T lymphocytes specific for immunoglobulin allotype. II. Cloned Igh-1b-specific cytotoxic T cells

Igh-1b-specific CD4+CD8- T cell clones of the Th1 subset selectively suppress the Igh-1b allotype in vivo

The demonstration of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T helper (Th) cells specific for peptides from the variable (V) regions of syngeneic immunoglobulin (Ig) (idiopeptides) opens the possibility that Th cells regulate B cell functions via idiopeptide-based cognate T-B interactions. As a model for such interactions we investigated the influence of Ig allotype-specific T cells on the differentiation of H-2-syngeneic B cells expressing that particular Ig allotype. We established a BALB/c (H-2d, Iga) CD4+CD8- T cell line and clones of the Th1 subset (interleukin 2+, interleukin 4-, interferon-gamma+, tumor necrosis factor-alpha+) that recognized Igh-1 (IgG2a) of the b allotype (Igh-1b) together with I-Ad. These T cells specifically suppressed surface Igh-1b+ B cells in vitro and in vivo. In 12 out of 15 6-week-old (BALB/c X B10.D2)F1 mice neonatally injected with Igh-1b-specific T cells, the serum Igh-1b concentrations were less than 5% of the levels in the controls. Thus, allotype suppression can be accomplished solely by adoptive transfer of Igh-1b-specific CD4+ T cells. The in vivo suppression was specific for Igh-1b+ B cells as the recipients' levels of Igh-1a and Igh-4b (IgG1b) were unaffected. The V beta 14-specific anti-T cell receptor (TcR) monoclonal antibody 14-2 inhibited activation of hybridomas derived from two of the clones. Collectively the data indicate that suppression resulted from cognate interactions between allopeptide-specific TcR alpha/beta+ T cells and normal unmanipulated B lymphocytes presenting their endogenous Igh-1b in association with MHC class II molecules. The data support the possibility that normal B cells can be suppressed by idiopeptide-specific T cells in vivo.

The bulk of endogenously produced IgG2a is eliminated from the serum of adult C57BL/6 mice with a half-life of 6-8 days

The concentration of IgG2a in the serum of C57BL/6 mice suppressed for the production of IgG2a was measured over a period of 3 months after suppression. The elimination of a minimum of 96% of the endogenous IgG2a molecules from the serum follows an exponential decay with a half-life of 6-8 days. A monoclonal IgG2a antibody injected into suppressed or normal mice is eliminated from the serum in the same fashion. We conclude that there are few, if any, "long-lived" IgG2a molecules present in the serum of C57BL/6 mice under physiological conditions.

T cells in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. I. Decreased frequency of T lymphocytes secreting suppressor factor

A reverse T cell plaque assay was employed to study the ability of purified T cells isolated from the blood of seven patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) to secrete antigen-specific helper or suppressor factors (ThF and TsF respectively) after activation in vitro. It was found that in spite of the phenotypical presence of CD8+ cells, the frequency of TsF-secreting cells was strongly decreased as compared to normal values. T cells secreting ThF could be generated in all B-CLL patients tested in about normal frequencies. These results may indicate a tumour induced change in the distribution of cellular subsets within the CD8+ cell compartment.

Suppression of IgE secretion from hybridoma cells in allotype congenic mice: suppression of allotype 7a by T cells in allotype b mice

Anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE producing hybridoma B 53 when injected subcutaneously is established equally well in syngeneic BALB/c (heavy-chain allotype a) and congenic CB20 (heavy-chain allotype b) mice. However, secretion of anti-DNP IgE monoclonal antibody is greatly suppressed in CB20 mice. B 53 cells taken from the subcutaneous tumors of CB20 mice produce anti-DNP IgE in vivo in BALB/c mice and in vitro. No difference was observed in IgE production between these cells and the controls taken from BALB/c mice. The suppression of IgE production was due to T cells and/or their product(s) of CB20 mice.

Activation of immunoglobulin allotype-specific T cells by B cells

To investigate the role of Ia and immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules of B cells in alloantigen-specific and nominal antigen-specific T-cell activations, the ability of B cells to stimulate Ig allotype-specific T cells was examined. T15-primed B10.BR T cells responded to MOPC 315 (IgA myeloma protein derived from BALB/c) as well as T15 but not to MOPC31c (IgG1 myeloma protein). These T cells were stimulated by papain-digested Fc fragment of T15. Thus, T15-primed B10.BR T cells were shown to be specific for Ig allotype of T15, that is, Igh-2a. T15-specific B10.BR T cells were selected by 10-day cultures with T15 in vitro. They responded to BALB.K spleen cells without addition of soluble T15 antigen to the assay culture. Stimulator cells in this mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)-like response between T15-specific B10.BR T cells and BALB.K spleen cells were Thy-1-, Ia+ cells and these responses were blocked by anti-Iak antibodies. Furthermore, Sephadex G-10-passed BALB.K B cells stimulated the proliferation of T15-specific B10.BR T cells, while they failed to stimulate allogeneic BALB/c spleen cells. The stimulating ability of B cells in this MLR-like response of T15-specific B10.BR T cells was shown to be genetically restricted, namely, both H-2 and non-H-2 genes are involved in the manifestation of the stimulating ability. This system will provide a useful model for studying the role of B-cell surface Ig and Ia molecules in the activation of antigen-specific T cells and alloreactive T cells.

Lysis of hybridoma cells bearing anti-clonotypic surface immunoglobulin by clonotype-expressing alloreactive cytotoxic T cells

A B cell hybridoma (Désiré-1) was derived which secreted and expressed at its cell surface immunoglobulin (Ig) specific for the antigen-specific T cell receptor (Ti) of an H-2Kb-specific alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone (KB5-C20). It was found that the CTL clone could lyse hybridoma Désiré-1, whereas it could not lyse hybridoma which expressed surface Ig (sIg) binding to other cell surface structures of clone KB5-C20 such as the H-2Kk molecule. Blocking of CTL-target cell interactions using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) indicated that the CTL-target cell interaction was inhibited with appropriate anti-H-2 mAb and by anti-Lyt-2 mAb when CTL-H-2Kb interaction was involved but not when CTL-sIg interaction was involved. The two types of interactions were inhibited by anti-LFA-1 mAb. The involvement of the CTL-Ti structure was necessary to obtain a lytic interaction between CTL and target cells, but a major histocompatibility complex product on the target cells did not need to be involved. Comparison of CTL-target cell inhibition with cold target cells or with anti-clonotypic mAb indicated that the Ti-sIg cellular interaction was of much higher apparent affinity than the Ti-H-2Kb cellular interaction. These results further suggest potential regulatory effects of CTL-B cell cross-idiotypic interactions.

Allosuppression: evidence for the involvement of both "noncytotoxic" and cytotoxic T cells

Allogeneic suppressor cells were generated by priming to a minor histocompatibility antigen. C57BL/10 female mice were primed to the male-specific minor transplantation antigen, H-Y. After boosting, anti-male-primed cells could potently suppress the secondary antibody response of male spleen cells in vitro. Anti-male suppressor cells were H-2-restricted, radiation-resistant T cells which could act on either T or B cells in the responding population. Mapping the restriction elements for anti-male suppressor cells revealed two distinct subpopulations of effector cells. The majority subpopulation was restricted to H-Y in the context of the H-2Db molecule. These cells were probably cytotoxic T cells as they were inhibited by culture of the suppressor cells in pyrilamide (a histamine receptor antagonist, which prevents the maturation of cytotoxic T cells from their precursors). The second subpopulation of suppressor cells was restricted to H-Y in the context of H-2K or I region-coded molecules. as neither H-2Kb nor H-2Ib molecules can act as restriction elements for anti-male-specific cytotoxic T cells, this subpopulations was almost certainly not composed of conventional cytotoxic cells. Furthermore, these cells were not affected by culture in pyrilamide. Together these two populations act to completely inhibit the anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) plaque-forming cell response of male spleen cells in vitro.

Immunological surveillance of tumors in the context of major histocompatibility complex restriction of T cell function

The immunological surveillance hypothesis was formulated prior to the realization of the fact that an individual's effector T cells generally only see neoantigen if it is appropriately presented in the context of self MHC glycoproteins. The biological consequence of this mechanism is that T lymphocytes are focused onto modified cell-surface rather than onto free antigen. The discovery of MHC-restricted T cell recognition, and the realization that T cell-mediated immunity is of prime importance in promoting recovery from infectious processes, has thus changed the whole emphasis of the surveillance argument. Though the immunological surveillance hypothesis generated considerable discussion and many good experiments, there is no point in continuing the debate in the intellectual context that seemed reasonable in 1970. It is now much more sensible to think of "natural surveillance" and "T cell surveillance," without excluding the probability that these two systems have elements in common. We can now see that T cell surveillance probably operates well in some situations, but is quite ineffective in many others. Part of the reason for this may be that the host response selects tumor clones that are modified so as to be no longer recognized by cytotoxic T cells. The possibility that this reflects changes in MHC phenotype has been investigated, and found to be the case, for some experimental tumors. In this regard, it is worth remembering that many "mutations" in MHC genes that completely change the spectrum of T cell recognition are serologically silent. The availability of molecular probes for investigating the status of MHC genes in tumor cells, together with the capacity to develop cloned T cell lines, monoclonal antibodies to putative tumor antigens, and cell lines transfected with genes coding for these molecules, indicates how T cell surveillance may profitably be explored further in both experimental and human situations.

Genetic linkage of the cytolytic T lymphocyte repertoire and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes

The specificity repertoire of H-2Kb-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been examined in B10.D2,BALB/c, and the allotype congenic line CB-20. Comparing their expression of recurrent specificities that serve as markers for the repertoire of each strain indicates that the CTL repertoire of B10.D2 (Ighb) and BALB/c (Igha) differ extensively. In contrast, the repertoires expressed by B10.D2 and CB-20 (Ighb) are essentially identical with respect to their expression of the same recurrent specificities. Taken together with results previously obtained, it is concluded that both major histocompatibility complex and Igh-linked genes affect the CTL specificity repertoire.

Cytotoxic T cells specific for antigens expressed on surface immunoglobulin-positive cells

C.B-20 mice were immunized with splenocytes or B leukemia cells (BCL1) from Ig H chain allotype congenic strains. Spleen cells from these immunized mice were rechallenged in vitro to generate H-2-restricted cytotoxic T cells that were specific for target antigens controlled by genes linked to the Ig H chain locus. The anti-Ig H cytotoxic T cells detected an antigen(s) expressed only on surface Ig+ cells. Thus, T cell lymphoblasts, eight BALB/c myeloma cell lines, and a T cell lymphoma were not lysed by the effector cells. In contrast, B cell lymphoblasts and the surface Ig+ BCL1 cells were sensitive to lysis. A surface Ig- hybridoma (which secretes the IgM from the BCL1 cells) generated by fusing BCL1 cells to X63 myeloma cells was not killed by the effector cells. These data indicate that cytotoxic T cells specific for antigenic determinants on either surface IgM+ or IgD+ or on a molecule that is coordinately expressed on IgM+ or IgD+ cells can be generated and that such cells might play a role in regulating the growth of normal B cells or surface Ig+ tumor cells in vivo.

T lymphocytes specific for immunoglobulin allotype. I. Igh-1b-specific T cells demonstrated by suppression in vivo and cytotoxicity in vitro

We show that determinants of IgG(2a) of C57BL/6 mice (Igh-1(b)) stimulate allotypespecific T cells in BALB/c mice. Such cells are detected in two different functional assays; chronic allotype suppression and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. A population of suppressor T cells capable of inducing chronic Igh-1(b) suppression was demonstrated by rosetting procedures to possess Igh-1(b)-specific receptors, a result interpreted as indicating that suppressor T cells may act directly upon allotype-bearing B cells. From similar populations we were also able to demonstrate Igh-1(b)-specific cytotoxic T cells. Such cells were lytic for target myeloma cells expressing the Igh-1(b) allotype of IgG28, and were ineffective against a variant cell line failing to express Igh-1(b), and other target cell lines expressing different allotypes or isotypes. The similar specificity of suppressor T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes for Igh-1(b) allotype raises the possibility that the target in allotype suppression is a B cell, and that allotype-specific cytotoxic T cells may play some role in regulation of allotype expression in the suppressed state.