Plaque forming cells: methodology and theory

Effect of nabumetone on humoral immune responses in mice

ABSTRACT Nabumetone is used to reduce the pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. In the current study, immunomodulatory effect of Nabumetone is investigated in mice. The control group was administered normal saline orally as placebo. Nabumetone was administered orally via gavage in two treatment groups at 14mg/kg.b.w. doses and 28mg/kgb.w., respectively. Haemagglutination (HA) assay, Jerne hemolytic plaque and mice lethality assays were applied. In HA assay, the titer was significantly decreased in Nabumetone treatment groups (P< 0.001). In Jerne hemolytic plaque formation assay, there was a significant reduction (P< 0.001) in number of plaques in Nabumetone treated groups when compared with control. In mice lethality assay, there was a significant difference in mortality ratio of mice in control and Nabumetone treated groups (P< 0.001). Therefore, it is concluded that Nabumetone suppresses the humoral immune response in mice.

Mathematical modeling provides kinetic details of the human immune response to vaccination

With major advances in experimental techniques to track antigen-specific immune responses many basic questions on the kinetics of virus-specific immunity in humans remain unanswered. To gain insights into kinetics of T and B cell responses in human volunteers we combined mathematical models and experimental data from recent studies employing vaccines against yellow fever and smallpox. Yellow fever virus-specific CD8 T cell population expanded slowly with the average doubling time of 2 days peaking 2.5 weeks post immunization. Interestingly, we found that the peak of the yellow fever-specific CD8 T cell response was determined by the rate of T cell proliferation and not by the precursor frequency of antigen-specific cells as has been suggested in several studies in mice. We also found that while the frequency of virus-specific T cells increased slowly, the slow increase could still accurately explain clearance of yellow fever virus in the blood. Our additional mathematical model described well the kinetics of virus-specific antibody-secreting cell and antibody response to vaccinia virus in vaccinated individuals suggesting that most of antibodies in 3 months post immunization were derived from the population of circulating antibody-secreting cells. Taken together, our analysis provided novel insights into mechanisms by which live vaccines induce immunity to viral infections and highlighted challenges of applying methods of mathematical modeling to the current, state-of-the-art yet limited immunological data.

Transcription factors TFE3 and TFEB are critical for CD40 ligand expression and thymus-dependent humoral immunity

TFE3 and TFEB are broadly expressed transcription factors related to the transcription factor Mitf. Although they have been linked to cytokine signaling pathways in nonlymphoid cells, their function in T cells is unknown. TFE3-deficient mice are phenotypically normal, whereas TFEB deficiency causes early embryonic death. We now show that combined inactivation of TFE3 and TFEB in T cells resulted in a hyper-immunoglobulin M syndrome due to impaired expression of CD40 ligand by CD4(+) T cells. Native TFE3 and TFEB bound to multiple cognate sites in the promoter of the gene encoding CD40 ligand (Cd40lg), and maximum Cd40lg promoter activity and gene expression required TFE3 or TFEB. Thus, TFE3 and TFEB are direct, physiological and mutually redundant activators of Cd40lg expression in activated CD4(+) T cells critical for T cell-dependent antibody responses.

High-frequency gene conversion between repeated C mu sequences integrated at the chromosomal immunoglobulin mu locus in mouse hybridoma cells

The occurrence of mitotic recombination between repeated immunoglobulin mu gene constant (C mu) region sequences stably integrated at the haploid chromosomal immunoglobulin mu locus in murine hybridoma cells was investigated. Recombination events are detected as changes in hapten-specific immunoglobulin M production. Recombination occurs with high frequency (0.5 to 0.8%) by a mechanism consistent with gene conversion. A double-strand break repair-like mechanism is suggested by the finding that repair of a 2-bp deletion mutation and a 2-bp insertion mutation occurs with parity in a donor-directed manner. The results also suggest that the gene conversion process is directional in that the 5' C mu region sequence is preferentially converted.

Immunoregulatory characteristics of the in vitro anti-ssDNA response

Continuous blockade of B-cell antigen receptors (BCRs) with Fab alpha sIg prevents the anti-ssDNA response of high, but not low, density B cells. Signaling via the BCRs, by prior exposure to crosslinking F(ab')2 alpha sIg, had no effect on the spontaneous anti-DNA response, but prevented a lipopolysaccharide-induced anti-DNA response. Pretreatment with intact alpha sIg, which provides exogenously derived Fc signals, reduced the response. An Fc-signal-blocking agent, F(ab')2 anti-IgG-Fc antibody, increased the number of anti-DNA antibody-forming cells produced in the absence of exogenous IgG anti-ssDNA antibody. Thus, activation is dependent on the availability of the BCRs, prior BCR crosslinking does not interfere with activation, and endogenous IgG anti-ssDNA antibody limits the activation of anti-ssDNA-specific B cells most of which are T-cell independent. These results indicate that the anti-ssDNA response is driven through the BCR.

In vivo CD40-gp39 interactions are essential for thymus-dependent humoral immunity. II. Prolonged suppression of the humoral immune response by an antibody to the ligand for CD40, gp39

The ligand for CD40 has been recently identified as a 39-kd protein, gp39, expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T helper cells (Th). In vitro, soluble CD40 and anti-gp39 have been shown to block the ability of Th to activate B cells, suggesting that gp39-CD40 interactions are important to T cell-dependent B cell activation. Here it is shown that in vivo administration of anti-gp39 dramatically reduced both primary and secondary humoral immune responses to erythrocytes and soluble protein antigens without altering responses to the T-independent type II antigen, trinitrophenyl-Ficoll. Treatment of mice for 4 d with anti-gp39 inhibited the anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) response for at least 3 wk and inhibited the expression of all immunoglobulin isotypes in secondary responses to the protein antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin. To examine the direct effect of anti-gp39 on Th function, SRBC-immune Th cells from anti-gp39-treated mice were adoptively transferred and shown to be fully capable of providing help. These results suggest that anti-gp39 treatment does not cause Th deletion or anergy. Anti-gp39 may mediate its profound immunosuppressive effects on humoral immunity by blocking gp39-CD40 interactions. Moreover, these studies establish gp39-CD40 as an important receptor-ligand pair for the targeting of therapeutic antibodies to control thymus-dependent humoral responses.

T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent mechanisms of tolerance to glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A

Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a type 2 T-independent antigen, is the major component of the capsular polysaccharide (CnCAP) of Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous studies have described the tolerogenic effects of high doses of CnCAP on the specific humoral response. In this investigation, evidence for both high-dose and low-dose tolerance to GXM is presented. BALB/cBy female mice, primed with either 5 ng or 50 micrograms of GXM, then coimmunized 3 days later with immunogenic doses of both GXM and type 3 pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III), showed an antigen-specific inhibition in their splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to GXM compared with control groups primed with normal saline. SSS-III PFCs remained unchanged between GXM-primed and normal saline-primed groups. Low-dose tolerance appeared to be T dependent, whereas high-dose tolerance appeared to be T independent. Low-dose tolerance to GXM could not be induced in athymic BALB/c nu/nu mice, whereas high-dose tolerance in the same mice could be induced. Furthermore, low-dose tolerance was adoptively transferred with B-cell-depleted splenocytes to naive BALB/c mice, while high-dose tolerance was not. Complement-mediated depletion of CD4+ but not CD8+ splenocytes from low-dose-primed mice abrogated the transfer of low-dose tolerance. These findings indicate T-dependent and T-independent mechanisms of antigen-specific B-cell tolerance to GXM in BALB/c mice at low and high antigen doses, respectively.

Ectopic recombination within homologous immunoglobulin mu gene constant regions in a mouse hybridoma cell line

We have transferred a pSV2neo vector containing the wild-type constant region of the immunoglobulin mu gene (C mu) into the mutant hybridoma igm482, which bears a 2-bp deletion in the third constant-region exon of its haploid chromosomal mu gene (C mu 3). Independent igm482 transformants contain the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region stably integrated in ectopic chromosomal positions. We report here that the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region can function as the donor sequence in a gene conversion event which corrects the 2-bp deletion in the mutant igm482 chromosomal C mu 3 exon. The homologous recombination event restores normal immunoglobulin M production in the mutant cell.

Ectopic recombination within homologous immunoglobulin mu gene constant regions in a mouse hybridoma cell line

We have transferred a pSV2neo vector containing the wild-type constant region of the immunoglobulin mu gene (C mu) into the mutant hybridoma igm482, which bears a 2-bp deletion in the third constant-region exon of its haploid chromosomal mu gene (C mu 3). Independent igm482 transformants contain the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region stably integrated in ectopic chromosomal positions. We report here that the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region can function as the donor sequence in a gene conversion event which corrects the 2-bp deletion in the mutant igm482 chromosomal C mu 3 exon. The homologous recombination event restores normal immunoglobulin M production in the mutant cell.

The glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A is a type 2 T-cell-independent antigen

The humoral immune response of inbred mice to immunization with the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Cryptococcus neoformans was investigated both serologically and in plaque-forming cells (PFCs). The T-helper-cell-independent quality of the GXM was demonstrated by using BALB/c nu/nu mice. Primary and secondary dose responses to three antigenic forms of GXM, (i) the native antigen, (ii) a GXM-bovine serum albumin protein conjugate, and (iii) a cryptococcal whole-cell vaccine, revealed a lack of isotype class switching and anamnestic responses. Both the levels of complement-fixing anti-GXM antibody in serum and the PFC responses in the athymic mice showed no significant differences from those in the wild-type controls. However, T cells are involved in the suppression of the primary response to GXM. When BALB/cBy mice were given rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte serum along with 0.5 microgram of GXM, both antibody levels in serum and PFC responses were significantly increased over those of control mice that received GXM and normal rabbit serum. In addition, T cells were also shown to enhance the primary immune response to GXM. BALB/cBy mice were given GXM and anti-mouse thymocyte serum on day 1. On day 2, the experimental group was given anti-mouse thymocyte serum and the control group was given saline. On day 5, comparison of the PFC responses and anti-GXM antibody titers of the two groups revealed a significant increase in the immune response of the control over the experimental group. The type 2 T-cell-independent quality of GXM was also demonstrated in CBA/cHN xid mice. These mice lack the Lyb+ subset of B cells and are unable to respond to type 2 T-independent antigens but respond normally to type 1 T-independent antigens. Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide, a type 2 T-independent antigen, was used as a negative control, and trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide, a type 1 T-independent antigen, was used as a positive control. The CBA/cHN xid mice failed to respond to either type III pneumococcal polysaccharide or GXM but did not respond to immunization with trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide. BALB/cBy mice responded normally to all three antigens.

Rapid and reversible secretion changes during uncoupling of rat insulin-producing cells

To determine whether insulin secretion is affected by a blockage of gap junctions between B cells, we have studied the secretion of rat pancreatic islets of Langerhans, primary dispersed islet cells, and cells of the RINm5F line, during short-term exposure to heptanol. Within minutes, this alkanol blocked gap junctions between the B cells of intact islets and abolished their normal secretory response to glucose. These two changes were rapidly and fully reversible after return of the islets to control medium. We further found that heptanol had no significant effect on the glucose-stimulated secretion of single B cells but inhibited that of B cell pairs. In the clone of RINm5F cells, whose junctional coupling and D-glyceraldehyde-induced stimulation of insulin release by aggregated cells were also inhibited by heptanol, this alkanol did not perturb intracellular pH and Ca2+ and the most distal steps of the secretion pathway. In summary, a gap junction blocker affected the secretion of insulin-producing cells by a mechanism which is dependent on cell contact and is not associated with detectable pleiotropic perturbations of the cell secretory machinery. The data provide evidence for the involvement of junctional coupling in the control of insulin secretion.

Kinetics of the in vitro antibody response to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus from pig mesenteric lymph node cells, using the ELISASPOT and ELISA tests

A method is described for in vitro studies of viral humoral immune responses in the pig. After oral immunization with transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) coronavirus, antibody production from primed mesenteric lymph node cells was revealed by an in vitro boost with viral antigen. For the latter the leukocytes were co-cultured with UV-inactivated virus using a variety of different methods of antigenic stimulation. Enumeration of specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) and titration of secreted anti-virus antibodies were performed with ELISASPOT (using 3-amino 9-ethyl carbazole as the peroxidase chromogen) and ELISA tests respectively, according to the Ig isotype. The results showed a close relationship between ASC numbers and secreted antibody titres. The best in vitro antibody synthesis was observed when the sensitized cells were maintained in contact with virus during the whole culture period. Antibody responses were defined by a kinetic profile characterized by a narrow peak, with a maximum occurring after 4 and 6 days of culture and with the IgA response appearing earlier than the IgG. This methodology, which analyses specific antibody responses at the cellular level, may permit studies on the mechanisms of Ig isotype regulation. Extended to leukocytes from other organs of the immune system, it may also constitute an in vitro model to study antibody responses expressed in different lymphoid tissues of the pig.

Temperature dependence of K(+)-channel properties in human T lymphocytes

We have used whole-cell patch clamp to determine the temperature dependence of the conductance and gating kinetics of the voltage-gated potassium channel in quiescent, human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Threshold for activation, steady-state inactivation, and the reversal potential are the same at 22 degrees and 37 degrees C. However, the time-constants for activation, inactivation, deactivation, and release from inactivation are quite sensitive to temperature, changing by at least a factor of five in each case over this range of temperatures. The onset of cumulative inactivation at 22 degrees and 37 degrees C reflects the time-course of deactivation. Peak outward current is approximately twofold greater at 37 degrees C than at 22 degrees C; this increase is also manifest at the single channel level. Energies of activation for conductance, activation, inactivation, deactivation, and release from inactivation are 8.2, 22.1, 25.0, 36.2, and 42.2 kcal/mol, respectively. No new channels were observed at 37 degrees C, and there was no evidence for alteration of the K+ conductance by putative modulators at 22 or 37 degrees C.

Elevated environmental temperature enhances immunity in experimental Chagas' disease

C3H mice are highly susceptible to the Brazil strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. These mice usually die during the acute phase of infection and develop a profound immunosuppression to heterologous and parasite antigen. In this study, we confirmed earlier reports that infected mice maintained at elevated environmental temperature (36 degrees C) are significantly more resistant to T. cruzi than are mice kept at 20 to 24 degrees C. To determine whether the benefits of increased environmental temperature were due to alterations in the host immune system, the production of antibody to heterologous antigen and the development of parasite-specific T-helper cells were examined in noninfected and T. cruzi-infected mice. Mice were immunized with either sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) or trinitrophenyl groups (TNP) conjugated to fixed culture forms of T. cruzi, and the splenic direct plaque-forming cell (DPFC) responses to SRBC and to TNP-conjugated SRBC were determined. The DPFC response to SRBC from infected mice maintained at elevated environmental temperature was much higher than the suppressed response of infected mice held at room temperature and slightly higher than the response of age-matched noninfected control mice. Likewise, maintaining infected mice at 36 degrees C significantly enhanced the parasite-specific responses of T-helper cells, as reflected by anti-TNP DPFC responses of mice immunized with TNP-conjugated TC.

Homologous recombination between transferred and chromosomal immunoglobulin kappa genes

Homologous recombination between transferred and chromosomal DNAs provides a means of introducing well-defined, predetermined changes in the chromosomal genes. Here we report that this approach can be used to specifically modify the immunoglobulin genes in mouse hybridoma cells. The test system is based on the Sp6 hybridoma, which synthesizes immunoglobulin M (kappa) specific for the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP). As recipient cells, we used the Sp6-derived mutant hybridoma igk14, which has a deletion of the kappa TNP gene and consequently does not synthesize TNP-specific immunoglobulin M. igk14 retains the mu TNP gene and two additional rearranged kappa genes, denoted kappa M21B1 and kappa M21G. As a transfer vector, we used pSV2neo bearing the functionally rearranged TNP-specific V kappa segment. Following DNA transfer by electroporation, we isolated rare transformants which produced normal amounts of the functional kappa TNP chain. Analysis of the DNA of these transformants indicated that in all cases, a functional kappa TNP gene had been formed as the result of a homologous integrative recombination event with the igk14 kappa M21B1 gene. These results suggest that homologous recombination might be used for mapping and introducing immunoglobulin gene mutations and for more conveniently engineering specifically altered immunoglobulins.

Homologous recombination between transferred and chromosomal immunoglobulin kappa genes

Homologous recombination between transferred and chromosomal DNAs provides a means of introducing well-defined, predetermined changes in the chromosomal genes. Here we report that this approach can be used to specifically modify the immunoglobulin genes in mouse hybridoma cells. The test system is based on the Sp6 hybridoma, which synthesizes immunoglobulin M (kappa) specific for the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP). As recipient cells, we used the Sp6-derived mutant hybridoma igk14, which has a deletion of the kappa TNP gene and consequently does not synthesize TNP-specific immunoglobulin M. igk14 retains the mu TNP gene and two additional rearranged kappa genes, denoted kappa M21B1 and kappa M21G. As a transfer vector, we used pSV2neo bearing the functionally rearranged TNP-specific V kappa segment. Following DNA transfer by electroporation, we isolated rare transformants which produced normal amounts of the functional kappa TNP chain. Analysis of the DNA of these transformants indicated that in all cases, a functional kappa TNP gene had been formed as the result of a homologous integrative recombination event with the igk14 kappa M21B1 gene. These results suggest that homologous recombination might be used for mapping and introducing immunoglobulin gene mutations and for more conveniently engineering specifically altered immunoglobulins.

Homologous recombination can restore normal immunoglobulin production in a mutant hybridoma cell line

We report here the occurrence of homologous recombination between transferred and chromosomal immunoglobulin genes. Specifically, we have corrected a chromosomal immunoglobulin gene mutation by transferring pSV2neo vectors encoding the constant region of the immunoglobulin mu heavy chain to mutant hybridoma cells that bear a 2-base-pair deletion in the third constant region exon of their chromosomal mu gene. After DNA transfer, we detected G418-resistant transformants that produce normal IgM. Analysis of the DNA structure of the mu gene in these transformants indicates that in four of five cases the mu gene has been restored as a result of the integration of a single copy of the transfer vector by a reciprocal homologous recombination event; the fifth case seems to have resulted from gene conversion or double crossover. These results suggest that this technology might be adapted for mapping immunoglobulin gene mutations by marker rescue and for more convenient engineering of specifically altered immunoglobulin.

Population kinetics of rat peripheral B cells

Currently available estimates of B cell life span vary from 4 d to 6 wk. The discrepancy may have arisen out of the selective effects of stress and drug cytotoxicity on short-lived populations. In this report, bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR), a drug that incorporates into the DNA of dividing cells, has been fed to rats in their drinking water, eliminating stressful injection procedures. Labeled cells in the recirculating B cell pool are identified in tissue sections using an mAb to BUdR. BUdR is shown to have no cytostatic effects at the dose used. Over a 5-d period of infusion, only 20% of the peripheral recirculating pool incorporate label (approximately 4% per day); labeling over various periods indicates that the peripheral B cell pool turns over in approximately 4 wk. To distinguish between turnover due to incorporation of new B cells into the peripheral pool and division of antigen-activated B cells rats underwent two consecutive periods of labeling, first with [3H]thymidine for 5 d and then with BUdR for a further 5 d. Virgin B cells newly derived from dividing precursors in the bone marrow do not continue to proliferate in the periphery, while activated cells undergo several rounds of division during both labeling periods. The results indicate that 3-4% of the peripheral pool is replaced by new B cells each day, while 0.3-0.6% become part of activated clones every day. Assuming that the peripheral pool of the rat contains 10(9) B cells, then 3-4 X 10(7) new B cells become stably incorporated per day. This represents approximately 10% of the putative output of the bone marrow.

Suppression of humoral antibody formation against sheep red blood cells by infections with HSV-2 and the influence of mouse cytomegalovirus. Brief report

HSV-2 infections suppress the antibody response to HSV-1 but do not impair the mouse cytomegalo virus (MCMV) antibody generating system. In contrast, the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) IgM response is impaired by preinfections with HSV-2 but not with HSV-1. From the time kinetics of this suppression it can be concluded that only a certain submechanism "spills over" to the SRBC system. MCMV suppresses the antibody formation induced by HSV-1.

Interleukin 2 enhances specific and nonspecific immune responses in experimental Chagas' disease

Mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi develop an early and profound immunosuppression of responses to heterologous antigens. Recently it has been demonstrated that this immunosuppression is linked, in part, to deficiency in the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2), and that the addition of IL-2 to cultures of normally unresponsive spleen cells from infected mice will restore responsiveness to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and enhance parasite-specific immune responses. In the present study, the effect of administration of ultrapure or recombinant IL-2 on immune responses to SRBC and parasite-specific responses in vivo was examined. It was found that a single injection of 1,500 U of IL-2 provided at the same time as SRBC more than doubled the number of direct plaque-forming cells to SRBC and that multiple injections of 1,500 U of IL-2 were no more restorative than a single injection. Anti-SRBC responses of normal mice were unaffected by injection of IL-2. Single or multiple injections of recombinant human IL-2, with and without gelatin, into highly susceptible C3H(He) mice induced greater parasite-specific immunity as reflected by significantly reduced levels of parasitemia and increased longevity. Three injections of 1,500 U each of recombinant human IL-2 on days 10, 14, and 18 was found to be the most efficacious in reducing parasitemia and increasing longevity. Injection of IL-2 with gelatin did not enhance the effect of IL-2 alone.

Optimization of the culture medium composition for the antibody response of mouse spleen cells

The Mishell-Dutton culture system for in vitro primary antibody response of mouse spleen cells was used to optimize the amino acid composition of RPMI 1640 media. Each of the 20 amino acids was tested over a broad range of concentrations always leaving the remaining 19 amino acids unaltered (i.e. at the formula recommended concentration). In several instances, higher plaque-forming cell responses were obtained with an amino acid concentration that was either higher or lower than that recommended: (a) the optimum concentration for valine, glutamine, and lysine lies considerably above the recommended one, (b) the optimum concentration for leucine as well as for several other amino acids lies below the recommended concentration, and (c) the optimum concentration for arginine corresponds exactly to the recommended concentration. The second round of optimization, i.e. combining of two conditions that individually yielded an improved response often caused a decrease of response. The possibility is discussed that for an optimal response a ratio of two or several amino acids rather than the absolute concentration of any one amino acid is of importance.

Spontaneous and induced immunoglobulin secretion by synovial fluid B lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

The functional properties of B lymphocytes in synovial fluid (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed by means of a reverse haemolytic plaque forming cell (PFC) assay. SF mononuclear cells spontaneously secreted IgG, but little IgM or IgA. The SF cells failed to respond to the polyclonal B cell activators pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Epstein-Barr virus. However, SF B cells cocultured with autologous T lymphocytes from the blood and stimulated with PWM secreted IgG but little IgM or IgA. The PFC responses of blood B cells cocultured with autologous SF T cells in the presence of PWM were low; irradiation of the T cells increased the blood B lymphocyte responses, but the differences were not statistically significant. It is concluded that suppressor SF T cells may be partly responsible for the poor response of SF B cells to PWM.

Improved optical detection of colony enlargement and drug cytotoxicity in primary soft agar cultures of human solid tumour cells

The presence of cellular aggregates in cell suspensions derived from human solid tumours often complicates subsequent evaluation of colony formation in primary soft agar cultures (Agrez et al., 1982b). In the present study, performance of a conventional colony formation assay was observed to lack sufficient sensitivity to identify growth and active chemotherapeutic agents in the majority of specimen cultures. Modification of conventional methodologies to include filtration of cell suspensions, use of "proliferation control" and "cytotoxicity control" cultures as well as vital staining were found to be essential for the valid assessment of primary soft agar cultures in our laboratory. In addition, application of drugs to culture surface in place of culture incorporation appeared to facilitate culture performance and drug sensitivity testing.

Chemical xenogenization of murine lymphoma cells with triazene derivatives: immunotoxicological studies

Equitoxic doses of 5-(3-3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) and aryl-triazene derivatives (compounds all capable of inducing a marked increase in murine tumor cell immunogenicity) were studied for their effects on the host immune system. At different times after drug exposure the animals were tested for allograft responses, competence in producing lymphocytes active in lethal graft-versus-host disease, delayed-type hypersensitivity, humoral antibody production, and mitogen responsiveness. While some of the aryl-triazenes tested (DM-COOK DM-NO2) showed a pattern of immunodepression similar to that of DTIC, others were less (MIC, MM-COOK, MM-Cl) or far less (DM-Cl, MM-NO2) active than DTIC in impairing host immunocompetence, although all retained or even augmented their ability to induce chemical xenogenization.

Experimental syphilis: guinea pig model

Outbred Hartley male guinea pigs (300-400 g) were infected intradermally with various concentrations of Treponema pallidum Nichols strain in the pubic region. The median lethal dose (ID50) was approximately 10(5). The animals produced lesions visible by darkfield microscopy, treponemal antibodies (IgG only), and histopathological changes in the lymphoid organs. Though less susceptible to T pallidum infection than the rabbit when infected with a sufficient number of organisms, the guinea pig may be a useful model in experimental syphilis.

IgG rheumatoid factor-secreting lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of a haemolytic plaque-forming cell technique

A haemolytic plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay detecting human B lymphocytes secreting IgG rheumatoid factor (RF) was established using sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) sensitized with rabbit IgG, developing rabbit anti-human IgG, and complement. IgG-RF PFC were only demonstrated with IgG-depleted guinea-pig serum as the source of complement. Cells spontaneously secreting IgG-RF were found among synovial fluid mononuclear cells (mean, 134/10(6)) and synovial tissue mononuclear cells (mean, 1775/10(6)) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whereas few were recorded among blood lymphocytes (mean, 3/10(6)). The experiments revealed that the RF-IgG PFC were protein-synthesizing B lymphocytes. The antibody specificity of the secreted IgF-RF was verified by the inhibitory effect of exogenous human and rabbit IgG on PFC formation.

Latex bead technique for detection of the plaque-forming cell response to teratocarcinoma tumor antigens

A latex bead technique modified for measuring the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to teratocarcinoma tumor antigens in syngeneic animals is described. With this method one can detect both the primary (IgM) and the secondary (IgG) immune response to tumor antigens. Optimal detection of the PFC response depends on the proper ratio of sheep red blood cells to latex beads and the dose of tumor cell antigen used for immunization. The presence of fetal calf serum interfered with immunization of animals and the coating of the latex beads with the tumor cell antigens. The plaques obtained in response to immunization with teratocarcinoma cell antigens varied in size, probably reflecting the complex immune response to more than one class of antigens on tumor cells.

Somatic cell cloning in polyester stacks

Single somatic cells, including fibroblasts, myelomas, and hybridomas, proliferate normally when trapped between a plastic dish and a disc of polyester cloth. Contact between the overlay and the plastic for 8-16 days results in identical colony patterns on the cloth and the plate. When several cloth discs are simultaneously stacked over Chinese hamster ovary cells, three or four-high resolution colony copies can be generated from a single master dish. The colonies on the cloth can be analyzed by radiochemical methods [Esko, J. D. & Raetz, C. R. H. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 1190-1193] or by "replica plating" to a new disc. The use of polyester cloth, singly or in stacks, has several major advantages over previous techniques for somatic cell replica plating, including: (i) broad applicability to diverse cell lines such as fragile membrane mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells and relatively nonadherent myelomas or hybridomas; (ii) the possibility of generating multiple copies of the same colony population, allowing simultaneous analysis for several enzymes or cellular components; and (iii) superior resolution and transfer efficiency in copying colony patterns from one surface to another. The remarkable capacity of animal cell colonies to proliferate upward through "polyester stacks" may reflect chemotropic movement of individual cells and opens new approaches to somatic cell genetics.

Specific cellular stimulation in the primary immune response: experimental test of a quantized model

Dose-response and dose-suppression curves have been measured for the primary immune response in mice, in vivo and in vitro, by using size-fractionated linear polymers of acrylamide substituted with hapten. The results are in general agreement with a simple theory based on the premise that the specific primary immunological response is quantized at some fundamental and limiting step, requiring a minimum number of linked antigen receptors for response.

Post-thymic T lymphocyte maturation during ontogenesis

Peripheral T lymphocytes from newborn (4-6-d-old) mice, isolated from the spleen or lymph nodes, show phenotypic features of immature cortical thymocytes, such as high frequencies of proliferating cells and of peanut lectin-binding cells. These are features of peripheral T cells of recent thymic origin, as shown by in situ labeling of thymocytes and subsequent observation of the migrants to the spleen, which were mainly peanut lectin-binding cells. The function of newborn peripheral T cells was compared, on a per T cell basis, with that of thymocytes and of fully mature peripheral T cells of the adult, using preparations of newborn lymph node cells containing approximately 80% of T lymphocytes. They were strikingly (about 10-fold) less competent than adult T cells in their phytohemagglutinin responsiveness, their capacities to induce a graft vs. host reaction, to proliferate in the mixed lymphocyte reaction, and to help B lymphocytes in a humoral response in vivo and in vitro. In contrast, newborn T lymphocytes were comparable to those of adults in their capacity to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes. No suppressive effect of newborn T lymphocytes could be demonstrated in several of these assays. These results argue for an asynchronous maturation of two T cell subsets during ontogeny and demonstrate that at least some T lymphocytes leave the thymus as immature T cells resembling cortical thymocytes and further mature at the periphery. Investigation of mice submitted to thymectomy of 5 d of age showed that these incompetent post-thymic T lymphocytes are capable of considerable expansion and maturation in the peripheral lymphoid organs in the absence of a thymic influence.

Idiotype profile of an immune response. I. Contrasts in idiotypic dominance between primary and secondary responses and between IgM and IgG plaque-forming cells

The primary response of A/J mice to p-azobenzenearsonate-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (ABA-KLH) was investigated. A day-by-day analysis at the plaque- forming cell (PFC) level was performed, with inhibition by anti-cross- reactive idiotype (CRI) serum to determine percentage of CRI(+) PFC. A regular pattern in the dynamics of Id (idiotype) dominance was observed. Just as in the NP-b and NP-a systems (9, 12), the major Id (CRI) is more dominant in primary than in secondary or hyperimmune responses. This trend is more apparent in IgG PFC which are generally 80-95 percent CRI(+) at day 10 in the primary response but only 30-40 percent CRI(+) at day 10 in secondary or hyperimmune responses. A somewhat different pattern is seen with IgM PFC. These may reach a peak of 85 percent CRI(+) in the primary response, but secondary or hyperimmune IgM PFC, which are lower in numbers than IgG PFC, remain high in CRI content at approximately 70 percent. The PFC data on extent of id dominance in secondary or hyperimmune responses is fully compatible with previously reported serological data by others. Analysis of IgG PFC by hapten inhibition indicated that heterogeneity was in the order secondary PFC {greater than} primary PFC {greater than} hybridoma AK-2.2 PFC with H(75)/H(25) values of 22.9, 6.2, and 2.7, respectively; where H(75) and H(25) are the hapten concentrations required to give 75 percent and 25 percent of inhibition of PFC, respectively. Hapten inhibition data also suggested that secondary IgG PFC were 10 times higher in median binding avidity for ABA-L-tyrosine than primary IgG PFC. The kinetic analysis strongly indicated that CRI(+) IgM PFC were preferentially switched to IgG PFC in the primary response. In both studies, the CRI content of the earliest-appearing IgG PFC was significantly higher than that of IgM PFC on that day. For example, in one case IgM PFC were 60 percent CRI + on day 6 whereas IgG PFC were 100 percent CRI(+). The high Id dominance and selective isotype switching may have either a B or a T cell basis.

Coupling of protein antigens to erythrocytes through disulfide bond formation: preparation of stable and sensitive target cells for immune hemolysis

An efficient technique has been developed for coupling protein antigens to erythrocyte membranes. The procedure involves three steps. First, 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl residues are introduced into the protein by reaction with a heterobifunctional reagent, N-succinimidyl 3-(pyridyldithio) propionate. Second, the addition of disulfide groups to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) is achieved by coupling dithiodiglycolic acid to SRBC with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide. The disulfide bonds of the dithiodiglycolyl-SRBC conjugate are then reduced with dithiothreitol. Finally, the 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl-protein conjugate is covalently coupled to the thiolated SRBC through thiol/disulfide exchange to form the disulfide-linked antigen-SRBC conjugate. The procedure requires only 10-500 microgram of protein antigen for the preparation of 50 microliter of packed protein-coupled SRBC. Antibodies binding to antigen on the erythrocyte initiate a complement-dependent immune lysis of the target cells. Target cells prepared by this method are stable for at least 4 wk at 4 degrees C in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and are capable of detecting as little as 40 pg of antibody in a hemolytic assay without noticeable nonspecific lysis.

Intramembrane particles and the organization of lymphocyte membrane proteins

An experimental system was developed in which the majority of all lymphocyte cell-surface proteins, regardless of antigenic specificity, could be cross-linked and redistributed in the membrane to determine whether this would induce a corresponding redistribution of intramembrane particles (IMP). Mouse spleen cells were treated with P-diazoniumphenyl- beta-D-lactoside (lac) to modify all exposed cell-surface proteins. Extensive azo- coupling was achieved without significantly reducing cell viability or compromising cellular function in mitogen- or antigen-stimulated cultures. When the lac-modified cell- surface proteins were capped with a sandwich of rabbit antilactoside antibody and fluorescein-goat anti-rabbit Ig, freeze-fracture preparations obtained from these cells revealed no obvious redistribution of IMP on the majority of fracture faces. However, detailed analysis showed a statistically significant 35 percent decrease (P less than 0.01) in average IMP density in the E face of the lac-capped spleen cells compared with control cells, whereas a few E-face micrographs showed intense IMP aggregation. In contrast, there was no significant alteration of P-face IMP densities or distribution. Apparently, the majority of E-face IMP and virtually all P-face IMP densities or distribution. Apparently, the majority of E-face IMP and virtually all P-face IMP do not present accessible antigenic sites on the lymphocyte surface and do not associate in a stable manner with surface protein antigens. This finding suggests that IMP, as observed in freeze-fracture analysis, may not comprise a representative reflection of lymphocyte transmembrane protein molecules and complexes because other evidence establishes: (a) that at least some common lymphocyte surface antigens are indeed exposed portions of transmembrane proteins and (b) that the aggregation of molecules of any surface antigen results in altered organization of contractile proteins at the cytoplasmic face of the membrane.

Antigen structural requirements for immunoglobulin isotype switching in mice

L-Tyrosine-p-azobenzene-p-arsonate (RAT) is immunogenic and serves as a carrier for anti-hapten antibody responses in guinea pigs, rats, and mice. However, the murine anti-N-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the bifunctional antigen 2,4-dinitrophenyl-6-amino-caproyl-L- tyrosine-p-azobenzene-p-arsonate (DNP-SAC-RAT; or BI-1) is extremely weak (2,000-4,000 PFC/spleen) and exclusively IgM in both primary and secondary responses. The 6-amino-caproyl group serves as a spacer in this antigen between the DNP haptenic and RAT carrier epitopes. In view of recent evidence indicating that different T helper cells synergize for optimal antibody responses, a trifunctional antigen, N-2,4- dinitrophenyl-6-amino-caproyl-L-tyrosine-p-azobenze-p-arsonate-(proline)9-L- tyrosine-p-azobenzene-p-arsonate (DNP-SAC-RAT-PRO(9)-RAT; or TRI), was prepared to investigate the effect of adding a second RAT epitope to BI-1. The nonaproline spacer between the two RAT epitopes in TRI is assumed to be a rigid rod of approximately 28 A. TRI induced about twice as many PFC as BI-1 in primary responses of A/J mice, and induced both IgM and IgG PFC in secondary responses. Furthermore, TRI induced IgG PFC responses in mice primed with p-azobenzene-p-arsonate-keyhole limpet hemocyanin, BI-1, or RAT, whereas boosting with BI-1 failed to induce IgG PFC, even in mice primed with TRI. These findings indicate that the minimum antigen structural requirements for inducing IgG PFC in mice are two carrier epitopes and one haptenic epitope. In addition, priming with a mono-epitope carrier (RAT) is sufficient preparation for IgG responses to a trifunctional immunogen. Because TRI differs from BI-1 by the (proline)(9) spacer as well as the additional RAT epitope, two other compounds, N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-6-amino- caproyl-(proline)(9)-L-tyrosine-p-azobenzene-p-arsonate (DNP-SAC-PRO(9)-RAT; or BI-2) and N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-6-amino-caproyl-(proline)(9)-L-tyrosine-p- azobenzene-arsonate (DNP-SAC-RAT-PRO(10); or BI-3), were prepared to evaluate the possible role of the spacer in the observed responses. BI-2, but not BI-3, induced IgG as well as IgM PFC in TRI-primed mice. However, BI-2 failed to induce IgG responses in RAT-primed mice, indicating that TRI and BI-2 were not equivalent immunogens. Because anti-prolyl antibodies had been found in guinea pigs immunized with N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-(proline)10-L-tyrosine-p- azobenzene-p-arsonate (DNP-PRO(10)-RAT), it seemed possible that priming with TRI might induce anti-prolyl antibodies, which, in turn, could cross-link BI-2 molecules into aggregates containing at least two carrier epitopes. To help resolve this question, mice were immunized with acetyl-(proline)10-L- tyrosine-p-azobenzene-p-arsonate and boosted with BI-2. IgG PFC responses were detected, suggesting that anti-prolyl antibodies were indeed responsible, because priming with RAT and boosting with BI-2 did not induce IgG formation. Accordingly, the observations that IgG responses in RAT-primed mice were induced only by TRI and not by any of the bifunctional antigens indicate that two carrier epitopes per antigen molecule are indeed required for IgG induction. They also provide indirect evidence for synergistic help in the switching of immunoglobulin isotypes.

Optimal strategies in immunology III. The IgM-IgG switch

During a primary immune response generally two classes of antibody are produced, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). It is currently thought that some lymphocytes which initially produce IgM switch to the production of IgG with the same specificity for antigen. During a secondary immune response IgG is the predominant antibody made throughout the response. In this paper we address the question of why such apparently complicated modes of response should have been adapted by evolution. We construct mathematical models of the immune response to growing antigens which incorporate complement dependent cell lysis. By comparing the times required to eliminate antigen we show that under certain conditions it is advantageous for an animal to switch some of its lymphocytes from IgM to IgG production during a primary response, but yet to secrete only IgG during a secondary response. The sensitivity of such a conclusion to parameter variations is studied and the biological basis and implications of our models are fully discussed.

Polyclonal activation of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes from human peripheral blood measured by a direct plaque-forming cell assay

A culture and assay system for the stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with polyclonal activators of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells), such as pokeweed mitogen and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, and subsequent measurement of single cell antibody production by a hemolysis-in-bel direct plaque-forming cell assay against sheep erythrocytes has been established. The critical culture requirements have been delineated and a new highly sensitive ultrathin gel assay method has been described. Under these conditions a substantial and highly reproducible plaque-forming cell response was detected in normal human peripheral blood. This system can be readily used to explore the complex events associated with activation of human B cells.

Activation of human B lymphocytes. I. Direct plaque-forming cell assay for the measurement of polyclonal activation and antigenic stimulation of human B lymphocytes

A model for the detection of single cell antibody production by human tonsillar lymphocytes after stimulation with either sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or polyclonal B-cell activators has been described. The culture system is a modified Mishell-Dutton technique with certain critical factors identified. The assay is a sensitive and resproducible hemolysis-in-gel system employing an ultra-thin layer gel technique measuring plaque-forming cells (PFC) against SRBC targets. Several factors essential for optimal responses are described, but the critical feature of the culture system is the use of selected lots of human AB serum supplements which are extensively absorbed with SRBC. This removes a blocking factor present in most human serum which suppresses the B-cell response to SRBC targets after stimulation with either SRBC or several polyclonal B-cell activators. In addition, absorption of serum with SRBC eliminates the presence of artifactual plaques. Background PFC are extremely low and stimulated cultures show significant and reproducible responses. These studies provide a simple, sensitive, and reproducible model for probing the complex events associated with activation of human B lymphocytes.

Murine B-cell subpopulations responsive to T-dependent and T-independent antigens

Strain A/J mice made secondary indirect plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to azobenzenearsonate (ABA) conjugates of giant keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a thymic-dependent antigen, but not to conjugates of Ficoll, a T-independent antigen. ABA-Ficoll was also unable to elicit a response in animals primed with ABA-KLH, which have an expanded anti-ABA memory cell pool. On the other hand, ABA-Ficoll rendered mice unresponsive to ABA-KLH when administered before priming or boosting with the T-dependent immunogen. Hence, the T-independent antigen was able to tolerize but unable to trigger B-memory cells responsive to the T-dependent antigen. A/J mice immunized with dinitrophenyl conjugates of Ficoll or bovine IgG (BGG) made vigorous IgM and IgG PFC responses. PFC responses to ABA-KLH and 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-BGG were abrogated by depleting mice of C3 with cobra venom factor, whereas the IgM and IgG PFC responses to DNP-Ficoll were unaffected. B lymphocytes were fractionated on the basis of receptors for C3 and the subpopulations were assayed for in vitro PFC responses to DNP-Ficoll. Very little response was obtained from complement receptor lymphocyte [CRL(+)] B cells, whereas CRL(-) cells were more responsive than unfractionated B cells. Both populations responded to a polyclonal B-cell mitogen (lipopolysaccharide). On the other hand, the in vitro PFC response to a T-dependent antigen (sheep erythrocytes) correlated with the presence of CRL(+) B cells in the cultures. However, a minor component of this response, sensitive to anti-Thy-1 serum, was made by CRL(-) B cells, indicating the existence of subpopulations of T-dependent B cells with different signalling requirements. The results suggest that most B cells responsive to T-dependent antigens possess receptors for C3 and that C3 plays an obligatory role in the response of these cells. A distinct subpopulation of B cells which lack C3 receptors respond to T-independent antigens. The precursors of PFC for the ABA epitope reside largely or exclusively in the CRL(+) compartment in A/J mice, whereas precursors for the DNP determinant are found in both compartments.

Clonal dominance. I. Restricted nature of the IgM antibody response to group A streptococcal carbohydrate in mice

The IgM antibody response of mice to the streptococcal group A carbohydrate (GAC) was measured. With most strains tested, large amounts of IgM antibody were produced; in AKR mice, over 1% of the total nucleated spleen cells secreted IgM anti-GAC antibody after hyperimmunization. The relative avidity of the antibody was extimated by a modification of the Jerne plaque assay where spleen cells from individual mice were tested against erythrocytes with varying GAC epitope densitymthese studies showed that the earliest, as well as latest, IgM antibodies produced were highly restricted in avidity heterogeneity. No evidence of affinity maturation was seen upon hyperimmunization. These data favor the conclusion that the restricted IgG response seen in mice hyperimmunized to GAC is not the result of affinity driven competition for antigen among precursor cells.