Identification of a second class I antigen controlled by the K end of the H-2 complex and its selective cellular expression

A novel H-2K splice form: predictions for other alternative H-2 splicing events

A large number of H-2K and H-2D cDNA clones from a C3HfB/HeN spleen cDNA library were extensively characterized. All H-2Dk cDNAs were shown to exhibit the short form of exon 8, consistent with the presence of a single lariat branchpoint site within intron 7. Twenty-five H-2Kkm2 cDNAs were found to bear a short exon 8, whereas only two clones were shown to carry the longer form of this exon. In one of the H-2Kkm2 cDNAs, a novel pattern of H-2 splicing was identified, in which an extra 15 nucleotides, derived from the 3' end of intron 5, were inserted between the intact and unaltered exon 5 and exon 6 sequences. Resulting from the apparent use of a cryptic splice acceptor site in place of the canonical intron 5 site, this insertion is predicted to generate an in-frame insertion of five nonpolar amino acid residues within a highly polar region of the intracytoplasmic domain of the H-2K polypeptide. The features of this novel splice form served as the basis for predicting additional rare, alternative H-2 pre-mRNA splicing events that might produce functionally relevant microheterogeneity in the encoded H-2 gene products.

New HLA class I-like alloantigens expressed on blast cells

New beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m)-associated, HLA-linked alloantigens, selectively expressed on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-activated lymphocytes, were identified using human alloantisera. Reactivity of the antisera against activated cells correlated with HLA-A2, A10 and A28 specificities. The new alloantigens were undetectable on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, B lymphocytes and platelets using either the lymphocytotoxicity or the absorption techniques, and appeared on lymphocytes upon PHA activation, with time-dependent kinetics. They were found on some, but not all, acute leukaemias of B, T and myeloid origin, being absent from chronic B lymphocytic leukaemias. The presence of the new beta 2-microglobulin-associated allospecificities was not correlated with the quantity of classical class I antigens present, as analysed on different cell types by flow cytometry. Thus, these antigenic determinants appear to be different from the classical HLA class I antigens and could be the human counterpart of the murine Qa system or of the second H-2K gene.

Strain differences in the expression of the Epa-1-restricting element

Epa-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) lyse epidermal cells (EC) of different Epa-1+ H-2k strains, such a AKR, CBA, C58, and RF, at different levels. We used an H-2Kk-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) to test the hypothesis that this phenomenon is due to differences in the H-2-restricting element. Initially, we established the specificity of this mAb for the Epa-1-restricting element by demonstrating its capacity to inhibit the lysis of CBA EC by Epa-1-specific CTL. We then used it as the probe in a cellular radioimmunoassay to quantify the expression of the restricting element by EC of different H-2k strains. We found that C58 and RF EC bound significantly less of the mAb than did CBA EC. Although AKR also bound less of the mAb than did CBA EC, the difference was not statistically significant. To examine the generality of this phenomenon, we quantified the expression of Kk antigens on spleen cells (SC) of the same four strains. We found that RF SC, but not AKR or C58 SC, bound significantly less of the Kk mAb than did CBA SC. Thus, the differential CTL lysis of Epa-1+ EC of different strains probably reflects differences in expression of the H-2-restricting element rather than of the nominal antigen.

Alternative splicing in the mouse H-2Kd gene is not necessary for the classical Kd antigen function

The mouse H-2Kd gene gives rise to several transcripts by alternative splicing. In addition to encoding the known Kd antigen, it could thus encode at least one minor hypothetical Kd-like molecule, with a distinct NH2 terminus. The existence of this "24" product can be inferred from a cDNA clone which was previously isolated. We have engineered both this cDNA and its canonical counterpart into a eukaryotic expression vector. After transfer of these constructs into mouse fibroblasts, we obtained cells expressing either one of the transcripts, but not both. In cytotoxicity tests, we found no expression of the "24" product on the cell surface, nor did we obtain any clue concerning its function. In contrast, cells which express Kd antigen, but none of the possible Kd-like molecules produced by alternative splicing, were functional in all aspects examined. We conclude that alternative splicing does not contribute to the known function of the Kd antigen.

HLA-JY328: mapping studies and expression of a polymorphic HLA class I gene

The JY328 clone was identified in a human genomic library using cDNA corresponding to mRNA for HLA-B7 as a probe. The L/328 cell line was established by cotransformation of mouse Ltk- cells with the herpes thymidine kinase gene and clone JY328. On Northern blots, RNA from L/328 strongly hybridized to an HLA class I probe, and an antigen was recognized by an anti-HLA class I framework antibody on the cell surface. A DNA probe corresponding to a segment of intron 7 was developed by comparing the nucleotide sequence of clone JY328 with that of other HLA class I-type genes. Using the radiolabeled probe to screen Southern blots of DNA from families with siblings exhibiting intra-HLA recombinations, a restriction fragment length polymorphism was revealed--a 1.4 kb BstE II band not present in all individuals. A corresponding fragment was apparent in the base sequence of clone JY328. The occurrence of this band on Southern blots established that JY328 maps distinct from and centromeric to the HLA-C locus and near to the HLA-B locus. Antibody absorption studies and cytotoxicity tests indicated that the JY328 gene product was not an HLA-B antigen but that it did specifically absorb CW7-specific antibody. In sum, these results suggest a novel, polymorphic HLA class I gene which expresses a product serologically similar to HLA-Cw7 but which does not map within the corresponding locus.

N-Linked oligosaccharides of the H-2Dk histocompatibility protein heavy chain influence its transport and cellular distribution

The H-2K and H-2D proteins encoded by the K and D region of the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse were isolated by immunoprecipitation with specific antisera and resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Of these two polypeptides, the H-2Dk glycoproteins isolated from macrophages of C3H/HeHa mice exhibit distinct cell surface and cytoplasmic forms although they share a strong degree of homology in the polypeptide backbone. Structurally they differ in their oligosaccharide structures. The structure of the oligosaccharides on the intracellular forms is of the high mannose type while the same structures on the cell surface forms are of the complex type. In the absence of all three oligosaccharide side chains, the unglycosylated polypeptides are expressed on the cell surface. In contrast, polypeptides containing one, two, or all three oligosaccharide side chains of the high mannose type are not transported to the cell surface. Cell surface expression of these glycoproteins requires processing of the oligosaccharide side chains from the high mannose form to the complex type. However, not all oligosaccharide antennae have to be terminally modified since H-2Dk glycoproteins synthesized in the presence of oligosaccharide-processing enzyme inhibitors such as swainsonine or monensin are also transported to the cell surface. H-2Dk glycoproteins containing oligosaccharide structures of the complex type but lacking terminal sialic acids are found on the cell surface, suggesting that sialylation is not required for transport. These results indicate that the oligosaccharide structures of the H-2Dk glycoproteins act to influence their cellular distribution.

Induction of Kb-restricted anti-influenza cytotoxic T cells in C57BL mice: importance of stimulator cell type and immunization route

C57BL/6 mice generate influenza-specific cytotoxic T cells (Tc) which are predominantly restricted to Db. The induction of a Kb-restricted response in H-2b mice has been controversial. We show here that the magnitude of Kb-restricted anti-influenza Tc responses is affected by the type of stimulator cell. Both in vivo and in vitro, secondary responses in the spleen show strong selection for Db-restricted Tc. However, limiting dilution analyses show that intranasal (i.n.) influenza infection primes Kb- as well as Db-restricted Tc in C57BL mice at a ratio of 1:2--but different cell types acting as stimulator cells vary in their ability to induce secondary Kb-restricted influenza-specific Tc (B lymphoblasts greater than macrophages greater than spleen cells greater than T lymphoblasts). Thus, the site of infection and antigen presentation can determine the MHC restriction of T-cell responses.

Serologic cross-reactivity between Class I MHC molecules and an H-2-linked differentiation antigen as detected by monoclonal antibodies

Analysis of anti-Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) monoclonal antibodies by immunofluorescence and flow microfluorometry demonstrated an unexpected cross-reactivity. Two of fifteen antibodies examined (20-8-4, anti-Kb,Kd,r,s and 34-1-2, antiKd,Dd,Kb,r,s,q,p) were observed to detect an antigen determined by gene(s) mapping to the right of H-2D. Two-color immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that this antigen, unlike classical H-2K and D antigens, was expressed in high amounts on peripheral T cells, but only weakly on Ia-positive cells and on small subpopulations of thymus and bone marrow cells. Mapping, absorption, blocking, and tissue distribution studies suggested that the cross-reactive antigen is Qa-like, but distinct from previously described Qa antigens. Thus, these data demonstrate serological cross-reactivity between a Class I MHC antigen and a differentiation antigen determined by genes linked to H-2. It seems likely that the gene responsible for this new antigen is one of the numerous Class I-like sequences detected by DNA hybridization analyses, but previously undefined in terms of tissue expression. These data suggest that many of these DNA sequences may be expressed in specific tissues and that cross-reactions of anti-Class I MAbs may provide useful probes for studying the products of such homologous genes.

Different exon-intron organization at the 5' part of a mouse class I gene is used to generate a novel H-2Kd-related mRNA

A cDNA library constructed from liver mRNA of DBA/2 (H-2d) mice has been screened with H-2-specific probes. The nucleotide sequence of one clone (pH-2d-24) indicates that it derives from an H-2 gene with an unexpected exon-intron organization. Nucleotide sequence comparisons suggest that two distinct mRNAs are produced from a single H-2Kd gene by a mechanism involving the use of alternative splicing sites in its 5' region. pH-2d-24 carries an open reading frame encoding a thus-far-undescribed polypeptide product identical to an H-2Kd-molecule, except for the NH2-terminal half of the first domain.