid effector functions. In this review, we discuss the role of MAIT and NKT cells during infection but also the contribution of less studied MHC class Ib-restricted T cells such as Qa-1-, Qa-2-, and M3-restricted T cells. We focus on describing the types of antigens presented to non-classical T cells, their response and cytokine profile following infection, as well as the overall impact of these T cells to the immune system.

TL and CD8αα: Enigmatic partners in mucosal immunity

The intestinal mucosa represents a large surface area that is in contact with an immense antigenic load. The immune system associated with the intestinal mucosa needs to distinguish between innocuous food antigens, commensal microorganisms, and pathogenic microorganisms, without triggering an exaggerated immune response that may lead to excessive inflammation and/or development of inflammatory bowel disease. The thymus leukemia (TL) antigen and CD8αα are interacting surface molecules that are expressed at the frontline of the mucosal immune system: TL is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) whereas CD8αα is expressed in lymphocytes, known as intraepithelial lymphocytes, that reside in between the IEC. In this review we discuss the significance of the interaction between TL and CD8αα in mucosal immunity during health and disease.

TL antigen as a transplantation antigen recognized by TL-restricted cytotoxic T cells

In contrast to broadly expressed classical class I antigens of the major histocompatibility complex, structurally closely related TL antigens are expressed in a highly restricted fashion. Unlike classical class I antigens, TL antigens are not known to be targets of cytotoxic T cells or to mediate graft rejection. Whereas classical class I antigens function as antigen-presenting molecules to T cell receptors (TCR), the role of TL is yet to be defined. To elucidate the function of TL, we have derived transgenic mice expressing TL in most tissues including skin by introducing a TL gene, T3b of C57BL/6 mouse origin, driven by the H-2Kb promoter. By grafting the skin of transgenic mice, we demonstrate that TL can serve as a transplantation antigen and mediate a TCR-alpha/beta+ CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. This T cell recognition of TL does not require antigen presentation by H-2 molecules. Furthermore, we show that C57BL/6 F1 mice develop CD8+ T cells that are cytotoxic for C57BL/6 TL+ leukemia cells, providing further support for the concept that aberrantly expressed nonmutated proteins such as TL can be recognized as tumor antigens.

Thymus-leukemia (TL) antigens of the mouse. Analysis of TL mRNA and TL cDNA TL+ and TL- strains

A thymus-leukemia (TL)-specific probe, pTL1, has been generated from a TL-coding gene of BALB/c mice. Multiple species of TL mRNA were detected in TL+ cells by Northern blot analysis with pTL1, and different Tla haplotypes could be distinguished on the basis of characteristic patterns of TL mRNA. No TL-related message was found in normal or leukemic TL- cells, including thymocytes from Tlab mice. However, TL mRNA could be detected in TL+ leukemias occurring in Tlab mice. A cDNA library has been made from ASL1 (a TL+ leukemia of A mice [Tlaa]), and pTL1+ clones have been sequenced. At least three structurally distinct TL genes are expressed in ASL1. Sequence comparison of TL genes from three Tla haplotypes indicates that TL genes are highly conserved (greater than 90% homology) and are more distantly related to H-2 genes. Several polyadenylation sites have been found in the 3' untranslated region of TL genes, and differential polyadenylation contributes to the size heterogeneity of TL transcripts. The predicted amino acid sequence of TL products indicates that TL and H-2 are similar in domain structure and disulfide bonds, but differ in glycosylation sites and in cytoplasmic domain sequences.

Structural analysis of TL genes of the mouse

Three Tla region-specific probes have been generated from the BALB/c genomic cosmid clone C6.3. One probe, pTL1, corresponds to 3' sequences of a thymus leukemia (TL)-encoding gene, whereas pTL2 and pTL3 detect noncoding flanking sequences. The TL specificity of pTL1 was demonstrated by studies of RNA from thymocytes of TL+ and TL- mouse strains and from TL+ and TL- leukemias; presence/absence of pTL1+ transcripts correlated with presence/absence of TL antigens detected serologically. Nine Tla haplotypes were defined by restriction fragment polymorphism with pTL1, and the number of TL genes has been estimated to be greater than or equal to 4 in Tlaa, Tlac and Tlae mice, greater than or equal to 3 in Tlad mice, and greater than or equal to 2 in Tlab and Tlaf mice. A TL-encoding gene (C25.1) from the C57BL/6TL+ leukemia ERLD has been cloned and sequenced, and the exon/intron organization of C25.1 has been deduced from the structure of pTL1+ cDNA clones and from the known organization of H-2 genes. The major structural differences between TL and H-2 genes are in exons coding for the cytoplasmic domain.

Polymorphism and diversity in the Tla gene system

The TL products of mouse strains carrying the Tlaa, Tlad, and Tlae haplotypes were analyzed by comparative peptide mapping. As expected from their known serologic differences, TL antigens from strain A (Tlaa), A.CA strain (Tlad) and P/J strain (Tlae) mice showed structural variation. However, comparable variations were also observed in the TL product derived from strains expressing the serologically indistinguishable Tlaa allele (A, NFS/N, SJL/J, C57BR, and C58) demonstrating additional unexpected polymorphism in the TL system. When compared with the structural diversity of the H-2 K and D gene products, the structural variation of the TL antigens was small. Taken together, the results of our analysis of the TL products suggest that Tla polymorphism is more extensive than previously thought; however, the structural diversity of the products is still low compared with K and D gene products.