The human Ia system: Definition and characterization by xenogeneic antisera

Down-regulation of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal expression by alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase: further characterization of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

In pig-to-primate transplantation, antibody-mediated hyperacute rejection is the consequence of binding of natural antibodies to Gal alpha(1,3)Gal on pig endothelium. The elimination of the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antigen from pig cells should prevent hyperacute rejection. Using in vitro techniques, we have previously reported that using the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene induces the preferential expression of H substance with a concomitant reduction in the expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of expressing the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene in vivo on Gal alpha(1,3)Gal.

METHODS

Three alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lines of mice were produced and characterized serologically and histologically.

RESULTS

Immunohistological studies showed heavy staining for H substance in liver, spleen, kidney, and heart, with a reduction in staining for Gal alpha(1,3)Gal. In addition, there was a reduction in the binding of human anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibody to lymphocytes from alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic mice and a substantial decrease in complement-mediated cytolysis of alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic lymphocytes when compared with that obtained with normal mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings have important implications, in that alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase transgenic pigs could be produced as a source for humans. Such pigs should have a reduced expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal.

Enzymatic remodelling of the carbohydrate surface of a xenogenic cell substantially reduces human antibody binding and complement-mediated cytolysis

The major obstacle to successful discordant xenotransplantation is the phenomenon of hyperacute rejection (HAR). In the pig-to-primate discordant transplant setting, HAR results from the deposition of high-titre anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies and complement activation leading to endothelial cell destruction and rapid graft failure. To overcome HAR, we developed an enzymatic carbohydrate remodelling strategy designed to replace expression of the Gal alpha-1,3-Gal xenoepitope on the surface of porcine cells with the non-antigenic universal donor human blood group O antigen, the alpha-1,2-fucosyl lactosamine moiety (H-epitope). Xenogenic cells expressing the human alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase expressed high levels of the H-epitope and significantly reduced Gal alpha-1,3-Gal expression. As a result, these cells were shown to be resistant to human natural antibody binding and complement-mediated cytolysis.

Production of monoclonal antibodies to serum antigens in colorectal carcinoma

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to colorectal cancer were produced using a novel immunization technique. This involved immunizing mice with whole serum obtained from patients with cancer of the colon (three with metastatic disease) and resulted in antibodies which were reactive with colonic tumor tissue by immunoperoxidase testing. Two mAbs (O-1, I-1) were isolated which were non-reactive with normal tissue and with tissues obtained from subjects with benign disease but were reactive with 34/50 (formalin-fixed) colon carcinoma specimens. Further testing on cell lines and other malignant tumors suggested both mAbs detect carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as their reactivities were similar to a known anti-CEA antibody, and they reacted with CEA in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. The two mAbs were found to react with the same or closely associated epitopes on CEA by competitive tests. As the anti-CEA antibodies were made to serum (rather than tissue) CEA, it was possible that unique, highly specific mAb has been produced, particularly as there was a selective reaction of the mAbs for malignant but not normal tissues. A serum test with mAb I-1 was developed which detected raised serum CEA levels in 3/24 patients with benign colonic lesions, 7/19 patients with pancreatic cancer, 5/25 patients with colonic cancer but not in 20 normal individuals. There was direct correlation between these results and a commercially available CEA test kit.

The Ia-1 gene effects T-B cell collaboration for the in vitro antibody response

The I-A subregion mutant B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12) and the C57BL/6 parent were used to examine the role of the Ia-1 gene product as a restriction element in the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Using an in vitro culture system, it was shown that cooperation between histocompatible T cells, B cells and macrophages was required to generate a secondary IgM response to SRBC. The alteration in the Ia-1 gene in bm12 altered the ability of bm12 T cells to collaborate with C57BL/6 B cells, but not with C57BL/6 macrophages. Similarly, C57BL/6 T cells could not collaborate with bm12 B cells. The mutation in bm 12 did not affect the ability of T cells to interact with C57Bl/6 macrophages, either in vitro or in vivo, or of bm12 macrophages to interact with C57BL/6T cells. Thus in this system, the Ia-1 gene product restricts T-B cell interaction but not T cell-macrophage interaction.

Hu Ly-m5: a unique antigen physically associated with HLA molecules

A new human cell surface antigen (Hu Ly-m5) detected by a murine monoclonal antibody (E4.3) is described. The tissue distribution of the Hu Ly-m5 antigen is similar to the HLA antigens (with which it was initially confused) but it is not present on all bone marrow cells nor the U266 myeloma, and is expressed on the HLA-negative K562 cell line. Nevertheless, the Hu Ly-m5 antigen has some affinity for HLA molecules as the two entities cocap and the Hu Ly-m5 antigen copurifies with the HLA antigens on an anti-beta 2-microglobulin immunoabsorbent column; however, the antigen complexes did not withstand the procedures used for coprecipitation. Despite their similarities, the Hu Ly-m5 and HLA antigens are distinct molecular entities--Hu Ly-m5 consists of two bands of apparent molecular weight 69 and 60 K while HLA is comprised of the 43 and 12 K bands of the HLA heavy chain and beta 2-microglobulin, respectively. The function of the Hu Ly-m5 antigen is unknown, but no involvement in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to influenza virus-infected cells could be demonstrated. The two properties described (apparent molecular weight and physical association with the HLA antigens) suggests that the Hu Ly-m5 antigen may be a viral-encoded protein.

Studies on the relationship between HLA DR4 and in vitro IgM rheumatoid factor production

The relationship between the presence of the DR4 antigen and other HLA antigens and in vitro production of IgM-rheumatoid factor by lymphocytes from a group of healthy young subjects was examined. Pokeweed and Epstein--Barr virus-stimulated lymphocyte cultures were examined for the production of rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulins. No significant correlation was found between the presence of the DR4 antigen and in vitro production of IgM rheumatoid factor. The presence of the B18 antigen seemed to identify a population of nonresponders when stimulated with PWM.

Cross-reactions of Ia antigens between mouse and man

Murine alloantisera with specificity for the I-region of the MHC were found to cross-react with human B lymphocytes. By using antisera selected for subregion specificity and including monoclonal antibodies, antisera directed to I-E/Ck products were shown to have the greatest cross-reactivity with human cells. In the reciprocal direction, human anti-DRw alloantisera were also found to contain antibodies that reacted with murine B lymphocytes, and by using congenic strains this reaction was shown to be MHC restricted and was of the "Ia type." By studying appropriate intra-H-2 recombinant strains. The reactivity could be mapped to the 1-E subregion (especially to 1-Ek). In addition, antibodies to the murine 1-Ek subregion could specifically block the reaction of the two DRw antisera examined; whereas, anti-I-Ak antisera were without effect. These studies further highlight the unique cross-reactions between two highly polymorphic gene produces in mouse and man, and demonstrate that the 1-E subregion in the mouse codes for the most cross-reactive specificities.

Inhibition of secondary IgG responses by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine

A range of monosaccharides were tested for their ability to inhibit a variety of in vitro immune response. The most striking specific inhibition was produced by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). This sugar strongly inhibited the secondary IgG antibody response to two different hapten-carrier systems, but had no effect on primary and secondary IgM responses, generation of cytotoxic T cells to alloantigens and mixed lymphocyte reactions. By exposing secondary antibody cultures to GalNAc for varying periods of time, it was observed that GalNAc only exerted its inhibitory effect on day 4 of the culture, the day when IgG plaque-forming cells first appeared. Furthermore, GalNAc could override the action of T helper factor in T cell-depleted cultures. Collectively, these data indicate that GalNAc inhibits the initiation of IgG synthesis probably by blocking the interaction of a helper factor for IgG synthesis with its target cell.