Identification of eight determinants in the hemagglutinin molecule of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) which are recognized by class II-restricted T cells from BALB/c mice

Mutation in Hemagglutinin Antigenic Sites in Influenza A pH1N1 Viruses from 2015–2019 in the United States Mountain West, Europe, and the Northern Hemisphere

H1N1 influenza A virus is a respiratory pathogen that undergoes antigenic shift and antigenic drift to improve viral fitness. Tracking the evolutionary trends of H1N1 aids with the current detection and the future response to new viral strains as they emerge. Here, we characterize antigenic drift events observed in the hemagglutinin (HA) sequence of the pandemic H1N1 lineage from 2015–2019. We observed the substitutions S200P, K147N, and P154S, together with other mutations in structural, functional, and/or epitope regions in 2015–2019 HA protein sequences from the Mountain West region of the United States, the larger United States, Europe, and other Northern Hemisphere countries. We reconstructed multiple phylogenetic trees to track the relationships and spread of these mutations and tested for evidence of selection pressure on HA. We found that the prevalence of amino acid substitutions at positions 147, 154, 159, 200, and 233 significantly changed throughout the studied geographical regions between 2015 and 2019. We also found evidence of coevolution among a subset of these amino acid substitutions. The results from this study could be relevant for future epidemiological tracking and vaccine prediction efforts. Similar analyses in the future could identify additional sequence changes that could affect the pathogenicity and/or infectivity of this virus in its human host.

Immunodominance in CD4 T-cell responses: implications for immune responses to influenza virus and for vaccine design

CD4 T cells play a primary role in regulating immune responses to pathogenic organisms and to vaccines. Antigen-specific CD4 T cells provide cognate help to B cells, a requisite event for immunoglobulin switch and affinity maturation of B cells that produce neutralizing antibodies and also provide help to cytotoxic CD8 T cells, critical for their expansion and persistence as memory cells. Finally, CD4 T cells may participate directly in pathogen clearance via cell-mediated cytotoxicity or through production of cytokines. Understanding the role of CD4 T-cell immunity to viruses and other pathogens, as well as evaluation of the efficacy of vaccines, requires insight into the specificity of CD4 T cells. This review focuses on the events within antigen-presenting cells that focus CD4 T cells toward a limited number of peptide antigens within the pathogen or vaccine. The molecular events are discussed in light of the special challenges that the influenza virus poses, owing to the high degree of genetic variability, unpredictable pathogenicity and the repeated encounters that human populations face with this highly infectious pathogenic organism.

The peptide specificity of the endogenous T follicular helper cell repertoire generated after protein immunization

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells potentiate high-affinity, class-switched antibody responses, the predominant correlate of protection from vaccines. Despite intense interest in understanding both the generation and effector functions of this lineage, little is known about the epitope specificity of Tfh cells generated during polyclonal responses. To date, studies of peptide-specific Tfh cells have relied on either the transfer of TcR transgenic cells or use of peptide∶MHC class II tetramers and antibodies to stain TcR and follow limited peptide specificities. In order to comprehensively evaluate polyclonal responses generated from the natural endogenous TcR repertoire, we developed a sorting strategy to separate Tfh cells from non-Tfh cells and found that their epitope-specific responses could be tracked with cytokine-specific ELISPOT assays. The immunodominance hierarchies of Tfh and non-Tfh cells generated in response to immunization with several unrelated protein antigens were remarkably similar. Additionally, increasing the kinetic stability of peptide-MHC class II complexes enhanced the priming of both Tfh and conventional CD4 T cells. These findings may provide us with a strategy to rationally and selectively modulate epitope-specific Tfh responses. By understanding the parameters that control epitope-specific priming, vaccines may be tailored to enhance or focus Tfh responses to facilitate optimal B cell responses.

A triclade DNA vaccine designed on the basis of a comprehensive serologic study elicits neutralizing antibody responses against all clades and subclades of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses

Because of their rapid evolution, genetic diversity, broad host range, ongoing circulation in birds, and potential human-to-human transmission, H5N1 influenza viruses remain a major global health concern. Their high degree of genetic diversity also poses enormous burdens and uncertainties in developing effective vaccines. To overcome this, we took a new approach, i.e., the development of immunogens based on a comprehensive serologic study. We constructed DNA plasmids encoding codon-optimized hemagglutinin (HA) from 17 representative strains covering all reported clades and subclades of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses. Using DNA plasmids, we generated the corresponding H5N1 pseudotypes and immune sera. We performed an across-the-board pseudotype-based neutralization assay and determined antigenic clusters by cartography. We then designed a triclade DNA vaccine and evaluated its immunogenicity and protection in mice. We report here that (sub)clades 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.1, and 9 were grouped into antigenic cluster 1, (sub)clades 2.1.3.2, 2.3.4, 2.4, 2.5, and 8 were grouped into another antigenic cluster, with subclade 2.2.1 loosely connected to it, and each of subclades 2.3.2.1 and 7.2 was by itself. Importantly, the triclade DNA vaccine encoding HAs of (sub)clades 0, 2.3.2.1, and 7.2 elicited broadly neutralizing antibody responses against all H5 clades and subclades and protected mice against high-lethal-dose heterologous H5N1 challenge. Thus, we conclude that broadly neutralizing antibodies against all H5 clades and subclades can indeed be elicited with immunogens on the basis of a comprehensive serologic study. Further evaluation and optimization of such an approach in ferrets and in humans is warranted.

Beyond the classical: influenza virus and the elucidation of alternative MHC class II-restricted antigen processing pathways

CD4+ T cells (T(CD4+)) are activated by peptides, generally 13-17 amino acids in length, presented at the cell surface in combination with highly polymorphic MHC class II molecules. According to the classical model, these peptides are generated by endosomal digestion of internalized antigen and loaded onto MHC class II molecules in the late endosome. Historically, this "exogenous" pathway has been defined through the extensive use of purified proteins. However, the relatively recent use of clinically relevant antigens, those of influenza virus in our case, has revealed several additional pathways of peptide production, including some that are truly "endogenous", entailing synthesis of the protein within the infected cell. Indeed, some peptides appear to be created only via endogenous processing. The cell biology that underlies these alternative pathways remains poorly understood as do their relative contributions to defence against infectious agents and cancer, and the triggering of autoimmune diseases.

Adjuvanted influenza vaccine administered intradermally elicits robust long-term immune responses that confer protection from lethal challenge

Background

The respiratory illnesses caused by influenza virus can be dramatically reduced by vaccination. The current trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is effective in eliciting systemic virus-specific antibodies sufficient to control viral replication. However, influenza protection generated after parenteral immunization could be improved by the induction of mucosal immune responses.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Transcutaneous immunization, a non-invasive vaccine delivery method, was used to investigate the quality, duration and effectiveness of the immune responses induced in the presence of inactivated influenza virus co-administered with retinoic acid or oleic acid. We observed an increased migration of dendritic cells to the draining lymph nodes after dermal vaccination. Here we demonstrate that this route of vaccine delivery in combination with certain immunomodulators can induce potent immune responses that result in long-term protective immunity. Additionally, mice vaccinated with inactivated virus in combination with retinoic acid show an enhanced sIgA antibody response, increased number of antibody secreting cells in the mucosal tissues, and protection from a higher influenza lethal dose.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study demonstrates that transdermal administration of inactivated virus in combination with immunomodulators stimulates dendritic cell migration, results in long-lived systemic and mucosal responses that confer effective protective immunity.

New design of MHC class II tetramers to accommodate fundamental principles of antigen presentation

Direct identification and isolation of Ag-specific T cells became possible with the development of MHC tetramers, based on fluorescent avidins displaying biotinylated peptide-MHC complexes. This approach, extensively used for MHC class I-restricted T cells, has met very limited success with class II peptide-MHC complex tetramers (pMHCT-2) for the detection of CD4(+)-specific T cells. In addition, a very large number of these reagents, although capable of specifically activating T cells after being coated on solid support, is still unable to stain. To try to understand this puzzle and design usable tetramers, we examined each parameter critical for the production of pMHCT-2 using the I-A(d)-OVA system as a model. Through this process, the geometry of peptide-MHC display by avidin tetramers was examined, as well as the stability of rMHC molecules. However, we discovered that the most important factor limiting the reactivity of pMHCT-2 was the display of peptides. Indeed, long peptides, as presented by MHC class II molecules, can be bound to I-A/HLA-DQ molecules in more than one register, as suggested by structural studies. This mode of anchorless peptide binding allows the selection of a broader repertoire on single peptides and should favor anti-infectious immune responses. Thus, beyond the technical improvements that we propose, the redesign of pMHCT-2 will give us the tools to evaluate the real size of the CD4 T cell repertoire and help us in the production and testing of new vaccines.

Cellular immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in senescent BALB/c mice: CD4+ T cells are important in control of SARS-CoV infection

We characterized the cellular immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in 12- to 14-month-old BALB/c mice, a model that mimics features of the human disease. Following intranasal administration, the virus replicated in the lungs, with peak titers on day 2 postinfection. Enhanced production of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5) correlated with migration of NK cells, macrophages, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) into the lungs. By day 7, histopathologic evidence of pneumonitis was seen in the lungs when viral clearance occurred. At this time, a second wave of enhanced production of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], IL-2, and IL-5), chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5), and receptors (CXCR3, CCR2, and CCR5), was detected in the lungs, associated with an influx of T lymphocytes. Depletion of CD8(+) T cells at the time of infection did not affect viral replication or clearance. However, depletion of CD4(+) T cells resulted in an enhanced immune-mediated interstitial pneumonitis and delayed clearance of SARS-CoV from the lungs, which was associated with reduced neutralizing antibody and cytokine production and reduced pulmonary recruitment of lymphocytes. Innate defense mechanisms are able to control SARS-CoV infection in the absence of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and antibodies. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of SARS, demonstrating the important role of CD4(+) but not CD8(+) T cells in primary SARS-CoV infection in this model.

Infection of HLA-DR1 transgenic mice with a human isolate of influenza a virus (H1N1) primes a diverse CD4 T-cell repertoire that includes CD4 T cells with heterosubtypic cross-reactivity to avian (H5N1) influenza virus

The specificity of the CD4 T-cell immune response to influenza virus is influenced by the genetic complexity of the virus and periodic encounters with variant subtypes and strains. In order to understand what controls CD4 T-cell reactivity to influenza virus proteins and how the influenza virus-specific memory compartment is shaped over time, it is first necessary to understand the diversity of the primary CD4 T-cell response. In the study reported here, we have used an unbiased approach to evaluate the peptide specificity of CD4 T cells elicited after live influenza virus infection. We have focused on four viral proteins that have distinct intracellular distributions in infected cells, hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), nucleoprotein, and the NS1 protein, which is expressed in infected cells but excluded from virion particles. Our studies revealed an extensive diversity of influenza virus-specific CD4 T cells that includes T cells for each viral protein and for the unexpected immunogenicity of the NS1 protein. Due to the recent concern about pandemic avian influenza virus and because CD4 T cells specific for HA and NA may be particularly useful for promoting the production of neutralizing antibody to influenza virus, we have also evaluated the ability of HA- and NA-specific CD4 T cells elicited by a circulating H1N1 strain to cross-react with related sequences found in an avian H5N1 virus and find substantial cross-reactivity, suggesting that seasonal vaccines may help promote protection against avian influenza virus.

Transdermal influenza immunization with vaccine-coated microneedle arrays

Background

Influenza is a contagious disease caused by a pathogenic virus, with outbreaks all over the world and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths every year. Due to virus antigenic drift and short-lived immune responses, annual vaccination is required. However, vaccine coverage is incomplete, and improvement in immunization is needed. The objective of this study is to investigate a novel method for transdermal delivery using metal microneedle arrays (MN) coated with inactivated influenza virus to determine whether this route is a simpler and safer approach than the conventional immunization, capable to induce robust immune responses and confer protection against lethal virus challenge.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Inactivated A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) influenza virus was coated on metal microneedle arrays and applied to mice as a vaccine in the caudal dorsal skin area. Substantial antibody titers with hemagglutination inhibition activity were detected in sera collected two and four weeks after a single vaccine dose. Challenge studies in mice with 5×LD₅₀ of mouse adapted Aichi virus demonstrated complete protection. Microneedle vaccination induced a broad spectrum of immune responses including CD4+ and CD8+ responses in the spleen and draining lymph node, a high frequency of antigen-secreting cells in the lung and induction of virus-specific memory B-cells. In addition, the use of MN showed a dose-sparing effect and a strong Th2 bias when compared to an intramuscular (IM) reference immunization.

Conclusions/Significance

The present results show that delivery of inactivated influenza virus through the skin using metal microneedle arrays induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses capable of conferring protection against virus challenge as efficiently as intramuscular immunization, which is the standard vaccination route. In view of the convenience of delivery and the potential for self-administration, vaccine-coated metal microneedles may provide a novel and highly effective immunization method.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell repertoire formation shaped by differential presentation of peptides from a self-antigen

We have used TCR transgenic mice directed to different MHC class II-restricted determinants from the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) to analyze how specificity for self-peptides can shape CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cell formation. We show that substantial increases in the number of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells can occur when an autoreactive TCR directed to a major I-E(d)-restricted determinant from HA develops in mice expressing HA as a self-Ag, and that the efficiency of this process is largely unaffected by the ability to coexpress additional TCR alpha-chains. This increased formation of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in the presence of the self-peptide argues against models that postulate selective survival rather than induced formation as mechanisms of CD4+CD25+ Treg cell formation. In contrast, T cells bearing a TCR directed to a major I-A(d)-restricted determinant from HA underwent little or no selection to become CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in mice expressing HA as a self-Ag, correlating with inefficient processing and presentation of the peptide from the neo-self-HA polypeptide. These findings show that interactions with a self-peptide can induce thymocytes to differentiate along a pathway to become CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, and that peptide editing by DM molecules may help bias the CD4+CD25+ Treg cell repertoire away from self-peptides that associate weakly with MHC class II molecules.

Roles of adjuvant and route of vaccination in antibody response and protection engendered by a synthetic matrix protein 2-based influenza A virus vaccine in the mouse

Background

The M2 ectodomain (M2e) of influenza A virus (IAV) strains that have circulated in humans during the past 90 years shows remarkably little structural diversity. Since M2e-specific antibodies (Abs) are capable of restricting IAV replication in vivo but are present only at minimal concentration in human sera, efforts are being made to develop a M2e-specific vaccine. We are exploring a synthetic multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) vaccine and here report on the role of adjuvants (cholera toxin and immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide) and route of immunization on Ab response and strength of protection.

Results

Independent of adjuvants and immunization route, on average 87% of the M2e-MAP-induced Abs were specific for M2e peptide and a variable fraction of these M2e(pep)-specific Abs (average 15%) cross-reacted with presumably native M2e expressed by M2-transfected cells. The titer of these cross-reactive M2e(pep-nat)-specific Abs in sera of parenterally immunized mice displayed a sigmoidal relation to level of protection, with EC₅₀ of ~20 μg Ab/ml serum, though experiments with passive M2e(pep-nat) Abs indicated that serum Abs did not fully account for protection in parenterally vaccinated mice, particularly in upper airways. Intranasal vaccination engendered stronger protection and a higher proportion of G2a Abs than parenteral vaccination, and the strength of protection failed to correlate with M2e(pep-nat)-specific serum Ab titers, suggesting a role of airway-associated immunity in protection of intranasally vaccinated mice. Intranasal administration of M2e-MAP without adjuvant engendered no response but coadministration with infectious IAV slightly enhanced the M2e(pep-nat) Ab response and protection compared to vaccination with IAV or adjuvanted M2e-MAP alone.

Conclusion

M2e-MAP is an effective immunogen as ~15% of the total M2e-MAP-induced Ab response is of desired specificity. While M2e(pep-nat)-specific serum Abs have an important role in restricting virus replication in trachea and lung, M2e-specific T cells and/or locally produced Abs contribute to protection in upper airways. Intranasal vaccination is preferable to parenteral vaccination, presumably because of induction of local protective immunity by the former route. Intranasal coadministration of M2e-MAP with infectious IAV merits further investigation in view of its potential applicability to human vaccination with live attenuated IAV.

Activation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell suppressor function by analogs of the selecting peptide

CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells can undergo both thymic selection and peripheral expansion in response to self peptides that are agonists for their T cell receptors (TCR). However, the specificity by which these TCR must recognize peptide:MHC complexes to activate Treg cell function is not known. We show that CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells can mediate suppression in response to peptides that are only weakly cross-reactive with the self peptide that induced their formation in vivo. Moreover, suppression could be efficiently activated by peptide analogs that were inefficient at inducing CD69 up-regulation, and that also induced little or no proliferation of naïve CD4+ CD25- Foxp3- T cells expressing the same TCR. These findings provide evidence that self peptide-specific CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells can exert regulatory function in response to self- and/or pathogen-derived peptides with which they are only weakly cross-reactive.

Impact of effector cell differentiation on CD4+ T cells that evade negative selection by a self-peptide

We have used a transgenic mouse system to examine how differing reactivities of TCRs expressed by naive versus effector cells can shape the functional potential of autoreactive CD4+ T cells. Transgenic mice expressing TCRs that exhibit either high (TS1) or low [TS1(SW)] reactivity toward the I-Ed-restricted determinant S1 from the influenza virus PR8 hemagglutinin (HA) were mated with transgenic mice expressing HA under the control of different promoters. HACII mice express HA driven by an MHC class II promoter, and both the TS1 and TS1(SW) TCRs underwent substantial deletion in this background. HA104 mice express HA driven by an SV40 promoter, and the highly reactive TS1 TCR was substantially deleted. By contrast, the less reactive TS1(SW) TCR underwent little or no deletion in TS1(SW) x HA104 mice, although CD5 up-regulation indicated that they had interacted with the S1 self-peptide. In adoptive transfer studies, naive CD4+ T cells expressing the TS1(SW) TCR failed to proliferate in response to the S1 peptide in HA104 mice, and were inefficient at providing help for HA-specific antibody responses. However, effector CD4+ T cells generated from TS1(SW) x HA104 mice acquired the ability to proliferate in response to the S1 peptide in HA104 mice, and were as efficient as CD4+ T cells expressing the high reactivity TS1 TCR in helping HA-specific antibody responses. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a basis by which CD4+ T cells expressing TCRs with low reactivity toward self-peptides can evade negative selection and acquire enhanced autoreactivity following activation by a cross-reactive antigen.

The relationship between immunodominance, DM editing, and the kinetic stability of MHC class II:peptide complexes

Immunodominance refers to the restricted antigen specificity of T cells detected in the immune response after immunization with complex antigens. Despite the presence of many potential peptide epitopes within these immunogens, the elicited T-cell response apparently focuses on a very limited number of peptides. Over the last two decades, a number of distinct explanations have been put forth to explain this very restricted specificity of T cells, many of which suggest that endosomal antigen processing restricts the array of peptides available to recruit CD4 T cells. In this review, we present evidence from our laboratory that suggest that immunodominance in CD4 T-cell responses is primarily due to an intrinsic property of the peptide:class II complexes. The intrinsic kinetic stability of peptide:class II complexes controls DM editing within the antigen-presenting cells and thus the initial epitope density on priming dendritic cells. Additionally, we hypothesize that peptides that possess high kinetic stability interactions with class II molecules display persistence at the cell surface over time and will more efficiently promote T-cell signaling and differentiation than competing, lower-stability peptides contained within the antigen. We discuss this model in the context of the existing data in the field of immunodominance.

The kinetic stability of MHC class II:peptide complexes is a key parameter that dictates immunodominance

T cell priming to exogenous antigens reflects regulated antigen processing in dendritic cells, subsequent homing to lymph nodes, sustained interactions between T cells and antigen-bearing dendritic cells, and, ultimately, selective T cell activation and differentiation. In this study, we test the hypothesis that an intrinsic property of the class II:peptide complex is a key determinant that dictates the specificity of an emerging CD4 T cell response. We found that immunodominant peptides possess extremely long half-lives with class II molecules (t(1/2) > 150 hr), whereas cryptic peptides displayed half-lives of less than 10 hr. Furthermore, and most importantly, by using a peptide shuttle vector and four independent antigens, we demonstrate a direct, causative relationship between the half-life of peptide epitopes and their immunogenicity in vivo. Taken collectively, our results suggest the half-life of class II:peptide complexes is the primary parameter that dictates the ultimate hierarchy of the elicited T cell response.

CD4 T cell responses to influenza infection

Immune responses to viral infections involve a complex orchestration between innate signals and adaptive responses of specific T and B cells. Anti-viral CD4 cells can direct CD8 responses by secreting a Type 1 panel of cytokines including IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha and can drive B cell production of IgG2a to neutralize infective viral particles. This review will focus specifically on the role of CD4 cells in the immune response to influenza, an acute, localized respiratory viral infection. We suggest that CD4 cells act as direct effectors in protection against influenza, may contribute to immunopathology and generate functionally distinct memory subsets.

Specificity-Based Negative Selection of Autoreactive B Cells during Memory Formation

Autoreactive B cells are not completely purged from the primary B cell repertoire, and whether they can be prevented from maturation into memory B cells has been uncertain. We show here that a population of B cells that dominates primary immune responses of BALB/c mice to influenza virus A/PR/8/34 hemagglutinin (HA) are negatively selected in transgenic mice expressing PR8 HA as an abundant membrane-bound Ag (HACII mice). However, a separate population of B cells that contains precursors of memory B cells is activated by PR8 virus immunization and is subsequently negatively selected during the formation of the memory response. Negative selection of PR8 HA-specific B cells altered the specificity of the memory B cell response to a mutant virus containing a single amino acid substitution in a B cell epitope. Strikingly, this skewed reactivity resulted from an increase in the formation of memory B cells directed to non-self-epitopes on the mutant virus, which increased 8-fold in HACII mice relative to nontransgenic mice and precisely compensated for the absence of autoreactive PR8 HA-specific memory B cells. Negative selection of PR8 HA-specific B cells was a dominant process, since B cells from HACII mice could induce negative selection of PR8 HA-specific B cells from BALB/c mice. Lastly, HA-specific memory responses were unaffected by self-tolerance in another lineage of HA-transgenic mice (HA104 mice), indicating that the amount and/or cell type in which self-Ags are expressed can determine their ability to prevent autoreactive memory B cell formation.

The hybrid cytomegalovirus enhancer/chicken beta-actin promoter along with woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element enhances the protective efficacy of DNA vaccines

DNA vaccines represent a novel and powerful alternative to conventional vaccine approaches. They are extremely stable and can be produced en masse at low cost; more importantly, DNA vaccines against emerging pathogens or bioterrorism threats can be quickly constructed based solely upon the pathogen's genetic code. The main drawback of DNA vaccines is that they often induce lower immune responses than traditional vaccines, particularly in nonrodent species. Thus, improving the efficacy of DNA vaccines is a critical issue in vaccine development. In this study we have enhanced the efficacy of DNA vaccines by adopting strategies that increase gene expression. We generated influenza-hemagglutinin (HA)-encoding DNA vaccines that contain the hybrid CMV enhancer/chicken beta-actin (CAG) promoter and/or the mRNA-stabilizing post-transcriptional regulatory element from the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WPRE). Mice were immunized with these DNA vaccines, and the influenza-HA-specific cellular and humoral immune responses were compared with a conventional, HA-encoding DNA vaccine whose gene expression was driven by the CMV immediate-early promoter (pCMV-HA). CAG promoter-driven DNA vaccines elicited significantly higher humoral and cellular immune responses compared with the pCMV-HA vaccine. DNA vaccines consisting of both CAG and WPRE elements (pCAG-HA-WPRE) induced the highest level of protective immunity, such that immunization with 10-fold lower DNA doses prevented death in 100% of the mice upon lethal viral challenge, whereas all mice immunized with the conventional pCMV-HA vaccine succumbed to influenza infection.

Mechanisms, manifestations, and failures of self-tolerance

We have developed transgenic (Tg) mice that express the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 hemagglutinin (PR8 HA) as a well-characterized model antigen with which to analyze factors governing tolerance and autoreactivity among CD4+ T and B cells. To analyze how the expression of self-antigens in varying amounts and in different cell types and tissues affects these processes, we have used a variety of promoters and enhancers to drive HA expression. By mating these HA Tg mice with Tg mice-expressing HA-specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted T cell receptors (TCRs), we have shown that variations in the expression of the HA in different HA Tg lineages can cause CD4+ T cells with identical specificity for a self-peptide either to be deleted (to varying degrees) or to undergo selection to become CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. In addition, a high intrinsic affinity of the TCR for a self-peptide appears to be required for thymocytes to undergo selection to become CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. We have also shown that separate populations of HA-specific B cells that participate at distinct phases of the immune response to the HA in BALB/c mice differ significantly in their sensitivity to negative selection by the neo-self HA. Together, these studies demonstrate that both the diversity of the CD4+ T cell and B cell responses to the HA and variations in the expression of the HA in HA Tg mice can significantly affect the mechanisms and extent of CD4+ T and B cell tolerance induction.

Alloreactive CD4 T cell activation in vivo: an autonomous function of the indirect pathway of alloantigen presentation

Activation of alloreactive CD4 T cells occurs via the direct and indirect pathways of alloantigen presentation. A novel TCR/alloantigen transgenic system was designed that permitted in vivo visualization of CD4 T cell priming through these pathways. When both pathways of alloantigen presentation were intact, CD4 T cell activation in response to cardiac allografts was rapid and systemic by day 4 after transplantation, in contrast to that seen in response to skin allografts, which was delayed until 10-12 days after transplantation. Despite this systemic CD4 T cell activation in response to cardiac allografts, there was a paucity of activated graft-infiltrating CD4 T cells at 4 days posttransplantation. This finding suggests that the initial priming of alloimmune CD4 T cell responses occurs within draining lymphoid organs. Furthermore, alloantigens derived from cardiac allografts failed to promote thymic negative selection of developing thymocytes expressing the alloreactive TCR clonotype. In the absence of a functional direct pathway, the kinetics of activation, anatomic localization, and effector function of alloreactive CD4 T cells remained unchanged. Overall, the present study defines the anatomic and temporal characteristics of CD4 T cell alloimmune responses and demonstrates that CD4 T cell priming via the indirect pathway proceeds optimally in the absence of the direct pathway of alloantigen presentation.

Specialized CC-chemokine secretion by Th1 cells in destructive autoimmune myocarditis

T helper (Th) 1-mediated immune responses are associated with adverse outcomes in a number of models of autoimmune disease. Previous work has focused on the role that cytokines secreted by Th1 cells play in mediating pathologic tissue injury. To evaluate other mechanisms by which Th1 cells may be specialized to coordinate the complex effector cell interactions of a destructive immune response, CD4+ T cells specific for influenza hemagglutinin (HA) were differentiated into Th1 or Th2 subsets and transferred into transgenic mice expressing HA under control of the beta myosin heavy chain promoter, which drives heart specific expression of HA. CD4+ T cells polarized to a Th1 phenotype mediated a more destructive myocarditis than Th2 cells. Strikingly, the Th1-mediated inflammation was comprised primarily of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, suggesting a specialized recruitment function for Th1 cells. Further studies revealed that Th1 and Th2 subsets had polarized secretion of certain CC-chemokines, including MIP-1alpha and RANTES, which have selective recruitment properties on effector cells. Th1 cell secreted factors were up to 1000-fold more potent in inducing CD8+ T cell migration compared to Th2 cell secreted factors, and this advantage was partially mediated by their specialized MIP-1alpha secretion. These findings indicate that Th subsets have distinct patterns of CC-chemokine secretion and this specialization by Th1 cells mediates the recruitment of cytotoxic effector cells into destructive inflammatory responses.

Fusion of interleukin-2 to subunit antigens increase their antigenicity in vitro due to an interleukin-2 receptor beta-mediated antigen uptake mechanism

Subunit vaccines, based on one or more epitopes, offer advantages over whole vaccines in terms of safety but are less antigenic. We investigated whether fusion of the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) to influenza-derived subunit antigens could increase their antigenicity. The fusion of IL-2 to the subunit antigens increased their antigenicity in vitro. Encapsulation of the subunit antigen in liposomes also increased its antigenicity in vitro, yet encapsulation of the subunit IL-2 fusion did not. The use of anti-IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2Rbeta) antibody to block the receptor subunit on macrophages suggested that the adjuvancy exerted by IL-2 in our in vitro system is due to, at least in part, a previously unreported IL-2Rbeta-mediated antigen uptake mechanism.

DNA vaccines, combining form of antigen and method of delivery to raise a spectrum of IFN-gamma and IL-4-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

DNA-based immunizations have been used to determine the patterns of type 1 and type 2 cytokines that can be induced in vivo for Ag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. IL-4 was used as a signature cytokine for a type 2 T cell response and IFN-gamma as the signature cytokine for a type 1 response. Gene gun deliveries of secreted Ags were used to bias responses toward type 2 and saline injections of cell-associated Ags to bias responses toward type 1. The studies revealed that gene gun bombardments of DNAs expressing secreted Ags strongly biased responses toward type 2, inducing IL-4-producing CD8(+) as well as CD4(+) T cells. Saline injections of DNAs expressing cell-associated Ags strongly biased responses toward type 1, inducing IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) and CD4(+) cells. A mixed type 1/type 2 response of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells and IL-4-producing CD4(+) T cells was found for gene gun deliveries of cell-associated Ags. Saline injections of secreted Ags raised a weakly type 1-biased response characterized by only slightly higher frequencies of IFN-gamma- than IL-4-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Studies in B cell knockout and hen egg lysozyme Ig transgenic mice revealed that B cells were required for the generation of IL-4-producing CD8(+) T cells.

Induction of influenza type A virus-specific resistance by immunization of mice with a synthetic multiple antigenic peptide vaccine that contains ectodomains of matrix protein 2

Matix protein 2 (M2) is a transmembrane protein of influenza type A virus. It contains a 23 aa long ectodomain (M2e) that is highly conserved amongst human influenza type A viruses. M2e-specific antibodies have been shown to restrict virus growth in vitro and in vivo and thus have the potential of providing cross-reactive resistance to influenza type A virus infection. We attempted to induce M2e-specific protection with synthetic multiple antigen peptide (MAP) constructs that contained covalently linked M2e- and Th-determinant peptides. Mice, vaccinated twice by the intranasal (i.n.) route with adjuvanted M2e-MAPs exhibited significant resistance to virus replication in all sites of the respiratory tract. Compared to mice primed by two consecutive heterosubtypic infections, resistance was of similar strength in nasal and tracheal tissue but lower in pulmonary tissue. Importantly, the protection in M2e-MAP- and infection-immunized mice appeared to be mediated by distinct immune mechanisms. This suggests that stronger protection may be achievable by combining both protective activities.

CD4 effector T cell subsets in the response to influenza: heterogeneity, migration, and function

The immune response of naive CD4 T cells to influenza virus is initiated in the draining lymph nodes and spleen, and only after effectors are generated do antigen-specific cells migrate to the lung which is the site of infection. The effector cells generated in secondary organs appear as multiple subsets which are a heterogeneous continuum of cells in terms of number of cell divisions, phenotype and function. The effector cells that migrate to the lung constitute the more differentiated of the total responding population, characterized by many cell divisions, loss of CD62L, down-regulation of CCR7, stable expression of CD44 and CD49d, and transient expression of CCR5 and CD25. These cells also secrete high levels of interferon gamma and reduced levels of interleukin 2 relative to those in the secondary lymphoid organs. The response declines rapidly in parallel with viral clearance, but a spectrum of resting cell subsets reflecting the pattern at the peak of response is retained, suggesting that heterogeneous effector populations may give rise to corresponding memory populations. These results reveal a complex response, not an all-or-none one, which results in multiple effector phenotypes and implies that effector cells and the memory cells derived from them can display a broad spectrum of functional potentials.

Regulation of DNA-raised immune responses by cotransfected interferon regulatory factors

Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), IRF-3, and IRF-7 have been tested as genetic adjuvants for influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein vaccine DNAs. Cotransfection of HA with IRF-3 and IRF-7 increased CD4 T-cell responses by 2- to 4-fold and CD8 T-cell responses by more than 10-fold. Following intramuscular deliveries of DNA, both CD4 and CD8 T cells were biased towards type 1 immune responses and the production of gamma interferon. Following gene gun bombardments of DNA, both were biased towards type 2 immune responses and the production of interleukin-4. The biases of the T-cell responses towards type 1 or type 2 were stronger for immunizations with IRF-3 as an adjuvant than for immunizations with IRF-7 as an adjuvant. Moderate adjuvant effects for antibody were observed. The isotypes of the antibody responses reflected the method of DNA delivery; intramuscular deliveries of DNA predominantly raised immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a), whereas gene gun deliveries of DNA predominantly raised IgG1. These biases were enhanced by the codelivered IRFs. Overall, under the conditions of our experiments, IRF-3 had good activity for T cells, IRF-7 had good activity for both antibody and T cells, and IRF-1 had good activity for antibody.

Successful interference with cellular immune responses to immunogenic proteins encoded by recombinant viral vectors

Vectors derived from the adeno-associated virus (AAV) have been successfully used for the long-term expression of therapeutic genes in animal models and patients. One of the major advantages of these vectors is the absence of deleterious immune responses following gene transfer. However, AAV vectors, when used in vaccination studies, can result in efficient humoral and cellular responses against the transgene product. It is therefore important to understand the factors which influence the establishment of these immune responses in order to design safe and efficient procedures for AAV-based gene therapies. We have compared T-cell activation against a strongly immunogenic protein, the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), which is synthesized in skeletal muscle following gene transfer with an adenovirus (Ad) or an AAV vector. In both cases, cellular immune responses resulted in the elimination of transduced muscle fibers within 4 weeks. However, the kinetics of CD4(+) T-cell activation were markedly delayed when AAV vectors were used. Upon recombinant Ad (rAd) gene transfer, T cells were activated both by direct transduction of dendritic cells and by cross-presentation of the transgene product, while upon rAAV gene transfer T cells were only activated by the latter mechanism. These results suggested that activation of the immune system by the transgene product following rAAV-mediated gene transfer might be easier to control than that following rAd-mediated gene transfer. Therefore, we tested protocols aimed at interfering with either antigen presentation by blocking the CD40/CD40L pathway or with the T-cell response by inducing transgene-specific tolerance. Long-term expression of the AAV-HA was achieved in both cases, whereas immune responses against Ad-HA could not be prevented. These data clearly underline the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which vector-encoded proteins are recognized by the immune system in order to specifically interfere with them and to achieve safe and stable gene transfer in clinical trials.

Virus-induced maturation and activation of autoreactive memory B cells

We have examined B cell populations that participate in distinct phases of the immune response to the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 hemagglutinin (HA) for their susceptibility to negative selection in mice that express the HA as a neo-self-antigen (HA104 mice). We demonstrated previously that specificity for the neo-self-HA causes a population of immunoglobulin G antibody-secreting cells, which dominate the primary response to virus immunization in BALB/c mice, to be negatively selected in HA104 mice. We find here that in contrast to these primary response B cells, HA-specific memory response B cells developed equivalently in HA104 and nontransgenic (BALB/c) mice. Indeed, there was no indication that HA-specific B cells were negatively selected during memory formation in influenza virus-immunized HA104 mice, even though the neo-self-HA can be recognized by memory B cells. Furthermore, HA-specific autoantibodies were induced in the absence of virus immunization by mating HA104 mice with mice transgenic for a CD4(+) HA-specific T cell receptor. These findings indicate that specificity for a self-antigen does not prevent the maturation of autoreactive B cells in the germinal center pathway. Rather, the availability of CD4(+) T cell help may play a crucial role in regulating autoantibody responses to the HA in HA104 mice.

Antigen Processing of Two H2-IEd-Restricted Epitopes Is Differentially Influenced by the Structural Changes in a Viral Glycoprotein

The factors that influence the intracellular location(s) of MHC class II-restricted epitope loading remain poorly understood. We present evidence that two I-Ed-restricted epitopes of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) molecule, termed site 1 (S1; encompassing amino acid residues 107–119) and site 3 (S3; encompassing amino acid residues 302–313), are generated in distinct endocytic compartments. By means of an epitope-specific mAb, we show that S1 becomes detectable in late endocytic/lysosomal vesicles; using a mutant cell line, we also show that the presentation of S1 is dependent upon H2-DM expression. In contrast, S3; presentation is H2-DM-independent and appears in early endosomes as a result of acid-induced structural changes in HA. Presentation of both epitopes can be made H2-DM-independent by denaturing HA and made H2-DM-dependent by preventing the acid-induced conformational changes from occurring. These findings indicate that the structural context of a given epitope can determine where it is processed.

Studies on experimental adjuvanted influenza vaccines: comparison of immune stimulating complexes (Iscoms) and oil-in-water vaccines

Detergent-disrupted influenza virus vaccines, formulated as Iscoms, or oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions, were administered parenterally to mice and evaluated for immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Both formulations enhanced both primary and secondary serum antibody responses. The magnitude of these responses with o/w emulsions was further enhanced by the addition of the non-ionic block copolymer L121 in the emulsion. Four weeks after primary immunization, mice were challenged by exposure to an aerosol containing infectious virus. Resistance to challenge in terms of survival rate and weight change correlated well with serum antibody titre for all formulations. Two major differences were observed between the adjuvant formulations. Iscom vaccines, formulated with Quil-A or the less toxic Quillaia saponin preparation Iscoprep 703, induced specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses, whereas the o/w-based vaccines did not. In addition, dose-site reactivity studies in sheep showed that Iscom vaccines were less reactive than o/w-based vaccines, the degree of reactivity of the latter increasing sharply with increasing L121 concentration. On the basis of these studies, Iscoms were chosen for development as a potential adjuvant for human influenza vaccines.

Inhibition of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Blocks T Cell Proliferation But Does Not Induce or Prevent Anergy

Three mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways are up-regulated during the activation of T lymphocytes, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. To examine the effects of blocking the ERK pathway on T cell activation, we used the inhibitor U0126, which has been shown to specifically block mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK), the kinase upstream of ERK. This compound inhibited T cell proliferation in response to antigenic stimulation or cross-linked anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 Abs, but had no effect on IL-2-induced proliferation. The block in T cell proliferation was mediated by down-regulating IL-2 mRNA levels. Blocking Ag-induced proliferation by inhibiting MEK did not induce anergy, unlike treatments that block entry into the cell cycle following antigenic stimulation. Surprisingly, induction of anergy in T cells exposed to TCR cross-linking in the absence of costimulation was also not affected by blocking MEK, unlike cyclosporin A treatment that blocks anergy induction. These results suggest that inhibition of MEK prevents T cell proliferation in the short term, but does not cause any long-term effects on either T cell activation or induction of anergy. These findings may help determine the viability of using mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors as immune suppressants.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice of influenza B virus vaccines grown in mammalian cells or embryonated chicken eggs

The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of formalin-inactivated influenza B/Memphis/1/93 virus vaccines propagated exclusively in Vero cells, MDCK cells, or embryonated chicken eggs (hereafter referred to as eggs) were investigated. Mammalian cell-grown viruses differ from the egg-grown variant at amino acid position 198 (Pro/Thr) in the hemagglutinin gene. The level of neuraminidase activity was highest in egg-grown virus, while MDCK and Vero cell-derived viruses possessed 70 and 90% less activity, respectively. After boosting, each of the vaccines induced high levels of hemagglutinin-inhibiting, neuraminidase-inhibiting, and neutralizing antibodies that provided complete protection from MDCK-grown virus challenge. Mammalian cell-derived virus vaccines induced serum antibodies that were more cross-reactive, while those induced by egg-grown virus vaccines were more specific to the homologous antigen. Enzyme-linked immunospot analysis indicated that cell-grown virus vaccines induced high frequencies of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-producing cells directed against both cell- and egg-grown virus antigens, whereas egg-grown virus vaccine induced higher frequencies of IgG- and IgM-producing cells reacting with homologous antigen and low levels of IgG-producing cells reactive with cell-grown viruses. These studies indicate that influenza B virus variants selected in different host systems can elicit different immune responses, but these alterations had no detectable influence on the protective efficacy of the vaccines with the immunization protocol used in this study.

Crystal structures of two I-Ad-peptide complexes reveal that high affinity can be achieved without large anchor residues

We have determined the structures of I-Ad covalently linked to an ovalbumin peptide (OVA323-339) and to an influenza virus hemagglutinin peptide (HA126-138). The floor of the peptide-binding groove contains an unusual beta bulge, not seen in I-E and DR structures, that affects numerous interactions between the alpha and beta chains and bound peptide. Unlike other MHC-peptide complexes, the peptides do not insert any large anchor residues into the binding pockets of the shallow I-Ad binding groove. The previously identified six-residue "core" binding motif of I-Ad occupies only the P4 to P9 pockets, implying that specificity of T cell receptor recognition of I-Ad-peptide complexes can be accomplished by peptides that only partially fill the MHC groove.

Immune recognition of influenza hemagglutinin as a viral and a neo-self-antigen

To analyze mechanisms governing tolerance and autoimmunity to self-antigens, we have generated lineages of transgenic mice that express the influenza virus PR8 hemagglutinin (HA) as a neo-self-antigen. By comparing the HA-specific T and B cell responses that can be induced in HA Tg mice with those that are induced in non-Tg (BALB/c) mice, the specificity and genetic basis with which tolerance is induced to the HA has been examined. This article summarizes studies using lineages of HA Tg mice that express different forms and amounts of the HA under the control of the SV40 promoter/enhancer. Our studies have revealed that specific subsets of HA-specific T and B cells are negatively selected from the primary repertoires of HA Tg mice. However, substantial populations of HA-specific T and B cells evade negative selection and can be activated by virus immunization. Understanding the capacity of these autoreactive lymphocytes to differentiate and participate in antigen-specific immune responses will provide important insights into mechanisms by which autoimmunity might be induced by viruses bearing structural similarities with self-antigens.

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in activated and anergic Th1 cells

Stimulation of T cells through the TCR leads to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and JNK (jun NH2-terminal kinase). These kinases act in synergy to increase the activity of the transcription factor AP-1 which is involved in the transcriptional upregulation of IL-2. Recently a third MAPK member, p38, has been identified. The effects of T cell activation on this pathway have not yet been elucidated. Using two murine Th1 clones, we demonstrate that the p38 pathway is induced upon anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 crosslinking or PMA plus ionomycin stimulation. p38 activity was induced fully by anti-CD3 or PMA alone and is not enhanced by costimulation even at low levels of TCR signaling. p38 activity peaked at 20 min and was significantly decreased by 2 hr. Anergic (tolerant) Th1 cells showed decreased p38 activity as well as decreased ERK and JNK activities even though levels of these proteins remained unchanged.

Anergic T cells are defective in both jun NH2-terminal kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways

T helper type 1 cells (Th1) become anergic when stimulated through the antigen receptor in the absence of costimulation. They do not produce IL-2 or proliferate in response to subsequent stimulation. Previous studies have indicated that anergic T cells are defective in the trnsactivational activity of the transcription factor, AP-1, which is required for optimal IL-2 transcription. Using two murine Th1 cell clones, we demonstrate that anergic Th1 cells have defects in both jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activities. These kinases have been shown to be important for the upregulation of AP-1 activity. Furthermore, our data show that ERK and JNK activities are restored when anergy is induced in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, or when anergic T cells are allowed to proliferate in response to exogenous IL-2. These treatments have previously been shown to prevent or reverse the anergic state. Our results suggest that defects in both JNK and ERK may result in the decreased AP-1 activity and the reduced IL-2 transcription observed in anergic T cells.

Enhancement of antigen presentation of influenza virus hemagglutinin by the natural human anti-Gal antibody

Immunogenicity of inactivated virus or subviral vaccines may be enhanced by complexing with an IgG antibody. Such antibody would increase the uptake, processing and presentation of the vaccine's antigens by antigen presenting cells (APC), via the adhesion of the antibody-vaccine complex to Fc-receptors on macrophages and other APC. A natural antibody in humans, which may be generally exploited for this purpose, is the natural anti-Gal antibody. This antibody is ubiquitously produced as 1% of circulating IgG in humans and Old World primates, and it interacts specifically with the carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3 Gal beta 1-4 GlcNAc-R (termed the alpha-galactosyl epitope). This epitope is synthesized in large amounts in cells of nonprimate mammals and New World monkeys by the glycosylation enzyme alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase. Here we describe in vitro studies on the ability of anti-Gal to bind to alpha-galactosyl epitopes on influenza virus propagated in mammalian cells, and to enhance presentation by APC of viral hemagglutinin antigenic determinants to specific helper T cell clones. The various approaches for achieving alpha-galactosyl epitope expression on virion and subviral vaccines are discussed.

Genetic basis for T cell recognition of a major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted neo-self peptide

We have analyzed the genetic basis for T cell recognition of an endogenous major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted self peptide. Transgenic mice expressing the influenza virus PR8 hemagglutinin I-Ed-restricted determinant S1 (HA Tg mice) mediate negative selection of PR8 S1-specific T cells, but respond to immunization with a virus containing a closely related analogue, S1(K113). Sequence analysis of S1(K113)-specific T cell receptors (TCR) from nontransgenic mice revealed a dominant TCR clonotype that cross-reacts with PR8 S1. This clonotype is eliminated by negative selection in HA Tg mice; nonetheless, modified versions of this TCR that used altered junctional sequences and a novel V alpha/V beta pairing to evade negative selection by the S1 self peptide were identified. The remaining S1(K113)-specific TCRs from HA Tg mice were highly diverse; 13 of 15 S1(K113)-specific TCRs from HA Tg mice used unique V alpha/V beta pairings. Thus, tolerance to PR8 S1 as a self peptide does not limit the diversity of the T cell response to S1(K113).

Transgenic mice that express different forms of the influenza virus hemagglutinin as a neo-self-antigen

We have generated transgenic mouse lineages that express the influenza virus hemagglutinin in different physical forms. One kind expresses the full-length hemagglutinin molecule as a cell surface glycoprotein and can be recognized by hemagglutinin-specific B and T cells. The other expresses a truncated polypeptide corresponding to the N-terminal third of the hemagglutinin molecule. This polypeptide encodes known hemagglutinin-specific T-cell determinants; however, it contains no native B-cell epitopes, since these depend on the conformation of the fully folded protein. In each case, the hemagglutinin transgenic mice display ubiquitous expression of transgenic messenger RNA and induce T-cell tolerance to the transgene-encoded T-cell determinant site 1. Thus, the hemagglutinin is a neo-self-antigen in both kinds of hemagglutinin transgenic mice and should provide a useful system for understanding the factors and mechanisms that govern tolerance and autoimmunity to self-antigens.

Selection of a single amino acid substitution in the hemagglutinin molecule by chicken eggs can render influenza A virus (H3) candidate vaccine ineffective

This study investigated whether a single amino acid change in the hemagglutinin (HA) molecule influenced the efficacy of formalin-inactivated influenza A (H3N1) vaccine candidates derived from high-growth reassortants between the standard donor of high-yield genes (A/PR/8/34 [H1N1]) and host cell variants generated from the same clinical isolate (A/Memphis/7/90 [H3N2]) by passage in embryonated chicken eggs. Two clones of the isolate generated by growth in eggs differed from the parent virus (represented by an MDCK cell-grown counterpart) solely by the presence of Lys (instead of Glu) at position 156 or Ile (instead of Ser) at position 186 in the HA1 subunit. The protective efficacy of egg-grown HA Lys-156 and HA Ile-186 reassortant variants was compared with that of the MDCK cell-grown reassortant vaccine. Classically, antibody titers in serum have been used to demonstrate vaccine efficacy. Here, parameters of B-cell responsiveness were monitored, including the kinetics, character, and localization of the primary antibody-forming cell (AFC) response and the development of B-cell memory in lymphoid tissues associated with the priming site (spleen) and responsive to pulmonary challenge with infectious virus (upper and lower respiratory tract lymph nodes). We show that the egg-grown HA Lys-156 variant induced an AFC profile vastly different from that elicited by the other two reassortant vaccines. The vaccine was poorly immunogenic; it induced antibodies that were cross-reactive prior to challenge but which, postchallenge with a lethal dose of the MDCK cell-grown reassortant virus, were targeted primarily to the HA Lys-156 variant, were of the immunoglobulin M isotype, were nonprotective, and were derived from the spleen. In contrast, the egg-grown HA Ile-186 variant was remarkably like the MDCK cell-grown virus in that protective immunoglobulin G antibodies were unaffected by the Ile-186 substitution but poorly recognized HA with Lys-156. Furthermore, memory AFC responsiveness was localized to regional lymphoid tissue in the upper respiratory tract, where challenge HA was found. Thus, it is recommended that in the selection of vaccine candidates, virus populations with the egg-adapted HA Lys-156 substitution be eliminated and that, instead, egg-grown isolates which minimally contain Ile-186 be used as logical alternatives to MDCK cell-grown viruses.

Expression and functional properties of mouse B7/BB1 using a fusion protein between mouse CTLA4 and human gamma 1

We report the construction and expression of a fusion protein made from the extracellular portion of the mouse CTLA-4 gene and the constant region of human IgG1. This fusion protein behaves like an antibody to mouse B7/BB1, binding to activated B cells and purified dendritic cells. In addition, we found it to bind to activated T cells. The fusion protein interfered with the ability of antigen-pulsed antigen-presenting cells to induce proliferation of T-cell clones, although the degree of inhibition varied. These findings are discussed in the light of the physiological activation of T cells in secondary lymphoid organs.

Conservation of determinants for class II-restricted T cells within site E of influenza virus hemagglutinin and factors influencing their expression

The determinants recognized by helper T cells specific for the site E region of H3 subtype influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) have been defined by examining the reactivity of T-cell clones with sets of overlapping peptides of various lengths covering the site. Two overlapping sequences, TLIDALLG and LIDALLGDP, were identified as the minimal determinants for four of five representative clones. These sequences are located within a loop of the molecule closed by a disulfide bond and presumably require cleavage of this bond for interaction with the class II major histocompatibility molecule. In contrast, the determinant recognized by the fifth clone was dependent on the presence of an intact disulfide bond for its expression and could not be represented by a synthetic peptide homolog of the linear sequence. Both TLIDALLG and LIDALLGDP are conserved within all field strains of the H3 subtype. Nevertheless, recognition of these sequences by the T-cell clones is affected by the glycosylation pattern of the hemagglutinin and by residues lying outside the minimal determinant. Three distinct clones directed towards the sequence LIDALLGDP were remarkably similar in their pattern of response to a set of synthetic analogs of the determinant, suggesting that residues of the T-cell receptor other than those contacting the minimal determinant may be responsible for the different specificities observed for these clones with different field strains of virus.

Immunogenicity of free synthetic peptides corresponding to T helper epitopes of the influenza HA 1 subunit. Induction of virus cross reacting CD4+ T lymphocytes in mice

Four linear synthetic peptides corresponding to residues 12-29, 50-67, 121-138 and 131-147 of the HA 1 subunit of H3 subtype influenza virus (NT/60/68) were tested for their capacity to elicit in vivo peptide-specific CD4+ T cells cross reacting with whole virus. By studying the in vitro peptide proliferative response of lymph node cells from mice sensitized in vivo with free peptides emulsified in complete or incomplete Freund adjuvant, it was found that region 12-29 could be recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in the context of H-2k and H-2b, region 50-67 in association with H-2b and region 121-138 in the context of H-2d MHC molecules. Outbred OF 1 mice could recognize regions 50-67 and 121-138. Peptides 50-67 and 121-138 are of potential interest for synthetic vaccine design since they induced in BALB/c (peptide 121-138) and OF 1 (both peptides) mice a CD4+ T cell population that cross reacted with whole virus. The region 50-67 is of particular interest since only few substitutions have been found in this area in natural variants of the H3 virus subtype.

A new mouse T-cell receptor alpha chain variable region family

Sequence analysis of the rearranged T-cell receptor alpha chain gene segments from an influenza reactive T-cell clone T2.5-5 and a hemin chloride reactive T-cell hybrid SJL-HE-1.1 have revealed a previously undescribed V alpha gene family. We have designated this family V alpha 15. Southern hybridization analysis has indicated that this family most probably contains only two members, and that these are conserved in each of six mouse strains representing three previously described V alpha haplotypes: V alpha a, V alpha b, and V alpha c.