Molecular characterization by high-resolution isoelectric focusing of the products encoded by the class II region loci of the major histocompatibility complex in humans. I. DR and DQ gene variants

Biochemical characterization of bovine MHC DQ allelic variants by one-dimensional isoelectric focusing

Previous studies on expressed bovine MHC class II polymorphism using one-dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D-IEF) allowed the identification of at least 12 allelic variants of the DRB3 gene. So far, only limited data have been available on the expression of other class II genes. The present study involved biochemical analysis of bovine MHC class II molecules using a set of monoclonal antibodies presupposed to be bovine DR and DQ reactive. After essential modification of the standard electrophoresis conditions used for 1D-IEF typing of bovine DR products, biochemical polymorphism was observed for non-DR molecules, revealing polymorphic sets of basic and acidic focusing bands. Because of the extensive DNA polymorphism described for bovine DQA and DQB genes, and the apparent similarity with the focusing pattern of human DQ products, these molecules were considered to be the bovine DQ homologues. The definition of the DQ-associated banding patterns was made possible by using two half-sib sire families. Four different DQA-like patterns and nine DQB-like patterns were detected. Segregation of the DQ types was supported by serological class I and class II typing. These results show that it is now possible to discriminate between expressed bovine DR and DQ polymorphism.

A human monoclonal antibody reacting against HLA-DQ1-, DQ4-, and a subset of DQ7-bearing cells

Human mAb 2A2 recognizes an epitope present in the HLA-DQ1 + 4 specifications and also on several DQ7-positive cells. We have investigated the extra reactions of this monoclonal reagent on a wider panel of DQ1-, DQ4-negative/DQ7-positive B-cell lines. The results obtained support the existence of two subtypes of the HLA-DQ7 specificity on the basis of their reactivity with human mAb 2A2; the DQ7/2A2-positive variant has been found in 12 of 29 BCLs positive for the DR11 antigen, and in four of eight BCLs bearing DR4-DQ7 haplotypes. It has also been detected in the DR12-positive cells assayed and in several unusual DR/DQ7 combinations not commonly found in Caucasoid populations, including the DR13-DwHAG and DR14-Dw16 haplotypes. Results from competition binding assays between 2A2 and well-characterized murine anti-DQ polymorphic mAbs suggest that the epitope recognized by human mAb 2A2 on DQ1- or DQ4-bearing haplotypes is located on the DQ beta chains of such specificities, being amino acid residues 54-55, the potential binding site of antibody 2A2, whereas the binding site on DQ7 antigens cannot be explained on the basis of known amino acid sequences.

Application of the MAILA technique to the study of human anti-HLA monoclonal antibody specificity

The monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of lymphocyte antigens (MAILA) assay was developed to detect antibodies present in human alloantisera against antigens of different major histocompatibility complex loci, particularly of class II specificity. The MAILA assay has been used in our laboratory to the determination of the type of HLA molecule recognized by human monoclonal antibodies 91C2 (anti-A2 + 28), 34F11 (anti-DQ1), and 2A2 (anti-DQ1 + 4 + short DQ7), using well characterized monomorphic as well as polymorphic murine monoclonals for the specific immobilization of HLA molecules. Results obtained show that the MAILA assay is also a valuable tool for the determination of specific human MHC locus products recognized by human monoclonal antibodies.

DQA1 restriction fragment length polymorphisms and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a BglII fragment labels a subset of B8,DR3 haplotypes uniquely associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Class II restriction fragment length polymorphism studies of 38 pedigrees with multiple cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus revealed the existence of a DQA1-related polymorphism that distinguishes two kinds of HLA-B8,DR3 haplotypes. One of these, characterized by the presence of DQA1-BglII 7.20 kb, was present in all 14 examples inherited by patients and in 6 of the 12 B8,DR3 haplotypes not so inherited. The apparently complete association between the presence of this fragment and the "affected" status of B8,DR3 haplotypes (p = 0.004) was confirmed in a separate group of 26 simplex pedigrees selected for the presence of this haplotype in the respective probands (combined p less than 0.0001).

Definition of IDDM-associated HLA DQ and DX RFLPs by segregation analysis of multiplex sibships

Genetic variation of the DQ alpha and beta and of the DX alpha genes, detectable as RFLP in genomic DNA digests, has been suggested to improve the identification of individuals at high risk for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). DNA from all members of 32 IDDM multiplex families was digested with six restriction endonucleases and the resulting fragments analyzed in Southern blots for hybridization with labeled cDNA probes for those genes. A computerized segregation analysis procedure was then used to assign fragments to haplotypes. Associations among fragments and between fragments and haplotypes characterized serologically and biochemically for their class II genes and IDDM-carrier status were calculated. The results indicate that the alleles of the DX alpha polymorphism maintain linkage disequilibrium with those of the DQ beta genes responsible for the well-known DQ beta 3.2-IDDM association, so that IDDM-carrier haplotypes carry disproportionally often both DQ beta 3.2 and DX alpha-TaqI-2.2kb. Thus, these RFLPs identify a DR-DQ-DX haplotype in high linkage disequilibrium, rather than the locus or loci that account for their high relative risk. However, four DR4-DQ beta 3.2 haplotypes that lack DX alpha-TaqI-2.2kb were encountered, two of which are "affected." These haplotypes suggest that the identification of the "disease locus" can be facilitated by the study of unusual haplotypes in which distinct IDDM-associated alleles occur separated from their neighbors of the standard genetic configurations.

Polymorphic Bgl II restriction sites of DR alpha demarcate a novel HLA-DR1 antigen

Mechanisms to account for the unusual properties of a DR1 alpha beta complex (designated DRgp50) that is resistant to dissociation under normal conditions utilized were investigated. Expression of this DRgp50 complex is highly correlated with the failure of cells from certain DR1 individuals (DR1x) to stimulate specific DR1-restricted or alloreactive T-cell clones. Pulse/chase experiments demonstrated that this DRgp50 complex was not detectable until approximately 1 h of chase. The DR1 alpha and beta chains associated into the heterodimer in the absence of glycosylation and alterations in the number of oligosaccharides or sialylation of cell surface forms were not evident when compared with normal DR1 alpha and beta chains. Restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of DR beta genes from normal (DR1n) and DR1x individuals were indistinguishable. However, a difference in the alpha chain genes between DR1n and DR1x individuals was revealed using Bgl II. This Bgl II restriction site mapped to the 3' untranslated region of DR alpha and represents a new genomic marker to distinguish this functional and biochemical variant of DR1.

T lymphocyte clones recognizing an HLA-DQw3.2-associated epitope involving residue 57 on the DQ beta chain

The DQw3.2 specificity has previously been recognized using genomic RFLP analysis and certain combinations of monoclonal antibodies. Here we report three CD4+ T lymphocyte clones (TLCs) generated from a DR3,4; DQw2,w3.1 responder stimulated with cells from a DR3,4; DQw2,w3.2 donor, and using a modified cloning procedure involving enrichment of IL-2 receptor-positive T cell during priming. The resulting TLCs were strongly inhibited by some monoclonal anti-DQ, but not anti-DR or -DP antibodies. In panel studies using HLA homozygous stimulating cells, it was found that the TLCs recognize an HLA epitope encoded by a DQ gene carried only by DR4,DQw3.2 haplotypes. By comparison with published DQ chain amino acid sequences of some stimulating cells able or not to induce a response in these clones, evidence was obtained that Ala at position 57 on the DQ beta chain is most probably involved in the epitope. The epitope is present on cells from 12 out of 12 DR4,DQw3 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients, but on cells only from 6 out of 12 healthy DR4,DQw3 controls. Thus, a DQ-encoded epitope involving residue 57 on the DQ beta chain, and which is strongly associated to IDDM, may be recognized by T cells.