H-2 complementation in anti-H-Y cytotoxic T-cell responses can occur in chimeric mice

An immunoreactive theory of selective male affliction

Males are selectively afflicted with the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders of childhood, a broad and virtually ubiquitous phenomenon that has not received proper attention in the biological study of sex differences. The previous literature has alluded to psychosocial differences, genetic factors and elements pertaining to male “complexity” and relative immaturity, but these are not deemed an adequate explanation for selective male affliction. The structure of sex differences in neurodevelopmental disorders is hypothesized to contain these elements: (1) Males are more frequently afflicted, females more severely; (2) disorders arising in females are largely mediated by the genotype; in males, by a genotype by environment interaction; (3) complications of pregnancy and delivery occur more frequently with male births; such complications are decisive and influence subsequent development. We hypothesize that there is something about the male fetus that evokes an inhospitable uterine environment. This “evocative principle” is hypothesized to relate to the relative antigenicity of the male fetus, which may induce a state of maternal immunoreactivity, leading either directly or indirectly to fetal damage. The immunoreactive theory (IMRT) thus constructed is borrowed from studies of sex ratios and is the only explanation consistent with negative parity effects in the occurrence of pregnancy complications and certain neurodevelopmental disorders. Although the theory is necessarily speculative, it is heuristic and hypotheses derived from it are proposed; some are confirmed in the existing literature and by the authors' research.

The male-specific histocompatibility antigen, H-Y: a history of transplantation, immune response genes, sex determination and expression cloning

H-Y was originally discovered as a transplantation antigen. In vivo primary skin graft responses to H-Y are controlled by immune response (Ir) genes mapping to the MHC. In vitro T cell responses to H-Y are controlled by MHC class I and II Ir genes, which-respectively, restrict CD8 and CD4 T cells: These can be isolated as T cell clones in vitro. T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice have been made from the rearranged TCR genes of several of these, of which that specific for H-Y/Db is the best studied. Non-MHC Ir genes also contribute to the control of in vitro CTL responses to H-Y. The Hya/HYA gene(s) encoding H-Y antigen have been mapped using translocations, mutations, and deletions to Yq in humans and to the short arm of the Y chromosome in mice, where they lie in the deletion defined by the Sxrb mutation between Zfy-1 and Zfy-2. Hya/HYA has been separated from the testis-determining gene, Sry/SRY, in both humans and mice and in humans the azoospermia factor AZF has been separated from HYA. In mice transfection of cosmids and cDNAs mapping to the Sxrb deletion has identified two genes encoding H-Y peptide epitopes. Two such epitopes, H-Y/K(k) and H-Y/D(k), are encoded within different exons of Smcy and a third, H-Y/D(b), by a novel gene, Uty. Peptide elution approaches have isolated a human H-Y epitope, H-Y/HLA-B7, and identified it as a product of SMCY. Each of the Hya genes in mice is ubiquitously expressed but of unknown function. Their X chromosome homologues do not undergo X inactivation.

Unsuitability of the assay for cell-mediated lympholysis in inbred mice for H-Y antigen determination of human cells

This study examined the H-Y-specific in vitro restimulation of splenocytes from in vivo intraperitoneally (i.p.) primed C57B1/6 (B6) female mice. In vivo priming was carried out with human male or female fibroblasts or peripheral blood lymphocytes, respectively. It was attempted to measure the in vitro H-Y-specific activity by cell-mediated lympholysis and by cell proliferation. 3[H]Thymidine incorporation was determined in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLCs) of xenogeneic primed female splenocytes (responder cells) and of syngeneic lethally irradiated male splenocytes (stimulator cells). The xenogeneic H-Y presentation by in vivo sensitization did not induce in the in vitro restimulation system an H-Y-specific cell proliferation or in the effector phase the generation of H-Y-specific killer cells. The assay for cell-mediated lympholysis and lymphocyte proliferation after xenogeneic priming and syngeneic in vitro restimulation is, thus, not suitable for H-Y testing of human cells.

Neonatal tolerance of major histocompatibility complex antigens alters Ir gene control of the cytotoxic T cell response to vaccinia virus

The K region of H-2 controls the Tc cell response to vaccinia-Db. The Kb, Kd, and Kq alleles allow good Tc cell responses against vaccinia-Db. In contrast, the presence of Kk in H-2 recombinants 2R (Kk,Db) and 4R (Kk,Db) or in F1 hybrids greatly reduces the anti-vaccinia-Db response. The defect does not lie in antigen presentation, as infected 4R cells can stimulate anti-vaccinia-Db Tc cells in vitro. Furthermore, nonresponder animals possess Tc cell precursors for vaccinia-Db, as transfer of F1 nonresponder spleen cells into infected, lethally irradiated responder recipients allowed generation of anti-vaccinia-Db effector Tc cells. Secondary responses to vaccinia-Db can also be obtained in vitro from T cells of 4R animals. Feedback inhibition was excluded in experiments with mixed chimeras in which Kk and Db were expressed on separate cell populations. Neonatal tolerance of B10 animals to Kk suppressed the anti-vaccinia-Db response but did not affect anti-vaccinia-Kb, anti-lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, or anti-H-2d responses. In cold target competition experiments, H-2k competitors inhibited vaccinia-Db-specific target cell lysis by Tc cells, which suggests that anti-vaccinia-Db and anti-H-2Kk Tc cells may cross-react. Therefore, we propose that the suppressive influence of Kk on anti-vaccinia-Db Tc cell responses is a consequence of self-tolerance and that suppression of anti-Kk Tc cells results in cross-reactive suppression of anti-vaccinia-Db Tc cells.

The effect of cyclophosphamide on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses: inhibition of helper T-cell induction in vitro

The effects of cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the different cell populations participating in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against haptenated (trinitrophenyl, TNP) syngeneic cells were studied. Pretreatment of responder cell donor mice with 150 mg/kg Cy decreased the cytotoxicity against TNP-modified syngeneic target cells almost to the background level. When TH cells were added to the culture the cytotoxicity increased significantly. Helper T cells were generated in vivo by priming the mice with TNP-modified syngeneic spleen cells or sensitizing the mice with a reactive hapten (TNCB). However, if the TH cell donor mice were treated with Cy before in vivo priming, the cytotoxicity reached the normal level, which indicated that TH precursors were not destroyed by Cy treatment and TH induction was even more effective after Cy. These data indicate that the decrease of the response by this Cy dose is not due to the sensitivity of CTL or TH precursors. Mice could be primed with male-specific (HY) antigen in spite of Cy pretreatment. However, Cy pretreatment caused a latent period of 2 weeks when effective CTL could not be generated in vitro, but after that the capacity for CTL generation was restored. These experiments confirm that pretreatment of responder cell donor mice with Cy does not destroy CTL or TH precursors, but rather affects their in vitro restimulation probably by destroying a short lived 'inducer' cell that is needed.

Responder T cells depleted of alloreactive cells react to antigen presented on allogeneic macrophages from nonresponder strains

T cells from strains responder to the antigen poly(Glu40 Ala60) (GA) were depleted of alloreactive cells by bromo-deoxyuridine and light treatment, and were subsequently primed in vitro in GA presented by allogeneic macrophages from nonresponder strains. Antigen-specific secondary proliferative responses restricted by allogeneic Ia molecules of the macrophages were obtained in all strain combinations tested. These data indicate that Ir gene-controlled nonresponsiveness cannot be the result of a failure of antigen presentation.

Analysis of H-2 determinants recognized during the induction of H-Y-immune cytotoxic T cells by monoclonal antibodies in vitro

Monoclonal antibodies directed to the D region of H-2(k) when present during in vitro culture inhibit the generation of CBA/H and C3H.H-2(o) H-Y-immune cytotoxic T cells . Monoclonal antibodies directed to the I-A(k) and I-E(k) region specifically inhibited induction of CBA/H H-Y-immune cytotoxic T cells only when they were present simultaneously in culture. These findings show T helper cell requirement for CBA/H H-Y-immune cytotoxic T cell induction, and suggest that two I region-coded restriction antigens for T helper cells are involved.

The H-Y antigen and its role in natural transplantation

A concise overview of the transplantation biology of the H-Y antigen is presented with particular reference to: its prototypic behavior as a weak transplantation antigen; the facility with which mice of certain inbred strains can be rendered tolerant of H-Y incompatible skin grafts; its capacity to instigate graft-versus-host reactions; its significance in clinical transplantation; and finally, H-2 control of anti-H-Y immune responses. The role of the H-Y antigen in natural transplantation, i.e. pregnancy, is then reviewed. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that in certain cases maternal immune responses directed specifically to the H-Y antigen can exert selective pressures on male zygotes, producing deviant sex ratios in certain experimental and clinical situations.

H-2 restriction as a consequence of intentional priming. Frequency analysis of alloantigen-restricted, trinitrophenyl-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors within thymocytes of normal mice

An in vitro acute-depletion protocol was used to detect trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific, allo-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) within thymocytes of inbred mice. After removal of alloreactivity, the negatively selected cells could be sensitized to become TNP-specific, allo-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cells. A precursors frequency analysis revealed a three- to ninefold lower frequency of allo-MHC-restricted CTL precursors (CTL-P) as compared to self-MHC-restricted CTL-P. The specificity analysis of clonally distributed allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P excluded cross-reactivity as an explanation of allo-MHC restriction. These results provide direct evidence that thymic T cells are composed of a mixture of self-MHC- and allo-MHC-restricted immunocompetent T cells and that antigen-driven selection of precommitted T cells dictates the H-2-restriction phenotype, i.e., H-2 restriction is a consequence of priming.

Frequency analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors in chimeric mice. Evidence for intrathymic maturation of clonally distinct self-major histocompatibility complex- and allo-major histocompatiblilty complex-restricted virus-specific T cells

To study whether the thymic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) imposes a constraint on the receptor repertoire of maturating cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors, the restriction phenotypes of virus-specific CTL of MHC-compatible and of MHC-incompatible thymus- and bone marrow-grafted (A X B)F1 chimeric mice were compared. Dependent on the mode of in vitro sensitization, thymocytes or splenocytes of both types of chimeric mice generated Sendai virus-specific, self-MHC-or allo-MHC-restricted CTL. By applying the limiting-dilution technique, the CTL-precursor (CTL-P) frequencies of self-MHC-restricted and allo-MHC-restricted virus-specific T cells as well as of alloreactive T cells were determined. The data obtained revealed that independent of MHC differences between thymus and bone marrow, the frequencies of self-MHC-restricted and allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P were comparable, and in the same older of magnitude as those previously determined in conventionally reared mice. Self-MHC-restricted, virus-specific CTL-P were in a three- to fivefold excess over allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P. A segregation analysis revealed that clonally distinct CTL-P give rise to either self-restricted or allo-MHC-restricted, virus-specific CTL. Both sets were found not only in the spleen, but also in the thymus of chimeric mice, formally demonstrating the intrathymic differentiation pathway of self-MHC as well of allo-MHC-restricted CTL-P. These data reveal no major constraint of the thymic MHC on the capacity of T cells to recognize viral antigens either in the context of self-MHC or of allogeneic MHC products.

Analysis of haplotype preference in the cytotoxic T-cell response to H-Y

The mechanisms determining which parental haplotype is selected in (CBA X B10) (k X b)F1 female mice for major histocompatibility complex (H-2) restricted, male-specific (H-Y), immune, cytotoxic T-cell (Tc-cell) responses, was investigated. The data show that haplotype preference is variable, and may be directed towards one, both, or neither of the parental haplotypes. This preference is reflected in the precursor or frequency of memory Tc cells as measured by limiting dilution assays. It was further shown that maternal influence, antigen dose, route of immunization, and a feedback mechanism on the stimulator cells in vivo could not influence haplotype preference or its observed variability. Evidence for cross-reactive killing by H-2k and H-2b H-Y immune Tc cells on H-2b and H-2k allogeneic targets, respectively,, (i.e., the independent haplotype of the other parent of the F1 mice), provide evidence for natural tolerance as a possible mechanism to explain haplotype preference.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to H-Y: characterization and mapping of Ir genes

This paper examines the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to male (H-Y) antigen(s). Female mice of the H-2b haplotype developed delayed footpad reaction to syngeneic or allogenic male thymus and spleen cells after priming with syngeneic male thymus and spleen cells. The reaction peaks at 24 h, has classical DTH histology and is specific to H-Y antigen as it is not elicited with female cells. Cell transfer studies show that donor/recipient matching at the I-Bb subregion is necessary for successful transfer of DTH and that the effective primed population is Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, 2-. DTH response to H-Y antigen appears to be confined to mice of the H-2b haplotype. There appears to be a lack of associative recognition between H-Y antigen and MHC-coded determinants in the effector phase of DTH, and macrophage processing of H-Y seems likely, since nonresponder haplotypes can elicit the DTH response. Studies with H-2b recombinant mouse strains indicate that the dominant Ir gene is located in the I-B region. Female F1 hybrid mice derived from matings of strains not involving H-2b haplotype failed to develop DTH to H-Y. In summary, these data imply that a complete correlation exists between DTH to H-Y and the ability to reject male skin graft, suggesting that the effector mechanisms of skin-graft rejection may closely involve DTH cells.

T-cell specificity for H-2 and Ir gene phenotype correlates with the phenotype of thymic antigen-presenting cells

Experiments with chimaeric animals have demonstrated that the H-2 restriction specificity and immune response (Ir) gene phenotype of the T cell is acquired during development in the thymus. The mechanism by which this process occurs is unclear. One level of obligate expression of H-2 and Ir gene products is on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which come from bone marrow precursors. We have now examined the turnover of APCs in the thymuses of F1 leads to parent (P) radiation-induced bone marrow chimaeras and found that APCs of donor phenotype appear at about 2 months after reconstitution. If the peripheral T-cell population is depleted after this time, new T cells emerging from the parental thymus (containing F1 APCs) behaving like F1 T cells, suggesting that cells from the bone marrow can influence thymic-directed T-cell differentiation. The thymic APC is an attractive condidate to play such a part in the development of the T-cell repertoire.

T-T cell interactions during in vitro cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. III. Antigen-specific T helper cells release nonspecific mediator(s) able to help induction of H-2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses across cell-impermeable membranes

T helper cell induction and the specificity of T cell-mediated help as generated during alloreactive and H-2-restricted, virus- or hapten-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses have been compared. With the use of a double-chamber culture system, it was possible to dissect and separately analyze the induction phase of T helper cells from the T helper cell effector function. The data obtained revealed that during alloreactive as well as H-2-restricted T cell responses, antigen-specific T helper cells are induced. Upon specific restimulation of T helper cells, helper cell function is mediated across a cell-impermeable membrane via soluble products in an apparently nonspecific and nonrestricted manner. The data suggest that similar rules govern T-T cell interactions in alloreactive and H-2-restricted CTL responses.

T cell-mediated cytotoxic immune responsiveness of chimeric mice bearing a thymus graft fully allogeneic to the graft of lymphoid stem cells

Fully allogeneic, chimeric mice were established by adult thymectomy of (A x B) F1 animals, grafting parental A-type thymus under the kidney capsula, followed by lethal (900 rd) irradiation and reconstitution with B parental-type bone marrow cells treated with xenogeneic anti-T cell antiserum plus complement. Following in vivo sensitization with inactivated Sendai virus (SV) suspensions, no virus-specific T cells could be detected within the spleen cells of the mice. Upon stimulation with third-party allogenic cells in a primary mixed lymphocyte culture, spleen cells of all animals generated alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CLT). More interestingly, upon secondary in vitro stimulation with inactivated SV-conjugated B-type stimulator cells, B-type-restricted, virus-specific CTL were inducible in each case. Upon restimulation with SV-conjugated A-type stimulator cells, A being the H-2 type of the grafted thymus, T cells of some but no all mice generated A-type-restricted, virus-specific CTL. The data suggest that in allogeneic, chimeric mice virus-specific CTL can be induced. Moreover, virus-specific CTL, restricted to the H-2 type of the lymphoid stem cell inoculum, are more readily inducible than those restricted to the H-2 type of the allogeneic thymus.

Gene complementation. Neither Ir-GLphi gene need be present in the proliferative T cell to generate an immune response to Poly(Glu55Lys36Phe9)n

The cellular requirements for immune response (Ir) gene expression in a T cell proliferative response under dual Ir gene control were examined with radiation-induced bone marrow chimeras. The response to poly(Glu55Lys36Phe9)n (GLphi) requires two responder alleles that in the [B10.A X B10.A(18R)]F1 map in I-Ab and I-Ek/Cd. Chimeras in which a mixture of the nonresponder B10.A parental cells (which possess only I-Ek/Cd) and the nonresponder B10.A(18R) parental cells (which possess only I-Ab) were allowed to mature in a responder F1 environment did not respond to GLphi, which suggests that at least one cell participating in the response needed to possess both responder alleles to function. When T cells from such A + 18R leads to F1 chimeras were primed in the presence of responder antigen-presenting cells (APC), the chimeric T cells responded to GLphi, which suggests that both responder alleles must be expressed in the APC but not necessarily in the T cell. Interestingly, acutely irradiated F1 animals were found not to be an adequate source of responder APC for priming the proliferating T cell because of the rapid turnover of peripheral APC after irradiation. In adoptive transfer experiments, T cell-depleted bone marrow had to be used as a source of responder APC. When bone marrow cells from (B10.A X B10)F1 responder animals were allowed to mature in a low-responder B10 of B10.A parental environment, neither chimera, F1 leads to A or F1 leads to B, could respond to GLphi. This demonstrated that the presence of high-responder APC, which derive from the donor bone marrow, was not sufficient to generate a GLphi response. It appears that in addition it is essential for the T lymphocytes to mature in a high-responder environment. Finally, B10.A(4R) T cells, which possess neither Ir-GLphi responder allele, could be educated to mount a GLphi-proliferative response provided that they matured in a responder environment and were primed with APC expressing both responder alleles. Therefore, the gene products of the complementing Ir-GLphi responder alleles appear to function as a single restriction element at the level of the APC. T cells that do not possess responder alleles are not intrinsically defective, because they could be made phenotypic responders if they developed in an environment in which responder major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products were learned as self and if antigen was presented to them by APC expressing responder MHC products.

Cytotoxic T-cell response to H-Y in 'non-responder' CBA mice

Murine cytotoxic T-cell (Tc cell) responses to various antigens are controlled by immune response genes (Ir) mapping in the major histocompatibility complex (H-2). Both helper T cells, controlled by I region-coded genes, and Tc cells, controlled by K/D antigens, are necessary for a positive response. An H-2-restricted Tc-cell response to the male specific minor transplantation antigen (H-Y) can be elicited in B10 (H-2b) female mice primed with syngeneic male spleen cells intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intravenously (i.v.), or by skin grafting followed by restimulation in vitro in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLR) with male cells. CBA (H-2k) mice do not respond by these routes of in vivo priming, and this was thought to be due to a lack of permissible Ir genes for helper function. However, we now report that subcutaneous hind-footpad (fp) immunisation of 'non-responder' CBA mice with syngeneic male cells changes them to responders, a result which argues against a generalised Ir gene-controlled helper defect.