Role of newly synthesized MHC class II molecules in antigen-specific antigen presentation by B cells

Irradiation up-regulates CD80 expression through two different mechanisms in spleen B cells, B lymphoma cells, and dendritic cells

We have previously demonstrated irradiation-induced up-regulation of CD80 expression in A20-HL B lymphoma cells by inducing expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and CD154. In the present study, we investigated whether irradiation also up-regulates CD80 expression in mouse spleen B cells. Because freshly prepared spleen B cells are highly sensitive to irradiation, we employed spleen B cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS-B cells). X-irradiation (8 Gy) followed by incubation (9-12 hr) highly and selectively up-regulated CD80 expression in LPS-B cells, whereas the same treatment slightly increased expression of CD54 and did not affect expression of CD86, major histocompatibility complex class II, CD11a or surface immunoglobulin M. The irradiation-induced up-regulation of CD80 expression resulted in enhanced APC function of LPS-B cells. Up-regulation of CD80 expression on LPS-B cells was accompanied by an increase in CD80 mRNA accumulation and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation. Activation of NF-kappaB was shown to be critical for up-regulation of CD80 expression as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, severely decreased the observed up-regulation. X-irradiation of LPS-B cells induced expression of TNF-alpha but not CD154. However, anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (mAb) with anti-CD154 mAb did not inhibit X-irradiation-induced up-regulation of CD80 expression in LPS-B cells, whereas these mAbs almost completely inhibited this up-regulation in A20-HL cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). In contrast, a thiol antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, completely blocked X-irradiation-induced up-regulation of CD80 expression in LPS-B cells, but not in A20-HL cells or in DCs. Based on these findings, we concluded that X-irradiation up-regulates CD80 expression not only in A20-HL cells and DCs but also in LPS-B cells, and that this up-regulation in LPS-B cells via NF-kappaB activation is dependent on the generation of reactive oxygen species, while that in A20-HL cells and DCs is not.

Cholera toxin increases intracellular pH in B lymphoma cells and decreases their antigen-presenting ability

Cholera toxin (CT) can function as a potent adjuvant in the mucosal immune response. However, we have found that treatment of A20-HL murine B lymphoma cells with CT severely inhibits the presentation of ovalbumin (OVA) to cells of the T cell clone 42-6A specific for OVA(323-339)/I-Ad, whereas it does not affect the presentation of OVA(323-339) peptide. CT treatment did not affect the expression of B7-1, B7-2, ICAM-1, LFA-1 or MHC class II on, or the internalization of OVA into A20-HL cells. In CT-treated A20-HL cells, degradation of OVA was decreased, and intracellular pH was raised to a level approximately equivalent to that in CH3NH2-treated cells. Treatment with CH3NH2 is known to raise the pH in endocytic structures and thus inhibits antigen processing. Treatment of A20-HL cells with dibutyryl-cAMP similarly increased intracellular pH. The increase in intracellular pH following CT treatment was inhibited by a cAMP inhibitor, 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine. These results strongly suggest that CT treatment of A20-HL cells inhibits their antigen-presenting cell function by triggering the cAMP cascade, increasing intracellular pH, and reducing the degradation of OVA.

Enhancement of B7-1 (CD80) expression on B-lymphoma cells by irradiation

Irradiation of A20.2J mouse B-lymphoma cells enhanced their antigen-presenting ability to induce interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by 42-6A T cells specific for ovalbumin (OVA)323-339/I-Ad. Irradiated and fixed A20.2J cells were more efficient antigen-presenting cells (APC) to present OVA323-339 peptide than the unirradiated and fixed cells. Irradiation selectively increased the expression of B7-1 molecules, but not of the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, B7-2, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, or intracellular adhesion molecule-1. Irradiation of A20.2J cells with 100 Gy followed by overnight incubation was optimal for the enhancement of B7-1 expression. Anti-B7-1 monoclonal antibody inhibited the irradiation-induced enhancement of APC function. Irradiation of A20.2J cells induced the accumulation of B7-1 mRNA. Thus, it was concluded that the enhancement of APC function by irradiation was due to the up-regulation of B7-1 molecules through the accumulation of its mRNA. Although partial inhibition of protein synthesis has been shown to enhance the accumulation of B7-1 mRNA and its expression, irradiation did not decrease the protein synthesis in A20.2J cells. The incubation with irradiated A20.2J cells stimulated unirradiated A20.2J cells to increase B7-1 expression, suggesting that irradiation of A20.2J cells induced expression or secretion of some molecule(s) to enhance B7-1 expression.