Differential regulation of mouse H-2 alloantigens

Host glycans and antigen presentation

The cell-mediated adaptive immune response depends upon the activation of T cells via recognition of antigen in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Although studies have shown that alterations in T cell receptor glycosylation reduces the activation threshold, the data on MHC is far less definitive. Here, we discuss the data on MHC glycosylation and the role the glycans might play during the adaptive host response.

Roles for major histocompatibility complex glycosylation in immune function

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) glycoprotein family, also referred to as human leukocyte antigens, present endogenous and exogenous antigens to T lymphocytes for recognition and response. These molecules play a central role in enabling the immune system to distinguish self from non-self, which is the basis for protective immunity against pathogenic infections and disease while at the same time representing a serious obstacle for tissue transplantation. All known MHC family members, like the majority of secreted, cell surface, and other immune-related molecules, carry asparagine (N)-linked glycans. The immune system has evolved increasing complexity in higher-order organisms along with a more complex pattern of protein glycosylation, a relationship that may contribute to immune function beyond the early protein quality control events in the endoplasmic reticulum that are commonly known. The broad MHC family maintains peptide sequence motifs for glycosylation at sites that are highly conserved across evolution, suggesting importance, yet functional roles for these glycans remain largely elusive. In this review, we will summarize what is known about MHC glycosylation and provide new insight for additional functional roles for this glycoprotein modification in mediating immune responses.

Differential ability of isolated H-2 Kb subsets to serve as TCR ligands for allo-specific CTL clones: potential role for N-linked glycosylation

It is not known whether all forms of cell surface peptide-class I complexes, when bound with relevant peptide antigen, are recognized by T cells. We demonstrate herein that two distinct subsets of the murine H-2 Kb molecule can be separately isolated from H-2b-expressing cell lines using Y3 mAb immunoaffinity chromatography. Although both isolated Kb subsets were found to be strongly reactive with Y3 mAb by ELISA, one Kb subset is S19.8 mAb reactive (Ly-m11+Kb subset) and exhibits low reactivity with the M1/42 antibody, while the other subset is negative for the Ly-m11 epitope and highly reactive with the M1/42 antibody (M1/42high Kb subset). More importantly, whereas the M1/42high Kb subset is a very effective ligand for both TCR and CD8, the Ly-m11+ Kb subset could only function as a CD8 ligand, as determined in allo-specific CD8+ CTL clone adhesion and degranulation assays. Peptides acid-eluted from both Kb subsets sensitized Kb-transfected T2 cells expressing "peptide empty" Kb for lysis to a similar extent by allo-CTL clones, indicating that relevant endogenous peptide antigens are not limiting in the Ly-m11+ Kb subset. The major distinction identified between the two Kb subsets is that they differ substantially in their degree of N-linked glycosylation, with the Ly-m11+ subset containing Kb molecules with larger and more complex carbohydrate modifications than the M1/42high subset. The differences in glycosylation may explain the functional differences observed between the two Kb subsets. It is therefore possible that some forms of glycosylation on class I molecules interfere with TCR recognition and may limit CD8+ T cell responses, perhaps under circumstances where peptide antigen is limiting.

Monoclonal antibodies which identify carbohydrate-defined MHC class I epitopes

Eleven different monoclonal antibodies specific for H-2K- and H-2D-encoded Class I molecules have been screened to determine Class I epitopes dependent on both carbohydrate and protein structures. Monoclonal antibodies have been identified which bind to carbohydrate-defined antigens encoded by both the H-2K and H-2D gene regions. Sensitivity to glycosidases versus pronase has been used to classify antigens both expressed as cell surface molecules and when prepared as detergent solubilized antigen. Several simple sugars have also been found to act as inhibitors of antibodies which bind to carbohydrate-defined sites. The genetic control of carbohydrate antigen expression by H-2K- and H-2D-linked genes has been verified since a specific antibody does not bind to H-2Kb or H-2Db molecules encoded by several mutant strains of mice containing single amino acid substitutions in their protein product. All of these data are consistent with Class I antigenic structures being encoded in carbohydrate as well as protein moieties.

Fructose-6-phosphate modifies the pathway of the urea-induced dissociation of the allosteric phosphofructokinase from Escherichia coli

Phosphofructokinase from Escherichia coli binds fructose-6-phosphate with the sugar moiety of the substrate interacting with one subunit and the phosphate group with another one, so that bound fructose-6-phosphate lies across the interface between the subunits [(1988) J. Mol. Biol. 204, 973-994]. When this interface is 'cross-linked' by fructose-6-phosphate, it becomes more stable because of the extra interactions between subunits: inactivation upon dissociation occurs only above 5 M urea, instead of 1 M urea for the free protein. At saturation in fructose-6-phosphate, this interface is no longer the first to dissociate as in the free protein [(1989) Biochemistry 28, 6836-6841]: instead, the addition of urea to phosphofructokinase in the presence of fructose-6-phosphate induces a conformational change within the tetramer which alters the environment of Trp-311 and distorts the regulatory site.

Ordered disruption of subunit interfaces during the stepwise reversible dissociation of Escherichia coli phosphofructokinase with KSCN

The reversible inactivation and dissociation of the allosteric phosphofructokinase from Escherichia coli has been studied in relatively mild conditions, i.e., in the presence of the chaotropic agent KSCN. At moderate KSCN concentration, the loss of enzymatic activity involves two separated phases: first, a rapid dissociation of part of the tetramer into dimers, second, a slower displacement of the dimer-tetramer equilibrium upon further dissociation of the dimer into monomers. These two reactions can no longer be distinguished above 0.3 M KSCN since complete inactivation occurs in a single reaction. Different changes are observed for the fluorescence and the activity of the enzyme in KSCN: the fluorescence is not affected by the dissociation into dimers which is responsible for inactivation. The decrease in fluorescence reflects the change in environment of the unique tryptophan residue, Trp 311, during the dimer to monomer dissociation. This residue belongs to the interface containing the regulatory site, and its native fluorescence indicates that this interface is still present in the dimer. The substrate fructose 6-phosphate protects phosphofructokinase from inactivation by binding to the tetramer and prevents its dissociation into dimers. The presence of phosphoenolpyruvate prevents the slow dissociation of the dimer into monomers, which shows the ability of the dimer to bind the inhibitor. Two successive processes can be observed during reassociation of the protein upon KSCN dilution. First, a fast reaction (k1 = 2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1) is accompanied by a fluorescence increase and results in the formation of the dimeric species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Type analysis of oligosaccharide chains on human and murine MHC class II alpha chains by the lectin-nitrocellulose sheet method

1. The microheterogeneous alpha molecules of class II antigen, DR molecules obtained from human B cell line and I-A molecules from mouse B cell hybridoma cell line, were separated by 2-D PAGE, transferred onto NC sheets and N-linked oligosaccharide types were analyzed by staining with P.O./lectins. 2. This is the first report to show directly the type of oligosaccharide chain corresponding to each spot separated by 2-D PAGE. The glycosylation patterns of class II alpha chains in human and mouse were compared.

Differential phosphorylation of murine class I major histocompatibility antigens

Recent studies have shown that the H-2K and H-2D transplantation antigens are expressed differentially in different tissues of mouse. Our previous investigations also established that in thioglycolate-stimulated peritoneal macrophages the H-2Dk antigen exists in distinct cell surface and intracellular forms. These two forms are glycosylated differently. In this report, we have found that (1) H-2Dk antigen is phosphorylated whereas H-2Kk antigen is not, and (2) only the cell surface form of H-2Dk antigen is phosphorylated in thioglycolate-stimulated macrophages derived from C3H/Heha mice. This differential phosphorylation of H-2 antigens will provide a model system for further studies on the molecular mechanism and function of phosphorylation of H-2 antigens.

Identification and characterization of a murine receptor for galactose-terminated glycoproteins

The asialoglycoprotein receptor, the hepatic binding lectin for galactose-terminated glycoproteins, has been isolated and characterized from human, rabbit and rat liver. Several recent studies have shown the existence of the same receptor in murine liver. However, the biochemical structure of the receptor in murine liver has not been resolved. In this paper, we describe the identification and purification of the receptor for asialoglycoproteins from murine liver. The purified receptor has three polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 42,000, 45,000 and 51,000, respectively, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, our studies suggest that the receptor from murine liver is very similar to its counterpart in rat liver, although some potential interesting differences have also been observed. Initial studies indicate that this receptor is well conserved in different mouse strains.

Aberrancy in immunogenicity and cell-surface expression of H-2 antigens on erythrocytes

Immunogenicity for T cell-independent B-cell response assessed by splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response and cell-surface expression measured by laser flow cytometry of various class I H-2 antigens on mouse red blood cells (RBC) were compared. It was found that the order of magnitude of both immunogenicity and cell-surface expression on RBC is H-2Dd much greater than H-2Db greater than H-2Kd, H-2Kb. Furthermore, H-2d public antigens and H-2Ld antigens were neither immunogenic nor easily demonstrable on RBC. These findings contrasted with poor immunogenicity for PFC response (Nakashima et al. 1982, 1983) and proportionally strong expression of H-2 antigens on lymphoid cells. Immunogenicity and cell-surface expression of H-2Dd antigen on RBC were not shown to be controlled by the action of genes outside H-2D. It was therefore suggested that a number of H-2 antigens, including H-2Kd private, H-2Kb private, and H-2d public specificities are at least functionally defective on RBC. This is possibly due to the structural characteristics of the antigens. Since immunogenicity and cell-surface expression were in parallel, the expression of H-2 antigens on RBC must be dictated by a subset of B cells whose activity was assessed by PFC response. This finding supports the view that the H-2 molecules display a new category of activity which is different from their ability to activate T cells and depends on their expression on RBC.

Activated T-lymphocytes express class I molecules which are hyposialylated compared to other lymphocyte populations

Various H-2 and Qa/Tla region encoded class I glycoproteins expressed on the surface of resting and activated T- and B-lymphocytes were compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). The isoelectrophoretic patterns of the H-2K, H-2D, Qa-2 and Qa-1 molecules isolated from activated T-lymphocytes were more isoelectrically heterogeneous and/or possessed species with a more basic pI than the same molecules isolated from resting T- and B-cells or activated B-lymphocytes. The differences in charge heterogeneity of class I molecules between activated T-cells and the other cell subpopulations were abolished by treatment with: (1) endoglycosidase F which removes N-linked oligosaccharides from glycoproteins, and (2) neuraminidase which removes sialic acids from carbohydrate side chains. Thus, the increased charged heterogeneity of class I molecules expressed by activated T-cells is due to altered sialylation of their N-linked oligosaccharides. These results indicate that a mechanism exists, upon activation of T-lymphocytes, for alteration (desialylation) of the carbohydrate moieties of class I molecules.

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.

Intracellular transport of membrane glycoproteins: two closely related histocompatibility antigens differ in their rates of transit to the cell surface

The intracellular transport of two closely related membrane glycoproteins was studied in the murine B cell lymphoma line, AKTB-1b. Using pulse-chase radiolabeling, the kinetics of appearance of the class I histocompatibility antigens, H-2Kk and H-2Dk, at the cell surface were compared and found to be remarkably different. Newly synthesized H-2Kk is transported rapidly such that all radiolabeled molecules reach the surface within 1 h. In contrast, the H-2Dk antigen is transported slowly with a half-time of 4-5 h. The rates of surface appearance for the two antigens closely resemble the rates at which their Asn-linked oligosaccharides mature from endoglucosaminidase H (endo H)-sensitive to endo H-resistant forms, a process that occurs in the Golgi apparatus. This suggests that the rate-limiting step in the transport of H-2Dk to the cell surface occurs before the formation of endo H-resistant oligosaccharides in the Golgi apparatus. Subcellular fractionation experiments confirmed this conclusion by identifying the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as the site where the H-2Dk antigen accumulates. The retention of this glycoprotein in the ER does not appear to be due to a lack of solubility or an inability of the H-2Dk heavy chain to associate with beta 2-microglobulin. Our data is inconsistent with a passive membrane flow mechanism for the intracellular transport of membrane glycoproteins. Rather, it suggests that one or more receptors localized to the ER membrane may mediate the selective transport of membrane glycoproteins out of the ER to the Golgi apparatus. The fact that H-2Kk and H-2Dk are highly homologous (greater than or equal to 80%) indicates that this process can be strongly influenced by limited alterations in protein structure.

Differential expression of H-2Dd and H-2Ld histocompatibility antigens

To determine why the H-2Dd antigen is expressed on the surface of transfected cells at a rate several-fold higher than an analogously transfected H-2Ld molecule, we analyzed both previously described and new H-2 hybrid genes. These genes were constructed by exchanging domains between H-2 genes. Quantitative radioimmunoassay indicates that the region of the H-2Dd molecule responsible for its enhanced expression resides in the polymorphic N domain, the first domain of the mature class I molecule.