Use of the HLA-DR antigens incorporated into liposomes to generate HLA-DR specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Fully human, HLA-DR-specific monoclonal antibodies efficiently induce programmed death of malignant lymphoid cells

The Human Combinatorial Antibody Library (HuCAL) was screened for antibodies specific to human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) that induce programmed death of lymphoma/leukemia cells expressing the target antigen. The active Fab fragments were affinity-matured, and engineered to IgG(4) antibodies of sub-nanomolar affinity. The antibodies exhibited potent in vitro tumoricidal activity on several lymphoma and leukemia cell lines and on chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient samples. They were also active in vivo in xenograft models of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cell death occurred rapidly, without the need for exogenous immunological effector mechanisms, and was selective to activated/tumor-transformed cells. Although the expression of HLA-DR on normal hematopoietic cells is a potential safety concern, the antibodies caused no long-lasting hematological toxicity in primates, in vivo. Such monoclonal antibodies offer the potential for a novel therapeutic approach to lymphoid malignancies.

Specificity and function of immunogenic peptides from the 35-kilodalton protein of Mycobacterium leprae

We identified a T-cell determinant of the 35-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium leprae which is discriminatory against cross-sensitization by its closely related homologue in Mycobacterium avium. From synthetic peptides covering the entire sequence, those with the highest affinity and permissive binding to purified HLA-DR molecules were evaluated for the stimulation of proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from leprosy patients and healthy sensitized controls. Responses to the peptide pair 206-224, differing by four residues between M. leprae and M. avium, involved both species-specific and cross-reactive T cells. Lymph node cell proliferation in HLA-DRB1*01 transgenic mice was reciprocally species specific, but only the response to the M. leprae peptide in the context of DR1 was immunodominant. Of the cytokines in human PBMC cultures, gamma interferon production was negligible, while interleukin 10 (IL-10) responses in both patients and controls were more pronounced. IL-10 was most frequently induced by the shared 241-255 peptide, indicating that environmental cross-sensitization may skew the response toward a potentially pathogenic cytokine phenotype.

Clonal V alpha 12.1+ T cell expansions in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a heterogenous disease characterized by chronic polyarthritis. Most patients with adult RA inherit HLA-DR4 or -DR1 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. While the molecular basis for this genetic predisposition is unknown, the major function of these MHC-encoded molecules is to present peptides to T lymphocytes. It is hypothesized that an endogenous or environmental antigen initiates a MHC-restricted immune response mediated by T lymphocytes, which is followed by a chronic inflammatory reaction involving many cell types. In chronic RA, previous or ongoing antigenic activation might result in detectable skewing of the peripheral alpha/beta T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Here we demonstrate a marked expansion of V alpha 12.1-bearing CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood (mean, 22%; range, 10-43%) of > 15% of RA patients. A major proportion of these patients shared HLA-DQ2 in addition to the expected high frequency DR1 and DR4 alleles. Detailed molecular analysis in three of the RA patients with elevated V alpha 12.1+ T cells identified repeated TCR alpha chain sequences consistent with clonal V alpha 12.1+,CD8+ T cell expansion. In addition to shared TCR V alpha 12.1 germline gene usage among unrelated subjects, a conserved J alpha motif was also detected. Together, these results suggest an antigen-driven mechanism of T cell expansion in these patients and may offer a new approach in examining specific antigen that stimulate T cells in RA.

Complement regulatory proteins at the feto-maternal interface during human placental development: distribution of CD59 by comparison with membrane cofactor protein (CD46) and decay accelerating factor (CD55)

The complement (C) regulatory proteins decay-accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46), which control C3 convertases, together with CD59, an inhibitor of the membrane attack complex (MAC), were found to be present in the developing human placenta from at least 6 weeks of gestation until term. Immunostaining revealed differences in the distribution of these proteins on the fetally derived trophoblast epithelium, especially in early placentae which contain trophoblast populations of diverse proliferative potential and differentiation status. Expression of all three proteins occurred on the terminally differentiated syncytiotrophoblast epithelium covering chorionic villi and which is in direct contact with maternal blood. CD59 was also expressed on the underlying villous cytotrophoblast cells and on their extra-villous derivatives. These two populations showed differential expression of the C3 convertase regulators. Villous cytotrophoblast cells expressed MCP but were largely devoid of DAF. Proliferation of this population to generate extra-villous cytotrophoblast cell columns was associated with both an increase in DAF expression and a decrease in MCP expression. Throughout placental development, expression of DAF appeared to be lower than that of MCP and CD59 as assessed by solid-phase binding assays on isolated trophoblast membranes. Early placentae were also found to contain both DAF+ and DAF- chorionic villi. Conversely, expression of CD59 appeared comparatively high and transcripts for CD59 were found to be much more abundant than those for DAF in purified trophoblast cells. C regulatory proteins appear to play an important role throughout gestation in protecting the fetally derived human conceptus from maternal C. The differential expression patterns of the proteins on trophoblast may reflect differences in requirement for specific functional activities at different locations within the placenta.

Liposomes as carriers of antigens and adjuvants

Liposomes have been widely used as carriers of protein or peptide antigens. Antigenic materials can be attached to the outer surface, encapsulated within the internal aqueous spaces, or reconstituted within the lipid bilayers of the liposomes. The natural tendency of liposomes to interact with macrophages has served as the primary rationale for utilizing liposomes as carriers of antigens. Liposomes also serve as carriers of a variety of adjuvants and mediators, including lipid A, muramyl dipeptide and its derivatives, interleukin-1, and interleukin-2. Research utilizing in vitro cell culture models has demonstrated that liposomes containing both appropriate antigens and major histocompatibility gene complex molecules can induce antigen-specific genetically restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Liposomes induce immune reactions through classical interactions with antigen presenting cells. However, modelling experiments have also demonstrated that liposomes can even substitute for antigen presenting cells, and cell-free genetically restricted and nonrestricted presentation of antigens by liposomes to helper T lymphocytes has been demonstrated. Liposomes are successful for inducing potent immunity in vivo and they are now being employed in numerous immunization procedures and as vehicles for candidate vaccines.

High-affinity binding of staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B to HLA-DR

Staphylococcal enterotoxins A-E (refs 1-3), toxic shock toxin (TST-1) (ref. 1), a product of Mycoplasma arthritidis and the Mls antigens provoke dramatic T-cell responses. All are extremely potent polyclonal mitogens stimulating a large proportion of both murine and human CD4+ and CD8+T cells although activity is tightly restricted by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. The murine T-cell response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) has recently been shown to involve only those T cells expressing T-cell receptor V beta 3, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 domains, a situation which closely mimics the response to Mls antigens. This paper examines the initial events in SEA and SEB T-cell activation and shows that MHC restriction results from a direct high affinity binding by intact SEA and SEB to the same site on MHC class II HLA-DR antigens.

Characterization of a T-lymphocyte Epstein-Barr virus/C3d receptor (CD21)

The Epstein-Barr virus/C3d receptor (EBVR-CR2) was detected on three T-lymphoblastoid cell lines. The apparent Mrs of purified EBVR-CR2 of T-cell and B-cell origin were identical. The N-terminal amino acid sequence from the T-cell EBVR-CR2 confirmed the placement of this receptor in a multigene family of complement regulatory proteins. All EBVR-CR2-positive T-cell lines were T6 and T4-T8 antigen positive.

Two forms of the T-cell receptor gamma protein found on peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma polypeptide is expressed associated with CD3 (T3) on the surface of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These cells function as non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)and thus may play an important role in host immune defence. The TCR gamma polypeptide occurs as a dimer in at least two molecular forms based on the absence or presence of disulphide linkage. These forms use TCR gamma polypeptides with strikingly different peptide backbone sizes.

Characterization of seven new monoclonal antibodies against human DR, DR + DP and DQ1 + DQ3 antigens

Seven murine monoclonal antibodies were prepared that react with human class II antigens. Four of them (HL-39, MEM-12, MEM-24G, and MEM-32B: react with a monomorphic determinant dependent on association of heavy and light chains of DR antigens, two others (HL-38 and HL-40) recognize a monomorphic determinant localized on the light chains of DR and DP antigens. The antibody HL-37 is directed against a determinant present on DQ1 and DQ3, but not DQ2 molecules; at least in the case of DQ1, the epitope recognized is located on the light chain.