Association between an HLA haplotype and low responsiveness to tetanus toxoid in man

Haplotype analysis improved evidence for candidate genes for intramuscular fat percentage from a genome wide association study of cattle

In genome wide association studies (GWAS), haplotype analyses of SNP data are neglected in favour of single point analysis of associations. In a recent GWAS, we found that none of the known candidate genes for intramuscular fat (IMF) had been identified. In this study, data from the GWAS for these candidate genes were re-analysed as haplotypes. First, we confirmed that the methodology would find evidence for association between haplotypes in candidate genes of the calpain-calpastatin complex and musculus longissimus lumborum peak force (LLPF), because these genes had been confirmed through single point analysis in the GWAS. Then, for intramuscular fat percent (IMF), we found significant partial haplotype substitution effects for the genes ADIPOQ and CXCR4, as well as suggestive associations to the genes CEBPA, FASN, and CAPN1. Haplotypes for these genes explained 80% more of the phenotypic variance compared to the best single SNP. For some genes the analyses suggested that there was more than one causative mutation in some genes, or confirmed that some causative mutations are limited to particular subgroups of a species. Fitting the SNPs and their interactions simultaneously explained a similar amount of the phenotypic variance compared to haplotype analyses. Haplotype analysis is a neglected part of the suite of tools used to analyse GWAS data, would be a useful method to extract more information from these data sets, and may contribute to reducing the missing heritability problem.

The immunogenicity of a conformationally restricted peptide mimetic of meningococcal lipooligosaccharide

Life-threatening meningitis and septicaemia caused by Neisseria meningitidis are a public health priority, and their prevention by vaccination is a major objective. Meningococcal capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines are effective against the major invasive serogroups, except for serogroup B, the capsule of which mimics human polysaccharides and is poorly immunogenic. An alternative vaccine candidate that has the potential to offer cross-protection against antigenically diverse meningococci is the lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The structurally constrained peptide mimetic, C22, of a bactericidal antibody epitope within LOS was previously shown to elicit cross-reactive antibodies to meningococcal LOS when complexed to NeutrAvidintrade mark as a carrier protein. The immunogenicity of this antigen in H-2(d) (BALB/c) and H-2(k) (C3H/HeN) haplotype mice was further investigated. Anti-LOS immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres increased with the vaccine dose and correlated with the anti-C22 peptide antibody titres in both haplotypes. Antigen-stimulated Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion by splenocytes and antibody isotypes indicated a Th2-type immune response with IgG1 antibodies and a low titre of IgG2b. There was no serum bactericidal activity observed against the meningococcus.

Segregation analysis of IgE responses to Cryptomeria japonica pollen antigen in vivo

The IgE response to Cryptomeria japonica pollen antigen (CPAg) in vivo was determined by radioimmunoassay of the plasma of 525 members from 98 families with known nasal allergies. Based on responses, patients were classified into a non-responder or low-responder group (non/low) and a high-responder group. Segregation analysis revealed that the IgE non/low responsiveness to CPAg involved a single dominant trait. The gene frequency was calculated to be 0.44-0.60. The IgE non/low response to CPAg was found to be mediated by CPAg-specific suppressor T cells. These findings demonstrated that the phenotypic variation of IgE responsiveness to CPAg is not due the immune response gene, but rather is mediated by the immune suppression gene for CPAg, via CPAg-specific suppressor T cells.

Clinical models of chemoprevention for cervical cancer

Cervical carcinoma creates a worldwide, significant population burden that potentially could be reduced by new preventive strategies for cervical cancer such as chemoprevention. Given the vast array of clinical and molecular information available relating to cervical cancer and the precursor lesions along with a growing number of new molecular techniques, a model is needed to guide further investigation. Such a model would facilitate research design, guide hypothesis development and testing, and focus the use of molecular data collection and analysis. This article reviews the clinical and molecular data of cervical cancer and the precursor lesions in order to develop a model for chemoprevention research in cervical cancer.

Association of HLA-DR14-DR52 with low responsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine in Chinese residents in Taiwan

To determine the HLA-linked immune response gene that controls low responsiveness to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HLA typing was performed in 33 initial non-responders (male:female = 23:10, age 1.5-46 years) who had poor antibody response (anti-HBs < 10 mIU ml-1) after four doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine. Of 33 initial non-responders, 26 received two additional doses of either the same vaccine (n = 18) or recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (n = 8) and returned for anti-HBs measurement. At 1 month after the sixth dose, anti-HBs was still < 10 mIU ml-1 in 20 cases and 10-20 mIU ml-1 in three cases. Analysis of HLA antigen frequencies in these 23 ultimate low responders revealed that nine (39%) were positive for DR14, a statistically significant association of low responsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine with HLA-DR14. In addition, 26% of the ultimate low-responders were positive for DQ3, a frequency significantly lower than the expected rate in the general population. Among the nine ultimate low-responders with DR14, seven were heterozygous for this allele, while the other two cases had a single isolated DR14; and all nine were in association with DR52. These results suggest that a DR14-DR52 association, probably dominantly expressed, may be involved in the low immune responsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine of the Chinese population in Taiwan.

The HLA-DR and DQ genes control the autoimmune response to DNA topoisomerase I in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

HLA class II alleles were determined using the PCR-RFLP method in Japanese systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) patients with (n = 28) or without (n = 34) anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (anti-topo I). Either the DQB1*0601 or *0301 allele was recognized in all anti-topo I positive patients, compared with 44% of anti-topo I negative patients (P < 0.00001, relative risk [RR] > 41) or 58% of Japanese healthy control subjects (P < 0.00001, RR > 24). Tyrosine at position 26 in the second hypervariable region in the beta 1 domain of the DQB1 gene is common to these two alleles and is not present in any other known DQB1 alleles. We also examined immunoreactivities of anti-topo I positive sera to four different autoantigenic B cell epitopes of topo I molecule that were expressed as recombinant fusion proteins. One major B cell epitope, located within the region corresponding to amino acid residues 74-248, was perfectly associated with the amino acid sequence FLEDR at positions 67-71 in the beta 1 domain of the DRB gene. Two other epitopes, corresponding to 316-441 or 658-700, were associated with the serologically defined HLA-DR52 antigen. Patients with both FLEDR and DR52 demonstrated higher anti-topo I antibody titers. These results suggest that the HLA-DR and DQ genes together control the autoimmune response to topo I in systemic sclerosis.

Allele-specific expression of the cytoplasmic exon of HLA-DQB1 gene

The beta chain of the HLA-DQ molecule is shorter by eight amino acid residues than other major histocompatibility complex class II beta chains due to elimination of the fifth exon coding for part of the cytoplasmic domain. This elimination is caused by one base substitution in the splice acceptor site of the exon. We found that two HLA-DQB1 alleles, DQB1*0503 and DQB1*0601, did not have this substitution, and the exon was utilized in these two alleles. However, two forms of HLA-DQB mRNA, with or without exon 5, were generated in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cell lines homozygous for DQB1*0503 or DQB1*0601, indicating alternative mRNA splicing. The alternative splicing of DQB1*0601 mRNA was also found in peripheral blood lymphocytes and L cell transfectants. To investigate the functional relevance of the allele-specific long cytoplasmic tail of HLA-DQ beta chain, we developed three types of L cell transfectants expressing exclusively the HLA-DQw6 molecules with short cytoplasmic tail, long cytoplasmic tail, or both forms of the beta chain, and used them as antigen presenting cells for streptococcal cell wall antigen-specific T cell lines. These three types of transfectants could function almost equally well as antigen presenting cells. It was thus demonstrated that both forms of HLA-DQ beta chain, with or without eight amino acid residues coded for by the exon 5, can be associated with the HLA-DQ alpha chain, be expressed on the cell surface, and function as restriction molecules in antigen recognition by the CD4+ T cells.

Genetic control of immune response and disease susceptibility by the HLA-DQ gene

The particular alleles of the HLA-DQ locus may control the low immune response to natural antigens by a dominant genetic trait through the immune suppression mediated by CD8+ suppressor T cells. The suppressor T cells may be activated by DQ-restricted and antigen-specific CD4+ suppressor/inducer T cells, because (1) a statistically significant association and linkage between low immune responsiveness to the natural antigens and the HLA-DQ gene were observed; (2) antigen-specific CD4+ T cells restricted by the DQ molecules encoded for by the HLA-DQ allele associated with low responsiveness were evidenced in many low responders; and (3) anti-HLA-DQ mAb restored the immune response to natural antigens, in some low responders. This HLA-DQ-controlled polymorphism of immune response to the natural antigens may account for the association between HLA-DQ alleles and organ-specific autoimmune diseases.

Antibody response of pregnant women to two different absorbed tetanus toxoids

The antibody response in pregnant women vaccinated with either of two different adsorbed tetanus toxoids has been studied. One vaccine (A), prepared by toxoiding purified tetanus toxin followed by its adsorption onto calcium phosphate, exhibited a low titre expressed as international immunizing units, 69 IIU/0.5 ml. The other vaccine (B), prepared by purifying formalinized crude tetanus toxin and adsorbing it onto aluminium phosphate showed a high titre, 212 IIU/0.5 ml. No significant differences between titres of circulating antibodies were obtained after the first injection of either vaccine, but titres after the second injection were much higher for vaccine A as compared with those obtained using vaccine B. The results showed that the immune response in human beings is not correlated to titres expressed in IIU. These results confirm that other methods should be adopted for evaluating the potency of vaccines. A simplified technique based on the comparison of circulating antitoxin levels after vaccination of mice has recently been proposed.

Immunogenetic study of the response to streptococcal carbohydrate antigen of the cell wall in rheumatic fever

An immunogenetic study of the response to streptococcal carbohydrate antigen of the cell wall was carried out on members of 15 multiplex families each having more than one sib affected with rheumatic heart disease. They comprised 30 parents and 61 sibs (32 with rheumatic disease and 29 without). Fifty healthy unrelated subjects served as controls. A history was taken and clinical examination carried out. Rheumatic activity was determined and HLA typing was carried out for nine A antigens, 15 B antigens, and six DR antigens. The immune response of lymphocytes to streptococcal polysaccharide antigen of the cell wall of group A beta haemolytic streptococci in vitro was studied by tritiated thymidine uptake. The results were statistically and genetically analysed. It was found that (a) all subjects with rheumatic disease were highly responsive to the streptococcal polysaccharide antigen of the cell wall, the sib pairs being mostly HLA identical; (b) all low responders had no rheumatic disease and their phenotypes were mostly different from those of the rheumatic member of their sib pair; (c) correlation of immune responsiveness (high or low) between HLA-identical sibs was significant, but insignificant between haplotype identical and non-identical sibs; (d) the gene responsible for high responsiveness to the streptococcal polysaccharide antigen of the cell wall is recessive and closely linked to HLA. In conclusion, it was found that exposure to pharyngeal infection with group A beta haemolytic streptococci may lead to acute rheumatic fever in those with an inherited recessive gene responsible for high responsiveness to the streptococcal polysaccharide antigen of the cell wall.

HLA-linked immune suppression genes

Genetic control of immune response was investigated by family and population analyses in humans. It was first recognized that there are high responders and low or non responders to natural antigens in human population. Family analysis revealed that low responsiveness to streptococcal cell wall antigen (SCW) was inherited as an HLA-linked dominant trait. CD8+ suppressor T cells existed in low responders and depletion of the CD8+ T cells from low responders could restore the strong immune response to SCW. Therefore the gene controlling the low response to SCW was designated as an immune suppression gene for SCW. Immune suppression gene for SCW was in strong linkage disequilibrium with particular alleles of HLA-DQ locus. The association between HLA-DQ alleles and low responsiveness mediated by CD8+ suppressor T cell was also observed for schistosomal antigen, Mycobacterium leprae antigen, tetanus toxoid, cryptomeria pollen antigen and hepatitis B virus surface antigen suggesting that low responsiveness to those antigens was also controlled by immune suppression genes. Anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies inhibited the immune response to those antigens of high responders in vitro, but anti-HLA-DQ monoclonal antibodies did not. On the other hand, anti-HLA-DQ monoclonal antibodies restored the immune response in low responders. Therefore, it is suggested that HLA-DR upregulates immune response and that HLA-DQ downregulates it and that HLA-DQ is epistatic to HLA-DR in the regulation of immune response in humans. Furthermore, direct evidence for the differential in immune regulation between HLA-DR and DQ was obtained by analyzing the SCW specific T cell lines from low responders. SCW specific and HLA-DQ restricted CD4+ T cell lines could activate CD8+ suppressor T cells which in turn downregulate SCW specific CD4+ T cells whereas SCW specific and HLA-DR restricted CD4+ T cell lines could not activate CD8+ suppressor T cells. All these observation clearly demonstrated that the HLA-linked immune suppression genes exist in humans to control low response to natural antigens.

Effects of interferons on immune response to a synthetic peptide malaria sporozoite vaccine in non-immune adults

A Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccine, composed of a synthetic dodecapeptide (NANP)3 coupled to tetanus toxoid (TT), was injected, at weeks 0 and 8, into non-immune volunteers in two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. In the first trial, 37 volunteers received the vaccine simultaneously with placebo (group 1), 0.5 x 10(6-) (group 2), or 1.5 x 10(6) U (group 3) of recombinant human interferon-alpha (= IFN-alpha). In the second trial, 35 other volunteers received the vaccine with placebo (group 4), 0.25 x 10(6) (group 5), or 1.0 x 10(6) IU (group 6) of interferon-gamma (= IFN-gamma). Immunizations were well tolerated and resulted in seroconversion rates (greater than or equal to 4-fold increase of antibody titre in immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) of 67-100% of volunteers. IFN-alpha significantly enhanced the IgG antibody titres in ELISA to malaria peptide.

Immune suppression gene on HLA-Bw54-DR4-DRw53 haplotype controls nonresponsiveness in humans to hepatitis B surface antigen via CD8+ suppressor T cells

The development of antiviral vaccines has been accelerated using monoclonal antibody and/or recombinant DNA techniques, the objective being to prevent grave viral infectious diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver diseases. Certain proportions of individuals in the human population do not have any appreciable immune response to foreign antigens, either in cases of natural exposure or a planned immunization. Here we report that in the nonresponders to HB vaccine, there is an HLA-linked immune suppression gene for hepatitis B surface antigen (Is-HBsAg) controlling the nonresponsiveness to HBsAg through HBsAg-specific suppressor T cells. The Is-HBsAg is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the HLA-Bw54-DR4-DRw53 haplotype.

Genetic influence on the serum levels of naturally occurring human IgG antibodies to dietary antigens. Quantitative assessment from a twin study

Serum IgG antibodies to ovalbumin (OA) and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) were quantified by ELISA techniques in 22 monozygotic (MZ) and 24 dizygotic (DZ) healthy twin pairs. Antibody levels were comparable in the MZ and DZ groups both for anti-OA and anti-BLG antibodies. The genetic variance (GWT) was 0.167 for log IgG anti-OA antibodies, and 0.173 for log IgG anti-BLG antibodies, with heritability estimates of 0.44 and 0.37, respectively. No indication was observed of genotype-environmental interaction or differential environmental covariance for the log antibody levels in the MZ and DZ twins. The anti-OA and anti-BLG antibody levels in the same individual correlated only to a low degree. The levels of naturally occurring serum IgG antibodies are significantly influenced by genetic factors.

Human T-cell clones used to define functional epitopes on HLA class II molecules

Polyclonal reagents have been used to define HLA class II molecules in conventional serologic and cellular typing. We generated human alloreactive T-cell clones to analyze the functional fine specificities of HLA class II molecules that might be important for the phenomenon of HLA and disease association. We chose to examine HLA-Dw14, an HLA-D specificity that has been associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In this paper we have presented data that suggest that conventional cellular typing does not reflect the distribution of T-cell epitopes on major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. We describe three alloreactive T-cell clones that have defined three separate Dw14-associated T-cell epitopes. Two of these epitopes were on a DR-region molecule; the third was located on a DQ-region product. In a panel of unrelated DR4-positive donors, these three DW14-associated determinants were present in a high frequency but were not linked to each other. Within the tested panel of DR4-positive cells, all possible combinatorial arrangements of these three allodeterminants were seen. The concurrent expression of any two of the three allodeterminants was equivalent to a positive typing response for Dw14. Our finding that HLA-Dw14 is not characterized by a unique allodeterminant but by the combinatorial recognition of independently distributed T-cell interaction sites suggests that analysis of HLA and disease association may be more clearly demonstrated through the use of human T-cell clones.

HLA-linked immune responsiveness to (T,G)-A-L: a family study

The heredity of the immune response potential to the synthetic polypeptide poly(LTyr,LGlu)-poly(DLAla)-poly(LLys) [(T,G)-A-L] and its possible linkage to the major histocompatibility complex of man were studied in 24 families. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained from 174 donors belonging to 24 unrelated families were educated to (T,G)-A-L on autologous antigen-pulsed adherent cells. The supernatants obtained from these activated PBL were tested for their antigen-specific helper activity in an in vitro antibody production system. All donors were typed for their HLA haplotypes. The results obtained indicated that the ability to respond to (T,G)-A-L by production of an antigen-specific T cell helper factor is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait linked to the responder HLA haplotype.

Multifactorial pathogenesis: ought we to classify disease or treat the individual's causes of disease?

Added to the uniqueness of most of us imparted by HLA, our individual differences in the expression of other genetic traits, foetal period steroid imprints on brain and other functions, and regulators shared by body and mind indicate that each one of us (except most monozygotic twins) is born as a unique individual whole (I). Mechanisms suspected to be contributing ones in classified synovitides appear to correspond to individually exaggerated or depressed modes of response by physiological mechanisms linked to our unique individual wholes (II). If we upgrade the importance of influences of combinations of 'contributing' mechanisms, the importance of the alleged unknown fundamental causes of these diseases diminishes (III). This broad interpretation of 'multifactorial pathogenesis' can probably be applied to many common types of disease (IV), implying that disease classifications may poorly reflect the individual's causes of disease (V). There is reason to challenge modern concepts about disease (VI).

Interaction of HLA and immunoglobulin antigens in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes

We analyzed 88 unrelated subjects with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes and 64 sibling controls (maximum one per diabetic) for associations between immunoglobulin allotype antigens (GM and KM) and Type 1 diabetes. None were found. However, we did find interactions between GM, HLA-DR, and Type 1 diabetes (significant or of borderline significance after considering the effect of multiple tests): possession of Glm(2) appeared to increase susceptibility to diabetes in individuals who had HLA-DR3 but not HLA-DR4, while possession of G3m(5) appeared to increase susceptibility in individuals who had HLA-DR4 but not HLA-DR3. These results suggest that genetic predisposition to Type 1 diabetes is partially determined by alleles at the GM locus (or a locus in linkage disequilibrium with GM) interacting with alleles at the HLA-DR locus (or a locus in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-DR).

Strong association of HLA-DR2 and MT1 with idiopathic membranous nephropathy in Japan

Fifty adult Japanese patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) were typed for HLA-A, B, and DR antigens, and additional B cell alloantigens designated the MT system. The phenotype frequencies of HLA-DR2 (80.0 vs. 36.0%) and MT1 (96.0 vs. 49.5%) appeared to be significantly increased in the patient group when compared to those of a control. There were lower frequencies of DR4, DRw9, MT3, and MT4 in these particular patients. The decreases of MT3 and MT4 were statistically significant but those of DR4 and DRw9 were not. These results suggest that HLA-DR2 and MT1 antigens are related to the occurrence of IMN in the Japanese population.

Specific immune responses after booster immunization with tetanus toxoid in man: study of kinetics, family segregation, and linkage to HLA of in vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses and serum-antibody responses

Kinetics and family transmission of antigen-specific in vitro cell-mediated responses were investigated in 68, and serum-antibody responses to tetanus toxoid (TT) in 73 individuals from a total of 12 families. Proliferative responses to highly purified TT monomer were studied in 6- to 7-day lymphocyte cultures. The effect of booster immunization was detectable 7 (D7) and 30 (D30), but not 120 days (D120) later. The sex of donors was not found to have any influence. A significant influence of the time interval since the last immunization was found for the responses at D7 and D30. Data were correspondingly adjusted for segregation and linkage analyses. Several transmission hypotheses for the data obtained at D7 and D30 were evaluated by likelihood ratio tests. Observations at D30 were compatible with the hypothesis of a control by a dominant genetic determinant for high responses closely linked to the major histocompatibility complex region. No such evidence could be found for D7. After booster immunization, mean antibody levels determined on D7, D30 (peak of response), and D120 were found to be higher than those prior to immunization (D0). The sex of the donors was found to have no influence on antibody responses. The time interval since the last immunization and the age of donors both had a slight influence, and data were correspondingly adjusted for segregation and linkage analyses, which showed no evidence of genetic control of the antibody responses or of linkage to HLA.

In vitro lymphocyte proliferation response to therapeutic insulin components. Evidence for genetic control by the human major histocompatibility complex

Genes in the major histocompatibility complex of mice and guinea pigs control immunologic responsiveness to insulins from other animal species. In order to determine if similar genetic control exists in man, we have examined lymphocyte proliferation responses to components of therapeutic insulins by employing lymphocytes from diabetic patients that receive insulin. Distinct groups of individuals demonstrated positive lymphocyte proliferative responses to beef insulin, beef and pork insulin, beef proinsulin, pork proinsulin, and protamine. Lymphocytes from the patient population were typed for the HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens. An increased frequency of certain HLA antigens was found in those individuals that responded to the following therapeutic insulin components: beef, HLA-DR4; beef and pork, HLA-DR3; beef proinsulin, HLA-BW4, CW2, CW5, DR2, and DR5; protamine, HLA-CW3, CW5, and DR7. The results demonstrate that the human immune system recognized the structural differences between human and beef and/or pork insulin. These differences are two amino acids in the A chain, alpha loop, of beef insulin and the single terminal amino acid, alanine, which is common to pork and beef insulins. Positive responses to both beef proinsulin and pork proinsulin demonstrated the capability of restricted recognition of more complex proteins represented by the C-peptide in these insulin preparations. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to protamine were also restricted, which suggests a genetic control to this antigen. The association of these responses with HLA alloantigens strongly suggests that genes within the human major histocompatibility complex control recognition and lymphocyte response to therapeutic insulin components.

Transplacental immunization of the human fetus to tetanus by immunization of the mother

Experimental studies in rats showed that immunization of the pregnant female led to the transplacental immunization of her fetuses. The possibility that this also occurred in humans was explored by immunizing 42 pregnant women with tetanus toxoid (2.5 or 5 Lf) in the fifth and eighth months of pregnancy and comparing the immune responses of their offspring with the responses of the offspring of 25 unimmunized mothers. Only the offspring of the immunized mothers were sensitized to tetanus. IgM antitetanus antibodies were in their blood before immunization with diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine (DPT), they had a more rapid (P less than 0.01) response to DPT immunization, and they were still highly sensitized (P less than 0.01) to tetanus 13 mo after birth. In addition, pregnancy had no immunosuppressive effect (P less than 0.05) on the responses of the mothers to tetanus toxoid. Thus, transplacental immunization occurs in humans; it enhances the response of the offspring to subsequent immunization, and it could be used to circumvent the necessity for immunization in early neonatal life.

HLA-restricted T lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against herpes simplex virus-infected cells in humans

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against herpes simplex virus (HSV) were induced in vitro from human peripheral blood lymphocytes by stimulation with HSV antigen. CTL generated by HSV type 1 (HSV-1) antigen stimulation killed not only HSV-1-infected target cells but also HSV type 2 (HSV-2)-infected target cells, though at a lower level. This evidence suggests that CTL against HSV recognize the HSV type-specific and type-common determinants on HSV-infected target cells. These CTL were generated from high responders against HSV-1 antigen as measured by antigen-specific T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, but not to such an efficient degree from low responders. The cytotoxic activities of CTL against the allogeneic HSV-infected target cells were high when at least one of the HLA-A or -B antigens was shared. However, the HLA-A and -B nonidentical target cells were not killed effectively. The data presented here suggest the possibility of HLA restriction of HSV-specific CTL in humans.

Suppressor T cells control the HLA-linked low responsiveness to streptococcal antigen in man

We have previously reported that low immune responsiveness to the streptococcal cell wall (SCW) antigen is controlled by an HLA-linked dominant gene which we designated as an immune suppression gene to the SCW antigen (Is-SCW) without knowing its function. We have extended the study of the genetic control of the immune response to the SCW antigen and confirmed both the bimodal distribution of immune responsiveness and HLA-linked dominant inheritance of low responsiveness. Here we report an analysis of the function and expression of Is-SCW at the cellular level and demonstrate that the Is-SCW controls the generation of antigen-specific suppressor T cell in low responders.

HLA and the response of lymphocytes to viral antigens in patients with multiple sclerosis

Serum antiviral antibody titers, presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies, and lymphoproliferative responses to viral antigens were determined in 44 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 25 healthy subjects. These measurements were correlated with the HLA type and the clinical characteristics of the patients. The Dw2/DR2 phenotype, known to be associated with increased MS susceptibility, was also associated with a later onset of MS and more rapid progression of disease. Within the DW2/DR2 group, the disability status and rate of progression did not correlate with the relative degree of lymphoproliferative response. Patients with the Dw2/DR2 phenotype had similar lymphoproliferative responses to all viral antigens as control subjects possessing or lacking Dw2/DR2. Patients lacking Dw2/DR2 had increased lymphoproliferative responses selectively to measles virus when compared with normal subjects or Dw2/DR2 positive individuals. Absence of the B40 antigen was associated with high antibody titer to measles, and presence of the Dw7/DR7 antigens was associated with high titers against herpes simplex I virus. Both B40 and Dw7/DR7 phenotypes were associated with decreased occurrence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies. The Dw7/DR7 phenotype has been associated in previous studies with a decreased susceptibility to MS. These results, therefore, suggest that both humoral and cellular antiviral immune mechanisms in man are under the influence of HLA-linked genes. Progression of lack of progression in MS cold in turn be somehow related to the differing strength of antiviral immune responses in individuals of the appropriate HLA genotype.

HLA-DR antigens and the rubella-specific immune response in man

Several genetic markers, HLA-A, B and DR antigens, Gm and Km types, and ABO blood types, were studied on 78 rubella seronegative schoolgirls immunized with "TO336" rubella vaccine. A marked association was found between an HLA haplotype, HLA-Aw24-Bw52-DRHO, and the low antibody responsiveness to rubella virus. The association with the DR antigen was thought to be primary to those with the HLA-A or B antigens, suggesting that the gene(s) controlling the low responsiveness to rubella might be located near the HLA-DR locus in the human 6th chromosome. There was no statistically significant association between Gm, Km or ABO blood types and the rubella specific immune responsiveness as far as the primary in vivo antibody response was concerned.

HLA-and Gm-linked genes affecting the degradation rate of antigens (sheep red blood cells) endocytized by macrophages

Phagocytosis and catabolism of sheep red blood cells by human peripheral blood phagocytes were studied in 100 normal caucasoid subjects (44 males and 56 females). Both phenomena are highly reproducible, and their indices seem to be biological constants. There is no correlation between these two indices and the indices do not have a correlation with ABO or Rh markers. Further, the phagocytic index has no correlation with HLA and GM markers. However, a low speed of degradation is significantly correlated (p = 0.001) with the HLA-DR3 antigen, and most of the low degraders are significantly correlated (p = 0.006) with both DR3 and Gm 3,23,11 (probably Gm homozygous). Thus the gradient of antigen degradation could be related to an interaction between MHC and Gm immunoglobulin genes, as is found in the mouse [Biozzi's high (H) and low (L) responder strains.

Control of HLA-DR antigen gene expression at the pretranslational level: comparison of an HLA-DR-positive B lymphoblastoid cell line and its HLA-DR-negative variant

An HLA-DR-positive human B lymphoblastoid cell line, T5-1, and its HLA-DR negative variant, 6.1.6, were studied to elucidate mechanisms resulting in the nonexpression of HLA-DR genes in 6.1.6. The cell lines were labeled with 35S-methionine in vivo, their proteins immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal HLA-DR-specific antibody, and their two-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns compared. The T5-1 map showed DR-antigen heavy and light chains, while the 6.1.6 map showed neither chain. When the cells were labeled in the presence of tunicamycin, the two-dimensional map of T5-1 showed nonglycosylated heavy and light chains of DR antigen while that of 6.1.6 did not. RNA was extracted from T5-1 and 6.1.6 cells and translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Two-dimensional gel analysis of the immunoprecipitated proteins from T5-1 revealed spots which were identified as HLA-DR light chain and I invariant on the basis of their precipitation by monoclonal and specific allo- and heteroantibodies, and their molecular weight and pI values. These spots were absent in the 6.1.6 maps, indicating that 6.1.6 has no detectable translatable messenger RNA for HLA-DR light chains. The addition of dog pancreas microsomes to the T5-1 cell-free translation mixture resulted in an increase in the molecular weight of the precursor HLA-DR proteins consistent with glycosylation. Together with earlier cell fusion studies showing that DR structural genes were intact in 6.1.6, these data suggested that the lesion in 6.1.6 is an alteration in a regulatory element required for transcription of DR genes or mRNA processing.

Absence of a correlation between humoral and cellular responses to a vaccinia virus and products of the major histocompatibility complex in rhesus monkeys

Sixty-two Rhesus monkeys were tested at different times after vaccinia virus infection for virus-specific induction of lymphocyte proliferation in vitro or antibody production in vivo. No association was found between identifiable RhLA-controlled antigens and the strength of the cellular proliferative and/of humoral response.

HLA-B8 and cell-mediated immunity to gluten

The leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) test was used as an indicator of cell mediated immunity to gluten fraction III in 30 healthy controls and 58 patients with adult coeliac disease and the results related to HLA status and duration of treatment with a gluten-free diet. HLA-B8 controls showed significantly lower leucocyte migration indices, indicating greater immune response, than non-HLA B8 controls. Untreated coeliacs showed no difference from HLA-B8 controls. There was no difference between results from HLA-B8 and non-HLA-B8 coeliacs. Leucocyte migration was even lower in coeliacs early in treatment but rose after treatment for over one year. These results may reflect an immune response gene for gluten in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B8. The increased immune response to gluten as measured in this test cannot be the sole factor in aetiology of coeliac disease. Furthermore, it is necessary to re-evaluate earlier results of cell-mediated immunity in coeliac disease with reference to HLA status of the controls.

Cytotoxic T cell interactions with antigen. Potential relevance for drug-related lupus

Understanding of cytotoxic T cell recognition may be relevant to the study of drug-related lupus because either cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) contributes to triggering the disease or CMC provides an informative model to study T cell recognition of foreign antigen. As a model, CMC demonstrates the following: 1) Antigen presentation can occur by membrane insertion of the antigen, covalent modification of the cell surface, or cell surface adsorption of the antigen; these may be modes of presentation by which drug-related antigens induce adverse responses. 2) HLA antigens regulate a wide variety of immune responses; this may be crucial in drug-related lupus since HLA antigens may regulate autoimmune responses, may affect an individual's susceptibility to lupus, and may increase the risk for other specific adverse drug reactions.